Tears of the Innocent

by Shelly

Sinbad was smiling as he watched his new...little...friend, chase down the red ball that Firouz had made her. Her name was Keely and she was eight years old. Sinbad had befriended her while he and his crew took a few days rest in the small town of Ritka. They had spent a week battling rough seas and a cranky, evil sorcerer. Now was a time for rest and play. For the past three days, Sinbad had found peace in the presence of Keely. She was a light in a world that sometimes seemed filled with shadows. Sinbad smiled as she tossed him the red ball. "Are you ready for dinner yet?" he asked her.

Keely shook her head. "No, Sinbad. Throw the ball again. Please?"

"Just once more," he allowed. "Then we have to eat." Sinbad tossed the ball gently. Keely caught it, but then she dropped it to the ground so she could kick it about. Sinbad shook his head as he watched her kick it towards a nearby cottage. It rolled into the doorway.

"I'll get it!" Keely shouted, laughing as she chased the ball. She ran into the cottage and a moment later it went up into flames. No warning...no sound of explosion....just flames.

Sinbad was horrified. "KEELY!" he shouted, running towards the cottage.

Doubar had seen the flames and he moved to intercept Sinbad. It took his mighty strength to hold him back. "You can't go in there, little brother!" he cried. For the cottage was a redhot fireball. Nothing else.

"NO!" Sinbad shouted, struggling to free himself from Doubar's grasp. "NO! KEELY! NO!"

Maeve and the others heard the commotion and came running. By then, Sinbad realized that Keely was dead and he sank to his knees.

Doubar still held him. "There was nothing you could do, little brother," he told him.

"That's right, Sinbad," said a raspy voice.

Sinbad lifted his head to stare at a scaly creature. A demon that stood before him, smiling. "Who are you?" he demanded.

The demon shook his horned head. "I am a messenger. My Master sent me to tell you that the little girl's death was your punishment."

Doubar was enraged. "Punishment for what?" he challenged.

"For the crime that Sinbad committed against my master," said the demon. "The innocent must pay for our sins," he drawled.

Sinbad rose to his feet and his eyes sparked fire at the demon. "Who is your master?" he asked, the timbre of his voice forged in steel.

The demon cackled. "All in good time, Sinbad. All in good time." He waved his hand and disappeared.

"No..." Sinbad whispered. He felt the eyes of his crew upon him, felt their sorrow and sympathy. But he couldn't face them now. So he turned and ran...like the demons of hell were chasing him.

*****

Several hours later, Maeve found Sinbad in the woods, sitting on an overturned tree. If it hadn't been for the fact that she'd sent Dermott to follow Sinbad when he'd run off, she never would have found him now. Maeve sensed that he wanted to be alone, but she ignored his silent plea and sat down beside him. "Don't do this, Sinbad," she told him.

Sinbad knew what she meant but he shook his head. "Don't do what, Maeve? Don't feel guilty?"

"It wasn't your fault." Maeve stared at Sinbad's profile. So pure and beautiful.

"It was my fault," Sinbad said softly.

Maeve wanted to shake him. "That demon killed Keely to punish you, Sinbad. It wasn't your fault."

Sinbad looked and Maeve and a sad smile curved his lips. "You said it, Maeve. The demon killed Keely to punish *me*. I may not have been the one to kill her...but I'm the reason she's dead."

"You're twisting things, Sinbad," Maeve countered, her eyes flashing with the frustration she felt. He could be so darn stubborn sometimes.

"No matter how you say it, Maeve, it doesn't change the truth." Sinbad stood up and found that he had to blink back tears, so he turned away from her.

But it was too late. Maeve had already seen the tears. She stood up and went to Sinbad. Laying a hand on his arm, she made him face her. Tears now rolled down Sinbad's handsome face and Maeve brushed them, gently away, with her fingertips. "Tears of the innocent, Sinbad," she whispered.

He shook his head. "No, Maeve. Tears FOR the innocent." Using his shirt-sleeve, Sinbad dried his face. Then he took a deep breath and expelled it slowly. Tears wouldn't bring Keely back. "I'm going for a walk," Sinbad announced.

"I'll go with you," Maeve offered. She didn't think Sinbad should be alone right now. No telling what trouble he might get in to.

"I need to be alone, Maeve," Sinbad replied. He offered a sad smile then turned and walked away.

