Chapter 14

Yugi's sleep was restless, but it wasn't until Yami appeared in his dreams and they turned erotic that he awoke -- tangled in the sheet, and sticky with sweat and the inevitable aftermath of such dreams. With a groan, he un-mummified himself and went into the tiny shower to rinse off. He pulled on a fresh t-shirt and boxers, then spread Sugoroku's papers out on the bed and tried to decipher the riddle of his grandpa's whereabouts from the notes. Eventually, he dozed off again, no closer to solving the mystery than before.

The strong scent of heavy incense filled the air around him, so sweet and thick he could taste it on his tongue. The room was deep in shadows and as silent as a tomb. He took a deep breath of dry, stale air. The heat was oppressive, suffocating. He moved, trying to stand, and found his arms and legs were bound.

Panicking, he shifted, straining at the bonds, and realized he was lying against a wall of gold, stretching up toward the distant ceiling. It took a minute for him to recognize the thing he was lying against -- a golden funeral shrine, like the one found in Tutankhamun's tomb. He twisted his neck, peering around him with wide eyes. More burial goods surrounded him -- golden statues, a funerary couch shaped like an elongated lion, boxes and baskets and chests filled with objects the deceased might need in the afterlife. Everywhere he looked, everything he saw pointed to one conclusion.

He was trapped in a tomb--

His own shout woke him. Panting, Yugi sat up. He was in his cabin on the River Horse, sprawled on the bed with Sugoroku's papers scattered around him, not bound in a sweltering tomb somewhere in the dark. That nightmare... That was Sugoroku's. That must be where he was being held.

He had to tell Yami.

Yugi scrambled from the bed and yanked on the first clothes he came to in the closet. He was just fastening his jeans when a soft knock came from the door. Automatically, he glanced at his watch. Who would be knocking on his door at five-thirty in the morning?

Cautiously, he opened the door, then blinked in surprise at Mana. The young guide held a tray laden with breakfast food, the aroma of which made his stomach growl. Mana's smile showed some strain, but her tone held her usual cheer. "We made excellent time last night, and will dock in Aswan shortly. Mr. Crawford noticed you didn't finish your dinner, so he suggested I bring you an early breakfast."

"That's very thoughtful of you, Mana. Thank you." He stepped back so she could bring the tray inside and place it on the built-in dresser. "It smells delicious."

"Oh, good." Mana toyed nervously with the hem of her blouse. "I wasn't sure what you would like, but I hope you'll enjoy it." She hesitated in the doorway. "Um. Will you be exploring Aswan on your own, or will you join us for the tour of the Aga Khan's mausoleum?"

Covering a yawn with the back of his hand, Yugi shook his head. "I think I'll stay onboard this morning. I didn't sleep well and I could use the rest."

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that." Despite her words, his revelation seemed to lighten her spirits. "I think it's a very good idea, Mr. Mutou. You should stay on the ship and get lots of rest today!"

"All right..." Yugi watched her bounce up the corridor, then closed the door. Women were so confusing.

Shaking his head again, he wandered over to see what she'd brought him. There were several dishes -- more of the ful medames that seemed to be a ubiquitous breakfast food throughout Egypt, some freshly baked bread, a bowl of rice, and some fruit. A pot of Earl Grey tea also sat on the tray. Yugi poured a cup and downed it in one go, hoping the jolt of caffeine would be enough to clear his head.

He sat on the bed to eat, scarfing most of the fruit and about half the rice before pushing the tray away. He'd nearly drained the teapot, but he felt more tired than ever. He rubbed at his eyes and yawned. Something seemed off, but... He shook his head, but the cobwebs only thickened. He stared blindly down at the tray in front of him, trying to force his brain into gear. What was wrong with him?

The room started to spin.

Yami. That thought, at least, was clear. He needed to get to Yami. Remembering the key Yami had given him, he fumbled for it on the nightstand, then staggered to his feet. He needed to tell Yami ...something. What? Oh, yeah, the dream. He had to tell Yami about Sugoroku and the incense-choked tomb serving as his prison. Yami needed to know about that right away. It was important.

Yugi fought his way down a corridor that seemed to expand and contract around him. He listed into the walls, ricocheting off them like a ball bearing in a pachinko game. The world spun lazily around his head.

He'd made it as far as the upper stairway before he realized what was happening to him. He'd been drugged!

His first thought was to get help. But who could he trust? Only Yami.

Using his hands to find the way and pull him along, he made it to Yami's cabin. His hands trembled as he fumbled at the lock, finally managing to get the door open. He shoved at it and fell into the cabin. Yami-- Yami would help him.

Gray shadows nibbled at the edges of his sight, but Yugi managed to focus on the figure standing in front of Yami's closet door. The figure that wasn't Yami. Recognition hit and, along with it, fear.

"You!"