So, hey everyone… It's been three weeks… A month. I'm sorry. I will try my hardest to update sooner. Thank you all for the reviews and your patience with me, and I'm glad to see that you all are willing to help. Feel free to point things out when you read the chapter that you think was "off" or anything. :) I'm keeping this short so you can read the chapter quickly. Heh, heh. Very sorry for the terrible wait. O.O"

RESPONSE~

i – Thank you, for your wonderful words. I'm glad that the chapter was super great! I went back and looked over Mana's scene again, and made her character more proper. I just love that scene even more. xD So yes, do check it out! Many thanks and appreciation. Glad the chapter was almost perfect, but you're right. There is always room for amelioration.

Enjoy!

Secrets Underground

Chapter 9

The inside of the mud-made house was a bit cooler than the outside, and a musky smell surrounded me as soon as I slowly stepped into the small home that the farmer owned. I had to blink a bit to get used to the lighting since it was quite dark, but eventually my eyes adjusted and immediately I took notice of the oil lamps situated around the home. There was just two, but it seemed more than enough to brighten the small space.

"Son, where are you from?"

Startled, I turned around the moment I heard the soft-spoken voice to look at the man. He was gazing at me wearily with his dark brown eyes, wrinkles evident in the corners of his dark skin. Feeling that my mouth had suddenly gone dry, I gulped and moved my tongue around in an attempt to loosen it up to answer him.

"Greece," I answered, and I gave the best fake smile I could. Ancient Greece surely did exist around this time period. They began to live in Ancient Egypt ever since the seventh century BC., so it shouldn't be too shocking or farfetched for a person here to believe.

"Ah," the man replied, surprised, and he looked at me with a hint of fascination in his eyes. "What brings you here all the way from Greece?" and then he takes a glance down at my clothing. As soon as he did, my blood drained from my system. Yes, the problem right now would be about how to explain my dressing. How that little fact slipped my mind, I would never know. "And your clothing… is nothing like I've seen the Greeks wear. Is it a new form of warrior clothing? Are you a soldier?" he went on, and I shook my head, my stress level rising to a point where it had never risen before.

"Ah, no, I'm not a warrior. I'm, I'm-" I struggled to say, and I bit my tongue as the man looked at me with interest. "I mean, yes, I am." Seeing him nod, I mentally slapped myself. I just told the man I was from Greece where many, almost all men, became warriors as their profession. It was either theatre, or the military, or fulltime farming. I haven't learned a lot about Ancient Greece, but I do know some things. Hopefully with the information I know about the Ancient Greeks will strengthen my lie. I had to seem more realistic because if I'm caught… Shaking the thoughts away from my mind, I pulled my gaze away from him to look around the home.

The first thing I noticed was that the structure was quite large to be a farmer's home. During my studies and the things Grandpa would tell me about Ancient Egypt's village, I had learned and thought that farmers, because of their low status, had rooms that weren't very, large. Even when I was walking up to the house with Mana I noticed that it was way below the average sized home on the outside. Now it was clear to me that it was just a misconception of mine. I wasn't sure about the home size of other farmers in the village, but this man's house may be an exception due to the fact that these people fed the palace and therefore was a bit wealthier than the others.

I stopped walking when I stepped into an opened area in the house. It was small, just around the size of my bedroom back home. Reed mats laid on the floor, used as a place where they would sit, eat and relax during the day, and in the upper corner of the room sat a little cooking fire where the wife of the home would grind wheat to make bread and prepare food for her family, and for the Royals. And to confirm my thoughts, just alongside the mini "kitchen" sat almost a dozen bags of wheat and a few baskets filled with a variety of vegetables and fruit. Looking to the other side of the home, I noticed that there were two doorways, probably leading to the bedrooms in where cots and baskets were laid for them to sleep and keep their clothing in. Just next to those doorways stood a smaller space, and I was almost certain that the room had to be a washroom where they bathed.

"What's your name?" the man asked me, and slowly he sat down on one of the mats, gesturing downwards for me to follow suit. He did so awkwardly, and from his face I could tell that he just didn't know what to do with me. I was after-all a stranger from another land at his home. And, to make it even more weird, I had a strong resemblance to their Prince. Of course they would be cautious.

