Age of Majesty
Chapter 15
" If they went through the passage," Kalim said nervously to the enraged Pharaoh, " They would have appeared right behind the walls here."
" Would Bakura know of this passage?" Shada asked Isis.
" I do not know." She replied regretfully.
" Sire, the ships have launched the attack on the Nile." Someone ran in to report, but no one in the courtroom was paying any attention, not to mention it was something Pharaoh Atemu had been expecting for a while and did not need more than an acknowledgment from him.
" He would have needed to free himself." Kalim said out loud what everyone was thinking. " Somehow he would need to free himself, open the shaft...from below. In which case, it should have been pushed up into the tunnel."
There was a silence. It was obvious what had happened: someone helped Bakura escape.
" High Priest Seto knows of this passage." Kalim said out loud. Everyone else was wise enough to keep this thought silent, because if the Pharaoh's mood was bad enough, he might kill anyone who would even hint at such a heinous crime.
There was a long silence.
" High Priest Seto does know of this passage." Atemu replied. " And Seto would never help someone like Bakura. However, 'Adjo' may not be the same. Nor does 'Adjo' know who Bakura is, or why he was being held." His mind was a lot more focused now, though cold fury still ran through his veins.
" But how would he remember the passage?" Isis asked.
" No doubt he remembers some things about this place." Atemu replied. " However," He paused, " We are not the only ones he is indebted to now." He turned around. There was something that does not make sense about Bakura's escape. He had been certain the thief had no intention of running away. " Find them." He ordered his priests, before walking out of the courtroom.
Isis looked at Mahaado. " It does not seem right." She repeated Atemu's earlier thoughts, but the Pharaoh was now out of hearing range. " It makes sense for the thief to run; he has no reason to stay. But why would Seto go with him?"
" Assuming he did go with him willingly." Kalim replied.
" No." Shada shook his head. " At this point we can be almost certain Bakura would not force Seto into doing anything."
" But if he is so benign," Mahaado, who had not met Bakura in person, pointed out, " He could still convince Seto that leaving would be better for him. From Seto's current point of view, we know him but he no longer knows us. And Bakura is a person he trusts. Seeing him in prison would undoubtedly frighten him. He would believe Bakura's argument. And Bakura would have a reason to bring Seto with him; he could use Seto as leverage so that we do not kill him."
" Or," Isis said suddenly, " Bakura might have learned something."
There was a heavy pause.
" Bakura does not know Seto is a Light Mage?" Mahaado asked.
" He does now." Isis began walking quickly towards the temple. The others followed. " Purging is a painful ordeal. Bakura would not want Seto to go through with it, if Seto is able to do without it while living with Bakura. No doubt the thief felt Seto is safer with him than with us."
" How did he learn?" Shada asked, instantly realizing the Tauk had shown Isis a vision.
" He overheard during their escape." Isis replied. Then, after a pause, she said, " Seto had freed Bakura with the intention of simply saving the thief's life, not to go with him. They were waiting there, by that wall, when they heard us talking about the coming procedures."
" And he decided to take Seto with him?"
" No doubt he feels he is doing Seto a favor."
" Where would they be headed?"
" I do not know." Isis shook her head. " The Tauk refused to show."
" So we have no idea where Bakura is." Shada stopped, causing everyone to slow down with him. " He is good at hiding his shadow magic. It is no wonder Seto never got sick with him."
" But if Bakura ever has to use his magic, Seto would get sick instantly."
" We will do a similar search for Seto as we did earlier." Isis nodded at Shada. " Kalim, Mahaado, perhaps you can attend to the affairs of the navy; His Majesty is worried about his very much alive cousin, but with the military in motion, they will require some aid from us."
" That would be wise." Kalim agreed. Mahaado nodded as well.
" Let us begin." Isis waved at Shada as they headed into the temple.
oO
" Wati, where are we going?" Seto asked as Bakura literally dragged him out into the streets.
" I don't know." Bakura turned around to tell him. " Far away from here."
Seto did not complain again, until they reached the other side of the capital, where, out of breath, the boy begged to be allowed to rest a little.
Bakura let him. They had gone considerably far in a short amount of time, and inconspicuously enough. As Seto rested, he stood on guard. He wanted to make sure they were not found before Seto recovers.
" Why were they going to hurt me?" Seto asked.
Bakura noted Seto should have asked this much earlier. " Because you are a Light Mage." He said quietly. " And Light Mages are traitors of Egypt."
" Why?" Seto asked, frightened. " What did we do?"
Bakura hesitated. " It is not really what you've done. It is what you are. The government is run by Shadow users. You are a Light user. Shadow and Light cannot exist together. Not as magic."
" But you're a Shadow user."
Bakura was silent. Since when did Adjo develop this ability to stump him all the time? " Yes." He said finally. " I am."
Seto regarded him for a moment, then lowered his head.
" That rod." The boy said softly. " It felt so...wrong. But so familiar. Like I should have taken it."
" It was yours." Bakura would know. He had tried to steal it. " Though Ra knows how you managed to carry it with you all the time, being what you are." No wonder he was so sick. Seto definitely must not return to the palace.
