LAND OF THE LOTUS-EATERS

Maeve tripped on one of the rocks half hidden in the grass. It jolted her back into the present. She picked her way around the numerous large boulders that lay scattered over the grassy plain like so many spilled gumdrops. Ahead loomed the bulky, dark shape of Black Mountain. She could see why it was named that. It consisted of a huge chunk of the blackest rock Maeve had ever seen, a fine-grained basalt unknown in the surrounding islands. Angular and blocky, it rose starkly and steeply from the surrounding rolling plain. It looked remote and inaccessible and impossible to climb. It cut off the sky. Soon the route Maeve had picked out led her into its dark shadow. Maeve noticed how cold it seemed as soon as she entered the mountain's shadow. And it was more than just the air around her. She shivered. She felt uneasy. Somewhere up there was crescent moon-shaped rock. She needed to find it and then use her magic to gain entrance to the mountain. Once inside she would need to negotiate her way through the magic protecting the Crystal and then use all the items she had collected. She touched the leather pouch on her hip and felt the container with the Lotus seeds in it. As she worked her way upward, she remembered what she and crew had gone through to obtain the seven precious seeds...

Maeve repeated her warning to everyone who was about to go ashore that they must not accept any food from the Lotus-Eaters no matter how tempting it looked or how hungry they were. If they did, they would forget everything else and never want to leave the island. Then the longboat was lowered and the ten who were going ashore clambered down the rope ladder to the boat. Besides Maeve, Sinbad, Rongar, Doubar, and Firouz there were five sailors that Sinbad wanted as extra hands in case they ran into any trouble. It was difficult to pick those five because all the sailors wanted to go. Everything around them looked so exotic that they all wanted to explore the place. Firouz was especially excited. He was always curious about anything new. The sailors rowed the longboat up to one of the docks of tthe town. Al Jizah was a small river town, surrounded by a low floodplain and many swampy areas. Once at the dock Sinbad said, "Look, we don't know these people. We all stick together until we get a feel for the place. And remember what Maeve said: no eating!"

They tied up at the dock. The five sailors drew lots to see who had to stay with the boat. The other four joined Sinbad and the others on the dock. Then they headed toward town. The streets were busy, filled with people carrying baskets with produce. Sinbad, Firouz, and Doubar led the way, followed by Maeve and Rongar and the four sailors behind them. Firouz spoke to Sinbad as they walked.

"Do you know that it's said that the farmers here don't need to plow. They just wait until the river overflows and leaves its rich mud on their fields. Then they drop their corn seeds in the mud and turn the pigs loose. The pigs churn the seed into the mud and all the farmer has to do is wait for the corn to grow."

"But didn't Maeve say that they eat the lotus? Why are they growing corn?" askedSinbad.

"They only grow the corn to sell so they can get money to buy the lotus plants and the other things they need," answered Firouz.

Doubar jumped in. "Why don't they just grow the lotus plants themselves?"

"Well they would if they could. But all the lotus production is controlled by the priests. They consider the lotus sacred, and it is forbidden for anyone but the priests to grow it, or harvest it, on penalty of death."

Maeve had been listening to them talk. So she spoke up. "That's my problem. I need to have the seeds from the lotus flower. And the priests have all the seeds. It may be difficult to convince them to part with any."

"Maybe we could just go to the place where they grow them and get some seeds for ourselves," said Firouz.

Sinbad cut in. "I'm sure the fields are well guarded. No, our plan will be to try to find someone who can sell us some seeds. There are always people who are willing to take a risk if enough dinars are at stake. It's finding that person that will be the challenge."

"The local tavern would be a good place to start," said Doubar. "I am getting thirsty."

"Actually, that's a good idea, my brother," Sinbad laughed. "The owner might be able to direct us to the right person for this deal."

Sinbad stopped one of the people in the street and inquired as to where the cheapest tavern was. He figured the cheapest tavern would have the shadiest characters. And that's what they wanted. Sinbad got directions to the place and within a few minutes walk they were there. When they got there, they weren't sure they were there. It was pretty rundown. The street outside was dirty and smelly. Several people lay against the wall outside, apparently sleeping off the previous night's drinking. Sinbad decided he'd better post guards outside. He picked two sailors to stand outside. They grumbled about being left outside. Sinbad told them he'd bring them something when they left. They entered through the torn curtain that served as a door. It took a minute before they could see anything inside. It was quite dark. One small window served to light the place.

