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 26
Yugi rode into the camp, surrounded by royal guards. The hooves of their horses whirled up clouds of dust and sand. The sun was setting, immersing everything into a reddish light.
Yugi had been out all day, watching the battles from a safe distance. Whenever he had suspected a soldier to be Jou, he had asked the guards to drag that man out of the fray and to him. However, Yugi had been wrong each time. After a few days of this happening over and over, Yugi was starting to wonder if Jou was at the battles at all.
He could feel the soldiers' eyes on him as he trotted by. Many even came out of their tents or looked up from their food just to get a glimpse of him. A group of common whores was accompanying the army but those merely lay down on their backs for everyone who had a few copper pieces. At least that was what Yugi had heard about those kinds of whores. Yugi couldn't even blame the soldiers for craving more but he was interested in only one person.
He stopped and dismounted in front of a large crimson tent. A stable boy took care of his stallion. Yugi brushed the tent flaps aside and entered. The inside was laid out with rugs and furs and different sections were separated by partition walls.
In a corner, he took off his wristband, sandals and breastplate. Yugi undressed and washed himself with a towel and a bowl of salt water. All fresh water was needed for drinking and cooking. With how low the Nile was by now – some branches were nothing more than a rill – everyone had to save what they could, even the Pharaoh and his whore.
Yugi sprayed himself with a flowery perfume and slipped into a robe made of wine red silk. He threw himself on a bunch of colourful cushions around a low table. His back thanked him with a wave of relaxation after a whole day on his horse.
On the table stood bowls and plates of bread, fruit, and vegetables. Yugi took some of each, enjoying the crunchy textures and juicy tastes in his mouth. He was just swallowing his last piece of cucumber when the tent flaps opened and Atem entered.
He was in his gold-ornamented leather armour and nemes headdress. Yugi got up and greeted him with a kiss.
"I missed you," Atem said.
"I missed you too."
Yugi helped him out of his clothes until Atem only wore a shenti. After washing all the sweat and dirt off his skin, they sat down around the low table. Atem lay down on his stomach, nibbling on a piece of bread, while Yugi massaged his gold-brown skin.
"Any news from the front?" Yugi asked as he kneaded Atem's right shoulder.
"None. We're evenly matched. My generals think it's better to try out new tactics but they can't decide on which." Atem sighed. "What about you?"
"Nothing new. I hope Jou is somewhere around here…"
For a while, they remained silent while Yugi searched for Atem's tense spots. Distant voices and footsteps sounded from outside.
"I hate going to battle," Atem whispered. "So much blood and pain… Everyone has to suffer because of me, both in the war and because of the low Nile… Maybe the gods made a mistake by letting me become Pharaoh."
Yugi leaned forward and kissed Atem's neck. Mostly it was Atem who was protective of Yugi but in moments like these it was the other way around. Yugi wanted nothing more than to tear apart those chains of guilt that tortured Atem.
"Atlantis attacked us without provocation. You had nothing to do with it."
"Maybe they wouldn't have attacked if my troops hadn't been busy in the south."
"We don't know that and there's no point in thinking about it." Yugi's lips traced the path of Atem's spine, enticing a shiver from him. "Besides, we'll take care of the Nile when it's time for the second ritual. I know Hapi will be most impressed by your stamina…"
Atem chuckled. He turned around on his back and Yugi sat down on his groin, legs astride. Yugi bent down for a sensual kiss and at the same time Atem's hands wandered from Yugi's hips over his back. Already the first sparks crawled through Yugi's veins and he craved more. He reached for a bowl of strawberries on the table.
"I saved these for you because I know they're your favourites." Yugi let a finger run over Atem's chest. "Want to eat them off my body?"
"Sounds delicious," Atem said with a grin.
Yugi lay down among all the velvety cushions and furs and opened his robe. He placed the strawberries on different parts of his upper body and Atem picked them up with his lips, not without leaving a long kiss on each spot. Yugi ended up placing four strawberries on the pink tips on his chest, just because Atem's tongue and teeth made Yugi lean back his head in relish.
