Chapter Seventeen: Disputes
Yami felt Bakura's eyes slide from himself to meet in a death glare with Set. The tension in the air thickened.
The conditions in the room snapped as a fight broke out among the criminals who had been accepted. All eyes rapidly focussed on the two men as guards flooded towards the fight scene. The two men were pulled apart successfully but continued to try to lash out at each other.
The young Pharaoh rose from his pillow and walked towards the crowd gathered around the two men.
Set, Shadi and Mahaado were already there. All three of them attempted to stop Yami procession as he walked sternly towards the two fighters. As Yami halted in front of them, his arms crossed tightly across his chest, they stopped struggling and fell silent.
"Why were you two fighting?" he demanded, a tone of power crossing his voice. The two convicts dropped their heads in shame.
"We were fighting over who's kaa was greater, your Majesty. We regret our actions and humbly ask your forgiveness," one replied, bowing low before Yami. The other nodded in agreement and also dropped low in front of the king.
"You're forgiven, but I don't want anymore fights over your individual kaas. Until we can proceed with further testing to see if you can actually control that power, you are all equal in strength," Yami responded harshly, turning around to head back to his spot on the raised dais. "Continue the testing."
Noon came and food was served to the mass of criminals in the hall. Taira and Khin managed to find Yami and served him his lunch where he was.
As Yami ate his figs, he glanced at Bakura through the corner of his eye. The thief was trying to tear off a piece of sinewy meat with his teeth; his face was screwed up with strain. The tricolor-haired king longed to go and fall asleep in the taller's lap, but such an action would be looked down upon by everyone present in the room.
"My Pharaoh, the primary testing has been completed. Shall we continue with further tests on those who passed?" Isis questioned. Yami looked at the medium sized group in the corner. It was less than he had been hoping for.
"Have them washed first. I will not tolerate dirty, smelly people in my army," Yami replied calmly, the rancid smell attacking his nose again. "Fetch me when the second round commences."
Yami stood and walked towards the back exit off the dais. Once in the lonely passage, he sighed to himself. He focussed his mind to his individual plan and ran through possible scenarios. If Set had a chance, he'd freely kill Bakura. If Bakura had a chance, he would brutally slaughter Set. Either way, one of them was going to die before this was over.
His feet instinctively started to take him in the direction of his rooms before he stopped and forced himself to go a different way. In a few minutes, he found himself in one of the private gardens. Small patches of snow still littered the ground in various places, but the plants broke through. The designers had imported exotic plants from other kingdoms, creating bright patches of foreign flowers and mysterious leaves among the snow. It was beautiful.
'I wish Bakura could see this with me. He deserves this after all he's been through for me,' The sound of crunching snow behind him interrupted his daydreams. At first he feared it would be Set, coming to take advantage of him being alone again. The voice that spoke, however, was not Set.
"The priests are ready to begin the second stage, your Majesty," a guard stated. Yami turned and silently motioned for the guard to lead the way.
He let his thoughts wonder again as the guard quickly led him through the many passages of the palace. They arrived quietly on a balcony overlooking the courtyard below.
The few prisoners that had been accepted were lined up in a single column. Yami right away noticed Bakura's position; he was third in line.
Shadi appeared before them and called the first one to come stand before him. Using the specific branch of magic he had mastered for this purpose, Shadi pushed a small wave of magic through the burly man who stood in front of him. The shadow of a monster appeared briefly behind him before the man emitted a scream and collapsed. The shadow faded away.
Ordering a few of the surrounding guards to drag the body away, he called the next forward. He passed, but his monster was weak and unreliable. Yami sighed. 'I guess it was to be expected,' he groaned, his eyes following Bakura as he stepped forward.
Yami saw a quick flash of fear become known on Shadi's face, just for a brief, passing moment. After it had vanished, Shadi gathered his courage and pushed the magic through Bakura.
A bright flash of light bounced through the small courtyard and a large form rose from Bakura. Yami immediately recognized the menacing monster. If Bakura could control Diabound, that would put him at the same strength level as the priests and it would accomplish Yami's second step in his plan to free his thief.
Bakura easily controlled Diabound, and he did so with an outstanding elegance and grace. Yami let a sigh of relief pass his pursed lips. Step two had been successful.
