* A Dark Heart *
Milo and Kida began making their way back to the upper levels of the city with Toka and Impesh following close behind. "Kida... Thanks for giving them all the stuff. And the extra crystal for Mr. Whitmore to, I really appreciate it."
"It was the least I could do for them." Kida had planned from the beginning to give each of them a crystal pendant as such a gift was considered to be very precious. Giving them the gold was Milo's idea but Kida didn't so much as bat an eyelid in granting Milo's request. "Milo... Are you pleased that you are staying?"
"Uh... Do you mean am I happy? Yeah... Couldn't be happier."
"Good, I am pleased... Happy that you are staying as well." Kida said with a smile, "But will no one miss you?"
"No, no one. My grandfather was the only family I had and he passed away three years ago."
"I am sorry for your loss." Kida paused for a moment, "But you must have friends back in your world, do you not?"
"Uh... Well... About the only friends I have are the ones who just left. Well... Except for fluffy, she's a good friend."
"She...? Who is this... Fluffy?" Kida asked in a jealous tone.
"Fluffy's my cat." Kida had a confused look on her face. "It's a pet." Milo explained.
"Oh... Like your friend Mole." Kida said, certain she understood.
Milo let out a short laugh, "No, it's a small four legged animal that's covered in fur and goes, MEOW."
Kida had a confused and almost concerned expression as she looked at Milo.
"Aaaa... Never mind." Milo looked around hoping she would drop the subject. "Uh... Kida... Where are we going?"
"We are going to the market place. You must find a gift for my father to offer him at his funeral tonight."
"A gift? For a funeral?" Now Milo was confused.
"Yes, a funeral is the time when we celebrate and honor an Atlanteans life. We give a gift to that person so they will always have something to remember us as we remember them. All of Atlantis will gather to honor him tonight."
Kida and Milo, guards still in tow, made their way to the market place. A collection of open air tents tables and carts were set up in no particular order alongside the main road that once followed the shoreline. The new shoreline was now a good hundred feet lower. Once there, Kida drug Milo from vender to vender. Every place she took him the vender would offer to give him whatever he wanted for no charge. Milo was offered a free tattoo that he politely declined. Every time he and Kida would stop people would gather around him at a respectful distance to take measure of the man who had saved Atlantis.
Milo had enjoyed all of the attention at first. He was use to people trying to avoid him but here every one was going out of their way to meet him and be nice to him. Kida seemed to enjoy every moment of it as well. But now all he wanted was some peace and quiet.
"Kida... Can we get out of here?" Milo asked.
"What is wrong, are you not enjoying yourself?"
"I'd just like to go someplace were there's a few less people if that's okay?"
Kida could see that he had had enough and really wanted to leave. Kida bit her lower lip as she looked around until she spotted Toka and Impesh. She went over to them, quietly saying something that made them turn and start walking down the street. She quickly ran back to Milo and grabbed him by the arm, "Follow me!"
"Uh, yeah okay." Milo said as Kida pulled him along with her.
Milo followed Kida in between two merchant stands, then up a long tight and windy over grown trail. He was lost at first, but when they passed under and behind a small waterfall Milo knew where he was. It was the first place Kida had taken him to on the day they met. It was a private place in an overgrown area of the city that was in ruins. When Kida stopped, Milo sat down on some steps that no longer led anywhere.
"Is this more to your liking?" Kida asked. "This is the place I come when I wish to be alone."
"Uh... Yeah, thanks." Milo said in reply, "So. What was that all about? I mean why was everyone so nice to me? I understand the party but all that fuss in the market was a bit much, don't you think?"
"How else would you have them act toward the man that saved the Heart of Atlantis and the city?" (And saved me.) Kida thought to herself.
"Uh, well... Anybody would have done the same thing." Milo said slightly embarrassed at the thought of being a hero.
"Not anybody did. You are the one that led the fight." Kida said as she sat down next him.
Milo sighed, then looked at her, "Kida, I didn't do anything special. It was just dumb luck that we stopped Ruorke... Look, don't get me wrong. I really appreciate how nice everyone's been to me. But to tell you the truth, the only reason I did any of it was because of you... I guess what I'm saying is, I did it because I lo... " Kida just sat there staring into his eyes lost in her own thoughts. The only expression on her face was a gentle smile. "Uh, Kida... Hey, anyone home in there?" Kida suddenly snapped out of it, looking away from Milo, "You didn't hear a word I just said, did you?"
"Of course I did." Kida said, looking back at Milo trying to hide her embarrassment. "You said something about luck. Yes luck, I am sure that... was... it." Kida said in a halting voice as she lowered her eyes to the ground.
"Never mind." Milo said as he lowered his eyes to the ground as well.
Milo was disappointed. He had almost done it, almost said those three little words, and Kida wasn't even listening to him. There was silence for a minute as they both sat staring at the ground.
Kida quickly stood up and grabbed Milo's hand pulling him to his feet. "You did not pick out a present for my father. We must return to the market!"
"No... I have something for him back at the palace."
Just then, a loud angry voice rang out, "Get away from her outsider!"
