On Silent Wings

By Shelly

It was one of those *perfect* days. There were no monsters chasing them, no evil lurking about. Sinbad and his crew were simply able to relax and enjoy the sunshine, as well as absorb the beauty of their surroundings. From where he sat upon a rockfall, overlooking the white-sand beach, Sinbad smiled as he watched Rongar, Firouz and his brother splashing about in the crystal-blue water. Maeve was off to one side practicing some of the more complicated spells that she had come across in one of Dim-Dim's books. Dermott...well, one never really knew where the hawk roamed about to. But Sinbad could sense that he was nearby. In the past few months, a sort of bond had formed between him and Dermott. Maeve had even spoken of it. It pleased her, she told Sinbad, that Dermott was watching over him now as well. But she wouldn't fully explain what she meant.

As if aware that Sinbad was thinking about him, Dermott soared overhead, then came to rest on the rock beside the sailor. Sinbad smiled and reached out to stroke the soft, brown feathers. "Hello Dermott," he said in greeting, feeling totally at ease conversing with the hawk. "Find anything of interest in your travels?"

Dermott chirped, and it was a musical sound. But something more.

"Hmmmm..." Sinbad murmured. He had come attuned to the subtleties of the sounds that Dermott made. "You sound...distressed, my friend. What is it?" But even as Sinbad asked the question, a heavy darkness fell over them. It was as if something had blotted out the sun. Dermott flew off. "What in Allah's name?" Sinbad whispered, as he jumped to his feet. His first thought was for his crew, so he somersaulted off the rock fall and ran for the beach.

Maeve had headed for the others as well, and the five companions had just converged at the water's edge, when a figure appeared in a cloud of smoke. He was a tall, thin man with snow-white hair. His eyes burned like black coals, and he looked only at Maeve, who gasped. "Rasque..." she whispered. Too quietly for the others to hear.

"Yes, Maeve," the sorcerer replied. "It is I...Rasque." He spoke loudly enough for all to hear. His eyes glanced over at Sinbad. "So...this is the one you would chose over me, Maeve?" he drawled. "Hmph! He's a pretty enough piece, but he cannot compare to ME!"

Sinbad felt every muscle in his body coil tightly. He kept his right hand over the hilt of his saber as he approached the newcomer. "Who are you?" he demanded. "And what do you want?"

Rasque laughed, a hollow,chilling sound. "I want Maeve," he replied. "Silly boy. You cannot have her, Sinbad, for Maeve is fated to me me."

"Really.." Sinbad glared at the sorcerer. "And how do you figure that?" He looked over at Maeve and was surprised to note that she was pale as marble and trembling. It was obvious that she was terrified of Rasque, she whom he had never seen afraid of anyone, or anything. Sinbad took a deep breath and returned his attention to newcomer. "How do you know Maeve?" he questioned, with more than a little belligerence.

"Maeve and I are old friends," Rasque drawled as he let his eyes roam over Sinbad from head to toe. He could not comprehend that Maeve would prefer this common...sailor...over him. Still, he was more than willing to give Sinbad and his companions a rundown on his history with Maeve. Rasque smiled at the sailor. "Maeve and I were *intimate* friends seven years ago, Sinbad," he said, leaving no doubt as to his meaning. Then he laughed at the sparks that flashed in the young man's eyes.

Sinbad refused to believe what Rasque was implying. "Funny," he drawled. "But she doesn't seem very happy to see you."

Rasque glared at the Captain. "You're an insolent whelp!" he barked. Then he realized that he was being baited, and he calmed himself. "Maeve and I were to have been wed, Sinbad."

"That's a lie!" Maeve shouted, fury flushing her pale cheeks crimson. She looked at Sinbad. "Rasque wanted me to marry him, but I refused. He's a pig!" she spat.

"Enough!" Rasque thundered, enraged by Maeve's insult. "I have bided my time for seven years, my dear," he told the sorceress. "I had hoped that you would be ready to receive me, but I can see that I was wrong. So be it then!" Darkness flashed in Rasque's eyes as he raised one hand. "To hell with you, Maeve," he whispered. Then he flung out his hand and a bolt of blue light hit Maeve in the chest. She cried out, then disintegrated.

