"We are not friends, Rumina," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "We have merely called a temporary truce. Unless you'd rather I just destroy you and find someone else to help me." Rumina shook her head, feeling a sudden and very unpleasant chill.
"Sinbad, please don't be angry," she beseeched. "I'm only trying to help. You did say you wanted my help. We can come back here first thing tomorrow morning, but first let's get some rest. The words are beginning to blur on the page."
Finally, Sinbad gave in and followed her out of the library through a pair of heavy doors. They walked through a long corridor and up a twisted staircase before Sinbad finally asked, "Where are we?"
"My home," Rumina said, with a laugh. "You didn't really think I lived in some dank cave, did you?" Sinbad shrugged a bit then shook his head. "C'mon, we'll find a room that's to your liking and get some sleep before dawn." Sinbad took the first room they came to. Rumina fussed over the room a bit, wiping away a few cobwebs and some dust and tugging the bedcovers. Then she wished him sweet dreams and left.
Sinbad waited until she had turned the corner and disappeared from view before sneaking out of the room and back to the library. He took a tattered book from the bottom of one pile, where he had hid it earlier. He opened the book, kicking his feet up on the table and leaning back in his chair. The title of the book said, "Mastering the Dark Arts."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Where did he run off to?" Doubar roared as he paced the tavern floor near the table where his companions sat, idly playing poker to bide their time.
"He probably just got distracted and strolled off," Firouz offered.
Doubar glared at his friend's logic and said, "Got distracted all night? He should've come back by now." Bryn had grown more nervous throughout the discussion and now she gathered all her courage and calmly set down her hand and crossed her arms.
"I know where he went," she said.
"Why didn't you say so sooner?" Doubar growled. "Where did he go?"
Bryn cringed and braced herself for a violent reaction as she said, "He went to find Rumina." At that name, Firouz and Rongar threw their cards on the table and jumped to their feet. Doubar turned and glared at Bryn.
"How long have you known this?"
"Do you have any idea what that witch is capable of?"
Bryn cowered as the three men glared down at her. "I'm sorry," she pleaded. "He told me not to tell. I promised I wouldn't say anything. And to be perfectly honest, he scares me." The men's glares faded and masks of confusion replaced them.
"Why would you be afraid of Sinbad?" Firouz asked. "Has he done something to scare you?"
"Not exactly," Bryn started. "Something about him has changed."
"He's been real quiet ever since whatever happened at that last port but he probably just has a lot on his mind," Doubar said in his brother's defense.
"You know as well as I do that the reason he's pulled back from us is that something happened back there and he doesn't want to say what," Bryn reasoned. "I will tell you one thing. Whatever happened, it wasn't good and it changed him... big time."
"Bryn, what do you mean?" Firouz queried.
Bryn took a deep breath and composed her thoughts carefully before beginning. "Remember when we found him after that explosion? Something happened to him in there and even though he won't say what it was, it changed him terribly and not for the better. I feel this evil force within him. It endangers him and us."
"How are we all in danger?" Firouz pressed. "What do you mean? What can we do to stop this?"
Bryn shook her head in frustration. "I don't know," she beseeched. "I don't even understand what I feel when he's around but something very powerful has inhabited him and I means to harm him and anyone else who gets in the way."
"In the way of what?" Doubar interjected. "What does this force want?"
"What every evil creation wants," Bryn answered. "More power. To own him and use him to own the world."
"I wonder if Rumina knows what he has," Firouz said, thinking aloud.
"Firouz, if I can tell what's inside him," Bryn said, humoring him, "and she's more knowledgeable about this stuff than I am, you can bet she knows exactly what he has and probably how to use it to her advantage."
"Then we should find him," Doubar said. "Let's go."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
As the sun peeked above the horizon, Sinbad leaned back in the chair and stretched. He closed the book and placed it under the stack where he had hidden it before. He didn't need to try out any of the spells in the book. He instinctively knew that he could make use of all the power inside him now. He had become his father's son and now, the sins of the father would be revisited on the son. He stood slowly and made his way back to the room Rumina had led him to earlier. He entered to find her sitting on the edge of the bed, a nervous expression on her face. He had scarcely entered when she felt that unsettling presence and jumped to her feet, turning to face him.
