Penny Lane

The Voyage of the Visund -66-

Ursula goes to the market to find more suitable attire for the two Yodans and later begins to teach them the Garian numbers, revealing an unexpected talent. Meanwhile Lars attempts to find something suitable for the men to drink and takes a side trip to a brewery. There he overhears a casual conversation.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

66 - Hats and Numbers

A Winter Mission

In the Duchy of Joth, a Tenant wakes in the night... his visitor has an urgent request.

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A Winter Mission

A Tale of Anmar by Penny Lane


This short story will form the prologue to 'Return to Anmar'. Planning is well under way but it may be a while before any further chapters are published.

The Voyage of the Visund -65-

Ursula has a major headache to solve as she joins the military leaders for discussions. Other questions arise as the talks continue and the presence of the housekeeper just adds to the distractions. She is relieved to escape the talks that afternoon to go and examine Count Darkwin...

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

65 - A Navy is Born


With characters and locations first revealed in Tales of Upper Fanir by Julia Phillips.

The Voyage of the Visund -64-

The company have reached Faralan. They are welcomed with open arms and a desire for the country to join the Federation. However, the recent war has made those waiting for the visitors cautious, resulting in some unexpected questions - and the visitors to raise a few of their own.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

64 - An Unexpected Welcome


Introducing characters and locations first revealed in Tales of Upper Fanir by Julia Phillips.

There must be a story in this!

I noticed this in the "Did you know" section of the Wikipedia home page this morning. (It has now disappeared. Typical. I had to look in the archives.)

...that during a renovation of 4 Park Avenue workers found a sealed room with women's clothes and shoes that was not in the building's blueprints?

This is asking for a story to be written but I have no time to do it. Any takers out there?

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The Voyage of the Visund -63-

The two vessels continue on their voyage along the great river. The newest passengers learn what it takes to live on the water as they head towards Faralan. As they round the last bend an unexpected danger threatens.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

63 - Learning the Ropes

The Voyage of the Visund -62-

The two fugitives have to be smuggled out of Wadek and the Norse have unusual ideas how to handle this. Once the two vessels depart the crews settle down to the next leg of their voyage, learning more about each other as they do so.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

62 - Blood and Subterfuge

The Voyage of the Visund -61-

After lunch Ursula finishes recounting to the Old Führer what had happened on Earth since he departed. A possible way of extracting the young healer is arranged and an awkward ride back into Wadek follows. Then confusion reigns as the Commissioner asks some unexpected questions.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

61 - Unexpected Arrangements

The Voyage of the Visund -60-

Ursula and Tyra are passengers in a wagon escorted by reluctant rebels. With them is the Commissioner, who discovers that his loyalties may be displaced. When they reach the farmstead, the presence of dranakhs ensures their visit to the Old Führer goes smoothly.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

60 - Voice from the Past

The Voyage of the Visund -59-

Ursula goes to the market the following day and encounters several dranakhs on the way back. A restless nap leads her to reconsider the dangerous decision she has made. A personal talk with Eriana adjusts their plans. The following day, unexpected allies are revealed.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

59 - Second Thoughts

The Voyage of the Visund -58-

The two vessels reach Wadek and immediately there are misunderstandings. Fortunately a senior officer of the occupying forces smoothes over the problems. The women are put up in a vacated mansion and make themselves at home before Ursula goes to the market and makes contact with the next link to finding the Old Leader.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

58 - Those of Pakmal

The Voyage of the Visund -57-

A single word overheard has led Ursula to believe that another transferee arrived in Yod many years ago, possibly leading to the creation of the Ascendancy. But any new leads must be followed cautiously, since those who still support the defeated Ascendancy trust no-one. A curious deal is struck.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

57 - The Search

The Voyage of the Visund -56-

Ursula and Tyra are in a fix and it is not certain when or how any rescue might be mounted. Down at the port, certain strange goings-on finally cause suspicions to be raised, but how are the Norse to find their companions? And what is the significance of that odd word which Ursula had overheard?

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

56 - Taken

The Voyage of the Visund -55-

What just happened? Ursula is among many who struggle to understand the events of earlier that day. At a safe fishing port the combined crews gather to try and make sense of the pirate attack. In the following days the sail is repaired and Ursula finds some of her needed herbs. Then everything changes again...

