TiaKisu and Maevelyn
Thank you very much for the reviews. I hope you will still enjoy their ups and downs as everything is only going to develop.
Maevelyn, as for Fallon and the troubles - perhaps, perhaps :D
Port of Baghdad – a heart of Middle East trade. Modern and beautiful. Wooden piers supported by well-spaced piles jutting into the water – magnificent view. Place was alive with people, as befits the heart of trade. Traders, sailors, porters, passengers, thieves. Young and old. People from all over the world. Screaming, running, clapping, trading. Also the animals. Camels, horses, dogs, poultry, rats. Various creatures and various cargos. Place was full of life and noise. And the ships in docks – majestic and beautiful constructions. Breathtaking.
Sinbad's beloved place. Even though it had been changing all the time, modernized and rebuilt many times, he knew each piece of pier by heart. He loved the place so much as view of this had used to meant 'home' after voyage. Baghdad had used to be his home. Although things had changed a bit, it still meant a lot to him.
Maeve also knew the place very well. But for her it brought exactly opposite feelings. For so many times she had been stood there full of tears, watching the horizon and waiting. Waiting and praying for Nomad to show up. Cold chills passed by her body, when they entered the crowd in port.
Marina was leading the group. Just behind the girl, her parents walking hand in hand and after them two crew members carrying their stuff. They passed by a few foreign ships in docks, two ships belonged to the Caliph's house -painted in royal colors, a few more ships of other local sailors to finally reach Sinbad's ships. There were four of them docked. All looked almost the same. Typical sailing ships. The first one Rambler under Fallon commander. The second one Wayfarer commanded by Mazin, next Migrant. This one did not looked very good. It was destroyed. Anyhow seeing him docked brought up a smile at Sinbad's face and big relief. Jasir its captain had not appeared on the morning meeting. There had been no news from him for a couple of days. The group stopped.
"Jasir!"
Young, high and handsome captain of Migrant who was just supervising discharge, turned over. "Sorry, boss, I am late!"
"As long as you alive, think, I can forgive you!" They both laughed. Jasir put back the box he was holding and came closer. His eyes were tired and his face injured.
"Hello princess" he winked at Marina, girl returned him back a sweet smile. She was watching his injuries with curiosity. Then he bowed politely at Maeve "Maeve". To finally squeeze and shake Sinbad's hand.
"I am alive. Cargo is pretty fine as well, but I lost three people."
There was silence for a moment. Even joyful face of Marina, got a bit upset. Maeve shuddered. She grabbed her husband's hand even stronger but he remained almost impassive.
"We will pay some extra compensation to their families." Sinbad broke the silence. For him is was not the first situation like that. True is that no man can use to such cases but with past years he had become more mature for this.
Maeve closed her eyes and drowned her head. Taking a deep breath she declared,
"I will visit widows personally."
It would not be the first time she did it. As Sinbad's wife she felt it is something she should been doing. Even though such meetings with distraught mothers and widows was not very easy.
Sinbad looked into her sad eyes. These eyes were saying now more than thousands words. In moments like this he loved her even more than any. He was aware how much such visits gonna cost her.
"Behind each successful man, there must stands a wise wife!" Doubar just joined the group. His words cheered everyone a bit. Just after him Firouz and Rongar came. Maeve threw him a glare and smiled with satisfaction at her husband.
Even though for Doubar also a couple of years had passed by, he had not changed much. Except gray hair and beard he did not changed at all. He looked very good and still felt very good, especially at sea. He was not even thinking about retiring. Always by his brother side. The same goes for Rongar, had not changed at all and still following Sinbad with every course. Firouz had changed more than his friends. Some wrinkles and gray hair appeared on the inventor's head. Also his life had changed a bit. He did not sail anymore. He engaged himself in charity. Along with his life partner Velda they were mostly helping in the shelters but also provided medical services for everyone in need. He was sailing from time to time when needed to think over some new ideas or to buy foreign drugs but that was all.
"I couldn't get any bigger with anyone else beside of me" Sinbad's confirmed his brother's words smiling proudly at Maeve. She just rolled her eyes.
But it was nothing but the true. Everything they had now, they had made it together.
Fallon was standing at deck of her ship and watching the scene with jealousy.
"Meaning, I have to look for some wife." Jasir summed up with a joke. Everyone laughed.
"Start searching in Baghdad as your ship will not be able to sail for a couple of weeks." Doubar pointed at Migrant.
"How bad is it?" Sinbad asked and moved into ship directions. Jasir and Doubar followed him to the destroyed deck.
Maeve and Marina left behind along with Firouz and Rongar
"Firouz, are you setting sail with Sinbad?" Maeve asked.
"Yes, yes I am going. I need to think over some things and I am always more inspired at sea." He explained.
"I am not sure you will be able to think about anything, as Marina is going too." Maeve joked putting hands at Marina's shoulders.
