Chapter 10

Determination and Arguments

Unfortunately, negotiations went not very well on the meeting isle. Clubs and Spades were there for days, bickering, shouting at, and denying each other. No matter what one deck offered, the other deck refused. Eventually, the meeting was ended and both decks briskly left for their own lands. On the way home, Naphtali thought about his sister, and although part of him wanted to hope that he would somehow get her back home, the other part knew that he may not see her again for many years… if ever. Of course, he wasn't the only one broken-hearted at the thought.

"What is it, Yao?" Irunya asked her king while they were on the ferry back to the main land.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm frustrated with Spades, I'm frustrated with this war, and I'm frustrated that we still did not get anywhere near to getting back our number seven!" Yao sighed despairingly, and added, "She's so gentle… and Spades are so… so… rough… she could easily be harmed by them… and who knows what they are doing to her-sure, she said she was fine… but she could have lied in the letter…."

Irunya placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, and pondered what to say. However, before she could say anything Yao continued with, "I am the king! I'm supposed to take care of my people! I am supposed to be IN CHARGE… and what happens? A Joker comes and takes away one of my hand, just like that!... I should have had more security-sure, we have guards, but… ARU! I should have seen this coming! I shouldn't have trusted him… I should have known…. Then again, I can't stop the Jokers from going anywhere… so… I suppose I shouldn't be TOO hard on myself… but I hate it when someone comes and defies me so blatantly, so openly, so slyly-she was right there, in the garden, and he took her, just like that! HOW COULD I LET THAT HAPPEN? HOW?"

By this point, Yao was resting his head in his hands, trying to calm himself down somehow. Partially, he was angry that his authority was defied, and partially he was angry that he was unable to protect his people, and partially he was angry that he couldn't save Moriyah… she was so gentle… so… understanding… how could he let such a kind soul be taken away so horribly? The more he thought about it, the more depressed he became; he felt that he failed not only Moriyah, but his whole nation. If he couldn't save his deck, how could he save anyone? He wished there was some way to go back and change the past, to save her, to… do something. Sadly, he could not.

"Yao, please don't be too hard on yourself," Irunya soothed, searching for words to say as she added, "After all, kings make mistakes all the time-you are not the only one. No man or woman is flawless; we all have our weak moments. Moriyah will be fine, I'm sure—besides, she's part Ivrit, so it's not like we are losing a pure citizen-"

"I DO NOT CARE WHAT BLOOD SHE IS, ARU!" Yao snapped as he straightened up and faced her suddenly, which caused Irunya to take a step back from him.

"I cannot believe that you would even dare to say something as dishonorable as that," Yao stated coldly, "You, of all people… didn't you beg me to bring her back? Don't you remember how kind and thoughtful she has been, how loyal and smart she is, and how her father gave his life to protect the last king? I don't care what bloodline she is from-she is still one of my people, and I will do my best to protect her!"

Irunya turned away guiltily, realizing how racist she must have sounded.

"I… I didn't mean it like that… I… didn't know what to say… I'm sorry," Irunya whispered, trying not to cry in shame.

Yao nodded and sighed. After a few moments he wrapped his arms around her and whispered to her, "Let's try not to attack each other… we need to be strong if we are going to win this war and get her back… and we will get her back one day."

Irunya smiled quietly at him and nodded in agreement. Yao turned away from her and watched as the meeting isle slowly faded away into the distance. He determined to get her back, no matter what.

Dear Reader,

I am so sorry for the late update-it's been almost three weeks now.

Let's just say I have been really busy. I am so sorry, and will try to update every week.

Don't be afraid to leave me a review! I like knowing that someone actually cares about my work.

The pioneer with a heart for people and a thousand stories to tell ~+~