Staying in Tweed Berwick, Isabel Walton spends her days in a border town. Nor did she need to go out of her way to visit the County Earl of Northumberland during these days. However, even if she wanted to visit the Earl of Northumberland, she did not have the opportunity at the moment. Because the Earl of Northumberland and his eldest son had been executed by Henry VIII during the Northern Rebellion a few years earlier, the castle estates and estates where the family had lived for generations were also under the royal tutelage.

On the morning of August 29, the "Nemesis", proudly holding its bow high, broke through the rough waters of the North Sea like a wild horse, and glided swiftly and smoothly at the mouth of the Tweed River. Several halberders guarding the top of a watchtower on the north shore of the estuary spotted an armed merchant ship flying the English flag and immediately reported it to their squad leader. The leader then mounted his horse and galloped towards Berwick Castle, only half a mile to the north.

"Da-da-da... A rapid sound of horses' hooves came from outside the castle gate, and Isabel, who was training in swordsmanship with the guards in the castle square, couldn't help but look in the direction of the gate.

When the leader of the halberd squad rushed into the square on a fast-running warhorse, Isabel turned around and stared at the squad leader beside him and said loudly, "Sergeant, what happened?" ”

When the captain of the squad on the horse turned his head to look at her, he just yelled loudly, "Boat! Warship! ”

After the team leader finished speaking, he rode his horse towards the house on the south side of the square, and several guards who were training put down their swords in their hands and whispered to each other, "Brother, do you hear me?" Warship! ”

Wei Cong Fast grinned, "Brothers, I think it's Your Excellency's 'Nemesis' here!" ”

A young guard was slightly stunned, "Your Excellency's ship is here?" Too fast, right? ”

Fast glared at him and snorted, "What, don't you want to go to Scotland anymore?" ”

Not long after, the head of the guard, Sir William Earle, his brother Ralph, and a few other attendants walked out of the house. Upon coming to Isabel, he saluted and said with a smile, "Your Excellency, the sergeant of the Coast Watchtower reports that a warship carrying the flag of the kingdom has appeared on the Tweed River. ”

"Sir, I see." Isabel nodded slightly, then looked at Fast and the others behind her and said loudly, "Fast, you go to prepare the horses, now I am going to the Coastal Lookout." ”

The Nemesis sailed slowly across the estuary, and many sailors on the open deck lay down beside the starboard fence and watched curiously about the north coast. At this time, just listen to "Smack!" With a bang, Boatswain Brady Hawkins, who was standing behind the sailors, felt a hand tapped him on the shoulder.

Turning his head, it turned out to be his cousin John Brady, who held the position of adjutant of maritime affairs, standing behind him. Brady quickly turned around and smiled, "Lord Adjutant Marine, do you have any orders?" ”

John, with a somewhat swarthy young face, whispered, "Brady, don't look any further. Let the sailors get ready, the merchant ship will soon dock. ”

"Yes, sir." Brady smiled in agreement, and turned to shout at the other sailors, "Brothers, the ship is coming ashore!" Get ready! ”

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After the "Nemesis" docked at the pier on the west side of the coastal watchtower, the captain of the guard standing on the pier with Isabel and others looked up at the armed merchant ship 70 feet long and 20 feet wide and asked appreciatively, "Your Excellency, this is the ship that the Spaniards used to escort the sailing ships?" ”

Isabelle, who was motionless with her hands behind her back, nodded, "Yes, Sir." In order to be able to carry a large amount of treasure from overseas territories, the Spanish merchant ships had to rely on the escort ships to return to Spain. ”

"A lot of treasure? Your Excellency, how did the Spaniards get their hands on such treasures? "It's clear that the Captain of the Guard is also an ordinary man who loves treasure.

"Overseas territories! The Spaniards had countless farms, ranches and plantations in the Americas and the Caribbean, as well as many mines where gold and silver could be mined. Isabel just calmly told the truth.

"My God, this... How is this possible! ”

"Sir, this is a fact that has been happening for a long time."

At this time, the three officers who went down the wooden ladder to starboard to the ferry came to the pier on the ferry. The captain led the crew to the dock and strode to the few who were already waiting for them. Isabel stared at the captain standing in front of her a little strangely, "Captain William Hawkins?" How did you end up here? ”

After a mutual introduction and salute, Captain Hawkins stroked his beard and laughed, "Lady Isabel, I will definitely take part in such an interesting voyage." And, you know, I'm a man who is used to wandering at sea, and I don't really like life on land. ”

Isabel looked at the two young men beside the captain who were in the position of senior sailors, and couldn't help but shake her head and smile and said, "John, you and your cousin Brady also want to come to see Scotland?" ”

Maritime Adjutant John Hawkins nodded respectfully, "Yes, ma'am. Wherever Nemesis sails, I will take my duty of supply, repair and maintenance seriously. ”

After some consultation with the captain of the guard, Isabel arranged the daily affairs of her armed merchant ship, such as supplies and repairs, meals and rest for the crew. After lunch, she and Captain Hawkins talked about their plans for the battle in the heart of Scotland in the square of Berwick Castle.

Despite his extensive experience in overseas adventure trade, Captain Hawkins was stunned by Isabel's battle plan. Captain Hawkins couldn't help but ponder because he didn't have a clear place to arrive, was surrounded by the Scots, couldn't easily appear in the daytime, and was always on guard against the Scots and French ships.

After being silent for a long time, he said slowly: "Madam, do you think this voyage will be more dangerous than our voyage in the Caribbean?" ”

Isabel casually admired the houses on both sides, "Captain, actually, we only need to do one thing, and this voyage will not be very dangerous. ”

"Oh? Which point? ”

"A warship disguised as a Frenchman."

Captain Hawkins was very ignorant of the alliance between Scotland and France, and only asked curiously, "Madame, why are you French?" ”