"Mom!" Marina protested offended, huffing wide-eyed at Maeve. Rongar patted friendly girl's arm.
"Acctually…" Firouz started explaining his new idea.
For the sailor there is no more painful view than a destroyed ship. Doubar, Sinbad and Jasir were walking on Migrant's deck checking damages. Sinbad touched ruined mast.
"What have happened?" Sinbad asked looking up at the remains of a sail.
"Don't ask…" young captain sighed moving the lying ropes with his leg.
Sinbad rubbed his eyes. He felt helpless but things happens. He knew that there had been a storm two days before. He had heard from another captain. Luckily all the rest had managed to dock the port before it started.
"Take rest for these few weeks and have a look at everything here."
"Sure thing."
Captains nodded at each other.
"Please, watch over my house." Sinbad added, looking into Maeve's direction. She was laughing listening to Firouz's ideas. For Sinbad it seemed that politics is even more dangerous than the foreign voyages. As much as he knew Maeve can deal with anything, he still worry about her.
Jasir pat on his shoulder, "This, You don't even need to ask."
Sinbad pat him back with a smile. "I know" He trusted him. He somehow had raised him, as Jasir had used to be once cabin boy on Nomad. He quickly had been good enough to sail on his own. Having twenty one years he had been offered his own ship by Sinbad. For three years by now, he had been doing perfect work. Even being a little impetuous and reckless, he was brave and reliable. He treated both Sinbad and Doubar almost like his own father and Marina as his little sister. Girl adored him as well. He winked at her again while descending from the deck.
"I have something for you, Princess."
Girl raised her eyebrows. Jasir wagged at one of his crewmembers to bring him the crate he was holding. Man came closer. As only Marina noticed what he was carrying, a big smile appeared on her face.
"Red oranges! I love them!"
"I know" Jasir winked at her again. Girl throw her arms around him and kissed him in a cheek.
"Hey!" Sinbad reprimanded them with father's scowl. The rest chuckled quietly. Marina smiled evilly at her father, teasing him.
"You can take it to Nomad." Doubar ordered to the crewmember with oranges. Jasir raised eyebrows at Marina, "To Nomad? You are leaving?"
"Yes!" he immediately received an enthusiastic answer along with a big smile.
"You should once set sail with me" He proposed teasing Sinbad even more. But captain was fully composed,
"Sure, after my dead. Plus five additional days to be sure I am dead." He gave them back teasing smile.
Marina rolled her eyes offended when everyone chucked again. Jasir put his arm around her shoulders, "Relax, Princess. He is not immortal"
"Doubar, update me." Sinbad asked to his brother, looking at shipments and unloadings around. They left the group again.
"Basim and Fadi already set sailed. Mazim will in a minutes. Me and Fallon tomorrow morning, as I was told I am going with her?" First mate started to giving the report, pointing at following ships.
Sinbad nodded his head "Yes, you are. And you are taking the twins with you. I must separate the band."
Twins were orphans once found by Doubar on the streets when they were ten. They had been stealing food and not only. The day Doubar had met them they had been trying to steal his pouch but instead of punishment he had offered them help. Boys had joined the crew and had found the home at Nomad. Both were very strong and smart. For over a seven years they had been sailing with Doubar. Sinbad called them his half-nephews as they had become like Doubar's adopted sons.
"Sure, Little Brother, will take them just when they finish with cargo."
"What cargo?" Sinbad blinked intrigued. "I thought all the ships are ready by now."
Doubar lowered his gaze and explained shyly "All the ships are, except…" he paused for a while "except Nomad" he finally drawled.
"What!?" Sinbad was not happy to hear that. Actually he got angry
"You said…" But Sinbad did not listen to his brother anymore. He knew what he had said. Immediately went through Nomad direction.
It was docked by the last pier. Nomad was the biggest ship in fleet. Rebuilt a few years before. Many items had been taken from his previous ship as it had meant a lot to Sinbad and the crew. This way he had wanted to somehow keep its soul. New one was a bit bigger than the old one but except this looking very similar. Of course also the name was kept.
Handsome teenage boy was sitting at the broadside in companion of a few young girls. Fifteen years old boy had blond hairs in complete disorder, bright eyes and nice grin. Not a surprise that girls flirted with him willingly.
"Zeiken…" Makin– one of the mentioned twins - who was on a board was trying to warn him but without a good result.
"Not now!" Zeiken was too busy with the girls. One of them was sitting on his laps, second next to him, two others were standing supported by ladder leading to captain's deck.
"Zeiken…" he tried again seeing that Sinbad is even closer.
"Told you…!"
"Zeiken…" One of the girl also noticed what was going on and pointed at Sinbad who already was on the deck.
Zeiken jumped to his feet, dropping a girl who sitting on him. Sinbad crossed his arms on his chest. If his eyes could kill, Zeiken would be dead in that pretty moment.
