Hey everyone, I'm updating unusually early because I got quite a few requests to do so. Though I was looking for more insight on the reviews than sheer number of reviews, I got the message and am glad to see that this story is being read by so many wonderful people!

As for anonymous reviewers, I'm sorry the option was disabled. I never really noticed until a little bit before I updated with the last chapter ^^; I'm glad you guys are reviewing too, even if I have no clue as to who you are! You guys are the reviewing ninjas!

Anyways, this chapter has a little bit of imagination attached to it, and these scenes may cause some gory images to come to mind. But, war is war, and it's bound to be bloody.

I don't own anything YGO! or the ancient civilizations.

FUN FACT!: Ramses II destroyed Syria on accident because he thought they were belligerent. Oops. Ramses II also is famous for being quite the ladies man, having over 50 wives and 200 children!

ENJOY THE CHAPTER I HAVE SLAVED AWAY ON!

Bali was blissfully unaware that palace guards were about to get a message saying that they should scour the city and find the Egyptian spies. Bali was asleep, finding sleep easily as the evening came, because she had ridden all of the last night and had stayed awake through the day. Abigail was curled up in her corner of the room, having just had a good meal and a bath herself.

Jihan was still wide awake because he was worried.

"Captain Hutsat should be here already. Could we be compromised?" He muttered, and called his falcon to him with a small whistle. He wrote a small message and attached it to the falcon's leg and sent him off.

"You had better make it to the others, Er!" Jihan prayed, sending his feathered friend with his will. Jihan knew he could have just made a fatal mistake by sending the hawk and giving away their position, but the situation called for it.

Captain Hutsat's luck had run out when he separated himself from Bali. All was going well, and he was about to sneak past the enemy camp into Syria and go on with the plan. A snowball effect happened upon him from the moment he entered that rocky forest trail.

He had to go about the trail slowly, so his horse wouldn't make too much noise or hurt itself. Unfortunately, Hutsat's horse was still disoriented and tired enough to slip and fall. Hutsat had his leg crushed by the weight of the falling horse, and the horse whinnied in pain, not able to get up for it had broken its leg from a twist while stepping on a smooth rock. Hutsat, as much as he hated to do it, put down his steed with a slash to the throat to silence the creature and to end its pain.

Hutsat dragged himself into the bushes and tried to keep hidden so he could survey the damage done to his leg. It didn't look very good at all, and there was blood seeping out of a large cut from sliding against the root-laden ground.

Things got worse when Hutsat heard hurried voices heading in his direction. He sat trying to conceal himself as much as possible by breathing lightly and keeping still. It was apparent that they found the body of his fallen horse, but silence came afterward and Hutsat silently took out his long knife. If a confrontation was coming, he would fight as long as he could. Lights came closer, illuminating the faces of the men following his trail of blood. Hutsat cursed his fate as the four looked slowly to the bushes and two of them pulled the concealing canopy away. All four grinned.

"Another Egyptian spy? I guess they think that we're dumb enough to let them behind our lines. How insulting. So spy, what are you going to do now? We have fifteen of your friends, and we're getting a little tired of your antics." Their leader sneered, reaching for Hutsat to grasp his collar. It was a bad mistake on his part, because Hutsat had taken that chance to lurch with his long knife and take off his hand. Blood leaked from the wound and the man yowled and the three others beat Hutsat senseless, stabbing him several times with their spears, but in places they knew wouldn't be fatal.

Hutsat had woken up while being dragged to the enemy camp, and the thing he saw made his stomach lurch. All of his men, except for Jihan and Bali, dead with their bodies stuck up on poles. Their bodies ranged from recently dead to half decomposed. They were made examples of, and it was his faulty plan that had done it. The only thing he was glad for was the lack of a certain female's body. His period of consciousness didn't last long however, as one of his captors realized he was awake and kicked him in the head. Hutsat went into darkness once more.

And now Hutsat sat, beaten bloody and half dead against a pole in the middle of the campground. Whenever someone came around, they would spit on him and curse his country. Hutsat had been interrogated several times, but refused to tell them anything. He had been beaten for his insolence, and he had a feeling that it wouldn't be over. He stared and thought about all that had gone wrong, and worried about his friends and comrades whose fates he knew not of.

"I hope Bali made it to the safe house. Jihan is probably there waiting there with a nervous twitch. I guess he's going to be the new leader after this, if he gets out alive." Hutsat figured in his head, and gave out a small laugh for himself at the thought of Jihan being leader. It came out more as a pitiful cough, but the two men who had just walked up did not find it amusing.

"What's so funny, dog?"

"You'll have to tell us. Luckily, you have plenty of time right now. We intercepted a hawk all of the way back towards the capitol. You Egyptians think you're so smart, but your friends are about to be extinguished. Now that your plan has failed, why don't you tell us everything you know that has been passed on already?" The man interrogated, kicking dirt into Hutsat's face and making it hard to breathe for him. Hutsat gave out another small chuckle.

