Part Three
The next day dawned bright and clear; Firouz was bleary eyed as he had stayed up the entire night working on his powerful new weapon, but he was in good humor as the fantasies of fame rushed through his mind. Rongar was smiling as he approached the crew, waking up with Boural had been one of the most pleasant experiences of his life. Doubar groaned as he sat down at the table, he had a late night with far too much wine, but he had thoroughly enjoyed himself none the less. Sinbad and Maeve were slightly later than the others arriving for breakfast; so comfortable were they when they had first awoken together that they had merely curled into each other's bodies and fallen back asleep once more. Though their behaviour was definately uncharacteristic, none of them were in the least way unhappy.
As Sinbad and Maeve did arrive, the captain turned to look at Firouz. "Have you thought of anyway to test the air on the island yet, Firouz?"
Firouz held up a large square box that held several different layers of cloth with in it. Laying at his feet was a medium size whirly gig. Firouz smiled. "You see, I figured if we could blow a sample of the air into this box, the air would pass right through the different sized holes in these cloths. The first cloth has the largest holes, and the final cloth the smallest, that way we could see if anything strange was in the air."
"Firouz, that's an excellent idea!" Sinbad smiled warmly at the scientist, glad to see that he had indeed put Sinbad's request ahead of his own invention. "Let us try it right now, right where we stand, and see what we are breathing in."
Firouz shrugged, "All right. Rongar if you will." Firouz held the box in front of the whirly gig as Rongar began turning its handle; after a few minutes the scientist nodded and the moor stopped turning. "That should be enough."
The entire crew gathered around the box as Firouz carefully began removing layer after layer of cloth. Just as they were beginning to wonder if the filter had failed in it's duty, Firouz cried out, "Ah ha! See, I said that there was likely something in the air here that we haven't seen before!"
Five sets of eyes peered at the light sheen of substance against the final cloth in the filter. "What is it?" Maeve asked curiously.
Firouz dipped his finger into the substance and raised it to his nose; his eyes widening he tasted it with the tip of his tongue. "Well, I'll be...." He trailed off as he looked around him. "It's the pollen from these trees!"
Sinbad was stunned, they had been breathing in a high quantity of the pollen of late, how badly was this going to affect them? "Firouz, are you sure that's what's been causing our problems?"
Firouz shrugged, "I will be after a few hours of testing. I'll be in the cabin if you need me. Rongar, I could use your help..."
Rongar cast a longing look over his shoulder towards Boural, but followed Firouz into the cabin without more than a moment's hesitation. He sighed deeply on the way.
"Maeve, I think you and I should talk to Mador. Find out if he knows anything about what's going on." Sinbad looked down at his highly hungover brother. He sighed. "Doubar, why don't you stay here and guard Firouz and Rognar, just make sure no curious tribes members get in the way of their experiments, all right?"
Doubar nodded in gratitude. "Sure thing, little brother."
*****
"Now we want to be subtle about this." Sinbad said to Maeve as they apprached Mador's cabin. "We don't really want to arouse his suspicions just yet."
Maeve rolled her eyes skyward, "What do you think I'm going to do? Walk in there and yell, tell us about the pollen and tell us now? Heavens, Sinbad, would I do such a thing?"
Sinbad just looked at her. "Um, does a village called Mirhago ring any bells? Or a sorcerer called Dinar? How about, "Look we know he's here, so let's see him"?"
Maeve blushed. "Point taken."
Sinbad laughed, "Let's just see what he volunteers before we press the point." He knocked on the cabin door.
"Ythera."
"Mador, it's Sinbad and Maeve." Sinbad called, not understanding the cheiftan's call to come in.
"Yes, Sinbad, please enter."
The two entered the cabin, surprised to see the lush surroundings. Hand crafted curtains hung from the windows, the furniature was all top grade and expensive, there were cabinets full of trinkets pressed up against the wall, and a large ceader oak chest in the hall way. The cabin was so richly decorated that at first neither Maeve nor Sinbad could recall their reason for being there, but only at first.
"Mador, first I must tell you that your Island is lovely."
"Thank you, Sinbad." He paused. "Is something bothering you? You seemed to be having an excellent time last night, did you not enjoy yourself?"
Sinbad shook his head. "Oh no, that's not it. I was just wondering, several of my crew members have been observing unusual behaviour amongst themselves lately, almost as if their fantasies have taken over their lives, would you know of any plant that would cause such a reaction?"
Mador raised an eyebrow. "Captain, this is a unique Island, we have many undiscovered plants and animals upon our shores; indeed, anything is possible."
"But you don't know for sure?"
"No, Sinbad, I'm afraid not."
