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.
# Donates Hasina speaking for Bakari. (Saves having to keep writing 'he wrote')
17
As the small party rode back to the palace Bakari insisted on hanging back a little behind Atemu and Yugi, Atemu thought that perhaps it might be because he felt a little uncomfortable riding beside the crown prince of Egypt, in truth Bakari hung back so he could watch the interaction between Yugi and the prince. Bakari had known Yugi nearly all his life and knew that Yugi was not easily fooled, if he'd found love with the prince, and the pharaoh apparently had nothing against it if the guards reactions – or should that be lack of reactions – to the laughing and joking and general happy atmosphere between the two, anyone could tell they were in love. Perhaps he had been wrong these many years, perhaps the bastard priest as Bakari, who could not bring himself to say the man's name, now called him was the only one responsible for what had happened to him.
Bakari was still wrapped up in his thoughts when Atemu interrupted him "Bakari, before you meet with my father one of the servants will take you to one of the guest rooms where you will be able to freshen up if you so desire."
Bakari looked into the princes' eyes and seeing nothing but sincerity nodded his agreement.
It wasn't long before Bakari found himself looking up at the imposing palace gates "Open in the name of Crown Prince Atemu and Yugi!" one of the guards called out.
Bakari was surprised when Yugi's name had been said in the declaration. Despite the princes' and Yugi's reassurances Bakari still shuddered as he passed through the entrance, he half expected to be dragged from his horse so he was again surprised when a stable boy held the horse steady and another placed a small set of steps beside the horse to aid him in his dismounting of the animal.
On entering the palace itself they were met by two servants, Atemu remembering that the elderly man could not talk asked the servants "Which one of you can read?"
"I can a little, highness." one of the women replied.
Atemu smiled "Then will you take our guest to one of the guest rooms and offer any help he may require, he is unable to speak verbally so you will have to read his instructions."
The servant bowed "As you command my prince."
Bakari was again surprised when Atemu answered her, "That was not a command Hasina, it was a request."
The servant led the old man towards the guest rooms when they were out of range she giggled a little "Forgive me sir but your face was a picture, the prince has always treated us with respect, so has the pharaoh, even more so now that Yugi is here."
The old man smiled at her, he'd have a few questions for her when they reached his room.
As they watched the old man walk away the remaining servant bowed "Your highness." She said quietly
"Yes, what is it?"
"The pharaoh would like a quick word with you before you go to your rooms."
Atemu sighed, "Very well where is he?"
"He's waiting for you in his study."
"Thank you, you may go."
The girl bowed and left Atemu and Yugi to walk to the study.
Yugi slipped his hand into Atemu's and grinned at him "Don't pout Atemu he said a quick meeting."
Atemu squeezed his hand and mock glared "I am not pouting, the crown prince of Egypt does not pout, but you know my father's quick meetings can last anything up to an hour or more."
Yugi giggled "Let's get this over with, I can't wait to get back to our rooms."
Atemu slipped an arm round Yugi's waist and leered at him "Yugi I never knew…" he couldn't help but chuckle as Yugi blushed and lightly slapped his arm.
"Not like that! I mean I need to bathe."
"Even better." Atemu whispered. Yugi shivered as Atemu's warm breath tickled his ear.
Atemu stopped to look back at Yugi who had stopped dead in his tracks. "I was only playing with you little one, you know I won't do anything until you are ready." Atemu lifted Yugi's chin and leaned down and kissed him. "Come, let's see what my father wants."
Atemu and Yugi reached the study and Atemu knocked on the door "Enter!" Aknamkanon called out
"You wanted to see us father?"
''Ah I'm glad to see you are safe, I take it there was no trouble?"
"No father everything went well."
"Did Bakari return with you?"
''Yes he did, it took a little persuasion but Yugi managed it."
The pharaoh looked at Yugi "You?"
Yugi nodded "I think Bakari was a little wary of Atemu considering what happened on his last visit here."
Aknamkanon nodded "Yes, yes of course. Where is he now?"
"In one of the guest rooms freshening up, we sent Hasina with him as she can read a little so would be able to see to his needs better." Atemu said
"That is fine, then I'll see you all at dinner."
