The next four days passed without incident. Marik was on the mend. Still he was weak, but his wounds didn't ache so graphically anymore and he was able to stand without feeling faint. He and Rishid had many long talks as the man tried to become reacquainted with his brother. It was a slow process, and quite heart-wrenching for Marik. Never did he imagine that he would need to remind Rishid of things he had once known and treasured. Ishizu tried to comfort Marik when she could, but she knew that she herself didn't remember the past either. But she did recall feelings. Without a doubt she knew Marik was her younger brother and that Rishid was their elder sibling. And slowly but surely, Marik could see that Rishid had embraced the truth as well. This meant more to him than anything, in light of how things had gone the first night and day since he had found the man.
During one conversation with all three Ishtars, Rishid expressed an interest in hearing more about Fafnir and his minions. "You keep mentioning a pendant," he said, looking at Marik intently as the youth reclined back on the soft pillows of Rishid's enormous bed. Rishid had insisted that Marik continue to sleep on the bed until he was fully healed, while the king and Ishizu had each taken cots in different parts of the rich quarters. Marik had protested at first, but then had warmed up to the idea after snuggling under the down quilt. The sooner he was completely better, the sooner they could all find the way to leave this blasted kingdom and go home!
Marik nodded now at Rishid's comment. "Geates' talisman," he said darkly.
"That only exists in legend," Rishid retorted, surprised at this. But then, he was actually not surprised that he was surprised. Marik amazed him every day.
The boy shrugged. "That's what Fafnir wants," he said flatly. "I heard his soldiers talking about it after I was thrown over the ravine. They thought I was unconscious or dead and spoke freely about their plans."
"Do you remember what else was said?" Ishizu asked, her voice gentle.
"They said it was too easy to make the people believe whatever Fafnir wanted," Marik grunted. "They trust him because he got the kingdom in order after the last catastrophe. But no one realizes that all of that was part of his plan from the start. He wanted them to trust him so they wouldn't suspect him of foul play later." He was now sitting cross-legged on the bed, relieved to be able to move freely again and not have pain. "We're caught in the middle of this. I realize that for a surety now. Fafnir's been manipulating us like pawns. He wanted to turn us against each other."
Rishid looked down in shame. "Then I have played right into his hands." But worse than that . . . I have been hurting this boy. The man's eyes narrowed. He couldn't believe how badly he had treated Marik at first. And yet Marik stayed loyal.
Marik was quick to disagree with his brother's words. "No, Rishid!" he cried earnestly. "You took me in. I doubt that Fafnir expected you to."
Ishizu smiled slightly, watching Marik try to comfort his elder brother. At last Rishid smiled a bit and seemed to accept that what Marik said was true. In Ishizu's heart she was remembering countless times when it was the opposite. Rishid had often whispered kind words to the boy, holding him close and reassuring him that all was well. It was so good to see these two reunited as they should be. Ishizu knew that Marik most likely had memories of those past times in his mind and heart as well.
Rishid was deep in thought himself, but now about a different subject. He had explored every corridor of this palace multiple times, including the treasury. There were many priceless gems kept safe in there, to be sold to help the people of the kingdom if the need ever arose in a crisis. Rishid knew there was at least one pendant locked in the vault. It seemed ridiculous, but what if it was the one being sought? After everything else, it almost seemed plausible. If they could just journey to the treasury and retrieve it!
"Marik," he spoke up abruptly, "are you well enough to walk across the palace?"
Marik blinked at him. This seemed an odd request, especially in light of what they'd just been discussing. But he trusted his brother's mind. "I should be able to," he said slowly, easing himself up and taking a few tentative steps forward. The tiles felt cool and smooth under his bare feet, and though he stumbled several times, he managed to stay standing as he walked across the spacious room. Then he returned to the bed and smiled triumphantly at his siblings. "Yes, I can do it," he declared. It still hurt the leg that had been stabbed to be standing on it, but Marik felt that if he didn't concentrate on the pain he would be able to walk mostly normally.
Rishid nodded, satisfied. "Come, then," he said, going to the door. "There is something I wish to show you."
Ishizu looked at him curiously, but stood as well. She had seen the look in Rishid's eyes. He was trying to figure something out and hoped that he had found a solution.