Sinbad was horrified. He remembered how Rumina had destroyed a clumsy serving girl in like manner. "NO!" he cried out, reaching for his saber. "MAEVE!" Sinbad ran towards Rasque, his saber raised to strike. "YOU BASTARD!" he shouted.

Rasque waggled his fingers and energy bolts slammed into Sinbad's body. He watched with a satisfied smile on his face as the sailor went crashing into a nearby rockfall. Then the sorcerer slowly misted away.

"Sinbad!" Doubar ran to his brother, the other's close on his heels. Sinbad was lying in a crumpled heap and Doubar carefully lifted him to rest against his chest.

Firouz quickly examined Sinbad and was grateful to discover there were no broken bones. There were, however, tender spots, for Sinbad moaned softly when Firouz pressed too hard against his left shoulder, side and hip. Those were the places that had connected with the rock. "I think he'll be all right," Firouz told the others.

"Maeve..." Sinbad breathed, as consciousness returned. Then the image of her disintegrating before his eyes flashed in his mind, and Sinbad was suddenly a body in motion. But even though he managed to gain his feet, he would have fallen had Doubar not grabbed him. "My saber!" Sinbad cried, searching about the sand for it. He spotted it near the rock fall and pulled away from Doubar to pick it up. Then he headed down the beach.

Doubar stepped in front of him, cutting him off. "Just where do you think you're going, little brother?" he demanded, not liking how pale Sinbad had become. He knew that part of it was the shock of his injuries, but most of it was the shock of seeing Maeve killed. And not even a body left for them to mourn over. She was simply...gone.

Sinbad glared at his brother. "Out of my way, Doubar! I'm going after Rasque!"

"Where?" Doubar grabbed Sinbad's arm when he tried to step past him. "Little brother...Rasque is gone. And none of knows where to find him. And...even if we COULD find him...Sinbad, he's much too powerful to defeat with a mere sword."

"I don't care!" Sinbad shouted. "He killed Maeve, Doubar. With a wave of one hand he took her from me! I don't care where I have to go, or how long it takes. I will find Rasque, and I WILL kill him!"

Doubar knew that Sinbad was in no condition to be reasonable, so he did the only thing he felt he could do. He clocked Sinbad on the chin and gathered him into his arms as he crumpled. "Forgive me, little brother," he whispered, as the others joined him.

Firouz brushed a lock of hair off Sinbad's forehead. His own heart was heavy with sadness and he had to fight to keep back tears. He couldn't even begin to imagine the pain in Sinbad's heart. "Now what?" he asked Doubar.

"We return to the Nomad," Doubar replied. And he turned and walked down the beach to where the longboat awaited.

Once back on the Nomad, Doubar and Firouz put Sinbad to bed. Firouz studied his friend as Doubar pulled the covers over him. Sinbad looked so pale, and so very young. It broke Firouz's heart. He looked at Doubar. "Sinbad is going to be furious with us when he wakes up."

"He be furious with me," Doubar amended, as he reached out to touch Sinbad's face. Even in unconscious slumber, he sensed that Sinbad's spirit was restless. Doubar sighed and shook his head. "I don't care if he hates me, Firouz. At least he'll be alive to do it. Rasque is more powerful than Dim-Dim. He turned the day into night, for Allah's sake. He destroyed Maeve without a thought...he'd destroy Sinbad as easily. And I won't let that happen!" Fire sparked in Doubar's pale eyes. "Sinbad is all I have left. I won't lose him too."

"I know," Firouz said softly as he patted Doubar's shoulder. "He's my family too." He forced a smile then left the room.

Doubar grabbed a chair and sat beside the bed to keep vigil over Sinbad.

When Sinbad awoke, his first realization was that his entire body felt like one, giant, bruise. The simple act of breathing hurt, and Sinbad bit back a moan as he forced his muscles to lift him into an upright position. His second realization was that he was on board the Nomad. Anger flooded Sinbad's body, and he forgot about the pain as he jumped out of bed and ran topside. He found Doubar at the tiller. "Turn the ship around!" Sinbad bellowed at him.

