As the sun rose, the White Ship slowly made its way out of Acadia Harbor. Its large sails were raised, catching the wind from the east, and it began to move lightly over the water's surface. Atop its prow was a carved lion's head, gleaming in the morning rays, as if to announce that this would be no ordinary voyage.
Linus stood on the prow, his brown hair blowing in the wind, his blue eyes gazing at the distant horizon. His heart was a mixture of sadness and hope, but he also felt a freedom he had never known before. The sea before him was limitless, as if opening the doors of destiny for him.
Romulus approached him, placing his hands behind his back as usual, and said,
"You see, Linus? The sea is like life. You don't know when the wind will blow, or when the waves will calm. But he who knows how to steer his ship always reaches safe shore."
Linus smiled faintly and said,
"Then I will learn to be the captain of my ship… as I will be the captain of my nation."
In the stern of the ship, the crew was hard at work. Ten sailors, each with a different story and appearance, were at work. Among them was Callias, a large man with a thick black beard, who was in charge of the oars. Darius, a lean, nimble young man, climbed the ropes as nimbly as if he were part of the sails themselves. Nikos was an old sailor, his eyes full of wisdom, who knew the sea like the back of his hand.
Linus sat among them for a while, listening to their conversations. They spoke of islands they had passed on previous voyages: the Island of the Giant Birds, the Island of the Black Rocks, and the Island of the Sunless Forest. Each of them recounted their story with enthusiasm, while Linus listened attentively, as if assembling pieces of a map for his upcoming adventures.
"Heir, the sea is not like the battlefield. Here, no one will show you mercy if you do not know its laws," Callias said in a booming voice. Linus smiled and replied confidently:
"Then teach me his laws, and I will make the sea my friend, not my enemy."
The sailors laughed, sensing that this young man was not just a pampered heir, but a man who wanted to learn.
As the hours passed, the land gradually began to disappear behind them. Only faint lines of Acadia could be seen on the horizon, then the waves swallowed them up. Linus felt a pang in his heart, but he didn't look back. He knew his path now was only forward.
Romulus stood beside him again and said in a low voice:
"I have bid farewell to your second home, Linus. The sea is now your home, until you reach Athens."
"Let the sea be my test, and let my destiny be beyond these waves," Linus replied, staring at the horizon.
Suddenly, old Nikos's voice rose from the top of the mast:
"Sir! There are clouds gathering on the northern horizon… A storm may be brewing!"
The crew froze for a moment, then began to move quickly. They tugged the ropes, set the sails, and prepared the ship for whatever might come.
Linus smiled a small smile and said to himself,
"So the first test begins…"