"Hey,look up there",said a swordsman-soldier,pointing to the top of the mast."Think it's going to build a nest up there?"
The man beside him peered up and after a while, shrugged his shoulders."I don't know.I've never known a hawk to build a nest on a mast".
"Raise anchor!",commanded the leader of the army. Some of the men on deck, ran to the side of the ship to hoist the heavy anchor. Others unrolled the sails. As if on cue, the hawk swooped down with a loud screech. He made a fierce bee-line for the leader's head and swerved sideways only inches from his face. The man looked stunned for a moment. Then,he reached out for his sword with a loud yell. The hawk was making rapid circles around the mast, screeching for all he was the distraction, the red-headed sorceress climbed deftly up the rungs of the rope ladder. The gaping hole at the side of the ship, startled her for a moment. Through it hung drapes of sea-weed and the inner hold was layered with sand. Maeve quickly swung herself through and into the cargo hold. The waves beat upon the battered wooden wall but not even a drop of water entered the ship!

When Sinbad opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the low ceiling of a cabin. The swaying movement told him that he was within a ship and that the ship had set sail. His hand moved slowly to his side but his sword was gone. Sinbad sat up ready to break free from his assailants even if he had to fight with his bare hands. But aside from Asif-el-Quidar, there was no one else in the room! Asif looked with some surprise at Sinbad.A flicker of recognition and nothing more.
"Is this ship headed for Baghdad?",asked Sinbad.
"Yes"
"Why does Rumina want to go to Baghdad? What is the army for?"
"The army is to start a war against the Caliph of Baghdad and his son. Rumina seeks revenge against those responsible for her father's death",replied Asif,staring through glassy eyes. Suddenly he lurched forward and grabbed Sinbad by the shoulders in a vice-like grip."Sinbad!",he cried.
"What is it?",replied Sinbad,staring into Asif's confused eyes.
Asif began to blink furiously,shaking hard as if struggling against some violent force. "Must...m..must overcome.. I must.."
"Where are my weapons?. We must stop Rumina before it's too late"
"Weapons are useless against Rumina. She is too powerful to be stopped now",said Asif in a quivering voice.
"We'll see about that!",said Sinbad,with a grim nod. He pulled at the door but it wouldn't budge."Open this door now,Asif!"
"The door opens by magic.. Don't you see..? Why you're here... You're the key. You can't escape"

Firouz and Doubar received the utmost care from the royal physicians of the Palace under the direct command of the Prince. Yet, even the most knowledgeable amongst the physicians could give no satisfactory explanation for the suddenness of the head-aches or why it was affecting both men with equal force at the same time. The evening found Firouz in a pensive state, with his shoulders hunched over in thought and his fingers absently twirling the medallion around his neck. "I have this theory-",he began,with a cursory glance at Doubar.
"Let's hear it",welcomed Doubar,leaning forward in expectation.
"Repressed memories"
"Repressed what?"
"Repressed memories.",repeated Firouz. He spoke the next few words in slow and careful deliberation. "My theory is that we have lost some of our memories and when we try to recall them, we get this unbearable pain-"
"That's just nonsense"
"Fine.",accepted Firouz ,in faint annoyance."I'd like to see you come up with a better explanation"
Doubar looked nonplussed by this sudden challenge. He frowned hard in thought, humming and hawing, trying to make some valuable contribution of ideas. "Perhaps its something we ate?",he offered, after a lengthy pause. Before Firouz could reply, Doubar shook his head at the weakness of his own suggestion. "A food poison that gives only head-aches sounds plain silly...".
"Exactly",agreed Firouz with a sigh. Doubar realized that the inventor was just as tired as he was. For most of the day, they had been racked with such inexplicable pain and it just wouldn't do to quarrel right now. Doubar paced a bit around the luxurious chamber. He turned sharply and demanded,"Then if what you are saying is true, if indeed our memories have been wiped out, how come you and I remember different things? Don't tell me Sinbad is both alive and dead or I might just go crazy!"
Firouz stood up, glad that his ideas were at least being given the benefit of the doubt.
"That's the only part I cant figure out. It's as if someone was very selective about which memories of ours to destroy"
"Someone? You speak of a hidden enemy?",asked Doubar,growing alert at once.
"I don't know. Perhaps..perhaps.."
Doubar stood in silence, his mind understanding the severe implications of Firouz's ideas. If indeed their memories had been stolen, then parts of their lives have been stolen as well. They would never know what they've missed. Doubar ,for the first time began to worry over his brother, Sinbad. He walked up to Firouz and with a steady gaze, he reached out an arm and laid it on the inventor's shoulder."No matter what happens,Firouz.. Whether we get back whatever it is that's been stolen from us.. or not - I'll always be there to watch your back"
Firouz was surprised and touched by the sincerity of the gesture. He grabbed Doubar's arm and clasped it in a firm handshake. "And I will be there to watch your back,Doubar",he replied.

