AN - After a long break I am back with fresh ideas!!! Yay. And I have
just finished my art exam so I'm extra happy, except I don't think that
mine was as good as it could have been. But there is nothing that I can do
now except make my coursework amazing to compensate! But anyway, back to
the story!
Pharaoh Yami stood by his window, intently watching the garden below, waiting for the intruder. He was sure that they would come again and was ready to confront them. Seeing movement in the garden he strained his eyes until he saw a figure in white moving in the garden. Slowly he crept across to his door and let himself out. He was plainly dressed in his white robes, without his normal regalia. He went unstopped through his palace and out into the dusty grounds. The guards simply moved to let the king past, but their vigil was noticeably increased. Yami quickly reached the door to his garden and unlocked it with a small golden key. Turning to his guards he forbade them to watch or follow him and he silently entered the garden.
It had been so long since he had been in there, yet he remembered every pathway in the maze of shrubs. He headed through the undergrowth towards the centre, where he had seen the figure last. He wanted to catch the intruder by surprise and so did not use the clear pathways. As he approached the centre he silenced his footsteps, moving cat like onwards. He finally saw the central circle, and hidden in the leaves of a large, cooling plant he watched the area. It was a splendid sight. A large fountain in the centre gushed water over white marble. The fountain was elevated on grey marble steps. On the ground level were beautiful rose beds, filled with rare roses of all colours, shapes and sizes. However Yami's eyes were drawn away from these to the corner of the cleared space. Small statuettes stood around the area, some of these were miniature fountains, with trickles of water running down them. By one of these statues stood the person that he had been looking for.
She stood about five or six metres from him, illuminated by the moonlight. Yami analysed her as he watched. She had her back to him. She had long blonde hair that fell to her waist and was loose, save a few fronds that were plaited with black thread. She was fairly tall and slim and moved daintily. Suddenly Yami stepped on a twig as he tried to get a better look. The girl spun around warily, looking for her watcher. Upon seeing nothing she returned to her work, cleaning the statue, but she turned side ways on to Yami. Her saw that she was extremely beautiful, with bright green eyes. Her skin was pale and Yami watched, enthralled, at her deft movements as she scrubbed moss off of the statue, making it gleam. The girl looked younger than him, possible about sixteen. She was dressed in the attire of all of Yami's palace slaves, a white toga tied with a length of thin rope at the waist, a pair of simple sandals on her feet and a bronze collar bearing the millennium symbol. By this attire Yami could tell she was one of the lowest slaves, for each rank had a distinguished mark on their uniform and hers bore none. Yami watched her work for a few minutes before she moved away from the sculpture and walked over to the flowerbed, where she knelt down with her back to him.
Remaining hidden in the shadows Yami spoke, "You have no right to be here."
The girl did not even jump at his words. She carried on with her work, but she replied. "I may have no official right to be here, but I have come every night for six years, so I may have more right than some to be here."
Yami was surprised by her calculated answer, and also the fact that she had not turned to see the speaker or treated him with the normal manner slaves showed. Normally they would bow low and wait for the signal to speak. "What do you do here?" He asked, still not coming out of the shadows.
"What my mother did. I keep the garden in order for the Pharaoh."
'Ah' thought Yami, 'She doesn't know who she is talking to; otherwise she would say "you". Maybe I should talk to her like this for a while. It would be nice to have someone talk to me without treating me like royalty.' He said, "And you have always done this?"
"Since she died. No one knows that I come. We should not be here but I do not think that the Pharaoh will notice."
Yami smiled to himself but did not answer. After a while the girl began to sing again. She had the most enchanting voice, soft and sweet. He listened before saying, "How do you know that song?"
"My mother taught it to me. She learned it in the palace. My mother was one of Queen Nephertina's most trusted servants."
Yami was shocked to hear his mother's name mentioned. No one ever mentioned his parents to him. He had been only twelve when they had died in the carriage accident, six years later he was still sad about the loss. "And your father?"
"My father was the head driver for King Raha himself, he also died when I was young."
Yami's father, Raha! This girl had no fear in her. No one mentioned his father by name now, which annoyed him. His father had been a great king, the best ever known apart from Yami, and Yami wished him to be remembered. "If your parents were so important as servants, why do you wear the robes of a lowly slave and not work in the palace? Is it not your heritage to work in your mother's place?"
"It is my heritage," sighed the girl. She got up and sat on a backless bench by the fountain, her back still towards Yami. "However I was only ten when my parents passed away. I was too young to carry on my mother's work. Besides that is impossible. My mother Della was the nursery maid for Prince Yami, I am two years younger than he and unable to be his nursery maid."
Yami was startled to hear this. He remembered his nursemaid Della. He had not known that she had a child. Della had been killed in the chariot accident that had taken his parents from him, as had the driver of the chariot, this girl's father. "And your father drove the king's carriage. Why do you not do his job?"
"The driving of the king's chariot is a job for male servants only, and on appointment of King Yami himself." Replied the girl. "However I sometimes help to tend to the King's horses during the day if the other stable hands have too much work to do."
Yami stepped out of the shadows and into the moonlight. He had intended to call the guards but now he felt that he could not. This girl was, after all, doing work here. Her parents had been the more trusted servants of his own parents. By all rights she should be one of his highest slaves, yet here she was, doing the lowliest of all duties. "So why do you do this extra work here?" He asked.
"My mother loved this garden. She and the Queen used to come here many a time to talk and garden, they were close friends. When they died the garden would have gone to ruin and over grown. I decided to continue my mother's work here. I do not think that anyone knows that I do this. I do not believe that King Yami even knows that someone tends to his garden. He has not come here for six years." At this point Yami had climbed the steps and stood behind the girl.
"I think that he knows." He said calmly.