Marik, who didn't want to bother with finding his shoes, followed them to the door barefoot. He was limping slightly as he tried to avoid putting pressure on his injured leg, but he struggled not to make it noticeable. "Let's go," he said.
Rishid looked him up and down. Marik wondered if the man was going to decide that he shouldn't be walking after all, but what Rishid said instead made him extremely surprised. "What appeals to you about that shirt?" the ruler wanted to know, gazing at the soft lavender material that stopped several inches before Marik's waist did. Marik had brought a few different changes of clothing, including several shirts, but this hooded one seemed to be his favorite. Rishid was mystified as to why.
But Marik just shrugged. The shirt was soft and warm and comfortable. He didn't really care that part of his waist showed, though sometimes he did wear another shirt underneath that came down the rest of the way, when he felt like it.
Rishid grunted, but chose not to press the matter.
The siblings moved across the palace floor almost silently, their footwear (for those who had it) making little sound. Every now and then Marik would stumble, but he was able to catch himself before completely plunging down to the hard surface. These tiles, he noticed, did not reflect the events of other things going on in the kingdom. They were perfectly ordinary pieces of marble, there for the sole purpose of being flooring.
But even though the tiles did not show what was happening, Marik thought about it all. The Red Zealot was probably striking again as they spoke and walked. Fafnir's plot, whatever it entailed, would keep Rishid busy and overwhelmed. And then if he could get the people to become incensed about their ruler because the Red Zealot wasn't being stopped, an all-out revolution could occur and Rishid's life would be in much more danger.
Marik was abruptly brought back to the present as Rishid stopped in front of two large, heavy, guarded doors. The strong marble was carefully embossed with golden crests and spirals, and lions leapt out from the corners. The flashily dressed guards looked at Rishid and then unclasped their spears, allowing him to pass. But they stared at both Marik and Ishizu, seeming reluctant to let them also get by. One of the two, resembling a football player with arms as wide around as small tree trunks, kept his eyes on Ishizu no matter who told him to stop. Marik, getting angry, tried to step in front of his sister, his lavender eyes flashing. He knew what the man was thinking. What was more, he had sensed something dark eminating from them both. He didn't trust either of them.
Gently Ishizu laid her hands on his shoulders, steering him into the room. "Come, Marik," she whispered. She, also, didn't trust the guards and she could see that Marik would be hurt, perhaps seriously, if he fought them. Dear boy. . . . He didn't know his own strength.
The doors slammed shut as soon as Ishizu had gone through and into the room. In the marble halls the sound echoed like the closing of a tomb. Marik observed this as he slowly advanced down the aisles, which were covered in a wealth of gold coins and various gems. "It's a mausoleum with bedrooms and bathrooms," he said sarcastically in reference to the entire palace, feeling locked in.
Rishid grunted, going to a case near the back of the room. Slowly he opened the glass door, removing a glittering pendant with a red gem in the center. "This has been in the palace treasury for ages," he said. "It could be the one Fafnir wants." He remembered being fascinated by the necklace in times past when he had come in here. He didn't know why it was held in such high regard as to be placed in a case by itself. All the other necklaces were in another case all together. Perhaps the pendant was important, just as the fabled Geates' talisman was supposed to be. But the thought of such an item being right here in the palace seemed too absurd.
Marik reached up to touch it. He had no idea what Geates' talisman looked like. But surely Fafnir knew of the stone here in this treasury. With the power he wielded, it seemed that he would have tried to retrieve the talisman if it was the one he wanted.
Unless this was the way he had of doing it. Maybe he had wanted Rishid to take it from the room. Maybe he was going to try getting it from Rishid later! Marik still didn't know why Fafnir had abducted his siblings or how doing so would help with his plans. Perhaps he was using Rishid as his puppet. It wouldn't surprise Marik any. But if Fafnir thought he could outwit the Ishtars, he would have another thing coming.
"We must use caution," Ishizu said softly, having simliar thoughts to Marik's. "No one can know that we have taken this from the treasury." She took the jewel from her elder brother, studying it thoughtfully. She couldn't sense any extreme powers coming from it, but that didn't mean there were none. After all, Ishizu wasn't adept enough to be able to sense any and every thing that might be of importance, especially not when she had amnesia.
