"Open your eyes."
Her warm brown eyes fluttered open and gazed upon the shiny metal sword. Surveying the magnificent weapon, she gasped in awe.
"You shouldn't have Ademia!" The sword transferred hands as the words spilled from Maeve's mouth. She admired the craftsmanship. It looked flawless. There were blue inscriptions engraved on the top of the blade which came down a quarter of the way down. They were written in her native tongue, Gaelic.
A sly smile slid across her face as she mouthed out the words, Friends till the end. She looked up at Ademia and flashed her a shiny white grin. Ademia returned the smile.
"You needed a sword and well I felt it needed a bit of Irish luck."
Maeve shook her head as she inspected the sword a bit more, "Thank you." Maeve hitched the sword and wrapped her arms around Ademia tightly. Startled, Ademia faltered a moment before fully accepting her hug.
Months had pass since Maeve first had docked in Greece. She had made more than enough money for her and Dermott to survive. The guilt she had on her wedding day was become ever increasingly stronger. Dermott was still a hawk. She knew it was time.
Maeve made her way through the port searching for Dermott who never appeared when she called him. Obviously, stubbornness ran in the family. As she walked past the ships, the guilt kept on plaguing her. It was a if the ships beckoned her. Thoughts swirled around her mind as she paid no attention to her steps. She crashed right into another person. As Maeve stumbled and whirled around to apologize her eyes came face to face with her demon.
Eric. His face was soft until he recognized the woman; his features twisted. Less than seconds passed before Eric had Maeve by the throat and had thrust her upon the stone wall inches away. His eyes never wavered for even a second. Grunting at her like some slave, he whispered, "Well if it isn't Riannon. Fancy meeting you here." Licking his lips, he eyes narrowed down to her chest.
Anger welled up in Maeve as never before. Hatred consumed her. It flamed up and enveloped her like a raging fire. She instinctively brought her knee to his groin with such force it caused Eric to double over in excruciating pain. His cries of anguish drowned out all other sounds around them. All around them the crowds stopped to watch though no one dared move. She screamed out in fury, "You will pay! You HEATHEN!" Sword drawn, Maeve made move after move breaking bones with each blow. Spurts of blood covered her face. With each deafening crack, she retaliated with another blow cracking even harder. Eric had no chance to even move. With one smooth cut Maeve detached his arm from his bloodied body. Eric cried out in extreme distress. Rage still bubbled over her as she heard the footsteps approaching behind coming up the alley way. In what Maeve would recall a blur later, she whipped around not seeing who or what came up around the wall, she swung the sword hard and it sunk deep within the flesh of its victim.
As the blur intensified, Maeve realized what happened immediately. Her sword rested deep within a small boy's abdomen. The blood poured down quickly. The other children who had been running down the alley with the small boy stopped and gasped at the scene before them.
Utterly disgusted with herself, Maeve let go of her sword which still rested in its small host. She dropped down to her knees and cried out at the ground. One little girl who had been running came screaming at Maeve, her tears blurred her vision as she tried desperately to kick Maeve. She did nothing to stop the girl. The guards arrived in what seemed like hours later to Maeve. The pulled her up off the floor. Then Maeve blacked out not remembering anything else.
The aromas of feces and urine clouded around her nose as she came too. Her head throbbed in pain. The stone floor was cold and wet. Her thighs were numb. As Maeve tried to focus on the room before her, she shivered. Barely lit lamps exposed the room for what it really was, which was a prison. Instantly Maeve remembered what she had done. Emotions rushed from her body. She had killed an innocent boy. All because she needed revenge. She hated herself. Hoping no one would come for her, she could perhaps, maybe, rot in here for eternity.
What seemed like hours later, the guards came in and dragged her out and into another small cell with once minuscule barred window that poured moonlight into the room. The bulky man threw her against the floor with such force, Maeve heaved for air as she tried to sit up. She said nothing though. Every treatment she got she deserved. As the guards left, Maeve dragged herself towards the light from the window. She rested her head upon the hay on the floor and slept.
"Psst...Maeve..." A small melodious voice called to her. She roused from her uncomfortable sleep. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light she raised her head to the window above her. Ademia was crouched low and shrouded in black robes.
"Maeve can you hear me?" Maeve moaned as she tried to keep her head up. She shook her head, "Ademia leave me."
"Fat chance, young one. I'm gonna get you outta here."
Maeve cried out exasperated, "No! I deserve to rot here! I killed an innocent boy.."
Ademia interrupted her, "I know what happened I heard about it but it was an accident. You don't deserve this. But I have a plan. I'm going to get you out. Just sit tight young one." And with that Ademia glided out into the night unnoticed. Maeve kept shaking her head down and she lulled herself back into her nightmares.
