A rose by any other name

by Shelly

"Be careful, Doubar," Firouz warned his friend. "We don't want to lose any of the supplies. We'll need everything for the villagers."

Doubar glared at the inventor. "I know that, Firouz. Listen....would you like to push this contraption of yours? Be my guest."

Firouz shook his head. The 'tri-wheeler', as he liked to call it, was too heavily laden for him to push with any speed. "No..no, Doubar," he replied, hastily. "You're doing just fine."

Sinbad ran up to his friend. "May I ask a question, Firouz?"

"Of course, Sinbad," Firouz invited. "What is it?"

"This...tri-wheeler...of yours. It's very helpful for carrying all of our supplies. But I'm puzzled as to it's name. I mean...it has only *one* wheel.

Firouz nodded. "Yes...the name can be misleading. But the *tri* is meant in reference to it's shape. That of a *tri* - angle. See?"

Sinbad nodded. Although he wasn't completely sure he did understand. It was simply easier to agree than to listen to Firouz spend twenty minutes explaining it to him. In the end Sinbad always walked away feeling even more confused than when he had started. "How much farther to Siri?" he countered. Judging that to be a safer question.

"About two more hours," Firouz replied.

Doubar was relieved. "Downhill, I hope."

Firouz grimaced. "Well...for the most part," he allowed.

Sinbad stopped walking. The hair on the back of his neck had risen, and he could sense trouble ahead. "I think we're about to have company," he warned his companions. "Look lively!" he shouted, drawing his saber. And just in time. A dozen riders on horseback came into view..

Doubar set down the tri-wheeler and drew his saber. He looked over at Firouz. "Friends of yours?"

"Nope!" Firouz replied. He had his own sword in hand.

Maeve sent Dermott into the sky. She was ready for some action. "They look like raiders," she commented to Sinbad.

He nodded. "Aye. Guard the supplies!" he cautioned his crew. And it was good advice, for the raiders surrounded the tri-wheeler.

One rider confronted Sinbad. "And are you the leader here?" he asked.

"I am," Sinbad confirmed. "And what can I do for you today?"

"Simple. Hand over your goods." The rider gestured to their supplies.

Sinbad smiled. "And if I refuse?"

The raider shrugged. "Then you die."

"Hmmm..." Sinbad pretended to consider his options. "You know...I think I prefer to FIGHT!" And so saying, he leaped forward and pulled the raider from his horse.

"Good choice!" Maeve shouted, as she attacked the raider closest to her.

Each member of Sinbad's crew had their hands full. Including Dermott, for the hawk did his part by dive bombing the horses, many of which bucked off their riders. Therefore helping to even up the odds.

Sinbad found himself battling two raiders. He managed to knock them both down. When they gained their feet they were furious, and intent on charging him from two sides. Sinbad stood his ground and, just before they reached him, he did a backflip which took him safely out of reach. The two raiders slammed into each other then keeled over and lay still. Sinbad laughed as he gazed down upon them. "Now that's what I call using your...heads." He looked about and was pleased to discover that his crew had sent the remaining raiders running.

"Sinbad...look out!" Maeve suddenly cried. She had spotted one of the raiders, who was about to release an arrow into Sinbad's back.

Just as Sinbad whirled around to defend himself, he heard a cry, and the archer fell off his horse. He lay, face down, on the ground, an arrow protruding from his back.

"What the...?" Sinbad mumured.

"That was a close one!" said a familiar...female...voice.

Maeve groaned as a rider came into view. It was Talia...the Pirate Queen who had once been Sinbad's lover.

Sinbad ran to greet her. "I owe you one, Talia," he said, as she slid off her horse and into his arms.

Talia laughed. "That you do, Sinbad," she told him. "And it's time to pay up." Talia curled her fingers in his hair and kissed him breathless. While Sinbad was recovering, she looked over at Maeve and smiled. She had to swallow a laugh when the sorceress scowled at her then turned away with a toss of her pretty, red hair. Talia returned her attention to Sinbad. "You're looking wonderful, handsome. As usual." Talia was a bit disappointed when Sinbad didn't blush. Compliments had a habit of embarrassing him.

