Maeve shivered as she pulled her cloak around her tighter. She had forgotten how cold Èire could be. She was so used to the hot sun beating down on them. Here in the lush isles of Ireland everything was green and cool. She desperately tried to keep her cool while they paced along the shore. Galway was a bustling kingdom enriched with tiny little villages scattered across it. Here in one of these villages lay Maeve's old life. She tried to ignore it calling to her.
Dermott however was the opposite. He flew through the heavens as such speeds. He was so glad to be home. He made such a fuss that Bryn noticed his cries.
"Dermott seems quite talkative today," She curiously eyed the sorceress who avoided her eyes at all costs. The others didn't seem to notice.
Maeve laid her eyes somewhere else. She looked off to the hills where she spied one of the small villages. She remembered that village. She visited there a couple of times when she was real small. She thought of her village.
Her mind drifted off to other things. Images of blood, copulation and carnage swept through her mind. She gasped as she recalled these things. Nearly stumbling to the soft grass she tried to regain her composure. Sinbad noticed.
"Are you all right Maeve?"
"Of course I am. What makes you think I'm not." She quipped. Sinbad sighed. She had been very touchy lately. When Maeve had first returned she was much more cheerful than she had ever been. She shamelessly flirted with Sinbad. A few kisses were even exchanged. Then Maeve slipped back into her old ways. She became closed off. Sinbad couldn't understand why. He had tried everything to get her to talk but it would just end in a string of unintended words.
Since their arrival on Èire, Maeve had been especially feisty. Sinbad knew she was of Celtic blood and therefore suspected they were close to Maeve's roots. He kept it to himself.
Bryn on the other hand, noticed. She and Maeve had bonded since her return. Maeve was always a little apprehensive around Bryn since she could sense people's feelings. Bryn however, promised not to divulge any of Maeve's secrets. She had noticed Maeve's uneasiness since they stepped on the island. She could feel the terror and hate that filled Maeve's heart. Bryn was frightened by that.
The crew arrived at Lord Ruarc's estate just before sunset. The servants quickly informed Ruarc of Sinbad's arrival.
"Captain Sinbad! I hoped that you would make it in time! Doubar, how are you?!" Lord Ruarc came forward draped in rich garments followed by two just as richly adorned red-headed women. He clasped hands with Sinbad, "Oh Sinbad, I'm so glad that you made it. Here, here, let me introduce my lovely daughters, no doubt its been years since you saw them last, is it not? This is Ceira, my eldest and this is Deirdre, my youngest." T
They two ladies were beautiful as Sinbad had noticed. Their hair was as fiery as Maeve's. They both had bewitching green eyes. Sinbad took Ceira's hand and kissed it, "Milady, I can't believe how gorgeous the two you have become. Congratulations on your wedding."
She smiled, her eyes sparkling. Sinbad kissed Deirdre's hand as well. She winked at him as she curtsied. Sinbad blushed. Maeve noticed. Ceira held her hand out to Doubar. He grabbed both the women into a giant bear hug, "Girls! You look so lovely! It had been too many years!"
Everybody laughed as Sinbad introduced the rest of the crew. As soon as he said Maeve's name, Ruarc eyed her over carefully, "With hair like that, I assume you are of Celtic blood, are you not?"
Maeve shifted uncomfortably, "Aye, that I am."
"From where do you hail?"
"Oh...um...from...Dublin, yes Dublin."
Ruarc's eyebrows raised, "I see, Dublin is good, yes."
She politely smiled.
"Well, come now, you must be starving! Let's eat!" Ruarc motioned everybody into the great hall. As soon as everyone had left he whispered into Maeve's ear, "Why does the lady deceive, I wonder?"
"I beg your pardon, your lordship?"
He pointed to her chest, "Your markings adorning your dress are not of Dublin, but of Galway, milady. I however harness my own secrets, so trust me when I say that yours are safe with me."
"Thank You, My lord." She walked into the great hall as she breathed a sigh of relief.