Yugi put the last strawberry on his belly button. Atem bit off two tiny pieces, then gobbled up the last one. His lips caressed Yugi's skin while Yugi had his hands in Atem's hair. Every touch stoked the fire of longing in Yugi's chest. When their eyes met, he saw the same desire in Atem's scarlet eyes.
"That was tasty," he whispered. "But there's another thing I'd like in my mouth now…"
Atem rubbed Yugi's crotch, covered by a loincloth. Already, a bulge was forming underneath and it intensified Yugi's thirst for more. With a quick motion he opened the loincloth and tossed it aside. Grinning, Atem's face sank down on Yugi's member and the first moan of the night escaped Yugi's throat.
It didn't take long until they had rid each other of their last pieces of clothing. In a seemingly endless swirl of hot and cold they rolled over the floor. Their arms and legs wrapped around each other's bodies, pale skin against dark skin.
All the while, Atem had his fingers inside Yugi, exploring and helping that inner muscle stretch. Yugi ended up on his back again, legs spread, and Atem's hand busy with his entrance. Atem's touch drove Yugi wild with desire, even more so when he looked at Atem's fully erect manhood. Yugi needed to ride it now. He tried to sit up but Atem wouldn't have it and shoved him back into the cushions.
Yugi smirked, accepting it for now. Whenever they had sex after a day of battle, it was as if Atem's blood was still on fire with dominance. Yugi enjoyed how fierce Atem could be and knowing that he was so attractive to him it woke a more animalistic side in him.
Yugi groaned and writhed, begging Atem to take him now and hard. For now, Yugi wanted to forget about his worries, wanted to use the skills he had learned to conjure a world only for the two of them, wanted to give himself to Atem with every fibre of his being.
He made Yugi lie down on his side and, after coating his manhood with lube, he entered Yugi. His body accepted the firm invader, relished the thrusts and how his heart danced. He moaned, unashamed of the fact that half the camp could hear them. They were already curious anyway, so why not let them know that the Pharaoh could be a mercilessly passionate lover?
Yugi's fingers dug into the fur beneath him. He and Atem were one, lust radiating through their bodies. Yugi could feel himself soar higher and higher, called Atem's name, begged the gods to grant him that fiery feeling of ecstasy…
Thudding sounds, the clash of metal, curses came from outside. Yugi and Atem froze. Atem slid out of Yugi and both shot up, then slipped on robes.
Yugi rushed outside first and as soon as he saw who had caused the noises, Yugi's hands flew to his mouth. Two guards grabbed the man's arms while two more were pointing their spears at him. He was insulting them, his leather armour dirty, his hair wild and blond.
"Jou!" Yugi said and wanted to run towards him. But Lord Seto stopped him by grabbing his wrist.
"Careful. The intruder had a sword. He must have tried to assassinate the Pharaoh. We'll have him executed immediately."
"No!" Yugi ran towards Jou and stretched out his arms, as if to protect him. By now Atem had stepped beside Lord Seto, his hair hidden under his robe's hood. "He's the soldier I've been looking for! He's my friend!"
"That's right! I'm here to save Yugi from the Pharaoh!" Jou said. "And none of you will stop me! Yugi, take-"
A guard punched Jou in the stomach. Jou tried to wriggle free, threatening the men who were restraining him.
"That's enough! Have him tied up! If he decides not to behave like a rabid dog tomorrow, we might allow him to defend himself," Lord Seto said. The guards obeyed and dragged Jou away.
"Don't hurt him!" Yugi said and helplessly turned to Atem.
"He won't be harmed. But I don't think there's any sense in talking to him right now."
"Nonsense! I'll explain everything to him!"
Yugi followed Jou and the soldiers. He passed some groups of men who stared at his body beneath the thin robe, grinning. The soldiers stopped in a lonely corner where only a few wooden poles stood. They forced Jou on his knees and tied his hands behind his back around one of the poles, then walked away.
"Jou!" Yugi said, fell on his knees, and gave him a tight hug. Even in the dim moonlight Yugi recognised Jou's features as if he had seen them only yesterday.
