Not hearing anything was actually worse.
Yugi's mind was running wild coming up with many ways the prince could torture the spy, and every little one was too scary to picture.
It was horrible.
Anzu and Serenity were quiet as well, not even bothering with maintaining the appearances of normality.
The three of them were hidden in mother's room, waiting for some sort of sign that it was over.
"I think I smell fire..." Said Serenity after a while. Yugi decided he didn't want to pursue this train of thought.
Anzu sighed." Joey was right though." Noticing Yugi's gaze, she shrugged." It is wrong for us. For their quest or whatever that is, it is a necessity. We are not operating on the same moral standards." She explained.
Yugi considered that. True, Panic could tell everyone where the knight were, bring back his men and kill everyone here. But on the other hand... It was human life they were discussing here. Who were they to decide who lives and who dies?
Yugi was aware that he was being naive.
World did not work this way. People were born with the feeling they could decide and royalty was definitely not an exception. Nevertheless, Yugi would prefer not to take any part in it. He wondered what would have happened if he had run to the prince and stopped him.
Probably he would end up dead.
Or blamed for the prince's death. Panic did hurt him after all. If Yugi had interfered...
That was brave of you to speak to me like that. Do not do it again, for you shall be punished.
He would probably share Panic's fate.
But did that mean he was excused from trying to save a life? Would he just get used to daily murder, not batting an eye at it any longer just because it was for greater good?
The sound of steps sounded on the stairs.
Before Yugi could panic, he remembered that the prince had other reasons than murdering them to be on the second floor. His own room was here.
He looked at Anzu and Serenity. Serenity's face held some kind of grim resolve. She seemed to be handling the situation pretty well. Well, since her brother had a tough spirit it was no wonder that she did too. Anzu looked a little more shaken.
"... We will need to make haste. They know too much. Bring me some bandages and call Mana to me. Later we will meet in the dining room. I thought we had more time." That was the prince. He didn't sound maniacal, rather calm and collected, as if he was discussing his next move in chess instead of rebellion. Because that what it was. A rebellion against the current ruler.
Yugi was not sure whether he preferred the prince to the king.
But then he thought once again on Anzu's words.
He was narrowing his perspective. He could recall hearing in his childhood days about the prince's troops that kept the borders safe and brought justice with them wherever it was needed. Maybe this ruthlessness was truly what the prince and his followers thought best. Yet Yugi's heart could not agree with it.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
Anzu got up first, revealing Mahad standing in the corridor.
"I apologize for the disturbance, but I need to ask you. Can you please give me some bandages and water?" Yugi jumped on his feet.
"I will bring them to the prince's room in a moment." He said, gesturing for Anzu to stay. She might be his older sister, but he was the man. It was his job to protect her and entering prince's room was definitely dangerous.
That, and he simply wanted to understand, he could not deny it.
He went down to the kitchen to prepare a bowl of water and to gather what was left of the mansion's supply of bandages.
On his way he saw the rest of the knights and Joey gathered in the dining room, discussing something quietly. The only one not involved was Mana, who was sitting next to the door, her face hidden by the arms she folded on her bent knees.
Yugi felt a rush of pity when he looked at her. Panic said something about her being recognized at the market, so she most probably blamed herself for what happened. He wanted to go to her, to comfort her somehow, but decided against it. It was not his place. And he had something to do.
Now when he thought about it, he almost forgot about the prince being hurt. Sure, he was aware of the knife piercing prince's arm, but somehow his mind did not associate it with pain and wound. Apparently his mind classified the prince as something else than human.
With water and bandages ready, Yugi rushed upstairs.
He knocked at the door and entered almost immediately after, in case the prince was unconscious from blood-loss or simply too tired to open the door.
At first he noticed Mahad kneeling in front of the prince who was seated on the bed. When the man heard Yugi he turned to face him, but was not fast enough with covering the worry on his face. Yugi looked at the prince, who was swiping something from the corner of his lips.
"Thank you..." Started Mahad, but Yugi just shook his head.
"It is no problem. I think you should check on Mana, if I may suggest." A glint of worry flickered in Mahad's eyes." Your Highness, if you let me, I can assist you in cleaning the wound." Continued Yugi, willing himself not to stutter and flee. It was the right thing to do. Someone had to treat the wound, and someone had to help Mana, especially since she was to be brought to face the prince soon.
"I'll take Yugi on his offer. Go to her Mahad, and bring her to me when you see it wise." Said the prince, nodding at his friend.
The man bowed his head and left the room, closing the door behind him in silence, nothing in his posture betraying the worry Yugi saw on his face before.
Yugi stepped closer to the prince. Now he could see the small, dried up trace of blood next to the left corner of prince's lips. He didn't know when the prince could suffer this wound, but then again, he wasn't present during the whole affair.
