Lady of the Sea

Ch 1

Context of the story:

The story unfolds over the span of two years. At the start, Marina is 18, Jack is 25, and Barbossa is in his late 40s.

Marina was born to the infamous Sir Henry Morgan, but her existence was kept a secret to protect her from the dangers associated with her father's notorious life. Hidden away in Tortuga, the last place anyone would think to look, Marina was raised by an old woman who ran a local inn. Her upbringing was unconventional; she learned from the locals and the transient visitors who passed through the pirate haven. As a child, Marina was adored by all, a joyful tomboy with an infectious spirit. From sewing delicate fabrics to fighting fiercely with a sword, she had learned it all. She could handle a blade with precision, dance with grace, and even write with eloquence. Her diverse talents made her as versatile and unpredictable as the sea itself, ready for whatever adventure lay ahead. But what she lacked was the adventure itself.

Her father, the legendary Henry Morgan, had made everyone believe he was dead, vanishing from the pirate world and leaving behind a legacy shrouded in mystery. However, Marina knew the truth—he wasn't dead. For years after his supposed demise, she had continued to receive letters and gifts from him, small tokens that reassured her of his existence. He wrote to her about his new life, telling her he had begun studying alchemy, a pursuit that had captured his restless mind. But as time went on, the letters became less frequent, and the gifts stopped coming altogether.

Eventually, he disappeared from her life entirely, leaving Marina with more questions than answers. She wondered why he had chosen to sever their connection and what had driven him into obscurity. The emptiness he left behind fueled her desire for adventure, not just for the thrill of it, but in the hopes that it might lead her to the answers she so desperately sought.

As she grew older, her beauty became evident, forcing her to be cautious about who she trusted. By then, she had become clever, fierce and brimming with confidence. These traits served her well in the rough-and-tumble world of Tortuga. Marina had long, fine brown hair, stunning ocean-blue eyes, and sun-kissed fair skin. Her cherry-red lips were a temptation for many, but she remained uninterested in romance, aware that most were captivated by her appearance rather than her personality.

Marina was a waitress at the infamous tavern The Faithful Bride. While it wasn't the most glamorous job, it offered her a wealth of knowledge through the constant stream of gossip. Although her primary goal was to find her dad for answers, her keenest interest lay in the tales of the infamous Jack Sparrow. Only a few years older than her, Jack had already achieved legendary status, most notably for his defeat of Captain Salazar at the Devil's Triangle at only 16 of age. Marina was an ardent admirer of Jack Sparrow, and she knew he occasionally visited the tavern, which was a significant reason she took the job. She eagerly awaited those rare encounters, hoping to one day cross paths with the pirate who had captivated her attention.

It had been a while since Sparrow set foot in Tortuga. She recently learned that Jack had started working for the East India Trading Company as a merchant seaman. She felt a pang of disappointment at this news; to her, Jack had always seemed untamable. Nevertheless, rumors swirled that Jack had sailed back to Tortuga that night, and she was certain he would be able to help her.

For the first time, she was nervous about working at the tavern—not because of the men who would inevitably try to win her favor, but because she might finally get the chance to speak with the infamous Jack Sparrow. She knew her beauty was undeniable, and no man alive could resist her charm. Yet, she feared she might not be good enough for him. Her already small world had narrowed even further, with all her hopes of finding her father hinging on this encounter with Jack. Why? Because she believed that with him, anything was possible.