"Yugi, I'm so sorry I couldn't save you. I know I should have waited for a better moment but when I heard what that bastard was doing to you…"
"Doing to me? What do you mean?"
"The whole camp heard how he … raped you." Jou's eyes filled with rage. "And none of these cowards here tried to do something! Some even got off on it! They're disgusting!"
"Jou…"
"But don't worry, all of Tamiat knows and we're doing what we can to save you! I wasn't allowed to leave but when some told me they had seen you I knew I had to at least try!"
"I don't need to be saved! And Atem didn't rape me!" Yugi said and Jou furrowed his brows in confusion. "What we just did, it was … consensual."
Jou's expression changed. Now he looked at Yugi like a slimy parasite.
"You're kidding. Why would you give yourself to such a monster?!"
"He's not as bad as-"
"Yes, he is! Have you already forgotten how he left us to fight for ourselves for the longest time?! How many people died because he couldn't be bothered to send his forces?! I haven't! Most of them were my comrades and I watched them getting killed because of him!"
"Jou, listen…"
"Why would I listen to a traitor?! I thought having to fight alongside the Atlanteans was bad but I did it for you! And now you tell me it was all for nothing?!"
Jou's hate hit Yugi like an arrow in his heart. He felt a hand on his shoulder. It belonged to Lord Seto.
"There's no sense in talking to such riff-raff, Royal Ornament," he said and Jou's jaw dropped.
"Royal… Is that why you betrayed us?! For a fancy title?! I can't believe you abandoned us because of a cosy life at the Pharaoh's side!"
A lump grew in Yugi's throat. He got up and made his way back to Atem's tent.
After being consoled by Atem's warm hug and gentle words, Yugi decided to bring Jou to Busiris. On the next day, Yugi made the trip together with Lord Seto, some royal guards, and of course Jou. Jou remained silent the whole time and only had disgusted looks for Yugi. Lord Seto insisted on having Jou shackled and tied to his horse and even though the sight was another needle in Yugi's soul, he had to agree.
The sun had reached its highest point by the time they arrived at Busiris. Lord Seto commanded to have Jou brought to the dungeon. It was a dark and cool place and Jou was its only prisoner for now. His cell was furnished with nothing more than a plank bed, some hay, and a chamber pot.
"Leave us alone please," Yugi said and the others did as he asked. Only Lord Seto stayed and leaned against one of the stone walls. Jou stared at the bars of a small window, his back on Yugi. "Could you please tell me how Tamiat is doing? Is everyone all right?"
"Of course not," Jou spat. "The Atlanteans prance through our streets and take whatever they want, food, houses, whores, you name it. At least now they… Whatever. Otogi hardly sleeps or at least we think so, judging by how dark the rings under his eyes are. He probably can't get over your betrayal. And most people have to work themselves half to death at the shipbuilding sites for the Atlanteans. All the while you roll around the Pharaoh's bed and don't mind being his slave!"
Yugi winced at the last word. He realised that the only thing worse than being hated by your enemies was being hated by your friends.
"Don't waste your breath, Royal Ornament," Lord Seto said. "I'd call this individual a mutt but even dogs are better behaved than him."
"Shut your mouth, palace brat!"
"If you enjoy being behind bars, by all means, keep talking like that."
Yugi and Lord Seto left the dungeon and a soldier shut the door behind them. While Lord Seto headed for his own chambers, Yugi made his way to the treasurers' offices. As soon as he opened one of the doors, Taia jumped at him and barked happily.
"I missed you too, sweetie. Did you stay with Kisara the whole time? I'm so proud of you," Yugi said and scratched her behind her pointy ears.
"Welcome back," Kisara said and got up from her desk to hug him. "I'm glad to see you but how come you're here? Did you find Jou?"
"Well… Yes. But he hates me," Yugi said. They sat down and Yugi told her what had happened yesterday. "The worst part is… I can't even be mad at him because I used to think just like him. It took me a journey to the south to understand that what we heard about Atem wasn't true. If our roles were reversed…"
Kisara played with her abacus, its beads gentle clicking against one another.
