"I-I thought he was" Set replied, his eyes straying to his brother as Melhet approached Malum. "He went to see Malum and never came back. We'd never really been apart until then..." his hands were trembling again, they were getting harder to hold still.

Melhet twirled his knife in his hand and lunged-then stopped in mid-air. His body was suspended above Malum and the thief quickly took the moment to escape the area of the attack. Malum rolled to his feet and turned to Set with angry eyes.

The priest's gaze was downcast, his hair dangling over his eyes and although they sparkled with his use of magic to paralyze Melhet, they were also clouded and somewhat lifeless.

Malum barely hesitated in the moment, grabbing his own dagger to stab Melhet in the back, only to find himself thrown across the clearing.

"Don't you DARE!" Set snapped at the thief, his eyes ablaze simply for the moment before dulling again, "Asima" he whispered in the princess' ear, still holding her tight, "all these years I have obeyed your commands. I have done everything I can to aid you and to make you happy. I have even provided care to your precious king of thieves because it pleased you. I would do anything, anything for you. I would gladly cut my own throat if you truly desired it but this... I cannot allow my brother to die again. I can handle losing him no more than I could handle losing you and Nemiah. You are all my family."

The priest swallowed heavily, closing his eyes tight, "There is magic at work in Melhet. If he does not kill his murderer he will die again soon. I can no longer protect Malum. If that makes me into a traitor then that is what I will become. I hope you can understand that." he released her and stepped back, "Now you must choose my beloved sister. Go home and grieve, or stay to fight and make an enemy of me." Either way he knew Asima would never trust him again, but this was the only thing he think to do. It was up to her now.

Melhet shook off the spell at Set released him of it and then went to stand next to his brother.

Asima was silent for a few long minutes. Set's words hit home. He had always been there when needed, and he was just as much a brother as Nemiah was. She glanced over, eying Malum's scarred face. She thought he loved her, but if it came down to it, Asima would be let go. Then again...Set was doing the same.

Her gaze shifted to Melhet, and she shivered. He had been dead, was it right for him to stand there and force her to make this choice, to turn Set against her? Was it fair he got another chance at life?

"I can't Set. He shouldn't be here. I'm sorry..." Her feet slid backwards, moving towards Malum. "I don't want to fight you, Set. Don't make me choose..." Her gaze turned to Malum. "Please....we need to go....We can't fight them both right now..."


Souban had been leaning over the banister, about to attack Set herself as he stopped Melhet. She calmed down as things unfolded, however. Either way, the princess would be vulnerable, and if Set declared her his enemy, all the better. If she was killed Nemiah would be further weakened.

Set felt like his heart had just snapped in two. Of course she would choose Malum, she loved him and presumably he loved her as well. His gaze fell for a moment, as though watching his hopes crash to the ground. With a deep breath he lifted his eyes back to Asima, filled with regret they were still settled in his decision, "You've just chosen then princess, as have I. Family comes first."

Melhet glanced between Set and Asima a few times, "... mind if I attack now, brother?"

"yes, I do mind." Set replied firmly, grabbing Melhet's arm, "That's enough for today."

Malum frowned, "I agree." he wrapped his hand around Asima's and backed away, "We'll settle this later."

Asima jerked her hand from Malum's, pleading with Set before turning away. "Come home Set. We need you. He shouldn't be here." She listened to Malum, and stared away, her head hanging. "He said that was his brother, Melhet. You.killed him years ago, right? Well, Set said he had to kill you or he would die again soon..."

Her voice cracked as she spoke, leading the way back to the palace. That hadn't been a matter of Set and Malum. That boy shouldn't be alive. He could only be alive through sorcery. Even as she felt the tears slip out, Asima held her head high. Set had been there for so much. It hurt, to turn her back on him.

Malum left with Asima, keeping alert in case of any more surprises. He didn't speak until they were nearly back at the palace, "Yes, I suppose I did kill him. I do remember telling Set he was dead."

Set watched Asima and Malum go, his eyes flashed as the trap spells disappeared from the area.
"What on earth was that?" Melhet demanded, "This was the plan brother, we're not supposed to just let him go"

"Please Melhet" Set shook his head, "I can't do it in view of Asima. It's going to hurt her enough as it is, she doesn't need to witness Malum's death as well."

"You saw how she turned on you, what does that matter?" Melhet argued, "She's trying to deny you your family."

"She is my family" Set snapped back, "I will not abandon you brother but don't you ever forget. Asima and Nemiah were there when you were not. They were my family then and they still are now. I won't hurt them more than I have to."

"What should we do Malum?" Asima questioned, wringing her hands. "I...I wanna help...b-but Malum, I don't know if I can fight Set. H-he..." She fell silent, trembling.