"Yes father." Atemu and Yugi left the room
"See I told you it wouldn't be so bad." Yugi said as they walked towards their rooms, Yugi suddenly stopped
"What is it Yugi?"
"I'd better go and tell Bakari that he won't be seeing the pharaoh until dinner."
"Yes that would be a good idea, come I'll go with you."
They talked quietly as they made their way to the guests' quarters, Atemu knocked and Hasina opened the door, she bowed "Prince Atemu, master Yugi please, come in."
The two young men walked in and Bakari stood up "Please." Atemu said quietly "There is no need for you to stand, I have just come to inform you that you will be meeting my father over dinner this evening, I hope that is agreeable to you?"
Bakari wrote something down and Hasina looked at it then uneasily looked at the prince. "It is alright for you to speak what he has written, it will not be held against you."
Hasina still looked unsure until Yugi said, "You have my word."
"He says and what if it isn't?"
Atemu smiled "Then we would ask the pharaoh to change it to your liking."
Bakari wrote something else "No it is fine, I just wanted to see what your answer would be." Hasina said quietly
Atemu thought for a moment then looked at the woman. "I think it would be best if you came to the dining hall with Bakari so you may speak for him."
Hasina looked down, and Yugi frowned until he realised what was wrong "Hasina go to the palace seamstress and ask her for a new dress, a dress suitable for a high servant." She looked up at him "Go I will stay with Bakari until your return."
She looked to the prince "It is fine Hasina, we will both stay."
The woman bowed and left the room.
When she had gone Bakari handed Yugi a tablet that he'd written something on "How old?"
Yugi grinned, "You like her?"
Yugi giggled as the old man blushed slightly and slowly nodded,
Atemu chuckled "I think she is somewhere between 45 and 50 summers." Bakari smiled but no more was said.
Hasina had not been gone for 30 minutes before she returned carefully holding her new dress.
Yugi and Atemu stood "We will leave you now and we'll see you both again tonight."
The pharaoh, Atemu and Yugi were waiting patiently for the arrival of Bakari "Where is he?"
"Should I go and find him pharaoh?" Yugi asked
Aknamkanon sighed, "No give him a few more minutes."
Just then the doors opened and in walked Bakari and a very nervous Hasina.
The pharaoh stood and greeted his guest as he would any other visiting dignitary.
Bakari handed Hasina a tablet she read it then blushed, Yugi smiled and held out his hand, thankfully she gave it to him he read it and laughed "What is it Yugi?" the pharaoh asked
Yugi read it out "Excuse my tardiness my pharaoh but Hasina was a little nervous about being here tonight."
'A little?' thought the pharaoh 'the poor thing is shaking like a leaf'
He handed another tablet to Hasina who looked at the pharaoh
''Why have you bought me here?" She read out loud
"Straight to the point I like that." He sat back and studied the man before him "I have decided on Akhenaden's punishment and I wanted to ask you if you were satisfied plus if you wish you may witness it being carried out."
#What is his punishment?#
The pharaoh grinned "That you will find out when I tell him tomorrow."
#He does not know?#
"No I was waiting for you to arrive before I announce it. Also I need your help."
#In what?#
"Documenting the crimes of the Baby Brokers."
Bakari smiled #It would be my pleasure pharaoh.#
Bomani, Minkah and the volunteer army made good time as they pressed on to the next village of Abydos. In el-Amarna the one they had just left, they were told that they'd missed the ones they were seeking by a day. Somehow the fugitives had gotten wind of the fact that they were being hunted by the pharaohs' men and were trying to reach the relative safety of Nubia. Bomani and the others had also learned to their amusement that the members of the Brokers would find no sanctuary there, the Nubians knew of them and what they did. Even though it was an uneasy peace they had with Egypt they would not hesitate to hand them over to the pharaoh for just punishment. Bomani and his men had been given fresh supplies and good wishes for success in their undertaking.
Knowing that they were not that far behind they decided to make camp, it was not wise to try to navigate the desert sands at night they would soon lose all sense of bearing and become lost, a fate none of them relished.
The tents were raised, the fires lit and the evening meal made. After eating and drinking their fill they lay down for the night, they wanted an early start if they were to catch their quarry.