AN: I appreciate the encouragement. Please tell me if you have any
questions.
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Chapter 4
Escape into the Desert
Pegasus stared thoughtfully into the high rafters of the Great Hall, idly swirling the clear red liquid in his wine cup. Rumors were a dangerous thing, casual gossip that could poison truth and alter the way of perception. But it was always better to be safe than sorry. Even rumors had to have begun with some grain of truth, no matter how small.
"But if it is true, it could ruin everything," he mused, taking a sip of the wine.
It was hard to imagine how anyone could have escaped his ingenious plans, but that would be easily dealt with.
Setting the goblet down upon the table with a click that resounded in the empty hall, he stood and strode toward the sentries, calling for his ministers. Yes, such small inconveniences were hardly worth bothering about. All he had to do was dispatch some of his shadow-gifted warriors to annihilate this-problem-and he would continue with his schemes unchallenged.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Pharaoh!"
"Tomb Robber!"
The two glared at one another, their expressions equally murderous. Yugi, Ryou, and Marik looked on in amusement. Yami and Bakura stood at opposite ends of the room, and the tone of their voices could cut stone.
"I thought you were supposed to be in the Otherlands by now!" Bakura said accusingly. "If I had known the heir Marik mentioned was you, I wouldn't have considered helping for a second!"
"Oh, and I bet you would think it a fine thing if the kingdom were to fall into ruins, as long as you could get your thieving hands on other people's hard-earned wealth! Your execution should have been set long ago!"
"Hard earned?! You think stealing is easy? How long do you think you would have lasted in my place? Five seconds?"
"I would never be caught in such a disgraceful position!"
"So you say. If you had been as desperate as I was, you wouldn't have dwelt on all that wretched honor for long either!"
"What would someone like you know about honor?"
Bakura clenched his teeth. "All that is necessary."
"By which you mean absolutely nothing," Marik muttered, smirking. "Quit it, you two. There will be plenty of time to quarrel later."
"No one asked your opinion."
"This is not your concern."
"Well, at least you both agree on something. Now, Bakura, feel up to introducing your friends?"
All eyes turned to Yugi and Ryou.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Two guards hurried down the corridor on their way to the stables, their voices echoing through the torch lit passageway.
"I hear that 'is Highness is still among the living."
"Things are finally starin' to get interesting. Pegasus has sent out his trackers already to find him."
" 'Tis a dirty way to fight a battle. The king ought to challenge 'im to a game, like they always did in the old days."
"That's cause he ain't sure he can defeat 'im. You remember his Highness. People still call 'im the King of Games."
"And rightly so. I've never seen any other with more skill at the duels."
"Better not let Pegasus 'ear ye. He's determined to win at any cost, and he never liked the prince."
"All too true. I think he hated him since he put out his left eye in that fight. Though god only knows 'is new eye holds more power than any normal one."
"That mettle eye still sends shivers down my back at the sight. Think it's true 'e can read minds with it?"
"Who knows? You can't believe anything people say nowadays."
"And where are you two headed?" A white-robed figure stepped from the shadows, blocking their path.
"Master Kaiba!" the guards exclaimed, blowing. "We were just called to saddle up and ride out with our squad after the trackers. His Majesty's takin' no chances."
"No, I'll bet he's not. All right, on with you. Report to me immediately upon your return."
"Of course, Master Kaiba."
With another bow they departed, not daring to speak any more lest they offend the High Priest on accident. He had a notoriously bad temper and was quick to deliver punishment.
Seto Kaiba looked after their retreating backs with a thin-lipped smile.
None of them were gong to touch a hair of the prince if he had anything to say about it. Seto had no inkling as to the true heir's whereabouts, but that was a problem easily solved.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ryou was depressed. He sat alone on a boulder outside Bakura's hideout, watching the sunset. His brother was talking with Yami, but Ryou had excused himself. He had a lot to think about.
