Atarya looked at him and smiled.
"So, who should we go visit next? Yugi and Miranda?" Atarya said as they continued walking.
"Whoever you like." Atem said.
Atarya looked at the door that had the symbol of the Spellbinding Circle.
"The meeting room?" Atem asked, looking at the door as well.
They then began to hear voices inside the meeting room.
"A meeting at this hour?" Atem said, hearing the voices and then, looking at his wife.
Atarya shrugged her shoulders.
Atem leaned in to listen.
Inside the meeting room, there were the other priests. Priest Kaiba (the holder of the millennium rod), Shada (the holder of the millennium cross key), Mahad (the holder of the millennium ring) and Karim (the holder of the millennium scale). They were gathered around a stone table and they were also sitting down. Naomi, Atem and Atarya's scribe was getting her writing tool ready.
"We need to tell the Pharaoh that Egypt is in danger." Priest Kaiba said.
Karim was holding the millennium scale and he was shaking, his teeth were chattering very loud.
Naomi, Pharaoh Atem and Pharaoh Atarya's scribe was in there, taking notes.
"When the threat is credible, we will bring it before the Pharaoh." Mahad said. "The bandit king has made many-a threat against us, but seldom followed through."
"Why can't we do it now, Mahad?" Priest Kaiba asked.
"Because I know Atem well." Mahad said, "and he would not hesitate to send out the better part of our Hosts to meet them. Leaving the capitol relatively exposed."
"But, we have to let them know before it gets out of hand." Karim said as he stopped shaking.
Meanwhile, outside of the room…
"Well..." Atem said. "He's not wrong."
"I know. Maybe this is what Isis was having bad nightmares about..." Atarya said, remembering what Isis said to them.
"It could very well be." Atem said, looking at the door.
Atarya began to think and then, she looked at him.
"I'm sorry if I'm going to be a little nosy but, can we go in?" Atarya said.
"I think we'd better." Atem said, raising himself up to his full height.
Atarya began to hold onto his hand.
Atem then opened the door. "What is it you'd like to tell me, Seto?" He said.
"Your Majesty!" Mahad said, immediately dropping to his knee in respect.
Priest Kaiba's eyes grew wide.
"Ph...Pharaoh. What... What a nice surprise." Priest Kaiba said, dropping nervously down to his knee, in respect.
Karim and Shada did the same thing.
Atem then gestured for them to rise. "I'm sure it is." He said.
Mahad then stood up, and just looked over at Kaiba.
Naomi was working on a new stone tablet.
"Pharaoh, Egypt is in trouble." Priest Kaiba said as he was getting back up.
Atem looked at him. "If you are referring to the brigands on our border with their Bandit King, I am aware of their escapades." He said "Though if you know something I don't, please do tell."
Naomi looked up from her stone tablet.
"You must forgive him, Pharaoh," Mahad said "I advised him against..."
"I am aware of your position." Atem said to Mahad, "though let the man explain himself."
Karim looked over at Naomi, who was rather sad.
He walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
Atem was still waiting for Preist Kaiba to explain himself.
"Pharaoh, We've heard from King Bakura..." Priest Kaiba began to say.
"Really?" Atem said. "What does he have to say?"
"He said that he was going to destroy Egypt." Priest Kaiba said.
The Eye of Udjat appeared on Atarya's forehead.
"Really..." Atem said, with an air of superiority "Is he now..."
Atarya began to steam.
Atem looked at her.
Her eyes were turning red.
"He's not going to." Atem said casually "at least if I had anything to say about it."
"Pharaoh..." Mahad said.
Atarya stormed out of the room.
"I'll be back." Atem said.
He then went after Atayra.
Atarya was standing outside of the room, rubbing her belly.
Atem stuck his head out the door and looked at his Queen, slightly concerned.
Her eyes had returned to their normal brown color.
She turned to look at Atem.
"What was that about?" He asked.
"I'm sorry. It's just... I got angry. I want to protect Egypt." Atarya said.
"As do I." Atem said. "Though Bakura and his merry band of thieves are no match for us."
Atarya sighed in relief.
He reached out to her.
Atarya reached out to him.
"Do we have to go back in there? This business about King Bakura is making my stomach do flip flops." Atarya said, feeling a little bit sick to her stomach.
"You don't have to, if you don't want." Atem said. "I had better put Kaiba's mind at ease though."
"We have to do one more thing in there." Atarya said.
"Very well." Atem said.
He then took her by the hand.
Kaiba, Karim, Shada and Mahad were talking and arguing.
Atem entered the room again, and made his presence known.
Naomi began to stand up and curtsied.
"No need." Atem said. "What is all this commotion about?"
"Kaiba won't calm down, Pharaoh." Shada said.
Mahad nodded.
"Kaiba." Atem said "explain yourself."
"Pharaoh, we're all worried about you and Atarya." Priest Kaiba began to say.
"As she is worried for Egypt." Atem said. "I worry about her too. Though I assume you all would like me to do something about the Bandit King, right?"
"I suppose so." Priest Kaiba said, sadly.
"Very well." Atem said. "Have a reply drafted stating that we do not seek war. But if he comes at us, we shall respond with 10 men for every one of his. Is that satisfactory?"
Naomi sighed and laid her head down on the table.
Atem looked over at Naomi and noticed how tired she was. "In the morning, of course." He said "the hour has grown late, and we all require rest."
Karim began to nudge her.
Naomi began to lift her head up from the table.
"Who's going to end the meeting?" Priest Kaiba asked.
"I am." Atem said.
Mahad sighed in relief.
Karim crossed his arms.
"Something you'd like to add?" Atem asked Karim.
"I was wanting to end the meeting but, go ahead." Karim said, sadly.
Atem then looked at Atayra.
Atarya nodded.
"Anyone have any last remarks?" Atem asked.
Naomi then raised her hand.
"Yes?" Atem said.
"If everyone is listening to me, I hope that you all have a good night's rest tonight and keep a lookout for any suspicious activity." Naomi said.
The priests looked at each other.
Atem nodded in approval.
Karim placed the millennium scale onto the table.
Atem places his hand on one side of the Millenium Scale.
He then said. "I, Pharoah Atem..."
"And I, Karim..." Karim said as he placed his hand on the other side of the millennium scale.
"Declare this meeting to be over." Both Atem and Karim said, together.
Just when they said that, there was a bright glow from the millennium scale and then, it dimmed.
(Okay. So, Bandit King Bakura has made a threat towards Egypt and the Pharaoh wants some sort of war treaty. Did he make the right move? Let's hope so. I'm sorry if I don't know what Egyptians write with. Please forgive me. Stay tuned for chapter three.)
