The fields outside the town of Beuid-Merra were calm and peaceful. The stalks of grain swayed gently in the breeze. The harvesters had managed to gather forty bushels of grain. But that was hardly enough to feed all the people of Beuid-Merra. Sinbad gazed intently through the moonlight across the quiet fields and the orchards that bordered them.
"This monster... this thing..can turn everything into wasteland in the blink of an eye!"
A momentary look of disbelief crossed Sinbad's face. The landscape before him seemed the very epitome of beauty and serenity. It was hard to believe in the cruel future in store for it all.
"There's a sound you hear first. Like the swishing sound of a whip- but longer.. And then the destruction begins"
Sinbad breathed harder, looking this way and that,straining to hear any strange sound. Behind him, crouched ten of the villagers who had volunteered to help him. One of them tapped Sinbad on the shoulder and pointed silently to a corner of the field. "The thing did that",he whispered, his words choking in his throat. In the corner were a clump of tall trees uprooted and left standing , bunched together upside down! A small gasp escaped Sinbad's lips as he studied the monster's handiwork - as if it was a sample of the destruction yet to come! Suddenly, the swishing sound of a whip could be heard.
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Maeve twisted around in her lonely hideaway ,sword in hand and breathless in anticipation. The monster had arrived!

Sinbad rose up from his position, holding out his sword, following the direction of the sound. The whipping continued - each time growing stronger and more prolonged. It seemed to be coming from the opposite end of the field, by the orchards that formed a thick line along the side of a hill. He walked faster, signaling for the men to follow him as well. In a distance, he could make out a rising shadow, looming high and tall until it reached gigantic proportions. Sinbad broke into a run. Just as he reached the middle of the field, the sounds ceased and it was eerie quiet. Suddenly a second shadow appeared and seemed to be headed rapidly for Sinbad! He stopped in astonishment then ducked his head just in time as a giant tree sailed right over his head and across the fields. Sinbad's mouth was agape in men behind him were flat on the ground,shaking with fear. Quickly a few more trees were hurled swiftly through the air. "Quickly!",roared Sinbad, ducking and dodging the branches and the roots."Follow me. We can't stay out here in the open ground!" Whether the monster had spotted the men and was attacking them with the trees or was simply plucking and throwing them around out of twisted pleasure remained a question to Sinbad. When he was safely behind a large mound, his heart thumping in excitement and shock, he saw that there was a chaotic mass of uprooted trees all around. Fruits were lying splattered into the tree roots ,as thick as a man's waist, stretched high into the air. The men behind Sinbad had dwindled down to a mere six in number, some injured and some fleeing for dear life.
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The sounds began again.
Something like mole burrows streamed rapidly across the length of the field making uneven bumps on the soil. Several burrow lines - at least fifty to sixty equally distanced from each other came into form. "Great! Now what?",sighed Sinbad. He looked over the mound. He couldn't believe his eyes at the strange sight he saw! With a thunderous whipping sound, large grotesque vine-like cords tore out alone the length of each burrow, tossing up bulk-loads of crops intermingled with dirt! "So that's what the sound was for!". Once again the burrows were made, the same fifty, equally distanced and once again the cords tore out ruining the patch of field. The crop monster stepped forward, it's many cords digging easily into the field and destroying the ground in a flash. It towered over Sinbad and the men, frightening and huge with its vines shooting freely on every side. It was unlike anything Sinbad had ever seen! A vine landed on the mound behind which he was hiding and sliced it clean in two. Two of the villagers threw their courage to the winds and began to run when the vines caught each of them and flung them right across the field."All right, that's enough!",bellowed Sinbad, in stepped out sword in hand. Now that he'd understood the enemy he was facing ,it was time for the counter attack.

Before Sinbad could speak, he heard a loud seemingly war-cry of..
"..a woman?",echoed Sinbad in saw Maeve charging at the monster in full speed and plunge her sword into one of the vines. She sliced one out and the monster whirled around with a long-drawn roar. Two large eyeballs with very large pupils bulged out of the monster's head which was a mass of vines!"Is she crazy?",cried Sinbad to the villagers who shrugged helplessly in reply. Meanwhile, Maeve was skipping and dodging out of the path of the soaring vines. Sinbad stepped out into the open as well, wondering why the monster wouldn't retaliate when he saw a nearby tree being pulled up from the ground. "Look out!",he cried, racing towards the warrior-girl and throwing her down on the ground just in time before the tree sailed close over their heads. Two of the villagers flung their spears at the monster's head. One of the spears plunged itself firmly into an eye,granting enough diversion for Sinbad and Maeve enough time to scamper away. "That was too close! Get out of here now!",hissed Sinbad, in fury. Before Maeve could reply, the monster infuriated by the resistance, pulled out the spear and threw a few vines in Sinbad's direction. Sinbad brought out his sword but the vines seemed oddly "prepared" this time. They shifted their texture to the metallic substance of a sword and began to fight brought out her sword as well.
"Did you see that?",panted Maeve."They just changed their structure to match our blades!"
Sinbad fought with each of the vines as if he were fighting with three men. The clanking of swords brought the villagers into the fight as well. Unfortunately some of the vines slipped under their feet and tripped them. The fallen were immediately flung miles away into the mass of uprooted trees.
"This isn't working!",cried Maeve again.
"I thought I told you to get away!",replied Sinbad.
"I'm not going anywhere until this monster is destroyed!"
"That sword in your hand makes you as stubborn as a mule!"
Ignoring Maeve's acid glare, Sinbad stopped fighting and threw himself upon one of the vines and began to climb it with all his might.
"Where do you think you're going?",called Maeve in lunged into one of the vines and with a few quick maneuvers , brought it under her foot. She tried to it off but failed. She gazed up and saw Sinbad throwing himself from one vine to another, climbing higher and higher until he was out of sight. "He's going to slice the head of the monster!"realized Maeve. She raised a reluctant hand and wondered for a moment if she should conjure her fireball. But feeling all the hesitance of an awkward apprentice, she shook her head and concentrated on her swordplay again.

