Eric never slept better than when he was on the open ocean. The swaying of the ship made him feel drowsy even after a full night's rest, but he could hear the sailors beginning their morning duties and that was more alluring than the softness of his mattress. Eric swung his legs over the edge of his bunk, pulling on his boots. He stood and tucked his loose white shirt into his blue pants, adding his red belt as a final touch. There was a small looking glass hanging on the wall next to the door and Eric inspected his reflection absently. He smoothed his thick black hair.

"Bring her around!" came the shout from a sailor passing Eric's closed door. "Drop the anchor! Hoist the nets!"

Eric opened his cabin door and was greeted by a few of the sailors. Max bounded to his side and followed him as he climbed onto the main deck.

As the sailors worked, they began to sing. Prince Eric loved to hear the sailors sing tales of pirates and water nymphs. The song they were singing on this cloudy morning was one he hadn't heard before.

I'll tell you a tale of the bottomless blue,

And it's, hey to the starboard, heave-ho!

Look out, lad! A mermaid be waiting for you,

In mysterious fathoms below!

Eric leaned against a banister. The wind was picking up. "Isn't this great?" He said. "The salty sea air, the wind blowing in your face." Max barked in agreement. "A perfect day to be at sea!"

"Oh yes," came a voice from Eric's right. Grimsby was leaning over the side of the boat. "Delightful." Eric rolled his eyes. Grim didn't find the swaying ship as peaceful as Eric did.

"A fine strong wind and a following sea," said Norman, one of the older sailors. Eric made his way across the deck to help him pull the ropes to the pegs, securing them to the ship. "King Triton must be in a friendly type mood."

"King Triton?" I asked, perplexed. In all of my studies, I had never come across a King Triton.

"Why, Ruler of the Merpeople, lad," One-eyed Sid croaked. He was the oldest man on the boat, apart from Grimsby. "Thought every good sailor knew about him." He grabbed a fish from the nets and tossed it into the barrel behind him."

Eric smiled, but Grimsby scoffed. "Merpeople. Eric, pay no attention to this nautical nonsense."

"But it ain't nonsense. It's the truth," Sid declared. He waved a pink fish in Grimsby's face. "i'm tellin' ya! Down in the depths of the ocean they live!" The fish flicked back and forth and the sailor lost his hold on it. "Oh!" he cried. The fish slapped it's tail in Grim's face and dropped overboard into the swirling blue water.

They all stood silently on the deck for a moment in silence. "But who is he?" Eric asked.

"The great king of the deep, master of the sea, of course." Sid growled.

"Yes, you said that," Eric said. He began helping Norman and Sid store the nets. "But do you really believe in the whole concept of mermaids?"

"Seen one myself, I have." Sid boasted. "She was the most beautiful creature you ever laid eyes on."

"But a girl who is half fish?" Eric said picking up a large fish from the barrel. "That doesn't seem real."

"Prince Eric," Grimsby said, clicking the heels of his maroon shoes together. "If you are quite finished with the fairytales, we must return to your studies."

"Grim, don't be such s stiff sail," said Eric. "The sun is just coming out and the men could really use my help."

"No, Prince Eric."

Then, Eric remembered. "But it's my birthday."

"And there will be plenty of time to waste tonight." Grimsby vanished into the library.

They were sailing past their country. Their journey included seven kingdoms. Glauerhaven was the only kingdom to the north. The rest were to the south, so Grimsby had decided they would go to Glauerhaven first and then cross back to Valania, Hogerland, Prandari, Gullbern, Zelt, and Istellia.

Grimsby had enough maps and books on each country to keep Eric busy for the entire journey. Eric wondered why they had so many books on other kingdoms, but he knew asking a question like that would cause an endless lecture from his mentor. Instead he asked if he could read out on the deck.

The prince spent the rest of the day reading and gazing out over the open ocean. A sudden longing filled his heart. He wanted to find love. It had never been something he thought about, but he wanted someone. He wanted someone who would love him for him, who would sail the open ocean with him, someone beautiful. She had to be perfect, or Eric knew he would be unhappy.

"I'll find you," he said to the vast waters. "Someday."