I kept shivering from the cold as the dark robe I had one wasn't keeping me warm enough.
I was still unable to see anything due to the robe's cape that had been deeply pulled over my head by
my kidnapper but I didn't dare to rebel against this person and lift it off.
I could notice the horse was starting to slow down it's phase as I heard we were getting towards a noisy area
that kept getting louder with each moment we rode towards it.
The horse had stopped riding as I heard my kidnapper jump off and carelessly pulled me off from the horse as well.
'' Tie Khnu next to the other horses. '' I heard my kidnapper tell someone when I heard both hooves and footsteps on the ground leaving us.
I was pushed forward to walk towards the noisy atmosphere as with each step my heart kept beating loudly as my thoughts kept panicking me
on where I was and what would happen to me. Everything I heard and smelled overwhelmed me, as I had to use my other senses as
much as possible to comprehend what the situation looked like.
I smelled burned wood everywhere and felt the heat of fire coming out from it, which I had to admit I was deeply grateful off now that the feeling of the tremendous cold I had felt during the horse ride was slowly leaving my body. I heard the sounds of drums and flutes being played in the background, as I smelled a heavy mixture of both spiced meat and beer and wine lingering around the place. I also heard many masculine but also feminine voices of people varying from normal chit-chatting till shouting and swearing and even some noises which made my cheeks burn from embarrassment, happy I still had my cape on so I
wouldn't have to see any of the scenery's that took place around here.
'' Hey Boss! Who is that person you snatched? a girl? or a boy? '' I heard someone shout as more people started to join in on the commotion and I could feel all eyes were caught on me, as I was still being pushed forward by my captor. '' It's a girl of course you fool, look at those full lips and that feminine jaw line of hers. ''
I heard a woman shout as a smack was being given, probably to the person who asked the question.
'' Why did you hit me like that you tramp? You want to fight with me again? '' I heard the man shout, followed by the sounds of glasses that
were being thrown around. People suddenly started to scream around and protest as a fight was being set into motion.
I nearly tripped over something as people started to push one another, when my kidnapper held me by my waist, preventing me from falling.
'' ENOUGH. '' I heard my kidnapper shout loudly as the commotion instantly dropped and people were dead silent.
'' All of you clean this filthy mess up right now and try to keep the volume down or else there will be trouble for each and every one of you! Do you all understand? '' My kidnapper said. '' Yes Chief Marik. '' Everyone replied all at once.
Marik?... No way. You have got to be kidding me. That fight at the palace was with the ...
I was being pushed behind me again to proceed as thousand of thoughts rushed through my head, my eyes big of shock and utter fright but luckily no one could see from underneath my robe cape. I heard a door being shut behind me and I instinctively walked away from him until I accidentally hit myself against the wall and allowed myself to drop on the ground with my back against it. I tried to make myself as small as possible while dropping my head on my knees.
I heard footsteps slowly walking towards me as I was literally preparing myself for the worst. My cape was being lifted off, and as moments went by without anything happening, my curiosity was just exploding inside of me as I slowly looked up into my captors eyes whose face was near me as he had bent down to look at me.
''...Why are you down on the ground for? '' Marik said bluntly. I felt like I had lost my ability to speak the moment I stared at Marik who I'd heard thousand of rumors off throughout the years from anyone I encountered, which growing up drove a certain fascination within me as in who he really was or what he really looked like from all the speculations that I heard off. Right now I just couldn't believe this was actually him I was seeing.
He as many others were originally part of the rivaling Nubian Dynasty that my country and its people had many ferocious battles with throughout the years.
It is said that he and his tribe are neither loyal to the Nubian Royal Family itself nor loyal towards The Egyptians either.
They were allowed to keep their own nomadic tribe and their rituals and practices by the Nubian King if they would insist on helping the Nubians fight the Egyptians since the men and woman born in these tribes were said to be powerful warriors and that they certainly never lost any battle they participated in.
