The relief on the other explorers' faces was plain as Milo told the guards to stand down. Nobody had done anything to start a fight, but the tension in the air seemed to be getting to everyone, including the Atlantean warriors. If anything, they seemed even more relieved that they wouldn't have to actually kill some of the people who had just saved the city.

"So," Sweet said, turning from some scratches on Audrey's forehead to look at Milo, "we in the clear?"

"Well, not exactly," Milo admitted. "I managed to convince Kida not to kill you right now."

"Well, it's a start," Vinny admitted, shrugging. The others didn't seem impressed, however.

"Look," Milo continued, "she wasn't very happy with you. But I talked with her, and I managed to get so that she said you're free to go wherever you want in the city. At least until she figures out what she wants to do with you. Just don't try to leave the city, or..." He drew a finger across his neck for emphasis.

Most of the explorers seemed to accept the news, but Audrey looked upset. "Is that it?" she asked. "Couldn't you, like, get a stay of execution or something?"

"Hey, look, I'm doing the best I can," Milo said. "I may be friends with Kida, but that only goes so far."

"What about our saving the city from the hot sauce over there," Audrey persisted, pointing towards the side of the cavern the eruption had come from. A few small trickles of lava still glowed on the surface. "That's gotta count for something."

"You also tried to ransack this city and kidnap the heir to the throne," he said. "Not to mention what happened to the king." He paused, but cut off Audrey when it looked like she might try to speak up again. "Look, I don't care what you guys do. Just don't leave the city, and _really_ don't do anything else stupid. Not unless you want your head on an Atlantean chopping block.

"Now, if you'll all excuse me, Kida wanted me to look into something really important for her." With that, he strode away from the party and down the stairway that led into the rest of the city. As soon as he was gone, the explorers looked at each other for a moment, and then took the same path away from the plaza and the already-dispersing crowd.

"So, what do we do now that Fearless Leader's gone and Milo's ditched us?" Audrey asked. She didn't look terribly pleased.

Sweet glanced at her with arched eyebrows before answering. "Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I was thinkin' about doing some more sightseeing."

"Sounds good to me," Mrs. Packard seconded. Most of the others seemed to be in agreement.

"Wait a minute," Audrey said. "What about the death sentence hanging over us? It's not like we can ignore it."

"Not much we can do about it, neither," Cookie said. "My reckoning, if this here's going to be my last days on this here Earth, might as well have a good time."

Mole looked around with worry. "Do you think the natives will be -ahem- 'restless', considering what has happened?"

"Nah," Vinny said, waving a hand dismissively. "I figure, give it a few days...a little vino...a lotta mea culpa to everybody...everything'll be fine."

"I would still like to not test them," Mole said.

"Me neither," Audrey said.

Mole thought for a moment. "Perhaps I could examine the stone the flying machines are made of; the scientist in me, it would like to know what kind of material it is that could fly. Surely the people here, they would not mind a look, and I could help them find it."

"A little mining adventure?" Vinny asked, his interest piqued. "I guess I go with you, then. You gonna need me on this. 'Sides, I got not'ing better to do."

Sweet looked at that and nodded in agreement. "You know, that's not a bad idea. It would be a good idea if we traveled in pairs. At least until this mess with the princess is cleared up."

"Oh, yeah," Audrey said sarcastically. "Nobody panic, but let's be careful not to go down any dark alleys." She sighed. "I guess I'll stick with you, Sweet. Where did you want to go?"

"Oh, I don't know," Sweet said, still cheerful. "Just wander around for a while, I guess. Anyplace you want to go?"

"Actually," Audrey said, her mood lightening a little, "I think Milo mentioned this place Kida showed him. Sounded like a machine shop or something."

"Ten thousand miles from home, and the first thing she wants to look at is somebody's garage," Mrs. Packard muttered under her breath.

"Sounds okay to me," Sweet said, and he and Audrey walked off toward the side of the city's central hill as Vinny and Mole made their way back to the plaza.

Cookie turned to Mrs. Packard. "Looks like it's just you and me," he said, leaning close. "C'mon, let's go paint the town red."

Mrs. Packard said, "Oh joy." But, she still went with the old trail cook as he headed off into the city, away from the other two pairs.