Seeing his reflection in the water of the fountain and hearing his voice the girl jumped to her feet and stood before Yami. She was shorter than him and only reached up to his shoulders. As soon as she recognised him she dropped to the ground, kneeling at his feet silently. Yami gently tapped her shoulder, the given sign that she may rise and speak to him. However she remained on the ground, eyes to the floor and said, "I am so sorry my Pharaoh. I had no idea that it was you. I did not mean to offend you. I will go quietly with your guards to the prison cells. I have invaded your garden and spoken of forbidden subjects in you presence. For this I will take whatever punishment you give me willingly and with repent."
Yami was shocked at her speech. But he did not show this. Instead he reached out his hand and placed it under her chin, lifting her head upwards gently until her eyes met his.
"There will be no punishment." He said softly. Gently he removed his hand and placed one hand on each of her arms by her side, pulling her tenderly but firmly to her feet. He held her at arm's length and studied her intently, he could see fear in her bright eyes, but also an independence and sincerity that he never saw in many slaves.
"I do not understand sire." Whispered the girl, looking inquisitively into his eyes.
"You have shown me honesty and respect. I never hear anyone mention disasters of the past in my presence. It is an untouched topic. It has been refreshing to talk with you. Please do not be frightened," he added as she shivered, though not from cold. "I mean you no menace. However I would be honoured if you would consent to talk with me further. You may start by telling me your name."
"I am Lara, and I would love to talk with you. But I am not permitted to. As you can see I am a slave of the sixth degree (AN - meaning that she is the bottom of the hierarchy, sixth is the bottom (her) and Yami is the first) and am therefore not allowed to speak with you under any circumstances, my Pharaoh."
"And I am the King of Egypt, I cancel this rule, for you. You are hereby permitted to speak with me on any subject and terms." Lara looked shocked but happy at this statement. "Please give me a tour of the gardens that you keep so well. It has been a long time since I have been here."
They walked around the garden for about half an hour, Lara showing Yami every flower, bush and statue. Yami politely looked at all of these things, but he could not take his eyes away from the most beautiful thing in the garden, Lara. After a long time, which only seemed like minutes, the booming gong signalling that it was one o'clock in the morning disturbed them. Yami would have carried on with his tour but Lara jumped at the sound and turned to face him.
"I must leave you sire. In only a few hours I must be present at work."
"Wait!" Yami exclaimed as she turned away from him and made her way towards the side entrance to the garden. He grabbed her hand so that she stopped to face him. "When will I see you again?"
"Whenever you wish sir," she replied, "I am your slave and can do only your bidding."
Yami let her go and she disappeared into the night. Slowly he returned to his chambers and lay on his bed. Throughout the entire night he had forgotten that the girl he had been talking to had been his slave. He had treated her as a friend, almost an equal. Yet he had not noticed the way that she never called him by name or spoken to him out of line. In fact she hadn't really initiated any conversations. She had been behaving like all of his servants but he had been too busy watching her to notice this. Puzzled he turned over in his bed and decided to try to find her the next day and talk to her.
Yami awoke that morning to find Yugi sitting on the end of his bed. Yawning slightly, Yami sat up and accepted the fruit and water that Yugi offered to him.
"You slept in friend." Said Yugi. "You are lucky that you have very few duties today, or already your schedule would have gone to pieces!"
"What?" Asked Yami, wiping sleep from his eyes. "What time is it?"
"The sun arose four hours ago, it is nine thirty by my calculations."
"Nine thirty? I slept in that late?" Mused Yami as he leaned back against his pillows, thinking of his night with Lara. "Yugi." He said presently. "Do you believe in angels?"
"I have yet to see an angel to make me believe." Laughed Yugi.
"I think that I could have seen one last night." Said Yami.
"How?"
"I'm not sure. I went into my garden last night because I saw someone there. Her name was Lara. We spent a long time in each other's company, but I believe that she was too perfect to be human. She is a slave, but I have never noticed her before." Yami stopped. "I'm not convinced that it wasn't a dream. It was too perfect." Sighing he sank deeper into his covers, accepting already that Lara had been a dream, a mere fantasy.
"Do not dismiss this now Yami. But put it at the back of your mind for now. Seto is waiting outside for me to finish my counsel with you. I simply came to tell you that the citizens are happy with the new laws that you enforced, but it looks like the enemy are rising again. I shall keep watch, especially on Bakura."
"Thank you little one." Said Yami, ruffling Yugi's hair. The boy jumped off the bed and ran to the door.
"Shall I send Seto in?"
"Yes, yes." Said Yami, sitting up and finishing the last of his breakfast. He got up and quickly dressed. Seto knocked on the door before entering.
"Seto, I'm glad to see you."
"I'm sure you are!" Answered the priest as he crossed to Yami and straightened Yami's headpiece. Standing back he surveyed the young King. "Lucky for you I was the only one who noticed that you were missing from your chambers last night. Had anyone else found out there would have been chaos!"
"The guards knew where I was, and I didn't leave the grounds."
"These are dangerous times Yami, for all of us here. The Shadow Powers are rising again, I can feel it. It would not be safe for you to venture out alone, especially at night. Conspirators never sleep, Yami, and they will strike when you least expect it."
"Be that as it may, I can look after myself and I am safe within the grounds. There are guards everywhere now. I trust that I have you to thank for that!"
"A precaution my friend. Egypt can not lose another King now, especially with no heir to your throne."
"You sound like my counsellors and advisers. They have been trying to set me up with various women for the last year. I have no interest in them. The lot of them have been stuck-up, snobby and vain, without a care for anyone else or me for that matter. Arranged marriages such as that hold no interest for me. I will marry for love or not at all. My agenda has been taken over by these shallow women recently. But tell me, what are my royal appointments today?"
