The night stretched out quiet and still before them. Uneasily he looked out into the darkness that was preparing for the dawn. The last time he had been up here, that was of any significance at least, had been one of the catalysts of his Master's decent into darkness. Just as it had then the silent alarm had been triggered, but there was no one around to care about it anymore, and once they left they would never come back. Their Father was dead, and the rest of the clan feared for his Master's future and theirs and the strain was proving too much for them.
As he looked down the road he knew that he would always have one regret about tonight, that he had to leave her silently in the dead of night. He knew that he had to do it; he was bound by his promise to always look after the youngest Tomb Keeper, even if it came at a great cost. Their leaving would be the best for the clan, even if they couldn't accept it. He just hoped that one day she too would understand, that he had to leave to make sure Marik didn't get any worse, that no harm would befall him. He didn't quite understand how, but he knew he was key in keeping Marik sane. And after what had happened to their Father he was more than willing to keep that under control no matter what the cost was.
He did care for her deeply though, he always had. Even when she had been small he felt connected to her in ways that no one else could imagine. He didn't quite love her in the way that would justifiably warrant his exile, even in the small underground community, but it was deep none the less. There were times when he felt he cared for her more than his Master, but as his love for the two Tomb Keeper children ran deep anyway so the comparison seemed moot at most times.
"Rishid," her voice echoed uncertainly around his room. She paused, her hand hovering nervously over the Tauk.
"You do know that it is because my brother and I love you, you are our family. It's not because of any other tie or obligation. Father may not have seen it but," she trailed off uneasily. She hadn't had the Tauk for very long and she was still getting use to its powers. It was clear that his future held some conflict about his family, and she was trying to reassure him. He wondered why she was being so vague though. Silence resounded almost loudly in the room as neither was sure of what to say next. Isis was the one to break the silence.
"Please be careful Rishid!" she emphatically implored before running from the room, leaving him feeling uneasy. It was a rough road ahead and he just hoped they would be able to face it together.
"Rishid, what are you waiting for?" Marik impatiently demanded beside him, rousing him rapidly from his thoughts. The bikes that they had sent for had arrived a few weeks back and now after an intense training course they were ready to leave the tomb once and for all, at least they would if Marik had his way. Rishid wasn't sure they were done with the place yet.
He looked back; staring back at them through the darkness was Isis, one hand clutching the Tauk at her throat. Without a word he started to turn his back on her as he caught her doing the same to him. She understood he had to leave as he understood the burden she carried. Even though he wished it hadn't come to this, there was no way he could change it now, so as the sun peaked up from behind the dunes he looked forward and refused to look back.
He was honourable through and through, that was why he left.