Milo and Kida quickly turned to see Redic jumping down from a ledge to their level. Kida then quickly walked over to confront him face to face.
"How dare you intrude on me!" Kida said, angered by his presence.
"No my Queen! How dare you?" Redic replied in a voice that shook with anger, "How dare you let this outsider touch you? How dare you give our treasures away? How dare you doom our people by allowing the outsiders to return to the surface world alive!"
Kida was shocked. No one had ever dared to talk to her in this way, not even her own father. "You forget your place Redic!"
"No more then you have forgotten yours. You are the Queen of Atlantis. Your place is to protect the Atlantean people!"
"I know my place Redic. And I will protect my people in my own way." Kida said, her fists clinched at her sides in controlled rage.
"You mean the same way you allowed the outsiders to kill the King, your own father?"
Redic's words cut into Kida's heart deeper than any knife ever could. She stepped back releasing her fists and looked down to the ground as she thought to herself, (He is right. I am responsible for my father's death.)
Milo instinctively stepped in front of Redic. "Hay! Leave her alone!"
Milo suddenly felt the most excruciating pain he had ever known spreading across the left side of his face as his legs buckled and he fell to the ground. Redic had just delivered a powerful right-handed roundhouse punch.
Kida saw Milo fall to the ground and her sorrow for her father instantly turned to fury towards Redic. "I will kill you for that!"
Kida lunged at Redic with fire in her eyes. Redic threw a right-handed punch, but Kida ducked and grabbed his arm as he threw the punch. Spinning around she used his own weight and momentum to throw Redic over her shoulder. As Redic landed flat on his back, Kida lunged at him again but he was able to deflect her attack causing her to fly over him and hit the ground hard. Both of them stood up quickly and faced off, each of them waiting for the other to make the next move.
"Very well Kida. If it is a fight you want, then a fight you will have!"
"You are nothing to me Redic. When I am done with you, no one well even remember your name!"
Milo staggered to his feet, the side of his face still burning in pain. Looking up he saw that Redic's back was turned to him. Without hesitation, Milo ran as fast as he could at Redic.
"Milo! No!" Kida yelled as she saw him charging at Redic.
Redic turned just in time to take the full force of Milo's head and shoulder into his gut. Redic doubled over in pain as the force of Milo's blow pushed him into a stone pillar. Redic quickly recovered and grabbed Milo's wrist pulling his arm behind his back further than the normal range of motion would allow. Milo yelled out in pain as he felt his arm being ripped from its socket. Then without mercy Redic threw Milo with all his might into a nearby wall.
Kida saw Milo hit the wall headfirst then fall to the ground like a limp rag doll. He had a large cut on his forehead that was bleeding badly and he was out cold. Kida feared he could be dead, and for a moment she forgot about Redic as she ran to Milo.
"Milo! Please no! Milo!" Kida franticly said as she reached his side.
Kida quickly put her ear to his chest and was relieved to hear Milo's heart beating and to feel his chest rise with a breath. Kida looked back to Milo's head and began to take her crystal to his wound to heal it. But just then, Redic grabbed Kida by the throat, picking her up and forcing her against the wall.
"Let the outsider die!" Redic demanded.
Kida's warrior instincts took over, as she thrust her knee into Redic's groin. As he let go and doubled over in severe pain and nausea. Kida pressed her attack by landing a left upper cut followed by a swift right hook to his face causing him to stumble back. She then spun and kicked Redic in the chest as hard as she could sending him flying, landing with a large thud. Redic was lying on the ground reeling in pain and coughing up blood. It felt as if at least three or four of his ribs were broken. Stunned, Redic could no longer continue to fight.
Kida would have finished him off but the only thought she had was to make sure Milo was okay. She rushed back to Milo's side. Kneeling over him, she took her crystal and held it over his wound. Both the crystal and Milo's wound began to brightly glow a light blue. She then placed her hand on his wound. The glowing blue light faded away as she removed her hand and Milo began to regain consciousness. The wound was gone.
"Oh... Uh... What happened?" Milo asked as he struggled to sit up.
"That was a very brave thing you did." Kida said as she helped him, "And it was a very stupid thing to do!"
"Owh... OWH!" Milo yelled when Kida put her hand on his left shoulder, "My arm!"
"Let me see..." Checking for the source of his pain. Kida examined Milo's arm and then shoulder with not much more bedside manner than an Army field medic. "It is dislocated, and it serves you right. What did you think you were doing?"
"Uh... Well it seemed like the thing to do at the time. Hey, how about doing that crystal thing on my shoulder?"
"The crystal cannot heal everything Milo. Your arm must be put back in place first..." Kida explained. "Here, let me help you up."
"Uh, Kida... Where is he?" Milo asked as Kida help him to his feet.
Kida looked back to were Redic had fallen. "Damn that Redic... Come, we should return to the palace. It will be easier to put your arm back in its socket with some help."
Kida stayed by Milo's side helping him up the trail that led back to the palace. "So what's with this Redic guy anyway?" Milo asked.
"He is just a man whose heart has turned dark." Kida paused for moment. "Milo, promise me you will not do anything like that again."
