"What is it about that woman?" He said to himself, "just one kiss from her makes you want to spend your whole life with her."
He stretched and yawned. Suddenly, the door opened, Sinbad jumped out of the bed in surprise, saber in hand. It was a habit he developed every time he slept in an unfamiliar place.
Maeve giggled when she saw him; he looked so cute when he stood like that, in his fighting stance, with no shirt on. Sinbad relaxed when he saw it was her. He put the saber down and climbed back in bed. Maeve came up to the bed and sitting on the edge she said, "Good Morning, my captain!"
Sinbad smiled mischievously, "Good morning, O Owner of my heart!"
Maeve giggled, leaned in and kissed him tenderly.
"I could not sleep properly, last night." He said in mock complaining tone.
"Oh! Poor baby!" she said in mock sympathy.
"I missed you." he put on a puppy dog look, as he sat up.
"I missed you, too." Said she as he pulled her into his arms.
They held each other for some time. Sinbad played idly with Maeve's hair as they both listened to the sound of each other's heart beating. They both noticed that each one's heart beat in same rhythm as the other one's, but they did not mention it.
"Sinbad?" Maeve finally broke the dreamlike silence.
"Hmm?"
"I love you."
Sinbad smiled, "I love you too, Maeve." Saying so he pushed her backward just a bit, so he could kiss her. He kissed her with all the love and desire he could show her. Through his mouth he poured out all his feelings for her. He gently pushed her onto the bed. When they needed to breathe, he moved his mouth to her neck and to her chest. He then brought his lips back to hers. Maeve granted his pleading tongue permission into her mouth. He gave his hands free to roam, as his tongue explored her mouth. He reacquainted himself with the feel of her body that was pressed against his, a body he had come to know so well. He kissed her till the only thing in the world that mattered was each other; he kissed her till all reason flew from their minds; he kissed her, till they heard a knock on the door.
Maeve's eyes fluttered open. Her entire body tingled (even after all this time) with the feel of his touch and caress. He lips felt like they had just finished vibrating. Sinbad got off her and put on his shirt and vest quickly. Maeve got off the bed, and went and sat on a chair that was far away from the bed. While combing his hair he said, "come in."
Tessay walked in with a smile, "good morning, captain Sinbad." then she saw Maeve and said, "Ah! Maevey, you are here too. Good morning, dear girl."
Maeve smiled and kissed Tessay on the cheek. Sinbad put his comb down and kissed Tessay's hand with a good morning.
"Tessay," said Maeve, "what's the weather like today?"
"It seems like a day in the hot desert."
"No wonder I was feeling so warm." Said Maeve.
"Children, by noon it will turn scorching hot, I understand you have to go to the palace today?"
They nodded; she went on, "well in that case, you had better go now itself. It is comparatively less hot. "
Maeve nodded, she said to Sinbad, "I'll go check up on Rongar."
Sinbad nodded, as Maeve left the room. Tessay was looking at him with a knowing smile.
"What?" Sinbad asked when he noticed it.
"You are a good man, Sinbad, I trust you not to hurt her, she has been hurt too many times in life."
"I know, Tessay…I cannot bear to hurt her." he smiled
"I know you won't…"
"But she is strong." He asserted.
"I know," she nodded, and turned to leave, "that is why you love her." and before Sinbad could say anything, Tessay left the room.
"Aye," Sinbad repeated softly, "that is why I love her."
The four of them set out that morning after breakfast. They set out an hour after sunrise, yet it was as hot as about an hour before noon. The Woizero made sure that they had taken enough water for a week. The heat was not doing any good to their tempers. Mike and Sinbad were as usual scowling at each other. The heat was making them even more irritable. Maeve and Rongar were also irritated at the weather and especially at Sinbad and Mike. Their heads were getting heavier and heavier. Their weapons suddenly seemed heavier than they usually were.
