It's been forever! I have been dying to get back into writing and I've decided to write my first story since I was in high school. Please enjoy the story and please forgive my prolonged absence.
I do not own YuGiOh!
The sun was blistering hot and made the young man's vision swim. The fortress in the distant shivered and shook with the wind and the intense heat. The young man wiped the beads of sweat that formed on his brow as he looked again down at the sheets of papyrus that lay before him.
"Pharaoh, I urge you to consider my proposition," came a voice from behind. The young man turned to greet his friend with a loose hug.
"Welcome to the battlefield, High Priest," said Pharaoh. "It's good to have you here. As for that proposition, I have given it a great deal of thought. Tell me again what it is you plan to do."
High Priest Seto smiled and flattened a map of the fortress before them. "My plan is simple. The fortress guards change at dawn and dusk. There is a small window of time when there are no guards patrolling the outer walls. During that time I propose that we mobilize a small group of agile and powerful soldiers to lead a pre-emptive strike. They will make their way to the gatehouse, raise the gate and thus allow the rest of our company to fill the fortress, taking it while no one is aware."
Pharaoh nodded and smiled. "I had no idea you were such a brilliant strategist, High Priest. I believe your plan may be our best bet. I trust that you would be able to find the intrusion squad before nightfall?"
"I already had some men stored away for just such an occasion, Pharaoh," Seto replied. "That fortress will be ours by dawn and the commander's head at your feet." Seto bowed and left at a wave of Pharaoh's hand.
Pharaoh Atem had tried to capture the rebel fortress for over two weeks. It had proven difficult. The soldiers were disciplined and innovative with their fighting techniques and they had managed to stay every attack Atem led on them, resulting in Atem himself being injured. That was why he called for his High Priest to come and help him in taking the compound.
Night was fast approaching. Seto approached Atem one last time before he led the invasion force to the fortress walls. He explained that he would light a signal fire when the battle was over and the fortress commander was captured. Atem agreed to this and tried to rest as the sounds of battle carried across the sands.
Hours passed and nothing had happened. Atem could not sleep and waited anxiously for the signal fire to be lit. At last a guard shouted and Atem saw it. A tiny pinprick of light waved in the distance and flourished into the signal Seto promised.
"That's the signal!" Atem cried. He made his way to his chariot and rode to the gates of the fortress. Men lined the roadway and cheered as their king rode through into the conquered fort. When Atem reached the main courtyard, Seto greeted him with a warm smile.
"Your men fight like black lions, Pharaoh! I've never seen such tenacity!" He patted Atem's shoulder and apologized briefly after Atem hissed in pain.
"I pride myself on having the best fighting force in Egypt but these men were something else. I'd like to recruit them to our side. I trust you'll see to that, Seto?" The priest nodded and motioned for Atem to follow him.
"We managed to capture the commander and a few of his close associates," Seto explained. "They're waiting for you in here." Atem followed Seto into the main building and was greeted by four very burly men.
"I am Pharaoh Atem. You rebels have had run of this desert for far too long. This fort is now under my royal control." Atem paced in front of the men. They were all taller and more muscular than himself but he wasn't about to let them intimidate him. "Which of you is the commander?"
"I am," said the middle man. He was boorish with short black hair and a black beard. "My name is Commander Tanus."
"Commander Tanus," Atem said slowly. "I will only say this once so please pay attention. I will give you two options. Either you surrender all of your men and arms to the Royal Army and serve under me or we will execute every last soldier that remains. The choice is yours." Atem stopped pacing and stared at Tanus. "What will it be?"
Out of the corner of Atem's eye he saw movement. A girl was peeking behind a curtain.
"Father? What's going on?"
Atem turned quickly and his guards grabbed the girl who squealed at being caught. Tanus' face changed from unreadable to greatly concerned.
"Anzu, no!" He glared at Atem. "Don't you dare harm my daughter."
"Your daughter?" Atem looked at the girl wriggling in the guard's grasp. Her face was covered with a veil and she wore a loose travelling outfit.
"How about I take her instead? I could always use another pretty face in the palace." He attempted to remove the veil but the girl almost bit his hand. He grabbed her chin and stared at her. "I could kill her too, if you refuse. I'd be done with the lot of you. What do you think, Tanus?"
Tanus fell to his knees. "Please, do not harm my daughter. If you bring her to your palace and assure me she won't be harmed...I'll join your army." He looked down, clearly ashamed of making such a petty bargain.
"You'll serve me without any fuss? That is tempting..." Atem said slowly. He looked again at the girl and stared into her blue eyes. Perhaps I may find use for you, little desert flower...
"All right, Commander. I'll take your offer. I will bring her to the palace with me and I'll let you and your men live...for now. However, should any of you try to commit treason against my crown I'll see all of you and your daughter fed to my crocodiles." He let go of the girl's chin and stood beside Seto. "Do I make myself absolutely clear?"
"Yes... Your Majesty," Tanus choked out. Atem nodded to Seto and he left them. He walked back to his chariot and told his guardsmen to pack up his camp and prepare the boats. He had good news to bring home.
I hope you enjoyed this first little chapter of what I hope will be a great story. Truth be told I'm totally making this up as I go. Anyway, please R&R! Loads of love, RAINBOWxDASH ^_^