Title: Destiny Within A Grasp
Part: Prologue
Author: Svelte Rose
Written: March 29th, 2004
Comments: Some of YGO's history has been changed around a bit to suit this story's purpose so if you sense anything amiss…point them out and I'll try explaining them to you without revealing this story. ^_^ As with all of my other fanfics (past, present and future), it is pro-Anzu/Tea so don't read if you dislike her character. Heck, I don't know why you would. It should be a light read and the pace is definitely more spread out than my other fic so I hope you enjoy. Please review, it keeps an author happy. XD Oh yeah…I don't own these guys.
Across the Nile River, a slight breeze flew by unsettling the peaceful surface of the water. About a hundred yards down the river another entity caused another set of ripples which in turn, fought against the ripples caused by the slight breeze only for both to compromise somewhere in the middle.
This entity was a flat-deck ship of some sort designed especially for luxury and show rather than more practical uses. Its only useful feature was the canopy that blocked the overbearing rays of the sun from touching three people who occupied the deck. Two of them whom skins were already tanned by the sun could handle the powerful rays upon their back; it was the third occupant, a moderately fair-skinned lady where they believed the sun would prove too much.
Twirling her parasol, she smiled as she looked down into the waters, admiring the aqua-blue color. Taking off a crisp white glove, she ran her bare fingers along the side; enjoying the cool touch.
"My lady, I would not do that if I were you," One of her companions warned in Arabic; arm muscles flexing with every stroke.
She immediately snatched her hand back up and smiled thankfully to the man. Tucking her hand back into the white glove, she thanked the gods that unlike the first three months of voyage on a crowded ship, this was an improvement she very much welcomed.
Weariness loomed over her like a shadow but she refused to allow it affect her much if any. Plus, as luxurious as her current accommodations were, it was much too bright out for her to take the nap she wished for. Added to that, they were only a few minutes from their destination.
The brunette could tell by the amount of guards that were stationed along the bank. They were scattered few and far when she first loaded onto this boat but now, she didn't even need to search for them. With their right hands resting lightly on their scimitars and their left hands clutching their bow, their trained eyes followed the single boat as it neared a small dock of some sort. Upon the deck stood about ten to fifteen armed soldiers and one familiar man whom she waved enthusiastically to.
A rope was thrown to one of the soldiers on the small deck. Gently, they steered the boat slowly towards the small deck. Two more arrived with a large ramp of some sort and propped it against the boat. Offering their hands to the brunette lady, they bowed respectfully as she stepped off, the layers of her yellow dress swaying with each step.
The brunette was slightly surprised when her parasol was taken from her hands but she understood when the familiar shadow fell over her. Accepting the offered hands, she walked off the boat onto the ramp and then onto the small deck.
"Welcome back Lady Teana," The familiar man finally greeted as he bowed to her figure.
"Priest Mahaad," A smile blossomed upon her features as she lifted a hand to his face tenderly. "Terribly sorry for taking so long,"
~*~*~*~
Despite her long years away from Egypt, she had never forgotten the skill of riding a camel. Unfortunately, her body was not used to the exertions needed to handle the rough ride to the palace. When they finally reached their desired destination, Tea barely held her yell of relief as she was helped off the camel back. Closing her eyes for a moment, she concentrated and the soreness of her bottom disappeared twice as fast as it had taken for them to appear.
"All these years and nothing has changed," The brunette murmured quietly to herself.
Mahaad stepped up next to her offering his elbow, "Physical appearances aren't everything,"
Nodding slightly in understanding, she took his arm and was quickly led inside.
~*~*~*~
Walking through several corridors, up many flight of stairs and down many hallways, the Lady Teana felt as though she would never reach her desired destinations. About twenty or thirty guards followed her closely, still on guard.
Finally, she and the Priest Mahaad stopped in front of two large white double-doors. With a slight command, the doors slid open and greeting the brunette's sight were three more familiar individuals.
"Lady Teana," They spoke in unison; their bodies subconsciously guarding the bed which stood in the center of the three.
"Priestess Isis, Priest Karim, Priest Shadah," She acknowledged respectfully, "…how is he?" Unlatching her arm from Mahaad's elbow, she quickly took her white gloves off and approached the large bed.
The only other female among that group, the Priestess Isis grimly answered for the rest of them, "There is a disease which has taken a hold of his body and we have tried all we can to rid the evil which has taken a hold of his mind. There seems to be some sort of barrier around his soul room of which we cannot reach. When we do try, it seems to have a worst effect upon his body, with each attempt. That is why we contacted you when we did. His conditioned was maintained as well as possible, until you reached us,"
"And I thought you only wanted to see me," She joked slightly, her blue eyes twinkling.
Priest Karim smiled at her, "Do not believe otherwise that that is one of the main reasons we have called you back,"
Sitting down on the bed, Tea looked fondly upon the matured face of a boy she used to play with many years ago. Running a slender finger along his feverish brow, it seemed to have calmed some of the set agitation which seemed permanently set into an otherwise handsome face. "Priest Shadah, if memory serves me correctly, you are the only one who can reach his soul room in any other circumstances, am I right?"
He nodded, "You are correct Lady Teana,"
"Alright," She replied before moving to shift the sheets away from his chest. Her hands glowed slightly as she set the covers down and the glow only grew in intensity as she neared his chest. "Lay your hands upon me Priest Shadah,"
Only hesitating for a moment, the Priest Shadah quickly understood what the brunette planned to attempt. Laying his fingers upon her forehead, they glowed brightly as she slowly pressed her palms against the feverish chest.
In a split second, the large room was encompassed in a flash of bright light.
~*~*~*~
Jerking only a little in his seat, the aging man growled and pounded his fist upon the seat, "I was so close…I don't understand how they could've broken my hold," Trying once more, he was only met with an unfamiliar surge of power. Concentrating on the unfamiliar power, he could sense a bit of the Ankh's power entwined within the energy threads before he was once more, pushed out of the Pharoah's mind.
"Who the hell could that be?"
"It's her," Another voice joined the aging man's musings. Twirling a small, golden rod in his hand, the tall figure stepped out of the shadows, stared at the aging man and smirked, "She has finally come back,"
End Prologue…
End Notes: I wanted this part to be longer but then I realized…it was the freaking prologue. Prologues aren't supposed to be long and since there's so much more to come, I didn't want to reveal it all within the first part.
Romance will come in later chapters; I haven't figured out who will be paired with who though. @_@
As I said before, some of YGO's history in Ancient Egypt has been changed a bit to suit this story's purpose. It's set right after the Priest Set had a misunderstanding with the Pharoah Atem when Kisara died. They split their ways with Akunadin and Set on one side, the rest on the other side. If you have questions, I'm more than happy to answer them. ^_^ Comments appreciated – in fact I thrive upon them! ::big grin:: Plus, being that it's my first long YGO fanfic, I need people to point out inconsistencies when they see them. Ah yes…you've heard it before but do know that finding the little "Fanfiction Alert" in our mailboxes makes us authors very, very motivated to write more. XD