The Voyage of Victoria Stayne

Chapter One: Setting Out

Victoria Stayne opened her eyes, grinning wide as she realized what day it was. In a few hours, she would be heading down to the Port on the White Sea to begin her six month voyage aboard her grandfather's ship, The Golden Bird. She had had a difficult time convincing her parents-especially her father-to allow her to go, but eventually they had relented, on the condition that she write to them as often as possible.

She swung her long legs out of bed, and then splashed some water from the basin on her nightstand on her face before brushing out her long hair. Like her elder sister, Vicki's hair was the deep black of her father's, but with hints of red from her mother. Her eyes were the same brilliant green as her mother and sister, with flecks of blue hidden deep within the irises. Also, just like her brother and sister, Victoria Stayne had inherited her parents' height. At twelve, she was already well over five feet six, and still growing. She had also, much to her delight, discovered that she was starting to blossom. True, her breasts were quite small, but they were there!

She tied her nightdress around her waist, and then went into the kitchen, smiling at her mother. "Morning, Mum!"

Alannah turned from the counter, grinning at her. "Morning love. I thought you might like a hearty breakfast before we head down to the docks. Oh, and I found some of Michael's old trousers. They should fit you."

Vicki grinned. "Thanks. Is Dad awake yet?"

"I am." Ilosovic came into the kitchen, giving Vicki a kiss on the head before walking over to Alannah and kissing her. "Whatever you're cooking smells delicious."

Alannah smiled at him. "Well, I'm making squimberry scones. If I recall, there's a certain child of mine who is mad about them."

Vicki clapped her hands in gleeful delight. "Thank you Mum, thank you, thank you!"

Alannah laughed. "You're very welcome, my bairn. Now, breakfast is nearly ready, so why don't you make sure you've packed everything?"

Vicki ran to her room, and Ilosovic frowned at Alannah. "I'm still not completely comfortable with this, you know."

"I know, but she'll be perfectly safe. My father and Erik will look after her, and she'll write to us. So relax, Ilosovic. Vicki will do fine."

Vicki came back into the kitchen, dressed in a pair of her brother's old trousers and a shirt. "I've got everything! Clothes, pens, paper, ink! Mum, would it be alright if I packed a few of my cordials?" Alannah nodded, and Vicki grinned. "Thanks!"

The sound of someone knocking on the door made them turn, and Ilosovic went to answer it, beaming at their visitor. "Katarina!"

Alannah ran out to the parlor, pulling her daughter into the cottage and a gigantic hug. "Katarina love, what brings you here?"

Katarina hugged her mother and father, and then beamed at Vicki. "Well, I'm going to drive Vicki down to the docks. If that's alright. Kaspar…responds to me best."

Ilosovic chuckled. "I see, and your decision has nothing to do with the opportunity to see a certain sailor."

Katarina blushed. "Well, yes, that is a part of it. Mum, do I smell squimberry scones?"

"You do indeed. Would you care to join us for breakfast?"

"I would in…Vicki! When did you get breasts? !"

Vicki blushed with pride. "I noticed them a few days ago when I was bathing. Mum says they'll grow. But I hope this means I don't have to wear a corset!"

Alannah smiled gently at her. "Sweetheart, you don't have to worry about that just yet, but when you do-there's other ways of binding the breasts without losing the ability to breathe!"

Ilosovic frowned at his youngest. "When that time comes, I'm locking you in your room until you're thirty." Vicki stuck her tongue out at him, and he made a face right back at her.

Alannah rolled her eyes. "If you two are done, breakfast is ready."

After breakfast and a rather prolonged goodbye-Ilosovic got a bit teary eyed-Katarina and Vicki went out to the yard, where Kaspar stood waiting, harnessed up to a small trap and quietly chomping grass. He whinnied a greeting at Vicki, and she rubbed his velvety ears, then placed her sea bag in the trap and clambered in. Katarina climbed in after her, clucked Kaspar's reins, and they set off at a brisk trot for the Port of the White Sea.

