The sun wasn´t fully rising it, but Cressida already stepped out of the drift wooden shack. That is her grandfather´s house. The salty air filled her noise, as she closed the creaking door behind you. The semi solid sand was slightly crumbeling beneath her feet, as she walked down the path, she walked many times before.

Around her the fishermen, and seashell farmers where humming sea shanties on their way to work. They are humming so that they wouldn´t wake up the rest of the neighborhood.

No one spoke to her, they never spoke to the girl that was walking through the Driftwood District. That is how it always has being, even when she was little. She quietly walked over the sandy path towards the Stonecoral District.

Where the Palace of Guardian of Oceans was. The gated district that was reserved for the nobility and their housholds.

She adjusted the hood that was on her cloak that protected her from the early sun. Or rather hide her apperance for the rest of the world.

The guards that where stationed by the gate, nodded when she walked past. Again they said nothing, because they where not allowed to speak to her.

She walked past the gate, into the Stonecoral District where the buildings where made from the best wood that the Realm of the Earth was able to provide and stoned Coral.

Hence the name of the district, the white and red stone shimmered softly in the early sunlight.

When she was little, she tried to touch the stone, only to be pulled away from them and being scolded. So that wasn´t something she would do ever again.

She tried to keep a straight face as she walked past the Palace, towards the mansion of the Lord of the Tides. Entering the small enterance that was reserved for the servents.

"You are late, Young Mistress."

Avis Downer had her hand manhandeling some dough.

"Are they already down for breakfast?"

Which is not outside the realm of posibility, for the Lord of the Tides. But not for the Lady of the Tides and their offspring, they rather sleep in.

But it was somewhat of a relief when Avis Downer shook her head.

"Then I am not late, I am right on time. Did my mother lay out my dress for today?"

This time the cook nodded, and that was their confersation.

Cressida quickly walked towards the broom closet that was cleaned out for her to change. The dress was a simple turqiouse one with a high necklane, made from the finest silk, but without rich embrodery or embelisment. Just like the Lady of the Tides likes it.

She didn't need any ladies maid to help her with a breath taking corset. She placed the cloak, folded onto a chair together with the dress she wore before. And quickly brushed her golden hair, before she left the closet.

Avis Downer didn't look up, even once.

"Take that tray with you, Young Mistress."

There was a silver tray with various spreads on it. She slowly grabbed it, and started to walk upon the stairs that lead up towards the upper floor. She placed the tray by the others on the table, just when the Lord of the Tides entered the room. He walked towards his seat at the head of the table.

"What a lovely dress you are wearing."

She nodded as she herself sat down on the left side of the table, right in the middle. Not at the left hand of the Lord of the Tides, but not to far off either. The one chair closest to the door, and jet it was still their.

A firm hand landed on her left shoulder, but she didn't need to look up to know how's it was.

Porter Newfield, the heir in all his glory. With his sandy hair and blue eyes that made many ladies swoon. The hand on her shoulder was something he did after he startled her once when that where still children. Simply to let her know that he was there, not his mother.

"Morning Daddy, Porter, Cressida."

Devina Newfield, the brightest star inside Newfield family. She was beautiful, smart and had the kindest heart of them all. Trained to be the perfect wife for some lucky noble.

Porter and Devina walked around the table, and took their seats opposite of Cressida. Porter at the right hand of the Lord of the Tides.

But none of them touched any of the food or drinks that were represented on the table.

Porter and the Lord of the Tides where in discussion about his training.

And Devina was focused on her needle work, but she would not have much time to work on it.

When the Lady of the Tides trudge into the dining room.

"Good you all are here, even the stray has bothered to show up on time."

There was no point in defending herself, Cressida knows that all to well. And she also knows that not she would bear the brunt of the Lady of the Tides wrath, but her mother would.

The Lady of the Tides sat down, and the rest of the family attacked the food.

Cressida simply took two pieces of toast with orange jam, and a simple glass of orange juice. That was all that she was permitted to eat.

"That Whore, out did herself to day with your dress today. You almost could pass for a noble lady, which might not a bad thing, at least for today that is."

Cressida stopped mid bite, and looked a bit confused. Normally the Lady of the Tides would find fault in everything she did. So why was she so nice right now.

