Dedication: This little chapter is dedicated to the amazing group of people from Distant Lands RPG. This place and these people to which I always come back for Christmas has played a big role in my life and so I let the small DL plot play a role in this fan fic.
The northern women will never cease to amaze.
.o.
The sun timidly was raising in the sky heralding the new day. One could think that with such early morning Basra should be rather empty but this city never slept. The port and the streets was full of the hurried wagons, shuffling horses and camels. Everywhere there was a noise and a rush.
Zeiken stood in the port leaning against load boxes with arms crossed on his chest. His face was as grumpy as his current mood. It was all wrong. This was not his idea of how being the first mate should look like. When Sinbad had announced it today to the crew just before they had arrived to Basra, the lad had been full of pride taking the new role. He had decided to take his new duties very professionally and this very first stop in Basra had seemed as a perfect opportunity to shine. The process of custom control, the document and cargo checks to go as smoothly as possible. He had already seen himself between other first mates, captains and merchants discussing all the things that they usually discussed.
From the begging it had been going quite well when he had made his first orders while docking Nomad in the port. He had proudly left the deck alongside the captain who had disappeared a moment later passing him the baton. But his beautiful vision had fallen apart when only Marina had set her foot on the port platform. The captain's daughter immediately had attracted everyone's attention without even saying anything. The only thing that Zeiken had managed to do had been giving the documents to the port steward who, ignorantly taking them in his hand, immediately had headed to Marina. And when also the custom guards had ignored him, the lad had frozen on the spot with his jaw dropped, watching them leaving him behind.
Now, about an hour later he was watching how Marina and Firouz were chatting with the port steward, some merchants and a few customs guards who had just completed with the control. He had been staring at her in disbelief. It was him who now had been supposed to chat with these people.
It was all wrong.
The young man who was standing next to him offered him a plate full of dried figs. "Take a fig". But Zeiken only pulled a face at his companion. Zeiken had just outlined him the reason for his dissatisfaction and he did not expect a dried fig but some compassion in his misery.
His companion was tall and broad-shouldered young man, older than him for a couple of years. He had dark hair and keen, green eyes. Dressed in an armor what proved him to be a solider. But his uniform was much different than the standard one wore by for example the custom guards. It had Basra royal emblem but it was fully black with a majestic shimmering dark cape and the embroidery on the sleeve to indicate the status of the department captain. The solider was a stepson of commander in chief of Basra guards. The black armor was the hallmark of Basra special forces -the most prestigious group of soldiers dealing with the highest rank matters in the state. Privately Aniel's family was a very good friends of Sinbad and Maeve from the past times and as such Zeikien and him had become the friends as well. Aniel's high social status and a prestigious position have always been impressive for Zeiken, he felt privileged hanging with him around the port but today his armor irritated him extremely.
The group of three young fellows joined them. Two boys and one girl. They were about Zeiken's age and they were part of the group of kids who were always somewhere around the port looking for some job in reloading the goods and so on. Simply always around the sailors and merchants with the full pockets. To Zeiken's surprise, Aniel's presence did not seem to be a problem for them at all. The soldier tolerated them as they were often a source of useful information.
"Who is she?" One of them asked Zeiken about Marina.
"Someone definitely out of your league." Aniel commented satirically, glancing at his shabby clothes. Zeiken remain firmly, wondering how it is possible that they did not know it. Out of anybody else, this gang was like knowing everything. Apparently it was the stupidest part of the group.
"She is beautiful" One of the fellows continued. Looking into Marina's direction.
"She must be some rich girl from Baghdad" Added a girl full of admiration and a note of jealousy.
"Based on what you know that?" Zeiken frowned. This conversation was becoming more and more absurdly.
"Based on her dress, jewelry…" The girl started as her eyes followed every Marina's move. Indeed, the captain's daughter looked impressive. Even though her long linen dress was more casual, travel one than what she usually wore, still its Greek style and navy blue color was giving it an elegance and making Marina to stand out from the crowd. It did not escape Aniel's attention that the focus of the girl from the gang was mainly on the jewelry. The gold bracelet and hairpin. "Children of sailors don't look like that. Is she your passenger?" She asked Zeiken.
"She is not" The answer came from the other young lady who just had come out of nowhere. She was older than the rest of the band and clearly more cunning. It seemed this was the part of group who knew everything. "It is his captain's daughter. Marina Ibna Albahhar. The Flower of Baghdad."
The whole group turned at the speaking girl, astonished.
"The Flower of Baghdad? Because she is so beautiful?" One of the fellows asked before anyone else managed to comment on that.
Zeiken could not stand the absurd of the situation anymore. He shook his head. "No, you idiot." His annoyance was growing with every minute. "Because her father is just after the Caliph the most recognizable person in the kingdom. People's hero. And since Caliph had only the sons, so the hero's daughter is called The Flower of Baghdad." He let it all out.
