Of Faith and Friends

by Shelly

A storm unlike any they had weathered in a long time, ravaged the Nomad. The entire crew spent several hours praying to Allah to watch over them, as gale force winds blew them round about, and giant waves crashed over them. The sea was a relentless opponent, and when the battle was over, the Nomad was still intact, but limping. She was in desperate need of repairs. The closest place they could put ashore to search for the necessary supplies was a small, unmarked, isle.

Sinbad led his small band of crewmen onto the silver-white beach. In the distance they could see a castle. It was there they would go to seek help. But they had traveled barely a few yards when they were surrounded by heavily armed soldiers. Sinbad knew that his crew did not possess the strength, or the will, to put up a fight. Nor would he risk their lives. So he ordered them to obey the command of the head soldier. They dropped their weapons and allowed their wrists to be bound behind them. Then they were escorted to the castle.

**********

The main hall was huge and majestic. Golden candle light glowed from dozens of sconces which lined the walls. Although it was dawn, and the sun was bright outside, within the castle there would have been suffocating darkness without the candle light. The soldiers led Sinbad and his companions down a long corridor and into another great hall. There they were greeted by a man in emerald green robes, and wearing a gold crown.

Sinbad fell to one knee. "You're majesty." Although bound, he would show his respect.

This pleased the man, who stepped behind the Captain and released his bonds. "I am Balthazar, and this is the kingdom of Nissan. And who would you be, Captain?"

"I am Sinbad, and these are my crew." As he spoke, Sinbad moved to free the others. "Our ship was damaged in last nights storm. We came ashore for supplies to repair her. We are no threat to you, Sire."

Balthazar nodded. "Agreed. My soldiers will gather supplies and bring them to your ship. They will even help with the repairs."

Sinbad was stunned. "That is a very generous offer, King Balthazar. And I do appreciate it. But if you would just sell us the supplies, we will leave and make our own repairs."

"I am afraid that is not possible, Sinbad." Balthazar moved to sit upon his throne. "Your ship and whatever crew remains upon her may leave. But you, and your companions here must stay."

Doubar was enraged. "And why is that?" he demanded.

Balthazar shrugged. "Because it is the law."

"What law?" Maeve questioned, boldly.

"You have trespassed, and the law states that you must repay your debt to the kingdom with servitude." Balthazar accepted a silver goblet from a serving girl. "It is a lifetime sentence," he explained.

Sinbad was astounded. "But that is ridiculous!" he protested, striding forward to confront Balthazar. He found his way blocked by a soldier with a lance in hand. Sinbad stood his ground. "There were no signs... or warnings anywhere. We trespassed in ignorance, your majesty. Surely that is not a crime?"

Balthazar swallowed a mouthful of wine then shook his head. "I'm afraid that it is, Sinbad. It is the law."

"It's a stupid law!" Maeve nearly flung the words at the King.

"None the less..."

As Balthazar spoke, Sinbad took action. He saw an opening and took it, knowing that his companions would follow his lead. The soldier standing beside him had a sword in his sash and Sinbad grabbed it and began swinging. He was set upon my two soldiers, the second of who got in a direct hit and sent him crashing into a stone table. He missed beheadment by a mere breath and a somersault.

The crew was hopelessly outnumbered, but they were also highly motivated. Amazingly enough, they were able to battle their way to a window that would allow them to escape. There was only one, small problem.

"Halt or he dies!" Balthazar bellowed.

Sinbad froze in his tracks and turned to see a sight that made his blood run cold. The King held a dagger to Firouz's throat. "Drop your weapons," he ordered the rest of his crew, even as he dropped his own. At the sound of clanging steel he stepped forward. "We surrender, your majesty. Let Firouz go."

Balthazar did so at once. He slid his dagger back up his sleeve and stepped down from his dais to confront Sinbad. "I wish to speak with you alone, Captain. As one man of honor to another."

"As you wish," Sinbad allowed. For what other choice did he have? He followed Balthazar out of the great hall and down a long corridor. A half dozen soldiers followed them. Sinbad could feel six pairs of eyes burning into him.

"Come in," Balthazar invited, having stopped before a doorway at the end of the corridor.

Stepping inside, Sinbad found himself in a huge bedchamber. It was lavishly decorated, befitting a King. He was awestruck as he studied rich tapestries, and exquisite marble sculptures. He then fingered the soft texture of silk curtains, and nearly put a kink in his neck studying the painted, dome ceiling.

Balthazar watched Sinbad, a smile on his face. But when he saw the Captain sway on his feet, his smile faded and he stepped forward to offer support. He took Sinbad's arm. "Would you like some wine?"