The clouds dully covered the sun as the prisoner was dragged out into the courtyard. People screamed and threw things at her. One man even threw a punch at her. She received each one with little emotion. Her red curls hung loosely around her sullen face. She stared at her feet as she trudged on towards the hangman's deck. The noose swayed slightly. She only hoped for a painful and slow death. She deserved that at the least.
The thick frayed rope slipped around her. The hangman draped in black tightened it. Her throat tightened. Bile crept up her throat as the air supply threatened to be cut off. Last words swirled around her as she tried to fight the dizzy spell that threatened her balance. The motion was set forward as the black gloves wrapped around the lever. He slowly pulled it towards him.
Her eyes flew open as the air flew from her lungs. Her mouth gaped open as she tried desperately to gasp for air. The rope tightened with each sway. Blood trickled down her neck as the frayed edges rubbed her raw. It was as though the weight of the world pulled her down teasingly calling her to its depths below which some called hell. As the last bits of air lingering compelled to dissipate, she felt the rope burn even hotter as it jolted back before she felt her heavy body thump to the floor. She heard voices and weapons clink as she passed out.
The wet coldness soothed her aching head. Her eyes slowly opened revealing Ademia's soothing face into Maeve vision. She could soft words of encouragement as Maeve tried to recognize her surroundings. The salty smell of the ocean filled her nostrils. Cold winds swept up around her. As she jolted up remembering everything up to that point, Maeve was held back down by Ademia's gentle hands.
"Maeve, it's okay. I'm here."
Her startled eyes focused on Ademia's soft features.
"Where are we? What happened?"
"Shh...Maeve it's okay. I rescued you from the execution. Made a real scene you and I. I managed to beat the guards into submission as I dragged you off into safety. I bet the fat one will have such a headache in the morning." She darkly chuckled to herself. "Anyway, we are in a cave near the ocean. I think it is better if we stay here for now since we are now the most wanted outlaws. Oh and Dermott is right outside guarding the cave entrance. He has been terribly anxious without you."
Maeve tried to move again only to be held back again, "Why did you save me? I should have died. I shouldn't be here."
"Nonsense, young one. I told you it was an accident. But I am a bit confused as to what caused the small brawl out in the middle of the port. Took a nice piece of that man's arm though."
"He forced himself upon me a long time ago." That was the most Maeve had ever told one person.
Ademia's face grew quite serious, "Then he deserved everything you did and more. From what I heard he will never be the same considering the injuries you gave him. As for you , I suggest you leave soon before they find you."
Maeve looked solemnly at the ground, "I'm sorry I got you involved in this.."
"Hey don't you dare say that! I came to help you because that is what friends do okay? I was always an outcast. It's time I move on anyway. My husband is out there waiting. Here I want you to have this."
She handed a small pouch to Maeve. Coins jingled as she passed it to Maeve, "Take it and leave here."
Maeve shook her head, "No I couldn't really."
"Take it!" Ademia demanded more forcefully, "It's time we leave."
Maeve stood up, stumbling slightly. She leaned on Ademia for support, "Where will you go?"
"Well you once said Galway was amazing so up North I suppose. You, my young one?"
"I am looking for someone to help me practice magic."
"Oh well why didn't you ask me before? Go to Basra, it's a haven for magicians." She smiled softly at Maeve then handed her Maeve's sword, "Here I personally stole it back for you. My young one, this is it. Good Luck and remember I will always love you no matter what. Stay here until dawn and then set sail. It will be safer that way."
Maeve was at a loss of words for her mentor. She hugged her tightly and watched her walk off into the horizon. The wind sweeping her dark hair all around her. Maeve wrapped her arms around herself tightly as she went back to the cave entrance. Dermott hopped onto her arm and she assured him of her promise once more. She would go on and bring her brother back even if it killed her.
Maeve walked through the marketplace of Basra astounded by the feats of peddler magic practiced in the streets. Walking away slowly from the port she breezed by a young man who instantly stopped talking to his comrade to eye her slowly. He eyed each curve of her body slowly. Maeve met his eyes at the moment he met hers. His eyes were as blue as the ocean. His face was soft. His short ash brown hair was pulled back by a small burgundy scarf. His arms were crossed stiffly at his chest. He winked and slyly smiled at her. Maeve glared at him and rolled her eyes. As she crossed his path she made a.. "grunt of disapproval" in his direction as she called out, "In your dreams!"
The young man turned to face his tubby companion sighing, "Women." Bellows of laughter belted from the tubby man as he patted the other man. Motioning towards the dock, "Come on, Little Brother."
Maeve hurried along until she reached the an Inn. She walked ready to start her journey when apparently her journey had found her. An older man approached Maeve. He swiftly wrapped his arms around her and called out, "It's about time, Maeve! I have been waiting for you!" His laughter seemed to calm Maeve as she tried to figure out who he was. He pulled away.
"Sorry, its just I have known you were coming for quite some time and I was getting impatient. Please let me introduce myself, I'm Dim-Dim."
