I hope this chapter is better than the last, or more clear at least. Thanks for reading and PLEASE review I need feedback. YGO isn't mine, although I borrow from it shamelessly.
Chapter 12: Freedom
I held my breath and waited for an explosion, some impact, anything. The cell remained quiet and the glow faded. Feeling returned to my extremities slowly. What had happened?
"How anti-climatic," I sighed.
Really. The word resounded in my head.
"Who's there?" I looked sharply around the cell for the source, and finding nothing I shook my head. I could have sworn I'd heard someone. I glanced down at the now lifeless pyramid puzzle in my hand. "Protection, huh." Whatever its power, it would be best to keep it nearby. I scanned the floor and found a discarded piece of leather stripping. I threaded it through the loop at the top of the puzzle, creating a makeshift necklace.
Inaction consumed my patience; I grabbed a rock and started pounding at the metal housing of my restraints. Keep busy, don't think. I beat harder at my bonds, imaging a certain Vizier's head with each stroke.
"Princess. Princess Cassandra? Your majesty, are you down here?" The rock fell from my hand and I crawled as far as my chains would allow to peer into the outer cell. It had to be, oh, it is! Ma'Kat! And she was not alone.
A group of 5 armed, non-Egyptian men followed her into the dank chamber.
"Ma'Kat! Oh, you found me. Are you ok, did they hurt you?"
Her expression fell and tears welled in her dark eyes. "Oh, my lady, concerned for me, when you are in such danger!" She clasps her hands together. "We must hurry. I've brought your countrymen to help free you."
The leader of the band, a fat faced man with curly dark brown hair worked on the lock with his sword. "What a relief to see you, Cassandra. We feared the worst."
"Good to see you, too." I said with honest sincerity.
"We have tried to gain audience with you since before the banquet. Your messages home and the Pharaoh's avoidance concerned us, then the dragon attack. Now we find you imprisoned! A Greek royal, no less. Blood will be spilt for this atrocity."
"So, you came because of my messages?" Reflecting with a question does wonders for information gathering, and at this point, any information would help.
"Of course! You wrote you feared for your very life, we felt compelled to come." Feared for my life?
"Oh we must hurry," Ma'kat urged, then addressed me. "The gods are angry, my child. Demons roam the streets. Giant Lizards, Dragons, fearful, dreadful things preying on everything they meet, scorching houses. Why my friend's shop has been destroyed!"
The Greek brigade nodded. "No one is safe, it is insanity. We must return home and enlist reinforcements." Two of the taller men stood at the entered stood near the door, watching for guards. A loud crack announced the lock's defeat; the remainder of the group entered the cell and began to work on my ankle irons.
They will expect me to leave with them once free. It would be the safest thing, regardless of what Seto says. Continue to go with circumstances; don't arouse their suspicions.
But what of Yami? I hardly know him, my mind argued, this isn't my problem! He doesn't love me, he loves Cassandra. If he knew I wasn't her, he would have killed me already. Logic dictated for me to leave quietly while I still had a chance.
With a painful jerk, the weight dropped from my feet, I limped to the door with Ma'Kat's assistance. I thought for one more instant, pressed my lips together and then whispered, "Where is he, Ma'Kat?"
"The Games, M'Lady," she replied and helped me manage the steep and narrow stairway. "We should not go there." I gave her a tight hug.
"But I must," I gave her a tiny smile, "take me to him." I added more loudly, "Take me to the arena."
My Greek family was taken aback, the leader's eyes narrowed as he considered my request. "Cassandra…Princess, you can't, why would you even want to go there. That is where all the evil is emanating from!" His brow furrowed in confusion.
"Do not question me, Valerian. I will bode no infidelity." His name had jumped to my lips unbidden. How did I know it? I didn't recall overhearing anyone's name, but I must have, I decided. At least it worked, he snapped to attention and with a curt nod, and we all followed Ma'Kat toward danger, the unknown, and my heart.