A/N: I'm a bad authoress, huh? It's been since late July that I updated this, right? Wow, I am sorry. Truly I am, but life has been very involved lately. Well, not life so much as college. Trust me, though, this story is still running strong for me; I just need more time to actually write. I wish they would make something I could just attach to my brain and have it type down what I think. Sadly, though, that kind of ingenuity is being spent instead on crashing things into the moon. Poor moon. This chapter is for you!
Thank you to Reviewers: PrincessOfHeartsNYP, Merciless Ruby, dearjenna, angelmusic848, and Ra'iira The Fiend. You guys rock and me love you long time!
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Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-gi-oh. I'm gonna watch some Heroes to make me feel better, which I also, by the way, don't own. Bummer.
Ch. 7: Lifestyles
"Were you dreaming, dear?" asked Thema as she seated herself on the bed next to Téa, facing her with a smile as she watched the young woman struggle to wake from her deep slumber.
Téa was caught a bit off guard at the observation but hid it well as she scooted herself up into a sitting position. "Uh, well, sort of I think you could say. How did you know?"
"You were mumbling a bit in your sleep. Telling someone not to go, it sounded like. A nightmare? Or just a bad memory?" she inquired kindly.
"I can't really remember what it was about now," Téa replied hurriedly, with feelings of guilt at the lie. Thema was too good of a person to lie to, though Téa had no doubts that many people did to get what they wanted from her. It made her miserable to think that she had just added herself to that list of despicable people, but she pushed those feelings back when she realized how necessary it was. She couldn't very well say that some all-powerful oracle had sought her out to undertake a Super-Secret-But-Of-The-Upmost-Importance-Mission-To-Save-All-Humanity and that they had just been strategy planning about it. Well, she could, but who would ever believe her? "That happens to me a lot, though. Only on certain occasions do I remember my dreams. Did I hear you say something before? I was still half-asleep when you came in, so I'm not sure if I imagined you speaking or not."
"I just said that my husband, Jabari, is home and that I'm almost finished with supper if you want any. I also came to bring you this." At this point, Thema raised her hand that had been positioned in her lap to produce a small pottery bowl with an unattached lid. Téa took it gently into her hands, fearing to break it if she dropped it, and fixed Thema with a questioning look. "It's a burn ointment. For your skin. I noticed earlier how red your skin has become when I came to check up on you a little after you began sleeping. For someone as fair as you, the sun did quick work and heavy damage in no time at all it seems. The ointment will soothe the burns and hopefully prevent you from peeling. A good thing, seeing as how you'll need to become darker-skinned if you wish to spend a lot of time outside with no repercussions."
"Really? It's that bad?" And wasting no more time, Téa moved to inspect herself, first noticing how the whole front of her arms sported a newly-acquired red tinge to them and traveled all the way up to her shoulders. The damage there was really bad, or at least it looked it. The skin on her shoulders was the brightest red she'd ever seen them, surpassing the color of a lobster although she suspected that it would feel just as clammy as one. Reaching gingerly up to her right shoulder, she gradually tried to peel back the edge of the sleeveless shirt to see how far the burn had spread, giving a wince and a hiss of pain as her nails grazed it. Not only did her skin feel blistery, but it also radiated with heat; she could tell that without even touching it. Her neck had been protected by her hair and her collared shirt, thankfully, but she knew that her face and a few parts of her upper back weren't nearly as lucky. Her legs, too, had been spared due to her shorts and long stockings.
Well, thank God for small mercies, I guess! Téa groaned aloud, alerting Thema to come to her aid.
"I can help you apply it, if you like? At least, on your back, at any rate."
"Thema," the dancer sighed, "that sounds wonderful. Thank you." The weary girl removed the lid and withdrew a finger full of the light green, surprisingly cool salve, handing the bowl off to Thema who took a more generous amount as she had more surface area to cover. Bringing it close to her face, Téa was amazed at the slight rose fragrance that came from it. She gently applied it to her face, obtaining more from Thema when she had rubbed her last finger full in. She felt no discomfort as Thema carefully rubbed the burned places on her back, a skill Téa wished she had somehow been granted with as she started on her shoulders. They were far more tender than what she expected, so any slight miscalculation on her part sent a throng of pain through her upper body. She refused to let any sound of pain escape her, though, both because she didn't want to alarm Thema and because her pride would not allow it. Therefore, she settled for gritting her teeth. After her arms were cared for, the torture (on her part) finally ended, and Thema arose from the bed and handed the ointment back to her charge.
