True Love of the Seven Seas Chapter 2
Sinbad couldn't resist showing off against all of these soldiers. He was running circles around his opponents not getting a scratch on him, but he was certainly planting plenty on them. Twirling a fallen soldier's sword fast in between his own he knocked the swords of two soldiers out of their hands as they were caught. Those two were forced to have to duck down to avoid getting hit. Another soldier came at him rushing from the side, but Sindbad didn't bother to use a sword on this one. Using the tip of his sword Sinbad knocked the guy's helmet off of his head. The soldier made it easy for Sinbad to maneuver into the right position. He slid beneath the guy in between his legs going for the other side. As the soldier turned to face him that was when he did it. The soldier really flew right into that one as Sinbad head-butted him.
Smirking Sinbad spotted a fresh wave charging at him thinking of the perfect way to have them handled correctly. Digging the point of his swords into the wood of the deck he used them as leverage. Spinning in a fast circle he kicked away all of the soldiers that came at him until each and every one was down. Doing a last flip he made a clean landing sheathing his sword at the same time. Sinbad stood right beside Kale his friend standing close by already finished dealing with the soldiers rushing him with one in a headlock not allowing him a chance of breaking free unless Kale simply allowed it.
"You catch that last move? Pretty cool, huh," gloated Sinbad, cocky.
Shrugging, Kale said "I thought you overworked it just a bit." He then dropped the guy in his hold, but not before knocking him out.
Rolling his eyes exasperates Sinbad muttered at what Kale said. Obviously he didn't think so.
Suddenly Kale snapped his head to the left catching a sword between his teeth. He could hear and see a soldier charging at him and was prepared. The soldier was standing wide eyed at the unorthodox nature of the catch. Using none of his hands only the neck he threw the soldier overboard splashing into the water.
"Oh," retorted Sinbad, rolling his eyes, "and I was overworking it."
Chuckling Kale spat out the blade from his mouth. Sinbad turned to continue his way to the helm where the door to the Book stood. As fast as he moved to go he froze in place not moving an inch another step. Fighting three of his men in front of the very door were two faces he hadn't seen in years. One was a male fighting with a single sword while the other was a golden haired beauty wielding a double bladed lance.
"Proteus, Chryseis," said Sinbad, eyes wide, not expecting to find either of them there.
"Oh this just got interesting," drawled Kale, brow raised. "How long has it been?"
"About a lifetime ago," said Sinbad, somber eyed, solemn.
Proteus and I were having some great fun. Proteus was fighting two while I was taking care of one. Sweeping ones legs out from underneath him I slammed the blunt side of one of my blades into his face causing him to yelp in pain. Proteus cut the blade from the spear of another from the tip kicking him into the deck. He then worked on the third using not his sword to knock him out, but his legs. He smacked the guys face around before aiming a kick from the heel of his boot from the direct force to the head. The two of us then heard a voice that hadn't reached our ears in ten years originating behind us.
"Still fighting like a pair of old ladies." Said Sinbad, mocking our fighting style.
"Sindbad," breathed Proteus, astonished.
"It can't be." I said, doubting my ears were telling the truth.
Lowering our guard we began to turn to get a good look, but this was actually a big mistake. As soon as our backs were beginning to turn we were tackled by all three of those pirates we'd been battling against.
Arms crossed Sinbad winced knowing that had to be painful. "That wasn't very smart of you," he chuckled, wincing.
Proteus and I were being restrained, but we easily shook them off as we returned to standing position. We stared at our old friend in disbelief not really believing our own eyes.
Proteus was the first to regain the use of his voice out of the level of shock. "Sinbad, what-what are you doing here," asked Proteus, flustered.
"I'm working," chuckled Sinbad, drawing his knife stabbing it straight into the lock. There was no longer need for a key after that. "You?"
"Don't you dare joke about this, Sinbad," I warned, eyes serious.
"What happened to you," demanded Proteus. "Where have you been?"
"It's good to see you too," he said, sarcastic, first speaking to me. He then directed what he said next to Proteus after he grinned at the flare I aimed at him in fury. "Love to stop and catch up, but I've got things to do, places to go, stuff to steal," said Sinbad, sheathing his knife pushing the door open as he walked inside releasing some light laughter.
If it were possible I wouldn't been shooting fire at Sinbad right there and then incinerating him on the spot. Sinbad was lucky on his part I was restraining myself from pulling my lance on him as I moved to follow. Before I was able to step in through the door a hand on my shoulder stopped me. I looked up into the face of my brother. Smiling gently at me he followed Sinbad inside shutting the door behind him. Obviously the talk he wished to have was to be private one where I wasn't invited judging by the signal he gave me to stay put. I didn't want to, but I did what he requested. After all he was closer to Sinbad than I was although we did share a unique sort of friendship.