One look at his hard features and darkened eyes told her everything she remembered of "Sinbad" had died and she was afraid. He smiled a cool, twisted grin and said, "Ya know, I changed my mind." He took a few steps closer and she moved back so quickly she tripped over a chair and sprawled on the floor. "I don't need your help," he said, staring down at her cruelly.
She felt fearful tears spring to her eyes and she whimpered, "Sinbad, please don't."
"OK, OK, don't cry, that's pathetic," Sinbad hissed. "I won't kill you but I also can't have you following me like some sniveling puppy." He glared at her and in an instant Rumina found herself bound and gagged on the floor. "Now, you stay here and I'll just take over the world. Don't expect me back anytime soon." He laughed humorlessly then turned and left. Rumina couldn't restrain the sob that rose in her throat and she let her tears flow freely.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The King of Ormara sat on his throne surrounded by his harem enjoying the day. He had a wealthy kingdom and a harem full of the most beautiful women in that kingdom. He thought he could never want for more. Just then a red haze filled the room and in the center stood a cocky young man with golden-bronze hair and a powerful physique. The King was greatly annoyed by this interruption. "Guards! Arrest him and take him to the dungeon," the King said, his attention returning instantly to the harem girl dancing before him. He scarcely noticed when the eyes of his guards glowed red and they stood frozen in their spots. "Didn't you hear me?" he roared.
"Oh, they heard but they won't carry out your orders," the young man said, approaching the King with long, graceful strides. "You see, they only obey my orders now."
"You insolent wretch," the King hollered. "Undo whatever trickery you've done here."
Sinbad laughed at this. "Well, when I'm good and ready, I'll think about it. But for now, guards, kill him... no wait, arrest him and take him to the dungeon." Sinbad smiled devilishly while the guards seized the former King and hauled him out of the room. With the King gone, Sinbad's smile faded. One hand ran absently through his long, thick hair as he noticed the hoards of lovely young women standing around, clinging to each other and crying. Sinbad surveyed the surroundings and found one particularly striking young woman.
She seemed more composed than the others but as he approached, she began to tremble and a tear rolled down her cheek. He wiped away the tear and pushed her hair back from her face. She had long dark hair and smooth pale cheeks and for an instant something in him softened, but only a flash and then it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. He took her by the hand and walked to the throne the King had vacated. Sinbad picked up the crown off the floor and placed it on his head. Its weight flattened his hair over his forehead. He made a face and threw the emerald-encrusted trinket to the floor. Sinbad settled himself in the throne and pulled the harem girl into his lap.
"Carry on," he said. The girls scurried to return to what they had been doing before Sinbad's entrance. He turned his attention back to the girl in his lap. He gave her a devilish smile and said, "It's good to be the King." Then he pressed a kiss to her lips. "Hmm," he said with a satisfied smile. She still looked a bit skittish but she managed a small smile. Then Sinbad asked, "What's your name?"
"Nyxa," she said softly. Sinbad repeated the name under his breath. "Do you have a name?" she queried, nervously.
"Oh, my name, of course," Sinbad said. He stood, shoving Nyxa off his lap in the process. "Everyone listen to me," he shouted. Guards and harem girls alike turned to him, fear etching their pale faces. "OK, I am King Sinbad. You may call me, Highness or Your Majesty. The usual kingly titles. All the women can call me 'God of my Idolatry' or 'Manna from Heaven' or any other term of endearment I deem worthy." Sinbad thought for a moment then shrugged, saying, "That's all. Carry on."
He settled himself back into the overstuffed throne and gestured for Nyxa to resume her place in his lap. She sat with some unease while the others watched. The harem girls began to whisper in a tight circle. Nyxa felt tears spring to her eyes. She knew her friends felt betrayed. This tyrant had just overthrown their beloved King and now she sat in his lap and obeyed his every command. Did they realize she did this only out of fear or would they assume that because he was incredibly handsome that she didn't mind being passed around? From the harsh glares they gave her, they obviously didn't see her fear.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Late evening found King Sinbad in a pensive mood. He had dined surrounded by his now very loyal subjects and then retired to the luxurious bedchamber. Nyxa had somewhat reluctantly followed her King but after only a few minutes, he had pulled away from her and stood at the balcony, and there he remained as the evening wore on. Nyxa sat on the bed, as he had not yet dismissed her. She finally stood and went to him. The night was cold but he seemed not to notice. Nyxa, however, did notice when she stood beside him and saw goose bumps on his bare arms. She draped a dark red blanket over his shoulders and wrapped her arms around him. "What's troubling you?" she queried.
