Stranger Things Have Happened
By Noelerin
"What a way to end such a perfect day!" Sinbad exclaimed. "Should've known better than trust it."
"Aye. Things that start out well never seem to stay that way for long." Doubar mused as he took the tiller from his bother. Bryn tied down the lines as Firouz and Rongar tied down the cargo.
"I don't think this storm is natural, it feels strange." Bryn observed quietly to Firouz.
"I agree with you. Storms like this shouldn't happen in this area, and even if they did they wouldn't be this extreme." Firouz concurred.
"Thank you, Mister Science. Nevertheless, it is happening." Doubar retorted.
"Bryn, grab that line, Firouz, watch out for that box!" Sinbad ordered from his position on the rigging.
"Yes, sir!" They sprang into action.
Sinbad was about to help them when something in the storm caught his eye. It looked like an opening in the midst of the storm. He climbed down and went to the side, pulling out the magnascope. "What the...Bryn! Take a look at this!"
Bryn quickly finished the job and went over to look, feeling that something weird was about to happen. Before her eyes, Sinbad was thrown off the ship by a tremendous wave. "Sinbad!" Her bracelet glowing Bryn dived over the side of the Nomad impulsively.
"Bryn, no!" the crew yelled, fearing a repeat of the Maeve incident. Following its glow, she looked for Sinbad. Then suddenly the glow stopped! Bryn surfaced and looked around, the storm had abated somewhat and she could see a little better. Swimming towards the Nomad, she spotted an island towards the east. Firouz and Rongar helped her aboard.
She coughed for a few moments, breathing deeply as Firouz instructed her to. Then she glanced over at Doubar, shrugging. "I couldn't find him, but I did see an island we could check out."
Doubar turned towards the island and waited for her to join him before he asked her what was wrong? "You look like you've seen a ghost, lass." He commented.
She grinned wryly. "Not a ghost, Doubar. When I went to find Sinbad, I was following the glow of my bracelet, then it suddenly stopped. I'm afraid." * I never got a chance to tell Sinbad how much I cared. What if I never do get a chance?
"I'm sure it doesn't mean anything. Sinbad's a fighter, he'd make it through." Doubar remarked.
"I'm sure you're right." Bryn looked out at the storm and called Dermott to her. * Dermott, go find Sinbad.
* I will, don't worry a storm like this wouldn't kill him.
* I know, its just that...Think you can make it?
* Don't be silly, of course I can. Dermott ignored her slip, he could feel something odd as well. Bryn smiled and let him go.
The storm ceased shortly thereafter. Once on the island they split up to find the Captain. The island they landed on gave the crew bad vibes, not that it wasn't a veritable paradise. It was lush, with plenty to eat but something hung in the air. Spotting Dermott the crew followed him and saw Sinbad surrounded by a bevy of nymphs. There was something different about the way he was dressed but it was a subtle difference.
"Wait, that's not Sinbad. I mean it looks like him, but something is wrong." Bryn stopped them, her skin tingled with a sense of danger.
"Bryn, I think I know my own brother. It must be the island, it gives me the creeps as well." The men headed over to Sinbad.
Bryn reluctantly following, trying to figure out what was wrong. * He looks the same, but that's not the Sinbad we know. But maybe Doubar's right and it's the island.
Sinbad looked up as they approached, then shook off the nymphs as he stood up to great them. "Hello. You guys arrived just when it was getting good. Please join the feast."
"But Sinbad, what about the Nomad?" Doubar asked, resisting the urge to hug him. Time enough for that later.
"Repairs can wait. That was one mighty storm. Oh," Sinbad said as he caught sight of Bryn, his eyes looked her up and down. He definitely liked what he was seeing. "Who is this fair maiden?"
"Sinbad, did you get hit on the head? This is Bryn, she's been a part of our crew for more than a year now." Firouz answered.
"What happened to Maeve?" Sinbad absently asked, not really caring. The beauty before him captured his whole attention. A devilish light entered his eyes when he saw how nervous he made her. Oh, I like this. He thought.
