* No Turning Back Now *
Salin sat in the seating room staring at the door to Rosha's bedroom, trying to build up enough courage to do what Redic had asked of her. (I cannot do this. But I must, Redic said he would marry me if I helped him clear his name.) She thought to herself.
"Getting ready to do laundry?" Rosha asked as she entered the room from the kitchen.
Salin, startled by Rosha's sudden appearance, shot up from her seat. "Uh... Yes, laundry." She quickly picked up the half-full laundry basket next to her feet.
"If you would not mind. I left a dress on my bed that I would like to be cleaned." Rosha said as she headed for the doors that led outside. "Oh, and I will need your help later."
"My help?"
"Yes. I am going to the market to find fabric so we can make Kida a new dress. But do not tell her, I wish it to be a surprise." Rosha said as she opened the door and stepped outside.
Salin was relieved to see Rosha leave. With Rosha gone, she was the only one left in the royal quarters. Salin entered Rosha's room, closing the door behind her, and set her laundry basket on the bed. "Were would she keep it?"
Salin looked around the room. "The closet?" She looked, careful not to disturb anything, "No... In the dresser?" She found nothing. "Under the bed?" Still nothing. Salin paused for a moment. "This book must not exist." She mumbled. A sudden thought struck her, "Yes! That's it! That must be where she keeps it." Salin ran to a large chest that sat just outside on Rosha's balcony. She opened the lid. The chest was filled with trinkets and keepsakes of Rosha's life. "This is not right. Not only do I feel like a thief, I feel like I am violating Rosha's memories as well. No...! I must do this, Kida will kill Redic if I do not!"
Salin removed each item one by one until she reached the bottom of the chest. There she found something big and heavy wrapped in old cloth that was falling apart. Removing it from the chest, she uncovered it, "This must be it!" The cover and bindings were in very bad shape but the pages, having been made from thin sheets of gold, were in perfect condition. Salin scanned over the pages of black inlaid writing which was still crisp and clear, but the words meant nothing to her.
Salin set the book aside and returned everything else back into the chest. Closing the lid, she picked up the book and placed it in her laundry basket covering it with Rosha's dress. She hurried to meet Likoosh at the courtyard.
***
Redic paced back and forth in the old building. The inactivity of hiding was beginning to get to him. Warriors did not hide. "What is taking so long... I swear if that old man has crossed me..."
"I have not crossed you." Likoosh said entering the room.
"The book! Do you have it?"
"Yes..." Likoosh set the book down on a large stone that acted as a table and opened it.
Redic touched the golden pages. "You are sure this will convince the elders to back my claim?"
"The elders yes, and with what I heard today we my be able to convince some of the younger people as well."
"What did you hear?" Redic asked looking at Likoosh.
"There is a small amount of decent growing among the people about the Queen."
"What are you talking about? The people adore Kida." Redic said.
"That may be so. But the Queen kicked everyone out of the court this morning refusing to pass judgment on anyone's complaints."
"Let me guess. She ran off with the outsider." Redic said as he returned his gaze to the book.
"Yes, and there are some who are upset with her actions."
"This is working out better than I had hoped... Make the arrangements to meet with the elders and as many others as you can for tonight. I wish to make my claim first thing in the morning." Redic commanded.
"As you wish, but we may have another problem."
"What problem?" Redic asked, his gaze still fixed on the golden pages.
"The girl Salin. She is going to break."
"Salin is not a concern..."
Likoosh interrupted, "You do not understand Redic. I saw it in her eyes. Her conscience is going to get the better of her and if she confesses to Kida before you can make your claim..."
"Do not concern yourself old man. She only needs to keep her mouth shut until morning. Now go do what needs to be done." Redic waived Likoosh off without looking at him.
Likoosh left to follow his instructions. Redic looked at the book of laws. Touching the golden pages he said, "Enjoy your last day with Kida, Milo... For tomorrow I will rip out your heart right in front of her eyes... And this time she will not be able to help you."
***
The day was growing long and Rosha still had not returned from the market. (What could be taking her so long?) Salin thought to herself as she stood over the sink in the kitchen, washing dishes that she had already washed three times before.