As he coughed to himself, I made my way over to the mat across from him and sat down. Gulping, I fiddled with my hands as I thought deeply to myself. I had just told the man that I was from Greece, but now I had to think of a name to match! What Greek name do I know?! Struggling to come up with a name, my eyes widened when a familiar one lit up in my brain, the image of the card dancing around my mind.

"Timaeus," I answered him, and I watched anxiously as he hummed in response.

"Timaeus?" he repeated slowly to himself, and I took a deep breath, and nodded.

Timaeus was definitely a Greek name. It meant, to honour, and there was one card in my dueling deck back at home that owned the name. The Eye of Timaeus, it's called, and it's one of my most powerful dragons. But, just as a smile appeared on my face, it was wiped away when I remembered that I had told Mana that my name was Yugi. I didn't think that I would have to change my name. With my head pounding, I smiled at Ramose who was looking at me intently. How was I going to fix this? Getting caught in a lie most certainly wasn't on my list.

"Ramose? Who are you speaking with?"

Looking up as another person made their presence known, I watched as a woman dressed in course linen, a shawl wrapped around her shoulders come out from one of the rooms with a basket filled with white cloth. With big, brown, surprised eyes she stared at me for a second and clutched the basket tighter before turning to no doubt her husband. She stood still, frozen, unsure of what to do while Ramose looked up at her with a curious gaze. Seeing her fear, Ramose stood up and made his way over to her. He spoke quietly to the woman, and as he did I turned my gaze back to the ground before me. I couldn't hear what he was telling her, but surely it was to explain who I was and where I popped up from.

"Get him some proper clothing," I then heard Ramose say a bit louder now, a sign that their hushed conversation was complete, and I looked up to see him watching his wife disappear back into the room. He turned back to me. "Are you hungry?" he asked, and at that question I didn't know how to answer him. I didn't want to inconvenience him, but I was also very hungry. I looked back up at him to see him still staring at me, and slowly I nodded.

"Alright," he said, and I watched as he walked into the kitchen and began to pick up some fruits. While he did that, his wife returned with a few clothes hanging from her arm. Slowly she walked towards me, and with her eyes to the floor she held them out for me to take.

"You can wear these," she said quietly. "The bathroom is over there with some water that you can use."

Tentatively taking the clothes from her, I stood up, noticing the gap between us. I was a strange man to her, so her distance was understandable along with Ramose's keen gaze which I could see him giving me from the corner of my eye. "Thank you," I said, and she nodded before retreating back into the room.

Slowly I treaded the short distance across the living room into the washroom. As soon as I stepped in, I looked around. Just like the rest of the home was made with the dried mud, so was the bathroom. The bucket sat in the middle, and I could see a little hole in the wall where perhaps the water drained itself from the wash area. The clay pot sat in the middle of the room, and looking around, I noticed a long cloth, almost resembling a shower curtain, hanging at the side of the doorway.

"You can pull that," Ramose called, and I looked at him only to see his intrigued expression. Feeling my face heat up, I pulled the curtain, plunging the room into darkness. It wasn't so dark because the light of the lamp could be seen through the white curtain, so that made me quite pleased. I hung the clothes made of course linen on a little rope that was strung against the wall, and after a few more moments of inspecting, I took a deep breath and just leaned back against the dried mud. The entire home only made me feel anxious, and the gazes Ramose kept giving me weren't so comforting. It felt as if he was inspecting me, and I don't know if it's because I lied and my own guilt was scaring me, or because I felt as if he knew I was lying.

Stripping down after another sigh and pushing myself away from the wall, I took everything off and threw them in a corner before crouching and taking the little clay bowl that was in the corner. I touched the water in the jug only to hiss and pull back, only to just dive forward and get the bath over with. Cringing as the cold water touched my skin, rolling off my body and splashing on the ground, I breathed in and out deeply, shivering. This was clearly going to take some time getting used to.

Standing after I was done, I grabbed the small rag on the rope and proceeded to dry my body off. My skin was a bit red from the icy water, but I was as clean as I was ever going to be. Picking up the tunic that was brought for me, I realised that it was a bit big since Ramose was a lot bigger than I, but again, it would have to do. Drooping that across my arm, I looked at the other pieces of cloth, only to still with horror. This was Ancient Egypt. Underwear didn't exist. Lion-cloths did, but, wearing that was not something I wanted to do. Looking at the clothes, it didn't take long for me to identify what pieces were supposed to be used for the loincloth. There was also a shendyt, and mentally groaning, I looked back to my clothes that were sitting in the corner of the room. I had no other option. Twisting my lips, I hung the clothes back on the rope and grabbed my underwear from the pile. I would have to wash it and wear it wet. Another thing that would just have to due until further notice.