"I am capable of treating the wound myself. You are free to go." Yugi, startled, looked at the prince. He wanted to argue, to say that it was impossible, but then he remembered who he was dealing with.
"I would feel more reassured if I helped you, Your Highness." He said, trying to sound as polite and not patronizing as he could.
The prince snorted in amusement.
"You are a very skilled diplomat, Yugi. You are trying to disobey me without me noticing." Yugi felt shivers run up his spine. True, the tone was amused, but he remembered all too well prince's warning.
"I..." He started, frantically looking for some excuse, something that would spare him prince's anger.
"Fine. I don't have the time to waste on this wound, and if letting you do it will speed the process up, then I won't complain." Yugi sighed in relief.
He took a piece of cloth he brought with the bowl and started to clean the wound on the arm. It didn't look too deep and cleaned up nicely, hardly bleeding anymore. He tried to wipe every trail of blood he could see, determined not to look at it longer than necessary, at the same time aiming to remain gentle.
When he was finished, he lifted his eyes to ask the prince about the pain and was met with a thoughtful, calculating gaze.
"Your Highness?" He started, his confidence disappearing under this unwavering stare.
"You are afraid of me. And yet, you are here. Why?" He was not prepared for this, for questions. He thought back to their conversation on Arkana's grave. He just wanted to understand.
"Is it curiosity?" At that, Yugi flinched. A small, tired smile appeared on the prince's face. "It is. Ask then." Yugi nodded, focusing his attention on the bandage and wrapping it properly around the arm. He wanted to ask about many things but he knew that this permission was not boundary-free. He could not risk angering the man before him.
"What happened to that man?" He asked, deciding it was the safest of his questions.
"He is dead." That much Yugi figured out for himself.
"Serenity smelled fire." He noticed, not looking up from his task. Seeing prince's face stressed him out.
"Then she is a very valuable asset. Indeed, Panic's body was burned."
I am paying for my actions.
Would you bury as too, had we not convince you otherwise, my lord?
Yes.
"Why not buried?" He asked, almost regretting the question. It came out too blunt.
"Because he was not from here. And he was not my subject. He was an enemy." Shocked, Yugi looked at the prince. So that meant that Arkana was a special case? Was it guilt? Did he truly regretted killing Arkana? Would he regret killing them?
Suddenly, the prince sighed.
"The thing that you need to understand, Yugi, is that we are at war. You do not see it yet, but this war started long ago. " At this, Yugi stopped pretending to be caught up in wrapping the bandage. It was done for some time already, and now Yugi had more pressing matters to focus on. Like the tiredness of the prince's face, so contrasting with the force of his words.
Even if he didn't want to, he would still listen, succumbing to the power of this calm, frightening voice. " I did not commit suicide, I think you are aware of that. Aknadin has no right to the throne and to the kingdom, and yet he enforces his will over people who have no reason to listen to him. A king is a protector first, and foremost. "
It was strange, but finally, Yugi understood what Joey was talking about earlier. The cause, bigger than them. A cause created out of the will of this man in front of him, a will so powerful and forceful that even Yugi started to give up, started to see.
"I came back, because it is my duty. It is my birthright. I do not intend to assassinate Aknadin and proclaim myself a king. I would not be one, unless the people consider me as such. Being discovered now by Crawford's men would be too soon. And it would put you, your sister and Serenity in great danger. Would it be really worth it, to pay for one man's freedom with the heads of my knights and my hosts?"
Yugi didn't know what was happening to him.
Every doubt, every fear he had before seemed to disappear. All that was left was this sudden faith in this prince, this man in front of him who burned a spy in Yugi's garden, and yet Yugi could no longer bring himself to care. At this moment, watching this bloodied, mad prince, Yugi believed in him and in his decisions.
He was woken up from his stupor by the prince's hands on his still bruised wrist.
"One thing I can promise you. No one in my land will ever suffer what you two had suffered. "
Yugi opened his mouth to say something, not even sure what, when he heard the knock on a door.
"Mahad." Said the prince, letting go of Yugi's wrist. "Come in." The door opened, and Mahad entered, Mana close behind him. Her eyes betrayed the tears she must've already wiped off her cheeks, yet she looked determined, as if whatever Mahad said to her gave her courage to face her mistakes.
"Thank you for your aid, Yugi. I will see you during the meeting in the dining room, soon after we are finished here. Let your sister and lady Serenity join us." Yugi just nodded, recognizing the command and dismissal in the tone.
He left the room and closed doors behind him.
Only then did he notice the erratic beating of his heart.
/
Anzu listened to Yugi's story with interest, yet for some reason she was not as moved as her brother. Maybe because she had already made up her mind.
It was strange, but the talk she had with Serenity have her strength. When Yugi told her about Panic being burned in her garden, she was not even surprised. It made sense to dispose of the body. And she agreed with everything the prince had said about Panic being a danger to them all.