"Master Dim-Dim came and got her. Sinbad, are you sure you are all right?" Firouz asked, going over to check his pulse and eyes. "Maybe you should sit down so I can take a look at your head?"
Sinbad easily evaded the doctor's questing hands, eyes fixed on Bryn. "I'm fine. Firouz must be right I think I did hit my head, how else to explain forgetting one so fair." So saying, he bowed over Bryn's hand and pulled her over to sit beside him.
The others exchanged glances but weren't going to make waves, their captain was probably suffering from the being in the water and would soon recover. Besides, the food just looked so good and the women were just so tempting. Only Dermott watched them through suspicious eyes, wishing that Rongar was there to protect Bryn from Sinbad's unwanted attentions.
Bryn smiled shyly, almost against her will, and shivered with fear, and something else which she ruthlessly squashed. * Now I know that this isn't Sinbad. He'd never treat the Nomad so casually and while we've flirted occasionally he's never been so, so convincing. But if he's not Sinbad, who is he and where is our real captain?
Part 2
Sinbad awoke to find himself in a strange room that was ornate and just screamed of wealth and decadence. He could tell that the sheets he was lying on were made of silk, not to mention the pajamas, he thought wryly. "Good morning, sleepy head." purred a seductive voice near his right ear. Sinbad looked over and saw Maeve wearing a smile and not much else. * What is going on here? "Maeve? What are you doing here?" He thought it best not to ask what she was wearing, the woman had a mean right hook.
"You were expecting someone else?" Maeve cried.
"Well, yes actually. You're with Master Dim-Dim, remember?"
"That's silly. Why would I be with that lunatic?" She laughed, snuggling closer.
"Because...Never mind. How's the Nomad?" He tried to remain calm as a sinking feeling entered his stomach.
"The Nomad?" Her voice was puzzled, her brow was wrinkled up in confusion.
"My ship. I thought for sure you'd be on board helping to repair her." Sinbad was exasperated, near the end of his patience.
"What a silly idea, me on a boat and fixing it! The very idea. Besides as your fiancée my place is beside you."
"Fiancée'! When did this happen?" Sinbad sat up in shock. He couldn't help it, his confusion was just too great.
"Oh, Sinbad! How could you forget the greatest thing that's ever happened to us?" Maeve wailed in despair and ran from the room.
"Good morning, your highness. Did you and Maeve have a spat?"
"You could say that, Firouz. Did you just say your highness? It's me, Captain Sinbad and where is Bryn, I'd like to talk to her."
"Don't you remember? Oh dear, that conk on the head must have rattled more than I thought. Sinbad after you conquered Baghdad and Basra you decided that 'Your highness' was more befitting a man of your station."
"I did?"
"Yes, and who is this Bryn?"
"She's one of my crew, and one of the best women I've ever met." He sighed, noticing the blank look on his friend's face. "Firouz, don't you remember her? She has amnesia."
"I don't know what you're talking about your highness." Firouz cautioned. "But if I were you I wouldn't mention this lady around Maeve, she's very sensitive you know."
Sinbad thought, with some amusement. * Maeve sensitive? If I hadn't have thought that something was wrong before I know now. Firouz looked in his eyes, checked his temperature, and felt around the bump on his head. "I don't want you to get out of bed, I'll let the council know that you must not be disturbed. Now about that hand held lasers you wanted for you next campaign..."
"Hand held lasers! Firouz, I thought you only invented things to help others."
"I think you swallowed too much sea water, sire. Since we are planning to storm Nahalig, we need better weapons, you know that. As for helping people that's so absurd, we are concerned with more important things. Get some rest, the council will not be put off for long. Tomorrow you are meeting with Prince Rongar, he wants to know what you want him to do in this campaign."
"All right, I'll rest. See that I am not disturbed by any one for the rest of the day. You may go now."
Firouz nodded then turned on his heel and left. "Guards! No one, absolutely no one is to disturb his highness. If they need to speak to him, send them directly to me. Do not leave this door unguarded, you will lose your heads if you do!"
