"Maybe…but we can't be sure…there are many women in the world with red hair and brown eyes, you know." pointed Duraid.
"But there aren't many women in the world who fit that description, and carry a hawk on their arm."
"She has a hawk?"
"So they said."
"Then, it maybe her."
"Maybe…" then he slammed his hand on the table with frustration, "but what is she doing with that sailor? I mean, I could offer her better than that…"
"Whatever it is…it's for a good reason… I mean Mike, she wouldn't go for that kind of life, unless she was really desperate…"
"Desperate for the Master of the Seven Seas…the guy is handsome, brave, and charming…" Mike said irritated at the thought.
"You really think that was the reason she is part of his crew?" Duraid said sarcastically.
"No…" he agreed. "The last thing she would go for is looks…"
"I hope it is her Mike, I have missed her…it was fun watching you two…" he teased trying to lighten the mood.
Mike pretended to scowl, but then gave up and smiled.
"She was the best partner I ever had Duraid," Mike said with a longing look.
"Mike…I hate to say this but…Lynn made it clear to you that she did not want this kind of life. She stayed only because she needed money…and because the reason was a good one…"
"I could never force her, Duraid," said Mike with a smile, he never showed anyone but Duraid…and of course…the redhead, "but I have a feeling she will help us…she did last time…and this time too, the reason is valid."
"But what off the crew?"
"They say Sinbad, fights for the side of good… we could use his help…"
"Whoa!" exclaimed Duraid; "you're that intent on having Lynn as part of this aren't you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Mike I have known you for almost 15 years…you never let anyone else help other than our gang or in certain cases people whom you really need…"
"Yes, Duraid, I am…Lynn has always been an exceptional source of help."
"I know, kid…I know… but what if she refuses?"
"Well…threatening her, or her friends will not help…that is the last thing that works on her… I am just hoping she'll understand our reasons… maybe I could get Hales to speak with her…I think she will help us…I hope…"
"It'll be good to have her back…"
"It'd be better if she were back for good…"
"Now that's wishful thinking…"
Mike gave one of his genuine smiles… he was about to say something when there was a knock on the door. Duraid opened it; the men whispered something. Duraid nodded, closed the door and said to Mike, "Mike…we have some problem on south side…I'll take care of it."
Mike nodded and smiled; Duraid left; Mike went back to his thoughts, and lost himself in his memories of her.
"Fascinating!" Firouz exclaimed. "It is absolutely amazing!"
"No Firouz…this isn't good." Maeve said seriously.
"Well what I mean is…"
"Whatever you mean Firouz." Doubar cut in, "heavy rains, then sudden sunshine as if nothing ever happened…it is a bad omen."
"Maeve, are you sure this isn't magic?" Sinbad asked.
"Sinbad… I can't sense any magic…I would think that I had lost my power…but in that case my connection with Dermott would not remain…"
"Are you sure?"
Maeve scowled…she hated when these men would question her powers. She formed a fireball in her hand and tossed it from right to left, the men's eyes widened. "Does this answer your question?" she said as she allowed it to die out.
They gulped and nodded. Maeve shook her head. She got up and said, "I want to take a walk…what do you guys plan to do today?"
"Well, I'll go check on the ship and the other sailors." Said Sinbad, "Doubar and Rongar are coming with me…and Firouz is going to get some supplies."
"Do you need any help from me?"
"No I don't think so…why don't you find out what's going on in the city…maybe we can help."
Maeve couldn't resist the urge to tease him. "No wonder you are so attractive to trouble!"
He was taken aback, the others snickered. Maeve got up to leave, as she brushed past Sinbad he caught hold of her hand casually saying, "Maeve, can I speak to you before we part?"
"Sure."
He led her to a private corner where the others wouldn't see them or suspect what he was going to do.
When he ensured that they would not be seen, he looked into her eyes and said, "how long will you be gone?"
"I don't know, why?"
"Approximately around?"
"I don't know…about one or two hours…why are you asking me such questions?" she felt that he was going be chivalrous again, something she, unlike other women, did not find charming.
"Give me a definite answer…"
"Two hours…now will you answer my question, and tell me why you are asking me such questions."
"Two hours, huh?"
She nodded. He seemed to think for a minute, then he suddenly, wrapped his arms around her and gave her a slow and passionate kiss that lasted for three whole minutes. When he broke it, she was breathless. He whispered, "that's for the first hour that you'll be gone."
Maeve was surprised. Before she was going to say something he lowered his mouth onto hers, and gave her another one that lasted for the same duration as the first, till she felt her legs giving away, and leaned her weight on his body. He could feel her leaning into him. He softly broke it and whispered even more softly, "that is for the second hour that you'll be gone."
When she was able to gain her balance she stood straight. He was about to break their embrace, when she pulled him towards her, and captured his lips with her own. Sinbad was stunned but responded with equal and more passion, when she finished she said slyly, "that's for in case there is any delay." Then she frowned saying, "since when was I so mushy?"
Sinbad grinned and pecked her on the lips before they broke apart. They all walked out of the inn. Maeve was going in the opposite direction of the guys.
