Chapter 10: The Court Of Miracles
It wasn't long before Seto and Yugi arrived at the place marked on the map.
The abandoned village of Kul Elna.
Kul Elna was once a village full of thieves and gypsies.
When Dartz came into power this village was his very first victim.
"This looks like the symbol on the map." Seto said when they came up to some kind of stone tablet with the same strange eye symbol on a the map at the far end of the village.
While Seto looked around the village for Yami, Yugi noticed something under the dirt in front of the tablet.
He brushed as much of the dirt away as he could he found a hidden door.
Yugi opened it and saw an never ending staircase.
"Great job Yugi." Seto said and the two walked down the stone steps...
When they finally reached the bottom of the staircase the saw a river a green, dirt water and the walls were decorated with skeletons.
Those were the remains of all the innocent people Dartz slaughtered when he destroyed Kul Elna.
"Is this placed the Court Of Miracles?" Yugi asked as the trudged through the grimy water.
"I'd say it's the court of ankle deep sewage." Seto grimaced.
"Kinda wish you got out more often eh Yugi?" He smirked.
"No me, I just wanna warn Yami and get back to the bell tower before I get in anymore trouble." Yugi said, both teens were completely unaware that they were being followed.
"Speaking of trouble we should have run into some by now." Seto said and they stopped still.
"What do you mean?" Yugi gulped.
"You know, something like a guard or a booby trap."
Suddenly Seto's torch went out.
"Or an ambush."
The tunnel was filled with light again and Seto and Yugi saw they were now surrounded by gypsies and thieves.
They were both restrained but Odeon and Marik as a young man walked over to them.
He was 25 years old and he had long white hair, tanned skin, pale violet eyes and a scar running down his right cheek.
This was the Thief King Bakura.
"What do we have here?" Bakura asked with smile on his face.
"Trespassers!" Odeon shouted.
"Spies!" Marik added. "We're not spies!"
Seto and Yugi had gags tied around their mouths.
"Don't you dare interrupt me! You are both very clever to have found our hide away, unfortunately, you won't live to tell the tale." Bakura laughed.
Maybe you've heard of a terrible place
Where the scoundrels of Egypt
Collect in a lair
Maybe you've heard of that mythical place
Called the Court of Miracles
Hello, you're there!
Where the lame can walk
And the blind can see
But the dead don't talk
So you won't be around
To reveal what you've found
We have a method for spies and intruders
Rather like hornets protecting their hive
Here in the Court of Miracles
Where it's a miracle if you get out alive!
Yugi and Seto were carried off to a cavern half the size of the city.
The roof was full of different tapestries, there were dozens of carts like the ones you could find at the market place above ground and on the upper levels you could see some makeshift houses.
"Gather around everybody there is some good news tonight!" Bakura laughed when he stood on a stage with two nooses behind him.
"It's a double-header. Two of Dartz's spies."
The gypsies and thieves who had gathered around were booing and cursing as Yugi and Seto were dragged onto the stage and their heads put in the nooses.
"And not just any spies, his captain of the guard and his loyal bell ringing henchmen."
Kuriboh's eyes widened and he flew off into the crowd.
Justice is swift in the Court of Miracles
I am the lawyers and judge all in one
We like to get the trial over with quickly
Because it's the sentence that's really the fun!
"Any last word?" He taunted as he prepared to pull the lever.
Yugi and Seto gave out muffled cries but no one understood what they were saying.
"That's what they all say." Bakura shrugged.
Now that we've seen all the evidence
We find you totally innocent
Which is the worst crime of all
So you're going to hang!
"WAIT!" A voice cried out in the crowd just as the Thief King was about to pull the lever.
It was Yami.
"These men aren't spies their our friends." The crimson eyes teenager explained.
"Why didn't they so saw?" Bakura asked.
Yami rolled his eyes, he knew Bakura was one to attack first and not bother to ask questions later.
"Seto Kaiba is the soldier who saved the miller's family and Yugi Mouto helped me escape the temple." Yami said as he undid their bounds.
Once Seto was free he ran onto the stage.
"We came here to warn you all. Dartz is coming. He says he knows where your hiding and he's attacking at dawn with a thousand men!" He explained.
Everyone panicked and ran to gather their things.
"You guys took a terrible risk coming here. We might not exactly saw it but we're grateful." Yami smiled as he hugged Seto tightly.
Seto smiled but then he saw Yugi's sad expression.
"Don't thank me, thank Yugi. Without his help I would never have found my way here." Seto smiled.
"Nor would I."
Every turned to the entrance and saw Dartz and his men.
Dartz's men soon swarmed the Court Of Miracles and put everyone except Yugi in shackles.
"After 20 years of searching the Court Of Miracles is finally mine." Dartz smiled as his eyes looked around.
"Dear Yugi, I always knew you'd be of use to me some day." He grinned.
"What are you talking about?" Yami snarled.
"He led me right to you my dear." Dartz replied and turned to Seto.
"And look what else I've caught in my net, Captain Seto back from the dead. Another miracle no doubt."
The mad man then turned to the other gypsies and thieves he had captured.
"There will be a little bonfire in the square tomorrow and your all invited to attend. Lock them up." He said to Raphael.
"No! Please Master!" Yugi begged but the stern on his master's face told Yugi it was hopeless.
"No..." He whispered as his head fell to the ground and tears poured down his cheeks.
"Take him back to the bell tower and make sure he stays there." Dartz ordered, Valon and Alistair grabbed Yugi by the arms and dragged him away.