She woke up with a scream, eyes wild, chest heaving. Her wild reddish orange hair stuck out in random directions, a cold sweat covering her body. Bluish green eyes looked out the window at the rolling green hills. She took deep breaths, collecting her thoughts. Resting her head in her hands, Nina Andreas calmed down, somewhat dizzy. She brushed her hair, grabbing her rose eyepatch from her bedside table and putting it on. Nina's bedroom walls were covered in artworks, music lyrics, and animal sketches. She put on her red dress that stopped just above her knees, black pants, and black boots with a black belt with a rose buckle around her waist. On the skirt of her dress was a black rose imprint. She eyed her mother's old pirate hat with unease before leaving it to sit.

"Another nightmare?" her mother, Julianna Andreas, asked as Nina came downstairs to the dining room. Nina looked like the spitting image of her mother. Julianna just had darker hair, more freckles, and duller eyes. She placed a tall stack of pancakes on the table with a bottle of maple syrup and the butter dish.

"I guess," Nina shrugged, sitting across from her mother. "I don't remember what I dreamed. I usually do remember." She twirled a strand of her hair. "All I remember is this face, and that's it."

"Hmm, what did this face look like?" Julianna asked, taking a bite of her own pancakes. "Why not make a sketch? You normally do when you have one of your...dreams." Julianna hesitated, not knowing what to call Nina's nightly visions.

"Mom, wouldn't it be strange if I keep drawing strangers?" Nina questioned, eating her food. "How would it sound if I walked up to someone and said, 'I saw you in a dream and decided to draw you. What's your name?' It sounds weird!" She pointed out, making controlled gestures with her hands.

"Nina, tone," Julianna reminded, raising an eyebrow. Nina opened her mouth to protest but closed it. "Don't mention your dreams to anyone. It could be dangerous for you if someone found out. Remember–"

"I know, Mom! If anyone found out, I'd either be killed or sold to the highest bidder," Nina bitterly scoffed, glaring at her half-stack of pancakes. "You only tell me everyday." Her eyes widened. "Not that I don't care, I do! I'm always careful around others I don't know. I'm just tired of hearing everything." She winced, not meaning to come off as a bitter spoiled brat. "I know you just want to protect me."

Julianna sighed, putting her fork down. "Nina, promise me you will stay safe. I don't want to lose you, too." The older pirate put her napkin down and stood up. "I have another voyage to take. Hana will be here to watch you. Don't give her a hard time, and do your best in your studies if you are ever to take over the family business." She briskly left the dining room, heeled boots clacking with each step.

"Goodbye, Mom," Nina called, also getting up from the table. "I promise to stay safe." She helped one of the servants take the plates into the kitchen. Before she could help clean, they shooed her out.

"Thank ye for offerin', chile, but we got this," Kinera smiled sweetly. "Go study or draw one of yer masterpieces." She started to wash the dirty dishes in the lukewarm sudsy water.

"They aren't masterpieces," Nina blushed, embarrassed. "I know of people who can draw better. I'm just an amateur." She twirled her hair again.

"Nonesense, chile! I wish I had half yer talent," Kinera pressed. "Ye could go big with yer art." Nina winced, looking down. Kinera sighed. "But I know yer mother would never approve. She only wants what's best for ye, but soon, ye both need to learn to let you spread yer wings."

"Kinera!" Nina protested.

"All I'm sayin' is that you can't be stuck here forever. Adventure always comes," Kinera's eyes twinkled. "All ye have to do is embrace it." The servant shooed Nina away and went back to work.

Nina spent the next few hours ignoring her classes and sketching a young woman who seemed just a tad older than her. With fair skin, curly black hair, and piercing green eyes, Nina's sketch was finished. The woman wore a white blouse with a blue skirt, brown lace up boots. Around the woman's neck and shoulder was a leather pouch. The curly black hair had a jeweled barrette that resembled a water lily. No matter what, Nina couldn't remember the woman's name. Next to the final sketch was another doodle with the woman having a horrified expression, the same expression that haunted Nina's mind, the expression from her dream.