Souban was angry, though not too much. Things could still work. She slipped over the railing, landing much like a cat. "Family or not! She's turned on you! She won't hold back against you...if she was attacking your brother what would you do? She's now a danger. But...." the female offered a grin, "Welcome. Its your new family..."

Set shot Souban a glare, "I think I know the princess a little better than you do. There's nothing she can do that I can't han-" he cringed a little. Damnit. Withdrawl. He couldn't deny it any longer. The potion he had been relying on to regain his magic more quickly and keep his strength up was starting to take it's toll. If he didn't detox soon, then there would be no going back.

Set took a drink of the extra potion he had hidden in a water flask. Hopefully they hadn't noticed, "I can handle it." he concluded. There was no time to detox right now. That could take a week and they might not have that long before Melhet died again. He had to keep going.


Malum took Asima's hands, "Look. We don't have to fight anyone. All we have to do is hold out until Melhet's time is up. I'll take Solum and leave, you can distract them here so by the time they realize I'm gone there's no chance to catch up."

"When she is trying to slid that dagger in your ribs you won't be so cocky!" Souban snapped. She hesitated as he stopped speaking, eying him. As soon as he lifted the flask up, though, strength seemed to return to him. She let the matter drop for now, filing it away. "Lets go. I need to set up some things. You." She glares at Set, "May not like the idea of spies around your precious 'Family', but you let the bitch go, so you can deal with it. We need to know the things they intend to do. Melhet, talk with your brother. See if there is anything that he knows to help us with."

"Any suggestions?" Asima replied numbly, staring at the ground. "They would see through anything I planned."

Melhet nodded to Souban obediently before turning to look at Set again. "She is right you know brother. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

"Nice." Set rolled his eyes, "you just make that up now?"

"Yeah, you like it?"

"It's kinda dumb."

Melhet gave him a look, "Alright alright, but in all seriousness Setty, you should listen to Souban. She's quite wise about these things and I really don't think you should concern yourself with the princess any longer. She's going to side with Malum and next you know she'll be stabbing you in the back as soon as you let your guard down"

"Do not presume that you know her" Set replied sternly, "and for that matter, do not presume that you know me. I don't let my guard down anymore Melhet. Not to her and not even to you. I will not allow myself to be influenced by the words of others, it is I who must make my own decisions and thus take responsibility for them"

Melhet cocked a brow, looking at Set with curiosity now, "you have grown up brother. But I still know you, and those do not sound like your own words, contrary to what they say."

Set turned away from him, "We have work to do." he replied simply, neither confirming nor denying the fact that it was Lakar who had taught him these things. It was Lakar who still spoke in the back of the priest's mind and it was that voice that told him everything he was doing was wrong. Even trying to drown that voice out, nothing could hide the stomach twisted thought that churned in his mind.
Lakar would be so disappointed right now.

Set took another small sip of the potion at his side. No time to dwell on the past. As the terrible liquid took hold, Lakar's voice seemed to fade into the background.


Malum thought for a moment or two before nodding, "we could leak some information that I'll be meeting you in three days somewhere in the opposite direction that I'll be heading. That should be enough of a head start."

"Alright." Asima paused, eying Malum. "I'm not gonna lose you too am I?" Set and Malum would be too much.

Souban led the way back. The tiny rooms she had 'rented' weren't the same ones she's first met Set in. The true owner of the rooms was laying in the next room under Souban's bed. Despite the decaying body, incense burned heavily, so no offensive smells were allowed to permeate the air. Birds fluttered to and fro in the air, though some were choked by the incense. Little bodies littered the floor. Upon entering the apartments, Souban began scooping up the bodies. They were all laid on the desk, and Souban once again began bringing the tiny things to life. They were the best spies. Who expected a finch to give away their secrets?

"Mel..." Souban spoke as she worked, "Secrets..." She reminded the male. "And..." She glanced over to him. "Perhaps it would be beat if the tiny details of our deal were not divulged right now?" Melhet would know what she meant, things such as Souban having Helmet's heart, or the fact that she had her eyes on the throne of Egypt.

Malum stepped towards her and planted a gentle kiss on her lips, "I'm never leaving you again." he promised.


Melhet nodded to Souban in understanding. Set meanwhile was observing her actions with morbid curiosity. "You do this with such ease" the priest observed, "how can you twist the balance of life and death so simply without a second thought?"

Souban laughed, glancing over. "The birds brought back aren't truly living. They make act alive, but think of them as puppets. Melhet is the only one with a soul that I've brought back. The birds and previous tries were all mummies. You don't need balance with this." The female's eyes sparkled brightly, excitement coursing through her when she thought of what she'd done. She was doing things no one had done before her. "You create your own balance!" Her words were almost a hiss, before she turned back to her work.