" I don't get it." Seto shook his head. " They seemed nice. They seemed familiar."
Bakura gritted his teeth a little. " I know." He said solemnly.
Seto continued to sit, and Bakura allowed him to run the idea over his mind. After a while, he said, " We should get moving."
Seto did not move at first, but eventually he stood. Bakura held out his hand, and the other boy took it.
" Do you trust me?" Bakura asked.
Seto nodded gravely.
Bakura remained still, trying to quiet the emotions stirring in his heart. " Let's go."
oO
The spirit in gold was laughing darkly in his mind, for Gahiji had discovered the squad leader in charge of the origin of the Nile was a non-shadow user.
Fools! Zorc spat, then chuckled again gleefully. The river is ours!
It was incredibly hot and humid, much more so than up in Egypt. The air shimmered as if in a desert, and everything blurred together in a lazy haze. Gahiji wanted nothing more to go to sleep at this time, but they had a task to fulfill. He concentrated on the squad leader, black-skinned and well-muscled, with a strict face covered in sweat.
You have an order to give. Gahiji directed, as Zorc instructed. Take out some papyrus, or whatever you people write on.
But the man was not literate, nor were his people. The tribe in charge of the origin actually had no idea what they were protecting. They had simply posted guards, like any tribe, to look out for lions that would attack the women and children of the village. All these long years, as Egypt developed, no one had thought, save the great High Priest Seto, that the mouth of the Nile was anything other than a simple blessing from the gods. There was no need to give any order. All Gahiji had to do was brainwash the village and the river would be his.
And the village had no shadow users; no defense against Gahiji, or Necrophades.
Soon, Seto will be mine. Gahiji thought with glee, as he murmured a soft spell and the man's face laxed into stupor. So much for a battle. This is like killing babies. No resistance at all.
Do not get too cocky. Zorc warned. The Pharaoh comes yet, with his navy.
But the Pharaoh does not know this land, and Gahiji is, himself, a formidable enough shadow user. There was time for him to adapt to his whereabouts before any navy comes to attack him. Not to mention, with the Lord of Shadows on his side, Gahiji knew that the odds were with him. So we get the mouth of the river. What next?
oO
Kisara adjusted her hood as she walked, trying her best to ignore the sickening presence of the old priest some distance away. They were to separate and trap Seto and Bakura in the capital while they were still there, but some barriers must be built.
Well, Bakura would not take Seto to the Shadow Realm as long as he could help it. This was good for Kisara and Seto, but bad for Seto's moronic father. Akenadon would very much prefer to be able to sense his wayward son, which is doubtful even if Bakura does end up going to the Shadow Realm.
She rubbed the bridge of her nose as she walked. Mixed breed or not, she felt no obligation toward High Priest Seto. Yet here she was, pretty much risking her life for him. The gods have an odd sense of humor.
At long last, the dreaded moment had come. The doors of the inconspicuous inn opened for her. She headed inside and took a look around. The place was empty, with no surprise, as the doors said the inn was closed for the day.
" I never knew you were the one to take breaks." Kisara called out, knowing she would be heard.
A shuffling noise, and another woman stepped out.
" Kisara!" She cried. She was an older woman, slightly overweight, but with dark intelligent eyes and a kind face. " I had wondered when you would come! Come, sit, sit."
Kisara sat, but stiffly. " Amisi," She began, " I have news."
" Good heavens," Amisi took in her expression. " What happened? Is something wrong?"
Something is always wrong; they were Light Mages, a wrong breed. But this, Kisara felt, topped any other bad news Amisi could think of.
She told Amisi everything.
When Kisara finished her narrative, the other woman was silent for a long while.
" I have heard of the name." She said at last. " Zorc Necrophades. If what you say is indeed true, there is little time left. The clan is in hiding, so much so it would be difficult to rally them in time." She paused. " If the Thief King is willing to have the High Priest by his side, despite being a Light Magician, it is possible we have a Shadow ally. What, think you, of the Pharaoh and his current priests?"
Kisara considered this. " The Pharaoh is young, and loves his cousin dearly. He may be conditioned to hate Light, but the youth are often radical and have the potential to be of more opened mind than the elderly. According to the vizier, the Pharaoh strove to purge his cousin rather than execute him. Though not the most promising decision, it shows he is not incapable of loving another, especially now that, to all appearances, the High Priest Seto has outlived his use."
" Has he?" Asked Amisi. " Intelligence is a long-lasting gem. It stretches far into time, long after beauty and grace."
" But intelligence is only valued when coupled with loyalty." Kisara pointed out. " The High Priest Seto, after the tournament, has joined forces with the Thief King, one who is most definitely not loyal to the Pharaoh."
" And the Pharaoh has not punished him for it." Amisi realized. " Very well. If we have the cooperation of the Shadow mages, we may stand a chance. I will rally those nearby and set up the barricade so the High Priest may be contained. We might even appeal to his Light side."