"What I would like is to know what you want from us, Sire." Sinbad shook off Balthazar's hand then winced at the pain caused by his action.

"Come and rest, Sinbad," Balthazar insisted. "Then we will talk."

Sinbad could see that the King would remain stubborn, so he lowered himself onto a silk cushioned lounge. "I am rested," he countered, flippantly. "Now tell me what you want."

Balthazar refused to be baited. He smiled as he moved to sit beside the young Captain. "I want you to know that I admire you skill, Sinbad. You are an accomplished fighter. My men are fierce and brutal warriors, yet you nearly made good your escape."

"I am overwhelmed by your compliments, my lord." Sinbad knew he was being rude, but he didn't care. Balthazar had threatened the life of one of his crew, and that was something he could not overlook. "But that still doesn't tell me what you want."

"First things first, Sinbad. You must rest." Balthazar clapped his hands and a serving girl brought a goblet of wine. The King took it and held it out to the Captain. "Drink."

Sinbad swallowed his frustration. Heaving a sigh he accepted the goblet and took a long drink. He frowned at Balthazar. "I have drank. Now what?"

Balthazar smiled. "Now we talk."

**********

Doubar and Maeve crossed each other's paths as they paced from one end of the long hall to the other. Rongar sat on the corner of an oak table and watched. Firouz paced in his own little circle and talked to himself. They were all extremely worried about Sinbad. Their concern increased when Balthazar entered the room with several guards in tow. Bad enough that a good two dozen had lined the wall keeping watch over them as it was.

"Where is Sinbad?" Doubar demanded.

Balthazar smiled at him and gestured to the table, which was laden with food and wine. "Did you have enough to eat?" he asked. "Is there anything you would like?"

Maeve stepped in his face. "Yes. I would like for you to answer Doubar's question."

"Sinbad is well," Balthazar replied. "Do not worry."

Doubar laughed. "You imprison us here and take away my brother, then you tell us not to worry? You're a very funny man, Balthazar."

The King inclined his head. He was not in the least bit offended. "I have explained to you about the laws, and I have further discussed this with Sinbad. There is one way in which you would be able to leave Nissan."

"And that is?" Maeve interjected.

"Your Captain must battle my champion in the arena. If he wins, then you may leave." Balthazar studied them each in turn. "Is that not simple enough?"

Firouz asked the question that they all had. "And what if Sinbad loses?"

Balthazar shrugged. "Then you will all stay here on Nissan."

Maeve confronted the King. "I notice that you didn't say that we would die."

"Of course not!" Now Balthazar was offended. "I am not a barbarian. I value life. Your deaths would serve no purpose. Alive, you will prove useful to me and my Kingdom."

Firouz had another question. "Does Sinbad know about this?"

Balthazar nodded. "He does. And he has agreed to it. The combat begins at sunset."

As he turned to leave, Maeve grabbed his arm. "You said that WE would not die. But what about Sinbad? Is this a fight to the death?"

"The fight ends when only one man is standing. Be the other man dead, or rendered unconscious.... or disabled, is entirely up to the combatants."

Doubar wasn't sure he liked the sound of that. "Has your champion ever lost a match?"

Balthazar would not lie. "No. He is undefeated."

"And are any of the losers alive today?" Firouz asked.

"No."

Maeve felt herself grow pale, and then she felt Doubar's strong hand steady her. The gentle giant's eye blazed with anger, but he spoke softly to the King.

"May we see my brother?"

Balthazar shook his head. "Sinbad is resting. And you should as well. Until sunset."

He bowed to them all then took his leave.

**********

Sunset came quickly, or so it seemed to the Nomad's crew. They had been escorted to the arena and stood waiting, surrounded by several dozen guards. Balthazar entered the arena from a side entrance, with a giant of a man in tow. He introduced his champion to the crew.

"This is Leece," Balthazar said, as he patted the huge man's shoulder.

Doubar stared at Leece and anger flushed his face crimson. "You can't expect Sinbad to fight this man!" he shouted.

Balthazar faced Doubar without fear. "Sinbad has already met Leece," he said softly. "Your brother knows what he faces. I offered him a chance to change his mind. But he refused. He wants to fight."

Maeve felt more fear than fury. Leece was more than three times Sinbad's size. A giant of mythical proportions, to be sure. "Where is Sinbad?" She flung the question at Balthazar.

"Here...." said a familiar voice.

The crew of the Nomad turned in unison to greet their Captain. Sinbad smiled at them, attempting to ease their fears, but to no avail. Balthazar offered them a few moments alone, and they tried their best to talk Sinbad out of fighting. Firouz tried to use scientific logic.