Most people probably wished for adventures and excitement, but sometimes receiving it was a different story entirely. He had just been snatched from the peaceful routine of a life he had always known and thrown into the chaos of a nightmarish reality. Suddenly acquainted with not only a thief but a pharaoh as well. The struggles for power among the higher classes had never been so real. And more than anything, Ryou wished they had not been tangled within these webs.
"Longing for home?" Bakura climbed up beside him, scanning the horizon of reds and golds.
"Suppose so. I use to spend so much time redecorating the place, looking for something new, but now I don't even know if I'll ever see it again." He sighed.
"If you do, things will probably never be the same."
"I know, and I can't help feeling bad about that. It's as if somehow, it's all my fault, Grandpa and mother getting thrown in prison."
There was a long silence, then, unexpectedly, the Tomb Robber held out his hand to Ryou, helping him to his feet.
"I may not know everything and I may not be respectable or wealthy. But I will promise you this. On my life I will make sure you and your family see one another again, safe and at home."
" . . . Thank you . . ."
Yugi's voice carried up to them, excited and nervous. "Look, what's that?"
Flying toward them at an incredible speed was an odd little creature, red in color with a spiked collar around its neck.
"A Skull Red Bird," Bakura muttered.
It dove, shooting through the opening into the underground chamber. Before it vanished into the darkness the thief glimpsed a message tube fastened to its right leg.
Hurrying down, the two albinos arrived just as Yami was untying the letter. Breaking the unmarked, wax seal he extracted a thin pice of parchment and read aloud.
"In approximately seven minutes, you will be visited by two dozen soldiers and three shadow mages. Leave at once, the kingdom is no longer safe. For your quest, I suggest you head north. I will cover your tracks. Signed, a friend."
"Why should we believe this 'friend'? Hell, it could be the enemy trying to lure us out."
Yami considered, ruby eyes troubled. "For once, a reasonable statement out of you, Tomb Robber. But I have the feeling that, whoever it is, we can trust this warning to be true."
"Trust," Bakura snorted. "Look where being too trusting got you."
Yami seized the collar of his shirt and pulled him close, crimson gaze narrowed dangerously. "Never mention that incident before me," he hissed.
The thief swallowed, eyes wide. He had not been expecting such a violent reaction. The pharaoh dropped him and turned his back, gripping the warning tightly in his sudden burst of anger.
"Let us begone from here, now."
"Too late," Marik interrupted. "They're here."
From above came the sound of voices shouting and the clanking of armor and weapons. Then was the grinding rumble of the stone door being forced open.
"Bakura, there has to be another way out. Thieves always have more than one exit."
The robber nodded and motioned for them to follow. Placing a hand on one of the gold pieces on the wall, the rock in that area seemed to melt away to reveal a narrow tunnel. They crowded into it in single file and the wall reformed, leaving them in total blackness.
This escape route had not even been carved into steps. They were forced to half crawl, half climb through the passageway which sloped steadily upward. To Ryou it felt like an eternity, cramped between Yugi and Marik. He was almost sure he would suffocate before they reached the end, but then he was being helped out by the assassin. They had emerged on the opposite side of the rocky outcropping that formed the entrance to the hideaway. Once in the open, Yami grabbed Yugi, Bakura grabbed Ryou, and the five of them began to run.
"There they are! After them!" The guards gave chase.
Reaching into his pocket, Yami pulled out a card and threw it to the ground before the men's feet. "Celtic Guardian!"
Yugi, fascinated by the display of shadow magic, was prevented from stopping to watch the elven warrior by Yami was dragged him on after the others.
"Yami! What about your monster?" the smaller boy panted.
"He'll come back when his job is done. Hury! He can't delay them all forever!"
"By Ra! The rest of them are already on their way!"
"Oh, damm it all!" Marik snarled. Throwing out his hand, he focused his shadow powers amd practically tore a hole into the dark realm. "Move!"
They moved. There was no time to think. They stumbled through the hasty portal and Marik forced the rip shut.
After catching his breath, Yami managed to compose himself and glance around. "Ra, where in the world have you brought us?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
AN: Thanks for reading. Please review!
