Chapter 10 : Embarking on an Impossible Quest

During the early hours of the morning, Maeve felt a hand on her elbow, prodding her awake. "Mmmm?",she inquired, drowsily. She lifted her head a little and opened one sleepy eye. Sinbad was no longer making his drawings. From his seat on the damp floor, he was gesturing excitedly, saying something that sounded incredibly important. Something about knowing exactly where the sea graveyard is located. Maeve, straining to listen from within the depths of her peaceful slumber, concluded that this incoherent ramble meant that everything was going to turn out all right after all. She nodded that she was pleased to hear the good news, whatever it was, and settled her head back down on her arms to sleep.
Sinbad laughed at her reaction and bounced up to his feet. "Doubar!",he called as he flew out of his room.

"Doubar!",called Sinbad, once again, sprinting energetically down the slippery lower deck.

"What is it?", called Doubar from his hammock. He sat up at once, detecting the excitement and urgency in Sinbad's tone. It sounded promising. He knew his little brother wouldn't let them down. "What is it? What have you found?", he asked eagerly.
"You saw the image of the deep sea graveyard, right? Well, until last night I didn't give a second thought to it except that the landscape close by was quite familiar in its structure."

Firouz rubbed the sleep from his eyes and joined this impromptu tete-a-tete between the brothers. He sat on a nearby stool and listened intently.

"Only last night, it struck me.. we saw a lot of shipwrecks lodged in those teeth like rocks guarding the cliff side. Well, how did those ships get wrecked?" Sinbad threw his hands open in earnest. "Don't you think its strange that there should be so many ships wrecked in the exact same spot?!"

Doubar appeared thoughtful. "Come to think of it, yeah.. I have heard of a wreck or two.. but I think the image showed at least six or seven-"

"Seven to be exact", volunteered Firouz.

"Well, it struck me curious as well because I recalled hearing , at one time, a strange story of a vortex that appeared mysteriously in the high seas. The story passed on from ship to ship, but the way I heard it, they said the vortex was not natural but-"

"-existed for a purpose-",continued Doubar, with sudden interest. "I've heard that tale as well. You think all those wrecks could have been pulled against those rocky teeth by the vortex?!"

"Why not?! How else can you explain why all those ships happened to wreck so close to the coastline? They were already wrecked elsewhere due to storms in the high seas. The sailors probably took all they could and abandoned their ship to sink."

"Only it didn't sink. Instead it was pulled by the vortex's circular current to be dashed against the deadly teeth",said Firouz. By now, Rongar had joined them as well.
"There's something in that!", said Doubar. He looked hopeful. "You know, you may be right about this"
"I know I am!",said Sinbad, confidently. "Now, how soon can we set sail?"
Rongar indicated with his hands that the rains had subsided to a decent downpour but the skies were still black and gloomy. He followed in quick pace behind the Captain as he ran to the deck of his ship.

Sinbad didn't mind the rain as he surveyed the turbid weather. Firouz gave him the magnoscope and he slowly scanned the horizon. "Doesn't look too bad", he said after a long pause. Doubar stood next to him, studying the clouds as well. "It was much worse yesterday.", he admitted.

"Doubar, I think I know where the vortex appears. If we start now, we can navigate around the vortex just down the coast. We can find safe harbor for the Nomad and make it out on the boat to shore. I know of a village that has been abandoned there due to the unpredictable tides."

"What about Kaylan?"

"I'll check on him now. Something tells me he will be glad for a swim in the salty sea"

Doubar stomped down to below deck alongside Rongar. The commotion woke Maeve and she scrambled to her feet. She rushed out and saw both men tugging with some heavy parcels.

"What's going on?", she asked.

"Sinbad thinks its a good idea to bring out those special storm sails that we bartered. We want to catch as much wind as possible and reach our destination quick and sound" "We have to", reminded Maeve, gravely. "We've got only five more days. Where is Sinbad?" "

He down near the shoal tank to prepare Kaylan for the journey ahead-"

"I think I'll join him"

"Tomorrow at day break", assured Sinbad, fervently. "We will arrive at our destination."
"Thank you, Captain", replied Kaylan. His hairline had receded considerably and scales appeared completely on his head and face. His arms appeared tougher and hideous black claws took the place of his fingernails.
"I look a sight, don't I?", asked Kaylan, sullenly. "Sometimes.." He swallowed and fought the desperation in his tone. "- sometimes I think that I'll stay this way forever. I'll never see Val again and you can just sell me as some aquatic freak to a travelling circus-"
"Shhhh..Don't talk that way, Kaylan",hushed Maeve, walking into the darkened room. "We are going to make sure you get the song of the sea and return safe back to Valensya."
"Our only concern is-",added Sinbad with a hopeful smile. "-if you... are up to the challenge-"
"Me?", said Kaylan, cheering up as he detected the positive note in Sinbad. "I would do anything if it means being with Valensya again-"
"Soon you will have the chance to prove your words"
"I look forward to it"