Doubar grimaced, then shook his head. "I'm sorry, little brother. No!"

"NO?" Sinbad repeated, more than a little stunned.

"We're staying out to sea until you regain your senses," Doubar countered, adamantly.

Sinbad stepped into his face, his eyes flashing sea-blue sparks. "I'm the Captain of this ship," he said in a soft tone that was charged with steel. "Don't make me do something that I'll regret."

Doubar wasn't the least bit intimidated as he held Sinbad's gaze. "Such as?" he challenged.

"Such as ordering the crew to lock you up down below," Sinbad countered, anger putting a fine edge to his threat.

"They won't do it," Doubar replied with a sad shake of his head. "Little brother, they know about Maeve, and they know that you're not yourself right now. You're not thinking clearly."

Sinbad stared at his brother in stunned disbelief. "So what are you saying, Doubar? That you've turned my men against me?" Sinbad looked around to see that many of the crew were standing nearby, watching them.

Doubar wanted to shake his brother, but he knew that wouldn't help. Softly he said, "The men will always be loyal to you, Sinbad. But..."

"Fine!" Sinbad shouted, cutting Doubar off. "I don't need you!" He turned in a circle to glare at the crewmen. His eyes came to rest on Rongar and Firouz and Sinbad found himself having to blink back tears. Their betrayal cut him to the core. "I don't need any of you!" Sinbad cried. Then, with a last look at Doubar, Sinbad turned and ran to the rail with the intention of diving overboard. He would swim back to the island if necessary. Only he found his way blocked by Firouz, then strong arms grabbed him from behind. Rongar. Sinbad tried to shake the Moor off, and had nearly succeeded, when Doubar added his massive strength.

With his mighty arms locked around Sinbad, Doubar tried to reason with his brother. "Sinbad...PLEASE!" he beseeched.

But Sinbad was deaf to his pleas. He struggled like a wildcat caught in a trap, and nearly howled with fury when he could not free himself. "I have to kill Rasque!" he cried out in desperation. "Don't you understand, Doubar. Please!"

"Little brother..." Doubar pulled Sinbad with him, down to the deck. He wanted to offer comfort, but he didn't know how. So he offered truth instead. "Maeve is gone and nothing you do can bring her back. If you try and kill Rasque you'll die, Sinbad. I don't want you to die! And Maeve wouldn't have wanted that either!"

"NO!" Sinbad redoubled his efforts and nearly broke free when a voice in his head startled him into a frozen state.

"Maeve is alive, Sinbad..." whispered the voice.

Sinbad searched for the source of the voice, when he saw Dermott soar over head. Suddenly he understood. "Dermott..." he breathed, too softly for the others to hear him.

The hawk chirped, then spoke again. "Yes, Sinbad. It's me. Maeve is still alive. Rasque sent her to his Keep on the Island of Cimmerian. You must go to her, Sinbad. She grows weak. You must save her!"

"I will save her," Sinbad vowed, not realizing that he'd spoken out loud. But then he felt eyes burning into him and he looked at his friends. Worry lined their faces. "You can let me go, Doubar," Sinbad said softly. "I won't go overboard. I promise."

Reluctantly, Doubar relaxed his grip. "Who were you talking about, little brother?" he asked. "Who are you going to save?"

Sinbad rose slowly to his feet, accepting Rongar's help. "I'm going to save Maeve," he said. "We all are." A smile curved Sinbad's lips as he locked eyes with his brother. "She's still alive, Doubar. Maeve is still alive." And in that moment a part of Sinbad realized that he had always known that, for although he had felt pain inside, when he had seen Rasque disintegrate Maeve...he had never felt emptiness. And were she truly dead, Sinbad knew that he would have died inside, leaving nothing but a hollow void in his heart and soul.

Firouz went to Sinbad. He was very concerned for his friend. "Sinbad....you know that Maeve can't be alive. We all saw her destroyed."

