Part 1.

Merilonna of Port Legann’s gaze drifted from the intricately carved stone windowsill to the placid waters of the Emerald Ocean. Looking at its beauty and
magnificence, it was painful to remember that she was shut up in the small room with
several other noble girls of her age, supposedly being lectured on the intricacies of
etiquette. There’s got to be some way to get out of here... she thought desperately. The
lady at the front of the room droned on and on until she fell asleep.
The girl came to with a start, the mistress looked down her long nose
disapprovingly and coldly informed her that she may go down to the dining hall for lunch,
if she should so choose. The other girls had already left. Merilonna tore down the stairs,
her skirts flapping, and bypassed the dining hall completely. She ran up to her rooms and
swiftly changed into a white blouse and a wool skirt. The skirt was in the
pinkish-burgundy color that her mother chose and loved (also much despised by her
daughter), and they were both trimmed with pink satiny ribbon, but it was the best she
could do in the way of normal clothes. She jammed her feet into some boots and set out
at a brisk walk for the docks.
As she neared the docks, several market stall owners called out in greeting to her.
She answered with a wave and a smile, stopping once to by a handful of grilled shrimp
for lunch. When she arrived at the waterside, she looked around hopefully, searching for
something.
An old burly sailor who had appeared next to her chuckled and said in a friendly
manner, “Now what brings ye down her with us old salts, Lady Merilonna?” The girl
turned to him and smiled, “Hello Dirk, how’re the tides flowing?”
His face turned grave, “Not good at all, mostly big swells, and Wavewalker
defend us, a sunset bird was sighted a few leagues off.” The blood drained from her face,
sunset birds were native to the coast of Carthak, having one all the way up here meant
only one thing.
“There’s a hurricane?” she asked in a whisper.
“Aye lass. ‘Bout fifteen leagues south of the Yamanis,” he answered grimly.
“But that’s right through the trade lines!” she exclaimed, then asked dejectedly,
“How many ships have we lost?”
“Toll’s not in in full yet, but three went down so far, and The Gryphon lost most
of her crew.” he saw the look of devastation on her face and added, “but ye needn’t
worry, Tyr’s ship got in on the morning tide, Only a broken mizzenmast the worse for
wear.”
Merilonna’s face lit up and she ran down the wooden walkways of the wharf
front, dragging the burly sailor behind her.