"Hey... I was holding my own. He just got in a lucky punch." Milo said jokingly.
Kida stopped walking and made Milo look at her. The fear and dread that had overcome her during the few seconds that she thought him dead had terrified her. And she never wanted to feel that way again. Milo could see how very serious she was taking this. The anxiety and concern showed clearly on her face. "Milo, Redic would have killed you if I had not been there. You move to slow and you do not have the skills needed to fight such a man as him... I do not wish to see you hurt, so please promise me that you will not do that again!"
"Okay... I promise." Milo said, and he meant it.
"Thank you." Kida said as they began walking up the trail again.
"Anything for my Queen." Milo said trying to lighten the mood.
"That is not funny Milo!" Kida said as she poked him in the shoulder.
"OWH!"
***
Rosha stood in front of a kneeling Impesh and Toka in the seating room of the palace. Her arms crossed and starring at them with a glare. "Missing! What do you mean they are missing?"
"When we were in the market place, the Queen asked us to check on a disturbance. When we returned, the Queen and Milo were both gone." Impesh explained.
"We searched the market place and surrounding areas but found nothing." Toka added.
"And let me guess, there was no disturbance was there?" Both guards shook their heads no. "Both of you should know better than to take your eyes off of her!" Rosha scolded them.
Just then the outer doors of the seating room opened. Milo, his clothes blooded and torn, slowly walked into the room still frowning from the pain. Kida was by his side holding his arm to keep it from moving. She didn't look much better than he did.
Rosha gasped when she saw them, "What has happened?"
"Redic..." Kida replied as she helped Milo set down on a nearby chair.
Rosha quickly went to Milo to see how badly he was hurt. "What did he do to you?" She asked Milo in an almost motherly tone.
"Well... Uh... You see this Redic guy..." Milo started to explain when Kida interrupted. "Redic dislocated his shoulder."
Rosha looked back at Kida and pointed to the chair behind her. "SIT...! I will deal with you in a moment."
Kida started to say something as Rosha told her to sit a second time. Kida sighed and sat down with her arms crossed pouting like a child.
"Toka, Impesh, come help me please." Rosha asked. Toka came over and stood behind Milo, Impesh stood at his left side. "This will hurt." Rosha told Milo as she nodded to the guards. Before he could protest, Toka held Milo down in the chair as Impesh grabbed his arm, then in a single motion, pulled and pushed Milo's arm back in place. Kida cringed as Milo screamed, she new fist hand how painful that was.
Rosha quickly used her crystal to take away the rest of the pain and finish healing the dislocation. "Better...?" She asked.
"Yeah... Much better" Milo answered as he tested his arm.
Rosha stood up and looked at the guards, "Go, find Redic and arrest him." Both Impesh and Toka looked over to Kida. "Yes, yes. Go." Kida waved them off. They nodded and left the room. Rosha turned to Kida and in a scornful tone said, "If you had listened to me, this would not have happened. I told you that Redic was dangerous but you decided that he was not a threat. Then you lied to your own guards so you two could run off like a couple of kid's." Kida cringed and sank down in her seat as Rosha scolded her. Rosha continued, "What were you thinking? Milo could have been killed today!"
Hearing Rosha scorn Kida this way was more than Milo could stand. "HAY...! Back off!" Milo said as he got up and moved to stand by Kida, "This wasn't her fault."
Rosha quickly snapped at Milo, "Know your place young man!"
"You will not speak to Milo in that manner." Kida snapped back at Rosha as she stood up next him.
Rosha, seeing the look on Kida's face, realized she had over stepped her bounds. "I am sorry Milo." Rosha sighed, "It is I who has forgotten my place."
"Yeah well, water under the bridge." Milo said, somewhat reluctant to drop the subject.
"Kida..." Rosha said as she took Kida's hand into hers. "I apologize to you as well. But you must understand that as Queen the decisions you make can affect everyone in Atlantis."
Kida sighed as she pulled her hand away, "I admit that I under estimated Redic. But I will not be followed by guards every were I go."
"I am not saying that you should be. But you should not have lied to them. If you had told Impesh and Toka where you were going, and that know that you wished to be alone with Milo, they may have been able to watch your back or even help when Redic confronted you."
"They would not have been able to help in this case. They would have been to far away." Kida said trying to defend her actions.
"That may be so, but you still should not have lied to them. You must be able to rely on their trust in you. By lying to them you risk eroding that trust."
Kida thought about her words for a moment, she never thought of it as lying. She had always tricked the guards when she wanted to be alone; it was just a game she played. But Rosha's words had a measure of truth to them. Kida sighed, "You are right. I should not have lied."
Salin walked into the sitting room carrying a neatly folded toga and robe. She almost dropped them when she saw how beat up Milo and Kida looked. "Great Kings! What has happened?"
"Salin, good. You may help Milo." Rosha said as she moved behind Milo and Kida placing her hands on their backs. "Come, both of you must get ready for the service." Rosha pushed the two of them towards their rooms, handing Milo off to Salin as she took Kida into her room and closed the door.