Maeve watched him go, and jumped when Doubar was suddenly beside her. "I'm worried about Sinbad," she said.

Doubar sighed. "As am I. I've never seen him like this before. Not even when Lea died. Sinbad has lost so many people in his young life. Starting with our parents...then friends and companions." Doubar shook his head. "But that little girl, Keely...She touched Sinbad in some way that I don't understand. But I fear for his sanity."

"So how do we help him?" Maeve questioned, as she felt fear twist in her gut. For Doubar to say what he did...frightened her to no end.

"I....I don't know if we can help him," Doubar admitted. He looked into Maeve's beautiful eyes and her fears were a mirror of his own. He felt a bit a hope, however, for Maeve's love for Sinbad was shining there as well. And Doubar felt that love was all they had to offer Sinbad right now. Love...and faith.

*****

Sinbad found himself in the cemetary...standing beside the empty grave that they had dug for Keely. Wild flowers covered the earth...and her red ball had a place of honor. Sinbad knelt beside the marker that held only her name. For Keely was an orphan, who had been adopted by the villagers as a whole. Tears prickled again...but Sinbad blinked them back. Still...his voice was husky with them as he spoke. "I can't find the words to express the joy that you brought me, Keely. Nor can any words convey my sorrow. I ask that you forgive me, for I will never forgive myself. And I would willingly trade places with you...if I could."

"Perhaps that could be arranged, Sinbad..." cackled a voice in the air.

"Demon!" Sinbad shouted, leaping to his feet and drawing his saber. He stared about him but the sky was filling up with shadows as dusk was quick upon them. "Show yourself!" he challenged. "You had the courage to kill an innocent child, Demon! Do you have the courage to face me? COME ON!"

The Demon appeared, a smile on his ugly face. "Here I am, Sinbad," he drawled. "Now what?"

Sinbad raised his saber. And fury flashed sparks from his eyes as he replied, "Prepare to die!" And with a cry he charged the Demon. But before he had taken more than a step, a white charge of power zapped Sinbad in the chest. He cried out as his saber fell from numb fingers, then he crumpled to the ground.

"Ho hum..." the Demon sighed, as he moved to stand over Sinbad's body. "Humans are too easy." Smiling, the Demon waved one hand, and he and Sinbad disappeared into the shadows.

*****

It was nearing the midnight hour and Sinbad still hadn't returned to the village. Doubar and Maeve stood outside the cottage where they had been offered lodging, and stared down the path that led to and from town. Maeve began pacing.

Doubar watched her then said, "I've got a bad feeling about this, Maeve."

She nodded. "Aye...so do I. Dermott's been searching for Sinbad everywhere...but it's like he disappeared."

"I'm going to get Rongar and Firouz," Doubar announced. "We have to find Sinbad."

"We should wait for first light," Maeve cautioned.

Doubar glared at her. "You can wait all you like. I'm going to find my little brother."

Maeve smiled. "I'm with you."

*****

Sinbad drifted awake slowly. His chest felt as if he had been kicked by a camel, and his head ached fiercely. But he forced his eyes open, only to discover that he was in a softly lit cavern. Sinbad stood up and heard a rattling sound...like a chain. And a heavy weight pulled at his left leg. Looking down, Sinbad gasped to see that a heavy shackle encircled his ankle, with a chain attached to it that was anchored to the wall. "What in Allah's name....?" he whispered.

"Allah has nothing to do with this, Sinbad," Drawled a voice as deep as thunder.

"Who are you?" Sinbad demanded, as he stared at the creature before him. It was human like, despite it's overly thick body and elongated arms. The face was oddly shaped as well... reminding Sinbad of a wolf. But this creature was huge....and evil emanated from him.

The creature smiled, allowing Sinbad's perusal...even as it made his own. "I am Phisto," he said. "I'm the one who sent the Demon for you."

Sinbad felt rage burst into flame deep inside him. "You're the one who had Keely murdered!" he shouted. "WHY? What have I done to you?"

"Easy now, Sinbad," Phisto drawled. "We have all the time in the world, and I'll be happy to answer any of your questions. First...what have you done to me?" Phist gestured about them. "You're the reason I'm trapped here for all eternity, Sinbad. Which is why I think it only fair that you keep me company. Rumina finds you utterly fascinating...and I've got the feeling that I will as well." Phisto laughed. "You're certainly lovely to look at. Course...can't say the same about me...can you?"

