Chapter 13
"I still can't believe it." Shalice said as she was packing away Firouz's supplies and multiple experiments.
"I still think there is a way science can explain this. It is not possible..."
She giggled as he continued to ramble to himself. No one was sure what happened days before. Firouz sat there theorizing to himself all the possibilities of reason that would explain the phenomenon. However, she knew there was no way science would be able to explain what happened. Nothing could explain it, the only answer would be..Magic.
*Flashback*
All they could do was watch. Dermott held her lifeless body in his arms as Maeve held her arms around his neck.
"W...Why?........W....W...Why.w....would s.hhe do this...do this?" His sobbing turned his questions into mere inaudible stutters. No one knew what to say, but knew the answer.
'She did it for you.' The thought plagued Shalice as she felt her cheeks wet with saline. They all knew why. Bryn saved Maeve for Dermott, for Sinbad, for them all. Shalice saw the Nomad's crew, great men and warriors, silently sobbing. It was no different for the royal family. Ileana and Deora were a puddle of sobbing women as Toris tried to console them amidst his own sorrow. They hardly knew the now deceased woman. However, they did not need to know her to know the magnitude of her actions. She fought bravely to protect the people of Cestria, knowing nothing more than that they needed her help, and she paid the ultimate price for that valiance.
Shalice turned her head realizing a certain princess was no longer in her hands. She turned and saw the child and was bewildered. She expected to see a scared and weeping child, but that is not what she found.
Maila was looking up, towards the far wall; she seemed to give her attention to it like if there was an actual person in front of her. Shalice walked up to her, rather worried about the child. "Mailadine, are you alright?" Maila brought her attention to the questioning blonde. She gave a small, yet serene smile, "The greatest of sacrifices for the truest of loves." Shalice did not understand, and was even more stunned when the child turned from her and walked to the pool of blood that surrounded the late sorceress.
The child walked up to Dermott and put her hand on his shoulder, almost lightly pulling him from Bryn. He looked up at the child's expression in confusion. He did not want to let Bryn go, but something was advising him to do so.
Maila stared at Bryn. Her shirt was stained with blood, and there was still some wood left at her side from where the arrow had caught her. Maila put her hands over her wound. The other touched her forehead.
Unsure of what was happening, all in the room remained silent. That is when it happened. A bright light appeared from Mailadine's hands onto Bryn's body. The light became so bright that everyone shielded their eyes, and when they finally could see again, they witnessed what had happened.
*End Flashback*
Shalice walked outside with Firouz packing the last of his items onto the boat, the boat that would be taking him and his crew all back to The Nomad.
*****
Doubar came down the beach to see Dermott looking out towards the Nomad. The young man seemed to be in a sort of trance. Doubar knew the toll the last few days had taken on him, "LAD! You must be careful, mother always said your face could remain that way." Doubar said with a smile as he made his path towards him. Dermott shook his head out of the trance and turned to Doubar. "What way?" Doubar chuckled, "Oh, I believe I'm too late." Dermott let out a smirk and slight laugh.
"Are you almost ready, I think we are about to leave port?" Dermott nodded his head and turned back to the ship. After everything they have been through in the past few days, in the past few years. He NEVER imagined how his life would turn out. He used to believe he would be another villager on the Celtic sea, become a fisherman probably, get a wife have children and die.
That is not what life had held for him though. His sister's magic, being a crewmember of the famous Nomad sailing the seven seas, falling in love with a witch.....his witch....He did not even fall in love normally. She was definitely not the village woman he thought he would find. 'I was a bird and she had no memory for Allah's sake.' He thought to himself, 'not exactly your average courting.' He looked out at the ocean, thinking about her and what happened. His eyes began stinging again as he thought about what happened, he held her in his arms, her limp body. He failed her, like he failed his sister, not being able to protect her either; he failed her.
'Maeve would blast you with one of her fireballs if she could hear this.' The voice entered his head. He snapped back to see that Doubar had been long gone, and she took his place. "It is rude to invade people's thoughts, and even ruder to skulk behind them." He said sternly, with a hint of amusement, but also frightened on what exactly she overheard. "I tried to speak to you, but since you were occupied I had to take alternative methods to get your attention. And I do not invade people's thoughts unless they are open to me. And do not change the topic. You did not fail anyone, how could you think that?"
"Please no lectures at the moment. I still am dealing with the shock of all of it." He was going to turn from her but her hand on his shoulder halted his movement. "Dermott, do not do this to yourself, none of this was your fault. I had made a decision, I did what needed to be done."
