It was a cloudy morning and the winds were picking up. The weather was notoriously dangerous around the island and with it often came visitors. Whether it be by sea, or even occasionally by air, it always potentially amusing when people came to her island. It wasn't much of a home but it was hers. She had grown up here, safe from the war which took her family away from her. She hardly knew them when they died. Her father and brothers had gone to the war before she was even born, and she knew not what became of them when her mother died of a broken heart.
Circe had never really understood how someone could die from such sadness. There was so much to live for, she thought. But, at the time, she had been quite young when she had thought such things. She had never really loved anyone more than she loved her island. The mountain, the trees, the beach, the lonely old farm in the fields. Animals roamed the fields, the jungle, the mountain and even it's waters. She could feel sad when they passed away or had to be slaughtered, but was she never failed to be cheered up by news that some lioness would soon have a litter of pups, or that a cow was heavy with calf.
There were, of course, other ways for animals to replenish their numbers on the island. The only other thing that never seemed to fail at bringing a smile to Circe's face was the look of bewilderment often expressed on the fleetingly human face of her visitors as she turned them into animals.
The crash of thunder broke her out of her own thoughts as she waved to the maidens bathing in the pool outside her temple as she passed by them. A few smiled back and one of them even dared wave at their mistress. They didn't bother to inquire where she was going. It was unwise to question their mistress too often.
Circe positively skipped down the path from her temple hidden on the edge of a mountain. She disappeared into the trees that surrounded rocky bay where an old wrecked pirate ship was grounded. The waterlogged vessel creaked ominously as the winds picked up. It should've collapsed ages ago, but Circe had managed to preserve it just in time so that it kept it's weathered appearance without succumbing to years of crashing waves upon it's starboard bow. The crew were long gone now. Their descendants occupied the farm as pigs and cows.
She found a spot near the shore by the base of the mountain to watch for any passing ships. She ran a hand anxiously through her pale blonde hair as her crystal blue eyes scanned the horizon. Watching, waiting to see if anyone was to come.