Sera brushed her hair out of her face. Miso had left her with instructions to clean up and await himself or King Proteus. Her eyes wandered around, taking in the detailed architecture and soft blue hues of the room. There were several floor to ceiling bookshelves filled with leather-bound books, a desk, a large bed with a wide chest at its base, and a set of double doors that opened out to a balcony.
As she walked to the doors, her boots clicked against the marble floor. Gently, she pushed down on the silver handle and ventured outside. Her breath caught in her throat. The view was incredible; the entire city of Syracuse lay at her feet. She could easily see past the docks and out to the ocean. The sun was setting in the horizon, splaying pastel colors of the rainbow across the sky.
"Lovely view, isn't it?" A sultry voice said from behind her. Sera turned quickly, and found herself face to face with Eris. The goddess was watching her intently, a knowing smile on her face. She cocked her head to the side. "You've really done well, I didn't think you were a good enough liar."
She waited for a response from her mortal companion, but when there was none, she rolled her eyes. "Oh come now Sera, it really was a lovely performance. Let's just see if you can keep it up long enough to get the tree."
"Remember your promise, Eris. I steal the tree for you, and you bring him back." The smile disappeared from the goddess' lips and was replaced with a pout and an annoyed sigh.
"You know, for having never known that pesky brother of yours, you two sure do think alike."
"What does that mean? You know Sinbad?" Sera asked, suddenly curious. She didn't know anything of the brother her father had told her about. Her mother had died giving birth to her, and her father had raised her. They acted as the highest ranked slaves in the House of Galinas.
Sinbad had been the only other family her father had spoken of. The brother that her father had smuggled to safety long before her own birth. Well, safety being an orphanage, but as her father had put it, they wanted him to be free of the bonds of slavery. He told her that he would have done the same for her, had her mother not died.
Sera had become the object of the mistress' grief for the loss of her mother. A slave she had been, but Illithia had also been her most trusted confidant and friend. At least, that was how her father had described it. Her mother's loss had been felt, and showed in the cruelty that had later blossomed from Lady Avana Galinas.
"Let's just say that his motivations behind our meeting were far less honorable than your own." Eris said, her form beginning to fade. "Remember Sera, when the sun sets in 7 days, the deal is void."
Sera turned from the fading goddess, not bothering to reply. Her mind drifted elsewhere.
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Sera held a glass pitcher in her hands as she walked, holding her head up high and keeping her gaze level. Her heart was beating faster than it ever had before, and she tried to keep her breathing normal. Two paces behind her to her right, was her father, following her steps into the gardens to the stream. Her mistress preferred the fresh water for rinsing her face every evening, so their trip had raised no suspicion so far.
Tonight though, tonight would be different. A house party had been organized by Lady Galinas. It was going to be extraordinary, with feasts of exotic flavors, opiums, and wines. The slaves in the house were to wear masks, as were the guests, that covered the entire face. The intention, was that the slaves were to be given for whatever pleasures their takers desired. Her father had overheard that one of the house's closest friends had specifically requested that Sera be his, and only his, to do with what he would. It was then that he knew, he had to get her to freedom.
Sera began to sing lightly, to ease her nerves. She had a beautiful voice, one that had been very often praised and demanded by her house as a display of their servant's skills. As her father had told her, she saw a small skid hidden under the overhang of bushes on the stream. It had been so hard not to look back, but she did what he had told her to. She knelt by the stream, and grabbed the rope that lay in the water, and started pulling it slowly, freeing the skid. As the skid approached, she heard a cry of alarm. Her father was there immediately in the water, holding the boat steady while she climbed in.
"Get in!" she said, urging him to do as she said. His eyes though, were on the path that led into the garden, and he saw the guards rushing through. He had felt them watching, even when Sera had not. He pulled the boat away from the shallows, and into the quickly flowing water. "No!"
An arrow had pierced his shoulder, then his back, through to his chest. He looked up at her, told her that he loved her dearly, and shoved the boat off. Tears streamed down her face as she watched the guards pick up his body, and drive a sword through his stomach.
It was then that she swore she would not rest until she found her family.
