Chapter 4

"I'm fine, Martin!"

A rising storm had driven them to this cave for shelter. It was rather violent outside, the weather raging as the sky had turned black with clouds. Veronica was staring in wonder at the wind and rain as her mother cowered in her father's arms. The horses nickered uncomfortably in the back of the cave.

It wasn't a large cave, just barely big enough for the two horses and the three of them. There were also crystals embedded in the walls that seemed to glow - red, blue, yellow and green.

"I just don't like this place."

"Where's your sense of adventure?"

"I had more than my fill of adventure when I followed you across the Atlantic. I was happy in Ireland! Happy!"

Veronica could barely recall Ireland; she'd been in America for five years now. Just the hazy memories of her three year old self. She remembered lots of green - certainly it had been much greener than the Americas, which were all brown and drab. She liked Ireland, too - but she also liked sailing across the ocean, and then building up a new life out here. The Porters had gone from potato farmers to horse traders.

As suddenly as it had come, the storm let up. It remained dark out. Veronica ran outside to look around. Just like there was no sun in the sky, she saw no moon or stars either.