* Amelia *

That night, I had a dream:

It started on my wedding day. The church we were in was absolutely magnificent and was made from carved stone which had some of the most intricate details you can possibly imagine. The arched ceilings towered above the massive room and the light that filters through the windows reflected all sorts of colours on the awaiting nobles and other high ranking people who were sitting in the church. Dressed in their best clothes, they muttered away in anticipation of the beginning of the ceremony. As I was just about to begin to walk down the aisle, I glanced at the person standing at the other end of the room, waiting for me. Prince Lucas wore white and his mop of hair was neatly done. I could see his smile even from where I was. His teeth were as white as summer clouds. From behind me, you can hear the excited chatter of the city folk waiting outside the church.

I played with my dress, mostly out of nervousness. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever worn, and it seemed to go on and on. I felt beautiful in it. A warm hand covered my hand in which I was playing with the dress. I looked up at my father, who gave me a comforting smile. It was time.

I have one arm linked with my father's and with the other, I was holding one of the most beautiful bunch of flowers I have ever seen. I could actually feel the nerves tingling away inside of me. Finally, we start walking.

I am almost laughing I am so happy. I am not even having to fake my smile. As we walk past the standing guests they are all smiling back at me. I can see a mix of shared happiness and proudness in everyone's eyes.

Father and I reach the altar and I kiss Father on the cheek. But as I pull away, I hear a bang. It echoes through the building. Father's dark blood is on my dress. He collapses. I see the life drain from him instantly. I look at Prince Lucas but realise he is the one holding the smoking gun. A mad grin is plastered across his face. He turns into Captain O'Malley. I scream. I look around at the rest of the guests. They have all turned into the Captain. The church is not beautiful anymore. It has changed into the pirate ship. I wake up sweating and a scream on the tip of my tongue.

I find myself walking out to the deck of the ship. The night sky makes the ship creepy and dark. Even though it was only a dream, the bang still rings in my ears. I am a trembling. Yet I am not cold. The deck of the ship was almost empty except for a few drunken pirates who are sitting in a corner. Taking the occasionally sip out of a dirty glass bottle. As I walk past them, they don't even look at me. They just continue drinking and muttering to each other.

I looked up that the sky. The dark sky glittered with millions of stars. They were brighter here then they are back home. I looked in the sky for the moon and quickly spotted it. It was a half moon, but it still shone brightly.

I made my way to the front of the ship. Next to the bowsprit. On the front of the ship was a beautiful carving of a young lady. She was made out of gold and therefore the reflection of the moon and stars made her glimmer slightly. As I listened to the ocean crash against the boat, I took in what I could see of her features in the dark. I noticed how her long golden hair looked like it was caught in the wind and swirled up almost to where I was standing. The golden dress that she was wearing melted into the wood of the ship. But you could see the outline of her legs. I couldn't see her face, but I knew what it looked like because I had seen it again and again on father's ships.

For this was a sculpture of Darya, Lady of the Sea. It was a sign of good luck to have her on your ship. It was believed that if you have Darya guiding you across the sea, then you can never be lost.

I looked away from her and followed her gaze across the sea in front of me. I couldn't see much since it was dark.

I sighed. Darya had reminded me of Father. Again.

'Father,' I said out loud to the vast ocean 'please, please if you're out there, come find me quickly.'

'He's coming, child. Patience is key.' The slightly female voice made me jump. I quickly turned around and no one was there. I felt my heart beat faster.

'Who's there' I say loudly.

'It's me, child. Don't you see me?'

I looked at the craving of Darya and actually yelped and jumped back. The goddess was looking right at me. With a smile spread across her face.

'You-you...' I was too shocked and confused to speak properly. 'Is-is this a j-joke?'

'No. Do not be afraid.' Her golden hand mentioned to the water below her 'Let the water calm you.'

Instantly, the sound of the ocean filled my ears. Yet it seemed a lot calmer, it sounded like waves as they gently lap at the shoreline or beach. I felt my whole body relax.

'You have great magic in you, Amelia.'

'Magic?' I said vaguely.

'Yes, magic. It is all around you, child.' She lifted her face to the night sky, 'Look at the moon. Its shine creates magic. Think of the colours of a sunset. They too create magic.'

'I don't understand.'

'Beauty is magic. Magic is beauty.' Empress looked back at me. 'You have not only magic all around you, but inside you as well. Which makes you strong. Stronger than most. Even stronger than your parents.'

I thought this was a strange way to say that I am pretty.

'You know my parents?' I asked, nearing closer to her.

'Of course. I know everyone. I am the sea after all, and many ships have sailed in my waters.'

'So you truly are the goddess of the ocean?'

'No, no child. My brother, Silas, the land, and I are not gods. We are merely protectors of all those who make their homes on our backs. The Lord of the Sky is the only real god. Hence the title of the Great God.'

In Tanio, we believe in three main gods. Firstly, there is Darya, Lady of the Sea. Secondly, there is Silas, Lord of the Land. Darya and Silas are believed to be brother and sister, while their father, the sky, is the Great God. He oversees all life and ensures that the Land, Sea and life, in general, is just. Many believe all three should be seen as gods, yet as Darya expressed to me, this is not the case.

'Why are you talking to me?' I ask.

'As I have said before, child. You have magic in you which makes you strong. I believe that in the near future you will need that strength. You will need to have strength like an ocean, Amelia. A roaring ocean.'

'A roaring ocean.' I repeated to myself.

'Also know that you are never alone. Whether you're on land or on the sea. My brother and I are always here. We are protectors after all.'

Her voice started to go faint like she was getting further and further away from me. When I looked up at the sky I noticed how the stars seemed to get bigger and brighter. They got bigger and bigger until it completely covered my vision. I'm blinded.

I then wake up on the deck of the ship. Right where I was standing in the dream. The sun had just come over the horizon and the deck was buzzing with activity.