He shrugged out of her embrace, his brilliant blue eyes turning heavenward. "I don't know," he said softly. "I feel like I've forgotten something. Some part of myself that I've left behind." He shook his head, trying to clear his mind of such troubling thoughts. He turned to Nyxa and said, "It doesn't matter." He looked at her with desire burning in his eyes. She smiled mischievously as she took him by the hand and led him back into the bedchamber, his earlier mood completely forgotten.
Nyxa pleasured her King and waited until he had fallen into a restless sleep to quietly slip out of the bedchamber and return to her place in the harem. The other harem girls greeted her with numerous questions about their elusive new King. She quieted them and began to tell what little she had learned.
"He is more gentle than he cares to let on," she began. "It's strange but I get the distinct impression he doesn't much care about being a King. He seems troubled in the most endearing way."
"Nyxa," a tall blonde cried, "You speak like he's a puppy. He's a dangerous man who has taken over the kingdom locked our King in the dungeon. All I know is I intend on keeping my distance."
"I don't think that's the answer," Nyxa said, thoughtfully. "He seems distant enough. I think maybe he needs to be drawn out gently. That all this is just a defense to protect himself."
"You're crazy," the other woman shouted. "You saw how he controlled the guards. He's probably done the same thing to you." She glared at Nyxa harshly.
"You don't know anything, Ileana," Nyxa snapped. "I'm the one who made love to him and I know that he is gentle and kind and..."
"You had sex with him," Ileana interrupted. "You slept with the bastard. That's what we do. Love doesn't enter into it here."
"You weren't there," Nyxa said quietly, but the fight had left her words. What if Ileana was right? After all, they barely knew this man. All they knew was he had single-handedly overthrown their King and taken control of the royal guard and it would have taken incredible power to do either of them.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sinbad awoke the next morning to a cold empty bed - a fact that angered him to no end. He hadn't dismissed the girl. She should've been beside him. He threw back the covers and leapt to his feet, rummaging in the King's wardrobe until he found the perfect pair of black suede pants and a crimson shirt that he left open to his waist. Then he pulled on a pair of suede boots and stomped through the palace's huge corridors to the harem. He threw open the doors with such force that the women cowered as he entered. He scanned the room with sparks nearly shooting from his eyes. Then he saw her.
"Nyxa," he shouted. "Kneel before us." The royal collective rolled easily from his tongue as she approached. She stood, her chin raised defiantly. "You left before dismissed," Sinbad accused.
"That I did, Highness," Nyxa said evenly. "You see, the laws in Ormara forbid a harem girl from staying the entire night in the King's bedchamber."
Sinbad remained silent for a moment. The entire harem waited in silence for his response, certain that Nyxa would be dually punished for her disobedience and her current defiance. Sinbad glared at her and said, "Well, I am King now and I don't like that law. Henceforth, anyone I ask to stay the entire night shall either stay in my bedchamber or shall stay in the dungeon." Nyxa felt her façade crumbling as he stepped closer and stared down at her. "Do you see anything wrong with this law?" he asked. Nyxa shook her head, waiting for him to order the guards to take her to the dungeon. Her chin quivered as she forced back fearful tears. Sinbad noticed this and softened imperceptibly. Then he turned and crossed to a huge pile of pillows. He dropped into the center of them, saying, "We are hungry."
The harem girls rushed about bringing him fruit and bread and regally stuffing them all into his mouth. One girl brought a tray laden with round red grapes. Sinbad promptly zapped her into oblivion. His reason - "I only like green ones." Ileana responded by bringing a tray filled with mountains of green grapes. She settled herself beside him and dropped one fat green grape into his mouth. She licked her lips as he chewed, flirting outrageously with the handsome king. Finally, he snatched the tray from her and shoved her to the floor, dropping a handful of grapes into his mouth as he glared at her.
He smiled wickedly as dozens of harem girls darted about trying to fulfill his smallest desire. Nyxa stood glaring at him from afar. She knew she had seen at least a little humanity in him last night, but in the cold light of day, it had faded. She didn't know what to make of his mood swings but they frightened her. From this moment on, she would keep her distance from the attractive dictator.
t.b.c.