Seto crossed to the dressing table where he picked up a scroll. Reading it closely he said, "It appears that your day is moderately free. You are hosting a dinner tonight in honour of Lady Lamella, your mother's consort from the south. It's her fiftieth birthday today and you offered to host a large dinner for her. Apart from this you have a free day."
"Well that's a relief!" Sighed Yami, slumping onto his bed. "I suppose that the preparations are underway?"
"Yes sire, the slaves were working on the final preparations when I saw them earlier. However you may want to be seen inspecting the preparations."
"Very well. And the entertainment, how is that going?"
"There shall be music, singing, dancing and comedy tonight, provided by a handful of your servants. As far as I know it should be a successful evening."
"Lovely. When will our guests be arriving?"
"After high noon. They are coming by carriage. A party will be sent out on horseback to meet them at the canyon, and escort them back here to meet you. It would be wise for you to inspect the party before they leave."
"That I will do. Send a message to the stables saying that I will inspect them in an hour and I expect everything to be perfect. Ask the kitchens to send up a menu so that I may see what is being served and ask the entertainment group to write a programme that I may confirm. That will be all Seto."
"Very good sire." With that Seto left with his orders, leaving Yami to ponder once again about Lara. She had said that she helped to tend to the horses, however Yami knew that this would not be her full time job, as only the male servants generally did that kind of work. She was likely to be a cook, cleaner or mender of material. Yami desperately wanted to see her again, just to make sure that she hadn't been a wonderful dream. But he didn't want it to be obvious that he liked her, and he didn't want to get her in trouble with her superiors.
An hour later Yami entered the cool stables, accompanied by Seto and a handful of guards. He nodded at the gleaming coats of the horses and the excellent turn out of the staff. The stables, as ever were immaculate, as was the carriage that rested at one end of the building. Yami complemented the head stable hand at his fine work. The man, Jens, was happy at this.
"Is this your entire staff?" Asked Yami, noting that it was quite a small group for such a large stable.
"No sir." Answered Jens. "Two of our hands are sick at the moment, one had a accident yesterday and is recovering, five are helping with the preparations for the party that will receive your guests later and two are currently exercising horses by the pass, near the canyon."
"Very good. And the party that will receive my guests, who are they?"
Four men stepped forwards, dressed in white and red with grand feathers hanging from their caps.
"These are the men." Answered Jens. "I shall accompany them. We will go on five white horses, as ordered by Sir Seto."
"Excellent. Well, you seem to have everything under control." Yami was about to leave when a horse put it's head over the stable door. Yami stopped. The horse was magnificent. It was jet black with a white blaze down it's forehead and Yami could see four identical white socked hooves underneath the stable door. The horse had a bright eye and a splendid head.
"That horse. What is it called?" Asked Yami.
"His name is Madrask sir. He is a stallion and a wild one at that. Very few of my stable hands are able to ride him. He is the son of your father's favourite horse, Musk."
"Bring him out." Ordered Yami. Jens clicked his fingers at a stable hand who found a rope and led the horse into the yard. He truly was a fabulous creature, well built and beautiful.
"I wish to go for a ride." Stated Yami. "On that horse."
"Sire," Stuttered Jens. "You have not ridden for years. And Madrask is a very difficult horse to ride. Perhaps you would be better on Kalka, a chestnut mare. She is as beautiful but much calmer."
"I will ride this horse as it is my duty. I should ride the son of my father's horse. Seto will accompany me on Kalka. We will take the route to the canyon that we used to take when I was a child." Yami's guards began to move towards other horses. "No!" Commanded Yami. "I will be safe with Seto, we will go alone."
"It is not wise Yami. You do not know this horse well and there may be enemies out there!" Whispered Seto.
"My word is final!" Ordered Yami. Within five minutes Yami and Seto were ridding over the sands. Seto was relaxed on Kalka but Yami could feel Madrask quivering under him, a huge creature full of spirit and strength.
They rode for an hour until they reached the creek that led towards the canyon, about a mile away. Here they stopped and allowed their horses to drink. They were about to head back when a loud hiss startled them. Looking down Yami caught sight of a large snake lunging at Madrask's leg. In a second Madrask had taken flight. Yami pulled on the reins to stop the charging animal but to no avail. He could not stop the terrified horse and they were heading towards the canyon. If Yami didn't stop the horse soon they would both fall to their deaths if they reached the canyon.
Meanwhile, the two stable hands on horses were returning from a ride. One of these was a woman of about twenty-five with short, brown hair and brown eyes, called Galena. She was riding a black and white mare that was puffing and panting slightly from the exercise. The other girl was Lara and she was riding a delicate Palomino mare called Desert Rose. Rose looked none the worse for her exercise and was walking along calmly. Lara and Galena were talking happily as they returned home.
"I wish that I could go with the party today to meet Lady Lamella." Sighed Galena.
"I don't. Just think how boring it would be to walk all the way to the canyon and all the way back. No cantering along the dunes or galloping along the stone flat." Lara laughed. "Besides, we have too much work to do in preparation for this evening."
"I suppose. Do you think." But Galena couldn't finish because at that point they heard thundering hooves in the distance. Lara turned the horse round, ready to flee if the person coming seemed to be a threat.
"Who do you think it could be?" Asked Galena, turning her horse around too.
"We are too far out for it to be anyone from another town. The villagers never ride out here anyway, and the others at the stables are too busy getting everything ready for tonight to exercise these horses, that's why we are doing it. It's too early for bandits and it's not our guests, because it's one horse alone, no carriage."
"Then who could it be?"
At that moment they saw a cloud of sand and then saw the black stallion galloping hard in the direction they had come, with Yami clinging on to it for dear life.
"It's the Pharaoh!" Exclaimed Galena. "And Madrask looks like he is out of control. What should we do?"
But Lara had already turned Desert Rose around. "Get back as quickly as you can and get help."
