This story contains TRIGGER WARNINGS for rape, violence, blood, physical and emotional abuse, suicide (mentioned). READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.

This warning applies to the story in general. NO SPECIFIC WARNINGS FOR INDIVIDUAL CHAPTERS WILL BE GIVEN!

Chapter 12

Yugi was lying in his bunk, throwing a small leather ball up in the air and catching it when it came down. They were now travelling for three days. Three days of having to entertain Pharaoh Atem and his confidants, smiling, dancing, and playing the lute when Kisara sang. Yugi was sick of it already. Of Pharaoh Atem being as expressionless as always, of Lord Seto's arrogance, of Lady Isis' cold looks she seemed to have reserved for Yugi only.

"I swear, Pharaoh Atem is being a bad ruler on purpose. Just so the Nile is lower and the journey to his spoilt south takes even longer than it has to!" Yugi said and threw the ball so high it tapped the wooden ceiling.

"Sorry?" Kisara said, sitting on the bunk to Yugi's right. She had a rolled out scroll in her hands. More of them lay on the small table between their beds. She had borrowed them all from Lord Seto.

"Never mind," Yugi said and sighed. "You know, I don't get it. Pharaoh Atem hasn't forced me yet to … come to his cabin. Do you think he's planning something?"

Would Pharaoh Atem wait until Yugi felt secure, only to pounce on him then? Or what if, instead of being brutal, he'd torture Yugi by finding the right spots and making the act pleasurable to his body? Some parts of him just reacted a certain way when touched, regardless of how disgusted his mind was.

It had been the same with Otogi in that night when he had unleashed his anger on Yugi… He shuddered. Sometimes Yugi could still feel the searing pain in his inner.

"I don't know," Kisara said, her eyes on the floor. But who could have? Pharaoh Atem's expression changed only slightly more often than that of a painting. Yugi doubted that anyone could read him. "Why don't we go on deck? I think some fresh air would distract you."

Kisara put the scroll away and both left the cabin, walked through some corridors, then upstairs. On deck, a cool breeze greeted them. Smaller ships surrounded the galley, manned with royal guards.

Yugi and Kisara leaned against the rail. Fishing boats were floating on the water, ibis were flying through the air, and at the shore hippos were drinking. Below them, a few dozen oars were rowing the galley upstream. The splashing sound had something soothing.

"See, that over there is the town of Em-Hebi," Lord Seto's voice said. Yugi looked over his shoulder and saw him and Pharaoh Atem near one of the three masts. "That's the farthest the Nubians got before they were pushed back a few months ago."

Yugi's gaze followed the direction Lord Seto gestured to and the view was like a slap in the face. He wouldn't have called it a town if Lord Seto hadn't said so. All Yugi saw were ruins, ashes, and burned down wood. Further away Yugi thought to recognise the shape of scaffolding.

Yugi told himself that this small town couldn't represent the spoilt south. Lord Seto had just pointed it out to make Yugi feel bad. Everyone knew that people in the south were safe behind a wall of soldiers Pharaoh Atem renewed whenever necessary. Everyone!

"Let's go back to our cabin," Yugi said and took Kisara's hand. As they walked, Yugi and Pharaoh Atem's eyes met for a brief moment. Yugi looked away before he could make out any disdain in his face. "You know what that means?" Yugi whispered once they were below deck. "It means that his forces are incompetent. One soldier of the north is worth ten of his!"

"Y-Yes," Kisara said, unsure.

On the next day, they arrived in the city of Buhen, the southernmost sector in all of Egypt. Its fortress had been essential to keeping the Nubians out, for the most part.

Yugi had donned a blue, sleeveless tunic, and silver jewellery. He was attaching a sparkling clip to his hair and promising himself not to be manipulated by Pharaoh Atem any further. He probably planned on showing Yugi the three places the Nubians had mildly disordered. That way Yugi would have a bad conscience and offer to sleep with Pharaoh Atem to make up for what he had said.

Well, Pharaoh Atem was wrong. Yugi knew that the crown and the south were enemies of the north. Nothing would change that.

