Hiccup's Journey

Sinbad's Choice

A/N:

'Dragons' - Dragonese

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Back at Syracuse, Proteus frowned at the setting sun on the day of his execution. As it began to dip down behind the horizon he stared at the chopping block on the deck. This was it. No sign of Sinbad, Marina, or the dragon riders. With the whole of Syracuse watching the prince stared down the axe and the wood that would end his life. He made a promise and he would never turn back on his word. If he was to die, it would be with honor. Making his decision, Proteus smoothed out his robes behind him so he could kneel. With his hands clenched at his sides he lowered down, resting his chin on the chopping block. He stared ahead at the water, keeping his face neutral. The ax raised in front of him, making a small metallic screech as it did. Just as the executioner began to lower the weapon, a knife swirled through the air, shattering the handle. Proteus' eyes snapped open and he felt his heart stop as the axe head thudded right in front of his nose. He stared wide eyed at his heaving reflection in the metal. Slowly raising his gaze, the prince grinned as a familiar face and his band of pirates pulled themselves up onto the dock along with the riders on their dragons, shocking everyone. Sinbad marched towards his friend who was gaping at him in shock.

"I bet you thought I wouldn't make it." Sinbad joked, clasping his friend's hand.

"I was...beginning to wonder," Proteus commented, nervously gripping his throat. He smiled, bringing his friend into a hug. Pulling out of it the prince's smile dimmed. "The book?" he asked. Sinbad shrugged, not letting his nervousness shine through.

"I did my best...it wasn't enough." He solemnly explained. Proteus' eyes widened.

"No, you came back anyway." He assured, clutching his friend's shoulder.

"How could I do anything else...my friend." Sinbad responded.

Proteus wrenched his eyes shut as he knew what would happen. However, Sinbad stared past his shoulder at Marina who was watching from beside his men. She stared at him sadly, unable to keep from shedding a tear or two. Sinbad painfully tore his gaze away and headed towards the chopping block, where the man held a sword this time. He slowly knelt and stared out at the ocean, knowing it would be the last time he did. Spike, realizing his owner's distress, began barking and tried to bolt but Marina held him back, clinging to him for comfort. The dragon riders wrapped their arms around their dragon's necks. The canine and dragons whimpered, while the rest of the crew stared at their captain in sorrow. Every muscle in their body protested letting their beloved captain sacrifice himself. They all wanted to stop him, but this is what he wanted. So they respected his wishes.

Sinbad clenched his fist, just as scared as anyone would be. He kept his gaze on the horizon, slowly willing himself to work through his emotional turmoil. Un-clenching his fist, he relaxed, resigned to his fate and placed his neck on the block. The executioner raised his sword up, aiming it so it would come down swiftly. Marina buried herself in Spike's neck and the riders buried their faces against their dragons' necks, not wanting to watch it happen. Sinbad closed his eyes and waited for the blow. As the sword was swung down, it broke into thousands of little pieces that remained midair around Sinbad's head. The crowd gasped at this along with the executioner. Sinbad opened one of his eyes and gasped in shock as he saw the floating pieces of metal. Sitting up he glanced around in confusion along with the rest of the crowd. Everyone watched in alarm as a giant storm cloud swirled just in front of the dock. The cloud created a tornado down into the water that swirled upwards within the wind. Out of the mixture a giant Eris emerged, glaring down at Sinbad distastefully.

"How dare you?!" Eris growled, getting her face into Sinbad's who flinched backwards. Sinbad backed up away from the giant goddess, staring at her in shock. "Everything was going perfectly, and now...you do this!" Eris snarled, swiping the chopping block into the sea below.