"But what about you?"
"I am going to try to head them off!"
As Galena headed for home, Lara whirled around on Desert Rose and signalled for the horse to gallop on. The horse needed no second signal. Instead of heading in the path that Yami had taken Lara headed slightly west, hoping that their paths would cross and that she would be able to stop the stallion.
Yami, however, was still galloping onwards. Madrask showed no signs of slowing and Yami was starting to feel scared. It wasn't far until they would reach the canyon, and he was sure that the horse would not be able to stop in time when they reached it. Yami had tried to jump off, but his foot had become entangled in the stirrup and he had no way to free it. He pulled hard on the reins, which suddenly snapped in his hands. Now he had no choice but to hang on tight and hope for a miracle. It crossed his mind that this situation was quite ironic. His parents had been killed in a carriage accident when bandits had attacked them, scaring the horse, which had raced off with the carriage jerking behind. The horse and the passengers had fallen to their deaths in the very same canyon that Yami was approaching when the horse had run straight into the abyss. Now it looked like Yami was to have the same fate.
Listening to the rhythmic drumming of the horse's hooves he was suddenly ware that two horses were galloping instead of one. Glancing to his left he saw another horse fast approaching him, with Lara as the rider. He shook his head; Lara obviously was an angel, his guardian one! Her palomino horse was gaining on them each second, and was obviously swifter than Madrask. Looking back at the path in front Yami, to his horror, recognised some rocky contours. They were nearing the edge of the canyon.
Lara obviously knew this too as she urged the horse onwards. She was gaining on them. Roses head was level with Madrask's hindquarters. Now her head was level with Yami. Next Lara was riding next to Yami. But now she was slightly ahead. What was she doing?
Nimbly, Lara let go of Rose's reins, grabbed hold of the front of Yami's saddle and jumped onto Madrask, in front of Yami. Yami gripped onto her waist as Desert Rose slowed to a canter, then a walk. Lara was leaning over Madrask's neck. She was hanging on to the bridle and was talking soothingly to Madrask. Yami was amazed as he saw the horse's ears flicker as he noticed Lara. Then, all at once, he felt their pace begin to slow. They were cantering. Abruptly they stopped and Lara jumped off quickly and grabbed hold of Madrask's bridle, speaking softly to the horse. Yami looked up and saw that they were a few metres from the cliff edge. Shakily, he slipped off of the horse's back and slid to the ground, still in shock. He faintly heard Lara whispering words of reassurance and praise to the stallion. The he felt a shadow fall over him and saw a hand extended to help him up. Grateful he took it and allowed Lara to help him to his feet.
"Thank you!" He exclaimed, shaking her hand. "You saved my life."
Lara shook her head as she returned to the horse. "It was nothing. What happened?"
"No, it was something. You risked your life for me, I won't forget it. I'm not sure what made him flee, but I think I saw a snake by the creek, just before he took off."
"That would explain it. Horses are terrified of snakes. Especially Maddy here."
"How did you stop him?"
"He knows me. I helped to break him in and get him used to having a rider. He trusts me more than anyone else." At this point Desert Rose wandered over and nuzzled Lara for attention. Lara laughed and held out some grain for her, and gently patted her nose. "And you were amazing Rosie. Thank you!"
Yami watched in disbelief as Lara interacted with the two horses. Eventually she looked at Yami.
"We should get you home sire. I may be able to stop horses, but I'm no palace guard, I won't be able to protect you from anyone who wishes you harm." She said. "Here, ride Desert Rose. She is very placid and won't take off or anything." She helped Yami to climb onto the pretty horse, which obediently stood still. Lara then untied her rope belt and made makeshift reins for Madrask. She jumped on and Yami was surprised to see that under Lara's gentle hands the horse was as quiet as a lamb.
They walked in silence for a while until they saw a band of horses in the distance. A group of guards, Jens, Galena and Seto were riding towards them. Yami waved and the groups met with relief.
"Sire, you are alright!" Exclaimed Jens.
"What happened?" Asked Seto. "After your horse took flight I tried to follow you, but Kalka wasn't fast enough. I turned back to get help. This servant girl Galena and I returned at the same time with the same message."
"I couldn't stop the horse." Explained Yami. "Luckily for me Lara here managed to stop us before we fell down the canyon. I would be dead if it were not for her." Lara blushed at this.
"Well, you are a very brave young lady." Praised Seto. "I shall see that you are rewarded for this."
"Oh no sir!" Exclaimed Lara. "I couldn't accept anything. It was instinct only. Anyone else would have done the same."
"Yes, well, well done girl." Said Jens. "But we must get back. I will contact a few people my Pharaoh, and will see to it that this will not happen again." Jens looked at Madrask. "The offending beast shall be disposed of right away."
"No!" Cried Lara. "You can't! It wasn't his fault. He was scared, that's all! You can't kill him. He's so young!"
"I'm sorry girl, but he nearly cause the death of the Pharaoh, just like his father, Musk, did six years ago. He will be destroyed as soon as possible."
A tear formed in Lara's eyes, but before she could protest Yami spoke up. "I do not think that this is necessary Jens. After seeing the affinity that Lara has with this horse, I bequeath Madrask to her. He is fully her responsibility. He is her horse; only she shall ride and look after him. She will own him. No one else. I hope that this is clear." With that Yami rode off towards the palace, leaving a shocked Jens and Seto behind him.
"Thank you sire!" Enthused Lara as they entered the palace grounds.
"It is a reward for your bravery." Said Yami. "And now I must ask a favour of you."
"Anything sire!"
"Will you be my guest at the banquet tonight?" Lara looked at Yami. She could tell that he was being serious. How could she refuse him? "As a small token of my appreciation."
"It would be my pleasure Sir!"
"And please, call me Yami."