Keeping busy was the only thing that helped take her mind off of the guilt she felt for stealing the book. This had worked for most of the day but now her conscious was at the point of making her sick to her stomach. Salin desperately wanted to go and find Redic in the hopes that he would relieve her guilt but she couldn't leave until Rosha returned.
"Salin..." Rosha said entering the kitchen.
(CRASH!) Salin dropped the plate she was drying, startled by Rosha. "Sorry, I... I did not mean..."
"Salin, it is okay." Rosha kneeled down and helped pick up the pieces of shattered plate. "I should not have snuck up on you like that."
"Why are you so late?" Salin asked to see if Rosha suspected anything about her or the book. "It could not have taken this long to find fabric."
"I had no difficulty finding the fabric I wanted. I also had no difficulty finding a lot of upset people that wished to speak with me."
"Upset? I hope it was nothing I did?" Salin asked as she threw away the shattered pieces of the plate.
"No child, nothing you did. By the way, have you seen Kida and Milo?"
"Not since this morning. But Impesh told me that Milo took the Queen flying today."
"Yes... I heard of this as well." Rosha said sounding disappointed. "We should start dinner. They have to come home sooner or later."
"Um... Rosha, I was hoping that I could be excused?"
"You do not wish to stay for dinner tonight?" Rosha said as she pulled a pot down from its hanger.
"No it's not that. I just have some things I need to do. If that is okay?"
"Of course it is okay Salin. But be here bright and early tomorrow. I still need your help with Kida's new dress."
"Yes, yes. I will... Thank you." Salin said as she left the kitchen. (I hope he is still there.) She thought.
Salin quickly opened the doors that led outside of the seating room and promptly bumped into Milo. Kida was by his side. "Sorry, sorry..."
"Hey, this is starting to become a habit with you Salin." Milo said jokingly.
"I... I must go. Rosha is waiting for you in the kitchen." Salin said running off down the stairs.
"I wonder where she's off to in such a hurry?" Milo said.
"Perhaps she has a boyfriend." Kida said tickling Milo's sides.
"Ha... Haaa... hey stop... Kida..."
"Make me!"
Milo grabbed Kida's wrists playfully fighting her off, "You mean like this?" He pulled her close and kissed her. A kiss she was only too happy to return.
"Only you could stop me with a kiss." She said smiling, "Come, I cannot wait to tell Rosha about our day together."
Rosha could hear the two of them coming down the hall. They sounded like a couple of teenagers that just got back from their first date. She knew they had finally confessed their love for each other and she couldn't help but smile.
Rosha turned to see them enter the kitchen. She forced the smile from her face and said, "Were have you two been?"
Milo and Kida stopped in their tracks. "Uh... Well..."
"All I asked you to do young man was to let the guards know where you were going and when you would be back." Rosha said shaking a wooden stirring spoon at Milo in a most menacing manner."
"Um... Sorry?"
"Sorry...! You will think sorry if you do that again. I was worried about you two all day... Flying around the city like a mad man."
"Rosha..." Kida protested.
"As for you young lady, I have been apologizing for your little stunt all day. I cannot believe you just kicked everyone out of your court like that."
"Hey... Cut her some slack!"
"It is okay Milo." Kida held him back. "Rosha is right."
Rosha sighed as she set the spoon down disarming herself then turned to Kida. "Perhaps I am partly to blame for this. I should have been with you for your first court, and for that I am sorry. But Kida, you should have asked the people to return later instead of telling them their concerns where unimportant. All of the people's concerns, whether they are great or small, are your responsibility when they come to you for help. This is the burden you must carry as Queen."
"Yes... I understand that now. It will not happen again." Kida said.
"And Milo," Rosha continued, "Kida is bad enough as it is about running off at a whim and making me worry. I had hoped that you would be more responsible than this, but you are just as bad as she is. If you are going to be a part of this family, please do not make me worry any more than I have to."
"Okay..." Milo cringed. "Wait a minute. Did you just say...?"
"Yes. I said family." Rosha interrupted, "Now both of you will have to apologize to your people tomorrow."
"Why do I have to...?" Milo started to protest.
Kida put her finger up to his lips, "Yes, we will apologize."
"Good... Now that that is settled." Rosha allowed her smile to return, "Which one of you said it first?"
Milo just smiled giving Rosha her answer as Kida ran over and hugged her. Both of them knew exactly what Rosha was asking about.