Salin scanned Milo from top to bottom then shook her head, "You are a mess!" She opened the door to his room. "Come, I will draw you a bath." Milo followed her into his room. Salin put the clothes she was carrying onto the bed and told Milo not to touch them, as he was filthy. She then went in and started the water running for him.
"So... How did this happen?" Salin asked as she came back out to Milo.
"Uh... Well, I kind of got in a fight."
"A fight! With who?" Salin asked as she started removing Milo's shirt.
"Uh, Salin... What are you doing?" Milo asked, shocked and embarrassed that she was trying to undress him.
"I was told to help clean you up."
"Uh, I think I can handle it from here." Milo politely said as he walked to the bathroom.
"You did not tell me who you fought with." Salin said loud enough for Milo to hear.
"Oh... Some man named Redic."
"Redic! Are you sure his name was Redic?" Salin asked surprised at Milo's answer.
"Yeah, that's what Kida called him. He's mean too, he almost ripped my arm off."
Salin sat down on the edge of the bed shocked at what Milo had just told her. (Redic would not do such a thing.) She thought to herself.
Salin had had a crush on Redic ever since she was a young girl. Redic knew of these feelings, but he was much older than her and did not share in them. But Salin always held out hope that someday, when she was old enough, Redic would feel the same way for her as she did for him.
(How could he do such a thing? I do not believe he could do such a thing.) Salin thought to herself.
***
Kida had finished her bath and already had her dress on. Rosha brushed and styled Kida's hair as she sat at her dressing table.
"So... Did you tell him?" Rosha asked.
"Owh!" Kida complained as Rosha dealt with a tangle. "I wanted to, but I did not get the opportunity to tell him."
"You did not get the opportunity? Or was it that you are still afraid to tell him?"
"No, I was not... OWH!" Rosha pulled hard on her hair. "Yes, I was afraid to tell him this morning. But I was going to try and tell him when we were alone this afternoon. Then Redic had to intrude."
"You must try again tomorrow." Rosha told her as she put the brush down.
Kida smiled, as she put her earring on then quickly turned to look at Rosha, "You should have seen Milo. It was foolish of him I admit, but he did not hesitate to attack Redic. He may not have warrior skills, but he has the heart of a warrior." She said with pride.
"Now do you believe that Milo could love you?"
Kida stood up to put on her robe, "I am not certain, perhaps he could. But why has he not said anything to me?"
"Kida, Milo has the same fears as you when it comes to love."
"How could this be? Milo is... He is a man."
Rosha chuckled, "Kida, love is the language of the heart. It does not matter if you are a man or a woman; the feelings are the same. As are the fears."
"Still. It would be less difficult if he would tell me how he felt first."
Rosha chuckled again "I do not know what I am going to do with you Kida. Come, it is time to go."
***
Salin was still deep in thought. Redic was not an evil man. He could not have attacked Milo and Kida, but she was sure that Milo would not lie about such a thing as this. Could she be wrong about Redic? Had she placed a lifetime worth of hopes and dreams on an evil man?
Milo finished his bath and stuck his head out of the bathroom door, "Uh... Salin, could you hand me my clothes...? Salin?"
"What, uh... Yes of course." Salin handed him the toga being careful to shield her eyes.
"Uh... I meant my clothes."
"You must be properly dressed for the services." Salin explained.
"Oh... Well... When in Rome."
"What is Rome?" Salin asked, not familiar with such a place or the meaning of the phrase.
"Uh, well... Never mind." Milo stepped out of the bathroom wearing the toga, a big smile on his face and with his arms held out, "So how do I look?"
Salin giggled, "It is on backward silly."
Milo frowned, dropped his arms, and then went back into the bathroom to turn it around. A moment later he came back out, "Is this better?"
"Yes, that is much better." Salin answered as she retrieved the robe from the bed then helped put it on Milo. "Come, we must go."
"Wait a minute." Milo went over to where his boots were at and started to put them on.
Salin giggled again, as she shook her head no. Milo shrugged his shoulders and left the boot on floor as he retrieved a small notebook from his satchel.
"Are you ready now?" Salin asked.
"Yep, guess so." Milo said as he adjusted his glasses.
Salin opened the bedroom door and Milo followed her into the setting room where Kida and Rosha were both waiting.
Kida couldn't help but giggle when she saw Milo in Atlantean clothes for the first time. It just didn't look right.
"Kida stop that." Rosha said as she went over to Milo.
"You look very handsome." Rosha told Milo, then guided him to stand by Kida's side.
Rosha had the two of them hold hands, then stood back to admire the couple. Kida in her long dark blue dress and light blue robe and Milo in his dark blue toga and light blue robe. The two of them looked like they belonged together.
"I am sorry about this Milo. It was Rosha's idea." Kida told him.
"Oh, that's okay. I don't have any good clothes left anyway."
"Do you have your gift?"
"Right here." Milo showed her the notebook.
"A book?" Kida said, with a puzzled look.
"You said my gift should be something that your father could remember me by. What better than one of my notebooks?"
Kida smiled, "That is a very good gift Milo."
"Okay you two. It is time to go." Rosha interrupted.
