Isabel elaborated in high-level generalized terms about the "old alliance" between the Kingdom of Scotland and France. Next, he explained to the merchant Captain Hawkins the causes and consequences of several Anglo-Soviet wars from 1542 to the present time.

The two men walked out of Berwick Castle as they talked, and after walking about 450 feet (137.2 meters) west, they came to a private tavern, ordered two glasses of ale, and some meat, and sat down at a table facing the street. Captain Hawkins shook his head and laughed as he drank the ale in the flickering candlelight, "His Majesty paid a lot to get Scotland, not only money but also a large army. ”

Isabel leaned back in her chair and gently fiddled with the tin wine glass with her hand, and smiled faintly, "Actually, the most fundamental reason is the struggle between Catholicism and Protestantism. The Catholic Queen Mother of Scotland was very reluctant to marry her only daughter to a pagan son, which is why the war broke out a few months ago. ”

"Madame, I see. But why did this small market town have so many walls, castles and watchtowers? Captain Hawkins turned the conversation to his border town.

"Because of the extraordinary role of this market town, we have been at war with the Scots for hundreds of years over this market town." Isabel still speaks in general language.

Captain Hawkins just smiled and didn't say anything more. With regard to the feuds between Britain and the Soviet Union from the days of the Roman Empire, the captain was more inclined to get more satisfaction and pleasure from the adventurous trade overseas. Later, the captain and Isabel talked about the central target of the sneak attack, Mary I, Queen of Scots.

The captain thought for a moment, and then said, "Madam, where are you going to start searching for this child?" ”

This is a question that Isabel has thought about many times. Now, just take the proven theory out," said Stirling, a royal borough a few dozen miles west of the city of Edinburgh. ”

The captain nodded, "Well, ma'am, I and the rest of the crew will carefully follow your every order. ”

Isabel smiled, "Good, Captain. As a matter of fact, I will do my best to capture some valuable loot to pay the crew's honorarium. ”

"Ma'am, it's only a month or two of sailing. And, at sea, we could plunder the ships of the Scots and the French. So, I'll take care of the honorarium. ”

"Very well, Captain. There are still three days left before the start of the voyage, and we have to get everything ready. When Isabel said this, she suddenly remembered an important question and hurriedly asked, "Captain, how to deal with the problem of horses?" ”

During Captain Hawkins' seafaring career, the problem of transporting horses by ship was almost never encountered. For a while, he couldn't come up with a better solution. In order not to make Isabel Walton, a noble lady, angry with her, she had to whisper a few words, "Madam, I don't think there is enough place for the 'Nemesis' to carry dozens of war horses. However, a few small fishing boats can be hired to transport the horses. ”

Isabel thought about it too, but it was too risky. If there is a big wind and waves in the North Sea, the fishing boat will sink into the sea with the horses. As a result, the team suffered an even more heavier loss of horses. After thinking about it, Isabel decided, "Captain, there will be no horses in this sneak attack. However, it is necessary to carry at least two or more ferries. ”

"Yes, ma'am, the problem of the ferry is easy to handle."

"Well, now we can discuss the other issues of access to the Scottish rivers."

It wasn't until the dinner at Berwick Castle began that the two finished talking about the details of the attack. Next, Isabel and Captain Hawkins made another three days of preparation. When the time came to 8 o'clock in the afternoon of August 31, the sun hanging high in the sky quietly withdrew, leaving the sky for a long night.

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All the crew members of the "Nemesis" were in position, and the 30 guards in infantry busts were also standing in a neat line on the docks, waiting for their commander's orders. Isabel and the Squire Ralph Earl, who was fluent in Low Scottish English, stood at the front of the line, glanced at the torch-wielding group and said loudly, "Brothers, this is Ralph, the brother of the Captain of the Guard, and you and he know each other. This time, Ralph will be working as a translator for the Scottish language to participate in our sneak attack. ”

Then she continued: "I think there will still be people who don't understand why I would have you wear the 'Arman Rivet' (the English term for the Italian-style infantry bust), the kind of armor worn by longbowmen and sergeants. ”

Seeing that the crowd did not speak, she spoke again, "Because of this sneak attack, we will not be riding horses into the Scots' territory." I hope you can do the same as your ancestors (Vikings, Angles) and jump from ships with weapons in hand and storm Scots towns, churches, castles and estates to plunder the Scots' treasures and food! ”

Fast, who was standing at the front of the team, suddenly said, "Your Excellency, what are we going to do if the Scots surround us?" ”

Isabel sneered and said aloud, "You have to turn yourselves into demons from hell and show your ruthlessness and cruelty to the Scots." Let them know that you are descendants of the Vikings, also known as Vikings! You're going to be a nightmare for the Scots! Even if William Wallace crawled out of the coffin, he would not be able to save his fellow Scottish! ”

Afterwards, the sneak attack team climbed onto the open deck of the "Nemesis" in turn on a ferry. When Isabel, who was the last to leave, got on the ferry with Ralph, Fast and the others, Ralph looked at the squad commander in the dark with excitement, "Your Excellency, you said it very well just now. But am I a descendant of the Vikings? I've never heard anyone say that. ”

Isabel looked at the bright moon hanging high in the night sky, and said with a soft smile, "Ralph, this was a long, long time ago. The Danes, the descendants of the Vikings, established the 'Danish Dominion' in the north-east of England and lived in England for more than 50 years. ”

Several of the less educated attendants listened with relish, and Fast hurriedly asked, "Your Excellency, what happened next?" Did those Vikings leave England? ”

Isabel grinned, "Of course, the noble Alfred the Great, like King Arthur, defeated the Vikings and reclaimed the Danish dominions. ”