Prologue

Chap 1.

“Abu Ali, you come just in time. Hope you slept well. Now you’ll take the night shift with Doubar.”

“Aye, captain”, replied the young sailor, “Do you want me to take the tiller until Doubar comes?”

“No, just tie those ropes and get them out of the way. Oh, and send Said to call Doubar for his shift.”

“No need, little brother, here I’m. You know I always come in time, never being late to my shifts.”

At the sight of his brother a grin glimmered in Sinbad’s eyes, enlightening his face.

“Aye big brother, you’re right about this.” Then he addressed the other crew man: “Ok Abu Ali, just tell Said to go have some rest.”

“Aye, aye captain”

“I see the weather is good tonight if we ignore this heat”, Doubar said as he relieved his brother from the tiller.

“Well, yeah, not bad. This way we may reach Basra in the morning, then we’ll deliver our cargo just in time”, Sinbad smiled in relief.

“And get our payments just in time”, Doubar giggled, “that’s good, in this case we may take some rest before sailing again, don’t we?”

“Yeah we may”, Sinbad replied slowly as he leant on the rail, crossing his arms and draping his left leg slightly backwards. After a while he added quietly: “or... we may not.” Watching his big brother’s confused stare he added: “Abu Salim told me about a merchant of carpets in Basra, his friend. He said he may need a ship to get a cargo from Samarkand and…”

“From Samarkand!!!! Sinbad, but this is a very long journey and we just come from Halab, why on Earth should we do that?”

The captain glared at his brother while replying: “Doubar!!… It’s for the payment of course. Abu Salim in Halab told me his friend will pay us 100 of golden pieces, may be even more. Fifty for going and the others for delivering the cargo.” He smirked as he calmed down; shifting his gaze to the night sky that twinkled with so many pearly stars. “It seems that it’s a very precious one, this cargo”.

However the first mate continued not seeming to be even listening to his brother: “And in this case we will take a very long shot on land too. It’s too far from the last harbor we can find in our way and there is no direct way by sea to reach it, I think.”

“Aye, we can’t reach it with the Nomad, but... don’t you see,, the payment is worth it.”

Doubar just groaned in disagreement which made Sinbad sigh. “Ok, I still didn’t decide it yet. I know it’s a very long travel and…”

“And we are all very exhausted!!”

At this Sinbad rolled his eyes. “Well, take it easy big brother. I just said we may accept it, I didn’t say we’ll go for sure.” Then he tried to change the subject: “And actually, I was thinking to pay our old friends in Basra a visit.”

“You mean Omar? Well, that’s normal. We should do it anyway; he’s the Imir of Basra.”

“And Caipra. Last times we were in Basra we didn’t ask about her. I have to admit it’s kind of hard to pay her a visit after such long time of not showing up.”

Doubar knew instantly what his brother meant exactly, so he replied quickly: “No, I don’t think so.” Then trying to comfort his brother he reasoned: “You know, Caipra is a very wise lady, she’ll consider it. Not to mention that she is a sorceress which means she is very busy herself and has a lot to do instead of thinking of our late visit.”

Sinbad kept silent this time, keeping his lost stare into the dark sky. Seeing this, Doubar searched for a distraction. Then he noticed something. He cleared his throat and remarked kindly: “But may I ask why this sudden visit? I mean, do I miss out on something?”

“Oh, no!” Sinbad suddenly felt uncomfortable but tried to hide his tenseness as he gulped. “Of course not, it’s just that I missed this old sorceress, you know.” He shifted a little while his blue eyes scanned around in search for a rescue. Doubar stared at his brother in a way that told he didn’t believe it.

The latter then added quickly: “And of course, I realized recently that Bryn didn’t meet her before. As you said already Caipra is a very powerful sorceress, so I thought she may be able to help Bryn to regain some or any of her lost memory…. That’s all.” He looked at Doubar innocently.

“Oh, I see now. That’s true indeed; she may be able to do it. How comes that we didn’t think of that before?”

Sinbad shook his head, smiling inwardly in relief that his brother let it go this time.

“But do you think Bryn will accept it?”, the first mate went again, “I mean you didn’t tell her about Caipra, did you? She knows nothing about her and she may feel uneasy while dealing with her, or she may not trust her enough to let her search in her memories.”

Sinbad grinned in confidence: “Don’t worry about that big brother. It is true Bryn still doesn’t know about Caipra but you shouldn’t worry about her. She sees inside people and feels them more than any of us; she even sometimes can read their minds.” He giggled as the memory of Bryn getting inside Shiana’s mind to find the map invaded him; he remembered her teasing him afterward by declaring that he had no chance to keep a secret away from her.

“Sweet memories, aren’t they. Those, one shares with his family.” he thought.

“I’m sure she’ll feel Caipra‘s aura and will know that she is a good sorceress. Actually I expect she’ll like her at first sight.”

“Now you are scaring me, Sinbad. You sound like Bryn!” “… and Maeve!” he whispered the last words in his mind.

Sinbad raised his eyebrow, “Really?”, then winked with his usual half smile. “That is the price of having a witch in the crew you captain.”

Doubar just laughed out loud in approval.

Finally Sinbad said: “I should go now or you’ll be forced to help me to my cabin, as I feel like I’ll fall on the ground at any moment.”

“Aye, you should go now and get some sleep. You look very tired. I’ll tell Rongar to wake you up in the morning during his shift.”

“Alright, if you need anything, Abu Ali is awake for your help.”

“Great”, Doubar smiled, “Some company will make the time pass quickly.”

His little brother just smiled too. “Good night, big brother.”

“Good night, Sinbad.”

Sinbad moved towards the galley while his smile disappeared without his brother noticing it. He just hoped inside him that he could get some sleep this time.

Now, could he? 

~.~.~

 

 

 

 

 

 

2: Unwelcomed Adventure

Unwelcomed Adventure

Chap. 2

On his way to his cabin, Sinbad found the galley totally empty as everyone was supposed to be sleeping by now; however he couldn’t hear any snore coming from different cabins of the crew members. Oddly, the deep silence of the night was the dominant now on Nomad, only interrupted by the sounds of the sails crushed by the hot air and the waves hitting Nomad; but he inferred that perhaps it was the heat that disturbed his crew slumber.

As he passed by the cabin shared by the young scientist and his silent mate he could see the candlelight still radiating from the corner of the door frame. That meant that Firouz was working on a new creation, he knew his friend was interested the last couple of days on improving one of his old inventions. If his mind wasn’t tricking him it should be the one he gifted to Omar of Basra two years ago, that weird stuff that had something to do with generating wind! It was the same one they used to vanquish Kata and helped the Ronin as well before adding to it some modifications.

With a tired smile playing on his face Sinbad sighed as he opened his cabin door, realizing that even this insupportable heat was inspiriting the young inventor.

Once he locked the door behind him carefully the smile and the funny thoughts evaporated from his mind right away, he was back now to re-live his nightmare again and suffer its torture as he did with every attempt to sleep.

Well, he couldn’t just call it a mere dream, at least due to the real pain in his soul and heart he was feeling every time he tried to shut his eyes and surrender to the slumber and that may endure even after his wake. The peculiar thing here was his complete loss of its very memory, not a single detail he could remember from it but some feelings. The odder was within every morning he reopened his eyes he found himself taking his breath roughly as if he had been in a marathon, fatigued as if he never slept the night before moreover as if he spent all of it running.

This nightmare made great success in forbidden his body from rest for almost couple of weeks now, as since he got it for the first time he never knew a way to proper stupor nor felt a real blissful rest and his corpus was yelling every moment by then to get some tranquility.

And what worsen it his certitude that the whole matter was related somehow to … Maeve! ...  His Maeve, damn it! How it hurt to just spell the name in his mind! His lost Celtic dream …     

He couldn’t put his hand on the link between his mysterious dream and his red-head sorceress but he was getting that weird feeling it was about her, that she was in danger and in need of his help. The thought of it might be true just ignited his fear and made his pain intolerable being far from her and unable to rescue her, defend her from whatever hazard she might be in.

Of course he had faith in his master’s words that informed him she was safe with the old wizard, but he couldn’t help his rushing horror emotions and impulsive panic at the mere thought of the probability of her being at risk. At that his feelings got control over his will and his mind surrendered to his emotions leaving behind any way of reasoning; he couldn’t bear this thought, simply couldn’t even if it was unreal.

And that was exactly what happened when Scratch had tricked him that he got her; although Sinbad was certain that she was with DimDim and that it could be a trap created by the delusion demon to capture his soul, he endangered himself and his crew to kill any doubt that his sorceress might be in the goat-like demon’s grip giving the priority to his emotions over his reasoning.

As he lied now on his bed, Sinbad closed his eyes with a sigh as he rubbed his face with both hands in an attempt to expel the bitter memory that cost him the life of a dear new friend. One whom he met only then but affected him deeply during their short meeting; one who sacrificed herself willingly first to help him searching his lost love and then to save his life and his crew.

As he kept his eyes shut, his mind now rushed back to the thought of his nightmare to escape this bitterness. He was amazed why his feeling that Maeve needed his help never left him since the dream started its unwelcomed visits, even during his wake time. And why he got the deep feeling that he was knowing the way to help her and to reach her whilst in verity he wasn’t, at least not consciously.

Many question marks that he had no answers and kept his confusion, and he knew if he stayed in this situation any longer they would lead him to the insanity. Actually that was the real reason of his urgent desire to see Caipra; hopefully the old woman might have some answers or at least some explanation to his bewilderment when he couldn’t even confess the whole thing to any of his crew.

How could he explain something that he already had no idea about and couldn’t express it? And if he mentioned his feelings about Maeve nobody would believe him but they would return it to his yearning for her, and neither would they believe the dream virtual effects on him.

Who would believe it? Firouz the physician who always was looking for a scientific explanation for every incident around him, or Doubar who never believe in this Mumbo-Jumbo; even Rongar wouldn’t have much different opinion in spite of believing him. All of them would agree on the cause being his overloading on himself by his duties as captain as well as his silent solicitude to the lass that he didn’t want to share with anyone.

The only one who could understand him closely and believe him was Bryn, but she still had no idea about the true nature of feeling he kept for the Celtic sorceress. He never talked to her about Maeve, never … while she should be aware of it before he could share his secret with her.

But truth to be said, he didn’t really feel being able to talk openly with anyone about his true feelings towards Maeve nor sharing his current ones of missing her, not even with his brother so how about sharing them with Bryn? Not that he didn’t trust the brunette or having faith in her judgment, he even felt easier while being with her.

Something about this brunette caused him to feel much easier, that calmed him down and made him considering her his confidante. A smile shadow danced on his lips “This amazing young witch!”

The point is he naturally wasn’t feeling easy to admit his passion to anyone. May be a part of his pride avoided him from doing it by causing him to sense … some weakness. And he refused to appear weakened, not him … after all he is the captain. That was why he pretended he didn’t care about losing her while he was dying every day he opened his eyes just to realize his life without her.

Every time he looked to the rails and not finding her leaning on it while pondering the convergence of the billow with the horizon, not studying one of her magic books on deck as the wind breeze tickling her flaming hair, not practicing new spells in the galley or her cabin causing weird phenomena around and inside Nomad, not sharing their meals on same table in front of each other and each trying to hide their mutual glances, …

All at once some familiar voice interfered with his thoughts, he recognized it was Mala “Sometimes when we lose someone we love we pretend not to hurt, we pretend too tough to care, to eventually we forget we’re pretending.”

How much her words were so real, he couldn’t say. The blue lady touched his soul and read his wounded heart. He couldn’t tell why … why her advice now was pumping in his mind “Remember… heart, head and then the sword.”

Weird …... very weird

Why exactly … he … rem…       

  

**********

 

Suddenly Sinbad realized he was holding the tiller!!

What happened? Why was he mind-absent in such circumstances?

The dark night was sparkling with fulgurites and the thunder was fighting the waves’ sounds as they were bluntly crushing on the ship. The young captain made hard effort to open his eyes in the middle of the hoarse rain to see his crew. Unfortunately he couldn’t recognize any of his crew as all he could see was shadows of a man or two.

The storm was terrifying and the ship now was reeling as its body started to be shaky; he realized he had no hope to survive such unusual storm and violence that he never experienced before. The ship itself wouldn’t make it out, actually no ship could.

He tried to shout out to anyone who could hear him to get the sails bound in spite of being sure that nobody could hear him in this natural stormy symphony … or perhaps there was nobody who was left on board!!