Rongar's eyes swept across the busy port of Baghdad. Somehow , he must earn a berth on a ship bound for Beuid- Merra. But apparently Beuid-Merra was not a favored trading port amongst the merchant crowd. A faint smile of irony played across Rongar's stolid face. But only for a fleeting moment. He remembered that his own humble dirks were the reason he was able to unlock the mystery behind the stolen memories. He was sure of Rushid's defeat in the hands of Sinbad the Sailor. Rushid was like every other enemy they'd faced so far - pompous and ignorant of the Captain's cunning and valor. Sinbad would bring Rushid's plans to ashes and restore things to the way the should be! Yet there was one detail which didn't quite fit in with Rongar's ideas. He frowned as he remembered the harpy that attacked him on the deck of the Nomad. It's appearance was unaccounted for and strange owing to the fact that harpies were usually the favorite minions of Turok and Rumina. To imagine them to be aiding Rushid struck Rongar as rather odd indeed!

Maeve moved with double caution, her feet tip-toeing noiselessly through the hold of the ship. She knew that she was an unwelcome stow-away and that the slightest hint of her presence will bring down the wrath of every soldier on the ship! As she peered around in the darkness, she could sense that the hold was choked with all types of weapons and supplies. They stuck out at odd angles, some piled up in a tottering heap. They had been thrown together in a hurry. That much was certain. As she lingered near the door, debating whether to go up into the cabins, something at the back of the hold, caught her attention. It gleamed invitingly and Maeve walked over for a closer look. She pulled away the sheets and revealed a large mirror, set in a dull golden frame. The design was exquisite. Maeve knew instantly that it must belong to Rumina. As her hands
wandered across the frame, the mirror rippled and came alive.
"Maeve!",it called, with urgency in its voice.
Maeve pulled back in fright.
"Maeve, come closer - Don't be afraid"
"I know that voice". Maeve's eyes peered into the mirror in disbelief. When she spoke, her voice came in a hoarse whisper."Is that you, Caipra?"

Rumina breathed hard, her head lolling heavily to the side of the silken cushion upon her bed. The resurrection of the Nomad had taken a heavy toll on her powers. Sheer willpower kept her going. Her body throbbed with pain and her face was ghostly white - as if drained of all color and vitality. She glanced at the symbol ingrained upon the back of her hand. It seemed as if it was drawn by fire. "Soon, my time will come", said Rumina,weakly. She smiled to herself. " I will avenge my father's death by destroying the Caliph and his family. In doing so, I will become the new ruler of Baghdad with Sinbad by my side". A single tear ran down Rumina's cheek. She closed her eyes in fatigue. Above her bedpost, the scepter of Kohlmar began to glow.

The face in the mirror did indeed belong to Caipra. The eyes that gazed back at Maeve were intelligent and shrewd as ever. Caipra looked the same in every respect. Yet there was a suspicious hint of apprehension clouding her face.
"Caipra,it is you!",said Maeve,sounding winded."But how is this possible?"
"This mirror is only a portal,Maeve.",explained Caipra."A powerful one as well.I used it as a last resort. You see, I have been trying to communicate with you for quite some time now" There was a small pause. The expression on Caipra's face changed to one filled with great sorrow and distress. "Maeve",she called, leaning froward in urgency."I sense great danger approaching Baghdad. A powerful evil surrounds you and Sinbad. What has happened?"
"Caipra, Rumina is aboard the Nomad and she plans to attack Baghdad-I don't how but-"
"Yes, I sensed Rumina's presence. Yet I fear there is something more. Something that will help her destroy Baghdad-"
Maeve's heart leaped that the very suggestion. "What do you mean? Rumina's too weak after the battle at Skull Mountain-"
"She has found a new source of power now. It is the scepter of Kohlmar, protected by Tohmohkhgrra. I sense that it is also on the ship"
"I have heard of this scepter",said Maeve,her eyes widening with realization. "But I don't know of the strength of its power."
"The scepter is most powerful. It can spawn indestructible armies which can flatten the most heavily armed fortresses in the blink of an eye."
Maeve's throat grew parched and the feeling of fear sunk deep into her soul. Visions of Baghdad city being destroyed filled her mind. "I will stop Rumina before she has a chance to use this deadly scepter"
Caipra grew alert at once. "Maeve, you must not approach her!"
"I don't understand"
"It is true. You see, the scepter can only be wielded by one with enough power to summon the aid of Tohmohkhgrra. The power must tip the balance. Now, since Rumina is weak, she will seek out an ally..and, you are the best one she can find"
"But Caipra, I'm not afraid. My flames can burn that scepter-"
"The scepter cannot be destroyed by your magic. Maeve, listen to me. Hide yourself away. Let Sinbad fight with Rumina. If you go near that witch, she might form an alliance with you and your powers will be drained away. Even the faintest touch - simple clasping of the hands can create the symbols of the deadly pact which will revive the Kohlmar scepter "
"Drained away",echoed Maeve. Her mind grew feverish in its search to form a quick plan of defense. "Caipra, you have always been my guide. Your words have continually helped me to put faith in myself and in my abilities.."
"What are you asking of me,Maeve?",questioned Caipra.
" I'm asking you now, to guide the innocent people of Baghdad, Caipra - especially the Sultan and his family. They need you as much as they need Sinbad to stop the Rumina's wicked schemes"
Caipra nodded gravely. A sigh escaped her lips. "I am to be the harbinger of doom... and of hope"Caipra gave a small smile and began to vanish from across the surface of the mirror. The ripples subsided and she was gone.