AN - A long chapter but it was made up of two old ones, so sorry if it was a bit boring for some people who have already read my last fanfic, I added some extra bits though!
Pharaoh Yami stood by his window, intently watching the garden below, waiting for the intruder. He was sure that they would come again and was ready to confront them. Seeing movement in the garden he strained his eyes until he saw a figure in white moving in the garden. Slowly he crept across to his door and let himself out. He was plainly dressed in his white robes, without his normal regalia. He went unstopped through his palace and out into the dusty grounds. The guards simply moved to let the king past, but their vigil was noticeably increased. Yami quickly reached the door to his garden and unlocked it with a small golden key. Turning to his guards he forbade them to watch or follow him and he silently entered the garden.
It had been so long since he had been in there, yet he remembered every pathway in the maze of shrubs. He headed through the undergrowth towards the centre, where he had seen the figure last. He wanted to catch the intruder by surprise and so did not use the clear pathways. As he approached the centre he silenced his footsteps, moving cat like onwards. He finally saw the central circle, and hidden in the leaves of a large, cooling plant he watched the area. It was a splendid sight. A large fountain in the centre gushed water over white marble. The fountain was elevated on grey marble steps. On the ground level were beautiful rose beds, filled with rare roses of all colours, shapes and sizes. However Yami's eyes were drawn away from these to the corner of the cleared space. Small statuettes stood around the area, some of these were miniature fountains, with trickles of water running down them. By one of these statues stood the person that he had been looking for.
She stood about five or six metres from him, illuminated by the moonlight. Yami analysed her as he watched. She had her back to him. She had long blonde hair that fell to her waist and was loose, save a few fronds that were plaited with black thread. She was fairly tall and slim and moved daintily. Suddenly Yami stepped on a twig as he tried to get a better look. The girl spun around warily, looking for her watcher. Upon seeing nothing she returned to her work, cleaning the statue, but she turned side ways on to Yami. Her saw that she was extremely beautiful, with bright green eyes. Her skin was pale and Yami watched, enthralled, at her deft movements as she scrubbed moss off of the statue, making it gleam. The girl looked younger than him, possible about sixteen. She was dressed in the attire of all of Yami's palace slaves, a white toga tied with a length of thin rope at the waist, a pair of simple sandals on her feet and a bronze collar bearing the millennium symbol. By this attire Yami could tell she was one of the lowest slaves, for each rank had a distinguished mark on their uniform and hers bore none. Yami watched her work for a few minutes before she moved away from the sculpture and walked over to the flowerbed, where she knelt down with her back to him.
Remaining hidden in the shadows Yami spoke, "You have no right to be here."
The girl did not even jump at his words. She carried on with her work, but she replied. "I may have no official right to be here, but I have come every night for six years, so I may have more right than some to be here."
Yami was surprised by her calculated answer, and also the fact that she had not turned to see the speaker or treated him with the normal manner slaves showed. Normally they would bow low and wait for the signal to speak. "What do you do here?" He asked, still not coming out of the shadows.
"What my mother did. I keep the garden in order for the Pharaoh."
'Ah' thought Yami, 'She doesn't know who she is talking to; otherwise she would say "you". Maybe I should talk to her like this for a while. It would be nice to have someone talk to me without treating me like royalty.' He said, "And you have always done this?"
"Since she died. No one knows that I come. We should not be here but I do not think that the Pharaoh will notice."
Yami smiled to himself but did not answer. After a while the girl began to sing again. She had the most enchanting voice, soft and sweet. He listened before saying, "How do you know that song?"
"My mother taught it to me. She learned it in the palace. My mother was one of Queen Nephertina's most trusted servants."
Yami was shocked to hear his mother's name mentioned. No one ever mentioned his parents to him. He had been only twelve when they had died in the carriage accident, six years later he was still sad about the loss. "And your father?"
"My father was the head driver for King Raha himself, he also died when I was young."
Yami's father, Raha! This girl had no fear in her. No one mentioned his father by name now, which annoyed him. His father had been a great king, the best ever known apart from Yami, and Yami wished him to be remembered. "If your parents were so important as servants, why do you wear the robes of a lowly slave and not work in the palace? Is it not your heritage to work in your mother's place?"
"It is my heritage," sighed the girl. She got up and sat on a backless bench by the fountain, her back still towards Yami. "However I was only ten when my parents passed away. I was too young to carry on my mother's work. Besides that is impossible. My mother Della was the nursery maid for Prince Yami, I am two years younger than he and unable to be his nursery maid."
Yami was startled to hear this. He remembered his nursemaid Della. He had not known that she had a child. Della had been killed in the chariot accident that had taken his parents from him, as had the driver of the chariot, this girl's father. "And your father drove the king's carriage. Why do you not do his job?"
"The driving of the king's chariot is a job for male servants only, and on appointment of King Yami himself." Replied the girl. "However I sometimes help to tend to the King's horses during the day if the other stable hands have too much work to do."
Yami stepped out of the shadows and into the moonlight. He had intended to call the guards but now he felt that he could not. This girl was, after all, doing work here. Her parents had been the more trusted servants of his own parents. By all rights she should be one of his highest slaves, yet here she was, doing the lowliest of all duties. "So why do you do this extra work here?" He asked.
"My mother loved this garden. She and the Queen used to come here many a time to talk and garden, they were close friends. When they died the garden would have gone to ruin and over grown. I decided to continue my mother's work here. I do not think that anyone knows that I do this. I do not believe that King Yami even knows that someone tends to his garden. He has not come here for six years." At this point Yami had climbed the steps and stood behind the girl.
"I think that he knows." He said calmly.
