Chapter Sixteen: Testing
Yami sprinted away from Set's rooms and towards his own.
'That was too close. How could I have let my guard down that much? If I let Set get to me, he won't stop. Then.....' Yami shuddered as he reached the jewel-encrusted door.
He let Taira and Khin select a new outfit for him and donned it without a word; the dark silk matched his mood right now. He set the golden crown on his forehead and left hastily. He remained silent the entire time.
As he reached the council room, Set stood outside the door, waiting for him. He too had changed clothing. His face was calm, it showed none of the rough emotions it had earlier in his room.
"After you, 'Pharaoh'," he smirked, a slight hint of mockery in his voice. Yami walked by the priest, hoping his face had a serene complexion as well. Entering the room, he found his seat at the head of the table. Akhunadin immediately launched into the problem.
"The Syrian army has recollected and is pressing our borders. Egypt doesn't have any army to hold them back at the moment. It would take a number of months to arrange one big enough. The only that's holding the Syrians back is the knowledge that we have control over monsters from the shadows and that you, Pharaoh, have the ability to channel shadow magic itself," he ranted. Once he had finished, he took his seat again. Shadi replaced him.
"Based on that information, we have two choices. Both, I'm afraid to say, will cause a loss for Egypt's people. We can either ride out and confront them with what we have now, or we can wait here in Thebes until they overcome their fear and attack us where we are. The choice must be made now," Shadi concluded.
Twelve eyes turned back to Yami. He could feel a headache forming in his head as hundreds of possible situations flashed through his mind. All it did was add to the stress already there from Set. Sighing, Yami addressed the priests staring at him.
"Either way there is a loss; but the question is which choice has less of one?" he thought aloud.
"They are about equal. The first choice would include only those who are talented enough to fight. We would have the element of surprise, but they've been there for a while, so they'll have more defense," Shadi replied. "The second would put all the people in danger, but we would have more protection inside the wall."
A plan flew into his mind. It would save Egypt and hopefully free Bakura. He voiced it immediately.
"I think we can mix both choices to give us the advantage. If we wait within Thebes until they cross the border, it'll give us time to organize an army. When the Syrians come within view of Thebes, we can move out to meet them before they reach the city. If things don't go well in battle, we can retreat to the city for a last defense."
The priests turned to each other and whispered furiously. The words passed between them were too quiet for Yami to catch any of them. He sat and waited for their decision.
Set stood with the priests' answer. He looked pleased, like a cat that had just swallowed a bird.
"As a council, we have agreed on our King's decision." He sat again, waiting for Yami to comment.
"Let a search begin for those who are able. To better our chances of winning, I think the shadow creatures must be used. Those who have kaa should be brought here for further testing. Search everywhere, including the dungeons," Yami announced, getting to his feet. Formally, he left the room first, the priests following in single order.
Once in the hall, the group dispersed, each heading their own way. Yami went in the direction of his rooms. Unbeknownst to him, he was being shadowed.
As Yami walked into his bedroom, he felt a strong pair of arms wrap themselves tightly around his hip.
"That was a good decision you made," a voice whispered passed his ear. Yami stiffened as Set's tongue licked at Yami's earlobe. The High Priest then moved his lips to Yami's bronzed neck.
Yami came back to reality as Set bit him, trying desperately to push Set away. He startled the brunette and almost got out of his grasp. Regaining his grip on Yami, Set spun him around and forced a kiss from the young Pharaoh.
The sound of a dish clattering to the ground behind Yami as well as a gasp stopped Set. The High Priest removed his arms from around Yami and looked towards the source of the noise. Khin stood in shock, watching Set's actions.
Cursing, Set stormed from the room. Yami relaxed and fell forward. Khin rushed and caught the young king.
"Thank you," he said wearily, "I don't know if I could have gotten away that time."
Khin accepted the recognition and started to clean up the mess that had been created when the dish had been dropped.
"There is food on the table for you, your Majesty," she stated quietly. Yami walked over to the wooden table and seated himself on one of the overlarge pillows.
Once he had finished his meal, Taira appeared and cleared away the empty dishes.
Yami's bed looked ver inviting; his body wanted nothing more than to fall into the plush blankets and sleep away his troubles. His mind, however, told him otherwise.
Grumbling, he left his apartments and went to see how the search was coming along.
Yami entered the passage leading to the Main Hall. As he walked down the narrow hall, a putrid smell attacked his nose. Trying hard not to gag, he continued into the large room.
The scene before him was not what he had expected to see. Lined up in about six rows were the inhabitants of the Palace dungeons.
'At least my orders are being carried out,' Yami concluded. He watched as one by one; the criminals were taken forward and tested. There was a small group off to the side, all of which seemed to be arguing.
