Sinbad pushed open the heavy old wooden door. Gave a quick look back to check if there is no one around. Then unsteadily get inside. Under the hood, his blue eyes were shining in the dark. The smell of dust and old parchments hovered in the air. Between several rows of shelves he noticed the pale light of torches. Sinbad came closer to the hooded character in long black coat.
"Maeve…We must go. Did you find it?" He whispered.
"Yes, I think I did" Maeve answered. She was holding a huge old book in her hands.
In the same moment they heard the steps. Someone was going their way, to the library. With a simple gesture of fingers Maeve extinguished the torches. She hid the book under her coat.
She could not see Sinbad but she felt his hand on her shoulder.
The door had opened. They took two steps back. Someone came in. They could hear the steps on cold, stone floor.
Sinbad's second hand was already at his sword. In the darkness, the light of torch shone again. When the old man dressed in a red toge turned at them, Maeve whispered a spell, "Saaammmaarraaa…" and with one gesture of hand she made him sleep. Old man gently laid down on the floor.
Maeve and Sinbad looked at each other and started to run. Leaving the library they had to pass through the long hall. At the end of it, there were stairs down. The spiral staircase leaded them outside. They silently walked away from the temple. In the near forest their horses were waiting for them.
The night was very dark. Even moon was hidden by the grey clouds.
Maeve and Sinbad did not looked back.
When they were far enough from temple Sinbad asked,
"Can you now tell me what is all about?"
She just pointed at the book. "I need this…"
The old, dusty book. For such a small thing they did something what is tantamount to sacrilege.
Giving Maeve his hand Sinbad helped her mount a horse.
"Maeve, we have just stolen the book from Red Magicians library…?"
But he did not do this for this book. He did it for her. Sinbad trusts Maeve and wanted the same in common.
She knew she could not avoid the answer anymore.
"I hope their knowledge can help me to understand one thing…"
"What thing?"
"I heard there is a way to break the spell of another sorcerer, even the curse…"
After her words, picture became clear for Sinbad. She did not have to say anything else.
"You know, I will help you no matter what…?"
Maeve closed her eyes and nodded, "Yes, I know…"
Once upon a time he gave her his word. They both will not rest until their mission is complete.
Hidden under the mantle of the night they rode towards the harbor