Disclaimer: Christianqueen does not own Yu-Gi-oh or any characters.
Cq: Aw drat
Ankh: giggles
cq: what's so funny
Ankh: Isis... she was really excited when she found out they were going to make her a lady of the court.
Cq:chuckles... and what about you?
Ankh:blushing-w-what about me?
Cq: smiling-what do you think about it?
Ankh: I have no objections
cq:--yeah right, you're jealous
Ankh: surprised-about what?
Cq: that Shada wants to marry her.
Shada:evil grin-is that true?
Ankh:feels his face turning red...with anger. His green eyes flash-If you harm one hair on her head...!
cq:--Ankh?
Cq sees Shada is gone.
Cq:where'd he go?
Ankh: never mind, your highness... onto the next chapter.
Cq:--what he said!
Chapter Summary
Lord Shada has come up with a crafty scheme to make Isis his bride. Will it work? Or will Ankhare talk her out of it before it's too late? R&R!
Previously in the Past...
Shada nodded himself, his eyes Ankh noticed, holding a bit of conceited victory.
"Are you aware that the Pharaoh would still like to bestow upon the girl..."
"Isis" Ankh said, watching Shada's moves ever so carefully.
"Yes, Isis, The Pharaoh would still like to bestow upon her the Millennium Necklace, and as I have heard, make her a lady of the court"
Ankh tried not to let his mistrust for the man before him, show upon his features.
Isis, a lady of the court? Ha! Shada was probably hoping for that, so that as soon as she became part of the court, he could take her hand in marriage!
Over my dead body! Ankh thought disdainfully.
Shada, having delivered his message, turned toward the door. "I will let you know when the Pharaoh has made his decision." he said as he walked off.
Ankh glared at the man with all his might, until Shada was out of sight.
The Past Continued...
Lord Shada walked into the throne room. King Hakizimana and Lord Mahado were discussing the matter of Ankhare and Isis.
"It really is about time that a woman was found to bear the Necklace" the Pharaoh said.
Mahado nodded. "Yes, My King, but where will we find such a girl?"
Shada stepped forward. "Did not the Physician say that he acquired a maid servant?" he asked.
Hakizimana nodded. "Yes, you are correct Shada, that is exactly what he said." Shada smiled maliciously.
"This does not feel right!" Priest Shimon whispered. Mahado nodded. "You are right Shimon, I will warn Ankhare at once!"
Mahado stood quietly with the priest, while Shada convinced the Pharaoh to seek audience with Isis.
Foolish, greedy, son of a camel! Mahado thought. Is he not aware that I can and will put a stop to his plans? How low does he think he'll get?
Little did Mahado know, he and the others were about to find out!
Cq: o-O -dun dun dun DUNNNN!
Ankh-Uh-oh!
Isis:x-x-Eek! (hides behind Ankh)
Ankh: (holds Isis close)- there, there my dear... all is well...(gulp)
Mahado: O-O(sweat drop)
A cloaked figure enters the room...3...2...1...
Figure: BOO!
Cq, Isis, Ankh jump and scream.
Shada dis hoods himself and starts cracking up
Ankh, Isis,Mahado and cq- SHADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
Mahado:--That's IT! You're going to the SHADOW REALM!
Ankh, Isis-(cheering quietly)-Yes!
Cq-guys!
Ankh, Isis-hehe sorry cq!
Mahado(sending Shada to the Shadow Realm)-Onto the next chappie!
Cq: ok guys... you can come out of hiding now
Ankh: Is he gone?
Cq: how come? Scared? (sniggers)
Ankh:- No! I was protecting Isis!
Cq: heh, yeah sure
Isis, he was!
Cq:- Ok, ok... onto the next chappie
Chapter Summary
While Shada is convincing the Pharaoh to meet with Isis, Ankhare is teaching Isis the work of his trade. While Isis is learning from Ankh, Ankh learns from Isis some interesting things about her background... What could they be?
"There now, keep pressing," Ankh said. Isis pressed and crushed harder. Ankh was teaching her how to use a pestle.
"The will not crush much more" Isis said, getting slightly annoyed. Ankh smiled. "Let me see what you have there"
He looked at it. The girl had done a fine job of crushing the aloe and witch hazel leaves into a fine powder. Now they were ready to be liquidated.