"I'm not sure if it will help but… Maybe we could try talking to him together. Once he's calmed down of course. Perhaps if we both explain it to him, he can be convinced."
Yugi could have given her another hug for the mere suggestion. With her at his side, bearing Jou's hate would be a little easier.
"Let's give it a try. And thank you."
They worked out what they wanted to tell Jou and discussed which points could be the most convincing. On the next day, they made their way into the dungeon. While being pleasantly cold, the air had a stinky note that just wouldn't go away. They stopped in front of Jou's cell. Yugi's pulse quickened.
"We brought you a peach. You like those, right?" Kisara said and placed it on the ground inside Jou' cell. Jou sat on his plank bed, silent and arms crossed. "We don't have much to spare I'm afraid. Our food is starting to run low. I know because I work with the treasurers, you know?"
"Does that mean you betrayed us too?" Jou said.
"Jou, please. We've been to the south and people there aren't as spoilt as Otogi told us, quite the opposite in fact. You see-"
"Nothing that happened in the south could possibly justify letting hundreds of soldiers die! Funny how quickly you forgot about that, huh?!"
Kisara played with her braid, apparently as uncomfortable with Jou's anger as Yugi. Her voice became shaky as she said:
"We didn't forget. Do you know what Otogi tried to do and why? He-"
"I don't care what Otogi did! We had to let those Atlantean bastards into our home and all the while you found new and richer friends at the Pharaoh's court! I had hoped at least you cared about Tamiat, Kisara!"
"Jou-"
"No! You're just as hollow as everyone always said, aren't you?!" Jou shot up and stomped towards the bars. "I wish you had stayed with that stepsister of yours! Seems like you deserved how she treated you!"
Kisara's face turned white as chalk and even Yugi could feel the colour drain from his face. Yugi opened his mouth but before he could speak the door to the dungeon slammed open.
"What did you say to Kisara?!" Lord Seto said, fists clenched.
"Did you overhear the whole-" Yugi began but Lord Seto ignored him. He grabbed a bunch of keys from a table beside him, opened Jou's cell, and pulled him with him outside. Yugi and Kisara followed them, trying to reason but they didn't listen.
They ended up in the training grounds where a few soldiers were practising archery. Lord Seto pushed Jou into a ring, grabbed a sword, and threw another one in the sand before Jou.
"Get up and fight, mutt!"
"Oh, you made a mistake, palace brat!"
Jou picked up his weapon and rose. Yugi and Kisara could only stand and watch at the side. Jou and Lord Seto charged at each other with a battle cry. Metal smashed against metal over and over.
"You will be sorry for what you said!" Lord Seto snapped.
"Why?! She betrayed us! As did Yugi! And you and the Pharaoh and everyone at the palace! You turned your back on us when we were under attack!"
"You had turned your back on us by the time we got here! You sided with Atlantis!"
They kept reproaching each other. Despite their anger, they gave each other only a few slight wounds or the occasional punch.
"Why are you protecting Kisara anyway?!" Jou wiped a few drops of blood from his lips. "Don't like it when people talk to your property?!"
"Don't you dare call her that!" Lord Seto attacked and their blades clashed. "All my life I worked hard for myself and for Egypt but never for another person! You wouldn't understand what it's like to have that one person you'd give anything for!"
"How would you know?! Growing up I only had my sister and I did all I could to protect her from our violent father! She was the only one I had for years!"
They kept fighting, shouting reproaches that grew more and more similar.
"You have no idea what it's like to put someone else before yourself!" Jou said.
"And you have no idea what it's like to care for someone enough to swallow your damn pride for them!"
"So cut out your bullshit and…"
"You need to shut up and…"
Their swords collided and both shouted:
"Stop pretending you know what it's like to care for someone so much you'd die for them!"
They froze, staring at each other. One moment later, both dropped their weapons into the sand. They avoided looking at each other. Lord Seto cleared his throat.
"Guards, bring the prisoner back to his cell."
Only now Yugi noticed that a small group of people – servants, soldiers, and guards alike – had gathered. Two men obeyed and led Jou away without any resistance.
