"MAEVE WAKE UP!" shouted Sinbad in her ear as he shook her. "PLEASE! WAKE UP!"

Doubar and Rongar sat her up, hoping this would help to snap up out of her nightmare before things got worse. Having ripped her sleeve, Firouz was already taking care of the wound. Suddenly, Maeve opened her eyes. Seeing Sinbad's face so close to her, she kicked at him in defense. Sinbad eyes opened wide as he received the hit in the stomach.

"Whhoaa! Maeve, it's okay", said Doubar, trying to calm her down. "It's us!"

The sorceress looked around her, not quite sure.

"It's all right now," Doubar added, stroking her hair. "Another nightmare, huh?"

Maeve started to relax. "Yeah," she answered. Noticing Firouz, she asked, "Nothing?"

Firouz looked at the others, confused. "Nothing but blood," he answered, turning back to Maeve.

Sinbad shook his head. "That's twice. Somebody better give me an explanation soon or.."

Firouz got up and started to pace as Doubar and Rongar helped the young woman up.

"I can't explain it," said the physician. "This is way beyond science. I don't like to admit it but I'm as puzzled as you all are. Maeve," he asked, "do you understand any of this? Could this have something to do with magic?"

Before she could answer, Dermott swooped in. Maeve put on her glove and extended her arm for him.

"Chwirp?"

Maeve looked at the hawk, surprised. "Dermott?"

"Chwirp?" said Dermott in an insistent tone. *Little sister, can't you understand me any more?*

Without a word, Maeve sat down. She looked again at Dermott, her eyes filled with tears.

"Maeve, what's wrong?" asked Sinbad, concerned.

She didn't look at her friends. Closing her eyes, she tried to communicate with her brother. Nothing...

"No..." she thought. "Please, don't make me lose him again," she pleaded silently.

Not sure of what was going on, the four men stared at her as Dermott cuddled himself up against her neck.