With an erect posture and a held-up chin, Yugi joined Kisara on deck. A cheering crowd had gathered at the harbour. Of course they'd be happy to see the one who had protected them from the war so well they had hardly noticed it. But upon looking closer, Yugi saw that the people were mostly wearing rags, their bodies were thin, and many had wounds on their skin.

They had to be actors then, hired by Pharaoh Atem to fill the first few rows! Surely people in the back all wore silks and pearls! Yet, Yugi didn't bother to crane his neck.

When they dismounted the ship, following Pharaoh Atem, Lord Seto, and their highest-ranking servants, many pointed at Yugi and Kisara. Both didn't react and just mounted the palanquins waiting for them at the end of the jetty. Before the curtain was pulled shut, Yugi caught a glimpse of a pile of burned wood that might have been a shipyard once.

The palanquins brought them to a mansion, a little smaller than that of Otogi in Tamiat. It looked different from northern architecture, more angular in shape and with fewer wavy patterns on the walls and pillars. The colours of the paintings were rather pale, as if no one had had the time to renew them. Many of the flower beds were dried out, forming brown spots among purple, yellow, and blue blossoms.

At the entrance waited, surrounded by servants and guards, a young man with blond, shoulder-length hair in a lavender tunic. He wore golden wristbands, similar to those Otogi owned, with a pattern of ambers and diamonds. He knelt down when Pharaoh Atem got out of his palanquin, as did his subordinates.

"You may rise," Pharaoh Atem said, standing right in front of them. They obeyed.

"My Pharaoh, it's an honour to welcome you here in Buhen. Our supplies may not be at their best but we shall share all we have with you and your entourage," the noble said and Yugi noticed that he was almost as thin as the people at the harbour. The noble looked at Lady Isis and smiles spread on their faces.

"I'm so happy to see you again, Malik," she said, tears sparkling in the corners of her eyes.

"Me too, sister," Lord Malik said. They shared a long hug and a couple of servants added: "Welcome home, Lady Isis!"

"I'm so glad to be back," she said. "And I'm looking forward to peace finally returning."

Someone snorted. Yugi looked over his shoulder and saw that the sound had come from Lord Kek.

"Forgive us, my Pharaoh. I didn't mean to ignore you," Lord Malik said and turned to him. "Would you like an overview of Buhen before I show you your chambers?"

"I would appreciate that. Thank you."

Lord Malik guided them inside, into a grand foyer with tall pillars. In the middle stood a large staircase and in front of it was a large mosaic of a meadow, each flower a different one. Yugi didn't want to follow the crowd upstairs but he had no chance to escape the stream of people. They ascended until they reached the roof from where they could see the city and some surrounding villages. Yugi's breath froze in his throat.

Most of it was burned down, as were many trees and plants, leaving only black stains and piles of leftovers. Yugi tried to come up with an excuse. Pharaoh Atem must have staged it! Or maybe it was an accidental fire that had destroyed all these neighbourhoods and villages! Or maybe…

Well, who knew what was going on in that sick mind of Pharaoh Atem?! All that mattered was that he didn't care about the north and all the people dying because he refused to help them! But then why were his brows furrowed and his jaw clenched as if he were feeling sympathy or even … sadness?

"That's why the war shouldn't stop. The people should have a chance to pay Nubia back for all this," Lord Kek whispered and yawned. Yugi glared at him.

Once again, Yugi and Kisara shared a room, this time in a corridor between Pharaoh Atem and Lord Seto's chambers. On the next day, a servant woke them when the sun was still half hidden behind the horizon. She asked them to wear simple, functional clothes today and to come to the main hall to see Pharaoh Atem and Lord Seto after breakfast. Despite their confusion, Yugi and Kisara did as she said.

They got dressed, then had a quick meal of honeyed yoghurt with blackberries and grapes. As Yugi put one spoon after another into his mouth, he wondered what for Pharaoh Atem required his presence. He probably had to sit by his side at meetings, refill his cup, and force a giggle whenever he smacked Yugi's butt or pulled him on his lap. He had trouble swallowing his food when he thought about it.

