DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights to The New Adventures of Sinbad - all this recognition goes to the Creater, Ed Naha.
Chapter 11
"I would like to see where you sleep", Eva, one of Bryn's cousins stated while she boarded The Nomad. Aunt Meg allowed Bryn to give her daughters a tour of the ship before they left port in a couple days. They've never set foot on a ship before and were eager to do so when Sinbad suggested it last night at dinner.
"It's below deck", Bryn replied, "I will warn you though, it's not very big". She lead them towards the stairs.
"Do you get to have your own room or do you have to share with someone else?" Emma, the other twin asked while taking the steps down. They made it to Bryn's room and peered in.
"Thankfully, yes. I have my own room", Bryn held open the door, "You can go in if you want". She watched both of the girls walk in and set their eyes on everything. They touched her bed, peered in the closet and looked out her small window. To Bryn, they reminded her of little curious cats.
"My mother is making you a quilt", Emma said, "It will fit nicely here".
"Shhh…that was supposed to be a surprise!" Eva exclaimed, "You've ruined it!"
Bryn laughed, "It's okay. I will pretend I didn't hear that", She ushered them out, "Come, I will show you the galley".
When they got to the galley they saw Firouz in there stocking some supplies in their pantry. He was making a lot of noise while doing so in the process. Bryn called to him twice to get his attention. "Sorry! I didn't hear you while throwing these crates around", Firouz stepped out and greeted the girls.
"This is where you eat?" His brown-eyed chess player looked up at him after glancing around the room.
Firouz nodded his head and looked around like the girls did when they entered, "Yes, Eva, It gets pretty crowded in here sometimes".
"Who does all the cooking?" She asked.
"Sometimes I do", Firouz answered, "Most of the time Strock does". Just than as if on cue, Strock enters the galley with another crate of supplies to go through. "This, here, is Strock". Firouz gestured to his fellow crewman.
The girls greeted him and Bryn guided them to the side to let him pass. "Come on, let's get out of their way".
"Can we look at the Captain's quarters?" Emma asked while walking out of the galley, "I read that is the biggest room in the ship".
Bryn smiled, "Sinbad is not here, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind."
She lead them towards Sinbad's quarters and leaned against the opened doorway while the girls looked around. She made her own observations as well. The Captain's bed was neatly made and there wasn't any clutter in the room. She noticed a stack of books next to his bedside table, which had an oil lamp on it. She didn't realize Sinbad was much for reading.
Emma disrupted her thoughts, "This room IS much bigger, Bryn". Her brown eyes looked at her seriously, "You should have this room".
Bryn controlled her laugh, "I don't think Sinbad would like that arrangement very much".
"You'd get your own washroom!" Emma enthusiastically tried to convince her while pointing at another doorway, "You're a woman, you'd need your privacy".
Bryn shook her head at her cousin's effort, "This is the Captain's quarters. I'm not a Captain".
"Captain's orders, Emma!" Her sister stated, "We don't want Bryn to get in trouble. Leave it alone".
Bryn smiled, "Let's go back up on deck. Maybe Doubar will let you get yours hands on the Tiller". She tried deflecting their argument while ushering them out of Sinbad's room.
"What's that?" Emma asked.
"It's what we use to steer the ship", Bryn replied.
xxxx
"Have you made a decision on what you want to do with Anders?" Sinbad asked Benson as they strolled around the town center market. "We will be leaving port in a couple days".
Benson nodded his head, "I spoke with Anders yesterday. He is good to go". Benson stopped and examined a blue vase, "I'm sorry about the hesitation. He's such a good worker; I wasn't very eager to lose him". He put the blue vase back down and continued walking.
"I understand", Sinbad replied as he followed.
"I'm a bit of a romantic myself, I must say", Benson confessed, "The special lady that he wanted to win over is Morgan's daughter you know".
"Your friend who we are delivering the wine to?" Sinbad asked, "Will that be a problem?"
