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I love you more than anything.
I know.
Gods be with you.
And you.
Aah!
Don't be afraid.
I mean you no harm.
I have a message for you.
Princess Ariadne.
Run.
Guards!
There's nowhere left for you to run.
Argh!
Do we know who this man is?
He has yet to regain consciousness.
I thought Princess Ariadne might be
able to tell us more.
Ariadne.
Did you recognise
the man who attacked you?
I'd never seen him before.
What became of him? Did he escape?
He was wounded by one
of the archers.
Did this man say anything to you?
He demanded my jewellery and said
he would hurt me if I did not comply.
Mm.
He said nothing else?
I'm not inclined to converse
with thieves.
Must have been a terrible
shock for you. You look pale.
You should get some sleep.
Would you please escort Ariadne
to her chambers?
Do you believe her?
Why would a thief attempt to
steal from the king's daughter?
There are far easier
pickings in the city.
No
Ariadne seemed more concerned
for the man's fate
than for her own safety.
Then what did this man
want with her?
We shall have to persuade him
to tell us.
Do not fail me, my friend.
Excuse me, sorry, sorry
I can't believe you talked us
into betting what little money
we have on a beetle.
Hercules told
me his beetle has never lost a race.
That's true. Never actually been
in a race, though, has it?
That is also true, but I swear
to you, it's as swift as an eagle.
An eagle? Really?
Well, maybe not that swift,
but it's swift for a beetle.
We have to get our money back.
Well, it's not all our money.
I have some gold coins hidden under
the floorboards in my chamber.
You HAD some gold coins under
the floorboards in your chamber.
I have gambled them on your behalf.
Ooh
Ahem.
Go on! Go on, run!
Run faster!
Run faster, faster.
I will squash you like a fly. Go!
Go!
Yes!
We did it!
We're rich! We did it!
What is it you want with
the princess Ariadne?
I meant to rob her.
Hm.
I don't believe you.
I can give you jewels.
All you ever dreamed of.
But you must tell me the truth.
I can give you jewels
..or pain. That is all.
What is it you want with Ariadne?
I meant to rob her.
Then you have made your choice.
Fetch me when he's ready to talk.
Argh!
Is there something troubling you,
Ariadne?
I'm told the intruder was caught,
he cannot harm you.
He meant me no harm.
There is something
I must ask of you.
I would not do
so if it were not important.
What in earth are you doing?
I'm fetching breakfast.
I've seen him eat worse
when he's drunk.
Not for me, you fool,
it's for Astrabacus.
Who's Astrabacus? It's the name
I've given to my beetle.
You've named him?
After his victory last night,
it's no less than he deserves.
Astrabacus? You don't
think that's a little grand?
For a dung beetle?
You may mock all you like,
but Astrabacus is the most valuable
possession we have.
That is truly depressing.
Korinna!
What are you doing here?
I was hoping I might speak with you.
Alone.
I've received word
that the man I love
is at the ruined palace at Synas.
I must journey there
if I am to see him.
Why can't he come to Atlantis?
He was accused of a crime
he didn't commit
and forced to flee the city.
If he returns, he faces imprisonment.
The mountains are full of robbers
and it isn't safe for me
to travel alone.
But if I don't go,
he will think I have forsaken him.
So you want me to escort you?
I wouldn't ask
if there were any other way.
It's been many months
since I've seen him.
Then I'll take you to him.
Thank you.
For whom do you make an offering?
I ask the gods to look favourably
upon all those I care for.
The intruder from last night
It would seem that robbery
was not his true purpose.
He told you this himself? Not yet.
But he shall talk, soon enough.
I will leave you to your prayers.
Uh what are you doing?
I'm giving Astrabacus
some mountain air.
It will make him strong.
You brought him with you?
Where I go, he goes.
If I didn't know better,
I'd say you were in love.
I heard you were in love
with Medusa.
Has she said something?
Does she speak of me often?
No. Pythagoras told me. Did I?
It may have slipped out.
You'll have to console yourself
with the love of your dung beetle.
He's a better friend to me than you.
I admire your courage.
Lesser men would have broken by now.
I have told you all I know.
We shall see.
Please!
No more!
Tell me what it is you wish to know
and I will end your pain.