"You'll need to apply that at least three times a day, dear, or at least until the pain fades. Then, you can start reducing how often you use it. Once you're sure you won't peel, then you're probably in the clear." As she spoke, Thema rested her hands on her hips, a gesture that reminded Téa so much of her mother that she couldn't help but smile fondly. "What's with the look, Téana?"
Téa's smile only widened at that and she shook her head in response. "It's nothing, Thema. Just... Has anyone ever told you how awesome you are?"
"Awesome?"
"Yeah, you know, uh...amazing. Incredible. Awe-inspiring?"
Thema fixed her with a level look, stating blandly, "You do know that no matter how much flattery you give me, you're still going to have to sleep on the roof tonight, right, foreigner?" The woman suddenly laughed at Téa's comical response to her statement, telling the poor girl between giggles that she was only joking and that she appreciated the compliment.
"I've to set the table now, but come back outside to the courtyard once you've freshened up. My husband is looking forward to meeting our new stray, not to mention I'd like to hear what a Trojan thinks of my cooking." The woman gave a wink before swiftly turning to walk out the open doorway, her obsidian hair swaying behind her. The door closed softly once she was clear, giving Téa privacy.
The azure-eyed girl allowed her smile to drop naturally off her face, moving to press her face in the palms of her hands, an action she regretted as she was once again reminded of how tender her skin was if her squeak of discomfort was any indication. She left her hands where they were, though, for as long as she didn't move them across the skin she was alright. Peeking through her fingers, she spied a relatively small mirror hanging on the opposite wall in front of her. Getting up, she approached it, grimacing as she got a full glimpse of her condition. Choosing to ignore it for now, she brushed her hair with her fingers, grateful for once for its shortness, before turning to put her shoes on. She stopped in mid-motion when she felt the sting. There were blisters. On her feet. How could she have forgotten! Gritting her teeth again, she chose to ignore it as best she could, forced the shoes on, and walked awkwardly from the room. She would ask Thema if she had something for them after dinner.
How was it that they could occupy an area, any area---though a cave in this case---for not even a week and have it look as if a sandstorm had ripped through it? Truly, if they were good at nothing else, they were certainly talented at making a place look virtually uninhabitable once they left it.
Malik heaved a look of annoyance to everyone and everything and yet to no one in particular as he entered their hideaway, taking in the hazardous, filthy state of the area around him. He was late and he knew it. He only wished that Bakura won't have noticed, for if he had, there would be no pacifier for his irritation and impatience. So, of course, he must know. Bakura loved finding excuses to put himself in a foul mood, claiming they made him be more of the person he was always meant to be. It was all rubbish in Malik's opinion. The blonde knew Bakura only used that excuse to give him the right to be a wonderful little terror. Hopefully, he wasn't taking it out on people the two actually liked this time.
Maneuvering with the grace that came so naturally to him from being a thief through the havoc that made up his fellow comrades and their various acts of devilry, he cut a path quickly through the main chamber and refused to acknowledge all but one. He gave a short nod to his older brother, Odion, who stood alone leaning against the wall next to the opening of the tunnel Malik was traveling toward.
"Be wary, Master. He is in an ill mood this day." His voice hummed in a low baritone, as dark and imposing as the man himself. Malik's eyes narrowed at the warning, and he nodded once as a sign of thanks before quickening his pace.
Malik had no prior knowledge as to what group had occupied these caves before, but he couldn't help but admire the intricate design of all the tunnels they had discovered carved deep into the rock. Their layout would confuse anyone without a sense of direction; no doubt it was possible that a person could be lost in their depths and shadows for days. Many of them comprised solely of rooms used for storage, bedrooms, a few kitchens, and bathing areas. Naturally, most were already claimed by every member of the bandits, but this was only after a "volunteer" had gone forward to make sure the halls and rooms weren't booby trapped. They had lost quite a few prisoners that way before Bakura decided that, for the brief time they planned on staying there, they weren't worth exploring. This was very unusual behavior for the Thief King, who was renowned for having an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, wealth, power, and the challenges that came attached with each, but Malik realized that he seemed to have bigger, greater things on his mind recently.
After twisting and turning along the tunnel, he finally came to the room of his partner which was located directly across from his own. He entered without knocking. The blonde didn't even take one step forward when he felt rather than saw something ring past his ear. Ring. With a sound only a blade could make. He cut his eyes to his right to find a knife still rocking slightly back and forth from its force of impact into the wall. All he could do was smirk.
"Having a bad day, I take it?"
"You're late," was all the response he got. It came out in a cross between a growl and a snarl.