With many of the crew now severely beaten I was left on my own with the pirates. I wasn't the only one who'd made a move to follow the two friends. One of Sinbad's crew had made a move to follow which was the one Proteus had kicked in the face, but Kale held him back. The man I would soon learn to have the name of Kale I recognized immediately as the one I'd fought against. The people standing around him were either older or around the same age group. While analyzing them I was unable to really tell.
During the middle of my observations I caught the eyes of Kale watching me closely. When our eyes locked together I snapped my gaze away not wanting to get caught staring at him. Unfortunately my attempt at being discreet didn't go over too well for I heard an amused chuckle come from his direction.
Snapping my head, eyes blazing lashes, I said "Something funny here?"
Raising his hands in a calming placating manner, the pirate said "Nothing only that you seem to be quite determined to hide your movements."
"Oh really," I said, arms crossed, "and who are you to question what I do on my own ship?"
Standing tall while kind of holding out his chest in pride, the pirate said "Kale: first mate and second in command to Sinbad our Captain."
The words were meant to impress and on a usual person they would, but to me they held no such affect. Hands on hips, I said "And that is supposed to impress me, how?"
The look in his eyes along with those of the ones standing around him looked to be surprised and put down that I wasn't the least bit impressed. The expression was completely replaced when Kale instead looked at me in intrigue smiling slightly. He leaned his much larger upper body over mine causing a shadow to cover me. Because of his superior height I had to crane my neck to look up at him, but refused to back away intimidated. I wasn't about to show any signs of giving into intimidation if that was the sole purpose of his actions.
Chuckling, Kale countered "And who are you to be asking that?"
Eyes flashing dangerously for a split second the only sign there was even an ounce of anger at his words. Only those with extremely sharp eyes were able to notice it if not at all. Head up high and proud, I said "I am Chryseis the Princess of Syracuse the only daughter of King Dymas."
There was a lingering awkward silence remaining after this announcement. Kale didn't look at all that surprised. In fact he seemed to have suspected my true identity from the start while the others on his side were oblivious to my rank and title.
"I thought as much," said Kale, smug. "Kind of realized the connection after I heard Sinbad said your name along with your brothers."
"Judging by all of that Sinbad must've mentioned a lot about us to you," I said, curious.
Nodding, Kale answered "Enough."
Secretly I hoped it was only good things for there were a few incidents in particular Sinbad knew I wouldn't want him to ever tell. "I hope he only told you good things about my brother and I," I said, wearily.
Kale smirked sensing the worry and dread of what might've been said opening his mouth to speak. The next second whatever Kale was about to mention was lost with what happened next.
Something slammed into the bottom of the ship causing it along with the one belonging to the pirates was rocked hard from side to side. Many of us lost our balance falling to the deck while only few like me managed to stay even standing.
"What the hell was that," shouted a crew member.
The answer that came to be was in a form not anyone on either side wanted to see. Shooting out in a massive wave of water tentacles lashed out in all directions came the giant sea monster Cetus. Alarmed yells range all around as people sprang into action to fight off this great monster…well most of us did. All of Sinbad's men went running for the security of their own ship so they could set sail and escape. They weren't going to stay and fight when they could just take their leave instead. Unfortunately, their side remained locked ours so they were stuck.
When Sinbad and Proteus came out from where the Book was being kept all they could see around them was utter chaos.
"By the gods," gasped Proteus.
Soldiers were being thrown all over the place like ragdolls whether into the water or making a crash landing somewhere on the deck as they were doing their best to force the beast to retreat. Rushing forward Sinbad's dog Spike grabbed the tip of a tentacle into his teeth. Feeling the dog biting into its skin Cetus flung the very tentacle around attempting to throw the annoying dog off of its grip. It managed to succeed sending Spike flying happily chewing on the piece of Cetus he managed to tear off.
"Go Spike," said Sinbad, grinning.
An elder member of the pirates saw Spike coming and prepared to catch him. Arms outstretched, he shouted "I got you! I got you!" In the end both of them ended up falling on impact.
"Well see you're busy," Said Sinbad, sarcastically, punching Proteus lightly in the shoulder. "Stay in touch."
"Wait, wait," said Proteus, "you're just going to run away!"
"Uh, yeah," said Sinbad, disregarding the situation hanging off one of the ropes on the side preparing to jump from our ship to his.
