I come from a northern territory of Espana, in Galiza. A town called A Coruna, a sea faring town. I am the daughter of a Merchant Captain (Jaime Cardona) who owns his own ship named Howling Wolf. Myne mother is Isabel MacNab Cardona she was born in Scotland, but raised in A Coruna.

I hath had many tragedies in myne short life. The first 'twas myne mother. I lost her at an early age do to an illness. It is said I look like her. I wilt tell more on the subject of tragedies later.

I sought ways to bring a smile to myne poor Da's face, which is how I received myne nickname Vixen. Myne Da left me with friends when he had to sail; they did nay like myne mischievous ways. Finally after one voyage, they told Da enough was enough, he had to take care of me full time.

At first the sailors tolerated this scrawny, long and lanky pre teen girl. At first me Da had me learning the books, and how to be a scribe for him. Boredom took over and I found ways to be underfoot again. The sailors became upset for I was always in the way. Little did they know I was trying to learn their jobs. Myne Da realized this and set me up to learn the sailor's trade. So myne education shifted to both being a sailor and a merchant. The one I followed the most was the first mate Sabastian. I had a teenage crush on him. He treated me like I was a spoiled brat, growling and snarling at me. He would bark and grumble about me, especially if I made a mistake or did nay move fast enough. Da 'twas watching from a distance, but never interfered. He would talk to me later in private whit I did wrong and instruct me how to do it right if I did nay get it. He knew from the way I wuild suddenly stand taller and straighter, that myne stubborn pride was kicking in. Soon (many months later) as I became stronger, I was one of his best sailors. Years Later I became the second mate. The crew respected and supported me.

Though out this time I never lost the title of Vixen, but it took on a new meaning as I grew up. I still played harmless pranks on the crew and myne Da. Poor Sabastian was the brunt of many of myne mischievous ways. Soon he saw myne natural skills as a sailor. The men started to call me when I first join their crew Damicita (meaning Little Dami).

Business started to pick up when I started sailing with Da. Da always said I was his lucky charm. I think it was because he nay had to worry about me and was happy I was there with him. Da always said that I was a guid sailor except for one problem, actually two. The first, being I would be seasick for the first few days of a voyage. Da said it 'twas myne mother's blood in me that did that. He swore she had fey/elfin blood in her because of her pointed ears. I have slightly pointed ones. I hated long shore leaves only for that reason of being sick. I wuild never hath given it up for the education I received from all the countries I sailed into. It was through these trips I found books and learned how to be an herbal healer and the healer for the crew. But I am glad to be a land lover again. The second was because I was a girl and of low noble birth. Da was a cousin of the Duke of Cardona. He thought it was time when I turned 14 yr. old to learn the art of being a Lady. Each shore leave I would be given lessons by a local instructor of Ladies, that myne Da charmed. The many scowling I received for myne rough hands, bare feet and wearing of men's clothing.

One day Da had a very fancy high-class ball to go to, and asked me to join him. He had commissioned a dress and the accessories to go with it. As I exit myne cabin all powdered and smelling real guid; the ship grew quiet. I became nervous with all of them watching me, so I swore and stuck myne tongue at them, which broke the spell. That night myne Da and the crew realized how grown up I was at the age of 17yr, so did Sabastian. Unfortunately for him I had out grew myne crush for him. Da decided then that he had to find me a potential husband. He wanted me to find someone to love as he did myne mother, and not marry for political reasons. Never before had I thought in those ways of being a lady or someone's wife. Seeing all those lovely ladies with their fancy gowns and the extremely handsome men in their jackets. I felt alone for the first time, even with myne Da by myne side. I felt clumsy, stupid, shy and friendless. Even though I could scale the riggings quicker then most, walking across the floor became a chore. One thing I did hath an advantage was being a guid dancers, (having had many different partners to practice with, a.k.a. the crew). Myne dancing caught the attention of one handsome, intelligent, kind and not stuffy high level noble gentleman. Xavier Santiago asked that night if he could court me after dancing with me most of the night. Unknown to me later on the ship, Sabastian asked myne Da permission to court me, and was turned down.

Xavier and I courted for 8 months. (Here is where the tragedies continue). A freak riding accident killed him. No one knows what scared his horse to throw him. A blow to his head ended his life. I feel guilty for his death, since we had an argument before he took off riding. I mourned him and became very depressed for several months. Da was worried about me and decided a change 'twas in order. He thought getting away from Espana would be guid and finding myne mother's relatives wuild be guid for me. So we sailed for Scotland.

As we sailed for Scotland a bad storm hit. I was still seasick and was in myne cabin below deck. Hardly anyone, but a skeleton crew was topside. Da was lashed to the wheel. I heard some cracking and headed topside. Before I could hook my safety rope to one of the mast, a wave hit me. I crashed into the side railings, as wave after wave hit me; it was the only thing that stopped me from going overboard. I could nay get up and myne Da saw me, he lashed the wheel into position to stay on course. He rushed to help me. He was able to get me up and tied to a lesser mast. Suddenly the cracking that drew me out on deck resounded. It was the main mast. Two things happened at once, a massive wave hit the deck, forcing myne Da into the path of the falling mast. I stood in horror as wave after wave crashed over the deck. I saw him hit and his body washed overboard. I howled into the wind. They found his body tangled in the sails and ropes when the storm died. I was in shock by the time the storm ended. The crew took care of me then the burial at sea for myne Da. I barely remember it. We limped into port a few days later. Grief took a deeper hold on me; I was in a catatonic state, a walking zombie. The crew just stared and whispered behind myne back.

Once we entered port, they put me up in a hotel and had a doctor examine me. Several nights later I ventured out of myne room for some food and drink. I over head some of myne mates and Sabastian talking about me. They were saying it was myne fault that the Captain died. I ran back to myne room and pack a small bag. I left them all that night.

Myne travels eventually lead me to MacLaaran Castle. Here I found acceptance and comfort. This is myne new hope and I am proud to be a member of Castle MacLaaran. Please come visit me in the village at myne Herb shop, or in the castle great hall or in me cottage by the lake. Guid company is always welcomed.


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