Part 2: Reunions
Nomad:
Bryn stirred once during the night, sending out her power to the one who sought its help. But there was another person, crying in the night for her aid. Tentatively, she reached out and was rebuffed by some other force. * Rumina, my dear, beloved sister. What have you been doing to yourself?
Sinbad stroked her cheek, shivering as the coldness of her skin spread to his hand. "What do you see while you are so far away?" He got up and paced the room after a while, the nervous energy within forcing him into action. As he watched the sun rise in the sky, there was a sound and he turned, seeing Velda. The scene that followed froze him in his tracks.
As the sun began to crest the horizon, Bryn opened her eyes and saw Velda in the doorway. "Coral." She said, her voice was gentle and full of love for her old friend. The miko was unprepared for the tears that fell down the woman's cheeks and the urgency in her words of abject apology. She held out her arms to Velda, nearly falling off the bed at the force of the hug. "What's this all about?"
Velda/Coral couldn't think of anything to say, just kept babbling. Soon though, the magic that was Bryn's to give began to work its soothing way on her troubled heart. The young woman pulled away finally and looked at her. "I'm so sorry, it's all my fault that you died. If I hadn't been so stupid and listened to him, you wouldn't have survived. When we met in Scroff and you didn't know me, I knew that it was my punishment for killing you."
"Coral, you didn't do anything wrong. You were starving for your father's love. Believe me, I know that feeling." Bryn smiled, brushing away the tears.
"How can you? You had two fathers." Coral asked, resting her head on Bryn's shoulder.
She laughed, a little bitterly. "Ah, yes. One who loved me but favored my brothers. The other didn't even know I existed until I was born but didn't want me enough to come and get me? Yeah, they were great." Her tone was dry.
"But at least you know what its like not to have your father try to kill you." She whispered. "You just had a friend do it."
"The first part certainly is true. The second is not." There was a hint of steel in her words that was seldom, if ever, heard from her. She forced Coral to look at her. "You didn't kill me. I won't allow you to continue believing such garbage. You are no more responsible than I am. What happened was meant to be."
"You always were more level headed than you had any reason to be." A sultry voice commented from the open door. "This is a most welcome sight. Where have you been, girl?"
"Peri!" The two women squealed, then Bryn said with a large grin. "Get your butt over here, you lovely sight for my weary eyes."
"Oh, forgotten how to be a lady already?" She asked, doing as she was told to with an answering smile on her face. Her eyes were twinkling as she stood, looking down at them.
Bryn snorted, grabbing her arm and hauling her down onto the bed to join them. "I've never been lady. Everyone knows that."
"True. You've always been a glory hog." She teased.
"Oh, yeah. Give the credit to the one who deserves it." Bryn smirked.
Coral piped up. "Okay, where's our illustrious leader Maeve?"
The miko gasped in mock indignation, before her eyes fell as she remembered what she had seen. "She's in trouble, that's why I had all those wounds. I still have a connection with her and Rumina."
"What kind of trouble?" Peri asked, resting on Bryn's other shoulder.
"I don't really know, all I saw was a bunch of snow." Bryn shrugged. "There was a large man with her, but he wasn't the one who was threatening her. He seemed to be helping her. I just don't understand why she'd need the help, her magic is strong enough to help her avoid such danger."
There was a long pause before Coral ventured a suggestion. "Maybe her power is bound."
"No way that would happen, she'd have to give up her control. And that wouldn't happen unless..." Bryn's eyes narrowed and she stared at both of her friends, "she also believes that she is responsible for my death."
"Yes, Bryn. She does." Peri said, her eyes were calm belying the turmoil she felt inside as she watched Bryn's eyes flare.
"I see." Her voice was quiet but sharp like a sword edge. "Is there anyone else who thinks that they are Allah?"
"I don't understand." Peri was watching her, wary.