* * * * *

The physical condition of the royal apartments of Kashekim Nedakh was in complete contrast with the throne room below. The finely woven silk blankets and pillows on the royal bed were still precisely placed, as were the tables, lamps, banners, and wall hangings. Even the fruit in the bowl near the head of the bed was in perfect position, and the washbowl of water at the other end was undisturbed, the towel laid next to it still dry. As Kida entered her father's room, she found she could look at the scene and imagine the day's events as being very far away.

She walked slowly around the circular room, checking to see if anything, anything at all, was out of the ordinary, out of place from what it should have been. The most she saw after several minutes of examination was a small feather that had floated in from outside and landed on the bed, its bright yellow making it easy to spot on the blue of the blanket. Kida reached down and picked it up, looked it a moment, then blew it gently out one of the windows that surrounded the room.

Part of her wished that something here had been broken or out of place but other than the feather, everything in the room was as she had left it the morning before. She sighed at the sight; it would make moving in, something she would have to do as queen, all the harder. She would have to destroy the last physical remnants of her father's life herself, rather than have the luxury of someone else do it as in the throne room below.

She sighed. If I must do this, then, Kida thought to herself, I might as well start now.

Looking around, she decided to start on a small chest by the bed; she had never seen what was inside before, and thought it as good a place as any to sort through the past. She walked to it, opened it, and began to look through its contents. Inside were some clothes, along with a few small mementos of her father's life: a small lock of what she thought might be her mother's hair bound in a golden clasp; a piece of paper written in very elegant script - perhaps Milo would be able to read it to her; a drawing of a young couple, obviously noble, posing against a backdrop of the city when it was above ground. They were all important things to him, but nothing that meant anything to her. She continued looking until she saw, near the bottom, something that made her stop for a minute.

She leaned over and pulled out an old stuffed doll from within the chest. It wasn't much to look at, just a head and body with four crude limbs, and a 'face' composed of a pair of button eyes and smiling mouth sewn on the front. But she easily recognized Danni, and though she didn't want to think about the memories tied up with him now, she set the doll gently on the bed to look over later.

Examining your new apartments, Your Majesty?

The channeled thought caught Kida completely by surprise, and she spun around to see who it was. Standing in the doorway of the room was a tall, slender warrior with a long face, his shell armor a little soot- ridden. A feeling of amused interest came from him, and she smiled as she projected her relief. It was her friend Neshak.

No, she answered silently as she walked to another chest and started looking through it. I'm...just looking around, for things of Father's that need to be put away, or maybe given to the family well. What are you doing here?

Checking to see how our would-be queen is holding up to the events of the last day, Neshak thought.

Well enough, I suppose, Kida thought. I will have Father's funeral in two nights time, and I have already made plans for my coronation. I will not let the people go leaderless for long.

Wise moves, Neshak thought. He projected a serious mood. Considering your current situation.

She paused to look at him directly. What about my situation? I helped save the city, Kida thought proudly, even a little indignantly. Mikka and Melani cannot do anything about me.

No, Neshak countered. The Heart saved the city. The outsiders, Milo most of all, helped save the city. You did nothing but provide a host for the Heart. He stopped for a moment, his aura showing he was deep in thought. In fact, all you did do was let the outsiders into the city. I'm sure your cousins will have a lot fun with that.

What are you saying? Kida demanded, the shock and indignation coloring her thoughts. She stood up, her work forgotten.

They will look at what happened and say you are reckless, that you care nothing for the safety of the city or its people, Neshak explained. They will point to the death of Kashekim and blame you for it...and they will be right.

Kida's aura became one of disbelief mixed with anger. He was _my_ father, she thought slowly. I more than anyone feel his loss, and I understand what a blow it is to our people.

Then why did you let the outsiders in? Neshak persisted.

Our people were dying, she thought. They will continue to do so if nothing is done. And because no one here was willing or able to help...I thought the outsiders could help us.

Nevertheless, it is against the laws of our people, Neshak thought, a dangerous tone in his own aura. We warned you about the explorers, how they felt wrong to us, and yet you overruled us and let them in.

