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Muirghean
Hewitt’s life began on a sunny spring day in County Cork Ireland
where she was booking passage on a ship.
Until that day she had been Muirghean Harris, the wife of an old boring
English merchant her father had married her off to when he realized
that, left to her own devices, she would never choose a husband or
at least, not one that would bring any profit his way. Muirghein couldn’t
believe her father would do that to her, that is, not until the wedding
day when no amount of pleading or threatening could get her out of
it. So, she married the old merchant, consoling herself in the fact
that the man had a few redeeming qualities; he was rich and, being
a merchant, he would go away on extended business trips quite often.
Its during one of those trips that Muirghean decided to run away.
She packed a few changes of clothes, her jewelry, as much coin as
she could get from her husband’s safe and a pair of matched
daggers and made her way to the docks to book passage on any ship
that would take her far away from Cork.
It was a busy day at the port, but not busy enough for a richly dressed
lady apparently traveling alone to go unnoticed by someone looking
for easy gain. The First mate of the Roisin Dubh spotted her and immediatly
thought “MONEY”. He discreetly inquired about the route
the ship she had booked passage on would be taking and promptly informed
his captain. Seeing possible profit from looting the ship and ransoming
the woman, Captain Jonathan Rankin O’Rose decided to follow
the passenger ship, at a safe distance of course.
When both ships were far enough at sea, the “pirates”
boarded the passenger ship, looted it and kidnapped Muirghean. Once
they had her securely onboard the Roisin Dubh, the Captain discovered
a glitch in his plan; there was no way Muirghean would let herself
be ransomed, she would rather die than go back. After a long discussion
with the Captain it was decided that she could stay as long as she
made herself useful and, as he needed payment for his trouble she
“agreed” to “give” him her money and jewelry.
The daggers were of course confiscated as they were a safety risk.
That day Muirghein Harris became Muirghean Hewitt.
A year later on her saining day, the crew having decided she had
proved herself worthy of their trust, Captain O’Rose gave
her back one of her daggers. Once last formality: the oath to Ship,
crew and
Captain, and Muirghean (though the Navigator still affectionately
calls her Morgana) was finally a true member of the crew of the Roisin
Dubh.
Over
time Allan was drawn to shore more often and so Muirghean took on his
duties and became First Mate. Allan became the Navigator upon his return. |
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