Some things never change
Part 1
Disclaimer: ...don't own them... yadda yadda... making no money... yadda yadda... don't sue little Sheela or she'll cry... yadda yadda...
Warning: English no my language ( is German) so warn you, many missstackes ent errrrorrrs possible, no blame Sheela – blame teacher! ;-) Enjoy!
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Big waves crashed against the longboat when the crew of the Nomad pulled it on the beach of the island. The sun was burning down and Sindbad had blink when he looked around. The sand on the beach was almost white. In the distance the entrance of a huge forest could be seen. Not far from where they were standing a broad trail lead eastwards meandering between gigantic rocks.
"Firouz what's this island called again?" he asked his scientist, turning back to his three men. Once again the sight gave him a little stitch in the inside. It somehow hurt to see his crew without a woman accompanying them. First Dim-Dim had taken Maeve, the fiery Celtic redhead, with him to an unknown dimension to teach her the art of white magic, leaving behind Bryn, a young woman, who had no memories of her past. That had been more than 2 years ago. Since then she had been sailing with them until they had come across her family by chance a month ago. Sindbad found it still hard to believe that Bryn was already married and had a son.
Well, now they were a "men-only-boat" again. Sindbad's eyes fell upon the hawk sitting on Rongar's arm on a gauntlet and remembered. Yes, it had hurt to loose Bryn, but not as much as it had hurt to loose Maeve. Every time he looked at Dermott, he had to think of her. He had left her cabin and her things untouched since she disappeared. And in every port he kept watching out for her, maybe he find her someday this way...
Suddenly a hand was waving in front of his face and he snapped back to reality. "What?!?"
"Little brother, are you okay?" Doubar asked concerned.
"Yeah, sure. Just thinking. What did you say Firouz?" he answered.
The inventor only sighed and shook his head. They all knew what, or better who, their captain had been thinking about. "I was answering your question, Sindbad." He said. "I said, this island is named Al-Khasaab and there's only one village here. Its name is Karneol and it lies about two hours to the east."
"Okay. We'll go there to buy some supplies for our voyage back to Baghdad. And maybe..."
He was interrupted by a loud screech from Dermott who flapped into the air. There he gave another screech and then disappeared behind a hill.
"Hey, Dermott! Where are you going to?" Sindbad shouted.
"Ah, come on brother. Let that bird fly... He probably saw a beautiful she-hawk, if you understand what I mean... He'll find us and come back; I'm sure of it!" Doubar told him. "Now let's go!"
Firouz and Rongar also nodded affirmative. So the captain gave in. Probably they were right. It was just that he had become a little overprotective concerning Dermott. He was all he had left of Maeve, he was in a way Sindbad's "pawn" that she would come back eventually.
So the four men set pace towards the village, entering the passage built by the rocks bordering the trail.
As soon as he had "stepped" on the island Dermott had felt a presence. At first he hadn't been sure what it was, but then there had been this familiar feeling in his mind. He had to find it! So he had left Sindbad without any further thoughts. And now he was winging through the sky towards it. *Wait! Wait for me!* he cried out with his mind voice. *I'm almost there! Wait!*
Half an hour later the four friends were walking peacefully in the sun, with Sindbad and Doubar arguing lightly about when to take a break. Doubar was for now while in Sindbad's opinion in another half an hour was perfect.
Then suddenly a little tornado appeared in front of the four men and they groaned. Trouble seemed to be hunting them wherever they went.
Evil laughter could be heard as the storm faded, leaving behind a short woman with raven black hair in very revealing clothes.
The crew grabbed their weapons, ready for a fight for dear life. Sindbad's mind was racing. It looked bad for them... This time they had no sorceress near them to protect them!
So he decided to try and relay on his charm, for he knew if the sorceress wanted to kill them, they wouldn't have much of a chance with their weapons. "Hello Rumina!" he said. "Long time no see! May I ask what you're doing here?"
"You may, my dear." She responded with a seductive tone. "But it won't help you!" Her voice grew cold. "I decided to finally get over with it and kill you sea dogs!"
The sailors clenched their weapons even harder. Sindbad tried to distract her because he had seen how Rongar had slipped a dagger out of his hold. "Are you totally sure of that, Rumina?" he probed. "I mean..."