"Who are you?" Nina wondered, looking outside at the hills. Just beyond them, Nina could barely see the clear blue sea. She often dreamed about the sea, never able to fully experience it. Her mother had banned her from ever going to the shores. Granted, Nina never found herself drawn to the sea. Yet, something always felt missing in her life, like a puzzle piece she couldn't find. Nina had only been to the sea once, on her fifth birthday. She still remembered her mother's terrified scream as Nina waded into the water. Nina still remembered the beautiful aqua green and rose pink scales that appeared on her arms and legs.

Anytime Nina's body was submerged in water, those scales would appear. To most, it was a sign of her tainted heritage, but to her, it was the last gift her father gave her before he left. Her father was a Siren from one of the Northern Palificas tribes. He had met Julianna on one of her voyages, saving her life from an enemy pirate band. From there, both kept meeting up with each other. Nina was born a year later, and her father disappeared into the sea, having been called to battle. Julianna knew he left because he couldn't bear to lift the blade against her or his daughter. Nina was one of the few half-breeds in the world. A sign that humans and sirens could live in harmony. Most were killed upon being found.

Julianna had set Nina up to take over her shipping company. Nina, once the age of twenty-five, would take over and manage the company, Andreas Shipping. Nina had no interest in being stuck in an office for the rest of her life. She'd rather be out in the world, drawing and playing music for others. The Andreas family name was famous among Pirates, Nina's great grandfather having been a mighty warrior, who retired and started the business, promising safe and fast shipping with other islands and guilds. Nina knew the truth though. The company was just a ruse to hide the fact the Andreas family were famous trappers. Their "shipments" were illegal animal skins and other illegal items being sold to black market buyers. Nina wanted no part of it.

Kinera's words plagued Nina's mind for the next few days. With what little sleep she did get, the face of the woman would appear, followed by anguished screams. Nina hated it. She hated it so much. She pulled at her hair and groaned, tears of frustration welling in her eyes. Her caring heart made it so hard to ignore the woman and continue on with her duties. Deep down, she knew she needed to do something. "Soon ye both need to learn to let you spread yer wings."

"I'm sorry, Mother," Nina whispered, grabbing her mother's old hat and putting it on. She put on a brown jacket and packed a bag with her sketch book, pencils, sharpening knife, and sneaked into the kitchen.

"Spreading yer wings, eh?" Kinera asked, amusement dripping with each word.

Nina froze. "I...yeah, I am. And you can't stop me!" Nina's eyes flared and she stepped back.

"I don't plan to," Kinera laughed, handing her a small bag of food. "This should last ye a few days. You best hurry, chile. Hana will be lookin' for ye soon." Kinera's eyes twinkled knowingly and she took the duster to start her weekly dusting of the house. Nina watched her go with grateful eyes.

"Thank you," Nina whispered and cautiously walked through the house to her mother's home office. There she opened the safe and took the bag of gold coins, leaving a note in its place. She faltered, staring at the family portrait. Her hands shook and tears brimmed her eyes. "I have to do this, Mother. Please understand. I'm sorry..."

With that, Nina left the property, running toward the hills. Once out of sight of anyone from the manor, Nina slowed her pace, humming a slower version of the tune to The Dancing and the Dreaming. Birds chirped along with her, and bees buzzed. The smell of salt water danced throughout the air. Nina felt happy. She closed her eyes and took everything in. Her heart soared, her wings finally being allowed to spread. Adventure has called, and Nina answered. 

-----

Hey guys!

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I do believe it's the longest one yet. And we are introduced to yet another protag! Meet Nina Andreas! I am loving her already. I hope you all liked her, too. Technically, two protags were mentioned in this chapter. Hehe. 

Interactive question: Who is your favorite of the first four protags and why?

Have a wonderful day!

~Kat