Nobles and servants alike were hurrying through the corridors and beginning their tasks for the day. The scents of fruits and freshly baked bread were still wafting through the air. It was the same in the entrance hall where Pharaoh Atem and Lord Seto were standing near the grand staircase, accompanied by two assistants and scribes each. Both made them withdraw with a gesture as Yugi and Kisara approached and bowed.

"Good morning my Pharaoh, my lord," both said.

"Kisara, I would like you to meet Buhen's treasurer," Lord Seto said and pointed at a middle-aged woman near a door. "I arranged for you to assist her today."

Kisara's hand flew to her chest.

"Really? That'd be so fascinating…! When I told you I considered this an interesting profession, I never expected…"

"I know but I just can't let your talent go to waste. You'll make an excellent treasurer. Well, assistant treasurer for now." He smirked. "Let's go meet her."

Lord Seto placed a hand on Kisara's back and guided her towards the treasurer. Yugi was almost as surprised as Kisara herself. He turned to Pharaoh Atem, his face emotionless, like most of the time. Surely, he'd have a way more unpleasant task for Yugi.

"And what do you want me to do, my Pharaoh?"

"You'll accompany Lady Isis to the city and help her distribute food among the needy."

"What?" he said but Pharaoh Atem didn't react. "I thought you'd want me to…"

"You thought you'd get to rest your pretty behind on an equally pretty cushion all day? Well, you're wrong. I want you to do some work."

Heat crept into Yugi's cheeks.

"I don't have any problem with work!"

"Good. Then please go ahead and prove it," Pharaoh Atem said and gestured at the open main doors. Yugi gave a small, reluctant bow and walked into the forecourt. People were loading three carts with sacks and crates while Lady Isis directed which went where.

"Excuse me, my lady?" Yugi said and her friendly expression disappeared when she saw Yugi. He would rather have gone with Kisara, even if her task had bored Yugi to death. "Pharaoh Atem wants me to accompany you."

"I am aware," she said, her voice like a cool breeze. "No matter how I feel about Pharaoh Atem's idea, we need every pair of helping hands we can get. So please, assist the others."

Yugi obeyed and placed crates of vegetables in one of the carts. Once all three were full, Yugi and over a dozen other volunteers squeezed themselves into a fourth cart. They were both nobles and servants, as evidenced by their clothes made of silk or linen. Yet for once, the difference in status between them didn't seem to affect who chatted with whom.

Lady Isis climbed on the spot next to the coachman. When the ten guards had gotten into their formation around the four carts she gave a sign. One moment later, the donkeys started moving and the trip into the city began.

Most of the city's streets were lined by dried out palm trees. Yugi assumed that they hadn't only been planted to look nice but mostly to provide some shade. Yugi had already considered Waset hot compared to Tamiat but temperatures in Buhen were even higher. It was still early in the morning and Yugi had already broken out in sweat while loading the carts.

They reached a plaza, surrounded by what appeared to be government buildings made out of stone. In the middle stood a mosaic pond without any water. People were doing their business like in any other city, haggling, carrying bags of laundry, laughing, while children ran around and played. Yet, something felt different.

Maybe it was because many houses were half-destroyed and in the process of being rebuilt. Or that most people were dressed in rags, contradicting Yugi's assumption from yesterday. Or maybe it was that there was something hollow about their looks and smiles, as if they had seen horrible things that haunted them in their sleep.

In spite of that, they cheered when they saw Lady Isis arrive. The carts stopped and Yugi and the others began unloading them. From one of the government buildings they got long tables and placed them in the shade of an awning. They then put baskets of fruit, bread, and vegetables on the wooden surfaces. They also set up two big metal pots, lit fires beneath them, and began preparing a vegetable soup.

People were already forming clusters around the tables. The ten guards had to push them back while Lady Isis called over and over that everyone would receive some food and asked them to keep calm. To Yugi's surprise, they listened to her.