"Ladies, will you excuse us?" Captain asked young girls and these left the board giggling. They were not older than Marina. He was watching them leaving with pity, thinking like 'where are your parents'.
Before Zeiken could say anything, Sinbad started harshly, "Can you tell me, how come ship is not ready yet?!"
Boy pulled a face "It is…almost." - trying to explain himself.
"Almost?" Sinbad raised his eyebrows. His fierce expression clearly expressed his dissatisfaction about what had taken place.
Maeve interested in flurry of her husband broke away from the group and caught up Doubar who was standing on the pier by the entrance to Nomad.
"Doubar, what is going on?" she asked concerned.
Doubar pointed at Sinbad and Zeiken. "Sinbad decided that Zeiken is gonna take over the supervision of loading this time. Fully on his own. Nomad was supposed to be ready an hour ago but something…" in that pretty moment group of girls passed the by. Both Maeve and Doubar were watching them walking and giggling. "…something went wrong." Doubar finished.
"Definitely things goes the way it shouldn't" Maeve sighed whispering.
"Sinbad is mad as Zeiken got in a brawl again and now…"
"Really? Such a surprise. I wonder who's example he can follow…"
"You got a point here"
"Aww Doubar…I don't know…True is that Sinbad is too ambitious and Zeiken is still just a boy. Young and lost" Maeve sighed.
"Aya, it's just a child and he needs a mentor, not yet again too ambitious father."
"I am not so sure about that. He needs a father…but the way Marina has…Perhaps this course will solve … some things…"
Doubar frowned, "What do you mean?"
"Everything has its reason, Doubar and your brother has a wise wife..." Maeve answered with a smart smile. Moments later both they had to stoop, saving their heads from hit of cargo.
"Be careful! Be careful!" Firouz was instructing Rongar and the twins who were hauling it to Nomad.
"Looks like the cargo crisis has been resolved." Doubar joked to Maeve. He waved at the twins. "I will go to tell them about plan changes." Maeve nodded at him before he left.
She looked into Marina's direction. Girl was playing around with Jasir, laughing, making faces. Maeve smiled. Behind her back she heard well known sound of steps.
"You shouldn't be so harsh" she said feeling her husband hand on her shoulder.
"Maeve… I don't know how to talk with him…"
"Not like that for sure…" She turned around. "It is still just a child."
"Me his age…" Sinbad started but Maeve did not let him finish. "Sinbad, Marina is his age. He is the age when trying to be in the spotlight. He is very lost." It seemed that she got to the point. Her words let Sinbad think a bit different way but she truly believed that the coming weeks were going to change much more. Everything was very difficult and impacted her daughter as well. As much as she wanted to help all three of them, she knew they must understand some things themselves.
"Marina, we are leaving!" Sinbad called their daughter. Then he grabbed Maeve's left hand in one of his and with the second one he stroked her cheeks and neck. "Don't be worried"
"Take care of her and don't allow her for everything!"
"Of course. I never do." He smirked pretending seriousness.
"You always do. She is spoiled to no limits." Not to irritate her even more he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in towards him to gently kiss her.
"No worries, I will take care of her."
She pressed her hands against his arms.
"And don't get yourself into any trouble."
"You, too." For Sinbad politic was even more dangerous than his voyages with Maeve's temper many things could happened.
They pulled themselves into a kiss again but their daughter disturbed it.
"Are we going?!"
They pulled back.
"We do" Sinbad made her a way to her mother.
Maeve took off the bag from her shoulder and put it gently on Marina's one. Then trying to hide the tears, she pulled her daughter into warm embrace.
"Be careful and take care of dad." She whispered in Gaelic.
"I will." Marina whispered back, also in Gaelic. Maeve stroked her hair and kissed Marina's forehead. Girl smiled warmly before braking the embrace. Still looking into mom's eyes she took Sinbad by the hand.
Maeve nodded at them both with big smile when they stepped the deck. Marina waved at her for the last time before disappearing on the ship. Trying to hold on the tears Maeve only whispered a kind of protecting spell or kind of pray, "Taibhsean math airson an dìon… bi mothachail orra… Tha uisge gu sìmplidh a 'sruthadh an-diugh"
"Anchor up! Trim the sails!" Sinbad's orders rang out. The whole crew took the positions and got to their work.
Zeiken was knitting one of the ropes when Marina passed him by going below the deck.
"Hi Zeiken…" she said dryly.
"Hi Mary…" he answered also without special enthusiasm.
"Hope you slept well last night" Behind his back she heard captain's voice.
"You are taking the first shift" Sinbad said firmly
"At the tiller?" Boy asked sensing the trick.
"In the crow's nest." Sinbad answered and follow Rongar to captain's deck.
Question quiz: Any idea who Zeiken can be?