Set frowned, he didn't like it, he didn't like it at all. He could already feel the magic from the potion starting to wear off, which meant he needed another dose before this was done. He literally would not be able to protect her if she got in the way.

"... fine. If you're so determined to do so." the priest sighed, shaking his head, "but when I tell you to leave, you leave alright? I don't mean to step out of bounds here, but I have an oath to uphold and I'm not going to let even you keep me from upholding it."

Malum glanced at the other two and shrugged, "Lets go now?"

"I need a moment" Set replied, "I'll meet you outside in half an hour. We can use the outskirt of town on the north end, it's fairly deserted so no one else should get harmed"

Set hastily went back to his room, pulling out all the ingrediants for the potion again. His hands were starting to shake, definitely not a good sign. Taking a deep breath he tried to keep himself calm, mixing everything together as precisely as possible. Just one more potion and he could rest. Just one more little magic fix and everything would be fine again.

He downed the potion in an instant, once again gagging at the taste and closing his eyes tight as he waited for it to pass. He startled when Asima peeked in and quickly he stood up straight, "No, I'm alright." he replied, "just grabbing a few things."

Set breathed deeply before standing up straight. He took a small piece of parchment and scribbled down a note, 'Do not attack until my signal.' and with a spark of magic the note burned away, appearing before his brother.

He sighed and left his room, as ready as he could be for what lay ahead. He went out to meet the others and set their traps.

Set raised a brow, looking at her, "What's going on?" he questioned a little uncertainly.

((XD you said leave, not lead))

He nodded, taking the lead through the streets and to the northern edge of town. Surveying the spot carefully a moment before nodding to the others, "This is a good spot. Asima, would you please cast a gravity spell here and here?" he pointed to to particular places.

((lol, guess we're both tired))

Set instructed the three of them around the area, doing numerous different things to the place. His eyes glanced briefly towards the city again, trying to figure out just where Melhet and Souban might be waiting.

Once they were set up the priest turned to Asima, "that's it. Time for you to head back."

((NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I exist. I've been getting caught up in job searching and summerness and... sorry v.v I still like this! And i wouldn't quit without telling you!

Also, for the heck of it, I'm gonna say Solum is somewhere else right now... because I can XD m'kay?))

Set watched Asima leave, turning towards Malum and directing him where to stand before turning back towards the town. His blue eyes gazed over the buildings slowly as he breathed in deeply. The young priest wasn't sure if he was ready for this or not, it wasn't really an act of treason right? Malum bore no real ties to royal family, certainly not in their protection anyway, so this couldn't be treason.

Letting out a sigh he nodded to himself. All he had to do was send his brother in to finish Malum off, it wasn't like Malum was innocent after all, and Set really wanted to have his brother back.

"everything alright?" Malum called over, "you seem distracted and your hands..."

"Hm? Yes, everything will be just fine" Set gave him a smile back, forcing his hands to steady. He hadn't even noticed them beginning to tremble, was that just nerves or... no, it couldn't be the effects of the potion already. Shaking it off he knelt in the sand with his staff laying in front of himself. The signal for Malum's enemies to attack.

(I'm so sorry! I never knew you replied! I'm so happy! I was so sad when it seemed like you were done.)

Asima watched the two men from her crouching spot, frowning. She wasn't sure why Set would kneel like that....she couldn't think of any spells that would require it. However, Set knew much more than her. Her chocolate eyes shifted to Malum, then peeked behind her as a stray cat meowed. What if the stranger or strangers came this way? She hadn't thought about that.

Souban glanced at Melhet. "You saw where the traps were laid, now if you wish to remain living, kill him, Melhet. If you fail, Melhet, do NOT reveal me to them...Ill do what I can from here, and I'm sure your brother will help as well."

((YAY! You're back! A reason to come back to Mene! XD I kept just checking and then moving on to other things. Haven't posted anywhere on this site in ages.))

Melhet bowed to Souban in response, "I will not fail." he declared before taking off towards the scene. He snuck along as far as he could but one reaching the clearing there was no point in trying to hide so he freely stepped into view.

As Melhet came into sight, Malum immediately took a ready stance, glaring at his foe. "Look who decided to show up."

Melhet just smirked and ran forward, leaping and pivoting around every trap towards the supposed king of thieves. Malum startled, caught off guard at his knowledge. The thief barely managed to block the first blow as the fight began.