Once Yugi and the others had everything prepared, the people formed a line, following Lady Isis' command. This time no one cared about Yugi's looks. The people went from table to table, gathering the food they received in baskets or bags. Their faces were gaunt, some even cried, and a few had an eye or a foot missing.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" they said when Yugi handed them loaves, apples, or bowls with vegetable soup.

"You're welcome," Yugi said but didn't dare looking them in the eyes. All this reminded him so much of Tamiat, of how he, Jou, Anzu, and Honda had visited Tamiat's villages with food. They had spread smiles and given people hope that kindness hadn't ceased to exist despite the war. Ra, he missed them so much it was as if there was an iron ring around his heart.

If only he could sit at the beach with his friends again… Laughing at Jou's silly puns… Listen to Anzu gush about her fellow whores… Hear Honda tell them proudly about his accomplishments as one of the captains of the city guard…

A thin man with a beard stood before Yugi, holding out a bowl. Yugi noticed that his small fingers were missing on both of his shaky hands. Yugi filled the bowl with a small loaf of bread, two spoons of dried beans, and a pear.

"That's all?!" the man spat. "My wife and three children are sick! You can't ask us to live off this for a whole day!"

A punch in the face couldn't have paralysed Yugi more. No one he had passed food out to had ever reacted that way, be it here or in Tamiat.

"Those are the rules. I'm sorry," he croaked.

"No, you're not!" The man threw the bowl away, drawing everyone else's attention to him. "They're dying! Dying! I won't be told by a spoilt brat like you-"

The guards grabbed the man and pulled him away but that didn't stop him from cursing and insulting them. Even once he was far away, Yugi couldn't stop trembling.

"Are you all right?" Lady Isis asked, now besides him.

"Y-Yeah."

Lady Isis examined him, then said without the coolness she usually gave Yugi:

"I think it's time for your lunch break now."

Yugi nodded and turned around. In a basket in a corner lay the lunches for the volunteers. They were medium-sized loaves of bread, the fluffy insides removed and instead stuffed with the leftovers of the stew from last dinner. It had consisted out of meat, red lentils, and vegetables in a spicy sauce. Yugi grabbed one of the loaves and walked away from the plaza, taking a few small bites.

What the man had done was wrong, yet Yugi felt sorry for him. He wished he could have given him enough food but he knew the rations had to be even in order to prevent fights. But how could Yugi feel the desire to help someone from the south? They were different!

Then why was this whole day reminding him so much of Tamiat?

A short howl made him stop. Yugi turned around a corner and saw a person disappear into another alley. Yugi only got a glimpse of the man's hair but he recognised it immediately. Blond, spiky, and wild – Lord Kek.

Yugi looked around. The fresh and juicy scents of the food that had surrounded him all day were gone. This place only smelled of stone and ash. It must have been a small back garden to the burned down houses in front of him. Pieces of wood and mud brick lay everywhere, mixed with leftovers of toys, clothes, and vases.

On the ground lay a dog with dirty, sand-coloured fur. Only the snout, the tip of the tail, and the pointy ears were black. It was giving small sounds of pain until it saw Yugi. It jumped up and growled at him, teeth bared. Yugi stepped back.

"Calm down. That guy who just left… He hurt you, didn't he? I won't do that." Yugi tilted his head. "You're a girl, huh?"

She just kept growling. Yugi assumed that she was a mix of a noble dog and a jackal. She was so thin Yugi could see her ribs from afar.

He looked down at the loaf in his hands. Yugi had only taken three bites out of it. Carefully, he bent down and tossed the food towards her. The dog's eyes widened and darted from Yugi to the loaf and back. One moment later, she pounced on the food and gobbled it up in two bites. She retreated, still growling but without showing her teeth.

Yugi gave her a smile before he made his way back to the plaza. He would have to go hungry until he was back at the mansion. Yet, he was feeling better than if he had eaten the loaf himself.

A few days later, a message reached the mansion: The king of Nubia had started his journey to Buhen and would soon arrive. Everyone was looking forward to the armistice turning into peace.