"You're looking quite beautiful yourself, Talia," Sinbad countered with a smile. He had been expecting her teasing this time. He reached out and touched her hair. The last time they'd met up the raven locks had been shoulder length. Now they were shorter than his own. "Nice hair cut," he drawled.

"You never mind, you old sea slug," Talia shot back. Her fingers tugged his thick, silky mane. "You've been letting yours grow out, I see."

Sinbad shrugged. "I don't pay it much mind. So why the new *do*, Talia? Surely there must be a story behind it."

Talia grinned. "There is...but I haven't the time to tell it properly right now. Let's just say I got it caught in something and leave it at that." Talia stepped around Sinbad to greet Doubar and the others. Then she returned to Sinbad. "I need your help."

Maeve rolled her eyes. "What else is new? So what do plan on stealing this time, Talia?"

"The Star Ruby," Talia replied with a smile.

Sinbad shook his head. "I though you had gone straight," he said.

Talia grimaced. "I have!" she insisted. "Truly. But I've run into a bit of trouble."

Doubar laughed. "Now why do I find that *hard* to believe?" he teased. "Talia...you and trouble are the best of friends."

"Don't I know it," she admitted, grinning. "But it's my crew that's in need of help." Talia took Sinbad's hand. "Four of my men have been taken prisoner by an evil King named Mortimer. He's agreed to release them if I agree to get him the Star Ruby from the Shrine of Sisyphus."

"Why doesn't he just go and get it himself?" Firouz interjected.

Talia sighed. "Well....it's cursed."

Sinbad groaned. "What is it with you and curses, Talia?" he questioned.

"What can I say?" she replied, holding up her hands. "So....Sinbad...will you help me?"

"Well..." Sinbad looked at his crew. "We're on our way to Siri with supplies, Talia. The village has been stricken with a fever and they need our help."

Talia bit her lip. She could understand that...especially knowing how noble Sinbad was. "Oh...that's okay then," she told him. "Don't worry about me. I'll think of something." She backed towards her horse. "You know me, Sinbad. I always think best under pressure."

Sinbad nodded. "I do know." He followed her to her horse. "I also know that I owe you my life, Talia. And I always pay my debts." Sinbad turned to address his crew. "Firouz, you and the others journey on to Siri. I'll go help Talia free her men and catch up with you there when we're done."

Maeve didn't like the sound of that. Talia was nothing but trouble, especially when it came to Sinbad. And he was too darn trusting for his own good. Not to mention for Maeve's sanity. "I'll come with you," she offered.

"No, Maeve," Sinbad said softly. "Firouz and the villagers of Siri need you more than I do right now. Talia and I will manage."

Talia clapped him on the shoulder. "That's right, Sinbad. We've always been an unbeatable team." As she spoke, Talia watched Maeve. She was pleased to see that the Sorceress was jealous.

Maeve wanted to scream with frustration, but she wouldn't give Sinbad...or Talia....the satisfaction. So she simply shrugged. "Fine by me," she drawled, turning on her heel and gliding off to call to Dermott.

Sinbad watched Maeve go, and felt as if he had somehow offended her. He just couldn't imagine how. He turned to smile at Talia. "Shall we go?"

"The sooner the better," she replied. "Give me a leg up, would you?" Talia asked, as she grabbed her horse's reins. Once in the saddle she held out a hand to pull Sinbad up behind her. "Hang on," she cautioned. She pressed her heels into the stallion's sides and they leaped into a gallop.

Doubar watched them go, then he looked over at Maeve. "Don't worry about Sinbad, Maeve. He'll be allright."

Maeve glared at Doubar. "As if I care!" she spat. Then she stomped off in the direction of Siri, leaving the others to follow in her wake.

*****

For a time, as Sinbad and Talia galloped along, Sinbad simply allowed himself to enjoy the wind on his face, and the feel of a beautiful woman in his arms. His only wish being that it were Maeve that he held. He still was puzzled by why she seemed upset with him. Sinbad vowed to confront her about it later, when they met up in Siri.

As dusk began to fall, Talia eased the stallion into a walk, then they stopped. "We'd best make camp for the night," she suggested.

"Good idea," Sinbad agreed as he slid off the horses back. "How much farther to King Mortimer's castle?" he asked.

