Jaid: Hello again!! Sorry I didn't update right away; guess what? Real life intruded. I recently had a rather scary experience at the doctors (I have a phobia of them and hospitals…and for some weird reason I still want to go into nursing…O.o …anyway…) and found out that I am suffering from depression and also that I may have an ulcer. O.o This has caused me to try and keep my stress level down so that the ulcer doesn't become a bleeding one (which would cause me to have to *stay* in a hospital…and yeah…). Plus, I now have the flu. O.o When it rains, it pours…*sighs*
But enough about that. Here is chapter 11; I hope you all enjoy!
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Isis took a shaky step towards the door; well the blanket that served as a door. The small dark room she had been laid in had provided some amount of rest; and Isis had been feeling pale and weak. Food had been left for her daily, but she had never seen who had brought it.
Reaching out a slender hand, she was about to draw the dark colored blanket aside when it opened and she was face to face with a tall Egyptian man. Tattoos covered the side of his face and his eyes widened slightly as he saw Isis standing there.
As for her, she was shocked. "Rishid?" she asked in soft surprise.
"Mistress Isis." The man replied in a quiet tone.
"What…how…" Isis suddenly felt tired and slumped forward. Rashid quickly caught her in one arm. In the other, he held a tray of food. Carefully setting the tray down on the floor, he supported the younger woman back to the mat that served as her bed.
"You should not be up." He said in a vaguely parental tone; a tone that Isis hadn't heard since she was ten years old.
"What's wrong with me, Rishid?" she asked tiredly. Suddenly, her blue eyes widened and flew to her throat. "My necklace-"
"Is safe." Rishid interrupted, even though he had no idea if that were true. He carefully laid Isis on the mat. "You are still very ill; you need rest."
"Rishid, I need you to do something for me." Isis whispered. "Shadi, do you remember Shadi?"
Vague memories of a slender, blue eyed boy flickered in Rishid's mind. "A little."
"I need to get a message to him…somehow…" Isis' eyes fluttered, then closed, her arm falling down limply. Rishid carefully placed it over her belly, then took a blanket and then set the tray nearby for when she woke.
Standing, the tall man quietly left.
***
Rei sat on the dock as some of the young men were preparing a boat. Twisting the stem of a papyrus reed, she stared at the sparkling waters. The calm, peaceful water was the exact opposite of her mind frame.
Reaching up to tuck her hair behind her ears, she glanced over and stiffened slightly, seeing the shock of white hair. 'Ryou…'
Looking down at her sandaled feet, Rei wrapped her arms around her knees and rested her chin on top of them. In a way she wanted to speak to him; to share the old connection they had. But there was something else there now; something that Rei wasn't sure she was ready for.
Gold flecked brown eyes studied the Nile River. Ryou's dark brown eyes hadn't changed; neither had hers. The Nile sparkled in the sun; laughter of adults and shouts of children mixed with the sound of cranes in the air. Rei half closed her eyes, enjoying the moment for a little while.
A shadow fell over her, blocking her from Egypt's hot sun. Rei stiffened a little, afraid it would be Ryou. But glancing over, she saw at the bare feet were small and delicate. Lifting her eyes, she saw it was Miw, a younger serving maid.
"Your father calls for you, my lady." She said, keeping her eyes downcast. Rei stood.
"Where is he?"
"In the courtyard garden."
Rei nodded and walked off towards the house. She passed the group of young men on the dock, not missing the silence that fell as she passed. Her cheeks burned, knowing that they were watching her, but she forced away the urge to break into a swift run and continued walking.
"Your sister, Reia. Isn't she a bit old to still be at home?" one asked after Rei was out of hearing.
"She is, but Bener is stubborn. She'd stay an old maid if my father allowed it." Reia answered. There was some laughter.
"She won't be alone long though, I hear." Wadjet commented. Ryou's head snapped up.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Wadjet is right, Bakura. My father has decided it is high time for Bener to have her own household. He's arranging a match since Bener has proved to be un-interested in making her own." Reia said as they began to climb into their skiffs.
"Look how you pale, brother." Wadjet said. "You are not ill?"
"I…yes, I'm afraid I…I must excuse myself. My apologies." Ryou said, then turned and nearly ran away.
"It seems that that was a harsh blow." The first young man said quietly. The others agreed.
