Malum didn't respond for a good long while. His throat felt so terribly dry and it wasn't just because of the desert sands. "Fine" he whispered almost hoarsely, still not even looking at her though.

Asima flinched, staring at his back for a moment, before remembering her promise and dropping her gaze. "I..if that's what you want, then." She muttered, hugging herself. She turned back to the group, not caring if she looked like a weak sniveling girl who couldn't take care of herself. She moved to Nemiah, throwing her arms around him, sobbing into his shoulder. "He can just give me up, so easily...Why? Why is it so easy for him?" For the moment, Asima didn't want to think of the little pain her parting gave Malum, wanting the comfort of her older brother to tell her it would be alright.

Nemiah hugged her back, his eyes straying up to Malum who walked far ahead of them, "... I'm not sure that it is that easy" he whispered softly back to her, "I'm starting to realize there's a lot more to Malum then what meets the eye."

"Don't take his side, dammit!" Asima yelled, pounding her brother's chest with balled fists, "I do that enough! I keep on trying and trying, and he just pushes me harder and harder! If it was so hard, why does he keep hurting me!?"

"h-hey, I'm not taking his side." Nemiah protested, "He's a jerk and he shouldn't be treating you like this."

"Then tell me that!" Asima sniffled, glaring at him for a moment. "What kind of big brother are you?"

She stepped back, sniffling still. After a few moments, she quieted, wiping her eyes. "S-sorry. I just...hurt. I wanted someone to tell me I'd be fine. But, I'm telling myself that now! :D" Asima forced a grin on her face, glancing to Solum. "S-sorry about that. How much longer until we reach Frodan? Can you go over all this with me? I'm still confused, and M...I'm still confused."

"You will be fine" Nemiah attempted to encourage his sister.

Solum patted Asima on the shoulder, "It'll be alright. You just have to get Keg to come to Frodan in search of a great secret to the King of Thieves... it shouldn't be too difficult once you let it drop. He'll come running at such a secret, but you have to make him believe that he forced it from you-that you wouldn't normally have given it up."

"I know, I know, let him torture me. I mean the marks to lead me there." Asima asked, tilted her head, "You guys are putting them up, right? Where do I find the first one? Should I not give the information, say I just don't want to be with Malum, because of how he...he...he treats me, but still not want him hurt? So let him get it? And say we've been hiding in that area, so it would make sense that I know where the first mark is at least?"

"They'll start near the entrance tot he caves" Solum told her, "Just pretend they've always been there, invisible to all but those who know the spell to reveal them."

Asima nodded, paling slightly. "Solum, what if, when he...when he's torturing me, what if I say something I'm not supposed to?"

"You won't" Solum replied gently, "Because you'll have something to focus on. People only end up spilling whatever they're focusing on, so just make sure you're thinking about that, and it should be fine."

Asima nodded slowly, rubbing her arms gently. "Who should I speak to, to get Keg to come back? Or will I know?"

"They'll likely take you him" Solum replied, "I don't think you'll have to worry about finding him."

Asima nodded. "How many more days until we reach Frodan? I'm...very nervous."

"Not long" Solum replied, "Three perhaps."

(I'm kinda tired, not sure how much more I'll be able to do tonight)

(That's fine. I'm not sure what else we could do for the journey....Should we skip to Frodan?)

(yeah)

The horrible, dragging days later, Asima finally spotted the pillar. Finally, something for her eyes to focus on, instead of keeping them carefully averted from Malum. She looked to Solum, frowning. "Should I go ahead to find Keg and his men, create a distraction so you can get to the hall easier?"

"Come inside with us." Solum replied, "There will be guards that attack, you could easily get caught by one of them while the rest of us escape to the caves"

Asima nodded slowly, licking her lips. She was trembling, though trying to still it. How she wanted to turn to Malum, snugg-no. Those thoughts wouldn't get her anywhere now. Frowning, the princess sighed. "Alright...I'll stay at the back of the group, maybe trip or something. If need be." Aware this could be her last chance, Asima hugged her brother and Set, reminding the mage to protect Nemiah. Awkwardly, and not happy about it at all, Asima skipped over Malum, glancing instead to Solum. "Be careful, alright" Without breaking her word, but still being able to bid Malum goodbye, Asima smiled broadly, "And tell Malum to be careful, too, okay?"

Nemiah hugged Asima back tightly, it took a little convincing to finally get him to let go. Set put on his bravest smile, "Nobody's getting passed me" he promised.

Malum glanced away as she approached, he still hadn't said anything, even over the last few days to get to Frodan. Solum gave his brother a bit of a look from beneath his hood, but then smiled and placed his hand on Asima's shoulder in way of comfort without giving a full out hug that might knock his hood off. "We will, it is you that must be most cautious though. Take care Asima. We will see you again soon enough."

Asima forced a smile to her face and nodded. "Lead the way, then. Let's get this over with..."

Nemiah glanced around a bit uncertainly, "... you know, I'm not entire sure how we're near the entrance to Frodan... at all" Solum took Nemiah by the arm and placed his hand upon the pillar. Immediately the pharaoh's eyes widened, "w-what is this?!"

"Just keep your hand there" Solum ordered as he and Malum placed their hands in the proper places as well. Set followed suit and the brothers began reciting the oath to allow Nemiah passage into Frodan, explaining of course, that he was now also bound by it.

Asima found herself tilting her head, grinning, contemplating just this, when she was still plotting for Malum's downfall. So long ago, it seemed now. She felt excited, like she was going home, but nervous as well, not knowing what to find. She placed her hand on the stone quickly, giving a tiny sigh.

Together they recited the words and suddenly they stood in the heart of Frodan. Just as predicted there was a group of men encircling the pillar, Malum and Solum waisted no time in springing into action and attacking Keg's followers before they could even react. Nemiah was thrown off guard at the sudden appearance of Frodan and it's vastness. It took him a moment to realize what was happening. Thankfully Set covered his back and managed to keep the thieves away long enough for the pharaoh to clue in and help fight these men off.