It had deplored my father for many years that he wasn't able to gain their loyalty first so that they could fight for us against the Nubians instead of the other way around. Out of all of the tribe members, Marik was one of their most respected and powerful leaders. He was able to march and command many victorious battles which for his age was very admirable to many people as his name got wide-spread throughout the regions.
I couldn't help but stare at his appearance, it all didn't make sense how he could be from Nubian Descent. He had ashed blonde spiky hair, his eyes were light purple, his skin tone wasn't even that dark as most Nubians were, yet the skin around his eyes were covered in tribal Nubian marks, indicating that he really was Nubian. They looked really pretty, they fitted his beauty..wait? what did I just think?! I thought mentally slapping myself.
'' Are you going to say anything or what? '' He said annoyed with each second passing by.
I opened my mouth, but closed it again. Why should I have to answer? I was the Princess of Egypt and he had just kidnapped me. Why was I admiring him for?
He is a terrible person! He not only kidnapped me, but his people also attacked the palace including my brother and he also killed... The realization hit me again on what happened to Manet as I tried to stay strong in front of this guy but I was never good in hiding my emotions.
He rolled his eyes and stood up. '' Tssk, so much for your royal attitude huh? '' He snorted while he took a seat on a
wooden box and started sharpening one of his pocket knives.
I glared at him and remained on the ground, my thoughts lost in all that happened tonight.
Suddenly a knock was heard on the door as a more masculine guy appeared into the room.
His hair tended more towards white and he only had one tribal mark around his left eye, but other than Marik and this guy both shared the same eye color and skin tone, as if they were practically brothers. '' Marik, we just arrived back from the Egyptian palace but those damn Royal Guards of The Pharaoh summoned their
Ka monsters to outnumber us, nobody is dead but there are some who are injured from the battle. We have managed to steal as many gold's and valuable treasures and one of our warriors even managed to injure The Pharaoh himself. What will we u have us to do from here on? '' The guy said as he bent down on one knee and bowed his head towards Marik. '' We managed to get our hands on the gold and items just like the Nubian King requested us to do, therefore our mission
hereby accomplished. We will bring most of the gold and treasures to The King and keep a small portion for our own tribe like we always secretly do.
But we must first tend towards recovering our people who fell wounded during the battle and then make our way towards Nubia again. ''
Marik said as he stopped sharpening his knife and placed his hands on the guys shoulder.
'' Do not grief over the wounded Bakura, you were an excellent commander out there and you should be proud of yourself my cousin. ''
Marik said as he gave the guy named Bakura a warming squeeze on his right shoulder as Bakura nodded and looked up at Marik.
'' Thank you Marik I-. '' Bakura said as he suddenly stopped, his head was pointed towards my direction. He looked at Marik again, then looked back at me and then stared back at Marik with an astonished look on his face.
'' Ahh yes, I also managed to sneak away this little brat out of her palace, I figured The Pharaoh would surely give us a huge ransom for sending his precious sister back to him safely. '' Marik grinned as he released Bakura's shoulders and tended towards his knife again, polishing the hard edges with some papyrus straps.
'' We even got our hands on the Princess? We have really made victory tonight. '' Bakura grinned as he stood up and walked towards me.
I tried to crawl away into the nearest corner but Bakura was already within my reach and grabbed me by my left shoulder, preventing me from crawling any further.
'' There There, don't be scared. We're not...really going to hurt you. '' Bakura said with a teasing grin as I instantly felt vulnerable, especially considering the current position I was in right now. '' How old is she? '' Bakura asked frowning as he turned his head towards Marik.
'' How would I know? Like I care. '' Marik said uninterested as he stared at his knife up closely.
Bakura vertically held his hand next to his mouth as he pulled his head slightly towards me.
'' Marik is always a bit... ill-mannered after tiresome missions, don't take it personally. '' Bakura whispered.
'' Well she looks fairly young don't you think so Marik? Maybe you wouldn't mind telling us yourself how old you are Princess? '' Bakura said in a friendly manner as he looked at me. Did he honestly think I would answer him after all they had done to me and my people? I thought as I turned my head away and stared at the ground.
