The next day the trio were still making their way back to their friends. It was sunset and they had taken Shin Shin back to her owner and were currently making their way back to the Nomad.
"And what about when we met Eyolf…you were so jealous Sinbad, it was hilarious. And Maeve, you've got to admit, you enjoyed making him jealous" smirked Dermott, he'd been tormenting them non stop since they'd left Rumina's cavern, making up for all the lost time.
"I don't know what you're talking about" sighed Maeve.
"Oh come on" laughed Dermott. "Now what, exactly, are you asking!" he imitated as Maeve blushed. "And it was sooo obvious that you were glad he'd saved you. Ooh, and the way he protected you behind his back, that was sooo sweet" now it was Sinbad's turn to blush. "But my favorite has to be your first kiss. Now that was classic, the look of pure shock once you realized where you were…now that will go down in history. One to tell the kids eh?" he grinned as he elbowed Sinbad in the ribs.
"Dermott" Maeve finally snapped. "You're my brother, and I love having you back, but don't think for one minute that I won't turn you back into a hawk if you don't stop going on about me and Sinbad right now"
Dermott merely laughed before miming zipping his mouth.
"Have I mentioned how much I love it when you do magic!" smiled Sinbad.
"Once or twice" laughed Maeve, her cheeks showing a hint of pink.
Dermott spluttered. "Once or twice? More like one or two thousand times"
"What did I say?" Maeve threatened.
"You said not a word about 'you and Sinbad', but I wasn't talking about you and Sinbad, was I?" Dermott smiled cheekily.
Maeve just muttered as she boarded the Nomad.
"Little Lass" yelled Doubar as soon as he saw her. "Little Brother" he yelled as Sinbad joined her. "Little…"he started seeing a third man appear then stopped. "Wait, who are you?"
"And where's Dermott?" questioned Firouz as he approached with Rongar.
"He's right here" smiled Sinbad as Doubar, Firouz and Rongar turned around and searched the sky.
"Call me Plunket, but I can't see the bird anywhere" exclaimed Doubar.
"Bird? Who you calling a bird?" argued Dermott.
"Dermott?" questioned Firouz.
"But you're…" started Doubar.
"I'm a human, matey" laughed Dermott. "I can walk, I can talk…look at me crew, I'm running" he laughed as he ran around the deck.
"He's been a hawk for a long time" nodded Maeve as her little brother acted like a fool to any passerby who didn't know the truth. "So, I'm guessing you want me to explain then" sighed Maeve as she got ready to reveal her past again, but Doubar interrupted her.
"Hold on a sec lass. I reckon Firouz, Rongar and I could work it out. Let's see, it all starts a while ago when you and Dermott were younger"
"You met Rumina one day, who was creating her usual havoc" added Firouz thoughtfully.
"And we all know your stubbornness" laughed Doubar. "I bet you had a right go at her. So as punishment, she turned Dermott into a hawk"
"That doesn't sound right" Firouz commented thoughtfully. Rongar signed something to him and he grinned. "That's more likely. Rongar thinks that Rumina aimed the spell at Maeve, but Dermott jumped in the way at the last minute" as Doubar nodded.
"That would explain why she wanted to free him so bad. And let's face it, it does sound more like Rumina's style" he admitted.
"Wow, you guys are good" laughed Maeve.
"There's just one thing" thought Firouz. "How are you two connected?"