"We're already part of it, Yugi" She said when her brother finished his account." I said we will help, and I really intend to do it. I don't know how we can be of use, but I have no intention of sitting here and waiting."
She noticed Yugi nodding. Good. They were on it together. As they always were.
She smiled at him and squeezed Serenity's hand. " Who knows. Maybe we will make it to the history books?" She joked, feeling a surge of energy and hope in her.
They could do something. Not like with Arkana, where they were powerless because of their feelings and fear. Now they had the Mad Prince beside them. They could shape their fate, they could make a difference.
And that made her ready to fight.
She knew that the feeling will disappear, but for now, she felt invincible.
She led Serenity downstairs to join the knights and Joey in the dining room.
"Are you all right?" Was the first thing Joey asked when Anzu, Yugi and Serenity entered the room.
"As well as possible." She answered. She immediately noticed the sympathetic look Mai gave her.
She smiled.
Sympathy was not needed.
Anzu's mind was made up.
"It always gives me a great joy to see someone else being traumatized by associating with our prince." Murmured Marik, loudly enough for Anzu to hear.
A startled laugh escaped her.
"That was not appropriate." Chided Ryou, shooting Anzu and Yugi worried looks.
"It is war." Answered Yugi. For a moment, everyone stared at him.
"Fair enough." Said Marik finally, and the knights went back to the conversations they had before Anzu and the rest entered.
Serenity immediately turned to Joey, but Anzu decided not to listen in.
"Things get awkward here pretty easily." She whispered to Yugi, and was answered with a nod.
"Well, for most of us it is a first." Said Ryou from Anzu's left.
"What do you mean?" Yugi asked, moving so that he could see both Anzu and Ryou.
"Aside from the prince, Mahad and Shada, we have not fought so much. I mean, sure, there were some fights, but we never exactly overthrew any kings or led the people to rebellion. We simply don't know what to do either."
"But you trust the prince?" Anzu could feel the frown form on her face.
"Don't you?" That was a good question. She was afraid of the man, true, so her answer should be obvious.
And yet. There was something so regal about him. She believed him when he promised to protect them. Hell, she was almost thankful that he was here when Panic appeared. That, and he got rid of Arkana for them.
"I do." She whispered, almost startled by her own answer.
"See?" At that, Ryou smiled.
"How did you meet him, if you are not from his original troops?" Ah, Yugi. Curious as always. But that was a good question. If only Mahad and Shada fought with the prince, how did the rest of people here got mixed up in this?
"Hmmm... Let's just say he saved me on his way here. I was a hostage on a pirate ship. He saved me and made sure none of the pirates was able to follow my trail." By which he means that the prince slaughtered them all. The new-found Anzu was not even bothered by this piece of information. But something in Ryou's tone caught her attention.
It was something like regret.
"Did you... lose someone?"Anzu looked at Yugi. She sometimes forgot how perceptive her brother was. She turned back to Ryou, who was now looking at his hands.
"It was for the better. He was not a good person." Anzu straightened her hand to comfort the boy next to her, but Ryou suddenly smiled. " Our prince taught me that 'good' and 'wise' are often mutually exclusive. And I am thankful for that lesson." He said, ending the conversation.
The doors to the dining room opened and Mana, Mahad, and the prince entered. All conversations ceased. They took their places in silence.
The prince remained standing by his chair, looking around the people gathered.
"In light of tonight's happenings, I think it is obvious that we do not have as much time as I thought we had. Even though we have chosen the most secluded house, closest to the sea border, we did not pass unnoticed. It is a drawback, but we were prepared for this." Few nods of agreement.
Suddenly Anzu understood what Yugi meant when he spoke of the force of the prince's voice. She herself felt ready to follow him into the battle this instant, trusting in his leadership.
"Shada, Ishizu, Rishid. Go to your terrains and start gathering people. You have one month. And I expect a report every three days, no matter how brief. I need to know where we are standing." The three people mentioned, nodded.
"Marik. I need you in the capital. I want to know every move Aknadin makes. If you feel threatened or have any notion of your cover being blown, you come back here. Understood?"
"Yes, Your Highness." The prince nodded with satisfaction.
"Ryou. " The boy flinched." Find out what's going on in Crawford's domain. If you are able, join his court. Both you and Marik- I need reports every three days or so. " Both boys nodded, Ryou slightly paler than before.
"You are not from this country so you shouldn't be associated with us. Nevertheless, if you feel unsafe, come back. Your safety is a priority." Said Mahad to Ryou, looking at the prince, as if looking for confirmation.
"Since our hosts decided to aid us, we need them to be prepared for what might be coming. Hence Mai, Mahad and Mana will be staying here. " Continued the prince. Then, he turned to where Anzu and Yugi were sitting.