"Oh Rosha, you were right all along. Milo does feel the same way!" Kida said stepping back.
"I am very happy for you Kida, and for you as well Milo. So, how much time do I have to prepare for the ceremony?"
"Ceremony? What ceremony?" Milo asked pulling a chair from the table so he could sit down.
"The wedding ceremony. You have to set a date?"
Milo shot back up before he could fully seat himself, "Wedding!"
"Rosha, Milo has not yet asked for my hand." Said Kida.
"You have not asked Kida to be your wife?" Rosha asked looking puzzled, "I do not understand, you have opened your hearts to each other."
"Rosha, I don't know how it works down here, but where I'm from people don't get married just because they love each other... I mean they do but... You know courtship, the engagement, and all that kind of stuff. I mean people know each other for years before they get married." Milo explained.
"I am sorry Milo." Rosha said with a disappointed look upon her face, "I had not thought about surface world customs being different from ours and that you have only known Kida for a short time. In Atlantis everyone already knows everyone else. When two people confess their love for each other the marriage is assumed and the wedding is nothing more than a symbol of that marriage. You are right not to rush into a life-long commitment. But do not take too long."
Kida stepped back over to Milo embracing him as if to give him a kiss, "I will wait as long as it takes."
"Great Kings!" Rosha said noticing something when they embraced. "Could it be?"
"What...! What did I do?" Milo said surprised by Rosha's outburst.
"Rosha, what is it...?" Kida asked.
Rosha quickly came over to them and placed her hands on Milo and Kida's chest, over their hearts, "Quiet. Both of you."
Rosha stood there for a moment as if she were listening for something then stepped back. "I had not thought it possible."
"Thought what...? Rosha, what's going on?" Milo asked.
"Quickly, both of you. Take your crystals and touch them to each other."
Both Milo and Kida looked confused by Rosha's request but did as she asked. As their crystals drew closer they began to glow brighter and brighter. And as they touched, the room was filled with a burst of lite blue light. They stood motionless for more than a minute lost in the light from their crystals. The only sound they could hear was a single heartbeat, and the only thing they felt was a nearly overwhelming sensation of love. They lowered their crystals and the light slowly faded away.
"This is more than I could have hoped for." Rosha said, wiping a tear from her cheek.
"That... that was just like the dream I've been having." Milo said bewildered.
"I have had this dream as well... But what does this mean?" Kida turned to Rosha, just as bewildered as Milo.
"Your hearts have merged."
"Merged? What do you mean?" Milo asked.
"The two of you share something that is very special and very rare. A love that is so pure that your hearts have merged to beat as one."
"I take it this doesn't happen to often?" Milo asked.
"I have seen this only once before."
"When?" Kida asked.
"Your Mother and Father shared one heart... Milo, I do not believe you need to wait to marry Kida."
"Rosha, you must tell us everything about this merging." Kida demanded.
"Sit, both of you. I will tell you everything I know."
***
Salin walked the dimly lit streets of Atlantis still searching for Redic. She had checked the ruined building, his home, the market, and the docks. But there was no sign of him or Likoosh. Salin's feelings of guilt were now being compounded with feelings of despair. She was just about to give up her search when she noticed the glow of a campfire in the ruins of an old Temple, a sight not normally seen. "Could he be there?" Salin navigated a maze of stairs and overgrown trails to reach the old Temple. As she approached she could see Redic. She ran to meet him but stopped when she saw the large group of mostly older Atlanteans that he was speaking with. She paused for a moment in the shadows to listen.
"I have brought you the book and you have read the laws for yourselves. The law is clear, no outsider may see the city and live. I was only doing my duty, as an Atlantean, when I attacked Milo. The Queen knew this law but yet she stopped me from killing the outsider. It was Kida who broke the law, not me." Redic pleaded his case.
"We understand your point Redic." One of the elders said, "And we can see how you felt that you had the right to kill Milo. But the Queen has the right to grant pardons to this law."
"Kida was not the Queen when she broke this law." Redic countered.
"This my be." The elder admitted. "But she brought the outsiders to the King and he allowed them to live as well."
"The outsider Rourke killed the King." Redic added.
"And Milo killed Rourke." The elder countered.
"Milo is a danger to Atlantis and he should be killed!" demanded Redic.