"Oh, I think you do." Bryn moved them gently aside and stood up. "For some ridiculous reason, Maeve and Coral both think that they have the power to decide who gets to live and who dies. That's Allah's domain, not ours. People don't die unless it is their time. At least, that's what we have learned. So, I just have to wonder, who else thinks that they can make these decisions."
"Rumina." Coral whispered.
"My half-sister. Why doesn't that surprise me." She muttered, her hand ran through her hair. "What is wrong with this picture? No wonder it took them so long to heal me, Peri was the only one of you who kept our bond open. I'd still be in that coma if Sinbad hadn't been bored and spent his time visiting me. And this has nothing to do with our current situation, we have find Maeve."
"Bryn..." Coral stopped at the glare she received. She shrank back into the pillows, trying to hide behind Peri-who was not helping her out.
She approached the girl and held her steady with hands and eyes. "Don't say it. You have * nothing * to be sorry for. Do you understand that?"
The physician slowly examined herself, knowing that Bryn wouldn't accept any half measures. She didn't know what she expected to find but the lack of guilt wasn't it. Her eyes went wide with a trace of doubt in them as they met Bryn's open ones. "Did you do something to me?"
Her head shook angrily, thought her response was loving. "Our unspoken cardinal rule, never use magic against one of your own if you can help it. All I did was give you my forgiveness, though I never thought to blame you for anything."
"Well, now that that's settled, shall we go?" Peri asked, standing up and moving out the door. "I can make our travel arrangements."
"Do you think we should consult Sinbad?" Coral asked.
Bryn weighed the situation in her mind carefully. "Sinbad has a right to know since he will be taking us." Her hand rose to silence their protests. "Something is going to occur, that's why this convention is happening now. All those who have a bracelet are being gathered together to set out. We have time, Coral here still has her presentation to make and I doubt that Maeve will be going anywhere anytime soon."
"Good point. Then I'll see what I can do to find your friends." She gestured to the bracelets. Coral left the room with a hurried good-bye. Peri turned to Bryn, waiting until the other woman had gone. "Do you think this has something to do with our failure?"
"What failure? Oh, you mean Donestk? He's dead but not totally." She sighed, unbuttoning her borrowed shirt, wincing in pain. "Glad Firouz invented these things, makes dressing and undressing easier. Someone used the goose egg to defeat her, not knowing the extent of its power and well, sent Rumina's birthright into someone else. It might have gone into her father-she did make a deal with Scratch to help him if he brought Turok back, but I doubt it was him."
Peri let out a gusty sigh. "That is not very comforting."
"Sorry, I didn't know you were looking for comfort." Bryn watched her go, closing the door behind her. "Oh, what a farce this is turning into." She began to pull off the shirt when she heard someone clear a throat and turned around, quickly finding him by the window. She whipped her shirt closed and wrapped her arms around her waist. "Sinbad!"
He held up his hands and moved out of the corner, his look was contrite. "Peace. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but the situation escalated before I could announce my presence."
Bryn laughed at his chagrined expression. "Just try to act surprised when we tell you what's going on."
"Not going to be a problem since I don't understand what is going on." He chuckled, then he smiled suggestively. "I'll leave you to get changed now, unless you want to finish our discussion from earlier."
She pushed him towards the door. "Out!" She ordered, blushing from head to toe.
"I get the feeling that I'm not wanted." He teased, stopping at the door to look down at her. She was looking better, the color was back even though he could still see fever and pain in her eyes.
"Oh, you're wanted, just not in here." She quipped, hiding behind her hair.
His hand ran down the line of her cheek, brushing away her hair with a smile. "I think I'll have to do something about that one of these days."
"But not today." Bryn scolded gently. Words that were swallowed up in a sudden, fierce kiss. Her hand left the doorknob, dropping to her side as her body swayed towards his. He reached out and held her, being careful to avoid touching her wounds. The door closed softly, aided by Sinbad's kick. She jumped at the sound, closing the distance between them, and deepening their kiss.