He quickly looked around him again to search those silhouettes he saw a few moments ago, only to widen his eyes in horrible shock and disbelief. His mouth opened widely in true deep terror as his gaze fell on the incredible sight in front of him.

Back there in the mad sea was the highest and the most enormous billow he even couldn’t imagine, the ship was like a tiny dot if compared to it. It was like the whole ocean had decided all of sudden to stand up and was preparing himself to jump back to where he belonged to devouring anything in his way and forming a giant watery wall oddly reminded him of the invisible wall made by the Vorgon, at least both were close in height!!

Everything happened quickly before he got time to blink, and in the next second he was in the depth of the ocean with the whole inverted ship that actually became in pieces. And he only felt … so much things that his mind didn’t have time to analyze, may be pain, may be coldness …. But the undeniable thing was … the absolute blackness.

He opened his eyes to get inside coarse rain drops making his blurred vision worse.

“Just perfect!!” he cursed inwardly while he started to resist the unmerciful ache in his body to get up and have a look around.

Finding himself on shore he noticed that it was morning as some faint light was trying to make his way in timidity through the dark clouds that completely covered the sky, without those light shadows the sailor would believe it was night. It seemed that the storm hadn’t calmed down yet as the rain was massively hard and both the thunder and the fulgurites didn’t stop either. The tide was so high as well.

Sinbad perceived it’d be safer if he headed deeper inside the island he was on its shore now. He glanced behind him to spot a forest not so far from him, he might find some shelter. As he made his way to it running he tried to remember how he ended up in this sticky situation anyway; then the answer showed itself inside him … it’s Maeve!!

He was on his way to save her, he knew she was in danger and needed his help. He also knew the way to reach her, it’s true that he couldn’t memorize the details but he just had to follow his instincts and he still had a chance to rescue her as he survived the ship crushing; however he couldn’t figure out how this could had taken place.

As he arrived at the threshold of the wood borders, he leant on the nearest tree trunk, trying to take his breath. It was the moment that his mind naturally realized how much his clothes were wet and he - afraid of catching some serious disease- felt the urge to find some shelter that enabled him to get them dried. But also he had to hurry up as that peril confronting Maeve wouldn’t wait for him to get rest.

He couldn’t explain how he was sensing her need for him, it was like her scent calling his name and it was only his heart who could hear this call!!

It was weird and indescribable but all he could get from it that he had to respond to the call immediately without any late.

He gazed down to check on his clothes and how bad they were, if he could endure it temporarily till he could find her. And from the beginning of the adventure till this moment, only then he discovered strangely that he was wearing his old outfit!!

He starred in disbelief to his large blue trousers, vest and the wide white shirt as his hands checked his forehead only to find his tied red band keeping his short hair from annoying him and reaching his shaved face.

It was then when he realized … it wasn’t reality but … his nightmare!!

Sinbad groaned in annoyance and hit the tree trunk with his fist. He had enough with that seriously, and couldn’t bear it anymore. Raising his eyes upward in an attempt to reach the sky view while he was praying to Allah to have mercy on him from this torment, his gaze caught the sight of an odd thing hanging between some highest branches of a nearby tree. His sense perceived it was a sign of something that he couldn’t figure out; perhaps for some sort of native tribe.

“Great ….. That is exactly what I need right now!!” By his usual humorous tone his mind wondered how many times he exactly cursed the situation he was in before; a shiver ran through his body as his wonder shifted to how many times he would.

He shook his head to dismiss such thoughts, instead of them he should focus on this sign and the probable danger he might be in and how to escape it to reach Maeve in time.

Back to the sign, Sinbad really felt uneasiness towards it, there was some darkness invading his senses whenever his gaze fell on it. However the sign was simple, dried branches arranged to together form an imperfect circle that framed what was like to be a bone-made fork’s shape with only two spines, the later extended outward to form two curved horns. What really Sinbad disliked about it was the blood that was covering most of the sign .… dried blood giving it unpleasant deep crimson red color!!

Then all of sudden while he was losing his thoughts on this awful thing he startled by the immense heinous sound of a war-bugle.

He couldn’t detect its source exactly but he expected from the ruffianly tone how could be the ones who were blowing in it. Thus he unsheathed his sword spontaneously and looked around in readiness not knowing what direction he should take to hide from the natives as the horn seemed to be coming from everywhere.

Some green glitter then caught his eyes, coming from … his rainbow bracelet!!

So he directed all his attention to it as he figured out the simultaneous increasing urge of retaking his way to Maeve. As he was realizing the cause of this sparkle he noticed it changed its rhythm giving twinkles, and as he moved his hand with the shimmered bracelet those twinkles changed their intensity.

“Yes” the sailor stated in victory, now it was obvious; the bracelet would lead him to Maeve as when he was in the right way the glimmers kept intense but as he started to deviate from it they’d faint.

By this he started to take his road guiding by his bracelet that was leading him deeper into the forest. He run through the heavy rain, broken branches and the aired roots to catch his only chance to save his love as he felt there wasn’t much time left.

After a while he sensed the rain’s drops becoming more and more … dense, its sound was kind of … suppressed and the view in front of him took a red shadow!

He stopped for a moment only to get a chill in his spine as he recognized the reason; the rain wasn’t watery drops anymore, it was … bloody!!!

Drops of blood were falling from the sky onto land.

Now this became really intolerable, seriously he didn’t like how this dream was progressing to. But no, he wouldn’t let anything prevent him from rescuing his Celtic dream. Anything, even if it was raining stones he wouldn’t.

By this he began his way drawn by his heart not paying any attention to the obstacles he was meeting, huge trunk fallen on the ground or these spiky little twigs that were cutting his skin, legs and arms. Ignoring the pain coming from his bleeding wounds and scratches, and his exhausted feet from his excessive running he started to feel the numbness invading slowly his legs; however he focused on his way and didn’t slow down his pace.

When all at once the whole storm and rain ceased and the sunlight radiated everywhere making its way through the nested boughs. He stopped abruptly in wonder to this unreasonable sudden change. The bleeding sky now was clearer and the sun rays became stronger.

Sinbad sighed in discomfort as he saw the dry land under his feet. There was no sign of the storm as it never existed, the blood and water that had formed ponds now completely vanished and his clothes were totally dry as well.

The young captain puffed raising his brows as his eyes were sparkling with fury scanning the surroundings, only to discover that the previous bloody ponds and mud were now replaced by a lot of scattered clothes. But he didn’t feel easy by their sight, and then he realized they all were covered by blood patches everywhere.

He winced, “By the name of Allah!!”

He knew that it wasn’t innocent and peaceful sunny scene as it looked like. His alert sense had just reached its maximum now; “It seems to have some massacre here” he thought.

The sight was so nefarious but gave him some familiarity feeling. “Odd!!” As answer struck him, Sinbad widened his eyes in horror while his gaze lied on a familiar stripped shirt. At first the shock paralyzed his tongue but when he started to recover still having some big heart-break he was allowed to whisper “Doubar!!”

Rushing to where the shirt was he picked it up and found that it didn’t been free of the damage, it was torn and had a big macula of blood on it …. his brother’s blood.

“No … this is unreal. It’s only a nightmare, one big awful nightmare” he shouted then added in firmness “Doubar is alright, sound and safe. I know it.” His voice lowered while his mind tried to overcome the hardness of his heavy heart beats and the dark shadow that grasped on his spirit.

And as he expected his gaze caught Firouz’ sac, Bryn’s yellow dress and Rongar’s leather shirt; all were torn and stained with blood. Sinbad threw the fake shirt of Doubar in disgust resisting his emesis.

In spite of knowing well it’s all spurious he couldn’t bear the thought of losing any of them, losing his family, it was horrible.

The terrible sound of the bugle started again and startled him … again. But this time it was followed by a vibration that Sinbad recognized in it being caused by troops… Troops!!!

“Arrgh, just perfect!” he eyed around to find any escape from it as he cursed… and further cursed these pernicious situations, one after the other.

And then, he noticed distant trees with aerial roots, he run to them and grabbed one of these rope-like roots then climbed it until reaching a large branch at a safe height. At the same moment the savage troops appeared.

Sinbad was surprised discovering that they were wild bears but they were kind of giant bears with … horns!!

The captain couldn’t remember any bear with horns, they never possess horns. He didn’t know why he remembered the Norsemen then, perhaps due to the horn thing; and the horny helmet Eyolf gave to … Maeve!

He forgot about her, how could he?! And how was he supposed to reach her in time while he was hiding from these beasts. Time was really running out from his grip.

He frowned as a special sight interrupted his wondering thoughts, a sight of the most giant bear between the whole troops.

He was in double size of any of the others; moreover his helm carried the largest ramified and serpentine horns. The eruptive troops diverged instantly to form enough space for him while running and it wasn’t hard for the captain to sense his importance and to realize he was their leader.

He waited until they had completely gone away so he could return down to land, but even before moving he felt the world was spinning around him.

To his surprise he found the large bough he was leaning on moving by itself and progressively was increasing its speed. He hung on it with both his hands as it was too high to jump on land now. But the tree became crazy then and was moving with ferocity as it was waving and flagging him until finally he ended up being thrown on land.

He groaned in pain as every muscle and bone in his body was screaming from the ache.

This was too much for him now, too much.

Fortunately, his ears caught the furious swish of the leaves and branches that didn’t stop yet, as his mind warned him he jumped from the ground to glance upward only to find an angry and so alive tree shifting all her giant crumples now in real fierceness to crush him where he was standing.

He asked himself what he did to upset it to that limit, but as the question popped in his head he made sure to run with all his speed to get out of its blow that could kill him instantly.

As he was running away he heard the big stroke of the enormous mad tree to the ground in the exact area he was laying on seconds ago; and when he gained a good distance away from it he paused to take his breath. At this moment he discovered that it wasn’t the same forest he was in a while ago where the scenery had totally changed and was even more wondrous.

Sinbad turned around to get a better look of the surroundings; there was no blood, no torn clothes … no more odor of death.

Instead of them there were … books!!..

Scattered everywhere on the ground!!!

As the wind played with books pages and turned them gently the sailor turned his gaze upward to get the strangest sight ever.

The trees!

They were holding books on and between their branches, all the trees. If his eyes weren’t tricking him he would say it’s a GREAT library where thousands of books were scattered on the floor and others being hanging on trees.

But it was a dream where anything was possible. “A dream and not a dream” a thought that whispered in his mind, he agreed with it.

Yeah, every time he woke up he felt that this undesirable adventure was real, that he really visited those odd lands and witnessed those weird events even though he wasn’t remembering them. But every morning he suffered from tiredness and exhaustion from the running and jumping everywhere; even during the dream itself it felt so real, everything around him: the blood, the storm, the death’s odor …

He was wandering now calmly through the wood trying not to disturb any of the trees again, pacing between the books on the land when he felt suddenly thirsty.

And as if his dream was reading his thoughts the side of his eyes glimpsed it from a distance. There at his right side a beautiful lake attracted his gaze as its shimmering crystal water of unusual firouzi color was hugging the sunlight in a breathtaking view, producing some magnificent turquoise sparkles at the sites where the sun rays touching its surface.

Sinbad gasped, it was the most beautiful sight he ever saw, aside –of course- of that of Maeve’s red hair flying at the breeze’s tickles of the sunset wind, giving her some red framed glow that perfectly melted with the light crimson radiance of the last sun rays farewell while touching it.

The captain headed to the lake in intention to admire its sight closer and to satisfy his thirst. He bent and reached the water by his right hand taking a nip of it then bent further to drink, but as his lips touched his palm and before reaching the water to drink, the liquid in his hand transformed into … stone!

Surprised, he got back and stared at it. It was a little turquoise gemstone that was carved forming a special yet random engraving, but he observed one of the many carving there was taking an S shape with further wavy borders that ended up forming a wavy incomplete circle surrounding it.

Sinbad stared back to the lake only to find the whole water had vanished and was replaced by thousands no, millions of those turquoise gemstones.

All of sudden the stone in his hand came alive and jumped back to the lake.

Sinbad raised his eyebrow “It seems that everything is coming alive here. Great, so your new plan now is to kill me by thirsty!” he exclaimed as in fact he had no idea to whom exactly he was addressing his blame.

He sighed as he started to straight up when suddenly something hit him in his face causing his tumble on his back on the ground. A flash of déjà vu struck his mind as he recalled his first encounter with Maeve, when Dermot attacked him leading him to lose his balance falling down on his back and as he looked up he got her first adorable sight…

Sinbad shook his head trying to focus on what hit him now; if he wasn’t mistaken his eyes caught some wind stream carrying … leaves!!