Helping pass out food in the city became Yugi's daily routine. He even memorised many faces and a couple of names of the commoners. In the lunch break, Yugi went to the alley from his first day and gave his food to the dog. She had stopped growling at him and had even sniffed Yugi a few times, even though she was still careful around him. This also meant that Yugi was a lot hungrier when it was time for dinner.

Yugi had just received his second bowl of soup with leek and fish and began eating immediately. It still had too much pepper for his taste but that didn't make it any less delicious. He had to control himself to not eat as greedily as the dog. After all, he couldn't allow himself to forget about his manners besides Pharaoh Atem.

"What a healthy appetite for a Royal Ornament," Lord Malik said with a smile as Yugi shoved another spoonful into his mouth. Yugi's teeth clenched around the wood at the last words.

"He's not my official lover," Pharaoh Atem said. "Just my personal whore."

'And I wouldn't even be that if I had had a choice,' Yugi thought but remained silent. Not far from the round table a group of dancers performed a choreography to a slow song. Yugi was glad that he and Kisara didn't have to entertain the small hall with six tables. Distributing food in the city all day was work enough.

"My lord, are you certain it's safe to accommodate King Rishid here? The people won't be happy about seeing a Nubian in their city," Pharaoh Atem said, his hand hovering over the flame of an oil lamp.

"That is true but King Rishid assured me that he'll be inconspicuous. To the commoners he'll look like a travelling Egyptian noble. Besides, the people are so tired of the war they wouldn't mind anything that contributes to a peace treaty."

"Will he arrive on horse or by ship?"

"On horse. Nowadays you never know if the Nile is deep enough all the way."

A bitter smile spread on Pharaoh Atem's lips.

"True."

Lord Malik cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry if it seems like I insinuated anything. I'm sure the Nile will return to its former glory once this year's fertility ritual is taken care of," he added but the words sounded rather stiff.

"Of course," Pharaoh Atem said, not looking at anyone. Yugi still couldn't make any sense of him. He hadn't asked for him to come to his bed chamber and he hadn't talked to Yugi about his work in the city either. They only saw each other at dinner and at that opportunity Pharaoh Atem rarely approached him.

Yugi emptied his bowl of soup one spoon after another and nibbled on a slice of bread afterwards. Pharaoh Atem, Lady Isis, Lord Malik, their highest-ranking scribes and assistants were all chatting. Meanwhile, Kisara and Lord Seto were having a one-on-one conversation, probably about mathematics.

For a while, Yugi just sipped on his wine and listened to the drums, harp and lute not far from him. That was, until Lord Kek appeared, wedged a chair between Yugi and Pharaoh Atem, and sat down. Yugi and many other guests gave Lord Kek annoyed or scandalised looks.

"My Pharaoh, you might want to reconsider signing that peace treaty," Lord Kek whispered as if the two were still friends.

"I certainly don't," Pharaoh Atem hissed.

"Please, hear me out. Nubia is at rock bottom. They can't fight back. But they have many mines that would be useful to your economy. And don't forget the people. I'm sure they want revenge on those who burned down their houses and killed their loved ones. Let them have a little rape and murder and besides, we could sell those Nubians as slaves. It's part of their culture already…"

Before Yugi could splash his wine into Lord Kek's face, Pharaoh Atem pushed back his chair and rose. There was nothing but disgust in his eyes.

"I do not condone revenge, rape, murder or slavery," he said, so loud everyone in the room heard it. All eyes were on him. "And if you come to my table again without my permission, be it to pester me with your revolting thoughts or not, I will have you punished. Leave."

Lord Kek twisted his mouth. He rose, gave a mocking bow, and walked away. Pharaoh Atem sat back down and the conversations in the hall resumed, if a little quieter. Pharaoh Atem gestured Yugi to come closer and Yugi moved to Lord Kek's now empty chair.

"What do you think of him?" Pharaoh Atem whispered, nodding at Lord Kek.

"Me?"

"Yes, you, Yugi of Tamiat."

"I…" Yugi hesitated. "I don't like him. And him suggesting something as barbaric as slavery is only one of the reasons."

