Dirty Trick

There is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. In or out of 'em, it doesn't matter. Nothing seems really to matter, that's the charm of it. Whether you get away, or whether you don't; whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all, you're always busy, and you never do anything in particular; and when you've done it there's always something else to do, and you can do it if you like, but you'd much better not."

That's the life of a young Elf who have lived all his life on a boat. In this city, elves were seen as very strange creatures. I built myself an invisible boat which can sail any sea and succumb any storm. After losing my parents at sea, one would expect that I would hate anything that has to do with sea. Instead I learned to master the sea.

The memories of my parents death was still fresh on my mind. It was the first day we arrived on these shores, the people here didn't like Elves one bit. They told us Loud and clear that we weren't wanted on their lands. We turned to leave, few miles out we hit the storm that took joy away from my life. Back then, I was a kid, I had no idea how to head back home. I lived in hiding until I was able to build the invisible ship.

After 24 years of living on the sea, something strange happened. As I was searching for lunch at broad midday, suddenly the weather started changing seriously. The clouds turned black, the blueness of the sea disappeared. At first I thought it was my mind playing tricks with me, but I saw other sailors sailing for the shores in a hurry claiming that mermaids have come hunting. Elves weren't built to run away in the face of danger, therefore I sailed towards a part of the sea that was encircling itself forming a deep hole in the black sea. From the hole came an elf-like creature formed with water.

-Finally I get to meet the elf with an invisible ship. I've heard so much about you young one.

~What can I do for you? I replied.

-You see the question is, what I can do for you. I'm here to change your life boy. First tell me, how did you make your ship to be invisible?

~It's a simple combination of Elf magic and human technology.

-What if I told you that I can pay you whatever price you name, just to have you make more of those ships for me.

~I'm not interested, thank you.

-Would you rather sell yours to me? The creature persisted.

~If you know me as well as you claim, them you must know that this ship is my home. I can't sell my home to you.

-Fine, Don't sell to me. Just go on this one mission for me, and I'll let you be. The mission wouldn't be successful without an invicsible ship.

~Still not interested. I said as I turned to leave.

The sky rumbled, multiple thunder blasted, this time his voice echoed throughout the sea.

-What if I told you that I could bring your parents back.

~My parents are long dead.

-No they are not, they are simply lost in the sea. Come let me show you.

He made some gestures with his hands like he was moulding something out of the water, in his hands was a big bubble of water. In it I could clearly see my parents in the same cloth they were wearing the day I lost them.

-You see, I control these seas, help me out and I'll lead you straight to your parents.

It was indeed a suicide mission that this creature wanted me to embark on. The plan was to sneak up on Poseidon and steal his fork. I guess it was worth it, if I wanted to see my parents again. This creature wanted to be like the sea god so badly, without the fork, he was no match for Poseidon. I didn't embark on the suicide mission because I cared about the creature's ambition to be god, but I knew there were only two possible outcome of the mission. Either I'm successful and the creature brings back my parents, or I die and join my parents, either ways I'll be reunited with my parents.

The creature gave me directions to Poseidon's lair and urged me to move out at noon as that was when Poseidon slept. Normally, I would have argued that gods don't sleep, but I was too desperate to get into any arguments. Stealthily I approached the lair. I came to a point where a wreckage was blocking my path, I had to step out of the ship and move the wreckage. Immediately I placed my hands on the wreckage, a strange force pushed me into the wreckage, I fell into a cage which was immediately locked.

SOURCE
I looked out and saw the creature standing on my ship laughing.

-I offered to make you rich, in fair exchange but you proved stubborn. I always get what I want one way or the other.

~So the whole Poseidon nonsense was a trick? I asked from the cage.

He gave out a loud laughter and replied.

-You really think you can sneak up on the great Poseidon, who never sleeps by the way.

~And my parents?

-Don't believe everything you see young Elf. Your parents are dead and nothing can bring them back.

~What happens to me now?

-Damn you ask so many questions. Not to worry boy, all I want is your invisible ship. I'll do you a favor and reunite you with some Elves. Besides you have lived on a ship for too long.