And things did get out of control, I know, Kida admitted. But I could feel that Milo had a good heart, and I did not think they could so easily cause us grief. They were few, we are many; I felt we could kill them anytime we felt like.

I'm sure Milo will be thrilled to hear that, if anyone ever bothers to tell him, Neshak thought. Kida's aura showed a little insecurity for a moment, and the warrior continued.

Milo aside, we could not see or feel anything from those warriors. Yet we could feel the greed in their leader's heart, and in the hearts of the others. And we already knew they had great power, greater than our own, long before they made it to the city. You knew this as well, unless you have suddenly gone heart-blind in the past few days. They were certainly the most threatening group to ever come to the caverns, and yet you let them walk right in. Such a thing does not bode well for you.

Neshak, we have been friends since childhood. You know me, Kida thought, walking up to the taller warrior. I would never do anything to intentionally hurt our people.

I know that, Neshak thought, his aura showing he wouldn't be swayed. I also know of your ambition, and that you are sometimes impatient. Other people, including your cousins, know of these things as well. There will be many questions about your motivations behind letting the foreigners into the city, especially considering the fact that you and your father were having many disagreement recently...

They would not dare... Kida thought, and then saw Neshak's face. All right, they would dare.

Your Father was a major impediment in making Atlantis as you wanted it, Neshak thought seriously. To tell the truth, I find it easy to believe...

Kida could hardly believe what she was hearing. Are you accusing me... she began, her temper rising quickly.

No, he thought calmly, I am not accusing you of anything. Are you accusing yourself?

Kida looked at him with rage in her eyes, letting the emotion roll from her in waves and wash over the room. She hoped it made clear to Neshak that the conversation was over.

I'm leaving, Neshak thought in response to her unasked demand, contrition coloring his words. As he walked away, though, he added, Your Majesty.

Kida watched him leave until he was out of sight, restraining herself from hurling something breakable in his direction. As her anger began to subside, she thought a moment about what had been said. She sat down on the side of her father's bed, and looked at Danni for a moment before picking it up and holding it to herself with her eyes closed. And, for the first time that day, a single hot tear ran down her cheek.

* * * * *

"Absolutely fascinating," Mole said absently as he adjusted the telescopic function on his goggles. He and Vinny at the plaza below the palace, looking at the one Atlantean vehicle there that had not been activated in their mad rush to rescue Kida that day. The large narwhal- shaped device was still covered in vines, though this had proved to be no problem to the two explorers. They had found a large portion of the stone that was clear, and now Mole looked upon its crystalline structure with Vinny standing nearby. "Have you seen this?"

"Ah, not really," Vinny said calmly. "My job's turning big rocks into little ones, not looking at them real hard."

"Oh, my apologies, Vincezo," Mole said. "The matrix of the stone this giant whale is made of...she seems to be impregnated with the same crystal the Atlanteans wear around their necks. Seeing that the Heart of Atlantis itself floats," he gestured in the vague direction of the floating crystal, even as he continued to press his nose to the stone, "I surmise the crystal in this stone is what gives the vehicle her powers of flight."

"So, why's it just sitting there now?" Vinny asked.

"Perhaps she needs to be energized," Mole said. "There is only a very small amount of the glowing crystal in the rock. It must need the power of a larger, pure crystal to make her fly."

"Like the ones my people wear?" a female voice said nearby.

Vinny turned to see who was speaking, and saw a young woman standing before him. She looked a great deal like Kida, only slightly taller and paler. She was younger too, about Audrey's age; she seemed to have the same intelligent look as the mechanic. And, if anything, she looked even prettier than the princess.

Mole, for his part, was ignoring the fact they had company. "Oui," he said absently in reply to her question, and then went back to work.

The woman smiled in amusement, and turned to look at Vinny. "You are two of the outlanders, are you not?" she asked.

Vinny nodded. "I'm Vincenzo Santorini, but you can call me 'Vinny'," he said. "And my friend is 'Mole'."

The young woman seemed amused at the sight of the short Frenchman. "Very well, 'Vinny'. My name is Tikallamasenta...but you may call me 'Tika'."

As the two explorers continued their study of the vehicle, Tika approached the side of the craft. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"I am examining the stone the vehicle is made of," Mole said absently, ignoring the newcomer.

