Chapter 3: A Woman Scorned

Sinbad was the last to join the crew below deck for supper. But when he finally trotted down the steps, suppressing a yawn, he caught the crew waiting for him in strange eagerness "Sinbad,sit down. Maeve has quite a story to tell!",chuckled Doubar.

"I take it you found some valuable information", said Sinbad as he plopped into his chair and picked the last leg of roast lamb from the center plate. It was cold but he was famished. He took a large bite, closed his eyes and chewed hard on the tasty meat. He washed it down with some ale and turned to Maeve at his side. "Well,let's have it, woman"

"Sinbad, in a day's time, we will arrive at the inlet of the Isle of Loran. Queen Esdel is indeed the enchantress-ruler of Loran and she has remained in power for several years. Her magic sustains the life on her Isle and even to some extent the aquatic life in the inlet sea. Esdel is unique since she is born endowed with magical powers. Magic means life and breath to her"

"Yes,go on..",pressed Sinbad.

"But there comes a period in her life when her magic deserts her and she remains almost human for several days. This happens early in her youth, perhaps when she is twenty and six or seven. During this period, she must select her husband and join with him for life. No magic – seductions or enchantment.. but by true affection for another being. And Esdel did meet the man of her desire. His name was Halden, the conqueror – a warrior from the lands beyond. He arrived through the inlet sea and fell deeply in love with Esdel. She showed him her kingdom and brought him into her Castle. They were one in being and the day arrived when Esdel's magic returned to her once more. Rejuvenated by her powers, Esdel set out to breathe new life into her beloved Isle. But when she returned, Halden was nowhere to be found. He had left, his crew and his ship, never to be heard from again."

"What happened then?"

"Well, Queen Esdel was left heartbroken, because you see.. she is a magical being, capable of seducing the best out of others.. for a mere flash of time, her powers waited upon her to find the perfect mate ,she could not succeed in winning the heart of Halden. Her one window to find and nurture true love was lost forever. Of course, she could seduce several hearts but all that meant nothing to her. She had failed. Or rather, love had failed her. Over the years, her powers began to weaken. Esdel blamed Halden bitterly for her heartache. So, that was when she decided to make her people strong – by using love potions from an outside source..in this case, Madame Ghormal-"

Maeve shot a meaningful glance at the crew and continued,

"She selected the best men and women, according to their rank and knowledge and even character and forced them to consume the love potions and be truly happy together-"

"Why did she need the love potions?"

"Sinbad, Esdel's enchantment wins in drawing men and women to herself.. but not to each other."

"So she is going out of her way to secure harmony in her kingdom"

"Exactly"

"Firouz, have you found any information on the effect of these love potions? Just how dangerous are they?"

"Each dosage is composed of about 90% of the pheromone enhancing chemical and the remnant contains a poison that settles as a permanent residue in the consumer's body. Over time, it weakens the person, causing them to starve and die. From the outside, the person's death would be blamed on natural causes. Most people are known to refuse food when they are sick. In this case, the starvation causes them to die"

"Death by starvation", contemplated Doubar, rubbing his large belly."Too horrible to even think of it!"

"We've got to warn the Queen about these love potions. We have to make her listen to us",said Sinbad, earnestly. "Or the people on her Island are gonna die"

Firouz laughed to himself. "You know…in the human world, it's just the reverse. When a man or woman finds the perfect partner.. someone they are really attracted to, they..umm.. dress differently.. appear braver, happier, funnier, cleverer.. even richer. But the enchantress-"

Maeve continued with a sad smile,

"She does the opposite. She appears ordinary…and through all that simplicity, she hopes to secure true love."

"You and I…",said Firouz with a faint grin. He nodded at everyone seated around the table. "-could never do that"

Valensya walked down the street of her City , acknowledging the people who stopped to greet her. The road slopped down the hillside and branched into many smaller routes that curled into fields and cliffs. Valensya followed the smallest, narrowest route of all – the one that led to the Inlet cove. As usual, she left her slippers on the path and stepped barefoot on the sea sprayed rocks. The vines on the cliff base grew to provide her sturdy handholds. She straightened up and saw Kaylan with an expansive smile on his ruddy face. They entered their secret meeting place together and sat perched on the rocks.

"Oh Kaylan, how I longed to see you",cried Valensya, gripping Kaylan's fingers tightly in hers.

"Your hands are trembling",exclaimed Kaylan, in surprise.

"I'm just excited". Valensya blushed hard and her eyes twinkled. The sea breeze blew her hood away and exposed her raven black hair.

Kaylan sighed. "You are a vision to behold,Val"

"My mother is lovelier than I", teased Valensya, mischievously. "Be honest, Kaylan!"

Kaylan drew back in protest.

"Val, you know my words are in earnest. I think you are a hundred times lovelier than the Queen. Why, your eyes.. even the deepest sea would not be as blue as your eyes.. and your face, as pure as the lilies in a pond. Each night, I am with you in my dreams and each morning I wake up with the hope of catching a glimpse of my beloved Valensya"

Valensya stretched her right hand and caressed Kaylan's cheek.

"There!",he mused softly. "Even her hands have the softest touch – like being kissed by a feather. Yet it is your pure heart that draws me to you, sweetest Valensya."

"Noble Kaylan"

Valensya gave the rose bud to her lover and made it bloom in his hands. Kaylan had a gift as well. He took the chain from around his neck and removed the pendant. It was white wood, whittled into the form of the princess, holding a dove in her hands. The work was extremely delicate and very beautiful.

"Do you like it?",asked Kaylan,hopefully.

"It's wonderful!", whispered Valensya, in ecstasy. "Such skilled workmanship! You have blessed hands,Kaylan! If only Mother would give her blessings for our marriage"

"We are getting married,Val",said Kaylan, gripping Valensya's hands in his. "I will never let you go"

"I will never let you go too. But the day is drawing near when Mother brings the love potion-"

Valensya bit back tears and choked on her words.

Kaylan looked downcast as well. "Don't cry,Val. I'll fight her for you. I'll die without you,Val"

"As will I,Kaylan", vowed Valensya, fervently. She rested her head on Kaylan's strong shoulders and looked out at the sea. "In your arms I feel safe. Happiness is in all I see. But Kaylan, I will soon turn twenty and six and the time will come when you will have to prove your love to me. My eyes will no longer be as deep blue as the sea, my voice will be as any other woman's voice, no longer musical to the ears, my hands less soft to touch-"

"Your heart will be the same."

"Then you truly love me,Kaylan?"

"I will prove my love to you time and time again.. until the very end,Val!"

Valensya silently pursed her lips and looked on at the waves, listening to the beating of Kaylan's heart.