Yugi shuddered at the mere word.

"Yes… Slavery is one of the worst things people can do to each other. It's even worse than death," Pharaoh Atem said, causing Yugi's eyes to widen. "Don't you agree?"

"O-Of course," Yugi replied. Hearing those familiar words from Pharaoh Atem felt like having walked into the wrong room. "If you allow me…"

Yugi stood up and made his way through the hall to a small balcony. Moonlight was reflecting on the small pond below him. He rested his forearms on the stone bannister, which was overgrown with partly dried out ivy, and let his thoughts wander.

Yugi heard steps behind himself, looked over his shoulder, and saw Kisara approach. Her hair was in a long braid, adorned with feathers. She also placed her elbows on the bannister.

"We haven't talked much over the past days, huh? How are you doing?" Yugi asked.

"Well… Working with the other treasurers is fascinating. They still don't understand why they're supposed to teach a whore but I still learn a lot. Besides, looking at these documents of how many supplies they really had in those years of war…" She twirled a strand of silvery blond hair around her finger. "Please don't think I'm crazy… But it seems the south isn't as wealthy as we thought."

She glanced at Yugi. Until they had come here Yugi would have called Kisara a traitor for that. But now knowing that they had come to a similar conclusion took a weight off Yugi's chest.

"I thought the same. I assumed that people here are safe and had no worries because Pharaoh Atem supported them. But all those I see in the city are so thin and tired… The war wasn't easy on them…"

Of course that changed nothing about the fact that Pharaoh Atem ignored the north's misery. Yugi's opinion on the people might be changing but it was still Pharaoh Atem who should have found a better solution. Yet, he wasn't acting any less strange.

Not asking Yugi to do his 'job' as his personal whore, sending him to work for the commoners instead, and asking for his opinion on Lord Kek… Yugi forbade himself to try to understand Pharaoh Atem. Instead, he looked down at the pond and watched the ripples in the water as two geese swam across the glittering surface.

Yugi was cutting another carrot and threw the slices into the steaming pot besides him. By now he had developed a routine and he cut the vegetables almost as quickly as a kitchen boy. Meanwhile, the people of the city had gotten used to the lines and the waiting time they entailed.

Even though hunger was still sparkling in their eyes every morning, they listened to Lady Isis' commands. By now only five guards accompanied them to the city. Since the plaza was peaceful most of the time they helped the volunteers with the food, assisted the commoners with carrying heavy things, or made children smile by letting them sit on their horses.

Yugi watched Lady Isis hurry from one table to another, answering questions, taking care of any tensions, and making sure the food baskets were always being refilled. The commoners looked at her with admiration and only had nice words for her.

The plaza was crowded. Many sat on the floor, cross-legged, and ate the soup or their food rations then and there. Some even laughed a little or shared tips on how to treat each other's wounds.

The sun stood high on a cloudless sky, as if Ra didn't tolerate any other presence in his realm today. Yugi wiped his forehead with the back of his hand and took another carrot from a crate. He hummed to the tune of a flute that a street performer was playing.

"Yugi," Lady Isis said and Yugi turned to his left. "It's time for your break now."

"Thank you, my lady," he said with a small smile that Lady Isis returned. Yugi finished the carrot and put down the knife. After grabbing another loaf, filled with last night's stew, he disappeared in the alleys.

As he walked, Yugi took three bites and enjoyed the spice mixture of garlic and thyme. He chose the same route as on his first day of work and ended up in the burned down backyard. As soon as he whistled, the dog appeared from her hiding spot, a hole in one of the mud brick houses. She kept her distance but was already wagging her tail. Yugi chuckled.

He sat down on the floor, leaned against a cool wall. The dog came closer and as soon as Yugi offered her the loaf she took a big bite out of it.