He felt her hand move hesitantly to his chest, one of his hands caught it and gently placed it on his shoulder, encouraging her to touch him. It fluttered for a moment, unsure of what to do before stroking his neck and curling into his hair. There was a pause when they pulled away to catch their breath, his hands caressed her as he watched her, trying to gauge her reaction. She pulled him back down, aching for more.
There was a sharp rap on the door. "Bryn? Are you all right?" Peri's cool, concerned voice cut through the heat of their rising passion.
"Yes. I'm fine." Bryn's voice was shaky as she jerked back. Sinbad was not swayed and turned loving attention towards her throat, lingering softly on her wounds. She swallowed a moan and pushed him, he reluctantly gave ground.
Peri knew that there was something wrong. "What was that loud crash?"
"I shut the door with more force than was necessary. Sorry." Her voice was stronger, calmer.
"Well, if you say so. I couldn't find Sinbad, why don't you help me search for him." Peri said, changing the subject.
Sinbad stifled a chuckle and she hit his chest. "Sure. I'll be out in a few minutes." They heard her walk away, then Bryn turned on him. "I'll bet you think you're so cute."
"I've been told so. Now, I better go get lost, so that you can find me." He quickly kissed her, before disappearing down the hall.
"What makes you think I'd want to find you after your shameless behavior?" She asked his retreating back.
A sensual laugh floated down the hall and she shivered. "What makes you so sure you don't want to?"
"Jerk." She muttered, closing the door and changing into a loose shirt and pair of pants. The hair on the back rose as something strange filled her senses.
"Hello, Bryn. Long time no see." A long feared voice swirled in the room.
Her eyes blinked, searching the room. A hand involuntarily rose to her throat when she saw the dark form standing in her cabin. "Donestk." Disbelief colored her tone, strength deserted her. It was too soon, the wounds were too fresh for this confrontation.
He bowed. "I'm flattered that you remember me."
"Who could forget our only meeting?" Bryn said, edging away from the door and over to the window. "What was it you called us then? A bunch of mangy kids?"
"I can see that your memory has suffered no permanent damage." He acknowledged, watching her movements through narrow eyes. Something was nagging him, something in the air that he felt he should remember, but what?
She inclined her head towards him. "Nor has yours. What are you doing here?"
Never one to hide behind humility, he answered her, with a cold, tight smile. "I've come to rectify a mistake I made before."
"What do you mean?" Bryn's mind was furiously calculating her chances of escape, while listening to him.
"As you said, my memory survived the flame. I left you for last." Her eyes met his, the silence stretched between them as he let that information sink in. "I don't plan to let you go this time." He pounced on her, latching onto her arm and wrenching the wounds open.
She let out a shriek of pure agony, fainting in his arms as the pain trailed fire up her arms.
"Well, it has been quite a while since I was able to inspire any lady with that reaction." He smirked, then gasped in shock when a heavy body knocked him into the wall. Moving slowly, he turned to face the newcomer.
Doubar stood in front of Bryn's fallen body, glaring at the intruder. "Get out before you learn my true strength." He hissed, the harsh sound surprised Sinbad and Peri who'd just arrived.
Peri moved swiftly to Bryn's side, kneeling down and feeling for her pulse. Choking on a gasp, she watched as a pool of blood formed on the floor. The captain moved towards Donestk, but Peri turned him aside. "Sinbad, come here." She pleaded and took his left hand and placed it in Bryn's, the bracelets' glowed lightly. Her hands covered both as she channeled strength into her friend.
There was a harsh laugh as he stood up and faced them. "Do you honestly think that you can stop me?" The wizard raised a hand, sending a bolt of lightening towards the group. Before it hit them, he began to shake as the power within him rose up and started to choke him. He fell to knees but managed to disappear before Doubar reached him.
Doubar knelt by them and placed a hand on top of theirs, adding his strength. "Will she be okay?" He asked when Peri made a move to let go.