"Okay! Bye guys!" she said.
"Bye Maeve!" they all said. Sinbad winked at her; she blushed. And walked away. When he turned around he saw the other three chuckling. His cheeks turned red when he realized they had seen what he just did. Seeing this, his brother and friends burst out laughing loudly.
"Oh! Come on! We have important things to do?"
They continued laughing. He huffed and stomped off. They laughed even more.
Mike walked around the streets in his cloak. No one could see his face. He always took these walks, to see how his minions were doing. He got a much clearer picture when he went around dressed as a commoner. He learned this tactic from Fireball. Before he met her the only reason he would go out into the street was for something serious…he never bothered to disguise himself because no one would suspect him. But when she started working with him, he learned much more. She was much younger than he, but in more ways than one, smarter and stronger than he was. Fire was clearly her element; her attitude, the way she lost her temper, everything was a reflection of her firebrand nature, even her hair reminded him of fire. That was why he called her 'Fireball'. She never seemed to mind it.
He couldn't help being excited, it had been six years since he'd seen her. he never knew what it was about her that made him feel so different. He always compared other women to her. He had never thought women, to be more than things who were meant to keep the bed warm, and make your blood heat up with excitement and pleasure. He walked by where the confectionery stall had been. That was where he first saw her. he thought she would make an excellent lower level member; but her attitude, it somehow demanded more respect, and succeeded in getting it. When he talked to her, he realized there was no way he could succeed in getting her to follow orders. So he had to make her a brain, the highest level.
She did a marvelous job. She defied him whenever she pleased, if he tried to force her, her sword would immediately be unsheathed. She was an amazing warrior. She fought better than most of the gang members, sometimes he thought that she was better than he was at fighting. Either that or her bird would charge at him, he never understood her relationship to that hawk, but he knew that Dermott was special. He looked forward to working with her again. He remembered when his middleman Rowan, told him of Sinbad's arrival. He almost jumped at Rowan's description of the woman who was with them. when he learned of Talia's relationship with Sinbad he was so happy. It would make things easier for him and Lynn, to meet.
He went to the outskirts of the town. He walked up to the beach, and sighed, Soon Fireball, he thought, we shall meet soon.
Maeve walked around the main market, but she wasn't looking at anything. She was in deep thought, yet her eyes and ears were on the alert, for her own safety. She thought about when she had first met Mikey. She paused as she remembered the corner he had pulled her into. She chuckled when she remembered the time when she and Mikey had kissed. She saw how jealous Sinbad was whenever she mentioned Mike. Mike was the first one who had ever kissed her. She liked it so much, that she couldn't help responding to it. She still remembered the way he felt against her. how couldn't she? It WAS her first kiss. But then again, he wasn't a comparison to Sinbad. She figured that Mikey already knew that Sinbad was here. His spies must've told him that…he always made sure he knew who was where. She sighed again as she remembered her times in Cairo.
She walked around the curio shops. She decided to get something for Sinbad, she browsed around for something he would like and use. She knew that he did not care much for fancy clothes or stuff like that. She spotted a jewelry shop. She went inside; she smiled at the beautiful necklaces, earrings, and rings. She felt the locket Sinbad had given her. She always felt a feeling of comfort, and love flow through her, when she touched it. Then something caught her attention. It was a beautiful necklace. The pendant was a large black pearl. She reached out to touch it, "is this real?" She asked the man. He smiled and shook his head saying, "nay, it not real…but look very real no?" he had a heavy accent. She smiled in agreement. Then something struck her. What if? She thought, that could explain the weather switches. She darted out of the shop, surprising the jeweler. She almost ran to the harbour. She had to get out her books. If this was what she thought it was, then she and the others had to do something about it. It was her duty, both as a sorceress and as a human being.
She ran into the harbour. Dermott was surprised why she was acting so strange. He cold sense her excitement mixed with fear. He hadn't heard her thoughts earlier. She had put up the barriers while thinking about Mike, because she did not want to upset Dermott. Those barriers did not permit him to read her thoughts when she saw the necklace. She ran to the ship. They were still repairing it. She looked around. She couldn't find Sinbad anywhere. Neither could she see Doubar or Rongar. She ran up to Amjad who was supervising the repairs, "Amjad! Amjad!" she called out, "where is the captain?"
Amjad was surprised to see her running, but he answered her, "he left about a half hour ago, Doubar and Rongar went with him."
"Where did he go?"
"I don't know… Talia came and told the captain that she needed his help, and she needed Doubar and Rongar to come too. So they went with him."
Maeve's eyes narrowed at the mention of Talia. "Did he say when he'd be back?"
"No." replied Amjad, " but he told us to tell you and Firouz to wait at the ship, and that he wouldn't take long."
Maeve nodded and walked into the ship. She had no time to be jealous of Talia. She had work to do. She thought it wise that she find out everything then tell Sinbad, it would save time. She went into her cabin, and brought out every book she had. She started with Dim Dim's diaries. After an hour of searching, she found what she had been looking for.
When We Were Thieves - Part 6
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