There was a loud noise, like a crack of thunder, and suddenly pieces of the ship's railing were somersaulting through the air. Adriana watched in horror as a second loud boom blew a sailor standing on deck to pieces, to chunks. His arm landed on the deck not a meter from her and skidded to a halt near her feet, all shards of bone and oozing blood. She screamed at the top of her lungs, barely hearing the rumble of cannons firing again and again.
"MOTHER!" she wailed. She couldn't see her mother anywhere! Where had she gone? And where was her father? Sailors were running everywhere. The ship she sailed upon was attempting to defend herself, and the whole vessel rocked with the explosions of the guns. Adriana whirled, gripping her skirts with white knuckles, and ran. She ran up towards the prow, screaming for her mother, or her father, or anyone. She couldn't find them.
"Mother! Where are you?" she shrieked, as the figurehead of the ship was blown away by cannon blast. She turned and ran in the opposite direction, hoping against all hope to find her mother towards the aft – but she had to avoid gaping holes in the deck and scramble at an awkward angle to make any progress. She clung to the railing and watched with wide eyes as men in all manner of ragged dress swung aboard the sleek ship. She gazed past them and saw a dark, threatening vessel flying a flag that had a big skull on it, and two crossed bones – or were they swords?
"She'll be down in Davy Jones' Locker soon enough, mates, take what ye can! And be quick abou' it now!" one of the ragged men shouted.
Adriana realized that the ship was going to sink, and she with it.
"Up! Up! Get up, you!" the woman shrieked. "What did I take you in for, eh, if you're not going to be useful?" She prodded the mass of blankets to which the remark had been addressed.
"Mmmphstrflff," came the reply.
"What's all that, then? None of that!" the woman said sharply, eyeing the bed. "You'll be ou' o' that bed right quick if I get the broom!" The blankets flew to the end of the bed revealing a comely young woman with pale skin, dark eyes, and long, tangled dark hair. She glared at the older woman and crossed her arms.
"I'm up," she stated flatly.
"Good," the woman spat, evidently satisfied. "Now get dressed!" With that she bustled from the room and could be heard clattering down a flight of stairs. In a few moments the scents of a hearty breakfast were wafting up to the second floor. The young woman, who had pulled her blankets back up to her chin, was finally persuaded to rouse herself and dress.
She placed her bare feet on the bare wooden floor and stared at the armoire across from the bed, considering her options. Finally she chose a wine-colored dress with a nice, tight bodice and pretty, flowing sleeves. After struggling to get into her petticoats and skirts and lacing herself into her bodice, she sat down in front of the looking-glass she had propped against the wall to brush her hair. In a mere fifteen minutes she was completely ready to face the day, so she sauntered lightly down the stairs and into the kitchen.
"Ah, good. You've made it in time, then, Adriana," the woman remarked as the girl entered.
"Wouldn't miss breakfast for the world," Adriana replied. "Though I do wish you wouldn't wake me so harshly, mother. I was having the most awful dream and you gave me a terrible fright!"
"Sorry, love," said the woman. "'Ere, some eggs an' porridge!"