Tika came closer to look at the large vehicle along with the two explorers. She placed her own hand on the smooth surface of the narwhal- shaped craft and traced one of the small whorls carved in the outside before regarding the two outsiders again.

"I see nothing," Tika said.

"That'sa because you don't got designer eyewear, like my friend, here," Vinny said, pointing at Mole's magnifying goggles.

"The magnifying lenses of my goggles allow me to see the structure of the stone," Mole explained, his nose still pressed to the side of the vehicle in fascination. "It is like the fingerprint, unique for each individual deposit. By looking at this, I think maybe Vinny and I can find where she is from."

"And we would use such information for?" Tika said with an arched eyebrow.

"See that?" Vinny asked, pointing off towards one of the nearby walls. Tika turned to look and saw what was left of a Martag.

"Yes," Tika said slowly, "that was where your friend...the girl...put it into reverse." Half the vehicle and some of the wall were now gravel, with the intact portion of the Martag being useless now except for decoration.

"You gonna get a lotta that, sooner or later," Vinny explained as Mole continued his examination. "People gonna run into things by accident, they gonna run into cave beasts in the caverns. Maybe they have too mucha wine and take one of those out for a spin. Means you're gonna have one heckuva clean-up bill, but it also means you're gonna run out of flying fish after a while."

Tika nodded again, this time in understanding. "Even so," she said, "we have no idea where such stone would exist. Until today, we had no reason to think these flying craft were anything other than statues."

"Do not worry," Mole said confidently as he finally finished looking the vehicle over. "No matter where she is, I shall find where this flying stone hides."

At this point, Mole finally noticed Tika's appearance. His eyes and mouth widened and he stood frozen to the spot. Then, suddenly, he was adjusting his coat and trying to wipe his hands to a state approaching cleanliness, his eyes never leaving the Atlantean.

"If the princess lets us leave the city," Vinny said in the silence.

Tika sighed. "That has yet to be seen," she said unhappily. "Even if we find the stone, what good would that do us? We can certainly carve things of this size, but we wouldn't know the first thing about how to make them fly."

"Well, I don' know about making them fly," Vinny admitted, "but we can handle everyt'ing else. The two of us do mining for a living...well, when we're not plundering someone's tomb."

"Yes," Mole seconded eagerly. "We do not need Milo around to show you the mining and the transport of the stone once we find her. The two of us, we will show you all you need to know about such things."

"That would be very generous," Tika said. "But, why would you do all this for us?"

Vinny shrugged. "Mole and I feel we still owe you guys somet'ing, and since we know about this kinda stuff we thought...well, that we could trade it with you for not killing us yet."

"Besides," Mole said, still staring at Tika, "it is a fascinating exercise for those, like Vinny and myself, who mine the earth for its treasures. And it helps keep our minds off...you know..."

"Yes, there is that," Tika mused. "We will have to hope for the best. In the meantime, I was on my way to a friend's for the evening meal. Perhaps you would care to join me, and we can discuss more on this?"

"Of course, of course," Mole said ahead of Vinny. He looked at the Italian pleadingly.

Vinny shrugged and said, "Why not?"

Tika smiled, which made Mole look even more enraptured. "Then please follow me." She started walking away.

"Oh, I would be pleased to follow you anywhere, my dear," Mole said, as he and Vinny walked behind her into the city.

* * * * *

"Well, lookee here," Cookie said, pointing to the just-revealed ruins of what had been a manor house. "Somethin' tore into this place, I tell ya. Reminds me of some places I saw down in Georgia after Sherman got done with the place..."

Mrs. Packard merely sighed and took a puff of her latest cigarette. For three hours she had had to listen to Cookie go on and on as they toured the city: constant comments on the people and places they passed; endless comparisons between Atlantis and places Cookie had been in the American West or the Civil War; and manly boasts about his own prowess. She didn't even want to think about the time when he 'made Rhode Island dance' for her.

The whole time, she had stoically listened to him, but even her patience was beginning to wear a little thin. "Cookie?" she said. "I don't care what this place reminds you of. I'd just like a little peace and quiet for a while."

