See Part One for Disclaimers

Chapter Four

Sinbad looked out over the sea.  It was so beautiful from up here.  He shifted his position in the crow's nest.  He watched the spray lick up over the prow of the Shadow Moon.  Of all the jobs on the ship, 'look-out' was very nearly his favorite.  He could see forever from up here.  The only bad part was having to stand in the same spot for so long.

He looked down at the deck.  Everyone looked so small down there.  He scanned the deck until he found Doubar.  His big brother was standing there giving orders to the men scrubbing the deck.  Sinbad smiled, someday that was going to be him.  Doubar looked up just then and Sinbad waved at him.  Doubar waved back.

Sinbad shifted in the crows nest again and looked out over the water.  Someday, he thought,  someday I'm going to have a ship like this and be the master of it.  But for the time being he knew he was just going to have to content himself with his duties as look-out and cabin boy.

Sinbad frowned as he though of this ship's Master, Captain Rungil.  He was a good captain, but he was not Aiden.  One more month, Sinbad reminded himself, one more month and the repairs on the  Adventure would be completed.

He looked out across the horizon and scanned for any sign of land.  He tried to be patient, but they were going to be picking up Master Dim Dim and Robis.  He knew they were not far from the Isle of Corusar and he was starting to get excited.  Not starting, he smile, he was excited.  Captain Rungil had received a commission from the Caliph of Baghdad to transport Master Dim Dim back with them.  He could not wait to see Master Dim Dim.  He had so much to tell him.

Sinbad heard a commotion down on the deck and looked down to see what was going on.  He saw a man in black robes trudging his way through the group of sailors swabbing the deck.  It was Master Egan.  He walked up to Doubar and started to gesture wildly.  Sinbad could not make out what he was saying, but what ever it was, it infuriated Doubar.  Master Egan's apprentice, Firouz, just stood there behind his master as he carried on his tirade.  Sinbad felt sorry for the other boy.  Egan was loud, demanding, and in his own way cruel. Sinbad did not know how Firouz put up with it.

All other thought vanished when he saw something dark shape rise up against the horizon.  "Land ho!"  He called out.  It won't be long now, Sinbad thought.  And I can tell Master Dim Dim all about this.

******

Sinbad stretched and looked up the sky. Dusk had started to fall and the stars were coming out one by one.  How long were Captain Rungil and Master Dim Dim going to talk.  Master Dim Dim and his apprentice, Robis, had boarded the Shadow Moon hours before, but Captain Rungil had spirited them away to his cabin before Sinbad or Doubar had even had a chance to say hello to them.  Sinbad sighed and walked out onto the deck.

A lone figure stood looking out over the sea.  Sinbad watched for a moment and then stared over.

"Firouz?"

The boy jumped and spun to face Sinbad.  "Wh....what's...I mean...am..am I somewhere I shouldn't be?"  Firouz stumbled over the rush of words.  Panic shone on his face and his eyes desperately searched for a escape route.

Sinbad laid his hand on Firouz's arm to try and calm him.  "No, you're fine.  I didn't mean to startle you."

Firouz blushed and stared at his boot tops.  "I'll...I'll get out of your way."  He started to inch around Sinbad.

"No, don't go," Sinbad said.  "That is unless you want to."

Firouz bit his lip.  "Uh, no.  Not...not just yet."  Firouz walked back to the rail beside Sinbad.  They gazed out over the waves.  The moon had started to rise.  She cast her glow out over the ripples of the waves.

"It's beautiful," Sinbad said finally.  Firouz nodded and he started to relax a bit.

"Where you from?" Sinbad asked.

"Basra," Firouz said quietly.  "But...but Master Egan is from Karakas, so we've...we've been there for the last year or so."  Firouz glanced at Sinbad.  "Is...is Captain Rungil your...your father?"

