Ch. 3 Violence and Venom
Yami woke to screams and curses. His violet, crimson-rimmed eyes widened as he remembered the woman. With a rustle of the soft blankets he arose, throwing on some random clothing. As he ran toward the main hall, the cries and profanities grew louder. He never expected to see what met his eyes when he flung open the door.
The cage still held Malaya, yet the door to the prison was open, and a man, Menial, was laying unconscious in the opening. "What happened?" Yami roared, stopping the commotion. Seto finally spoke, "Menial was trying to tame the rogue wench over there... She destroyed him..." this blunt statement was followed by nods and agreeing servants. "She's a beast!" "Kill her... No, break her spirit, Pharaoh!" the calls of hatred rang openly for the women to hear. "I will not harm her in any way? Understand?" he silenced his followers angrily, "What would you do if you were captured by a person you have little or no conflict with? You would fight back, correct? Ok, then." He spat as several nodded mutely. "Seto, don't mess with her, she is my guest and my responsibility. Now let me go tame her correctly, I hope she's not too mistrustful due to your rough treatments..." "Milord," Shadi was beside him, "Let me show you how dangerous she is first, in case you decide she's too violent..." Yami felt overpowered by the thought of the trapped yet lovely creature in the cage striking any person, but reluctantly agreed.
Malaya watched the eloquent Pharaoh allow his servant to enter her prison; she had felt like an animal by the way they spoke of her. As the one who called himself Shadi approached her with an old bullwhip, she shifted, delighted by his large leap backwards at her motion. He cracked the weapon near her head, "Come a-at m-me, be ye woman or f-fiend!" he stammered as she studied him. He cracked the whip at her several times, but she stood like a stone, just watching him. Then the whip hit her as he purposely flicked it at her. She exploded. In a whirling, lashing flurry of punches, kicks and rage, Shadi was thrown to the Pharaoh's feet. "S-see milord sh-she is the r-reincarnation of evil..." he was stuttering in fear that she would attack again.
Yami was amazed with the beautiful girl's speed and accuracy at hand-to-hand combat. "My turn to show you that no weapon is needed to help Malaya," he rumbled as she glared at him. He stepped into the cage while she watched him warily. "Easy..." he murmured as she tensed, feeling he was too close. He backed away until she relaxed and waited, trying to move closer, yet moving at a speed that suited her. After almost an hour of trying, failing, trying again, then finally being accepted, he stood right next to her. Now he tried to touch her, his slender hand reaching for a wrist, but being pushed away by her tensing. Minutes later, his hand was resting comfortably on the woman's strong shoulder. "See?" he boomed, "She just needs to develop trust in you, and you can do almost anything with a rogue." Malaya watched him, 'He's so gentle... I thought he would want me killed... Yet, my trust is more important...' "Come, Lady Malaya, I will how you your room..." Yami reached for her hand. After a pause, in which the crowd of workers feared the worst, she gave him her hand; applause followed them out of the hall.
Later, as Yami was recalling his victory from that morning, a scream of terror echoed through the palace. When he arrived, a crowd was gathered. In the center of the ring of spectators, a young girl was cringing away from a 5-foot pit viper. "Help me... Please..." she sobbed pitifully as they all looked on. Suddenly, Yami felt himself being pushed. Malaya was heading for the snake with her bow in hand. "Damn snakes..." were the first words he ever heard from her mouth. She quickly knocked an arrow, capturing the snake's attention and causing it to strike at her. Suddenly, she leapt past the reptile, which whirled and struck again, deadly jaws opening wide. She shot her arrow then, splitting the snake horizontally in half, much to everyone's disgust and horror. Yami watched as in slow motion, the top jaw of the snake tried to hit the little girl who had been the original target, then, a pale arm slid into view, taking the venom of the fangs and the pain. Malaya's pale skin flushed darkly as she fell to one knee; she was sweating, and the pharaoh new she would soon die if nothing was done.