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

55 - Debriefings

The Voyage of the Visund -54-

While the travelers wait for alterations to be made to the Green Ptuvil, Ursula pays a visit to the Woman in the Woods. Once everything is complete the two vessels set sail, heading for the Sirrel. However an implacable foe awaits them, and to save one craft the other must put itself in danger!

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

54 - The Chase

The Voyage of the Visund -53-

The combined party of women examine the barges to find out what the Yodan troops left behind. A welcome discovery is that of clothing, which solves an immediate problem for those who were rescued. Then Nethra retrieves a document and matters begin to spiral out of control for several of the party.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

53 - The Green Ptuvil

The Voyage of the Visund -52-

The Norse have defeated an ambush and mounted an expedition to deal with the remaining renegades, capturing the farmstead and those within. However, the outlaws at the other farmstead are concerned and mount their own expedition - against the village of Bakhrad.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

52 - Day of Reckoning

The Voyage of the Visund -51-

The Visund has found a small village in a creek and freed the locals from those of the Ascendancy. Now Eriana leads her men on a mission to find and destroy the rebel force. What she finds shocks her and makes her reconsider her recent actions.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

51 - Night Operations

The Voyage of the Visund -50-

The Visund has berthed at a remote Yodan village in a side creek. Unfortunately, troops of the Ascendancy are in charge and threaten the Norse with firearms, with the potential to kill most of the men with a single volley.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

50 - The Battle of Bakhrad

The Voyage of the Visund -49-

The Visund continues along its journey to their next port of call. Hashim proves his worth by reading the currents and shallows of the great river as they head into unknown waters. Because Ursula is still looking for herbs, a side trip is called for. Unfortunately, danger lurks!

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

49 - Sandbars and Creeks

The Voyage of the Visund -48-

There is an unexpected visitor the next morning, a woman intent on dealing death. But things are not as they seem and spiral rapidly out of control. Eriana makes a quick decision.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

48 - A Pointed Interruption

The Voyage of the Visund -47-

After an unexpected feast the women gather in their chamber, where Ursula tries to explain her origins to Kaldara. Later she wonders about the day's events.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

47 - Secrets Told

The Voyage of the Visund -46-

The crew disperses about the city of Yod for various purposes. Ursula's needs take her to the main market, where she receives unexpected advice, a warning - and a rebuff.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

46 - Heart of Yod

The Voyage of the Visund -45-

On arrival at the city of Yod misunderstandings have caused a brawl and a confrontation. Eriana faces up to Marlin of Brikant, who is in charge of the port troops, and who does not believe her story! It is up to Ursula and Tyra to find a way out of the impasse - in a city where anyone can be an enemy.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

45 - Evening Excursion

The Voyage of the Visund -44-

The short voyage from Tobeligo to Yod takes longer than expected and it is early evening before they are found a berth. In the women's hostel wrong assumptions are made, resulting in a bar brawl, before a tense confrontation occurs with someone who should know better!

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

44 - Conflict at Yod

It's been a while

I absolutely hate writing in fitful starts and stops. At worst it means that my reader has to keep going back to re-read previous chapters to remember what was going on. Unfortunately, as we all know, many if not most of us do not have the leisure of being able to write all day every day - or even every week.

I apologise for the delay. In Real Life, stuff happens.

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The Voyage of the Visund -43-

Ursula goes to the market in Tobeligo to replenish her supplies and takes Kaldar along. The young runaway will have to be 'Kaldara' while in Yodan lands to avoid awkward questions, so suitable attire must be found. At the market Ursula has an unusual encounter which may or may not be the cause of later discomfort.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

43 - At the Market

The Voyage of the Visund -42-

The Visund finally manages to depart from Ferenis and travels upstream with an additional crew member... who shows further signs of abuse at his father's hands. There is confusion when they arrive at their next port of call, as the locals have decided to make some big changes.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

42 - Free Town

The Voyage of the Visund -41-

The departure of the Visund is delayed when a fugitive leaps on board. Tensions rise when Eriana sides with him and refuses to let the city folk have him back. Then Ursula makes an impossible statement...