"I'm not sure." Peri sighed, allowing Sinbad to move Bryn to the bed. "It's beneath her skin, this connection, the bond that she has with Maeve and Rumina is killing her."
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Doubar muttered, ignoring the Maeve reference for the moment. "That slut would stoop to harming her sister." A blast of wind knocked him to his knees, his eyes widened when he saw Bryn looking at him, fury in her eyes.
"Don't you ever insult my sister!" Her voice was harsh in the still room, then her eyes rolled back and she lost consciousness once more.
The first mate rose slowly, brushing himself off. "Would someone mind telling me what is going on? And why is Bryn willing to defend that...I mean, her sister?" Doubar corrected himself, keeping a wary eye on Bryn.
Peri nodded and quickly told them their story. They only interrupted her once. "Rumina was good? What happened?"
"Bryn died." She said simply. "The heart is more than an intuitive power, at least in Bryn's hands it was. And there is the bond that existed between the three of them."
"The bond?" Doubar asked, his eyes filled with worry. This was the second time she had mentioned it, and both in connection with Bryn's frail condition.
"Maeve, Rumina, and Bryn worked very closely. This was unusual, not that Maeve and Bryn worked as they did. Maeve was our leader, Bryn was like her counselor. A shadow in Maeve's light, balancing her out. What Rumina brought to the dynamic, I'm not sure but it was strong." She then finished her tale, relieved when Coral walked in. "Thank Allah you're here!"
"What happened in here?" Firouz asked, following Coral who had stopped suddenly.
Her nose twitched as a faint smell filled her senses, her eyes widened. "Donestk?" She whimpered, pale with fright. She moved quickly to Peri's side. "What was he doing here?"
"Rectifying a mistake." The miko on the bed mumbled, forcing her eyes to open. She blinked a few times, then saw the bruise on Doubar's check-a bruise she had put there herself. "Oh, Doubar. I'm so sorry."
"It's nothing." He shrugged off her apology, feeling edgy. "I shouldn't have said what I did."
"Still, I should never have tossed you like that." She raised her hand and it trembled in the air.
He covered her hand with his own, squeezing it gently and joked. "Forget it. You only did what I would have done if someone insulted Sinbad."
"Would someone kindly tell me what is going on?" Firouz snapped, not liking the feeling of being left out. The tension in the room eased as they laughed at this unexpected display of feistiness from the normally quiet doctor. Taking turns, they told Firouz what had happened while he'd been in town helping Rongar to settle down.
Rumina:
She was awake when her father appeared. A welcome smile formed, stopping suddenly as she recognized the huddled figure writhing in pain. Her head shook violently as her mind screamed at her to run. Rumina was on her feet and running towards the door in moments, his hand shot up and caught her arm in a painful grasp. "What's happening to me?"
He pulled her down to where he was and shook her, listening to the sound of her teeth rattling. "What?!?" He yelled, enraged when she remained silent.
"I don't know." Rumina kicked him as hard as she could and rolled away.
"How could you not?" He shrieked, knocking a chair at her. She jumped to the side, moving away from the door. A hand emerged from the wall, grabbing onto her hair and holding on. "Is it not your power which flows in me now? You have to know!"
The witch gasped at his announcement. Her mind flying in several directions at once. Rumina knew one thing for sure, she couldn't let him know the truth. "I tell you, I don't know!" She was desperately trying to pull away from the ever tightening grasp, trying to escape from him.
"Of course you don't." His voice was now silky as he approached her, now in control of himself. His hands closed around her neck, squeezing ever so lightly. "But I think you know how to find out, don't you?"
A piercing shriek filled the air at that moment as something rushed in. It raked long, sharp talons across his face. He jerked away from Rumina, who shoved him away and ran away from the claws striking the hands in the wall. She sped down the mountain, tumbling headfirst down the side of the cliff as she went. The water rushed up to meet her, enclosing her in its icy embrace.