Finally, after a whole two-hour walk, they reached the inn. They were sweating as if they had done a day's work. Mike said, "I have to go and see to my work. I'll see you all later." Maeve nodded, sort of relieved that he was going. She had serious doubts if, that he had stayed, she would be able to prevent him and Sinbad from killing each other.
"Bye, Mikey!" she smiled.
Mike smiled, gave her a kiss on the cheek and went off, not before raising an eyebrow at Sinbad. Sinbad scowled at the way he had given Maeve that kiss. Maeve saw his face, sighed and stomped inside. Doubar and Firouz were inside, their faces looked exhausted. Maeve went and asked for some ale for herself, Sinbad and Rongar. She came and sat at the table.
"So Firouz, " asked Sinbad as he sat down, "anything else you found?"
"Nothing. I checked Taita's chambers inside out. Nothing of much interest. The ship is coming along fine."
"Well, I checked the wall at the temple," said Maeve, "nothing there…the Woizero says that the wall will have to be rebuilt again. He engraved the riddle in very well."
"I lost to Duraid, " was all that Doubar said.
"Well you put up a good fight, Doubar!" said Talia who had just come in. she gave Sinbad a kiss on the cheek (earning a scowl from Maeve) and sat down.
Hales came in at that moment. "Ah! Maeva! Captain Sinbad! Rongar! Good you have reached. Hurry, the pharaoh has agreed to see you, he has even sent a carriage for you. We must not keep him waiting. Come quick!"
"Come crew," sighed Sinbad, "we must never keep royalty waiting." Saying so he got up. The rest of them reluctantly got up. They were all tired. They marched to the carriage. Maeve climbed in first. It was comfortable inside. She sighed and sat in the seat. She leaned her head against the threshold of the other door. Sinbad sat opposite her, he was a bit worried about her, but he refrained from asking her.
"You know," Maeve said, when they were all in, "I could use a good shower."
They all nodded in agreement.
They finally reached the palace. Maeve got out and donned her gauntlet, Dermott flew down to her arm. They gasped in awe at the majesty of the place. "These Egyptians sure know how to build." Said Talia.
The others nodded dumbly. Hales led them to the pharaoh's private chambers. Their eyes widened even more at the beauty of the chambers. It was plated with real gold. The pharaoh and the queen were seated on two beautiful thrones. There was another throne where lovely young woman sat. They assumed she was the princess.
"Pharaoh Mamose, Queen Lostris, and Princess Royan," announced Hales. "I present to you Captain Sinbad and his mighty crew." At which everyone bowed.
"I have heard many tales of you captain, " said the pharaoh, "they all speak good of you."
"That is why we have sent for you," said the queen. Sinbad bowed again, "it is an honour to be here, your majesties."
"Let me get straight to the point, captain, I believe you know about what has been going on."
"That we do, your majesty, " said Maeve.
"What say you, about this?"
"Your majesty, the second riddle Taita gave us, led us to believe that we are to go to Ra, the sun god, Heliopolis is to far away, for Taita to reach in such less time, we therefore assume that he means your shrine to the great god."
"But how could he have broken into my shrine, it is well guarded." The princess blurted.
"With all due respect your highness, Taita is a sorcerer. He can go anywhere, anytime."
"But he has to cross the gates, doesn't he?"
"Actually, your highness, he doesn't. I understand you are not as familiar with magic."
The princess kept quiet. The queen said, "that hawk on your arm?"
"He is very special to me, your majesty."
"As he is to Ra, you respect the sun god…"
Maeve just smiled. The queen took it as a yes.
Maeve then said, "your majesty, if we may, can we have a look into the shrine, and see if Taita has left anything for us?"
"Yes, of course you may, We will take you personally ourselves."
The pharaoh and his wife stood up, all the slaves in the room bowed like toads. The pharaoh and the queen walked out of the room after the beating of a lot of drums. Hales motioned for them to follow. They hurried after them. They walked through a long passageway it had statues of deities all over. The pharaoh said, "only my family, my chief priest and the high priests of temples are allowed to enter the shrine."