Melhet was steadily driving Malum back towards the very traps that had meant to protect him. Malum soon found himself struggling to keep up the defence and not step into any dangerous territory, he couldn't even begin to actually fight back. Stealing a glance towards Set, the thief quickly realized just what was happening.

The high priest didn't move. He stayed where he knelt, his eyes eternally watching the staff laid out before him as he focused on keeping his hands steady. He couldn't watch. Set knew well enough that this was a battle Malum would eventually lose on his own so with any luck he wouldn't even have to fully witness it. Even so, his stomach was in knots. Everything about the situation was screaming at him; Save Malum! Defend your brother! Kill Melhet! Kill Malum! Both seemed to be the right answer but neither felt as though it was.

(Lol! I haven't been on for a long time. I'm glad to be back.)

As soon as Melhet stepped out of the alleyways and into the burning sun, Asima frowned. She didn't feel like the assassin should have found them already, however, he could be the sorcerer who had sent the other man after them. Perhaps he had found them using his magic?

After a few more seconds, the man had weaved through their traps. The princess stared, unhappy with the way things were going. Malum had been caught off guard, and wasn't doing so well...if he wasn't careful he'd end up in one of the traps himself. Where was Set? He'd be a major help here... Chocolate eyes shifted, eying the priest.

He wasn't even lifting a finger to help!

Mo longer thinking, and rather angry, Asima moved from her hiding place, slipping through the traps. She was grateful for paying so much attention while they were laid. In her hand, she carried the tiny dagger shed purchased in Frodan. Attempting to stay as silent as possible, and in an effort not to hit Malum, she swooped the dagger from the side, attempting to thrust it under the stranger's ribs.

Something moved, catching Set's eye. At first he tried to ignore it, thinking it was Malum and Melhet fighting-except the noise was coming from behind him so that couldn't be right. The priest lifted his head in time to see Asima make a swipe at his brother. Instinctively Set snatched his staff and pointed it at the princess to send a force of wind to blow her away, "Melhet!" Set called out in warning.

Melhet turned sharply, ducking a blow from Malum and back kicking the thief to the ground.

The princess released a huge gulp of air as Set's spell shoved her away. She was so shocked, her eyes widened and she stared blankly at the sky. Set...he'd turned traitor? She shook herself, grunting as she got to her feet. Her dagger was a few feet away, and as she moved towards it, her mind wheeling.

As she lifted the dagger, it occurred to her. Melhet? Wasn't Melhet the name of Set's brother? But Malum had killed him...

Asima shook her head again, moving back towards the new stranger. Now wasn't the time to try and figure it out. If Set attacked her, she would have to fight back, no matter how much it hurt.

"Get away!" The princess yelled, once again coming behind the attacker and slashing at him.

Souban watched the unfurling battle with a lifted eyebrow. As the Princess moved to attack Melhet once again, Souban threw a shield up around his body. This was good...if he kept attacking perhaps Set himself would attack the princess, on purpose, instead of the accident a few minutes ago.

Set stared a moment, horrified at what he had just done and completely baffled as to what to do next. His precious staff clattered to the sand as he moved forward and seized Asima's arms, "stop! Please, Asima, please!" he begged, "You have to go, you were supposed to go!"

Melhet shot Asima a glare but quickly turned his attention back to Malum. The princess was a secondary target, Malum was what mattered right now.

"No!" Asima bellowed, struggling in an attempt to get out of Set's grasp. Her head turned after a minute, glaring over her shoulder. "Set....you...you... traitor! You attacked me! You are supposed to help him! I order you to!" She spoke quickly, feeling tears well up in her eyes. Why was Set doing this? Asima didn't understand.

Even if this was Set's brother, he wouldn't help kill Malum just for revenge right? The princess was unable to come to any conclusions.

Traitor. Set winced at the harsh word but kept his grip. He wrapped his arms around Asima in a restraining embrace, "Please princess, anything but this" he pleaded, "I'll do anything else, just please don't order me against my brother." He desperately did not want to disobey her. For so long this position and his duties to the royal family had really been all he had. However with Melhet suddenly back, everything was askew. The right thing was no longer clear to him anymore.

Melhet managed to force Malum to the ground, stuck between two traps so that he couldn't really escape either way.

"You said he was dead!" She accused, starting to sob once again. "Please, Set, let me go....if he kills Malum I will never forgive you..."He She seemed to switch between anger and sadness quickly, unsure of what to say but still struggling.

Souban was still watching happily, her long red nails tapping against the banister eagerly.