"This place is awful," Maeve remarked quietly to Sinbad.

Sinbad nodded and smiled. " Yes. It's perfect. Just what we're looking for." They found a long, roughly built table along one wall and sat down. A dark haired woman came over and sidled up next to Sinbad. "And what may I offer you today?" she asked. Her hip was rubbing against Sinbad's shoulder. Maeve gave her a dirty look, which the woman ignored.

"A round of your best brew for everyone," said Sinbad, looking the woman over. She was wearing a simple white dress with a wide V-neck that displayed most of her ample bust. She had a pretty face with dark, bushy eyebrows and straight black hair.

"Right away," she answered, sashaying slowly away. Maeve noticed she looked back over her shoulder at Sinbad when she was halfway back to the bar. Maeve gave her another hard stare. The woman flipped her head and continued on her way.

She returned shortly. After serving them and collecting her money, during which time she continued to flirt with Sinbad, Sinbad motioned her closer with a little hand motion. She bent over and brought her ear down to his face. Sinbad spoke quietly in her ear. Maeve had noticed that instead of reaching down with their tankards, the woman bent over unnecessarily. Maeve motioned with her head in the direction of the woman and spoke in the general direction of Firouz and Doubar. "What is it about him, that this always happens?" It was more of a complaint than a question. Doubar shrugged his shoulders. "I ask myself that all the time. I'm better looking than he is."

After what seemed too long to Maeve, the woman left. Sinbad turned to the group and announced, "Well that was an interesting conversation."

"I'll bet," Maeve interrupted.

"She seems to know most of the locals around here," he continued, ignoring her comment.

"I'm sure she does," Maeve mumbled.

"There's a man just outside of town that may be able to help us. Saleem says he often sells things to get money. He has many children to feed. I'll go talk to the barkeep. He might be able to give us a name or two as well." Sinbad took a deep swallow of his ale and walked slowly over to the wide plank that served as the counter of the bar. Sinbad leaned both elbows on the bar top and started talking to the owner, a short, swarthy looking man. Saleem came over and leaned her back against the bar. She started stroking Sinbad's arm as he talked.

Maeve, who had been watching the whole time, suddenly stood up. "I need some fresh air," she announced. "This place really stinks. Anybody care for some air?" Without waiting for an answer, she strode over to the door and stepped into the sunshine. She could feel the anger in her. She took a couple of deep breaths, saying to herself, 'You have no claim on him. Forget it.'

Inside, Doubar shrugged his shoulders. "What got into her?"

"She looked upset," Firouz said. "I'll go out with her. This ale isn't that good, anyway." He got up and went outside. "Maeve, what's the matter? You left pretty suddenly," Firouz asked.

"Nothing. It was ... the place smelled so bad," Maeve said. She walked toward one of the small open stalls and pretended to look at the merchandise there.

After a few minutes, Sinbad and the rest of the crew came out. True to his word, he brought out a mug of ale for each of the sailors that had stood watch. "Take care of those tankards," he said to them. "I had to pay an extra 3 dinars for each of them." The sailors held up their mugs toward Sinbad by way of thank you.

Sinbad motioned everyone toward him. "Gather round, everybody." He waited until everyone got closer. "Look, we've got two possibilities here. It will be faster if we split up and check them both out. Firouz, you and Rongar can take three sailors and see the man the owner told me about. He told this boy to take you there. I authorize you to offer up to fifty gold pieces, Firouz, for ten lotus seeds. That's all. If he agrees, tell him I'll come by later and pay him. We'll meet right back here at the tavern by sunset. I don't want to spend the night in this town. I want everybody back on the Nomad by dark. Okay?"

So the group split into two groups. Firouz's group headed out of town following the boy. Sinbad told Doubar and Maeve to wait for him, and he ducked back into the bar. He emerged moments later followed by Saleem. Sinbad turned to Doubar and Maeve. "Saleem here has graciously consented to take time off from her duties to take us to her contact. Lead on, Saleem." He gestured with his arm. Saleem started walking up the street. Sinbad came up beside her. The others fell in behind. Maeve was slow to react and ended up in the rear of the group. "That figures," she muttered to herself. "Hasn't she got anything better to do?" She watched with increasing jealousy as Saleem chatted with Sinbad as they walked. It was clear to Maeve that the girl was infatuated with him. And it didn't seem to Maeve that he minded her attention.