Milo and Kida began making their way back to the upper levels of the city with Toka and Impesh following close behind. "Kida... Thanks for giving them all the stuff. And the extra crystal for Mr. Whitmore to, I really appreciate it."
"It was the least I could do for them." Kida had planned from the beginning to give each of them a crystal pendant as such a gift was considered to be very precious. Giving them the gold was Milo's idea but Kida didn't so much as bat an eyelid in granting Milo's request. "Milo... Are you pleased that you are staying?"
"Uh... Do you mean am I happy? Yeah... Couldn't be happier."
"Good, I am pleased... Happy that you are staying as well." Kida said with a smile, "But will no one miss you?"
"No, no one. My grandfather was the only family I had and he passed away three years ago."
"I am sorry for your loss." Kida paused for a moment, "But you must have friends back in your world, do you not?"
"Uh... Well... About the only friends I have are the ones who just left. Well... Except for fluffy, she's a good friend."
"She...? Who is this... Fluffy?" Kida asked in a jealous tone.
"Fluffy's my cat." Kida had a confused look on her face. "It's a pet." Milo explained.
"Oh... Like your friend Mole." Kida said, certain she understood.
Milo let out a short laugh, "No, it's a small four legged animal that's covered in fur and goes, MEOW."
Kida had a confused and almost concerned expression as she looked at Milo.
"Aaaa... Never mind." Milo looked around hoping she would drop the subject. "Uh... Kida... Where are we going?"
"We are going to the market place. You must find a gift for my father to offer him at his funeral tonight."
"A gift? For a funeral?" Now Milo was confused.
"Yes, a funeral is the time when we celebrate and honor an Atlanteans life. We give a gift to that person so they will always have something to remember us as we remember them. All of Atlantis will gather to honor him tonight."
Kida and Milo, guards still in tow, made their way to the market place. A collection of open air tents tables and carts were set up in no particular order alongside the main road that once followed the shoreline. The new shoreline was now a good hundred feet lower. Once there, Kida drug Milo from vender to vender. Every place she took him the vender would offer to give him whatever he wanted for no charge. Milo was offered a free tattoo that he politely declined. Every time he and Kida would stop people would gather around him at a respectful distance to take measure of the man who had saved Atlantis.
Milo had enjoyed all of the attention at first. He was use to people trying to avoid him but here every one was going out of their way to meet him and be nice to him. Kida seemed to enjoy every moment of it as well. But now all he wanted was some peace and quiet.
"Kida... Can we get out of here?" Milo asked.
"What is wrong, are you not enjoying yourself?"
"I'd just like to go someplace were there's a few less people if that's okay?"
Kida could see that he had had enough and really wanted to leave. Kida bit her lower lip as she looked around until she spotted Toka and Impesh. She went over to them, quietly saying something that made them turn and start walking down the street. She quickly ran back to Milo and grabbed him by the arm, "Follow me!"
"Uh, yeah okay." Milo said as Kida pulled him along with her.
Milo followed Kida in between two merchant stands, then up a long tight and windy over grown trail. He was lost at first, but when they passed under and behind a small waterfall Milo knew where he was. It was the first place Kida had taken him to on the day they met. It was a private place in an overgrown area of the city that was in ruins. When Kida stopped, Milo sat down on some steps that no longer led anywhere.
"Is this more to your liking?" Kida asked. "This is the place I come when I wish to be alone."
"Uh... Yeah, thanks." Milo said in reply, "So. What was that all about? I mean why was everyone so nice to me? I understand the party but all that fuss in the market was a bit much, don't you think?"
"How else would you have them act toward the man that saved the Heart of Atlantis and the city?" (And saved me.) Kida thought to herself.
"Uh, well... Anybody would have done the same thing." Milo said slightly embarrassed at the thought of being a hero.
"Not anybody did. You are the one that led the fight." Kida said as she sat down next him.
Milo sighed, then looked at her, "Kida, I didn't do anything special. It was just dumb luck that we stopped Ruorke... Look, don't get me wrong. I really appreciate how nice everyone's been to me. But to tell you the truth, the only reason I did any of it was because of you... I guess what I'm saying is, I did it because I lo... " Kida just sat there staring into his eyes lost in her own thoughts. The only expression on her face was a gentle smile. "Uh, Kida... Hey, anyone home in there?" Kida suddenly snapped out of it, looking away from Milo, "You didn't hear a word I just said, did you?"
"Of course I did." Kida said, looking back at Milo trying to hide her embarrassment. "You said something about luck. Yes luck, I am sure that... was... it." Kida said in a halting voice as she lowered her eyes to the ground.
"Never mind." Milo said as he lowered his eyes to the ground as well.
Milo was disappointed. He had almost done it, almost said those three little words, and Kida wasn't even listening to him. There was silence for a minute as they both sat staring at the ground.
Kida quickly stood up and grabbed Milo's hand pulling him to his feet. "You did not pick out a present for my father. We must return to the market!"
"No... I have something for him back at the palace."
Just then, a loud angry voice rang out, "Get away from her outsider!"