"Ah, a fine job, Isis, very good" Isis smiled. "Now I will show you how to make a paste out of it"
Isis nodded. Ever since she had been able to het up and walk, Ankh had taken her under his wing, and had taken the liberty of showing her what he did as a physician.
Today he was teaching her how to make a healing serum to put on her hand and back.
I pray her wounds will heal quickly. Ankh thought. The poor girl has gone through so much.
"Isis," Ankh started. She turned her face to him, a slight smile on her face.
Ah, Lord Jehovah! The man thought. What did I do to deserve the friendship of such a lovely young lady?
Blushing slightly, Ankh continued his question. "H-have you any family nearby?" he asked.
Isis' expression darkened. "Yes" she whispered.
"My grandmother lives in a village not far from here. I was captured when I was 12. I have not seen her since. I know that she was with cold when I was with her, now I know not whether she is sick or..."
To Ankh's surprise and dismay, Isis started to cry. Filled with compassion, Ankh took the girl into his arms as she wept.
Crooning softly, he rubbed her back. "What of your parents?" Ankh asked gently. Isis tried to compose herself, but failed miserably.
"Th-they b-b-both d-died when I was s-small, from a f-fever" she sniffed. "M-my grandmother w-was living with us, and she r-raised me u-until I was 11"
Isis continued to cry. Ankh crooned gently in her ear, rocking back and forth.
"Shhh now Isis... I know what it is like to lose a loved one" Ankh whispered.
"I lost my mother when I was 5 and my father when I was 16"
Isis looked at him, her deep sapphire orbs, flowing with tears.
She looked into his emerald ones and saw compassion, and kindness, and a hint of something else she could not place.
"I'm sorry" she whispered.
Ankh smiled. "Thank you... I too, am sorry for your loss... perhaps one day we shall go and visit your grandmother."
Hope and gratitude filled Isis's eyes. "You would do that?" shes asked.
Ankh nodded smiling. He was happy he'd cheered her up somewhat.
"Why not, after all, you are my friend, you are neither servant nor slave... I consider you my equal, as well as my apprentice"
Isis laughed happily now, throwing her arms around his neck. "Thank you... oh thank you Ankhare... thank you so much"
Ankh blushed big time. He gently pushed her off. "Now, I have a matter I must discuss with you..."
Ankh sighed as there was a knock at the door. "Who is it?" he called...
Who is it? O-O I'll update soon! R&R!
Ankh, Isis, Karim, Mahado, Khalfani, Shada: Ok!
Cq: Ok, notice how Ankh is trying to protect Isis, while Shada is getting more and more evil?
Ankh and Isis blush, smiling shyly at one another.
Shada growls.
Shada: Don't get too close Ankhare... she will be mine very shortly. XD (evil laugh)
Isis clings to Ankh for protection. He in turn puts his arms around her.
Ankh: Don't you DARE touch her!
Cq Mahado Karim: sweat drop.
Cq: Ok... I didn't mean for you guys to go to war here...- hehehe
Karim: See? What did I tell you?! Cough it up!
Mahado: gives Karim all the money in his cape- Aw-nubis!
Cq: Uhhh... tehehe?
Ankh and Isis start rolling on the floor laughing their heads off.
Mahado: --Gosh dangit! What in tarnation are ya'll laughin' at?
Cq: starts laughing: this isn't a western, Mahado... onto the next chappie!
Chapter Summary
As Ankhare starts tell Isis about the Millennium Items, and what Pharaoh's assumed decision is, Mahado walks in and asks to speak to Ankhare privately. The Physician refuses. Mahado gives up and proceeds to warn both of them about Shada's plans. Ankhare then tells Isis it's up to her to decide... the question is, is it really her decision to make? What will happen next? R&R!
"Come in!" Ankh called.
Mahado stuck his head in the doorway. "Ankhare? May I come in?"
Ankh turned toward the door. "Ah, Mahado, Please come in"
The courtier nodded and entered the room. "I'm sorry for disturbing you, but do you mind if I speak to you in private?"
Ankh glanced at Isis...she nodded. Ankh shook his head and smiled. He looked intently into Mahado's eyes.
"Your query greatly concerns young Isis here, does it not?"
Mahado stared at him in amazement. "How did you...?"
Ankh chuckled and shook his head again. "Nevermind that, my friend... let us just say that I have a gift."
