What is the Purpose? What is the purpose ~ Part 3
By Noelerin

Maeve shrugged gracefully, feeling the sword itching between her shoulder blades. "Oh, I doubt it will be for you in a moment. But thanks for the best wishes." Her smile was insincere, her hand rested on Rumina's shoulder as if to tell her to wait.

Donestk sipped and rolled the drink around on his tongue for a moment, savoring the flavor. "You could be right about that." He mused softly, watching them through lidded eyes. Quickly, he opened his robe and exposed his chest. "So, what are you waiting for? Finish me off. After all, it's what you've been waiting for all these years."

"Maybe some other time." Bryn ushered the girls towards another door, gesturing for Rumina to walk behind them.

"I didn't say you could leave!" He roared at them, glaring at their backs.

Coral turned and looked back at him. "You didn't say we could stay either!" Her voice was saucy, as was her grin. "Bye, daddy." She gave a little wave, following the others out.

The smell of burning flesh trailed after them. "What's he doing?" Rumina asked.

"He's trying to bring us back and turn us away from our real goal." Peri answered, shaking as the weight of her vision pressed upon her. She fingered the locket with restless fingers.

"Are you all right?" Coral asked, putting an arm around her shoulder as they moved farther up and in. The higher they went, the warmer it got and the lights seemed to soften and become a part of them.

Her head shook. "It hurts, right here." She explained, placing a hand over her heart.

Bryn glanced back at them, her gaze tender. They looked up when they felt her touch and saw it. "Peri, if your gift is too much, go back and trade it. Aliki will understand, but she trusts you. As do I."

"Its not that. I just didn't think it would be so hard to know what I now know." She shrugged, trying to make light of her fears. "How will we know him?"

Bryn's eyes narrowed but she let the subject drop. "Like I said, he'll be in the game room." A pair of stairs in black light formed to the right, they walked down them.

"But wasn't that the game room?" Rumina asked, though from the feeling of dread creeping into her heart, she knew that they were closing in on him.

"That was the solar room." Bryn looked at Maeve, then back at her sister. "You will be the only one allowed in there when we arrive. This battle is yours."

She nodded, determination filling her eyes. "I lost it on my own. I must retrieve on my own and thereby prove my own worth."

"That book must be working on you. You really sound like you know what you're talking about." Maeve grinned.

"Funny." She punched her arm lightly.

Maeve chuckled. "I thought so. Bryn?" She asked as a chill wind trailed up her spine.

The staff drew a circle on the ground, tapping out a pattern in the marks. Crystals grew where the staff touched. She made a sudden, sharp jab in the center and a crack opened up, the smell of jasmine filled the air. "This is the way in and the only way out." She clasped her sister's hand. "Good luck, Rumina."

She held out the book. Their twin eyes met and held with the same solemn look in them. "Guard this for me, in case I don't come back. And don't say anything, it could happen." Bryn nodded, placing the book under her arm.

"Don't let him make you mad." Maeve counseled, holding her arm out and squeezing it Rumina's when they clasped.

Coral stepped forward, hugging her fiercely. "My father preys on weakness, as I'm sure you remember well. Don't let him see anything in your eyes or your heart."

Rumina turned to Peri, extending her arm. "Don't tell me how it ends, I don't want to know." It was jokingly said, but there was a hard edge in her voice that belied her earnestness.

She took it with a grin. "You'll make it, just stay focused on the truth within you."

"Got it." She stepped into the center, feeling the power float up her arms and through her veins. In a moment, she was standing in the game room. This was a normal looking room but the games in it weren't like those she had ever seen before. Donestk stood with his back to her, she could tell that he was unaware of her presence.

She fingered the egg in her hands, feeling tense as she debated her moves. All her thoughts told her to use it now, but she resisted, knowing that that would be fatal. "Hello, Donestk. I believe you have something of mine."

He whirled around, finding her standing behind him. His hands moved towards her, shaking and quivering with the magic that was so dangerous to him. "Look at them. They were once powerful hands, now they shake. Why?"

"You have meddled in things that are beyond mortal control." She said, hardening her heart against the sight of the fragile man.

"Shaking hands." His eyes pooled with tears. "My mind is weak, I can't control myself anymore. What have you done to me?" He appealed to her.

"I did nothing. It was all you." It was coldly said, even colder was the look in her eyes.

Anger and admiration flamed inside him, she was an unnatural female. He changed tactics, backing her into a corner. His hand stroked her cheek, slowly. "You are strong, wonderfully so. Join with me and together we will have it all." The hand moved up, circled her ear before moving into her hair, letting images form inside her mind.