To everyone's stunned shock and horror, the gem glowed brightly as Ishizu held it, shooting off a series of sparks at her and her brothers. Marik ducked just as a bolt flew directly at his face. But instead of the lightning going elsewhere, it followed the boy and struck him on the head.
"Marik!" Ishizu cried in horror, throwing the treacherous gem aside. She hastened to Marik's side, but it was Rishid who got to him first.
"Are you hurt badly?" Rishid asked, pulling him close. He felt across the back of Marik's head, parting the soft hair to examine the tan flesh. So much for one boy to endure! Rishid growled as rage built within his heart. Even a (hopefully) small irritation like this was something Marik didn't deserve. Especially after what he had just come through, physically and emotionally.
"I'm fine, Rishid," Marik smiled, though he was feeling pain shooting through his brain and temples. He was angry as well, not to mention baffled. How could the pendant have done that! The blast shouldn't have followed him!
"You're pained," Rishid retorted. He could feel Marik shudder in his arms. He must have touched the sore spot. But the skin wasn't broken. There was no blood. And so Rishid let the hair fall back in place and allowed Marik to straighten up.
Marik smiled to himself. Rishid's overprotective side was shining through. And he was only too glad of it.
Ishizu looked at them and then at the pendant, which had stopped sparking and, in fact, had changed color completely. Now it was a peaceful blue instead of the furious red it had been only moments before. Ishizu wanted nothing more than to walk away and never see it again, but with these powers it possessed, she knew it would be foolhardy to do so. Reluctantly she lifted it again, clutching the gold chain tightly in her delicate, tan-skinned hand. There was something dark and evil in the stone. That much she had sensed even before it had started attacking them. And she knew of the Geates Talisman legend. When they were safely back in Rishid's quarters, she would tell what she knew to her brothers. She had refrained before because she thought it best. But now that they actually had this pendant in their grasp, it was time for them to know all that she could tell.
She looked down at the stone again and right before her eyes images began to appear within it. It was a vision from the Tauk, manifested in the gem. She saw a figure coming toward the treasury—a cold figure with snapping eyes and a stern, purposeful gait. Was it Colchis? She couldn't tell. But she could tell that the person was coming here. She felt it in her heart. And even as she saw this, she could hear footsteps coming from outside the room. The man's intentions were evil. He knew they were in here. He was coming for the stone.
"We must leave!" she cried then, her blue eyes widening slightly in panic. They could not go out the main way. The footsteps were coming closer. Any moment the man would come through and find them, and Ishizu knew the end result would be ill for them.
"What's wrong, sister?" Marik gasped. He hadn't seen her this panicked in all the time they had been together in this strange land. But he knew Ishizu better than anyone else, other than perhaps Rishid. And now Rishid didn't know her that well, sadly. Marik had the feeling that Ishizu had had a vision. It must have been abominable too, for her not to be able to keep up her calm front.
Instead of answering her younger brother, Ishizu turned to Rishid desperately. "Is there another way out of this room?" she demanded to know.
Rishid looked at her sternly, thoughts swirling through his mind. Was there another exit? He had explored this chamber often before, when he had been trying to get acquainted with every part of this foul palace. But was there another door! He racked his mind. Surely there must be! It seemed that every room of the palace had some secret way in and out, even the king's quarters. And then the answer Rishid was seeking for came to him. He remembered a secret exit from this room, but it may or may not be passable. Rishid had never tried to use it before—he had only seen it and knew it existed.
"There is another way," he said at last. "Come with me."
Ishizu and Marik wasted no time in following the man. Time was of the utmost importance. They could all sense it. Ishizu knew with a sick heart that even if they got out, whoever was about to enter would discover the pendant missing. There had been no time to find a replacement for the case. The strange man would also know who had taken it, she was certain. He would come after them all. Ishizu had the dark feeling that those in the palace who may have seemed friendly and willing to submit to Rishid's rule were not as loyal as they appeared.
Rishid led them over many mountains of gold coins. The gems scattered throughout glistened in the lights. Crystal diamonds, purple amethysts, and green emeralds were tossed about as the siblings ran frantically through their mists. At last the man reached a back wall upon which two swords were crossed over each other, their points deep amid the glittering coinage. "There is a door behind the blades," Rishid announced grimly, pulling the first sword up. Marik removed the other. He could see nothing, but he trusted his brother's words. If Rishid said there was a door, then there was a door.