They finally came upon a narrow doorway. Hales motioned to Maeve to step forward. They did as told. The pharaoh explained, "you have the hawk on your arm. The animal is sacred to Ra. All sacred things must go first. Maeve nodded. Se stepped into the doorway and saw that she was in a wide room, in the room were a dozen people in white robes chanting something, six men and six women. There were miniature statues of Ra, and his triad. In front of her was a large door. The pharaoh placed a hand on her back, and pointed toward the door. Hales came by her and took her hand. He led her slowly, to the door. One of the worshippers came up and bowed to the pharaoh, then to Dermott. He took out a key and unlocked the door. When it was wide open, he made a gesture that told them to go in. Maeve and Dermott went in first. The minute she stepped in, Dermott screeched and flew out. Maeve gasped loudly and backed up. They rushed to her. She leaned against Hales and Sinbad. Sinbad asked, "Maeve, what's wrong."
"Look…" she whispered, as if unable to breath.
"What in the name of Osiris…" the pharaoh gasped.
They looked around, and were shocked at what they saw. The place was big, and it was beautiful…but once upon a time.
"This is sacrilege." The queen said. The altar to Ra was thrashed up. The golden walls were charred. The inscriptions on them were burnt. The only thing that seemed normal, rather was in proper shape was the 30 feet high golden statue of Ra. The statue was beautiful it had a hawk's head and a man's body. The eyes of the hawk were two large onyxes.
Maeve's knees suddenly felt weak. She clutched Sinbad's hand. He took her in his arms, with her leaning against him, and helped her sit down. She was breathing fast.
"Maeve," he said worried, "what happened? What's wrong?"
"Taita…evil…" she whispered.
"What is wrong?" the queen came and knelt beside Maeve. Maeve shook her head. After finally gaining some strength, she thrust her energy into standing up, with everyone's help of course. She wobbled a bit and steadied herself. She took a deep breath and focused. Then she slowly walked up to the statue.
"What is she doing?" asked Hales.
"I have no idea." Said Sinbad.
Maeve climbed over the golden chain that prohibited anyone from entering. She went up to the statue, and thumped it loudly. Suddenly the right eye's onyx fell out, it bounced of the shoulder of the statue and landed in Maeve's hand. She climbed out of the place. The pharaoh and the queen were stunned at what she did. They were about have her arrested for breaking of the eye, but hales motioned for them to stop. The onyx was the size of her hand. She formed a huge fireball in the other hand. They were all stunned to see this. Only the crew and Talia knew of Maeve's magical powers. Hales whispered, "no wonder I sensed there was something different in her. She awoke her powers."
"Awoke her powers?" Sinbad questioned, "you mean, you knew she had them?"
"I sensed it. Actually, Tessay told me that she had the element of fire on her side. "
All this while Maeve seemed to be in a trance. She looked very weak. They wanted to go to her, but the size of the fireball kept them away. Maeve took the onyx, and dropped it in the fireball, the minute she did so, she let go of the fireball, and it dropped to the ground, they expected it to explode, but it did not. Maeve's legs gave away and she fell. She crawled away from it, as if it would hurt her. Sinbad ran up to her, and helped her pull away. The fireball took the colour of blood. It became bigger and bigger. Then black fumes came out of it. The fumes rose to the air and took shape. A shape Maeve did not know, but recognized by magic.
"Taita." She whispered.
The shape looked human, but could not be distinguished. It was the size of the statue of Ra, only difference was this was translucent, like a gas.
It spoke in a loud booming voice; "SO…YOU HAVE FINALLY GOT THE ANSWER…I HAD A FEELING IT WOULD BE YOU MAEVELYN. MICHAEL WAS TOO FOOLISH TO THINK OF THIS. "
"Taita, " said Hales, "where is the pearl?"
"IT IS SAFE, WITH ME."
"Taita, give it back to us."
"YOU ARE FOOLISH HALES, I CAN RULE THE WORLD WITH THIS."
"You will rule a dead world if it isn't restored."