"I didn't say that, Firouz." Sinbad commented, wondering if he made those kinds of comments all the time.
"I was anticipating your whim, sir." He turned to the men, "understand?" They nodded at him and then Firouz went to find Maeve. * That insensitive clod! Having a beautiful woman like Maeve to spend the rest of his life with and he goes on about some other woman who doesn't even exist, as though she's some trinket. If Maeve was my girl, I'd never treat her so callously. Firouz found Maeve in the music room of the palace, wiping away her tears.
She saw him and threw herself into his arms, "Oh Firouz, my very dearest friend. Sinbad acts like we aren't engaged, he thought I was with that crazy Dim-Dim and he wanted to know about his ship. His ship! He didn't even notice my new outfit, he doesn't love me anymore."
"There, there my dear. I'm sure he still loves you. But Sinbad was in the water for quite some time and he hit his head very hard. There is no telling what he saw or heard while he was under the water. He will be acting quite strange for a few days."
"Will he ever recover and be the man I want to marry again?" She pulled back and looked at him for an answer, eyes teary.
"Yes I'm sure he will. Just ignore what he says, we must do our best not to anger him. That way, he will recover faster." Firouz comforted her.
"Firouz, you're so good to me." Maeve purred contentedly, snuggling into his hold.
Sinbad looked around the room, then down at his bracelet, * Bryn wherever you are, I hope you hear me. I need your help. I'm surrounded by lunatics and I'm engaged to marry Maeve, who is acting like a nincompoop. Help me!
Part 3
"Oh, what a beautiful morning!" Bryn smiled as she took in the beauty of the morning and smelled the salty sea air that the wind was blowing lightly in their direction.
"There I must disagree with you, my angel. You are beautiful, the morning doesn't compare." Bryn turned around and saw Sinbad standing behind her. As he looked at her in the glow of the morning, he was glad that he'd gotten up earlier than he normally did. It was worth it. He chuckled to himself, enough with the poetry, my boy. Let's get down to some serious romancing.
"Good morning, captain. Do we start repairs today?" She smoothed back her hair, glancing over at him while wondering where Dermott was.
Sinbad took her hand and kissed it. He looked at her as he caressed her hand and replied, "No, I believe today is a good day for us to go on a picnic and get to know each other better."
"But, Sinbad, as lovely as that sounds, we need to fix the Nomad and deliver these goods." She was nervous and tried to withdraw her hand from his. The way he was stroking it made it hard for her to think about anything but him. And she knew she needed to concentrate.
He chuckled, tightening his grip. "Bryn, we don't need to rush. The delivery and the Nomad can wait, I'm sure they would understand about the delay. You have been a part of my life for a year and I barely know you. I want to make up for lost time." Sinbad started to draw Bryn closer when Dermott flew in and startled him. He glared at the hawk who seemed pretty pleased with himself. "What is wrong with that bird?"
"He probably needs to stretch his wings. We'll be back." Bryn fled as Doubar walked over. * Thanks Dermott.
* No problem, Bryn. I agree with you, that is not Sinbad. But where is he?
* I wish I knew. This guy is way too hard to handle, and he is just too intense for me. Dermott, he really gives me the willies.
* Bryn, I will help you avoid him as much as I can. He doesn't appear to like having me around much, maybe that will be our advantage.
* Good thinking. Bryn smiled at Dermott and followed him as he stretched his wings.
"Little brother, Rongar and I are starting the repairs to the hull. Firouz wanted to see you in his lab." Doubar joined him then.
"Excellent." Sinbad smiled and rubbed his hands. "Hopefully he will have the prototypes ready for me to see a demonstration."
"Proto-whats?" Doubar was confused, wondering if Bryn was right. There was something odd about his brother, though it could be because of the accident.
"Nothing Doubar." Sinbad turned towards Firouz's lab, * I must remember that Doubar doesn't know about my plans to take Nahalig. He thinks that I am quite content with what I have now. Fool! And yet, I don't know what I would do without him. Ah, Bryn. What a lucky escape you had, but I'll get you alone yet. I do so love a chase, and boy, will she be worth the effort. Smiling wickedly at this thought Sinbad walked in to see Firouz.