Sinbad nodded. "Mador, we have reason to believe that the trees surrounding your village are the cause. Why don't you come see our friend Firouz, he'll be able to explain our suspicions far better than either of us."
Mador acted as though he was surprised, "Our trees? How is that possible? Yes, yes, take me to the scientist, I wish to speak with him urgently."
So back across the village they hurried, bursting in upon Firouz just as he was waving a long stick at Rongar. "I told you that was it! Finally we can do something about this!"
Sinbad stepped forward. "Have you found out anything more about the pollen, Firouz?"
"Yes, indeed I have! I have burned some of the pollen to test the reactions upon animals, and you should have seen the results! The animals appear to lose all sense of good judgement! Smaller animals attacking the larger, losing their fear, their inhibitions.. it's amazing!"
"Can you do anything about it?"
"I already have." Firouz went over to his boiling pots, and poured a green liquid into several bowls. "I made this out of the roots of a flower I noticed growing in groups by some of the dead trees. The juice of the roots appears to neutralize the effects of the pollen; I tried it on the animals, and they appear to be all right. I have yet to try it on a human being however."
Sinbad swallowed. "Fine, I'll be the first to try it." he reached his hand out for the bowl, and scowled at the smell of the liquid. Scrunching up his face, he held his breath and took a large swallow. Suddenly he began to gag, "Firouz, that stuff is vile!!!" He cried out around coughs, but suddenly his mind began to clear.
"Judging by the animals reactions, it should work fairly quickly." Firouz said, trying not to laugh at the expression upon Sinbad's face.
"Thank you, Firouz, I can feel my mind clearing as we speak." He turned and handed the bowl to Maeve. "Swallow quickly, and try not to sniff it.. it's awful."
Firouz handed a bowl to Rongar and then picked one up himself; he offered the final bowl to Mador, who declined. Gasping wildly the crew drank down the liquid, trying to convince themselves that it was not as disgusting as it tasted, but to no end; the only comfort was the clarity of thier thoughts returning to them, their fantasies permanently placed back into the fantasy world.
Sinbad sighed as he looked at Maeve; it had been fun, he had to admit it. No inhibitions, nothing to get in the way of what they felt, but things had to go back to normal. "Mador, your people will be needing a great amount of this to cure them all, and Allah only knows if it's a permanent cure or only temporary."
Mador shook his head. "My people will not be taking your cure, Captain, nor are they to be told that anything is wrong with the way they are living. They are happy and healthy, and I want nothing to interupt their lives."
Maeve's eyes widened. "But Mador, you're people have the right to know that they are being influenced by the pollen in these trees. What about the visitors that chose to remain on this island because of the pollen? Don't you think they deserve the oppurtunity to choose whether or not to go home to their families who love them?"
"They did choose, years ago, and now we are thier family."
Sinbad sighed. "Mador, these men and women chose while their minds were confused by a drug, don't you understand that? They need the chance too chose, its their free will to control thier lives, every human has it, and deserves the chance to use it."
Mador shook his head. "I forbid it. This is my island, my people, and my ruling. No one shall mention a word about the pollen, is that quite understood?"
Sinbad nodded, "Aye, clearly, Chieftan."
Mador looked at him suspiciously. "Sinbad, you and your crew are confined to your specific cabins. The tide leaves at midnight; I shall personally escort you all to the beach and then I don't wish to see you on my Island ever again."
Sinbad clenched his jaw, but nodded. He would do as he was asked by order of the leader of this community, but that wouldn't stop him from telling the outside world of the tragidy that was taking place in this tiny village.
"Come on, Maeve, we've been confined to our cabin." Taking Maeve's arm, Sinbad walked out the door to that cabin and across the path to thier own.
"Sinbad! What are you doing??! We can't just leave these people here without at least trying to help them!" Maeve pulled against his arm, trying to head back the way they came.
Sinbad took a hold of her firmly and looked her straight in the eyes. "Listen, there is nothing we can do here but get ourselves killed by the same people we're trying to help. What we can do is go back to the mainland and tell the people there. I'm sure they would be interested in knowing that there are several non tribes members here that could be considered hostages."
Maeve smiled, "Sinbad, that's a suprisingly logical idea. Congradulations."
Sinbad groaned. "Welcome back, Maeve." He grinned, and opened the door to their cabin. He rested his had upon her back as he lead her into the cabin. The whole morning had been something of a shock to them both, finding out that for the last several days they had been affected by a drug; to be controlled by a person was one thing, but to be controlled by something out of nature, something so small that it carried invisibly upon the wind, was unacceptable.
Sinbad frowned at the bitter taste remaining in his mouth; Allah was merciful in allowing Firouz to find the roots necessary to counteract the drug. Thank the seas Firouz still had enough sense about him to be able to discover and remedy the effects of the pollen. Who knows what would have happened had they remained under the influence of the pollen.