"Why don't you ask my friends in the army? I'm sure they'll treat you well." Hutsat croaked, looking up at the two Syrian officers with a spiteful smile. They were angered, and Hutsat was kicked multiple times. Hutsat only grunted in pain, never showing weakness. Before the men could do anything more, they were joined by a third. This man was gripping his stump wrapped in bandages and grinning maliciously. The two men turned to see who had intruded, and stepped back in realization. Hutsat glared murderously. The man had his precious long knife, and he had a feeling he knew what was about to happen.

As the man came up and towered over Hutsat, there were no words or sounds exchanged.

But after a few moments, Hutsat's scream of pain echoed throughout the entire camp.

Bali was woken up by Jihan a couple of hours after he had sent off Er. Soldiers had lined the streets and were checking everywhere for "Egyptian heathens" and Jihan had to get Bali out of the house and somewhere safe. He had been told by Captain Hutsat to protect her at all costs because the Royal Family willed it. Jihan could see in his leader's eyes that that was not the only reason he wanted Lady Bali protected, but had no time to press the issue.

"Abigail, just leave the clothing and all of that. Get Bit ready while I strap on my quiver and string my bow!" Bali ordered, working through her packs to get out her weapons. Abigail rushed outside, milling over the emergency at hand. Bali and Jihan faced each other once Bali was done with her preparations.

"I'll stall them here, comrade. You need to get as far away as possible. Make your way back to the palace." Jihan told her, and Bali immediately protested.

"I can't leave you here, they'll kill you! We'll fight together!" Bali argued, but Jihan smiled wistfully.

"I won't be caught so easily. Our whole band of informants were reformed thieves, saved by Hutsat and the court of Akhnemkhanen. I will distract them long enough. Now go!" Jihan ordered, and Bali ran and waved her hand back.

"Lady Bali, Bit is ready!" Abigail called, and Bali practically leaped onto Bit's back. Abigail was aboard quickly and off they raced, taking a back road out of the city.

"My comrade..." Bali whispered, willing Bit to go faster. Thankfully, Bit sensed that the situation was dire, and seemed to have boundless energy.

Bali was smacked on the back by Abigail, and Bali turned to see what was wrong. Bali's eyes widened.

They had already caught up with her, and the cavalry was gaining on them. Bali had to make a split decision.

"Abigail, take the reins! Bit, behave and be wise!" Bali instructed, and strategically placed Abigail in front of her while turning herself around. Bali took our her bow and drew an arrow.

"Here's for you, comrade." Bali murmured, before releasing her Nubian- made arrow.

Atem couldn't stand it. Everything was falling apart, and their spies were now missing, and allegedly in Syria's hands. His troops had to stop for a break from the double time marching they had done. Atem was impatient because he wanted-no needed to know that Bali was safe.

Atem had a feeling that they were close to where they were supposed to meet up with Syria, as the scout had come back with another message and an arrow in his shoulder. The note had been one of impatience.

"Dammit! Karim, are they ready yet? We do not have time to lose!" Atem snapped, and everyone around him looked in awe. Atem was known for having a fair temper, and his impatience was somewhat unprecedented.

"Prince Atem, you must keep calm! The army must be fit to fight in case we must! Give them five minutes more, and we shall set out." Karim answered, coming from a meeting with the captains. Atem growled, crossed his arms and looked away. Karim dared to prod him more.

"My prince?"

"What is it?"

"Why are you so anxious? Surely it is not just Hutsat's welfare that worries you." Karim pointed out, and Atem glanced at him and sighed, leaning on the side of his chariot tiredly.

"She's there, Karim. I should have stopped her, and yet I let her go. It's all my fault." Atem released and Karim's eyes widened at the amount of sadness in the prince's voice.

"Then why did you let her go?" The now age-old question was said again, and Atem smiled a little in frustration.

"I've been asking that of myself this whole time. I guess I've just been ignoring the answer all this time, but..."

"But what?" Atem looked with an almost relieved smile that was still tinged with sadness.

"I love her."

Bali was growing desperate as night began to fall and her arrows began to run low. Bit was now exhausted, and their pursuers had been joined by more and more. Bali had picked off quite a few of them, but she knew she couldn't last for long.

"Lady Bali!" Abigail screeched, and Bali turned, only to be knocked off of Bit by a low hanging heavy tree branch. Bali watched her vision etch with black as Bit and Abigail got farther and farther away. Two horsemen continued after her and the rest stopped around Bali.

"We finally got you, 'Lady Bali.'" One of them mocked, and Bali growled before receiving a blow to the head to knock her out.

Bali woke up cold and wet and hurting. Her head was bandaged up but pounding furiously while chains were shackled around her ankles and wrists.

"I am definitely not okay. Oh, Abigail, please be all right." Bali groaned, looking about the dank atmosphere with disgust. A rat turned to look at her from a corner of her somewhat large cell and seemed to make fun of her by easily slipping through the bars. Bali glared and tried the chains, and they held strong to her test. Bali gave up and brought her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. It was cold in this dungeon.