Seeing his reflection in the water of the fountain and hearing his voice the girl jumped to her feet and stood before Yami. She was shorter than him and only reached up to his shoulders. As soon as she recognised him she dropped to the ground, kneeling at his feet silently. Yami gently tapped her shoulder, the given sign that she may rise and speak to him. However she remained on the ground, eyes to the floor and said, "I am so sorry my Pharaoh. I had no idea that it was you. I did not mean to offend you. I will go quietly with your guards to the prison cells. I have invaded your garden and spoken of forbidden subjects in you presence. For this I will take whatever punishment you give me willingly and with repent."
Yami was shocked at her speech. But he did not show this. Instead he reached out his hand and placed it under her chin, lifting her head upwards gently until her eyes met his.
"There will be no punishment." He said softly. Gently he removed his hand and placed one hand on each of her arms by her side, pulling her tenderly but firmly to her feet. He held her at arm's length and studied her intently, he could see fear in her bright eyes, but also an independence and sincerity that he never saw in many slaves.
"I do not understand sire." Whispered the girl, looking inquisitively into his eyes.
"You have shown me honesty and respect. I never hear anyone mention disasters of the past in my presence. It is an untouched topic. It has been refreshing to talk with you. Please do not be frightened," he added as she shivered, though not from cold. "I mean you no menace. However I would be honoured if you would consent to talk with me further. You may start by telling me your name."
"I am Lara, and I would love to talk with you. But I am not permitted to. As you can see I am a slave of the sixth degree (AN - meaning that she is the bottom of the hierarchy, sixth is the bottom (her) and Yami is the first) and am therefore not allowed to speak with you under any circumstances, my Pharaoh."
"And I am the King of Egypt, I cancel this rule, for you. You are hereby permitted to speak with me on any subject and terms." Lara looked shocked but happy at this statement. "Please give me a tour of the gardens that you keep so well. It has been a long time since I have been here."
They walked around the garden for about half an hour, Lara showing Yami every flower, bush and statue. Yami politely looked at all of these things, but he could not take his eyes away from the most beautiful thing in the garden, Lara. After a long time, which only seemed like minutes, the booming gong signalling that it was one o'clock in the morning disturbed them. Yami would have carried on with his tour but Lara jumped at the sound and turned to face him.
"I must leave you sire. In only a few hours I must be present at work."
"Wait!" Yami exclaimed as she turned away from him and made her way towards the side entrance to the garden. He grabbed her hand so that she stopped to face him. "When will I see you again?"
"Whenever you wish sir," she replied, "I am your slave and can do only your bidding."
Yami let her go and she disappeared into the night. Slowly he returned to his chambers and lay on his bed. Throughout the entire night he had forgotten that the girl he had been talking to had been his slave. He had treated her as a friend, almost an equal. Yet he had not noticed the way that she never called him by name or spoken to him out of line. In fact she hadn't really initiated any conversations. She had been behaving like all of his servants but he had been too busy watching her to notice this. Puzzled he turned over in his bed and decided to try to find her the next day and talk to her.
Yami awoke that morning to find Yugi sitting on the end of his bed. Yawning slightly, Yami sat up and accepted the fruit and water that Yugi offered to him.
"You slept in friend." Said Yugi. "You are lucky that you have very few duties today, or already your schedule would have gone to pieces!"
"What?" Asked Yami, wiping sleep from his eyes. "What time is it?"
"The sun arose four hours ago, it is nine thirty by my calculations."
"Nine thirty? I slept in that late?" Mused Yami as he leaned back against his pillows, thinking of his night with Lara. "Yugi." He said presently. "Do you believe in angels?"
"I have yet to see an angel to make me believe." Laughed Yugi.
"I think that I could have seen one last night." Said Yami.
"How?"
"I'm not sure. I went into my garden last night because I saw someone there. Her name was Lara. We spent a long time in each other's company, but I believe that she was too perfect to be human. She is a slave, but I have never noticed her before." Yami stopped. "I'm not convinced that it wasn't a dream. It was too perfect." Sighing he sank deeper into his covers, accepting already that Lara had been a dream, a mere fantasy.
"Do not dismiss this now Yami. But put it at the back of your mind for now. Seto is waiting outside for me to finish my counsel with you. I simply came to tell you that the citizens are happy with the new laws that you enforced, but it looks like the enemy are rising again. I shall keep watch, especially on Bakura."
"Thank you little one." Said Yami, ruffling Yugi's hair. The boy jumped off the bed and ran to the door.
"Shall I send Seto in?"
"Yes, yes." Said Yami, sitting up and finishing the last of his breakfast. He got up and quickly dressed. Seto knocked on the door before entering.
"Seto, I'm glad to see you."
"I'm sure you are!" Answered the priest as he crossed to Yami and straightened Yami's headpiece. Standing back he surveyed the young King. "Lucky for you I was the only one who noticed that you were missing from your chambers last night. Had anyone else found out there would have been chaos!"
"The guards knew where I was, and I didn't leave the grounds."
"These are dangerous times Yami, for all of us here. The Shadow Powers are rising again, I can feel it. It would not be safe for you to venture out alone, especially at night. Conspirators never sleep, Yami, and they will strike when you least expect it."
"Be that as it may, I can look after myself and I am safe within the grounds. There are guards everywhere now. I trust that I have you to thank for that!"
"A precaution my friend. Egypt can not lose another King now, especially with no heir to your throne."
"You sound like my counsellors and advisers. They have been trying to set me up with various women for the last year. I have no interest in them. The lot of them have been stuck-up, snobby and vain, without a care for anyone else or me for that matter. Arranged marriages such as that hold no interest for me. I will marry for love or not at all. My agenda has been taken over by these shallow women recently. But tell me, what are my royal appointments today?"
Seto crossed to the dressing table where he picked up a scroll. Reading it closely he said, "It appears that your day is moderately free. You are hosting a dinner tonight in honour of Lady Lamella, your mother's consort from the south. It's her fiftieth birthday today and you offered to host a large dinner for her. Apart from this you have a free day."
