Chapter 6
Aknankanon entered the throne room to find that Karim was there. "Karim, did you speak to Lord Mazaki and tell him of his daughter's actions?" Aknankanon asked.
"Yes, Pharaoh, and he was not pleased with her actions." Karim replied.
"Let us hope that he will do something, though I fear that she will be back before long in another attempt to seduce Atemu." Aknankanon said.
"When the Prince marries, she might give up." Karim said.
"No. I believe that she will continue to try even then. In fact, she would make Atemu's husband miserable." Aknankanon said.
"So, you do not believe he will take a wife." Shada said, who was also in the room,.
"No, I do not. I have accepted that fact, and I will not press it, although Anzu's continuous advances are working as much on my nerves as much as Atemu's." Aknankanon said.
"Indeed." Isis added. "She throws off the routine of the palace. She's constantly having servants disciplined and slaves punished. More slaves are punished during her visits than the rest of the year. I am constantly having to tend to the injuries of slaves." Isis finished.
"She thinks she is above the rest of us. She tries to order even us priests around." Mahado said. "But she did cross the line when she tried to have Prince Atemu's slave punished."
"It was against the law, and her anger means nothing to me. We have more important issues to discuss." Aknankanon said.
"Like Mentrab." Seth added.
"Go get Atemu and Yami. They'll need to be here for this, too." Aknankanon said.
"What about our slaves?" Bakura asked.
"I don't want them to hear this. Have them do something else. Also, we will got to the Meeting chambers." Aknankanon said.
Bakura and Seth nodded before leaving to find the twp princes.
Atemu and Yami were inside the healing chambers, watching as Jou and Ryou talked quietly with Heba.
"What do you think they're talking about?" Yami asked.
"I don't know. They're all close, so Jou and Ryou might just be making sure that he's all right." Atemu replied.
"Will you go and talk to him?" Yami hissed.
Atemu glared at his younger brother. "Would you want to talk to the person that is the reason you're injured in the first place?" Atemu asked.
"You didn't put him here. Mentrab did." Yami muttered. Knowing he'd get angry if he talked to his brother any longer, Yami walked forward and said, "How are you feeling, Heba?"
"I'm fine, Prince Yami." Heba replied.
"Please just call me Yami. I hate formalities." Yami said.
"Do all of you hate being called by your titles?" Ryou asked.
"When you hear them day in and day out, you tend to get sick and tired of them. Few people are willing to use our real names." Yami said.
"Yeah, well that idiotic priest is getting on my last nerve. He's conceited, arrogant, and self-centered." Jou said, annoyance clear in his voice.
Atemu sighed as he walked over. "Seth can be hard to get along with sometimes. All you have to do is get used to how he is."
"I doubt that I'll ever get used to someone like that." Jou stated.
"Jou, you're not the easiest person in the world to get along with either." Heba reminded.
"Heba, how did you know that Mentrab was in the room?" Atemu asked.
"He tried to sneak in through the balcony. I saw him since I was facing the balcony and reacted on instinct." Heba said.
"You're instinct is to move yourself in front of the blade." Yami said.
"No. I usually try to get myself out of the way, but I wasn't so lucky." Heba said.
"Well, I owe you my life." Atemu said.
"No, you don't. It was within my duties of a personal slave." Heba said.
"Not to mention the fact that you value other people's lives over your own." Ryou said.
"I've always been like that, Ryou. Deal with it." Heba said.
The door opened, and Seth and Bakura walked in.
"Atemu. Yami. Come on. The Pharaoh needs to talk to us." Bakura said.
"What is it about?" Yami asked.
"He'll tell you." Seth replied.
Atemu and Yami started toward them, and Ryou and Jou started to rise to follow their masters.
"There's no reason for you to come, mutt. This meeting isn't for slaves." Seth said.
Jou glared. "Then what do you want me to do?"
"Stay here with your friend. If you want. I don't care." Seth said.
"You stay, too, Ryou. I'll come back here when the meeting is over." Bakura said.
Ryou nodded in understanding.
Atemu and Yami followed Seth and Bakura out the door, closing it behind them.
"What's that all about?" Ryou asked.
"I don't know." Heba said.
"That stupid priest! I'm sick of him, and I've only been with him a few days." Jou said.
"Jou, will you give him time? You may get used to it." Heba said.
"I doubt it." Jou said.
"When did you become the optimistic one?" Ryou asked.
Heba didn't answer him. 'When I lost Yugi.' Heba thought.
"All right. What is this all about?" Yami demanded.
"Mentrab." Bakura said.
"Oh. I guess that does make sense." Yami said.
"Is Anzu gone yet?" Atemu asked.
"Yep. She was still putting up a fuss, but Aknankanon told her off, and Marik made sure she left." Bakura said, smirking. "Wish I could have seen it."
