Catherine closed the trunk and walked around her room to see if there was anything else she may have forgotten. She paused at the vanity to remember the many times her Aunt Anne would brush her hair and tell her about her mother. Anne always compared Catherine to her mother saying, "You are the spitting image of her. Oh, how I envied her for her long flowing blonde hair and big warm hazel eyes." Catherine indeed was a sight of beauty with hair of soft, shimmering golden strawberry blond cascading upon her shoulders and down the length of her back, when it was allowed to be down. However, for the most part her hair was tightly placed up as was proper for ladies of the day. Her eyes were round and soft, a bright hazel brown with a touch of jade green that lit up the room when she entered. Catherine having been raised by her aunt Anne, in her mother’s absence, learned (however painfully at times) the ways of a proper lady of society. Shaking the thought away sadly, for now the room seemed so cold and hollow now that she was leaving.

Catherine just turned twenty a lady of her own right and Anne was now gone. Anne, claimed by the icy fingers of death at the age of thirty-five, leaving Catherine alone again, no more family; just her wits and education. It has been several years since the passing of Catherine’s parents. So many years passed, she almost could not remember their faces anymore. They died at sea when she was but a young girl, since then she has lived in London. Anne was not able to have children, and loved her niece so much, she took Catherine in as the daughter she always wanted. The years, although kind to Catherine, had drained Anne of her life. The last year was the hardest to bear Anne feared for Catherine's well being, at her impending end, knowing that it would soon be out of her hands.

Anne worked hard to make sure Catherine would be taken care of and want for nothing. It was enough that her childhood was so harsh that she wished her a long and happy life. Even thou Anne would leave her wealth to Catherine, she made sure to arrange a marriage to a fine wealthy merchant in the Colonies before her passing. Catherine had wished she could leave the life of society behind her and all the constraints of it. Unfortunately, a new husband made that almost impossible, especially to a merchant. Although, she had not met David yet and had hoped that he was as kind as Anne had assured her. It would take several weeks to consider the possibilities and Catherine was anxious to get started. Broken from her moments of thought by a knock at the door and Jacob's voice, "Milady, the carriage awaits you." "Oh, you startled me, I will be right down."

The ride through town was an ocean of memories of a life that would soon be left behind. Strange that this was all that she had known, she was drawn to the adventure of a new life and to something else. The vast and reaching ocean itself had called her for longer than memories themselves could speak. It spoke to her in loving whispers every night, when she would look out her window to see it in the distance. It was always a place of sanctuary to her even at the cost of displeasing Anne. The salty taste it would leave as it kissed her lips, the way its breath would caress her face like a lover longing for more, and the song, its waves would sing to her as they would break along the shore, beaconing her to come. The ocean was even more than that to her, it was a connection to family, to a life once given. Catherine's father was a Captain of his own ship and would often take her and her mother on voyages. The sweet smell of salt air and the moist breeze was always so welcome, like home, embracing her with warmth and love. It had been too long since the last time she had been on a ship. Far too long, but not for the lack of longing for the rolling of the ocean as it danced with the ship.

The Bonnie Lass was a beautiful ship rivaled by none in class nor in stature. A fine and glamorous ship appointed with all items of finery and luxury. A right and proper ship, upon which was meant for ladies and gentleman of distinction, to sail into their dreams. Her figure head was that of a young lass, arms wide open as if embracing all that was to come. Her hair, long flowing tendrils carved into the wood that flowed across both sides of the bow. Her dress appearing to flow into the ship itself, as if being gently guided back from the breeze, each ripple in the grain of the wood folded in harmony with the folds of her dress. The ship was made of honey oak that gave off a glow of warmth and kindness when sun would touch her. When her sails filled with wind they resembled large, fluffy clouds upon which even the angels danced when she was at sea. The porter took aboard Catherine’s luggage and now she was ready to go and begin her new life, far away from the pains ever present in the memories here.