Cookie looked at her shocked for a moment, then apologetic. "Well, why didn't you say so?" he said. "I was just trying to be friendly and all, seeing as how we're sorta stuck together."

They both knew they could leave each other anytime they felt like it, but they also knew it was a much better idea to stay together. "Look, just stop and enjoy the place instead of trying to be a tour guide or something, okay?" she asked.

"Okay," Cookie said. "How's about we just pick a direction and see where we end up?"

"Might as well," Packard said, sighing.

A half hour later they were walking through a quiet part of the habitated portion of the city, thoroughly lost. The large orange gourds of the common housing stood to either side of the road they walked on, with no signs or other markings to tell them where they were. And, actually, they preferred it that way.

For the first time in a very long while, Mrs. Packard could actually say she was almost having a good time. She liked the atmosphere here in Atlantis: relaxed, low-stress, and friendly. It was almost like taking a vacation to the Mediterranean or upstate New York. Even Cookie was being quiet, taking her advice and enjoying the sights.

"Think we should stop and ask directions?" Cookie asked suddenly.

"Why?"

"I dunno," Cookie admitted. "In case we need to head back."

"We don't have anyplace to go 'back' to," Packard said.

"I know," he said, "but sooner or later we gotta go back to the palace. And I don't know about you, but I'd like to see if'n they got a hotel anywhere around here."

Packard bit back a comment about how this wasn't a tourist trap; he was right about needing to get back to the palace sooner or later. "All right," she said. "Where do you want to stop by and ask?"

Cookie looked around for a moment, then spied a large gourd off near the end of the street. "How about that one?" he said, pointing at it.

"Might as well," Packard said, shrugging.

As they came up to the open door of the house, a handsome older woman came out to greet them. She was dressed like all the other natives, but there seemed to be a bit more grace to her movements, as well as a pleased sparkle in the eye. There was something about her that eased Mrs. Packard's objection to just barging in on someone's home, something about the woman that was familiar...

"Evenin' ma'am," Cookie said, taking off his hat and bowing slightly to the woman. "We was wonderin' if you could us direction for around here."

"Of course," the woman said cheerfully. "Please, come in."

"Much obliged," Cookie said, and he and Mrs. Packard walked into the gourd house.

They hadn't been in one of the Atlantean homes before, but they liked what they saw here. Large windows around the house let in enough light to show the well-made furniture and fine tapestries that filled the single room. Off to one side, a small stove sat in a place that they could instantly recognize as the kitchen area, while on the other a large bed sat next to one of the windows.

"Nice place you got here, Ma'am," Cookie said.

"Thank you," the woman said. "My name is Shadehm. But, please, call me Mame. What can I do for you?"

"We need some directions back to the palace," Packard said. "And Cookie here wouldn't mind if you knew where there was someplace we could stay for a few days."

"I'm not sure about an inn," Shadehm said, "but the palace is easy enough to find." She quickly gave them directions.

"Thanks," Cookie said. "Sorry to intrude on you like this."

"Oh, it's no trouble at all," the Atlantean said. "I was interested in meeting the outsiders as soon as I had heard of you."

"Well, now you've seen us," Mrs. Packard said, preparing to leave the house.

"Hey, what's that?" Cookie asked, pointing to what looked like a very old poster. A much younger Shadehm was clearly depicted on it, dressed in clothes that belonged to an entertainer.

She smiled fondly. "Oh, that's me, of course. I used to be one of the most popular singers in Atlantis in my youth; ask anyone around, they'll tell you. I don't do performances anymore, but I still keep in tune."

"Not bad," Mrs. Packard said.

"I take it you were into entertainment as well?" Shadehm asked.

"Honey, I used to be with a dancing group called the 'Flora Dora Girls'," Packard said. "Nothing as showy as what you did, but I could pull them in."

"Flora Dora Girls?" Cookie asked. "I remember them. They was great!"

"Thanks," Mrs. Packard said, almost smiling.

"Well then, you must tell me all about it and your life," Shadehm said. "Over lunch, of course."

"I don't have a problem with that," Mrs. Packard said. She turned to Cookie. "You want to stay?"

"I guess," he said. "'Sides, I'm starving."