Milo and Kida quickly turned to see Redic jumping down from a ledge to their level. Kida then quickly walked over to confront him face to face.
"How dare you intrude on me!" Kida said, angered by his presence.
"No my Queen! How dare you?" Redic replied in a voice that shook with anger, "How dare you let this outsider touch you? How dare you give our treasures away? How dare you doom our people by allowing the outsiders to return to the surface world alive!"
Kida was shocked. No one had ever dared to talk to her in this way, not even her own father. "You forget your place Redic!"
"No more then you have forgotten yours. You are the Queen of Atlantis. Your place is to protect the Atlantean people!"
"I know my place Redic. And I will protect my people in my own way." Kida said, her fists clinched at her sides in controlled rage.
"You mean the same way you allowed the outsiders to kill the King, your own father?"
Redic's words cut into Kida's heart deeper than any knife ever could. She stepped back releasing her fists and looked down to the ground as she thought to herself, (He is right. I am responsible for my father's death.)
Milo instinctively stepped in front of Redic. "Hay! Leave her alone!"
Milo suddenly felt the most excruciating pain he had ever known spreading across the left side of his face as his legs buckled and he fell to the ground. Redic had just delivered a powerful right-handed roundhouse punch.
Kida saw Milo fall to the ground and her sorrow for her father instantly turned to fury towards Redic. "I will kill you for that!"
Kida lunged at Redic with fire in her eyes. Redic threw a right-handed punch, but Kida ducked and grabbed his arm as he threw the punch. Spinning around she used his own weight and momentum to throw Redic over her shoulder. As Redic landed flat on his back, Kida lunged at him again but he was able to deflect her attack causing her to fly over him and hit the ground hard. Both of them stood up quickly and faced off, each of them waiting for the other to make the next move.
"Very well Kida. If it is a fight you want, then a fight you will have!"
"You are nothing to me Redic. When I am done with you, no one well even remember your name!"
Milo staggered to his feet, the side of his face still burning in pain. Looking up he saw that Redic's back was turned to him. Without hesitation, Milo ran as fast as he could at Redic.
"Milo! No!" Kida yelled as she saw him charging at Redic.
Redic turned just in time to take the full force of Milo's head and shoulder into his gut. Redic doubled over in pain as the force of Milo's blow pushed him into a stone pillar. Redic quickly recovered and grabbed Milo's wrist pulling his arm behind his back further than the normal range of motion would allow. Milo yelled out in pain as he felt his arm being ripped from its socket. Then without mercy Redic threw Milo with all his might into a nearby wall.
Kida saw Milo hit the wall headfirst then fall to the ground like a limp rag doll. He had a large cut on his forehead that was bleeding badly and he was out cold. Kida feared he could be dead, and for a moment she forgot about Redic as she ran to Milo.
"Milo! Please no! Milo!" Kida franticly said as she reached his side.
Kida quickly put her ear to his chest and was relieved to hear Milo's heart beating and to feel his chest rise with a breath. Kida looked back to Milo's head and began to take her crystal to his wound to heal it. But just then, Redic grabbed Kida by the throat, picking her up and forcing her against the wall.
"Let the outsider die!" Redic demanded.
Kida's warrior instincts took over, as she thrust her knee into Redic's groin. As he let go and doubled over in severe pain and nausea. Kida pressed her attack by landing a left upper cut followed by a swift right hook to his face causing him to stumble back. She then spun and kicked Redic in the chest as hard as she could sending him flying, landing with a large thud. Redic was lying on the ground reeling in pain and coughing up blood. It felt as if at least three or four of his ribs were broken. Stunned, Redic could no longer continue to fight.
Kida would have finished him off but the only thought she had was to make sure Milo was okay. She rushed back to Milo's side. Kneeling over him, she took her crystal and held it over his wound. Both the crystal and Milo's wound began to brightly glow a light blue. She then placed her hand on his wound. The glowing blue light faded away as she removed her hand and Milo began to regain consciousness. The wound was gone.
"Oh... Uh... What happened?" Milo asked as he struggled to sit up.
"That was a very brave thing you did." Kida said as she helped him, "And it was a very stupid thing to do!"
"Owh... OWH!" Milo yelled when Kida put her hand on his left shoulder, "My arm!"
"Let me see..." Checking for the source of his pain. Kida examined Milo's arm and then shoulder with not much more bedside manner than an Army field medic. "It is dislocated, and it serves you right. What did you think you were doing?"
"Uh... Well it seemed like the thing to do at the time. Hey, how about doing that crystal thing on my shoulder?"
"The crystal cannot heal everything Milo. Your arm must be put back in place first..." Kida explained. "Here, let me help you up."
"Uh, Kida... Where is he?" Milo asked as Kida help him to his feet.
Kida looked back to were Redic had fallen. "Damn that Redic... Come, we should return to the palace. It will be easier to put your arm back in its socket with some help."
Kida stayed by Milo's side helping him up the trail that led back to the palace. "So what's with this Redic guy anyway?" Milo asked.
"He is just a man whose heart has turned dark." Kida paused for moment. "Milo, promise me you will not do anything like that again."
