Chapter Four: Sneaky Little Anzu
The next day I finished my embroidery and etiquette quickly. Then I took an embroidery board, hid a dagger and a sharp rock under it, some horse treats, and went out into the fields with Tsuyoi and sat down under a tree. I didn't approach the horse, but ignored him. Horses are always curious and I expected him to come up after I took a long time sharpening my dagger with my rock.
He was inching closer and closer; and was close enough so I could touch him if I reached out when I heard someone behind me. I angled the dagger to see who it was. The man was blonde and was wearing armor. He also had a sword in his hands ready to strike. I whirled around and slashed the dagger at him. He blocked and swished back. I saw him swing his sword at my chest in time to jump away. We began a battle with each other, him with his sword and me with my little sharpened dagger.
I clamped my hand around the knife and brought my arm up to my chest, with the pointy end facing my nemesis. He stared at me now, with his eyes squinted.
"You're a girl?"
I stopped, putting my knife down.
"What's that to you?" I asked snappishly.
"Most girls in Egypt don't even know how to hold a dagger." He retorted, furthering my anger.
"I'm not from Egypt."
"You're not? Where are you from? By the way, who are you?" I grinned, thinking about how stupid I had been for attacking someone without them even knowing who I am, let alone me knowing who they are.
"I'm Anzu."
The man dropped right there, making me step back and Tsuyoi rear onto his hind legs.
"What are you doing?"
"Your Majesty, forgive me for blatantly attacking you." He pleaded. "I must be punished."
"Oh, stand up already, my Ra. You people here and royalty!" I hissed, turning my back and trying to walk away.
"I don't understand, Majesty." I heard the man say. I turned back and stared at him.
"The Royal Family is just people too, you know. There's no reason to fear them, or worship them because they own a palace." I said back. "And for Ra's sake, stand up! Treat me like a human!"
The man stood up and brushed himself off. Then he stuck out his hand.
"I'm Jonouchi Katsuya."
"Jonouchi-kun, hello. I'm Mazaki Anzu."
"To put a title after my name is too much flattery. Please call me Jonouchi." Jonouchi looked serious as he said that, so I took it into consideration.
"Very well." I said, motioning to his sword. "You're very good. When did you learn?" Jonouchi laughed.
"When wasn't I learning?" He asked. "Everything I did was related to battle."
"Really?" That last comment sparked my interest. I would have to be sneaky though. If I could get away with it, then I could still have the battle lessons.
"Where did you learn to battle?" Jonouchi asked. Perfect timing, in my thinking.
"I exceeded my tutor's skills in politeness and sewing, so I was taught how to use a sword, bow and arrow, dagger, riding like a regular guy, and a lot of stuff." I answered, swinging the dagger around to prove to him that I could handle one.
"Really?"
"Yes, and now I can't even practice any of that anymore. The Pharaoh won't let me."
"Why not? I mean, if you know how to do it already, there's no unlearning it. It's really hard, and a waste of time." Jonouchi asked, grinning.
"So, why should we deny me learning how to fight better if I already know a lot?" I asked back, hoping I was persuading well.
"Really!" Jonouchi commented back.
"We could do something really sneaky…." Anzu whispered, moving closer to Jonouchi. "You could teach me more, and in return I could—well, what do you need?"
"I really need my men's roof patched. I'm not all that good at it, so I need help with that." Jonouchi's voice raised anxiously. I smiled, knowing I was going to be able to do it!
"Consider it done, the second I can get away." I said, shaking his hand. "I have etiquette and embroidery once a day, which I get done with pretty quick, so I'll go here whenever I get done. Look for me here often. If I'm here, I'm free. To tell the truth, I'm not even supposed to be here." I gave Jonouchi a questioning look. He held his hands up in response.
"If they find out, it won't be from me."
I smiled, then jumped for joy.
"Princess Mazaki," I turned my head around and saw a servant standing there. "Prince Atemu wants you to meet someone. A friend of his." Jonouchi smiled at this.
"He must mean Seth-kun." He replied, making the servant nod.
"Seth-kun?" I repeated.
"He's the sorcerer of Egypt, and he's Prince Atemu's cousin." Jonouchi explained. I rolled my eyes.
"Goody."
I got up and said my good-byes to Jonouchi, whispering to him that I'd set up a time to begin training with him. I ran into the palace, searching for Atemu and his supposed "cousin". I found them.
In my room. We actually, it was Atemu's too, but I planned to change that.
I sighed, crossed my arms, put on a scowl, and went in.
"Hello there, Mazaki-san!" Atemu smiled at me like I was his friend. Yeah, fat chance that'll ever happen. I glared at him, hoping to crush his spirits for friendship. He wasn't fazed by it and went on. "This is my cousin Seth. He's the sorcerer for Egypt."
Seth was, well, how should one describe a cousin of the prince? He was, different than I thought he would be. His blue eyes were hard yet happy, his hands were strong yet gentle, and his brown hair was slick yet fluffy. He was looking me up and down. I forced myself to roll my eyes. Seth just laughed.
"I wonder if I could have a moment with this fine beauty?" He asked Atemu coolly. I was trying hard to figure out whether to snarl because he was a jerk, or laugh because he had a sense of humor. I was just as confused as ever.
Atemu smirked and turned to leave.
Heh. He left us in our own room.
"So," Seth started. "I hear you're the Prince's fiancée."
"I am not, will not, and cannot be his fiancée." I declared. "And I would appreciate it if you didn't call me as such."
He laughed. I was so surprised. He laughed! Usually people glare back and stay away. Well, that's the way Atemu did, and that's the only person I've ever done it to.
"It's alright." He said, sitting on the bed blatantly. I gave him a puzzled look. "I know you don't want to marry him. In fact, my cousin asked me to try to talk you into it."
"What? You can't possibly do that! That's inconsiderate! I can't believe him!" I blew, ranting and pacing the room.
"Actually, you do believe him." Seth said. I stopped ranting and walking and watched him. He went on. "You know he wants to get you to like him."
"How did you know I was thinking that?" I asked back, stepping backwards away from him.
"It's hard to lie to a sorcerer." He smiled. "I'm not going to try to force you to do something you don't want to do. I just want to be friends, alright? I'm Seth, Sorcerer of Egypt. You are?"
"I—I'm Mazaki Anzu. Please, if we're going to be 'friends', then please just call me Anzu." I asked. "I'm so sick of titles."
"Alright, Anzu. You can come to me and talk whenever you want, you know." Seth stated. I smirked, figuring this could also work to my learning advantage.
"Oh, I plan to."
THE END!
The next chapter will be pretty long. And then is when Anzu gets a very weird kind of "present" that doesn't speak the language. Review please!
