Captain Maeve

By: idnar 

            The crew's restance was wearing down along with their strength, yet they continued to fight for the Nomad after an unknown pirate ship pulled up to the ship, and demanded that Sinbad hand over the ships supplies along with Bryn, and Maeve. Once Sinbad refused all hell broke loose.

            Bryn and Maeve were standing back, to back at the tiller defeating any man that dare confront them, Doubar and Feriouz were at the bow, and Sinbad and Rongar were in the middle of the deck fighting the Captain and the first mate of the other ship. Dermott was up in the crow's nest watching the crew's progress, when he saw both Sinbad, and Rongar fall. He sent the image to Maeve, and Bryn. Maeve looked to Bryn, who took Maeve's sword and said, "Do it."

Maeve then raised her hands and released a stream of magic that struck some pirates at random, those who still stood ran to their ship, and set sail saying that they would be back. The crew surrounded Sinbad and Rongar as Feriouz, examined them. After a few moments Feriouz looked up and met the eyes of Doubar.

"Well," he said after a moment, "I have some good news and some bad news. First the good news, the cuts don't appear to be that deep." He hesitated.

"Feriouz," Maeve urged, "What's the bad news?"

"I'm afraid that the blades were poisoned." Everyone's heart fell as Feriouz continued, "The kind they used does have a cure, and it lays on an island about two days sail from here." Feriouz stood up, "I'll go locate it on the..." Maeve grabbed his arm.

"I know where it is. I'll find it and make the appropriate course adjustments." He smiled and nodded. He looked around and saw Doubar's somber eyes.

"I'll need Sinbad and Rongar taken down to their cabins. Bryn, if you wouldn't mind assisting me," Bryn just nodded her reply. Everyone just stood still,

"Well, you heard the man. Get moving!" Maeve said in a demanding voice. Doubar gently lifted Sinbad in his arms and took him below as Sansun took Rongar followed by Bryn. Maeve pulled Feriouz to the side.

"Feriouz, how do think Doubar's handling this?"

'Not good I'm afraid. I can see it in his eyes. Maeve, it would be wise if he stayed with his little brother." Maeve nodded, understanding.

"Don't worry, I'll give you as much space below deck as I can."

"Thank you.?" He said retreating. Maeve watched him go before turning to the crew.

"Everyone," as she spoke the men gathered around, "as you all are a where, the captain is sick, and the first mate is with him. We need to get to this island, and only through cooperation and teamwork can we find the cure for our crewmates. Do I have your cooperation?" as she looked around she saw the crew slowly nod. "Good. Now, Feriouz told me that it should stay as quiet as we can, so only go below deck to eat and sleep. Plus, don't worry Doubar about things up here; he is worried about both Rongar and Sinbad. So let's get going, Elian go get the charts." The man went to retrieve the maps, and returned a few minutes later. Once Maeve located the island she went to the tiller with the directions.

"So Stephane, about three days?"

"Yeah, I guess so," Maeve looked up from the chart.

"What's the matter?"

"It's just that, well Doubar should be here in charge. He had no right to dump his job and responsibilities on you. I should go down there and..."

"And do no such thing. Sinbad needs Doubar, as much as Doubar needs Sinbad. Leave them be."

"Yes ma'am." She handed the charts back to Elian who took them down below deck. ****

Bryn sat looking at Rongar's still form, as Feriouz came in. He looked tired. He handed Bryn a pan of water with a rag. Knowingly she dabbed Rongar's forehead gently. She looked back at her now seated friend.

"How's Sinbad?"

"Not good, he's burning up." Bryn stood by Feriouz.

"How are you? You look awful. Get some sleep, I can take care of them for a few hours." He knew that to argue with either of the Nomad women was pointless so he nodded to Bryn as he left. Bryn returned her attention to Rongar. ****

With night came a storm. As the crew below deck tried to keep the patients comfortable, the crew on deck was trying to hold on for dear life. Stephane was at the tiller, as the crew was taking the sails down to decrease the wind. In the process two crewmembers almost fell overboard. Making sure those crewmates were safe, Maeve made her way to Stephane. Once there she helped him gain control of the tiller.

"Maeve," Stephane yelled, "can't you do something magicy?"

"Can you hold on here?" As he nodded Maeve raised her arms and said something that could not be heard through the wind. But moments later the effects of her words could be seen. The wind slowed, and the rain depleted, then stopped. Maeve almost fell but recovered her footing before anyone saw. To Stephane she looked warn. As the clouds cleared, the sun was found peeking over the horizon. Maeve was telling everyone to start checking for damage when she thought of the damage that might have happened below deck. She found Elian, and told him to quietly check for damage. As he walked to the door, he met Doubar coming up the stairs with a look of displeasure on his face. He started yelling strange orders at the men. Stephane signaled to Maeve that the angry first mate was on deck. Maeve walked to meet Doubar.