"That one will make an excellent addition to our small army. I was afraid that none would be able to control and be strong enough to defend," Akhunadin confirmed. Yami turned and looked at the eldest priest in question.
"We have finished searching the city. If the majority of them are strong enough, the fight will be ours. They should be joining the rest in the courtyard soon," he replied to Yami's questioning gaze. The young Pharaoh turned away from the scene below him.
"I see no need for me to remain here. I want a solid number of men by the end of the day. If there are any problems, I will be in my rooms," Yami declared as he started to leave. Instantly a guard was at his side and they departed from the balcony.
Yami sat on his bed examining his father's sword. The previous king hadn't used the long piece of metal very often; it was still very sharp. The sword was made of the strongest steel and was embossed with gold throughout the blade. Its hilt was adorned with blood-coloured rubies and deep sapphires as well as a few lesser gems. He held it at arms length and exhaled slowly. If things went wrong, there was a chance that he would have to draw his father's sword during battle.
The thought scared him. He was younger than most people would have been when they got their first apprenticeship jobs in the market place. He knew many were seriously wondering how a boy so young could command an army to wipe out their enemies when his father had failed.
A knock sounded loudly at the door, interrupting Yami's revelations. Mahaado flung open the door and stepped in hurriedly as Yami give him the signal to open the door.
"We have a large problem, Pharaoh. The thief Bakura and Set have started a fight. They are using their monsters to fight and things are getting out of hand," he quickly explained. Yami rapidly deposited the sword on his bed and dashed down the hall with Mahaado.
Arriving in the courtyard, Yami felt the two monsters looming over him, as if daring him to come closer. Set's White Dragon and Bakura's Diabound were entangled in a furious fight.
"Stop!" Yami cried to the two opponents. They paid him no mind and continued with their ruthless fight.
Focussing his energy, Yami called forth one of his own monsters. The sky dragon Osiris overshadowed the other two monsters. In the awe of the large dragon appearing through the suddenly overcast sky, the fighting ceased. Both Set and Bakura looked up in terror.
Respectfully, Set withdrew his monster. With a quick glance Yami's way then up at Osiris, Bakura did the same.
As Osiris faded and the clouds vanished again, Yami quickly strode towards the two offenders. He was angry with both of them for such childish tactics.
"Why do you attack someone who is on your own side?!" he exclaimed savagely to both of them. "I don't want people to die before the war starts! Set, you will have no further contact with any of the new recruits and Bakura, you will be put apart from the rest. Got it? Now move!"
Set sulked hastily away, pulling a wake of discontent and disorderliness behind him. Bakura started towards Yami. The said King could see anger boiling deep within the thief's russet eyes. There was also a hint of hurt beneath the rage.
Three guards restrained him and pulled him away.
"Where would you have us put him for the time being, my Pharaoh?" a higher guard asked.
"Not the dungeon. Find a small room in the servants quarters," he responded considerately. Strolling out of the courtyard, Yami resisted another urge to run to Bakura, this time to ask for forgiveness.
Entering his rooms a while later, he found Taira waiting with his dinner. Yami sat at the table and attempted to eat but all he managed to do was stir up the order of the food on his plate. He sighed and pushed the plate away.
"You're longing for Bakura, aren't you, Pharaoh?" Taira questioned softly. Yami sighed again and nodded.
"I caused him to become mad at me. I put him in seclusion to protect him, but he thinks I'm rejecting him. What am I supposed to do?" he muttered.
"Go apologize," Taira stated simply. Yami looked up at her in disbelief. She smiled and continued. "I saw where the guards put him. I could take you to him if you'd like."
Yami rose immediately and beckoned for Taira to take him to Bakura. He didn't trust his voice at the moment.
Taira guided him through the servant's corridors to the sleeping quarters. She stopped outside a door that was identical to all the others and motioned for Yami to get closer.
Peering through the small window, Yami was unprepared for what he saw and heard.
Cao: I hope you guys like it so far... Only four more chapters to go!
Dark: Your reviewers are getting more and more accurate. (O.o Luel, don't tell anyone that you're psychic. I honestly have no idea how you knew that.)
Cao: Well, yes....Chapter eighteen will hopefully be out soon after this. Keep checking for updates!
Dark: And thank you Shakespeare's Pizza for being the 50th reviewer!