Salin was stunned at what she was hearing Redic say. (Kill Milo. Redic, you cannot mean this.) She hoped.
The elder who had been speaking for the group stepped closer to Redic. "We will not support you in this Redic. Milo is a honored man in Atlantis and he was chosen by the King."
"Chosen?" Redic played dumb.
"It is written that the King has the right to choose his successor. And it is clear by the King's crystal that Milo wears, Kashekim chose Milo to be the next ruler of Atlantis."
Redic smiled, "Are all of you in agreement that Milo was chosen to be King by Kida's Father?"
The elder looked back at the group which all nodded to him in agreement. He looked back to Redic. "This fact is not in dispute."
Redic nodded to Likoosh who was standing next to him. Holding the book open to a specific page, he began to read, 'It is the right of the King to choose his successor. However, if the one that is chosen is not of royal blood, any Atlantean male my claim the right of challenge before the chosen one has taken the throne. This challenge must be accepted. This challenge will be to the death.'
"Milo is not of royal blood. By the King's law I have the right of challenge. Will you support this claim?" Redic asked.
The lead elder stepped back to the group speaking with them for a moment. He turned back to Redic. "If it were up to me, we would not support you Redic. Fear, jealousy and hate have turned your heart dark."
"What I feel in my heart is of no concern. Will you support my claim or not?" Redic demanded an answer.
The elder sighed, "This right you have... We will support your claim. But I urge you to..."
"Then let it be known. I claim the right of challenge. The outsider will die by my hand." Redic boasted.
"No...!" Salin ran up in front of the group. "This is not right. Milo is a good man..."
Redic quickly grabbed her by the wrist, yanking her away from the group. "What are you doing here Salin?"
"What is it that you are doing? You said that you only wanted to..."
Redic interrupted, "I said only what I needed to say so you would steal the book for me."
"You lied to me!" Salin said in dismay.
"Lied...? I did not lie to you. I told you that I needed the book to stop Kida from hunting me down. Now she cannot touch me, thanks to you."
"And your love? This was a lie as well?" She said as a tear ran down her cheek.
"That I must admit was a lie. I could never love a silly little girl like you. Not when I could have a Queen by my side." Redic said enjoying the pain that his words were inflicting on her.
"I... I will not let you do this!" Salin said as she tried to pull away from him.
Redic grabbed her other wrist pulling her close to him in a none to gentle hold. "You can not stop me. Come tomorrow morning your little friend Milo will be dead."
"Release her Redic!" The lead elder demanded.
Redic noticed the group gathering around him. None too happy with his actions. "Very well." He pushed Salin into the arms of the lead elder and backed up to Likoosh.
"Go child. Tell the Queen of this. Warn Milo. They must have time to prepare." Salin took one last look at Redic then ran as fast as she could into the darkness. The elder looked at Redic with a glare, "Lose that book Redic and you lose your claim."
Redic simply smiled at him as the group disbanded.
"Are you just going to let her go? She will tell Kida of our plans and send the guards after us." Likoosh asked Redic.
"I am not concerned about the guards. Once Rosha finds out that we have the book, she will stop Kida from sending them to find us. The law is sacred to that woman."
"The law may stop the guards but it will not stop Kida." Likoosh pointed out.
"No, it will not. Kida will try to kill me." Redic admitted.
Likoosh continued anxiously, "Then we should return to the caves for the night."
"No!" Redic snapped, "We stay right here. I want her to know where to find us."
"Have you gone mad?" Likoosh said, almost frantic.
"Calm yourself old man." Redic said with a snarl. "You do wish to have your revenge, do you not?"
"Yes, but I wish to live long enough to enjoy it. Redic, if we stay here Kida will kill us both." Likoosh pleaded.
Redic glared at Likoosh, "You have little faith in my abilities old man."
"Redic, I do not doubt your abilities but we had a plan..."
"Enough!" Redic interrupted, "Even if this plan was to work I would have to deal with Kida sooner or later. Staying here I will have the advantage."
"Advantage?" Likoosh asked.
Redic continued, "Kida will not make her move until early morning. And when she does, she'll be in for a big surprise."
"What kind of surprise?" Likoosh asked.
"You need not concern yourself with what I have planned for Kida." Redic said, tired of being questioned. "You just make sure you don't take your eyes off that book old man."
