Major Charactres: Sinbad, Doubar, Bryn, Firouz, Rongar, Dermott, Aiden, Bakbuk, Kaitlin, Fallin, Elise
Minor Charactres: Zeken, Jarod, Kareem, Man, Peasants
(The Nomad crew are riding horses through the countryside)
Sinbad: Oh, it’s going to be great too see the adventurers again. Eh, Doubar?
Doubar: That it will, Sinbad. The tales we’ll tell, the food we’ll eat, the wine.
Bryn: I take it this is a men-only club.
Sinbad: Oh, no. There are some women aboard.
Doubar: Wait till you meet Fallin. She’s all woman. All adventurer, too.
Firouz: When did you first meet the adventurers?
Sinbad: On my first voyage. We were all part of the same crew. Aiden was Captain, and Doubar, the First Mate.
Bryn: Were you the Cabin Boy?
Doubar: More like a Captain in training.
Sinbad: I still can’t believe that Aiden’s getting married.
Bryn: In case you hadn’t noticed, lots of people get married.
Sinbad: But Aiden? I mean, he and Zeken were inseparable.
Firouz: This Zeken fellow. Is he the guy we’re meeting on route?
Sinbad: Yeah. He’s a wealthy merchant…now.
(They all laugh)
Sinbad: Oh, wait till you meet him.
(Zeken is in trouble at his house; something is after him)
Zeken: Why are you doing this?
Voice: Haven’t you figured it out yet?
Zeken: No, no, no! No! Oh! Oh! No! No! No! No!
(The thing kills him)
(The crew rides up to a passerby)
Sinbad: Excuse me, Sir.
Bakbuk: How can I help such an illustrious group?
Sinbad: We’re looking for the house of Zeken the merchant.
Bakbuk: Ah, the famous Zeken. Just down the road, Sinbad. You can’t miss it.
(Bakbuk leaves with his wagon)
Sinbad: That peddler. He knew my name.
(The crew rides off towards Zeken’s house, until they see some smoke of a burning house in the distance)
Sinbad: Zeken!
(They quickly ride towards the smoke)
(They soon arrive at Zeken’s house)
Doubar: Sinbad! The place is an inferno! He couldn’t have survived it, Sinbad.
Firouz: Sinbad! Over here!
(They run over to Firouz, who is with a dying Zeken)
Sinbad: Zeken, my friend.
Zeken: Sinbad. The gift. Refuse it. Refuse it!
Sinbad: Now take it easy.
Zeken: Sinbad.
Sinbad: Relax. Try to relax!
(Zeken dies)
Doubar: His words were a puzzle.
Sinbad: Or a warning.
(Opening Credits)
(Aiden is in his house, with tons of guests; they are all celebrating)
Aiden: (laughing) Well taken, my love. What do you think of the adventurers?
Kaitlin: All these people sailed under your command, Aiden?
Aiden: That they did.
Kaitlin: Well, then I’m very glad you’re retired.
(They laugh)
(There is a knock at the door)
Aiden: Jarod, see who’s there.
Jarod: Jarod this, and Jarod that. (can’t make out what he says here)
(Jarod opens the door and Sinbad’s crew is there)
Jarod: Sinbad! Doubar! I see you’ve brought your friends. The more the merrier. (sees Dermott) How fortunate. You’ve brought the main course as well.
(Sinbad nudges Jarod)
Jarod: I meant the bird!
Sinbad: Doubar, introduce everyone. I’ll go talk with Aiden.
Jarod: Where is Zeken?
Sinbad: Doubar will explain. (leaves)
Aiden: Sinbad!
Sinbad: It’s good to see you again!
Aiden: Oh, where are my manners? This is Sinbad. He was once my Cabin Boy, but now, King of the High Seas.
Kaitlin: I’ve heard so much about you.
Sinbad: You’re even prettier than Aiden wrote.
Kaitlin: Oh, he has your knack.
Sinbad: Well, he’s a great teacher.
Woman: Doubar!
Doubar: It’s good to see you.
Woman #2: Doubar!