"You've been reading my mind again, Sinbad," Talia said with a laugh. She pulled the saddle off the stallion then used the blanket to rub him down. "About a half days ride," she answered. "So...we try to rescue my men before trying to steal the Star Ruby?" she commented.

Sinbad nodded. "It's our best bet. For all we know, King Mortimer would still kill them, even if you bring him the ruby. And us as well."

Talia nodded. "I wouldn't put it past him." She watched Sinbad walk away. "Where are you going?" she called after him.

"To find kindling for a fire," Sinbad told her. Then he saluted and ran off.

*****

Two hours later, they were warm and replete. Talia had a supply of bread, cheese and wine in her saddle bags, so Sinbad was content as he watched the flickering flames of the fire.

Talia moved to sit beside him. He was propped up against a thick tree trunk, and she watched the glow of the flames halo his face. Sinbad had a beauty that was rare in men, and he never ceased to take Talia's breath away. A half smile, brought out dimples in his cheeks, and Talia was curious as to what brought about such a look. "Drachma for your thoughts," she offered.

Sinbad laughed softly. "I was just thinking about Maeve," he admitted.

"Oh..." Talia muttered. She wasn't overly thrilled to hear that.

"Yes," Sinbad said. "I was remembering the time when we stayed with a gypsy camp for a few days and the women tried to teach her to bake bread over an open fire." Sinbad chuckled and shook his head. "She burned it black, but was bound and determined to eat it if it killed her. Maeve is as stubborn as they come." And Sinbad realized that it was a trait of hers that he truly admired.

Talia grimaced and decided that it was time to refocus Sinbad's attention. Upon herself. She smiled and reached out to pull off his head band. Then she tangled his fingers in his thick hair. It felt like cool silk and Talia sighed with pleasure. "I've always loved your hair, Sinbad," she purred. "It's so soft...and so beautiful. You should grow it to your knees, like the men of Tunislissia do."

Sinbad felt himself flush. "Talia..." he began.

"Shhh...." she told him, pressing fingertips to his lips. Then she kissed him. Talia felt Sinbad start to resist, but she almost laughed with glee when, a moment later, he kissed her back. It was Talia who pulled away first, to smile into his beautiful eyes. "Be honest with yourself, Sinbad," she beseeched him. "You want this as much as I do. We've always been so good together." As she spoke, Talia slid her hands inside his shirt.

"We were good together," Sinbad replied, as he grabbed Talia's wrists and set her from him. "But that was in the past," he said firmly.

Talia scowled at him. "And this is the present. Right? And now there's...Maeve?"

Sinbad couldn't deny it. "Yes....Maeve." He shook his head. "I have deep feelings for her, Talia." Feelings that frightened him most of the time.

"And she for you," the Pirate Queen replied. Her honesty surprised her. She must be growing soft in her old age. Talia laughed to herself. She knew that she would always have a *soft spot* in her heart for Sinbad.

"I'm not so sure what Maeve's feelings are," Sinbad admitted. Then he bit his lip. He had said too much. "Ummm...I think we should get some sleep, Talia." Sinbad smiled at her then curled up on his side and closed his eyes.

Talia smiled back, then snuggled up behind him. She felt Sinbad begin to pull away and she slapped his behind. "Relax," she told him. "We'll be warmer if we cuddle. Strictly platonic."

Sinbad had his doubts about that, but he would take her at his word. So he turned to face Talia and pulled her against his chest. He would feel better if he could keep an eye on her. "Goodnight, Talia," he whispered.

"Goodnight, Sinbad," she replied, as she snuggled up against him happily.

To Sinbad's surprise, he felt instantly asleep.

*****

Sinbad and Talia reached Mortimer's castle before midday. Both had been up just as dawn streaked the sky, and they had made good time. They slid from the stallion's back and left the animal outside the gates. Talia led Sinbad inside through the back entrance she had discovered. She wanted to check on her men, and Sinbad wanted to locate the King. So they split up.

Sinbad kept count of Mortimer's soldiers. The King had a vast army. It wouldn't be easy escaping their notice, especially when there would be six of them needing to slip away...unnoticed. Yet Sinbad felt they would stand a fair chance of escaping with Talia's crew. So long as they waited for nightfall. He even had a plan, half worked out. Sinbad was smiling to himself as he slipped through an empty passageway that he believed would lead him to the main hall. He heard voices, one quite loud. And he felt certain that it belonged to the King.