"You know Rumina?" Sinbad countered. He didn't like the sound of that at all.

"I know of her," Phisto allowed. "I Knew her Father...Turok...quite well. You killed him, Sinbad. And nicely done."

Sinbad shook his head. "Then I take it you weren't exactly friends?"

Phisto shrugged. "Friendly rivals." He stepped forward and was pleased to see that Sinbad held his ground. Most humans cowered before him. "To be honest...My only friend is you, Sinbad." And as he spoke, Phisto reached out to finger the Captain's hair. It was soft, even to his leathery skin.

"Then you were right the first time, Phisto!" Sinbad spat, as jerked his head back to free his hair. He glared at the Demon master. "You have no friends! You're pathetic!"

"Insolent whelp!" Phisto roared. He lifted one hand and zapped Sinbad.

Sinbad hit the wall with a thud, but caught his breath and faced Phisto...his eyes glittering. "Is that the best you can do?"

Phisto zapped him again. Harder. Smiled as Sinbad moaned. The Captain lay crumpled on the ground. "Best that you learn to hold your tongue, Sinbad," he advised.

"I make it a point..." Sinbad had to catch his breath as pain stabbed at him, before he could continue. "...never to listen to ugly creatures," he replied. Then he waited for the next zap to come.

But Phisto had suddenly realized what Sinbad was up too. He wanted Phisto to zap him into oblivion. Phisto shook his head. "Nice try, Sinbad," he applauded. "But you're not going to cheat me of your company. We will journey through eternity...you and I."

Sinbad slowly pushed himself upright. "My crew will find me," he said, confidently. For he was certain they would be searching for him even now.

"Let them try," Phisto invited. He laughed softly. "They'll never find you, Sinbad. You and I are in an alternate dimension. And they don't know the way in."

"No...." Sinbad whispered, as a cold chill rippled up his spine.

Phisto moved to him, and his hand once again fingered the silky hair. "But don't worry, Sinbad. You won't be bored. In fact....here's an interesting tibit for you to think about. That little girl...Keely. She wasn't real, Sinbad. She was merely a illusion of magic. Dark magic." Phisto laughed and tightened his fingers in Sinbad's hair. He shoved Sinbad down then knelt beside him. "I lured you to Ritka, Sinbad. I created that whole scenario. I wanted you to be enchanted by Keely....because I knew that her death would make you suffer. As I have suffered."

Sinbad was relieved by the news, but surprised as well. "Then why tell me?" he questioned. "Now I'll no longer suffer."

"I just want you to realize that I can be merciful, Sinbad." Phisto tapped one, taloned, fingertip against the Captain's cheek. "I want you to understand that you are in my world now. And that I control you. I own you, Sinbad. For all of eternity."

"Never!" Sinbad shot back. "No one owns me. Especially not you," he vowed.

Phisto released Sinbad, then waved one hand.

Sinbad watched the Demon Master disappear. Then he lay back and closed his eyes. That last *zap* had hurt him more than he had let on, and he wanted only to sleep to escape the pain. A moment later, Sinbad had his wish and he sank into dark slumber.

*****

Dawn was nearly on them, when Maeve and the others found themselves at the graveyard. It was the last place they had looked, for all had felt that Sinbad would have avoided it. But Rongar found the proof that Sinbad had been there. His saber.

As Maeve touched it, she felt herself grow dizzy. "Oh...." she gasped.

Doubar grabbed her. "What is it, Maeve?" he asked, worry furrowing his brow.

"It's Sinbad..." Maeve whispered. She felt his essence...but it was slipping away from her. "He's weakening." And Maeve was fearful.

Firouz looked around. "Where is he? Close by? Can you...feel....him?"

Maeve nodded, even as she reached in her bag for one of her magic books. "I can feel Sinbad's....lifeforce. I guess that's what you'd call it." She leafed through the pages of her book then held out her hand to Rongar. "Give me Sinbad's sword," she requested.

Doubar was worried. "What are you going to do, Maeve?"

"I'm going to open a portal to Sinbad," she replied. Then she grimaced. "I hope. Sinbad is in another dimension...like Dim-Dim is. But we have Sinbad's saber...and it's a part of him...so it can bring us to him."