Sinbad clung fast to each swirling vine, trying to chop handholds and footholds where ever he can, to make it right to the top. The higher he went, the more tangled the mass of vines became, breathing and writhing together ,creating the belly of the beast. "This monster's got to have a head to go along with those pretty eyes. The sooner I slice it off, the better for all of us".With all his attention focused upon this aim, Sinbad failed to notice smaller vines of deep red slowly emerging from within the monster and trace Sinbad's path as quietly as snakes. Only when the red vines coiled around his legs and tightened in a vice-like grip, did Sinbad realize that he was in trouble. Before he could even begin to scream, he was dragged headlong into the crop monster!

Maeve battle longed and hard. Between leaps and turns, she gazed apprehensively upwards, hoping to catch a glimpse of the heroic sailor. But there was no sign of Sinbad. Maeve dropped to her feet and rolled underneath a cloud of streaming vines. She looked upwards once more. This time, she saw a strange sight. Something was being pushed out of the depths of the monster. It was made of a sticky orange substance which seeped plentifully to the ground, soiling the grass. The orange substance formed an envelope around something - something which was still alive and fighting to get out. The moment she realized that the envelope was human shaped, she knew that Sinbad was in the gravest of danger!"I've got to do something!",she cried aloud, to no one but herself for she stood alone in the open field. She shifted uncertainly from one foot to another, her mind running at fever pace for some way to rescue Sinbad. Then drawing a deep breath and summoning all her strength, Maeve concentrated her powers between the palms of her hands and produced a fireball. She lurched forward in her throw with a forced gasp and watched with widened eyes as the blazing ball took the intended trajectory with ease and burnt the vines that held the orange cocoon. The cocoon fell down into the branches of a leafy tree. The entrapped figure inside had long since stopped struggling and had sunk into a limp heap. The monster resumed its destruction, ploughing forward and causing more chaos than before. Maeve swept back some of her hair as she ran towards the cocoon. She reached closer and gingerly laid her hands on the orangey substance. There was a hard surface underneath. The trapped prey would not have much oxygen left to frowned and focused her fire power to the tip of her finger which began to glow in white hot light. She reached out and began to cut through the fire melted away the surface, revealing Sinbad's face and shoulders. Maeve's heart sank when she saw Sinbad's eyes remain closed. Perhaps her help had arrived too late!

"Wake up!",cried Maeve,reaching inside and grabbing hold of Sinbad's shoulders. She shook him firmly and waited in nervous silence. But Sinbad did not stir. "Come on",yelled Maeve,cutting a few more lengths of the cocoon with the fire from her hand. The cocoon collapsed like a hood and Sinbad leaned forward clumsily. Maeve moved back in fright and then stretched out her hand timidly towards Sinbad. The Captain gave a sudden ragged gasp. "You're alive!",sighed Maeve in relief as Sinbad leaned back, gulping in the air with long,hard breaths. His eyes fluttered open and he saw Maeve standing before him with a faint smile on her face."Whoa! Talk about narrow escapes..",said Sinbad in a hollow it all came back to him in a rush - the rampaging monster, the ruined fields. He stumbled forward gazing in unbelief at the destruction which lay before him. The ground was ripped apart and there were so many piles of trees - uprooted and left for decay. Far ahead, the monster was still on its rampage,annihilating everything in its path."I..I've got to stop that beast!",said Sinbad. He took a few unsteady steps when Maeve put out her hand to stop him.
"Listen",she said,gravely."Your last plan nearly got you killed and I may not always be able to save you. Maybe you'll want to think this through without rushing headlong into any more-"
"You saved me?",laughed Sinbad. He followed Maeve's gaze to the still smoldering edges of the cocoon and then stared back at her in awkward surprise."You saved me!"
"Why should that startle you so?",asked Maeve with an arched eyebrow."I used my magic". Although Maeve's tone carried indifference, her mind was still puzzling over the incredible growth in her powers.
"You're a sorceress?"
"A sorceress apprentice"
"But a good one?"
"I..I guess so",replied Maeve, her suspicions rising as she saw a slow smile spreading across Sinbad's face."But I don't see how-"
"That will do! Come on!",yelled Sinbad,grabbing her hand and racing across the fields."That will do what?",demanded Maeve,pulling away. She stared after Sinbad who was running towards the monster in full speed."Just follow me.. I have a plan I think will work!" was Sinbad's only reply.
Maeve shook her head in unbelief. Then ,she sighed and began to follow as well.