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

41 - Stand-off

The Voyage of the Visund -40-

The travelers remain in Ferenis for several days exchanging the usual information about styles, ideas and inventions from downstream. Eriana also has a look at a Yodan war galley. As they make ready to leave for the next leg of the voyage, an incident happens that threatens their departure.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

40 - Suits, Skirts and Galleys

The Voyage of the Visund -39-

The ruler of Ferenis has an open mind and listens carefully to news from the east. He wants to hear the stories of his visitors, especially the five extraordinary women.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

39 - Five Recollections

The Voyage of the Visund -38-

The Visund must depart for its next port of call. Maralin has returned to join the farewells before the Norse ship travels the short distance to Ferenis - and another heroes' welcome. Their host, however, has a surprise for some of them.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

38 - Another Day, Another Country

The Voyage of the Visund -37-

Eriana decides to hold a court of her crew to deal with several outstanding issues. The Epp Ale is explained, the Norse residents of Forguland wish to return to Palarand with their wives and a missing crew member is discussed. Later, one of the residents may have a solution for the absence of a pilot for the onward journey.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

37 - Eriana Holds Court

The Voyage of the Visund -36-

The morning after the day before, and almost all of the Norse are worse for wear. Ursula suddenly discovers that she has a crisis on her hands.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

36 - Hangover!

The Voyage of the Visund -35-

As the epic Battle of Boldan's Rock had resulted in some unavoidable casualties, Eriana feels obliged to return there with her men to pay their respects. With every Einnlander aboard, as well as Ursula and Tyra, the Visund crosses the Sirrel to the scene of the second, more bloody, battle. But since that time Eriana has matured and now views her earlier decisions in a different light.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

35 - At Gylfi's Rest

The Voyage of the Visund -34-

The Visund has left Joth to resume its journey upstream. After an easy leg and an awkward approach, the ship reaches Forguland, where the crew are hailed as heroes. A chance remark means that Maralin has some explaining to do, and a signature means Eriana must also explain herself.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

34 - A Heroes' Welcome

The Voyage of the Visund -33-

The Visund departs Joth to resume its journey upstream. All are looking forward to the journey, glad to be afloat once more. Tackling the tricky currents, the Visund narrowly avoids a collision while Tyra has an unexpected proposal.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

33 - On the Sirrel Again

Book 3 - Explorer

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The Visund finally departs Joth on its delayed voyage towards the upper reaches of the river Sirrel. Several of the countries to be visited are known friends, where the crew are sure of an honest welcome, but there are others who are not so keen to have such a strange vessel appear in their waters.

Book 1 - Castaway

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The Norse long ship Visund departs Dekarran for an exploratory trip upstream along the great river Sirrel. The aim is to call at many of the countries which line the rivber banks, most of which took part in the recently concluded war.

Along the way a castaway is discovered. What is then revealed changes the plans of all concerned, and reveals tensions few knew existed.

The Voyage of the Visund -32-

After the grakh attack the locals are naturally interested in the creatures, so Wallesan exhibits the carcass in the Great Hall. Ursula obtains permission to join the Visund and spends the morning packing. Maralin returns later with news and the following morning the Visund departs.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

32 - Greetings and Farewells

July 2020 Story Competition

So my muse hit me with a little bit of whimsy and out came Personal Protective Equipment. It was just a tiny bit of amusement in these strange times, or so I thought. But my muse didn't let up, and began expanding the idea in all directions. If I had tried to make a coherent story I could probably have stretched that 150 words to maybe 10 or twelve chapters. Unfortunately, I have too many balls already in the air to even consider that.

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The Voyage of the Visund -31-

Everyone goes riding - which includes Mathenar and Luthan, much to Ursula's disgust. Friction turns into arguments before an unexpected interruption changes everything.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

31 - Confrontation

The Voyage of the Visund -30-

Ursula pays another visit to the clinic with Senia and Fedris, but their visit is interrupted. Later, she reluctantly accepts a gift from a former patient. On return to the Mansion, unexpected arrivals cause a certain amount of confusion.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

30 - Deliveries and Arrivals

The Voyage of the Visund -29-

The visitor at the docks is known to Ursula but unwanted. Hulo suggests a way out and all retire to his house to nap. Afterwards, Ursula and Tyra go to see the Visund, but then that visitor appears again.

grakh on parchment

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

29 - At the Docks

The Voyage of the Visund -28-

After a week of serving patients, training and learning to ride, Fanis has insisted that both Ursula and Tyra take a day at ease. They begin by visiting Tyra's parents and then move on to the docks.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

28 - A Day at Ease

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