"Oh no..." Sinbad groaned, his smile fading as he peered into the great hall. Standing before the King, trapped between two soldiers, was Talia. "What now?" Sinbad muttered to himself. And was sorry he'd asked when the King suddenly shouted...

"Come out...come out, where ever you are, Sinbad! Or Talia dies!"

Sinbad shook his head, but knew he had no choice. The King was holding a dagger to Talia's throat. So Sinbad slipped out of his hiding place and strolled into the room. Smiling, he said, "What a gracious invitation, your highness. How could I refuse?"

Two soldiers stepped forward and bound Sinbad's wrists with a satin cord. They also relieved him of his saber. Then they escorted him to the dais where the King awaited.

Mortimer smiled at Sinbad. "I've heard many stories about you, Sinbad. It will be interesting to discover how much of them is true."

"Really?" Sinbad countered, as he glared over Talia. "You know... you shouldn't listen to gossip."

"Gossip?" King Mortimer repeated, with a hearty laugh. "Oh...but Sinbad the Sailor is a legend. And how remarkable for someone so young."

Sinbad sighed, then decided it was time to be direct. "You have Talia's men, now you have Talia and me. So...what's the bottom line, Sire? What are you going to do with us?"

King Mortimer tapped his chin with one forefinger. "Hmmm...interesting question, Sinbad. I believe that I will keep you here as hostage. The Caliph of Baghdad will pay a King's ransom for your safe return. Of that I have no doubt."

"I wouldn't be too sure of that," Sinbad countered. He wasn't.

"Oh...I'm very sure, Sinbad." Mortimer stepped closer to Sinbad, studying the handsome face. The sailor showed no fear...nor arrogance. Mortimer was impressed, for most men feared him. He then turned to Talia. "As for you, my dear. You have two days in which to get me the Star Ruby. At the end of which, if you have failed...your men die."

Talia was furious. "You low down...no GOOD..." her tirade was cut short by a soldier's hand over her mouth.

King Mortimer gestured to his men. "Escort her outside the castle gates. "Two days, Talia," he reminded her, as she was dragged off.

Sinbad watched her go, then addressed Mortimer. "And how long am I to be your prisoner?" he asked.

"Your not a prisoner, Sinbad," the King countered. "You're my...guest. Take Sinbad to the tower room," he ordered his men.

"Uh..." Sinbad dug in his heels. "If you don't mind, I think I would prefer to be chained up in the dungeon with Talia's men."

King Mortimer shrugged. "Actually, Sinbad, I do mind. For two reasons."

Sinbad frowned. "And they would be?"

"First...You're a very special...guest, Sinbad. And I'm certain to get more from the Caliph if you're treated well."

"And second?" Sinbad prompted, suspiciously.

Mortimer met and held the younger man's bright gaze. "Secondly....I don't trust you, Sinbad. I wouldn't put it past you to find some way to help Talia's men to escape."

Sinbad laughed. "While chained to the wall?" he protested. "Come now, Sire. I'm not that good."

"That's not what I've heard, Sinbad," the King replied. Then he waved his hand and his soldiers dragged the sailor off.

*****

Maeve was standing by the well when Dermott sent her the images of Sinbad and Talia. Maeve didn't trust the Pirate Queen not to double cross her own men, and she certainly would be of little use in rescuing Sinbad. At least...alone. So Maeve dropped the bucket back down the well, grabbed up her cloak and headed out of the village. She didn't bother to tell Doubar and the others where she was going. They were needed in Siri. She would hook up with Talia herself, Maeve decided. And then they would rescue Sinbad.

*****

The tower room, where Sinbad was taken to, was at the top of the central spire. It was luxuriously decorated, by Sinbad was oblivious to it's charms. He was interested only in finding some way to escape. Of which there was none. Two soldiers guarded the locked door, and the only window had a three hundred foot drop to the courtyard below. Sinbad was well, and truly, trapped. And it frustrated him to no end. He was ready to start flinging pillows across the room.