"Ah, Sinbad! You are just in time to see my latest invention...a music box. You see it works by...Sinbad, you look confused." Firouz paused when he saw the look on Sinbad's face. "Don't you remember? We decided that we would give Bryn a present, sort of like a birthday present, only it's for her being with us for a year."
"Oh, that's right. I guess I just forgot. Yesterday must have taken more out of me than I thought. I'll think I'm going to lay down for a while." Turning around, Sinbad left the room. * I may be slow but I think I'm not were I belong. They say Maeve is with Dim-Dim, which is strange because he's a nut. Firouz is absent minded and now that I think about it Prince Rongar doesn't talk. Sinbad saw Bryn walking along the beach and ran to join her. "Bryn, wait up!"
At the sound of his voice Bryn froze in her tracks and slowly turned around...
Part 4
* Oh, boy am I in a pickle. I am some power crazed maniac, Firouz is clear headed and into violent weapons, and Maeve is just being plain silly. I can only imagine what Doubar and Rongar are like. What am I going to do?
"The first thing you can do is stop the introspection, it's driving me bananas."
Sinbad opened his eyes and saw a young lady floating in mid-air, "Who are you?"
"My name is Alyssa and since you are a friend of Rongar's I am here to help you."
Sinbad sat up, "Then let's get started."
"That storm was not natural, it was caused by Dahak. There are two powers that must remain in balance, the power to create and the power to destroy. Dahak destroyed many of the Gods and then the Druids, then he was sent back into his own realm. But the damage he caused here had upset the balance, when he left it sent a shock wave throughout time. It just happened to pull together during the storm that you sailed into. The reason it affected you and your other self, I don't really understand."
"Okay, now that I know what's happened, how do we set things to rights? No offense against this realm, but I want to go home."
"We need to have someone on both sides of the rift raising havoc. If we can recreate that storm, it is possible for us to open the dimensional gate."
"I think if we could contact Bryn, we could work something out."
"That won't be a problem, I have the ability to travel through the dimensions. The biggest problem is you, in this world you're not exactly a gentleman."
"You mean, I think I'm the best thing that's happened to women?" She nodded, he grimaced. "Oh, Bryn is in for a shock. I know she can handle it. The main problem as I see it is the Nomad, no one will tell me anything."
"She's fine, a bit banged up but she'll sail."
Part 5
"Sinbad, I don't have the energy to fight you off. I...what's the matter?" His distressed manner caught her attention.
"I'm not your Sinbad, I just figured it out." He said simply.
"Is that all? No offense, but I realized that when I saw you on the beach with those Nymphs." Bryn replied, brown eyes focused on him. Dermott landed on her arm, ready to help her out if she needed him to.
"Bryn, I need to know what's happened to me. Why I'm here, and for how long?" Sinbad wondered how she had known and shelved that question aside to ask her later.
"I wish I knew. It was something in the storm that brought you here, but I don't know what. As to the length of your stay here...I can't say because I don't know. What I do know is that we need to repair the Nomad, if we are to send you back it must be at sea, where you first fell in. Does that make any sense?" She asked.
"I guess, but how did you know that I wasn't your Sinbad?" He decided to ask because he really wanted to know how she knew when not even his brother knew.
Bryn considered the question and carefully phrased her answer, not wanting to give too much away. He may act like he wanted to go home but...there was a dark aura around him that troubled her. "I had a feeling that you weren't him. Besides, Sinbad would never have stayed with Nymphs when he knew we would be looking for him." She thought to herself, and Sinbad would never have flirted with me the way you did. Whoa, not bitter.
Sinbad forced himself to apologize, though everything he was screaming was at him not to. He needed her to be on his side. "Bryn, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable in any way, it was not my intention."
"I suppose it was a part of your character?" Bryn mused, looking up at him through her lashes.
