The stout trap door burst open with a strong blast. The group of burly men who sat at dirty tables littered with half-eaten pieces of meat and tall glasses of drink,looked up in surprise. They heard the soft jangling of bangles accompanied by merry chuckle as the intruder stepped lightly down the raggedy flight of stairs and leaned casually on the wooden railing to face crowd. The stranger wore an expensive cloak over a dark green gown. A thick chain of dull gold hung around her pretty white neck with a brilliant ruby pendant."Excellent! A horde of out-of-work strong-men. Just what I was looking for",she cheered as her eyes wandered appreciatively around the dingy,smelly tavern.
The nearest man grabbed a rusty sword,raced up the flight of steps and held it against the intruder's throat."What's a pretty girl like you doing in a place like this? Don't you know this is a private party?",he asked in a deep throated growl.
"Oh.I'm sorry",came the innocent reply."Does this mean you won't help me?"
Loud laughter came from the men seated down below. "Bring the lady down here.I'll help her with her problems!",came a half-drunk reply. Loud laughter ensued and the man on the stairs nodded for the stranger to follow him below."Just a moment. Let me introduce myself"
"Hey,lady...we don't need no introductions!",protested the same drunken voice. Suddenly a powerful blot of light pierced through the darkness of the room and blinded the men. They cowered in fright,the sober ones seizing their swords for protection. When the light faded, the drunkard was burnt to ashes. The men seated around leapt up in fear. The man on the stairs lowered his sword in instant respect."Who are you?"
"I am Rumina,daughter of Turok,the most powerful sorcerer in the East"
"What do you want from us?"
"Your services.",said Rumina with her sweetest smile."I find I'm in need of able swordsmen. And I'm willing to pay.."
"When do we start?"
"Right now. Follow me"

Firouz's eyes twinkled in excitement as he put the finishing touches on his latest invention. "A faint adjustment of the sails here, a slight modification of the lever there and yes! My hanging glider is ready to go! This is going to be the biggest discovery yet! An invention which allows a man to fly - not like a bird.. but to glide through the air,riding the wind" Firouz nodded and grinned proudly around his room."Oh, an applause from an amazed audience would be nice about now. But I have to wait." The inventor hurriedly dismantled the main parts of his contraption and arranged them by the door. He grunted under the weight of the sails."I will get my applause this afternoon (mmhhph) when I leap from the tallest tower in Baghdad (mmph..) with my trusty glider attached firmly(rhhmmphh) to my shoulders(mmpphh)and sail all the way over the market(hhrrummph),the town square(uummph)and above the Royal palace. Firouz paused for a moment with a frown. "Maybe flying over the Palace may not be such a good idea.. especially if the Sultan thinks I'm a threat and orders the archers to fire their arrows at me" He shrugged lightly."But it must be done. Anything for the name of science!"

Dermott perched himself on the highest branch of a tree. The blazing sun and the gusty wind threatened to drain his energy. "I must find Sinbad. I must",thought Dermott, scanning the coast line with eager eyes. Just a few lengths across the ocean and there lay another similar island. This was the last one. Dermott had searched them all. "I must save Maeve from the spell" The hawk took to the air again,flying valiantly towards the last island. This island seemed to be more populated. Even as he drew near, he could spot towns and even a large port. The beach was larger and there were more boats moored at the little inlet which served as a harbour. "The Nomad... where is the Nomad? Where is Sinbad?"

Asif's cart turned a corner around a steep cliff and the narrow rut track widened into a broad road. Flowery gardens began to appear,hemmed in by a low stone wall that formed a perimeter around his beautiful home. Asif gently shook Nassima awake. "We're home at last!" . Together ,they gazed at their mansion. What a sight for sore eyes! A sparkling white stone mansion overlooking a peaceful sea. The giant white pillars , the lovely statuary, the tall vases made of glittering shell.. How serene it all looked. Asif looked relieved. Nassima searched anxiously for Abdul. He was not in the gardens. Perhaps the maid carried him to the terrace, perhaps he is still asleep in bed..." She felt her husband's hand encircle her waist and hold her close to himself. "Stop the cart here. We will walk down the path to the mansion. Take the horses to the stables and resume your daily duties." The head-servant bowed and led the cart away. Asif-el-Quidar and his wife walked arm in arm to their home.