Yami felt Bakura's eyes slide from himself to meet in a death glare with Set. The tension in the air thickened.
The conditions in the room snapped as a fight broke out among the criminals who had been accepted. All eyes rapidly focussed on the two men as guards flooded towards the fight scene. The two men were pulled apart successfully but continued to try to lash out at each other.
The young Pharaoh rose from his pillow and walked towards the crowd gathered around the two men.
Set, Shadi and Mahaado were already there. All three of them attempted to stop Yami procession as he walked sternly towards the two fighters. As Yami halted in front of them, his arms crossed tightly across his chest, they stopped struggling and fell silent.
"Why were you two fighting?" he demanded, a tone of power crossing his voice. The two convicts dropped their heads in shame.
"We were fighting over who's kaa was greater, your Majesty. We regret our actions and humbly ask your forgiveness," one replied, bowing low before Yami. The other nodded in agreement and also dropped low in front of the king.
"You're forgiven, but I don't want anymore fights over your individual kaas. Until we can proceed with further testing to see if you can actually control that power, you are all equal in strength," Yami responded harshly, turning around to head back to his spot on the raised dais. "Continue the testing."
Noon came and food was served to the mass of criminals in the hall. Taira and Khin managed to find Yami and served him his lunch where he was.
As Yami ate his figs, he glanced at Bakura through the corner of his eye. The thief was trying to tear off a piece of sinewy meat with his teeth; his face was screwed up with strain. The tricolor-haired king longed to go and fall asleep in the taller's lap, but such an action would be looked down upon by everyone present in the room.
"My Pharaoh, the primary testing has been completed. Shall we continue with further tests on those who passed?" Isis questioned. Yami looked at the medium sized group in the corner. It was less than he had been hoping for.
"Have them washed first. I will not tolerate dirty, smelly people in my army," Yami replied calmly, the rancid smell attacking his nose again. "Fetch me when the second round commences."
Yami stood and walked towards the back exit off the dais. Once in the lonely passage, he sighed to himself. He focussed his mind to his individual plan and ran through possible scenarios. If Set had a chance, he'd freely kill Bakura. If Bakura had a chance, he would brutally slaughter Set. Either way, one of them was going to die before this was over.
His feet instinctively started to take him in the direction of his rooms before he stopped and forced himself to go a different way. In a few minutes, he found himself in one of the private gardens. Small patches of snow still littered the ground in various places, but the plants broke through. The designers had imported exotic plants from other kingdoms, creating bright patches of foreign flowers and mysterious leaves among the snow. It was beautiful.
'I wish Bakura could see this with me. He deserves this after all he's been through for me,' The sound of crunching snow behind him interrupted his daydreams. At first he feared it would be Set, coming to take advantage of him being alone again. The voice that spoke, however, was not Set.
"The priests are ready to begin the second stage, your Majesty," a guard stated. Yami turned and silently motioned for the guard to lead the way.
He let his thoughts wonder again as the guard quickly led him through the many passages of the palace. They arrived quietly on a balcony overlooking the courtyard below.
The few prisoners that had been accepted were lined up in a single column. Yami right away noticed Bakura's position; he was third in line.
Shadi appeared before them and called the first one to come stand before him. Using the specific branch of magic he had mastered for this purpose, Shadi pushed a small wave of magic through the burly man who stood in front of him. The shadow of a monster appeared briefly behind him before the man emitted a scream and collapsed. The shadow faded away.
Ordering a few of the surrounding guards to drag the body away, he called the next forward. He passed, but his monster was weak and unreliable. Yami sighed. 'I guess it was to be expected,' he groaned, his eyes following Bakura as he stepped forward.
Yami saw a quick flash of fear become known on Shadi's face, just for a brief, passing moment. After it had vanished, Shadi gathered his courage and pushed the magic through Bakura.
A bright flash of light bounced through the small courtyard and a large form rose from Bakura. Yami immediately recognized the menacing monster. If Bakura could control Diabound, that would put him at the same strength level as the priests and it would accomplish Yami's second step in his plan to free his thief.
Bakura easily controlled Diabound, and he did so with an outstanding elegance and grace. Yami let a sigh of relief pass his pursed lips. Step two had been successful.