"No!" she interrupted him harshly. "I learned from my old mistakes. No more buts and maybes! I'll kill you now with no mercy. And this time you don't have this pheasant wench on your side! So who wants to be the first to meet your Allah?"
Rongar threw his dagger with one full movement of his body. The weapon whirred through the air directly towards the evil sorceress' heart. But she saw it and made it stop in mid air with a wave of her outstretched hand. The dagger lingered in the air as if it was considering what it should do, then it shattered to the ground.
"Nice try. I guess that makes things clear, doesn't it? We have a volunteer!" Rumina hissed and stared full of hatred at the Moor. "Say goodbye!"
With that she stretched her hands towards him. A red ray emerged and hit him in the chest. Rongar was thrown aback against one of the rocks. There he slid to the ground with a huge bleeding wound in his chest. Firouz ran to his side and quickly examined his friend, but here was nothing he could do. Rongar was breathing heavily and the inventor and doctor knew that the hurt man hadn't much time left.
Sindbad and Doubar had been staring at their friend in shock for a moment, but now they returned their attention to the enemy in front of them. They lifted their swords and pointed them at Rumina. "You... you... witch! Monster!" Sindbad shouted.
But the woman merely laughed. "Oh! Don't worry darling. You won't see him suffer very long. In a few seconds you will be dead. And I'll have revenge for my father!" Her shrill laughing echoed from the stone walls. With a "Prepare to die!!!" she stretched her hands again for the final blow.
Sindbad closed his eyes, sending his last prayer to Allah, awaiting the pain. But nothing happened. Sindbad opened his eyes and found himself and his friends surrounded by a blue glowing shield of pure magic. The others, including Rumina were equally astonished.
"What the hell is this?" Rumina screamed hysterically.
"Hell has got absolutely nothing to do with this, I can promise you that, bitch!" a powerful voice sounded from the top of a rock.
"Who are you? Show yourself!" Rumina shouted furiously. "I shall kill you just like this pathetic sea dogs!"
"My, my, Rumina, why are you so angry? And why don't you play with somebody of your own size?" the voice rang out.
Sindbad turned his head, trying desperately to see the person who had saved them. The voice sounded so familiar. But could it really be?
Then the owner of the voice jumped down from the rock which was at least 50 feet high. But about 10 feet over the ground the figure began to float and came down slowly in a perfect landing, exactly between the sailors and Rumina.
Sindbad gasped as he recognized the stranger. "Maeve..." he whispered, afraid if he spoke too loud it would all turn out to be a dream.
The Celt didn't turn to him, she was focused on her biggest enemy. The two women eyed each other for a moment and so did Sindbad. He studied Maeve exactly. She had changed. Her fiery red hair fell openly down her back and reached her hips. No longer she wore her old outfit of a white shirt-skirt and a brown vest but an ankle lenght, white, low-cut gown and a vest that went down to her knees, that shimmered in all shades between deep blue and green and the ends of it were cut in the form of lotus blossoms. On the leather-belt around her waist hung several little sacs with unknown contents.
Finally Rumina spoke up. "So you decided to show up again, pheasant wench? So, you can as well join your friends in death!" And once again the black sorceress formed a gigantic red energy ball and flung it at the little group. But Maeve easily blocked it with a wave of her hand and sent it back at Rumina. The woman was thrown back against the rock wall. Groaning she came to her feet. Maeve grinned. "Sweet. Is that best you can do Rumina? How pathetic!" She said derisively.
Rumina screamed in anger and fired another energy blast. But again Maeve stopped it and sent it back at Rumina who was only able to block about half of the blow and fell to the ground. There she remained. Maeve stepped to her side and kicked her lightly. Then she bent down and pulled the defeated woman up on her hair. Rumina moaned as Maeve stared in her dirty, scratched face. The Celt's gaze was icy.
"I'll tell you something bitch" she said tonelessly. "I'll let you run away – this time. I'm not in the mood to kill you. Not yet... But be warned: next time we meet I won't be this gracious! And now get out of my sight!" With that she pushed Rumina hard away and let her fall to the ground again.