What is it you want with Ariadne?
Argh!
II was to
I was to deliver a message.
A message?
Who was it from?
It was from her brother.
He's dead.
The prince lives.
He is here? In Atlantis?
He waits for her at Synas.
You promised to end my pain.
And I will.
Argh!
You told me Therus was dead.
How is it I've just learned
that he lives?
I did not say the prince was dead.
I said he was lost at sea.
You deliberately misled me!
The images I see
are not always clear.
You must interpret them as you can.
And what else have you told me
that I can no longer trust?
I speak the truth
when I tell you now
that your hunger for power will lead
to bloodshed and suffering.
And you think you can stop me?
With your lies and deceit?
It is not I who will stop you.
And what about your own future? Hm?
What do you see for yourself?
The gods will not allow me
to see my own destiny.
Then do not make the mistake
of thinking that
you are untouchable.
Mislead me again, and I shall
determine your fate for you.
How can that be?
You told me Therus was dead.
I believed it to be true.
If Ariadne were to learn
the true reason he fled Atlantis
We cannot allow that to happen.
Take a squad of soldiers to Synas.
Kill Therus. Burn his body.
He is the king's son.
Do you think Ariadne will accept
your hand in marriage
if she learns the truth?
If you wish to take the throne,
you will do as I say.
They've been attacked by thieves.
Shouldn't we at least
bury the bodies?
Mountain paths
are littered with corpses.
We can't bury them all.
My lord,
if I'm to give orders to my men,
I must know the nature of my mission.
It seems the intruder was part
of a plot to kidnap Ariadne.
The other conspirators
are hiding out at Synas.
Your men are to take no prisoners.
Do not fear, Ariadne.
We've learned why the intruder
was in the palace.
And why was that?
He was sent by your brother.
It seems the traitor has returned.
I do not believe he is a traitor.
It's been hard for all of us
to accept his betrayal -
you more than anyone.
Fortunately, the intruder has
told us where Therus is hiding.
Heptarian rides to Synas
as we speak.
What will Heptarian do
if he finds Therus? Ah, now
No - it's best not
to think about it.
You've been through quite an ordeal.
Therus will soon be dead.
This will all be over.
I will continue alone.
Are you sure it's safe?
You cry out,
it'll be the last thing you do.
Who are you?
I bring word from your sister.
What are they doing in there?
Really, Pythagoras?
Do I have to explain with diagrams?
They will not thank us
for interrupting them
You can trust them,
they're my friends.
I'm ready to return to Atlantis.
Really? That was quick.
The light's fading.
The mountain paths are too dangerous
in the dark.
We should make camp for the night.
Ariadne.
What is it?
It's nothing.
I was just taking some air.
What troubles you?
I was thinking of Therus.
There isn't a day that passes
when he does not enter my thoughts.
When I learned of his betrayal
There is no greater sadness.
Therus loved and respected you.
I cannot believe
he meant you any harm.
Those he plotted with confessed -
why would he flee the city
if it were not true?
With Therus gone,
you are more precious to me
than ever.
I do not say it often enough.
Hm What is it?
I don't believe they've ever
been lovers.
They've barely said two words
to each other.
Why would Korinna lie to us?
I don't know.
We should be on our guard.
Shh! Soldiers.
Astrabacus!
Hercules, no!
Oh! Praise the gods!
Ugh!
You would risk your life
for a beetle?
He's like family to me.
Go!
What are soldiers from Atlantis doing
out here in the middle of the night?
They're here for you, aren't they?
For what crime
did you flee the city?
I was accused of plotting
to kill my father the king.
You're Prince Therus? The king's son?
I know a hunting lodge
in the mountains.
We'll be safe there.
Great - now we're traitors.
You know what they do to traitors
I have a pretty good idea.
You mean to tell me he escaped?
I have scouts searching
the mountains.
He will not get far.
No.
No, what Therus seeks is not
to be found in the mountains.
It is here
In Atlantis.
Ariadne?
She will not be able to resist
the thought of seeing her brother.
She will lead us to him.
Astrabacus needs
to build up his strength.
Breakfast -
most important meal of the day.
Where are you going?
I must go to Ariadne myself.