Partially both sides had its rights. Marina indeed in certain society was called The Flower of Baghdad. Very much was the truth what Zeikin had just said. Wanted it or not, Sinbad, Maeve and also their daughter were the most recognizable characters. Not only as heroes of tales and legends but also as known and respected personages in Baghdad. Of course as the daughter of the legendary couple in peoples believes, Marina simply had to be an extraordinary child but she did not owe her reputation only to the popularity of her parents. Having her father's golden heart and natural desire to help the others, she was trying to do so in all the possible for her ways. She was involving herself in many charity actions like collecting donations to dig a well in the poorest districts, organizing some hot meals for the starving orphanages. With the help of her mother and the funds of her father the girl had the room for manoeuvre. She had also never hesitated to petition for certain things in the Caliph's palace. At the royal court she was everyone's favourite, with special indulgence with the oldest of eight princes - price Mustapha. People of Baghdad loved her and called their Flower. With some time and not without the help of the troubadour inventions it had become an official nick name. And while she was growing a real beauty it was gaining its meaning.
The smart girl who last joined the group added. "And because she is so beautiful." Deriving the satisfaction from Zeiken's irritation. And then she continued sapient. "After her mother. I heard about her beauty - that it is unusual and magic. I heard that captain Sinbad blinded by her charm had sold his soul to the demons to be with her."
Zeiken grabbed his head as he could not believe in what he just had heard. Starring at the gang with the astounded expression, he facepalmed. Of course, he had already heard many things, legends about Sinbad but this was absolute crap . It was colorful and so out of the reality. The absurdity of that little chat was slowly giving him a headache, as well as the general worship for Marina was making him sick. The perfect child of the legendary father. How possibly he could ever live up to her in Sinbad's eyes. He did not fit their perfect picture.
Marina headed at them to meet Aniel's eyes. She raised her eyebrows puzzled with what was going there but he only shook his head clenching his mouth. In the same time giving her a hint that she did not want to know. She sent him a smirk as a respond and returned to her interlocutors.
Aniel who had found it funny at start also was getting irritated by stupid talk of the local young gang decided to cut it off. "I am curious what king of 'magic' I will find by reviewing your pockets?" He crossed his arms and shot the dark glance in the band direction. Suddenly every each of them disappeared like they would have vanished into thin air. The solider gave a little nudge to his upset friend. "Here, take a fig"
.o.
"Two" Sinbad showed two fingers to a fruit seller at the market. The salesman gave him two ripe mangoes. Packing the fruit into the bag he had put through his shoulder, Sinbad handed some copper coins to the man. "Thank you". Smiling at goodbye, he walked away from the stall and joined the tall and well-built man. Zaid - commander in chief of Basra guards had blue eyes and short blond hair with gray wisps. Also his stubble started to getting gray but he looked dignified in the official uniform and armor revealed his high range. They had known each other for a long time already. Of course they met in quite unusual circumstances but they were always rather harmonious companions.
"I am sorry, I can't help you." Zaid spread his hands regretfully.
Sinbad shook his head. "I am not even sure what I want to find there" He said with resignation, as they walked down the street into the port direction.
"Where from Maeve has this information, by the way?" Zaid asked.
"I didn't ask." The men exchanged suggestive glances. "I think, I don't want to know the answer". Sinbad frowned.
Zaid nodded sympathetic. "Yeah, I understand." He understood him even too well. He often was skipping hard questions at home either. Only those who had lived with a woman from the north would understand it. The less you know, the better you sleep he often was repeating himself.
They walked in silence for a while, responding with a nod to greetings of passers-by.
"For the incident that happened recently with my foster-child playing a main role in…" Sinbad started but Zaid waved his hand, indicating that this was not worth any explains.
"Come on, I still can deal with a band of teenagers." The solider snorted. It was nothing but the true. Before the news of the brawl had reached Sinbad, the main rebel Zeiken had been already in the dungeon, as the twins and all their opponents were. Unfortunately for them all, they had bumped into Zaid back then. Someone with his rank did not ask who started and under who's commend did they sail. In not time, everyone had been overpowered and bound. On the other hand, fortunately for them, everything had happened that quickly and it ended up with a few scratches and bruises. They had been separated before anyone could pull their knife out. Anyway, Zeiken had not seen his dagger since then. It had been requisitioned and deposited in Sinbad's cabin.
Sinbad chuckled, even though back the it had not been funny for him at all. "I am not sure anymore, if I can…" He added with a wince.
"If you want an advice, I don't have one" Zaid declared, looking at worried companion. He had heard already about his problems with rebellious foster child and understood the problem very well as he also had been raising not his own son. "There is no formula for it. Over time, they get smarter themselves." He stopped as they both had to twist their bodies not to bump into the group of running children while entering the port.
"Talking about devils" Sinbad pointed as they went straight into Zeiken and Aniel.
The phrase 'devil' seemed somehow to be good term for Zaid's stepson. The wild look that Aniel inherited from his mother, always made Sinbad's skin crawl. The black armor only enhanced the effect. The sailor tried to chase away those thoughts when he shook Aniel's hand. Deep inside, he knew Zaid had made a good man out of him and a dedicated soldier.
"Captain Sinbad" Aniel greeted with a small nod.
