Chapter 20: Whatever it takes

"Sir, where can I find General Ramses?" I ask the Egyptian men at the dock. I held my head high and clenched my jaw.

"What's a whelp like you think you need with General Ramses?" A man laughed.

"She's barely a woman!" Another sneered behind him.

"Please sir. I must see General Ramses!" I looked the men in the eye and stood my ground.

"You need to know your place, wench!" The soldier stepped forward and grabbed the front of my cloak, pulling me to my toes. I glared back in defiance. My mouth firmed in a line.

"Please. I need to see General Ramses." I repeat. I could smell the man's rancid breath on my face.

The next thing I know, I was slammed against the wall. The soldier had thrown me. I looked around. I know General Ramses was here. The villagers said he was staying here. And these soldiers were from his platoon. His banner was on the horses in the back.

"You should learn your place, wench. If you want something, you beg for it." The soldier sneered. He snagged my face in his hands. I felt the cold tip of a knife trail on my cheek and felt the warm dribble of blood run down my face.

I clenched my teeth. This entire time, I had never lowered my head to anyone. Never bowed to anyone. I had held my head high, kept my pride in once piece. My hands shook. Bowing to a man like this…it made my skin crawl.

"Well, I'm waiting." The rancid man mocked again. His friends were behind him cheering him on.

I lowered myself. My forehead was touching the floor. I fairly shook with anger. I hated this. I felt his foot press down on my head and hissed in pain as my cheek was pressed into the ground. A cold hatred seeped into my blood and raged through my blood.

"Now beg. Wench." He sniggered.

"…I beg you, good sir. To allow me an audience with General Ramses." I say between clenched teeth. I could feel tears of shame pin pricking behind my eyes. But I would not allow them to fall. I will keep that one-ounce of dignity. I hated being reduced to this. But if this is what it takes to save Yuri, then so be it.

"No." The soldier laughed. And kicked me in the ribs. I groaned and pushed myself up.

"Who said you could get up, wench?" The soldier jeered and kicked me to the ground again.

I could feel my temper getting thinner and thinner. One more kick, and I was over the edge.

"You. You piece of scum." I hiss, standing up slowly. I was done playing this game.

"What did you say, runt?" The man growled back, his eyes snapping in anger.

"I said you are a piece of scum. Or are you hard of hearing." I say in my deathly hollow voice I reserve for when I am Ereshkigal.

"Brat. You best watch your words. It would be bad if a little thing like you got into a fight with me." He put a hand on his sword.

"Is that how you fight? You have so little pride that you resort to drawing your sword on a weaponless little girl? You are scum, you are lower then the mud under my shoes." I stood tall and raised my head.

"I warned you, girl!" The man shouted. I was about to dodge his attack when an arrow flew in between us.

"Yuki. What are you doing here, so far from home?" That teasing voice that I loathed but brought relief to hear at this moment.

I reigned in my temper and swallowed my pride. And for the second time that day, I bowed to another man.

"General Ramses. I beg you for a favor. Yuri is sick. She is dying. Please. She needs a doctor. Her baby…is already lost. She will be next. I beg you. Please help her." I cry. I focused on the ground. I couldn't look up.

"Get the physician, and surgeons! Hurry! We will be going to see Yuri immediately." The words brought such a relief to my heart I nearly cried. Nearly.

"Yuki. Stand up. It is not like you to prostate yourself to anyone." Ramses pulled me up. I staggered a bit, but judged that I only had some bruises. No internal damage.

"Thank you. Ramses."

"Ah, I will always do a favor, for a lovely lady." In that playful voice, I know I had just made a deal with the devil.

We rushed back to Yuri with the doctors. I paced restlessly outside as we waited for them to do their work. The soldiers from before had trailed along behind us.

"I was planning to marry this girl." Ramses announced suddenly, slinging his arm around me. I resisted the urge to scoot away. I was in this man's debt. It was not a good feeling. I saw Sakuwai make a move toward me and shook my head at her, silently telling her to leave it be.

"My apologies, General…I didn't know!" The soldier who had humiliated me stood, trying to curry favor.

"Who marked your face, dear Yuki?" Ramses tipped my chin up and examined the shallow cut on my cheek.

"I-I did not know she was yours, sir. Truly I thought she was just a village wench." The man stammered. Pathetic.

"Hm. Since Yuki was wronged…how about Yuki picks the punishment?" Ramses ruffled my hair playfully. They all looked at me in expectance. The man looked a bit dismayed. I could just say that I would let him off the hook, that might be what Yuri would do…but then again, I'm not Yuri.

"How bout we make a deal? Before, you threw me around and drew your sword on me while I was unarmed. Best me in a fair fight, and there will be no penalty." I finally say. I held my hand out and Rusafa immediately handed me a sword.

