Author´s note:

Okay, first of all, a general and honest thank you for the reviews I got for the last chapter. With me sitting at my desk, being up to my ears in far too much work, they really, really made my day. Therefore, I love you all. :-) Here´s a new chapter, one with an evil cliffhanger, mwahahaha. :-D

By the way. I watched some episodes of season 2 by now and I am starting to wonder what the script writers were thinking. Possibly this has to do with the fact that my dear Maeve is gone :( which makes me like this season far less than I liked 1, but… where´s the chemistry and humour of the show? The verbal banters? I know, a lot of that fed of the atmosphere between Sinbad and Maeve but there is other stuff as in… what happened with those plots? Most of it is okay but erm… space ships and aliens? Please?

… I have to admit though that they had one good idea for season two, which was putting Gesner into those tight leather pants, mwahaha. :P

TiaKisu

Heh, aw, thanks a lot for your kind words. :-)

Nope, the story with Nemesis and her seafaring lover is my own. Just a little tidbid of a reoccurring mythological element so to say to enter my whole set of ideas. It´s actually a theme that is rather common with stories about Gods and the sea etc., you´ll find a very similar motif if you ever watched At World´s End. What is definitely taken from Greek mythology is the whole framework. Relations of the gods and goddesses as being siblings, the "areas" of responsibility etc. Elysion is part of Greek mythology, too even though in real mythology a human called Rhadamantis is its king. I altered it a bit and made Philotes the lady of the island to make it fit in with the whole frame story.

Thanks for the support. Well, actually, this story is one of the examples I experience now and then where characters just have sort of a head of their own. It´s easy to write them kinda in character under such conditions, the disadvantage is that they can be kind of stubborn like that. Just like him there. I just go with the flow in how he deals with things and see where it leads me and that is where it led me. :-)

And yep, this was what made the scene interesting to write for me, because in a way this is totally untypically Sinbad yet something I found interesting exploring as a writer and where I think it is very well possible for something like this to happen under the given circumstances. He needed a valve for his tension to recharge his batteries.

Ageofaagje

Wouldn´t we all? Aw well, patience. ;-)

Sorry for me being slow again. I hope that will change soon.

Ila88

Wow, thanks for that. :-) I was hoping that little tale would make all pieces fall into place (as far as they can for now).

I kind of like Philotes, too. I don´t really know why. Possibly also because she´s not one of these females trying to jump him right away (even though, who could blame them (coughs)).

Isha

And still, every single review is very much appreciated :-) Yup, hope that still kind of qualifies as soon for ya. :-)

Tai

Hehe, something tells me it could be fun to put you into the same room with my version of Sinbad, cause something tells you he might get some bruises ;-) Not that that would be a problem or too bad. Anyways, fun aside, I really appreciate your side of things, it´s always good to have several views on one and the same story cause it tells you a lot about how behaviour comes across which can sometimes be totally different as I myself perceive it. As I wrote a little further to the top, sometimes I feel as if my stories kind of develop a life of their own and yes, that definitely is the part with Sinbad. I have to admit that there are moments when I want to give him a smack on the back of the head, even though I still believe his actions do not result form being big headed but more from being over careful. And yes, I agree, trust could become an issue if he keeps it up. Well, ye shall see. :)

Hehe, I promise you will definitely see something into that direction, some mean part of you just likes to be a tease.

MidnightDew

Thanks. Good to hear that from you, because depth is what I am aiming at. :-)

Chapter 26

Over a sip of wine

He knew he should make use of the peace of this place and retire for the night and have a good few hours of proper sleep in a comfortable bed that allowed him undisturbed dreams. But he couldn´t find rest. As night had fallen completely and was drawing towards midnight, Sinbad was sitting on a rock that was a little away from the garden. He hadn´t felt up to a long walk in the dark even though he would have liked to watch the waves as he usually did when feeling thoughtful. It had taken them quite a time earlier that day to get here and in case he decided to go to bed somewhat later, he would have to walk all the way back and walk the night away till morning. This rock was good enough, standing out a little above the rest at the rim of the garden, not in a way that had him shine out against the night, but predominant enough to allow him a look over the sea – even if from afar. He could faintly see the ripples of waves breaking, leaving dim white trails of spray that shone like something alive under a bright moon and cloudless sky. He could hear laughter from a little off and turning his head to look over the plains below the villa of the lady, just down the path, he could make out the shapes of about a dozen people grouped around a tree that was hung with colourful lanterns, obviously enjoying themselves over some good company and some wine. He couldn´t tell if there were some of his men among them, but thought to recognize one or two of them, one of the younger sailors with his arm loosely draped across the shoulders of a slender brunette. With a wry smile he told himself that maybe it would be easy to make them agree to his plans. Apart from that group, there was another, smaller one, a little further off and apart from that there was no one , and the garden behind him at fallen completely silent.