Nomad:
Bryn stirred once during the night, sending out her power to the one who sought its help. But there was another person, crying in the night for her aid. Tentatively, she reached out and was rebuffed by some other force. * Rumina, my dear, beloved sister. What have you been doing to yourself?
Sinbad stroked her cheek, shivering as the coldness of her skin spread to his hand. "What do you see while you are so far away?" He got up and paced the room after a while, the nervous energy within forcing him into action. As he watched the sun rise in the sky, there was a sound and he turned, seeing Velda. The scene that followed froze him in his tracks.
As the sun began to crest the horizon, Bryn opened her eyes and saw Velda in the doorway. "Coral." She said, her voice was gentle and full of love for her old friend. The miko was unprepared for the tears that fell down the woman's cheeks and the urgency in her words of abject apology. She held out her arms to Velda, nearly falling off the bed at the force of the hug. "What's this all about?"
Velda/Coral couldn't think of anything to say, just kept babbling. Soon though, the magic that was Bryn's to give began to work its soothing way on her troubled heart. The young woman pulled away finally and looked at her. "I'm so sorry, it's all my fault that you died. If I hadn't been so stupid and listened to him, you wouldn't have survived. When we met in Scroff and you didn't know me, I knew that it was my punishment for killing you."
"Coral, you didn't do anything wrong. You were starving for your father's love. Believe me, I know that feeling." Bryn smiled, brushing away the tears.
"How can you? You had two fathers." Coral asked, resting her head on Bryn's shoulder.
She laughed, a little bitterly. "Ah, yes. One who loved me but favored my brothers. The other didn't even know I existed until I was born but didn't want me enough to come and get me? Yeah, they were great." Her tone was dry.
"But at least you know what its like not to have your father try to kill you." She whispered. "You just had a friend do it."
"The first part certainly is true. The second is not." There was a hint of steel in her words that was seldom, if ever, heard from her. She forced Coral to look at her. "You didn't kill me. I won't allow you to continue believing such garbage. You are no more responsible than I am. What happened was meant to be."
"You always were more level headed than you had any reason to be." A sultry voice commented from the open door. "This is a most welcome sight. Where have you been, girl?"
"Peri!" The two women squealed, then Bryn said with a large grin. "Get your butt over here, you lovely sight for my weary eyes."
"Oh, forgotten how to be a lady already?" She asked, doing as she was told to with an answering smile on her face. Her eyes were twinkling as she stood, looking down at them.
Bryn snorted, grabbing her arm and hauling her down onto the bed to join them. "I've never been lady. Everyone knows that."
"True. You've always been a glory hog." She teased.
"Oh, yeah. Give the credit to the one who deserves it." Bryn smirked.
Coral piped up. "Okay, where's our illustrious leader Maeve?"
The miko gasped in mock indignation, before her eyes fell as she remembered what she had seen. "She's in trouble, that's why I had all those wounds. I still have a connection with her and Rumina."
"What kind of trouble?" Peri asked, resting on Bryn's other shoulder.
"I don't really know, all I saw was a bunch of snow." Bryn shrugged. "There was a large man with her, but he wasn't the one who was threatening her. He seemed to be helping her. I just don't understand why she'd need the help, her magic is strong enough to help her avoid such danger."
There was a long pause before Coral ventured a suggestion. "Maybe her power is bound."
"No way that would happen, she'd have to give up her control. And that wouldn't happen unless..." Bryn's eyes narrowed and she stared at both of her friends, "she also believes that she is responsible for my death."
"Yes, Bryn. She does." Peri said, her eyes were calm belying the turmoil she felt inside as she watched Bryn's eyes flare.
"I see." Her voice was quiet but sharp like a sword edge. "Is there anyone else who thinks that they are Allah?"
"I don't understand." Peri was watching her, wary.