The rain fell incessantly upon the Nomad. Firouz suddenly remembered his invention- the umbrella and rushed down to get it. "We can use this for protection against the continuous downpour", offered Firouz, in momentary excitement which dissolved almost at once when he observed the look on Sinbad's soaking wet face. "Or, perhaps its a little too late for that-",he said,sheepishly.
"Give it to Maeve",said Sinbad, never letting go of the tiller.
"Of course", said Firouz and like a perfect gentleman, he escorted Maeve from below deck under the protection of the umbrella.
"The storm sails are perfect for this weather", said Sinbad, rasing his voice to a yell to be heard over the howling winds.
"Aye", said Doubar, looking worried as ever. "When do you think we'll come to the vortex?"
Sinbad nodded once with a calm reassuring smile. "Don't worry,big brother. I'll guide us around the vortex. We have to think of what to do once we get ashore"
"I may be able to help you there", interjected Maeve. "I've been reading up on underwater treasures. The song of the sea resembles the conch shell of Tritan with a high spire and long canal-"
"A symbol of great power!",said Doubar.
"Yes. But I think this shell is a little different.."
"Meaning?",prompted Sinbad.
Maeve looked puzzled. "There is nothing written on the song of the sea. So, I assumed that it was Tritan who composed the song himself and recorded it within the shell.." Maeve shrugged her shoulders. "For his amusement-"
Sinbad frowned. "Sounds like a relatively harmless treasure. I wonder why Queen Esdel was so specific that Kaylan should fetch that particular shell-"
"I'm afraid I don't have any answer for that-"
Sinbad breathed hard and stared ahead determinedly.
"Now all we have to look forward to is that tentacled monster that awaits us in the depths of the sea"

By nightfall the rain ceased for the thunderstorm had chosen to reappear in another region of the horizon. Sinbad held fast to the tiller, listening to the sound of the waves. The ship appeared to travel faster but he couldn't discern if it was because of the wind or the rising current.
"Rongar take the tiller. I need to see what's out there",said Sinbad, frowning and heading straight for the bow. He put one leg up on wood and leaned forward. The others waited in bated breath for they too sensed the change in their speed. Suddenly one strong wave hit the Nomad like a slap from a gigantic invisible hand.
"DOUBAR, I NEED YOU AT THE RUDDER!", yelled Sinbad, running to the stern.
"Aye!",yelled Doubar, throwing his weight on the rudder.
"Hold her at an angle.",cried Sinbad, his eyes roving suspiciously across the waves. "From the sounds of it, we are entering the region of the vortex"
Maeve stood boldly beside Sinbad and produced a ball of fire for light. Another wave slapped the hull of the Nomad, pushing the ship inwards.
Doubar groaned to keep the ship steady and pointing outwards but he needed help! Firouz joined him at the rudder at once. The winds began to pick up as well.
"Keep her steady",said Sinbad. The Nomad began to pick up more and more speed.
"WHAM!"
Another wave hit the bottom of the ship. The another and another.. like being caught in the blades of Firouz's wind machine"
"SINBAD!", yelled Doubar, wondering if they should drop sails, since the wind appeared to pull them closer to the vortex.
"No, Doubar.. just keep her steady. I promise we'll get through this",insisted Sinbad. "Look!", he pointed at a distant spot in the ocean. Maeve scrutinized the waters. There didn't seem to be anything at first. And then she saw it. A massive swirling wall of waves, twisting and colliding in a constant circular motion and pulling anything into its core. She gasped in sudden fear.
The huge waves began to slap the Nomar harder and harder, ushering its doom at the center of the Doubar, it seemed the rudder had a life of its own. It seemed to knife into his arms, tearing at his bones. Rongar positioned himself on the other side and steadied Doubar's grip.
"How much longer?!",cried Doubar,hoarsely.
"Not long",shouted Sinbad. "Whatever you do, don't let go of the rudder!"
Doubar's hands felt numb under the strain of the heavy rudder. Still he stuck to his task, never daring to disobey Sinbad's orders. They were going to get through this in one piece.

The intensity of the waves began to lessen. The winds carried the Nomad in its wide arc around the deadly vortex and soon they were free to make it to the coast. Sinbad hugged Doubar in happiness. It was a small victory in the long battle ahead.