As Sinbad paced he muttered beneath his breath, "Why is it that Rumina is never around when you really need her?" For the sorceress was the only one who could spirit him away from his prison.

"You rang, dearest?" inquired a soft, feminine voice.

Sinbad whirled around to discover Rumina smiling at him. "What are you doing here?" he challenged.

Rumina shrugged. "You know what they say, Sinbad...Ask and ye shall receive." She turned from him. "I can go if you like."

"No!" Sinbad stepped forward to grab her arm. "Umm...I really could use your help, Rumina."

"I can see that," she acknowledged, letting her hand glide up Sinbad's arm then down over his chest. She gently plucked the soft, dark hairs that covered his bronzed skin. "So....what do you want from me?" Rumina questioned.

Sinbad realized he was inviting trouble, but he also knew he had no choice. "I need to get out of here and free Talia's crew from the dungeon."

Rumina laughed softly. "Already done, dearest. Anything else?"

"Hah?" Sinbad frowned at the sorceress. "What do you mean 'already done' ?"

"What word didn't you understand?" Rumina countered. "Talia's men are free. I sent them back to her ship. The Wandering...something or other."

Sinbad shook his head. "The Wandering Rose," he supplied.

Rumina nodded, then tangled her fingers in Sinbad's hair. "Right," she purred. "Now what?"

"Can you get me out of here?" Sinbad requested.

"With pleasure," Rumina replied, reaching for his hand. "Hang on."

Sinbad had the foresight to close his eyes, so he didn't see himself misted out of the tower room....but he felt it. When he had regained his equilibrium, he opened his eyes and discovered himself standing in the middle of a richly decorated boudoir. He glared at Rumina. "Where are we?"

Rumina laughed softly as she moved to sit on the satin covered bed. "My place," she drawled. "Do you like it?"

"Rumina..." Sinbad had to take a deep breath and swallow his anger, before he could continue. "I have to find Talia before she steals the Star Ruby."

"Oh...that cursed old thing?" Rumina pouted prettily. "It's far too gaudy for my taste. But don't worry, dearest. Talia and Maeve are big girls. They can take care of themselves."

Sinbad did a double take. "Did you say Talia and MAEVE?" he countered. "They're together?"

Rumina nodded. "Hard to believe...isn't it? You inspire that kind of devotion in a woman's heart, Sinbad. We really can't help ourselves."

"We have to stop them!" Sinbad shouted, as he tried to ignore the heat that flushed his skin. "Please, Rumina..."

"Tell you what, Sinbad." Rumina stretched out on the bed and smiled at the handsome sailor. In spite of herself, Rumina felt her blood stir at the sight of him. "I'll make you a deal"

Sinbad eyed her with suspicion. He knew better than to trust Rumina's deals. "What kind of a deal?" he countered.

Rumina patted the space beside her, and waited for Sinbad to sit down before she would continue. "I'll transport you to the Shrine of Sisyphus under one condition."

"Which is?" Sinbad prompted.

"That once you have rescued your *lady* friends, you come back here and spend one, full day with me. Twenty-four hours. During which time you will keep an open mind and allow yourself the chance to get to know the real me." Rumina held out one, slim hand. "Deal?"

Sinbad knew he had no choice, so he took her hand in his. "Deal."

Rumina laughed, then a moment later Sinbad found himself standing at the Shrine of Sisyphus. Maeve and Talia were no where to be found, so Sinbad deduced that they had not yet arrived. Which was only logical, he reminded himself. By his calculations they wouldn't get there for over half a day. So Sinbad settled himself comfortably beneath a shady tree...to wait.

*****

The village of Siri was making a slow recovery, and Firouz and Doubar were taking a break by the well. They had been so busy that they hadn't noticed that Maeve was missing. But Rongar had. When he let them know, Doubar shook his head.

"Unless I miss my guess, she'll have gone after Sinbad and Talia," he stated.

Firouz nodded. "I'd say you were right." He shook his head. "Wonder why she didn't tell us?"

Doubar laughed. "Probably because she knew we would tease her."

"Just a little," Firouz allowed, grinning from ear to ear. "Sinbad and Maeve spend more time pretending that they don't care...I've never seen anything like it. It's so...so..."

"Unscientific?" Doubar supplied.