At the first opportunity, Maeve worked her way up to the front of the group and slid in on Sinbad's right side. Saleem was on the other side of him. Saleem was in the middle of asking Sinbad about the different places that he'd been to when Maeve interrupted her. She touched Sinbad lightly on the arm and spoke loudly. "I really appreciate what you're doing for me. Coming out of your way and going through all this trouble just to help me out. I'll pay you back for the seeds as soon as I've earned enough."

"Don't worry about the money, Maeve." He laughed. "I'll put it on your account."

For the twenty minutes it took them to get to the farmer's hovel, Maeve and Saleem competed for Sinbad's attention. Maeve just could not stand to have that woman getting so much attention. As soon as Saleem started a conversation, Maeve thought of something important that she had to talk to Sinbad about. And as she talked she glared at Saleem behind Sinbad's back. Sinbad seemed oblivious of the rivalry and talked to who ever was speaking to him at the moment. He was thinking ahead to what he would do at the farmer's hut.

The farmer's house was a small mud hut. The yard was littered with old animal bones, dirty, half-dressed children, a half dozen chickens, and three mongrel dogs. The children and the dogs immediately surrounding the approaching group. Saleem inquired as to the farmer's whereabouts. One of the children responded that he was out in the fields some distance away. The boy offered to go get him, explaining that it was almost time for him to return for his mid-day meal anyway. They waited until they returned.

The man motioned them to sit. There were a few flat stones just outside the hut and Sinbad and the man sat down. Maeve, Saleem and the sailor waited silently some distance away, in the partial shade of a stunted, leafless tree. Maeve had no desire to make small talk with Saleem and apparently she felt the same way. At least she made no attempt to engage Maeve in conversation. Maeve occupied her time by watching Sinbad as he talked. The sailor started up a conversation with Saleem and soon the two of them were busy talking to each other. Maeve thought, 'She's just what I thought she was.'

At first the conversation appeared not to be going very well. Maeve observed Sinbad talking and the man shaking his head no. Sinbad continued talking and the man grew more animated, gesturing with his hands and shaking his head at the same time. Then Maeve saw Sinbad take out his moneybag and started piling up gold coins in front of the man. Just after this the man rose suddenly and walked away, heading in the same direction from which he'd come earlier. Maeve thought that he'd rejected Sinbad's offer, but after Sinbad put his money in his bag, he rose and gave her a big smile. Then she knew he'd been successful. The man was gone perhaps forty minutes. He was carrying a small cloth.

The man spread the cloth out on one of the stones. Maeve could see several lotus blossoms. He took out a small knife and dug into the blossoms with the point. She guessed that he was extracting the seeds from the heart of the flower.

Ten minutes later they were on their way back to town. Maeve made sure that she was beside Sinbad as they started. Saleem and the sailor followed behind them. "That went well," Sinbad commented. Maeve was happy that she now had the first item that she needed, but at the same time a strong sense of uneasiness possessed her. She sensed something was wrong, but could not get a feel for what it was.

"We'd better hurry," was all she said to Sinbad. She stepped ahead of Sinbad and set a fast pace. Sinbad and Saleem followed though Saleem complained. "What's with her?" she asked. "It's too hot to go anywhere at this speed." Sinbad just shrugged his shoulders and matched his steps to Maeve's.

"What's the rush?" he asked. "Is something wrong?"

"I'm not sure," Maeve answered, "I just know we should hurry."

They traveled the rest of the way in silence, Sinbad wondering all the way what was wrong. He saw the worried look on Maeve's face. They found out soon enough.

When they reached the bar, Rongar rushed up to him and started gesturing wildly. All Sinbad could make out was something about eating. He turned to one of the sailors. "What's he trying to tell me?"

"It's Firouz, Captain. He wouldn't come back with us. We tried everything short of force to get him to come with us, but he just said he was happy where he was and he was staying."

Maeve knew instantly what had happened. She grabbed Sinbad's arm impatiently to get his attention. "He's eaten some of the lotus plants," she explained.

Sinbad asked the sailor. "Did you see him eat any of those plants?"

"No, not while he was with us," the sailor replied.

"Not while he was with you!" Sinbad exclaimed angrily. "You weren't together the whole time?"

"Yes, we were. Well, not exactly. He went in a building with a man. Firouz told us to keep watch outside and not disturb him. But when he didn't come out after two hours, Rongar insisted that we go in. He was sitting on the floor with the man. He told us to leave him, that he was staying there. Rongar tried to get him up, but Firouz pushed him away. We left one man there to keep an eye on him, and the rest of us came back to report to you."