"Leave me a few fingers, will you?" Yugi said with a grin. She ate the loaf in its entirety, licked her snout afterwards, and then searched for any crumbs on the floor. "You know… I'd like to name you. There's that story I loved as a child, about a prince who reconquers his kingdom with the help of two thieves. One of them is named Taia. What do you think?" She licked his face next, probably because she had spotted a crumb. Yugi smirked."I assume that means you like it, Taia?" Yugi said and petted her head. Her fur was still matted with dirt and Yugi had noticed a few crusty and festering scratches. "I wish I could take you with me, give you a bath and have your wounds treated. But… I had a pet not long ago who was named after the other thief and I…"

Before the guilt could overwhelm Yugi, he heard steps.

"Come on, over here!" a deep voice said that Yugi knew. As did Taia. Remembering her last encounter with the person it belonged to, she jumped up and hurried back to her hiding place. Yugi had only a moment to react.

Not wanting to meet Lord Kek in a backstreet, Yugi also crawled into the hole and hid behind a bend. Despite it being rather dark, Yugi saw a few insects and spider webs. Yugi had to duck his head and tuck up his legs besides Taia. The two barely fit in there.

"Look in that corner too! No one's here? Good!" Lord Kek said. Yugi craned his neck. Lord Kek held a sack open to three others who were dressed in rags. They took clothes out of the sack, stepped out of Yugi's field of vision, and put them on. At least Yugi guessed so according to the sounds.

"And all we need to do-"

"I told you five times already! Just do as I said and you'll get your reward!"

Yugi heard steps and then it was silent. They must have left. Yugi stayed a moment longer, his hand running over Taia's back.

"What was that about?" he asked but Taia looked just as confused as him. "Well… I gotta go back now. See you tomorrow, Taia."

Yugi left the hideout and patted his tunic to remove dust and dirt. Taia stuck her head out and looked after Yugi as he walked away.

At the plaza, Yugi returned to the table near the steaming pot and continued cutting carrots. He chased his thoughts about Lord Kek away. After all, he had more important things to do. He and another volunteer were just pouring a few bowls of chickpeas into the soup when…

"STARVE, YOU EGYPTIAN BASTARDS!"

Everyone looked into the direction the voice had come from. Three men, in robes with red and white stripes, their faces hidden behind headscarves, jumped from a roof. They pushed and stabbed everyone in their way as they rushed towards the tables with food. Before anyone could react, they flipped over the tables, grabbed a few baskets, and kicked over the soup pots. One of them shoved Yugi into a pile of empty crates. The three ran away as quickly as they had come.

Yugi rose, rubbing his aching limbs. Only now he noticed his pounding pulse. The commoners and volunteers were helping each other up, treating the wounds of the injured, all asking the same question: What had just happened?

Yugi saw Lady Isis lying on the ground, next to a puddle of vegetable soup that was seeping into the sand. Yugi offered her a hand to stand up.

"What was that?" he asked.

"I don't know," she said, pushing carrot leaves off her shoulder. "But those robes with the red and white stripes were distinctively Nubian. And what they shouted…"

Yugi gulped. The others seemed to have come to the same conclusion.

"Yes, only Nubians were such robes!"

"But … we have an armistice! This is against the law!"

"I always said Nubians don't care about the laws! They're all criminals!"

The fear and fragility in their voices was replaced by anger. Yugi tried to remember what the clothes Lord Kek had given the men had looked like. No, they had been outside his view…

Lady Isis clapped her hands and everyone looked at her.

"I can assure you that I will tell the Pharaoh and my brother about the incident! From tomorrow on I will bring more guards with me in order to prevent this from happening again! Please don't let hate poison your minds when we're so close to peace!" she said but not everyone was convinced. She turned to the volunteers. "Put the tables back up, salvage the soup ingredients, and prepare new soups. A lot may be covered with sand but it's still edible."

Everyone obeyed. Yugi grabbed a bowl and gathered carrots, chickpeas, and onions in it. His fingers were still a little shaky. Yugi was just about to wash the food in a bucket of water when a teenage girl reached the plaza on a horse. She furrowed her brows at the disarray. Nevertheless, she dismounted and bowed to Lady Isis.

"Excuse me, my lady. You and the Pharaoh's whore are asked to return to the mansion. The king of Nubia is about to arrive."