"Fironz ,are you sure there's a hamlet around here?"quiz Sinbad.The small crew of the Nomad seemed to be walking for hours in the hot afternoon sun.Doubar leaned back on a tree getting a brief stay from the relentless rays.Bryn stood beside Sinbad tossing her arm up over her eyes trying to protect them from the bright sun light.The only two who seemed not to be affected was Rongar and Sinbad.
Fironz fumbled with a handful of ancient maps sweat poured off him making the maps slippery causing two of the old maps to fall to the ground at his feet.After a few minutes of fumbling around Fironz smile."Here it is according to this we are about there, no here.The hamlet is called Mauna Well I think its Mauna its kindof smugged .Oh well it should be right around the next hillside."
Doubar stood up"Little brother we should have tried to get to a real port for supplies.We don't even know if this hamlet still exist.How old is that map anyway?" Fironz turned the map this way and that until a smile of satisfaction graced his face."It's written in the time of Jason." Sinbad cocked his head."Jason,Which Jason?"
Fironz smile."Of the golden fleece." The rest of the crew including Sinbad moaned."Well."Fironz looked meekly at them "Hamlets don't just dissappear do they." Doubar walked over to Fironz."If this is a wild goose chase I'm going to make you eat every one of those maps." Sinbad shrugged "We need supplies and Fironz is right that hamlet could still exist.And if not well its another adventure isn't it."
"Little brother,shut-up."Doubar growled then cursed under his breath.Bryn lifted up her head and as if by cue Demott flew right to her out strected arm.After a few minutes Bryn smile."It's right over there. just where you said it was Fironz." Bryn who appeared to be wilting earlier seem to geather strengh as she proceded towards the hill followed by Sinbad and the others.Each deep in their own thoughts.by the time they reach Mauna each member of the crew was hot,sticky and thirsty.Sinbad couldn't fathom the destruction surrounding him or his fellow travelers.The small hamlet had most of its interior structure lying collapsed on the sun baked ground while other buildings had been reclaimed by thick underbrush.Only two small buildings remained standing each in extreme disrepair.Sinbad's hand shot straight towards his sword alarming the others in his small party to do likewise all except Bryn who closed her eyes and raised her face towards the sky.Sinbad's movements turned catlike as the noise of men talking glided over to where they were."Any magic here Bryn?"Sinbad tense voice whispered out."No,Sinbad I don't feel anything bad but there's something not just right." Looking around Sinbad smile"Bryn that's an under statement,who could live in this?"As if in answering four rather large men stumbled out of the remaining building.Their cloths were stained and dirty.Each seem to stare at the them and then huddling in the corner.The smallest of the four walked casually towards the crew of the Nomad.Sinbad particularly noted that none of the men eyes ever left Bryn's face.Holding his sword tighter Sinbad could see that the man in front of him was nothing but a teenager .The teenager held out his hand,openly smiling and was looking straight at Bryn .Sinbad sleathed his sword.making a mental note to ask Bryn about teenagers attractions towards her."Welcome to Mauna.I'm Togar.We don't get many vistor's around here,but what we have is yours."Togar's voice seem to have a dreamlike quility about it."I'm Sinbad we've come here looking for some fresh supplies."Sinbad pointed to each of his crewmates as he spoke"This here is Bryn,I'm sure you see her." "Yes,I do tell me Lady Bryn do you know how to use a plow?" Togar question caught her out of the blue ."I don't really know." she answered in a puzzel tone.Togar only nodded.His attention forcused only on Bryn which cause her to blush under Togar's scrutiny.Sinbad only shook his head and started again introducing his crew."This is Doubar."Doubar only made a face."Forget it Sinbad he's agoner."Sinbad gradded hold of Togar's arm thus breaking him away from Bryn."Is there any where we can stay for the night,and get something to drink?"The teenager smiled "Sure."p[ointing towards the building that Togar had just left "That's the local watering hole and in the hamlet two miles from here there's are places.But there's no pretty women like you around here" Bryn smiled"Well with Sinbad here,you'll get pretty women from two islands away coming "Firouz shook his head in agreement"Yes,our Captain here is a wrench magnet."The local watering hole was dim and dusky.The smell of stale air,whiskey and vomit assulted Bryn nose causing her to wrinkle it up as they were all lead to a small table.Sitting down Bryn caught out of the corner of her eye a bar maid buxom blonde,blue-eyed and she could tell from there that Sinbad had caught her attention.Bryn put her hand out lightly touching Togar who jumped with surprise at her touch."There a pretty girl." Togar tossed back his head and laughed "That's my sis.She doesn't really count."
"Well I'm dry.barmaid !"yelled Doubar.The barmaid smiled pulling at her top exposing more of her clevage as she glided over.Leaning over Sinbad shoving her clevage in his face while all Doubar could see was her back side.'Sir,do you need anything or maybe you see something that you like?"she cooed Sinbad took a gulp."Well.."
Bryn pushed her seat back."Forget it Doubar,Rongar,Firouz I'll get us the ale."
A haggered older woman watched as she leaned her six foot musclar frame agains't the corner of the bar.Bryn slowly approached her mind preoccupied with Sinbad's new indescretion Bryn didn't register the old woman until she was by her side. Bryn Absentmindingly waved her hand at the bartender.Bryn nose was assulted again turning her head and pearing up Bryn saw the ancient gaint of a woman pearing down on her.The first thing Bryn noticed was the one yellowish crooked tooth accompanied by a strong odor of rot and decay desending from the old woman's mouth causing Bryn to take a step backward.Wrinkles crisscrossed the brightly berry painted face.Her one eye was completely clouded over while the good eye watered.The bartender touch Bryn shoulder causing her to revert her attention back .The short ruby face bartender smiled "So what will it be my lady?"
"4 ales,Let Sinbad get his own."Bryn quickly spoke tossing coins on the counter top which the bartender quickly grabbed up..As the bartender left to fill her order the old woman's strong hand gripped Bryn's arm forcing Bryn to face her "That ones a fine one.Is he yours?"her old voice croaked out focusing her one good eye on Sinbad.Bryn just shook her head no.as she looked over towards Sinbad who was whispering into the blondes ear .While Doubar and the other tapped their fingers. on the dirty table top.Before Bryn could said anything the old woman next to her walked over to Sinbad grabbed the young barmaid up and tossed her right onto Doubar lap causing both of them to fly backwards.Grabbing up Sinbad and holding him in a tight bearhug embrace.The semi toothless woman looked into Sinbad's blue eyes as he struggled to free himself."Kiss me you good looking boy and I could turn into a princess."She croaked out her breath smelling of rot.Sinbad struggled more ,her arms were llike vises around him holding him tight."Please I'm not that drunk yet."Sinbad closed his eyes.Not all the gold in the world could make you that ,he thought to himself.Sinbad tossed his shipmates a help me look.Only to find the barmaid rubbing her tail and the rest of his crew drinking their ale at another table.His eyes rested on Bryn,-she was talking to her."Bryn,I going to get you for this!"he yelled out but was abuptly silenced as the old woman squeezed sinbad tighter choking off his words.Sinbad watched helpless as his crew started to leave.Bryn was the first to leave and stopping at Sinbad struggling form.She hide a half smile."Just your type two legs."'Yea!" yelled Sinbad back at Bryn "But look what their attached too."