Isis giggled a little. Ankh smiled at her.
"Isis, allow me to introduce one of my longtime friends, this is Lord Mahado, one of the courtiers in Pharaoh's court. Mahado, this is Isis."
Mahado smiled as he kissed Isis's outstretched hand. "So, this is our Lady-to-be... quite a fair maiden, wouldn't you say Ankhare?" Ankh shot Mahado a warning glare as Isis blushed.
Mahado grinned. A devilish thought crossed his mind, but he decided to wait to talk to Ankhare about it later. (A/N: I'll tell you when he leaves. -)
"On another matter," the courtier said, hoping to change the subject, secretly hoping Ankhare would stop glaring at him.
"The Pharaoh has come to the decision that he would like to seek audience with Isis, to meet with her."
Ankh raised an eyebrow. "Does this have anything to do with the Millennium Necklace?" he asked.
Surprised, Mahado nodded. "Yes, it does, why?" Ankh nodded. "Because Shada had said that he would let me know of the Pharaoh's decision."
By Set! Mahado thought. So the dirty dog was going to gloat to Ankhare about Pharaoh's decision?! Best that I warn him now, before it's too late!
"H-he did?" he asked. Ankh nodded.
"What were you going to tell us?" Ankh asked.
"The Pharaoh has chosen Isis to bear the Millennium Necklace. He would like to seek audience with her first before her endowment."
Ankh nodded. Though Mahado seemed to have said everything he'd needed to, Ankh felt that there was still something that the man was holding back. He'd talk to him later.
"Well, Isis, it is your decision... do you wish to have this or not?"
Isis poised in thought. "I am not sure" she said honestly. "I will have to think on it."
Ankh nodded. "How much time does she have?"
Mahado blinked. "Until I receive word that the Pharaoh has sent for her."
Ankh nodded. "You have until Mahado returns my dear. You are not pressured into this, it is entirely your decision to make." Isis nodded.
"But how do I know?" she asked Ankh in Hebrew. "How do I know that I will be bringing glory to Jehovah if I do this?"
Ankh smiled softly. "If you use it for good, and not for it's magic, then I'm sure it won't be a problem." he replied in the same language.
Isis grinned. "Thank you, Ankhare, you truly have wisdom beyond your years."
Ankh grinned. "Thank you, Isis, I am sure that whatever your decision may be, that you will bring glory to the Lord, in whatever you do" Isis smiled shyly.
Mahado noticed this. Do my eyes deceive me? Or are they... Oh he was so talking to Karim after he left!
"That is all I had to say, my friends, I now bid you goodnight."
Ankh smiled and led his friend to the door. Once they were outside, Mahado pulled him aside. (A/N: Again?!)
"What is it?" Ankh asked. "I just wanted to warn you about Shada. You remember of course, his reaction to Isis, earlier today," Ankh nodded,
"Well, I am not so sure I trust his motives. You may want to keep a sharp eye on Isis... Shada may try to seek her hand in marriage before too long."
Ankh growled a little. That was exactly what he himself had expected to happen.
"Oh, one more thing" Mahado said with a smirk. Ankh raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure you are not in love with her?" Mahado grinned.
Ankh's eyes got huge. "No! I am not!" he hissed.
"Ok, ok, don't get too over dramatic... I was just wondering, because if you were, then you could marry her here and now."
Ankh gaped a little and balled his hand into a fist, growling. Mahado noticed this and sweat dropped.
"Wait a moment, save your fists for Shada, I didn't mean anything harmful by that!"
Ankh unclenched his fist, crossing his arms over his chest. "What are you insinuating then?" he asked.
"Better now than later... who knows? Shada could be planning to marry her as soon as she becomes a Lady!"
Ankh glared at the floor. "Yes, I had thought of that..." he sighed. "She is not ready for marriage, Mahado, her grandmother is ill, I told her that I would visit her."
Mahado nodded, smiling mischievously. Ankh raised an eyebrow. "Mahado, I'm warning you..."
-" Don't worry! Just think about it, will you? She's a pretty girl, and apparently you two have the same religion."
Ankh kept his next thought to himself.
"Good night, my friend, tell Mana that I said the same." Mahado nodded and grinned. "Tell Isis the same for me."