"Yes, I realize that. I got a little held up."
"By what?"
"Oh, nothing important. Just a few guards is all." He saw no reason why he should inform Bakura of the encounter he'd had with a certain blue-eyed vixen. Not only was it not the time nor the place for such a conversation, but also he felt a deep-rooted urge to keep the albino in the dark about her, though he couldn't for the life of him explain why this was so.
"Well? What did you find out?" asked Bakura crossly, impatience his very persona. He was sitting sideways in a chair located across the room, one arm slung against the armrest to support his body while one leg remained tucked under him as the other hung over the side of the other armrest. He was wearing much the same thing that Malik currently was, except his robe was a much deeper crimson than Malik's with a smaller, beige robe peeking out from underneath. His kilt, however, was not white like Malik's but instead was a dark violet. Golden rings adorned most of his fingers, and he sported two gold bands around his ankles. A large golden ring with a flat pyramid in the center hung around his neck by the use of brown twine: the Millennium Ring, a newly acquired prize from the High Priest Mahado whom he'd killed in the tomb of the current pharaoh's father. Malik moved to the right of Bakura to sit on a small couch that was adjacent to where his albino friend was sitting, taking in the scar that slashed across his right eye and seeing that said gray eyes (their color for now) were trained on him the entire time.
"The city is being heavily guarded, but those who are defending it aren't particularly bright. I eluded them easily. Oh, and also, here. I figured this would amuse you." Malik withdrew from his pocket the wanted poster he had taken earlier that day. He handed it to Bakura and watched as the Thief King took one look at it before grinning wildly.
"How many are there?" asked Bakura smugly. Malik smirked at his friend's pride.
"I saw several pinned up on each of the main streets I went through, but otherwise, I can't really say. You're happy about that?" he inquired already knowing the answer.
"Very."
The blonde laughed lightly. "There are many pedestrians living there, as well. Thousands more than our usual hits, but I believe that will be to our advantage. The palace and the temples have the heaviest security of all, however."
"Naturally," replied the Thief King distractedly. Malik observed him with narrowed eyes; he could practically see the gears turning in the tomb robber's head. Malik decided then that it was the time to get serious.
"Bakura," he began somberly, which instantly caught Bakura's attention as he was rarely ever serious, "I know you have never led us astray, and while it is foolish to trust you, I often find myself doing it anyway. Which is why I have to ask, what is it you are planning? You've never left me in the dark this long before, and I'll admit that I don't like it. What is it you're trying to do?"
"Ah, that's what you've been moping about lately."
"I have not!"
"Oh, sure," Bakura grinned. "I'm sorry, Malik, I just didn't want to get your hopes up until I was sure..."
"Sure of what? Stop screwing with me!"
The Thief King laughed darkly. "I wish to see the Pharaoh about my new prize," he smiled almost fondly at the Millennium Ring, his fingers caressing the Item like a lover, "and in order to do that, we'll need to attack the palace. Now, I know we can." A silence, thick and oppressing descended the two until...
"I was right. You are a madman," stated Malik matter-of-factly.
"You don't sound very confident. What don't you have faith in: my word or my madness?"
"You sound so surprised. Both have always been questionable. I'm just trying to imagine how you're going to get past the High Priests to even see the Pharaoh."
"What? You're not coming along? Besides, as you can see, I already took down one easily enough."
"Of course I'm in. I just know you. You'll want the rest of them all for yourself, too."
"True."
Malik sighed mockingly. "So selfish." Bakura smirked proudly.
"I've been experimenting with the Ring, and I've discovered many things. For instance, summoning has gotten easier with the monsters summoned being stronger. I can also maintain several summonings at one time, if need be."
"Is that why you think laying siege to the palace will be easy?"
"I never said that. I just said that I know we can, which is even better. Knowing you'll succeed is better than losing a battle you thought would be easy. Listen, this is what I have so far..."
And the two spent the rest of the evening planning out all the details. They believed it would be a few days at most for them to carry out their ambition.
"Thank you for the meal, Thema. It was wonderful. And thanks for the medicine for my blisters. I feel like such a nuisance," confessed Téa dejectedly. It seemed to her that she was receiving far more from Thema and her husband, who was a quiet but charming man, than what she had worked towards earning.
"Nonsense, young lady," said Jabari, Thema's husband, kindly. "We are more than happy to have you in our home. Besides, it's refreshing to find a foreigner with such manners, if you'll excuse my comment."
