Chapter 4: Meeting Trouble Face-to-Face
Atemu knew he was falling into the river. He held on to a branch but the man's grip on his cloak pulled him down and in the end, both of them fell into the Nile. Although it seems that he was luckier than the other since here he is now, hovering a small town.
Taking the now torn cloak off, he dropped it and started to head towards the town, only to trip over a rock or two, earning him some small cuts. From the town, he could hitch a ride back to Memphis and look for any palace guard, or, he could just head to the palace without being seen.
The town was smaller than Memphis, its people busy in the streets. It seems that most of the town's people were selling stuff in the market while the rest doing whatever things they have to do.
About two hours later, Atemu sat under the shade of a palm tree exhausted. He still has mixed emotions towards the fact that no one knew he was the prince. He was relieved, for one, although it did mean a harder time to look for a way home.
Suddenly, shouts from the town market reached his ears and he stood just in time for somebody to bump into him. The prince fell to the ground but immediately rose to offer the other a hand.
"I apologize, are you hurt?" Atemu asked. The person broke away from him, "I'm fine. Go away!" the person said.
Ignoring the person's rudeness, he helped the man up but before either of them could reply, the townspeople's shouts rang through the air. "Get back here, thief!" one said.
The person being referred to made a dash to hide only to get caught by two older men. Atemu decided it was time to handle the situation.
"What is going on?" he asked.
One of the townsfolk pointed accusingly at the person caught, "That thief stole my goods when I weren't looking!" he explained.
"Not my problem you're an idiot," the person accused mumbled under his breath, pleased that nobody heard. Well one did, Atemu.
Atemu sighed. The person probably was hungry so he had to steal. "Look, how much were the goods?" Atemu asked.
"About thirty gold coins," the man said.
The prince reached for his coin bag and handed him the bag with thirty gold coins exact. "There, now that this is finished, can you let him go now?" he asked.
The man who got the bag, although still surprised that somebody had this much money with him nodded and the two men holding the one who bumped into Atemu let him go.
Now that the commotion was done, Atemu headed to the plaza, only to be pulled back by whom else than the person he just saved?
"Where did you get that much money?" he asked. Atemu shrugged nonchalantly when he remembered how dangerous revealing his identity was.
"I have my ways," Atemu answered before trying to leave again, only to find out that the hand grasping his arm won't let him.
"No one in his right mind would easily hand over thirty gold pieces unless you're filthy rich. Who are you?" the man said.
"How about this? I give you my name and you give me yours?" Atemu suggested. A short pause, then a hesitant sigh before, "Fine," the man said.
"I'm Aoujii," Atemu answered.
"Bakura," the man replied.
"So, why did you steal those goods?" Atemu asked in sheer curiosity.
Bakura shook his head, "I have to. In this place, if you don't have money, you steal and hope you don't get caught," he answered. Something about the person in front of him felt awkward. No one can risk giving out that large sum of money for somebody else. It's either you're rich or you're just a good hell of a thief. But Aoujii looked filthy, it can't be extreme wealth. Perfect.
"I guess life's not very easy for you, huh?" Atemu asked.
"Nothing is easy, so what brought you here?" Bakura answered.
The prince frowned, "I went here by accident. I was hoping I could hitch a ride to Memphis. I have to do something there, my horse unfortunately died in the desert," he answered.
He is a thief! Bakura smirked inwardly, "Come with me and I'll help you around," he said, offering a hand. Atemu stared at the other and hesitantly accepted the help. Something about this Bakura guy made him feel something he couldn't explain. Besides Bakura seemed to be a nice guy.
Oh man was Atemu so horribly wrong. Bakura inwardly smirked, devising a plan. Now that he has an accomplice, he could do everything and anything. Hell, he could even go kill someone, take his ride and join Aoujii in his job in Memphis.
A/N: I just realized, this is kind of shorter than the other past chapters. I guess some of you already know what the plot is but don't assume much. More surprises soon.