In Fate's Hands (Sinbad of the seven seas)

Chapter One: Proteus

Long ago in a prospering kingdom not unlike the lost empire Atlantis, a lone prince was fulfilling his duties as a future leader with kindness. This dazzling prince whose long brown hair fluttered the heart of every maiden in the kingdom was called Proteus. Beloved and admired for bringing home the Book of Peace and almost sacrificing himself for a friend. The people had the most confidence in Proteus' judgement after that little incident that almost put the entire kingdom into chaos.

Proteus' eyes stung while adjusting to the sun. He had only a few minutes to take a breath of fresh air and enjoy the sounds of the bustling palace. If he allowed his ears to really search for sounds he could hear the sounds of merchants bargaining and advertising, kids playing in the streets, and sometimes even the group of elder ladies playing lively music in the town square.

Proteus' first responsibility is to his kingdom and to all residents of Syracuse. He enjoyed every aspect of it. From, as said before, the bustling streets full of vendors to the dark alleyways. From the well kept temples to the small shrines families kept for their patron. He felt nothing but pride for his kingdom. Of course there is always room for improvement. He walked through the palace halls, his eyes on the tall buildings that seemed like raw crystals sticking out of the earth. His gaze wandered to the ocean as his thoughts did to Marina and Sinbad. He wondered how they were doing. Last he heard of them was when he got a letter from the Port of Lydion in the Jasmine Sea. If Proteus really needed to know where Sinbad, he could enlist Jena, the royal cartographer to find him. 

Content with the imagined vision of the two enjoying their lives he retreated back into the beloved walls of the palace where he knew he could make a difference for the good of all people. He strode into the courtroom joining his father's advisers. Gossip buzzed around him. His father had had a new obsession of acquiring a new tool to help protect the kingdom and the courtiers have been adding onto the rumor making this tall tale in one giant mixing pot of a room.

But what King Dymas has been searching for is something that even Proteus wasn't even allowed to know. No one in the court except General Octave knew what it was that he was looking for. But today's meeting confirmed that what his father has been searching for is finally found. Today he would learn after months of patience.

The doors seemed to fly away as his father opened the door. A calm demeanor on his face, but excitement and hope in his eyes. Next to him was the royal cartographer Jena who struggled to keep her maps in her hands as she made her way to the table. Proteus felt himself straighten out his posture as he watched the two enter the room. With quick dexterous hands, Jena placed out scrolls and used various large smooth rocks that Proteus would pick up along the shore when he walked with his mother as a child. He tried to listen to the sound of crashing waves, but behind so many walls it was impossible. 

"I thank you all for your patience as this information is sensitive. But today we set out to obtain the oracle's mirror." His father does like to add a flair of drama when he can as he opened the book to a well visited page as the book proudly slammed on the table. Proteus couldn't help but give a small smile to his father before looking at the drawing of a water basin with intricate knots all around the bowl and symbols of warding.

"I've successfully located the mirror by looking for weather anomalies in our atmosphere. In the Isles of Joctume there's a storm that seems to come from nothing every year on August 1st. It is to be believed that every year when the storm occurs a warrior uses the mirror for his own selfish reasons. He keeps himself hidden from the public and only comes out of his cave on rare occasions such as this one." Jena took over the meeting referring to the patch of islands west of Syracuse past and next to the mouth that leads to the sea of monsters. Drawings of a brutish hooded hero paired with the map. 

"Proteus," His father's voice caused his eyes to snap up away from the curled paper. "You are being tasked with obtaining the mirror with your own brigade of soldiers."

 King Dymas focused on the map. He could practically see the mirror in the reflection of his eyes as if it was right in front of him. As much as his father expects this to go as smoothly as obtaining the book of peace went, obtaining a mirror from a skilled warrior is more of a thief's job than a royal brigade going into a ruined temple to obtain a relic presumed to be lost in the sea.

The court meeting went on as they went over charting the course. Nobody objected to the idea of taking something away from the lone warrior. It weighed on Proteus' mind as the meeting continued. Maybe the hero could be commissioned to protect the mirror here. Proteus and General Octave were agreed to keep at least a 10 mile distance away from the sea of monsters. But this conversation was under the guise that Proteus would be taking a ship of fine soldiers of Syracuse. When it came to choosing a crew he had to speak up.

"Excuse me but I don't think it would be wise to send in a ship full of soldiers from another kingdom." Proteus took advantage of the slight pause his father has between sentences. The entire court looked at him. "The Book of Peace was obtained from the ruins of a temple lost to the people. The Oracle's Mirror is presently being used by someone. Taking this object could lead to war if we're not careful."

"What do you suggest Proteus?" His father asked, testing Proteus for his ability to lead the people.

"I suggest hiring a trusted thief." The whole court seemed to hold their breath as he suggested hiring a well known thief on this voyage.

"We're not bringing him into this." His father retorted.

"On the contrary, I think it would be wiser to hire Sinbad." Jena spoke up. "They could be in and out with the mirror without being caught and no one would know where the mirror went."

"Sinbad will complete any job when paid properly. Not only that he has Ambassador Marina on his ship to keep him in line. And he's a trusted ally to Syracuse." Proteus laid those facts out on the table. His father's face and eyes were unreadable.

"I understand." He says. "With the aid of Sinbad your task is to obtain the mirror and bring it back to Syracuse." Proteus suppressed a sigh and smile of relief. Knowing Sinbad he's already on his way to obtain the mirror to sell it himself. He looked at Jena and knew that she was Sinbad's eyes and ears when it came to finding one of a kind relics. She was bound to figure out where Sinbad currently is within the hour.