The Voice Chapter 8

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Arrival

     Again it was the dead of night. She came back to herself. Too many memories. The sunset had subsided to the dusk and then the blackness...more confusion...no rest, more tears.  Why now? Why couldn’t she appreciate her father? Time had changed him yet again and he had greyed. He had softened. Perhaps it pained him to talk of her mother. Perhaps it was a reflection of a time he would rather forget. For the first time she felt she understood him...an illegitimate birth. That must be why it was hush hush. 

     Lights of the harbour appeared on the horizon...her hope and curiosity piqued. Luigi was at her elbow. “You ready principessa?” 

     Catarina jumped, “Why this secrecy? Why in the dead of night?”

     “There is a reason and you must trust me. If you do, you will experience no harm. In time.”

     Hush, hush. That was all she was getting lately...more secrecy, no light, no answers. She sighed and looked hopefully to the harbour as docks came into view out of the mist and in real forms. They sailed on by them. Her heart sank. With some curiosity she watched as they passed the sentinels of firm wood and sea bells back out to open water and then along the coast.They puttered along for about ten more minutes. A forgotten inlet came into view and it was here that they landed. Dark shapes loomed out of the shore, where they rocks? Docks? Buildings? The mist laid an eerie blanket and sent shivers up her spine.