"That one will make an excellent addition to our small army. I was afraid that none would be able to control and be strong enough to defend," Akhunadin confirmed. Yami turned and looked at the eldest priest in question.
"We have finished searching the city. If the majority of them are strong enough, the fight will be ours. They should be joining the rest in the courtyard soon," he replied to Yami's questioning gaze. The young Pharaoh turned away from the scene below him.
"I see no need for me to remain here. I want a solid number of men by the end of the day. If there are any problems, I will be in my rooms," Yami declared as he started to leave. Instantly a guard was at his side and they departed from the balcony.
Yami sat on his bed examining his father's sword. The previous king hadn't used the long piece of metal very often; it was still very sharp. The sword was made of the strongest steel and was embossed with gold throughout the blade. Its hilt was adorned with blood-coloured rubies and deep sapphires as well as a few lesser gems. He held it at arms length and exhaled slowly. If things went wrong, there was a chance that he would have to draw his father's sword during battle.
The thought scared him. He was younger than most people would have been when they got their first apprenticeship jobs in the market place. He knew many were seriously wondering how a boy so young could command an army to wipe out their enemies when his father had failed.
A knock sounded loudly at the door, interrupting Yami's revelations. Mahaado flung open the door and stepped in hurriedly as Yami give him the signal to open the door.
"We have a large problem, Pharaoh. The thief Bakura and Set have started a fight. They are using their monsters to fight and things are getting out of hand," he quickly explained. Yami rapidly deposited the sword on his bed and dashed down the hall with Mahaado.
Arriving in the courtyard, Yami felt the two monsters looming over him, as if daring him to come closer. Set's White Dragon and Bakura's Diabound were entangled in a furious fight.
"Stop!" Yami cried to the two opponents. They paid him no mind and continued with their ruthless fight.
Focussing his energy, Yami called forth one of his own monsters. The sky dragon Osiris overshadowed the other two monsters. In the awe of the large dragon appearing through the suddenly overcast sky, the fighting ceased. Both Set and Bakura looked up in terror.
Respectfully, Set withdrew his monster. With a quick glance Yami's way then up at Osiris, Bakura did the same.
As Osiris faded and the clouds vanished again, Yami quickly strode towards the two offenders. He was angry with both of them for such childish tactics.
"Why do you attack someone who is on your own side?!" he exclaimed savagely to both of them. "I don't want people to die before the war starts! Set, you will have no further contact with any of the new recruits and Bakura, you will be put apart from the rest. Got it? Now move!"
Set sulked hastily away, pulling a wake of discontent and disorderliness behind him. Bakura started towards Yami. The said King could see anger boiling deep within the thief's russet eyes. There was also a hint of hurt beneath the rage.
Three guards restrained him and pulled him away.
"Where would you have us put him for the time being, my Pharaoh?" a higher guard asked.
"Not the dungeon. Find a small room in the servants quarters," he responded considerately. Strolling out of the courtyard, Yami resisted another urge to run to Bakura, this time to ask for forgiveness.
Entering his rooms a while later, he found Taira waiting with his dinner. Yami sat at the table and attempted to eat but all he managed to do was stir up the order of the food on his plate. He sighed and pushed the plate away.
"You're longing for Bakura, aren't you, Pharaoh?" Taira questioned softly. Yami sighed again and nodded.
"I caused him to become mad at me. I put him in seclusion to protect him, but he thinks I'm rejecting him. What am I supposed to do?" he muttered.
"Go apologize," Taira stated simply. Yami looked up at her in disbelief. She smiled and continued. "I saw where the guards put him. I could take you to him if you'd like."
Yami rose immediately and beckoned for Taira to take him to Bakura. He didn't trust his voice at the moment.
Taira guided him through the servant's corridors to the sleeping quarters. She stopped outside a door that was identical to all the others and motioned for Yami to get closer.
Peering through the small window, Yami was unprepared for what he saw and heard.
Cao: I hope you guys like it so far... Only four more chapters to go!
Dark: Your reviewers are getting more and more accurate. (O.o Luel, don't tell anyone that you're psychic. I honestly have no idea how you knew that.)
Cao: Well, yes....Chapter eighteen will hopefully be out soon after this. Keep checking for updates!
Dark: And thank you Shakespeare's Pizza for being the 50th reviewer!