Even as they drew closer,Nassima called out in anticipation."Abdul,my love.. Come out to me! Your father and I have returned!"
There was no reply.
Instantly Nassima left Asif's hand and raced into the main hall. "Abdul! ABDUL,ANSWER ME!" She climbed the stairs, and entered each room calling out her son's name. The servants stopped their duties and made way as she tore here and there ,growing more and more desperate. Her Abdul was nowhere to be found. Atlast she was at the terrace. Still no sign of her beloved. Nassima's heart pounded within her. She gave a cry of anguish and ran back into the house. "He is gone,Asif. What have you done? Who has taken our son away?",she demanded as she reached the balcony that overlooked the main hall. She stopped at the sight of a handsome black-haired woman ,dressed in regal robes standing against the glass walls. The rays of the sun ,softened the outline of her graceful form yet threw a shadow over her face. "Who..who are you?",asked Nassima,descending the stairs. "Asif,who is this?"
Asif-el-Quidar stood motionless by the walls. His eyes were glassy - expressionless. It was as if all emotion had been drained from them.
"Im afraid he can't answer you. He is under a spell. He will obey me from now on."
Nassima ran to Asif and shook him in fright. He remained cold and distant, gazing only at the stranger. "No! You can't do this... I-"
"Oh,but I can. You should feel highly honored for having me as your permanent guest here. You're mansion is not quite as awe-inspiring as Skull Mountain, but it will have to do for now"
"You're Rumina,aren't you?",said Nassima,in shock.
"My my..aren't we clever today"
"You aren't welcome here. And what have you done with Ab-" Nassima stopped in mid-sentence ,freezing under the spell which Rumina cast upon her. Her eyes turned glassy,like that of her husband. She too stood motionless,as still as a stone statue.
"You will obey my orders now.. I'm expecting a very special visitor here. And he will like this mansion very well indeed",said Rumina with a merry laugh."You see.. this is the mansion of his dreams.." Her laughter filled the halls once again.

Meanwhile upstairs, behind an adjoining door,there huddled a very frightened little boy,clutching a ball in his hands.

When Sinbad regained consciousness, the first thing he saw was a hawk seated patiently just a few feet away from his face. Instantly he scrambled to his feet and hastily shook the sand off his clothes. "I've heard of vultures grouping around the dead but this is ridiculous.. Go away,bird while you have the chance for I just might eat you. You see,after swimming in the middle of the ocean for a week, and sticking to a diet of raw fish and salt water, I'm so hungry I could eat a horse"

Dermott screeched loudly. He took to the air and tried to swoop down on Sinbad's shoulder. "Hey,I mean it bird-brain,leave me alone!",yelled Sinbad,picking up his sword.

Rumina carefully descended down the path to the beach. Two servants followed her,carrying golden trays in their moment Dermott caught sight of her, he fled to safety. If Rumina was involved,he must be doubly sure of the danger before attacking head-on. It would be foolish to face the witch unprepared.
"Welcome to Beuid-Merra,Sinbad",greeted Rumina with a smile."Are you hungry?"
"Famished",replied Sinbad,whirling around in surprise.
The servants spread a rich carpet on the sand and placed their trays on it. One tray contained a large roasted lamb and a huge tub of gravy. Another tray contained fruits of all kinds and a large jug of drink. Sinbad feel upon the food at once and gorged himself on it. Rumina settled down beside him and helped herself to the drink. It was a long while after which Sinbad was able to talk to his mysterious benefactress. He took a long drink from his goblet and sighed happily. Then he stood up and taking Rumina's slender hand, he bowed and kissed it. Rumina's eyes gleamed in delight. As Sinbad let go of her hand, he noticed the skull ring on her finger. For an instant ,a glimmer of recognition seemed to cloud his memory. Then a sharp pain seized him and he clutched at his temples.
"What is it?",asked Rumina.
"Im just a little dizzy. I stayed afloat on a piece of wreckage for days before I finally fainted and got washed ashore somehow on this island. But please ,before I say anymore, I must know of your name. You seem to know mine.. Have we met before?"
"No we haven't",replied Rumina immediately. "My name is Rumina"
"Rumina - a beautiful name for a beautiful lady". Sinbad smiled lighted his face and brought such tenderness to his eyes that despite herself,Rumina colored brightly. "I've forgotten how charming he can be",she thought to herself."But enough of this, I am wasting my time" She cleared her throat and asked,"Have you any friends here,Sinbad?"
"None,I'm afraid"
"Then, come with me to my mansion. I have several rooms there and many servants to keep you comfortable."
Sinbad smiled gratefully. "I don't know what to say. Thank you for your kindness to a poor sailor"
"Come,Sinbad",said Rumina,rising to her feet. "You will love my home."
Sinbad fitted his sword into his belt and stood with his hands on his sides. "I only hope I can return the favour.. If there is anything I could do for you.."
"All in good time,my dear Sinbad.. All in good time",chuckled Rumina as she led the way to her home.

"Dermottttttt!",called Maeve,fighting back tears of frustration as she stumbled clumsily down to the island's beach. A few sea gulls looked up inquisitively but otherwise took no notice of her. "Dermott,where are you?" Maeve hadn't got much sleep that night partly due to worry for her brother's safety. She tried her best not to think the worst. But it was hard to stay hopeful on an empty stomach. Maeve was in dull spirits and feeling very much alone. At least she was out of the woods. She was grateful for that. "Perhaps Dermott would return soon - safe and sound. I must stay hopeful..",she instructed herself. She gazed across the waters at the other island before her. "I wonder how many of these there are.."