No sooner had the day passed than the face of the sea changed. The sky had been clear in the morning, but dark clouds began to gather on the northern horizon, like armies of shadows slowly creeping toward the white ship.
Old Nikos stood at the top of the mast, staring with his expert eyes, then called out loudly:
"Sir! The wind is changing… There's a storm coming!"
The crew froze for a moment, then began to move quickly. They tugged the rigging, set the sails, and readied the oars. The roar of the sea grew louder, and the waves rose like walls of water trying to swallow the ship.
Linus approached Romulus and said in a nervous voice:
"Is this just an ordinary storm?"
The teacher answered calmly, despite the wind:
"There is no ordinary storm at sea, my son. Every wave is a test, every wind a message. Remember what I told you: A leader doesn't run away from a storm; he learns how to face it."
Linus grabbed the rigging, trying to help the sailors. His body shook with each wave, but his heart grew steadier. Callias, the mighty sailor, shouted, "Hold on tight, heir! The sea is merciless to those who hesitate!"
The wind suddenly blew hard, tilting the ship sideways, and some of the sailors nearly fell into the water. Linus rushed to grab the hand of young Darius, whose feet had slipped, and pulled him forcefully onto the deck.
"Hold on tight!" Linus shouted.
Darius smiled, though he was afraid.
"I didn't expect the heir to rescue me himself!"
"A true king doesn't let his men fall," Linus panted.
The storm intensified, and rain began to fall heavily, whipping their faces like whips. The thunder was deafening, and lightning split the sky as if it were splitting in half.
Romulus raised his voice above the din:
"Linus! This is your chance to prove to the men that you are their leader. Give them orders!"
Linus hesitated for a moment, then shouted with all his might:
"Callias! Steady the oars! Darius, furl the topsails! Nikos, guide us by the stars if you can see them! We shall not go down today!"
The men moved quickly, his voice giving them a sense of confidence. They sensed that this young man was not just an heir, but a leader born of the storm.
The storm dragged on for hours, as if it didn't want to end. But thanks to the crew's cooperation, Romulus's wisdom, and Linus's determination, the ship held firm. With the first light of dawn, the clouds began to part, and the waves gradually subsided.
The sailors sat exhausted on the deck, breathing heavily. Linus stood on the prow, his clothes drenched, his hair sticking to his forehead, but smiling faintly.
Romulus approached him and said, "You have passed your first test, Linus. The sea has not been kind, but it has revealed something important to us."
"And what?" asked Linus.
Romulus smiled. "That you are not just an heir… but a leader in whom your men have begun to trust."
Linus raised his head toward the horizon, where the sun was rising again, and said in a deep voice, "If this is the beginning… then I am ready for something greater."