We flew for almost two hours as we passed the African continent and crossed the Mediterranean. And it was the most boring two hours of my life and most stressful. Seeing a continuous stretch of blue sky and blue sea didn't help to ease the tension either. To make things worse, Salzar was blue. I was starting to see blue all over me. Occasionally, Salzar would grunt like an over exhausted vehicle, while a cat purred inside my backpack. For me, I heard my tummy grumble every five minutes.

'He's falling asleep,' said Andrew.

'Who?'

'Salzar. He grunts when he sleeps.'

Great. Our only transport was flying without any idea where he is flying.

'Can't we just land,' I said. 'Anywhere would be fine. We might meet the Greek islands you know.'

Andrew nodded to my surprise. He was exhausted too. The sun was sapping our strength instead as we flew. He softly ruffled Salzar's mane. 'We land on sight of land.'

'Yes, my prince,' Salzar yawned.

It didn't take long for us to catch sight of a shoreline. Salzar landed right on top of the beach, in the instant he touched the ground he was asleep.

Andrew and I got down and laid our backs on the sand with sea water touching out shoes. Shielded my eyes form the sun, it was have been noon.

'Why do we feel so tired?' I said, turning to Andrew who had his eyes closed.

'You battled an army of harpies, I busted Salzar out of an impossible dungeon,' he said. 'We have the right to get exhausted.'

I guess he was right. 'Salzar is exhausted too.'

'He was stuck in the dark for three months,' said Andrew. 'It's bad for a dragon. For anything living things of all that matters.'

I looked at the peaceful sleeping face of the dragon. His breath was pushing away the whiskers on his snout.

'Where did you find him?' I asked. 'I mean, he follows you everywhere.'

Andrew stretched his hand up, as if he was trying to catch the sun. 'I don't know. He found me when I was little.'

We stayed quiet for a few minutes. Soon, even Andrew started to snore. I could not help but laugh. He didn't even stir. Soon, even I fell asleep.

'Yo. Who are you to think that you can sleep on my turf?'

I jerked my eyes open. I almost screamed at the old wrinkled face with a set of crooked teeth which loomed above my face. Whoever it was jerked his head away.

'Geese... didn't mean to startle you, sweetheart.'

'Move away from her before you lose your head.'

I looked over the old man. Half of his body was a tail, a rubbery slippery tail like of a seal. Andrew was holding the edge of his sword pointed on seal-man's back.

The seal-man raised his hand as if he was about to be shot. I backed away, all covered in sand. The tide has risen, so I was half submerged when I was asleep and the salt water made me feel very sticky.

'Who are you?' said Andrew.

The seal-man gave a toothless grin. 'Please my dear Enchanters, I bring no harm.'

'Andrew,' I said. 'Lower your sword.'

'He hesitated at first and he sheathed his sword. The seal-man gave us a courtesy. 'Proteus, at your service.'

I raised an eyebrow and looked at Andrew. 'Who?'

'Greek mythology... The guy who says answers anything if you catch him in his beast form.'

'Oh,' I said. 'I did read about someone like that. So, Proteus, why are you here?'

'I live here.'

'Oh, um... sorry for trespassing, I think we'll be going now.'

'Oh no,' said Proteus. 'I really didn't want to chase away her majesty. How could anyone resist the chance to meet with royals!'

Why did I have a feeling that he was buttering us up.

I folded my arms. 'I believe you have something on your mind, Proteus.'

Proteus shrugged, looking amused. 'What makes you think I want something?'

'You have a reputation for avoiding people, not coming towards them.'

Proteus grinned. 'Well guessed you highness. You are rather sharp. It is true. I came here for a bargain. For something I know and for something your brother knows.'

'What do we want to know?'

'You want to know from whom you can get help, aren't I right?'

I narrowed my eyes. 'True. But what does Andrew know that makes you interested?'

Andrew scowled. 'Who sent you?'

'No one... But I know everything about the invisibles. That is what I'm famous for. I am Proteus. I know all. Well, I know better than that the blind guy, my information is hundred percent accurate.'

'Fine then,' said Andrew. 'Where can we find something where we can get help from?'

'You will find help form the one who lives in the street of the bakers.'

'Huh?' I said. 'That is not information. That a riddle! Andrew is not telling you anything unless you give good formation!'

'He-He can help you find Hephaestus,' he said.

'Why Hephaestus?'

'Those anti-shifting bands. Hephaestus made them. Only he can remove them. You can't go anything without your Seer gifts.'

Andrew and I looked at each other and then at our bands.

'True,' said Andrew. He sighed. 'So then... What do you want to know?'

Proteus grinned, showing off yellow teeth. He closed towards Andrew. 'Can you Enchant fish?'

I chuckled.

Andrew stared at Proteus as if he were crazy.

'Fish?'

I could not hold it and I cracked, laughing out loud.

'Well,' said Proteus. 'Do you?'

'No,' said Andrew coldly.

'Pity... I was hoping for you to lure lime fish for me_'

I was still laughing. 'Fish! What makes you thing that he enchants fish?'

'He's the Enchanter of the Scaled and Ferocious!'

I scoffed again.

'And you are the Enchanter of the Cunning and Mischievous... Does that mean you can enchant foxes?'

I stopped laughing. I never actually taught about that.

'I don't think so,' I said. 'Never tried. I'll inform you once I tried. But if you know everything, why can't you know that.'

'You are not fully invisibles,' he said.

'What-ever,' said Andrew. 'Let's leave. Taramen might catch up to us.'

I guess he was mad about the fish thing. We got on Salzar and I got on behind him. Cleo was still asleep in my bag when I picked it up.

'Enchanter of fish,' I chuckled.

'You got a problem with that,' snapped Andrew.

'Nothing, nothing,' I said. 'It just doesn't suit you.'

'What-ever.'

And we took off. He seemed rather pissed off. I wonder how many weapons it will take to make him feel better. Thanks to my big mouth and Proteus's stupidity, no one spoke a word during the flight. But out tummies didn't agree. It started with Andrew's and then mine, grumbling alternatively.

'There is a town nearby,' said Salzar. 'We can stop there.'

'It that a good idea?' I said.

'No, my queen,' said Salzar. 'But I cannot risk any of you fainting in mid air.'

I've always wanted to faint, but not faint while falling to my death. Being a foodie as I was, I was really hungry and I had gastritis to make things worse. And that my friend, is the most annoying non infectious disease one can every get since it was very hard to diet with it.

'What do you say?' I asked Andrew.

He simply grunted which must have meant "whatever". After a few minutes of staring blankly at the forest covered ground, Salzar lowered down.

Was it just me or did the trees actually part when Salzar squeezed through the canopy? I didn't know but I was sure that the branches backed away as if in fear of breaking anything. Salzar landed on s bed of dried leaves that flew up like dust.

I was the first to get down, followed by Andrew.

'Where should we be heading?' I asked Salzar.

'Head north, you will find a town.'

I stretched by back and turned to Andrew. 'Come-on.'

He blankly followed. Seeing him like that sort of pissed my off and I sighed, 'I give up. What must I do to make you talk again?'

Salzar exchanged glances between me and Andrew.

'So?' I said.

'Nothing,' mumbled Andrew with a frown.

'Okay, I'm sorry that I laughed. I was an idiot, a jerk. Yeah, yeah, I would feel cross too if I were you. But it's nothing to get too upset about. You boys think too much about your pride.'

Andrew simply stared at me.

'You really are stupid,' he finally said.

I felt like smacking that kid's head. 'Whatever,' I said. 'We need a disguise. We can't go anywhere looking like this.'