Sinbad walked up to the main deck of the Nomad and saw Bryn standing near the front of theship. She had been very quiet the past few days, he missed the casual banter they exchanged whilehe was at the tiller. He walked over to her and touched her shoulder.
"Bryn," he asked softly. "What's wrong?"
"I'm not sure."
"What do you mean?"
"I feel....empty."
Sinbad was not quite sure what to say. They had been at sea for almost two weeks, maybe it wastime for them to take a break.
"There's a port near here, I believe it's called Zienople, we can stop there. Maybe you'll findwhat you're missing there."
"Maybe."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~The Nomad arrived in port a few days later. Doubar, Rongar and Firouz went in search of atavern. Sinbad went with Bryn, who decided to look around the town.
"I've been here before." Bryn said suddenly.
"How do you know?"
"I just do."
Before Sinbad could say anything else, a young woman ran up to them.
"Bryn?" She asked as she stopped suddenly in front of Bryn.
"Yes. How do you know my name?"
"I'm Alycia, your sister."
Bryn felt as if she had the wind knocked out of her. "Sister." She stared at Alycia a momentlonger. "I'm sorry, but I don't remember you."
"It's a long story." Sinbad intervened. "Maybe we should go somewhere and talk."
"We can go to my house, it's just over the ridge." She turned to lead the way. Bryn andSinbad lagged behind a little.
"Sinbad, you don't have to stay. I think that I would like to talk with Alycia alone."
"Are you sure? I know that this has been a big shock for you. I would really rather not leaveyou alone." He said as he looked at her.
"I'll be fine." She assured him with a small smile.
"Okay." He gave in. "But I'll be close by if you need anything." He squeezed her hand andsmiled at her before he left.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Sinbad went to find Doubar and the others while Bryn talked with her sister. After he filledthem in on the news, he left. When he got back to Alycia's house, she was still talking with Bryn.He did not want to interrupt them, so he paced around outside thinking. He thought about howmuch the two of them resembled each other. They both had dark brown hair, but Alycia wore herslonger than Bryn's. Alycia had lighter eyes than Bryn, though. They both seemed to exhibit thesame air of strength, too. At that moment Alycia came out.
"Bryn is inside looking at some things from mom and dad."
"How is she?" He asked with some concern evident in his voice.
"I"m not sure, she not a very easy person to read. Why don't you go on inside, I think shecould use some support."
When he walked in Bryn was standing next to a table by the window, holding a little dolphinfigurine in her hand.
"These belonged to my parents." She stated as he walked up next to her. "They died when Iwas fourteen. I thought that by looking at these things and being around them I could rememberthem. But I can't." She put the dolphin down. "I want to remember, but I can't"
"Bryn." Sinbad said turning her to face him.
"When I left, Alycia was here by herself. I left her."
"Bryn." He said again. "You didn't do anything wrong. You couldn't help what happened.Besides, you're here now. That's what matters."
"You're right."
"I know that this has been hard on you, but remember you're not alone. I'm always going to behere for you."
"Along with Doubar, Rongar and Firouz." Bryn smiled.
"Right." He answered as he hugged her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*All of a sudden there was a commotion out in the street. Bryn and Sinbad ran into the streetwith the others, just as the sky clouded over with dark clouds and lightning flashed. Suddenlyharsh, cold winds began to blow and a tornado appeared out of nowhere. It touched down infront of the group. The wind disappeared and a woman appeared.
"Rumina."
"Hello Sinbad. It's good to see you again." She walked around him, assessing him, before shespoke again. "You haven't changed at all, just as handsome as ever." She noticed Bryn then. "I seeyou found yourself another witch."
She walked over to Bryn. "Are you any better than the other one?" She asked as she looked Brynover. Bryn stared back at her with a raised eyebrow.
"What's the matter, cat got your tongue? Hmm. Well no matter there's nothing you can do."She then disappeared in a vapor of smoke. Bryn turned to look at Sinbad.
"Who was that?"
"It's a long story." he sighed.
"I thought she was gone." Doubar stated.
"Apparently not. We need to go talk with Alycia."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Alycia and the others sat around a table in her house.
"She has not been here long. She created a castle for herself, using her magic. It's located onthe top of a mountain, on the other side of the island. She does not bother us much, every once ina while she will send some men down to take some girls back as servants."
"Have you ever been taken there?" Bryn asked.
"No, I haven't. But from what I understand, when you get taken there sometimes you don'tcome back."
"I wonder why she picked this particular island to live on?" Sinbad asked.
"There could be any number of logical reasons." Firouz answered. "It's location, food supply,climate, anything."
"Well, I don't intend to wait around to find out why." Doubar said getting up.
"Calm down Doubar, we can't just go charging up there. We need a plan."
As Sinbad and the others discussed the plan, Bryn and Alycia talked some more.
"So you can't remember anything."
"No, nothing. I can only remember what happened after I woke up. Alycia," Bryn said takingher hand. "I'm sorry for leaving you alone."
"I know, it wasn't your fault." She looked down at Bryn's bracelet. "What's this?"
"I don't know. I woke up with it on my wrist. It contains magical powers."
"I noticed Sinbad has one too." She looked up into Bryn's eyes. "You two are destined forsomething special. That's why you were taken from your homes."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~A while later, Sinbad was out walking with Bryn. After telling her about the plan he asked howthings were going with Alycia.