Salin sat in the seating room staring at the door to Rosha's bedroom, trying to build up enough courage to do what Redic had asked of her. (I cannot do this. But I must, Redic said he would marry me if I helped him clear his name.) She thought to herself.
"Getting ready to do laundry?" Rosha asked as she entered the room from the kitchen.
Salin, startled by Rosha's sudden appearance, shot up from her seat. "Uh... Yes, laundry." She quickly picked up the half-full laundry basket next to her feet.
"If you would not mind. I left a dress on my bed that I would like to be cleaned." Rosha said as she headed for the doors that led outside. "Oh, and I will need your help later."
"My help?"
"Yes. I am going to the market to find fabric so we can make Kida a new dress. But do not tell her, I wish it to be a surprise." Rosha said as she opened the door and stepped outside.
Salin was relieved to see Rosha leave. With Rosha gone, she was the only one left in the royal quarters. Salin entered Rosha's room, closing the door behind her, and set her laundry basket on the bed. "Were would she keep it?"
Salin looked around the room. "The closet?" She looked, careful not to disturb anything, "No... In the dresser?" She found nothing. "Under the bed?" Still nothing. Salin paused for a moment. "This book must not exist." She mumbled. A sudden thought struck her, "Yes! That's it! That must be where she keeps it." Salin ran to a large chest that sat just outside on Rosha's balcony. She opened the lid. The chest was filled with trinkets and keepsakes of Rosha's life. "This is not right. Not only do I feel like a thief, I feel like I am violating Rosha's memories as well. No...! I must do this, Kida will kill Redic if I do not!"
Salin removed each item one by one until she reached the bottom of the chest. There she found something big and heavy wrapped in old cloth that was falling apart. Removing it from the chest, she uncovered it, "This must be it!" The cover and bindings were in very bad shape but the pages, having been made from thin sheets of gold, were in perfect condition. Salin scanned over the pages of black inlaid writing which was still crisp and clear, but the words meant nothing to her.
Salin set the book aside and returned everything else back into the chest. Closing the lid, she picked up the book and placed it in her laundry basket covering it with Rosha's dress. She hurried to meet Likoosh at the courtyard.
***
Redic paced back and forth in the old building. The inactivity of hiding was beginning to get to him. Warriors did not hide. "What is taking so long... I swear if that old man has crossed me..."
"I have not crossed you." Likoosh said entering the room.
"The book! Do you have it?"
"Yes..." Likoosh set the book down on a large stone that acted as a table and opened it.
Redic touched the golden pages. "You are sure this will convince the elders to back my claim?"
"The elders yes, and with what I heard today we my be able to convince some of the younger people as well."
"What did you hear?" Redic asked looking at Likoosh.
"There is a small amount of decent growing among the people about the Queen."
"What are you talking about? The people adore Kida." Redic said.
"That may be so. But the Queen kicked everyone out of the court this morning refusing to pass judgment on anyone's complaints."
"Let me guess. She ran off with the outsider." Redic said as he returned his gaze to the book.
"Yes, and there are some who are upset with her actions."
"This is working out better than I had hoped... Make the arrangements to meet with the elders and as many others as you can for tonight. I wish to make my claim first thing in the morning." Redic commanded.
"As you wish, but we may have another problem."
"What problem?" Redic asked, his gaze still fixed on the golden pages.
"The girl Salin. She is going to break."
"Salin is not a concern..."
Likoosh interrupted, "You do not understand Redic. I saw it in her eyes. Her conscience is going to get the better of her and if she confesses to Kida before you can make your claim..."
"Do not concern yourself old man. She only needs to keep her mouth shut until morning. Now go do what needs to be done." Redic waived Likoosh off without looking at him.
Likoosh left to follow his instructions. Redic looked at the book of laws. Touching the golden pages he said, "Enjoy your last day with Kida, Milo... For tomorrow I will rip out your heart right in front of her eyes... And this time she will not be able to help you."
***
The day was growing long and Rosha still had not returned from the market. (What could be taking her so long?) Salin thought to herself as she stood over the sink in the kitchen, washing dishes that she had already washed three times before.
Keeping busy was the only thing that helped take her mind off of the guilt she felt for stealing the book. This had worked for most of the day but now her conscious was at the point of making her sick to her stomach. Salin desperately wanted to go and find Redic in the hopes that he would relieve her guilt but she couldn't leave until Rosha returned.