"What happened? Do you know?" Kisara said. Yugi chuckled.
"I think I do."
Kisara sighed and said: "Men…!"
"Kisara," Lord Seto said, now beside her. Yugi stepped away and pretended to inspect a rack of swords. The rest of the crowd was dispersing as well. "It occurred to me that… Well, I just spoke of swallowing your pride for someone else and… I don't think I've been living up to my own words when it comes to you."
Kisara's cheeks turned pink. She looked at her sandalled feet.
"That… Maybe… Yes."
"It seems that it would be in order if I… Well…"
"Apologise?"
Lord Seto paused. He straightened his posture and said:
"Yes. I apologise for upsetting you."
A shy smile spread on Kisara's lips. For the first time in months, there was a tender connection between them, free of anger and frustration.
"Thank you. I think I also need to amend my behaviour. There are certain things I never explained to you."
"In that case… Maybe we could talk about those things. You're welcome in my chambers any time."
"Does that include … now?"
This time it was Lord Seto who could barely contain his smile. As an answer, he offered Kisara his arm. She linked hers with it and together they walked away.
Yugi watched. If this event had made Lord Seto changing his mind, maybe it'd be the same with Jou. Yugi decided to give him time to think and to wait until he was ready to talk.
Yugi spent the following days mostly with Ryou in Bakura's office. Despite their journey to the oasis and the resulting fight, Bakura had started to allow Ryou to take more responsibility concerning Busiris. Now Ryou spent a lot of time reading and listening to advisers.
To Yugi's surprise, Ryou often asked him for help as well. Even more surprising, Yugi enjoyed it. There was a lot of satisfaction in gathering all the available information, asking questions, and weighing the pros and cons. It was a lot like calculating a move in a game and Yugi had a lot of experience with that. A few times even the advisers had been taken aback that Yugi had added an entirely new angle to an issue and thereby also new paths to solutions.
Yugi was sitting at a desk with Ryou. While Ryou studied a scroll, Yugi was taking notes – or at least he tried to. Amerys was sitting next to him, pawing at his reed pen.
"I need to write just a little more. Then we can play," Yugi said but Amerys still patted the pen, then rolled over.
"Do you think we should start rationing the food already?" Ryou said. "My brother says with how the war is currently going we should retake one of the coastal cities soon, which means we could import food. I'd rather not worry the commoners."
Yugi chewed his bottom lip.
"Personally, I think it's better to be safe than sorry. Some battles might not turn out in our favour or that bomb shipment could arrive sooner than expected."
Ryou let a hand run through his hair, thinking.
"You're right. Having everyone starved is much worse than them being worried for some time. Thanks, Yugi."
Yugi's heart did a little jump like it always did when he seemed to be doing something right. Yugi gave a content little sigh, inhaling the wonderful scents of papyrus and ink. He took more notes until a knock sounded and a servant poked his head inside.
"Excuse me, Royal Ornament? The prisoner from Tamiat asked to deliver you a message. He'd like to talk to you."
Yugi's back straightened in an instant. He put his pen aside, jumped up, and hurried out of the room without any other word.
His heart pounding, Yugi made his way to the dungeon and gently pushed the door open. Jou was standing at the bars of his cell, almost smiling like in old times.
"Hey there," he said.
"Hey."
Yugi stepped towards his cell. Jou ruffled his hair.
"I suppose you have a lot to tell me. Go ahead if you want. I'll listen."
Yugi took a deep breath. Both sat down on the floor and Yugi recalled all that had happened since their goodbye at Tamiat's harbour. He was honest but he always assured Jou that Otogi had done all he had because he thought it was for the good of Tamiat. Sometimes Jou's eyes widened or he gasped but he never commented on it or asked questions. By the time he had finished, Yugi was a little hoarse.
Jou looked at him as if Yugi had presented him with one of those equations Kisara did for fun but everyone else didn't understand. He scratched his head.
"That's a lot to take in."
"It is. Thank you for hearing me out."
"No problem."
Silence followed. Yugi knew they had talked enough for now, yet he didn't want to leave.