The two brothers threw themselves against the wall, struggling to break open the invisible exit. Ishizu quickly placed the pendant around her neck and hid it inside her dress. Then she moved forward to assist.
"It's not moving!" Marik cried in frustration. He shoved harder, not caring that his injured arm was being jarred. Ishizu knew what she was talking about. He could hear the main doors being opened. Whoever she had seen in her vision was coming in.
Rishid growled, not answering. He pushed harder. He knew this way out existed. The last time he had been in here, he had seen someone go out using the exit in the back wall. If only he could get it open now! They needed it much more than that other person had.
A whispered prayer was on Ishizu's lips as she and Marik struggled with the wall as well. The doors were wide open now. The man was entering!
"Are you still in here, Lord Odion?" an unfamiliar voice called. "Come now, I know you couldn't have flown." A droll laugh echoed down the chamber. "You may as well come out and stop playing hide and go seek. After all, I'll wind up with that bauble in the end anyway." With the lights having been dimmed, the stranger couldn't see all the way to the back wall. But if any of the Ishtars made even the slightest wrong move, he would hear.
Rishid ignored the voice by all outward appearances, though inwardly he was quite angry. He wasn't certain at all who the person was. It definitely wasn't Colchis, though the speech pattern resembled his. But whoever it was, Rishid didn't want him to find them in there. He shoved all the harder on the wall, and, with Marik's and Ishizu's help, it finally moved. It made a terrible creak of protest, but it did open slightly, allowing them to pass through. But they all knew the strange man had heard.
"Ah, trying to escape, are you?" his voice came back to them. "Well, I daresay you won't get far! I'm more powerful than you, Lord Odion, though you may think you hold all power in Juno right now!" Coins scattered across the marble floor as the man ran over them, heading straight for the open panel in the wall—and the Ishtars.
Again Rishid ignored the speaker, though he wished with all his heart to turn and confront him. And he realized that if he didn't have his siblings to think about, he just might have done that. But as it was, they were the most important right now. He exited first and then held the panel open with all his might, waiting for the others to come.
Ishizu ushered Marik through and then came last, frowning as her cape became caught on the rough edge of the door. She tugged, pulling it free with a harsh rip. Just as Rishid let go and the panel started to close again, Ishizu felt a hand brush against her back. Then she ran forward and Marik took hold of her hand, the panel slamming shut behind them. For ages afterward Ishizu felt the touch of the man's hand on her back in her mind and it was cruel and cold.
When the three arrived back at the king's quarters, Ishizu took out the pendant from her dress once more. It had felt steadily heavier since she had put it on, and now she found that it had again changed color—this time to a jealous green. Grimly she set it down on the desk, watching it begin to again crackle with electricity. Something must be done immediately, that much was clear. Whoever had been with them in the treasury would come, she knew. The person knew Rishid was responsible for the pendant's disappearance and would arrive at his quarters as soon as he saw fit. Which, perhaps, wouldn't be for a good while, if what he desired most was to make them all nervous. But they couldn't take any chances. Within the next few hours—or even minutes—any one of them could wind up dead. Ishizu must now tell the little she could.
"There are several versions of the Geates Talisman legend," she said quietly. Every spare moment the woman had been able to find, she had spent poring over volumes and maps concerning this strange land. She had learned much that she hoped would help them now. "I do not know which is the most accurate, but there are several things the same in every version. Basically it tells of a man who became incensed after losing his true love to another man and so he created the talisman and made it a weapon of cruelty, whereas originally he meant to use it for good. Terror enveloped the land of Juno for many days and nights. Then one rose up who protected the kingdom from the growing darkness and destroyed Geates. From the corpse the victor took the talisman and hid it away in a place which no mortal knows. But nowhere in any version does it say that the talisman behaved in this way, turning colors as a chameleon and shooting sparks at any that dare to touch it."
Marik glared at the stone on the desk. "How will we ever find out if this is the right one? In any case, it's obviously dangerous." He reached up to rub the spot where he had been struck. The injury pained him, especially since it was right where he had been clubbed on the head several days prior. But he would never admit it. The rubbing was the closest thing to an admission of pain anyone would get from him.
