Author's note: This is part one hour challenge and part sequel to my "Everything Has A Purpose". Hmmm...mention of Maeve, just not by name.
Bryn sat out on the deck, flipping idly through a book, her mind not really there. It was deeply buried in a memory of the night before. They had stopped off in Rongar's village for his sister's wedding. It had been such a beautiful ceremony and she had been flattered when Zorah had asked her to be a bridesmaid. Then there was the party, she'd danced with the guys until she'd decided to go back to the Nomad. Sinbad had walked with her, she blushed. Ever since he'd come to terms with the past, he'd been different.
Life was good, she mused as she studied her family. A twinge of guilt hit her as she remembered that she still had something to tell them, something about her past. She sighed and whispered, "how am I going to tell them?"
"Tell us what?" A voice asked from her side. Bryn shaded her eyes as she looked up and saw Sinbad standing there, a teasing look in his deep blue eyes.
"Nothing, Sinbad." She lied, knowing that he wouldn't be able to see the truth in her eyes in the sunlight.
He sat down, studying her carefully. The captain finally said bluntly, holding her chin so that her eyes never left his. "That's a lie." Sinbad knew he'd hurt her but he didn't really care. He'd already lost someone he cared for because she'd been too stubborn to tell him the truth. He wasn't going to lose another. He held it for a moment longer before letting go and standing up. "If you want to talk, you know where to find me."
Bryn stayed where she was, watching him disappear below. "Am I really that transparent?"
"Only to Sinbad. But then, he's made a habit of studying you." Firouz answered her question as he passed by with Rongar.
Rongar stopped and signed that she should go talk to Sinbad before her secret backfired on her.
"Where are you guys going?" She asked, thinking over their words.
"Into town, I plan to stay with Rongar while he acts as Regent for Zorah." Firouz walked off.
"And the fact that Velda will be in town giving a lecture has nothing to do with it." Bryn chuckled.
Rongar smiled widely, turning to follow him.
She sighed, putting the book down. "Guess I'd better go talk to him. I hope he doesn't wake Doubar up when he hears what I have to say." Taking the book with her, she made her way down the stairs. Half-way to the captain's room, she turned around and went into her own. She dropped the book on the desk, then lay down and stared up at the ceiling. "I just can't do it."
"You know, I never figured you for a coward." Sinbad watched in amusement when she sat up, eyes wide with shock. He came towards her slowly and sat on the bed, concern in his eyes. "It's not like you to let your guard down, Bryn."
She responded, rather defensively. "You're the one who said I'd find you."
"I got tired of waiting." He shrugged, hand reaching out to smooth back her hair.
"It's only been ten minutes." Was her tart reply.
"Actually, it's been two years." She remained silent, but he couldn't tell if it was an angry silence or not. He sighed and decided to take a chance. "Bryn, I know you know more than you are telling. It's in your eyes, the words you say, and don't forget the bracelets. They bind us." That got her attention, he could tell from the way her body tensed as his words sunk in.
"You don't know what you're talking about." Bryn glared at him. "I know…"
"What the bracelets mean." He interrupted. "So, tell me."
"They mean that we died." Her words were blunt. "We died and a power higher than us had to bring us back. They mean that we knew each other before we met on the island. We became comrades, preparing for a greater battle than any of the ones we've fought in before."
Sinbad nodded. "But what about the most important part."
She went still. "What do you mean?"
"The part where you tell me that you're Rumina's half-sister." His voice was calm and accepting.
"How did you know? Do you want me to leave?" Bryn's eyes were wide, but there was nothing in his expression that gave her reason to worry.
"How did I know, I'm not sure. The two of you have a similar look. And no two people could share such beautiful eyes. As for the other," He tugged her hand until she was sitting up and looking directly into his eyes. "You are not your sister and you aren't your father. You're Bryn and nothing like them. No, I don't want you to leave. You belong here, Bryn."
Her head nodded, then a thought occurred to her. "Sinbad, what about the others? Do they know?"
"They do, we talked about it one night. Doubar is a little wary about you but he'll come around." He quickly went on, seeing the worry in her eyes. "He will because he knows you. Hold on to that thought if you can, Bryn."
"I'll try, Sinbad." Bryn stopped and struggled to breathe. She fell back onto the bed, shaking as coughs began to tear through her.
"Doubar! Find Firouz or Velda!" He hollered helplessly.
TBC...