"I have an idea. Why don't we go to the training grounds and you teach me some self-defence? I could use it."
"You sure the Pharaoh would allow that? I don't want to be beheaded for giving you a bruise or two…"
"It's my decision, not Atem's."
Yugi got up, grabbed the keys for the cell, and opened it. Together, they made their way upstairs and to the training grounds. They were empty except for a few servants who cleaned the weapons and repaired some dummies. Yugi and Jou headed to a small secluded area with a ring and a few weapon racks. The air was hot and dry but a white canopy protected them from most of the sun's heat.
"Let's see, how to start… Ah, of course. Your stance." He showed Yugi how to position his feet and at what angle to hold up his fists. "Good. Now punch me and don't hold back. I want to see what you got."
"If you say so…" Yugi said, drew back his fist, and hit Jou's jaw with full force. Both stumbled, almost fell, and groaned. Yugi's knuckles were red and throbbing with pain.
"That was … good! Better than I expected, actually." Jou rubbed his jaw, examining Yugi. "Then again… You're more muscular than I thought."
He inspected Yugi's triceps and biceps. Despite being slim, Yugi's arms were well-defined. Yugi chuckled.
"Do you know how much strength it takes to spin on a pole? We all had to do twenty push-ups every morning at the whore house."
"Really? Mai only ever told me about the sexy stuff…"
Both laughed. After learning a few combat moves, Yugi asked to study a few sword techniques. But both soon realised that Yugi needed something lighter that let him move quickly.
"Maybe a spear," Jou said and took one from a rack. Yugi did a few thrusts and spins. He already felt a lot more flexible with it. Switching between attack, defence, and avoiding even felt a little like learning dance steps.
Both were sweaty and out of breath by the time they decided to end it for today. Yugi's muscles were sore already, yet he felt stronger and taller. He almost had to force himself to place the spear back in its rack.
"That was fun," Yugi said.
"It sure was. And you're doing better than I thought." Jou wiped his forehead. "You changed a lot since we said goodbye at the harbour, huh?"
"What do you mean? I'm still your friend."
"Yes, of course. I mean… You were always brave with you agreeing to be gifted to the Pharaoh and all that. But you seem more confident now. Freer. Which is surprising, considering you belong to the Pharaoh now…"
"I wouldn't say I belong to him and neither would he. I… I really like him, you know?"
"So it seems." Yet, Jou looked at him as if he had said he preferred sleeping in the gutter over a bed. "I think I'll go back to my cell now."
"I'm sure I can give you a proper room."
"No, no. I'm still a prisoner, not a guest. That means…" He gulped. "I should apologise to Kisara first. I was a complete asshole a few days ago and I didn't mean any of what I said."
"Hmm… Yeah, you were. But I can bring you to her," Yugi said and they walked besides each other, almost as if things were back to normal.
Under Jou's guidance Yugi became better with his spear every day. While practising, they could forget what was standing between them and Yugi was almost sure that Jou started to believe everything he had told him. Sometimes even Kisara joined them and impressed both with how much her knife throwing skills improved.
Now and then Yugi accompanied Ryou to Sekhmet's temple. The coal fever patients by now filled up only three rooms. On this day, Yugi and Ryou delivered a few baskets of medicinal plants to the high priestess. She thanked them a dozen times and then invited them to pray before Sekhmet's statue.
Doused in incense, Yugi and Ryou left the temple. As they reached the forecourt, a little boy almost ran into them. His mother appeared behind him a moment later and grabbed his shoulders.
"Be careful!" She looked at Yugi and Ryou and bowed. "My lord, Royal Ornament, I apologise."
"It's fi-"
"Papa!" the boy called and rushed past them. He hurried into the entrance hall, towards a bearded man with a priest beside him. The man knelt down and the boy ran into his father's open arms. "Are you really healthy again? I can't wait until we can play together!"
"Me neither," the father said and laughed. The mother joined them and their hug, a few happy tears running over their cheeks. A happy family of three – just like Pegasus, Cyndia, and Yugi had been. Or at least Yugi thought they had been happy…
"Are you all right, Yugi?" Ryou asked. "You look sad."