The beaten woman slowly stood up and sent the group and especially Maeve a look full of purest hate. "We shall meet again. I'm not defeated yet! I shall kill you as cruel as possible!" she hissed and misted herself away.
"We'll see who's gonna win, Rumina, we'll see!" Maeve mumbled pensive and turned to face her friends.
From high above a screech rang out. Maeve looked up and stretched out her hand on which Dermott promptly landed. He chirped and croaked at Maeve.
"I know, I know Dermy. You're right. But it'll all work out soon!" she soothed the hawk.
Sindbad stood speechless, only staring at Maeve. What they had just witnessed! Maeve, their Maeve, who had split the mast of the Nomad twice with her magic, who had had difficulties with the easiest spells, had defeated her arch-enemy easily and let her escape!
He didn't trust his voice to speak, but he tried nonetheless. "Maeve..." he whispered softly. His voice was hoarse.
Maeve looked up and their eyes met. It was as if time had stopped. Sindbad could have drowned in those warm brown pools. That second everything became clear for both of them. Everything that had happened during the last two years. Not a word was spoken, but they couldn't have said more with millions of words.
But all too soon they were interrupted by Firouz who called out. "Sindbad! Hurry up!"
The two whirled around to face the man and came back to reality. Firouz and Doubar were kneeling next to the badly injured Rongar. Maeve sent Dermott away and she and Sindbad rushed to their friend's side.
"He is dying! And I cannot do anything about it!" Firouz informed them despairing.
Rongar lay on the ground, leaning against a rock, lying in his own blood. He was breathing with difficulties and suddenly began to cough blood. Firouz supported him to sit up a bit. When he leaned back the silent Moor gave a weak hand-sign which they all recognized. It meant death.
Maeve shook her head furiously. "No, my silent friend. You won't die!" she said determined. "I won't let that happen. Give me some space" she addressed the others.
They obeyed and moved aside even though none of them thought that the woman would be able to change anything. The sailors exchanged some doubtful glances but Maeve ignored them.
She was concentrated on the task in front of her. Gently she stroked Rongar's cheek and gave him an encouraging smile. "Have no fear, my friend. It'll all work out!" she told him. Her voice had a soothing tone and Rongar relaxed visibly. "Good, that's right... Now I want you to look into my eyes and concentrate. Don't look away and just think about how your body feels when you're healthy."
Then Maeve took Rongar's right hand and placed it on her chest, right above her heart, and lay her hand over it. Her eyes never left his. With her other hand Maeve took out some kind of powder of one of the little sacs and threw it over Rongar's bleeding chest with her gaze still meeting his. Then she spoke the words of healing and let the magic run its course. When she heard Sindbad gasp and saw Rongar's eyes widen, she knew that it was working. A light smile spread across her face.
Sindbad, Doubar and Firouz had been watching curiously what was going on and were amazed. Sindbad couldn't suppress a gasp of surprise when Maeve began to glow in an supernatural white light. The powder on Rongar's chest shimmered as if it had a life of its own. The white surrounding Maeve grew more and more intensive until the sailors had to cover their eyes.
When they opened their eyes a minute later, the light had faded and Maeve was standing up. She took Rongar's hand and pulled him to his feet.
The Moor was amazed. He stared at his hands and touched his chest. Not a scratch was left of the fatal wound. It was as if it hadn't even happened. Only his torn clothes reminded of what had been. He looked up and stared at Maeve who smiled gently. A big smile spread across the young man's face and he hugged the Celt fiercely.
*Thank you! Thank you so much! If only you could hear me!* he thought, wishing she could understand him.
"You are welcome my friend." Maeve whispered in his ear.
Rongar was taken aback and stared at her. *Did she hear me? Could it be? Maeve?*
"Yeah, Rongar, I can hear your thoughts. But only if you want me to." She answered him.
They were interrupted by Firouz who came rushing forward and hugged Rongar, before he started examining him.
"But... how... how can this be? ... There's is no scar, no scratch, nothing... how?" the inventor babbled and turned to face Maeve.
She smiled. "Well, Firouz my old friend. How could this be? Magic of course... what else?"
