I did not know what to do with myself. It wasn't like I was bored or anything... well, maybe I was, but that was beside the point. Sinbad's sailors worked so diligently and treated me with such kindness that all I wanted to do was help them in any way I could; however, anytime I asked, they told me they had everything under control and to not worry.
It might have been anxiety. On my ships, I was in charge of all most everything, as well as helping my sailors in anyway I possibly could. This was far different. I felt a pit in my stomach for not helping them. At the moment, I was embroidering on my mother's unfinished work, as Sinbad worked diligently at his desk. When my mother was Queen, she often worked on her own dresses, however, as she got older, she requested the tailor to make something plain, so she could have the luxury of dolling it up herself. She was amazing at embroidery. This dress wasn't for anything in particular, but she stopped working on it once father died. It sat in a chest to collect dust. I promised myself that I would finish it in her honor.
The fabric was a baby blue represent peace and tranquility. The bodice fit smoothly without straining across the body or shoulders, as the neckline was open, just to the turn of the shoulder. The neckline was tucked blue, with a black trim and little strands of blue lace. Below the neckline were small puffed out sleeves of the same color. Those too had a black trim and blue lace. The waistline was pointed in the front, creating a Princess-line gown, which cut with the bodice and skirt in one piece. The shape of the skirt was bell shaped, with vertical strips, transitioning from a darker and lighter blue. Over laying it was another, shorter layer to give the dress more flare. Along with the sleeves and such, a black trim encircled it along with lace. This was what I was currently embroidering.
After another flower, I stopped for a moment, feeling a little jaded. I had done far too many of these things in a single day. Standing up, I stretched a little before looking around the room. For it being mildly full, there wasn't much to keep my attention. Mainly books and scrolls filled the shelves. Strangely enough, he didn't even have a deck of cards laying around. Sinbad watched me from the corner of his eye, wondering what I was searching for. His amber eyes then drifted toward the dress I was actively working on. "Sinbad, can I ask you something?" Gaining his full attention, he gave me a quick grin, "Why am I headed to Sindria with you?"
"Your sister didn't tell you?" He answered my question with another question. Obviously. This irritated me a little.
"No. She illustrated that this matter was important, but what it infers to is a deeper insight into this issue." The male stood up from his desk, before gently grasping my shoulder. This was an attempt to calm me down, though I wasn't overreacting. In fact, I felt like I was under reacting.
"You'll find out in due time." Before I could leave the room with my unfinished dress in hand, Sinbad poured himself a small drink before calling out, "(Y/N), are you sure you want to go so soon?"
"I'll only take a little while." I spoke vaguely, before closing the door behind me. Huffing a small bit, I continued to worry about the reasons of travel. Passing the main door to the deck, I peaked in through the window to see men at work. Finally leaving the window after getting caught by one of them, I made it back to the guest bedroom. The dress sat idly on the bed before I pulled out my violin. Tightening the horsehair, I tuned the instrument fondly, before playing a few notes. Coming up with a tune, the sound of knocking wood could be heard from the other side of the door. Stopping immediately, I ran over to the wood to answer the knocking. That was when I saw a few of the crew.
"Afternoon, Princess!" The front man spoke, as the others chuckled at his words, "We were wonderin' if ya wanted to sing for us bunch. After all, ya been askin' all week, miss." A smile immediately returned to my features, as I was happy to do anything for these men.
"Of course! I would love too!!" Grabbing my violin, I walked out to the deck. Sailors were still working diligently. Near the mast, I sat on a large wooden barrel, before I placed my violin up on my shoulder. "Is there anything you'd like in specifics?" The shook their heads.
"Well... perhaps ya could sing somthin' about our king!" One spoke before going back to work. I tried to think of a song, before settling on the one I was working on in my quarters. 'But what should I sing about regarding Sinbad?' I pondered, 'I'm still pretty mad about him getting madly drunk with me... Perfect.' Getting back into position I started.
"What will we do with a drunken sailor? What will we do with a drunken sailor? What will we do with a drunken sailor? Early in the morning!" I sang starting to play the tune, "Way hay and up she rises! Way hay and up she rises! Way hay and up she rises! Early in the morning!!" After this line, one of the sailors piped in.
"Shave his belly with a rusty razor! Shave his belly with a rusty razor! Shave his belly with a rusty razor! Early in the morning!!" He sang as the others joined in for the chorus. "Way hay and up she rises! Way hay and up she rises! Way hay and up she rises! Early in the morning!!"
"Put him in a long boat 'til he's sober! Put him in a long boat 'til he's sober! Put him in a long boat 'til he's sober! Early in the morning!!" Another sang, "Way hay and up she rises! Way hay and up she rises! Way hay and up she rises! Early in the morning!!" Playing a quick interlude of violin, I seemed to impress most of the sailors.
