Ch.3
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Seto reigned in his annoyance, irate that the arrogant pride of the Kingdom's rulers would doom their lands. The very lands that they were sworn and selected to protect; any ruler had to pass certain tests in order for them to gain the thrown, typically this was through a land bond. The entire process was deeply harrowing and painful. He scowled as he felt a tinge of disappointment. At himself or the other rulers he couldn't tell and it did nothing to help his mood.
As leaders of a vast number of people it would not do for them to make their weaknesses so vulnerable, and yet they had. This was the first sign that they were not fit to rule.
"Those who can not rule shall not."
0000
A tall brunette stood before a large audience, shaking in her anger. With a fist clutched tightly she glared at the person kneeling before her. Long deep green robes covered her full figure, as she leaned back. Tossing her head to the side she calmed her anger. She was suppose to be ruling in her Lady's position during her absence, her Lady wouldn't be pleased if she behaved irresponsible during her leave. And that would mean a cool bed for many nights.
"And yet you persist in your plea for more land?" she growled, as she stood her long robe flew out behind her. Without waiting for an answer her rant continued. "As ruler in Lady Mai's absence I condemn you to a life of working in the fields you are so keen on burning for your gain."
A weak sentence would lead others to assume she was soft. She couldn't take that chance, not when she was responsible for the land in Lady Mai's dearth.
A man gasped, crying out. "But Rey-iak Anuz! What do you mean by the sentence, I don't approve of it at all."
She sneered. "When I need your opinion of my actions, Sir Pegasus I shall give it to you."
As Anuz sat in the seat to the right of the empty leafy throne, even as she stared coldly down at the whimpering mass before her. "Guards!" She snapped her fingers as she demanded his removal. Two large women came forward, heavy chains dragging in their arms as they approached the man. Before they could lay a hand on him though he threw himself flat on the ground and began rolling like a madman.
The brunette felt her ire rise. "Get him OUT!" She would not sit for this type of disrespect in her Lady's court. "Put him to death in the morn." Anuz glared at the whispering Court. "Let this fool be an example, I will not stand for any disrespect in Lady Mai's court! Hear me, for future punishments shall not be so lenient." The whispers ceased for a moment as eyes were downcast, annoyed by their mere being Anuz called an end for court for the day. Drawing to a close a few hours early, but her nerves wouldn't take five more minutes of this insolence.
000
Jounouchi stared in amazement at the scene before him. After his mope fest earlier he'd figured the day would simply wind down from them on. How wrong he'd been! The blonde stared in amazement as people were swarming all about. It was odd to say the least, the very least. Whenever the Master decided to hold an inspection soldiers would lay low, and try to not attract a lot of undue attention. After all, if the Master was displeased with someone he didn't last very long in the kingdom. All of the soldiers and citizens knew it, Lord Yami wasn't a man to piss around with, and you dealt with him when you had to but only if there was no other way around. He wasn't some puppy dog, push over; his laws were obeyed, and where they weren't—well pain was sure to follow.
Now however, soldiers scrambled about the fields as if their very lives depended on it and they probably did. Jounouchi tipped his head, still able to see his 'rescuer' in the corner of one honey eye, as he asked.
"Wouldn't it be unwise to gather the troops up for an attack," Jou paused, scratching the back of his neck. "Considering that General Keith isn't here to lead?"
The white haired man scoffed. "From what I've heard he's attending some meeting in Lord Yami's place, something with the high uppers to."
The slave snorted. "Ryou boy, you've got some funny ideas swimming around in that accursed head of yer's. Shouldn't be talkin' bout the mas'ta like'en that."
Ryou rolled his eyes heaven ward, asking the Goddess to send him patience to deal with his charge. "Jounouchi, you silly mutt, you must realize that the "mas'ta" sent the general out to the meeting so that he wouldn't have any interference."
"Interference?" Jou blinked, feeling rather slow-witted.
"Yes interference." Ryou snarked. "I do wonder where all that knowledge that Lord Yami's so determined to get pounded into your thick skull goes! Never seems to stick around during normal hours."
Jou stiffened at the insult but let it slide. He did have a higher that typical intellect, though you'd never know by just looking at him. "I ain't just some pretty face Ryou, y'know that already. I'd be more than pleased to show you."
The white haired man just rolled his eyes again, annoyed by the blonde's lack of focus.
"Lord Yami's going to start a war and all you can think about is the upkeep of your bedroom skills!"
"Pft!" Jou scoffed. "You didn't seem that displeased last week if my bedroom skills are anything to go by!"
"WHAT!" a small voice shrieked, both men turned in the direction of the sound. A startled figure stood there, gaping at the two with mouth open and eyes goggling.
A hand at his chest, Jounouchi frowned at his tutor. "Yugi what are you doing out here?"
"Apparently not as much as you two are!"
Ryou flushed. "Yugi, it's not . . . what I mean to say is, we haven't been—"
"What whitey over here is saying is that we haven't fucked."
Yugi was taken aback from his pupil's crass language, frowning his disapproval. He crossed his arms over his chest; taking a step or two back from them. "I really don't think that you two should be discussing such matters where they could so easily be over heard and misinterpreted."
"Perhaps if certain tutors weren't sticking their noses where they don't belong there wouldn't be any issues." A soldier said pointedly, staring right at Yugi as he said so, the younger man shriveled back as if burnt. Jounouchi felt bad for his teacher and friend, but it was true. Yugi was always sticking his nose in issues that didn't concern him, if the Master weren't doting on the pipsqueak he'd have been squashed a long time ago. Not that Jou approved of such actions, but there were others out there that didn't want some scholar beaking in on their business.
Moving so that Yugi was no longer in the line of vision of the soldier, Jou glared. "Why don't you just move along Lieutenant Bakura? I'm sure they're some small critter somewhere you can terrorize."
The lieutenant barked harshly. "Don't like sharing yours?" Without a backwards glance he headed off to the barracks, from the looks of his pack he'd just returned from some mission or other. Though with Lieutenant Bakura it was always difficult to tell, he was unpredictable and volatile.
Yugi shook himself, looking at Ryou and Jou with big wet eyes, close to tears. "I'm really sorry you guys, I didn't mean to b-butt in on y-y-our conversation, 'cept Master Yami sent me to explicitly."
Ryou exchanged a look with the blonde. "Why didn't he want Jounouchi speaking with me?"
"Quite the opposite, he wishes for your presence before he continues his inspections with the soldiers. At once."
Ryou and Yugi both nodded in way of goodbye, before departing. Jounouchi just watched as they jogged off, gaze not leaving the scrambling soldiers before him.
"So Master Yami wishes a war upon his people? Hmmm" The blonde educated slave stared off into the distance, as if he could see visions of the battles to come. It seemed things were about to get a bit more interesting around here.
Ooooh, what'll happen next? Review and tell me what you think should! glomps readers