"Mmh... Magic... yeah, what else?" he mumbled deep in thoughts. Suddenly it dawned on him who he was talking to. "Maeve!" he shouted and rushed to embrace her. "You're back! I can't believe it! You are really back!"
"Aye my friend. I'm back! Back for good."
When Firouz finally released her, she was immediately caught in one of Doubar's bear hugs. "Lass!" he shouted. "It's so good to have you back! You cannot imagine how much we missed you!" In a lower voice he continued "Or how much Sindbad missed you..."
"Hmpf..." Maeve made out. "Doubar... need air!"
"Huh? Oh, yeah..." Doubar sat her down on the ground. Maeve turned to face Sindbad who stood a little behind.
She looked at him, afraid he might not want her back. Sindbad just stared at her for a while, until she began to feel slightly uncomfortable. "Sindbad" she whispered. "What..."
Then the Captain ran forward and embraced her fiercely. "Oh, Maeve!" he groaned, burying his head in her hair, closing his eyes. "Maeve... my Maeve... it's been so long... Don't ever leave again!" He stroked her back, inhaling her scent. No matter how many women he had met (or had) in the ports, none of them was like her! He wished he would never have to release her again. But after what seemed like an eternity Maeve slowly stepped back and studied his face critically.
He knew he had changed since he had last seen her. He had grown hard. No longer he was the charming young sailor, Master of the Seven Seas, but a cruel and merciless fighter and merchant.
Maeve slowly raised a hand and wiped away a single tear that ran down his cheek.
"Hey, no tears in my presence, sailor!" she teased him. Sindbad grinned – it was as if she had never been gone.
"And look, what have you done to yourself?" Maeve asked him gesturing to his clothes. The young man blushed at thinking about what he was looking like: He wore black leather breeches, a tight white shirt with an open front and a dark blue vest. His hair was long and uncut and he was growing a beard.
"I give you twenty-four hours to change that outfit of yours. Otherwise I'll handle this!" the Celt threatened him and the men started to laugh at their captain.
"It's really good to have you back, lass!" Doubar roared.
"Aye, he is right, Maeve. It's good to have you back." Sindbad mumbled shyly which caused his crew to laugh even louder.
"Hey! Stop this!" he demanded. "Is this a mutiny?"
"No, we're just glad that Maeve is back to keep you in line, Captain!" Firouz giggled.
"Oh, would you please stop it! Let's rather get back to the Nomad. The supplies can wait. We have a reason to celebrate and a lot to talk about!"
"How far away is the Nomad?" Maeve asked.
"About half an hour's walk" Firouz responded.
"We'll make it in less than a minute..." Maeve promised. "Close your eyes"
Stunned the men obeyed. Suddenly Sindbad felt very strange, his skin was tickling and his stomach felt funny.
"Okay. You can open your eyes now." Maeve told them. They did so and were surprised to find themselves standing next to the long boat on the beach.
"Wow lass! I'd say your powers have improved. Did Dim-Dim teach you misting?" Doubar asked.
"I'll tell you the whole story later... Right now I would like to return to the Nomad – only if the captain approves to have a woman on board of course" the woman said with a smirk.
"He approves. Milady, may I?" Sindbad faked a little bow and then held out his hand to help her climb into the boat.
"You may." Maeve imitated his snobbish way of speaking and accepted his helping hand. Even this light touch made Sindbad's heart beat faster.
A few feet behind the couple Doubar, Firouz and Rongar were trying desperately to hide their grins.
"Those two..." Doubar shook his head. "Will they ever stop teasing each other and admit their love? I mean it's obvious that they are made for each other!"
"Give them some time, Doubar." Firouz advised. "I think, and hope very much, that Sindbad will come out with it soon. As for the teasing... some things never change, come what may!"
They burst into laughter which made Sindbad send them a dark glare that clearly said "We are not amused!". But Sindbad didn't see the mischievous grin that Maeve sent the men from behind his back. This caused the crew to laugh even harder. Sindbad gave up and merely threw his hands up in a gesture of total desperation in the face of his men.
Still laughing and mocking they made their way back to the Nomad. Some things never change!
To be continued soon
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That's it so far. Comments, criticism, ideas? Send all to
Bright.Phoenix@gmx.deSheela