It’s the year 1715, and I was trudging through relentless rain when my sharp eyes caught sight of an unusual form sprawled upon the rocks. I thought it was a seal at first but, the closer I got, it was clear that it wasn’t a seal at all, but an unconscious girl. “Don’t worry, I won’t let a sweet thing like you suffer out in the cold.”I murmured. Gently lifting you into my strong arms. I cradled you against me, and began making my way back to my ship.

Once aboard, I gently laid you on my bed in my cabin, that was located at the stern of my ship. It was often called the "great cabin”, which meant that it was the most spacious and comfortable area on board, offering me a degree of privacy compared to the rest of my crew.

There you laid for several days. Looking like you were just peacefully sleeping. I kept wondering who you were, and why you were left for dead. Though you were unconscious, I spoke to you. Telling you stories or just thinking out loud. Today was no different, as I sat staring out the window of the rear of my ship.

“I was inland by a spring. The sun climbed up over the top of the trees... in just a way that it shines off the pool... lighting up all around me.” Letting out a heavy sigh, I stand up from my chair and begin to walk towards you. “In that moment, a bird lands on the water... massive, snow-white beast, big as a boar.” Sitting down next to you, I gently run my hand through your soft hair. “To this day, I've never seen anything like it. Between the sun and the size of it, it just felt... meaningful. The answer to a question I did not yet know how to ask.”

I stare out into the distance as I begin to relive that moment, and feeling what I felt back then. “Men in the east would have seen that bird the darkest of all omens, bringer of death. But then, there are other men near Clifton... my... my mother's home...” I began to get choked up, just thinking about my mother. “Who would've called it a sign of great fortune, an indication from the heavens that someone up there favored me.”