"Sinbad, by my calculations, given your size and mass in proportion to Leece's size and mass, fighting him will be equal to combating 4 men, of average size and strength, all at once."

"Thanks for the information, Firouz," Sinbad replied with a laugh. "I'll keep that in mind." He faced them each in turn, speaking with the authority of a Captain. "My mind is made up. I will fight Leece. There is nothing more to be said."

Doubar knew Sinbad. Knew that his stubborn, little brother, would not be swayed. So he pulled him into a bear hug, but released him when the younger man gasped in pain. Doubar nearly gasped himself when he saw how pale Sinbad turned. He suddenly understood the cause when his brother pressed a hand against his side. Without asking for permission, Doubar ripped open Sinbad's shirt.

Maeve winced in sympathy when Sinbad's ribs were revealed. His left side was bruised and swollen. She watched Firouz examine their Captain, and knew the prognosis before it was spoken. Firouz looked at Sinbad.

"Your ribs are broken."

Sinbad nodded. "I know that."

Doubar glared at him, then shouted for Balthazar. When the King reached them, he pointed at Sinbad. "My brother is injured. He cannot fight in his condition, so I will take his place."

"No Doubar!" Sinbad grabbed his brother's arm. "This is my fight. Not yours."

"Little brother, face the truth." Doubar locked eyes with Sinbad. "Even if you were not injured, you could not defeat Leece."

Sinbad shook his head and his eyes reflected sadness. "Have you so little faith in me, Doubar?"

The big man winced at the pain in his brother's eyes. "It's not a question of faith, Sinbad. You know I speak the truth. You will lose the match and you will die. For what? The outcome will be the same. Maeve, Firouz, Rongar and I will still be prisoners here. Better that you not fight, for I prefer that you live, little brother. Even if it means that you share in our exile."

Balthazar saw the tension between the two men, and sought to diffuse it with his own opinion. "I'm afraid that I have more faith in Sinbad than you do, Doubar. Your brother is a skilled warrior. But more than that, he is a survivor. And he possesses a strength of will that, I dare say, is unmatched by any other. He would risk his life to see you all freed. Such inner strength is difficult to defeat." He saw no change in Doubar's expression, so he addressed Sinbad. "I believe in what I said, Sinbad. And in you. But I will offer you one more chance to back out of this match. You have only to say the word."

Sinbad looked at his crew, at the worry that lined each face. He felt their fear for him but shook his head. "No, Balthazar. Let the fight begin."

Maeve felt a sob nearly choke her, but she swallowed it and stepped over to Sinbad. She kissed him softly then pulled away. She felt him trace one fingertip across her cheek and only then realized that a tear had slid down her face.

"No tears for me, Maeve," Sinbad whispered.

He turned away from her to shake hands with Rongar and Firouz. Firouz offered what support he could. "Be careful, Sinbad."

The Captain nodded. "I will."

He faced Doubar last. "Have faith in me, brother," he said softly.

Then he turned and walked to the center of the arena, where Leece was waiting. He didn't hear Doubar's whisper. "....may my faith lend you strength, little brother..."

Sinbad faced Leece without fear. He had one purpose in mind, and that was to win. All other thoughts and emotions he pushed aside.

Balthazar stood between the two men. He smiled at Sinbad. "Good luck, Captain."

Then he raised his right hand. A moment later, he dropped the red silk scarf he was holding and the battle began. He had to keep out of Leece's reach, that was Sinbad's only concern. Despite his injury, he had the advantage of quickness and grace. And he used it well.

But it was only a matter of time before Leece had him cornered. Sinbad tried to duck under the massive arms, but he found himself caught and crushed. Pain radiated through him, and blackness threatened to claim him. But he fought it off and managed to slam his heel into Leece's groin. The giant dropped him like a stone. Sinbad found it difficult enough to breathe, let alone move. But he forced his body to react and he put distance between himself and his opponent.

They played a game of cat and mouse. No weapons were allowed. The match was a test of each man's strength, endurance and cunning. Sinbad had an overflow of the latter, but the first two were fading fast.

Leece snagged him again. This time, the giant lifted Sinbad over his head and hurled him into the stone wall. He hit hard and fell to the ground in a collapsed heap. Agony blurred his senses, as well as his sight. He could hear Doubar and the others screaming at him to stay down, but stubbornness brought him to his feet. He saw the blurred shape of Leece lumbering towards him. He had one chance to defeat the giant, and he took it.

He spun out of the path of Leece's charge then leaped onto the giant's back. In desperation, he pressed the heel of one hand into his opponent's thickly muscled throat. He knew he didn't have the strength to crush Leece's windpipe, but he wanted only to cut off the air supply to the mighty lungs. The crew watched in amazement as the giant sank slowly to his knees in the sand. A moment later, he toppled over and lay still.