"Maeve what happened up here?"

"We had a storm, Doubar."

"I can see that. Who was the man in charge up here?"

"Well it sure as hell wasn't you." Stephane said coming up beside Maeve.

"Stephane, Don't start! You are on thin ice as it is!"

"Doubar! Don't yell at them, they are trying to get us sailing again," Stephane picked this moment to take his leave, "If you're to yell at anyone yell at me, I was in charge."

"So this can as easily be your uncontrollable magic at work here."Maeve clenched her teeth as she took more of Doubar's harsh words. After he left she took the tiller. Dermott landed beside her,

Tell me why I'm taking this Maeve thought

He's not in his right mind. He doesn' t mean it.

I know, but it still hurts. ****

Later that day showed the Nomad sailing ahead of schedule to the small island of Rantun. But as they steadily got closer Doubar's attitude, and concern worsened.

Maeve was tightening the sails to catch the most wind when there was a shout from the crow's nest. The pirates returned. They were just out of range of docking when their captain yelled, "Nomad, are you ready to surrender now that your captain is dead." Maeve stepped forward.

"Our captain is NOT dead! I have assumed control of the ship until he gets well." The pirate captain laughed.

"A woman? Captain?"

"Well, if you remember this woman defeated you last time and I'm not afraid to do it again." The ships were drifted so they were almost touching. The pirate captain stood on the railing of his ship.

"Can I hop over?"

"That depends..."

"On what?"

"If you ever want to hop again." She formed a fireball, "Now, if you don't set sail now, the only way you'll sail is down to the bottom of the sea." The pirate captain didn't budge. Maeve threw the fireball at one of their secondary sails, which caught ablaze. The other captain looked at Maeve for a brief instant before setting sail while his men put the fire out. As the pirate ship faded away, those on the Nomad gave a large cheer for their temporary captain.****

Later that evening Maeve approached Stephane, who was at the tiller.

"How long since you last ate and slept? I haven't seen you leave the deck."

"I ate just a hour ago, and I'm not tired."

"You should sleep. You'll need your strength."

"What about you?" she rolled her eyes. "I haven't seen you eat or sleep. And don't try to tell me you have because you're tired, I can see it, and getting weak, I saw you stumble."

"I'm fine. Just go and get some sleep." He didn't move, "That's an order!" As he left she took his spot at the tiller.

Why?

Why what Dermott?

Why are you really avoiding the galley, and your quarters?

I know that if I go down there I'll want to visit Sinbad, and if I do then I'll want to keep checking, then nothing will get done. Besides, Who will save these poor sailors from Doubar if I don't? **** 

By the end of the second day they were two thirds of the way to the island. It was just past midnight and Maeve was rubbing her temples. Doubar had come up on deck three times in the last hour. he started yelling orders to move faster. Once he retreated below deck Maeve told them, not for the first time, to humor him, and that they were doing well. Maeve heard the door open, fearing that it was again Doubar, she turned around. Seeing that it was only Stephane Maeve relaxed. He looked refreshed as he took the tiller. ****

Feriouz was seen on the deck at midday, when they reached the island. He and Maeve were discussing the transportation of the patients.

"Feriouz, I will go over in one longboat with Dermott and a few others, and once we find out if the island is safe, I'll send Dermott back over. That will be your sign to move Rongar and Sinbad to the island." Once they were agreed on this plan, Maeve looked around the crew, "Stephane, Elian, and Sansun, you're with me."  As the three crewmembers she selected gathered, the others prepared two longboats. Maeve signaled to Dermott before getting in. They left before Feriouz had Rongar and Sinbad moved topside. ****

It took fifteen minutes before Maeve felt it safe enough to send Dermott back to the ship. Once he was gone Maeve and company started to make camp. Stephane was gathering wood, Elian was gathering fruit, Sansun was getting water, and Maeve was hunting. She returned an hour later, even more tired than before. She set the birds down and walked over to where the rest of the accompanying crew stood planning to leave.

"How long do we have to find this plant?" Bryn asked, Feriouz thought a moment, before looking at Sinbad and Rongar.

" I don't know, Rongar could have at most, a day, but Sinbad, with his fever I wouldn't say anymore then eight hours."

"We'll have to work fast then." Maeve said. Doubar stared at her,

"Well, it's about time you did something." Stephane looked at Doubar. He was about to say something when Maeve signaled for him not to. Feriouz stood between Doubar and Maeve.

