True Love of the Seven Seas Chapter 8

After the realization hit that the Book of Peace had been stolen soldiers were immediately ordered to apprehend Sinbad others would seize his ship capturing his crew so there would be no chance of him escaping with the symbolic treasure. Sinbad had too big of a reputation of being an escape artist so none were going to risk it with the Book of Peace at stake. Confining them to the harbor was the best initiative to take.

Proteus and I were currently residing in the shadows of the cell in the dungeons where Sinbad would be imprisoned. Proteus was infuriated wanting to confront Sinbad head on of his atrocious crime hurt that he'd go so far as to betray their friendship like this. Especially since it was common knowledge involving how much honor the Book of Peace brought to Syracuse. I was furious too, but the single main reason of why I insisted on accompanying him there was to basically make absolutely sure things wouldn't get out of hand. To keep Proteus from doing something he would regret later on.

The entire time we were kept waiting Proteus paced back and forth in one of the darkest corners of the cell obviously impatient. Cautious I stood at a safe distance. Proteus may have been a prince of benevolence, but that didn't mean he doesn't occasionally snap. It wasn't a pretty picture to imagine so I wisely was careful to not do anything to provoke a reaction. Unfortunately for Sinbad that wasn't nearly close to being the case with him.

Time passed eventually Sinbad arrived.

Dragged the whole way to the dungeons Sinbad was thrown quite unceremoniously into the cell. With shackled hands Sinbad righted himself by flipping onto his feet glaring daggers at the guards that launched him in there daring them to try something else.

"Sinbad," said Proteus, making his presence there along with mine known stepping into the moonlight.

"Proteus, Chryseis," exclaimed Sinbad, relieved, thinking we were here to actually support him. "It's about time."

"Do you realize how serious this is," demanded Proteus, outraged Sinbad was treating the issue at hand as if it was nothing.

"Do you realize how many times I've heard that today," retorted Sinbad, exasperated, working to break out of the bonds he'd been bound with for restraint.

"You've betrayed Syracuse," spat Proteus, no longer making any effort concealing his disgust.

"Oh…not you, too," moaned Sinbad, caught in complete disbelief his best friend would even think he did this and seeing me next to Proteus only seemed to fuel it, "Chryseis, please tell me you don't believe these stupid accusations!"

Arms crossed, brow raised, Chryseis said "On the contrary that's exactly what I believe. Your attempted raid on our vessel isn't helping you case neither is your timely appearance at the banquet. Specifically since you left mere minutes before the Book was taken from the Citadel."

"Stealing the Book of Peace when you knew how much it meant to us," shouted Proteus.

Indignant, sarcastically, Sinbad said "Proteus, here the way this works. First I actually commit a crime and then you get to blame me for it!"

"Then how do you explain this," hissed Proteus, teeth gritted, drawing out from within the folds of his tunic the evidence of Sinbad's clear guilt.

It was a knife the curved blade an exact match to the weapons Sinbad always carried on his person.

Sinbad's eyes widened in shock. The brunt force of it causing him to take an unsteady step back. It left him temporarily speechless as he became visibly unsettled. Then finally recognition took hold as he came to the conclusion of how he was stuck in this predicament as a set up.

"Eris," breathed Sinbad.

Placing the knife back in his tunic, a touch confused, Proteus said "What?"

"Eris…," explained Sinbad, "she framed me.'

Everyone in the kingdoms knew the name Eris belonged to the Goddess of Chaos herself, but Sinbad using her as an excuse for his crime was ludicrous downright insulting. Which, instead of helping Sinbad, was only causing him to sound insane not innocent.

Apparently Proteus shared the same sentiments as i. "Sinbad, listen to yourself," he said, taking my hand as he led me to the door shaking his head having listened to enough of what he thought to be absolutely nonsense a farce.

"Trust me, Proteus, the Book is in Tartarus," said Sinbad, the determined note of desperation in his voice making us stop. "Talk to your father."

Rolling his eyes at how ridiculous Sinbad sounded, Proteus scowled "This is beyond our father. The ambassadors are convening now for your trial!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," said Sinbad. "Trial? I didn't do it! Look I left the Book on your ship and that's the last I saw of it. You were there. You both know the truth. You both know me."

"Do we, Sinbad," I said. "It's been years things are different now and so are you."

"We knew a kid," said Proteus, solemn. "Who are you now, Sinbad?"

Sinbad sighed the expression on his face blank emotionless met with the existing doubt in the suspicions of his friends.

There was one way to figure out for sure if Sinbad was speaking the truth. When we were children Sinbad was never able to stand his ground locking his gaze with Proteus whenever he was dishonest. His eyes would either shift of point in another direction entirely each time. If there was even the smallest chance that was the case now it would be the deciding factor.

Leaning forward until their faces were inches apart, Proteus said "Look me in the eye and tell me. Did you steal the Book?"

There was a pause following making Proteus and I initially think he was hesitating, but it turned out to be opposite.

"No," said Sinbad, firm and final, not a bit of falsehood.

Proteus and I were caught off guard. The anger dissipated from the features on Proteus replaced with uncertainly at the pure conviction. Unlike Proteus I wasn't willing to let him off the hook just yet.

"Then I'm sure you won't mind if I take a few soldiers to investigate your ship," I said, thinking that if he didn't have the Book then he and his crew would technically have nothing to hide.

"Not at all go right ahead," said Sinbad, granting his permission. "Do whatever you have to. I'm confident my crew won't hinder you."

"Very well then. You better pray to the Gods I don't find it," I said, sharing a meaningful glance with Proteus.

At his nod I left the dungeons determined to retrieve the Book one way or another even if the entire ship had to be torn to pieces to identify it.

Authors Note: Just so you're aware I will only begin production of the next chapter when the number of reviews reaches 100. So the faster you review the quicker preparations start on the next.

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