It had been a month since he left, but Joey finally managed to gain admittance to Bakura's presence. The king of England had respected Bakura's request for refuge and had remained adamant against his visit until Bakura finally heard about it. "It's all right, my lord," he said. "I know him."

He pulled Joey out of the main court. "Let's find some shade to talk. I hear that was what you want."

"B'kura, why don'tchu join me ta fight Kaiba?" Joey said. Diplomatic introductions were not his forte. "We need ta save Scotland. Tha country's been goin' ta pot since he became king."

"I believe you," the regal son said. "But I can't go with you. You were his friend – and he may have asked you to bring me to him in return for a … favor."

"I was your friend, too, B'kura," Joey said. "And I'm no backstabba."

Bakura sighed. "But Kaiba is. And now that he's king, nothing stands in his way." He bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Joey. I can't accuse you of something you're not. Kaiba may have fallen, but there are still good men who resist him.

"But there's something that strikes me as dubious." Bakura said. "How desperate were you to leave and abandon Mai and Yuuki?"

Joey shook his head. "I give up. If you don't believe I'm tryin' ta help you and Scotland, I'm not gonna stay an' convince ya."

Bakura caught him. "Joey, please don't be offended. I have our country's best interests in heart. But if I were to return, there would be a far worse evil on the throne."

"What?" Joey stiffened. "Who could be worse dan Kaiba?"

Bakura turned away. "I'm talking about me. I'm greedy, I lust for women, I covet your land. Better Kaiba at the sinking helm than me."

"Hey, dat's not true." The thane turned Bakura to face him. "Even if you are like dat, you've got enough kingy characteristics to make up for it."

The heir sighed. "No." He removed Joey's hand and stood away. "I don't. Wisdom, perseverance, patience, courage? I don't have any of those. I delight in seeing how far I can go."

"Oh man," Joey said to himself. "We're screwed."

"If someone like that may be sovereign, tell me," Bakura said. "Because that's who I am."

"Someone like dat? Reign?!" Joey repeated. "Someone like dat shouldn't even be alive!" He groaned. "Oh man! I failed Scotland! Kaiba's a tyrant and B'kura's a sinnin' maniac – I give up!"

Joey felt a hand on his shoulder and heard "I'm sorry." "Huh?" he said.

Bakura took a nearby seat. "I had to make sure you weren't working for Kaiba and loved Scotland as much as I do. I've never been with a woman, or gone after someone's things. If I were king, the people would command me, as they do so now." He looked at Joey. "I am raising an army with Siward, and I would be honored if you would join us."

When the thane didn't answer, he prompted, "Well?"

Joey joined him. "Gimme time. You can't expect ta tell someone a lie and have 'em believe tha truth a second later."

Near them, the double doors slammed open. "No, I will get through," they heard a gruff voice say. "I need to speak to Wheeler."

"Who is that?" Bakura asked.

"'s my cousin," Joey replied. "Yo! Daemon! Ova here!"

Daemon stopped in mid-stalk and pivoted on his heel. Upon seeing Joey, he apologized to the attendants he had run over in his urgency to find his cousin. "Joey! Bakura!" he greeted as he approached.

"How goes Scotland?" Bakura said.

Daemon sighed. "It's so bad anything I told you would already be old news."

"How's my wife? How's Mai? And Yuuki?" Joey asked.

The thane hesitated before answering. "They're fine. I left them in good health."

"Come off it, Daemon," Joey said. "You were neva a good liar, even when we were kids."

Daemon looked away. "When I came back a second time, your castle had been flamed. There was no one left."

He saw his cousin stunned into silence. "If no other good came out of this, men have joined our cause. Your wife and son were popular," he feebly offered as comfort.

Joey stood, his clenched fist shaking. "Dat Kaiba. I swear I'll kill 'im for killin' mine."

"Calm down, Joey," Bakura said. "Be a little patient. Soon Siward and his ten thousand will join us, and then you can have your revenge."

Daemon helped Bakura up, and together they assisted Joey out of the room.