Hooray! I just finished finals for my class! I hope to have more time in the near future to complete this story! Happy reading!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights to The New Adventures of Sinbad - all this recognition goes to the Creator, Ed Naha.
Once they reached their table, all eyes were on them. Sinbad looked at Bryn than to Ruby. He noticed something was up. "Everything okay with Dermott?"
"It's Captain Hawkins", Bryn said before looking over her shoulder, "He's on his way in". The crew glanced behind her. They saw a tall, dark haired man saunter in. He wore a loose fitting white blouse and brown leather pants that carried a black leather scabbard on his left hip. They've recognized him before from past visits into this port. They watched him walk straight towards the bar.
"It would be best if we act normal", Firouz stated, "He doesn't know that it was us on his ship last night, remember?"
Hans and Will exchanged looks, "You guys went onto his ship without him knowing? You didn't mention that part", Will whispered. Minus the detail about mermaids, Sinbad just finished explaining what their situation was in regards to finding Ruby's family. "Doesn't that break some sort of sailor's code?"
"You're not breaking the rules unless you get caught", Sinbad smiled as he watched Hans roll his eyes at that statement, "At least that is how I see it with most things'.
Bryn leaned in close to whisper, "Dermott followed him to a house earlier in the woods. He didn't see anyone there, but said most windows were covered up".
"Let me guess, you would like to go in there as well?", Will stated more than questioned. "Why don't you try getting yourself an invitation before breaking and entering".
"I don't think that's a good idea", Bryn replied to his suggestion.
"I am sure we can find someone to make introductions", Will continued. He scanned the room. "Any man would be pleased to bring home a beautiful woman".
Bryn placed a hand on his arm, "Please, Will. I know you're trying to help, but I don't wish to be introduced to the man".
"Dermott said he will take us there tomorrow", Ruby added.
The bar keep just shut a few opened windows. They could hear him mumble about a storm coming. At that moment, Sinbad took his eyes off of Bryn and followed Captain Hawkins. He and his men were settling at the table next to them. The rest of the crew noticed as well and their table went silent. He wondered what would cause Bryn to be so uneasy about meeting Captain Hawkins. He felt there was something that she wasn't sharing.
Ruby grew nervous at Captain Hawkins's nearness. She felt that he would notice that she was a mermaid. She reached out to Bryn telepathically, "I think I need to go now".
"Firouz, are our accommodations all set at the inn?" Bryn turned to her friend after she heard Ruby's unease. She watched Firouz nod his head.
"Yes, I was only able to get four rooms", he said, "Some of us will have to share". He pulled out keys that he carried in his pocket, "Thanks for asking. I almost forgot. The room numbers are engraved on the keys. We are all on the third floor". He laid three on the table and kept one for himself. "Who's rooming with me?"
Rongar immediately raised his hand. Doubar made a disgruntled noise. He knew Firouz and Rongar some how always results to this arrangement and he had an idea of why. "My snoring is not that bad!" he said. Rongar gesture to one of his ears and pointed up. "Yeah, yeah...I know. Your sense of hearing is heightened", Doubar said impatiently before he took a swig of his drink.
Bryn reached for one of the keys, "This one will be mine and Ruby's".
Doubar reached for his own, "Sinbad, you're the only one who seems to put up with my snoring. Everyone else here are big babies.".
Sinbad shrugged with an amused smile, "I'm used to it".
"I'm the odd man out", Anders pointed out. He looked at Bryn and Ruby, "I will room with the girls", he stated out loud with a wink at their direction.
"No!", Bryn and Ruby both said at the same time. The rest of the crew laughed.
"You won't get any snoring from me", Anders said with hands raised in defense.
"You are wasting your breath, Anders", Bryn replied while taking a glance at Captain Hawkins. From where she sat, she could see his profile. Her mind immediately went to that night she jumped off of his balcony. She wasn't sure if he's figured out that she wasn't Mabel after all. She also remembered she has not yet spoken a word of her discovery to Sinbad. From across the table, she saw him give her a look that she knew so well. There was something he wanted to say.
"Were you planning on calling it a night?" Doubar interrupted Bryn's thoughts. Bryn made eye contact with him and nodded her head.
"Yes, there is an errand we need to do early in the morning", she said. She took one last sip of her drink and placed it down on the table in front of her.
"I am sure we won't be long either", Firouz said. He looked around the room, "It seems most people are choosing to head home early due to the rain" . He watched the bar slowly empty out. People were milling around the exist saying quick good nights to their friends.