Sinbad laughed.  "No."  He saw the embarrassed look on the other boy's face.  "Hey, it's ok.  I am young to be at sea.  The big Bosun, Doubar.  He's my brother.  Our parents died when we were young.  Doubar has basically raised me."

"You're lucky," Firouz said.  Sinbad gave him an odd look.  "To have a brother," Firouz added quickly.

"What about you, Firouz.  Do you have any family?"

Firouz grew so quiet that Sinbad turned to face him.  He could see unshed tears glistening in the moon glow in the other boy's eyes.  "They died."

"I'm sorry," Sinbad mumbled.  He knew the hurt and loss the other boy felt, he had felt that loss all his life.

"Our house burned down," Firouz went on to say.  "They got trapped inside.  A couple of neighbors pulled me out before the roof collapsed. I...I just couldn't get to them."  Firouz sniffed and dropped his head.  "Sorry, I didn't...I..." tears strangled in his voice.

"It's ok," Sinbad said squeezing the other boy's shoulder.  "How long ago did it happen?"

Firouz wiped his nose on back of his sleeve and swallowed.  "Ab..about a year ago."  Moonlight glittered off of something hanging around his neck.

"What's that?"  Sinbad asked motioning to the amulet.

Firouz slipped it over his neck and handed it to Sinbad.  "It was my father's.  He won it one year at a fair in Basra for an invention he made. "

"Was you father a scientist?"  Sinbad asked looking at the amulet.  He looked up at Firouz, but Firouz was not listening, his eyes had taken on a faraway look.

"Firouz?"

The other boy's head snapped back, "Yes."

"You ok?"

Firouz shook his head and smile wanly.  "It's nothing, what did you say?"

"Was your father a scientist?"

"Kind of," Firouz said shyly.  "He was a tinker by trade, but he could make the most amazing things."  He started to dig in his belt.  "Oh, before I forget."  He pulled out a small brass disk and handed it to Sinbad.  "I made this for you."

"What is it?"  Sinbad asked. The disk had tiny holes all over its edges.

"A trap for bugs," Firouz said showing him how to turn it to open it.  You just put a drop of honey and tar in the center here and bugs crawl in and can't get out.  I heard about all the trouble you had trying to catch the bugs in the galley, earlier."

"Amazing," Sinbad said looking at the disk.  "Thank you."

"Ok, what kind of mischief are you two rascals up to?"  A voice boomed from behind them.

Firouz flinched and ducked as if bracing for a blow.

"Firouz, it's ok.  Don't let this big oaf scare you.  He's my brother, Doubar."

"Just your brother, huh?"  Doubar laughed.  Sinbad made a face at him.  Doubar frowned in question.

Firouz started to slip away.   "I...I really need to go.  Master Egan is calling."

"I didn't hear anything."  Sinbad looked at Doubar.  The big man shook his head.

"I have to go," Firouz said again.  "It was really nice talking to you, Sinbad."  Firouz gave him a smile.  It was the first genuine smile Sinbad had ever on the other boy's face.  Firouz quickly turned and disappeared towards the aft of the ship.

"That is one odd boy," Doubar said watching him leave.

"Aye," Sinbad frowned.  "And a very scared one."

******

Firouz hurried across the deck.  The impatience in Master Egan's voice reverberated in his skull.  Firouz remembered how frightened he had been the first time he had heard Master Egan's mind call in his head.  Since that time, he had become accustomed to it.  He hadn't realized how odd it was until he had seen the confused looks on Sinbad and Doubar's faces.

He was really going to get it this time.  He should have come immediately when he had first heard the call, but he was really enjoying talking to Sinbad.  It had been so long since he had someone to talk to.  Not since, Firouz swallowed against the lump forming in his throat.  In his nightmares, he could still feel the flames licking against him as he tried to get the door to his parents room open.  He could still hear his father pounding against the door that would not open.  His mother yelling for him to get out to the burning house.

Firouz paused for a moment outside Mater Egan's cabin and took a deep breath bracing himself. He quietly pushed the door open and stepped in.