Firouz nodded. "Exactly. Point of fact...they have a highly combustible chemistry."

Doubar frowned. "Is that good or bad?"

"That's very good." Firouz warmed to his subject. "Let me explain."

"Later," Doubar told him, holding up one hand. "We've got work to do. And, so saying, he practically ran towards the nearest cottage.

Firouz looked at Rongar and frowned. "Was it something I said?"

Rongar's only reply was to point towards the nearby woods. He had already collected enough firewood to last the village for days. But he felt a sudden urge to collect some more.

*****

It didn't take Maeve long to locate Talia, thanks to Dermott. The Pirate Queen wasn't exactly happy to see her, and she practically ran Maeve down with her Stallion. Until Maeve zapped the ground in front of the horse, which reared up and tossed Talia off it's back.

The pirate queen glared up at the sorceress. "Very funny," she growled.

Maeve sniffed and tossed her head. "Listen...suffice it to say that neither one of us cares for the other. Fine by me. But we both have feelings for Sinbad, and he needs our help. So...I say we put aside our differences, temporarily, and help him. Yes?"

"Well," Talia drawled, as she rose to her feet and slapped dust off her bottom. "Since you put it that way....why not?" She laughed and shook her head. "I'm always up for a new adventure...and this should prove to be very interesting." Talia remounted the stallion then held out her hand to Maeve. "You coming...or not?"

"Coming," Maeve declared. She swung herself up behind the pirate queen with easy grace. "Well...let's go," Maeve ordered.

Talia clucked her tongue and they galloped off.

They rode in silence for several miles, then Talia decided it was time to clear the air. "You're a lucky woman, Maeve," she declared.

Maeve was surprised to hear this. "Oh...how so?" she questioned.

"Well...I know that Sinbad loves me...in his own way," Talia replied. "But he loves you with his heart."

"And what would you know about that?" Maeve shot back. Although, secretly, she was pleased.

Talia sighed. "Sinbad and I were very close once. We've shared alot. Adventure and romance. I'll cherish those memories...but that's all I'll ever have. That...and a few regrets."

Maeve was intrigued, in spite of herself. "Regret?" she repeated.

"Oh yes." Talia laughed softly. "Sinbad and I parted ways because I let my head rule my heart. My head wanted wealth...my heart wanted Sinbad."

"But..when you sailed with him, I thought he was wealthy?" Maeve said, remembering what Doubar had told her of Sinbad's past life.

Talia nodded. "Oh yes...Sinbad was quite wealthy. But it wasn't something he shouted to the world. He simply accepted what he had, he never flaunted it."

Maeve knew that to be true. "He still doesn't," she whispered.

"True enough," Talia replied. Then she laughed softly as favorite memories filled her thoughts. "I've always loved him best on the open sea," she said. "I would sit and watch him standing at rail, looking out over the water, with the sun beating down on his head. Sometimes he was so beautiful that it would steal my breath away."

"I know," Maeve confessed....much to her surprise. But she found that she wanted to share her thoughts with Talia, for she knew that the other woman would understand. "I'm always afraid that he'll catch me staring."

Talia giggled. "So what? I never cared if he did. Sinbad doesn't have a vain bone in his body, so he could never figure out why I was staring at him. He'd just look at me, tilt his head in that way he has, and smile." Talia gave a small sigh. "And those dimples," she breathed. "Oh....I could melt just thinking about them." Another thought occurred. "And don't you just want to bury your fingers in his hair...all the way up to your elbows?"

Maeve could picture Sinbad clearly, his thick chestnut hair flowing in the sea breeze. "Aye..." she whispered. "I do."

*****

King Mortimer was not happy to discover that Sinbad had disappeared from the tower room. He ordered two men beheaded for that. When told that Talia's crewmen were also gone, Mortimer went on a rampage. It was a wonder that he had any soldiers left to send off looking for his missing prisoners. As he stomped across the bloodstained floors, he glared at his house servants. "Clean up this mess!" he shouted.

The servants scurried to obey.

*****

It was nearing dusk when Talia and Maeve reached the Shrine of Sisyphus. Talia was regaling Maeve with the tale of her and Sinbad's adventure when they had attempted to steal a treasure chest of riches From the most feared pirate of the east...Red Eye.