It didn’t seem to be so strong to hit him like that! He glanced behind while regaining his posture then his eyes caught a silhouette standing not so far from him. It was a lady-shape figure … actually formed from the same leaves and wind that just had stuck him!

His brows rose as he pondered the creature in front of him, the strange greenish blue leaves were arranged perfectly to form the figure's essence supported by the wind.

“Hey, my name is Sinbad” he declared hoping that this creature was intending no harm to him as her first action was attacking him.

The lady figure responded only by shaking her head in salutation then she raised her whole left arm to point into some direction.

Relief overwhelming him, at least there was no more danger, or violence. “Ok, you want me to go there with you. Well, good spirit of the tree I’m afraid I’ve something to do, I mean someone really needs my help…” his bracelet shinning then interrupted him as its glitter indicating the same direction shown by the silhouette. “Ok, … or we may see your problem first..” 

Sinbad headed to where the strange tree spirit told him and was followed by her in the form of a gentle spiral breeze of air carrying the leaves.

The spirit stopped at certain tree, one that Sinbad found very special. The tree was enormous and twitched like wrapped on itself; moreover its leaves were in the same shape of those flying with the wind, but all were dark blue in color.

All but only one, Sinbad noticed it in spite of being single and hidden within the big tree but its light firouzi color wasn’t dark as the others. The young captain deduced that it was the same tree whose spirit was calling him but he had no clue of the kind of help she needed.

In response to his query, the leaves carried by the wind joined the others on the tree changing their color to darker then the wind touched the tree gently causing some other leaves to fall down on ground.

Sinbad tracked them with his gaze discovering a lot of dried dead leaves lying on the ground around the tree, they were black in tint. Then again his eyes caught some glint within those black leaves. He bent to see what was it and to his surprise it was a golden ring … a very FAMILIAR ring decorated by a skull!

“Rumina!!”

His eyes widen now in realization, “Rumina attacked Maeve!!! I swear by Allah’s name if she harmed her in anyway, I’ll kill her.” His grip tightened in the ring in determination as he frowned and stood up, getting ready for further clues that might lead him to his Celtic dream, his blue eyes reflecting anger and fury.

Then without any preliminaries the ground started to shake vigorously again so that he tried hard to keep his balance as the ring dropped from his hand. Eventually he lost it when he oddly felt the ground under his feet not solid anymore but becoming wavy, soft and like … WATER!!!!

Sinbad sensed in shock that he was dragged by the sea that was surrounding him now from everywhere and replace the weird forest scene. He was drowning as the waves were too fierce to fight back his own strength, taking him downward where he found the stream dragging him deeper into some unknown trend.

He tried harder to resist the sea power and swim against it but with no result, lastly he surrendered to the stream feeling something inside him was pushing him to do so.

While his lungs were screaming for air, his heart was burning from the urgent sentiment to rescue Maeve that had risen considerably now. And when he was about to lose his consciousness a large wave pushed him up to the surface and threw him on shore.

After a while of staying still on the ground not moving from pain, regaining his consciousness now he opened his eyes with effort just in right time to find out that he wasn’t on sand and everywhere was strangely green; no trees but there were green walls that started to move towards him from his both sides to crush him.

He jumped up and run as fast as he could, it needed no magic to realize that the sea behind him had vanished again. He was running with all effort he was left with –not only to save himself but to save his love as well- in a challenge against the approaching green walls while inwardly he somehow sensed it was the same way to reach Maeve.

It was odd as his instincts told him so, yet he felt being dragged into it as well. Finally he discovered an end to the crushing walls as they were coming now dangerously close to him, thus he doubled his speed so that the numbness started to invade his legs progressively in warning.

Fortunately, as he reached the boundary he gathered all his left effort to make one final big jump to cut the remaining distance just in time as the two opposite walls met together and completely crushed whatever was between them.

Again Sinbad was forced to lie down as he collapsed on the ground taking his breath and resting his ached legs and body. He sighed in wonder how he just made it in time and was saved from such a close trap. The sailor looked around to check if there was any other trap waiting for him but he found only peace.

After allowing his body to get his rest he focused now to discover the reason of the tranquility he felt. There, he was lying in a valley … actually if he was in better mood he would describe it as the biggest and the most magnificent orchard … like a part of heaven! A real meadow with bright and vivid colors everywhere and amazing scent that saturated his soul.

It took a while from him to catch the origin of all this beauty … FLOWERS! 

There were flowers everywhere, at every sight; flowers of every kind, color and odor. It was right, just like a real paradise! Their charming nectar was filling his breaths and caused him to refresh, and as joy filled his spirit now he decided to continue his way to his aim.

So he leant with both hands on the ground to get up to just notice a large carving on the mud, in fact it was a large …. FOOTPRINT!!!

And obviously it wasn’t for human nor for a simple beast, mostly it was for a … big monster.

Sinbad gulped, his gaze scanned the surroundings as he got up quickly and unsheathed his sword again. He started to walk carefully now with his bracelet guiding his way in vigilance, he didn’t want to be startled by a sudden attack.

But he found nothing, no monster no beast, all he spotted was more beautiful flowers by every step and at every sight. Actually, he began to doubt his eyes; was it really a footprint belonging to a monster?

May be he was hallucinating from the exhaustion he was suffering and the effort he made during this … awful dream. How could a monster been kept in such a wonderful paradise or living between such beauty and delicateness? This wasn’t making any sense.

By this, he lost most of his wariness while enjoying this charm. He was wandering for a long time by now when his bracelet increased his brightness suddenly stopping him. He raised his eyes expecting to find Maeve finally or at least some magical gate that might lead to the realm she was in. 

But his gaze had fallen on the greatest beauty ever. His eyes widen as he gasped, this couldn’t be real … it’s just impossible; how much beauty … he couldn’t tell.

There, in front of him lied the most magnificent sight …. A black rose!

A real black rose that was full blooming, brightening and shining there on top of the hill. Her sight just caused him a deep feeling of grace and pleasure.

“Could that be real?!” he wondered.

As a voice whispered inside his heart telling him he had to get her in order to save Maeve, he couldn’t figure out what possible relation linked the two beauties but he just responded to it having faith in his bracelet power that enhanced him too.

Surrendering to his own desire to touch her as well he advanced towards her carefully, fearing she could be an illusion too. He noticed beside her was a decorated bed but he didn’t care, he kept approaching her while his mind was whispering to him.

“She should be the queen here and all the rest of the flowers are her maidservants.”

When he reached her finally he stayed still silently, staring to her charm and hesitating from touching her.

When eventually he took the decision to try, only a trial to sense her delicate shinny black petals that were luring him, he then realized the growing shadow covering him from behind his back and his ears caught a terrifying groan that gave a shiver to his spine, it was too close, too high.

He was turning around to face him as he glanced at his hand carrying his sword only to be shocked that his scimitar had disappeared.

Sinbad stared in horror then raised his gaze to the monster but didn’t even have time for his mind to work, or to discover what the monster was like, as in the next second the monster –with another awful groan- attacked him … and … got him ….

 

**********

 

Sinbad’s eyes burst open as he was breathing hardly only to meet darkness everywhere. Was he dead?!

The monster’s scream still echoed in his ears, but now it was mixed somehow with … a knock … hard knock.

“Captain Sinbad, come on captain wake up.”

Sinbad realized the voice was too familiar … By name of Allah; he woke up from his nightmare! And this was Amin’s voice calling him. He then glanced around him, it was his cabin and he was lying down on his back drowning in sweat on his bed. He sighed and closed his eyes once more to overcome the shock trying to relax.

“Thanks Allah.” his mind whispered.

“Captain, are you there? Are you ok?”

Sinbad remembered that Amin was still at the door waiting for an answer. “A … Aye” he coughed as his voice still husky and he tried to be normal, “Aye Amin, what do you want?”  

“Captain, it’s Rongar who sent me to wake you up. He said that is your wish. Are you ok captain? Do you …”  

“It’s ok Amin, I’m fine” the young blue eyed sailor interrupted him, “Thanks, I’m awakened now. You can go.”

“… Aye captain, if you want anything I’m here.”

“Thanks Amin.” Sinbad whispered as he listened to his young crew member’s steps walking away. 

Now as his full consciousness and composure had been restored, he let his body to absolute relaxation from such effort he seemed that he did.

This nightmare again …

Arrrgh, when will it cease from invading him?

And again he wasn’t remembering any of its details, but just witnessed its impact on his body … this terrible exhaustion. Yet he still knew it was somehow related to Maeve and that she was in some trouble needing his help.

But he also realized that he was so lucky that Amin woke him up in that exact moment, as it seemed he was facing … a kind of deadly fate … he shivered at this thought.

Yes, he was sure he witnessed his death in the last moments of his dream.

A terrible death, but again he couldn’t recall how this had happened; and actually, he absolutely had no intention to remember.                              

 

3: Troubled Morning

~Troubled Morning~

Sinbad winced once he stepped on deck from the sudden exposure to the strong sun rays. He cursed himself inwardly that he didn't expect how strong it would be especially when coming out from dark galley. He instantly covered his forehead with his hand in a way to hide his eyes, moving towards the tiller while he let the door to self shut.

Rongar looked up when he heard the door closure, and smiled warmly at the sight of his captain.

"Morning, Rongar." Sinbad relieved as he gave his back to the sun.

The moor nodded with a smile.

"Long shift, huh? Do you want to take some rest?"

Rongar shook his head closing his eyes to say no, then he made some signs with his right hand while his left still holding the tiller steadily.

Sinbad raised his eyebrows "Oh yeah, I forgot. Your shift is partially at night and is completed in the morning. But I still can relieve you for a while, my friend."

Rongar shook his head again and put his right hand on his chest while smiling. It was his way to express his gratitude.

"Well, as you like. Anyway, you sent Amin to wake me up, thank you" Sinbad smiled in appreciation "And you have no idea how it was the right time" he added in his mind.

At this moment, Firouz approached his friends smiling "Morning guys, it's very hot today. Oh Sinbad, by the way it's only a couple of hours to reach Basra."

"Great, our timing is just perfect this time." Sinbad smiled

"You mean in delivering the cargo? Aye, indeed. The weather helped us a lot this time; it's too hot but still we have this hot wind filling the sails enough to have smooth sailing. I think we were lucky."

"Agree with you." replied the captain as he nodded his head.

"By the way captain, what exactly is your plan after delivering this cargo? I mean what will we do next?"

Sinbad opened his mouth to reply just to be interrupted by the answer. "Don't start it Firouz. Don't ask him that." They turned around to only meet an obviously annoyed Doubar and a warmly smiling Bryn with Dermott perching on her left arm as usual.

"Good morning guys." Bryn's smile enlarged friendly.

After they replied her Firouz couldn't keep his curiosity "What did you mean Doubar?"

"Our captain is seriously thinking about leaving Basra once we deliver our current cargo, just to get another one from… SAMARKAND back to Basra."

Sinbad rolled his eyes, while Dermott left Bryn's arm to stretch his wings in the sky. Bryn just followed him with her eyes.

"Samarkand! Really Sinbad, are we going there? That is….. AMAZING. I wanted to visit it long time ago; it was my dream since I was a kid. Fantastic!"

"Firouz!" Doubar stared at him in disbelief, while both Sinbad and Rongar exchanged the gazes; and a ghost of smile appeared in Rongar's eyes while raising his eyebrow, which made Sinbad fought his own smile from showing up.

"No Doubar, you don't understand. Samarkand is well known by its great and special architecture arts, it's one of the most remarkable architecture centers in the world,,, there you'll find the Registan, one of the most relevant examples of the Arabian architecture. It consists of three separate buildings: Madrasa of Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor Madrasah that is called Lions Gate, and Tilya-Kori Madrasah as well as Shah-i-Zinda necropolis and more,,, not to mention that it's considered one of the amazing hubs for scholarly study as well, that's why I wanted to visit it in the first place but never had a chance,, also Samarkand is well known by carpet trading. Point of fact its name is derived from the Old Persian asmara that means stone... or rock, and Sogdian kand meaning town. And after Alexander the Great conquered it the Greeks named it Maracanda, as …"

"Firouz, Stop! I have no intention to know anything about Samarkand history or its geography, nor am I interested in your dreams."

The scientist shook his head in disbelief and sighed,, but soon enough he regained excitation as he directed his attention to his captain again: "But Sinbad, that means that we'll take the Silk Road, I guess."

