I don't need saving. I'm just a slave.
Chapter 12 The small things that happen
Italics are spoken in Egyptian
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Joey shivered and clung to Seth's forearm, the taller of the two letting him cling tightly enough his hand was going numb. The box like structure creaked and groaned in a non-existent wind. Chains glinted dully from their places wrapped around the wooden and mud walls. "It doesn't look strong, what if he gets out?" Joey pressed his face into the back of the priests shoulder.
"Here, in the mind and soul of a human being, even the thinnest papyrus can be as strong as a steel sword. As long as you believe it is, it will be." Seth turned to the blond "You are unconscious."
Joey nodded "I know."
"You should not be even able to see me let alone respond." the tall brunet looked around at the now blank landscape "this control over your inner self, it is astonishing. But, for now, I need you to relax into yourself. That way I can see your mind, as it is when you do not control it. Once I have judged your mind, I will awaken you to the real world."
Joey shivering subsided a little. "Ok, but you promise he wont get out of that cage?" Seth nodded and smiled down at him as he looked up at those piercing blue eyes. "Will it hurt?"
Seth blinked "No, of course not. How this should have happened was tomorrow, I would have approached you in the arena, with you marked with the symbols of air. I would have asked you for permission to enter your mind, had you granted it, you would have drunk a sleeping drought and I would have entered your mind to judge." Joey nodded and relaxed his grip on the older mans arm. "You might wake up with a headache because I entered your mind while you were unconscious rather than asleep."
"So what happens tomorrow?" Joey let the priests arm go and took a step back. The overwhelming fear had subsided and weariness took its place.
Seth thought for a moment "The Pharaoh and I may have to enter your mind due to the need for the Gods to bare witness to your trials. If its ok with you, I'll quickly take a look now so when tomorrow comes I will know if you try to deceive us" Seth held up his hand (not the one Joey had been clinging to) to prevent the blond for interrupting "I know you probably wouldn't but I must make sure that the results of your challenges are in no doubt"
Joey sighed and nodded in understanding "Ok" looking around Seth watched a faint smile bloom on the blonds face as a small pallet appeared on the floor beside him. Kneeling he pulled a side of the blanket from under the pallet and lay down. Looking up somewhat shyly he blushed "will you stay with me until I fall asleep?" Seth smiled and walked over to the boy.
Kneeling he pulled the blanket from his hands and tucked it in around him "of course I will. I'll keep an eye on your new..." he looked at the wooden and mud structure "safety measure, for you." Joey smiled and relaxed into the lumpy mattress.
Seth watched as the boy relaxed and slowly fell asleep. As his breath evened out the blond mumbled a few words before drifting off completely. Seth sat frozen for a few moments, an unexplainable sorrow filling him from those three words. "I'm safe here."
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Seth lent back against the wall, the blond's head still in his lap. Looking down at the boy he let his gaze rest on the large gash in his side. The bandages were stained red in some parts. The blue eyed noble hung his head, bronze strands of his hair hung in his eyes. Sighing, Seth carefully lifted the boys head off of his lap and stood. Quietly he walked out of the room and lent against the wall opposite the door way.
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Tristan sighed as he looked around the entrance chamber. He was on shift once again and his armour was weighing him down. A sudden commotion at the entrance caused him to grip his sword hilt, a frown marring his face. "Let me in! Damn it. I have a right to see that little bastard!" Tristan looked at the other three high ranked guards, also known as the royal guard. They stepped forward as one, exiting the entrance hall to bar the way of the intruder. Runihura glared at the Royal guard rom the arms of a burly sentry. "Unhand me! I am a Lord and you will unhand me this instant!" he screamed, his fat face turning red in his anger. Tristan stepped forward and drew his sword, swinging the blade until the tip rested against the mans throat.
"You are no man that is raised to the station of Lord. Each Lord is known to us by face and name. Oh and on that note, state your name and real rank please." Runihura's face got redder, some areas darkening to an almost purple complexion.
The angered man struggled against the sentries hold before shouting "I do not answer to the likes of you!" Tristan to a great the respond but was cut off.
"But you will answer to me" a voice suddenly called. no guard turned. Each of them knew that sadistic toned voice. Runihura on the other hand, craned his neck to glance over the Royal guard's shoulder. framed by the impressive doors stood Bakura. his white hair and rust red eyes flashed in the setting sun's light. "Answer the question."
Runihura grimaced and tried to pull his arms from the sentry, when that failed he glared at the burly man before turning to Bakura "I am Runihura. I am a high class merchant and i have come for my son!" Bakura smirked.
"We'll you'll just have to turn around and leave without him. He is at the service of the great Pharaoh at the current moment." the fat merchant growled under his breath. suddenly, with a flash of darkness Bakura was standing nose to nose with the man "I'm sorry, I didn't hear that."
Runihura stiffened before glaring at the white haired demon of a man "nothing my Lord." Bakura indicated for the sentry to release him and watched as the merchant sauntered out of the palace.
Glancing at the Guards and sentry he commanded them to spread word that that man was not permuted in the confines or boundaries of the palace. "If he tries to sneak in, detain him and contact High Preist Seth, Marik'ie or myself. Understood?"
A chorus of yessir's echoed in the entrance doors.
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Joey stood in front of the challenge arena doors once more. He shifted nervously from one foot to the other. The statues that stood to each side of the door way, had changed. No longer did the Winged God Of Re stand on the left but he now seemed to be draped over the top of the arching ancient wood. Siefler The Sky Dragon stood now on the left. Obelisk The Tormentor to the right. Joey swallowed hard and looked himself over. Last time he had been dressed in a jade green tunic that covered his shoulders and reached his knees, now he wore a single garment, a robe of some kind in a dusky grey. A sash of bright yellow was tied around his waist. His lower legs were covered this time, only his feet and arms were bare.
He ignored the sight of the healing cuts, bruises and old scars covering his arms. Painted on the back of each hand, foot and on his forehead was the symbol of the memory world that was the mind. It consisted of a swirling spiral with a line connecting the end and beginning, Joey's name written beneath it and the symbol for air. The gong sounded just as it had the last time and he passed through the ancient wooden doors. this time though instead of a sunken circle of stone he stepped down into a shallow pool. the surface of the water was dotted with floating lilies and clusters of reeds. standing in the centre of the pool was the Pharaoh and the High Priest. The Thief King and Tomb Keeper stood farther away as witnesses and nothing more. Joey approached the two Lords and bowed his head. The Pharaoh nodded to Seth and the challenge began.