Maeve slipped into the inner cabins of the ship with the stealth of a cat. As prepared as she was for the battle ahead, she did not meet even a single soldier along the darkened corridors. "They must all be up on deck",decided Maeve."So much the better. Now... to find Sinbad". She jumped violently when she heard someone trying to ram through the door at the far end of the passage."Hey,Rumina.. I'm in no mood to play your games.", bellowed Sinbad in unmistakable fury. "Open this door right now!"
Maeve ran quickly to the same corner. "Sinbad, stay back",she warned. "I'm going to try and break through this door"
There was silence.
"Maeve!",called Sinbad, sounding confused and delighted at the same time. "Is it really you?"
"I'm coming through",said Maeve, concentrating all her powers in a hammering blow to the solid wood. The magic dissolved the door away and Sinbad was free from his cabin prison! Maeve leaned forward, eager to convey the intelligence she gained from Caipra."We're in danger. Rumina is going to use a-"Her words stopped midway when Sinbad's arms enveloped her in an embrace.
"Sinbad",said Maeve, partly annoyed and partly puzzled."What are you-"
Sinbad stepped back, looking rather flustered."I thought a lot about you.",he said."How you got on the ship seems amazing! But you are an amazing person,Maeve" Sinbad reached out and gently pushed back the lock of hair that seemed to fall across Maeve's forehead."We'll find your brother somehow. You have my word that he will be safe and with you soon". Now it was Maeve's turn to look astonished at Sinbad's casual reference to her well-guarded secret. Her legs failed lightly but she steadied herself."My brother? How did he know.." Then it all came in a rush. "Of course! She herself had told Sinbad about Dermott!" Maeve blushed furiously and cursed herself a thousand times for her stupidity. Sinbad mistook her muted agitation for sadness. "I need you more than ever before,Maeve. Rumina is not who she seems...I"
"Sinbad,don't you remember me?",interrupted Maeve,in a pained whisper.
"Of course I remember-"
"No Sinbad!",cried Maeve, growing impatient and annoyed."Look at me. You've known me for a whole year. This is your ship - The Nomad! Rumina is your enemy. You killed her father,Turok - at Skull Mountain"
"What? What are you saying?"
"Sinbad, your memories were stolen by a sorcerer, Rushid. The only way to defeat him is to forcefully take back your memories. Try to remember,Sinbad",pressed Maeve, cupping Sinbad's face in her trembling hands ,in an effort to make him focus on what was truly important. "You've got to! Doubar, Firouz and Rongar are lost somewhere. They can't come to our help this time and Rumina must be stopped before her plan with the scepter of Kohlmar gains momentum"
Sinbad gently lowered Maeve's hands and began to stride down the passage.
"You don't believe me,do you?",called Maeve in pursuit."You still don't understand"
"What I don't understand is why this is so important now that we are at the brink of battle. Tell me instead of the scepter..scepter of Kohlmar?"
"What about the head-aches - the flashes of pain surging through your skull"
Maeve grabbed Sinbad's hand and pressed it against the wooden wall of the passage. "This is your ship - The Nomad. Don't you remember anything at all?"Sinbad's eyes twinged in pain and he jerked his hand back, as if a wave of lighting had shot out from the ship's wall. He pressed his fingers to his temples and staggered on his feet.
"Sinbad?",said Maeve,gazing anxiously at the Captain.
Sinbad sank to his knees and doubled over in agony.
"Sinbad!"
Maeve also dropped to her knees in panic. The Captain was sweating profusely and his face bore a deathly gray pallor. "C..Can you hear me?" When Sinbad looked at her, his eyes were glowing in green.

Rumina stood up from her bed, her eyes in a green glow as well. She reached out and took the scepter of Kohlmar in her hands. "It is time"

Maeve gazed with growing horror at the glimmering symbol of Tohmohkhgrra on Sinbad's hand. "I..don't believe it..Rumina's found her ally... in you"