"Rina?"

Katarina looked over at Vicki. "You haven't called me Rina since you were four, Vicki. What's wrong?"

"Was Daidi serious about locking me in my room?"

Katarina laughed. "No, he wasn't serious. But both he and Mum are a bit protective of you, since you're the baby. Besides, it's a known fact that the Sullivan women grow up to be quite pretty, and have many suitors."

Vicki frowned. "I don't want any suitors! I…I've got a crush on someone, but…I don't know if I should!"

"Who is it?"

Vicki gulped, and then faced her sister. "You promise that if I tell you, you won't think me….horrid?"

Katarina reined Kaspar to a halt, and then stared at her sister, her gaze solemn. "Victoria, I swear by Time himself I will not think you horrid."

Vicki gave her a half smile. "Josiah. Oh, I know I shouldn't since our families are related, but lately I can't think of him without feeling butterflies in my stomach! He's quite handsome, and he never once has treated me like a child. I know he's so much older than I am, and that I shouldn't feel this way, but I can't help it! Am I a horrid person, Rina?"

Katarina pulled her sister into a tight hug. "No, you aren't. When did you first start feeling this way about him?"

Vicki smiled. "During the Festival, when we waltzed together. He was such a wonderful dancer, and then afterwards he came to my booth and kept me company."

Katarina chuckled. "And I thought you had a crush on Adrian."

Vicki blushed. "Adrian is sweet, and I do like him quite a bit, but he's not the one for me. Oh, Rina, what am I going to do?"

"Does Josiah know you have these feelings for him?"

Vicki went pale. "No, I could never tell him! He'll think of me as a foolish little girl! Besides, even if he did return my feelings, I'm much too young for him."

Katarina sighed. "True. You are too young…right now. But wait a few more years, and if you're still infatuated with him, tell him. Mum and Dad are pretty far apart in years, you know. And look at Alice and Tarrant!"

Vicki hugged her sister. "Thank you, Rina! Thank you!"

"You're welcome. We'd better get moving, Grandda is likely pacing the deck wondering what's become of us."

They finally arrived at the docks, and Vicki grinned as she spotted the Golden Bird. Katarina reined Kaspar to a halt, and then the two of them climbed down, Vicki making sure that she grabbed her sea bag.

Elias and Erik walked down the gangplank, and Elias gave them a mock frown. "Vicki, I was beginning to wonder if you had forgotten about the voyage."

Vicki grinned at Erik and Katarina, who were greeting each other quite enthusiastically, then looked back at her grandfather. "No, Grandda, I didn't forget. But we may be a bit delayed-my sister and your First Mate seem to be locked in a rather passionate embrace."

Elias chuckled. "I noticed. Erik, we've got a time table to keep."

Erik sighed and reluctantly broke the kiss, smiling at Katarina. "I wish you were coming along, my black haired beauty. The time would go so much more swiftly with you by my side."

Katarina wrapped her arms around him, sighing. "I wish I was as well, but you can make up for it by promising to look after my sister."

"I swear it on my life. Victoria will be safe with me. But you must promise that you will keep writing to me."

"I always have, my sailor, and always will. I love you, my jolly sailor boy."

"And I you, my black haired beauty. Fairfarren, my love." Erik gave Katarina a long, passionate kiss before returning to the ship.

Katarina turned to Vicki. "Be good, write to all of us, and try not to drive Grandda too mad. I'll miss you, Vicki." She pulled her sister into a tight hug, and then whispered in her ear. "I won't tell."

Vicki beamed in gratitude at her sister. "I'll miss you too, Rina. I promise, as soon as I can, I'll write to you!"

Elias hugged Katarina. "Fairfarren, lass. Say hello to your Mum and Dad for me."

"I will. Fairfarren, Grandda."

After Katarina had left, Elias turned to Vicki, a large smile on his face. "Well, what are you waiting for? On board you go!"

Victoria beamed in joy and ran on board the Golden Bird, eager to start her voyage.