Sinbad fought and scuffled with the deadly vines to get as close to the creature as he could. He glanced and found Maeve had done the same as well, although there was increasing confusion on her face. Her sword was busy, chopping and fending away the attacking limbs of the monster. Sinbad nodded and threw himself upon one of the vines."This way up!",he said,beckoning Maeve as well.
"ARE YOU CRAZY?",yelled Maeve,incredulously.
Sinbad smiled to himself realizing that he had earlier thought the same thing about Maeve. "I know a way to kill this monster. You've got to trust me". He was several handholds above Maeve now, looking down at her with urgency on his face."This is not the time to stand looking dumb,woman. Get climbing. Now!"
"I'm going to regret this",muttered Maeve to herself in exasperation. She began to climb up the vine.

They climbed long and hard. Maeve followed faster ,finding easy grip on the chopped handholds. But suddenly she felt something, snaking up her feet and legs.
"I..it's got me! Help!",cried Maeve,jerking this way and that, trying to loosen the grip of the smaller vines. They coiled tightly round her legs and now circled her waist."Hold on!",replied Sinbad, climbing down but getting caught as well.
"Hold on? What do you mean HOLD ON?",bellowed Maeve,struggling wildly."I'm getting pulled in!"
Maeve's head disappeared into the monster and soon Sinbad was pulled in as well.

Maeve felt the vines loosen around her body. She was floating lightly in a gloomy void. "Wh..where am I?",she asked in a hoarse whisper. her voice seemed to echo around her. She looked and saw Sinbad floating along beside her. "Quick!Use your magic! We're gonna destroy this creature from the inside out!",said Sinbad,nodding to her.
"WE'RE INSIDE THE MONSTER?",cried Maeve in shock.
"Come on,woman. Use your powers!"
"I can't. I'm not strong enough for this!",replied Maeve in desperation.
Sinbad stared blankly at her.
Suddenly some thick colloidal fluids started to spray around gave a cry of surprise and fright."What's happening?"
"The monster's vegetarian and it's digestive system doesn't like us inside,right now. It will try to cocoon and kill us.."
"What?"
"But you have the power to stop it."
"I don't know if I can"
"Try your best! Come on",urged Sinbad."I know you can"
A twinge of pain shot through Maeve as she stared at Sinbad. The confidence, the trust that the sailor was showing in her abilities seemed vaguely familiar. Maeve swallowed once and stretched out her hands. "I'll try to burn our way through"
"All right",said Sinbad."Do it fast. We haven't got much time"
Maeve took a deep breath and began to concentrate on summoning all of her powers. Beside her, Sinbad watched the sorceress with nervous expectation. Something ought to happen and it's got to be a good thing. It's got to be a good thing.

The villagers heard a loud explosion which vibrated through their houses and streets. The darkness melted away into the brightness. But it was still the middle of the night! Timidly they came out of their houses and stared at the gigantic blaze in the open fields. They began to rush forward , calling worriedly to one another and watching out for the crop monster. But when they got to the scene, they only saw a burning pile of entangled vines. The sailor and the Celt were sitting on the ground, covered in orange fluids and laughing out loud.

"My deepest gratitude for your services,Sinbad",said the Mayor with a smile on his face."Sinbad!",thought Maeve."So,that's his name". The Mayor nodded to Maeve as well. They were at the end of the hero's feast and most of the people had gone home to sleep. Sinbad was about to reply when a young woman barged through and planted a huge kiss on his giggled and raced back to her parents.
"Who was that?",remarked Sinbad.
"Your future bride",replied Maeve, glanced at the Mayor."Sir, about the reward money.."
"Oh yes. Here is your reward",said the Mayor,handing a large heavy bag to Sinbad. "I hope this pleases you"
"You are most kind,Sir",said Sinbad,fingering the gold pieces inside."Thank you for your generous gift"
"After riding us of that terrible beast, we can never thank you enough for what you've done",replied the Mayor,grasping Sinbad's hand in a warm handshake. He stood up and walked back to his and Maeve stood alone now in the empty street.
"We worked well together",said Maeve with a smile.
"Yes we did,er-"
"-Maeve. My name is Maeve"
"Maeve",echoed Sinbad gazing at her through the moonlight. There was warmth in his dark eyes. They were filled with respect and oddly enough.. affection. Maeve grew uncomfortable and looked away. "It's time I went home. I'm tired.",she said,trying to sound light-hearted."Why don't we split the reward money now?". There was no reply. "Sinbad?",she asked,turning around.

Sinbad was gone.