The two women exchanged a knowing look, and then Shadehm got up and went over to the stove on the side of the house. "Please," she said, "let's begin. How about telling me how you got into this dancing group of yours?"

"Well," Mrs. Packard began, Cookie sitting and being the one listening for once, "I was born into it. My parents were performers in a traveling circus, and..."

* * * * *

Kida's mood had been soured by her talk with Neshak, and it hadn't improved much by the time she started climbing the walls and ledges of the palace buildings. As she made her way across vines and under the occasional waterfall to her 'secret place', she only absently thought about how much higher her trip seemed to be, due to the lagoon having been lowered. It felt more like she was on a mountain than a mere hill. Still, the change in height was the least of her concerns as she slipped through the large crack in the wall of one building, and found two of the explorers in a place she thought private.

For several seconds, Kida simply stood there on the floor, her face and thoughts a mixture of shock and outrage that two other people, much less two who had helped that Rourke person, were here without her permission. She watched through narrowed eyes as the young girl, Audrey, picked up an implement from one of the tables in the room and showed it to Dr. Sweet, both with an almost shamefully irreverent mirth in their faces and thoughts that made Kida even more incensed.

"I wonder what this thing does?" Audrey asked absently.

"That is none of your business, outsider!" Kida exclaimed. As the two explorers turned to face her in shock, the princess quickly walked to them, grabbed the item from Audrey's hand, and laid it back on its table.

"Excuse me?" Sweet said, still slightly stunned.

"What are you doing here?" Kida demanded.

"Well," Audrey started, a little shocked herself, "we were just wandering around, trying to stay out of trouble. Milo had mentioned this place, and me being a mechanic and all, I thought I'd take a look and..."

"Leave!" Kida commanded through clenched teeth, the expression on her face leaving no room for argument.

Audrey looked for a moment like she might protest, but Sweet said, "Just let it go." He pointed towards the main exit to the room, and started off in that direction. Audrey hesitated, then turned and went after him, muttering, "Sheesh, it's not like there's a sign with her name on it anywhere."

"It's not your fault," Sweet said. "She's had a bad day, and we are sort of trespassing..."

Kida turned away from them, wishing they would just vanish off the face of Atlantis. At the moment it wasn't so much that she hated them, as she was irritated that they were in her secret place. She knew she couldn't do anything serious to them yet, anyway, not if she wanted to stay on Milo's good side.

Why could Milo not have sense to have better friends? she asked herself.

"I heard that," Audrey said, turning back to face Kida from near the exit. "What were you saying about Milo?"

"Nothing that concerns you," Kida said harshly.

"You may not think much of Milo," Audrey said, "but there's a lot more to him than it looks like. I used to think he was a nobody myself, but he really impressed me the last couple of days. He's a real leader, not like Rourke was."

"That's a mighty claim for someone who only made a few speeches," Kida said.

"Those speeches saved your life and this city," Audrey said. "Without 'em you guys would be buried up to your eyeballs in lava."

"Audrey," Sweet cautioned, "let's just go."

"Do you know why I changed sides, Josh?" Audrey asked the large man, ignoring his warning. Then she turned to Kida. "It wasn't for you. In fact, I was perfectly willing to haul your crystallized butt off to the surface and make a fortune on it. I left Rourke because Milo was my friend...mi compadre...and I couldn't stand the thought of betraying him."

"But what about my people?" Kida asked, a slight amount of disbelief coming to her features.

Audrey looked troubled for a moment, and then said, "Let me turn the question around for you. If it were my people you were asked to save, would you do it?"

Before Kida could answer, the teenager turned to Sweet and said, "Let's get out of here, Sweet. Sorry if I got us killed or anything."

"Oh, no problem, Audrey," said with slight sarcasm as they both left the room.

For the third time that day, Kida found herself alone in a room she felt should have been a sanctuary. Instead, for the third time, such a place had become a place of sadness or anger for her, thanks to the events of the day. In a fit of frustration she kicked a small plant off of where it grew on a fallen column, sending it flying several feet into a stand of bushes along one wall. She stormed back out of the large crack in the wall, and made her along ledges and handholds into the city, hoping she could lose herself there along with the troublesome thoughts that plagued her.