"Salin..." Rosha said entering the kitchen.
(CRASH!) Salin dropped the plate she was drying, startled by Rosha. "Sorry, I... I did not mean..."
"Salin, it is okay." Rosha kneeled down and helped pick up the pieces of shattered plate. "I should not have snuck up on you like that."
"Why are you so late?" Salin asked to see if Rosha suspected anything about her or the book. "It could not have taken this long to find fabric."
"I had no difficulty finding the fabric I wanted. I also had no difficulty finding a lot of upset people that wished to speak with me."
"Upset? I hope it was nothing I did?" Salin asked as she threw away the shattered pieces of the plate.
"No child, nothing you did. By the way, have you seen Kida and Milo?"
"Not since this morning. But Impesh told me that Milo took the Queen flying today."
"Yes... I heard of this as well." Rosha said sounding disappointed. "We should start dinner. They have to come home sooner or later."
"Um... Rosha, I was hoping that I could be excused?"
"You do not wish to stay for dinner tonight?" Rosha said as she pulled a pot down from its hanger.
"No it's not that. I just have some things I need to do. If that is okay?"
"Of course it is okay Salin. But be here bright and early tomorrow. I still need your help with Kida's new dress."
"Yes, yes. I will... Thank you." Salin said as she left the kitchen. (I hope he is still there.) She thought.
Salin quickly opened the doors that led outside of the seating room and promptly bumped into Milo. Kida was by his side. "Sorry, sorry..."
"Hey, this is starting to become a habit with you Salin." Milo said jokingly.
"I... I must go. Rosha is waiting for you in the kitchen." Salin said running off down the stairs.
"I wonder where she's off to in such a hurry?" Milo said.
"Perhaps she has a boyfriend." Kida said tickling Milo's sides.
"Ha... Haaa... hey stop... Kida..."
"Make me!"
Milo grabbed Kida's wrists playfully fighting her off, "You mean like this?" He pulled her close and kissed her. A kiss she was only too happy to return.
"Only you could stop me with a kiss." She said smiling, "Come, I cannot wait to tell Rosha about our day together."
Rosha could hear the two of them coming down the hall. They sounded like a couple of teenagers that just got back from their first date. She knew they had finally confessed their love for each other and she couldn't help but smile.
Rosha turned to see them enter the kitchen. She forced the smile from her face and said, "Were have you two been?"
Milo and Kida stopped in their tracks. "Uh... Well..."
"All I asked you to do young man was to let the guards know where you were going and when you would be back." Rosha said shaking a wooden stirring spoon at Milo in a most menacing manner."
"Um... Sorry?"
"Sorry...! You will think sorry if you do that again. I was worried about you two all day... Flying around the city like a mad man."
"Rosha..." Kida protested.
"As for you young lady, I have been apologizing for your little stunt all day. I cannot believe you just kicked everyone out of your court like that."
"Hey... Cut her some slack!"
"It is okay Milo." Kida held him back. "Rosha is right."
Rosha sighed as she set the spoon down disarming herself then turned to Kida. "Perhaps I am partly to blame for this. I should have been with you for your first court, and for that I am sorry. But Kida, you should have asked the people to return later instead of telling them their concerns where unimportant. All of the people's concerns, whether they are great or small, are your responsibility when they come to you for help. This is the burden you must carry as Queen."
"Yes... I understand that now. It will not happen again." Kida said.
"And Milo," Rosha continued, "Kida is bad enough as it is about running off at a whim and making me worry. I had hoped that you would be more responsible than this, but you are just as bad as she is. If you are going to be a part of this family, please do not make me worry any more than I have to."
"Okay..." Milo cringed. "Wait a minute. Did you just say...?"
"Yes. I said family." Rosha interrupted, "Now both of you will have to apologize to your people tomorrow."
"Why do I have to...?" Milo started to protest.
Kida put her finger up to his lips, "Yes, we will apologize."
"Good... Now that that is settled." Rosha allowed her smile to return, "Which one of you said it first?"
Milo just smiled giving Rosha her answer as Kida ran over and hugged her. Both of them knew exactly what Rosha was asking about.