"Well that's a relief!" Sighed Yami, slumping onto his bed. "I suppose that the preparations are underway?"
"Yes sire, the slaves were working on the final preparations when I saw them earlier. However you may want to be seen inspecting the preparations."
"Very well. And the entertainment, how is that going?"
"There shall be music, singing, dancing and comedy tonight, provided by a handful of your servants. As far as I know it should be a successful evening."
"Lovely. When will our guests be arriving?"
"After high noon. They are coming by carriage. A party will be sent out on horseback to meet them at the canyon, and escort them back here to meet you. It would be wise for you to inspect the party before they leave."
"That I will do. Send a message to the stables saying that I will inspect them in an hour and I expect everything to be perfect. Ask the kitchens to send up a menu so that I may see what is being served and ask the entertainment group to write a programme that I may confirm. That will be all Seto."
"Very good sire." With that Seto left with his orders, leaving Yami to ponder once again about Lara. She had said that she helped to tend to the horses, however Yami knew that this would not be her full time job, as only the male servants generally did that kind of work. She was likely to be a cook, cleaner or mender of material. Yami desperately wanted to see her again, just to make sure that she hadn't been a wonderful dream. But he didn't want it to be obvious that he liked her, and he didn't want to get her in trouble with her superiors.
An hour later Yami entered the cool stables, accompanied by Seto and a handful of guards. He nodded at the gleaming coats of the horses and the excellent turn out of the staff. The stables, as ever were immaculate, as was the carriage that rested at one end of the building. Yami complemented the head stable hand at his fine work. The man, Jens, was happy at this.
"Is this your entire staff?" Asked Yami, noting that it was quite a small group for such a large stable.
"No sir." Answered Jens. "Two of our hands are sick at the moment, one had a accident yesterday and is recovering, five are helping with the preparations for the party that will receive your guests later and two are currently exercising horses by the pass, near the canyon."
"Very good. And the party that will receive my guests, who are they?"
Four men stepped forwards, dressed in white and red with grand feathers hanging from their caps.
"These are the men." Answered Jens. "I shall accompany them. We will go on five white horses, as ordered by Sir Seto."
"Excellent. Well, you seem to have everything under control." Yami was about to leave when a horse put it's head over the stable door. Yami stopped. The horse was magnificent. It was jet black with a white blaze down it's forehead and Yami could see four identical white socked hooves underneath the stable door. The horse had a bright eye and a splendid head.
"That horse. What is it called?" Asked Yami.
"His name is Madrask sir. He is a stallion and a wild one at that. Very few of my stable hands are able to ride him. He is the son of your father's favourite horse, Musk."
"Bring him out." Ordered Yami. Jens clicked his fingers at a stable hand who found a rope and led the horse into the yard. He truly was a fabulous creature, well built and beautiful.
"I wish to go for a ride." Stated Yami. "On that horse."
"Sire," Stuttered Jens. "You have not ridden for years. And Madrask is a very difficult horse to ride. Perhaps you would be better on Kalka, a chestnut mare. She is as beautiful but much calmer."
"I will ride this horse as it is my duty. I should ride the son of my father's horse. Seto will accompany me on Kalka. We will take the route to the canyon that we used to take when I was a child." Yami's guards began to move towards other horses. "No!" Commanded Yami. "I will be safe with Seto, we will go alone."
"It is not wise Yami. You do not know this horse well and there may be enemies out there!" Whispered Seto.
"My word is final!" Ordered Yami. Within five minutes Yami and Seto were ridding over the sands. Seto was relaxed on Kalka but Yami could feel Madrask quivering under him, a huge creature full of spirit and strength.
They rode for an hour until they reached the creek that led towards the canyon, about a mile away. Here they stopped and allowed their horses to drink. They were about to head back when a loud hiss startled them. Looking down Yami caught sight of a large snake lunging at Madrask's leg. In a second Madrask had taken flight. Yami pulled on the reins to stop the charging animal but to no avail. He could not stop the terrified horse and they were heading towards the canyon. If Yami didn't stop the horse soon they would both fall to their deaths if they reached the canyon.
Meanwhile, the two stable hands on horses were returning from a ride. One of these was a woman of about twenty-five with short, brown hair and brown eyes, called Galena. She was riding a black and white mare that was puffing and panting slightly from the exercise. The other girl was Lara and she was riding a delicate Palomino mare called Desert Rose. Rose looked none the worse for her exercise and was walking along calmly. Lara and Galena were talking happily as they returned home.
"I wish that I could go with the party today to meet Lady Lamella." Sighed Galena.
"I don't. Just think how boring it would be to walk all the way to the canyon and all the way back. No cantering along the dunes or galloping along the stone flat." Lara laughed. "Besides, we have too much work to do in preparation for this evening."
"I suppose. Do you think." But Galena couldn't finish because at that point they heard thundering hooves in the distance. Lara turned the horse round, ready to flee if the person coming seemed to be a threat.
"Who do you think it could be?" Asked Galena, turning her horse around too.
"We are too far out for it to be anyone from another town. The villagers never ride out here anyway, and the others at the stables are too busy getting everything ready for tonight to exercise these horses, that's why we are doing it. It's too early for bandits and it's not our guests, because it's one horse alone, no carriage."
"Then who could it be?"
At that moment they saw a cloud of sand and then saw the black stallion galloping hard in the direction they had come, with Yami clinging on to it for dear life.
"It's the Pharaoh!" Exclaimed Galena. "And Madrask looks like he is out of control. What should we do?"
But Lara had already turned Desert Rose around. "Get back as quickly as you can and get help."
"But what about you?"
"I am going to try to head them off!"