His look of astounded disbelief altered to one of stone Proteus ran off to where I was fighting to join me.
Sinbad was about to make the jump to his ship when something else interfered. A tentacle pushed in between the two boats resulting them to separate. Now his vessel was way too far a distance for an easy mark. On Sinbad's ship equipment was knocked all over the place.
"Sinbad," called Kale from his position at the wheel, ducking to avoid getting hit in the head by a flying piece of wood.
Sinbad got his balance back in order on the railing to avoid falling on his back. As he realized what occurred he looked on in anger and disbelief. He stuttered, outraged "You-my-my ship!"
Proteus and I were working together as a team. We sliced at any tentacles within range of our blades throwing any spear or sharp piece of wood we could get our hands on directly at the sea monsters face especially the eyes. The problem was we needed to keep looking in so many directions at the same time which was so impossible to do in these kind of conditions. Each time we saw a large tentacle coming we only were able to doge until one eventually managed to hit slamming us. Suddenly Cetus opened his mouth tongue shooting out like that similar to a frog, but a whole lot stronger. Latching onto a screaming soldier it pulled him into its mouth swallowing hi alive. There was nothing any of us could do to help him.
"Heads up," warned Sinbad.
Turning on the spot Proteus and I found Sinbad hadn't left to run away. He'd actually stayed to help not that he had any other choice. Sinbad was holding a flaming torch in his hand while positioned on a barrel filled with powder. Bringing the torch close to the barrel he lit the fuse attached to it. The barrel had been placed on one end of a thick wooden board. Jumping down he landed on the opposite end throwing the bomb in the air.
Sights set on it Cetus shot out his long tongue latching onto it the same way he did to that soldier. It had absolutely no idea what it had consumed.
Leaning down Sinbad hooked his hands under the arms of Proteus and I lifting us from our knelt positions as we looked on in awe. "Stand by for sushi," joked Sinbad, grinning.
An explosion came from inside the beast telling us the bomb had gone off. Smoke escaped from its mouth from the extreme heat. In an attempt to hold everything in he failed in that regard. The entire thing forced Cetus to throw up everything inside of its stomach. Every single person in its range sprayed with its stomach acid. It wasn't fatal to the touch, but it was extremely disgusting. To our surprise the soldier Cetus initially swallowed alive as fine the only thing missing being a boot, helmet, and shield. The soldier took a moment to gather himself catch his breath absorbing all that happened to him. Then as if he hadn't been eaten by a sea monster he released a fierce battle cry charging at the beast while waving his sword other rallying behind him.
All the three of us were able to do was stand there in disbelief at the soldiers fearless action. A lot of people would usually retreat running away screaming he instead ran back into it like he did. We were left standing there speechless.
"Give that guy a raise," stated Sinbad, gesturing with his head, breaking the silence.
Cetus quickly conquered the effects of the bomb returning to the attacking the ship. The only thing left open was an option for us to do was to abandon ship in order to get the Book to safety.
"We have to abandon ship," I exclaimed.
"Come on, come on, Sinbad let's go," said Proteus, beginning to pull Sinbad away.
"Wait stand your ground," said Sinbad, a gleam in his eyes. Bringing his hand to his mouth he released a series of whistles drawing the sea monsters attention to us. "Hey, hey, hey Lobster Boy over here!"
Cetus lashed his tongue at us which was exactly what Sinbad had been waiting for. Shoving Proteus and I out of the way Sinbad dodged to the side. The top of the sea monsters tongue hit exactly the point where we'd been standing mere moments before. Sinbad instantly dug the top of one of his swords into the flesh locking the organ in that spot. Proteus and I smiled at each other as we realized what this meant at the exact same time. The sea monster was stuck trapped by its own actions. Recognizing the situation it had put itself into Cetus desperately pulled attempting to pull free, but the sword kept his tongue pinned refusing to budge.
"Anymore bright ideas," I asked, sarcastic.
"Run," shouted Sinbad, going for the opposite end of the ship.
"Fall back," ordered Proteus. Our soldiers abandoned their fight in attacking the beast instead of running off to find decent cover on parts of the ship that weren't damaged as far away as they could get.
Thinking fast a plan formulated in Sinbad's mind as he figured out a way to get out of this. Searching upward he saw separate pieces supporting the ships sails that had broken in half. They would work perfectly with what he had in mind of what to do. He grabbed a pile of rope lying next to the mast.
Taking one end in his hand while wrapping it once around the mast getting Proteus to grab the opposite end. "Grab hold," he directed, holding out a hand to Proteus.