Téa smiled shyly at the man, her smile widening into a grin when she felt Thema nudge her playfully. She watched as Thema walked around the table to retrieve everyone's dishes, stopping to kiss Jabari on the forehead, then put the dishes in a small basket that would be taken to be washed in the morning.
Téa's first impression of Jabari had been very wrong. His tall stature, excellent physique (she kept forgetting that most men, and some women, walked around shirtless most of the time), and the hardened look in his eyes made him out to be extremely intimidating. She was expecting him to be a harsh man, all coldness and business. Imagine her surprise when his face had brightened in curiosity and kindness when he first noticed her walking from the house to outside. It was like she was looking at an entirely different man; she wouldn't have said it was the same person if she hadn't seen him herself.
He was wearing baggy but thin beige pants that cut off at the knee and brown sandals on his feet. Much of his head was covered in what seemed like a cross between a turban and a hijab except only his hair was covered by the cloth that hung down the turban and around the back of his head. Unlike a hijab, the neck was exposed. It was a deep indigo color that brought out his dark eyes, and his facial hair consisted of only a thick, black mustache that curved around his mouth and stopped at his chin. Throughout the dinner, he only asked her minimal questions and made a few comments that would make her laugh from time to time. He seemed not to be concerned at all about a stranger staying in his home with his wife, and he didn't pry at all into her past (or future, rather). It was a striking contrast from her own time where people couldn't leave their house or their car without locking it, and only luck determined whether they would remain unbothered, even in that state of security.
Téa was currently allowing her food to settle, remaining seated at the table. She hadn't realized how hungry she had been until food was suddenly being put in front of her. She looked up as Jabari moved away from the table. "Please excuse me, Téana, but I must ask my wife something."
The dancer nodded as he took his leave. Her sapphire eyes followed him as he approached Thema, who was across the courtyard cleaning up. He stopped her from what she was doing by tenderly grabbing her wrist, Thema looking at him with a mixture of surprise and playfulness. However, her expression turned serious when he began talking to her in very low tones. Téa couldn't make out anything that was said, so she turned around in her seat to face the table again, not wanting to appear too nosy. It wasn't long before both returned to sit at the table again.
"Dear," Thema began, "there's something important we need to talk with you about." Dread filled Téa's stomach. Suddenly, she really regretted eating anything at all.
"What is it? Is something wrong?" Was she about to find herself on the street again? But, how? Why? This didn't make sense. At her worried expression, Thema startled and rushed to assure the girl.
"Oh, no, no! Everything's fine! It's just... We thought we'd warn you beforehand. If you intend to stay here, it is a likely possibility that you will not be the only one." The beautiful Egyptian woman looked to her husband for support.
"We tell you this in the utmost confidence, Téana," began Jabari dourly. "What we are about to say must be kept in secrecy, for both your welfare and ours. Consider it your only prerequisite for staying with us. Do you accept it?"
"I do." Did she really have any choice? Besides, from what Haji had told her before, she already had a pretty good idea of what he was about to reveal.
"Very good," declared Jabari, satisfied. "Our home is what we like to call a refugee home. We accept anyone who is in need of protection and shelter, even if it means from the law. We take in thieves and bandits, Miss Téana, so if you plan to stay here for a long time, you will come in contact with quite a few of them, I imagine."
"Oh. I see," she stated mock-uneasily. So, she had been right.
"We understand if this makes you feel uncomfortable," hurried Thema, closing her hand over Téa's to give her support and to further connect with her, "but it's something we feel that we need to do. The room and board for them is only that they leave our possessions where they first found them and do not harm us or any guests we may have; our lives are comfortable enough to allow this. But... If you are still afraid of living alongside thieves, you are free to leave at any time, dear. I promise, though, that nothing will happen to you. It hasn't before."
A slight silence ensued in which Téa appeared to think long and hard about her options. In truth, she was rejoicing inside. A rather subdued rejoicing seeing as how she still had no idea about how to establish a connection with the thief community that would lead her to Malik. That, and she was terrified of what she was supposed to do and expect once she got there, but it was what Haji wanted of her, and she trusted him. He had promised to watch over her, right?
"I think that will be ok," she said slowly. "As long as they don't try to harm me or you, there shouldn't be any problems, right?" She smiled sweetly at them. Her smile faded at her curiosity, though, and she found that she couldn't hold it back any longer. "If I may ask, why exactly do you feel the need to help them? Aren't they dangerous people?" She really hoped that didn't sound too skeptical or accusing, but there was no taking it back now. Thema suddenly looked really nervous and regretful, and Jabari appeared troubled and slightly angry.