As Galena headed for home, Lara whirled around on Desert Rose and signalled for the horse to gallop on. The horse needed no second signal. Instead of heading in the path that Yami had taken Lara headed slightly west, hoping that their paths would cross and that she would be able to stop the stallion.
Yami, however, was still galloping onwards. Madrask showed no signs of slowing and Yami was starting to feel scared. It wasn't far until they would reach the canyon, and he was sure that the horse would not be able to stop in time when they reached it. Yami had tried to jump off, but his foot had become entangled in the stirrup and he had no way to free it. He pulled hard on the reins, which suddenly snapped in his hands. Now he had no choice but to hang on tight and hope for a miracle. It crossed his mind that this situation was quite ironic. His parents had been killed in a carriage accident when bandits had attacked them, scaring the horse, which had raced off with the carriage jerking behind. The horse and the passengers had fallen to their deaths in the very same canyon that Yami was approaching when the horse had run straight into the abyss. Now it looked like Yami was to have the same fate.
Listening to the rhythmic drumming of the horse's hooves he was suddenly ware that two horses were galloping instead of one. Glancing to his left he saw another horse fast approaching him, with Lara as the rider. He shook his head; Lara obviously was an angel, his guardian one! Her palomino horse was gaining on them each second, and was obviously swifter than Madrask. Looking back at the path in front Yami, to his horror, recognised some rocky contours. They were nearing the edge of the canyon.
Lara obviously knew this too as she urged the horse onwards. She was gaining on them. Roses head was level with Madrask's hindquarters. Now her head was level with Yami. Next Lara was riding next to Yami. But now she was slightly ahead. What was she doing?
Nimbly, Lara let go of Rose's reins, grabbed hold of the front of Yami's saddle and jumped onto Madrask, in front of Yami. Yami gripped onto her waist as Desert Rose slowed to a canter, then a walk. Lara was leaning over Madrask's neck. She was hanging on to the bridle and was talking soothingly to Madrask. Yami was amazed as he saw the horse's ears flicker as he noticed Lara. Then, all at once, he felt their pace begin to slow. They were cantering. Abruptly they stopped and Lara jumped off quickly and grabbed hold of Madrask's bridle, speaking softly to the horse. Yami looked up and saw that they were a few metres from the cliff edge. Shakily, he slipped off of the horse's back and slid to the ground, still in shock. He faintly heard Lara whispering words of reassurance and praise to the stallion. The he felt a shadow fall over him and saw a hand extended to help him up. Grateful he took it and allowed Lara to help him to his feet.
"Thank you!" He exclaimed, shaking her hand. "You saved my life."
Lara shook her head as she returned to the horse. "It was nothing. What happened?"
"No, it was something. You risked your life for me, I won't forget it. I'm not sure what made him flee, but I think I saw a snake by the creek, just before he took off."
"That would explain it. Horses are terrified of snakes. Especially Maddy here."
"How did you stop him?"
"He knows me. I helped to break him in and get him used to having a rider. He trusts me more than anyone else." At this point Desert Rose wandered over and nuzzled Lara for attention. Lara laughed and held out some grain for her, and gently patted her nose. "And you were amazing Rosie. Thank you!"
Yami watched in disbelief as Lara interacted with the two horses. Eventually she looked at Yami.
"We should get you home sire. I may be able to stop horses, but I'm no palace guard, I won't be able to protect you from anyone who wishes you harm." She said. "Here, ride Desert Rose. She is very placid and won't take off or anything." She helped Yami to climb onto the pretty horse, which obediently stood still. Lara then untied her rope belt and made makeshift reins for Madrask. She jumped on and Yami was surprised to see that under Lara's gentle hands the horse was as quiet as a lamb.
They walked in silence for a while until they saw a band of horses in the distance. A group of guards, Jens, Galena and Seto were riding towards them. Yami waved and the groups met with relief.
"Sire, you are alright!" Exclaimed Jens.
"What happened?" Asked Seto. "After your horse took flight I tried to follow you, but Kalka wasn't fast enough. I turned back to get help. This servant girl Galena and I returned at the same time with the same message."
"I couldn't stop the horse." Explained Yami. "Luckily for me Lara here managed to stop us before we fell down the canyon. I would be dead if it were not for her." Lara blushed at this.
"Well, you are a very brave young lady." Praised Seto. "I shall see that you are rewarded for this."
"Oh no sir!" Exclaimed Lara. "I couldn't accept anything. It was instinct only. Anyone else would have done the same."
"Yes, well, well done girl." Said Jens. "But we must get back. I will contact a few people my Pharaoh, and will see to it that this will not happen again." Jens looked at Madrask. "The offending beast shall be disposed of right away."
"No!" Cried Lara. "You can't! It wasn't his fault. He was scared, that's all! You can't kill him. He's so young!"
"I'm sorry girl, but he nearly cause the death of the Pharaoh, just like his father, Musk, did six years ago. He will be destroyed as soon as possible."
A tear formed in Lara's eyes, but before she could protest Yami spoke up. "I do not think that this is necessary Jens. After seeing the affinity that Lara has with this horse, I bequeath Madrask to her. He is fully her responsibility. He is her horse; only she shall ride and look after him. She will own him. No one else. I hope that this is clear." With that Yami rode off towards the palace, leaving a shocked Jens and Seto behind him.
"Thank you sire!" Enthused Lara as they entered the palace grounds.
"It is a reward for your bravery." Said Yami. "And now I must ask a favour of you."
"Anything sire!"
"Will you be my guest at the banquet tonight?" Lara looked at Yami. She could tell that he was being serious. How could she refuse him? "As a small token of my appreciation."
"It would be my pleasure Sir!"
"And please, call me Yami."
AN - A long chapter but it was made up of two old ones, so sorry if it was a bit boring for some people who have already read my last fanfic, I added some extra bits though!