"I WILL EXPOUND ITS POWERS AND CONTROL IT."
"By that time, the world will be in chaos. You won't be able to rule anything."
"OH BUT I WILL."
"What do you want for the pearl?" the pharaoh said.
Taita laughed loudly. He said, "I HAVE NO INTENTION OF GIVING IT BACK TO YOU. HOWEVER, IF YOU FIND IT YOURSELF, THAT IS A DIFFERENT STORY."
"FINE" yelled Maeve. "Then tell us what to do."
"I'LL TELL YOU THE NEXT RIDDLE…" saying so, the fumes of gas that was Taita's shape sucked inside the fireball, which returned to its original colour and finally died down, leaving the onyx.
Maeve went up to the onyx and picked it up. She stared at it for sometime and then said, "whatever you see is just an illusion."
"WHAT?" they all were surprised.
"Imagine this place to be normal. Just try it. Pretend as if all this wreckage is not there."
"But…" started the queen.
"Lostris," said the pharaoh," she has led us this far, we might as well do as she says."
They all nodded and concentrated. It took time, but suddenly the entire room changed to what it was… a beautiful shrine. The onyx flew up from Maeve's hand to the right eye.
"What the…" Talia started when everything changed.
"Taita used an illusion." Explained Maeve.
"Lass," Doubar said, "the next riddle?"
Maeve nodded and said, "look for anything that might seem like a riddle."
Doubar muttered when he saw inscriptions, "Everything seems like a riddle"
The pharaoh said, "we will help."
They searched for half an hour. Dermott flew in and cackled something. Maeve nodded, "Dermott says that, we have to search the statue. Taita hid the riddle there purposely, because he knew it would take a lot of guts to search Ra, since we worry about it being insulted,"
"Well, if the hawk says so, then it comes from Ra, himself." Said the queen. She bowed to the statue and stepped into the podium. The pharaoh was about to go in, then he said, "to many of us mustn't go in. The captain, the sorceress and the inventor, I say you go in."
They nodded and stepped in. The three of them and the queen searched the statue. Sinbad and Maeve climbed all the way up to the head. Firouz and the queen searched down. Sinbad climbed down to the arms, which were crossed over the chest. He groped about. Maeve felt around Ra's face and shoulder's. Sinbad was about to climb back to the shoulders, when he lost his, footing, and slid down fast.
"SINBAD!" Maeve yelled. Her heart sighed with relief when he caught hold of the protruding girdle at the waist. He was hanging on it.
"Little brother!" Doubar shouted. He ran inside with Rongar and stood where Sinbad could fall. Sinbad tried to climb down, since down was closer than up was. He caught the protruding part tighter when he felt something, it felt like paper, or a leaf. Holding the girdle with one hand he took the piece in his other. It was paper.
Could it be? He thought. He looked up at Maeve. Then he shouted to Doubar, "Doubar! I am going to let go! You think you can catch me?"
"Just do it little brother, we'll get you."
He said a silent prayer and let go of the girdle he came down fast, and landed on Doubar and Rongar, causing them both to fall.
"Don't ever do that to me again." Doubar said as he hugged Sinbad.
"Sinbad!" Maeve called, "Are you all right?"
"I am! Maeve, I think I found another riddle, come down!" he shouted back.
Maeve sighed and climbed down.
When they were all on the ground, Sinbad opened the paper. There were something's written he couldn't understand it. He handed it to Maeve. She nodded, "it's a clue." The pharaoh said, "we'll decipher it in a private place."
The nodded and followed the royal couple to their private chambers.
On the way Maeve, managed to read it. She frowned, they were about to ask her what it was, but they had reached the chamber. When they were all comfortable, the pharaoh said, "well, sorceress, what does it say."
Maeve took a deep breath and read,
"I am the light of the one who lives after death…."
"Well…go on" urged Sinbad.
"There is nothing more." Said Maeve.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that this is all."
"Nothing more?"
"No."
When We Were Thieves - Part 12
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