It's too dangerous for you
to enter the city.
They'll be searching for you.
It's the only way.
We'll bring your sister to you.
Are you completely out of your mind?
You intend to smuggle
the princess Ariadne
out of Atlantis,
under the nose of the queen
and the entire garrison?
Yes.
You would do this for me?
I would do it for your sister.
Surely after all that has happened,
Ariadne will be under guard.
You won't be able to get to her.
I won't. Corrina will.
Wait at the servants' entrance
above the Northern Gate.
I'll send Ariadne to you.
Corrina. I was so worried for you,
I feared you'd been caught.
Therus, is he alive? Your brother
is safe, he's in the mountains.
I must go to him.
I believe that's
what's expected of you.
You're being watched.
Out of my way!
Lord Heptarian.
Will you help me find my brother?
Your Highness.
Ariadne is missing.
We fear she may have been abducted.
Seal the city. She cannot be allowed
to leave, I want her found.
I will see to it.
Ariadne must not reach her brother.
She cannot be allowed
to learn the truth.
Is there something troubling you?
What is it?
You could have told me
the truth about your brother.
I would have gladly helped you.
You asked me and my friends
to risk our lives on a lie.
I'm sorry,
I shouldn't have done that.
It's difficult for me to know
who I can trust.
You can trust me, Ariadne.
They've discovered I'm missing.
We need to get off the streets.
This is where you live?
Yes. For now.
You should change your clothes
if we're to escape the city.
Here.
Oh, you can change in there.
Thank you, Jason.
Is everything all right?
You keep horse dung in jars? No!
Well, yes, but it's not mine,
it belongs to Hercules.
For his pet beetle.
He has a beetle for a pet? Yes.
Hercules is a man of many strange
and disgusting habits.
How do I look?
You look
Well, you don't
look like a princess.
Good.
You've tidied up.
No. I mean Not really.
I was looking for something, a bowl.
Which I found.
Er It's not for now,
it's for another time.
We should go.
Erm
Yeah.
Have they found her?
No. The city is sealed,
the search continues.
I've already lost one child,
I cannot bear to lose another.
You did not lose Therus,
he betrayed you.
We must pray to the Gods
that Ariadne is found.
The Gods punish
me for taking the throne.
For all that we did to seize power.
This is not the work of the gods,
it is the work of men
and they will be caught.
They will be executed.
I always thought that I desired
the throne more than anything.
Perhaps I have paid
a price that is too high.
You cannot truly believe that.
I'm no longer certain what I believe.
Be certain of this. If you show
weakness, our enemies will strike,
and you will lose everything
including your beloved daughter.
Run. That's it.
Run, run like the wind!
Yeah, he has the legs of a gazelle
and the heart of a lion.
Have you met Extrapicus?
I'll fetch some water.
Therus may be a prince among men
but you are a prince among beetles.
You seem to be getting
very attached.
I fear beetles only live
a short time.
Then our time together
will be even more precious.
I said, open the bag!
We'll never make it past the guards.
We need to find another way
out of the city.
Go.
You there - stop!
Come with me.
Why are you helping me?
I serve the King.
Jason should have returned by now.
I'm sure he's fine, you should eat
something. I have no appetite.
Where's Therus?
He's fetching some water.
I have no idea what you're saying.
I said, he's fetching some water.
You're making me anxious with all
this pacing around. Sit, eat.
Eat what?
A moment ago, you said
you had no appetite.
What was that?
Oh, look what you've
done, you clumsy idiot!
That's Extrapicus. He's gone.
Well, he can't have gone far.
Extrapicus.
You do realise he's a beetle
and he can't understand you?
Just help me find him.
Extrapicus.
Oh, no. What was it?
I I think I may have just
trodden on Extrapicus.
No!
Oh, it's a spider!
It's just a spider!
Oh, praise the gods!
Oh, there he is there!
Don't crush him.
I'm not crushing him.
You're crushing him! I'm not.
Ohh Thought I'd lost you!
Oh, erm
Hey It's his pet beetle.
I did not dare to believe it was
really you.
You've grown up.
You were just a little girl
when I last saw you.
It's been over ten years, Therus.
I know.
I'm sorry.
I cannot tell you how good it is to
look upon you with my own eyes.