His eyes trailed to Maeve and his behaviour of the last few days came rushing back to him. He sighed softly as he watched her cross the room to sit on the sleeping pallet, her legs crossed gracefully beneath her. She turned her gaze upon him, and he knew in that instant that the pollen had in no way influenced his feelings towards her it had merely made his feelings more apparant to him. The best thing he could do for himself and Maeve was to admit right then and there that he loved her.
"What?" Maeve's eyes bore into him as he realized he had spoken aloud. Oh well, he thought, so much for dignity.
He took a deep breath and met her gaze straight on, allowing her to see clearly into his soul. "I love you, Maeve." He breathed out finally, and waited motionlessly for her response. He didn't get what he was hoping for.
Maeve began to laugh as she rose to her feet once more. "I don't think Firouz gave you enough of his medicine, Sinbad, you're brain is still fogged."
He shook his head, "Not a chance, Maeve. I know myself and my feelings for you are no fantasy. I love you, and I have for a very long time."
The look in his eyes, the earnest, pleading way the blue shone as he begged her to listen to him caused her to pause in her teasing. His very heart poured out of those eyes, and the love radiating off of his body was unmistakable. She took a step backwards as her throat clenched shut on her; he loved her. Sinbad loved her.
Her legs shivered beneath her, and for a moment she considered sitting down, and just forgetting what he had just said. But her heart denied her this, as it beat wildly in her breast, demanding that she do what she had so longed for. Stepping towards him, she met his pleading gaze, and smiled softly. "I love you." she whispered at first, and then her voice grew stronger. "I love you, Sinbad."
His face broke into a brilliant smile, and she brushed her lips across his in a gentle caress, allowing him to feel the love she had just proclaimed. His arms wrapped around her soft body and pulled her to him. The energy between them was immistakable, as the love they shared was irreplacable. He sighed as he held her tightly, drinking in the essence of her sweet kiss; he had found where he belonged, in Maeve's arms, and he vowed never again to leave.
*******
The knock came at their door long after dark, when the full moon was high in the sky, ready to light their way. Moving swiftly the duo readied themselves for their journey back to the ship. Taking a last glance around their cabin, Maeve and Sinbad made sure that everything was straightened and they had gathered all that they were taking with them. Then they headed out the door.
The entire village followed them through the trees, many of the men wearing swords upon their belts. Sinbad was on guard the entire walk, keeping Maeve near to him; Doubar was walking behind, guarding Sinbad's back, with Firouz and Rongar on either side.
They did not have to wait long; in a clearing of the forest, not twenty minutes away from the village, each tribes man drew out his sword and they surrounded Sinbad and the crew. The crew drew their own swords and prepared for battle.
Firouz felt the weight of his newly crafted weapon resting in one of his pouches, wondering at the risk he would be taking by using it upon the tribes men. He watched from slightly off to the side as Sinbad slew a tribes member, followed by Maeve, and Rongar took out two with his dirks. It was awful; these people were dying for a lie! A drug induced mirage! But no one could prevent what was happening, all the crew could do was protect their own lives.
Firouz removed the weapon, and held it in one of his hands; a torch from the tribespeople lay near by so he picked it up in preparation of use. He glanced around for an appropriate target, and found a large man coming up behind Maeve, ready to strike her to the ground.
He pointed his blasting weapon towards Maeve's would be accoster, but before could fire a blinding flash of pain exploded behind his eyes. Before he fell groaning to the ground, on the verge of unconsciousness, he was reassured by the sight of Maeve turning to slay her attacker. Mador crouched behind him, dropping the thick branch he had used to knock out the scientist, removing the blasting weapon from Firouz's hand. He rose to his feet and threw his arms high into the air in the sign of victory.
"Asu es adinon! Asu es adinon!" he cried out loudly, and each of his tribe members bowed deeply and backed away from their fight muttering, "Adinon es Mador!" They all moved to the opposite side of the clearing and sat upon the ground.
Maeve moved to Sinbad's side, and gently wiped away some of the blood that was dripping down his face. One of the tribesmen had managed to cut his temple with a dagger, but thankfully not badly. Tearing off a piece of cloth from his britches, Maeve pressed it tightly to his temple. His hand moved to cover hers and she afforded herself a whisper of a kiss before moving to check on Firouz.
Running her fingers along the base of Firouz's head, Maeve discovered a lump but no bleeding. At the flutter of her friends eye lids, Maeve gently whispered his name to guide him back to consciousness. She was relieved to see his eyes immediately focus upon her, and a ghost of a smile cross his face.
Helping him sit up, they both turned to watch the final confrontation between Sinbad and Mador.
Concluded in Too Late To Go Home: Part Five