Ishizu smiled. "While the description of the talisman varies, one identifying mark remains the same. If one knows the code, they may unlock a secret panel with Geates' symbol. The true talisman will have a rune that looks like this." Taking a piece of paper, she concentrated on getting the mark drawn just right. Marik and Rishid gathered around her, watching intently. At last she finished and leaned back, displaying her work. It resembled a "G" in the cursive script, only more elaborate and kingly. Marik knew that if he saw it in the pendant, he would recognize it.
"How do we discover this code?" Rishid wanted to know. Somehow he had the feeling that it wouldn't be easy.
Ishizu sighed. "I am not certain. The code was created by Geates when he first made the talisman. He had wanted to make something so unique that no one could ever copy it. And, indeed, to this day no one has. And that is just as well." She stood and walked to the bed, sinking into its softness and mulling over the puzzles in her mind. Nothing was truly solved. And their time was running out.
"How do you even know of any of this?" Rishid persisted, coming over to Ishizu curiously. He was not accusatory, but genuinely wanting to know how she had learned of the Geates legend. "You haven't been here long."
"I have studied long," Ishizu replied, rising again. "But come! None of us can remain here longer." Swiftly she took the pendant, which had started to turn neon pink, and again placed it around her neck. Their enemies were quickly approaching. It would not do for them to stay another moment.
"What do you mean?" Rishid demanded. "There is the one from the treasury, but he is no contest. He would be easily overpowered."
"Yes," Ishizu agreed, "if there was only he to be of concern. Unfortunately . . ." She paused and looked up into the older man's eyes, pleading for him to trust her words. The only proof she had of their truth were feelings, perhaps, but Ishizu had long ago realized that her feelings were often actual inspiration from above. And she felt that no one in the palace could be trusted longer. Not Colchis, not the man from the treasury, and not even the guards. "There is not only he." She spoke grimly and with urgency, praying for Rishid to give ear and listen. "Please, believe me when I say that now we can only trust God and each other! Those who may have accepted you once, Rishid, will turn against you now. It has been festering for quite some time."
Rishid looked at her intently, but didn't reply. He sensed her words could very well hold truth; indeed, he himself had been suspicious of an extreme revolution for some time. But it was still so unpleasant to think about. He hated being used as an unwitting pawn in a plot of great evil. How dare they do this to him! And worse! How dare they drag his siblings into it! Rage burned within his heart.
Marik came over as well, his lavender eyes dark and full of foreboding. He knew Ishizu spoke the truth. And he remembered anew how he hadn't trusted the treasury guards at all. They weren't trustworthy. He had the sinking feeling now that they would have killed all three of them had they not needed to keep up appearances. And something told him that they needed to no longer.
At that same instant footsteps could be heard resounding loudly outside in the halls. Many footsteps, all rising and falling with a purpose. Marik knew the purpose was to kill them and take the stone. It was an army! Perhaps the entire army in the kingdom was about to bear down on them! And they were only three in number!
"They're coming!" he cried, clenching his fist. If they were to die, they would all die together, at least, and with honor. Marik would fight to the bitter end to protect his siblings.
But their bitter end was not now. Not yet.
Rishid turned suddenly, remembering the secret way out of the room. It was possible that it was guarded and blocked as well, but it might be their only hope. Whatever happened to him, Marik and Ishizu first and foremost needed to be protected. And he would protect them. He would protect them from every bit of madness and cruelty that raged out in the hall—and from anything they might encounter later.
"Come with me," he growled quietly, heading to the panel. "We will leave by this way. From there, I do not know where our path will take us." He shoved, easily opening this secret door. A faint smile played on his lips as he remembered when Ishizu had come through that very passageway several days before. He had been so startled he hadn't known what to think. And then he had been angry. But his anger had soon all melted away. Something had drawn him to Ishizu, as something had drawn him to Marik before. He hadn't been able to stay angry at either of them for long.
"I know what lies beyond this door," Ishizu said quietly as they slipped inside. She recalled only too well of her frantic flight to escape Colchis. Now she wondered if he was part of the army that was now storming against the main door. "But we must be cautious to not fall into the dungeon." She could only pray that if they did, another way out would be made known to them. They needed to rescue the people of this kingdom from the tyrant Fafnir and whatever sort of plan he was brewing!