Asima leaned into Malum. "Thank you..." She muttered softly. Once they were on their way again, she offered her idea. "Where she we say we are meeting? I should really go there shouldn't I? Perhaps they would follow and give you even more time. Another city would be the best idea, wouldn't it?"

Set frowned. What Souban spoke of went against everything Lakar had taught him. The world's balance was there for a reason, it shouldn't be tampered with or there might be dire consequences. Lakar would have-no. Set shook his head and turned away from the woman, taking just another sip from his flask to drown out the thoughts.


Malum nodded, "I'll head towards Frodan, following the cliffs. It's easy to hide there. You can lead them the other way across the desert to Pjia." he held her hands together, kissing Asima's fingers, "I swear I won't be gone any longer than I have to. Once Melhet's time is up, this should be over. Set will have no more reason to pursue me."

Souban had seemed to be working, though her eyes were studying Set. It was obvious he didn't agree...most people wouldn't, though he didn't question her. That was a good sign. She needed obedient soldiers. Most magicians worried aboutfor tbe balance ofwith the world. Still...his doubt would need to be taken care of. "Think of it this way, Set. If I worried about balance, your brother wouldn't be here.

Asima found herself smiling, despite the circumstances. When her hand was released, she threw her arms around the male, hugging him tightly. "Stay safe Malum...Ill head out tomorrow evening. That should give us enough time for rumors to get around, and that way you and Solum can head out tonight if you wish." She would offer them a night of rest in her hidden room, however, Set had been her protector and trusted friend. He knew of the room, so the twins would not be safe there.

Set glanced towards Melhet then leaned against the wall with a sigh, "I am grateful for that. It doesn't make it right, but at the same time I couldn't let it change now either."

Malum hugged her back, holding tight for a moment, "I'll fetch Solum and go immediately." he kissed her once more, "farewell." and so he left.

Asima closed her eyes, leaning into the kiss. Never know when it could be the last. She watched Malum go, before turning and heading to the palace. Though it was rare, she employed the help of her servants to pack, making it seem like she was sharing a secret when she finally revealed her destination. She would say goodbye to Nemiah later.

Soon, tiny little birds joined the living ones, though their eyes were dull and lifeless, the could pass. Souban opened the window, instructions ting the tiny things with simple orders. When they had flown out, she closed the window with a smile. "Set...right and wrong are matters of opinion..."

"Right and wrong have never been so blurred" Set slunk down the wall and rested his head in his hands. He had left his staff back at the battle ground, all his scrolls and items were in the palace. All he had was what he carried, anything else would have appeared suspicious when he'd left.

Souban snorted softly. "You talk like life is good and bad. Don't forget there's neutral too." Souban stated. "Now come on. Surely you know information that can help is with our mission, eh? Palace layouts, Malum's weaknesses? Thing like that?" The sorceress urged Set, settling herself into a chair.

"But there is still right and wrong." Set ran his fingers through his hair, "Malum's weaknesses..." a thought occurred to him, "we have to make sure not to confused him with Solum."

"Solum?" Souban's eyebrows lifted and she glanced to Melhet. "Who is Solum? Why would we get them.confused?"

"They're..." Set paused, this was a delicate secret. Such a select few knew, even though Malum was now the enemy it still felt wrong betraying Asima's love. He shifted uncomfortably, "they look the same."

"Twins?" Souban cried out, a malicious smile breaking out on her face. "So Malum cares for him, correct? How could we get to Solum?"

Set shook his head, "I don't know. Right now Solum's the stronger of the two. Malum's memories are in disarray. He only knows what he's been told, but it's still quite the accomplishment for someone being brought back from the dark."

Souban's smile widened with every sentence Set spewed. "So even if we can't use Solum, Malum is having some trouble..." She stretched, thinking. "You work on that.... My birds will let me know if they see anyone leaving the palace, or hear anything about them leaving. If nit, your precious palace will get caught up in this."

"The princess..." Souban began tentatively, "I've heard rumors about...she was travelling with him, and was disowned for a while due.to being in Malum's harem...does he care about her? If you could convince her to simply stay with is a few days, we could lure Malum to us, and she would be completely unharmed. Of course," She added quickly, not wishing to anger her newest ally, "That would only be a last resort anyway..."

"No, Asima is no part of this and she will not become so" Set stated firmly, "If you touch her I will reign the wrath of the gods upon you." his eyes almost seemed to glisten with darkness at the statement, "I'll be able to get Malum alone. My magic can track anyone across the desert if need be. With Asima's adventurous ways, the gods know I've had to come up with a few long distance spells..."

Set pulled himself back to his feet, "but it's been a long day. I need to rest-and I need certain materials for the morning." his fingers touched the flask at his side as he thought to himself. This potion wouldn't last more than another day before it started taking it's toll. He needed more ingredients.