The ocean had always been linked with her life, Morgan’s namesake, her Mam’s source of income and Pa’s, setting off to trade with the neighbouring isles as she played on the docks with the other children. It is the hub of their small town, where everything new arrived. The colours of spices and fabrics being unloaded, smell of salty sea and sweat from sailors.

“Morgan! Morgan!”

Mam’s shrill voice echoed through the woods to where Morgan stood looking down on the bustling port, knowing that Mam was summoning her to meet her Pa after his latest trade.

“I’m coming!”

She called over her shoulder turning to walk the path back towards their tiny stone cottage.

Her Mam Elise stood on the path leading up to the worn wooden door of the house, hands on her hips watching the tree line. Eyes locking on Morgan as she ermerges smiling broadly at her mams impatience.

“Oh no, don’t you smile at me like that child we will be late.”

Elise huffed turning to stomp along the mud road down to the port.

“We won’t be late, I couldn’t see a ship on the horizon yet.”

Nudging her mothers shoulder, making sure that she wasn’t actually angry. Mams face softened and her shoulder relaxed slightly, she hated being away from her husband. The day he was set to return emotions always ran high, it took some time but soon they were being swallowed into the hustle and bustle of the port.

Weaving in and out till they reach the wooden rails along the dock. A large ship had sailed in as they walked to the dock, ropes being flung and orders shouted, Morgan shifted her weight from one foot to the other scanning for a glimpse of her father. Finding him amongst the crew as they unloaded and moved into the crowds to reunite with loved ones.

“Too long my love, too long”

Mams hands either side of his head lowering his till their foreheads met.

“You say that every time I go no matter the length”

Pa smiled and pulled his wife and child into his embrace.

“We missed you, how was the trip?”

“Later let us eat and il tell you it all.”

He guided them out of the throng and back up the muddy track to the cottage, Once fed and settled her father pulled his satchel toward him pulling out some beads for her mother to embroider into her outfits or make into jewellery. She immediately began to gush over all the ideas she had, looking at all of the coloured glass.

“And this is for you.”

He pulled out a music box ornate and carved, it was the most beautiful thing she had ever laid eyes on.

“It don’t work, but I figured you could fix it up.”

He deposited it into her hand and she examined it closely.

“I will do my best!”

Later that evening as the light from the sky faded and lamps were lit, she sat on her bed and slowly took apart the box. There wedged into the mechanism a small folded piece of paper. A map. The noise of the music book working made her jump, snapping her out of her daze.

“See I knew you could fix it!”

She heard her father laugh, This was what she has needed, longed for an adventure to call her own. Out on the sea with a crew and a map.

“Is this part of the gift! Are you allowing me to go with you to sea?”

She gushed padding into the living space, her excitement overflowing.

“What do you mean? What is that?”

He sat up abruptly, eyes locking into the parchment clutched in her hands.

“It’s a map, I thought you’d put it in here it was stopping the box from working”

her heart fell to her stomach, realisation slowing dawning on her.

“Hand it here, you know it’s dangerous. How would your mam cope without you? No you remind here il get someone to look it over tomorrow. It’s probably nothing”

With each of his words she felt more and more despair.

“I understand father.”

She turned a walked back to her room, how long would she have to be kept here. No. The word clanged through her, no she didn’t not understand nor would she wait. For years she had proven herself and now if they wouldn’t give her the chance to do more, she’d take it.

Once darkness and silence fell over their home she packed her bag now she needed the map so she searched the living area with no luck, her eyes landed on the satchel by the chair. Quickly she moved across the space and searched it, finding it in a pocket. Opening the door and running down the lane she was at the docks before she could second guess herself, it was here that she paused looking down on the small sail boat.

The wind pushed her towards it, taking it as a sign she hopped over the rail and began prepping for sail. Just after hoisting the sail she turned toward her home, the only place she’d even known her whole life.

“I’m sorry, but this is the only way.”

Breeze filled her sails, taking her away from the safety of her isle onward to her adventure