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.
18
The first rays of Ra had only just begun to show themselves when Bomani, Minkah and the others had finished eating and broken camp, they were determined to find the fugitives before they could leave Egypt's soil. Gathering their supplies and mounting their horses they rode towards the border between Egypt and Nubia. They had been riding for less than half a day when Minkah pulled up alongside Bomani who had suddenly stopped, "What is it Bomani? What do you see?"
Bomani pointed in front of him "Do you see it? The sand cloud ahead?"
"What do you think it is?" Minkah asked
"Well it could be one of two things, the sand stirred up by horses hooves or…" he looked at Minkah "A sandstorm."
The two men looked ahead again "I hope it is not the latter my friend." Minkah said quietly.
Unfortunately, the gods were not with the riders that day because a sandstorm was precisely what it was, quickly the men changed direction and headed for the shelter of an outcrop of stones they'd passed earlier, they needed to protect the horses, without them they could not continue the chase. Upon reaching the rocks one of the soldiers noticed that they formed a v shaped barrier against the oncoming storm, dismounting they led the horses as far in as they could then settled down in a group and covered themselves with their blankets to ride out the storm, their search put on hold.
It was an enjoyable meal for all of them once Hasina had gotten used to the fact that she would be sitting and eating with the pharaoh and the crown prince and not serving them, Hasina's reaction when she first found out had been quite amusing
Flashback
The pharaoh stood "Now if you would care to follow us our evening meal awaits."
Atemu noticed that Hasina had not moved "Hasina?"
"Yes prince Atemu?"
"Are you not hungry?"
"Well yes but I'll wait until you are all seated before I go down to the kitchen."
The pharaoh turned, a frown on his face "Why would you go to the kitchen?"
"That is where I always have my meals my pharaoh."
Hasina was surprised when the pharaoh chuckled "Not tonight Hasina, tonight you will eat with us."
"But…but pharaoh!" she tried to protest
"Hasina?" Atemu said
"Yes?"
"Why are you here?"
"I am to act as a speaker for Bakari." She replied
Atemu smiled "So tell me, how can you act as a speaker for Bakari if you are in the kitchen and he is here with us?"
Hasina blushed "I never thought of that."
The pharaoh's chuckle and Yugi's giggle helped put her at ease, what also helped was the hand that Bakari had gently laid on her back to give her a gentle nudge forward into the dining hall.
The pharaoh and Bakari talked together for most of the evening,
it soon got to the point where talking through Hasina seemed natural and Hasina in turn had become more at ease in the pharaoh's presence.
#'Pharaoh?#
"What is it, Bakari?"
#I was wondering about something#
"Oh, what?"
#Well you said you wanted to know if I would be satisfied with the punishment you decided on?#
"That is correct."
Bakari gave him a sly look #then how will I let you know if you don't tell me beforehand?#
The pharaoh chuckled "Nice try, but you will know tomorrow and if you are agreeable and do wish to witness it Hasina will not join you."
Hasina asked her own question "Is it that bad?"
"I like to think so." The pharaoh replied sincerely
Bakari watched the pharaoh, he could see that it pained him to have to punish his own brother but he had bought it on himself, what Bakari still did not know that although it was part of the reason, what had happened to him was not the only thing
Akhenaden was being punished for…but he was about to find out
"You do realise that what happened to you by my brothers hand is not the only reason for his punishment."
#It is not? #
"No, please do not take this unkindly but there is an even greater crime he has committed."
#May I ask what? #
The pharaoh nodded "I found out that he was the leader of the baby brokers."
"WHAT!" Hasina said before Bakari could write anything down, Bakari laid a hand on her arm to try to calm her.
It was Yugi that noticed the tears "Hasina? What is it?"
The stricken woman looked up at Yugi "My granddaughter was lost to them." She wailed, "A young boy tried to save her and he died for it."
Yugi had a feeling, a horrible, horrible feeling, "Hasina?" he all but whispered, "Was your granddaughters name Banafrit?"
"Y…yes how did you know?"
Yugi started to cry as he knelt before the woman "I was that young man Hasina, and as you can see I did not die, but I would have gladly done so if it would have saved her."
Hasina stared at him wide-eyed "It was you!" She said somewhat shocked "You tried to save her, you are the one that also helped Hebony, Bomani's mother."
Silently Yugi nodded and Hasina placed her hands either side of Yugi's face then after kissing his forehead she whispered, "Then I thank you child even though your efforts were for nought at least you cared enough to try." Then to Yugi's surprise she hugged him, Yugi wrapped his arms round her and returned the hug as they cried into each other's shoulder.
Atemu, Aknamkanon and Bakari witnessed the sad scene before them, it helped to firm up their resolve to find and punish those responsible for the atrocities committed in the name of greed.
Bakari held up the tablet in front of the princes' face, Atemu took the tablet from Bakari and, taking up the role of interpreter while Yugi and Hasina continued to talk quietly read it aloud
#Pharaoh? #
"What is it?"
#When do you wish to start discussions about the brokers? #
Aknamkanon sighed, "leave it for tonight and we'll start tomorrow right after Akhenaden's sentencing."
#Very well#
The pharaoh turned to Atemu "Escort Bakari and Hasina to the guest rooms, put her in the one next to Bakari, it will allow her to mourn in peace, away from the prying eyes of the other servants."
"Yes father."
Bakari helped Hasina up and Atemu led them from the room Yugi as always by his side, they were in a sombre mood as they walked no one spoke until they reached the guest rooms.
"We'll leave you and Hasina to decide what you want to do for the rest of this evening, he pointed to the door next to Bakari's room,
"Hasina can use that room tonight and for the duration of your stay with us. I'll have one of the servants call you for breakfast."
Bakari nodded his thanks and watched as Atemu and Yugi left them in the hallway.