"Yes." His face betrayed none of his thoughts, he tried to project only what he wanted her to see.
The wiccan felt that he was hiding something, but thought it was his fear. She shrugged and began to walk towards the Nomad. "I hope this experience will teach you that women are not toys. Now onto the matter of getting you home, let's fix the Nomad. I hope Sinbad is getting some assistance where he is."
"He is, Bryn. Have no fears on that front. Hello, I'm Alyssa." The voice came from above them and they stopped, surprised to see a mage descending towards them.
"How do you do? Why are you helping us? I thought mage weren't concerned much with what happens in the mortal realm."
"As a rule, we don't. After all, if we always stepped in, how would you learn anything? But if this mess isn't cleaned up soon, it will affect everything in my home. Besides I owe Rongar one and I hate to let an unpaid debt stand for to long." She guided them towards a secluded area, she didn't want to be discovered by him just yet. "I would appreciate it if you would keep quiet about me for now."
"Sure." Bryn smiled.
"What do you want me to do?" Sinbad asked, thinking that it would be better for him to get into the spirit of things. And if pretending to be the loyal Sinbad was the only way home, then he'd do it. He wouldn't like it, but he'd do it.
"First of all, fix the Nomad. Get her ready to weather a powerful storm, then together we create the most colossal storm we can; hopefully that will open the gate." Alyssa replied.
"And if it doesn't?" Bryn asked.
"Then we seek Queen April's guidance." Was all she offered before she disappeared.
"All right. Let's go, Captain. We need to get her shipshape." Turning around, they headed for the Nomad, once aboard Sinbad issued orders. "Doubar, Rongar, and you five, work on the hull. Bryn, Firouz, and you three, get fresh water and food. The rest of us will work on the tiller, longboats, mast, and sail." A sigh of relief went through the crew, their captain was back in charge.
As Bryn passed him she whispered, "Good job."
"Thanks. Good luck." He resisted the urge to grab her and haul her below, knowing that that would probably give him away.
"You too." She responded, joining the others. Dermott glared at him, he knew very well what he was thinking and didn't like it. Bryn stroked him gently, soothing his ruffled feelings.
Sinbad watched her go and sighed. * I hate to lose her, but I do need to get home.
Part 6
"Your highness, this is ridiculous. The Nomad is a piece of junk, it should be thrown out. You have more important things to consider than that ship..." Firouz was following Sinbad around the room, loudly giving his objections.
The captain was going through the dresser drawers, wondering idly if his counterpart ever heard of dressing for comfort. Or if he always dressed with seduction in mind. Sinbad finally decided to wear his own clothes and pulled on his shirt. His tone was sharp as he replied. "That ship, as you put it, is one of the finest to ever sail the seven seas. Nothing is more important than to fix her. I will do nothing else until she is ready to sail again. Do you understand, Firouz?"
"Yes, your majesty." Firouz was subdued.
"Good. Now, I want you to meet with all these "important" people you keep nagging me about. Do as you see fit, and pray that I approve. I am going to the Nomad. Good day!" Turning he left Firouz staring after him, a puzzled expression on his face. * Whew! I got through Firouz, now all I have to avoid Maeve and everyone else. And here I thought I'd have a hard time pretending to be my evil self. He smirked, then smiled when he saw the ship in the harbor. Well, at least the Nomad looks normal. I only hope the crew is as good as mine.
"Sir! We didn't expect you, we don't have everything shipshape." A nervous crew member stammered when Sinbad boarded.
Sinbad rolled his eyes, then replied. "That's all right. I have a strong desire to help fix my ship. Does anyone have a problem with that?"
"No, sir." The same man said.
"Good." Sinbad set about sewing the sail. After a while, the crew realized that he was serious they went back to work. Work progressed well into the afternoon and was only interrupted by Maeve's cheery voice. "Hello! Darling, do you want to have lunch with me?"
Sinbad groaned and stood up. He walked over to Maeve, "Honey, that sounds really great but I'm working with the crew and I don't want to interrupt the balance. It has nothing to do with you, really. While I'm working, my memories are returning and I'd really like to remember it all." He smiled rakishly and Maeve lost any will to object in the face of his sparkling eyes.
