"She said that she had some unfinished business to take care of, so she left, a little while after Sinbad left for bed." answered Doubar.
Firouz was talking to Nimmur, the innkeeper. He came up to the crew and said, "it looks like some serious rain around here."
"Cairo usually doesn't experience that much rain, … but when it does, it does like hell." Said Nimmur, who came to them with mugs of ale.
"Thank you." Maeve smiled as she accepted her mug, then she turned to the others, "I hope this rain gets over soon. We have to deliver our stuff to Alexandria."
"That reminds me," said Sinbad, he turned to Nimmur, "Nimmur, is there anyway we can send a message to Alexandria?"
"Well, I have someone going that side of the country… he should be leaving tomorrow early morning, if you want you could deliver the message through him. "
"Good! Can I see him?"
"Of course, follow me."
Sinbad followed Nimmur inside, to give the message.
"Doubar, what about the ship… we couldn't repair it in the rain, could we?" asked Firouz.
"No we can't do that. We'll have to wait for it to stop. I wonder what is causing so much rain anyway."
"Well, Doubar, " said Firouz ready to give a lecture in science, "rain is caused by the process of evaporation and condensation, that results into precipitation…" he broke off, as Rongar and Doubar shook their heads, with a big sigh.
Maeve suddenly frowned. Sinbad and Nimmur had come up to them by this time. "Nimmur, " she asked, "Cairo never had rain at this time of the year, and that too of such magnitude."
"That is true, Miss Maeve, we are all surprised too. The weather is strange nowadays. A week ago it was pleasantly warm as it was supposed to be, then it turned freezing cold…there was snow everywhere, then suddenly it turned to scorching heat, and now storm, wind, rain… it do not understand…no one understand…pharaoh is very worried, if this go on… food will be problem…most of our fields have been destroyed…"
Maeve nodded.
"If you will give me leave, " said Nimmur; " I have something to attend to."
Sinbad thanked Nimmur who smiled and left. Then he turned to Maeve, "could it be magic that is causing all this problem?"
"That is why I am a bit worried, Sinbad, I cannot sense any magic, at the same time this isn't natural, like I thought it was. But one thing is for sure…whatever causes this, also caused that storm."
Rongar nodded his head in agreement. He signed, if it isn't natural, and if it isn't magic, what is it?
"I don't know, Rongar, but I have my suspicions."
"Well…" said Doubar loudly, "whatever it is…it is making me very hungry."
They all laughed. They remained at the inn till the next morning.
Talia walked down the half-flooded back streets. She was soaked, and she was shivering. She cursed herself for being so blind, that she couldn't see it come. She walked into a dingy alleyway. She covered her nose and mouth at the detestable odour of gutters, and rainwater mixed. She squealed a bit as she felt something walk over her leg. It was a rat. From the alleyway, she walked into the main street. She walked into a cheap tavern. It was more like a brothel. She was used to these places. Her heart pounded against her chest, as she approached a big table. There were nine people sitting around it. One space was empty. She took it.
"Talia, my sweet rose!" the man at the head of the table said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. She couldn't help feeling a bit fuzzy. This guy was gorgeous. That's what made him so easy to trust. His pretty face. His bright blue eyes twinkled with wicked mischief.
"What do you want, godfather?" she asked him. Nobody ever called him by his name except his gang members. Everyone called him sire, sir, or godfather…because that was what he was. Shady Mike got that name because he was always in the shadows. He never did anything himself…not because he couldn't. It was his style of working. He was an excellent swordsman…in fact he reminded her so much about Sinbad. A Don of the underworld; the highest assassin; the great gambler; the master thief, the godfather of organized crime. They were all terrified of him. Not because he was a bad person by character… but he was dangerous. His middle name was Danger.
Nobody understood why he did what he did; not even Duraid, his right hand. Nobody could figure out which side of the law he was on. He would help the just and the righteous, at the same time he would kill and steal. He was a sexist womanizer. Yet he respected the dignity of women. When the guards and the police could do nothing…people would come to him. His gang…it was a network all over Cairo. He had spies, all over the place. That was how he found out that she was the one who did what wasn't supposed to be done.
His gang had three levels. The brains: these people were the ones who'd do the planning; they knew everything about everyone. The middlemen: they were the link between the brains and the minions, they would tell who to do what…they would coordinate the operations. Finally, the minions: the ones who did the dirty work… they were the largest in number, consisting of spies, assassins, thieves, everything to do with crime. As said before he was sexist. He never believed that women could do anything more than spy, and in certain cases, kill and steal. So they were limited to the lowest level. He, however, did realize the importance of having women. After all. When somebody would be murdered… the last person you expect to be the killer, would be a woman. They also made excellent decoys.
However, rumour had it that, five to six years ago there was a woman in the highest level. Shady Mike's partner…'the one you don't want to mess with' the was what they called her. In the highest level, they all respected each other, there were only about three or four of them…but were always subject to Shady Mike. This woman however, was the only one who defied Shady Mike, rather the only one who dared. Talia never knew how far the rumours were true. She did know that there was such a partner…but she wasn't sure this one was a woman. She did want to meet this person…maybe she could get some tips on defiance. She wondered why he/she left.
"Talia, I have a job for you." Mike said.
"Don't you always…" she muttered under her breath. Mike heard it. He stood up. He was about 6'3" tall. He had a perfect body… just like Sinbad did.
He walked up to her. She cowered in her seat. He pulled her up to his height and hissed, "I heard that, you bitch, but I need you, so I'll let you go." He let go off her and she slumped back in her seat. He continued, "I hear from my men that Sinbad and his invincible crew are in this town. I also heard that you used to be the legendary captain's lover. I also know that you two are still friends. I have a desire to meet this man. You are to arrange it."
"With pleasure, sir, I'll ask him to come and meet you!" she stuttered.
Mike laughed. "No my sweet, he will not come. He will not trust you. I know of your adventure with him in Linopia. Besides, he must have heard of me by now. You are to somehow get him to come here…either by force, or by sweet talking him."
"I-I-I- I can't betray him… he is my friend…"
Mike chuckled, "no my dearest, you will betray him…and it will be for a good cause. We might even work together…"
"Then why don't you go and tell him that instead of playing games…" Talia snapped, she forgot her fear.
Mike slapped her hard on the cheek; "it is not your place to ask questions. Remember, your ship is with me."
The colour drained from her face. She said, "I will do it…I don't know how, but I will…all I ask is that, if in case I need manual help with it, you provide it. His crew is a skilled and strong. Chances are I won't have to fight them, but in case I do…"
"You can use my minions… if you need them, go to Rowan." He said.
She nodded. He gave her an evil smile. Then he cupped her face and kissed her. She did not understand why, but she responded with full vigor. It was as if her body longed for the feel of him. The same feel she had, when she first slept with him. A feeling of thrill.
She left the tavern, and went to the inn where she was staying. Tomorrow was going to be a long and tough day.
When We Were Thieves - Part 5
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