"No, Firouz." Sinbad shook his head. "We all saw what Rasque wanted us to see. It was merely an illusion. He sent Maeve to his keep on the Island of Cimmerian."

Doubar wondered if Sinbad had developed a fever. "Little brother, how could you know that?" he inquired, for he was willing to indulge Sinbad for the moment, just to see the spark of fire that flashed in the sea-blue eyes.

Sinbad pointed to hawk, who had come to rest on the mast overhead. "Dermott told me," he said softly. He saw the doubt, and worry, that shimmered in the eyes of his friends. But he didn't care if they thought him crazed. So long as they listened to him. "Please, Doubar..." Sinbad met and held his brother's gaze. "Do this for me. And for Maeve. Take me to Cimmerian. If I'm wrong...then you can lock me up and throw away the key." Sinbad offered a dimpled grin. "Please, big brother. Trust me."

"Sinbad...." Doubar didn't know what to say. He looked up at Dermott, who seemed to stare back at him with fire in his black eyes. Then he looked at Rongar and Firouz. Both men were watching Sinbad., frowns on their faces. Finally, Doubar shrugged. "So be it, little brother," he said. "We'll go to Cimmerian." Doubar doubted that they would find Maeve there. In fact, he was certain that they would not. But when he saw the smile that lit up Sinbad's face, he was glad of his decision. For a little while longer, his brother could believe.

*************************************************************** It took two days, and a good wind, for the Nomad to reach Cimmerian. It was a rather large island, but mostly rocky. As they lowered the longboat into the water to head for shore, Sinbad made contact with Dermott. He wasn't happy when the hawk told him that Maeve had grown very weak. "We must hurry!" Sinbad told his companions, as he stepped over the railing and climbed down the rope ladder.

They reached the shore of the island and Sinbad ran up the beach, his eyes searching for Rasque's keep. Dermott flew over head. "Can you see it, Dermott?" Sinbad asked.

The hawk screeched and soared higher. "....I see it..." he whispered in Sinbad's mind.

Sinbad gasped as the image of a mighty, stone Keep filled his head. It was dark, and foreboding. "Which way?" Sinbad shouted.

"North," Dermott replied, then he disappeared. He would scout ahead to check on Maeve and report back to Sinbad.

"We have to head North," Sinbad informed his companions, as they joined him.

Firouz frowned. "Why North?" he asked.

Sinbad grinned. "Because that's where Rasque's Keep is."

Doubar sighed. "And I supposed Dermott told you that?" he inquired.

"That's right." Sinbad accepted his saber from Rongar and slid it into the sheath on his hip. "Come on, let's go." So saying, Sinbad began climbing the rocks.

With another heartfelt sigh, Doubar followed. Rongar and Firouz were close behind.

They walked, mostly uphill, for hours. Sinbad never once stopping to rest. He didn't even notice that Doubar and Firouz had fallen behind. Only Rongar still matched his pace. Night seemed to fall swiftly, but Sinbad never slowed. Not until he felt a strong hand grip his arm. Turning, Sinbad saw Rongar staring at him with concern. Only then did Sinbad realize Doubar and Firouz were not there. "Where are the others?" Sinbad asked Rongar.

The Moor pointed behind them. He then signed that Doubar and Firouz were about an hour behind them.

"They'll have to catch up when they can," Sinbad replied. He made to move again, but Rongar held him firm. "What?" Sinbad questioned.

Removing a water pouch from his belt, Rongar held it out to Sinbad. He wouldn't relent until the Captain had accepted it and drank.

Sinbad glared at his friend, although he did feel refreshed after his drink. "Are you happy now?" He wanted to scream in frustration when Rongar shook his head. "We have to keep going," Sinbad insisted.

Rongar gestured about them, and it wasn't until that moment that Sinbad realized night had come upon them. The pale light of dusk was but a glimmer. Sinbad sat down and buried his head in his hands. He knew that he couldn't continue in the dark, and he felt ready to cry. Maeve needed him, he could sense it. And dawn was such a long ways away.