Suggestions are welcomme!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 4
Escape into the Desert
Pegasus stared thoughtfully into the high rafters of the Great Hall, idly swirling the clear red liquid in his wine cup. Rumors were a dangerous thing, casual gossip that could poison truth and alter the way of perception. But it was always better to be safe than sorry. Even rumors had to have begun with some grain of truth, no matter how small.
"But if it is true, it could ruin everything," he mused, taking a sip of the wine.
It was hard to imagine how anyone could have escaped his ingenious plans, but that would be easily dealt with.
Setting the goblet down upon the table with a click that resounded in the empty hall, he stood and strode toward the sentries, calling for his ministers. Yes, such small inconveniences were hardly worth bothering about. All he had to do was dispatch some of his shadow-gifted warriors to annihilate this-problem-and he would continue with his schemes unchallenged.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Pharaoh!"
"Tomb Robber!"
The two glared at one another, their expressions equally murderous. Yugi, Ryou, and Marik looked on in amusement. Yami and Bakura stood at opposite ends of the room, and the tone of their voices could cut stone.
"I thought you were supposed to be in the Otherlands by now!" Bakura said accusingly. "If I had known the heir Marik mentioned was you, I wouldn't have considered helping for a second!"
"Oh, and I bet you would think it a fine thing if the kingdom were to fall into ruins, as long as you could get your thieving hands on other people's hard-earned wealth! Your execution should have been set long ago!"
"Hard earned?! You think stealing is easy? How long do you think you would have lasted in my place? Five seconds?"
"I would never be caught in such a disgraceful position!"
"So you say. If you had been as desperate as I was, you wouldn't have dwelt on all that wretched honor for long either!"
"What would someone like you know about honor?"
Bakura clenched his teeth. "All that is necessary."
"By which you mean absolutely nothing," Marik muttered, smirking. "Quit it, you two. There will be plenty of time to quarrel later."
"No one asked your opinion."
"This is not your concern."
"Well, at least you both agree on something. Now, Bakura, feel up to introducing your friends?"
All eyes turned to Yugi and Ryou.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Two guards hurried down the corridor on their way to the stables, their voices echoing through the torch lit passageway.
"I hear that 'is Highness is still among the living."
"Things are finally starin' to get interesting. Pegasus has sent out his trackers already to find him."
" 'Tis a dirty way to fight a battle. The king ought to challenge 'im to a game, like they always did in the old days."
"That's cause he ain't sure he can defeat 'im. You remember his Highness. People still call 'im the King of Games."
"And rightly so. I've never seen any other with more skill at the duels."
"Better not let Pegasus 'ear ye. He's determined to win at any cost, and he never liked the prince."
"All too true. I think he hated him since he put out his left eye in that fight. Though god only knows 'is new eye holds more power than any normal one."
"That mettle eye still sends shivers down my back at the sight. Think it's true 'e can read minds with it?"
"Who knows? You can't believe anything people say nowadays."
"And where are you two headed?" A white-robed figure stepped from the shadows, blocking their path.
"Master Kaiba!" the guards exclaimed, blowing. "We were just called to saddle up and ride out with our squad after the trackers. His Majesty's takin' no chances."
"No, I'll bet he's not. All right, on with you. Report to me immediately upon your return."
"Of course, Master Kaiba."
With another bow they departed, not daring to speak any more lest they offend the High Priest on accident. He had a notoriously bad temper and was quick to deliver punishment.
Seto Kaiba looked after their retreating backs with a thin-lipped smile.
None of them were gong to touch a hair of the prince if he had anything to say about it. Seto had no inkling as to the true heir's whereabouts, but that was a problem easily solved.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ryou was depressed. He sat alone on a boulder outside Bakura's hideout, watching the sunset. His brother was talking with Yami, but Ryou had excused himself. He had a lot to think about.