"Oh, I think you do." Bryn moved them gently aside and stood up. "For some ridiculous reason, Maeve and Coral both think that they have the power to decide who gets to live and who dies. That's Allah's domain, not ours. People don't die unless it is their time. At least, that's what we have learned. So, I just have to wonder, who else thinks that they can make these decisions."
"Rumina." Coral whispered.
"My half-sister. Why doesn't that surprise me." She muttered, her hand ran through her hair. "What is wrong with this picture? No wonder it took them so long to heal me, Peri was the only one of you who kept our bond open. I'd still be in that coma if Sinbad hadn't been bored and spent his time visiting me. And this has nothing to do with our current situation, we have find Maeve."
"Bryn..." Coral stopped at the glare she received. She shrank back into the pillows, trying to hide behind Peri-who was not helping her out.
She approached the girl and held her steady with hands and eyes. "Don't say it. You have * nothing * to be sorry for. Do you understand that?"
The physician slowly examined herself, knowing that Bryn wouldn't accept any half measures. She didn't know what she expected to find but the lack of guilt wasn't it. Her eyes went wide with a trace of doubt in them as they met Bryn's open ones. "Did you do something to me?"
Her head shook angrily, thought her response was loving. "Our unspoken cardinal rule, never use magic against one of your own if you can help it. All I did was give you my forgiveness, though I never thought to blame you for anything."
"Well, now that that's settled, shall we go?" Peri asked, standing up and moving out the door. "I can make our travel arrangements."
"Do you think we should consult Sinbad?" Coral asked.
Bryn weighed the situation in her mind carefully. "Sinbad has a right to know since he will be taking us." Her hand rose to silence their protests. "Something is going to occur, that's why this convention is happening now. All those who have a bracelet are being gathered together to set out. We have time, Coral here still has her presentation to make and I doubt that Maeve will be going anywhere anytime soon."
"Good point. Then I'll see what I can do to find your friends." She gestured to the bracelets. Coral left the room with a hurried good-bye. Peri turned to Bryn, waiting until the other woman had gone. "Do you think this has something to do with our failure?"
"What failure? Oh, you mean Donestk? He's dead but not totally." She sighed, unbuttoning her borrowed shirt, wincing in pain. "Glad Firouz invented these things, makes dressing and undressing easier. Someone used the goose egg to defeat her, not knowing the extent of its power and well, sent Rumina's birthright into someone else. It might have gone into her father-she did make a deal with Scratch to help him if he brought Turok back, but I doubt it was him."
Peri let out a gusty sigh. "That is not very comforting."
"Sorry, I didn't know you were looking for comfort." Bryn watched her go, closing the door behind her. "Oh, what a farce this is turning into." She began to pull off the shirt when she heard someone clear a throat and turned around, quickly finding him by the window. She whipped her shirt closed and wrapped her arms around her waist. "Sinbad!"
He held up his hands and moved out of the corner, his look was contrite. "Peace. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but the situation escalated before I could announce my presence."
Bryn laughed at his chagrined expression. "Just try to act surprised when we tell you what's going on."
"Not going to be a problem since I don't understand what is going on." He chuckled, then he smiled suggestively. "I'll leave you to get changed now, unless you want to finish our discussion from earlier."
She pushed him towards the door. "Out!" She ordered, blushing from head to toe.
"I get the feeling that I'm not wanted." He teased, stopping at the door to look down at her. She was looking better, the color was back even though he could still see fever and pain in her eyes.
"Oh, you're wanted, just not in here." She quipped, hiding behind her hair.
His hand ran down the line of her cheek, brushing away her hair with a smile. "I think I'll have to do something about that one of these days."
"But not today." Bryn scolded gently. Words that were swallowed up in a sudden, fierce kiss. Her hand left the doorknob, dropping to her side as her body swayed towards his. He reached out and held her, being careful to avoid touching her wounds. The door closed softly, aided by Sinbad's kick. She jumped at the sound, closing the distance between them, and deepening their kiss.