Her words turned his face red. "MADE A DECISION! You committed blatant suicide. All you needed to do was take those powers of yours and send the arrow the other way. You did not NEED to jump in front of Maeve. You were just not thinking."
She watched him, wanting to fight back and defend her actions. However, she couldn't, "You are right, I was not thinking. I saw the arrow, and I saw it go towards Maeve. And all I could see were images of You and Sinbad, and the rest of the crew, all the past images of your losing her. I could not imagine if you lost her permanently. So yes, I did not think, just acted, and my instinct told me to save her, so I jumped in front of the arrow."
'Damn her.' He could not even be mad at her. He never really was, but holding her.....dead body.....it was just a sadness he never knew existed. He knew what she did was for the love of her friends and for him, but still...... "What would I have done if I ...." He grabbed a strand of her hair from her face. "We can discuss....excuse me....YOU can discuss the rest of it later." She glared at him, mentally noting that she would do just that.
"The boats are ready to shove off, so I was sent to FETCH you." He smiled at the sarcasm in her words. He began walking to where the boats were. "I do have one question for you," he turned hesitantly, scared of what might she say. "After what happened....with IT...and Maila.....I was wondering if you have made your peace with magic yet?" He gave out a sigh, remembering the debate that was held. He still blamed magic for many of the hardships his own life and those of the people he loved.
"I can not say I will ever like it. I have made my peace with it, and Maeve and your involvement with it. Do I want our children to learn it? I do not have an answer to that. In all probability I...what?" Her shocked stare cut off his answer.
"Repeat what you just said." He replayed what he was telling her, and realized what he had said (or should we say let slip). He decided to play coy. "What." She was confused for a second, "huh?" "That is what I just said, what." She rolled her eyes and let out a sigh, "What you said before that." "Oh, I" She realized what he was doing and glared at him. "Dermott repeat the ENTIRE answer again if you'd please."
He felt the fire rush to his cheeks. "I said, I made my peace with it, and I was not sure my children would ever learn it..." She shook her head furiously, "That is not what you said." He glared right back in response, "If you know what I said than you should not need me to repeat it." Her own fire began to reach her face as well, "Dermott I...." she was cut off by a loud voice from the end of the beach, "DERMOTT!!!! BRYN!!! COME IT IS TIME TO GO!!!" Dermott smiled and began running to the boat to go help, but more for other reasons. "Dermott get back here I am not finished with you." Bryn ran two steps behind him, she knew what she heard, and she would get him to admit it to her, and she does not take prisoners.
*****
Maeve placed the last of her baggage into the boat. She was dressed in her old brown dress. She thought it appropriate to where now that she was going back. She watched as the crew made their goodbyes. As the talking and hugging subsided she realized it was time to face the inevitable, time to say goodbye
When she saw all the people who had come to see her off she decided to start with the easy goodbye first; or at least she thought it would be easiest.
Toris saw her walk up to him, and he gathered into a great big bear hug. "I'm gonna miss you Maeve. How are we to run this place without you?" When he finally let her go, she breathed a sigh of relief and responded, "I will miss you too, Toris. And I think you will be fine. Cestria is a strong island with an even stronger leader." He smiled at her and gave her another large hug.
She next moved to his left, next in line for goodbyes. "I....I..I just" Deora tried speaking between sobs but to no avail. Maeve put her hand on Deora's cheek, and her sobbing settled. "Can't you wait until the wedding? It's just I don't" she cut herself off, knowing it was not fair to ask her that. She pulled Maeve's hand into an embrace. "I promise you I will be at your wedding, just maybe not in body." Deora nodded furiously understanding and let Maeve go.
The Queen was next in line. Maeve was unsure how to say her goodbye, so she made a small curtsey. Ileana looked almost insulted, "Child, you have saved my family as well as my KINGDOM, I believe there are more appropriate ways to part." Maeve seemed perplexed, but the queen just smiled and pulled her into a hug almost as fierce as the one her son had given the sorceress. She slowly let her go, trying to hide back her own tears and cupped her face to look in her eyes. Ileana had decided long ago Maeve was a living image of her and Dermott's mother, though she could never tell Maeve that. There would be too many questions, questions Ileana chose to leave in the past. "You are a beauty aren't you?" Maeve gave a bashful smile and the queen kissed her on the forehead.
The next goodbyes were not going to be easy. She turned from the Queen to see the little princess holding the hand of Maeve's magical predecessor. "Still not speaking with me?" Maila turned her head away dramatically and let out a loud, "HUMPH" Shalice lifted one of her eyebrows up, "It is not exactly easy to lose a friend Maeve." Maeve came closer to them, "You are not losing me; I will always be with you." Maila turned her head in confusion, and Maeve kneeled down to the ground so her and the child were at eye level.