Most people probably wished for adventures and excitement, but sometimes receiving it was a different story entirely. He had just been snatched from the peaceful routine of a life he had always known and thrown into the chaos of a nightmarish reality. Suddenly acquainted with not only a thief but a pharaoh as well. The struggles for power among the higher classes had never been so real. And more than anything, Ryou wished they had not been tangled within these webs.
"Longing for home?" Bakura climbed up beside him, scanning the horizon of reds and golds.
"Suppose so. I use to spend so much time redecorating the place, looking for something new, but now I don't even know if I'll ever see it again." He sighed.
"If you do, things will probably never be the same."
"I know, and I can't help feeling bad about that. It's as if somehow, it's all my fault, Grandpa and mother getting thrown in prison."
There was a long silence, then, unexpectedly, the Tomb Robber held out his hand to Ryou, helping him to his feet.
"I may not know everything and I may not be respectable or wealthy. But I will promise you this. On my life I will make sure you and your family see one another again, safe and at home."
" . . . Thank you . . ."
Yugi's voice carried up to them, excited and nervous. "Look, what's that?"
Flying toward them at an incredible speed was an odd little creature, red in color with a spiked collar around its neck.
"A Skull Red Bird," Bakura muttered.
It dove, shooting through the opening into the underground chamber. Before it vanished into the darkness the thief glimpsed a message tube fastened to its right leg.
Hurrying down, the two albinos arrived just as Yami was untying the letter. Breaking the unmarked, wax seal he extracted a thin pice of parchment and read aloud.
"In approximately seven minutes, you will be visited by two dozen soldiers and three shadow mages. Leave at once, the kingdom is no longer safe. For your quest, I suggest you head north. I will cover your tracks. Signed, a friend."
"Why should we believe this 'friend'? Hell, it could be the enemy trying to lure us out."
Yami considered, ruby eyes troubled. "For once, a reasonable statement out of you, Tomb Robber. But I have the feeling that, whoever it is, we can trust this warning to be true."
"Trust," Bakura snorted. "Look where being too trusting got you."
Yami seized the collar of his shirt and pulled him close, crimson gaze narrowed dangerously. "Never mention that incident before me," he hissed.
The thief swallowed, eyes wide. He had not been expecting such a violent reaction. The pharaoh dropped him and turned his back, gripping the warning tightly in his sudden burst of anger.
"Let us begone from here, now."
"Too late," Marik interrupted. "They're here."
From above came the sound of voices shouting and the clanking of armor and weapons. Then was the grinding rumble of the stone door being forced open.
"Bakura, there has to be another way out. Thieves always have more than one exit."
The robber nodded and motioned for them to follow. Placing a hand on one of the gold pieces on the wall, the rock in that area seemed to melt away to reveal a narrow tunnel. They crowded into it in single file and the wall reformed, leaving them in total blackness.
This escape route had not even been carved into steps. They were forced to half crawl, half climb through the passageway which sloped steadily upward. To Ryou it felt like an eternity, cramped between Yugi and Marik. He was almost sure he would suffocate before they reached the end, but then he was being helped out by the assassin. They had emerged on the opposite side of the rocky outcropping that formed the entrance to the hideaway. Once in the open, Yami grabbed Yugi, Bakura grabbed Ryou, and the five of them began to run.
"There they are! After them!" The guards gave chase.
Reaching into his pocket, Yami pulled out a card and threw it to the ground before the men's feet. "Celtic Guardian!"
Yugi, fascinated by the display of shadow magic, was prevented from stopping to watch the elven warrior by Yami was dragged him on after the others.
"Yami! What about your monster?" the smaller boy panted.
"He'll come back when his job is done. Hury! He can't delay them all forever!"
"By Ra! The rest of them are already on their way!"
"Oh, damm it all!" Marik snarled. Throwing out his hand, he focused his shadow powers amd practically tore a hole into the dark realm. "Move!"
They moved. There was no time to think. They stumbled through the hasty portal and Marik forced the rip shut.
After catching his breath, Yami managed to compose himself and glance around. "Ra, where in the world have you brought us?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
AN: Thanks for reading. Please review!
Suggestions are welcomme!