"From riches to rags. Oh, why can't I hear Ra anymore? Is it because I'm not in Egypt anymore?" Bali wondered, almost missing the always helpful Ra. Bali also wondered how long she had been unconscious and in the cell, as well as what time of day it was and how the war was going. They were all questions that plagued her because she couldn't answer them, and they swirled around uncontrollably. Bali was going to settle herself into sleep to ward off some of her pain when a loud squeak of metal came from close by and light flooded the hallway. Low voices echoed throughout the walls and Bali kept her eyes just above her knees so she could see what was going on. She listened.

"Lady Bali? I've never heard of any such person. Is she important?" One man asked, and his voice held intelligence and curiosity.

"Yes, my lord. One of the spies captures said she is a supposed goddess sent by Ra. But that's all just folly if you ask me."

"We shall see. We definitely have something to hold over their heads now, don't we?" The smoother voice answered curtly, and Bali braced herself for what came next. The two men came up to the cell and their torch shone brightly around them. One was dressed handsomely with jewels and silk, while the other was rough looking and plainly clothed in a uniform. Bali didn't move except for bringing her head up to glare into their eyes. The rich lord's eyes widened.

"How could you imprison such a beautiful woman and treat her so foully? She shall come with me and I shall make sure she's treated like she should." The young man proclaimed, and the uniformed man nearly stumbled from his stance in surprise. Bali even straightened out in surprise.

"But my prince, she is a prisoner of war! We can't let the Egyptians think that we've gone soft!" The man yelled coarsely, but the prince silenced him with a glare.

"Do as I say, or you shall be hanged!" The prince threatened, and the prison captain scrambled with his keys and rushed over to unlock the cell door and release Bali from her shackles. The prince meanwhile stood her up and took a good hold of her hands.

"Lady Bali, on behalf of my entire guard, I apologize for the way you have been treated. I am Prince Mindana, but you may just call me Min. Please come with me to get cleaned up." The Prince suggested kindly, looking into Bali's eyes with sincerity. Bali was taken aback for a moment, but her fiery personality came back to her.

"You're the one trying to hurt my friends! My comrades are dead because of you! Leave me alone to die!" Bali defied, grabbing her hands back and scooting away from the prince, who had frowned at her reaction.

"Trust me when I say I know how you are hurting. Please come with me and I will explain. If I know you already, you will be curious enough to hear what I have to say." Min lured, but Bali didn't bite.

"Well then you're wrong! Go, and try to fight! But know this; your armies will fail!" Bali warned, and Min grabbed her left hand and held it in both of his tightly.

"Please... I cannot say more, but come with me. I don't wish to anger you." Min told her quietly, glancing about at the prison captain who stood guard at the entrance to the cell. Bali recalculated and decided it was in her best interest to go with Min.

"And from rags to riches. That was a quick turnaround." Bali thought, while she was led out of the dungeon to a stairwell. The stairs spiraled up until a heavy iron door opened to the outside. It was bright and sunny, but still chilly. Bali assumed it was morning. The palace went by quickly, and Bali was hurting too much to pay attention.

"Here is a washroom. The maids will help you clean up and we shall meet in my quarters so I can explain like I promised." Min directed, shoving her in a room once he stopped. Bali stood frozen as about a dozen maids were standing there with sunny smiles to match the weather, each one ready to serve. And there were twelve of them.

"That's a little excessive." Bali criticized in her mind, but she was pulled gently towards a tub and scrubbed furiously until she was clean again. Her bandages were changed, and a cooling salve was added to help heal the wound. Not to mention it obliterated the pain. The maids all chirped as they put different choices of clothing in front of her for Bali to choose. Bali held up her hands and shook her head.

"I'm no good with fashion. Choose one you think will fit." Bali instructed them, and they all looked at each other, first in wonder, then in joy.

"Apparently they don't get that a lot." Bali thought as the maids gathered themselves around the clothing, meanwhile looking back at Bali, who sat uncomfortably naked in the cold air.

"How about this one? It matches your eyes!" The lead maid suggested, and all of the girls had obviously voted on the choice, so Bali nodded and let them do as they needed. The wrap around dress was decorated with green beads and emeralds, matching Bali's eyes (if I made her eyes another color previously... Just go with it, her eyes are green now! You hear me? GREEN!) perfectly. A couple of accessories were put on her wrists and off she went, led by the head maid to Min's room. Their feet were bare (apparently because they were women) and made slapping sounds against the cold marble floor.

"Prince Mindana, she's here and ready!" The maid called, and left Bali standing there at the door, giggling as she raced away. Bali watched her go until Min opened the door. He looked her up and down and smiled.

"Much better than your earlier state. Now, I believe we have some things to discuss." Min got straight to the point, and offered Bali a seat on a cushion laden chair. Bali sat and accepted a cup of light wine.

"This had better be good." Bali thought, her seriousness back to govern her mind. She prayed that nothing too drastic had happened yet on the Egypt-Syria border.

Atem finally came to terms with everything! YAAAAY! Anyways, they're all in some trouble and we'll have a lovely memorial for all of the thieves later.

Prince Mindana is going to be here for a little bit, but you'll see why soon!

Thanks for reviewing everybody, and I hope you continue to do so! Keep reading, keep loving, and have a wonderful day!