"I think so." Sinbad nodded

"Perfect, the Silk Road is in fact a trade route made by a network linking many trade routes across the world, and links China to the Western trade world. So many traders used it and still use it like the Indian, the Sogdian traders, as well as the Arabian and Persian traders. It still is an essential effective factor in the development of different civilizations like China, India, Persia, Arabia and others, because it wasn't only the goods that had been traded but also knowledge, sciences and philosophy, and also sometimes diseases like Black Death. Point of fact it's got its name from the famous profitable Chinese silk trade along it and …"

"FIROUZ, enough NOW." Doubar shouted. This time neither Sinbad nor Rongar could keep it anymore, they simply burst in laughter. Sinbad looked to Bryn only to be surprised by her faint smile. That was unusual, he expected her to share their laugh as she did usually but she didn't this time. She seemed to be worried… or thoughtful.

"Is it only me who is complaining here? We are too exhausted from the travel from Halab to here. We need at least some rest before making such a long journey."

"Well, I agree with you Doubar. No one can deny this journey being so exhausting, we all are tired and need some rest. But in the same time you can't blame me for it. Look at yourself big brother, you look very tired yet you wake up so early after a long night shift. Why didn't you let your body get some rest?"

"Oh, now are you blaming me little brother? Well, I couldn't get any sleep in this horrible weather. I nearly got the feeling that I was boiling last night, my blood almost popped out of my veins. Now how am I supposed to sleep? So don't anyone dare and blame me."

"Well, I can blame you Doubar." Firouz started only to get a killing stare from the first mate, so he quickly added "I mean if you only give yourself a chance to try my relaxation tub for only fifteen minutes before going to bed, then you could have slept very well."

"Now, you stop babbling about your weird inventions, Firouz. I'm really not in the mood for hearing about any of them, ESPECIALLY NOW. And don't BLAME ME; after all you aren't the one who spent the whole night holding the tiller."

"Ok, come on guys, take it easy." Sinbad intervened quickly as he realized where this conversation is seriously heading now; his brother seemed to be seriously out of mood this morning. This only proved how bad his night was, but obviously Firouz wouldn't understand it when you start to blame him. "I know this hot weather has really bad effect on all of us, but it's only an hour and we'll reach the port. Then you will be able to get the kind of relaxation you seek for, once we head to the tavern…"

"Or may Omar will offer us the hospitality, at least to spend the night at his palace." added Doubar hopefully.

"Don't raise your hopes Doubar, we still don't know if he is already there." As he replied Sinbad looked at Bryn who seemed not even listening to any of their conversation. "It looks like it is not only Doubar who is not in the mood this morning." He thought. "Bryn, what is it? Are you ok?"

"Huh?! Oh… yeah, sure. Err … nothing."

"No, really. There is something bothering you, what is it?"

"Oh, no. Now don't start it again, Bryn."

Bryn frowned a little as she tried to focus more on this discussion. She looked questioningly at Doubar "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you know these 'bad-feeling-about-this-place' and 'feeling-evil-presence' things. Please Bryn, I just want to enjoy being on land for once without any trouble."

Bryn smiled absently "Don't worry Doubar; it's none of those two."

Sinbad felt her uneasiness now and doubted that she wanted to talk in front of everyone. "Well, why don't you guys get back to work?" he said "Firouz, Doubar go check on the cargo and get the ship ready for entering the port. Rongar if your shift is over, go and get some rest before reaching Basra. I'll need you there. Don't worry I'll take the tiller."

"Aye, aye captain."

Once everyone went to their duties, Sinbad talked to Bryn in lower voice now "Bryn wait, let's talk."

"Talk about what?"

"I want to tell you we'll pay a visit to an old friend of ours in Basra. In fact I want you –especially you- to meet her; however you still don't know her till now."

"Why? Why me? And who is she?"

"She is an old wise woman, a sorceress with great knowledge. Her name is Caipra and she is Dim-Dim's wife."

"That means she is very trustful." Bryn smiled "Well, sure I'm so interested to meet her. She may tell me how I can control my powers." She added hopefully.

"That wasn't the only reason I was thinking about. Actually I thought lately why we won't try to ask her if she can help you restore your memory, of course if you don't mind."

"Oh, can she do that?! Of course, how can I mind Sinbad; that sounds great indeed."

"You don't seem to be happy as your words show it."

"No, I'm really excited about this. It's just… I don't want to be very hopeful, let's ask her first if she can do it."

"Sure." He replied quietly, then added in a caring tone "But is that all? Bryn you're not even listening to our talk. I know you very well now, and I know when you're worried. Now tell me what is it?"

She sighed "It's weird."

"Try me." He smiled to her in encouragement.

"Well, in that case… it's just … well, it's hard to explain it but I feel like something bad had happened, ... Or will happen. I'm not sure."

"So Doubar was right." Sinbad tried to tease her.

"No, it's not like that" Bryn tried to focus "It's nothing bad about Basra or the people there. I mean nothing will happen to all of them at least, I think it's only one person." She waited for a while before completing "Like someone is in trouble and needs help."

At that moment Sinbad blinked as his face turned stern and pale.

"Anyway, it is a faint feeling. I can't detect its source exactly." Bryn added without noticing Sinbad's sudden change. "May be it's just me. You said it yourself; hot weather affected all of us badly." She waited for a moment then turned her gaze to the sky, her eyes searching in obvious worry "Or may be it's just Dermott."

The young captain restored his mood when caught her last comment. He gulped and asked in frown "What about him?"

"Err, nothing really important. But I just don't like it when he leaves us and reaches to a place before us like that."

"You mean he precedes us to Basra? Why?"

"Seriously I don't know the real reason behind this, he never tells me. But it's his habit; every time we come to Basra he precedes us there." She looked around nervously.

Sinbad thought about it. "You never told me about that before."

"You didn't ask, besides Basra is a familiar city to us and safe place as well. I mean crowded and people there are familiar too. Even if sometimes they don't look so friendly –like the last time- but that was occasional and still there is no danger for him."

"If so, why are you worried about him?" Sinbad smiled mischievously "Bryn, are you jealous?" he asked in a fake innocence.

"What! Jealous?! Me? Are you kidding Sinbad? Why would I ever be like that? Of course not." She shrugged her shoulders looking to the other side.

A familiarly wave hit the captain for a second, but he drew it aside as he focused on his friend now.

"Well, I didn't mean real jealousy. But look at yourself, I mean you don't want him to go anywhere without you being with him."

"And why don't you call it 'being protective'?"

"Because you already know just like me that he is not an ordinary hawk. He's unusually smart and will never get himself into trouble. In fact he never did but once…" he added the last words in whisper as he remembered when Rumina's guards caught Dermott while he was searching for him after Maeve's request.

Bryn who didn't notice all of his words just sighed and replied in absent voice "Aye ….unusual."

His friend words and her tone brought him back to reality just to realize her mind-absent state. Sinbad bent towards her a little so that his face became closer to her as his eyes stared directly and deeply into her eyes while his gaze showed so much teasing and a mischievous smile was playing on his face.

"Hey, what? Stop it, ok? You know that we both –Dermott and I- share this bond since I started to take care of him. We became very, VERY close friends."

When Sinbad raised his eyebrow while restoring back his position, she sighed adding "Ok, I admit it; I love him so much that I can't now imagine my life without him. You know what I mean, right?"

At that Sinbad just smiled warmly "Aye, I know. Don't worry, he is a big birdie you know; and won't get himself into any trouble."

"I hope so, I hope so." She replied as she started to walk away to find anything to do that may keep her busy from worrying about Dermott, leaving her captain alone with his own thoughts.

 

4: The Stranger

~The Stranger~

Dermott flew high moving in sinuosity as an attempt to avoid the burning rays of the sun. It was really a very hot day, though there still was a lot of wind which wasn't improving the weather any way. Strangely it was a very hot yet strong wind which could fill the sails enough to lead the Nomad to make its way in a proper speed, as it was gliding smoothly on the water surface. But still this hot draft was unbearable as it was hitting his little body like a dozen of whips.

Dermott cursed deep inside when he felt there was no way to avoid this burning, but he couldn't help himself. He was in need to spread his wings and stretch his muscles. Not to mention that he didn't like how the discussion between his friends was heading to.

This morning Doubar seemed to be in his worst mood ever, he felt it from the first sight. Well, he couldn't blame him as he already knew how bad could be his night after a long night shift and being not able to sleep properly in this intolerable heat as well; but it's just that his tubby friend's mood would affect his too. Thus he preferred to get away for a while until his mate's mood got improved.

Before leaving, he felt Bryn's hidden annoyance of his sudden departure, something that pleased him in a way. She tried to hide it as she let the little thread -that was tied to his feet- go free, but it was well shown in her eyes. Her gaze held a mixture of emotions he couldn't miss; her worry, her fear about him getting hurt in any way,,, even jealousy… yeah he knew.

He was sure that she never get upset of him flying around, but it only happened when he went far away from the crew like the little times he preceded to Basra before the ship even reach the port of the old city. The little brunette got worried about him for unexplained reasons to her yet well known to him. She reminded him of the good old days, those blessed days that he still couldn't share their memories with her yet.

But his interest to get to Basra as soon as he could each time they arrived to it was deriving from his concern about his red headed sister. Yeah, every time he was preceding there he headed to Caipra's house to meet the old woman in a hope that she might have news about his twin.

Long time ago, after Maeve was washed overboard and the realization that she was safe with her master, Dermott figured out that the old sorceress might have a way to contact her husband or at least he was the one who was in touch with her in a certain regular way. So he could have some contentment about his sister as well.

And through the past year, every time Dim-Dim contacted in a way or another the crew or one of his friends, this thought was growing more inside him, why on earth wouldn't he reassure his wife if he already could reach other people ?

Dermott was dying from inquietude about his sister. In spite of knowing she was safe with Dim-Dim and he trusted the old sorcerer words, not to mention his confidence in Maeve's ability to take care of herself, he still didn't like how she was separated from him in a way he even couldn't know her news.

All these thoughts and Bryn had no idea about any of them as he kept them from her. However she felt all his anxiety, his solicitude and his yearning feelings without being able to put her hand on the reasons behind them. She tried to ask him once but he evaded from her, since then she knew he didn't want to share his secret and thoughts with anyone, thus she respected his reticence.

On the other side, he was aware about his brunette guardian thoughts towards this issue, but had no possible way enabling him to tell her the truth with frankness, at least not now. He appreciated her respect to his secrecy and relieved by her patience because if she insisted he would be forced to tell her about everything. Whereas the time of revealing the truth to her had not come yet, though she wasn't ready till this moment.

He could witness the progress she achieved through this year she spent on Nomad with the crew but he wasn't sure when exactly is the right time to put an end to her confusion. He was looking forward to this moment even more than her, but how could he confront her with the truth in such circumstances?

At first he was depending on Maeve's presence, but now that he became alone he felt he couldn't do it on his own. He was still anxious about her –not that she is not stronger now, as he knew Bryn was always that strong person you could always depend on; along with her fascinating determination it was the real seed of admiration he felt for her- but he just couldn't keep himself from worrying about her reaction after such confrontation.

That was so natural feeling of a man who deeply cared for … for someone.

As a result of the long time knowing and dealing with her he got enough experience to let him get inside her heart and soul not only her mind. He now became aware of her emotions without her sharing them, aware of every thought of hers without her spelling it out loud, of every word that leapt in her mouth before she pronounced it, of every reaction she intended to do before she even realized that she want to do it.

And through all of this, it was much easier now that he could admit with great relief that she had now completed her recovery at last. Also, during all the time they spent together on Nomad, he could say that they got closer to each other again, which pleased him greatly.

Sometimes her care was transformed a little bit to jealousy in those last months. That was what relieved him further on, giving him some hope. However this closeness sometimes worried him when he became –some days- desperate of returning back to the one he used to be.

Thinking of the only one who could help him was now gone, he even didn't know where exactly she was, in the same time of having back the brunette with a lost memory that may burst back in any moment; all of these made him ponder about the great damages that could happen to Bryn and her reactions if she knew the truth.

No, she shouldn't remember her past for now, at least not all of it for her sake; and thus she should not get these feeling towards him in any possible way. Those same feelings could hurt her more than she could realize and he won't let anything hurt her again, never, even if it was himself, or his feelings … for her sake.