Seconds passed by and Bakura was still staring at me, waiting for me to answer his question as I felt his eyes were piercing through me which annoyed me.
'' Don't bother wasting your time, her royal ego isn't allowing her to answer to us lower-in-rank people. '' Marik said.
'' Marik! You should be patient with younger people. Wait I know, maybe if we tell her how old we are, then she will tell us likewise. '' Bakura said grinning enthusiastically, followed by a loud sigh coming from Marik as he stared at his cousin with an annoyed face as he didn't understand why Bakura kept on trying.
'' As you might have already heard my name is Bakura, and I'm twenty-one years old, and that grumpy guy over there is Marik and he is twenty-three years old.
So I guess now that you know our age, could you please tell us yours Princess? '' Bakura said in a happy voice as he patiently waited for me to respond.
I however still kept my mouth shut and refused to look at him.
'' Hello? '' Bakura said after seconds had passed by as he waved his hand in front of my face but I kept on ignoring him. Bakura persistently kept on trying to get me talking as I really started to had enough of it. I finally gave him a quick glare that without any words told him to shut up. Suddenly Marik aggressively pushed his knife into the wooden box and walked towards me as he roughly grabbed me by my robe and pulled me up while pushing me against the wall, making me gasp from the sudden action as I stared at Marik with huge frightened eyes. '' Marik!'' Bakura said in a serious tone as he tried to push his cousins hand away that was holding me sternly but Marik completely ignored him and stared at me furiously. '' Listen right here you piece of trash, from now one when somebody is asking or telling you something you will listen to them and do as you are being told. '' Marik said, his voice filled with anger.
'' Come on Marik, It's just been a few hours ago since she got kidnapped by us and was taken away from her home, give her a break. ''
Bakura said trying to sooth Marik's aggression away. '' I couldn't care less, I am not going to deal with this brats attitude for the next upcoming weeks, she needs to know her place around here, and she needs to hear it, here right and right now. '' Marik said as his grip around my robe tightened more.
'' I believe someone just asked you something. Princess. '' Marik said mockingly as he stared at me more deeply angered.
'' Marik, Please.. '' Bakura pleaded with a slight tone off frustration.
'' F-F-Fif-t-teen. '' I shivered as my eyes started to fill up with tears as I looked away in shame.
'' Congratulations. Keep that spoiled attitude of yours away around here or I'll personally make sure it will be broken away. '' Marik said as he gave me one last deadly glance before he roughly released his grip on my robe and left the room, throwing the door shut behind him.
I embraces myself, trying to support myself since I was shaking from the scenery that had just happened, never had I experienced a treatment like that from anyone before in my whole entire life.
I saw Bakura giving me looks of remorse over his cousins actions but I still kept looking away. Everything that had happened tonight just completely broke me down inside and nothing really mattered to me anymore right at this point. My body kept on trembling as I felt my tears would escape from me as I quickly hung my head towards the ground, making a few hair strings cover my face so Bakura wouldn't have to see me cry as I sobbed silently.
A few moments went by as another knock was heard on the door.
'' Chief Bakura, our warriors are asking for your assistance outside. '' I heard a female voice saying. '' Uhm...Yes tell them I will be on my way now. '' Bakura said.
'' Yes Sir. '' She said as she walked away, leaving the door open. I still had my head bent down slightly but could see Bakura's stepping forward toward the door.
He suddenly stopped and made his foot turn around towards my direction and stayed like that for a few moments until he turned around again and left the room while shutting the door. After I heard his footsteps fading away I instantly dropped fully on the ground with my back against the wall as I lifted my knees up hid my face behind my hands, wishing this could've all just been one huge nightmare and that I would shortly wake up from it and be reunited back at the palace with everyone I knew including my loving brother and Manet...Why? Why did this all had to happen so suddenly? I thought as tears started rolling down as I cried on the cold ground.