Spirit of the Heart
By: Tiger LiLy
*******
Disclaimer: I own what I own.
*******
Chapter 6: Egypt's Desert Rose
"I wanted to ask what was going on but spoke not a word out of fear. But when I saw a chance for escape, I feared for my life enough to take the risk."
(Continue Flashback)
The guards each grabbed an arm of the girl as they forcefully led her along. One of the guards had graciously informed the girl that she was being taken to the Pharaoh to decide a fitting punishment.
She seemed to be struggling for breath. They guards paid no heed until the girl became limp in their grasps.
"What happen?" one guard asked.
"I think she fainted is all." The other replied.
"I'll go fetch the healer." Replied one guard as he went off.
The other guard looked away for only a moment before he turned back to discover that the girl had disappeared. "Wha-?" He turned and could see the figure of a person running down one of the many great halls before taking a turn. "Damnit!"
*******
Her heart was pounding fiercely in her chest as she ran, frantically looking for a way out of this giant maze of a palace. She knew the Pharaoh would sentence her to death, and like anyone, she didn't want to die; she couldn't die.
She took many passageways until she found herself in the presence of a man. By the looks of his robes he had to be important. She froze, slightly dumbfounded, not knowing what to do. Her mind screamed for her to run but her body could not comply.
The man grabbed her by the arm and pulled her with him. "What the hell are you doing!? I don't have patience nor the time to be messing around with a stupid whore! Change out of those filthy clothes this instant!" He forcefully swung open a door and shoved her inside.
The girl found herself in giant room that was beautifully furnished, but she wasn't the only one within. There where about thirty, maybe fifty other girls inside. She recognized many of them from the markets. They were all dressing in scandalous clothes, each girl wearing a different color or sometimes the same color.
"Sister!" a voice shouted. She turned to see her younger sister run up to her. She was a girl of 14 years and had short raven hair and dark brown eyes. "Where have you been!" she threw her arms around her.
"Nikkou? What-?"
"Quick! You must bathe and dress!"
Nikkou helped her sister to bathe quickly. After that, she helped her find her some robes. "I was so worried when you didn't return home last night! I guess you were taken to the palace last night, right?"
"Um, you could say that. Nikki, what's going on?"
"You don't know? A high nobleman has went through a lot of trouble to gather every young girl that can be found nearby for some dinner party he's throwing for the Pharaoh! And we're going to be the night's entertainment!"
"Oh. I- Is the Pharaoh going to be there?"
"Of course he is!" Another girl said. "We're more than just tonight's entertainment."
"What do you mean?"
"The Pharaoh doesn't know it yet, but after tonight, he'll be waking up next to his bride to be."
"What?"
"That's why the high nobleman is throwing this party, so the Pharaoh can maybe finally choose a bride." Another girl chipped in.
The two sisters were silent.
"Here, let me help you." Nikkou said as she held up a red cloth.
"Nikki-"
"Red seems to suit you well." She smiled.
"Come." She spoke and held her sister.
"I just thought we were going to dance for the evening. I was nervous but now- now I'm scared." Nikkou began to sob quietly.
'I am too, but for other reasons.' She thought.
"Some people say the Pharaoh is a wise and wonderful king. But I heard some people say that the Pharaoh is a mean cold-hearted tyrant. What if what they say is true? What if he really is cold-hearted and cruel?"
"I'm afraid I do not know what kind of man the Pharaoh is, but I know that I will not let him bring harm to my younger sister." She comforted.
"Thank you." Nikkou thanked her for her comforting.
Nikkou helped wrap a piece of red clothe around her sister's chest and a longer piece around her waist for a skirt that almost touched the ground.
Most of the girls looked the same, some were taller than others or had longer hair, but they all had black or brown hair and they wore nearly the same thing. They wore no sandles so it was easier to dance.
When it was time, some guards came to escort the women to the throne room where the party was being held.
The young woman took a deep breath. She tried to keep her face hidden so that no one will recognize her, by chance someone where to scout her out in the crowd of women.