"I wanted to give you something." She pulled out the stone of Cynx. "I think this should be best left in your possession, with the help of Shalice of course, this needs the protection of someone extra special." Everyone's eyes widened as they saw the stone being given to the child. "The stone did a spectacular job in protecting this island, now you must protect this stone." She placed it into the child's palm and closed her small fist around it. "And if you ever need me. Just grab the stone and call for me. I will be there. It may take me a while, but I will walk on water if need be." The child nodded and wrapped her small arms around Maeve's neck. "I will miss you Maeve." Maeve held her back tightly at that statement, "I will miss you too, little princess. You'll never know how much."
Maeve stood up and began wiping her eyes of the saline. Shalice gave her a halfhearted grin. Maeve shook her head, "OH, not you too." Shalice shrugged and let out a sigh. "Aye, I am not dying, just leaving. Can you all stop acting as if you will not see me again." Shalice face became tense, "Well Maeve, you may not be dying, but what if we don't see you again. You are off on your great adventures with THE CREW and THE NOMAD! We may not see you for years and years and years, IF we see you at all! And what about me, you leave me with all this sorcery and magic to teach Mailadine, and I hardly even comprehend what I am doing myself....what happens if I" Maeve put her hand over Shalice's mouth to quiet her, "You will be fine. You were fine before me, and will be fine after me. I cannot promise you that you shall see me any time soon. But you do not need me, not anymore. Vexicus is gone, and you will be a quite adequate teacher for Mailadine's powers. But I do promise you will see me again." Shalice nodded and she and Maeve met in a long embrace.
As the crew got into the boats and were shoved off the entire Island had congregated. Each one waving to the crew and their ship, waving to the heroes who saved their lives, waving goodbye.
*****
OK..I had decided to finish this chapter here. So there is still one more chapter left. I will hopefully get it in soon...my computer just hates me and school, is well school, I hope you like..
Ignore typos and such.I really wanted to finish the chapter and I'll go back and fix it later.once I get the LAST chapter finished..
Oh, and I may have saved one person, but someone will not survive this story...just letting you know..hehehe
"I still can't believe it." Shalice said as she was packing away Firouz's supplies and multiple experiments.
"I still think there is a way science can explain this. It is not possible..."
She giggled as he continued to ramble to himself. No one was sure what happened days before. Firouz sat there theorizing to himself all the possibilities of reason that would explain the phenomenon. However, she knew there was no way science would be able to explain what happened. Nothing could explain it, the only answer would be..Magic.
*Flashback*
All they could do was watch. Dermott held her lifeless body in his arms as Maeve held her arms around his neck.
"W...Why?........W....W...Why.w....would s.hhe do this...do this?" His sobbing turned his questions into mere inaudible stutters. No one knew what to say, but knew the answer.
'She did it for you.' The thought plagued Shalice as she felt her cheeks wet with saline. They all knew why. Bryn saved Maeve for Dermott, for Sinbad, for them all. Shalice saw the Nomad's crew, great men and warriors, silently sobbing. It was no different for the royal family. Ileana and Deora were a puddle of sobbing women as Toris tried to console them amidst his own sorrow. They hardly knew the now deceased woman. However, they did not need to know her to know the magnitude of her actions. She fought bravely to protect the people of Cestria, knowing nothing more than that they needed her help, and she paid the ultimate price for that valiance.
Shalice turned her head realizing a certain princess was no longer in her hands. She turned and saw the child and was bewildered. She expected to see a scared and weeping child, but that is not what she found.
Maila was looking up, towards the far wall; she seemed to give her attention to it like if there was an actual person in front of her. Shalice walked up to her, rather worried about the child. "Mailadine, are you alright?" Maila brought her attention to the questioning blonde. She gave a small, yet serene smile, "The greatest of sacrifices for the truest of loves." Shalice did not understand, and was even more stunned when the child turned from her and walked to the pool of blood that surrounded the late sorceress.
The child walked up to Dermott and put her hand on his shoulder, almost lightly pulling him from Bryn. He looked up at the child's expression in confusion. He did not want to let Bryn go, but something was advising him to do so.
Maila stared at Bryn. Her shirt was stained with blood, and there was still some wood left at her side from where the arrow had caught her. Maila put her hands over her wound. The other touched her forehead.
