Aythadis gathered the remaining crew together and told them of the plan to leave the Olmec village and attempt their return to home. All of them knew this would bring about a confrontation with the Kraken, the enforcer creature in the menagerie controlled by the Sea God, Poseidon. But there would be other challenges too, maybe more painful than defeat or death at the hands of the gods.
Thanos pondered what he should do about Jade Rain. Bartuc, ever the free spirit, wondered how to go about freeing himself of River Sun's attentions. Thanatos, for the first time in his life, felt a calling that was different; for he was being called to the girl named Three Monkey, now 14 and only two years away from being of age according to Olmec tradition.
Edes had no such concern. Troubled as he was with self- doubt about his worthiness for Ilyena, there was another matter that troubled him more. So when Aythadis signaled the conference was over, Edes secretly sought out Thanatos to do what he decided must be done. Thanatos tensed as Edes touched his arm to get his attention, then followed warily as Edes guided him to a quiet corner of the village where the Tyrean believed they would not be disturbed. Edes looked around to make sure they were alone and then began to say to Thanatos what was on his mind.
"Until now I have not had the chance to tell you I consider myself in your debt for your saving Ilyena from Seven Death."
Thanatos blinked. "Saved Ilyena? She saved me twice, once in the city and once when I made that foolish maneuver on that cursed High Priest. You have this all wrong, Tyrean, replied the Thracian.
Edes shook his head in disagreement. "No, I think not. You went to the city on your own against Aythadis' orders to attempt to rescue her. Then, weaponless, you defended Ilyena from Seven Death despite his knife and staff. No, Thanatos, I do not think I have it wrong."
Thanatos looked down at his feet momentarily, then looked at Edes. "It is I who was in your debt all along, Edes. You saved my life when Cerek would surely have ended my days. I saw no chance to help you in kind, but through Ilyena I hoped to make good on my debt. You are not in my debt at all."
"There is something I must say and do regardless. Then your opinion may change substantially," said Edes, his face becoming even more serious and strained. He reached into his shirt and from some compartment within near his waist so its bulk would not be visible he drew out a small pouch. Opening the pouch he withdrew a small object about the size of an unshelled almond. It was red in color and sparkled in the moonlight.
"The Jewel of Ares!" exclaimed Thanatos. "You had this jewel all of this time?! You were the thief I sought?!" His hand involuntarily reached for the hilt of his sword... and then rested there. Edes made no move to defend himself. Thanatos looked at Edes and saw what he had never expected to see in the young man's eyes. No, not fear... It was sadness, regret, shame. Thanatos removed his hand from his sword's hilt and held it out to Edes, palm up. Edes handed the jewel and pouch to Thanatos seemingly sighing in relief.
"It is done," he said resignedly. "But Thanatos, I am not the thief who stole this jewel from Ares. Here is the truth of the matter. There was another who stole this jewel who was clever of hand but not of mind. Not knowing its value that temple thief wagered his red gem in a cube game with me and others. I carried special cubes then that always won. So you see, while I stole the jewel from the real thief, I did not steal it from the Temple of Ares itself. Until you appeared I had no idea it was the jewel of a god. I thought it a valuable gem and that is all. It has troubled me ever since... well, ever since I met Aythadis in Tyre, met and heard you on the ship and learned Ilyena's secret.'
'What I did was not right. I cannot represent myself to Ilyena as worthy of her if I carry the evidence of my failings with me knowing full well what I should do to make amends. If you cannot call me friend after this, I understand. But at least you will be at peace with your god and your mission accomplished. Farewell, Thanatos. Tell Aythadis I have learned his lessons well and my failure is plain to see." Edes turned and began to walk towards the village's perimeter, obviously intent on entering the jungle bound for some unknown destination away from the village and the ship.
Thanatos stared after the young man in surprise and no small amount of confusion. It was nearly too late when the Thracian finally reacted. "Edes, wait!" Thanatos ran after the Tyrean. Now at the very edge of the jungle, Edes stopped and turned around to see why Thanatos called.
"Edes, you are more worthy than you know," said Thanatos, breathing hard after closing the distance between the two. "You should not be the judge, let Ilyena be the judge. Tell her what you have done. Give her some time and then you will know whether she finds you worthy or not. Do this and I shall consider all debts repaid... you understand?"
"I think so," said Edes. "But I don't know how telling her of the thief I was would make me worthy in her eyes."
"Just do it, Edes. Promise it to me on the souls of your ancestors," said Thanatos.
Edes looked at Thanatos thoughtfully. "Alright, Thanatos. I promise on the souls of my ancestors." Then Edes walked away once more, but this time in the direction of the village and the place where Ilyena rested.
Thanatos looked down and stared at the red jewel turning it over and over in his hand. Making up his mind, he placed the jewel in its pouch then reached into a pocket and withdrew the piece of bone with the carving of the open hand given to him in a dark Tyrean alley by Aythadis. He replaced the piece of bone in his pocket with the jewel pouch. Then he purposefully walked in the direction of the place where he last saw Aythadis. It was time he became a member of the crew.
A little corner of his mind gnawed at him, however. 'What of Three Monkey?' it said to him over and over. 'What of Three Monkey?'