"All right, there are still some uncomfortable moments." Bryn said. "We still have a lot tocatch up on."
"I've been doing some thinking on that. If you want to, you can stay here for a while, to catchup and we can pick you back up on our way through here."
"That's very sweet, I just might do that. It's hard to believe that I actually found my family. Ithought I never would and now I have. I don't feel so empty now, it's like I'm complete." Her eyeslit up as she talked. Sinbad smiled at her happiness. He had not realized how much he missed hersmile until he saw it. He took her hand and said.
"It's good to see you smile again. I missed it." Bryn looked into his eyes and smiled back.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*When they returned to the village Doubar informed them that Alycia was taken by Rumina'smen. Sinbad sent Doubar with the others to make sure everything was ready. He then assuredBryn that they would get Alycia back.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Alycia was dragged from her cell and thrown in front of Rumina.
"I thought I was brought here to be your servant."
"Normally you would be, but I have something more special in mind for you."
"Like what?" Alycia asked.
"You see, I know that you're the little sister of that witch of Sinbad's. I'm going to use you asbait, to lure her here and then I'll kill her."
"No!"
"With the little witch out of the way, there will be no one to protect Sinbad from me. Onceshe is gone I'll be able to kill them all."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*The crew walked slightly down the darkened hallway of the castle. The only illuminationcoming from erratically placed torches. They eventually came to a cage in the wall where Alyciawas being held.
"Alycia, are you all right?" Bryn asked.
"Yeah. But you need to get out of here. Rumina knows you're here. She's using me as bait sothat she can kill you." she rushed out.
"We're not leaving without you. Stand back and I'll get you out." Her eyes grew yellow andsoon the lock on the gate turned red. A loud click was heard as the door came unlocked.
"Come on, hurry up." Sinbad said. After getting Alycia, they started to head back out.
"Wait, what about Rumina? We can't leave without stopping her." Doubar said.
"We can't Doubar, it's too risky." Sinbad reasoned.
"That never stopped you before."
"Well Doubar it looks like you might get your chance." Firouz interrupted. "Look." hepointed down the corridor as masked men came running down the hallway. Rongar, Sinbad andDoubar fought the men as Firouz, Bryn and Alycia tried to make their way out of the castle. Theymade it to the opening at the end of the corridor when Rumina appeared.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*"Leaving the party so soon?" Rumina asked.
Bryn motioned for Firouz and Alycia to stay out of the way.
"Let's see how good you really are, little witch."
Bryn's eyes began to glow as Rumina created a magic sphere on her hand. The two witches magic clashed ina glowing green light. They broke off at the same time to regain someof their strength, as the magic clashed again Bryn's bracelet beganto glow. Slowly, Bryn's powers grew stronger and she sent a shockthrough her magic that was powerful enough to throw Ruminea backagainst the wall.
Bryn looked like she was about ready to drop, Firouz and Alycia ran over to her to help her out of the castle. Asthey were walking out, Rumina appeared again.
"You'll have to do better than that if you want to beat me.Enough of these pesky little games, it's time for you to die."
Suddenly in Rumina's hand there appeared a bright yellow sphere."Good-bye little witch." She threw the magic sphere at Bryn. Alyciashoved Bryn and Firouz out of the way as she was hit by it.
"No!" Bryn screamed as Alycia fell to the ground. She ran overto her, but she was not moving. As Firouz knelt down next to Alyciato examine her, a bright white light appeared from the sky andilluminated Bryn.
"Burn in Hell." Was all she said before fires encircled Rumina.Try as she might Rumina's powers were no match for the power of thefires. She screamed as the flames engulfed her more and more. Sinbadand the others appeared as Bryn knelt down next to Alycia's body.
"I'm sorry, there was nothing I could do." Firouz said. Thecastle began to crumble and Rumina grew weaker and weaker. Sinbad ranover to Bryn and Firouz.
"We need to go. Now." He grabbed Alycia's body and ran out ofthe castle with the others before it crumbled to the ground.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*When they returned to town, Firouz examined Bryn. Finding nothingwrong with her, except that she was extremely weak, he ordered her tobed. She slept for two days. On the third day, Sinbad came to checkon her. Finding that she was not there, he went in search of her. Hefound her kneeling beside her sister's grave.
"I'm sorry that you missed the service." He said, kneelingbeside Bryn.
"I'm sure it was lovely, but I perfer it this way. I'm able tosay good-bye to her privately." Bryn ran her hand over the freshlyturned soil. "She didn't deserve to die like this. She was soyoung.....it's not fair." Bryn started to cry. Sinbad hugged her asshe cried.
"I know."
A while later, after Bryn had finished crying, the two of them sat,in silence, next to Alycia's grave.
"It's time to say good-bye." Bryn finally said. She reached downnext to her, to grab the flowers she had piked earlier. Placing themon the fresh soil, she whispered.
"Good-bye my sister. I love you."
Sinbad reached for Bryn's hand, helping her to stand. He continued tohold it as they looked at Alycia's grave one last time. Finally, Brynturned to him.
"Thank you, for everything. I don't think I could have done thiswithout you."
His answer was to just give her another hug.
The End.