"At least she's out of our hair." Atemu muttered.
"The devil-woman will be back with another attempt. You know that." Yami said.
"Yeah, but at least I get a break from her." Atemu replied as they reached the meeting room.
The four walked into the room to find Aknankanon already discussing things with the other priests.
Aknankanon looked up when they came and said, "Come. There is much to discuss."
The four sat around the table with the rest and waited for Aknankanon to start.
"All of you know what Mentrab has done. He is not a traitor and must be found." Aknankanon said.
"He's already proven that he can hide in the palace. We believed him gone until last night." Isis said.
"Yes. We must heighten the guards. He will not give up so easily." Karim added.
"Perhaps it is time to alert the people of Egypt. After all, the people have turned over criminals before. Perhaps they will do it again." Seth said.
"It may be the only way. I agree. We will alert the people tomorrow." Aknankanon agreed.
"This will cause a bit of a panic." Shada said.
"It cannot be helped. We are left few choices now. Mentrab is a danger to everyone, and every way to capture him must be put into use." Aknankanon said.
"We'd better be prepared for panic because that is what is going to happen. There's not a chance that the kingdom will remain calm once they learn that Mentrab has killed five people within the palace. It's not going to go over real well." Bakura said.
"You used to cause mayhem when you were a thief." Mahado reminded him.
Bakura glared. "Yeah, but not this kind of mayhem. I didn't kill. I stole."
"Yes, and I believe that the people were the ones that turned you over to us. If it wasn't for Atemu, you'd still be a prisoner." Yami pointed out.
"Father, if Mentrab was able to get in my room, he either knows another way into the palace or has a place to hide." Atemu said.
"What are you thinking?" Yami asked.
"Mentrab expects us to be in the same rooms. Maybe we should switch the rooms we are in. It'll through him off." Atemu said.
"An excellent idea. We will all do that." Aknankanon said.
"It would still put someone in danger." Isis pointed out.
"Actually, I thought that some of us could pair up in the rooms, and we also could use the ones that are usually used for guest." Atemu said.
"It still doesn't do much. He'd figure it out." Seth said.
"Which is why we would have some of the most highly trained and loyal guards in the rooms in case Mentrab comes." Atemu said.
"A fine idea. We will get to work at once." Aknankanon said.
"Heba, what are we going to do? We could help them, but it would mean revealing who we really are." Ryou said.
"I know, Ryou. I want to do something to help. As a loyal Egyptian, I want to, and I know it is our duty to, but we can't yet." Heba said.
"He's right. If the Pharaoh found out, we might be killed or worse. We need to save ourselves." Jou said.
"We are going to help, just not yet. If worse comes to worse, we'll show who we are. After all, suspicions about my miraculous recovery are going to make it hard to keep the secret. Right now, we need to watch out for everyone, especially the Princes. I have a feeling Mentrab wouldn't hesitate to kill them considering the fact that he would have killed Atemu." Heba said.
"I guess if worse to come to worse, we'll reveal who we really are to protect them, and hope that we are not killed for it." Ryou said.
Heba frowned, thinking.
"What's up, Heba?" Jou asked.
"It's Mentrab. I keep thinking I know him form somewhere other than here, but I don't know why." Heba said.
"That's next to impossible. We didn't meet him before here." Ryou said.
"I know. Besides, it's just a feeling. We met a lot of people when Father was still here. It may have been then." Heba said.
"Probably. What should we do now?" Jou asked.
"We wait, and we watch." Heba said.
"What is it that you want me to do?" Anzu asked.
"I understand that you have gone to the palace since you were young." Mentrab said.
"Yes, I have. So what?" Anzu snapped.
"Is there a secret way into the palace?" Mentrab asked.
"Yes." Anzu said. She smiled evilly and said, "If you'll kill Atemu's personal slave, I'll show you how to get in."
"Why would you betray him like that?" Mentrab asked.
"I'm going to marry Atemu some day, and he got me thrown out of the palace just because I almost had his slave punished for disrespecting me. Kill him, and I'll make sure you never get caught." Anzu said.
Mentrab smiled. "I have a little grudge against that slave as well. I'll gladly kill him off. It's a deal. I'll wait a month before attacking. They'll feel safe." Mentrab said.
"Good. I can't wait to hear it." Anzu said.
Mentrab turned and walked away, smirking. 'Foolish girl. She really thinks that she'll get married to Atemu. It'll never happen. After all, when I get in the palace, I'll kill that slave all right, but I'll also kill The Pharaoh, Princes, and Priests. I'll have my revenge.' Mentrab thought.
Anzu was oblivious to this. She was smiling. 'Once Heba is out of the way, Atemu will be mine. He's not going to take Egypt from me. I'll be it queen one day, and if I have to betray him like this to get it, then so be it.' Anzu thought.
