Chapter Three- Shocking Revelation

Mahad sighed as he leaned back from his books and scrolls. He had found nothing in them yesterday and so far this morning was the same result. Restoring lost memories is not easy. But maybe if Atem or Kura could show me where they met, it might give me an idea of where to look among my books and scrolls. He exited his room and began asking around for Atem and Kura's locations. He was told Atem was showing his Spirit Temple to Kura and explaining Shadow Dueling to her. He had no objections to that as it was revealed that her family was gone and that Atem had indeed named her as his consort. He claimed he saw little reason to wait for the deadline. Kura had won over Atem, Siamun, and Shada in a short time and seemed to be in the process of winning over the rest of the court. Mahad felt she was trying too hard to get people to like her, but he had no idea why he thought that. Kura was a sweet lovely young woman that one couldn't help but like.

"Atem, your collection of monsters is impressive," Kura's voice echoed in the building as Mahad entered. He frowned at the rather personal tone from the girl; to be addressing him without his title seemed to be inappropriate. He rounded a bend to find the couple with their backs to him and holding hands. He knelt as he said, "My pharaoh."

Atem turned as did Kura. "Yes, Mahad? Have you found a spell?"

"No, my pharaoh, but I was hoping you could show me where the two of you met? It may guide me to a specific book or scroll to find a solution."

"Hmm, yes. I can do that. Kura, you should come too. It might just unbury a memory Shada missed."

"Okay." She went out ahead of the men, giving Mahad a chance to address Atem.

"My pharaoh, I hear Kura talk to you without your title. It strikes me as inappropriate."

"She spoke thus as I requested that we be personal when alone. It is quite appropriate and more so now that we are engaged."

Mahad bowed his head. "I ask for forgiveness."

"Granted. You were simply acting as my friend and a priest."

Atem and Kura rode together while Mahad rode another horse. He watched the pair as they rode. They were clearly attracted to each other and it made him pleased that Atem was happy. I only hope I don't end up destroying that happiness. I vow to help Kura regain her memory and to support her engagement to Atem. It is wrong of me to be suspicious of her when she had done nothing to garner it.

Atem reined his hoarse to a stop and Mahad did the same. "It was here," he said as he got down and assisted Kura down. Mahad dismounted and looked around. Now, he was in charge of security for the tombs in Egypt and was familiar with the traps used in them. He knew there was a tomb nearby with a rather nasty trap. Mahad looked at Kura who was staring in one direction with an air of shocked revelation. He went up to her. "Kura?"

"Somehow, I just know. I got here on foot and from that direction." She pointed westward.

Mahad frowned. The nearby tomb was in that direction. "You don't remember anything else?"

Kura shook her head. "I wish I did. It's terrible not knowing anything before yesterday. Who would do this to someone?" She wore a look of frustration that melted as Atem took her in his arms. She felt loved and happy in her beloved's arms. She again reminded herself that remembering wasn't quite as important as the man she loved, but it was close.

"Okay," Mahad said. "Why don't you two head back and I'll head west to see what's out there? I promise to bring back anything I find."

"All right," Atem said, helping Kura up onto the horse before mounting himself. "Thank you, Mahad."

"Yes," Kura added. "Thank you Priest Mahad."

Mahad smiled at her. "It's not necessary to use my title."

Kura tilted her head. "I thought you said not using one's title was too personal and inappropriate." She smiled at Mahad's surprised expression. "I have sensitive hearing, it seems."

Mahad laughed. "So it seems. But really, just Mahad will do. You will eventually be my queen."

"Right." Atem flicked the reins and the couple were off and heading back to the palace. Mahad mounted his horse and headed west. He carefully scanned the ground as he rode, looking for anything that would help Kura or give him an idea of how to help her. His search brought him to the tomb. He dismounted and stepped inside, looking around as well as up. His eyes narrowed when he saw cracks in the ceiling and wall as well as the sunken stone. He exited the tomb. So, someone triggered the double trap. It took time to perfect it. The gas that issued from the delayed trigger did two things: One, it changed the gender of the thief to the opposite and two, it erased their memories. In this way, the thief got to start over with a very clean slate. A counter-spell for the memory loss does exist. A couple of our spies tested the trap in order to infiltrate a rival kingdom. I reversed the memory loss so that they'd be able to fulfill their mission; however they remained women and were given new lives as payment for their loyalty and sacrifice. And, judging from what I saw, someone triggered the trap and is wandering around with no memory and a new gender…wait. Kura has no memory and she looks similar to Bakura. It's possible that Kura is Bakura! Mahad felt sick. He had just promised to help and support Kura, but now he found that she may not be an innocent girl after all. I'll try to restore her memory with the counter spell and if it works, she'll recall everything. When she admits her true name, she'll either by imprisoned or banished to the desert. Atem will be crushed that his engagement is off, but he'll get over it- I hope.

Mahad returned to the palace and searched through his books and scrolls until he located the counter spell. He looked over the words to refresh his memory before leaving and calling for Atem, Kura, and the court to come to the Throne Room. He arrived to find everyone assembled and avoided looking at Kura for the time being as he knelt before Atem. "My pharaoh, after my search of the area and my scrolls, I believe I found a spell that will work."

Kura's eyes lit up at Mahad's words. She left Atem's side and down the steps to stand before Mahad. "You found one? That's great. Please use it. I want to know who I am."

He looked up at her. "I said I believe it'll work. There's no guarantee that it will."

"Please try," she begged.

"All right." Mahad stood, put two fingers on Kura's forehead and chanted the counter spell, hoping with all his heart that it wouldn't work, that his suspicions were wrong. He finished the spell and at first it seemed that nothing happened, but then Kura gasped and sank to her knees, her hands grasping her forehead. I was right, Mahad thought with a sinking heart. She is Bakura.

Kura grasped her forehead as a flood of images and words rushed through her mind. Her memories were returning and slotting themselves into their proper places. It was painful, regaining them but the pain ended once restoration was complete. She closed her eyes to collect her thoughts. Now I remember, she thought. I am the thief king Bakura…or I was until yesterday when I entered that tomb and triggered the trap. It erased my memory and changed me into a woman. I remember falling for the pharaoh and being engaged to him. But, that's over and it's Mahad's fault.

She opened her eyes, lowered her arms, and stood, glaring at the magician. "This is your fault, priest," she hissed. "I insist you reverse the other spell."

"I cannot. No counter spell was designed to reverse it."

Bakura wanted to call him a liar, but her memories of almost two days told her otherwise. He wouldn't lie about that. "Fine," she said as she went past the others to head for the doors. She stopped at them when Atem called out, "Kura, wait! Where are you going?"

She whirled around. "My name's Bakura, not Kura!" she called back before fleeing out the door and into the approaching darkness of night. She felt tears burning in her eyes and blinked them way. I shouldn't be sad. I have my memory back and I escaped the palace before I could be arrested. But then why do I feel like my heart is about to break?