..You see," Talia was explaining. "Red Eye had stolen it from us, after we had taken it from the ship of a rather nasty Sultan. So, actually, we were stealing back something that belong to us in the first place."

Maeve laughed. "You mean, something that you had stolen first."

Talia shrugged. "Whatever. Anyway...Red Eye was in this dump of a tavern, and I was supposed to keep him, and his men, distracted while Sinbad watched my back. Meanwhile our crew would slip onto Red Eye's ship and steal back the treasure."

"So what happened?" Maeve prompted, curious in spite of herself.

"Well.." Talia laughed so hard she began to choke. She caught her breath and was able to continue. "It turns out that Red Eye was more interested in Sinbad...than me." Another giggle escaped. "You should have seen the look on our beloved Captain's face when Red Eye started flirting with him!"

Maeve dissolved into laughter at the image Talia's words evoked. And she vowed to confront Sinbad with this story sometime in the near future. But, for now, they had reached the shrine. Maeve slipped off the Stallion's back, then realized they weren't alone. She was just about to draw her sword when she realized who was beneath the tree.

Talia had realized it as well, and a smile lit up her face as she tiptoed forward. Sinbad was sound asleep. Talia looked over at Maeve. "He's always slept with the innocence of a babe," she commented.

"Really..." Maeve countered, frowning. Then she put aside her jealousy in exchange for her curiosity. "What I want to know is, what's he doing here?"

At that moment Sinbad came awake, and he jumped to his feet. He was so happy to see Maeve that he pulled her into his arms for a hug, without thinking.

Maeve allowed it, and was actually pleased. Especially when she noticed Talia frowning at her. But then her curiosity got the better of her again and she pulled away. "What are you doing here, Sinbad?" she asked. "I thought you were King Mortimer's prisoner?"

Sinbad nodded. "I was. But Rumina got me out." He grinned at Talia. "She also freed your men. They're safely back on your ship."

Talia frowned. "Who's Rumina?" she questioned.

"A witch!" Maeve spat. She glared at Sinbad. "And what does she want in return?" For Maeve knew that the sorceress hadn't rescued Sinbad out of the goodness of her heart. Especially since she didn't have a heart.

Rumina appeared then, to answer the question herself. She looped her arm through Sinbad's. "Sinbad has agreed to spend one day with me," she replied, enjoying the fire that flashed in Maeve's eyes.

Sinbad didn't want to make matters worse between the two sorceress' so he turned to Talia. "I think it would be best if you returned to you ship right away, Talia," he advised. "No doubt King Mortimer will send his men to find you."

Talia nodded. "You're right there." She went to Sinbad and pulled his head down for a kiss. A very thorough kiss. And she could feel the eyes of the other two women scorching in to her. When she released Sinbad, she felt him sway on his feet. "Goodbye, you old sea slug," she told him, before moving to remount her horse.

"Goodbye, Talia," Sinbad whispered. Then he swallowed hard and regained his senses. Mostly. "Maeve, return to the village and tell the others where I am. I'll meet up with you here...tomorrow night."

Maeve was not pleased, but she knew better than to argue with Sinbad. He had given his word to Rumina, and so he would keep it. "Fine," she said sharply. Then she stepped forward, buried her fingers in Sinbad's hair, and kissed him. When she pulled away...they were both breathless. Maeve looked into Sinbad's blue eyes and saw.....the image of her own heart.

Rumina had had enough. She grabbed Sinbad's arm and snarled at Maeve. Then she waved one hand and they vanished into a gray mist.

"Hmph..." Maeve snorted. Then she smiled as she pressed her fingertips to her lips. They tingled, and Maeve could still feel the warm, sweetness of Sinbad's kiss...for he had returned her passion most fervidly. "Enjoy your one day, Rumina.." Maeve whispered softly. "For that's all you're going to get." Although Maeve had no idea what, exactly, tomorrow would bring...she was certain of one thing. Whatever her future...Sinbad was a part of it. And Maeve found that thought gave her a sense of peace, and comfort, that she hadn't known in long time. And, in a strange way, she had Talia to thank for it. The thought wiped the smile from Maeve's face..but it couldn't wipe the warmth from her heart.

 The End