Chapte Eight
Seth stood soberly in front of the pharaoh, making his report on Sagira's search. "We haven't been able to find anything, your Majesty."
"Damn..." The Pharaoh muttered, shutting his eyes tightly. "Has her nursemaid been properly laid to rest?" He felt responsible for his daughter's disappearance. The least he could do was give her companion a decent resting place.
"Yes,my Pharaoh." Seth paused a minute. "Know this...we are doing all that we can to locate Princess Sagira." He turned and left the throne room. He was encountered by Mahadou. "What is it?"
"We found this..." Mahadou held out a shredded throw. The vendor who sells them says Mika was murdered right in front his cart.
"Did he see who did it?" Seth asked now. His hopes rising. If they could get description, maybe they'd know where to look for Sagira.
"No. He said the attacker was wearing all black. And nothing but his eyes was visible."
Seth frowned deeply. "Carry on, Mahadou. I think I'd like to have a word with this merchant myself." Seth left the palace grounds to seek out this vendor.
"Wake up, damn you!" Beni slapped Sagira's unconscious form for the third time. "You're more trouble than you're worth, you traitorous little bitch." He smirked in satisfaction, as she began to stir. "Better." He forced her to sit up now, and gave her some bitter tasting liquid. "Clean yourself up a little, "your highness". We're going before the King of Thieves."
Sagira gagged on the medicine she was given, then blinked. "W-what...?"
Beni snickered, yanking her up by the wrist. "You know who I refer to, don't you? Yes...I can see it in your eyes. The mere mention of him frightens you." He grabbed some rope, and bound her wrists together, using the rest like a leash. "Do you know what your beloved father does, highness? He takes our kind, and drags us through town until we're dead. Or he kills innocent girls who are forced into a life like this." He yanked on the slack of the rope, tightening it around her wrists. "I should do that to you!" With that, he dragged her out of the hut, and towards Bakare's hut. "Now you'd best not speak when you see him. Or he'll hurt you worse than I have already."
When they got to Bakare, he was standing watch over his two sorters, who were going over last night's loot. "Beni .What have you got there?"
Beni smirked, thrusting Sagira forward. The girl fell to her knees with a soft cry of pain. "I've returned something to you,My Lord."
Bakare's eyes widened. "S-sagira...my precious sister..." He knelt to help her up. "Let me look at you better..."
Sagira shivered under Bakare's touch. It was true...the mere mention of Bakare, the King of Thieves scared her, without knowing why. She had always been told the thieves were not people of kindness. Yet, the king of thieves wasn't showing any hostility whatsoever. She stood up,revealing how tall she'd become. Her platinum hair with blue tips tumbled over her shoulders.
"It's been too many winters. You've grown into a beautiful young girl." Bakare mused. Then he frowned, noticing her silk dress. "And yet...you've become just like them!" He suddenly shoved her away from him. "Beni, take her away from me! Now!"
"Do you not want her anymore?" Beni asked calmly. "She could be very useful to us." He leered at Sagira, who sat on the ground again, sobbing.
Bakare growled indecisivesly. "Bring her in my hut, and strip her of that ridiculous clothing. " He said finally. He turned away as his orders were carried out. Traitor or not, that girl was stil his sister, and he felt bad for what had to be done. He looked into his hut a few minutes later. "Beni, don't you dare take advantage of her. Leave her undergarments."
Beni snorted. "Like I want a traitorous bitch for a concubine. I really feel bad for you, Bakare."
"Shut your mouth." Bakare's voice was icy, as he moved inside. He glanced over at Sagira, who was sobbing uncontrollably. "And you,knock off the noise, twit. No one's even hurt you...yet." He turned to go. "I'm going for a walk. Keep her tied till I get back. Better yet, tie her that pole over there." He pointed the pole that helped keep his hut erect.
"Yes,My liege." Beni smirked,and moved to do just that.
Seth stood on the edge of the sandy hill, and looked down into the thief's village. The wind was picking up greatly, causing a mini-sandstorm, so it was hard for him to see clearly. The vendor had been willing to talk to him a little more than he spoke to Mahadou. Beni, he'd said. Seth scowled. Beni had been evading the Pharaoh's guards for years. He knew the thief had a connection with Bakare, and now he figured out what probably happened. Beni had captured Sagira to get back at the Pharaoh for something. But what? He watched the sand move around some more, before turning to go. That's when he ran into Yaminah.
"You've got a lot on your mind..." Yaminah told him, as she approached.
"Yes...I'm sure you know already, but ,Sagira was abducted by one of the thieves." Seth sighed in dispair. "I'm afraid to act for fear they'd harm Sagira, if they haven't already..."
"My love, you forget whom Sagira's brother is. Bakare would rather die himself before he'd hurt her." She reached out a hand to him. "I will do what I can to make those idiots see reason, and allow Sagira to come home."
"Damn it. Why couldn't I see what they were going to do! I'm usually so good with foresight..."
"Don't blame yourself for their acts of violence, Seth." Yaminah replied reproachfully. "They did it to prove they don't have to obey anyone." Her eyes narrowed. "And for the record, the thief king had no knowledge of this crime until after it had occurred." She turned from him now. "I'll try to visit as soon as I can." She teleported away from him, and down into the thieves' village, which was growing smaller and smaller.
(A/N: Thank you,Yaminah for allowing me to use your character, and thank you for being there to support me when things get rough with this.)