Master Egan didn't seem to notice him enter.  The scientist was intently studying a large book laying open on the table.  The lone candle burned beside the book casting shadows around the small room.  Firouz stood quietly, acutely aware of the strange smell of sulfur permeating the room.  He startled violently as Master Egan slammed the book shut.

"The fool!"  Egan cursed, getting to his feet.

Firouz thought for a moment he had done something to anger his master, but as Egan continued to fume he relaxed.

"That blasted self-righteous fool.  Dim Dim is going to ruin everything.  All my plans, months of preparations ruined by his meddling.  Egan stopped and whirled to face Firouz.  "Come here, boy."

Firouz obediently walked over to his master.

"I hate to do this, but sacrifices must be made in order to carry out my master's bidding," Egan said laying his hand on the boy's shoulder.

The last thing Firouz remembered was the glint of the candle light on the goat head crest of Master Egan's ring.

******

"Sinbad, you had best get below."  Doubar had a concerned look on his face.  The wind had begun to pick up and dark clouds started to blank out the stars.

"Doubar," Sinbad started to protest, but look on Doubar's face silenced him.

"Sinbad, Doubar," Master Dim Dim emerged from Captain Rungil's cabin.

"Master Dim Dim," Sinbad hurried over to the magician.

Dim Dim smiled at the boy, and then saw look on Doubar's face. He turned to look out at the sea. He began to frown.

"What is it Master Dim Dim?"

"Something isn't right.  This storm isn't right."

Doubar nodded.  "It's too late in the year for a storm like this.  That storm a few weeks ago should have been the last for the season.  The way those waves are whipping up, we're going to be in for a bit of a blow before it's through."

"I have a feeling you're right," Dim Dim said.  "Sinbad," he wrapped an arm around the young boy's shoulders.  "I believe I have something for you in my cabin."

Doubar gave the magician a relived look.  Dim Dim smiled and took Sinbad below.

Robis turned to follow is master below, but hesitated for a moment to look out at the sea and the storm building off on the horizon.  A jagged lance of lightening stuck the sea and distant thunder peeled though the night sky.

"Now, that's power," he said in quiet awe.

"Aye," Doubar said eyeing Dim Dim's young apprentice.  "But unpredictable and deadly."

"Perhaps," Robis said blandly.  "Perhaps."

******

Lamp light flickered and cast shadows around Dim Dim's small cabin.  Sinbad sat cross legged on the magician's bed, a book spread open in his lap.

"This is amazing!"  A smile spread wide on his face.

"I thought you might like that," Dim Dim said.  "With all the sailing you and your brother have done over the last year, I thought a book of sea charts might be just the thing to keep track of where you have been," Dim Dim said with a smile, "Where you are going to go."

"Everywhere!"  Sinbad leafed through the stiff pages of the book.  "I want to go everywhere."

"And that's just what you'll do," Dim Dim said with a laugh.  He turned to look at his young apprentice.  "How are your notes coming, Robis?"

Robis swore and made a grab for the jar of ink as it slid towards the edge of the table.  "Terrible. Between the bucking and pitching of the ship and the swinging and weaving of that lamp," he gestured towards the lamp suspended from the ceiling rafters by a chain, "I'm getting nothing accomplished."

"Well, then quit for the night. You push yourself too hard.  You can't learn everything there is to know about magic in just a few weeks, it takes time."

Robis sighed, "I know.  Alright, I will take a break."

A wave slammed into the side of the ship causing the craft to shudder for a moment.  Sinbad glanced up at the ceiling.  They could hear shouts of the crew above deck as they piloted the ship through the storm.

"Doubar is fine, Sinbad," Dim Dim said gently.

Sinbad forced a smile.  "I know, I guess I'm just a bit worried about him."