"I'm fine. Let's go back to the mansion."
Silent, they walked besides each other. Yugi tried to chase his thoughts away but they just wouldn't leave. He couldn't forget what Dartz had said about Pegasus and Cyndia even by now. A part of him was ashamed of considering them possible slave traders, another one was coming up with questions he had never asked before.
Why had Pegasus and Cyndia always forbidden Yugi to enter their office? He had never thought of it as weird as a child. After all, children tended to cause a lot of chaos. But that attitude hadn't changed when he had gotten older and Pegasus had insisted that Yugi stayed away from it until the day he had gone to Tamiat. Was there a secret behind the one door in Asphaleia he had never passed?
A horn blew from the towers of the mansion and the city walls, announcing the return of Atem and Bakura, including their entourages. Yugi and Ryou didn't need to exchange any words and hurried to the mansion's forecourt.
A little later, the gates opened and a group of riders, led by Atem, entered. A grin spread on Yugi's face and he threw his arms around Atem as soon as he dismounted. Not even the fact that Atem smelt of sweat bothered him.
"It's so good to have you back," Yugi said.
"I was about to say the same." Atem squeezed him. "It was really close but we secured another sector. Say about Bakura what you will but he fights like Sekhmet herself. It seems that for the next battles we need a change of strategy so I'll call for another meeting. If we don't end the war soon… But enough of that. How have you been?"
"I'll tell you inside."
Together, they walked to their chambers. Yugi helped Atem take off his armour and headdress before they sat down on a teal couch. Yugi poured them both water and Atem emptied his in three gulps.
"You're thirsty," Yugi said and gave Atem a refill.
"You wouldn't believe how hot it's been on the road. Almost like in the south."
Atem lifted his cup to his lips. Yugi caressed his arm. It had grown a little more muscular but the brown skin was full of cuts.
"You'll have a lot of scars soon, huh?" Yugi asked, a little worried.
"It's nothing bad. Besides, that way no one can doubt that I have partaken in battle. The people of the north will like that better than the thought of me only being safe on my throne." He placed his goblet on the table beside him and took Yugi's hand. "But please, tell me about yourself. How is it going with your friend?"
"There were some complications but eventually I was able to tell him everything. I think his opinion is changing. I feel like it only takes one more step to fully convince him that most of what we thought about you and the south isn't true."
"What was that step for you?"
"Our journey to Buhen. Other than that…" Yugi lifted his cup but stopped halfway. "It was you. That's it. Jou needs to meet you."
"You really think that would help? I wouldn't like to meet more people who hate me than I have to," Atem said, scratching his hair. Yugi came closer and took Atem's hand.
"I do. When he sees that you're kind and willing to listen and make things better…"
Atem hesitated. After a sigh he said:
"All right then. I'll meet him."
They decided to invite Jou to the drawing room. Yugi had a few golden statuettes removed and asked Atem to wear only little jewellery. They sat next to each other on cushioned armchairs, Taia on a mat between them, Amerys napping on Yugi's lap.
"No need to push me, buddy!" Jou said as he was led inside. His eyes became round like the full moon when he saw Atem. Only once the guards closed the door behind themselves, Jou fell on his knees.
"You may rise, Jou of Tamiat."
Jou obeyed.
"I wanted you to meet Atem yourself," Yugi said. "I know we didn't hear many good things about him in Tamiat so I wanted you to form your own opinion."
Jou nodded, his body tense. Yugi remembered how he had felt when he had first sat beside Atem at dinner. In spite of how bad they talked about him private, one couldn't help but be a little intimidated by Atem's majestic aura and the nemes headdress they only knew from carvings.
Yugi took a deep breath, ready to say what he had prepared. Before that could happen, Taia rose and took a few steps forward. She sniffed Jou from afar and Jou stretched out his hand.
"Hello there," he said, his voice high-pitched. Taia came a little closer, smelled Jou's fingers, and gave them a quick lick. She returned to Atem and placed her head on his thigh.
