A/N: I am back! I am really hoping to finish this story this summer. I must admit that I'm having a lot of fun writing this story and that I'll be sad to see it end. I hope you like this new chapter! Don't forget to leave a review at the door, especially if you liked it! ;-)

The wind had died down. From the Nomad, Sinbad could hear the cries of joy of his daughter and his brother as they played together in the water. Bryn had finally decided to join them after an hour in the sun while Firouz and Rongar had secluded themselves in the shade.

Sinbad had already inspected every inch of his beloved ship. Everything seemed in perfect condition. Now, standing on the left side of the ship, he stared into the horizon ahead. He thought he had wanted retirement. He thought he'd grown tired of sailing the seas and had wanted to settle down. Now, he wasn't so sure.

He loved his daughter and wanted nothing more to have her in his life. Yet, the sea was calling out to him. Every day, the sea and a life with Maeve played tug-of-war with his heart. Would Maeve agree to come back on the ship? Would she want to raise their child on the Nomad while sailing the Seven Seas?

He couldn't stop thinking about her. He needed to be with her. The yearning he felt to hold his precious sorceress in his arms once again grew stronger each time he looked into his daughter's eyes. She was all Maeve, except maybe for her softer side. Brianna didn't seem to have her mother's fiery temper.

Footsteps made him turn around. He smiled as his brother made his way towards him. He hoped Doubar would understand his need to sail. Maybe he would even agree to leave with him? He doubted his older brother would even consider staying behind.

"Out of the water, I see," Sinbad told him.

"That girl is one sweet child!" Doubar replied, his eyes lighting up at the thought of his niece. "You and Maeve make beautiful children. It's just a shame we have missed out on so many years."

Sinbad nodded.

"You know Maeve won't be happy about this? The two of you sneaking around behind her back…"

"I know, big brother," Sinbad sighed. "I know."

"When will you see her?"

Sinbad shrugged.

"I'm hoping sooner than later."

Doubar smiled sympathetically at his brother. Though Sinbad never talked about it, Doubar had always known how hurt his brother had been when Maeve had disappeared. He had always known Sinbad had felt guilty about her disappearance even though he had had nothing to do with it. Sure, he hadn't expected to turn up on this island and find out he had a niece. However, this surprising turn of event meant that his brother could now have the life he had secretly always wanted with Maeve.

"Come on, let's go back on land," Sinbad said, snapping his brother out of reverie.

The two men climbed out of the ship and joined the others back on the beach. They settled comfortably around a small fire that Bryn had quickly ignited on the beach. Brianna told them more about life on the island. She told the crew about her friends and her home. She explained the chores she needed to do every day to help her mother.

Corey felt horrible. She had had no choice but to betray her friend's trust in her. She had told Maeve the truth: that Brianna was gone to the beach with Sinbad and his crew. Her father had strongly reprimanded her for her lack of judgment. She still bore the redness on her cheek. Her father rarely beat her, unlike other fathers she knew. This time, she knew she had deserved it.

She felt like she needed to warn Brianna. If Maeve didn't walk down to the beach herself, she was bound to take it out on her friends when she came home. She suddenly thought of the "Messenger", the man who travelled often between Kwarzax and Manxa. Maybe she could leave him a message. But who would he leave the message to?

Suddenly, she thought of Gwendolyn, the innkeeper's daughter. They played together a few times on their trips to the beach in Manxa. Maybe she could send the message to her.

She took off in the opposite direction. She'd be late for her lesson but she didn't care. This was more urgent. She found the "Messenger" (she didn't know his real name) and told him her message. She told him to tell Gwendolyn it was urgent she found her friend to tell her the message. The man simply nodded and took off without even looking back. Corey sighed with relief. She had done her job.

The sun was still high in the sky. Bryn, Firouz, and Rongar had fallen asleep after their quick snack. Doubar and Brianna were off searching for sea shells further up the beach while Sinbad sat on the warm sand, staring into the distance.

He tried to think of ways to tell Maeve he knew about his daughter. No matter what the scenario was, it felt wrong to him. He knew he shouldn't have lied to her. In fact, he should have gone straight to her as soon as he had found out she lived her. Somehow, something had stopped him. They hadn't seen each other in 12 years. What if their meeting didn't go well? What if they realized that the chemistry between them was gone? What if…?

A twig snapped behind him. He whipped his head in direction of the noise. It seemed to come from inside the forest. He tried to find movement between the branches but saw nothing. He turned around, blaming the sound on an animal. Suddenly, another twig snapped. This time, he got to his feet, his hand hovering over where his sword would have been. He quickly realized he was unarmed.

A young girl emerged from the woods. She seemed to be approximately the same age as his daughter. The two of them also shared red hair, although the young girl before him had shorter and curlier hair.

The young girl stopped in front of him, breathless. Her eyes scanned the beach quickly a few times.

"I need to speak with Brianna. It's urgent."

Sinbad called out to his daughter. Brianna came running towards him.

"Gwendolyn! What are you doing here?"

The young girl was still out of breath. She looked at her friend, a panicked look in her eyes.

"The "Messenger" stopped by. He had a message for you."

Sinbad frowned.

"Who is the "Messenger"? Why did he want to talk to Brianna?"

Gwendolyn ignored the captain.

"Your mother knows, Brianna. She saw Corey today. She knows you weren't at the beach with her. She's very angry."

Brianna and Sinbad exchanged anxious glances.

"Thank you, Gwen. You can go now."

Gwendolyn spun on her heels and went back the same way she had arrived. By then, Doubar had joined them, sharing their anxiety.

"What happened? Who's that?"

"That's Gwendolyn," Brianna replied. "She's the innkeeper's daughter and my friend. She came to tell me the "Messenger" stopped by the inn with a message for me."

Doubar looked over quizzically at Sinbad, who still seemed confused.

"Who is the "Messenger"?" Sinbad asked for the second time.

"He is a man who travels between villages, but mostly between Manxa and Kwarzax. He has a great memory. You can tell him anything and he will bring the message in the next village. He has never forgotten one!"

"And what did he want with you?"

"He came to give me Corey's warning."

"What warning?"

It was Sinbad who answered.

"Maeve knows about us."

Suddenly, the wind began to pick up. Sand rose in the air, blown away by the strong wind. Sinbad took a hold of his daughter's hand. Doubar shielded his eyes with his hand.

"Looks like there's a storm coming!" he yelled through the wind.

Brianna shook her head.

"That's not a storm! That's magic!"

They both knew what that could mean.

Awakened by the wind, Bryn, Firouz, and Rongar slowly made their way to them.

"What is that?" Firouz questioned them.

"It's magic!" Brianna yelled back.

"Who could be creating this?"

Suddenly, the wind died down. The sand settled back on the ground and the crew was able to open their eyes. The initial shock turned into stupor as Maeve stood in front of them, at the edge of the forest.

"Brianna! Come here this instant!" Maeve cried as she advanced towards the crew.

Brianna turned to her father.

"I'm sorry."

Sinbad simply gave her a tiny shove forward. Brianna slowly made her towards her mother.

"Come on, we are going home!"

"But Mother..." Brianna whined, not daring to look up.

"I said, LET'S GO!"

Maeve reached for her daughter's hand and pulled her towards the forest. Brianna looked back at her father and his crew. They all stared at them, wide-eyed. She waved goodbye before obediently following her mother.