Asima stared at Solum levelly, frowning. "Tell me, Solum, Keg helped me, when no one else would. You said everyone got where they are without help. I don't believe it. I see people everyday you are kind to other people-strangers even. I am not sided with Keg, but why should I side with Malum? He wasn't even going to bring me here, until you made him. My well being doesn't concern you or Malum, obviously." She repeated her question, "So tell me why I should side with him?"

Solum sighed, somewhat frustrated himself, "For the same reason that anyone sides with the Pharaoh of Egypt. Because he is the true King." he replied stiffly.

Asima tossed her hands in the air, staring at Solum as if she couldn't believe what he was saying. "Only because he killed Keg's father. That's no reason to follow someone...Follow them for their beliefs, because you trust them, because you know they will look out for you! Your brother didn't show me an ounce of kindness!"

"He shows you more kindness than you would ever know." Solum replied in a quiet hiss, "you are blind to our world. Blind to everything that's happening right in front of your face. You'd be better off leaving."

Asima flinched once more, turning away from Solum. "Then instead of chastising me, why don't you explain, Solum?" The female didn't wait on a response, however, instead fleeing up the stairs and into her room, letting the door slam behind her. It seemed to be this way constantly, with her trying to do good, and instead being told it's wrong around every turn. She pulled her knees to her chest, sniffling slightly, the salukis peeking over the side of the bed and whimpering.

Solum watched her go, more words dying on his lips as she disappeared. Irritably he turned away and left the tavern. Clearly there was nothing left to say.

After a bit, the princess completed her crying spell, washed her face, and hooked the dogs up to their leashes. Still frowning, thinking of what Solum had said, Asima began leading the dogs through the town, not truly paying attention to where she was going, just wanting to get out and breath a bit of air.

The night was still and the stars were bright across the clear sky. People went about their average business, when suddenly Asima's pups began tugging in one direction, quite intent on going this particular way though it was impossible to see whatever it was they were after.

The female stared at her pups for a moment, before stopping her attempts to hold them back, instead keeping them at a pace a bit above a walk. She jogged behind them, squinting her eyes against the darkness, her mind flitting to the dagger she'd left in her room.

They pulled her around twists and bends, through the streets until finding a less populated area where they stopped. Looking and sniffing about, searching for what they had lost. That was when someone grabbed Asima from behind, trying to pull her back sharply into the shadows of the night.

Asima shrieked, trying to bite, hit and kick whomever had grabbed her. The leashes were dropped, though the saluki's had clearly felt a tug, and were turning to Asima's shriek, fur already raised and growls coming from their throats.

"Sshh" Solum whispered in her ear, "You want to know why Malum's better-I'll show you, but no one else can be watching, he can't even know. Got it?"

Asima stopped struggling, placing a hand over her racing heart. After a moment, her heartbeat and breathing was back to normal, and she nodded, narrowing her eyes at the male, while scooping up the dog's leashes. They'd reconized Solum as they turned, and raced to the male, licking at his hands and wagging their tails.

Solum knelt and pet the pups affectionately before looking up at Asima, "I had to make sure no one would follow you, sorry." he whispered, standing again, "Now come with me" he turned and started down the alley.

Asima followed, mostly dragged by the dogs who eagerly followed Solum. Speaking quietly, she asked Solum, "Just where are we going? And what are you wanting to show me?"

"I want you to know who Malum really is." Solum replied, "Now sh!" he was heading for the cliffs that surrounding the town, no doubt they were going to enter the maze of tunnels within.

Asima pouted slightly, but followed, keeping quiet.

Solum took the dog's leashes from Asima, then set the pups free, "They'll only be a hindrance, we can find them later." he stated before entering the dark of the tunnels. His steps made no sound, and he moved like a ghost.

Her protests flew away as Asima watched her dogs moving off, before she turned, following Solum, though she walked silently naturally, she had trouble seeing, and occasionally scrambling and scuffling sounds filled the cavern.

Solum sighed and took Asima's hand, guiding her a bit more silently through the caves. However it was that he knew the way was not apparent, he had no more light than she did, yet every step was just as well placed as the last. They followed a slope upwards.

Finally he slowed down, stopping all together at a place where the moonlight shone through the rock. Solum stepped up to the small window, taking a glance outside before gesturing for Asima to take a look. "As vast as this place my be, there isn't an inch of Frodan that you can go, that is invisible to prying eyes. Even Malum can't hide completely."

Below was a perfect view of a section of the town. It seemed to be a popular spot for families, where children played and women did laundry, drawing water from a nearby well. "Do you see the man in the brown cloak?" Solum whispered, speaking of someone who was leaning against one of the buildings, quietly watching the children play.

Asima's eyes widened, wondering at the vast spy network located in the rock. After a moment, she stepped to where Solum motioned, smiling at the children's antics. At Solum's words, Asima located the man leaning against the wall, and nodded. "Yes, who is it, and what does that have to do with Malum being such a nice guy?"

"That's Malum" Solum replied, leaning back against the rock, "he visits different people every week, he sees how well they're doing and if they're struggling he helps them. If they need food, he teaches them where to get it. If they need money, he'll set up a way for them too earn it. He plays the silent stranger on these certain nights, and he sets things right."

Solum watched Asima, searching her face to see what she thought of this.

"I see...." Asima commented, turning to Solum. "Let me ask you something...If you had the choice between two rulers, one who helped strangers while pretending he was someone else, so he wouldn't get the credit. Or someone who also helped people, even if he wasn't in disguise, and that person helped you as well, which would you choose?"

"I would choose the one who helps in secret" Solum replied, "Because I know he's never looking to be repaid. Malum does what must be done, and he does it alone. He cares about these people, but as soon as Keg, or any of Malum's enemies find that out, these people are as good as dead. Do you see now?"

Asima continued looking out the hole for a minute, before she turned away, facing Solum. She shook her head gently. "I left because of the animosity that would come from Nemiah and myself, why would I come here to be a part in this war? Other than your brother taking my father away from me, which led to a bunch of other things, bringing me here eventually, I have nothing against him. And Keg has helped me, when I was scared, among people I've never met, in a place I've never been, and hasn't asked for anything. I don't wish to take sides, Solum...Isn't there a way I can avoid that? Besides, your brother hasn't shown me any kindness, I would benefit if he did die." She spoke stating the facts, not maliciously, just wishing Solum to see her side.