"Oh Rosha, you were right all along. Milo does feel the same way!" Kida said stepping back.
"I am very happy for you Kida, and for you as well Milo. So, how much time do I have to prepare for the ceremony?"
"Ceremony? What ceremony?" Milo asked pulling a chair from the table so he could sit down.
"The wedding ceremony. You have to set a date?"
Milo shot back up before he could fully seat himself, "Wedding!"
"Rosha, Milo has not yet asked for my hand." Said Kida.
"You have not asked Kida to be your wife?" Rosha asked looking puzzled, "I do not understand, you have opened your hearts to each other."
"Rosha, I don't know how it works down here, but where I'm from people don't get married just because they love each other... I mean they do but... You know courtship, the engagement, and all that kind of stuff. I mean people know each other for years before they get married." Milo explained.
"I am sorry Milo." Rosha said with a disappointed look upon her face, "I had not thought about surface world customs being different from ours and that you have only known Kida for a short time. In Atlantis everyone already knows everyone else. When two people confess their love for each other the marriage is assumed and the wedding is nothing more than a symbol of that marriage. You are right not to rush into a life-long commitment. But do not take too long."
Kida stepped back over to Milo embracing him as if to give him a kiss, "I will wait as long as it takes."
"Great Kings!" Rosha said noticing something when they embraced. "Could it be?"
"What...! What did I do?" Milo said surprised by Rosha's outburst.
"Rosha, what is it...?" Kida asked.
Rosha quickly came over to them and placed her hands on Milo and Kida's chest, over their hearts, "Quiet. Both of you."
Rosha stood there for a moment as if she were listening for something then stepped back. "I had not thought it possible."
"Thought what...? Rosha, what's going on?" Milo asked.
"Quickly, both of you. Take your crystals and touch them to each other."
Both Milo and Kida looked confused by Rosha's request but did as she asked. As their crystals drew closer they began to glow brighter and brighter. And as they touched, the room was filled with a burst of lite blue light. They stood motionless for more than a minute lost in the light from their crystals. The only sound they could hear was a single heartbeat, and the only thing they felt was a nearly overwhelming sensation of love. They lowered their crystals and the light slowly faded away.
"This is more than I could have hoped for." Rosha said, wiping a tear from her cheek.
"That... that was just like the dream I've been having." Milo said bewildered.
"I have had this dream as well... But what does this mean?" Kida turned to Rosha, just as bewildered as Milo.
"Your hearts have merged."
"Merged? What do you mean?" Milo asked.
"The two of you share something that is very special and very rare. A love that is so pure that your hearts have merged to beat as one."
"I take it this doesn't happen to often?" Milo asked.
"I have seen this only once before."
"When?" Kida asked.
"Your Mother and Father shared one heart... Milo, I do not believe you need to wait to marry Kida."
"Rosha, you must tell us everything about this merging." Kida demanded.
"Sit, both of you. I will tell you everything I know."
***
Salin walked the dimly lit streets of Atlantis still searching for Redic. She had checked the ruined building, his home, the market, and the docks. But there was no sign of him or Likoosh. Salin's feelings of guilt were now being compounded with feelings of despair. She was just about to give up her search when she noticed the glow of a campfire in the ruins of an old Temple, a sight not normally seen. "Could he be there?" Salin navigated a maze of stairs and overgrown trails to reach the old Temple. As she approached she could see Redic. She ran to meet him but stopped when she saw the large group of mostly older Atlanteans that he was speaking with. She paused for a moment in the shadows to listen.
"I have brought you the book and you have read the laws for yourselves. The law is clear, no outsider may see the city and live. I was only doing my duty, as an Atlantean, when I attacked Milo. The Queen knew this law but yet she stopped me from killing the outsider. It was Kida who broke the law, not me." Redic pleaded his case.
"We understand your point Redic." One of the elders said, "And we can see how you felt that you had the right to kill Milo. But the Queen has the right to grant pardons to this law."
"Kida was not the Queen when she broke this law." Redic countered.
"This my be." The elder admitted. "But she brought the outsiders to the King and he allowed them to live as well."
"The outsider Rourke killed the King." Redic added.
"And Milo killed Rourke." The elder countered.
"Milo is a danger to Atlantis and he should be killed!" demanded Redic.
