Chapter 4

Plunkett and Sinbad fought with a fluid grace, but after a short while it became evident that Sinbad's skill far exceeded Plunkett's. Last time they had fought had been a fist to fist fight, owing to the sword-less bar they had been in. However, now they fought in the way that Sinbad was the master of. After only a few moments, Plunkett was struggling. However, Sinbad too was worried, because in between his playful banter, he noticed that Plunkett still maintained his confident expression. Sinbad began to get a very bad feeling. Quickly he made a calculated thrust and Plunkett's sword leapt out of its owner's hand, and Sinbad snagged it out of the air.

"Men, and woman, back to the ship! Come on!" he roared. Quickly they headed back for the ship, but they found their way blocked by 50 or so men.

"Sinbad," Maeve said, sounding more than a little worried.

Sinbad's mind, which had gotten him through so many adventures, was fast at work. He glanced around and sought possible escape routes. There really weren't any to be found.

He turned to his crew and smiled his famous smile and said quietly, "This isn't going to be an easy fight,and if you want to back out of it, you can." They looked back at him and he saw the response in their faces. He nodded and drew his sword, turning to face the oncoming mob.

They fought like banshees. His crew onboard the ship heard the commotion and came to help, but they were fighting a losing battle. Sinbad used his sword like he'd never used it before, realizing that if he was brought back to Prince Casib, the Caliph would probably die. He remembered the first time he met the Caliph:

The young boy, only 13 or 14 walked behind a huge man. They were weaving through the streets of Baghdad, and the boy couldn't figure out where they were heading. "Master Nomad," the boy said in a voice that was beginning to lose the child-like strain, "where are we going?"

Captain Asael W. Nomad turned and looked at the boy. "Tis the Caliph we are going to see, my boy," the man said in a harsh voice. However, as he looked at the young man in front of him, his eyes shone with more than a little affection. Captain Nomad knew it was more than a little unfair to refer to the 14 year old as a child. He had long since outgrown that word. He knew the boy might as yet look young, but he already had a good 2 years of sailing and you could see he was born for it. The Captain knew that his crew had taken the boy under their savage, molting wings and wrought forth a masterpiece. Rozondolf, an ancient mariner, said to have been the best swordfighter of all time had taught the boy swordfighting, an exercise in which the boy excelled. It was possible he would be even better than Rozondolf one day. They had taught him navigation, and all other necessary skills needed to navigate the high seas.. In fact, this young man had saved them several times during storms, climbing with a dexterity known to few as he ascended masts and let loose sails.

It was this courage and skill that had led the Captain to make his newest, rash decision. He had appointed the boy his second-in-command, his first mate, and no one on the ship had argued. They all knew the boy was destined for great things, and when Captain Nomad left the earth, he fully intended for all his remaining possessions to go to the boy, including his ship. Of course, none of his crewmen would be left, they were all getting far too old. Sinbad would have to pick his own crew, live his own sea adventures. But first, Captain Nomad was going to introduce him to the Caliph. Somehow, in his old mind, he knew this was necessary.

Sinbad walked cautiously. Last time he had been in Baghdad he had left without saying goodbye, or even letting Maser Dim-dim or Doubar know he was going. Doubar had suspected he was thinking about it in the year after Lea's death, before he left, but Sinbad was sure his brother would be angry at him for leaving him behind.

And that was when he heard the shout. He cringed slightly and turned to face a much larger version of his brother as he ran from a crowd. "Sinbad!" Doubar repeated joyfully, seizing his younger brother in a hug and squeezing him painfully.

"Uh, Doubar, nice to see you again too," Sinbad said when he could breathe again. Captain Nomad looked on in amusement. He knew what was coming next. Sinbad had told him much about his large brother.

"Where have you been?" bellowed Doubar so suddenly that if Sinbad hadn't been expecting it, it would have given him a heart attack. Doubar had then looked at his brother and noticed the difference in his face, his eyes, his stance, and his look. After Lea's death his brother had lost too much weight, and had seemed obsessed with the sea. Every night he had gone down and renewed his vow to the sea, and during the day he had browsed the docks looking for a ship that would hire an 11 year old boy. Doubar had never thought anyone would and so he hadn't worried too much about it. But then one day Sinbad didn't return. Master Dim-dim and he had looked every where, but there had been no sign of Sinbad. The next day when they returned to search again, they were told of a boy who had dived into the harbor and rescued a shipment of cargo. After he had done that, he had been immediately accepted onto a ship, known as the Dirk. Captained by a certain Asael W. Nomad the most feared man on the treacherous sea.

Doubar had been exceedingly worried, until Master Dim-dim had revealed that he was a long time friend of Captain Nomad, and Sinbad would be fine. Then he had just worried about what could happen to his brother on the high seas. To get his mind off his brother, Master Dim-dim had apprenticed him to a blacksmith and Doubar's already beefy body was bulked up by heavy usage of muscle. He had remembered his brother's sickly look before he left and had worried about him

Now however, he saw his brother as a tan, lithe, lively young man who seemed to always be bouncing off the soles of his feet. He had a confidence that Doubar suddenly found lacking in his own life and he felt dumb and slow in the presence of this brother.

Sinbad rubbed the back of his neck and assumed a sheepish grin. "Well, Doubar, I suppose to answer that question I should first introduce you to Captain Nomad."

Doubar noticed his brother's companion for the first time. Doubar couldn't help but gulp as his gaze traveled up into the other man's face. The man's hair was ragged and chopped at the edges and his eyes had an evil-looking glint in them. He was huge. Far more muscular than Doubar and he stood a good three feet taller than the top of Doubar's head. Doubar quickly hid his terror and extended a shaking hand. "I suppose I should thank you, sir, for looking after my terror of a brother?"