"Speaking of her, lets call her in here. Justine Seacoal, come here at once!"

Cressida didn't dare to turn her head and look at her own mother.

"Devina, dear do you know what day it is?"

Devina eyes widened.

"The Path of Orb."

And Cressida's heart sank, the Path of the Orb was a ceremony where the youngest member of every noble family that was of age, needed to participate. Which means that normally Devina would do it. But if that was the case, then there was no need for her mother to be in here.

Porter looked towards his mother, to Cressida and then back.

"Mother, please tell me that you are joking? Cressida might be the youngest of father's children, but she is not recognized."

"Still, she is sitting here at my table, eating my food. Wearing something your father bought for her. She is here everyday, and yes I made her do that. But right now she can pay me back."

Porter slammed his fist on the table, which made Cressida jump slightly.

"Pay you back for what, being born? Being father's bastard child? She has being payed for that all her live. She isn't allowed to sleep in this house, so she needs to walk to her grandfather's shack in the dead of night and walk back at the crack of dawn. She isn't allowed to eat more then two pieces of toast and some orange juice. She has spent all her live tiptoeing around here, afraid that her mother suffers a beating if she places one toe out of place."

Cressida once again tried to fight the urge to turn her head towards her mother. There was no doubt in her mind that she was tense like a fishing line.

But she closed her eyes, as Porter tore his mother a new one. She wanted to be alone with her thoughts for a moment.

It wasn't a secret that the Lady of the Tides hated her more then the smell of rotten fish. And it made sense that she wanted to get rid of her. And the Path of the Orb was a perfect way to do it. There are only five people recorded in history who have stayed in the same realm, they have being born in.

There are seven realms of the living world, the Realm of the Oceans, were they where in right now. The Realms of Light, Ice, Earth, Sky, Fire and Shadow.

And the last two have being at war with other species for quiet some time, but still those two places would be realms better then staying in this house.

Cressida slowly opened her eyes, and noticed that Devina had joined her brother in defending her.

The three of them where now in a screaming match, and the Lord of the Tides was sitting there listening to it all.

But he wasn't looking at them, he was looking at her mother behind her. Only for a second and then his gaze landed on her. It seems he already know what she was thinking.

"Why are you like this? The Path of the Orb is my salt rock to bare! Why would you make it hers?" Devina shouted.

"Because I have other plans for you, and that Whore's daughter is going to leave this house and this Realm. Otherwise someone here will pay..."

Porter once again started to scream, and Devina joined in as their mother started to defend herself.

Threating her mother with realms of pain, if Cressida wouldn't do what she is being told.

That was all she needed to hear, this is the main reason why she never set one foot out of place.

The Lord of the Tides and with addition herself have made her mother suffer enough.

"I will go."

Of course they didn't hear her, their screams overpowered her somewhat quiet voice. So this time she slammed her hands on the table.

"Stop this shouting match please, I will do it. I will go in Devina's place, but please stop shouting at each other."

This stopped the shouting alright, but the Lady of the Tides looked like she was going to kill her right here and now.

"How dare you..."

"That is enough Selena, what else did she need to do to get your attention. And you my son, you are a bigger man then that I am. Defending your sister so fiercely, it is something I should have done for years now. But don't be hard on your mother, I am the one who made her the way she is. I am the one who slept with a maid, I am the one who betrayed your mother. And after that I did nothing to protect Justine and Cressida, from your mother's wrath. But Porter did you stop for a minute to think that this was maybe the perfect senerio for Cressida. Once she is away from you mother, she would be able to blossom. I am sure of it."

Cressida glanced towards Porter who looked at his plate, he knew that their father's word rang true.

"With that said, Cressida please take some eggs and sausages for breakfast. You need to look healty and wellfed for the ceremony this evening. And I do not want to hear that you punish Justine afterwards for this. Cressida is my daughter, and she is going to represent our family. She needs to look the part. Devina can you give her one of your dresses?"

Cressida saw that Devina looked at her mother first, before she nodded.

"Good, Cressida I will see you inside my study after you are done eating. There are some things we need to discuss. And no Selena wouldn't be part of that conversation."

He stood up and left the room, while Cressida reached for the eggs and bacon.