Proteus clasped it in his own nodding at Sinbad. Proteus said "Chryseis, stay down here we'll handle this."
"Don't get killed," I said, running for a sheltered spot behind some supply boxes.
"Let's go," said Sinbad.
Sinbad and Proteus rapidly climbed the mast using the rope as a way of extra leverage to pull as the legs were giving extra force to push. On the way Sinbad saw one of his knives lodged into the wood. Not slowing Sinbad used the front of his boot to tug it out flipping it so the dull end of the blade was in the mouth as it was situated between his teeth. Seeing what the two of them were doing Cetus tried to stop their advance. He wrapped a tentacle around the mast trying to crush it with no success. On searching the spot where the sail was rolled up on a long piece of wood Sinbad and Proteus pulled themselves into position.
"And the plan," questioned Proteus, hesitant.
Spitting the knife out into his hand, Sinbad said "How about try not to get killed. Hold on." Cutting a section of rope the half of the section he was standing on dropped causing Proteus to hang onto another piece of rope to keep balanced while he was hanging onto the mast after jumping off. He then gave the knife to Proteus. "Here you'll need this."
Confused, Proteus demanded "Where are you going?"
"Fishing," said Sinbad, simply. Swinging up Sinbad now stood on the thin line connected to a second mast. He began to walk across it arms outstretched at the sides in order to keep his balance.
The whole time Cetus was trying to knock him down. At one point when it looked like Cetus was going to grab him Sinbad maneuvered to the other side hanging by his arms. Cetus then tugged on the rope breaking it causing Sinbad to lose his grip. It seemed he was about to get seriously hurt when he landed directly where he was aiming for. Hanging on with one hand Sinbad took out a second knife with the other. At the look Proteus gave him Sinbad cut one of the ropes holding him making the sharp point of the sail pointing directly at the sea monsters head. Now he easily caught on to the ideas as I did below.
Looking back and forth from them to the sea monster, I breathed, grinning "Brilliant."
The two best friends held their knives at the ready waiting for the most opportunistic moment.
"Now," shouted Sinbad, cutting his line with Proteus doing the same.
Immediately the sails they were standing on dropped falling directly with the shark ends going for the sea monsters head. There was nowhere for them to stand leaving them the only option to hang there high by a single rope and their arms. Cetus had no way to escape out of this as they came for him. The two ends stabbed him impaling Cetus killing him instantly on impact. The sea monster had no chance.
At the sight of the deceased sea monster a shriek of pure joy escaped from my lips with me not being the only one to do so. Up above swinging Sinbad and Proteus released exclamations of glee at this victory. The soldiers having survived the attack punched their fists into the air cheering like there was no tomorrow.
Finding a safe area to land Sinbad released his grip on the rope falling while making a clean landing onto the deck of the ship. Proteus followed only mere seconds after. As soon as my brothers feet touched the ground I ran straight directly to him wrapping my arms around his neck in a bone crushing hug.
Legs nearly buckling from the force of my tackle Proteus easily steadied himself as he returned my embrace. He then yelped as I'd cuffed him hard on the back of the head. "Ow," he exclaimed, indignant, "what was that for?"
"For being reckless," I answered, holding a fist in front of his face. "Next time you do anything like that again I'm going to punch your lights out."
"Well it worked didn't it," said Sinbad, sarcastically twirling his knife through his fingers before sheathing it behind his back.
The only answer I had to give was a glare along with a shaking fist I found I couldn't stay angry with our old friend for very long. Sooner than expected a smile formed curving the corners of my mouth while shaping the lips.
Sinbad grinned at seeing the instant change. "I knew you couldn't stay angry with me. You never could when we were kids all those years ago," he laughed. He then turned his attention over to my elder brother. "You all right?"
"Yeah," breathed Proteus, punching Sinbad lightly in the shoulder while smiling at the same time grateful. "Thanks for sticking around."
"Just like old times," said Sinbad, placing a hand on my brother's shoulder gently squeezing. Suddenly a sight caught his eyes from behind us causing them to go wide. "Look out!"
Behind us a large tentacle was coming our way as the sea monster returned to the ocean leaving the ship. What occurred next was pure instinct on my part. Shoving Proteus out of the way I was the one who took the whole hit even as Sinbad dodged to the side. The tentacle wrapped tight around my torso and waist allowing no escape even as I desperately tried to pull myself free.
"Proteus," I shrieked, reaching out to him with both arms.
"Chryseis," yelled Proteus. He ran to the side of the ship trying to come after me, but he was far too late. The last sight of me he saw was me reaching out to him terror completely taking over my face as the sea monster pulled me under the water.