Doubar and Firouz came upon Sinbad and Firouz about two hours later. They had torches with them to light there way, and Doubar saw Sinbad eye the flames with a gleam in his eyes. "Oh no, little brother," he said firmly. "We're NOT traveling in the dark. We're going to eat, and sleep. And that's an order."

Sinbad grimaced. "Why is it, Doubar, that you seem to keep forgetting that I'M the Captain? I'm the one who's supposed to give the orders."

"Aye, Sinbad. But for now....you're just my little brother...and you WILL obey me, or I'll whomp you till your hind side is black and blue. Understand?"

"Understand," Sinbad replied, for the look in his brother's eye, he knew that Doubar meant it. And Sinbad remembered a whomping or two from his childhood when he had dared to disobey. He found that he couldn't eat, but he did curl up by the fire that Firouz started, and closed his eyes.

Doubar was relieved as he watched Sinbad sleep. A short time later, he and his companions followed suit.

Sinbad listened to the breathing of the others for a time and when he was certain they were deeply asleep, he rose to his feet and crept away from the fire. He was careful to take one of the torches to light his way. When he had gone several yards, he called out to Dermott.

The hawk soared overhead. Sinbad felt a sense of relief. "How is Maeve?" he inquired.

Dermott chirped, then said, "She's growing weaker by the minute, Sinbad. We haven't much time."

"How much farther to the Keep?" Sinbad heard the desperation in his voice. He, too, had sensed Maeve's weakness.

"We'll be there by dawn..." Dermott replied. "...I'll guide you with my thoughts..." he said, as he flew off into the night.

Through the images Dermott sent into Sinbad's mind, he was able to make his way without faltering And the closer he came to the Keep, the more attuned he became to Maeve's presence. In the final hour before dawn, Sinbad was making his way without guidance. He crested a hill and stopped. Below him was Rasque's Keep, and Sinbad shuddered as a chill rippled through him. The Keep emanated the evil of it's owner. But that wasn't about to stop him. With a grim smile curving his lips, Sinbad made his way down the hill.

Rasque watched Sinbad's approach in a crystal. He had known that the sailor would come, he just hadn't expected it to be so soon. But Rasque was ready for him. He turned to Maeve, who was chained in one corner, to the wall. "Your brother has done well," he drawled. For he knew about Dermott, and how Turok's daughter, Rumina, had changed the young man into a hawk. Rasque had been watching over Maeve for these past seven years. "I must confess, Sinbad's faith in your, dumb, bird is touching, my dear. But he follows blindly...and is heading straight into his doom."

Maeve refused to respond to Rasque, knowing that he was baiting her. But tears filled her eyes at his words. Sinbad wouldn't stand a chance against the sorcerer's evil powers. And she was too weak to help him. Still, she felt a ray of hope as she sensed Dermott nearby. Maeve reached out to him in her mind. "..brother, tell Sinbad to turn back...." she pleaded.

Sinbad suddenly gasped as he heard Maeve's voice in her head. She wanted him to turn back. He looked up at Dermott. "Tell her no," he ordered.

Dermott swooped before Sinbad and said, "Tell her yourself, my friend. You can do it."

"Right..." Sinbad muttered. But, nonetheless, he gave it a try. He tapped into the energy that was Maeve, and he spoke from the heart. "...Maeve, hang on. I'm coming for you. Please...hang on!"

Tears slid down Maeve's cheeks as she heard Sinbad's voice in her head. She watched Rasque out of the corner of one eye, fearful that he might sense what was happening. But he appeared oblivious to it.

Rasque was, however, aware of Maeve's tears and they pleased him. He believed that she cried for herself...as well as for the sailor's impending doom.

But Maeve cried only for Sinbad, for she knew that Rasque would kill him, and there was nothing she could do to stop him.

Sinbad had finally reached the Keep. He ordered Dermott to remain outside...on watch. If he failed, he wanted the hawk to alert the others, so that they could rescue Maeve themselves. Drawing his saber, Sinbad entered the Keep. He crept through the dark passageways unerringly, guided by his sense of Maeve's presence. In a very short time, he reached the sorcerer's lair.