He didn´t know how much time he had spent there with Philotes. It might have been minutes or maybe longer. Time didn´t really seem to matter in this place, but no matter how long he had been sitting there, his head against her shoulder, he felt it had done him some good. It had not taken away his worry for Maeve, nor had it eased the problem of how to break it to the crew that he intended on leaving most of them here (or the problem of how to navigate the Nomad with only half a dozen people), but he felt that he had needed something like this, maybe for a longer time than he dared to admit to himself. He felt better now without knowing what had caused that change, he felt stronger again, strong enough for the first time in days, for the unfair challenge Rumina had forced upon him.

There is no way of denying your feelings for her… The words of the goddess were still clearly present in his mind, had been swirling around there for long moments now, ever since he had come here to think. No. He knew that she was right, but it wasn´t that easy… or was it? Ever since Maeve and him had met for the very first time, there had been this special something between them. He had never been able to properly describe it and there had been no necessity to do so, since it had gone without saying. And even now that Maeve had forgotten about everything they had been through together, it seemed to him as if this something was still there. Yes, he had feelings for her, of course he had, and even though he had never admitted that out loud to anybody until now, there was no denying it. It had always been part of a game, part of their way of being around each other. They would have their verbal banters and flirty glances, she would get mad at him now and then for his cockiness and yes, he had always liked the poisonous glances she would toss random females who got too close to him for her taste even though she would most likely rather have her tongue ripped out than admit her jealousy. Those other women had never interested him and that had been part of the fun. That was how things had always been with them. Chase. Challenge. Ambiguities and glances … and awkwardness in moments when the border of these subtleties had been crossed. He chuckled to himself at that, finding all of this to be nice and good memories – and feeling a strange surge in his soul at the knowledge that she shared none of these memories with him any more. This realisation only set his mind more firmly on his task. He would save her, no matter how difficult it would get. No matter what it meant for him or what would happen.

There is no way in denying … his inner voice reminded him that he had again lost track of what was essential. Should he follow Philotes´ advice and just tell her what he felt for her? It was a difficult decision to make for so many reasons, but right now he was starting to wonder if any of them was valid. What did really matter after all, knowing that they were nearing the end of this journey, that this journey would be over no matter what and very soon in one way or the other? Maybe what some people said about women was right. Maybe they did know better about such things. Maybe he should really tell her. Noone expected him to propose to her in front of the whole crew or something after all. He nearly snorted at himself at the thought. Yes, right, that would be something they would jab on about for months. But could he really let her live on her possibly painfully short life… no, he forced the thought away … but could he really afford not telling her? Did he have the right to do so? Watching the waves, the answer was suddenly clear in his head. It all did make sense if one only asked the right questions. Glancing down at the group of merry people below him, he wondered if Maeve was sleeping already. He took a deep breath and got to his feet.

Just when he did, he could hear footsteps behind him. Light footsteps, barely audible on the grass, but the person approaching did not seem to be overly intend on not being heard even though she – a light step like this could only belong to a woman – seemed to be approaching hesitantly. Sinbad remained where he was, standing now and facing towards the sea, listening intently and wondering if he should turn around or wait until Maeve spoke to him, pretending he had not heard her come. He suddenly found his thoughts all jumbled. You´re a man, Sinbad, his inner voice scolded. Act like one. He hesitated for another moment, before he half turned and tossed a glance across his shoulder.

But instead of the red-headed sorceress, he found someone else standing there, just a few steps away from him, an elegantly shaped bottle of whine in one hand.

"So alone?" Helen asked, making a step towards him. He didn´t answer at once, feeling relief and disappointment at the same time that she wasn´t who he had expected … hoped her to be. She approached further. "Your men seem to be having quite a good time." she said, smiling at him. "You should join them."

"I had something to think about." he just replied with half a smile of his own, but this smile being less honest and more for reasons of manners.

"Think about?" Her voice sounded as if she was on the verge of being tipsy, but still had perfect control about herself. He could tell that the sway in her step did not result from the alcohol, but had other purposes. As did the tone in her voice. He was familiar with that kind of behaviour. He had often responded to it. But not this time. "What would one have to think about all alone, shying away from some fun in a place that is, after all, what people call paradise?" Her voice sounded sweet, almost seductive, and surely on purpose so.

"Many things." Sinbad said, giving no sign of responding to the flirt in Helen´s demeanour. "Nothing I would want to trouble you with."