"Tempting offer." She purred. The Goose Egg pulsed in her hand, reminding her off its strength. Now! Her mind yelled, the time is now. "But you're a little to old for my taste." She dropped the Egg between them but this time there was no explosion. There was a flurry of wind and she reached out for it, feeling the power surround and possess her again.

When the power ripped out of his body, he fell to his knees, weakened by its loss. "You little harlot!" He snapped, she pushed him away and moved back to the portal.

"A title I wear with pride. Bye, now!" She gave a cheery wave and disappeared. "Now what?" Rumina asked, words that blew away as Bryn's hands raised and they were suddenly home. "Was that supposed to happen?"

"Dermott called." Maeve said, shaking off her weariness and standing up. The sword still rested on her back, a quick look revealed they were all in the same condition.

Rumina blinked. "Why didn't I hear him?"

They moved to the door, the sounds of a furious battle raging outside. "You weren't supposed to." Maeve explained, giving her an apologetic look. "It might have thrown your concentration off."

"Got it." The door opened and she let out a squeal, narrowly getting hit. A samurai walked into the room and looked around.

Bryn moved forward with a smile. "Tetsu."

"Hello. Would you mind joining this battle?" He invited, rather caustically.

"I would, actually. The battlefield is no longer my place. But I will uphold you." Bryn said.

He glared at her, as if trying to see if she was teasing him. "I don't care what you do as long as you help us."

Maeve growled, pushed them out of the way. "Enough with the speeches. Let's do it!"

Coral joined Firouz among the wounded while Peri and Maeve rushed into the fray. Bryn climbed to the highest point on the ship and raised the staff above her head, illumination instantly filled the night and light poured out around them. The weaker forces fled from the light, attacking from what little shadows existed. Donestk came then, striking out at both forces on his way to met his real opponent.

Maeve moved to meet him, as she had once before but this was no inexperienced girl. This time, she knew what she was doing and wouldn't be blinded by his words. Nor would she be drawn into a verbal duel, the world was at stake and she had no intention of allowing him any quarter.

Donestk realized this and didn't waste any breath. The magical duel between them was fast and furious, both were well matched in their strengths.

Rumina watched from her position in the cabin, she had never been much of a fighter but may be there was something she could do. If, she thought, I could bind his soul to his body then he would truly die when his body was slain. Looking up, she saw Bryn there and called out to her. Is this plan possible?

You have that power in the book, do it. There was no hesitation in the response, nor question.

Rumina quickly opened the book and found it, she smiled as she sat down and focused on the spell. It was so simple, she was amazed that they hadn't thought of it in there first fight with him. Dermott stood perched at the door, blocking evil's attempt to get in to stop her.

Donestk felt it curling around his insides, binding him in its strangling hold. With a growl of frustration, he realized what it meant. This battle he must win, there would be no coming back for him if he lost. In what was to prove the defining moment, he pulled back and gave her a moment to breathe. Then he drew forth a sword of dark light from its resting place. He advanced on her, pushing her back and knocking her down.

She rolled and bounced back up, swiftly kicking him. Maeve felt the flames dancing on her skin and instinctively moved away from it. The evilness in the sword was more of a blow than his physical strength.

"The sword!" Bryn screamed over the sounds of the battle.

While she had been distracted by Maeve's plight, one of the foes had snuck up on her. Something came from behind and swung out with a sharp ax blade, which was deflected by Sinbad's sword. She looked at him in grateful surprise, thanking him with her eyes before turning back towards Maeve's battle. He climbed down and protected her from there, though he did wonder why she wasn't in the thick of it. Looking down at Donestk, she could see that he appeared more solid. She knew Rumina had been successful. Good job, sister.

Thanks, I wasn't sure if it worked. She called back, exhaustion in her voice. Dermott couldn't tell. Did you know he's a shape shifter?

Bryn didn't answer with more than a warm smile sent her way. Maeve's dilemma had called for her attention.

"What?" She mind spoke and evaded another blow, moving behind him.

"Use your sword!" The words sounded in her mind this time. "It is time!"

Maeve reached for it, listening to the blade sing as it left the sheath. "Right." She swung out and the blades connected, the sound ringing in the suddenly still night. It was a long, hard fight both being evenly matched but Maeve won the upper hand with a sure stroke and destroyed Donestk-forever this time. His forces disappeared into the mist.

Peri's eyes narrowed, scanning the horizon. Something was nagging her, but she couldn't put her finger on it. She shrugged it off and reached down to pick up the sword Donestk had used. "What do we do with this?"

Bryn swung down, taking it from her. "This should go to the Gate Keeper. She'll know what to do with it. Be back in a flash." She returned with a sigh, wiping her face. "I think we need to rest."