Ankh rolled his eyes, and shut the door. After showing Isis to her chamber, Ankh went to bed himself, after singing a Psalm or two.
Laying down, on the goose down cot, Ankh shut his tired emerald eyes and fell asleep. It had been a looooooong day.
The next few days were uneventful, but busy, as Ankhare and Isis rode about town visiting patients.
If Isis was worried for, or thinking about her grandmother, she never said anything about it.
Ankh shook his head and chuckled a little as he and Isis were riding back to the palace on his black stallion, Ebony. "I think we shall call upon your grandmother, Isis... just to see how she is doing."
He blushed a little as Isis gave him a backwards embrace.
"Oh, thank you Ankh... your truly don't know how much this means to me. Your namesake means life, you are blessed by the Lord, and others are blessed by you, for you bring the gift of God's love and healing to them... I know from personal experience."
All Ankh could do then was smile. - "Thank you, Isis... but I still believe that the Lord will send his sign of salvation to us... I for one am not it."
Isis laughed. "This is true... much prayer is needed"
Ankh nodded in agreement. "This is true, especially for Egypt"
Isis laughed again. Ankh loved her laugh. It had a light, melodious, sound to it.
Isis held on tight as Ankh kicked the horse in the sides and rode off toward Isis's village. As they rode on,
Isis prayed that her grandmother would be all right when they arrived.
Making sure that his lovely young apprentice wouldn't fall off, Ankh urged Ebony onward, praying that Jehniah would hang on to life until they arrived.
Mahado paced back and forth in his chamber. Where were Ankhare and Isis? They were due to arrive in the throne room, at any minute!
The courtier breathed a sigh of relief as his young servant girl, Mana, walked into the room with Isis and Ankhare on her tail.
"Thank Ra!" Mahado said. "You are due to arrive into the throne room in an hour, we'd best get her cleaned up, hm?" he gritted his teeth at Ankhare, letting him know that he was not kidding for a change.
Ankh nodded and blushed. He'd nearly forgotten about Isis's audience with the king.
"Come my dear, we will get you cleaned up... you are to meet with the Pharaoh soon"
Isis followed Mana into the bathing room where a large wooden tub was awaiting her. She gulped.
Mana motioned for her to get into the tub, where sweet smelling water was steaming.
"Mmm" she smiled. She hadn't had a bath like this in who knows how long. Mana giggled.
Isis noticed there were rich oils, Egyptian spices, and lotus petals mixed into the water.
She washed her body with the scented soap that Mana handed her. She suddenly gasped as Mana dumped a pitcher of cold water on her head.
The servant girl giggled as Isis dripped. "Sorry, miss... I should have warned you." Isis sweat dropped. "I-it's ok" she said, teeth chattering.
Mana gasped and added a little more hot water to the tub. Isis relaxed. Mana quickly but gently took some of the soap and oil and rubbed it into Isis's hair to make a lather.
The girl giggled as the lather turned white and started overflowing. Isis spluttered.
"Ok, I don't want to spill water all over the Master's floor, so you're going to have to dip."
Isis looked at her wide eyed. Mana shrugged. "Sorry... but I don't want to get in trouble again."
Mana shivered as remembered trying to wipe up the floor last time, and Mahado walked in and literally tripped. She'd been sentenced to kitchen duties for a week.
Isis sighed, shut her eyes, held her nose and plunged into the warm water. Mana worked quickly getting the lather out of her hair.
Isis came up suddenly, gasping for breath. Mana grinned.
"Ok, you're done... you can get out now."
Isis nodded and stood up and got out. Mana handed her a towel (or whatever they had back then), and Isis dried off.
"Close your eyes." Mana instructed. Isis did so and was sprayed with a sweet smelling perfume.
She gently rubbed virgin olive oil on her body, and put on the light cloak that Mana handed her.
Mana went to the door and shooed her master out of the doorway.
"She's about to go to my room to get dressed" Mahado nodded, blushing a little.
"Where's Master Ankhare?" Mana asked.
"He is getting ready also Mana... thank you very much for your help."
Mana grinned. "Yes, Master" Mahado walked off, toward his chamber, where Ankhare was almost done getting ready.
"Is she all right?" he asked. Mahado grinned. "I thought you didn't like her" he teased. Ankh growled. "I do... but no more than a friend." Mahado nodded.