"Oh that sounds pleasant," Marik remarked as he followed after his siblings. This time he had put his shoes on. Since they didn't know where they could be ending up, Marik did know he would probably welcome shoes.
Before they could make their escape, a sneering voice met their ears. "Lord Odion!" The sound came to them from right outside the entrance. "You're such a fool, do you know that?" It laughed tauntingly. "All this time you thought you commanded the kingdom, but in actuality you've been such a nice little pawn in our game. Fafnir and the Red Zealot are so pleased. But they'll be even more pleased when we've killed you and those sorry fools you dare to keep company with."
Rishid clenched his fist. "Then Fafnir is working with the Red Zealot!" he burst out, unable to keep silent. The news was actually not that unexpected, but it angered him greatly to learn of its truth. It seemed Ishizu had been right. And so were many of his suspicions.
"That's right, but don't think you and anyone in the kingdom who doesn't agree with our ways can do anything about it!" Without waiting for another response from Rishid, the voice ordered the army to break the door in. It shouldn't be hard for all of them to accomplish that task.
And accomplish it they easily did. But when they entered they were disappointed—no one was there. The room was completely empty. Rishid and his siblings had escaped, almost as if it had been instantaneous. Their nemesis narrowed her eyes, her face twisting into an ugly grimace. They couldn't have gone far. And she would find them. She would find them all and then they would die!
Marik led the way down the deserted stone path, using the Rod to give them light. His lavender eyes gleamed in the shadows as he tried to look for another turn. Their journey in the last five minutes had been following a course that led directly away from the panel they had come through. The sounds of the rampaging entourage entering Rishid's room came to them very clearly, despite the fact that the wall between them was very thick.
"It will not be long before they discover the means of our flight," Ishizu said grimly, clutching Marik's hand tightly to keep them from being separated in case the tunnel did eventually branch off. She would have taken hold of Rishid's hand as well, if she had thought he would let her.
To her surprise, he took hold of hers. "We must hasten our escape then," he responded. He walked ahead determinedly, attempting to piece together everything he remembered about the palace's tunnels from his own personal studies. The one they were in, Ishizu had informed him, led down into the dungeon. But he had studied blueprints of the palace and this tunnel was not shown on any of them. It was possible that there were many such secretive routes that remained undocumented so as to be as unknown as they could be. He could only hope that they could find another exit. If they were trapped in the dungeon, it would be all of their end for certain.
Behind them he could hear the strange woman's commands for the soldiers to tear the room apart until they found out how the trio had eluded her. And in that moment he knew exactly why the armies had never apprehended the Red Zealot when they'd been supposed to—they were all in on this uprising against him—Rishid, the king! They were on the side of the Red Zealot and yet pretending to be loyal to their ruler. The spies had never found anything strange because they were in on it as well! Every single person in the entire kingdom could be involved. Rishid had no logical reason to trust Ishizu and Marik in this sort of position he had been thrown into. But he doubted neither of them any longer. They were his dear siblings. And he would stop at nothing to protect them now and henceforth. Furiously he dove around a corner, pulling the other two with him.
Ishizu caught her breath as she felt the stone thumping against her chest. It was starting to go fiery red again. She could feel the heat stinging at her flesh. Before long it would be too hot to possibly wear. What would she do then! She couldn't leave it behind! Perhaps she could hold it in her hand by the chain . . . but what if that grew hot as well? It was as if the pendant had a mind of its own and knew when it didn't want to be worn or handled. Such objects were very, very dangerous—and Ishizu knew not how to deal with them. This jewel obviously wanted to be set down immediately, but that was something she couldn't do.
Marik could sense his sister's concern and fear. Her hand in his had started to go clammy and cold, the fingers gripping desperately so as not to lose hold of her younger brother. In addition to her worry about the pendant, Marik knew she had heard what he had just heard as well—the army had found the panel and was breaking it down. In the next moment, they would all be surrounded by the cruel soldiers. And they would die.
Rishid's resolve only hardened. "Come," he ordered, pulling them both with him once more. "I have just found my siblings and I will not lose them again."