Nessa watched as the coffin was lowered into the grave. Her expression was blank except for the tears streaming down her face. The first mate said some words, though she couldn't hear them. Her own thoughts were racing in her head.
"Father, you showed me what the life was like. You gave me the best example you knew how to give. Your ways will be my ways. I will be part of the most feared crew this side of the Shackles if it is the last thing I do. I will erect a statue in rememberance of you. This I swear."
The man stopped speaking, and the dirt was shoveled in. After it was all over, Mother came over to Nessa.
"Are you going to stop romanticizing about being a pirate now? Your father refused to stop his lifestyle and look where it got him." she said, gesturing to the fresh grave. "He was well-known throughout the Shackles and it finally caught up with him."
"Look what it got him?" Nessa replied. "You act like death was the only reward he received. He was a pirate for as long as I can remember, and he came home many, many times before that. You think his life was nothing, but I say it was filled with the best of times. You don't know what you had, and you don't know what you lost!"
Nessa made her way back to Port Peril where she lived. It was going to be a long summer indeed. Nessa grew up her father's daughter. The stories he would tell, the treasure he brought home, and the smell of the sea about him. She wanted to be just like him. She was going to grow up and sail the seas with him forever.
Nessa Maltaneth Linthdel was born in the city of Port Peril to elven parents. Her father, Captain Linthdel, was an infamous Free Captain of the Shackles. When she was old enough, he took her on a couple short voyages. They were just a couple hours away and came back, but it was enough to make her fall in love with the sea. She loved the sway of the boat, feel of the wind on her face, and being up in the rigging. Well, when she was old enough Father let her up that high. She liked the sound of his title, Captain. She was going to be his first mate when she was old enough. Little did she know that her plans for the future would start far different than his did.
Nessa spent as much time as she was able around the docks, the taverns, and other places where the sailors and retired salty dogs would hang out. Their stories were mesmerizing. She would be the best sailor ever, and nobody would stand in her way. Because of her brusque demeanor, she often clashed with the other children. Her manner was one of taking what she wanted when she wanted it. This got her into trouble more often than not, though she soon learned that in order to get the better things in life, you had to really want it, to work for it.
In the times Father was away, she learned all she could. The retired sea dogs had a wealth of information. A few of them taught her how to hold a knife, how to walk on a ship at sail, and many more things she would need to survive out on the waves. One of them would take her out on a small vessel of his and would help her practice how to keep her footing in those times when the ship wasn't steady. She would be ready when he returned.
She was always overjoyed when her father returned, as he brought the sea with him. That and a beautiful ship. The last time he returned was the saddest day of her life as he was brought back in a coffin. After he was put to rest, she was given a letter he had written for her.
My beautiful Nessa. If you are reading this, I am dead. It is hard for me to write this, but it must be done with someone of my reputation. I have nothing to leave to you except my legacy, our family name. You must be the one to continue onward. Hoist the Jolly Roger and take to the sea my dear!
"So that is the way of things." Nessa thought. "I must carry the family name alone. If there ever was a time to start, it's now."
And so, with a great determination to carry on the legacy, Nessa went down to the Formidably Maid, notorious pirate hangout near the docks in port peril. As she drank and listened to the song and dance she spied a young debonair corsair who kept beckoning her to come join him. She finally relented and went off to spend the night with him.
At the end of all the celebrating, as she lie on the bed relaxing (fully clothed, you thought she was naked did you? :P, she was suddenly beset on by thugs that gave her no warning. She felt herself carried off to where ever it was as she slipped into unconsciousness.
