The wind was rocking the ship gently but one could hear the waves splashing upon it's sides. Footsteps were echoing above and in the mind of a young lass. A lass who was all alone, barely alive, And not even knowing yet that she is on a cargo ship. She lies in the world of between life and death as we speak.......<br/><br/>Softs came from the lass on the bed. An old man rose up and hobbled over to check on his young charge. He pushed her hair from her face gently. A slight fluttering of lashes before the eyes slowly opened revealing a pair of deep green eyes.<br/><br/>"Who are you and what are you gonna do to me?" the lass whispered in an horse voice as she scooted away from the man.<br/><br/>"Aye it is time and past for you to be awaking, lass. Here have a drink of water. It is cool and will ease your throat. You have a mighty scream, if you didn't know... I am sure the Banshee is jealous of your scream. It made this old seaman shudder in terror, it did indeed. now drink slowly for you have not had much of anything since you left that dank smelly cell." the man held out a tin cup to her.<br/><br/>"Th-thank you, kind sir...." the lass drank slowly and looked about the room. It was very small but clean. In the one corner at the end of her bed was a chair. Across from the chair was a door and a door was behind the chair. Next the the far door was a sliding door and next to that was a wooden box which contained a waste bucket. Above that was a barrel with a tap on it. Next to the bed where she was now sitting up at, was another barrel where the old man poured out the water. She saw a wash basin neatly hanging on the wall. Tucked between the table with the water and the other box was a long box. From that box came some cooing of doves and cackles of a few chickens could be heard.<br/><br/>"Thank sir. Could you please tell me where I am? I can tell that it is a ship from the sounds of waves against the sides. How did I get here and why?"  the lass asked softly.<br/><br/>"I shall go tell the cook that you are ready to eat some broth, lass. You go ahead and use the box and the water above the box for washing up. I shall be back shortly. Now be quick so I don't catch you unawares." the old man warned as he went out the door.<br/><br/>The lass hung the cup up on the hook that was on the small table next to the bed. She noticed that there was some sort of a knob. She turned the knob and then pulled. A sliding table came out and a leg fell down. She set the table up and went to the box and got the wash pan down. She opened the sliding door and saw new clothes that were just her size and her style. She smiled and pulled out a dark green dress, an ivory apron was in a set of drawers under the bed as well as other items. She soon was ready to brush her long red hair. She opened the other sliding door to find a set of drawers. She kept looking about as a knock on the door was heard.<br/><br/>"Lady deForrest? May I come inside? This is your captain speaking. I have a few things for you." the man spoke in a deep aurthoritive voice.<br/><br/>"Yes, I am dressed..... is the a comb or brush about?" she asked as she tried to detangle her hair with her fingers.<br/><br/>The captain came in but he was too tall to stand fully.<br/>"Your vanity table is in the next room. I have a letter for you explaining everything. You are safe for now as far as I know. No need to exchange names. In fact the less that you know the better. I have a bag of money for you to get started on. I suggest that you do not keep much on you at any one time. There is a safe in here and everything in this wagon is yours to use and keep. In this drawer is a secret latch. Press it right here......Come and feel for it lass."<br/><br/>Noirin came over and felt for a latch and finally found it. A drawer that was hidden in the back of the dresser opened up. It was the height of the dresser and about 4 inches deep and the width was about a foot. On the walls were small wooden trays where she could place various things in. The captain handed her a bag and two sets of keys on rings.<br/><br/>"I am leaving you now and wwe will not meet again. The old man will soon be here to give you your dinner. In the morning, you will be taken out of this cargo ship. Your instructions are in that envelope and be sure to hide anything that needs to be hidden as soon as possible. I wish you the best possible new life possible. And here is your hound dog. She has just arrived from her walk." the captain spoke as Noirin knelt down to the dog.<br/><br/>"Belle! Where did you come from, girl? Captain....." Noirin looked up but the Captain was gone. Shrugging she petted Belle, who remembered her. Belle was just a 2 month old puppy that was born the wrong way before Noirin was able to get there to help with the difficult birthing. The dog was pure white except  for a few grey areas. She was glad the Belle was with her. But she wanted to get her hair done before anyone else came. She put the money and letter in the hidden drawer and closed it. She tried to get it open again but couldn't. It should be safe then was her only thought. Noirin moved the chair and went into the next room, Belle close to her heels.<br/><br/>In the front area was her mother's vanity that folded up in a neat barrel shape. Noirin soon had it open and was brushing her hair. She tied it in a long braid before closing up the vanity. She looked about to see what else was in there. Using the keys, she was able to open the trunks in the front which contained food stuffs, tin dishes and cookware. A soft smile came across her face when she saw that it was Irish tin ware. And in emerald green with blue specks. Some one either knew her well or guessed well.<br/><br/>Another knock and a voice called out.<br/>"Lass? Are ye decent? I have a nice chicken and noodles for you to eat....."<br/><br/>"Come in, please. I am presentable." Noirin went out of the room and Belle followed her. By the time she had closed the door the old man had a tray with a metal cover over it.<br/>"Ahh wonderful, lass. You have found the table. Well done I say. Now eat up so that you will be able to get strong once again. I'll work on my nets while you eat. Have you ever done knot tying?" the old man asked as he sat back down in his chair and Noirin on the bed.<br/><br/>"No I haven't, is it hard?...." she asked politely as she placed the napkin on her lap.<br/><br/>"Nay, lass. Just watch me and you will soon see how it is done. Then you can make yourself a nice necklace if you have a half of a mind to do so." he spoke how to do the knotting as she ate. After the simple meal, Noirin had her first and last lesson on knot tying. She soon became sleepy and went to bed.<br/><br/>_________________________________________________________________________________________<br/>Early next morning before it was even light out.<br/><br/>"Wake up lass. It is time for you to get yourself ready to go ashore. In the wagon of course. Someone will drive your horses just so far stop and from there on you are on your own. I bid you peace and farewll. Now eat and be ready for the horses are already hitched up and eager to go." the old man put the food on the table and a bowl of food and water on the floor for Belle. He went out the door for one last time. She went to try the door but it would not budge. Noirin then sat back down and ate and waited until the wagon had stopped. She waited for a good 15 minutes before trying the door once again. She was able to open it and there were two magnificent matched grey horses prancing in the harnesses. She looked about and found no one around. A note was left on the seat which simple stated that the horses were hers now. Their names were Duke and Lady. A bill of sale was there was well as a map of England. She went inside and put the bill of sale away in her secret place and the copy was placed in the top drawer. Soon she was on her way to some where.