"Those are the ones that have kaa. We still don't know if they can control it however," Mahaado stated, suddenly appearing at Yami's side. He started to talk again, but Yami wasn't listening.
Bakura had just been shoved forward by one of the guards. His hands, unlike everyone else's, were bound tightly with rope.
Yami could see Set standing behind where the testing was taking place. As Bakura was pushed to face Shadi, a sneer covered the High Priest's face.
One of the guards attempted to relieve Bakura of his red cloak and was hastily thrown to the ground by the bound thief. A small trickle of blood was seeping through the guard's dark hair. Bakura spat on the unconscious body and turned back to Shadi to allow the testing to begin.
A few moments passed in silence between them before Shadi pointed to the small group off to the side. He had been confirmed as a possessor.
Yami sighed; the first part of his plan to free Bakura had been accomplished. He stepped from the shadowy corridor into the bright room and was instantly surrounded by guards. Regally, still trying to ignore the stench, he strolled through the condemned crowd. They parted easily for him; many respectful bows could be seen within the group.
"They are thankful to you for giving them a second chance," Mahaado commented, "but there are still those who would kill you if given the chance."
"I'm confident with the security of the guards. Besides, we need everyone who is able, it wouldn't do to have some of them killed or injured because they attacked me out of instinct," Yami replied. The guards accompanying him separated when they reached the front of the Hall.
"So you decided to join us, Pharaoh. I'm pleased to see you here," Isis exclaimed. Yami walked up the small set of steps and dropped down into an awaiting pillow. His body threatened to fall asleep again, the tiredness still hanging off of him.
"Isis, when all the prisoners have been tested, can you be sure to see that those who were accepted are washed? I don't think I can stand the smell much longer," Yami requested quietly. Isis' face quickly turned into a smile.
"Of course Atemu," she laughed before walking away. Yami stole a quick glance at Bakura. He was sitting apart from the rest of the arguing fools and appeared to be asleep. A second look proved that theory wrong.
As he turned his attention back to the testing still going on in the hall, he could feel Bakura's eyes on him. Looking around, he wondered if anyone had noticed Bakura's and his glances.
Set had.
Cao: I'm sorry for those who didn't like the last chapter.....But it has to be in there to make the story interesting, not to mention make sense.
Dark: Meh. Even though there are those who didn't like it, there were those who did like it.
Cao: I guess so. Only 5 more chapters! And then, if everybody wants it, the sequel! A review would be appreciated. Thanks!
Yami sprinted away from Set's rooms and towards his own.
'That was too close. How could I have let my guard down that much? If I let Set get to me, he won't stop. Then.....' Yami shuddered as he reached the jewel-encrusted door.
He let Taira and Khin select a new outfit for him and donned it without a word; the dark silk matched his mood right now. He set the golden crown on his forehead and left hastily. He remained silent the entire time.
As he reached the council room, Set stood outside the door, waiting for him. He too had changed clothing. His face was calm, it showed none of the rough emotions it had earlier in his room.
"After you, 'Pharaoh'," he smirked, a slight hint of mockery in his voice. Yami walked by the priest, hoping his face had a serene complexion as well. Entering the room, he found his seat at the head of the table. Akhunadin immediately launched into the problem.
"The Syrian army has recollected and is pressing our borders. Egypt doesn't have any army to hold them back at the moment. It would take a number of months to arrange one big enough. The only that's holding the Syrians back is the knowledge that we have control over monsters from the shadows and that you, Pharaoh, have the ability to channel shadow magic itself," he ranted. Once he had finished, he took his seat again. Shadi replaced him.
"Based on that information, we have two choices. Both, I'm afraid to say, will cause a loss for Egypt's people. We can either ride out and confront them with what we have now, or we can wait here in Thebes until they overcome their fear and attack us where we are. The choice must be made now," Shadi concluded.
Twelve eyes turned back to Yami. He could feel a headache forming in his head as hundreds of possible situations flashed through his mind. All it did was add to the stress already there from Set. Sighing, Yami addressed the priests staring at him.
"Either way there is a loss; but the question is which choice has less of one?" he thought aloud.
"They are about equal. The first choice would include only those who are talented enough to fight. We would have the element of surprise, but they've been there for a while, so they'll have more defense," Shadi replied. "The second would put all the people in danger, but we would have more protection inside the wall."
A plan flew into his mind. It would save Egypt and hopefully free Bakura. He voiced it immediately.
"I think we can mix both choices to give us the advantage. If we wait within Thebes until they cross the border, it'll give us time to organize an army. When the Syrians come within view of Thebes, we can move out to meet them before they reach the city. If things don't go well in battle, we can retreat to the city for a last defense."
The priests turned to each other and whispered furiously. The words passed between them were too quiet for Yami to catch any of them. He sat and waited for their decision.