Captain Thomas, an old family friend, was in command of the Lass, a fine job for him after commanding for 30 years in Her Majesties Royal Navy. Retirement suited him, at home on his beloved sea, gentleness always in his disposition. Captain Thomas had never married as he saw his duty to our crown as more important. The good Captain took Catherine's hand and helped her aboard. She asked “Would it be acceptable if I were to see more of this beautiful ship?” “Milady, if it were any other I would beacon you no, but as I have all faith in my crew I will allow it, but I would ask that first you settle in.” As he assured her that the ship was hers to roam as she saw fit and gave her free reign to go anywhere on the ship she chose, he escorted her to her quarters. He asked how she had been and offered condolences for the passing of her aunt, before excusing himself to attend other things.

The quarters, lushly appointed, larger than some houses of the day, it seemed. There were hand carved furnishings that added to the comfort of home to the room. It was as if the cabin itself had welcomed her into its warm and sweet smelling embrace with the scents of sandalwood and cedar, Catherine stopped to soak in the beauty, the warmth, and the sweet aromas that reminded her of pleasant days of childhood. Heading for the new lands in America, and a new life to come, she felt like a young girl awaiting the most anticipated and desired of surprises. Just being on the Bonnie Lass gave Catherine the feeling of being young again. She felt like the child she could not remember, not even in her dreams, a distant past hidden by a thick mist swirling around in a dream. That night she slept as she had not in so long, as a baby cradled in its mothers arms, hearing a lullaby, sweet and soft.

Every meal she would share with Captain Thomas and they would discuss the voyage and new sights that may have been seen that day. At times they would talk about her father and mother as they both grew up together with the Captain. Captain Thomas was Gregory's best friend. They shared their love for the sea and a passion for the wind in the sails. As they both grew to men they joined the Royal Navy together and worked side by side, sharing many adventures and rising through the ranks. Gregory met Catherine's mother, Christina, when he became a First Mate on The Crow. They quickly became attached and fell madly in love. Captain Thomas told Catherine that her father became even a better man when he met Christina, if it were possible. Christina was such a beauty and so strong willed, but had the warmest of hearts; how could anyone not fall in love with her? He was their Best Man at the wedding and later, Captain Thomas became Captain Gregory's First Mate when he sailed. Captain Gregory was described as an honest and fair man, who commanded respect and love from his crew. Catherine had known so little of her father and was glad to hear of more. It was a subject that was much too painful for Anne. She grew close to Captain Thomas as they sailed and enjoyed the time more and more.

Two weeks into the voyage, a third of the journey completed and almost to America, a new home, but Catherine felt so much at home on the sea as if the sea were her home, her place to be. If the choice was hers this is where she would stay. Her favorite place was to sit and watch the ocean rise and lap the side of the ship like a mother bathing her child, gently caressing her babe. The salt air brushed against her face and flowed through her hair. It was so calm and peaceful, and yet so familiar. Watching the waves meet the bow and the dolphins swim in time with the ship, dancing upon the sea. The days seemed to pass in the blink of an eye, not in weeks as they had. This had been the way of the journey for her. Seduced by the sea and the salt air, lulling her into the web of its beauty and mystery, but too, it all seemed somehow like a dream or from a distant memory. She could not place her finger on why, for the answer seemed as elusive as pirates running from the Navy, nearly never caught.

“Ahhhhh….pirates!”, the thought of such majesty and mystery crossed her mind and she smiled a smile, that had been known to launch wars in ancient times, crossed her lips and the thought of piracy and the freedom those souls possessed played delicately in her mind. Happily dancing thoughts of freedom for her on the sea, just passed so quickly. But today something else caught Catherine’s eye in the sunset. A small speck on the horizon, dancing in tune with her own ship. Was it an island? Another ship? An illusion caused by sea-blindness? She had heard of such a sickness from some of the sailors, but that was from being at sea for too long, not on short trips. She decided it was not an ailment and that the vision did exist. Curiosity now having taken full control of her, Catherine set out to find an officer with a scope to discover what thing had her so riddled. She found Anthony, a younger sailor, but with the manners of a gentleman and an air of something about him almost made him seem out of place. He looked out to the horizon and paused for a moment in silence, then placed the scope down, almost as if there was a fear in him, shaking him to his very soul. “This is not good, I must see the Captain m’lady."

Anthony found the Captain and told him of what Catherine had found. "She pointed out this speck on the horizon here.", pointing to the East. Captain Thomas pulled open the scope and looked, "It may be just another merchant. We will have to keep an eye on it and see what will be." Catherine was not sure what was going on but saw the concern written on the brow of the Captain. Surely, if there were trouble this ship could out run any, she thought to herself. At dinner that night she asked the Captain about the other ship in the distance. The Captain assured her that there had been only a few attacks this far into the ocean, the real danger of pirates would be closer to the Colonies.