My little sister.
Thank you for bringing her to me.
Perhaps you could give us
some time alone.
You must be thirsty after your
journey.
Thank you.
Why did you leave?
I do not believe that you conspired
to kill our father.
Say it isn't so.
Just before I came of age,
I uncovered a plot.
I was to be killed.
It was Pasiphae.
She was behind it.
When I learned the truth,
she knew I would tell the king.
There was no plot to kill him.
Pasiphae created it to discredit me.
She knew I'd have no choice
but to flee.
What of the men who confessed to
plotting with you?
Pasiphae threatened to *** their
families
if they didn't say I was a traitor.
Those men were innocent.
Pasiphae had them executed to
protect herself.
I always knew she desired the throne.
I did not know she'd go to
such lengths.
She'll do anything to seize power.
She will kill anyone who
stands between her and the throne.
All those years ago, it was me.
But now that person is you.
You come of age soon.
You will become heir to the throne.
Your life is in danger.
Our father would never let any
harm come to me.
As much as you love him, he is no
match for Pasiphae.
He can no more protect you than
he was able to protect me.
You must come away with me and never
return to Atlantis.
I can't do that.
I will not leave Atlantis.
I feared you would say that.
Forgive me, sister.
Jason, we were worried about you.
At least, I was.
I had more important things
to worry about.
Pythagoras nearly
stood on Astrabacus.
I didn't nearly stand on Astrabacus,
it was a spider.
Princess Ariadne with you?
She's inside with Therus.
Do we have any food? I'm starving.
Prince Therus ate all the bread.
That's royalty for you. They don't
think about anyone but themselves.
What is it?
It's belladonna. A powerful sedative.
Why would Therus drug his own
sister?
I'm going after them.
Ariadne.
Why are you doing this?
Ariadne's life is in danger.
I have to take her away.
If you will drug her,
she has no say in the matter.
I have to protect her. If you care
for her at all, you will let us go.
I care for your sister more
than anything.
I will not let you
take her against her will.
Then I have no choice
but to kill you.
I would gladly give my life for her.
I must do this. I'm sorry.
No!
Therus, I cannot go with you.
I will not leave the people to the
mercy of Pasiphae.
It is my duty to stay in Atlantis.
You'll be of no help to the people
if you are dead.
If it means abandoning the city
and turning my back on those I care
for
..then I would rather be dead.
Lower your sword.
Please.
You must go.
And I must stay.
I hope someday,
I might be able to return.
I wish for that more than anything.
I will send word when I can.
Is he a part of the reason you
stay in Atlantis?
As I said
..there are many people I care for.
Farewell, little sister.
Farewell.
I cannot thank you enough
for everything you've done.
I must go.
Ariadne.
In the forest when Therus had his
sword to me
..how much of what I said did you
hear? Very little.
I was still a little drowsy.
What did you say?
Nothing, really.
No, I was just curious.
Ariadne.
Where have you been?
The entire garrison has been
searching for you.
If they thought to look for me in the
temple, they would have found me
consulting with the oracle. I'm sorry
if I've caused you concern.
And what did the oracle tell
you of your future?
She warned me that I must be careful.
It seems there are those who
plot against me.
Do you really expect me to believe
that you were with the oracle?
I no longer care what you believe.
I see you exactly for what you are.
I have been out of my mind!
I feared something had happened
to you!
I am perfectly safe.
I cannot bear the thought
of any harm coming to you.
I love you more than anything in
this world. And I you.
Come, let me walk you to your
chamber.
We've been through a lot these past
few days, you and I.
I risked my life for yours, now it's
time for you to repay that debt.
Come on!
What happened?!
I believe that's my shirt you're
wearing.
You bet your shirt?
I was confident of victory.
Your shirt, if you will.
What if the beetle we found at the
farmstead wasn't Astrabacus
but an entirely different beetle?
You think of that now?
Well, all beetles are alike.
No, they're clearly not all alike,
otherwise I would not be standing
before you
without the shirt on my back.
What about your beetle?
That is not my beetle.
He is lazy, slow, and useless.
Then I shall call him Hercules.
I wish to capture
the heart of the woman I love.
I've heard your powers are
unrivalled.