"Stop you two, this is getting us nowhere. Come on, Maeve you're with going north with Stephane." He handed them a picture of the plant, before they left. As they did they heard Doubar say,

"If the plant lies to the north they are doomed." ****

Dermott flew ahead of Doubar and Sansun, who headed west. He traveled with them so that if they found the plant, Dermott could tell Bryn and Maeve; and vice versa. He swooped down to hear what Doubar was saying,

"I don't know what is with that girl! She has not done a thing since she got back!" Sansun, who was ordered not to contradict him, just nodded. Dermott, not liking what he was hearing, flew higher to get a better look around. ****

Bryn and Elian were walking along the east beach of the island, finding nothing, they started talking.

"So, who was acting as first mate?"

"Well in all truth, Maeve was in charge."

"Maeve?" Bryn asked questioning.

"Yes. She gave us tasks to do, and did the rest of the work herself. She even knew how Doubar would react, so she told us to humor him, and not to get mad at him. She took more mouth and criticism him in the last three days then I have ever seen her take."

Bryn thought carefully, she now realized why she had not visited, and kept the ship quiet, so Doubar wouldn?t have so much to worry about. ****

            Maeve and Stephane traveled through a bunch of trees in silence, always watching the ground. Everyone split up 7 hours before. Defeat loomed over their heads as Stephane realized that even if they did find the plant they wouldn?t make it back in time to save their captain. But their moods lightened as they entered a clearing and found numerous plants that Feriouz described to them. Maeve sent a silent message to Dermott and Bryn telling them that the plant was found, as Stephane gathered an amount off the plant up. Stephane looked worriedly at Maeve.

"How do we get back in time?"

            "Grab my hand." As he did Maeve's eyes closed, and the next thing Stephane knew he was stand five minutes out of camp. He looked over to see Maeve leaning against a tree. He was about to say something when she looked at him,

            "Well, what are you waiting for, two crew members are relying on you, I'll be fine, go!" He didn't look at her as he ran into camp. ****

            Bryn and Doubar's groups entered the camp just as Sinbad was sitting up. Doubar ran over to him and gave him a big hug.

            "I need to breath big brother." He apologized as he lessened his grip on Sinbad. Doubar gave Rongar a slap on the back when he saw that the moor was up and about.

Feriouz looked around,

  "Where's Maeve?"

  "You mean she didn't return? I guess this voyage took more out of her then she would have me believe."

        "I don?t see why." Doubar said angrily, "She hasn't done anything, she didn't even visit you or Rongar." Doubar's eyes shifted from Sinbad to Stephan. He had had enough.

     "She did more than you did!"

      "Stephane, QUIET!"

            "No Doubar, I won't! I have had it with you bad mouthing her! She did every thing she could to make things easier on you, by having it quiet below deck, and using her magic to stop the storm, and defeat the pirates when they returned! She did not eat, or sleep so as not to have as many people below deck. She took all of your insults to save the crew from them! She assumed command of the Nomad because she knew that you wanted to stay by Sinbad's side! Now, she is worn out physically, mentally, and magically, all so we would not loose Sinbad, and Rongar, never letting on how much those things you said must have hurt. She knew that you wouldn't have said such hurtful things normally, but you said them, and coming from someone who she thinks of as a brother, hurt her more than anything! Now if you'll excuse me I'll go get Maeve."

            Stephane found Maeve back where he left her three hours before, except that now she was lying on the ground, asleep. He knelt beside her, deciding not to wake her, lifted her up and carried her back to the camp. ****

            The next thing Maeve knew she was waking up in her bed aboard the Nomad. As she sat up she was greeted by a voice beside her,

            "It's about time you woke up," Maeve looked towards Doubar form as he came closer.

            "How long have I been out?"

            "Two days."

            "How are Sinbad, and Rongar?" Doubar shrugged as he handed her a glass of water, which she accepted without complaint.

            "Rongar is almost fully recovered, and Sinbad is still resting. I almost had to tie to the bed to keep him there." Maeve laughed to herself with that thought. "Maeve, I'm sorry for acting the way I did," Maeve waved the apology away with her hand.

            "Look Doubar, I know that you were worried about Sinbad, I would be to if he was my brother, and you were under a lot of pressure,"

            "Not as much as you were, from what I heard," Maeve raised a questioning eyebrow, "Stephane told me of your little adventure as captain." Maeve snickered, as she swung her legs out off bed. "You should rest."

            "I've rested enough," she replaced her boots and went to the door. As she opened it she turned to Doubar, "I think it's about time I saw how Sinbad is doing." He smiled as he followed her out, shutting the door behind him.

***The End***