Tears fall from her eyes, leaving glistening trails down her cheeks. They slowly make their way to her chin, where they fall as she gasps for breath after every sob. The tears leave small, salty stains on her chemise. these stains are joined by a fine salt-water spray, which also damages her bodice, skirt, and petticoats.
How could this have happened? she wonders. I was so close to freedom, so close...
She looks out at the surrounding sea in despair. There was nothing but water. Nothing. Not hope, not salvation, not any chance for survival. Her small dingy bobs up and down all day, and still no sign of...well, anything. A sharp pain began to gnaw at her in her stomach around noon and it took her a while to realize that this pain was hunger.
And I've nothing to eat or drink. Wonderfully done, Tanwen. Youknew what was going to happen, yet you didn't even prepare yourself. Brilliant.
Days pass. The incessant hollow ache in her grows by the second. Some days later, by the time night falls, she's completely given up. There's been no sign of anything for three days, and she's delirious with hunger.
I'm going to die, I know I am, I'm going to die...
The last thing she saw before falling unconcious was a large galley on the horizon, and the mirage of memory made it look as if it was on fire.
"Lioness..."