Sacrifice
A Sequel to Quietly into the Night
Conventional Couples
Rating: PG-13

Part Thirty-Seven

Antar – Capitol City

The rebel troops took up Max's battle cry. "Cha migno prater de Antara! We fight for the Royal House of Antar!" they shouted, as the stormed the fences surrounding the detention center. The guardsmen were ill prepared for an attack that combined both the Antarian powers as well as more conventional weapons. Max signaled to those on his left to sweep the detention cells and begin releasing prisoners. As the dazed and tortured prisoners emerged from the desolate holding cells, Isabelle quickly outfitted them with weapons. After a brief, whispered explanation s to their use, they quickly joined the battle, fighting the legions of guardsmen that swarmed from the partially rebuilt palace.

From the city, people drifted up towards the palace, slowly at first, but more quickly as they saw Max, a duplicate of their beloved King Zan, leading the people in battle against the guardsmen. As word spread, more and more people joined the battle, adding their strength to that of the rebel forces. A roar went up from the rebels when they realized they had managed to overcome the guardsmen. The few that had not been killed or captured retreated back into the palace. Victorious shouts were issued by the rebel troops as Max climbed up on the roof of a low building. He reached down and pulled Liz and Isabelle to stand beside him. The people cheered to see their king standing before him, with his wife and sister by his side. Max scanned the crowed, looking for Michael and Kyle, but he didn't see them anywhere. He pushed his fear down and addressed the people standing before him.
"People of Antar!" he cried over the noise. "Now is not the time to celebrate, for we are not yet victorious."
"Majesty!" shouted a voice from the crowd. "How can we not be victorious? Have we not freed our brethren from their bonds?"
"Yes, we have freed many who were unjustly imprisoned, but until we take the palace, and capture Kivar, he is the one who is victorious."

The crowd realized that what their king said made sense. Max waited until they were silent before he continued.
"We need to take the palace, and we will, but not here, not now. Surprise is our strongest weapon, and we don't have that right now, but we will. Fall back, there are those among you who know the rendezvous point, go there now, our plans will be explained to you there." He waited and watched as the cheering crowd began to disperse. Max knelt down and spoke softly to Jereon.
"Michael and Kyle," he said. "I can't see them anywhere, your sister or your father either. God, tell me they aren't hurt."
"Max, I, well," hedged Jereon.
"Max, we have to talk," interjected Isabelle forcefully. "Kyle and Michael went after the kids, and Maria."
Without a word, Liz stepped up and slapped Isabelle across the face.
"Bitch," she spat. "How long have you known? Why didn't you tell me? I would have gone in there with them. Were you going to sacrifice my children, or is this all okay because you lost your husband? Is that it, Isabelle? Jesse died, so it's all right for Max and I to lose our children too? That way, we can all suffer together!"

Jereon stepped forward and placed himself protectively between Liz and Isabelle. Max grabbed Liz and held her tightly to him, restraining her from striking out at Isabelle again.
"God, Liz, no. Is that what you think? I would never want anything to happen to the kids."
"She tells the truth Liz," said Jereon "When she heard the news, Isabelle wanted to tell you and Max right away, but Kyle persuaded her not to. He knew you'd want to rush right in and save your children."
"Of course we would," said Max. "Kyle was right we would have gone in to rescue the kids."
"And sacrificed all those people we just rescued in the process," said Liz softly. "Max, you can let me go now, I'm not going to do anything." Max loosened his grip on Liz and she pulled free and moved closer to Isabelle.
"I'm sorry," she said. "What I said was wrong. I wanted you to hurt the way I was hurting. I know you'd never do anything to hurt Kam and Lexie."
"Forget it," said Isabelle. "Let's get out of here and find someplace where we can talk."

The two couples quickly altered their appearances and found a secluded area where they could talk undetected. Jereon quickly filled them in on what they knew, including Kyle's telepathic conversation with Kam, and the plan Michael and Kyle devised to get into the palace and rescue Maria and the children.
"Fine," said Max. "We know they are safe for now, but for how long? We have to get in there and get them out. Liz and I will go in the same way Kyle and the others did. We'll do what we can to cause distract Kivar and whatever guards they have on the kids so that Kyle and Michael can get them out. Jereon, I want you and Isabelle to head back to the rendezvous point and get everyone together. Tell them I want them to move in now."
"No," said Isabelle. "Max, I'm going with you and Liz."
"Isabelle, I said you are going with Jereon."
"Max, she's right," broke in Liz, unexpectedly. "Together, we're stronger together than we are apart." She laced the fingers of her left hand through Max's hand, and the fingers on her right hand through Isabelle's. Jereon looked at Max who nodded.
"Be careful, Princess," he said, looking at Isabelle. "You and I aren't finished yet." He took her free hand and brought it up to his lips and kissed it gently. "I'll be back for you," he said and slipped away.

Isabelle watched as he slipped away into the murky twilight. She looked back at Max and Liz and took her free hand and intertwined it with Max's.
"Together," she said.
The trio armed themselves, and made their way to the palace. They located Kyle's hidden entrance with little difficulty and slipped inside. Liz took the lead, relying on the many maps of the palace that Kyle had shown her to guide their way. They made their way through the intricate network of tunnels, peering into various parts of the castle with no luck.
"Damn it," said Liz. "This is so frustrating. Why can't we find them?"
"Relax Liz, we will," whispered Max, rubbing her shoulders gently. "What's that?" he asked.
"What's what?" asked Isabelle. "I didn't hear anything."
"Shhh," he said, as the muted sound of voices drew closer.