Unsure of what was happening, all in the room remained silent. That is when it happened. A bright light appeared from Mailadine's hands onto Bryn's body. The light became so bright that everyone shielded their eyes, and when they finally could see again, they witnessed what had happened.
*End Flashback*
Shalice walked outside with Firouz packing the last of his items onto the boat, the boat that would be taking him and his crew all back to The Nomad.
*****
Doubar came down the beach to see Dermott looking out towards the Nomad. The young man seemed to be in a sort of trance. Doubar knew the toll the last few days had taken on him, "LAD! You must be careful, mother always said your face could remain that way." Doubar said with a smile as he made his path towards him. Dermott shook his head out of the trance and turned to Doubar. "What way?" Doubar chuckled, "Oh, I believe I'm too late." Dermott let out a smirk and slight laugh.
"Are you almost ready, I think we are about to leave port?" Dermott nodded his head and turned back to the ship. After everything they have been through in the past few days, in the past few years. He NEVER imagined how his life would turn out. He used to believe he would be another villager on the Celtic sea, become a fisherman probably, get a wife have children and die.
That is not what life had held for him though. His sister's magic, being a crewmember of the famous Nomad sailing the seven seas, falling in love with a witch.....his witch....He did not even fall in love normally. She was definitely not the village woman he thought he would find. 'I was a bird and she had no memory for Allah's sake.' He thought to himself, 'not exactly your average courting.' He looked out at the ocean, thinking about her and what happened. His eyes began stinging again as he thought about what happened, he held her in his arms, her limp body. He failed her, like he failed his sister, not being able to protect her either; he failed her.
'Maeve would blast you with one of her fireballs if she could hear this.' The voice entered his head. He snapped back to see that Doubar had been long gone, and she took his place. "It is rude to invade people's thoughts, and even ruder to skulk behind them." He said sternly, with a hint of amusement, but also frightened on what exactly she overheard. "I tried to speak to you, but since you were occupied I had to take alternative methods to get your attention. And I do not invade people's thoughts unless they are open to me. And do not change the topic. You did not fail anyone, how could you think that?"
"Please no lectures at the moment. I still am dealing with the shock of all of it." He was going to turn from her but her hand on his shoulder halted his movement. "Dermott, do not do this to yourself, none of this was your fault. I had made a decision, I did what needed to be done."
Her words turned his face red. "MADE A DECISION! You committed blatant suicide. All you needed to do was take those powers of yours and send the arrow the other way. You did not NEED to jump in front of Maeve. You were just not thinking."
She watched him, wanting to fight back and defend her actions. However, she couldn't, "You are right, I was not thinking. I saw the arrow, and I saw it go towards Maeve. And all I could see were images of You and Sinbad, and the rest of the crew, all the past images of your losing her. I could not imagine if you lost her permanently. So yes, I did not think, just acted, and my instinct told me to save her, so I jumped in front of the arrow."
'Damn her.' He could not even be mad at her. He never really was, but holding her.....dead body.....it was just a sadness he never knew existed. He knew what she did was for the love of her friends and for him, but still...... "What would I have done if I ...." He grabbed a strand of her hair from her face. "We can discuss....excuse me....YOU can discuss the rest of it later." She glared at him, mentally noting that she would do just that.
"The boats are ready to shove off, so I was sent to FETCH you." He smiled at the sarcasm in her words. He began walking to where the boats were. "I do have one question for you," he turned hesitantly, scared of what might she say. "After what happened....with IT...and Maila.....I was wondering if you have made your peace with magic yet?" He gave out a sigh, remembering the debate that was held. He still blamed magic for many of the hardships his own life and those of the people he loved.
"I can not say I will ever like it. I have made my peace with it, and Maeve and your involvement with it. Do I want our children to learn it? I do not have an answer to that. In all probability I...what?" Her shocked stare cut off his answer.
"Repeat what you just said." He replayed what he was telling her, and realized what he had said (or should we say let slip). He decided to play coy. "What." She was confused for a second, "huh?" "That is what I just said, what." She rolled her eyes and let out a sigh, "What you said before that." "Oh, I" She realized what he was doing and glared at him. "Dermott repeat the ENTIRE answer again if you'd please."
He felt the fire rush to his cheeks. "I said, I made my peace with it, and I was not sure my children would ever learn it..." She shook her head furiously, "That is not what you said." He glared right back in response, "If you know what I said than you should not need me to repeat it." Her own fire began to reach her face as well, "Dermott I...." she was cut off by a loud voice from the end of the beach, "DERMOTT!!!! BRYN!!! COME IT IS TIME TO GO!!!" Dermott smiled and began running to the boat to go help, but more for other reasons. "Dermott get back here I am not finished with you." Bryn ran two steps behind him, she knew what she heard, and she would get him to admit it to her, and she does not take prisoners.