"Even though we have a truce, whenever you wish to leave the mansion, don't leave unaccompanied. It is not a matter of trust, it is a matter of safety. We have been discovered once, so the area is no longer safe. " Anzu nodded immediately, Yugi doing the same. It was not the time to argue for ones independence. She knew she couldn't fight. Yet.
"You may also try to talk to people. Don't tell them too much, but try to see who might be a potential ally." Added Mahad.
"As for you, Joey, I need you to find the duke of Devlin." At that, Anzu and Yugi both gasped. Joey looked shocked as well, even more than the rest of the knights for whom this order seemed as surprising as it was for Anzu. What happened, why Joey was granted with such a confidence? The man in question looked as confused as Anzu felt.
"Where can I find him?" He asked, his voice only slightly wavering.
"We think he is somewhere close to capitol, or Crawford's land." Answered Mahad.
"He will be a good distraction. Upset him as much as you can. I shall make an appearance in front of him to throw Aknadin and Crawford off this mansion." At that, prince smirked." The duke always wanted a duel between us, he will be delighted to get it." Joey nodded, looking at Serenity. Mahad must have noticed his concern, for he assured Joey that Serenity would be safe.
"I am ready, Joey. I will be strong as you. I will be of use." She promised.
"We hope so. Your sense of smell and your hearing is quite impressive. It might prove crucial to us. That's why I ask you to let me train you." Said Mahad.
Everyone at the table, aside from prince, stared at Mahad in shock.
No, there was one more.
Mana.
She was looking anywhere but at Mahad. She looked heartbroken.
"It would be an honour." Answered Serenity and squeezed Joey's hand." See?"
"Any questions?" Even though it was a question, the tone implied the desired answer. And indeed, no one said a thing.
"Good. I trust you. All of you. I trust that we can bring back the balance this land so desperately craves. I shall see you all in a month." And with that, the meeting was over. Shada, Ishizu and Rishid stood up, bowed to the prince and started to confer with him in whispers, while the rest of the knights left the room.
"I think we shall go as well." Anzu proposed, glancing and Serenity and Joey who were holding their own discussion, holding hands and whispering.
"Yes." Agreed Yugi, pensive all of a sudden.
"It is a lot to take in, isn't it?" She asked, trying to get her brother to talk. Yugi had a tendency to be silent about his problems and concerns. And here and now they needed to be a strong unit. They need to be there for one another.
"Well, yes. It is overwhelming, to the point where I don't know whether I am dreaming or not." They passed the door.
For a moment Anzu felt somebody's gaze on her.
When she turned, she was met with a hard stare of the prince. It lasted only for a moment, for the man turned and brought his focus back to the conversation he was having, yet Anzu hardly could calm down her beating heart.
What a stare.
She looked at Yugi, who also turned to follow her gaze, and noticed him slipping back to his pensive mood when the prince turned back to Shada.
Maybe Yugi needed the moment for himself.
"I've prepared the room for you, as I promised." She said, as gently as she could.
Yugi was silent for a while. And then he hugged her.
"Thank you."
"You are welcome."
/
Even though he had now a whole room for himself, Yugi still couldn't sleep.
The events of the previous days went on playing in his mind and he could do nothing to stop them.
He did not know, whether he was more frightened, or more hopeful.
What's worse, even though he had spend a short amount of time with the knights, he knew he was going to miss them. Ryou, Marik, they were going somewhere, risking their life.
Joey, even though he shouldn't be a part of this, was also to leave for the good of the country.
And Yugi could not fault him for that.
In fact, he understood perfectly well.
For Yugi himself it was difficult, coming to terms with being only a pawn in somebody else's game, but apparently there was no other way.
And he could not fault the prince for that.
That was a strange thought.
Yesterday, the man was a villain.
Now, Yugi was not so sure. A monster? A hero? A survivor? A leader?
No matter who the man was, he certainly was something.
Yugi sighed and turned on his bed.
He was getting nowhere. Too many thoughts on his mind.
And poor Mana... Yugi wondered what happened to her after he left her with the prince. And that look on her face when she heard Mahad was to teach Serenity...
He was definitely not going to sleep any time soon...
Maybe a short walk in the garden would ease his mind?
He stood up and left his bedroom.
Everything was quiet. He envied the rest of the group their ability to sleep in this circumstances.
Finally, he reached the kitchen.
The light of the moon gave it some magical, fantastical air. Once again Yugi's mind supplied him with the vision of a fairy tale, where people were either noble or evil and beauty and truth always prevailed. Where love was stronger than death and forgiveness meant more than any riches.
Yugi liked those fairy tales.
Not as much as Anzu, but he always thought that the world should be as they pictured it to be. Simple and fair. Just.
Yugi exited the kitchen, stepping into the garden.
As if by a touch of a magic wand, his worries were gone. The nature was peaceful, even when Yugi's mind wasn't ,and he let the night embrace him and calm him.
"Cannot sleep?"