Maeve yawned, resting her head on Eyolf's shoulder. "I second the motion."

"We offer no objections." The other three chorused, giggling at the sight of their leader leaning on someone else's strength for once.

"But we do." Orion said, standing in front of them in a moment. He called to those with bracelets on. "Please, come here."

Bryn used her staff to move towards him, standing between Sinbad and Tetsu. "Hold out your arms." As they did so, a tingle of awareness ran through the bracelets and began to unlock them.

Bryn jerked her arm back and held the bracelet. "If you don't mind, I'd like to keep it."

"Very well, child. I guess I can understand that." Orion said, nodding his head. "Anyone else?"

Sinbad looked down at his bracelet and smiled. "Yeah. I've grown used to it." He moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, holding her securely against his chest.

Orion smiled and freed the others from the bracelets, sending them back to their homes. Then he turned towards the elementals with a smile. "You five arrived just in time, as usual. A time of unprecedented peace has begun." His voice was amused, but there was a tinge of sadness in it as well.

"If you say so." Maeve shrugged, stifling a yawn. "Can we talk tomorrow? We're really tired."

"No, we must be going." Orion sadly shook his head. "This is the last time we shall meet."

"What do you mean?" Coral asked, seeking Firouz's hand. He responded by pulling her close, hugging her to his side.

Peri stood with Rumina, Dermott at their sides. She swallowed, knowing now what had been preying at the back of her mind, that feeling of sorrow. It wasn't because one of their numbers had died, they were losing their friends.

Orion moved back, over to the land and looked to the sky. He suddenly lifted up, transforming his shape. The human visage that they had always known melted away as a long snout grew and his eyes narrowed, becoming smaller. He lengthened and changed into a dark gray lizard like body. Arms and legs shortened and a long tail appeared, wings formed on his back.

The still predawn air filled with cries of dismay. They took a step back, except Bryn and Maeve who were held by his gentle eyes. "Do not be alarmed, my children." He called, his guttural voice was still the one that they knew all their lives. The morning sun danced across his nearly transparent wings. "It is still me. I have just returned to my true form."

"What are you?" Bryn asked, pulling away from Sinbad and approaching him. Her hand rose up and touched his face, gently stroking. Maeve joined her with a smile, they turned to face the rest of the group.

"It's all right. He is Orion." Maeve called out. Rumina, Peri, and Coral walked forward. Dermott, Sinbad, Firouz, and Eyolf realized that this was their moment and stayed back.

His lips pulled back in a smile, revealing sharp and pointed teeth. "I am an air dragon, the last of my kind." He shook his head to stop their words. "Our time here is at an end, many fear us because they don't understand what we are. This is your time to stand up and protect the light."

Coral sighed. "How can we?"

"My little Coral, the power is yours." He said, turning his head towards her. The sun rose even higher, warming the air. "I must leave soon."

"Is this peace permanent?" Peri asked, reaching out to stroke his head.

He growled a little, in regret. "Unfortunately not. But every once in a while the world needs a haven of peace. You have won it this day." He stopped, looking at Bryn. "The rest is yours to tell, I must go now."

Rumina smiled sadly. "This is a day of sorrow indeed."

"No, it isn't. Life is full of partings, you will need to get used to it." Orion looked to the sky, flapping his wings. "Farewell, my children."

They watched him depart until even they couldn't see even a tiny dot of his presence, then they looked at Bryn. "What did he mean by his last words?" Rumina asked.

She sighed and rubbed her forehead tiredly. "He means that we are the Guardians. We are immortals, though there will be times of rest for us."

"That's not right." Maeve exclaimed, looking back at Eyolf. Why did she have to learn to live and love again, if she was just going to be denied it? "Don't we have the right to live our lives?"

The staff cracked down on the wooden surface of the boat. "Silence!" She ordered. "Our lives are our own. There is no stopping us from marrying and having children or becoming hermits or even, heaven forbid, lying down and dying. If the ones we choose to be with are worthy, they will join us in our eternal vigil of guarding the light."

Maeve looked down. "I'm sorry, it's just that I so tired."

"You have nothing to be sorry for." Bryn said. "We all need rest. Let's talk later, okay?"

"Fine with me." Coral offered, the others agreed and they split up to get some rest. The next morning they gathered in the galley of the Nomad. "So, what's the deal?" She asked, leaning against Firouz.