Sinbad: It’s a horrible way to die. It looked like he was mauled before the fire got him. We found no animal tracks. Firouz, a member of my crew, is a physician. He’s never seen bite marks like this before. Never.
Aiden: I don’t want to upset Kaitlin. She’s not like us. She’s a proper lady.
Sinbad: I understand. Doubar’s probably told the rest of the adventurers by now.
Aiden: I’ll take a toast in Zeken’s honour. Remember him for the man he was. Invite his ghost for fine wine. Tomorrow, will you help me hunt down Zeken’s killer? Either man or monster.
Sinbad: You have my word, Captain.
(Sinbad and Aiden are sitting and talking, while the other members of all the other crews are all carrying on)
(Doubar is playing tug-of-war against several men; on his side, there is only him)
Sinbad: I think Doubar is showing some of your men exactly what real strength means.
Aiden: Well, we’ll see.
(Doubar sees someone carrying a tray of cups of wine, so he lets go of the rope, making the other men fall backward, and grabs two cups)
(Sinbad and Aiden watch Rongar and another fighting)
Sinbad: Rongar’s the man to have watching your back. He’s a good fighter…and a good friend.
(They watch the two fighting for awhile)
Aiden: And a good sense of humour, too.
(They turn their attention to Bryn and another woman, who were sword-fighting)
Aiden: The woman’s so graceful. What’s her background?
Sinbad: She’s a mystery.
Aiden: (laughing) Oh, no. Aren’t all women a mystery? I just love that girl.
Sinbad: What’s the matter with Elise?
Aiden: Oh, she’s sulking, I suppose. She doesn’t like my Kaitlin very much.
Sinbad: She doesn’t like the idea of you marrying anyone…other than her.
Aiden: Is it that obvious?
Sinbad: I figured that out when I was ten.
Aide: You always did (can’t make out what he says here)
(Lightening flashes)
(The door opens and in walks Bakbuk)
Bakbuk: I hope my appearance hasn’t alarmed anybody.
Aiden: Not at all. It’s just a storm, little friend. It made your entrance a little more dramatic than you intended.
Bakbuk: Oh, did it? No matter. I journeyed to see Aiden, the famous sea Captain. The master shipbuilder.
Aiden: Well, you found him, little man.
Bakbuk: I am called Bakbuk. A tinkerer by trade. A dealer in dreams and make believe. I brought you a present. (hands Aiden a doll)
Aiden: Is this some sort of a joke? This is an abomination.
Kaitlin: Aiden, it’s just a toy. A pretty remarkable piece of work.
Bakbuk: I put my soul into it, Madam, I thank you for the compliment. When I heard that the great Captain Aiden, and his guests, and his adventurers, were going together, I worked night and day to produce these little curios. Who hasn’t dreamed of meeting you all? Of sailing with you? Of…of becoming an adventurer? Unfortunately, for me, my physical condition left those dreams unrealized.
Sinbad: You seem quite familiar with our exploits.
Bakbuk: Oh, indeed, I am, Sinbad. I followed your careers…all of your careers. For Sinbad, and Doubar, I got special gifts here. (digs into his bag) Very special gifts. (hands them dolls that are harpies) I understand you both had dealings with these little monsters.
Doubar: If only the harpies we fought were this tiny.
Bakbuk: And, for the gracious bride-to-be, I bring you a companion. (hands Kaitlin a doll)
Kaitlin: Thank you.
Aiden: Why is this doll dressed in black? Black is the colour of mourning.
Elise: You’re not even married Aiden, yet you already talk like an old man. It’s a harmless toy. I mean, maybe the little man ran out the clock—
Bakbuk: Exactly! My wish is not to offend. Simply to add a little something to your lives.
Aiden: Yeah, well you’ve done that! Now, since you’re not an invited guest—
Kaitlin: Aiden!
Bakbuk: There is something for everyone in my sack! Something I’m sure you all deserve. If you wish to pay me for my handiwork, I will be at the forest edge tomorrow morning. After the storm passes! (leaves, laughing, as another bolt of lightening shoots across the sky)
Sinbad: Get those candles lit!