"Proteus," I screamed, voice muffled as the rest of my call was lost as water filled my mouth as I was pulled under.
In a heroic act of bravery Proteus jumped into a dive off the ship as he went to come after me. Only as his feet barely left the deck of the ship when two soldiers came on either side grabbing him preventing him from going far as they kept him from leaving. They retrained him even as they struggled to keep a hold on him as he refused to leave me for dead.
"No," screamed Proteus, "Chryseis! Chryseis!" Horrified he could only watch as it seemed the only fate left to me was to drown in the sea.
Fortunately there were others who weren't held back from taking further necessary action to this situation.
Sinbad rushed forward almost quicker than Proteus could see. "I'll get her," yelled Sinbad, diving off the ship into the water.
Below the corpse of Cetus was falling deeper and deeper into the ocean pulling me along with it. I was working so hard to get free, but to no great affect. I was nearly out of air running out of time death almost certainly upon me with no savior in sight. Suddenly I noticed someone swimming from above. At first I thought it was my imagination, but I became apparent that it wasn't the case. After my vision focused on the figure I realized it was Sinbad. As he finally reached me he pulled out his sword stabbing it repeatedly to get it to release. Apparently the sea monster wasn't as dead as we thought. As the feel of a sword cutting into its skin the sea monster was forced into letting go of its prey.
Instantly I began to frantically kick to the surface for I couldn't hold it anymore. Sinbad assisted by providing me a strong push up in order to help save time. As his hands left my waist I felt a small tug, but not one that would hold me back. Originally I didn't think anything of it since I was so focused on getting a new load breath of air. The only thing I figured was him swimming beside me too busy to notice anything else different or out of the ordinary.
It felt like forever, but it was so huge a relief when my head broke through the surface. Immediately I sucked in a huge gulp of air filling up the lungs in quick but slow breaths. As this was happening I looked for my ship to find it floating by the waves not that far away. There was Proteus leaning over the side with his head bowed in his hands shoulders trembling. Lord knows what was passing through his mind thinking I'd drowned. So preoccupied he was in his own thoughts he hadn't noticed I'd surfaced.
Swimming over to the ship, I called "Proteus!"
Head snapping up at the sound of my voice Proteus found me in seconds. "Chryseis," he shouted, overrun with joy leaning down holding out his arm.
Proteus wasn't the only who heard my call the soldiers did too. Some of them assisted Proteus in lifting me in.
Once I was on my feet Proteus pulled me into a huge hug nearly taking the newly acquired breath out of me. "Thanks the gods," he whispered, "I thought I lost you."
Playfully pulling on his hair to get him to let go, I hissed "Proteus, I can't breathe."
"Oh sorry," he apologized, letting go.
Taking a towel from one of the soldiers, I joked "Besides you really didn't think you could get rid of me so easily, did you?"
Proteus just laughed hugging me closer to him again happy to see me alive.
Pulling away from Proteus I looked around, asking "Where's Sinbad?"
At the question my brother's face returned to being pale as a corpse. "He went down into the water after you," he said.
Frozen, horrified, I demanded "Didn't he come up with me? I was sure he was right beside me!"
"No," said Proteus, slowly shaking his head from side to side.
Running back over to the side I frantically searched out over the water. Proteus did the same the both of us searching for even the slightest sign he was alive. As the minutes ticked on by we were losing hope he would ever come to the surface, but then Sinbad was always known to do close to doing everything involving the unexpected.
Suddenly out of nowhere in the water there was a big splash as we saw Sinbad break through the ocean's surface. A gasp escaped as I was barely able to restrain my joy. Looking to Proteus I could see he was feeling the exact same thing I was. There was no need for us to act any further for Sinbad's own crew took care of the rest.
With the ship coming up from behind Kale grabbed Sinbad by the neck of his shirt pulling him onto the deck. From my vantage point I could clearly see his entire crew crowd around him relieved to see their captain alive although I did notice some pass along to other crew members By the look of things they'd been betting on whether Sinbad would make it or not…typical pirates.
As Sinbad was trying to dry himself off getting the water out of his clothes he and Kale were having a conversation one too far for my ears to catch. A few seconds later he laughed clearly thinking whatever Sinbad told him to be hilarious or completely ridiculous altogether. After speaking to a flexible member of his crew hanging from some rope like a monkey he looked to Proteus and I as our ship sailed by the wind creating a greater distance from his.
Sheathing his sword, Proteus commanded "Men all sails to Syracuse."
"Right away, Sir," said the Captain.
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