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

Chapter Three: Proteus

Proteus woke up to the sound of the pitter patter of rain out on his balcony. He felt as light as a feather from his dream. He tried so hard to remember what he was dreaming about. What could possibly leave him feeling reminiscent of euphoria? He had never felt this kind of euphoria before. He folded the soft gray blanket over itself as he sat up and a ghost print of a hand over his own hand and a chin on his shoulder gave him a clue about what exactly he dreamed about. He laid back down on the feathery mattress, trying to follow the ghost print but it disappeared as soon as he moved.

He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, before hesitantly getting up once more. He got so busy prepping a solo sailing boat for his trip yesterday that he completely forgot that he needed to figure out where The Chimera is and where it is going to. Proteus jumped out of bed, feeling like a kid again, about to sneak out and go on another adventure. He was giddy with excitement from the fact that he'll be seeing his dearest friends again.

Proteus pulled all of his clothes together, getting dressed hazardously as he sheathed his sword into the hilt. He didn't realize how early it was, too early to roam freely and not be questioned of what he was doing. But not too early to the point it was questionable that he was up and already starting his day. 

Proteus controlled his pace and his posture, walking swiftly to the point a child would call it jogging. He looked out to the astronomy tower. A few oil lanterns were still lit, and if he focused a little more, and ignored the curtain of rain drops, he could see Jena pacing between maps. Proteus couldn't wait any longer to walk and started to run towards the astronomy tower. He found himself sliding down the railing just to get to the main floor faster.

The sun looked like it was just starting to rise behind the clouds as he sprinted through the courtyard, his clothes becoming damper with every drop of rain. He stopped before going through the doors of the astronomy tower, taking in sight, the feeling, the smell of ivy and jasmine growing on the walls perfumed the air.

I love this place. He thought before finally entering the astronomy tower and climbing up the cobblestone stairs. This place, Syracuse was home to him. And he knew he would miss this place.  He slipped on a couple halfway up, skinning left shin before continuing upwards. He cursed himself for not being more lithe on his feet as he rubbed the painful feeling away, hopping from step to step.

"Your Highness!" Jena greeted with a tired smile and bowed as he took the final few steps, bowing slightly back.

"Good morning Jena! How are you, apart from tired and in need of coffee." He said going to the fire pit, where Jena had her own secret stash of coffee grounds and tea leaves. He started to fix some coffee for the two of them.

"I'm good. You don't have to do that Proteus, I was about to fix some, knowing you'd be on your way soon." She said, pouting a little as she cleaned up her notes on the table. 

"Speaking of my presence here, do you know where The Chimera is?" Proteus asked as he fixed a pot of water over the fire. The flames crackling the wood and flicking the bottom of the pot as he prepared the grounded coffee in a strainer. 

"They are currently sailing towards France to pick up a shipment of wine, according to my informant." She said without really look up from her maps. 

"Do you know their next port?" He turned to see Jena mapping out a course.

"Illyria." She replied.

"I have an idea. Since they are so close to Illyria, they're close to the Isles of Knamptam, where Queen Saphrine would normally stay for summers way back when. And I have an informant, probably the same as yours, that told me that her famed jewels, The Queen's Sea Eyes, are still in the tower ruins."