Being a man of science, Firouz had his doubts. Not that he didn't want Maeve to be right, for he wanted nothing more than to find Sinbad. "Are you sure about this, Maeve?" he questioned.

Maeve shook her head. "No," she admitted. Then she forced a smile. "But it's all we've got." She held out her hand to Doubar. "Everyone hold hands....and don't let go." As soon as the others had obeyed her, Maeve read the incantation in the book. "May the light seek the light that is in the darkness. And may the light pierce the darkness with the sword of the soul of the one who is lost. And may he guide us through that darkness."

There was a long moment of silence, then Doubar asked, "Now what?"

"We wait!" Maeve hissed.

Even as she spoke a light shimmered before them. There was a gale-force burst of wind as the light rippled then seemed to split wide open...like a tear in the fabric of the night.

Maeve laughed with delight. "This is it!" she shouted, over the din of the wind. "Come on! And don't let go!" Maeve stepped into the light, leading the others by the hand.

"Where are we?" Firouz asked a moment later, as the light closed upon itself and faded out. The quartet found themselves in a shadowy cavern.

"We're in another dimension," Maeve replied. She still held Sinbad's sword and his lifeforce seemed to vibrate through her body. "Sinbad is close by," she whispered.

Doubar caught his breath. "Show us," he beseeched Maeve.

She turned in a slow circle, found her bearings, then led them into a tunnel. Her instincts were true, for the tunnel led into the cavern where Sinbad was chained.

"Little brother!" Doubar shouted, running forward to greet his sibling.

Sinbad was stunned to see his crew, yet pleased. He was nearly crushed by Doubar's hug, and it took him a moment to regain enough breath to ask, "How did you find me? Phisto said that we were in another dimension."

Maeve nodded. "You are. We are. But I found you using your saber as a guide."

Firouz had only praise for the sorceress. "You should have seen her, Sinbad. It was astonishing."

"I'm sure it was," Sinbad agreed. "He pointed to his shackle. "Can somebody help me with this? I don't think we should hang around here."

Maeve furrowed her brow in concentration, then zapped the shackle. It fell open and she smiled as Sinbad stepped out of it and moved forward to gather her into his embrace.

"Thank you, Maeve," he whispered into her hair.

"You're welcome, Sinbad," she whispered back. Then Maeve pulled away, for she could feel the eyes of the others upon them. "We need to get back to the portal," she said.

Firouz frowned. "But...the portal disappeared," he reminded her.

Maeve shook her head. "It faded out, but it's still there. Only it won't be for long." She handed Sinbad his Saber. "Ready?"

Sinbad laughed softly. "I was born ready," he told her. And silently he let Maeve know that he meant more than the obvious. To the others he said, "Keep and eye out. Phisto isn't going to let me just stroll out of here."

Doubar tapped Sinbad's shoulder. "Just who, in Allah's name, is Phisto?"

"I'll explain later," Sinbad promised. "Lead the way, Maeve."

The Sorceress led them back the way they had come, and they had nearly reached the end of the tunnel when the walls started to shake and crumble, and the rocks suddenly came to life.

"Watch out!" Sinbad shouted as he drew his saber. He swung it with both hands and shattered a rock creature.

The others did the same...but the creatures kept coming. Stepping out from the rock walls as if spawned.

Doubar sensed their impending doom. "We're not going to make it, little brother!" he shouted, even as he pulverized another creature.

Sinbad wasn't ready to give up. "Firouz! Do you have any of your exploding sticks?"

"Several!" Firouz replied, as he ducked a rock arm that swung for his head.

"Give them to me!" Sinbad shouted. He caught them then looked at his companions. "Get out of here and don't look back," he ordered. "I'll be right behind you!" As he spoke...he lit the exploding sticks.

Maeve had a sense of deja vu, but she realized that she didn't have time to argue with Sinbad, so she followed the others out.

Sinbad ran after his companions, battling rock creatures as he went. By the time he reached the opening into the cavern, the fuses were nearly burnt out. "Take that!" he shouted, tossing the sticks into the tunnel. Sinbad turned to run, but time had run out. The sticks exploded, and Sinbad was thrown off his feet. The roar was deafening as the explosion created a massive rockfall, caving in the entire tunnel, and making the cavern shake.

Once the tremors ceased, Maeve and the others ran to Sinbad. Doubar pulled his brother to his feet. "Are you all right?" he asked. He was concerned by Sinbad's pallor.