"Stick him in the scrubber with a hosepipe on him! Stick him in the scrubber with a hosepipe on him! Stick him in the scrubber with a hosepipe on him! Early in the morning!!" Another one added, as everyone else joined in, "Way hay and up she rises! Way hay and up she rises! Way hay and up she rises! Early in the morning!!"
"Put him in the bed with the captain's daughter! Put him in the bed with the captain's daughter! Put him in the bed with the captain's daughter! Early in the morning!!" One of them winked, as I continued to play the song with great vigor. I made a few mistakes every so often. But they continued to sing along anyway, "Way hay and up she rises! Way hay and up she rises! Way hay and up she rises! Early in the morning!!"
"That's what we do with a drunken sailor! That's what we do with a drunken sailor! That's what we do with a drunken sailor! Early in the morning!!" I sang before the final couple of lines were coming up. "Way hay and up she rises! Way hay and up she rises! Way hay and up she rises! Early in the morning!! Way hay and up she rises! Way hay and up she rises! Way hay and up she rises! Early in the morning!!" By then, we had definitely caught Sinbad's attention. He walked out to the main deck to see his sailors either working vigorously, or dancing as if they didn't have anything else to do. After the song ended, the men cheered, before I started the song again. Sinbad didn't see a reason to ruin the fun, so he walked right back to his desk, continuously hearing the same tune for five more hours.
Returning to his office for a private dinner, I sat down on one of the chairs, before he handed me my plate. During the meal, he hummed Drunken Sailor to himself, as I listened quietly. "The songs of me, isn't?" He questioned, as an embarrassed hue covered my cheeks.
"N-No..." I responded, stuffing more food into my mouth.
"Don't worry, I quite like the piece." This man worried me way too much. Nevertheless, I was mildly happy. As we ate, I couldn't help but let my anxieties take over once more, "Is everything alright?"
"Oh! Yeah, yeah... um, I'm just wondering what I'll be doing in Sindria." Sinbad didn't even bat an eye to the question, so I continued, "Is there... a loophole in the treaty?" At this he gave me a quick 'no.' "Alright. What will I be expected to do in Sindria?"
"I'll tell you at a later time. In that time, why don't you relax and take time to really experience Sindria. Not as a diplomate, but as a citizen." I didn't understand what he was insinuating when he said 'citizen.' I only grew more concerned as the minutes passed us by. "Now, let's change the subject. The dress you were sewing... is it for you?" Nodding as an answer, he continued, "By the stitching on it, I know it means a lot to you." He was trying. I had to give him that. Sinbad, though far from simple minded, was simple in interests. He loved women, alcohol, and adventures. Boring things like sewing, embroidery, and everything of that nature didn't appeal to him.
"Well... my mother started working on it, once upon a time. But when my father died, she broke down and stopped all of her hobbies. I couldn't even begin to imagine all the pain she was going through. I decided to finish it for her in her stead." I explained briefly, "Let's talk about something more interesting, Sinbad. What about your parents? What were they like?" He froze up at this, not wishing to answer. "S-Sorry. We don't have to-"
"It's alright, (Y/N). I promised to talk about this when the time came." Though unsure, I let him continue, "I was born into a small village in the Parthevia Empire, named Tison Village. My father was a veteran that served his country well. He had lost a leg and gained many scares. From what I can remember... he was a good man, who stuck to his beliefs with an iron grip. As days pass... I remind myself of him. While my mother was the kindest woman you would ever meet. Even at the end of her life, she told me to follow my heart and to go accomplish a mission that seemed never ending." I smiled as he talked, nonverbally giving him the confidence, before I asked him what happened to his father. "When I was five... maybe even six years old, my father was drafted to fight a war that brought poverty to all of Parthevia. I would never see him again after that moment." It was truly awful. Sinbad didn't talk about his father all that much, but I had no idea it was because he lost him at such a young age. "As for my mother... I lost her at the age of fourteen."
"That young?" I questioned, as he nodded his head in affirmation. I wished that I wouldn't have spoken of the subject at all. I wanted to ask more questions, but I wasn't sure how much Sinbad could handle. He was strong, but I didn't wish to rub salt on his wound any longer. "Thank you."
"What for?" He asked.
"For telling me." Offering him a quick smile, I noticed that both of our plates were empty, "I'm going to take these back to the kitchen. Would you like me to come back?"
"Of course, you're my honored guest, (Y/N). Why would you think such a thing?" Not answering his question, I closed the door behind me, before delivering the plates into the kitchen. I felt odd, walking back to his office, knowing that I had asked of him a very personal question. I re-entered the room, before dead silence filled the void. A week or so later, we would arrive in Sindria. I still had little to no idea what my purpose there was, but the determination to find out was high.