"But you still have those feelings where you just want to order Shada dead, and sweep her into your arms?"
Ankhare looked at his friend and sweat dropped a little.
"Where do you get all of these romantic ideas?"
Mahado shrugged. "I'm not sure... perhaps from Karim" Ankh smirked.
Both of them knew full well that Karim had a liking for the princess of Atlantis. (I dunno if Dartz had a daughter, but I just made it up... work with me here!)
Back in Mana's room, Isis was almost done getting dressed. Her dress was that of fine silk, reaching down to her shins, a golden belt with chains looping loosely down her hips.
Though her neck was bare, on her shoulders she wore an elegant gold collar. Also on her shoulders, she wore a fine white linen cloak, the cowl of which covered her now dry, sweet scented hair.
Mana grinned as she finished fastening the girl's sandals.
"Now since obviously your about to get something old, that doesn't count. Your outfit is new," Mana reached into her special box and retrieved something from it.
"All you need is this" Isis looked in surprise as Mana slipped a gold ring with a sapphire jewel onto her left ring finger.
"Something borrowed, something blue" the girls started to giggle.
Isis hugged her new friend. "Thank you Mana, may Jehovah bless you" she whispered.
The girls turned at a knock at the door. Mana opened it.
The jaws of both men in the doorway dropped. "I am ready" Isis smiled.
Mahado watched Ankhare with a devilish look in his eyes as the Physician blushed.
Ankahare stepped forward and offered the girl his arm. "My Lady" he whispered. "Not yet!" Mana groaned. Mahado grinned.
Ankahare smiled at his young companion as he escorted her to the throne room behind Mahado and Mana.
Isis noticed Ankhare staring at her and smiled back. Suddenly she became nervous and excited all at once.
Ankh gently and quietly assured her along the way what was going to happen.
Isis felt a lot better with the encouragement, and took a deep breath.
When Ankh had been standing in the doorway with Mahado, Isis had only glanced at him, but now that he was escorting her, shes was able to look at him in further detail.
She noticed that his silky ebony locks were lightly glossed with oil.
His broad shoulders and and chest were covered with a sleeveless white shirt that exposed his soft, toned biceps.
His shirt and white and black linen skirt were fastened by a gold belt. His shoes completed him.
Isis blushed and looked away. Ankh noticed this. "Are you all right, my dear?" he asked, concerned.
Isis smiled a little and nodded. "Yes, I am just nervous... what is the Pharaoh like?" Ankh grinned.
"Hakizimana is as wise and just as a man can be... he loves his country and his family dearly. With a little faith and prayer, I think his heart can be changed."
Isis smiled and nodded. "What about the other courtiers?" she asked. Ankh smiled back.
"Well, you have already met Mahado and Prince Khalfani... you will meet Karim, Shada and Abasi when we arrive at the throne room."
Isis nodded again, falling into step with him again. "I never did thank you for helping my grandmother... so now I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Ankh smiled and patted her hand gently. "You, my dear are undeniably welcome"
Mahado stepped aside as they reached the door of the throne room. Isis took a deep breath. This was going to be interesting...
Isis singing: Yeah! I'm gonna get the Necklace! I'm gonna get the Necklace!
Ankh and cq laugh
Shada: Pipe down! It's just a piece of jewelery! Sheesh!
Cq: Hmmm I wonder who he sounds like...
Isis: You're not the boss of me! I can do whatever I want!
Shada sniggering: Heh, not for long!
Ankh growls: leave Isis alone!
Shada: No!
Mahado Karim and cq start rolling their eyes. Isis sweat drops.
Isis: What do you mean?
Shada singing: I'm getting married in the morning... Ding dong the bells are gonna chime!
When he passes out, Mahado and Karim start singing something else.
Mahado and Karim: M How do we handle a problem like Shadaaaa?
K How do we keep him from hurting the girl?
M The Shadow Realm could be a snare
K And then we'll give the Key to Ankhare
K & M Then he can ask Isis for her hand!
M If Shada escapes from the Shadow Realm,
K & M We'll drag him to the desert and
throw him in sinking saaaaand!
They crack up
Ankh chases after them screaming insults in Egyptian and Babylonion. (Crash, boom, bang, Meow!)
Isis sweat drops :Oh my!
Cq rolls eyes: Onto the next chappie!