~.~.~.~.~

In that moment, and while all these thoughts mixed with his conflicting emotions fighting back between his heart and mind, Dermott realized that eventually he reached the port of squawked as he flew in the sky; his eyes were scanning the harbor surface carefully, when suddenly he received some big gulp disturbing his heart beats.

As a result he lowered down his flying level so that he almost reached the water surface, only to get back his balance in the exact right time and return back to fly highly restoring his favorite level in flight.

For seconds he couldn't put his hand on what was it exactly, but then recognized a familiar presence… very familiar! A presence that he had missed for more than a year now … It couldn't be, could it?

Is she back finally?

He squawked again joyfully in the air while wondering what would be his captain's reaction towards this wonderful surprise.

But something wrong hit his happiness as he figured out that her presence or might he say her aura he used to sense from a long distance was … too weak !

Now his heart beats returned to be heavier again as the anxiety was devouring his soul. It was when he felt he was somehow watched!

Returning his attention back to the surroundings his eyes fell on a figure standing there on the pier and staring at him. Furthermore; Dermott realized the figure was in fact for a lady and she was switching her gaze between him and something behind him.

He made a complete turn to catch what the stranger was interested in; only to find a very small and distant dot in the open sea, in which he recognized the ship he just came from.

~.~.~.~.~

Now that was really interesting, that lady seemed to know where he came from and was watching him for a while now, it could even be from the beginning. What made it odder that she was like waiting for him and Nomad with patience, expecting somehow their arrival. He approached her more to discover who she might be.

Standing there with what seemed to be determination shining from her grey almond eyes, she was hidden in a large dark desert cloak that enwrapped her slender body and added quite some mystery to her looks. Only a few wisps appeared from beneath the hood and, tickled by the hot air's breath, declared her possession of vivid dark brown hair framing her beautiful pale face.

It was this face which, along with her left hand that held back the cloak from detaching at her right upper chest, proved she wasn't from the eastern cities.

Her whole appearance was a mixture of beauty and mystery. The desert mantle was contrasting with her western features and it had Dermott wonder who she could be and what she might want from the crew. Close to her he perched on one of the pillars that formed the wooden wall of the pier and tried to gain her full attention. She stared at him for a moment, and then smiled.

"So it's true, you're Dermott – just as I guessed."

The little hawk shifted on his spot in increasing confusion. He wished he would be able to voice his queries, but all he could do was flap his wings and give a low squawk.

Oddly enough she responded to this gesture as she seemed to read his thoughts.

"Don't you worry", she spoke calmly, "I mean you no harm. I'm just a messenger sent to captain Sinbad -your captain- from an old friend."

Dermott stared and thought, truth be said he didn't feel neither evil nor discomfort at her sight which made him calm down a little with her words.

"I came to wait for your captain to deliver him an urgent message from Caipra." She continued calmly "She wants him to give up everything for this moment once he gets on land; and to head directly to her house with his whole crew."

Now the anxiety inside him had revived again and reached its maximum. So what he felt was real, Maeve was back and very weak. Yes, he could feel his twin.

"Don't bother yourself about returning back to the ship to tell them, it's my mission; as it's also mine to tell you. Caipra told me you'll precede them to here and will head directly for her, but in case of meeting you I've to tell you can go to her now."

She was talking with a warm smile that showed her dimples. Caipra also told her that Dermott was unusual hawk who would understand all her words. Though she couldn't imagine that it'd be an absolute truth but Caipra was trustful wise woman of knowledge; and after all she –the young lady- was only a messenger so she did just as she was told.

In the other side, Dermott was now sure that something wrong got his sister and he couldn't really wait more anymore. He had to go right now, but also he wouldn't leave without making sure that Sinbad wouldn't be late for any moment once he arrived to the port. He was afraid Sinbad would miss the messenger, or wouldn't take her words seriously; however the message coming from Caipra wouldn't let that happen but instead of it would catch the young captain's attention instantly- but just in case.

He instantly searched for Bryn's power to catch and her mind to contact. Once he found them, he held on them and reflected the young lady images towards Bryn's mind with some of her words for him. That's all he could do for now.

The brown hawk flew up again in his way towards the old sorceress house, with the young stranger's gaze following him with both amazement and admiration shining in her eyes. "Caipra was right! He got the message. This birdie is really unusual."

Then she turned her attention again to the ship that was advancing now in the open sea towards the port, its features becoming now clearer than only a dot.

~.~.~.~.~

Back on Nomad, Bryn was in the galley registering what Firouz was counting to assess their needs of the supply that they should get from Basra market before their departure again. That was when Dermott contacted her by his usual way: sending pictures that sometimes were accompanied by some words. This time she got images of the stranger who was waiting patiently for them in the port. Getting a good view of her and her obvious interest on Nomad Bryn could hear her words too "Don't you worry from me …." "…. I came to wait for your captain …."

Although the few words the brunette of Nomad caught from the previous conversation weren't complete nor so clear but she got the main idea. There was a young lady waiting for them in Basra and need their help.

The young sorceress excused from Firouz and went to search for Sinbad only to find him still holding the tiller.

"Hey, how are you doing now? Feeling any better?" he smiled at her sight.

"Much better." She lied then added quickly before he caught it with his piercing blue gaze inside her soul "Dermott told me that there is someone waiting for us in the port."

"Someone … Who?"

"I have no idea, but she is a young lady. And I already had a good view of her that Dermott sent to me, so I can recognize her once we arrive."

"What does she want exactly? Some business?"

"No idea either, sorry. All I know that she is waiting for us, that's all."

Sinbad nodded "Well, I guess we won't wonder for much longer. It's less than an hour to reach the port. I already can see it from here."

Bryn just replied with a smile, while her mind drifted again to Dermott. She didn't tell Sinbad the truth that her feeling was growing worse; and that at certain point it brought her thoughts back to her feathered friend, she didn't know why. May be it's related to him in a certain way; this thought terrified her. No, it couldn't be. He was safe; he had just contacted her moments ago so he was safe.

As Sinbad got busy from her, giving orders to the other crew-mates, Bryn lost her gaze in the upcoming sight of the old city. Sinbad was right, she wouldn't wonder for longer now.

It was only a matter of minutes.

~.~.~

A/n: As you all can see here, i just introduced my first OC ... The Stranger! I hope so much that you like her!

Yup, yup she is the girl who appears in the Cover picture, between Sinbad & Caipra (,")

More about her will be revealed further on during the story events,, but she'll still till the end of this current part... just The Stranger! ;)

 

5: Unexpected meeting

~Unexpected meeting~

 

The hot air was still blowing at the remaining unwrapped sheets of the mast as the Nomad crew was still preparing their ship after the moorage and dropping the anchor while some started to bring the cargo up on deck. The captain was following the scenery by his silent gaze as his first mate was giving them orders, Firouz was checking the cargo's safety while bringing it on the deck and Rongar simply helped them.

A satisfied smile appeared on Sinbad lips, his crew was just doing fine and there was nothing to worry about. He could close his eyes and breathe deeply; they didn't need him to accomplish their duties. All he needed to do now was only –as a captain- to meet the merchant to whom he brought this cargo and to get his payment.

His gaze shifted to Bryn who was searching the whole pier by her eyes and wasn't paying attention to the cargo preparation. He then remembered, she was looking for the lady who was supposed to be waiting for them right now on the port; that was what Dermott informed her.

He approached her gently trying not to disturb her as he felt her bad mood this morning. Despite her best attempts to hide it Sinbad knew her well by now to feel her discomfort, but he didn't want to press on the subject in respect to her wish.

In an interested and gentle tone he asked "Did you find her?"

Bryn didn't reply directly but slightly frowned as she kept searching and before she answered her eyes brightened a little. Sinbad understood that she caught the lady's sight; he turned his own gaze in the same direction to where her look became steady.

The port was surprisingly crowded in this mid-day, perhaps he didn't expect it due to the heat but it seemed that it didn't prevent the people from their business. But then he heard his companion's voice "She is there, the one with the desert coat coming in our direction."

His blue eyes then caught her and his right brow raised as he watched the strange beauty approaching them. Something about her really attracted his attention, but he couldn't put his hand on what exactly it is. She was one beauty really but she wasn't the first he met.

However something related to her charm was invading his soul with calmness and peace. Weird! And her over whole look was radiating with enough mystery that blew up his curiosity. The side of his lips curved silently in a grin, he loved mystery.

Now this truly seemed interesting.

Sinbad suddenly felt piercing eyes lingering on him; he turned his gaze quickly to find a raised eyebrow Bryn, eyeing him with this challenging sarcastic look which he knew well by now; as if she read his thoughts. Feeling discomfort he gulped and readily switched his eyes between the two ladies with a distressed smirk. "What? ... I was wondering what she may seek from us!"

Bryn gave him a ghostly nixing smile and after an intensified look of "I know exactly what you were wondering about." She turned back to the lady direction silently, not wanting to tease her captain more and to affect his mood. Not him too, enough bad mood for today. "What will we do now?"

"Well, we won't wait for her to come to us. It's not urbane, is it?" with one of his killing sided smiles and teasing look he jumped across the edge onto the pier. Bryn couldn't keep herself from giggling this time. In spite of him not seeing her she breathed deeply and whispered "you'll never change, now will you?" She knew he was kidding but she always liked his teasing air and his humorous nature.

She simply followed him.

It seemed that the stranger figured out they were heading to her thus she stopped briefly. They were almost there and she nicked this chance to get a better look to the famous master of the seven seas then her gaze shifted to the little brunette who accompanied him. "She is a witch. That's obvious." The stranger smiled quietly.

Finally they reached her and Sinbad was the first to react "Hey,…. I think there is no need to introduce ourselves, you seem to know us … err well." she simply smiled at this as he continued "You seek after us, we know that. Now what's it all about?"

"So he told you, Dermott?" Bryn and Sinbad exchanged their gazes. "She knows his name!" Bryn wondered with a little frown.

"Aye, he informed us that you're waiting specifically for us but nothing more." Sinbad replied then joined Bryn's frown, narrowing his eyes as he noticed the stranger's eyes brighten at this whispering "How impressive!" She then added seriously with a clear higher voice "That helps a lot as we don't have much time."

"Why don't we start with your name, my lady?" smirking, Sinbad shifted in his pause.

"No introduction is needed, captain. We are running out of time."

Again, both the captain and his brunette companion exchanged glances but this time with a flash of worry filled their souls and showed on their features. Sinbad's posture tensed a little as seriousness appeared in his eyes.

Confusion was what this stranger's mystery provided him and his instincts didn't much like the situation in spite of the easiness he felt towards the unknown lady in front of him, but something radiating from her words that didn't just felt right… something raised his alert instantly to its maximum; something smelt like trouble!

And before he voiced his query the answer hit him without warning "It's Caipra. She sent me to acknowledge you that she is waiting for you, and expects your visit once you step on the port with no more delay. Abandon everything and get your crew instantly to her house, now."

With that the captain tensed severely and his heart's beating accelerated madly after what seemed to be an unexpected shock attacked his heart. He felt his muscles tighten to that level of instant full paralysis. After a moment that was for him as if the entire life stopped completely and the whole surrounding had frozen, he gulped soundly dragging his dazed gaze back to reality and to the lady with a deep focus in an attempt to ensure that she really Existed!

Without turning his pale stony face to Bryn his hoarse yet faint voice reached the brunette as a whisper "You heard her, Bryn. Tell Doubar to leave everything including the cargo to Hassan and Said to deliver and get the others immediately."

Bryn felt his uneasiness from the start and her feeling was confirmed when she sensed his severe tensed tone which in fact scared her intensely. She couldn't imagine what on Earth might provoke this to Sinbad and she just didn't dare to try to, while watching her captain and dearest friend for the first time -since she knew him- in such state.

Silently she changed her worried glance in-between the stranger and him whose chest was moving madly with a very heavy breath.

"Aye." She simply addressed him -before heading to perform his orders- trying to put in it all the comfort and calmness as much as she could in a hope they might reach her friend's soul and calming him down.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~

As the old house's sight started to appear from a distance to the crew, Sinbad's mind was already saturated with frightening thoughts and doubts that were nearly killing him whereas his heart was still –for no obvious reason- grasped, pumping out its heavy beats.

Was really this meeting related to what he was witnessing the past weeks? Did Caipra's insisting desire to see him have something to do with Maeve? Did it mean that Maeve was in serious trouble? Or did it only mean that the old mage knew about his nightmare and was concerned to solve this mystery to him, saving him from further suffering?

That was what she does, knows things, right? ... it seemed reasonable to him!