Salin was stunned at what she was hearing Redic say. (Kill Milo. Redic, you cannot mean this.) She hoped.
The elder who had been speaking for the group stepped closer to Redic. "We will not support you in this Redic. Milo is a honored man in Atlantis and he was chosen by the King."
"Chosen?" Redic played dumb.
"It is written that the King has the right to choose his successor. And it is clear by the King's crystal that Milo wears, Kashekim chose Milo to be the next ruler of Atlantis."
Redic smiled, "Are all of you in agreement that Milo was chosen to be King by Kida's Father?"
The elder looked back at the group which all nodded to him in agreement. He looked back to Redic. "This fact is not in dispute."
Redic nodded to Likoosh who was standing next to him. Holding the book open to a specific page, he began to read, 'It is the right of the King to choose his successor. However, if the one that is chosen is not of royal blood, any Atlantean male my claim the right of challenge before the chosen one has taken the throne. This challenge must be accepted. This challenge will be to the death.'
"Milo is not of royal blood. By the King's law I have the right of challenge. Will you support this claim?" Redic asked.
The lead elder stepped back to the group speaking with them for a moment. He turned back to Redic. "If it were up to me, we would not support you Redic. Fear, jealousy and hate have turned your heart dark."
"What I feel in my heart is of no concern. Will you support my claim or not?" Redic demanded an answer.
The elder sighed, "This right you have... We will support your claim. But I urge you to..."
"Then let it be known. I claim the right of challenge. The outsider will die by my hand." Redic boasted.
"No...!" Salin ran up in front of the group. "This is not right. Milo is a good man..."
Redic quickly grabbed her by the wrist, yanking her away from the group. "What are you doing here Salin?"
"What is it that you are doing? You said that you only wanted to..."
Redic interrupted, "I said only what I needed to say so you would steal the book for me."
"You lied to me!" Salin said in dismay.
"Lied...? I did not lie to you. I told you that I needed the book to stop Kida from hunting me down. Now she cannot touch me, thanks to you."
"And your love? This was a lie as well?" She said as a tear ran down her cheek.
"That I must admit was a lie. I could never love a silly little girl like you. Not when I could have a Queen by my side." Redic said enjoying the pain that his words were inflicting on her.
"I... I will not let you do this!" Salin said as she tried to pull away from him.
Redic grabbed her other wrist pulling her close to him in a none to gentle hold. "You can not stop me. Come tomorrow morning your little friend Milo will be dead."
"Release her Redic!" The lead elder demanded.
Redic noticed the group gathering around him. None too happy with his actions. "Very well." He pushed Salin into the arms of the lead elder and backed up to Likoosh.
"Go child. Tell the Queen of this. Warn Milo. They must have time to prepare." Salin took one last look at Redic then ran as fast as she could into the darkness. The elder looked at Redic with a glare, "Lose that book Redic and you lose your claim."
Redic simply smiled at him as the group disbanded.
"Are you just going to let her go? She will tell Kida of our plans and send the guards after us." Likoosh asked Redic.
"I am not concerned about the guards. Once Rosha finds out that we have the book, she will stop Kida from sending them to find us. The law is sacred to that woman."
"The law may stop the guards but it will not stop Kida." Likoosh pointed out.
"No, it will not. Kida will try to kill me." Redic admitted.
Likoosh continued anxiously, "Then we should return to the caves for the night."
"No!" Redic snapped, "We stay right here. I want her to know where to find us."
"Have you gone mad?" Likoosh said, almost frantic.
"Calm yourself old man." Redic said with a snarl. "You do wish to have your revenge, do you not?"
"Yes, but I wish to live long enough to enjoy it. Redic, if we stay here Kida will kill us both." Likoosh pleaded.
Redic glared at Likoosh, "You have little faith in my abilities old man."
"Redic, I do not doubt your abilities but we had a plan..."
"Enough!" Redic interrupted, "Even if this plan was to work I would have to deal with Kida sooner or later. Staying here I will have the advantage."
"Advantage?" Likoosh asked.
Redic continued, "Kida will not make her move until early morning. And when she does, she'll be in for a big surprise."
"What kind of surprise?" Likoosh asked.
"You need not concern yourself with what I have planned for Kida." Redic said, tired of being questioned. "You just make sure you don't take your eyes off that book old man."