He felt her hand move hesitantly to his chest, one of his hands caught it and gently placed it on his shoulder, encouraging her to touch him. It fluttered for a moment, unsure of what to do before stroking his neck and curling into his hair. There was a pause when they pulled away to catch their breath, his hands caressed her as he watched her, trying to gauge her reaction. She pulled him back down, aching for more.
There was a sharp rap on the door. "Bryn? Are you all right?" Peri's cool, concerned voice cut through the heat of their rising passion.
"Yes. I'm fine." Bryn's voice was shaky as she jerked back. Sinbad was not swayed and turned loving attention towards her throat, lingering softly on her wounds. She swallowed a moan and pushed him, he reluctantly gave ground.
Peri knew that there was something wrong. "What was that loud crash?"
"I shut the door with more force than was necessary. Sorry." Her voice was stronger, calmer.
"Well, if you say so. I couldn't find Sinbad, why don't you help me search for him." Peri said, changing the subject.
Sinbad stifled a chuckle and she hit his chest. "Sure. I'll be out in a few minutes." They heard her walk away, then Bryn turned on him. "I'll bet you think you're so cute."
"I've been told so. Now, I better go get lost, so that you can find me." He quickly kissed her, before disappearing down the hall.
"What makes you think I'd want to find you after your shameless behavior?" She asked his retreating back.
A sensual laugh floated down the hall and she shivered. "What makes you so sure you don't want to?"
"Jerk." She muttered, closing the door and changing into a loose shirt and pair of pants. The hair on the back rose as something strange filled her senses.
"Hello, Bryn. Long time no see." A long feared voice swirled in the room.
Her eyes blinked, searching the room. A hand involuntarily rose to her throat when she saw the dark form standing in her cabin. "Donestk." Disbelief colored her tone, strength deserted her. It was too soon, the wounds were too fresh for this confrontation.
He bowed. "I'm flattered that you remember me."
"Who could forget our only meeting?" Bryn said, edging away from the door and over to the window. "What was it you called us then? A bunch of mangy kids?"
"I can see that your memory has suffered no permanent damage." He acknowledged, watching her movements through narrow eyes. Something was nagging him, something in the air that he felt he should remember, but what?
She inclined her head towards him. "Nor has yours. What are you doing here?"
Never one to hide behind humility, he answered her, with a cold, tight smile. "I've come to rectify a mistake I made before."
"What do you mean?" Bryn's mind was furiously calculating her chances of escape, while listening to him.
"As you said, my memory survived the flame. I left you for last." Her eyes met his, the silence stretched between them as he let that information sink in. "I don't plan to let you go this time." He pounced on her, latching onto her arm and wrenching the wounds open.
She let out a shriek of pure agony, fainting in his arms as the pain trailed fire up her arms.
"Well, it has been quite a while since I was able to inspire any lady with that reaction." He smirked, then gasped in shock when a heavy body knocked him into the wall. Moving slowly, he turned to face the newcomer.
Doubar stood in front of Bryn's fallen body, glaring at the intruder. "Get out before you learn my true strength." He hissed, the harsh sound surprised Sinbad and Peri who'd just arrived.
Peri moved swiftly to Bryn's side, kneeling down and feeling for her pulse. Choking on a gasp, she watched as a pool of blood formed on the floor. The captain moved towards Donestk, but Peri turned him aside. "Sinbad, come here." She pleaded and took his left hand and placed it in Bryn's, the bracelets' glowed lightly. Her hands covered both as she channeled strength into her friend.
There was a harsh laugh as he stood up and faced them. "Do you honestly think that you can stop me?" The wizard raised a hand, sending a bolt of lightening towards the group. Before it hit them, he began to shake as the power within him rose up and started to choke him. He fell to knees but managed to disappear before Doubar reached him.
Doubar knelt by them and placed a hand on top of theirs, adding his strength. "Will she be okay?" He asked when Peri made a move to let go.
