Yugi sprinted down the halls, his cloak flowing out behind him in his haste. Somehow he knew exactly where he was going, even though every new turn in the halls opened up new sights to his eyes. Soon he discovered himself at the opening to the castle, and he trotted easily along across the manicured lawns towards the stables. The smell of fresh cut hay and horse hair mixed in his nose, punctuated with sweat and dung. Yugi wrinkled his nose a bit as he continued forward. Soon he stood at the dark doors to the stable, watching the horses prance happily about in their enclosure.
"Just a second please, I'll be right with you." Someone called, the voice drifting over the horses' calls to reach him. Yugi smiled, no longer as surprised when he heard familiar voices coming from people he'd never met before. He stepped closer to the entryway to the stable, watching as a young boy gently finished brushing down a white mare's sleek and shining coat.
"That's a good girl." He crooned, stroking her long neck and letting his small fingers twine themselves in her mane. "You like to be brushed, don't you?" He patted her firmly once more and got off of the stool he was using. "Alright, go on, you're all clean and pretty."
The horse turned and pushed her slender head into the boy's arms and nuzzled him warmly.
"I know, I know, I love you too." The youth mumbled, smiling happily. "Now get outta here! I know you want to go play, so go play."
She gave a small toss of her head and trotted happily out the back doors and into the field. The boy watched her for a moment before he turned to greet Yugi.
"Oh! Welcome, my prince! I was not expecting you here!" He dipped into an apologetic bow.
Yugi smiled, a little embarrassed. "Hello Mokuba, I see you've been keeping busy." He said, trying to break the ice and establish some familiarity. Mokuba looked up with surprise.
"You know my name? How is that so? I thought I never gave it away to anyone, no one cared enough to ask."
Yugi blinked. "My father did, didn't he?" He asked, hoping that Mokuba was still Kaiba's little brother in this world too.
"Yeah, that's true. Did he ever tell you that story? Is that how you know my name?"
"Uhh..." Yugi stammered unsure what to say. Mokuba caught on in an instant.
"Oh, never mind then. I didn't think it was that important anyway, I don't know why I thought he would have..."
"Actually, I heard the tale from your brother, Mokuba. He cornered me this morning, trying to get me to reconsider my offer to go with the monster. He told me that it would devastate my family, and that I shouldn't do that. Family is the most important thing, he said he knows from experience."
"That sure sounds like something Seto would say." Mokuba whispered, keeping his eyes on the floor. He half-turned and sat on an overturned log that was off to the side, patting the seat beside him for Yugi to join.
"It's no big deal really. I was just little when Seto and I ran away. I'd caught a really bad disease that we were both sure was going to finish me eventually. Our mother could not have cared less, she decided that I was better to her dead anyway. That was the night I think both Seto and I realized that we were all that the other had. He took me out one stormy night with just the clothes on my back and we stole my mother's horse. We rode on the edge of the forest so that the rain would wash away our tracks, and eventually we made it here. My big brother pleaded with King Joey to have the royal healers fix me, and Joey agreed. I don't remember much from that time, just a lot of sleeping and fear that I wouldn't wake up. I do know that neither Seto nor Joey ever left my side when I was sick, and I think they formed a solid friendship because of that. Seto was never one to make friends very easily, but I think that's starting to change now that he's been with the King for so long."
"That's wonderful Mokuba, I'm glad that things worked out." Yugi smiled, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Me too." Mokuba grinned, rubbing his nose. "And I'm glad we can pay back Joey for all he's done for us. Oops, I mean King Joey." He giggled a bit. "We've become so close, it's really hard to remember that is is the king after all. I hope I don't forget again."
"I'm sure he wouldn't mind Mokuba, Joey's not a strict ruler."
"I know, but I want to be sure I'm respectful to him anyway. I owe him a lot, after all!"
They both laughed for a second before Mokuba suddenly jumped up.
"I heard about your mission Yugi, and I guess I shouldn't keep you any longer." He put two fingers in his mouth and whistled out a specific tune. A black and white stallion reared on his back legs impressively and galloped towards them.
"You haven't ridden in so long, I'll bet Amath is really eager to go again."
Yugi's horse trotted right up to him and bumped his face against his. He sniffed delicately at Yugi's hair and then snorted so loudly that he knocked Yugi over backwards off the log. Mokuba laughed.
"Looks like he missed you!"
Yugi picked himself up and dusted off his cloak, and Amath promptly nudged him in the lower back and made him stumble. Yugi swatted his nose playfully.
"You cut that out!" He scolded, smiling widely. Amath nodded his great head and fixed Yugi with his bright eyes, eyes that sparkled with intelligence and an infectious gentle humor.
"I'll get your saddle, my prince." Mokuba bowed again, this time teasingly, and left horse and rider to their reunion.