Seth, Bakura, Atemu, and Yami entered the healing chambers to find Heba, Jou, and Ryou talking.
"Come on, mutt. I've got work for you to do." Seth said.
"I'm not a mutt! Try treating me like a human, if you're cold heart will allow it!" Jou retorted.
"Come on, Ryou. I got work for you to do, too." Bakura said.
Ryou nodded and stood up.
Heba didn't the miss the way Bakura looked at Ryou. 'Hmm. Looks like there's more going on there than meets the eye.' Heba thought.
"What's going on?" Jou asked.
"None of your business, mutt!" Seth retorted.
"Seth, they going to figure it out, so we just need to tell them." Atemu admonished.
Yami rolled his eyes. "We're moving around the rooms Father, Atemu, myself, and all the priests stay in. It's a precaution against Mentrab since he knows each room we're in now. Some of us are going to pair up, too." Yami explained.
"Mentrab wouldn't expect that." Heba commented.
"That's the idea. We'll also be switching to the guest rooms." Atemu said,
"Come on, mutt. We need your help with this move." Seth said before turning to leave.
"I'M NOT A MUTT!" Jou yelled loudly, following Seth out.
"Let's go, Ryou. I need you to help with the move as well." Bakura said.
Ryou nodded and followed Bakura out the door.
Heba sighed and looked at Atemu. "I'm sorry that I cannot help the others with the move." He felt a little guilty that he couldn't do anything.
"You don't have to apologize. It's not your fault that you're here. You need to do what Isis said so you don't make your injuries any worse." Atemu said.
"Which means staying in bed and resting." Heba muttered.
"You're not one to stay in bed?" Yami asked.
"No. I like to be active." Heba replied.
"Geez. We'd kill for the chance to stay in bed a few extra hours." Atemu said.
"Nice to know he likes to be active. Wonder if he likes being active at night." Yami said so lowly that only Atemu heard it.
"Yami." Atemu hissed warningly.
Yami turned back to Heba and said, "How's your wrist from yesterday?"
Heba blinked and glanced down at his bandaged wrist. "Fine, I guess. It hasn't really bothered me."
"That's good. Come on, Yami. If we're there when our things are moved, Father's going to be angry." Atemu said.
"Right. See you later Heba." Yami said before leaving with Atemu behind him, closing the door.
Heba sighed and glanced outside through the balcony. "Yugi, I wish you were here. You always knew what the right thing to do was."
"Who's Yugi?" a female voice asked.
Heba whipped his head around to find himself facing Isis, who had a curious look on her face. He hadn't even heard the door open.
"Who is Yugi, Heba?" Isis asked.
"Just someone from my past." Heba replied.
"I see. Well, let's see how you're doing." Isis said. Carefully, she undid the bandage around his stomach and was surprised that the wound appeared to be healing already. She frowned. "That's odd. You're already healing. It usually takes a couple of weeks for that to even start." Isis said.
Heba knew that was coming. "I really can't explain it, either." Heba said.
Isis smiled as she redid the dressing. "Well, it just means that you'll be on your feet sooner, but I still want you to rest." Isis said. She undid the bandage around Heba's wrist. "I thought it was just swelling. Your wrist is fine." Isis said.
Heba nodded. "I knew it was since it hasn't bothered me at all today." Heba replied.
"Has your stomach bothered you?" Isis asked, making sure nothing else was wrong.
"No. Just a twinge now and then like you warned me." Heba replied.
"Good. Rest. You still need it." Isis said before leaving.
Heba sighed. 'Yugi, what should I do?' Heba asked himself.
"You really should tell him." Yami said.
"Shut up, Yami! Father wouldn't agree." Atemu said.
"How do you know unless you ask him?" Yami countered.
It was then that Seth approached them. "Your father's having you two pair up. You'd better got to your rooms to supervise the slaves moving your stuff." Seth told them. "All right. Thanks, Seth." Atemu said.
"The mutt's helping in there. Let me know if he screws up." Seth said.
"Seth, when are you going to stop torturing Jou and admit that you like the guy?" Atemu asked.
"When you admit it to Heba." Seth retorted.
"How is that everyone seems to know this?" Atemu sighed, exasperated.
Seth smirked. "Simple. We grew up together." Seth replied before walking off.
Atemu glanced over at his brother to see that he had a scheming look on his face. "Don't even think about it, Yami." Atemu said.
"Think about what?" Yami asked innocently.
"Playing matchmaker with me and Heba." Atemu replied.
"Well, I'll try whether you like it or not." Yami said before running off.
Atemu growled and followed his brother, knowing he was in trouble. He entered his chambers to find several slaves, one of whom was Jou, moving his things.