"I'm not sure." Peri sighed, allowing Sinbad to move Bryn to the bed. "It's beneath her skin, this connection, the bond that she has with Maeve and Rumina is killing her."
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Doubar muttered, ignoring the Maeve reference for the moment. "That slut would stoop to harming her sister." A blast of wind knocked him to his knees, his eyes widened when he saw Bryn looking at him, fury in her eyes.
"Don't you ever insult my sister!" Her voice was harsh in the still room, then her eyes rolled back and she lost consciousness once more.
The first mate rose slowly, brushing himself off. "Would someone mind telling me what is going on? And why is Bryn willing to defend that...I mean, her sister?" Doubar corrected himself, keeping a wary eye on Bryn.
Peri nodded and quickly told them their story. They only interrupted her once. "Rumina was good? What happened?"
"Bryn died." She said simply. "The heart is more than an intuitive power, at least in Bryn's hands it was. And there is the bond that existed between the three of them."
"The bond?" Doubar asked, his eyes filled with worry. This was the second time she had mentioned it, and both in connection with Bryn's frail condition.
"Maeve, Rumina, and Bryn worked very closely. This was unusual, not that Maeve and Bryn worked as they did. Maeve was our leader, Bryn was like her counselor. A shadow in Maeve's light, balancing her out. What Rumina brought to the dynamic, I'm not sure but it was strong." She then finished her tale, relieved when Coral walked in. "Thank Allah you're here!"
"What happened in here?" Firouz asked, following Coral who had stopped suddenly.
Her nose twitched as a faint smell filled her senses, her eyes widened. "Donestk?" She whimpered, pale with fright. She moved quickly to Peri's side. "What was he doing here?"
"Rectifying a mistake." The miko on the bed mumbled, forcing her eyes to open. She blinked a few times, then saw the bruise on Doubar's check-a bruise she had put there herself. "Oh, Doubar. I'm so sorry."
"It's nothing." He shrugged off her apology, feeling edgy. "I shouldn't have said what I did."
"Still, I should never have tossed you like that." She raised her hand and it trembled in the air.
He covered her hand with his own, squeezing it gently and joked. "Forget it. You only did what I would have done if someone insulted Sinbad."
"Would someone kindly tell me what is going on?" Firouz snapped, not liking the feeling of being left out. The tension in the room eased as they laughed at this unexpected display of feistiness from the normally quiet doctor. Taking turns, they told Firouz what had happened while he'd been in town helping Rongar to settle down.
Rumina:
She was awake when her father appeared. A welcome smile formed, stopping suddenly as she recognized the huddled figure writhing in pain. Her head shook violently as her mind screamed at her to run. Rumina was on her feet and running towards the door in moments, his hand shot up and caught her arm in a painful grasp. "What's happening to me?"
He pulled her down to where he was and shook her, listening to the sound of her teeth rattling. "What?!?" He yelled, enraged when she remained silent.
"I don't know." Rumina kicked him as hard as she could and rolled away.
"How could you not?" He shrieked, knocking a chair at her. She jumped to the side, moving away from the door. A hand emerged from the wall, grabbing onto her hair and holding on. "Is it not your power which flows in me now? You have to know!"
The witch gasped at his announcement. Her mind flying in several directions at once. Rumina knew one thing for sure, she couldn't let him know the truth. "I tell you, I don't know!" She was desperately trying to pull away from the ever tightening grasp, trying to escape from him.
"Of course you don't." His voice was now silky as he approached her, now in control of himself. His hands closed around her neck, squeezing ever so lightly. "But I think you know how to find out, don't you?"
A piercing shriek filled the air at that moment as something rushed in. It raked long, sharp talons across his face. He jerked away from Rumina, who shoved him away and ran away from the claws striking the hands in the wall. She sped down the mountain, tumbling headfirst down the side of the cliff as she went. The water rushed up to meet her, enclosing her in its icy embrace.