"It seems that Taia approves of you. Usually she's too shy to sniff people," Atem said and patted her head.
"I feel honoured." Jou chuckled. "I'm sure she's a great dog. Does she really belong to you? I thought those noble breeds looked different. No offence!"
"She was a street dog in the south. Yugi found her and I decided to adopt her, seeing how hungry and dirty she was."
"You really did that?"
"Yugi can vouch for it."
"It's true," Yugi said. Jou took a seat and Yugi and Atem told him more about Taia, her favourite food, games, and what type of stick she preferred to chew on. It was a lot more easy-going than what Yugi had had in mind and he decided to reward Taia with a treat later.
"Well, this sure is a situation I never thought I'd find myself in," Jou said after a while and gestured around the room. "I still don't understand it all but I think I owe you an apology. For what happened at the camp. And I have to thank you for not beheading me for it."
A smile spread on Yugi's face. He was proud of Jou.
"It takes courage to change your mind and to apologise. You seem like a brave man, Jou of Tamiat," Atem said. Jou scratched his cheek, grinning.
"I've got someone to live up to."
He glanced at Yugi. Now that this was out of the way, Yugi's body tingled with curiosity and apprehension.
"Jou, do you think you could tell us about how Tamiat has been doing? Anything, please," Yugi said. Jou's happy expression vanished and was replaced by one of worry.
"Aside from the fact that we have to serve Atlantis now… Coal fever. Wish it'd at least affect the Atlanteans too but they keep away from us since then. The last time I was home even Anzu and Mai were sick. I think Anzu got it real bad. For once, the other whores at the Red Lily take care of her, not the other way around, you know?"
Yugi's heart sank into his stomach. Were Anzu and Mai in terrible pain right now? Thrashing around, their skin full of dark grey spots…
"I'm sure you'll go back to see them soon, right?"
"Not likely. Even if I return to my comrades, no official would let me go to Tamiat. Can't have their soldiers catch the disease too. Not that I have any desire to go back. Now that I know what really happened I want to fight other Egyptians even less."
"I understand. That's one of the reasons I wanted to tell you the truth. Having Egyptians kill each other is wrong and demoralises our troops. But I'm sure if the soldiers of Tamiat knew the facts too, they would refuse to fight. The others think highly of you, right? I thought now that you're on our side you could explain it all to the others."
"I'm not sure… If I told my comrades, it wouldn't take long until some upper official hears about it and I doubt they'd like it," Jou said, a hand on his throat as if he was imagining a blade cutting through it.
"What about everyone in Tamiat? Maybe word can travel from there."
"It probably could. But I don't think I could convince them on my own. Sure, a lot of people like me but in the end I'm just the one who gossips a lot. With how … bizarre the truth is I think they need to hear it from someone they respect and look up to. You'd have a much greater impact on people."
Yugi blinked at him and even Amerys raised his head, his golden eyes wide. It took Yugi a moment to find his voice.
"Me? Going back to Tamiat?"
"In secret of course. Everything else would be stupid."
"That sounds dangerous," Atem said. He had a small crease between his brows like always when he was worried.
"But it would be the perfect opportunity, wouldn't it?" Yugi said. "If we could gather more purple clover, make medicine, and then it's me who delivers it in your name… Not that I'm asserting that they will listen to me for sure but I … I do think I have a chance. That's why I accompanied you after all."
Yugi was surprised by his own words, yet he didn't want to take them back. It felt more than strange but not wrong. Atem sighed.
"It's not like I want to forbid you anything. And I know you're right. I just…"
Yugi took his hand and squeezed it. He could see the fear of loss in Atem's eyes. It was something he had struggled with himself every time he had thought about Atem in battle.
"Have your elite guards accompany me. Besides, I've been picking up some skills with the spear too. I want to do it. For Tamiat."
Yugi glanced at his wristband. It took some more convincing until Atem agreed to the plan – and even then he only did so while insisting on every possible security measure. Yugi accepted the conditions, his inner nervous but also giddy at the prospect of what lay ahead. He patted Amerys' silky fur with a shaky hand.
He'd see Tamiat again. He was going home.