Doubar's fears were alleviated when a friendly smile came over the man's face, instantly transforming his countenance to one of goodness. Doubar winced as the man crushed his hand in a firm handshake. The Captain looked at the large lad and then winked at Sinbad. "Well, my boy, he's all that you said and more." Then the Captain fixed his piercing gaze on Doubar, "It was no trouble at all. In fact, I should thank you for allowing your brother to look after us." He shook Doubar's hand for another moment, and then he released it and said, "Well, Sinbad, let's be off."

"Wait one moment!" Doubar yelled as Sinbad turned away. "You're not leaving without me again. I'm coming with you."

Sinbad opened his mouth but Captain Nomad spoke first. "Happy to have you my boy. Sinbad could use some guidance. Any brother of Sinbad is welcome to accompany me. Come with us to the palace."

Sinbad laughed as Doubar fell into place behind him. It was certainly good to see his brother again. He entertained Doubar with some stories of his adventures as they made their way to the palace. However, as they neared the gate, Sinbad could feel his nervousness increasing. He followed a tactic one of his teachers had taught him and quickly masked his nervousness by assuming a cocky gait.

Captain Nomad grinned as he watched his 1st mate swagger. Yes, he thought, the lad will do just fine. They entered the front gates and were escorted into the presence of royalty. As the doors were opened, their stunned gazes landed on a battle.

A group of assassins were attacking the Caliph, as well as Master Dim-dim and a young boy. Sinbad instantly reacted, his time at sea allowing his muscles and brain to instantly assess and engage in any situation. He leaped and rolled, blocking a sword that had been about to stab the Caliph. Sinbad vaguely noticed his Captain and brother had also joined the fight, but then he was too busy fighting for his own life. He managed to kill one of his opponents and blocked another one's thrust at the boy. More guards came in and finally the assassins were subdued. Sinbad sheathed his sword and felt a hand come down on his shoulder. He wheeled to look into the eyes of his old mentor Dim-dim. The wizened old man looked up and a look of relief crossed his face as he spotted the wiry youth.

"Sinbad, my boy! Welcome home, and may I say, excellent timing indeed."

Sinbad grinned a bit ruefully, and said, "I'm sorry for leaving without saying goodbye, Master Dim-dim." Instead of answering, Dim-dim embrace enveloped Sinbad and he knew he was forgiven. The small boy who Sinbad had saved, looked at Sinbad from behind Dimdim's robes and then he held out his arms, indicating he wanted Sinbad to hold him.

Unused to children, Sinbad stood and then gently picked up the boy.

"What's your name?" the boy asked.

"I'm Sinbad," Sinbad said, bouncing the boy a bit. A grin spread across the child's face and then he proudly stuck up his chin and said, "I'm Casib. My Daddy's the Caliph."

Sinbad stopped bouncing the boy in shock. Suddenly remembering in who's presence he was. The boy's grin faded slightly, and he began to bounce, indicating he wanted Sinbad to continue. Sinbad was about to speak when he heard the Captain calling. Gently putting the Prince down, he rushed to his Master's side, saying a hasty goodbye to his mentor Dimdim.

He rushed to his Captain's side just in time to hear, "Sire, this is my 1st mate, Sinbad."

Sinbad bowed low, remembering the protocol he had been taught. "It is an honor to meet you, sire," he said. He looked up into the Caliph's kind eyes and he instantly lost his fear. As of that moment, he gave his loyalty to his Caliph.

"So, this is the young man who so timely saved my life? The honor is mine, young man. No need to bow to me, from this point on, we're going to be friends. Anything you need, be sure to let me know."

"Thank you for your generosity, sire, but at this point I have all that I want. If there is anything I can do for you, sire, allow me to serve."

From that point on, the Caliph was one of Sinbad's closest friends.

Sinbad was brought roughly out of his reminiscing by a sword barely missing his head. Instantly his focus was back on the fight. His crew was fighting their hearts out, but there were simply too many adversaries. He was forced to focus on his own battle and he could only wonder worriedly how the rest of his crew was faring. Suddenly the tide of the battle seemed to be turning. Other people had joined the fray. Sinbad suddenly had two burly men at his back and opponents suddenly were turning tail and running. Watching the last of the mob retreat, Sinbad turned to see who his benefactors were.

"Hello handsome," a familiar voice greeted him and he found arms around his neck and lips locked onto his. He stared in shock as Talia finished her welcome kiss.

Sinbad's mouth hung open, but he quickly regained his composure. "Ah, I should have known," Sinbad said, bowing gracefully. "Talia, your aid was most timely. Let me guess...you just happened to be in the neighborhood?"

"Sinbad, Sinbad, you know me too well. I heard about the price on your head, and I couldn't help feeling that after our last adventure, I owed you one. Please allow my ship to accompany you. I have a feeling you'll need some extra protection."

"Talia," Doubar's deep voice yelled, and then the two old friends were embracing. Talia laughed in delight as Doubar swung her around. As Doubar set her down, she grinned and linking arms with Sinbad said, "Well, let's be off, shall we, handsome?" As she and Sinbad passed by Maeve, Maeve suddenly felt a chill run down her back. Talia looked back at her and smiled. Maeve shook it off. Sure she didn't like Talia, but for once she was glad of the extra protection. Sinbad would need it.

"Ugh, I hate that searat," Rumina said. "She is so touchy."

"Do you mean she is offended easily, or that she can't keep her hands off Sinbad?" asked Turok with a grin.

Rumina glared at her father.

"Now, now, Rumina," The Dark Master said, "Everything has its purpose. Her being there is part of the plan as well. Have a little faith in me?"

"Of course, Master."