"But what will I do with this food?" she pouted.
Sinbad replied, after some consideration. "Is there a lot of food?" She nodded, "Then why don't we just share it with the men, they have been working hard. Come on up." The afternoon went by quickly and Maeve was surprised by how normal and natural it felt to be on board. Sinbad decided to spend the night on the Nomad and the crew, who felt more at ease with him, had a good evening.
The next morning work continued at full speed, and Maeve surprised everyone when she showed up to help, this time wearing a more practical outfit. It was a sky blue shirt over a skirt that stopped mid thigh. In the afternoon, Firouz and Doubar came to drag Sinbad away, but stayed to help fix the Nomad up. Firouz reasoned that it would help Sinbad finish so that he could return to his other obligations.
"That was fun. Way more interesting than those counsel meetings we are forced to endure." Doubar announced, grinning happily. He had taken off the heavy outfit he wore when he performed his official duties. Under it was a light weight white shirt that was worn with loose fitting pants and a pair on knee high boots.
"I hate to say this but I agree with you completely, Doubar. Captain Sinbad! Are you ready to return?" The doctor asked as the Captain joined them. He was hot in his suit but he didn't want to go back to the palace to change.
"No. I'm staying here, I haven't felt this good in sometime." He glanced over at Maeve. "No offense meant."
"None taken, I agree with you." Maeve rested a hand on his shoulder. "This is wonderful!"
"Then do you mind if we stay with you?" Sinbad shook his head in answer to Doubar's question. His brother who was staring at him as if he knew that there was something different about him. Doubar walked with Sinbad over to a secluded area, then Doubar said, "You are not my brother."
"That's not true, I am your brother. I'm just not from your dimension." Sinbad explained.
"Thought so. You never used to care about ships or people. To you, they were worthless-unless they could help you in some way. Even when we got the Nomad, it took some time for you to warm up to her." Doubar murmured, glancing down at him. "So my brother is where you belong and you are where he belongs. No offense against you, but I would like my brother back."
"Well, I'd like to go home to." Sinbad smiled. "Don't worry, I have two friends who are working on the situation right now. They'd like to see everything set straight as well."
"What would you like me to do?" Doubar asked.
"Explain a few things to me, like my exact relationship with everyone. I'd also like help if I start acting too much out of character. I think they could handle a little deviation, near death experience and all that jazz, but too much and I may never get home again."
"All right. First of all me. Though I am your big brother, we aren't very close. I am the head of the navy, I guess we could call it. I don't approve of your actions, but because you are my brother I don't waste time arguing." His voice was sober.
"Then why are you a part of my quest for domination?" He asked, running a hand through his hair.
"Because you are the only family I've got, having lost my wife and kids about two years ago. I don't want to sever the ties of family completely. I keep hoping that you'll change your ways."
"Oh, I think I can guarantee that change will happen." At Doubar's puzzled look, Sinbad explained, "I have, not only the best crew in the world, but I know a young lady there by the name of Bryn who has a way of changing minds. I don't know how she does it. I guess it's in the way she sees the best in people and makes them want to be the best they can be, I should know." He shrugged his shoulders, remembering how she'd brought him back from the edge a couple of times with just a look.
"That could be a problem, if he falls for her..." Doubar sighed in regret. She sounded like someone his brother would benefit from knowing-and loving.
"You mean Maeve? I don't think you have much to worry about on that front, Firouz and she seem to get along swimmingly." They looked over to see them talking softly, Maeve had a beautifully, peaceful smile on her face.
"Your relationship with Firouz is strange, he makes things for your conquests and he is your physician. Other than that, I don't know. As for Prince Rongar, he is..." Turning around at the sound of an approaching group, they beheld a royal precession, "headed this way!" Sinbad picked out Rongar almost immediately. He was walking in the midst of the group, wearing a red tunic over a pair of loose pants.
TBC...