"Well, uh," began Thema skittishly, glancing back and forth between Téa and Jabari, "well, uh, dear, you're right. That is, most of them are dangerous. We know that. It's just...we feel that if we offer a kind hand to them when no one else has before that they'll remember it. Not that they'll change their ways, even we're not that hopeful. But, maybe---"
"Enough, Thema," stated Jabari quietly. It was used in a tone Téa hadn't heard him speak in before. It wasn't cold per se, it just brooked no argument. Thema silenced herself instantly in respect. "What Thema says is correct; we do do it for those reasons, but those are not the most important ones. The truth is the real reason is a selfish one." He paused to gather himself together. Téa got the impression that he was about to admit to something that maybe only Thema was privy to, and it was hard for him. "We are looking for our son, Wati. By now, he must be about your age. When he was thirteen, he and I...fought about--well, it doesn't matter now. The argument eventually came to blows, but I was able to restrain him. I threw him from the house, told him to leave and never come back. I was too angry to register that he had taken me completely seriously. He didn't come home that night. Or the night after that. When a month passed and there was still no sign--"
A chocked sob from Thema interrupted him as she got up and left the table, returning inside the house. Téa could only stare after her, heartbroken at her pain. Jabari hung his head in shame.
"A month and nothing. For all we knew, he was dead. Thema was devastated as was I. For Egyptians, our children mean more than the world to us and to have lost our only like that... Thema was in a terrible state afterward; she was inconsolable. Just when I thought she was ready to give up on living, though, we received a sign in the form of our neighbor. He said he had seen our boy; he was in all a rage when he told us, too. We asked him why he was so upset and where our son was. He told us that we just missed him robbing his house with three others, men with much more experience in all things. We should have been horrified at Wati's actions, but all we felt was happiness. And hope. He was alive. Living with a group of thieves but alive, and we knew he would remain that way for a long time. Believe it or not, thieves look after their own. So, that's why. Since Wati won't come here by mistake, we try to find him through those we shelter here. So far we've been unsuccessful, but it's understandable. Thieves aren't very trusting... So, now you know. I'm sorry but I must check on Thema." And without further ado, he followed after his wife. Téa remained where she was, still and silent.
Thema had been right. Sleeping on the roof under the stars had been completely worthwhile. She knew she would probably never do so again when she returned to her time, so she promised herself to enjoy it while it lasted. By the time night came, Thema had calmed down considerably and was back in her normal mood. She didn't address Téa further on the subject of her missing son, and she herself found no need to bring it up again either. Her curiosity had been more than satisfied, and she didn't like it. She really needed to work on not letting it control her as it so easily did.
The night had been cool but not uncomfortably so. Téa herself had only needed one blanket. Thema and Jabari each took turns pointing out constellations to her and telling her the history and stories associated with each one. The azure-eyed girl fell asleep with a smile on her face, thinking that no World History class could top that or be as accurate.
She was woken up at dawn. Jabari had farming work he needed to attend to while Thema had household errands to make. Even though she hated to get up so early, she knew she owed it to the family to earn her keep. After applying the burn ointment and blister medicine again, she descended the roof and went into the house after Thema. The woman talked about having some clothes made for her since she only had the outfit she came in to wear; she didn't bother to listen to Téa's protests concerning the subject. For the time being, though, she was stuck with what she had although Thema allowed her to borrow a pair of her sandals to replace her platform ones. Téa could have cried, they were so much more comfortable.
She listened drowsily but as attentively as she could to Thema's explanation of what her daily routine was. Luckily, Thema offered to just spend this day showing Téa the ropes. All the dancer had to do was follow, watch, listen, and learn.
First, they took the dirty clothes and the dishes to the Nile to be washed. As Thema had an extra set of hands, she could get both done at once. The walk there was a little long for Téa's taste, but she refused to complain. She chalked it up to just being tired. As she washed the dishes and watched how Thema washed the clothes, Téa also noticed that there were many other women and young girls there doing the same. Even a few young boys were there, also. She tried to see if either of those two boys who had guided her here before were among them, but she never saw them. She had a feeling she wouldn't do so again.
Once that was completed, they returned to the house. Téa assisted Thema on hanging the clothes up to dry on the line she had stringing from one end of the courtyard to the other. A cloth was used to dry the dishes which both women put away, Thema directing Téa to where each piece was supposed to go. The girl knew she would have a hard time remembering it exactly. It was so different from her process at home!