Bryn stood at the head, Sinbad sat on her left side, Maeve and Eyolf to the right. Peri and Rumina sat across from each other, Dermott in the center. With staff in hand, Bryn commanded their attention. "When the world was first formed, dark and light opposed each other. Into every generation a girl was born until it was decided that the powers must be separated for the world's benefit. And so, five girls were born with the elements flowing inside, until the day we were born. We were told by the Guardians that our kind would never be seen again, working independently but together. That is why Hell itself has tried us but we have overcome."

She paused and moved passed them, holding aloft the staff. "We could do no less. The blessings of Avalon now rest upon us. With the giving of these gifts, we were granted immortality. There will be times of rest as well as times of battle. Do not despair, for we will not be alone." This she said with a teasing smile in Maeve and Coral's direction. "There are those who have proved their worthiness to stand by our sides, some of them have been revealed to us."

Bryn looked straight at Dermott then, tilting her head to the side. "Don't you think you have something to come clean about, my feathered friend?"

He ruffled his feathers, glaring at her before transforming. "Spoil my fun, why don't you?" The tall, redhead scolded Bryn in his lilting voice. His green eyes were full of laughter as he moved off the table and towards his sister.

"How long have you been able to do that?" She asked, her eyebrow raised in question as she hugged her brother.

"Sorry, for the deception but I figured it might be safer this way." He thought a moment, chewing on his lip. "I didn't know until Dim-Dim hinted to me about the power that may possibly lay inside me."

"Dim-Dim, of course. That was why he counseled me to never attack Rumina when I was angry. He knew I couldn't hurt her if I was rational." She mused.

Dermott glanced back at Rumina, a serious look in his eyes as he considered his next statement. "There was also the fact that I wanted her from the moment I first heard about her. By the way," He teased the dark haired witch, taking her hand in his. "You do realize that you're mine since I saved your life, at least twice."

"What?!?" Rumina shrieked. "I am not a sack of flour to be bartered with."

"Never said you were." He calmly stated, retaining her hand.

Maeve laughed, falling back against Eyolf. "I have no objection. It's the easiest way to really make you both my sisters."

"I have an objection." Sinbad injected with an amused smile. "Bryn's mine."

The lady in question just rolled her eyes. "Anyway, we must be getting out of here soon. The people in town will be getting scared if we keep hanging around."

"Like last night wasn't frightening enough?" Doubar asked, standing in the doorway with a huge grin on his face.

"No." Peri answered softly, staring at her hands. A feeling of intense loneliness descended upon her, making everything around her seem dreary. "The fight occurred in a place that they are unaware of."

He rolled his eyes. "Something else I will never understand." He said as he sat down, looking at her closely. "Are you all right?"

She sighed, resting her hand on her arm. "Yeah. It's just that, I look around and see the smiles on their faces because they have someone. But me? My family died, I am alone with this burden of seeing the future. There is no one who will be there for me when the nightmares get to be to much."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that." Doubar comforted, hugging her lightly. "Sometimes the very thing you're looking for can't be found until you stop looking."

Peri stared at him for a moment before laughing. "You've been spending to much time with Bryn. You sound like her."

"You say that like it's a bad thing." Bryn mock pouted from behind them. "Better shake off that mood, my friend. Eyolf and Maeve are about to leave."

"I see." Peri chewed her lip, glancing around. "Where did Rumina and Dermott go?"

"Dermott took my sister that way." She pointed toward the hall were the rooms were located. "They went to 'discuss' their new relationship." Bryn said, giggling since they could hear them.

"You really think I'm going to go along with this?" Rumina asked, her hands on her hips.

Dermott was amused. "My dear girl, you act as if you have a choice in the matter."

She glared at him, her hands resting on her hips. "It's my life, what makes you think I want to spend it with you?"

"Do you want me to spell it out for you?" He asked, half seriously. "I can you know."

Rumina stalked down the hall. "You are the most impossible man I've ever met!"

"I'll take that as a compliment." Dermott quipped with a grin, grabbing her hand again. Their voices faded as they moved further away.

They exchanged amused smiles before Bryn said. "Firouz and Coral have gone to see the wounded. They've already said their good-byes."

"So, what is the relationship between Maeve and Dermott?" Doubar asked as they moved up the stairs. Maeve, Sinbad, and Eyolf were ahead of them.

Peri turned to face him, surprise in her eyes. "She never told you? No, I guess she didn't or you wouldn't be asking. I can't believe we didn't say anything either. He's her older brother." Her dusky skin blushed as she grinned in embarrassment. "Sorry. I don't usually go on so, that's Bryn's job." They laughed at Bryn's shocked gasp, but she smiled along with them.

He nodded as though that made perfect sense to him. Soon they were standing topside, waving to the Rhiannon as it floated away on the evening tide. "Will she be happy? The Norsemen are very different from us."