However –if so- why did she urgently demand the attendee of the whole crew?

So many tantalized thoughts were struggling back in an agonized battle through his head crushing his heart deeply and almost lead to his lunacy if the group didn't reach the indigent door at this instant.

Once the young hooded woman got there, she swirled around to face the confused crew, gazing at them for an instant before retreating to their side letting them to face the old door.

Sinbad grasped that it was a silent invitation to go in, with an obvious message defining that they were on their own now… her mission was accomplished!

He advanced tardily with steps hulked by angst as his mind flashed to him her gaze before shifting aside… it wasn't hard on the young captain to notice her swift supporting glance, as if she tried to comfort them about some bad news they were close to receive!

With this, his heart sank with certainty and his prior feelings were confirmed!

Diving in his realization, all of a sudden, the door was opened by itself startling him. His eyebrows boosted while his frozen fist still lifted in the air -aimed to knock previously-, a gasp slipped unconsciously from him and he remained quiescent like that for another moment until his brother's voice reached him "Sinbad? ..."

Doubar, who sensed his brother's change since the hooded stranger delivered them the message, started to worry about his younger sibling earnestly.

Anxious, he frowned as he watched his brother's unmindful errant state and his quite hesitation to enter. If he didn't really know him he would tell that it was fear, what his little brother was assisting.

"Go on captain. She is waiting inside for you. Don't waste more time…" was a soft whisper coming the young messenger echoed warmly through the small distance separating her from the crew. As Firouz and Rongar exchanged anxious gander, the first shifted slightly in his stand with discomfort.

Sinbad sensed the new friend's trial to solace him, a gesture that's very appreciative from her side –he thought. However her last words unintentionally worsen his state.

Slowly, a huge wave of calmness crushed his soul as a tender yet firm touch rested on his shoulder.

Even before swiveling his head to meet a pair of sweet dark brown eyes radiating with determination and reassurance, giving him back some of his poise, he knew it was Bryn –his best friend!

What he didn't realize due to his exhausted mind that she was the first who caught his sudden clouded distress; and through the whole way to Caipra those feelings were growing insanely without her knowing the reason.

She wished if only she could get a chance to relieve her dear friend from whatever his shoulders were loaded with.

As he started to accept the unexplained analgesic calmness gifted from the brunette fellow, Sinbad took few steps into the old house in rebate and bravery. His crew just followed his move, eager to get rid of this electric atmosphere.

No one noticed as the new lady swiftly entered the building in their tail and headed to a room in the dark right corner without a second thought about the tensed awkward situation behind her.

There, in the left side of the hall, the old mage's figure was standing in patience. Her back to them, she was resting her right duke on a nearby table while her left was holding something that they couldn't make out.

Her gaze was focused randomly on the wall, mind-absented, but their steps brought back her attention. With a deep sigh she whirled around to face them, granting a dithered little smile which couldn't trick any of them.

Her features showed considerable exhaustion that she was trying hard to hide by keeping her usual firm posture. Her sigh caught the four men out of their guard; they could only guess how urgent the case was. Caipra was a person who perfectly held back her inner feelings whatever the danger being.

From her side, Bryn's eagerness became ripe at the sight of the other sorceress. During all the way to the latter she couldn't stop herself from feeling the massive aura that was growing progressively with each step toward the house, which fed her curiosity even further. However this was mingled with other mixtures that confused her. A faint presence could be easily sensed in accompany of the strong magic which she dedicated it was Caipra's. And it wasn't for an untrained sorceress to feel it, but this dim aura was consolidated with an insistent help request that magnified it enough to be noticed. This didn't help Bryn's mood within the quandary that misted over the crew. To make it even worse, Dermott's absence and her worries about him wasn't really helping!

After heavy mute moments, the old lady's voice started to echo through the room's space. "Welcome back, captain." Her proud voice sounded oddly mismatching with her look. "It has been a long time since…"

"Where is Maeve?" Sinbad cut her abruptly. "What happened to her?"

Three pairs of eyes widen at that and gasps escaped as all glared to the captain, whose eyes met Caipra's all of a sudden.

"Then, it was true! He was informed… he had that cue!" a flashed thought whispered inside the sage.

"What are you talking about, little brother? You…"

"Okay. Calm down, everyone!" Caipra's sharp voice echoed in the hall, regaining its usual firm tone and cutting all ways for anyone to interrupt. "Sinbad is right." She addressed the referred man "Whatever feelings you got, whatever vision you had.. They're all true."

Sinbad slammed his eyes shut tightly as he clenched his fists, never paying attention that they started to bleed.

He knew it! He knew it!

"Vision?!" Doubar whispered. Confused, the crew conveyed their gazes between their captain and their wise friend.

"Now, I seriously recommend that all of you try to hold control on your temper as much as you can…" Caipra instructed

Sinbad's eyes fluttered open as his hard voice came out throaty. "Where is she?"

"Sinbad, we don't have much time for the impulsive feelings." Her voice softened a bit while addressing him, yet still serious; but when she saw him proceeded to protest she resumed quickly "I know that my words may sound as hard to you but we really are running out of time, son. You have to clear your mind, to focus on your reasoning instead, and put your feelings aside for a while… for her sake. She needs you to hold firmly your temper to be able to truly help her."

A cold grip squeezed his heart as he sensed what was beyond her words.

"Are we late?" was a faint whisper that slipped from his mouth and merely was heard by the others as his oceanic eyes mirrored pain beyond any human linguistic arts, while tears shimmering in them.

The crew panicked as they watched him struggling his ache. They were still under the shock of the bad news concerning their dear friend who was absent for a long time now.

Bryn felt her heart ached vigorously for what she received from her captain's torture and what she was feeling for him in this moment! She never witnessed him in such dreadful and vulnerable state.

"Almost not.", a fact that was spelled out in resolution and made everyone holding their breaths. All but one!

Sinbad let out a deep sigh, slacking his eyelids in relief as a sizzle overwhelming his inside "Thanks Allah! She is alive. I still have a chance, still there is a hope.."

"Now, may all of you have the seats." The ordering tone of Caipra derived their attention back to her as she started to sit down herself. "It may already take an hour to just make things… clear. And we don't want to lose much more than that."

Silently, they did as she commanded, when –for the first time since they entered her house- they sensed some figure's presence other than the sage. They only noticed him when he shifted to take a seat with them.

Their eyes widen in a surprise at the sight of the silent unexpected presence.

Sinbad murmured "Tetsu!"

~.~.~

6: The Attack

~The Attack~

 

The Ronin was already feeling discomfort as he witnessed the awkward situation in which his friends were diving, especially Sinbad. That's why he couldn't announce his presence once they arrived.

The air was just very laden and frustrating and he felt their panic! And he already felt awful when Caipra delivered him the terse bad news; and pain touched him as he saw the Arabian captain's reaction over them.

"Hey, my friend…" Tetsu's eyes showed much more words than his mere mumble, but Sinbad caught them easily at first sight with his friend's gaze.

Doubar started "But.. What are you doing here?.." which Firouz heeled with a "More importantly, how did you get.."

"I sent after him to attend our meeting." Caipra cut their queries tensely "We were lucky to find him nearby though!"

That seemed to raise their curiosity more to which she responded instantly "We need all of your powers… all of your efforts. Including the bracelets' power itself."

The gazes shifted then to settle on the three bracelets. Sinbad and Tetsu, each touched his simultaneously while Bryn just lifted her left arm pondering hers.

Sea eyes then searched those of Tetsu to which he responded sincerely "I don't know about this!... Actually I still know nothing!"

"That's true indeed. Now, would you PLEASE allow me your attention and let me start!"

Eventually, as she got the silent approval from everyone, Caipra took a deep breath before starting:

"You all know – as my husband told you- that he brought Maeve to the realm he was kept in, intending to keep her safe from any dark attack. It all went perfectly and Maeve practiced her magic efficiently, almost mastered her knowledge and leveled up in her studies.

"To sum it up, she did just great and everything was going as we planned for. We almost reach a way to break the spell cast on Dimdim to free him from that realm getting both of them back!

"This way required an enormous power to be achieved, even exceeding Dimdim's powers. Thus we planned to combine all of ours: with Dimdim's and Maeve's united magic from inside the realm and mine from the outside we could be able to create a considerable damage in the spell; and eventually, we could break it wholly.

"By this, everything went just perfect until.." She halted to take her breath but Sinbad urged her "Until what?"

His impatience brought him a silent reproaching glare from the wise mage although she kept on:

"We were preparing our plan carefully, and my faithful husband had cast a long-term spell two months ago. A spell that is needed to pave the way to our plan, yet it affected him as well. I can't say it weakens him but.. Well, as much as it still works it consumes a part of his energy.

"But we never get the chance to put our plan into action! For what happened just before taking the sequent steps… Dimdim and Maeve were attacked…"

Sinbad frowned in sensual tension while Doubar couldn't keep his rage from blasting anymore. The older sailor shouted as he jumped from his seat "What? Attacked? Who dares to do it?"

"But.. By whom?" anxiety shadowed Firouz' features and voice.

"Calm down. Remember, I asked you to control your temper. We won't go anywhere by this way!" Caipra waited till everyone had reluctantly held still, yet nervosity was still filling the air.

"The attack was surprisingly very well prepared! It seems that we weren't the only ones spending all the past time in good planning. It was a union of some good old enemies!.. Rumina, Scratch and…" She stopped as she was alarmed by Sinbad's fiery features!

Grinding his teeth and clutching his fists, he hissed "Rumina… Scratch!" A glimpse to the hatred radiated from his mad eyes caused the old sorceress genuinely to pity him but she tried her best to hide it. Meanwhile Sinbad didn't realize he was biting the inner of his lips or sensed the blood in his mouth.

Caipra then sensed he was exerting much effort to control his anger or at least -ineffectively- to hide it. However her attention was drawn back when -for the first time during their meeting– the sweet yet strong voice of the little brunette witch softly echoed in the room: " Scratch?! The demon of the flies? But he is dead… we witnessed his death when…"

"I know about your last encounter with him, and I know as well that you all were rescued by a kind of a miracle from his trap. Thanks to your captain's strong heart." Her eyes reposed on those deep blue ones which reflected much confusion as she went on "Unfortunately, he was not killed back there. In fact there is no direct easy way to get rid of him totally. What happened back then was kind of hurting him to that extent that enabled you to escape from his grip but not to the one to kill him. It was just like what happened in your first encounter. The power of magic used in each case was just enough to hold him off away from you for a very good interval of time which you had witnessed yourselves as he stopped from appearing for a long time before re-attack again."

The apprehensive silence dominated on the place after her words that led them to reason the facts she was telling.

Firouz was the first to react after his fast reasoning: "But what gather them together?.. I mean Rumina and Scratch! And… wait a minute; we killed Rumina by the Griffon Egg! Point of fact, she is not a demon. I mean her case is quite different, after all she is still just a human using magic."

Firouz looked around hopefully expecting the others were reasoning his mind but all he got was puzzled gazes staring at him! He sighed turning back to the old mage for support.

Caipra could have answered him instantly if she wasn't waiting for his Captain to reply instead. However, only receiving the angry silence when Sinbad slammed his eyes shut bitterly at the distant memory, she decided to relieve him and took the burden.

"Indeed, son. In spite of all her power and dark knowledge she still is human. Truth is she didn't die that day.." The first mate frowned as he listened to the new declaration, whereas Rongar's body tensed at it. Firouz looked shocked "She.. Didn't?! But we.."

"Yes Firouz, she didn't. At the time of the explosion she had left already, but the reaction Maeve told you about took place indeed and caused enough damage to the witch. At least, she lost most of her powers then, that's why she didn't show up for a good while. No one can deny her the prudence though; she fled just in time using all her remained energy. And all the past year she stayed far enough to plan for her revenge and regain her lost power as well. Her evil plan was mainly to attack both Maeve and Dimdim; specifically the first as she acquainted through it she would get two birds instead of one… Maeve and Sinbad via one strike."

She waited again to let them take in the whole thing then she went on "The real surprise here isn't any of the two villains; actually it's more than just that. What you still don't know and didn't let me finish to inform you that.. Turok is alive as well."

With that, the air suddenly felt heavier saturated with disbelief and astonishment! It was the first time that the real surprise showed itself on Sinbad's features! Shock widened his eyes and tensed his body, the same shock that prevented anyone from responding.

Even Bryn and Tetsu got the feeling of the potential peril at the mentioning of the dark sorcerer's name, and seeing their friends' reactions didn't help as well.