Months passed, and her inquiries had caught the attention of Eris, of a girl looking for the legendary Sinbad. Sera had all but given up her search, as every Sinbad that she had met had his own story, or living parents. She mused that he had either adopted a new name or had already passed on. Eris, not having much restraint for redirecting fate, had disguised herself as a young, beautiful oracle, who placed a summons out for Sera. Her servants found Sera, and brought her forth.
"Sera, daughter of Armos and Illithia. You seek Sinbad, son of the same." she said, in a smooth voice. "Seek out the temple of Eris, it is there you will find answers that you seek."
Sera had done so, and indeed knelt before the carving likeness of the goddess. To her amazement though, as she did so, the heavy stone doors swung shut, and her surroundings melted away until all that remained was herself and the statue. Hands pushed out from the inside of it, splitting the stone into two, and a beautiful woman with long, flowing dark hair and yellow eyes emerged. A plum colored gown hugged her curves and flowed into a mist at her feet, forming no true end.
"Eris, Goddess of Chaos?"
"Tell me, who else would be here in my temple?" The goddess replied smugly. She hovered around Sera, looking her over. "You have a feeling of fate about you, Sera. What is it you seek from me?"
"I want to find my family, a lost brother." she replied.
"Do you want a lost brother, that you've never known," Eris mused aloud, raising an eyebrow. "or do you want your father?" Sera's eyes widened.
"But he's dead."
"Oh, how cute. You think that mortal life and death are permanent. I suppose I should educate you." Her body lifted into the air, and she crossed her arms, then spread them like wings. Within the folds of the long gown, Sera saw the form of a crystal willow tree, with leaves of silver and blue cascaded around its trunk. "This, Sera, is the tree of life. Each leaf has the power of restoring one life; no more, and no less. Bring me the tree, and I will bring back your father." The image changed, and showed her fathers face.
"Why do I have to get it for you? Can't you just use magic?"
The image disappeared and Eris vanished and reappeared in front of her, and she looked at her nails on one hand. "Let's just say, that there are rules and limitations to even my own powers. But if you do this for me, I give you my word as a goddess, that I will bring your father back. Do we have a deal?" She said, extending her hand.
Sera gripped her wrist, and the goddess's hand closed around her own. Light shot down her arm and into Sera's, and when the goddess withdrew, there was a soft yellow compass lit in her skin. She also felt the weight of something in her hand that hadn't been there. It was a dagger, thin and curved with a beautiful gold handle, and a blue sapphire embedded in the hilt.
"When you hold this dagger in this hand, you will see the compass, which will lead you to the tree of life. You have seven days to procure this for me, or the deal is off." Sera was still looking at the compass on her arm when Eris snapped, and took her attention. "Oh and there is just one more thing… You will have to kill Proteus, King of Syracuse."
"Kill? I can't kill anyone!"
"You can't get something for nothing Sera, you of all people should know that. Your father will live, because Proteus will die."
"Why does it have to be him?"
"You're asking questions above your station Sera. You will kill Proteus, if you want to see your father again. But, you cannot kill him until after you've brought me the tree." Her hand tightened around the dagger.
"Where do I start?" Eris grinned mischievously, and told her of the stage she would set to get Sera in to the palace.
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Sera had hardly believed he would be stupid enough to bring a commoner into the palace, but she had to hand it Eris, the goddess knew what she was doing. Her thoughts were interrupted by a man clearing his throat behind her.
"Sera, is it?" She immediately recognized the voice to belong to Proteus, and turned. "Ah, the ocean. It's captured the heart of many in Syracuse." When she remained silent, he continued awkwardly. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but there is to be a feast this evening for any and all to attend. I wanted to extend my personal invitation, should you wish to accompany me."
After weighing the options, Sera decided that she should. Perhaps then she could sneak away and explore the palace, and try to find the tree. "I would like that, but I don't have anything other than what I'm wearing."
"Ah! Yes, my head of house, Isla, will attend you and see you washed and clothed. I will come for you in a few hours."
"Thank you, sire."
"Proteus, if you please."
"Alright… Proteus." He smiled took her hand in his, and bowed his forehead to it, then released it. His eyes met her own again before he turned and took his leave.
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