The room was full of food and men along with their cheers for the entertainers. The girls gathered into the middle of the room and waited for the music to play. When they music started, it was their cue to start. All they had to do was to dance and flaunt with the guests, but especially with the Pharaoh.
Some of the girls did so shyly while others where more showy. For the honey eyed, scarlet dressed girl, she tried to stay away from the men so not to be spotted, but that ended up being her down fall.
"Are you enjoying yourself, my Pharaoh?"
"Oh, uh yes, this is wonderful party."
"You seemed distracted, my Pharaoh."
"Yes." The Pharaoh replied.
"Leave your troubles for tonight and enjoy yourself, my Pharaoh."
"Thank you, Bakura. You did an excellent job putting this all together, but why?"
"I hoped that you would take an interest in the entertainment I prepared. I believe tonight's entertainment will put your mind at ease."
The Pharaoh looked up and for the first time noticed the large number of female dancers. He turned to Bakura. "Why do you insist for me to take a bride, Bakura?"
"I'm just looking out for Egypt's well being as well as your own, Pharaoh. Every great king needs a queen to bare him a son so he can become a great Pharaoh like his father."
"Hm." The Pharaoh acknowledged.
"And I'm sure a queen would know how to take care of her king after a hard day of ruling Egypt, wouldn't you say?" Bakura grinned slyly.
The Pharaoh gave no acknowledgement. "I know you mean well, Bakura, but I'm far too busy dealing with matters of the Shadow Games."
"I have over fifty girls here tonight, my Pharaoh, I believe by the end of the evening, you may change you mind."
Bakura walked away from the Pharaoh and scanned the crowd of girls. One of them will end up in the Pharaoh's bedchamber by tonight. He had to make sure of it. That's when he spotted her. She was the only girl dancing all alone as if no one was even around. Though she was dancing alone, she danced very well. Her movements were smooth and almost hypnotic not to mention those eyes of her's. She was definitely beautiful.
Bakura walked up to the girl and grabbed her arm discreetly. "Follow me please." He said to her.
Nervous, she did so. He led her out of the party and gave her one more look over.
"Yes, you will do. You shall dance for the Pharaoh and do so until you are excused, understood?"
She nodded.
"Now listen carefully. I don't want any funny business. When you go out there, you give it all you got. Anything less and you will have to deal with a disappointed Pharaoh." He warned.
She nodded again.
"Good. Now stay here until I give you the go ahead." He then left.
Bakura approached the thrown and bowed before the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh nodded, giving Bakura permission to speak.
"My Pharaoh, with your permission, it is my pleaser to present to you, a gift."
"A gift?"
"Yes, my Pharaoh. I think you will indeed enjoy it." he grinned.
The Pharaoh nodded to Bakura.
"I present to the Pharaoh something very rare; one of a kind. It is Egypt's Desert Rose!" Bakura waved his hand to start the musicians.
When he did so, a red figure made her way out from behind a curtain. She began to move and twirl slowly to the music. Her movements were smooth a silk. Her raven hair hid her face most of the time.
Nearly all the men were entranced by her movements so she figured the Pharaoh was as well. She slowed down her pace enough so she could get a look at the Pharaoh. She looked up at the man sitting on the throne. His face was serious; solemn. His eyes watched her intensely with the same unnerving expression. Had she done something wrong? Was he not pleased? Did he know who she was and how she got here? She wanted nothing more than to quit right there and leave but knew she didn't have that option.
She glanced back up at his eyes. 'What beautiful eyes.' She thought.
Her thoughts were disrupted when suddenly she felt a sharp impact of two boulders crushing her. When she looked, she saw that she was being grabbed by two guards.
"What is going on here?" The Pharaoh asked as he rose from his throne.
"What is the meaning of this?" Bakura demanded from the guards.
"Our apologies, but this girl is an escapee." Answered one of the guards.
Bakura was astonished. "What?"
"What is her crime?" The Pharaoh demanded.
"She was arrested for tampering with the Shadow Realm."
The crowd began to sound outraged.