***
"I don't suppose hoping that the others hit their heads and come back will be useful." Yugi commented wryly. Katya smiled slightly; Shadi shook his head.
"No, we cannot depend upon fate for that." He said. "Though to be truthful, I scarcely know what to do; it feels as if I am in a sandstorm with no knowledge of where to go; I am both blind and deaf."
Yugi rested his chin in his hands. "There's got to be something we can do." He murmured. "Even if it only begins with finding Isis again."
"Are we going to find my Big Brother?" Mokuba asked softly. Katya looked at him and gave him a one-armed hug.
"Sure we are, kiddo." She said. "You just watch."
Mokuba leaned his head against her shoulder. Shadi stood. "I should continue with my search then. I will try to be back by twilight." The man hesitated. "I suppose I do not have to tell you to be careful."
"Don't worry." Yugi said. "We'll stay right here."
***
"Master?"
Malik looked up as Rishid entered the room. "What?"
"Mistress Isis woke up."
Malik's violet eyes widened slightly, then he relaxed. "So he told the truth." The Egyptian boy murmured.
"Master?"
Malik looked back up at Rishid. "Never mind. Keep giving her the anti-dote; just in case."
"Yes, master." Rishid bowed his head and left.
***
"Ankhkare."
The healer turned to see Seto walking up to him. Tristan and Joey trailed behind; their simple kilts and leather armor a sharp contrast to the linen and gold that Seto was required to wear. Their soldier's plainness also stood out against the marble pillars and painted walls of the palace.
"Seth, my friend." Ankhkare smiled wearily. "I trust this is not a visit to a simple healer."
"No, it is not." Seto admitted as they started to move forward. Tristan and Joey trailed behind a little ways. "It is about Yu-…about the crowned prince."
"Ah, so you have all ready heard of the attack." Ankhkare sighed. "I'm afraid that it is a rather bad concussion. He woke for a few moments but then fell asleep again."
Something that couldn't quite be identified as fear, but wasn't exactly concern, gripped Seto. "Do you think he'll be permanently damaged?"
Ankhkare shrugged slender shoulders. "Who can tell? I will tell you that there was little bleeding; and that there is no bruising about the eyes. He responded to his name when he first woke."
Seto nodded. Those were admittedly good signs. "Thank you." He said.
"It is no trouble." Ankhkare smiled again. Seto nodded and the group paused at a cross section of hallways.
"Go in peace, friend." Ankhkare said, putting a hand on Seto's shoulder.
"You as well." He murmured, then turned left while the healer went right.
"What'd he say?" Joey asked in a whisper as he and his friend followed Seto towards the front exit of the palace.
"Now is not the time." Seto murmured. Joey's eyes twitched a little, but Tristan grabbed his elbow. This definitely wasn't the time to get into a fight with Kaiba. Joey gritted his teeth, but stayed silent, if sullen on the way home.
***
"Father, you wanted me?" Rei said, appearing at the entrance to the courtyard garden.
"Yes, come sit child." Sennefer stated, from where he was seated.
The garden was a rather small one; it was for the family's private use rather than one that guests would be admitted too when visiting. Like with most Egyptian gardens, it had a pool filled with lily pads and lotus blossoms at the center. Various trees and bushes were spread about, shading the various chairs and couches. The walls around it gave the garden a peaceful, almost isolated feeling in the quiet, late afternoon.
Rei walked forward, the gold ankle bracelets she had chosen to wear that day jingling against each other slightly. She picked up a stool and brought it so she could sit at her father's feet. Looking up at him, she waited for him to speak.
"How old are you, Bener?"
Rei felt a momentary panic before the 'other' in her mind reminded her. "Seventeen summers, father." She stated.
"Hm. Your mother worries." The man stated.
"And why is that?"
"Bener. Your mother was pregnant with you at that age. That is why she worries; she fears that you waste your fertility."
Rei forced herself not to make a face. "I am sorry to make my mother worry." She said. "But I do not see-"
"How to remedy it?" Sennefer finished. Rei nodded.
"My child, I am afraid that since you have proven reluctant to choose your own husband, your mother and I must choose for you."
Rei felt her stomach lurch. "But, I do have a choice." She said before she could stop her self.
"Oh?" Sennefer seemed pleasantly surprised. "And who is the man?"