Rasque was smiling as Sinbad, boldly, strode forward to confront him. "I admire your courage, Captain," he drawled. You face death and stare it straight in the eye. You are a worthy opponent, Sinbad. I will almost regret killing you."

"Funny," Sinbad smiled at Rasque as his eyes flashed sparks. "But I won't regret killing you," he replied. "Not for one second." And so saying, Sinbad lunged forward to attack the sorcerer, only to find himself slammed against the wall by a bolt of magic. He hit the ground and lay there panting. Sinbad felt as if his chest had been crushed, but he ignored the pain and pushed himself to his feet. He should have stayed down, for a moment later he was slammed into another wall, and this time he didn't move.

From her prison in the corner, Maeve watched through tear-filled eyes.

Rongar was the first to awaken, and even as he rose, his eyes sought out Sinbad. The Captain was gone. Rongar awoke the others.

Doubar was furious. "Sinbad went on to the Keep alone," he shouted, looking for something to smash in order to vent his rage. But his fear for Sinbad's safety was in equal measure.

Firouz nodded. "So...do we keep heading North?" he asked, as he gathered up their few supplies. He had his answer when Doubar charged off in that direction.

Sinbad found it difficult to breath, and a heavy darkness threatened to suffocate him. But he thought about Maeve, and he found the strength...and the will...to rise. Every bone and muscle in his body screamed in agony. But he refused to give up. He felt Maeve's eyes upon him, but did not dare look her way, for fear of being distracted.

Rasque found that he was impressed by Sinbad's determination. But he was also angered when he looked over at Maeve and saw the glow of love that shone forth from her brown eyes as she watched the Sailor face him down. She had never looked like that. Always when she gazed upon him, it was with loathing in her eyes. Growling with anger, Rasque raised his hand and lashed out at Sinbad once more. This time he laughed, as Sinbad cried out in pain before collapsing to his knees.

A whimper escaped Maeve and she had to look away from Sinbad. The sight of him in such agony tore her apart from the inside. And it was killing her that she was too weak to help him. He would die before her eyes, and she would do nothing...could do nothing...to stop it.

"What's wrong, my dear?" Rasque questioned, a malignant smile curving his lips. He went to Maeve and touched one fingertip to her chin to lift her eyes to meet his. Tears shimmered in the depths of the sorceress' molten brown gaze.

Maeve didn't even bother to blink them back as she found the strength to whisper..."Please..."

Rasque let his fingers slide into Maeve's hair. Please...what?" he prompted.

"Let..." Maeve found it difficult to speak. She was so weak that even the breath needed to form words and sounds drained her. But she had no choice but to continue. "Let Sinbad...go. And...I...I...will marry...you."

Sinbad heard Maeve's words, through his haze of pain. He reached out to her with his mind, for his body did not possess the strength. "No Maeve!" he pleaded. "We can defeat, Rasque. Together! Give me your strength."

Maeve choked on a sob. Then she replied to Sinbad in mind voice. "I...have none."

"Yes...you do." Sinbad tried to shield out his pain. He didn't want it to reach Maeve. He also kept one eye on Rasque. "Maeve...Remember the Ibix Crystal? You told me to reach into my heart to find the power...the strength...to destroy it. I found you there, and you were my strength. Reach into your heart, Maeve," he begged. "Find me there."

"Sinbad..." Maeve whispered his name in her mind. Then she did as he asked. She reached within herself, deep into her heart, and he was there. His love washed over her like water over sand, and she felt herself grow strong. And she sent that strength, along with her love, flowing back to him.

It suddenly occurred to Rasque that something was wrong. The tears in Maeve's eyes had gone, and there was a fire glowing in the liquid brown depths. He sensed movement behind him and whirled around to find Sinbad standing...and smiling at him. "Fool!" Rasque bellowed, as he raised one hand and lashed out at the sailor. But a moment later he gasped, as he met with resistance. The source of the power came from Sinbad. Rasque was so stunned that he dropped his hand, and in that moment he was zapped by a bolt of red and blue magic, intertwined.

