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

Chapter 10 Marina and Sinbad

The scents of the port's spices and flowers infused with the scent of the ocean. He had a treasure to sell. A pair of arms wrapped around his waist as the afternoon sun lazily fell back beyond the horizon. He rested his head against his partner's own head. Marina hummed softly to say hi.

"Hi." Sinbad replied back to her, holding her hands on his waist.

"Do you need a protege to help you up the price on the jewelry set from the ruined towers of Tasya?"

"Well I need someone who not only looks like a scholar but can sound like a scholar too. Of course this sapphire jewelry set, known as The Queen's Sea Eyes, was worn by Queen Saraphine of Thebes back when the Isles of Knamptam was still under Thebe's jurisdiction. Then the fall of the towers came about 25 years into her reign and her most beloved jewels, The Queen Sea Eyes was thought to be lost forever. And behold, here we have it after one of our more unbelievable adventures."

"Oh yes, the serpent." Marina sighed remembering the dreaded encounter. "I'll help, but dinner tonight will not include the following items. Eggs and pickles."

"Agreed." Sinbad said as Marina unwove her arms around him as they set off the ship and into the trading town. The two set off about the town, puffs of dirt following their heels as merchants and laborers move crates of shipments. The two walked towards a patched made tavern called The Bennet's Fortune.

"What did he say the escort would look like?" Sinbad whispered to Marina as they looked about the tavern for someone who would look like an escort of some wealthy noble person. Marina nodded over to the hooded figure at a round table set for four. Marina kept her hand over the opening of the bag where the jewels were housed. More out of caution than out of anything else. Sinbad took note of the possible exits and entrances of the tavern. Tonight's exchange will keep the entire ship set for about a year.

The two sat at the table and a couple of mugs followed for the three of them.

"The crow will one day sing like the starling." Marina said.

"If there's a way to walk through fire." A scratchy phlegmy voice replied from under the hood. "Yu've got t'eh Queen's Sea Eyes?"

"Depends, do you have payment?" The cloaked man revealed a leather bag and passed it carefully across the table. Not making a sound around the many ears nearby. Sinbad noticed how pristine the escort's hands were. Just starting to get weathered by work. Something about this third party was familiar, not just by the look, but the mannerisms. How liltly the arm moved. Sinbad glanced into the bag to see it full of gold coins and quickly counted to make sure all of the money was there.

"You know this was more work than we bargained for. Fighting a serpent and all." He sighed. He nodded at Marina and she handed over the set.

"You could keep the jewels and the money if you'd like." The hooded stranger said with a little too much amusement.

"And why exactly, would you allow us to leave for both?" Sinbad crossed his arms and watched the stranger carefully.

"I need sly hands and passage to retrieve a very precious mirror." The stranger's voice wavered with a familiar laugh and voice that Sinbad knew all too well.

"Proteus?" Despire Marina's small smirk, anxiety swelled in the irises of her brown eyes as her vision tried to dip below the hem of the hood and onto the face hiding behind it.

"I don't have the skill to stay in character do I?" Proteus' voice came through the cloak as he pulled it forward enough for them to see his face but not enough for neighboring customers to see his face.

"What are you doing here?"

"Tracking you down." He replied with suave charm. Sinbad was taken aback about how relaxed Proteus was. He laughed a little nervously as he glanced at Marina who looked if not as awkward as he felt then more so. Sinbad was also amazed at how oblivious Proteus was to their discomfort. Sinbad felt guilty as the couple's discomfort is not because of Proteus' personality or past actions, but the fact that Marina was Proteus' fiance and now that Marina and Sinbad are together.