"But they aren't so different from her own people." Bryn observed, watching him. "What troubles you, Doubar."

The first mate was silent before he took hold of her arm and drew her to the side, away from prying ears. "It is something that you said, about having worthy partners. Sinbad is one of them, isn't he? He's going to leave me behind."

"Ah, noble Doubar. Do not fear on that account. You will be with us. We couldn't do any of this without you." The bard proclaimed. "There is no separating you from your brother because together you are a force of light to be reckoned with."

"That's a load of my mind." He said, giving her a hearty hug. Dermott and Rumina appeared at that moment and waved farewell.

She watched him walk away to join Peri and leaned against the mast, contemplating the sky. Life was good, she mused.

"Now that you've taken care of the world, do you have any problems I might help you solve?" A voice teased by her side.

Bryn turned her face towards the voice and smiled at Sinbad. "Not unless you know how to heal an aching heart." Her voice was teasing but the look in her eyes was dead serious. At his puzzled look, she gestured towards Peri. "We have become a close family, but Peri has no one. There was a man in her life, once. I don't know what happened, she never talks of him. But I know it's eating away at her to see everyone else so happy."

The Captain shook his head. "I should have known. Bryn, my dear, you can't fix everything. Some things take time."

"I know. It just that I can't help but want to do something to help her." She explained, moving away from the mast and towards the tiller. "So, when are we leaving?"

"As soon as the Rhiannon is out of sight." He answered, catching up to her. "We thought you might want to watch them leave."

She nodded, stopping and smiling at Ahmed. Sinbad released him from duty and took over. "I appreciate it. So, tell me, what was it like to see her again?"

His answer was long in coming, she watched him form his words. "Not what I expected at all. She's changed, grew up I guess you'd say."

"You sound disappointed." Bryn teased, sitting on the ground cross-legged. The staff rested by her side.

"I'm not." He said, then looked at the staff. "Why weren't you fighting?"

"Wasn't I?" She asked.

He glared at her. "You know you weren't."

Her head tilted to look up at him, her hand shaded her eyes. "I'm a bard, Sinbad. My style of fighting is different now, I uphold in battle and send out strength and hope. This is not to say that I might not join a battle with a sword, but I fight with the spirit and strike a blow to the fear evil would try to instill in men's hearts."

Sinbad nodded, easing them away from the land and into the open sea. He felt her head lean against his leg in a moment, her back rested against the wood of the ship. "Tired?"

"Yeah. Peri and I spent the night talking about her visions. She wanted to know if I had them."

"And do you?" He let his hand leave the tiller for a moment to stroke her hair.

She sighed with pleasure. "All of us do, to a certain extent. So, what do you think of Rumina and Dermott?"

"I don't envy him." His eyes looked down on her, the gentle glow warmed her. "He's got quite a fight a head of him."

Her head shook, explaining with a laugh. "I don't think so. She's always had a crush on him." They stayed there in silence, letting the night enfold them.

They arrived in Bolna a week later. Rongar was on the docks waiting for them, a smile of welcome on his face which froze when he saw Peri. She went pale and stiffened before turning to walk away. Sinbad and Bryn exchanged a questioning look with Coral and Firouz, who shrugged their shoulders in response.

Rongar leapt onto the ship and followed her, catching up with her at the guest cabin. Peri turned around, glaring at him with furious tears in her eyes. "Well?" She demanded, the anger riding off her in waves.

Bryn winced in distress, feeling the heat of their hurt and Peri's anger hit her. Peri, she mind called, he can't talk. His tongue's been cut out.

Rongar rapidly signed to her all of the things that had happened to him since they had last seen. The incomprehension on her face left him with a deep feeling of despair.

Dermott looked around the door of the cabin he'd been sharing with Rumina and saw the two. Use mind speak, he told him.

Saying a silent prayer, Rongar did as he was told. Peri's eyes softened when he explained again all the things he'd been through.

"Why didn't you come to me?" She asked, letting him into the room.

"I didn't know where you were." His answer was honest. "That's why I joined Sinbad, I was hoping that we would meet again. But, as you know, we never did, beloved."

Peri was startled. "Am I? Am I still yours?"

His deep eyes bored into hers. "No one could ever take your place. Am I still your beloved?"

"I may be of the earth but I am not like the dust blown aimlessly about by a breeze. I am, as I ever was, yours." She said it with such devotion that Rongar cried.

Bryn leaned against Sinbad, smiling up at him. "I'm glad that's over. I don't think I could take much more of this."

He didn't answer, just bent his head and kissed her in the light of the setting sun.

The End.

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