"Well...." Lakar hesitated, he really wanted to inquire further about Asima' well being, but the girl didn't seem to want to talk about it, "I do think that when placed in the right spots, these doves will open a temporary portal through to this, dark creature. The trouble is finding out just where this circle must be formed..."

”In Frodan.” asima stated. “Malum showed me three roads. Two were the location of the doves. The third must be where I am to go…Lakar…what would happen if I don’t go through this portal? The creature would still be trapped, and I wouldn’t have to fight. I’ve done enough.” She muttered darkly, fiddling with one of the silk clothes. “I don’t want to go. I don’t want to fight.”

Lakar fell silent for a moment, then he gave a gentle smile, "Then don't" he told her, "I know this is difficult, and if it's something you're not ready to do, then don't do it. I'll put the doves away somewhere safe, and you can just forget about it, alright?"

”What will happen?” Asima pressed, aware the elder had avoided her question. “Or, if you don‘t know, what do you think will happen?”

"I think that this is meant to be taken care of, which insinuates that if it is not something terrible may happen. But we aren't told when and we aren't told what. It's even possible that those inscriptions merely look similar to you two, when it could easily be your descendants instead. Prophesy is one thing Asima, but if you do not feel able to take this on, then perhaps you're not meant to? This is still your choice, take it, or leave it. I'm afraid this is one area where I can not tell you what is the right thing to do."

Asima nodded. She wandered around the room a bit, thinking, before supplying an answer. “I want to leave it be.” She was not, however, convinced. Malum had no children, correct?

Asima felt a pang, touching her stomach. Why had the thought of being pregnant been so frightening? She’d give anything to have a piece of Malum, especially something that important. “How have you been, though? Found anything more out about the creature? And what of Set?”

Lakar nodded and carefully set the doves away in a safe place together, "I have not been able to find out much more, Set however, has been doing wonderfully."

Asima smiled, glad for the good news. “What has he been up to, then?”

"I believe he's been spending a lot of time helping Nemiah now that his spells are well learned. I certainly hope he's practicing those still though."

Asima nodded, before giving the old man a hug. “Thank you Lakar…Im’ma spend some time with Nemiah, and say hi to Set now…I’ll talk to you later!”

She moved away, locating her brother. The princess offered him a tiny smile. “Nemiah, I missed you…sorry, I had to give Lakar something…how are you? How are things?”

"Things are going really well actually. Set and I make a pretty good team" Nemiah smiled, Set was with him at the moment. The young boy had actually begun to grow up a fair bit since they first met.

The princess nodded, happy for her brother. “That’s good.”

A thought crossed her mind, and Asima glanced to Nemiah oddly. “Sarah had the strangest notion, brother. What would you do if Hemsjik asked for my hand?”

"Start a war with Arabia, why?" Nemiah asked in return without even blinking at the question while he looked over some sort of legal parchment Set was showing him.

[Color="DarkRed"]Asima made a tiny choking sound. “A-are you serious? You are joking, right?” Her gaze slid to Set, “He‘s joking?”

[/colot]

Nemiah just shrugged, not indicating one way or another. Set looked between the Pharaoh and princess rather uncertainly.

"So, what are you up to now then?" Nemiah smiled, changing the subject.

“Nothing, until you answer me!” Asima stated shrilly, “I’m serious, Nemiah. You wouldn’t start a war over that! Honestly, what would you say?” The princess stompted her foot for added effect, putting her hands on her hips. “It is my life and future, I have a right to know, don’t I?” The question part was directed to Set.

"Calm down" Nemiah placed his hands on her shoulders, "no, I'm not that stupid. But I certainly wouldn't take such a thing lightly. That... boy, is lucky he's the Sultan's son, or I would have had him locked away for his insolence long ago, and not just for going near you."

Asima felt her mouth twitch. Nemiah had disowned her when she’d slept with Malum. What would he do if she told him it was possible the prince would ask for her hand, due to past events?

“Because the elephant pooped in the throne room?” She finally asked, attempting to lighten the mood. “What would you’re answer be, though, Nemiah?”

"Do you really need to ask?" Nemiah made a face at the memory of the elephant, "I'd say no."

Asima nodded, relieved. She returned to his earlier question. “I suppose…I don’t have anything else to do, until Solum returns. If he returns, I mean. What can I help you with?”

"Actually Set and I have everything under control" Nemiah smiled, "why don't you go relax?"

(time skip?)

Asima nodded, though disappointed. She needed something to focus on…

(Yeah…you wanna do it? If not, when should I skip to?)

About a day and a half passed by, each night bore strange dreams of the past, memories that took place outside Asima's own view. One morning, however, there stood a white haired man sitting against the far wall of the room, resting his head back against it with his undoubtedly mismatched eyes, resting closed.

When Asima jerked awake from yet another horrid nightmare, her eyes fell on the form almost immediately. “Malum…” She breathed, before wincing, remembering.

She slipped out of the bed, nodding to the male, though his eyes were closed. “Hullo, Solum…” He had returned, after all. “How are you?”

Solum didn't respond at first. His form was slumped and then without warning he keeled over towards the floor. The sudden movement seemed to startle him awake and those weary eyes parted about half way as he looked around sharply to make sure he wasn't being attacked. He gave Asima a grunt in response to her question, as though that would be enough for words would take too much energy to use.