Chapter 16: Bonding

"A day out?" Spartos asked. Sinbad nodded.

"It would be a good idea for everyone to relax after everything that has happened." He explained.

"What happened?" Pisti asked. "The last thing that happened was Nadia getting ill and that was a month ago."

"I think it's a good idea." Nadia said picking up their plates. "You should take a break now and again so you're always prepared."

"Yes." Sinbad said with a nod. "We've all been working hard so a day out should do some good."

"It's kind of pointless if it's only a day." Ja'far said.

"I agree with that too." Nadia said. "You should all take a week off to bond again and everything."

"Hmm?" Sinbad sighed. "That might be a good idea. Alright we're taking a week off." Nadia bowed.

"I'll make arrangements for your absence." She said. Sinbad waved a hand.

"Nonsense." He said. "I'll do that you get ready for the trip and get Judar ready as well." Nadia raised an eyebrow.

"I'm invited?" She asked. Sinbad nodded. Nadia bowed and went to inform Judar of the news. He seemed less than happy to go on a week long trip but he agreed. By evening everyone was ready with bags of food, water and clothes.

"Is everything going to be okay while we're gone?" Yamraiha asked.

"Our wards should be enough to hold off any attack." Judar said. Nadia liked how Judar said 'our' it was better than saying 'your' or 'my'.

"Is everyone ready?" Sinbad asked walking into the hall with a massive grin. "Great let's go."

"Where are we going?" Sharrkan asked.

"That's a surprise." Sinbad said happily leading them down to the docks. They boarded a boat in confusion.

"Uh Sin where are we going?" Ja'far asked nervously. Sinbad just smiled as he untied the boat.

"Who trusts where this is going?" Sharrkan asked.

"No one." Hinahoho said. "Buts Sinbad's got a mind of his own."

"... We should just go with it." Masrur said.

"Oi idiot king where are we going?" Judar asked. Sinbad turned around.

"It's a surprise." He said tweaking Judar on the nose. Judar looked at him icily.

"Don't tweak my nose." Judar said with a pout. Sinbad pulled at his cheeks.

"You make such a cute face when you're angry." He said with a laugh. Judar took a step back.

"Peverted king." He said while crossing his arms.

"Why can't you be like Nadia, Pisti, Spartos and Drakon?" Sinbad asked. "They're all completely relaxed."

"Spartos looks like he's about to vomit." Sharrkan pointed out.

"Drakon was asleep so you dragged him on board." Yamraiha said.

"Pisti is sitting on a bird sleeping." Hinahoho said.

"I don't even know where Nadia is." Judar said looking around.

"I'm up here!" She called from the crows nest. "The air up here is much nicer!"

"And Nadia isn't even on the same level as the rest of us." Ja'far finished. "She's up there."

"Hey Sinbad are we going to that island?" Nadia asked jumping off her perch. Like an acrobat she landed in her feet. Sinbad pulled out a telescope and nodded with delight.

"That's it." He said. "Prepare to land." There was a sudden flutist of activity as they brought the ship round to port. When they finally docked everyone disembarked quickly.

"Where's the nearest town?" Ja'far asked. Masrur and Nadia looked around then exchanged looks.

"What town?" Sinbad asked. "This island is uninhabited."

"What!" Judar yelled.

"This island." Nadia said tapping a nearby tree. "We're the only people on it."

"I thought it would be good to become one with nature." Sinbad hummed. "Take a break from civilisation."