Sinbad nodded, unwilling to admit that he was dizzy and that his entire body ached. He looked at Maeve. "Where's the portal?"

She pointed to the air. "About there."

Firouz frowned. "How do we open it?"

"Another incantation," Maeve replied. She reached in her pouch for her book. But before she could pull it out, Rongar sounded an alarm.

"Now what?" Sinbad groaned. Then he gasped as they found themselves surrounded by creatures made of flames.

Doubar pressed himself against Sinbad's back. "What evil is this, little brother?" he asked.

"My kind," drawled a dark voice.

Sinbad sighed. "Phisto.."

The Demon Master appeared before them and bowed. "Going somewhere, Sinbad?"

Doubar had an answer for him. "I'm taking my little brother home!" he growled.

"I don't think so," Phisto countered, with a laugh that resonated evil. He moved like quicksilver, and suddenly Sinbad was in his grasp. Phisto held his razor-sharp talons against the Captain's throat, and smiled at the others. "Just for the record, one little scratch from me and Sinbad dies. My talons are poison to humans."

Maeve stepped forward, her eyes flashing. "What do you want from us?" she challenged.

Phisto shrugged. "The usual. Dropping your weapons would be a good start."

Sinbad decided to take matters into his own hands. He lifted one hand with the intention of grabbing Phisto's talons.

Maeve realized that Sinbad intended to poison himself to save them and she cried out. "NO!" And as she did so, without thinking, she zapped Phisto in the foot.

The Demon Master howled with pain and his grip on Sinbad loosened.

Sinbad pulled free and scooped up his saber. Just as Phisto was gearing up to zap Maeve, Sinbad rushed forward and swung his saber with all his might. Phisto's head toppled off his shoulders...but never hit the ground. Head and body disappeared into smoke. As did the fire creatures.

"That was close," Firouz muttered, heaving a sigh of relief.

Maeve stomped over to Sinbad and slapped him, soundly, on the cheek.

"OW!" he cried, pressing his palm to his face. Sinbad stared at Maeve in disbelief. "What was that for?" he demanded.

"For being so damn noble!" she shouted, with a toss of her fiery hair. "You were going to poison yourself to save us...weren't you?"

Sinbad swallowed hard. He didn't want to answer that...not that speech was an option. For Sinbad found himself speechless in the face of Maeve's beauty. In her fury she was a wonder to behold.

Maeve stared him down. "Answer me, Sinbad," she commanded.

"Maeve...." that was all Sinbad could force out.

"Don't EVER do that again!" Maeve reproved him. Then she stomped away to retrieve her book and find the incantation that would send them back to Ritka.

*****

Once back in the village, Sinbad told his companions the truth about Keely. That she was just an illusion that Phisto had created. Doubar had asked why the Demon Master had hated Sinbad so.

Sinbad had been unable to answer that question. And, since Phisto was dead, he would never know the reason. But he could accept that and move on. After a good night's sleep, all had agreed that it was time to return to the Nomad and continue on in their search for Dim-Dim.

Once to sea again, Maeve sought Sinbad out. He was standing by the rail watching the setting sun. "Sinbad...can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, Maeve." Sinbad turned to face her.

"You told us that Keely was merely an illusion that Phisto had created.." Maeve watched Sinbad closely as she spoke, for she had come to learn that he spoke more with his eyes than with his words. "What I was wondering is...Why was she so important to you, Sinbad? When you thought she had died....You were devastated."

Sinbad nodded. There was no point in denying such an obvious truth. As he locked eyes with Maeve, he realized that he wanted her to understand. "I believe that children are the hope for the future, Maeve. They're the ones that keep hope alive, for they see the world through innocent eyes."

Maeve smiled at his words and nodded. "Ahh....that it explains it then," she said.

"Explains what?" Sinbad countered, frowning.

"It explains why...that from the moment I first met you, Sinbad...you reminded me of an overgrown child." Maeve leaned forward to brush a kiss against his cheek. The same cheek she had slapped earlier. Pressing her lips to Sinbad's ear, she whispered, "Don't ever change..." Then Maeve stepped back, turned on her heel, and walked away.

As Sinbad watched her go, he lifted one hand and touched his face. A soft smile curled his lips. "I won't, Maeve," he promised. Then his eyes turned back to gaze upon the sunset...and it was more beautiful than any other that had come before.

The End