*****
Maeve placed the last of her baggage into the boat. She was dressed in her old brown dress. She thought it appropriate to where now that she was going back. She watched as the crew made their goodbyes. As the talking and hugging subsided she realized it was time to face the inevitable, time to say goodbye
When she saw all the people who had come to see her off she decided to start with the easy goodbye first; or at least she thought it would be easiest.
Toris saw her walk up to him, and he gathered into a great big bear hug. "I'm gonna miss you Maeve. How are we to run this place without you?" When he finally let her go, she breathed a sigh of relief and responded, "I will miss you too, Toris. And I think you will be fine. Cestria is a strong island with an even stronger leader." He smiled at her and gave her another large hug.
She next moved to his left, next in line for goodbyes. "I....I..I just" Deora tried speaking between sobs but to no avail. Maeve put her hand on Deora's cheek, and her sobbing settled. "Can't you wait until the wedding? It's just I don't" she cut herself off, knowing it was not fair to ask her that. She pulled Maeve's hand into an embrace. "I promise you I will be at your wedding, just maybe not in body." Deora nodded furiously understanding and let Maeve go.
The Queen was next in line. Maeve was unsure how to say her goodbye, so she made a small curtsey. Ileana looked almost insulted, "Child, you have saved my family as well as my KINGDOM, I believe there are more appropriate ways to part." Maeve seemed perplexed, but the queen just smiled and pulled her into a hug almost as fierce as the one her son had given the sorceress. She slowly let her go, trying to hide back her own tears and cupped her face to look in her eyes. Ileana had decided long ago Maeve was a living image of her and Dermott's mother, though she could never tell Maeve that. There would be too many questions, questions Ileana chose to leave in the past. "You are a beauty aren't you?" Maeve gave a bashful smile and the queen kissed her on the forehead.
The next goodbyes were not going to be easy. She turned from the Queen to see the little princess holding the hand of Maeve's magical predecessor. "Still not speaking with me?" Maila turned her head away dramatically and let out a loud, "HUMPH" Shalice lifted one of her eyebrows up, "It is not exactly easy to lose a friend Maeve." Maeve came closer to them, "You are not losing me; I will always be with you." Maila turned her head in confusion, and Maeve kneeled down to the ground so her and the child were at eye level.
"I wanted to give you something." She pulled out the stone of Cynx. "I think this should be best left in your possession, with the help of Shalice of course, this needs the protection of someone extra special." Everyone's eyes widened as they saw the stone being given to the child. "The stone did a spectacular job in protecting this island, now you must protect this stone." She placed it into the child's palm and closed her small fist around it. "And if you ever need me. Just grab the stone and call for me. I will be there. It may take me a while, but I will walk on water if need be." The child nodded and wrapped her small arms around Maeve's neck. "I will miss you Maeve." Maeve held her back tightly at that statement, "I will miss you too, little princess. You'll never know how much."
Maeve stood up and began wiping her eyes of the saline. Shalice gave her a halfhearted grin. Maeve shook her head, "OH, not you too." Shalice shrugged and let out a sigh. "Aye, I am not dying, just leaving. Can you all stop acting as if you will not see me again." Shalice face became tense, "Well Maeve, you may not be dying, but what if we don't see you again. You are off on your great adventures with THE CREW and THE NOMAD! We may not see you for years and years and years, IF we see you at all! And what about me, you leave me with all this sorcery and magic to teach Mailadine, and I hardly even comprehend what I am doing myself....what happens if I" Maeve put her hand over Shalice's mouth to quiet her, "You will be fine. You were fine before me, and will be fine after me. I cannot promise you that you shall see me any time soon. But you do not need me, not anymore. Vexicus is gone, and you will be a quite adequate teacher for Mailadine's powers. But I do promise you will see me again." Shalice nodded and she and Maeve met in a long embrace.
As the crew got into the boats and were shoved off the entire Island had congregated. Each one waving to the crew and their ship, waving to the heroes who saved their lives, waving goodbye.
*****
OK..I had decided to finish this chapter here. So there is still one more chapter left. I will hopefully get it in soon...my computer just hates me and school, is well school, I hope you like..
Ignore typos and such.I really wanted to finish the chapter and I'll go back and fix it later.once I get the LAST chapter finished..
Oh, and I may have saved one person, but someone will not survive this story...just letting you know..hehehe