Set stood with the priests' answer. He looked pleased, like a cat that had just swallowed a bird.
"As a council, we have agreed on our King's decision." He sat again, waiting for Yami to comment.
"Let a search begin for those who are able. To better our chances of winning, I think the shadow creatures must be used. Those who have kaa should be brought here for further testing. Search everywhere, including the dungeons," Yami announced, getting to his feet. Formally, he left the room first, the priests following in single order.
Once in the hall, the group dispersed, each heading their own way. Yami went in the direction of his rooms. Unbeknownst to him, he was being shadowed.
As Yami walked into his bedroom, he felt a strong pair of arms wrap themselves tightly around his hip.
"That was a good decision you made," a voice whispered passed his ear. Yami stiffened as Set's tongue licked at Yami's earlobe. The High Priest then moved his lips to Yami's bronzed neck.
Yami came back to reality as Set bit him, trying desperately to push Set away. He startled the brunette and almost got out of his grasp. Regaining his grip on Yami, Set spun him around and forced a kiss from the young Pharaoh.
The sound of a dish clattering to the ground behind Yami as well as a gasp stopped Set. The High Priest removed his arms from around Yami and looked towards the source of the noise. Khin stood in shock, watching Set's actions.
Cursing, Set stormed from the room. Yami relaxed and fell forward. Khin rushed and caught the young king.
"Thank you," he said wearily, "I don't know if I could have gotten away that time."
Khin accepted the recognition and started to clean up the mess that had been created when the dish had been dropped.
"There is food on the table for you, your Majesty," she stated quietly. Yami walked over to the wooden table and seated himself on one of the overlarge pillows.
Once he had finished his meal, Taira appeared and cleared away the empty dishes.
Yami's bed looked ver inviting; his body wanted nothing more than to fall into the plush blankets and sleep away his troubles. His mind, however, told him otherwise.
Grumbling, he left his apartments and went to see how the search was coming along.
Yami entered the passage leading to the Main Hall. As he walked down the narrow hall, a putrid smell attacked his nose. Trying hard not to gag, he continued into the large room.
The scene before him was not what he had expected to see. Lined up in about six rows were the inhabitants of the Palace dungeons.
'At least my orders are being carried out,' Yami concluded. He watched as one by one; the criminals were taken forward and tested. There was a small group off to the side, all of which seemed to be arguing.
"Those are the ones that have kaa. We still don't know if they can control it however," Mahaado stated, suddenly appearing at Yami's side. He started to talk again, but Yami wasn't listening.
Bakura had just been shoved forward by one of the guards. His hands, unlike everyone else's, were bound tightly with rope.
Yami could see Set standing behind where the testing was taking place. As Bakura was pushed to face Shadi, a sneer covered the High Priest's face.
One of the guards attempted to relieve Bakura of his red cloak and was hastily thrown to the ground by the bound thief. A small trickle of blood was seeping through the guard's dark hair. Bakura spat on the unconscious body and turned back to Shadi to allow the testing to begin.
A few moments passed in silence between them before Shadi pointed to the small group off to the side. He had been confirmed as a possessor.
Yami sighed; the first part of his plan to free Bakura had been accomplished. He stepped from the shadowy corridor into the bright room and was instantly surrounded by guards. Regally, still trying to ignore the stench, he strolled through the condemned crowd. They parted easily for him; many respectful bows could be seen within the group.
"They are thankful to you for giving them a second chance," Mahaado commented, "but there are still those who would kill you if given the chance."
"I'm confident with the security of the guards. Besides, we need everyone who is able, it wouldn't do to have some of them killed or injured because they attacked me out of instinct," Yami replied. The guards accompanying him separated when they reached the front of the Hall.
"So you decided to join us, Pharaoh. I'm pleased to see you here," Isis exclaimed. Yami walked up the small set of steps and dropped down into an awaiting pillow. His body threatened to fall asleep again, the tiredness still hanging off of him.
"Isis, when all the prisoners have been tested, can you be sure to see that those who were accepted are washed? I don't think I can stand the smell much longer," Yami requested quietly. Isis' face quickly turned into a smile.
"Of course Atemu," she laughed before walking away. Yami stole a quick glance at Bakura. He was sitting apart from the rest of the arguing fools and appeared to be asleep. A second look proved that theory wrong.
As he turned his attention back to the testing still going on in the hall, he could feel Bakura's eyes on him. Looking around, he wondered if anyone had noticed Bakura's and his glances.
Set had.
Cao: I'm sorry for those who didn't like the last chapter.....But it has to be in there to make the story interesting, not to mention make sense.
Dark: Meh. Even though there are those who didn't like it, there were those who did like it.
Cao: I guess so. Only 5 more chapters! And then, if everybody wants it, the sequel! A review would be appreciated. Thanks!