Dim Dim started to say something else, but the door flew open letting in sheets of rain and sending sheet of papers flying off the low table.  Robis and Sinbad scrambled to pick them up.  Doubar tromped in and shoved the door shut with a mighty heave.

Dim Dim helped him shed the heavy rain soaked cloak draped around his broad shoulders.

"How bad is out there?"  Dim Dim asked.

"It's a not even fit for fish."  Doubar wrung his turban out and hung it on a peg on the wall.  He shook the worst of the rain out of his shoulder length blond hair.  He started o dry off with a towel Sinbad had thrown him.

"I've never seen a storm some up so quickly or ferociously.  We finally got the sails furled and everything battened down.  Captain Rungil ordered me and a few others below decks to ride out the storm."

"Those with families," Dim Dim said quietly.

"Aye," Doubar answered.  Sinbad came to stand beside his brother.   Doubar smile down at him.  "How you holding up, little brother?"

"I'm fine," Sinbad said.  "I guess I was getting a little worried."

Doubar smiled and gave him a quick hug.  "No storm is ever going to get me.  Don't you worry about that.  No matter how hard a blow it is."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Sinbad relaxed a bit now Doubar was here.  He knew now if something happened they were at least together.  Sinbad loved the sea, but storms were another mater. A storm had taken his parents before he was even old enough to remember them.  He did not know what would happen to him if one took his brother too.  He did not want to even think about that.

"So," Doubar said settling down in a chair.  "What's going on Master Dim Dim?"

"Now, Doubar, what makes you think something is going on?"  Dim Dim had a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"Master Dim Dim, scuttlebutt is that we are looking at a war with the Omar of Basra."

Dim Dim sighed.  "Nothing nearly that bad.  Omar and the Caliph of Baghdad just like to bluster around.  They have been yelling at each other for years and will keep yelling at each other until someone forces them to actually listen to each other.  The real reason I'm need so badly back in Baghdad is old Agynn, the Caliph's vizier is suffering from gout again and he only trust me to treat him for it."  Dim Dim chuckled and shook his head.

"There had been some rumors of Agynn retiring.  Have they said anything about name his successor?"  Doubar gave Dim Dim an innocent look.

"Those are rumors you should just keep to yourself," Dim Dim said setting on the edge of the bunk to face him.  "That is not a job I would really want."

Doubar looked to Sinbad and smiled.

"But to more pleasant matter, how have you been Doubar?"

"A lot better if our other passengers were more like you and Robis, Master Dim Dim."

"Other passengers?"

Doubar leaned his chair back against the wall of the cabin.  "Yes, a scientist named Egan and his apprentice, what was his name, Sinbad?"

"Firouz."

"Yes, Master Egan and Firouz."

Dim Dim's face clouded and he shot Robis a look.  "Egan?  Where are they headed?"

"Karakas," Sinbad said.

"Oh, dear, this could complicate matters." Dim Dim combed his fingers though his beard thoughtfully.  "Robis, I want you got get that spell book out from the luggage." The rest of what he said was drowned out by the crash of the door as it slammed open.  Wind and rain whipped into the little room sending paper flying and dousing the lamp.  The room plunged into darkness.

Lightning lit the sky outside silhouetting a lone figure, a long curved blade clenched in his hand. With an inhuman yell, the figure charged into the room bearing down on Dim Dim.  Sinbad launched himself at the intruder and tackled him.  With shock, Sinbad realized it was Egan's apprentice, Firouz.

Robis grabbed Firouz's wrist and pried the knife out of his hand.  Firouz howled and shoved Sinbad off of him.  He lurched to his feet and lunged at Dim Dim.  Dim Dim waved his hand and wave of green light enveloped the boy.  Firouz went ridged and a guttural moan escaped his lips.  Doubar grabbed him as his knees buckled.  Firouz's eyes rolled back into his head.  His body began to jerk spasmatically as convulsions wracked his body.  Doubar eased him to the deck and the boy's head began to lull back and forth in the throws of the fit.