Atemu supervised the moving of all his belongings to the new room which he would share with Yami.
As Jou was leaving, Atemu said, "You should give Seth a chance, Jou."
"Why? All he does is make fun of me." Jou replied.
"The more Seth torments a person, the more he likes them, especially if he tries to goad that person into an argument." Atemu said.
"Does that mean he likes Anzu?" Jou asked.
Atemu smiled. "No. He just wants her to suffer for making all of us miserable." Atemu replied.
Jou continued on out of the room.
A moment later, there was a knock on the door.
Atemu opened the door to find Teana.
"Hi, Atemu. I was told I would find you here." Teana said.
"Yeah. Come on in." Atemu said.
Teana walked in, and Atemu closed the door.
"What is it, Teana?" Atemu asked.
"I just wanted to apologize for my cousin's actions. What she did was wrong." Teana said.
"Teana, it is not your fault. You were not the one who did all this." Atemu told her.
"I know, but I feel kind of guilty that Anzu thinks she can do all this, and I hates the way she throws herself at you when you have blatantly told her that you do not like her." Teana said.
"Anzu's stubborn, and even if I married someone, she'd still do all this. She'd make whoever I married to miserable." Atemu said.
"Is there no way to ban her from the palace?" Teana asked.
"No. She'd have to do something much worse." Atemu replied.
"Is your slave going to be all right?" Teana asked.
"Yes. He's lucky, though. I'm grateful to him. If it hadn't been for him, I would have been the one that was in the healing chambers." Atemu replied.
"At least you know he has a sense of loyalty. If you ask me, he would make a good friend." Teana said before leaving.
"Yes, he would." Atemu said.
"He'd make an even better husband."
Atemu turned to face a smirking Yami.
"Yami, knock it off." Atemu growled.
"Why? It's so much fun, and I rarely find anything to annoy you about. Besides, I was coming here to get you. Mahado's not going to let us out of our lesson for any reason. He says we can get the room straightened later." Yami said.
Atemu sighed. "He's strict and tough. That's why Father made him our teacher. Come on. Let's get going."
The two brothers left the room, closing the door behind them.
"Anzu, do you have any idea what you have done?" Lord Mazaki growled.
"Father, please let me explain." Anzu said.
"No. You hit a personal slave twice, which is clearly against the law unless you had the permission of the slave's master, and you did not. Then you proceeded to have the same slave punished by whipping with no permission from Prince Atemu, the slave's master. You could have been put in the dungeons for that." Lord Mazaki said.
"Father, he was getting in my way. He was always there when I was trying to get to know Atemu better." Anzu whined.
"Enough! I know all about your attempts to seduce the Prince into your bed, and the Pharaoh has had it. You are not going back unless I go as well to make sure you do not mistreat anyone." Lord Mazaki said.
"But-"Anzu started.
"No! That is final, and you will not go any time soon. Now go to your room." Lord Mazaki ordered.
"Yes, Father." Anzu said. She left the room and headed to her own room. 'It doesn't matter. Mentrab will kill Heba and then I'll be able to marry my Atemu.' Anzu thought, smirking evilly at the thought of Heba dead.
DREAM
Heba stood in a garden.
"Heba." a voice said.
Heba turned and was faced with a paler version of himself. "Yugi? How?" Heba asked.
"You asked for my help, so I'm giving it." Yugi said.
"What do I do? I know that the Pharaoh and everyone else need to know the truth bout who Jou, Ryou, and I are, but I'm not sure that it is right thing to do. Help me. What do I do?" Heba asked.
"You'll know when the time is right to reveal the truth. You just have to listen to your own heart." Yugi replied.
"Yugi, I am not like you. I cannot do this. I'm a cut up, a prankster, and I can't lead anyone or make the right decisions. You're the serious, cautious, logical, and rational one. I cannot do this." Heba said, tears filling his eyes.
Yugi stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Heba.
Heba wrapped his arms around Yugi, hugging him tightly.
"You'll know. Just remember that as long as you remember me, I'll always be close by." Yugi said.
Heba pulled back and looked Yugi in the face. "Can I really do this?"
"Yes, you can. I believe in you. Listen to what Ryou and Jou say. Do what you think is best for all three of you, but also remember Egypt. Ask yourself this. For the situation you are in, is it worth the sacrifice to keep your secret." Yugi said.
"but-" Heba started.
"You'll know. Trust me, brother. You will know." Yugi said.
END DREAM
Heba woke up with a start. He sat up, wincing slightly at the pain.
Heba turned and looked out the balcony. 'Was it just a dream, or did Yugi really talk to me?' Heba asked himself.
He sighed and laid back down. 'Who am I kidding? It just isn't possible.'
Hope you liked it.
R&R.