Two minutes later, I pulled back the curtain and stepped barefoot out into the living room with my old clothes in one hand, and the rag hiding the lion-cloth in the other. I wore the shendyt and the tunic, and I did have to admit that it was quite comfortable. I stood still when Ramose's wife came up and took the rag from me, and reluctantly she removed my old attire that I may not ever see again from my arms.

"Finished?" Ramose asked, and I pursed my lips together and nodded when I saw him step out from one of the rooms.

"Yes, I'm feeling much more refreshed. Thank you."

"Come, eat," he said, and again he led me on to the reed mats. We sat, and in a short moment his wife reappeared and handed me a clay bowl and a cup.

"Timaeus, this is my wife, Senisonbe," he told me while I took the utensils from her.

"Hello," I said to her, and she nodded solemnly before moving to sit close beside her husband on the reed mat. She pulled a basket filled with cloth that was sitting in the corner, and I looked on as she picked a white, course linen up. From her movements she seemed to be sewing a tunic of some sort, her copper eye needle going back and forth carefully. Chain stitches were evident as she sewed up the sides, and I was transfixed on what she was doing, mostly seeing as to how there was little difference in the way things were sewn. It would be great to actually see how the cloths were created, but I already knew and could tell that I was tough labour. Women were the ones who held up the task of weaving the fibers of plants into cloth, so it was no surprise to me to see her work so skillfully, especially during this time. She was even fashionable, a belt made from rope and decorated with clay beads hanging from her waist, and an amulet of the goddess Tawaret wrapped around her neck with a piece of papyrus string.

Pulling my eyes away from what she was doing, I looked into the bowl to see that it was just a piece of bread and some fruits. There seemed to be a few grapes, and a few dates. I wasn't a big fan of dates, but here it was considered a staple diet. In the cup, I picked it up and took a sip, only to have my face scrunch up as the heavy tang of beer invaded my taste buds. I didn't drink beer or alcohol of any kind in the future, and here I'm given the strongest beer known to mankind. There was a lot of things I would have to get used to, and this home alone was changing everything about me since I arrived.

"I have a son too," Ramose trailed on, and I turned towards him, washing down the taste of the beer with a grape and a piece of bread. He was staring at Senisonbe as she worked quietly before bringing his eyes back to look at me. "His name is Merimose. He's quite old, around ten summers. I would let you meet him as well, but perhaps he's gone to sleep."

"No, he's not," Senisonbe said suddenly, her voice low, but we both heard her and our eyes fell on her as she spoke. "He's…" she paused, finding words to explain before looking up at Ramose. "He's hiding."

"Tell him to come out, then," Ramose said, but she shook her head.

"He doesn't want to come out. He said that he was going to sleep as soon as I told him that, um…"

Ramose was quiet, and looking at his wife a bit longer, he turned towards me with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, but Merimose usually isn't shy like this."

"It's alright," I said. "He doesn't have to come out if he doesn't want to." And quickly I ate the last grape and tried to swallow down the beer as fast as I could. Wasting wasn't good manners, and luckily there wasn't much beer for me to get drunk off of- I hoped.

"I planned on having you sleep in his room, though," Ramose explained, and I watched him uncertainly as Senisonbe took the bowl and cup away from me. I hiccupped, looking on as he sighed before getting up.

"Merimose!" he called, and I looked at his retreating back as he walked into the nearest room. Senisonbe sat awkwardly on the mat, sewing quietly, leaving me to just sit there waiting. And as I waited, my thoughts crashed down, the pile of worries refusing to leave me alone.

Just how long was I going to be here? What do I do? I was terrified of what the future had in store for me, and the more I thought about it the more troubled I got. I sighed, crossing my legs and putting my hands in my lap while biting the inside of my mouth nervously, Shadi's words about me fulfilling my destiny running through my mind. I had to save the Nameless Pharaoh, and if I really have to do that, I would be frightened to death. I am frightened to death. But, I met Mana, and she shone this light on the Prince, the Nameless Pharaoh, that made me rethink that there may be something not so scary about him. He seemed quite normal for a young boy. Was my initial thought right when I had first heard about him? Was this all just a misunderstanding on my part, and everyone else's part? I couldn't tell. There was no proof stating otherwise. Either way, just what was I going to do? I had no sense of direction. But, I was stuck here until who knows when. Atleast I had some people here that can give me some direction in at the moment. I don't know them yet, but they will take care of me and guide me for now.