The day passed very quickly it seemed to Téa. She and Thema spent the remaining time tending to the crops she had in the family garden. During their dull, laborious work, Thema warned her that Jabari would probably be bringing home their new guest today after his work was completed. Téa was thankful. She would need the preparation.
As promised, a man around Jabari's age entered along with him, a man, Téa realized with a start, who was the same one Jabari had been talking with when Haji had showed him in their shared vision. This man looked entirely unapproachable with his cold, black eyes and an aura of fury that never seemed to fade around him. Téa's impression was right this time; he only talked to Jabari in a civilized manner, it seemed. He addressed Thema with the air of someone who had better people to be bothered with, and it was she who always had to initiate conversation. But then, this was only speculation as only Ancient Egyptian was being spoken between the three, and Téa didn't dare try to talk to him in front of the other two.
He took his meal in the guest room, not being a social person. Thema was overjoyed.
"He's a complete brute, Jabari!" Thema scolded. "How could you bring his type here?"
"His type?" Jabari was flabbergasted and a little defensive. "I don't care about his type, Thema! I care about finding our son! I won't miss this opportunity just because he acts like a bastard!"
"I suppose you're right," conceded Thema grudgingly. "I advise you then, dear, to get it out of him fast if he does know anything because if he calls me 'servant girl' or 'sweetheart' again, I'll knock him right on his ass."
Téa slipped away from the table, claiming to need to use the restroom. In truth, she planned on confronting this guy. She nearly cursed when she realized that she never got a name for him.
Runihura, said Haji in her mind.
What? she thought back, confused.
His name is Runihura.
Oh, well, thanks. She raised her hand to knock on the door when--
Don't!
Téa jumped at how loud his voice had become. Ow, wha--? Why not?
Sorry, but what you're doing is not wise.
Care to explain? grumbled Téa. Did you not tell me that I needed to get close to Malik? How am I supposed to do that if I can't get it out there that I want to be a thief?
That's just it, Téa. Runihura is not everything he's pretending to be. It would be better for you if you said nothing whatsoever to him. Besides, he doesn't understand English.
What? What do you mean he's not--?
Just trust me on this and about what will happen in the future. I will protect you.
Haji, you're really starting to freak me out! What are you talking about and why are you saying this?
She received no further response. Utterly baffled and not a little scared, she nearly decided to knock on the door anyway just to show Haji that she didn't appreciate his psych out. She didn't, though; his warning had sounded too real, too serious to go against even though she probably could have.
Not everything he's pretending to be. What did that mean? Was he not a thief? Had that been what Haji had been trying to say? Why come here then? But there was an even more pressing question she had to ask.
Should she tell Thema and Jabari?
No. She wanted to desperately, but she knew they wouldn't believe her. She had no proof, and even they wouldn't believe an accusation like that without proof.
She went to sleep troubled that night.
Before she knew it another day had passed. Then another and another. She was steadily growing used to Thema's routine, and she rarely saw Runihura except when he was talking with Jabari at mealtimes before receding into his solitude. Still, she kept her mouth shut about what Haji had told her. She would have never expected how much she would regret it.
All was still that night. It was darker also as there was no moon. She had gone to bed earlier than usual, being so spent from the more active lifestyle she was still trying to adjust to. She must have gone to sleep around eight o'clock, or at least that's what it felt like. Too bad she didn't have a watch to check. She didn't know when Thema and Jabari joined her on the roof. She didn't know how long she had slept. She didn't know what time it was that Runihura had crept from his room to unlatch the front door of the house. She didn't know when the Pharaoh's guards entered the house, but she did know when they grabbed her up and chained her hands and feet. She did know when Thema cried out in pain and terror as well as when Jabari tried to struggle against them only to be violently restrained. She did know how she and the others were dragged down the stairs and out into the street, only to find Runihura standing there, laughing at them and accepting a reward for having turned in a family of thief sympathizers. She knew when she started yelling out in rage, in hurt at him, at Haji for not warning her, for not keeping his promise. She knew they were being taken to the palace dungeons for questioning and execution. She cried out more and kicked out at anything she could at that knowledge. And then it all went black again as she was silenced by a powerful blow to the head.
She didn't know that a certain other group was making their own rendezvous to the palace that night as well. And they were coming in force with no holds barred.
A/N: And finito of chapter siete! I hope that wasn't too boring. I knew this chapter wouldn't be known for its action sequences, just really laying groundwork for some. Hopefully, you found some parts interesting, though. Please review and tell me what you think. Getting feedback works even better than Rock Star when it comes to giving me a jolt. No lie.
