1 Prologue
Some people compare the ocean with a woman. Rebellious, bold, sometimes dangerous and demanding something in return for their favour. And what is it if we look at the ocean from another perspective? It is an infinite space; an immense amount of salty water. It either can be your friend, can be an excruciating rival or even your most fearless enemy.
Waves are rushing, majestically carrying the white foam, exactly like queens protecting their crowns. There are no obstacles for them. Okay, let's say the high cliffs of the islands, on which the waves with a roar smash to smithereens, doused with salty water overhangs and forcing sea birds to soar with shouts into the skies. Yes, these are a big obstacle more or less
The ocean storm is an incredible sight. When the ocean roars and beats in anger, almost touching heavy clouds, it demands a victim. It is trying to wash off from its surface any vessel that dared to get out of the port security at this unfortunate moment.
Waves carry ships through oblique arrows of rain. When thunder rumbles a second after the blinding lightning, it seems that even stolid clouds are at the same time as the ocean has played out. And the sea drowns ships, when it can, with the help of its sympathetic comrade - the wind.
This place is called Midgard. Here rules the ocean.
Immense to the eye, it poured its waters into all four directions of the world. Although in some places it is pierced by seamounts with islands instead of the peak. In total, Midgard has four large islands and more than five thousand smaller ones: from medium to just sandbanks.
The largest islands belong to Nexus, Wijotia, Asterion and Oliatopia. Trade and political ties interconnect the four kingdoms. After all, none of them survives without goods from the three other islands.
What will people wear if the cloth is not delivered from Nexus? Or what will happen if Wijotia suddenly stops selling its weapons? How about the grain on Asterion and educational institutions on Oliatopia? Therefore, the rulers of all four islands somehow, as they can, maintain peace between the kingdoms.
Unfortunately, small wars are fought everywhere. And in most cases, it is not about the fact that some merchant took the place of another. Where trade is developed, sooner or later, lovers of wealth will surely appear at someone else's expense.
People call them pirates.
They will not miss the chance to seize the trader who has been looking about to take in his arms. And while the authorities are unsuccessfully trying to develop an effective plan for how to end piracy, sea tramps prosper comfortably in the vast expanses of Midgard.
It is believed that piracy is the privilege of harsh men. Many stories are telling about the weather-bearers of the seas, ships, over which a black flag is fluttering, and treasures hunters on uninhabited islands.
But it turns out there were also female pirates. With their audacity, they often surpassed the famous male corsairs and participated in the most incredible pirate adventures. My name is Lieve and I'm about to tell you the story that changed my perspective about life outside the castle borders, and about the world in Midgard with its finest flaws.