"Sleep well, ladies", Hans smiled at the women as they got up.
Ruby returned the smile, "You too", she looked at the rest of the men, "Good night to all of you".
Before leaving, Bryn walked up to Sinbad and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Before doing so, she saw that Ruby was already walking towards the exit, she whispered into Sinbad's ear, "Will you meet me in the lobby before you go to bed?" She looked into his blue eyes and watched him nod his head slightly at her request.
xxxx
Sinbad watched Bryn walk away and wondered what was on her mind and most importantly, what she wanted to say. When he looked back at the table, he did a double take at Hans and Will. They both shared the same grin on their faces. "What?"
"When did this start happening?" Hans questioned. He pointed towards the exit and pointed back at Sinbad. "Do you always get a kiss goodnight from your crew members ?"
Doubar chuckled and answered for his brother, "Only from the one who wears a skirts everyday".
"Not always", Sinbad answered for himself.
"Are you two serious", Hans asked with curiosity and amusement in his eyes.
"Well", Sinbad cleared his throat and took only a second to think about it, "I am".
"Have you two…?" Will raised his eyes brows suggestively.
"You don't have to answer that", Firouz quickly interjected towards Sinbad before he took a gulp of his ale.
Sinbad gave a nervous laugh. He knew it was not anyone's business. He also knew these men at the table were like his brothers. Although, he wasn't ready be so open around his newest crew member, Anders. "You're right Firouz. I am going to keep that one to myself".
Will accepted that response with a laugh and a nod. "Fair enough. It really isn't my business. I suppose you can say I'm just surprised!"
"Just to hear you say that you're serious about a woman floors me", Hans exclaimed.
"What are you saying?", Sinbad asked.
"You have been known to be a notable bachelor", Hans replied, "You will be breaking many hearts once word get's out that Sinbad the Sailor is settling down".
"Hey! No one said anything about settling down!" Sinbad exclaimed, "Don't be starting rumors now, Hans".
"Speaking of breaking hearts", Doubar elbowed Sinbad. "Look who is making her way towards our table right now".
xxxx
The first thing that Bryn did when she got into her room at the inn was open the window. She peaked outside and silently told Dermott that they made it to their room. When she turned around she saw that Ruby sat on one of the beds. She was staring at her feet.
"Are you okay?" Bryn went to go sit next to her.
Ruby looked up and Bryn and gave her a small smile. "I will be once this is over". She than gave a look of uncertainty. "Will this ever be over?"
"I hope so", Bryn replied, "How long has this been go on?"
"Only a couple months", Ruby answered. "I am still unsure of how Captain Hawkins discovered our island".
"Maybe he met one of your own in the past", Bryn answered. This time it was her turn to look at the floor. She was unsure of whether or not she should tell her about Mabel's visits on Captain Hawkins 's ship. She wondered how long Mable has been keeping that a secret as well.
"No one claims to know him", Ruby responded.
"Sinbad is not one to give up easily", Bryn smiled at Ruby, "If anyone can help, it will be him".
"You two are lucky to have each other", Ruby said. "All of you are lucky. Mabel is right. Sinbad really does have a fine crew".
"I am thankful for them everyday", Bryn stood up. She just saw Dermott fly in through the window. He perched himself on a chair.
"Be careful", Dermott warned them. "I saw someone follow you two from the tavern. He entered the inn. He's one of Hawkins's men".
"Perhaps he has a room here?" Ruby said to the bird.
"Perhaps. I just have a funny feeling about him", Dermott responded. "He didn't take his eyes off the both of you. Just be careful".
"Thank you, Dermott", Bryn said to her friend. She trusted his instincts. Most of the time she found him to be right when it came to his warnings. She looked at Ruby, "I'm going to the lobby to speak with the inn keeper. Maybe he knows something about this vendor I met today or anything else unusual going on around town".
"Can't you wait till morning?" Ruby asked.
" He has few customers needing his attention at this time. I'd rather get to him when he has a chance to talk. I am not yet tired anyways," Bryn responded. She hoped Ruby believed her. The main reason she wanted to go into the lobby was to have a word with Sinbad without Ruby there to overhear her speak of Mabel. Although, she wasn't lying entirely. If the inn keeper was free, she would still question him of what she just said she'd intend to do.
"Well, if Dermott is right about this man that followed us here. Be careful", Ruby repeated the hawk's words.
"I will", Bryn smiled, "Get some rest. I will be back soon".