"Hey... I was holding my own. He just got in a lucky punch." Milo said jokingly.
Kida stopped walking and made Milo look at her. The fear and dread that had overcome her during the few seconds that she thought him dead had terrified her. And she never wanted to feel that way again. Milo could see how very serious she was taking this. The anxiety and concern showed clearly on her face. "Milo, Redic would have killed you if I had not been there. You move to slow and you do not have the skills needed to fight such a man as him... I do not wish to see you hurt, so please promise me that you will not do that again!"
"Okay... I promise." Milo said, and he meant it.
"Thank you." Kida said as they began walking up the trail again.
"Anything for my Queen." Milo said trying to lighten the mood.
"That is not funny Milo!" Kida said as she poked him in the shoulder.
"OWH!"
***
Rosha stood in front of a kneeling Impesh and Toka in the seating room of the palace. Her arms crossed and starring at them with a glare. "Missing! What do you mean they are missing?"
"When we were in the market place, the Queen asked us to check on a disturbance. When we returned, the Queen and Milo were both gone." Impesh explained.
"We searched the market place and surrounding areas but found nothing." Toka added.
"And let me guess, there was no disturbance was there?" Both guards shook their heads no. "Both of you should know better than to take your eyes off of her!" Rosha scolded them.
Just then the outer doors of the seating room opened. Milo, his clothes blooded and torn, slowly walked into the room still frowning from the pain. Kida was by his side holding his arm to keep it from moving. She didn't look much better than he did.
Rosha gasped when she saw them, "What has happened?"
"Redic..." Kida replied as she helped Milo set down on a nearby chair.
Rosha quickly went to Milo to see how badly he was hurt. "What did he do to you?" She asked Milo in an almost motherly tone.
"Well... Uh... You see this Redic guy..." Milo started to explain when Kida interrupted. "Redic dislocated his shoulder."
Rosha looked back at Kida and pointed to the chair behind her. "SIT...! I will deal with you in a moment."
Kida started to say something as Rosha told her to sit a second time. Kida sighed and sat down with her arms crossed pouting like a child.
"Toka, Impesh, come help me please." Rosha asked. Toka came over and stood behind Milo, Impesh stood at his left side. "This will hurt." Rosha told Milo as she nodded to the guards. Before he could protest, Toka held Milo down in the chair as Impesh grabbed his arm, then in a single motion, pulled and pushed Milo's arm back in place. Kida cringed as Milo screamed, she new fist hand how painful that was.
Rosha quickly used her crystal to take away the rest of the pain and finish healing the dislocation. "Better...?" She asked.
"Yeah... Much better" Milo answered as he tested his arm.
Rosha stood up and looked at the guards, "Go, find Redic and arrest him." Both Impesh and Toka looked over to Kida. "Yes, yes. Go." Kida waved them off. They nodded and left the room. Rosha turned to Kida and in a scornful tone said, "If you had listened to me, this would not have happened. I told you that Redic was dangerous but you decided that he was not a threat. Then you lied to your own guards so you two could run off like a couple of kid's." Kida cringed and sank down in her seat as Rosha scolded her. Rosha continued, "What were you thinking? Milo could have been killed today!"
Hearing Rosha scorn Kida this way was more than Milo could stand. "HAY...! Back off!" Milo said as he got up and moved to stand by Kida, "This wasn't her fault."
Rosha quickly snapped at Milo, "Know your place young man!"
"You will not speak to Milo in that manner." Kida snapped back at Rosha as she stood up next him.
Rosha, seeing the look on Kida's face, realized she had over stepped her bounds. "I am sorry Milo." Rosha sighed, "It is I who has forgotten my place."
"Yeah well, water under the bridge." Milo said, somewhat reluctant to drop the subject.
"Kida..." Rosha said as she took Kida's hand into hers. "I apologize to you as well. But you must understand that as Queen the decisions you make can affect everyone in Atlantis."
Kida sighed as she pulled her hand away, "I admit that I under estimated Redic. But I will not be followed by guards every were I go."
"I am not saying that you should be. But you should not have lied to them. If you had told Impesh and Toka where you were going, and that know that you wished to be alone with Milo, they may have been able to watch your back or even help when Redic confronted you."
"They would not have been able to help in this case. They would have been to far away." Kida said trying to defend her actions.
"That may be so, but you still should not have lied to them. You must be able to rely on their trust in you. By lying to them you risk eroding that trust."
Kida thought about her words for a moment, she never thought of it as lying. She had always tricked the guards when she wanted to be alone; it was just a game she played. But Rosha's words had a measure of truth to them. Kida sighed, "You are right. I should not have lied."
Salin walked into the sitting room carrying a neatly folded toga and robe. She almost dropped them when she saw how beat up Milo and Kida looked. "Great Kings! What has happened?"
"Salin, good. You may help Milo." Rosha said as she moved behind Milo and Kida placing her hands on their backs. "Come, both of you must get ready for the service." Rosha pushed the two of them towards their rooms, handing Milo off to Salin as she took Kida into her room and closed the door.