Sinbad grinned as Rasque thudded against the far wall. He moved to stand over the sorcerer. "Hurts...don't it?" Sinbad drawled.

"How?" Rasque demanded, glaring up at Sinbad. "How is this possible? Your a sailor...not a sorcerer!"

"You walk in darkness, Rasque. I walk in light." As he spoke, Sinbad allowed a fireball to form in his right hand. He held it up for Rasque to see. It pulsed red and blue, and crackled with energy. "There is no greater power than the light," Sinbad whispered. "No stronger magic...than love." And with those words, Sinbad flung the fireball into Rasque's chest, then he watched as the sorcerer howled with pain and fury...then faded into oblivion.

Maeve watched Rasque disappear. The moment he was gone, and she knew the danger had passed, Maeve gave into her weakness and tumbled into darkness.

Sinbad sensed when Maeve left him, and with a cry he ran to her. He pressed one hand over her heart and the beat of life was faint. Sinbad shook as he freed her from her chains. He tried to lift her into his arms, but his own strength was gone. As she crumpled he fell to his knees and cradled her there. "Don't leave me, Maeve..." Sinbad whispered, as he smoothed back her fiery hair. Then he felt darkness claim him as well.

Doubar and the others reached the keep at midday. They spotted Dermott, who was circling overhead. Doubar sensed that something was wrong, and he moved with surprising speed, for so large a man.

Firouz and Rongar followed him into the keep. Dermott suddenly appeared before them, and Firouz realized that he had come to lead the way. They followed the hawk into Rasque's lair, and gasped at the sight that met them. Maeve and Sinbad lay in a tangled heap, and both were unconscious. Firouz examined them both and shook his head as he met Doubar and Rongar's anxious stares. "It's not good," he said, with painful honesty. "We have to get them back to the Nomad."

Doubar lifted Sinbad into his arms, while Rongar reached for Maeve. "It's a long journey back, Firouz," Doubar said. "Will they make it?"

"I don't know," Firouz admitted. He blinked back tears as he led the way out.

It took two days to reach the ship. Neither Maeve nor Sinbad stirred from their unconscious state. Firouz claimed that they were comatose. Doubar didn't understand it, he was simply grateful that they were still breathing. Once on board the Nomad, Firouz stood vigil over Maeve, while Doubar watched Sinbad. Rongar watched over them all.

Another twenty-four hours passed, and Firouz was dozing in his chair, when Maeve awoke. She smiled at Firouz as memories flooded back to her slowly. Maeve knew that Rasque was dead, and that Sinbad was safe. But when she reached out for his presence, she gasped. She couldn't reach Sinbad. Maeve slipped out of bed.

Firouz tried to stop her. "Maeve...you need to rest."

"I need to see Sinbad," She countered, pinning Firouz with a glare. "He's hurt."

"Yes." Firouz was reluctant to tell her. "He's suffered a concussion and broken ribs. There was internal injuries as well. And now he's fighting an infection...and fever."

Maeve nodded. "I can feel his pain." She reached for the inventor's hand. "I can help him, Firouz. Please."

Firouz sighed. He couldn't seem to help Sinbad, so he saw no reason not to let Maeve try. "Come on," he said, leading her to the door.

Doubar jumped up from his chair beside Sinbad's bed, when Maeve and Firouz entered the room. He was delighted to see the sorceress up and about. "How are you feeling, Maeve?" he asked her.

"I'm all right, Doubar," She said, but her eyes were on Sinbad. He lay so still in the bed, and face was so pale. Maeve went to him, and her hand reached out to smooth a lock of bronze-colored hair off his forehead. "I'm here, Sinbad," she whispered. "I'm here." Maeve took his hand between both of her, then she gently tapped into his mind. She traveled deep into the darkness that entrapped him. But she knew that there was a light. And that the light was Sinbad. So she continued on her quest, oblivious to all around her. There was only Sinbad. The feel of his hand in hers, the beating of his heart in rhythm with her own...Maeve gasped as she suddenly found herself in bright light. "Sinbad..." She whispered.