As days passed on the other ship did not seem to get any closer just keeping pace with The Bonnie Lass. All seemed to quiet down, so this evening there would be dancing and fiddle playing on the deck. The crew took turns dancing with Catherine and making merry. Captain Thomas began to dance with Catherine when a shot rang out, and panic hit the ship. Anthony ran over to the Captain and Catherine. Captain Thomas asked, "What was that and from where did it come?”. Anthony replied "Sir, it was a warning shot and the shots came from the West not the East". "Take Catherine to her quarters at once and come back to me immediately." "M’lady, come with me quickly, we must get you to a safe place, it would be best if you waited in your quarters for now." He escorted her to the door and waited for her to step in "And make sure you secure the door.” With those words he hurried to find Captain Thomas again, while Catherine paced in her quarters not sure what to do or what was happening.

It had been what seemed like forever since the first shot, maybe they had gotten away? With nothing else to do and all so quiet she decided it was time to light the candle and get ready for bed. She changed into her nightshirt and pulled back the covers on her bed. As she settled into bed and prepared to put out the candle, she heard a commotion on the ship never before heard. Suddenly, she heard all the crew rushing around frantically and the Captain giving orders. She could tell there was a panic aboard the ship. Frightened, she summoned her strength to satisfy her own curiosity of the situation and climbed out of bed. As she moved about her quarters, she heard men screaming and yelling, though she could not make out the words, she sensed the urgency and the fear in their voices. She opened the door and started to head out when Anthony, running past, saw her and said, “M’lady this is not the place for you. We have been followed by a pirate ship and you must hide until it is safe, I will come and let you know when that is.” Panic set in. Catherine could not think. Frozen in place, her thoughts running with the cold down her spine.

She ran to the side of her bed to hide in the dark of its recesses and extinguished her candle. With a loud crash and then another, the next thing she knew, she felt the ship smash into something, or was it a cannonball that hit the ship? She went flying to the floor. She didn't know what had happened, but she knew she had heard no explosion. She sensed something familiar and terrifying, as if in a distant dream, coming to take her as she crawled to hide. Elsewhere on the ship she could hear men fighting and someone moving through the corridors, breaking open every door on the way. As the sounds grew closer her heart pounded and felt as if it was going to explode from the sanctity of her chest. The door flung open. Her heart stopped and she found no breath in her as the fear of the entrance and the unknown reasons for this violation of her sanctity and privacy.

A man entered the room. He was a striking, imposing figure. Tall and muscular, rough around the edges, but still very much a handsome figure. Her heart pounded even more, unsure if it was fear or something about him. He seemed familiar and terrifying all at once. He was looking for something, looking under furniture and in the closets. As he neared her hiding place, she thought, “Please don’t see me.” At that moment, he turned and saw her. He paused for just a moment, looking at her, thoughtfully almost adoringly. Then, without a word, in two swift steps he knelt down and threw her over his shoulder and carried her off. Catherine fought and kicked to free herself from this stranger but could not. Taken to the other ship, she saw not one but two ships burning in the water. “Captain,” yelled out one of the pirates “What of the gold?” “Have the men take it below and I will tend to the matter in a moment.” He made it to the Captain’s quarters, kicked open the door and placed Catherine on the bed. He then turned and left the room, locking the door behind him.

Catherine found herself alone. Confused and frightened, her mind tried to place reason in all of this. Why was she here? What had happened to her ship? Who was the other ship? What was to become of her in the clutches of this pirate? This vagabond scoundrel of the sea. The tears started to run, a salty flood down her cheek. She feared for the others on her ship and for herself. Not knowing what fate had in store, she collected herself and tried to find a way out of her cage. Finding escape to be without promise, she decided to look around and learn what she could of her captor. A thorough search of the cabin revealed nothing of the identity of her captor, but she found the cabin to be more lavishly appointed than any ship she had seen or heard of before. She then decided to sit and wait for whatever was to come. Exhaustion finally took her and she fell asleep where she sat, head on her knees. Shortly after, the dreams came.