Salin scanned Milo from top to bottom then shook her head, "You are a mess!" She opened the door to his room. "Come, I will draw you a bath." Milo followed her into his room. Salin put the clothes she was carrying onto the bed and told Milo not to touch them, as he was filthy. She then went in and started the water running for him.
"So... How did this happen?" Salin asked as she came back out to Milo.
"Uh... Well, I kind of got in a fight."
"A fight! With who?" Salin asked as she started removing Milo's shirt.
"Uh, Salin... What are you doing?" Milo asked, shocked and embarrassed that she was trying to undress him.
"I was told to help clean you up."
"Uh, I think I can handle it from here." Milo politely said as he walked to the bathroom.
"You did not tell me who you fought with." Salin said loud enough for Milo to hear.
"Oh... Some man named Redic."
"Redic! Are you sure his name was Redic?" Salin asked surprised at Milo's answer.
"Yeah, that's what Kida called him. He's mean too, he almost ripped my arm off."
Salin sat down on the edge of the bed shocked at what Milo had just told her. (Redic would not do such a thing.) She thought to herself.
Salin had had a crush on Redic ever since she was a young girl. Redic knew of these feelings, but he was much older than her and did not share in them. But Salin always held out hope that someday, when she was old enough, Redic would feel the same way for her as she did for him.
(How could he do such a thing? I do not believe he could do such a thing.) Salin thought to herself.
***
Kida had finished her bath and already had her dress on. Rosha brushed and styled Kida's hair as she sat at her dressing table.
"So... Did you tell him?" Rosha asked.
"Owh!" Kida complained as Rosha dealt with a tangle. "I wanted to, but I did not get the opportunity to tell him."
"You did not get the opportunity? Or was it that you are still afraid to tell him?"
"No, I was not... OWH!" Rosha pulled hard on her hair. "Yes, I was afraid to tell him this morning. But I was going to try and tell him when we were alone this afternoon. Then Redic had to intrude."
"You must try again tomorrow." Rosha told her as she put the brush down.
Kida smiled, as she put her earring on then quickly turned to look at Rosha, "You should have seen Milo. It was foolish of him I admit, but he did not hesitate to attack Redic. He may not have warrior skills, but he has the heart of a warrior." She said with pride.
"Now do you believe that Milo could love you?"
Kida stood up to put on her robe, "I am not certain, perhaps he could. But why has he not said anything to me?"
"Kida, Milo has the same fears as you when it comes to love."
"How could this be? Milo is... He is a man."
Rosha chuckled, "Kida, love is the language of the heart. It does not matter if you are a man or a woman; the feelings are the same. As are the fears."
"Still. It would be less difficult if he would tell me how he felt first."
Rosha chuckled again "I do not know what I am going to do with you Kida. Come, it is time to go."
***
Salin was still deep in thought. Redic was not an evil man. He could not have attacked Milo and Kida, but she was sure that Milo would not lie about such a thing as this. Could she be wrong about Redic? Had she placed a lifetime worth of hopes and dreams on an evil man?
Milo finished his bath and stuck his head out of the bathroom door, "Uh... Salin, could you hand me my clothes...? Salin?"
"What, uh... Yes of course." Salin handed him the toga being careful to shield her eyes.
"Uh... I meant my clothes."
"You must be properly dressed for the services." Salin explained.
"Oh... Well... When in Rome."
"What is Rome?" Salin asked, not familiar with such a place or the meaning of the phrase.
"Uh, well... Never mind." Milo stepped out of the bathroom wearing the toga, a big smile on his face and with his arms held out, "So how do I look?"
Salin giggled, "It is on backward silly."
Milo frowned, dropped his arms, and then went back into the bathroom to turn it around. A moment later he came back out, "Is this better?"
"Yes, that is much better." Salin answered as she retrieved the robe from the bed then helped put it on Milo. "Come, we must go."
"Wait a minute." Milo went over to where his boots were at and started to put them on.
Salin giggled again, as she shook her head no. Milo shrugged his shoulders and left the boot on floor as he retrieved a small notebook from his satchel.
"Are you ready now?" Salin asked.
"Yep, guess so." Milo said as he adjusted his glasses.
Salin opened the bedroom door and Milo followed her into the setting room where Kida and Rosha were both waiting.
Kida couldn't help but giggle when she saw Milo in Atlantean clothes for the first time. It just didn't look right.
"Kida stop that." Rosha said as she went over to Milo.
"You look very handsome." Rosha told Milo, then guided him to stand by Kida's side.
Rosha had the two of them hold hands, then stood back to admire the couple. Kida in her long dark blue dress and light blue robe and Milo in his dark blue toga and light blue robe. The two of them looked like they belonged together.
"I am sorry about this Milo. It was Rosha's idea." Kida told him.
"Oh, that's okay. I don't have any good clothes left anyway."
"Do you have your gift?"
"Right here." Milo showed her the notebook.
"A book?" Kida said, with a puzzled look.
"You said my gift should be something that your father could remember me by. What better than one of my notebooks?"
Kida smiled, "That is a very good gift Milo."
"Okay you two. It is time to go." Rosha interrupted.