"Merimose, come on out and say hello to our guest." Hearing Ramose's light order, I looked up when the man entered the living room with a young boy wrapped around his leg, hiding behind him. I watched as the boy looked at me from behind his father. "He is very kind. Don't be afraid. You're my son so stop hiding like a coward," Ramose told him, but the boy still didn't move.

"Hello, Merimose," I said as warmly as I could in hopes of easing his fear, and the boy's brown eyes remained locked on mines. "My name is, Timaeus."

He looked down, and with a gentle push from Ramose, he was brought out from behind Ramose to stand on his own. Now that I could see him, he looked quite old to be around only ten summers, or, ten years old. He seemed to be around fifteen. Then again, children did grow up faster during these time periods. At this age he's preparing for his own future, so no wonder he looked so old. He's seen hardship and had to work, but yet I could see that there was this spark of childishness hiding within him.

"Hi," Merimose said, and he bit his lip and shuffled uncomfortably from one foot to the next, his shendyt, the only thing that he was wearing, rising as he moved back and forth.

"Timaeus will be sharing your room," Ramose said to him, and I watched as the boy stilled and looked at me with a tint of worry in his eyes.

"Is that okay with you, Merimose?" I asked, and quickly he turned to me and nodded before disappearing behind his father again. Ramose shot the boy a stern look before turning back to me.

"Alright, Timaeus. It's quite late and I have to wake up early tomorrow. You have had a long day as well, so let's all retire for tonight." I stood, and I watched as Ramose patted Merimose's back. "Senisonbe took out the extra cot we have and there's a sheet that you can use. Please, make yourself comfortable," he said softly, almost a whisper, but I heard his words.

"Alright," I said to him. "Thank you so much for your hospitality."

"It's no problem," Ramose said, and while Senisonbe blew out one of the oil lamps which made the home that much darker, Ramose picked up the other lamp and handed it to me. "Use this until you get settled in. Do remember to blow it out before you sleep. It will attract insects." I took the lamp gently and held it by the handle in my hand.

"I will."

He nodded, and together he and Senisonbe went into their room, and I followed Merimose into his. He remained quiet, avoiding trying to speak with me, but I allowed it. He too was uncomfortable with me, and to be honest, I didn't want to converse with people right now. The less I spoke, the better it would be for me.

As soon as I entered the room, Merimose pulled the curtain which hung by a rope to cover the doorway, and quickly crawled on to his cot, covering himself up with the linen sheet which left me to believe that the other cot was mine. I walked over to it, and while I did, I looked around. The room was small. The two cots were situated in the corner with enough space separating the two in between. A few baskets were lined against the wall, each one filled with clothes. There were no windows, but it was still cool in the room, the dried mud creating quite a great insulation. I took a look over at Merimose to see him looking at me, and realising that he was caught staring, his eyes widened and he turned around to face the wall. Grinning a bit at his curiosity, I put the lamp down and crawled on to the cot. It was stiff, but seemed fine enough. I laid down, and before I could put my head down, I picked up the lamp. Taking one last look around the room, I sighed deeply before blowing it out and quickly hiding myself with the sheet, covering myself from head to toe. I wasn't taking any chances with the bugs.

Under the sheets, I closed my heavy eyes to see nothing but more darkness, and it didn't take long for my body to relax and just sink into the cot. My entire system slowed down, and hearing absolute silence, I just felt so at peace, my worries seeming to have vanished. Now I was able to rest my heavy eyes after the long day, but as soon as I thought I had drifted off into the abyss of my mind, I felt something.

There. The end of the chapter once again. It was still very difficult to write, but hopefully I left enough mystery and questions and it is more realistic. Uncertainty about what I was writing was very high, and I took long to update because I just couldn't figure out what to do with the information, especially how to organise it. Tell me what you think, please. It will really ease me frustrated mind. xD

Review! And thank you. :)

Bye~