Sea Bound Soul

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1

VISIONS OF FOG

The dream I awake from startles me. Not I the unexpected way, because I have had these dreams before... But in a way that tells me, with each one, that my days of pleasure--living as a governors daughter, a princess as some call me, but I am not... not in my heart--are coming to an end. I think I belong somewhere else... And with these strange dreams, it only confirms it.

I haven't told my father about the dreams, these days they would just call me mad. Perhaps I am.

I open my eyes to the dark vaulted ceiling lit dimly by the little light that escapes from the curtains. I could have the maids come in and get me up, open the window, bring me breakfast, anything I want. But I think there is honor in doing things yourself. I am not disabled. I am not unable to do things myself and prefer to not be thought of as different from the other women of my age and city.

I pull back the white sheets of my canopy bed and step my bare feet onto the cold wooden planked floor, running my fingers through my loose, copper, almost golden, brown hair.

I stand to my feet, letting my cream colored night gown drape over my legs. I wake myself up and walk to my window, pulling open the white curtains, letting the sunlight fill my chamber, the wood of the walls turning from black, to deep, pale green.

I shut my eyes but then open them to greet the light. Outside I can see the edges of the island, the port, where ships dock, and the woods on the cliffs beyond the white bricked city.

I unclip the latch on the window and open both panels, letting in the cool spring air, breathing it with gladness. I can now hear distant voices and the chirping of birds through the open window. I place my palms on the wooden panel and look out at the tropical trees along the shore that blow in the breeze.

A quiet knocking at my door catches my attention. "Come in," I say. Though I am in the Caribbean now, Port Royal to be specific. I moved here at age ten--year 1741--with my father after my mother had died. I have been here for ten years now.

The door opens quietly and our maid, Annabeth enters the room just barely. "Breakfast is almost ready, my lady," she says in her thick, Wales accent, curtsying politely. Two other maids enter the room to aid me with my daily dressing.

I bow my head subtly with a slight smile and she returns it, retreating and shutting the door soundlessly.

I breathe and go to my wardrobe, pulling out a casual dress and corset. I hand them to the maids who help me lace and secure it. They slip on the sky blue dress with flowered print over the two other layers, tying the bow at the back.

Bethany leaves just Victoria and I alone for her to do my hair. Nothing elaborate, just pulls back some of the hair from the top and sides of my head, trying it into a short, fishtail braid at the back of my head, loose waves hanging out of the bottom and two locks at either side of my head.

"Sometimes I envy men," I breathe, as she works.

"Why is that, my lady?" she chuckles.

"They don't have to prepare so much on looks. They don't have to wear corsets. They get to wear trousers."

She giggles. "This is true. Though you do not have to work like them. Soon you should be getting married."

"There is honor in working for your own pay... Oh my, who am I to marry, Victoria?" I sound more annoyed than curious.

"There are a number of suitable bachelors in the area, my lady. Word around is that the captain is very frond of you."

"James Norrington?" I ask in surprise.