Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of the characters (unless otherwise stated) Kazuki Takahashi does, nor do I make any money from these stories.
10
"That is information I already know." The pharaoh spoke wearily
"You did?" The young man looked up surprised
"Yes I discovered this last night." The pharaoh paused then added, "Why did you not mention Seto's name? He is also involved is he not?"
"Not to the extent his fath…" Jou, suddenly realising what he was about to say fell silent. Unfortunately Aknamkanon was able to put two and two together, as were Yugi and Atemu who just looked at one another, mouths open and eyes widened in shock.
"I see, so Akhenaden is Seto's father."
"Why are you telling us this?" Atemu asked
"I can't go back into slavery, I just can't!" The young man cried
"Who said anything about a return to slavery?"
"Seto thought that might happen or that I'd be banished from Egypt."
"But you are a free man are you not?" The pharaoh asked
"Yes Seto granted me my freedom after he purchased me from my old master."
"At what price?"
"20 gold coins pharaoh."
Atemu turned to his father "Where would Seto get 20 gold coins?
The priests are not paid."
The pharaoh narrowed his eyes "I Know."
"Yugi, what do the scales tell you?"
Yugi stepped forward and held the scales out in front of him "He has no darkness within him, he is afraid of what will happen to him, but…" Yugi turned to look at his pharaoh "He knows more than he is telling you."
The pharaoh looked at Yugi "Can you be certain of this?"
"Yes my pharaoh." Yugi bowed and stepped back.
The pharaoh turned back to the blond still kneeling on the floor
"Will you reveal what it is you know freely or will it have to be forced out of you?"
"Sire I cannot betray Seto."
"You betrayed him as soon as you told the guard you had information for me, he will not believe you now."
Jou hung his head "I know." He whispered dejectedly
Yugi, needing to know something quietly asked the blond "Why did you go along with Seto and steal my home?"
Surprised at the question Jou raised his head and sighed "I'd been the slave of a cruel master until Seto bought me and freed me, we came here first but he explained that I couldn't stay and why, so we went to the village and well, you know the rest."
"But it was my home!" Yugi stated his fingers curling into a fist
"Seto said it would be alright for us to have it as you would be taken to the palace." He looked at Yugi "He told me you were just a child."
"I see, so although you did not want to go back into slavery you were quite willing to condemn someone you thought was 'just a child' to that life? To a life of a slavery?"
Jou's eyes widened "I never thought…"
"No." Yugi said somewhat coldly "You did not."
Hearing enough the pharaoh called for the guards "Find Akhenaden, I want a word with him."
The guards bowed "Yes sire."
As they waited the pharaoh turned to Yugi "Are you alright?"
"Yes my pharaoh I'm sorry but I needed to know."
"It's fine Yugi, I was somewhat curious myself."
The pharaoh and Atemu had been talking when a guard rushed into the throne room Aknamkanon stood up "What is the meaning of this intrusion!"
The guard knelt at his feet "I'm sorry my pharaoh but Akhenaden has fled the palace, one of the guards tried to stop him but…"
"But what?"
"Akhenaden killed him."
"WHAT! Send out a small army and find him! And tell the priests I wish to see them immediately." He looked at the second guard "Have Seto bought to me!"
The guard was on his feet and after a small bow left the room
"Do you want me to accompany them father?"
"No, I want you to stay here and guard Yugi, we can't be sure that he did leave the palace."
"I will be fine pharaoh." Yugi said quietly
"No Yugi, I would prefer Atemu to stay with you." He turned to Atemu "Go, take Yugi to your rooms while I have Seto bought before me."
"Will you be okay father?"
"I will be fine my son, I have the other priests coming to the throne room."
"Then Yugi and I will wait with you until they arrive."
Aknamkanon, knowing that he would not change Atemu's mind sighed, "Very well you may wait."
Once the four remaining priests and Shimon arrived in the throne room Atemu and Yugi made their excuses and left.
"Sire?" Mahad asked, "Should young Yugi not have stayed with us?"
"Ordinarily I would agree with you Mahad but it is I that requested Atemu to take Yugi from the room."
"Why?" Karim asked.
"It would appear that Akhenaden has fled the palace killing one of the guards in the process."
"What!" The four priests cried in unison.
Ignoring the outburst Aknamkanon carried on "I am not so certain that he has indeed left." He paused for a moment then continued "Considering his earlier rant against Yugi I thought that as a precaution until Akhenaden is found I have told prince Atemu to stay with him in his rooms at all times."
"That is a wise decision my pharaoh." Isis said "But how will you find him? My necklace has shown me nothing."
"I will ask Seto, he is being bought here as we speak."
The four priests looked at each other, now they understood the other reason why the pharaoh had Yugi leave the room.
The door opened and everyone turned to see two guards struggling with Seto who was yelling for all he was worth "UNHAND ME YOU WORTHLESS DOGS!" He spat at the two guards, who tightened their hold on the former priest causing him to wince "LET ME GO!" He tried to pull himself from the guards hold.
"ENOUGH!"
Seto stiffened when he heard the pharaoh shout; suddenly he calmed down "What is the meaning of this pharaoh?"
Not bothering to hide his irritation Aknamkanon got straight to the point "Where is Akhenaden?"
"Why do you think I would know?"
"You are his son are you not and I am led to believe he paid you a visit in your cell before he disappeared killing a guard in the process."
Seto's eyes widened "Did he tell you this?" He snarled nodding towards the blond, when the pharaoh didn't answer him he went on "I cannot believe you would take the word of a worthless nobody and an ignorant street-rat over your own high priest!"
"Seto." Jou whispered, tears in his eyes "I never…" he was interrupted by the pharaoh
"The young man said nothing I didn't already know." He looked at the former priest and sighed, "I was going to wait until I'd spoken to Akhenaden but in light of what has happened I have decided to deal with you now."
"What about granting me a full trial, am I not entitled?"
The pharaoh sat back on his throne "We may be able to work something out, if you were to be totally honest with me."
"In what way?" Seto asked wondering if he could worm his way back into the pharaoh's favour.
"I want to know the full details of your father's dealings with the 'child brokers'."
Seto looked round the room then he looked at the priests and noticed that one was missing "Where is the street-rat?" Seto sneered
The pharaoh sat forward on his throne "I would caution you Seto, do not speak ill of the young one!"
Seto could tell by the tone of the pharaoh's voice that he had become very protective of the boy "Why is he so special? Why do you care about him? When he is nothing."
"I take it you refuse my offer?" Seto stayed silent "Guards!"
Aknamkanon called "Yes pharaoh."
"Bring Yugi and prince Atemu to the throne room."
The guard bowed "By your command."
The pharaoh turned to the priests and said simply "It is time…"
That's the first ten chapters done, and quickly I know but I'd already had these ones done, the rest will come a little slower as I'm still putting them to rights.
Chibi