"We must go there now," Maeve interrupted. "The more of the leaves he eats, the more he'll want to stay." Everyone rushed off to get Firouz. Rongar led the way. When they got to the hut, Sinbad spoke briefly to the guard that was still outside the door, and then went in. The other man in the hut started to rise but Sinbad motioned him to stay seated.

"Firouz, it's time to leave" Sinbad said sternly. "We have to get back to the ship."

"Ship? What ship? Sit down, have some leaves. They're delicious. I could sit here all day and eat them."

"We're going now," Sinbad repeated. He reached down and took hold of Firouz's arm. Firouz wrenched free. "Leave me alone. I'm eating."

Sinbad strode out of the hut. "Plan B," he said. "We'll have to carry him. He's bound to yell. We'll have to gag him. I wish we had some rope." He turned to Doubar. "Let's try not to hurt him, okay?"

"Don't worry. It can't be any worse than dragging a drunk sailor back to the ship."

Sinbad, Doubar, Rongar and the burliest sailor entered the hut. "We'll be taking your guest with us, now," Sinbad said to the man. "Thank you for your hospitality."

Doubar and Sinbad grabbed Firouz under the arms and the sailor and Rongar grabbed his legs just under his knees and carried the protesting Firouz out. Maeve tied a folded up kerchief over his mouth to keep him quiet. Then they started back to the ship.

Firouz struggled the whole way, and that slowed them down. They had just reached the dock when a group of men all dressed alike came rushing toward them, weapons drawn.

"Company," Doubar called out.

Sinbad turned to the sailors. "Get Firouz in the boat. We'll take care of these chaps." He drew his sword. "Ready for action, mates?" he said to the others. Doubar, Rongar and Maeve all drew their swords.

The leader said, "Get them men!" and they all came forward in a rush. There were seven of them in all.

"Try not to kill anyone," Sinbad yelled. "I might like to come back here someday."

Two men rushed at Doubar. He knocked the sword out of one man's hand with his first blow, then parried the second's attack. When the man came closer Doubar grabbed his arm and slammed him into the first man, knocking both of them to the ground. Rongar fought off one man and when he was off balance swung his foot up and kicked him in the chest. That man went down backwards. The group seemed to recognize that Sinbad was the leader, for they sent three men after him. Two came at him from the front while the third circled around to his back. Sinbad called out, "I could use a little help here."

No one had attacked Maeve, perhaps because she was a woman. So Maeve came up behind the man at Sinbad's back. She yelled "Hey" at him and when he turned around, she rammed the butt of her sword into the man's stomach. He doubled over with pain, and Maeve sent him to the ground with a two fisted swing to the head. She came up beside Sinbad who was busy fending off the remaining two. "Which one do you want?" Sinbad called out.

"The ugly one," Maeve answered.

"Which ugly one?" Sinbad countered. "Never mind, I'll take care of them." He swung one man's sword to one side and kicked him in the stomach, then slashed the other man on the shoulder, causing him to drop his weapon and run.

Rongar made easy work of his man and the group ran for the boat, all piling in.

"Now row, men, row." The men pulled on the oars with all their strength and none too soon, for a second group of soldiers appeared. Three of them had crossbows and they fired at the boat, but luckily they were out of range and the arrows splashed harmlessly into the water behind the boat.

"One of these days I'd like to leave a town the regular way," Doubar growled.

"This is getting to be a habit, isn't it?" Sinbad laughed. "Everyone okay?"

Rongar nodded and Maeve said, "Fine. One of them ripped my blouse though." Sinbad looked and saw that the upper sleeve indeed had a tear in it.

"Maybe you should change clothes before a fight," Sinbad kidded.

"Give me a little more warning next time and I will," she retorted.

It was always like this after a fight. Everyone was all pumped up and it usually took them a while to calm down again.

Doubar said, "They must have found out about the seeds. We'd better set sail and make our exit."

"I think you're right about that," Sinbad said. He turned to Maeve. "What about Firouz? Will he be all right?"

"We'll probably have to restrain him for a day or two, but yes, he'll be fine once all traces of the lotus leave his system. I'll make up a potion that will make him heave up his stomach contents."

"Well, wait until we're on the ship, will you please?" Sinbad joked.

In an hour or so, they had raised the sails, pulled the anchors and were on their way up the Nile. Sinbad posted a double watch until they were out on the open sea again, but no one pursued them.