Seeing Zaid coming with Sinbad, Zeiken looked down. "Sir…" He mumbled with remorse in his voice.
"No harm done" Zaid said calmly, giving the boy his hand to shake it.
"Unfortunately, they had to realise your 'friends' before I could interrogate them." Aniel commented paraphrasing.
Sinbad raised his eyebrows. Why would the special force interrogate the several young pirate hooligans.
"Actually Aniel is working pretty much on the same case as your wife." Zaid came up with the explanations. "His unit has been observing the desert guilds for months already. Some sort of sailors trade with them very willingly recently. Including the captain of his 'friends'." Saying that he titled his head at Zeiken.
"They are passing the custom controls?" Sinbad asked, confused.
"Custom controls are the waste of time." Aniel rolled his eyes. "They always have some legal documents. The punchers orders signed by guilds. The pirates are laughing in our faces smuggling on a large scale. And the trade guilds are the trade guilds. Rich, cunning and independent."
"Corrupted and dangerous." Sinbad finished trying to piece together all the news. It was easy to guess that the desert trade guilds were involved in smuggling, if not controlling it. But these influential merchants were not subject to any laws or kingdoms. "They will not answer to any authority."
"They would to one." Aniel declared seriously.
"The Caliphate." Sinbad again completed his statement. The merchant guilds were an independent group with no rules whatsoever. Barricaded in their desert palace complexes were outlawed, controlling most of eastern land trade. Despite the fact that they were not subject to any crown and remained always as neutral, they have never harmed common interests with The Caliphate. They paid part due to the kingdom, using the royal routes and markets instead. Kind of a symbiosis which neither side would like to violate, risking war with tragic consequences for the common trade.
"If someone from the royal council was brave enough to confront them."
Suddenly, Sinbad felt the knot of fear in his stomach at Aniel's words. He froze at black thoughts accumulated in his head in the particular moment. His heart was beating as fast as if it wanted to break free from his chest. Mentally he immediately was back again in Baghdad.
Maeve
Trying to normalize his breathing and calm down his body, Sinbad wanted to push away that thought. She wouldn't have done it. Not without telling him. Or would she? His heart ponded hard in his chest. No, for sure not. He cleaned his throat, washing away that worries for now. "Let's see what we will find in The Perch Bay."
Sinbad patted Zeiken's shoulder and even forced himself for a little smile. The forth of them headed towards the group which was chatting with the captain's daughter.
Marina and Firouz were diplomatically leading the conversations with the merchants. They were exchanged opinions on the prices of a linen and a cotton. The accompanying soldiers just nodded their heads from time to time pretending they understood. Sinbad and Zaid joined the group leaving Zeiken and Aniel a few steps behind. The custom guards straightened up at the sight of the commander. Sinbad put his arm around Marina's thin shoulders.
"You have very smart daughter, Captain Sinbad." One of the merchants concluded.
"Yeah, I know" Sinbad smiled proudly, pulling his daughter even closer, stealing a blue so adult glance. Smart or not, she was still his little girl. He pointed at the documents one of the guards was keeping. "Everything is good?"
The soldier for a moment still paralyzed by the presence of the commander, finally nodded and gave the documents back to Sinbad. "Yes, yes. Everything is good, Sir"
"Fine." Sinbad replayed with the nod. "We can set sail then."
A moment later everyone bowed gently at the group moving into Nomad's direction.
When Aniel shook Sinbad's hand for goodbye he leaned slightly towards him and said with a low voice "In The Perch Bay, I would look for the golden fish between exotic animal dealers, not on the fish stalls."
Sinbad noted his advice. In this way he was not setting sail without any foothold to start with at their final destination. Entering on board he was trying to sort out his thoughts. Call it the missing puzzle or the golden fish, the case seemed to be far more serious than he had thought. What Maeve had gotten them into?
"Dad?" Marina yanked him out of his thoughts as they walked back on the deck.
"Hymm?" Sinbad raised his eyebrows.
"Can I ask you something?" Marina asked and her playful spark in the eyes presaging it was not going to be an easy question.
"Shoot!"
"Did you sell your soul to be with Mom?" The girl asked barely stopping herself from giggling.
For a moment Sinbad gapped at her with disbelief, not really being sure whatever he had understand the question correctly. But when he realized what kind of game she was trying to play, he did not want to let her win. A little smirk tugged at his lips but the tone of his voice was grave serious "Actually, at some point, I did."
At some point, he did not lied to her what made a game even more funnier. Now, it was her starring at him dazed.
"Maybe someday I will tell you that story…" He smirked with the little satisfaction. "How about a breakfast for now?"
In front of her capricious face Marina saw a mango exposed on her father's hand. Taking it she stuck her tongue out at him, disappointed on how her own game had turned against her. Sinbad chuckled at his moody daughter and he headed at Zeiken.
"Zeik!"
Busy with tying some line boy turned around and caught the second mango which had been thrown in his direction. Sinbad blinked with a smile at him and walked to a captain's bridge.
.o.
Quiz: Did Sinbad almost sell soul for Maeve? In what episode?