"I see." she said, before giving a half elegant, half dismissive motion of her hand. "Put aside your troubles for now, Sinbad." she said, walking even closer and taking him by the arm. "why not have a bit of wine? You know... It´s such a beautiful night."

He shook his head slightly and placed his hand on her smaller one – to gently loosen her grip. "Not tonight." he said, meeting her eyes, making sure she understood. "I am feeling tired. I think I should go to sleep now."

He couldn´t exactly tell if that angered or annoyed her, a raised eyebrow was all he got but that could have been amusement as well as annoyance. "And put down all manners?" she asked, with a light, ringing laugh. "what a way to show gratitude for some hospitality to deny someone an innocent glass of wine."

He gave her a raised eyebrow in return, but had to admit she had a point. Still, there were more urgent matters he had to tend to and wondered how to best get away without seeming rude or insulting her sense of hospitality.. "I do not expect you to drink away the night with me." Helen said with a sigh. "even though you would make some fine company for sure. Let us make it a good night drink then and I will dismiss you to your rest. Only do not deny me the joy of sharing that. We are a joyous people here, Sinbad, nothing more than that."

Fine, he thought. "Just a moment." he said, suppressing a sigh and somehow managing a smile. "I am really tired you must know. We had a long way." "I know." she said before handing him the wine. "and may your journey lead to whatever end you desire." He nodded in affirmation to that, before he drank – not much, just a little sip, pretending it had been more. He had to admit it was good wine, one of the best he had ever tasted and it was strong. He knew he could cope with quite a lot, but he also knew a strong wine when he tasted one. "Excellent wine." he said, before handing back the bottle, his smile growing a little wider than before, feeling that his features and body language relaxed and thinking nothing of it.

"It is." Helen said with something that could have been interpreted as an almost cunning smile. "Many things on Elysion are… excellent." And again she touched his arm and moved closer.

If Sinbad was honest with himself he had to admit that he was no saint, had not been one in the time Maeve had been gone. He had kissed many women, even though he had felt that spark, that special something with no one but Maeve in all this time. And this spark was not there either right now. Beautiful as this woman was, she did not hold this special magic for him. But still.. for some reason he was starting to wonder whether it was worth the effort to work his reflexes … to withdraw his arm from her hand which was now sneaking up past his elbow … with his thoughts strangely slowed down, he wondered why he should bother to pull back his head while he was watching that of the woman move towards his inch by inch, her eyes fixed on his lips. All he did was stand transfixed, and then something inside him clicked. And his left hand snapped forward, gently but still insistently snatching and getting hold of her left wrist. "An excellent wine indeed." he said, the expression on his face a clear sign that he had seen through her. The wine. Of course.

He released her hand again and she stepped back only now making him notice how close she had really been, making him see how much the wine had fogged up his senses in so short a moment. There was no question that this was no real wine. He gave her a long look. "If you will excuse me now…" he said, declining his head. Inwardly he was growling slightly. Whatever she thought was fit to have some fun surpassed his limits of proper. "If I hear you get near my crew with that wine, you´ll be in trouble." he said, his voice still relatively calm, but his eyes fierce. He was maybe giving off too small signals and he knew he might have been more insistant but it proved to be somewhat difficult to shake off the effect of whatever she had put into the wine. He felt inward relief he had not swallowed more.

She shrank back from him a little, not in fear, but clearly pouting. "I can have men under my spell." she said, her voice smooth but telling of irritation. "I always have. Wars were fought for my love. Cities fell. Heroes died."

"I know." Sinbad said, realisation of who she was slowly sinking in. Elysion, island of heroes of old. Resting place of many that were in the old stories. Her words made sense. Everything about her suddenly did. "I guess it´s not easy being you if the stories are true." He replied. "But neither is being me. So I would advise you to take my warning, Helen of Troy." And with that, he gave her a last, stern look and turned to leave. Maeve. He had to look for her, and by now he no longer cared if she was sleeping or not. He had sorted things out for himself, he had set his priorities straight, maybe these last two minutes had even strengthened them, like some last test. Even if he woke there, maybe, he thought with an inward smirk, maybe there were things worth being woken for. He had to talk to her. Now.

When he meant to walk away, however, again, he froze in his step. There, not too far away from him, but not quite in earshot of calmly exchanged words, he could make out a very familiar shape. A very familiar set of eyes meeting his for the shortest of moments before Maeve turned abruptly and quicklydisappeared into the night. Sinbad cursed inwardly. "Maeve." he called out, his voice strangely giving hardly an echo at all when he abandoned Helen and her attempts of seduction and set off to follow the one he really cared for.