"How did she commit this crime?" Bakura asked.
"She dueled."
'That's how she eared so much money so fast.' Nikkou realized as she watched her sister.
The Pharaoh looked down at the small woman between the two guards who was trying to be brave. "What is your name?" he asked.
There was a moment of silence in the room.
"Reira." She spoke.
The crowd began to shout. "Punish her! Send her to the Shadow Realm!"
"NO!"
The people watched as a girl ran to Reira.
"NO! REIRA!" Nikkou cried as she ran and clung to her sister.
A guard came up and tried to pry her away.
"NO! NO!" she cried.
"Go, Nikkou. Leave me; now" Reira spoke to Nikkou.
"No! I won't leave you! Please! No!" she cried.
One of the guards threatened to strike Nikkou but the Pharaoh held up his hand and told him no. He looked down at Reira and stared at her eyes full of courage and fear as she stared back, waiting to accept the fate she would be giving.
The Pharaoh looked to one of the guards next to Reira. "Is there evidence to of which she is accused of?"
"Just the word of the man who said he dueled her. He claimed she was disguised in robes and it wasn't until after the duel did he discover her identity of that of a woman."
The Pharaoh was silent for a moment. "Since there seems to be no hard evidence against this woman besides the claim of one man, I find her innocent and all charges dropped."
Reira felt like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Nikkou was relieved as well.
"However, I do wish to speak with her later this evening." The Pharaoh looked at Reira.
Reira swallowed a lump in her throat. Why did he want to talk to her?
The guards bowed and escorted her out of the throne room.
*******
Reira waited for what seemed like an hour or so in a huge dim room. The sun was past set and the stars had quickly made their appearance in the night sky. She couldn't sit still. She knew that at any moment he would come through the doors, but why, she didn't know.
The sound of the door creaking open startled her. She jumped and spun around to see the Pharaoh entering the room. She used up every last bit of courage she had when she was waiting for her sentence, now she had none left to steady her for whatever happened next.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting for so long, the party was in my honor and I couldn't leave so early." The Pharaoh apologized.
She nodded. She would not speak unless he gave permission.
The Pharaoh approached her but in doing so she began to step back in retreat.
"I'm sorry. I do not mean to frighten you. I merely wish to speak with you."
She nodded shyly.
He walked over to a set of chairs and sat. He motioned for her to sit in the opposing chair. She did so quietly and kept her eyes on the floor as she sat.
"I wanted to speak with you because of what happened this evening."
She nodded; eyes still fixed on the floor.
"The accusation against you was very peculiar not to mention intriguing."
She slowly looked up at him.
He lend forward slightly. "Something like this has never happened before and I can't help but be skeptical. I would greatly like to know if the accusations against you were indeed true."
She was silent for a moment. "No, it is not, my Pharaoh."
He figured such an answer whether it was true or false. "You need not to be afraid. No harm will come to you if it is true. Have you ever dueled?"
She took a breath. "No, my Pharaoh."
He sat back. "I see. Then why would someone make such a claim against you?"
"I- I would not know, my Pharaoh."
"Well, just between you and me, I believe women could be just as capable to duel as men."
She said nothing.
The Pharaoh rose from his chair. "I will be retiring now. You may retire here until a servant is sent for you."
Reira looked up at him in silent wonder.
"Good evening, Reira." He spoke as he left.
Reira sat for a moment trying to comprehend what was going on. What is he doing? Is she a prisoner or a guest?
A yawn interrupted her thoughts as well as making the bed on the other side of the room look quite inviting. She looked inside the closet and found a change of robes to sleep in. She changed and crawled under the covers. The bed was big enough for three people and so much softer than her bed at home. She almost thought she was laying on a cloud as her mind slipped into silent slumber.
*******
'She tries to hide it but there is a spark in her. I know it's there. I can just barely see it.' The Pharaoh thought as he laid in his bed, the desert night breeze crept in and caressed his face softly.
*******
Another chapter! Reviews please! Thanks!