Aside of Scratch, Bryn didn't recognize any of the other two wicked sorcerers mentioned by Caipra although she sensed a vague familiarity wave tossing her but vanished as soon as it came with the reception of the shock tide that crushed her friends… even Sinbad! This made her imagine how critical the situation could possibly be!

"I understand how could it be unbelievable but,.. neither all the magical phenomena are well known by the mages; nor all of its sides are studied perfectly or could be expected!

"That's what really happened. After the reaction of the pure power of the Gryffon's Egg and the dark ones of both Rumina and Scratch, the resulted explosion was enormous. You witnessed its physical outcome but the truth is the fact that you didn't feel its magical side. It was, literally, HUGE. That's right, it was neutral energy neither white nor black, you can call it.. gray, but it was… an ABSOLUTE ENERGY… and if you imagine it well it was the sum of all the Good powers of the Egg -which was tremendous by itself- and the Dark ones of both evil sides; where I don't need to describe how much Scratch's powers could be. Thus, aside of each one's nature I'm referring to the power itself."

"Yeah, in fact… I can well imagine what you mean. You refer to the magnitude of the energy not the type of each!" Firouz beamed in realization, his scientific mind took control upon his senses for a moment!

"Hold on a moment.." Sinbad's imagination was the fastest after his friend to get the full picture clearly, but his thoughts stopped all at once when he replayed what his ears caught from the old lady once again. "Did you just say Scratch?" The frown was back now to his face trying to focus, he tilted his head a little and blinked.

Caipra –secretly amazed by the young physian's intelligence- responded to Sinbad calmly "You didn't know that Scratch was there and it was the first time that he joined forces with Rumina to defeat you. I consider that! Actually he made a deal with her: had she killed you he would get your soul; in exchange he promised to return back her father to life and provide her more powers. And to prove his loyalty intentions he started the spell demonically calling the soul to materialize! So with the already existed soul and the energy generated from the explosion… the net result was Turok's resurrection!"

"Still, I can't get it well." Curiosity took over Firouz again "The energy was massive, I see. But how had it resulted from a destruction or neutralization reaction and then brought back to life Turok whose powers are quite pure evil?"

"Son, you said it yourself, the energy came from a neutralization process which means it was completely neutral and had nothing to do with Turok's nature of magic. The magnitude of this energy was enough to make the impossible as far as we know. But in the area that was exposed to its radiations, Scratch had already started the spell and left it incomplete. However the result was enough, there were the body, the spirit, Turok's magic was there too and Scratch's imperfect spell as well. All they required was something to unite them together and that was provided by the power of the gray neutral energy.

"How did it take place exactly? No one knows, and I guess not even Scratch does! Neither could it be expected. We were all shocked by the enigmatic phenomenon and its unpredictable consequences… we still have no confirmed exegesis and all we came up with was the theory I just told you, which still is unproven though." Again, Caipra was forced to take her breath and this time nobody interrupted her.

"The trio gathered together for another time, combining forces to smash both Dimdim and Maeve; as they were certain that by then Maeve got enough power to –at least- overcome Rumina. With Dimdim by her side, that would make it very hard for both father and daughter to win the battle. Then Scratch reappeared again; and again he offered a deal. Whatever it was this time, he was furious of the last failure on your hands. They played on stabbing Sinbad's heart this time, directly and seriously."

The anger flood re-attacked the Master of the Seven Seas at these last words, however he forced himself to focus on the coming tale and held aside his made emotions.

"The attack was really out of our expectations as we were focusing on our plan to escape the already persistent spell. Without much detail, I was far away from being able to provide any kind of help as their blow was inside the realm!… Yes, I still don't know how they did it, to find its exact location and break through it!" No one noticed Caipra's unusual admission of her unawareness of the facts.

"Both Maeve and Dimdim fought bravely with all they had got of power… but things didn't end perfectly. Dimdim was still stuck with the moderate energy he had and Maeve –in spite of all the progress she achieved- logically couldn't face by her own the remaining powers of the trio left from my husband's defense. It was a very unfair battle; however they succeeded to force the trio to retreat after causing to them enough damage. But it wasn't a perfect success as during the battle Maeve got injured."

Sinbad's rage at this point reached its boundaries, though it was Doubar who voiced his muse this time "But how… Dimdim was there, he would never let that happened to her whatever the forces they were challenging!"

"Don't forget the spell he had cast a couple of months ago and its effect on him. With it he wasn't in his normal posture… It consumed -and was still consuming- much of his energy then!" The scientist's eyes glimmered in realization, but that vanished as soon as it came when Sinbad's sharp voice reached his hearing.

"That doesn't matter anymore. What happened had just happened!" Sinbad's eyes then met the older woman's as his tone softened once again "Maeve… How much is it bad?"

Awkwardly, Caipra shifted her gaze away from his with a deep sigh "She received one strong spell, Sinbad… way too strong."

Her answer slapped his face unmercifully and all of sudden a furious volcano burst from his heart and blazed his whole existence, searing his vision that saw darkness engulfing the world. Had his heart been piked via a poisoned dagger it would be thousands of times more clement than receiving this fatal news.

"The spell is very slow.. More like a curse; it didn't kill her instantly –for our good luck- being a random one, it slowly dragged her soul out of her body by destroying her energy completely. If the mage is deprived of his whole energy he'll die at once. But that one is technically concentrated in the very spot of the stroke and this spot or injury is the center from which the spell dips into her body. It's like a poisoned arrow, the spell as the venom will dig deep through her body gradually at the time that the arrow didn't cause instant death of the victim. Each part which is reached by the magical poison is considered to be dead deprived from its energy and subsequently from which the soul is fading away. Till reaching one point that all her body will be envenomed –her heart- leading to eventual irreversible loss of her soul. She dies."

After a while of a heavy unbearable silence, Firouz decided to cut it off "Well, let me check on her, you know I can help. Hopefully I may know how to overcome the poison."

"My dear son, I know you can. I'm well aware of your brilliant abilities and knowledge; however I'm afraid you can't do much this time. Not that we don't need your help. In fact we need you greatly, but not to fight the venom and restore her. You see, the injury she got is not a physical but magical one; so is the poison. Actually it's like a curse. Thus, my friend your sciences may help her but they can neither undo this spell nor inactivate the magical poison. But she still needs you in helping her resisting it as much longer as you can. I believe you may help in this."

"But there is a way to her recovery for sure, isn't it? There should be a way to destroy this spell." Sinbad stated as a hopeful determination beamed from his eyes, mixed with a silent pleading to Caipra for confirmation.

The latter read it all in his gaze and sighed patiently, before announcing "Yes, there is a cure Sinbad." And before the relief got any chance among the presence, she added "But we aren't sure we can find it at the right time, or find it at all as… we don't know where it is!"

Coming up next: "THE VORDIAKS!"

 

7: The Vordiaks 1

~The Vordiaks~

(Part I)

 

Doubar felt slight anger that progressively ripened through him as Caipra related the past events which had led to his dear friend's serious injury. But by that moment rage flew over him as his impatience reached its boiling point, thus he couldn't swallow back his turbulent growl "Is it a riddle, now?"

On the other side, Sinbad –surprisingly- displayed more poise than his older brother, though his sudden patience failed to forbid him from letting out a deep sigh that exhibited what his calm features tried to hide. "Riddle or not, I don't care!" his determined voice echoed firmly through the room. "Wherever this cure is, whatever it is I'll find it. No matter what danger I may face, that won't stop me. It's for… her, and for her I'll do it! Had it meant I should reach lands that no man laid his feet on, territories that no fantasy could innovate, nothing would restrain me."

His sharp tone betrayed his current calmer appearance and the silence replying to him approved the Captain's words before the old lady confirmed it herself vocally. "I have no doubt about it, my son. Not the slighter one."

Firouz cleared his throat, and then beamed as usual "Then let's start talk about this cure. Caipra, what kind of cure it may be? I assume it should be some sort of… magical potion, right?"

A faint smile showed on Caipra's features at his intelligence as she responded instantly "I'm afraid it is not, Firouz. Actually, it's way too complicated than just a potion; but you're right.. All we need now is to focus solely on it. Which leaves us by one question… what do you know about the Vordiaks?"

"What..? I never heard of.. err.. that before! What could it be anyway?"

Doubar felt worse as he replied "Neither me. But if Firouz doesn't know it who else could? I mean he is our sole knowledge source of these… mumbo jumbo things."

In spite of the critical situation and himself, somehow the young inventor felt some pride swelling his heart at his fellow's words. It meant a lot to him and it was rare when Doubar admit his appreciation for Firouz' skills and science.

Meanwhile the restless deep blue gaze of the captain followed Caipra's and rested on the same person as she did. In fact, he wasn't the only one in this; both Rongar and Tetsu noticed it too, and waited in patience for a reply that seemed to come out then in a hesitating voice… a voice which was missing for a long while now. "I think I heard about them before." Bryn declared tentatively "Err… I thought they were a legend!"

"What exactly do you know about their legend, Bryn?" Caipra's calm voice encouraged her. The young woman frowned as she tried to focus harder on the little she knew as she got all the attention in the room.

"Well, I believe… they were a large family of powerful mages. They were too dangerous… or at least that's what the rumors said. They had got really weird but unique magical abilities and their powers were like a fantasy… rumors said so. Nobody witnessed this nature of power existing elsewhere. They had their own very specific yet complicated codes that rule the whole family. Also, if my mind isn't tricking me their element was fire! In spite of all of these the most remarkable thing about them that they were good mages, not following the dark side… well, mostly. Few tried to be on the fence, but they didn't subject any harm on the way to their goals… I may be used to know more but my mind isn't really helping me guys. Though I believe they are just a legend, never existed for real.. I think!"

"Amazing! Such interesting legend in the sorcery world! Point of fact, it's a new discovery to me.." Doubar rolled his eyes at his curly friend reply.

"Great information you got there Bryn." Caipra commented "But I should add many points to them though; like for example the fact they weren't legend at all but very real persons who lived once on a faraway land."

Bryn's eyes widened at that unexpected declaration.

"How may that help us Caipra? I mean, how has that anything to do with Maeve's injury? Do these people have the cure you're talking about?" Sinbad inquired as he felt himself losing his grip on his temper slowly. He wasn't ready for such tales in this exact moment. At other times he might be very interesting, even excited to hear about them for curiosity and fun. But right now they were running out of time, with each minute Maeve was risking her life.

As his thoughts whipped his mind unmercifully Caipra addressed him with a reproaching look in her eyes "They are closely related to the cure, yes. But to know how we can get it, we should be fully aware of their codes and some of their history as well."

Her admonished reasoning had shut his fierce muse down then and when she read his silent apology in the blue seas of his she went on with her explanation:

"All Bryn mentioned is very true except for two points, one of which is them being a legend as I said before. This family used to have magical powers beyond usual knowledge and inhabited an unknown land, though it was said that they resided where the sun is very shy and precious. Having the fire as their core element of most of the family strongly support this theory –although there is still no proof- as it provided them with the ability to tolerate such cold atmosphere by the their excessive inner heat generated via their soul and becoming the source of their magical energy.

The introverts had been their main feature. They were very secretive and unsociable and didn't appreciate at all the others' curiosity. They rarely were shown to interact not only with other people in general, but among the sorcery society as well.

These extreme powers along with the introverts were what made of them a legend and people believed they never existed for real.

The other point that the rumors faked is the fact that they used to join the good side in the magical world. Actually the whole family was on the fence and never joined either side of the eternal fight between good and evil. Being neutral was their banner according to their codes which were created to control their sorcery practice and to tame their loyalty. They were very strict regulations that showed no mercy for any rebel. Whoever dared to disobey them was sent to immediate death.

According to these codes, there was a ruler or a leader of the family who used to make sure the codes are obeyed no matter what. He was the coordinator between the family members and had the absolute word and judgment during his reign; the whole authority was given into his hands.

And although no leader had come amongst the many generations showed any sign of darkness, as they all showed a gusto towards the good side, they respected their codes and gave it their preference over any bias. It was believed the reason beyond this was the fear from the split between the family members between good and dark sides which would lead to catastrophic destruction of the world due to their unusual powers, as well as it would be the end of their family.

Even the idea of only one member joining the dark side and its yields was dreadful enough to make them choose the safer side as in being on the fence without loyalty to either side; which created a kind of balance in the magical world.

