Author's note: I'm back. And as always, italics are the character's thoughts.
Maevelyn: Glad you liked it. Yes, it is quite unusual, but actually it is how I envisioned season two before I knew about Bryn. From a preview, I said, hey, that looks a lot like Rumina. But to go along with the show, I kept Bryn in the story.
TiaKisu: Yeah. This is going to be fun.
Chapter 4
Surprises
Rumina stared for the longest time at the wooden door which had closed softly. Was this really happening? I am here, injured, under Sinbad's care, and he seems to care about my well-being. For a brief second, Rumina smiled. This is what she always wanted, to be under Sinbad's care. She could picture herself sleeping next to Sinbad while he cared for her. But then the smile vanished. No. Sinbad won't get that close to me. He still loves that peasant witch. I can see it in his eyes. Owwww, she makes me so mad. Sinbad probably sees me as just another one of those peasants he saves. I will show him. Rumina closed her eyes before returning to stare at the ceiling.
Outside, at the table, Sinbad was having a chat with Firouz at the table. It was late, but Bryn had joined them. Bryn had sensed something was wrong and walked out of her cabin to talk to Sinbad and Firouz about Rumina's current state. Rongar was at the tiller, and Doubar was sound asleep. He had drunk so much wine that nothing, even Rumina's shouts, could wake him.
"What's going on," Bryn asked.
Sinbad looked at her and smirked. "Rumina just had an unpleasant awakening."
"Oh, and why is that?"
"She's not used to being this way, injured and had to be cared for."
"Oh." Bryn thought awhile. "Is she okay?"
"Oh yes, at least physically she is the same."
"That's good." Bryn thought some more while Firouz pondered the situation himself and listened to what Sinbad had to say. "Can you tell me more about Rumina?" Bryn asked.
Sinbad chuckled at this question. "Well, what can I say, she is a black sorceress. She practices black magic and cursed me for killing her father, Turok, who had kidnapped the princess of Bagdad. She and Maeve often fought against each other. Maeve was determined to kill Rumina." His smile faded as he mentioned his love's name. "Rumina had caused a storm which had swept Maeve from the ship. I tried to save her, but it was too late. Thankfully, Dimdim managed to save Maeve."
Bryn thought about what Sinbad said then put a consoling hand on his shoulder. Bryn could sense his unease of mentioning Maeve. "It's okay. She will come back. Don't loose hope."
Sinbad looked at her, wondering how she could say that. He smiled, nevertheless. "Hope so."
Firouz finally came out of his thought. "What do we do with her when her wounds heel?"
This was a question Sinbad didn't expect to answer. He had never thought of that before. "She will decide that on her own. We are willing to give her protection, if she wants it. As for her powers, well, just hope she does not fry us." On the last line, he chuckled, thinking how Maeve used to threaten about frying him. He knew Rumina's powers were equal to that of Maeve, if not far better.
"I will do my best to hold her powers, then," Bryn replied.
Sinbad raised an eyebrow sort-of doubting that Bryn could match Rumina's powers. Heck, she did not even know how to control her own. But he again smiled at her and nodded.
Suddenly, there was a big bang. Sinbad's eyes widened and everybody, startled at the loud noise, turned to its source. It was coming from the room where Rumina lay.
Sinbad grabbed the doorknob and opened it quickly. He hoped Rumina hadn't attempted something stupid. He also hoped that her anger hadn't caused her to blow a hole in the ship. But when he entered, he, to his surprise, saw Rumina on the floor. She must have tried to get up out of the bed but fell and was having a hard time getting back up. He went over to help her.
"I said get your hands off me, seadog," she cursed at him.
Sinbad looked at his crew them back at Rumina. She was having an awfully hard time getting up. Her arms were working fine, but it seemed that her left leg, which was badly wounded, was hardily working at all. He decided to attempt to help her, again.
"Do I have to ask you again," Rumina half-yelled annoyed. "I am perfectly capable of helping myself."
Sinbad had to laugh at this but kept it in. Rumina could barely get up, and she was telling him that she could help herself. I thought Maeve was fiery, but boy Rumina has a temper. He smiled at this thought and decided to let Rumina do her best to get up. To his surprise, Rumina, grabbing onto the top of the bedside table, pushed herself up and onto the bed. He provided little assistance, only helping her scoot herself back into bed, despite her attacks.
"Don't touch me!" She yanked her arm out of his grasp. Sinbad backed off, not wanting to anger Rumina any more.
"I will not tolerate you treating me like this! I…" She noticed Bryn standing behind Sinbad. "Bryn," she whispered.
Startled by the name Rumina just said, Sinbad raised his eyebrow and turned his head to look at Bryn but soon turned back to Rumina. How could she know Bryn? She never met her before. And the way she said Bryn's named seemed like she was happy to see her. How could this be?
"Bryn," Rumina repeated, but this time with a higher pitch. "What are you doing here? I thought you were dead."
Bryn, taken back by this comment and how on earth this woman could know her name, questioned, "Dead?" She looked at Sinbad then returned her attention to Rumina. "How…how do you know me?"
Rumina laughed at this question. "Know you? How do I know you? We are sisters. Don't you remember the fire? The burning village? You went east to round up the other boys, but after I set the village ablaze, I could not find you. But I am so happy you got out safely. I was so worried about you." Rumina smiled and wished she could run and hug Bryn. But her smile slowly faded as she found that Bryn had no clue what she was talking about.
"Village? Sisters? I'm sorry, but I don't know you." Bryn looked at Sinbad then looked back at Rumina.
Rumina was shocked. Her sister didn't remember her. She was so mad she could kill Sinbad with her bear hands. She glared at Sinbad, fire in her eyes. "What have you done to her?"
Sinbad didn't know really what to say. "Nothing. We found her on an island where the natives were going to use her as a sacrifice. We saved her from them and took her into our crew. She has no memories of her past and does not even know how to control her powers."
At this, Rumina raised her eyebrows. "She does not know how to control her powers?" Giving Sinbad a questioning but stern look, she turned to Bryn and smiled. "Come. Give your sister a hug."
Bryn was speechless. She looked at Sinbad, who gave a nod. She took a deep breath and approached the black sorceress. She couldn't believe she was doing this. And further, she couldn't believe Sinbad had given his approval. Did he trust this woman? Bryn looked back at Sinbad before reaching Rumina, who extended her arms to hug her.
Sinbad was thinking about Rumina's request. How could he tell Bryn to hug her? He certainly did not fully trust Rumina. She was, after all, his enemy, a black sorceress whose quest was to rule the world. But she seemed so happy to see Bryn that maybe, just maybe, she was telling the truth, that they were sisters. And therefore, she would not dare hurt Bryn. Odd, but to see Bryn finally reunited with one of her family members made Sinbad smile. And for the first time, he thought he saw a light in Rumina's eyes.
