Chapter Nine

Yaminah crossed her arms, watching Bakare search his sister's dress to look for more gold. "She doesn't have anymore." She glanced over at Sagira, who was sleeping in her old pile of ragged blankets. She was wearing a dull tunic,stained with dirt and blood. "So...what are you going to do with her?"

"I don't know yet. Beni said he had any idea, but I don't like the sounds of it." In truth,Bakare was very unhappy with what Beni had done to get Sagira to him. After Beni went home for the night, Bakare had treated her for any major head trauma.

"He only did this to get revenge for Sultana, Bakare. He'll harm Sagira if you give him the chance." Yaminah helped herself to some wine. "Has she talked to you at all?"

"She won't say a word to me. It's like she doesn't even know who I am.." Bakare's fist slammed into the wall. "Damn it to hell! This is not how I swore to take care of her!"

"Maybe it was for the best..." Yaminah soothed. "She was well taken care of, you know."

"She was spoiled rotten! She wants nothing to do with us!" Bakare retorted. "Beni!" He walked out ,with Yaminah behind him.

"Bakare?" Beni was sharpening his sickle on a rock near the bank. He stood as his old friend approached. "How is your sister?"
"She's fine, no thanks to you. If you ever hurt her like that again, expect a fight." Bakare replied dangerously. "Traitor or not, she is still my sister. However, I need you to watch her just now. I'm going down shore."

"To drink again?" Beni asked, eyeing the wine flask in Yaminah's hand. "She's a bad influence on you."

"Go to hell,Beni." Yaminah replied with a smirk, as they passed him by. "Oh,and do tell Set I said hi on your way."

"Bitch!" Beni shot back, stalking over to Bakare's hut.

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Sagira woke up with a stiff neck, and aching muscles. She sat up fast when she realized where she was. "Bakare..." She whispered aloud. She remembered then. This was the thief king's residence, and she was their prisoner.

"Hello, "Princess". " Beni's voice was dripping with hatred,and sarcasm. He knelt to be on the level with her. "You're a pretty thing. Such a pity..." He reached out a hand, touching her shoulder. "You used to call me uncle Beni. But not now, eh? Not since they corrupted you, and you no longer know family when you see it..." He shoved her back into the wall violently. "I hear you just watched as they murdered my sister. You heard every terrifying scream, and yet,you did nothing! You called her your best friend, and you let her die!" He was tearing at her miniscule clothing now, violently.

please...stop...!" Sagira was shrieking in fear. "I was only a little girl...I didn't know what to do..I was frightened to,Beni, please!"

"Oh begging didn't save her, and it won't save you either!" Beni shoved her to the floor now,wrapping a loop of rope around her ankles. "I grow tired of your resistance, Child. Now, you'll never be able to do for yourself again!" He pulled out his sickle, and sat her up. "You will belong to us now, and forever." He pierced the flesh on her forearm, smirking. "You'll never be able to defy anyone again." He began to carve, and cut the one curse he knew would be irremovable.

Sagira screamed and cried in pain. Never in her life had she felt so much pain. Beni would kill her if she tried to resist him, but she didn't like sound of this man's words. How could he force her to do anything without resistance? What would they make her do? She cried into her blankets, sobbing,as Beni continued carving.

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In the palace, Mahadou was reading runes when he got a vision of Sagira. She was crying for help. "Sagira!" The priest fled from his room, and went to Seth's chambers. "Seth,are you awake?"

"What is it?" Seth asked, coming to the door. He saw the look of horror on Mahadou's face, and knew instantly he'd had a vision. "What did you see?"

"T-they're doing something just awful to Sagira. I know it. I heard her crying for help. She was in agony." Mahadou's hands were shaking. "T-the vendor t-told me she was going to buy a cloak for me..."

"This is not the time to start blaming ourselves, my friend." Seth replied. Though, he admitted, if it was anyone's fault ,it was his for being so harsh with her. "I have to go now. I will relay your vision to the Pharaoh upon my return."

"Very well." Mahadou replied in a subdued voice. Oh princess...now would be as good a time as any to test what you have learned...He thought,as he returned to his room.