Tiger LiLy =^..^=
By: Tiger LiLy
*******
Disclaimer: I own what I own.
*******
Chapter 6: Egypt's Desert Rose
"I wanted to ask what was going on but spoke not a word out of fear. But when I saw a chance for escape, I feared for my life enough to take the risk."
(Continue Flashback)
The guards each grabbed an arm of the girl as they forcefully led her along. One of the guards had graciously informed the girl that she was being taken to the Pharaoh to decide a fitting punishment.
She seemed to be struggling for breath. They guards paid no heed until the girl became limp in their grasps.
"What happen?" one guard asked.
"I think she fainted is all." The other replied.
"I'll go fetch the healer." Replied one guard as he went off.
The other guard looked away for only a moment before he turned back to discover that the girl had disappeared. "Wha-?" He turned and could see the figure of a person running down one of the many great halls before taking a turn. "Damnit!"
*******
Her heart was pounding fiercely in her chest as she ran, frantically looking for a way out of this giant maze of a palace. She knew the Pharaoh would sentence her to death, and like anyone, she didn't want to die; she couldn't die.
She took many passageways until she found herself in the presence of a man. By the looks of his robes he had to be important. She froze, slightly dumbfounded, not knowing what to do. Her mind screamed for her to run but her body could not comply.
The man grabbed her by the arm and pulled her with him. "What the hell are you doing!? I don't have patience nor the time to be messing around with a stupid whore! Change out of those filthy clothes this instant!" He forcefully swung open a door and shoved her inside.
The girl found herself in giant room that was beautifully furnished, but she wasn't the only one within. There where about thirty, maybe fifty other girls inside. She recognized many of them from the markets. They were all dressing in scandalous clothes, each girl wearing a different color or sometimes the same color.
"Sister!" a voice shouted. She turned to see her younger sister run up to her. She was a girl of 14 years and had short raven hair and dark brown eyes. "Where have you been!" she threw her arms around her.
"Nikkou? What-?"
"Quick! You must bathe and dress!"
Nikkou helped her sister to bathe quickly. After that, she helped her find her some robes. "I was so worried when you didn't return home last night! I guess you were taken to the palace last night, right?"
"Um, you could say that. Nikki, what's going on?"
"You don't know? A high nobleman has went through a lot of trouble to gather every young girl that can be found nearby for some dinner party he's throwing for the Pharaoh! And we're going to be the night's entertainment!"
"Oh. I- Is the Pharaoh going to be there?"
"Of course he is!" Another girl said. "We're more than just tonight's entertainment."
"What do you mean?"
"The Pharaoh doesn't know it yet, but after tonight, he'll be waking up next to his bride to be."
"What?"
"That's why the high nobleman is throwing this party, so the Pharaoh can maybe finally choose a bride." Another girl chipped in.
The two sisters were silent.
"Here, let me help you." Nikkou said as she held up a red cloth.
"Nikki-"
"Red seems to suit you well." She smiled.
"Come." She spoke and held her sister.
"I just thought we were going to dance for the evening. I was nervous but now- now I'm scared." Nikkou began to sob quietly.
'I am too, but for other reasons.' She thought.
"Some people say the Pharaoh is a wise and wonderful king. But I heard some people say that the Pharaoh is a mean cold-hearted tyrant. What if what they say is true? What if he really is cold-hearted and cruel?"
"I'm afraid I do not know what kind of man the Pharaoh is, but I know that I will not let him bring harm to my younger sister." She comforted.
"Thank you." Nikkou thanked her for her comforting.
Nikkou helped wrap a piece of red clothe around her sister's chest and a longer piece around her waist for a skirt that almost touched the ground.
Most of the girls looked the same, some were taller than others or had longer hair, but they all had black or brown hair and they wore nearly the same thing. They wore no sandles so it was easier to dance.
When it was time, some guards came to escort the women to the throne room where the party was being held.
The young woman took a deep breath. She tried to keep her face hidden so that no one will recognize her, by chance someone where to scout her out in the crowd of women.