"Master Dim Dim!" Doubar watched helplessly as the spasms shook the boy's body.

"What's happening to him?"  Terror gripped Sinbad.  "Somebody, do something."

"Robis, Doubar, hold him down," Dim Dim ordered. H e dropped to his knees and took Firouz's head, cradling it in his hands. He pulled his sash loose and forced a piece of the material into the boy's mouth to prevent him from biting his tongue.

Sinbad started to inch forward to see what was happening.  "Sinbad, stay back." Dim Dim ordered.

Sinbad backed up and sat down against the cabin wall, wrapping his arms around his legs.  Hot tears burned his eyes as he watched helplessly as Firouz jerked and shook as if he would fly apart.  Sinbad had not felt this helpless since Lea had drowned.  He just could not, Sinbad bit his lip and prayed Dim Dim could do something for his friend.

Dim Dim began to murmer the low litany of an incantation.  The boy's body slowly stilled its thrashing and his breathing became regular and even.  The magician continued his chanting as beads of sweat formed on his brow and ran down his temples.  The amulet around Firouz's neck took on a luminous glow and then dimmed in the low light of the cabin.  The magician sighed and eased Firouz's head to the deck.

"What happened?"  Sinbad asked quietly.  His lower lip began to tremble.  "Is he ok?"

"He's been released from Egan's control," Dim Dim said brushing a damp curl off  the unconscious boy's brow.  "Doubar, help me get him up on the bunk.  The two men eased the boy onto bed.  Dim Dim tucked a blanket around him.  "He should be safe enough for now."

"He should be safe enough for now?"  Doubar echoed in disbelief.  "Master Dim Dim, Firouz just tried to kill you.  You are the one in danger here."

"No Doubar," Dim Dim frowned thoughtfully.  "The boy is in greater danger than I could ever be in from him." Dim Dim climbed to his feet. "Robis, get that lamp lit.

"I've been a fool!  I should have seen this coming."

"Master Dim Dim, what are you talking about?"  Robis asked.  He slid the lamp back up into its bracket and a rosy glow filled the room.  "How could you have known that Firouz had something against you?"

Dim Dim whirled in fury.  "The boy has nothing to do with this.  This is Egan's handy work.  The boy is just a tool he used." He saw the looks of disbelief and confusion mirrored on the faces around him.

He took a deep breath and started to explain.  "I knew I felt of presence of evil on this ship when I came aboard this afternoon.  I should have recognized it as Egan.  I had heard stories that Egan was an alchemist.  I had hoped to avoid a confrontation with him, but now."  He glanced down at the still form of Firouz laying on the deck.  "I have no choice.  If not for ourselves, for the boy."

"Master Dim Dim, are you saying the boy is possessed?" Doubar asked.

"Not possessed, overshadowed," Dim Dim corrected.

"Overshadowed?"  Sinbad's brow furrowed in confusion.

"There is a difference between overshadowing and possession.  With a possession, there is a demon involved and an amount of consent with the person being possessed.  On the other hand, overshadowing is the total subjugation of another's will by an outside force.  In most cases of overshadowing , the person being overshadowed has no knowledge of it even happening, and even if they do, there is nothing they can do about it.  Egan has had more than enough time to build a firm hold on the boy."

Doubar started back from the boy as if he had just turned into a viper.  "You mean Egan can just take control of the boy at will?"

"Could," Dim Dim corrected.  "I placed a spell of protection over him that should hold until we can deal with Egan."  Dim Dim turned to Sinbad and Robis.  "I want you two to keep an eye on Firouz.  Do not allow him to leave this cabin until we return."  The two boys nodded.

Doubar looked at Sinbad for a moment.  He gently gripped the boy's arm.  "Are you ok, little brother?"

Sinbad nodded and tried to look brave.  Doubar gave him a quick squeeze and smiled grimly.

Dim Dim turned to Doubar.  "It's time this was ended."

Next Part

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