The Vordiaks' codes were made to be sacred by the members. And the most important rule of it aside of the neutralism was the absolute loyalty and obedience to the leader, putting all their faith in his wisdom and his verdict. And the leader was naturally given an absolute magical powers over all of them, he used to be the most powerful among them so there was not even one chance of a rebellion to be succeeded.

This being said, it's obvious that his identity was only chosen by destiny, leaving the nature to give its best judgment. And there were some magical and physical signs in only one newborn in every cyclic generation descendant from the recent leader's bloodline which some called a royal blood.

The most significant and evident were the magical ones, which can summed up in having their core element of their souls as Fire –as a few of the members even those of the royal blood belonged to other elements of nature-. As well as coming into their inheritance via receiving the fated ultimate magical power. That latter is what interest us now for finding the cure.

The theory is complicated enough so I demand your full attention. When the time of the new periodic dynasty came, and the formed fetus came into their inheritance before even their birth, typically during their early formation. The power was given to attach into the soul and seal with it, with the fetal development this magical power became an integral part of this fated person.

But as the magical energy was enormous that might lead to the death of the mother and as the newborn was normally unable to contain all of these even during their early childhood as well, which made the giant power uncontrollable, all of these reasons created a grave danger… not only on the child himself but also his mother and the whole surrounding. So some constraints were put to limit this risky peril: the power after being sealed to the soul, it's temporarily and partially separated from the physical existence of the person. So that there should be two existences of the same person, the physical part presented in the form of the baby and the magical part that materialized in the form of a magical creature newborn as well.

The latter existed in the form of an egg and remained inactive like that till the fated person grew enough and been well educated to be able to control his power. Only then he is allowed to hatch the egg, unleash the creature and reunite with his detached power. The creature coming to live used to be mostly a dragon, few had phoenix as those only two are the fire spirited creatures, though the dragon showed to be more robust than the phoenix which reflected the potential of the host magician.

Without hatching the egg, the sorcerer remained with limited magical power which normally defined him as a weak magician and endanger his life for sure. But when they received their full power, their energy magnified and enable them to fight against the strongest of the magic and the incurable curses."

Sinbad's eyes glistened in the daylight coming from the window into the room, they widened slowly as recognition slid quietly within his mind. His dazed shock had only reflected on his inventor friend. Firouz's mouth dropped open as he froze in shock, his eyes saucer wide and his voice vanished.

"Forgive my interruption and my sluggard mind," grumbled Doubar "But really if I waited any longer I'll be totally lost! Why should we be interested in all of this? What's the cure for God sake?"

"The… the egg!" Firouz mumbled

All attention shifted to the scientist who still looked not recovered from the shock.

"So if we get the egg of the current heir, Maeve can be recovered from the curse?" asked Bryn

"Then, either we fight the whole family, or we can simply steal the egg from them without confrontation!" stated Tetsu "So, all we need now is to find their location. Where are they exactly?"

"Unfortunately, the whole Vordiaks family had been exterminated… except for only two members, including the heir!" replied Caipra calmly. Sinbad regained his composure and frowned at this, but didn't comment.

"Well, that should be to our benefit, right?" beamed Doubar "Now, where is the egg?"

"The egg is kept in a secret place that no one knows except for the former leader –who is dead- or the heir themselves. And even after finding the egg, it wouldn't hatch for anyone but only the heir."

"Then, any clue about him?" Doubar finally lost his temper, while his brother closed eyes tightly leaning his head slightly backward.

"Actually, it's her Doubar. The last newborn within the leader bloodline were twins, a boy and a girl. Naturally everyone thought it was the boy, however, according to the signs given his spirited element was from the wind origin and physically he was blonde with gray eyes. While the signs typically fitted to the girl who was fiery spirit and the fire element had left its physical imprint on her… red hair, dark eyes, passionate flaming character…"

"Maeve…" Sinbad's whisper echoed through the shocked silence that overshadowed the presence.

Coming up next: "The Vordiaks. II"

 

8: The Vordiaks 11

~The Vordiaks~

(Part II)

 

Though the weather was starting to be a bit nicer -less hot with a gentle warm breeze- none of the Nomad crew perceived the change as each of them rushed to their assigned duties simultaneously while having their own share of restless rumination.

Doubar –gathering both smaller sailors in his way- dashed for a quick shopping in the famous market to get the very essential supplies they would need in their –Allah only knows how long- sailing. And while Tetsu and Rongar prepared the ship quickly for sailing; both Firouz and Bryn were downstairs arranging the old cabin that had been avoided along the past year. In addition, the young physician wanted to urgently resort to his potions and herbs, estimating them and seeing what Maeve might require in her case.

All but their captain left Caipra's house in obvious rush, as he would join Caipra in her misting back to the Nomad, snatching –eventually- a few moments with his reverted love and former companion till Caipra's departure. A few moments after all this parting would be very appreciative, especially to assess the much of the hurt she got.

Yes, indeed… the crew finally realized the great surprise they didn't deduce earlier. Maeve was back! FINALLY! Gravely injured and fully unconscious, but still… SHE WAS BACK nonetheless!

They still have no idea how could she left the realm without the spell she was working on with both elder mages being fulfilled! But all they knew that she was resident in Caipra's house for a few days and was taking care of since then by her host along with her apprentice.

And since Sinbad couldn't wait anymore till he saw her… spending at least few moments with her -if possible- was very urgent to him; Tetsu kindly took his chores and preceded to Nomad.

No one of the crew could get his mind clear as they went on through the various tasks. Many ideas and mingled information were struggling through their heads; after all it was a really big shot given in a relatively short time to be properly digested! Only Doubar who complained loudly!

Starting with the whole Vordiaks family issue that led them to inquire how Maeve didn't receive her power till then? In time that most of them knew she needed it the most to face her old nemesis! And even it could have saved her in the last battle! For her to endure the long, slow and harsh learning about how to gain enough power in the last couple of years or so, encaging herself in capturing a new and foreigner energy while all the time she was provided with an all set power which was only hers. Why to carry the burden remained irrational, a point that not only Firouz remarked.

Caipra responded that for some odd reasons Maeve had rejected this power for so long time, but the old lady never revealed the reason saying it was Maeve's secret to tell! However, she engaged this point with a quick note that the redhead had miraculously –along with her twin- survived the severe attack on her family that lead to a big massacre on both sides. Both kids ran away for nights and days till they reached safety, and since then Maeve swore she would never use this power while her brother insisted on keeping his own. Other than that, Caipra declared she wasn't allowed to reveal.

That recent input alone was very hideous to think about, that it disturbed the peace of their reasoning! And they were forced to push it on the back of their minds for now, focusing solely on how they would save Maeve. And that definitely drove them to the most important part out of the whole discussion; Caipra's replies still rang in their ears:

"But say, Caipra, with such serious injury would Maeve be able to join us in the journey to get to the egg? I believe you mentioned she is the only one who knows the way to it!" Firouz seemed worried.

"Well, I think she would be of no help in this regard!" the old lady stated sadly "She is unconscious now, but either way she has to join us no matter what, we can't afford the time you may take in the way back to her… so in spite of the sailing being harsh on her, her presence is very convenient to gain time, moreover you may need my knowledge in this voyage!"

"Then how will we define our course if we don't know where we are heading or where our objective is?" asked Tetsu.

"Sinbad had got the answer a while ago, I believe." Her sage eyes shifted to the captain who looked confused "The visions, Sinbad! What do you remember about them? They should show you the clear way to the egg."

Sinbad let out a deep sigh as he shook his head "I don't remember a single detail! No matter how I tried, the only thing I got a memory of was that the whole thing is related to Maeve, her rescue from some danger she is facing! It was like a kind of a… feeling, more precisely!" He decided to leave the part of his death unrevealed… 'Obviously, not your time anyway, and of no importance!' He thought.

Caipra looked pensive at that news; she leaned forward, pondering her options.

"Oh, damn Sinbad! If you had just mentioned it earlier!... you could have tried the memorizing concoction I was working on last month! Moreover.. Bryn could have helped you! Actually, she can help you! She did it before, reading the mind or err… helping the one memorizes something they forgot, right?"

Sinbad shifted his gaze to the young brunette, all hopefully. Bryn, reading his silent plead couldn't help but responded positively "I did it before, then I believe I can do it again. Why not? Let's give it a try." The determination that dripped from her words brought the crew's mood to a more optimistic level.

"Indeed, you can help greatly with this. I have no doubt in your powers, my girl." Stated Caipra, "And to help you more, we already have another important guidance."

"The bracelets." Tetsu reminded them

"Aye. The bracelets' power is the key in this adventure, and –aside of Sinbad's memories- we'll gamble on it. You see, this special power is linked to Maeve's spiritual scent since it was created." Sinbad's shocked expression caused her to pause instantly, but then she shook her head and retrieved "Look, Sinbad, we have no enough time to let things been revealed all at once. I'm sorry, I shouldn't be allowed to uncover such a secret either, but the present circumstances warrant the taboo! I'll give you the explanation you want while being on our way to the cure. For now, just keep your patience a little more."

Sinbad tried harder to concentrate his focus on the current problem among the confusion spread in between the crew. Bryn felt a little anxious at that, but forced herself to wait too.

"So, as I was saying, Maeve asked for help –unconsciously- when she sensed she needed it urgently. May be she just felt the need of being helped and didn't actually asked for it. Either case the result was one, and that was the activation of the link she created with the bracelets some time ago… and it induces Sinbad's unconscious mind in the form of a world of dreams. She should have sent you all she knew about the egg, its whereabout and the different tasks you'd pass through. And although I have no idea about what the visions might have been, I have no doubt that the bracelets are further involved. This bond will still guide you through the bracelets, but this time it's not a dream; in the real world you'll need the full power of the bracelets to get a response; and which is represented in the three edges of the triangle. Yours, Bryn's and Tetsu's."

"That makes a lot of sense! Point of fact, it reinforces the realism of one of the magical enigma!"

"FIROUZ!" snapped Doubar

The scientist cleared his voice to cover his untimely excitement, and then retorted "Well, you mentioned some tasks we'll go through, right? Then by adding one to one, the most probable suggestion is that we're about to face three of them, right?"

"Yes, most probably. Those tasks are considered as levels or even some phases; whatever they are, they will demand from us then to reach three different places. All that reached us from the Vordiaks' culture is that they sacred their heir's egg intimately; as on it their family's destiny and future closely relied. Had this egg been destroyed or robbed, the whole family and its power would follow into destruction or would submit to the egg's rapist -under blackmail- respectively. This said, they didn't only keep its location as the greatest of their secrets, but supported this location with the highest non-magical and supernatural defenses… defined as those phases."

"Well, then. And when, finally, we find the egg… how will it work? For Maeve, I mean."

"Let this to its own time. We just need to focus on getting the egg, by reaching the uncharted lands, passing through those barriers and brought it to her. All the while keeping her steady as much as we can."

"Then let's not wasting more time than we already have!" Sinbad stated firmly, "Crew, prepare yourselves for a life or death adventure."

"Aye, Aye Captain."

To Be Continued

A/n: So yeah, as I promised, this the last chapter of 'Reunion & Revelations'!

Next update will be in form of a separated fiction –because it's a totally new part- which is the beginning of the real adventure itself. It's called 'Mervellya, The Many Faces of Evil'.

Another part will be posted too, taking place between 'R&R' and 'Mervellya': Bryn's past and the bracelets' story! As I mentioned before, I'll try to write/post it at same time with the original adventures. So anyone who is interested about Bryn and/or the bracelets... anyone who would like to meet Rumina ;) please wait for a new fiction called 'Story Of Us', and I promise you'll never regret it ;) and it will contains the remaining of Maeve's past as well ;)

- Also I am taking in my consideration the obvious loss of Maeve/Sinbad longing moment that I know everyone waited impatiently! I'm SUCH A MEAN, sorry. But you see, i think they deserve a proper moment which normally will slow down the events here and would be unmatching with the remaining of the chapter.. Some had complained of that before. But personally I believe every part that seemed long regarding the rest of its chapter was necessary because it can't be mentioned elsewhere and i definitely had a purpose to write it that way or a certain message wanted to deliver within words.

However, in this case... I decided it would be better to give our characters the while time, words they need... so I specified a WHOLE chapter for just these few moments. It'll be posted in the 'YARNS OF THE HEARTS' fiction which is only designed for such themes and writings. When I post it I'll make an author note here just to alert the fans who are interested only in 'R&R', so you can read this chapter and enjoy it :)

LOVE YOU ALL

À bientôt...

TetiSheri