The room was full of food and men along with their cheers for the entertainers. The girls gathered into the middle of the room and waited for the music to play. When they music started, it was their cue to start. All they had to do was to dance and flaunt with the guests, but especially with the Pharaoh.
Some of the girls did so shyly while others where more showy. For the honey eyed, scarlet dressed girl, she tried to stay away from the men so not to be spotted, but that ended up being her down fall.
"Are you enjoying yourself, my Pharaoh?"
"Oh, uh yes, this is wonderful party."
"You seemed distracted, my Pharaoh."
"Yes." The Pharaoh replied.
"Leave your troubles for tonight and enjoy yourself, my Pharaoh."
"Thank you, Bakura. You did an excellent job putting this all together, but why?"
"I hoped that you would take an interest in the entertainment I prepared. I believe tonight's entertainment will put your mind at ease."
The Pharaoh looked up and for the first time noticed the large number of female dancers. He turned to Bakura. "Why do you insist for me to take a bride, Bakura?"
"I'm just looking out for Egypt's well being as well as your own, Pharaoh. Every great king needs a queen to bare him a son so he can become a great Pharaoh like his father."
"Hm." The Pharaoh acknowledged.
"And I'm sure a queen would know how to take care of her king after a hard day of ruling Egypt, wouldn't you say?" Bakura grinned slyly.
The Pharaoh gave no acknowledgement. "I know you mean well, Bakura, but I'm far too busy dealing with matters of the Shadow Games."
"I have over fifty girls here tonight, my Pharaoh, I believe by the end of the evening, you may change you mind."
Bakura walked away from the Pharaoh and scanned the crowd of girls. One of them will end up in the Pharaoh's bedchamber by tonight. He had to make sure of it. That's when he spotted her. She was the only girl dancing all alone as if no one was even around. Though she was dancing alone, she danced very well. Her movements were smooth and almost hypnotic not to mention those eyes of her's. She was definitely beautiful.
Bakura walked up to the girl and grabbed her arm discreetly. "Follow me please." He said to her.
Nervous, she did so. He led her out of the party and gave her one more look over.
"Yes, you will do. You shall dance for the Pharaoh and do so until you are excused, understood?"
She nodded.
"Now listen carefully. I don't want any funny business. When you go out there, you give it all you got. Anything less and you will have to deal with a disappointed Pharaoh." He warned.
She nodded again.
"Good. Now stay here until I give you the go ahead." He then left.
Bakura approached the thrown and bowed before the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh nodded, giving Bakura permission to speak.
"My Pharaoh, with your permission, it is my pleaser to present to you, a gift."
"A gift?"
"Yes, my Pharaoh. I think you will indeed enjoy it." he grinned.
The Pharaoh nodded to Bakura.
"I present to the Pharaoh something very rare; one of a kind. It is Egypt's Desert Rose!" Bakura waved his hand to start the musicians.
When he did so, a red figure made her way out from behind a curtain. She began to move and twirl slowly to the music. Her movements were smooth a silk. Her raven hair hid her face most of the time.
Nearly all the men were entranced by her movements so she figured the Pharaoh was as well. She slowed down her pace enough so she could get a look at the Pharaoh. She looked up at the man sitting on the throne. His face was serious; solemn. His eyes watched her intensely with the same unnerving expression. Had she done something wrong? Was he not pleased? Did he know who she was and how she got here? She wanted nothing more than to quit right there and leave but knew she didn't have that option.
She glanced back up at his eyes. 'What beautiful eyes.' She thought.
Her thoughts were disrupted when suddenly she felt a sharp impact of two boulders crushing her. When she looked, she saw that she was being grabbed by two guards.
"What is going on here?" The Pharaoh asked as he rose from his throne.
"What is the meaning of this?" Bakura demanded from the guards.
"Our apologies, but this girl is an escapee." Answered one of the guards.
Bakura was astonished. "What?"
"What is her crime?" The Pharaoh demanded.
"She was arrested for tampering with the Shadow Realm."
The crowd began to sound outraged.