"Bakura, Woser's son, father." Rei had a sinking feeling that this conversation was doomed. "He…I mean I…I am fond of him."
"Fondness does not prepare your future. Bakura is a younger son, Bener."
"But why should that matter?" Rei asked, having the oddest feeling that these words were not her own. But they came so quickly to her mind that she said them anyway. "I have a dowry, do I not? Father, do not tell me that when I have finally made my choice, you refuse to give it to me?"
"It is not only that child. I am merely thinking of your
future. Bakura is not for you; nor you for him. His family are good friends,
yes, but-"
"But why?" Rei demanded.
"Bakura's mother was not Nofru, Bener." Sennefer's voice was soft, but even. "She was a barbarian."
Rei shook her head. She had known that Ancient Egyptians were somewhat racist; or perhaps merely thought themselves above other nations, but still…
"That shouldn't matter…" she whispered.
"You do not know the whole story." Sennefer said. "Nor do you need too. All you need to know is that you are not to see Bakura anymore. I had my doubts about you two spending so much time together."
Rei nearly choked. She was starting to feel trapped; almost closed in a feeling she was unaccustomed too. "Father, please-"
"No." Sennefer stood. "You meet your future husband tonight. Iry-nufer is a worthy man and high in the courts of the palace." He looked at her. "I am doing this for you."
Rei shook her head. "No. You are doing it because you want a daughter in the royal courts." She said bitterly. Sennerfer's eyes darkened, but he turned and left the gardens.
The girl sat on her stool, staring with tear blurred eyes at the pool. 'Is this how the real Bener felt?' she wondered. Had the Egyptian noblewoman railed against the unfairness of it all; angry at her own weakness and at Bakura's blood, even though he couldn't help it?
A tear slipped down her cheek. Rei didn't even bother to brush it away. She closed her eyes and more tears slid down, leaving wet trails behind.
Rei stood. Fine, if this was how it was too be, she'd brave the Nile or even the desert if she had too. She didn't care. Walking to the entrance, she nearly ran into one of her father's guards.
"Lady Bener, I am to escort you to your rooms." He said. The queer, trapped feeling rose up in Rei's throat again.
"That won't be necessary." She said in a controlled voice. "I know the way."
The man nodded. "I know. But it is your father's orders. He does not want you to wander off and forget to be on time for dinner."
The feeling grew stronger, churning up Rei's stomach. "I see." She managed to get out and started to walk down the hallway towards her chambers. It seemed to her, in the day's fading light that the walls became darker and smaller, as if they were a tomb threatening to swallow her up.
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Note about Egyptian weddings: From what I read, matches were usually an agreement between the man and woman. However, many girls married at around 12 to a man more than ten years older, so I assume that in many cases, a girl most likely let her parents choose a suitable husband. *shrugs*
Also, in ancient Egypt, while a man could take a foreign wife or concubine, it was not done often. A woman marrying anyone with foreign blood was nearly unheard of.
Oh and for those who don't know, Rishid is the Japanese name for Odion, I believe.
Indigo: Ah, I see. My mother wanted me to get a job as a camp counselor; I wasn't too thrilled, lol. Wah! I wish I could be in Japan! You'll have to let me know how Kyoto is, whenever you get around to going there. ^__^ Ooh, and to let you know, I have this odd idea for a Pegasus/Isis story…if I ever get around to writing it that is. O.o
SSSRoaB: *blushes* Thank you very much. Qenamun is not related to Pegasus; I was originally going to have Pegasus in the story, but changed my mind last minute. He still may show up; we'll see. ^__^
Dr. Vorlon: *grins* Do I hear a trace of sarcasm? Lol, no matter. Yes, I certainly hope this story is finished by that time!
Black Mistress: Oooh, I like him very much after last week's eppys!! *huggles the plushie* Little Malik was sooo cute!! Made me want to cry…what kind of nutcases decided they had to spend all their time in the tombs? I mean really…O.o
Coco strawberry: Well it wouldn't be any fun if I was easy on them, would it? Lol, j/k. I'm planning, one of these days, to write the back story for Bakura and Bener. As for right now, she hasn't had much personal character development, though I believe she's probably a good deal like Rei.
SilverShadow: ^__^ Glad you're so happy I updated. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Ooh, and I'm so happy to have another fan. *hugs Psyche*