Benson shook his head, "Not unless you tell him you were Anders transport".
Sinbad nodded his head in understanding of the situation. At that time, he observed that Rongar made his way back to the tent that displayed the weaponry that they discovered when they first arrived. It looked to him that he was ready to make a payment when he pulled out his coin satchel that was tied to his belt.
"Does Morgan not approve of Anders?" Sinbad asked.
"He does not", Benson stopped under a shaded tree, "Morgan is very protective of his daughter and does not feel Anders is in the correct station to court her". Benson smiled, "To be honest, my friend is a bit of a spoiled snob if you ask me".
"How does Morgan's wife feel about Anders?" Sinbad questioned.
"The complete opposite. She adores Anders", Benson answered, "Don't worry, he really is a good man. He will most likely be great help on your ship during the journey. Like I said, He's a good worker. I've never had a problem with him".
"That's a good quality to have on The Nomad", Sinbad replied with a smile.
While stopped, Sinbad noticed that Bryn and her cousins were walking through town. His eyes lingered on them when they stopped at the flowers cart. Bryn stepped back as she let the twins pick out a bouquet.
Benson followed his gaze and saw what Sinbad was looking at. "Speaking of winning over ladies. I understand you've won over Gunnar's sister".
Sinbad turned his attention back to Benson and nodded his head in confirmation, "You can say that".
Benson laughed, "All the ladies will be very disappointed", he shook his head in amusement, "You're a pretty popular man. I've heard whispers of your name coming off their tongues".
"Is that so?" Sinbad replied
"You're name is among the gossip in town, Sinbad. I may be old, but I'm not deaf!", Benson answered, "I think you got yourself a good one though". He nodded towards Bryn.
Sinbad smiled, "I think so too".
Just then they both watched her as she turned around and lifted her arm up for Dermott to land. Dermott balanced himself on her rainbow bracelet. She touched his wing as she greeted him and turned her attention back to the twins.
"How did you two come to possess that bracelet you both wear?" Benson looked at Sinbad curiously.
Sinbad glanced at his own bracelet, "We both don't remember. It's a mystery for both of us".
"Well it must be something very special", Benson replied, "A gift from the Gods?"
"We like to think so", Sinbad answered, "We are always looking for answers".
xxxx
"What has come over you?" Gunnar walked along side Felix as they strolled through the fresh vegetables and fruit stalls of the town market. "Ever since that fight at The Tavern, you have not been yourself".
"I'm fine", Felix answered, "Just feeling a little tired. I haven't been sleeping too well lately".
"Anything I can help you with?" Gunnar followed his friend through the market. He wasn't really sure what Felix was shopping for. "The last time you were so distant you left town!"
"I came back, didn't I?" Felix retorted sharply. "Don't worry. I am not planning on going anywhere else soon. This is my home".
"You can talk to me about anything", Gunnar answered while looking down at a variety of apples a vender was holding out to them. He shook his head no thank you to the seller , "I will wait till your good and ready. I can see I won't get anything out of you now". He sighed and came to an abrupt stop. He saw that Felix was no longer listening to him. He may as have been talking to the wind. Standing in Felix's way was the same man that confronted him that night at The Tavern. The man in front of him had eyes that held nothing but hostility. Judging the look on his friend's face, he could tell he had the same sentiment. He heard Felix speak.
"Get out of my way", Felix's voice was stern.
The man laughed and approached Felix until they were nose to nose. "Or what? You will try to have your way with my wife?"
Felix stood his ground, "It's not my fault your wife seeks other men for attention. You must not please her".
Gunnar silently cursed Felix for opening his mouth. He watched the anger forming in the other man's eyes. Just as he expected, he took a wild swing at his friend's head. Felix must've prepared himself as well, for he ducked just in time. The man growled and lunged at his friend again. Gunnar saw that this man, like the other night, was not alone. He saw another man approach Felix from behind. He immediately went to his friend's aid and confronted that man himself. He punched him. He wish he hadn't. The pain that shot from his right arm was a reminder of the injury he received the last time he did this. This time, the man now approaching him had a sword. He backed away from his assailant just as he heard a deep and commanding voice cut through the air.