Sinbad slid off his back and stood upon legs that threated to collapse. He felt darkness closing in around him, but heard the words that he needed to hear. Balthazar declared him the winner and freed his crew. They could return to the Nomad. But that was all he heard.

Doubar reached his brother in time to catch him before he hit the ground. He gently gathered him into his arms as if he were a child. Tears formed in his eyes as he stared down at his brother's beautiful, pale face. He knew that Sinbad was dying.

Maeve knew it too. They all did. She looked at Balthazar, her eyes pleading. "Can't you help him?"

The King gestured to one of his soldiers. "Take Sinbad to my chambers. I've sent for my healer. That is all I can do."

**********

The crew of the Nomad stood in a half circle around the bed where Sinbad lay. The healer had offered them no hope. Their Captain was crushed and bleeding inside. There was nothing anyone could do now, but say goodbye. Balthazar took his guards and left them alone.

Doubar sat beside Sinbad, holding his brother's hand. He felt as if his heart was tearing in two. "Why, little brother?" he whispered.

To his amazement, Sinbad opened his eyes. "I had... to, Doubar," he whispered. "Don't you... see? I had... to win... your freedom."

"To hell with freedom," Doubar snarled, "It is not worth the cost of your life, Sinbad."

Sinbad sighed. "Have you forgotten... Dim Dim? You must.... find him, Doubar. You... and the others. That has been... our quest from... the beginning. And I ask that you... continue it."

Maeve sat down at the Captain's other side. Lifting his once strong hand in hers, she held it to her heart. She understood his request, but she could not hide the tears that shimmered in her eyes. "And so you sacrificed yourself for Dim Dim, Sinbad," she accused him.

"Willingly," he confirmed. His voice faded to barely a whisper and he felt his eyes close. But he found the strength to speak his heart. "I will... miss you... Maeve

Doubar realized that Sinbad was slipping away from them and his pain and rage sent him out of control. With a thunderous roar, he left his brother's bedside and began destroying everything in his path. Tables shattered against stone walls, statues crumbled, glass splintered... Rongar and Firouz attempted to stop him. They failed.

Maeve tightened her grip on Sinbad's hand, silently willing her strength, her life force, into his battered body. But that magic was not within her power. With her free hand she smoothed Sinbad's silky hair.

"Goodbye, Sinbad," she whispered. "I will miss you as well. And when we find Dim Dim, I will tell him of your sacrifice. And we will find him. You have always believed that we would, and I believe in you. I promise you, Sinbad. Your death will not be in vain." She closed her eyes and felt a tear escape and slide down her cheek. She didn't see it splash upon Sinbad's hand, the one she held against her heart. But she heard his voice, suddenly strong and clear.

"...Did I not ask you not to cry for me, Maeve?"

"Sinbad?" Maeve's eyes flew open and what she saw made her heart skip a beat.

Sinbad was smiling, his skin was flushed with health and his heart beat strongly beneath the hand she pressed to her chest.

"Doubar!" she shouted.

The big man heard her and froze. When he saw Sinbad sitting up in the bed, he rushed over. "I don't understand."

But before anyone could even attempt to explain, Firouz interrupted. "Look." He gestured about them.

The walls of the castle shimmered and began to fade. Sinbad slid out of the bed and a moment later it disappeared. A heartbeat later they were all standing on the beach. They could see the Nomad in this distance.

Doubar shook his head. "What's going on here?" he demanded, to no one in particular.

"I think I know," Firouz replied. He smiled as he realized he had a captive audience for once. "I believe this was a test."

"A test...." Doubar repeated.

Sinbad clapped his brother on the shoulder. "Firouz is right. Don't ask me how I know, but we were being tested. Each of us. A test of our faith in ourselves, and in each other."

Maeve laughed. "I guess we passed." Without thinking she hugged Sinbad and was glad when he hugged her back. But then she felt him stiffen.

Sinbad heard a voice in his head. It was Balthazar.

*.......you have been chosen to walk a different path, Sinbad. Your destiny will change the world. Never lose your faith. It is your strength. Believe in yourself...*

"And in my friends," he whispered.

Maeve frowned at him. "Sinbad... are you all right?"

He smiled at the beautiful sorceress. "I'm fine, Maeve. Wonderful, in fact."

Sinbad gestured to his crew. "Come. We have places to go, people to see... And a friend to find."

The others shook their heads, but they followed their captain to the cutter that was moored on the beach.

"Where to now, little brother?" Doubar asked.

Sinbad laughed. "Where ever the winds may lead."

The end