"How did she commit this crime?" Bakura asked.
"She dueled."
'That's how she eared so much money so fast.' Nikkou realized as she watched her sister.
The Pharaoh looked down at the small woman between the two guards who was trying to be brave. "What is your name?" he asked.
There was a moment of silence in the room.
"Reira." She spoke.
The crowd began to shout. "Punish her! Send her to the Shadow Realm!"
"NO!"
The people watched as a girl ran to Reira.
"NO! REIRA!" Nikkou cried as she ran and clung to her sister.
A guard came up and tried to pry her away.
"NO! NO!" she cried.
"Go, Nikkou. Leave me; now" Reira spoke to Nikkou.
"No! I won't leave you! Please! No!" she cried.
One of the guards threatened to strike Nikkou but the Pharaoh held up his hand and told him no. He looked down at Reira and stared at her eyes full of courage and fear as she stared back, waiting to accept the fate she would be giving.
The Pharaoh looked to one of the guards next to Reira. "Is there evidence to of which she is accused of?"
"Just the word of the man who said he dueled her. He claimed she was disguised in robes and it wasn't until after the duel did he discover her identity of that of a woman."
The Pharaoh was silent for a moment. "Since there seems to be no hard evidence against this woman besides the claim of one man, I find her innocent and all charges dropped."
Reira felt like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Nikkou was relieved as well.
"However, I do wish to speak with her later this evening." The Pharaoh looked at Reira.
Reira swallowed a lump in her throat. Why did he want to talk to her?
The guards bowed and escorted her out of the throne room.
*******
Reira waited for what seemed like an hour or so in a huge dim room. The sun was past set and the stars had quickly made their appearance in the night sky. She couldn't sit still. She knew that at any moment he would come through the doors, but why, she didn't know.
The sound of the door creaking open startled her. She jumped and spun around to see the Pharaoh entering the room. She used up every last bit of courage she had when she was waiting for her sentence, now she had none left to steady her for whatever happened next.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting for so long, the party was in my honor and I couldn't leave so early." The Pharaoh apologized.
She nodded. She would not speak unless he gave permission.
The Pharaoh approached her but in doing so she began to step back in retreat.
"I'm sorry. I do not mean to frighten you. I merely wish to speak with you."
She nodded shyly.
He walked over to a set of chairs and sat. He motioned for her to sit in the opposing chair. She did so quietly and kept her eyes on the floor as she sat.
"I wanted to speak with you because of what happened this evening."
She nodded; eyes still fixed on the floor.
"The accusation against you was very peculiar not to mention intriguing."
She slowly looked up at him.
He lend forward slightly. "Something like this has never happened before and I can't help but be skeptical. I would greatly like to know if the accusations against you were indeed true."
She was silent for a moment. "No, it is not, my Pharaoh."
He figured such an answer whether it was true or false. "You need not to be afraid. No harm will come to you if it is true. Have you ever dueled?"
She took a breath. "No, my Pharaoh."
He sat back. "I see. Then why would someone make such a claim against you?"
"I- I would not know, my Pharaoh."
"Well, just between you and me, I believe women could be just as capable to duel as men."
She said nothing.
The Pharaoh rose from his chair. "I will be retiring now. You may retire here until a servant is sent for you."
Reira looked up at him in silent wonder.
"Good evening, Reira." He spoke as he left.
Reira sat for a moment trying to comprehend what was going on. What is he doing? Is she a prisoner or a guest?
A yawn interrupted her thoughts as well as making the bed on the other side of the room look quite inviting. She looked inside the closet and found a change of robes to sleep in. She changed and crawled under the covers. The bed was big enough for three people and so much softer than her bed at home. She almost thought she was laying on a cloud as her mind slipped into silent slumber.
*******
'She tries to hide it but there is a spark in her. I know it's there. I can just barely see it.' The Pharaoh thought as he laid in his bed, the desert night breeze crept in and caressed his face softly.
*******
Another chapter! Reviews please! Thanks!
Tiger LiLy =^..^=