"Maeve..." he whispered back. Sinbad had heard her, but it was as if she were far away. He couldn't see her, for there was only blackness...and pain.

Maeve laughed with joy, although no one could hear it. She wanted to shout to Doubar that Sinbad was all right, but they could not hear her thoughts. She held out the hand of her mind. "Reach for me, Sinbad," she beseeched him. "Reach for the light."

Sinbad searched the darkness and nearly wept. "There is no light, Maeve!" he cried.

"There is!" she insisted. "You can see it, Sinbad. Don't look with your eyes. Look with your heart. Can't you see it?" Maeve stretched out her hand...straining to reach Sinbad. But she could only meet him half way. He would have to come to her now.

"Maeve..." Sinbad breathed her name. Then he looked in his heart, and suddenly he saw a glimmer. And that glimmered brightened into a flame that lit the darkness with a brightness that rivaled the sun. He saw Maeve's hand in front of him, and he reached out with his own. He felt tears on his face as their fingers met, then intertwined.

Doubar saw Sinbad's eyes flicker and he nudged Firouz. "Look."

The inventor held his breath, then released it with a sigh as Sinbad slowly opened his eyes. "Yes!" he whispered, then he hugged Doubar, who nearly crushed him in a bearhug. Rongar joined in.

Sinbad smiled as he stared up at Maeve's beautiful face. He lifted one hand to brush wetness off of his cheek, and realized that the tears were hers. "Maeve?" he said softly.

She couldn't hold back the tremors that shook her. Maeve threw herself across Sinbad's chest and cried as if she had been holding back a river's worth of tears. Mostly though, they were happy tears, and her sobs were a reaction to the trauma she had suffered over that past few days. Trauma that was both physical and emotional.

"It's all right, Maeve," Sinbad whispered, as he gently rubbed her back. He didn't notice when Doubar, Rongar and Firouz left the cabin. But, then, he hadn't even known they were there to begin with. Sinbad's memories were blurred, but that seemed unimportant right now. All that mattered to him was Maeve. She stopped crying and sat up to look at him. Sinbad smiled as one, soft hand pressed against his face. "Why the tears, Maeve?" he asked.

"Too many reasons to explain, Sinbad," she replied. "And most of them I can't even remember." Maeve wiped her face with the edge of her sleeve, then touched her fingers to Sinbad's bare chest. It was damp, but whether from her tears..or because his fever had broken, Maeve didn't know...or care. She had a secret to confess. "Sinbad...Dim-Dim told you that we had much in common. That we both had wounded hearts."

Sinbad nodded. "Wounds and scars, Maeve."

She sighed softly. "Scars aren't such a bad thing, Sinbad. They come when a wound has healed. They're symbolic of the battles that we have won. You fought hard for my heart...and you know that you have won it."

"Aye...as you have won mine." Sinbad curled his fingers around Maeve's wrist, so that he could feel the pulse that beat there. It gave him great comfort.

"Sinbad...I want no more secrets between us." Maeve tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she gazed upon his beautiful face. "I think it's time that I told you why I hate Rumina."

Sinbad reached up to smooth the lock of hair that came untucked from behind Maeve's ear. It seemed to have a life of it's own. "Because of Dermott," he said. Then he smiled at the look of surprise on Maeve's face. Shaking a finger at her in mock sterness, Sinbad said, "Maeve...don't you remember what Dim-Dim told you when we first met?"

Maeve frowned and shook her head. "What did he tell me? Besides...that I could trust you."

"And he was right about that," Sinbad countered.

"That he was," Maeve confirmed. "But...what else?"

Sinbad laughed. "That...in spite of my looks, I'm quite intelligent."

Maeve grabbed the extra pillow that cushioned Sinbad's head and thumped him with it. Then she kissed him gently, and with great tenderness. Then she curled up beside him and they fell asleep in each others arms. And it was a healing sleep for them both.

The end