"You dare pull your sword on an unarmed man? "
From the corner of Gunnar's eye he saw Sinbad, with one hand on the hilt of his sword. He backed farther away and looked to Felix. Rongar was already at his side with blade in hand. His surroundings soon became chaos as innocent bystanders gave out startled cries at the scene in front of them. Swords started clashing.
From behind him, he heard his name being called. He turned to look and saw Bryn, with Eva and Emma approaching him. The sound of the crowd must have attracted them. He saw the concern in her eyes when she looked upon his injured arm cradled with his other hand.
"I'm okay!", He answered before she even asked.
Bryn looked at the scene in front of them, "I should have known". Sinbad already had his sharp tipped sword against naked throat and Rongar was ducking and throwing punches at a large man. Was that Felix next to him? Remembering she had the twins with her , she turned to the girls, "Come on, your mother is waiting for us". She couldn't let them stand and watch and she had no doubt Sinbad and Rongar had this under control. "Gunnar, I'm going back to Aunt Megs".
"That's probably a good idea", He replied with a glance at the wide eyed girls.
Bryn grabbed both of the twins hands and continued walking. She took one last glance at Sinbad and Rongar and muttered to herself, "Typical". She still couldn't help but smile to herself.
xxxx
In the evening, Mira frowned as she followed Bryn upstairs to her room. Her soon to be old room. In Bryn's hands was a small wooden crate that she borrowed from The Nomad. She took it to pack up her few belongings she kept in Mira and John's guest room.
"Are you sure that little box will be big enough?" Mira held open the door for her friend and followed her in.
Bryn placed the crate on her bed. "Of course", she looked around the small room, "I don't have that many stuff".
Mira started pulling garments out of the closet. "You better take these dresses with you. I gave them to you to keep".
Bryn appreciated the gift as Mira handed them to her, "Thank you, Mira". When Bryn made eye contact with her friend she saw tears forming in her eyes. "Mira? Are you okay?"
Mira sighed as she brushed a tear away, "I'm sorry", she took a calming breath, "I will miss you that's all".
Bryn placed the clothes down on the bed, "I will miss you too", she hugged her friend in hopes of making her feel better, "We will see each other again. I will come back".
Mira smiled, "I know. That could be months". She laughed at herself, "I don't know what my issue is lately. I've been an emotional mess". She stepped back and continued helping Bryn pack, "I know the next time you come into town, you will be settling with Gunnar in his new home. John and I still wanted you to know that you are always welcome here if the room is available".
Bryn smiled, "Thank you. That means so much to me".
Mira than lifted up Bryn's sword from the floor. She examined it before handing it over to her. She's never held a sword before in her life, "Where would you like this?"
"I will just wear it", Bryn sheathed her sword at her hip. "I will need to get used to it again".
"John would be beside himself if I carried that around", Mira exclaimed, "It really suites you".
Both girls turned to a knock on the door. "Carried what around?" It was John.
"A sword, darling", Mira replied.
John looked at the sword on Bryn's hip, "You don't need a sword. Bryn does because she travels so much, but not you, wife".
"Why is that?" Mira had to ask.
"You've got me to protect you", John replied.
"Bryn's got Sinbad", Mira retorted.
"All his crew members yields swords I imagine", John crossed his arms, "It comes with the traveling territory. He can't watch her back all the time".
Bryn smiled at the married couple, she really was going to miss them. "I like taking care of myself".
"Now don't you give her any ideas!" John replied. He laughed, "Come, Mira. I'm opening up the bar".
Bryn stopped them, "Before I forget! Aunt Meg invited you guys for dinner tomorrow night. It's something special she wanted to do before we set sail".
"Mira will go. I need to watch the bar", John replied, "Be sure you see me before you sail off tomorrow though".
"Of course", Bryn answered.