I don't need saving. I'm just a slave.
Do not own Yugioh, I do own the lullaby in the previous chapter.
Warning – angst, abuse, Yaoi content.
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Chapter 3 – Challenge
Four boys sat at the table. Three slept as the last remained wide awake, memories of his father and the pain the man inflicted flashing through his mind. As a tear fell from one eye he didn't notice a man and woman enter through the door opposite him. His gaze was locked onto the three boys as they slept. Reaching over he carefully brushed the hair out of Malik's face "No need to cry" he mumbled, then gently shifted Ryou into a more comfortable position "I'll hold you tight". Lastly he turned to Yugi and tugged lightly at the boys cloak so it would not choke him in his sleep "and I won't let go unless you ask me too". The movement of a chair across from the sleeping boys startled him. His head whipped up and his eyes locked with the man. His chestnut brown hair and icy blue eyes captivated the blond for a few moments. He was tall and lean, his stunning blue and light cream robes matched his eyes and pale skin. Silver bands were clasped around his upper arms and wrists, bejewelled with tiny sapphires, blue gold stones and lapis lazuli.
Seth was similarly captivated. The young man across from was his complete opposite. His shaggy blond hair framed his face, some bangs falling in front of his molten bronze eyes frozen in slight shock. His cream robes, ordained with a simple orange sash that notified him of a slavers household but of no rank, were ratty and tattered. This boy almost reminded him of a dog that had protected him and his little brother once before. He felt an instant liking for him, the boy shifted and the High Priest noticed the boy tense 'oh so he'll protect these slaves?' he thought and a slight smirk graced his lips.
Joey noticed the smirk and had to keep himself from flinching. He stood slowly and bowed his head "Good morn'in me Lord." he said automatically slipping into his street accent. The High Priest gestured for him to reseat himself and took a seat opposite him.
Seth frowned on the inside, not allowing the emotion to appear on his face 'he changed his voice. Note to self, find out why.' "You are the career of these boys?" Seth's voice was cold as he watched the blond.
"Yes me Lord. I was charg'd wit there safe'ety from the Slave camp ta 'ere." Joey kept his eyes down cast out of respect, yes, but also so his breath would remain in his chest and not be stolen from him by the captivating man across from him.
The High Priest nodded. Placing his elbows on the table he twined his fingers together and lent on the back of them. "then why not leave them at the gate? Why accompany them? And stop with the fake accent, I heard you singing before and the fake accent is giving me a headache."
Joey blushed slightly "Sorry my Lord. For both. If I had known I was not allowed to accompany them I would not have done so. I only wished to ensure they were safe and would remain thus." the blond kept his eyes averted from the priest as he looked the boys over "I felt it was my duty to protect them until I knew they would be ok. I also apologise if my singing disturbed you. They were having nightmares."
Seth sat back in his chair and looked the three boys over. He had seen them yesterday and he knew they would make fantastic gifts for his cousin and two friends. But this new boy, if he was a slave, perhaps he could buy this one too. "Your singing did not disturb me. And it is fine that you accompanied them. But who are you?"
Joey's blush deepened in colour. "I am Jounouchi Wheeler Katsuya of the Katsuya merchant house. My father is the Honourable Runihura Katsuya. A seller and buyer of commodities."
Seth frowned. If this boy was telling the truth he should have been wearing better clothes and a signal of his rank as a nobles son. "You don't appear as such" he said watching the boys eyes.
Joey bowed his head letting his bangs obscure his eyes and slouched in his seat "I am as a slave of my fathers household." his voice was quiet but Seth still heard it. Joey was spared from the High Priests response as the boys began to wake.
Yugi opened his eyes first and smiled at the new man at the table "Good Lord, well met." he said smiling and the High Priest nodded his head in acknowledgement as the other boys also greeted the noble man.
After a few minutes of questioning the boys Seth looked to the woman that stood by the balcony "Isis, if you would" he said and the woman stepped forward. The four boys rose to stand.
The Lady smiled "calm yourselves. I will check you over one at a time." the boys smiled at her and looked to Joey. Stepping out from his seat he bowed to the occupants of the room.
"I thank you for your hospitality good Lord and Lady. I will take my leave now if it pleases you. I see these boys are in safe hands." Yugi's face fell.
Seth again frowned on the inside. Standing he walked around the table to the boy "I shall lead you out, as it is you would probably get lost." Joey frowned and muttered something under his breath as he followed the man out the door "what was that? I didn't hear it." Seth said smirking down at the boy.
Joey blinked 'he has good hearing!' he thought then blushed "nothing My Lord." he said and the priest frowned.
"I did not ask if it was important." Seth said and the boy beside him clenched his fists.
Taking a breath Joey raised his head a little "I said I'm not a moron, I memorised the route on the way in." Seth felt his lips twitch in an involuntary smile.
"No one has spoken thus to me before" he said his voice even and cold. Joey flinched and looked down at his feet. Seth stopped and watched as Joey did also. The boy looked around and gasped. They stood beside a window that looked out into an enclosed garden. "You realy did wash to protect those boys didn't you?" the priest asked and Joey looked back at him though he avoided looking him in the eye.
"Yes My Lord" he said and waited, 'he'll hit me now, perhaps a few punches then throw me out' he thought and tensed slightly. Seth watched him. Slowly carefully he placed his finger under the boys chin and lifted it. Slowly the boy looked him in the eyes.
"what if I told you that you could have the chance to free them from slavery?" he asked. Joey blinked in surprise.
"I would ask you how." he said. And he could have sworn that he saw a flash of pride flash through the High Priest's eyes.
"A challenge." he said simply and led the boy down the hall. They turned twice and descended a set of stairs in silence.
Joey gaped at his surroundings. The canopy of leaves protected his fair skin from the burning sun. how he had managed to remain pale though he worked tirelessly in direct sunlight everyday was a mystery. The High Priest stopped beside a small river and looked down into the water. The blond boy slowly approached him and stood beside him. "It is known as the challenge of Body, Mind, Soul and Heart." the brunet said quietly and the blond looked at him questioningly. "There is actually four challenges, but fail one and you will fail all of them." Joey nodded.
"What would I have to do in each of them?" he asked and Seth turned to him.
"You will not know until you are in the challenge itself. Each is decided by the Pharaoh, myself and the two representatives of the people. Bakura Thief and Marik'ie Tomb Keeper." Joey nodded contemplating what he was being told.
"And it would allow Yugi, Ryou and Malik to be free?" he asked looking up at Seth. The High Priest nodded and Joey looked down at the water. A few moments passed until he looked back at the High Priest. "I'll do it. I wish to attempt the Challenge of Body, Mind, Soul and Heart."
(note – I have called Marik, Marik'ie. The ie sound is pronounced as a capital I sound.)