A few short moments later they were cantering along at a smooth pace. Yugi honestly had no idea where he was going, though his hands seemed comfortable holding the reins. But Amath was a smart horse, and he seemed to be sure of their destination. Yugi let him have his head, and the loyal creature brought him to the military barracks just a short while later.
The ringing sounds of steel on steel reached his ears as they approached, and Yugi dismounted carefully and led Amath through to the training grounds.
"Hey, Tristan!" Yugi called, waving his hands around to catch the man's attention. When the captain turned to regard him, Tristan fell to one knee in respect, and every single soldier in the courtyard simultaneously dropped their respective weapons and followed his gesture.
"Welcome." He said, rising from his crouch and smiling warmly. He dropped a hand on Yugi's head. "It does my heart good to see the king's little tyke running up and about. The day is too long to waste within the castle I say!" He laughed heartily, his armor creaking a bit as he shook.
"But I suppose I cannot be rightly calling you 'little' anymore, can I my friend?" He smiled, ruffling his hair. "What with this grand adventure you're heading off into. You'll make the kingdom proud, my boy."
"Thanks Tristan, that means a lot to me." Yugi smiled. Then he pulled out the parchment.
"Speaking of which, I actually have a favour I need to ask. Do you think it would be possible for the troops to be armed and readied by tonight? I know it's extremely short notice, and I wouldn't ask if I didn't think that it was important. But we may have a chance at beating back the evil monster for good, and I don't think such an opportunity should be wasted."
Tristan accepted the paper and gave it a quick once over. "Hmm, I tough request, I must say." He admitted quietly. "My men are not the type of warriors who will willingly walk into open battle without some kind of preparation, and this will surely test that. Let me ask them." He winked, and then turned to the assembled crowd, spreading his arms out to encompass them all.
"My brothers!" He called, letting them rise to their feet. "A wonderful opportunity has presented itself before us. We have been gifted, blessed, with our only chance to not only defend this, our home, but also to drive back an ancient evil that has been oppressing our ancestors for years."
The effect of his speech was instantaneous and truly startling. As Tristan's brave and inspiring words floated over the troops, their hand unconsciously grasped at weapon hilts, and there was a determined expression stamped on every face. Yugi felt his jaw drop slightly, as the powerful tone made even he feel a great deal more confident about this situation.
"It will not be easy, we have less time than it would take the sun to dip beneath the western horizon to prepare ourselves for battle. But I hold faith in every one of you, my men, and I know you will stand by my side as we defend that which rightfully belongs to us! Let he that opposes still his tongue and the cries of his heart!"
Tristan yelled, punching his fist in the air. The ensuing cheer was deafeningly loud, and people banged swords and shields together to voice their enthusiasm. Not one mouth remained closed.
"We can do it." Tristan assured Yugi, when the ruckus had died down and he had commanded them to begin training at once. "We stand beside you, and will see you safely through this perilous journey."
"Again, thank you." Yugi replied.
"'Tis a small thing, when weighted against the bravery you have shown. To take the princess' place in this farce is a noble and heroic deed. We are in your debt for sparing her." Tristan blushed slightly, and Yugi knew that more than simple concern for the kingdom's bloodline fueled the captain's thanks. The blush revealed what he wanted to keep hidden, but Yugi did not press him, knowing that if he wanted his secret crush on Serenity known, he would have said something. So Yugi just smiled and remounted Amath, saluting the proud warrior respectfully before galloping away.
The weight of the fast closing events could not chase the grin from his face.
Yugi returned Amath to his stall a little regretfully, as the sun began its slow and steady decent. The dusky twilight painted the sky with orange and pink hues, letting the darkness settle in slowly and not letting the beauty be devoured so soon. Yugi found the scene strangely comforting.
Amath turned the full weight of his crystal blue eyes upon Yugi as he handed the reins over to Mokuba.
"Don't look at me like that." Yugi mumbled, raising a hand to stroke the horse's neck gently. "You know I can't bring you with me. It's far too dangerous, I'm going to face the Black King for crying out loud!"
Amath snorted in protest, pawing the ground with his hoof.
"No." Yugi said firmly. "The last thing I want is for you to get hurt. You'll be safer here with Mokuba, and besides, the others need to look up to you when this whole thing goes down. They will be frightened, and they'll need a strong and courageous leader to calm them."
The horse's stance softened and he turned to look back at the others, his companions. Yugi caught his head and kissed him softly on his nose. "I'll be fine, I promise."
Amath nodded his great head in reluctant acceptance. He nosed Yugi gently in the stomach, and Yugi put his arms around Amath's head and hugged him goodbye.
He could feel those twin points of crystal following him sadly all the way to the castle gates.