Bryn: Sinbad!
(Kareem is discovered dead; he had been cut)
Sinbad: He’s dead. Something got him.
Doubar: The tinkerer’s gone. His sack’s empty.
Sinbad: (whispers) Refuse the gift…
(The crew, Aiden, and the other adventurers are in the downstairs room, trying to figure all this out)
Aiden: There are a lot of people who hate us, Sinbad. For all I know, the assassin could be one of my guests. A younger sailor, or older crewmember with a grudge.
Sinbad: Perhaps.
Aiden: Do you have any other ideas?
Sinbad: It’s true. We made a lot of enemies over the years. But I wouldn’t suspect any of your guests.
Aiden: You’ve always been too trusting. It’s been one of your problems. Me, I trust no one, that’s how I’ve survived. Watching my back at all times.
Sinbad: And I’ve lived my life enjoying the company of friends and family.
Aiden: For the time being, I want everyone confined to their rooms.
Sinbad: A good idea.
(Aiden leaves Sinbad, and Doubar walks up to Sinbad)
Doubar: How’s Aiden handling all this?
Sinbad: How he always handles things. Like digging in and professing to know everything.
Doubar: Who could’ve done this, Sinbad?
Sinbad: Maybe it’s not a who, but a what.
Bryn: The little man?
Doubar: No, he was definitely a who.
Sinbad: There’s something about him. Bryn, you must have sensed it.
Bryn: There is an unnatural force present. But if it’s a who, or a what, or a whatever, I can’t tell. But this murderous rage is deeply rooted. There will be another killing before the night is over.
Doubar: That will make me sleep a whole lot better.
Sinbad: Zeken warned me about a gift. Now, that little man brought gifts.
Doubar: Harmless dolls.
Sinbad: Oh, it wouldn’t be the first time that something harmless turned deadly because of black magic.
Doubar: Just because a little man is as ugly as his dolls—
Sinbad: Doubar, you picked up the sacks. They were empty. Where did the gifts go?
Doubar: Maybe he took them with him? Who knows? Nobody saw him leave.
Sinbad: Exactly.
(Firouz and Rongar walk up to the three)
Firouz: By the looks on your faces, I guess no one figured out who killed poor Kareem.
Doubar: Don’t even get Sinbad started on his who or what speech.
Firouz: Black magic.
Bryn: It could be dark forces.
Sinbad: Exactly. Huh? Now, everyone be careful tonight. Tomorrow, we will seek out this Bakbuk.
Doubar: Right. We’ll let Aiden handle any intruders. He’s got enough armed men here to take over a small country.
Aiden: My servants will show you to your rooms.
Sinbad: I suggest you post your guards during the night.
Aiden: It’s done. If anyone even talks in their sleep, I’ll know about it…and deal with it.
Sinbad: Good.
(Fallin and Elise are talking in their room)
Elise: It’s a sign, I tell you. Aiden’s marriage is doomed.
Fallin: It’s a sign, all right. That one of our guests wants us all dead. If you weren’t so jealous of Kaitlin, you’d see that.
Elise: Oh, I couldn’t care what happens to that pasty-faced cow! Let her be slaughtered in her sleep!
Fallin: Elise—
Elise: If anyone tries anything with me, I’ll carve them into a jigsaw puzzle!
Woman: You can sleep here, if you like.
Elise: I’m not afraid! I’m going next door to have a nice warm bath before I go to bed. If you need me, for anything, knock lightly. (goes to next room)
(Doubar is in his room, when Sinbad enters; Sinbad sees the two dolls sitting on a table)
Sinbad: Doubar, how did—
Doubar: A servant brought them up. End of story.
(Bryn and Dermott are in their room)
Bryn: (looking at her doll) I hope I don’t look like that when I’m her age.
(They hear a noise outside in the hall; Bryn gets up and goes to the door, holding her sword; she opens the door and finds a man there)
Man: Oh, I’m sorry, Ma’am. I, ah, tripped in the dark.
Bryn: It’s all right. I’m glad you’re out there. (closes door)