Kisara doubted it. The High Priest was known for his intelligence, not his kind heart. Still, as long as she was able to rally the other Light Mages, her work here has been accomplished.
oO
" Light Mage!" Bakura hissed to himself, pulling Seto back. " No doubt they know about you now."
" What?"
" Light mages." Bakura hissed again.
Seto blinked, but did not comment. He waited for Bakura to make any sign that things are alright again. But even when, from his angle, he could perceive no individuals on the street, the thief still did not seem to deem it safe to move out.
" How?" He heard Bakura wonder. " This wouldn't be public knowledge; they would keep it secret."
" What, my being here?" Seto asked.
" The fact that you are a Light Mage." Bakura replied.
" How do you know that they know I am a Light Mage?"
" Because," Bakura glared, " I can see the hunting intent. They may not be thieves, but everyone has that gleam in their eye when they are searching for something."
" They could be searching for anything." Seto replied doubtfully.
" Just trust me on this." Bakura snapped a little, dread making him irritable.
Seto looked at him steadily. " No doubt your instincts never failed you before." He said quietly.
Bakura heaved a sigh, his temper cooling at that. " I know they are looking for you. They wouldn't expose themselves otherwise. There has been no change."
" There could have been plenty of changes." Seto pointed out. " You do not know what the Pharaoh did in our absence."
" Announce to the whole world you are part Light Mage? Unlikely."
" You are not making a lot of sense." Seto insisted.
True, Bakura had to concede. Logically, he had no way to know for sure what the Light Mages were doing here. Even if they were searching for something, they could, as Seto had pointed out, be searching for anything, not necessarily Seto. He paused for a moment to wonder if he was just being paranoid, then decided that, paranoid or not, it was better safe than sorry.
" I do not want you falling into the hands of Light Mages." Bakura stated. He meant to say it in a steady voice, but his voice broke in the middle of his sentence. Heaven forbid, if Seto goes to the Light Mages, no doubt they will take him away and Bakura—well, the Light Mages were never able to stand Shadow users, or vice versa.
Seto was very quiet, as if sensing his dark mood. Bakura sighed again. He had never been so affected by these trivial things before. Seto had made him unbelievably soft. If someone had told him he would ever value someone more than he did himself back before the tournament, well, Ra would probably double over laughing himself.
Suddenly, they heard horses. Bright white Arabian steeds, their flanks rippling with power, charging down the streets. They pulled to a stop, stirring up dust. Seto drew closer to Bakura, who held out his arm to press the other back against the wall. The feel of the young body next to his gave Bakura some comfort. At least Seto was where he could take care of him.
" Who goes there?!" Called a voice, and Seto jerked at that. It sounded very much like a priest he knew, but could not remember…
There was silence, or at least, no one replied. There were sounds of gasps and feet on the dirt path.
" Light Mages," sneered the voice. " What are you dirtying these roads for?"
" This is our home as much as yours!" Cried a defiant female voice.
The horse whinnied as the priest in the front pulled on the reins harshly. " Conspiring again, are you?" He spat. " Arrest them."
" We did nothing!"
" Gathering at a time like this!" The priest shot back, " No doubt, with the battle for the Nile, you are trying to betray your country!"
" This is preposterous!"
" Save it!"
Sounds of horses, men dismounting, the cracks of whips against the brick walls. Cries, shouts, screams—Bakura looked back to see Seto's pale face. He grabbed Seto's thin wrist.
" Let us go." He whispered.
" What will happen to them?" Seto asked, still not quite remembering all the details of his life as a priest.
Bakura pulled at his arm, but Seto remained firm. The situation with the Light Mages was getting intense and desperate. Very soon one sorcerer attacked the priests, and a full scale battle instantly erupted.
" Go!" Bakura urged, and only then did Seto obey. They turned to run into Kisara.
Seto drew up, startled. Kisara stretched out her palm and suddenly Seto collapsed like a rag doll.
" Light Mage!" Bakura exclaimed, startled. Kisara tried to cast the same spell on him, but Bakura raised his Shadow shields. Beside him, on the ground, Seto shuddered at the exposure.
" You better not do that again." Kisara said calmly.
" Do not make me." Said the thief.
The two considered each other.
" What are you doing?" Bakura asked Kisara.
" Strangely enough," Kisara replied, " Helping High Priest Seto."
" Shouldn't you be helping your comrades there?"
" What do you think that is?" Kisara smirked a little.
Bakura stepped back. " A diversion."
Behind Kisara, more Light Mages stepped out. Bakura saw that he was surrounded, and there was no way to get out without calling the attention of the priests. Fortunately for the Light Mages, the thief was not willing to do that.
" Do not hurt him." Bakura found himself pleading. " He is one of you."
" We know." Now that she had backup, Kisara knelt by Seto's limp form. " We need his help."
The Light Mages came up against Bakura.
" Just as well you are in this as well." Kisara said absently. " In this world no one escapes the wrath of gods."
Behind her, Amisi waved, and the Light Mages raised their hands as one. Under their combined force, Bakura, too, fell unconscious, and dropped to the ground.