The man seemed to think this would be an easy task. He got a look of glee on his face as he drew his weapon. When he rushed at me, I had to try not to laugh at his weak form. The man was still drunk. I merely stepped to the side and jammed my elbow into the middle of his back, toppling him to the ground.

"Well what do you know…I guess I didn't even need a sword to face you." I say coldly, handing the sword back to Rusafa.

"And the penalty?" Ramses inquired.

"That's it. Shame. You have been beaten by a whelp." I say uncaring. I heard some women behind me snicker at the man and other walk by and point. His fellow soldiers seemed speechless.

But it seemed he still wanted to grab any tarnishes of his dignity, because he stood up and suddenly charged at me, his sword aiming for my heart. I hit his hands with the flat of my blade and forced him to drop it, then holding my blade to his throat.

"I offered you a very generous and kind punishment. Now you leave me no choice." I saw the man close his eyes as if he would rather die then live in the shame.

"Apologize." I glare down at him. he looked at me with anger clear on his face. "Own up. Apologize." I repeat.

"My Lady. I offer you...my apologies for my actions." He grumbled. Appeased, I returned the sword to Rusafa and turned away.

It was at that moment that the doctor decided to walk out of the building. I turned quickly and faced him, my eyes pleading.

"My sister. How is she?" My voice was barely above a whisper.

"Though her baby is lost, we are optimistic that her life is out of danger. She just needs rest." The doctor said with a kind, patient smile on his face.

Ramses' POV

I watched her complete turn around. One moment she was looking coldly at the drunken oaf on the ground, and the next a smile broke across her face that could brighten even the darkest nights.

That was one of the draws about Yuki. She had so many faces, she could be the stone cold goddess of the underworld, and the next moment she was a worried sister. Her expression could be open and vulnerable.

I know better then to let that innocent look fool me. I know, that in a moment, she could have a dagger to my throat. That she would kill me to protect the ones she loved.

I often wondered how far she would go to protect Yuri. Today I saw just how devoted she was.

Yuki, proud, resilient Yuki had lowered her head to a drunken soldier. Had lowered her head to me. Giving her life was one thing, but one's pride was something else. Yuki who had always held her head high and had that firm set in her chin. Who would declare her plan and execute it without brokering and arguments. For a woman like that to lower her head…it was unsettling.

Before, her submission might have brought a smile on my face. The victory of a broken arrogance. But when I saw her bow, it made my stomach feel sick. Something had pushed her to this point. It just didn't seem right, to see her looking submissive. I didn't like it.

We all sat around Yuri, Yuki was glued to her bedside, clutching her hand. Constantly checking her pulse. The soldier, Rusafa, was also pacing back and forth restlessly. The young maid that followed Yuki around like a shadow was trying to coax Yuki to eat.

"Please, Miss. Yuki. I beg you, just a bite!" The girl plead, offering the bowl of porridge. Yuki merely shook her head tiredly, not moving from her spot.

"You should eat something." I sigh. I scowled as I noted how sharp her shoulders looked, how thin and pale she looked, the darkening circles under her eyes. She looked like a mess.

"I'm not hungry." She mumbled, resting her head in her arms on the bed.

"You will get sick, Princess. Please." Rusafa put a hand on her shoulder.

"Not a princess. I am fine, Rusafa." She said with an ounce of playfulness in her voice.

"Uhg."

A voice had us all freeze as we looked toward Yuri. I saw her eyes slowly cracking open. They looked blank…dead.

"Yuri!" Yuki cried out, pressing her hand to Yuri's forehead. A smile broke across her face.

"Yuki. The baby…is with Ursula, Zannanza…and Mali." Yuri sighed and suddenly, tears pooled in Yuri's eyes and trailed down her face. A nurse suddenly shooed us all away, saying Yuri needed time to herself. Yuki refused to move, glaring at the nurse as she tried to move her. Yuki was not leaving. And what Yuki wants, Yuki gets.

The next thing I know, the rest of us were kicked out of the room while Yuki watched over Yuri.

"I am taking them both back with me to Egypt." I muse out loud.

"What! I thought you had only interest in Princess Yuki!" Rusafa opposed, a panic that began to rise in his eyes.

"I want both. I just preferred Yuki because I thought getting my hands on Yuri would be too difficult. Besides, the only way to control Yuki, is to have control over Yuri." I laughed.

"No! You can't! Miss. Yuki has someone waiting for her in Hattusa!" The handmaid exclaimed, planting herself in front of the door.

I chuckled at her futile efforts. If I truly wanted to get through that door, I would. I was about to step forward and forcefully move her when the door opened behind her.

"Sakuwai. You should be more careful. You might get hurt." Yuki's voice seemed dead. Her eyes were red and hollow. As if she had been crying.

"Miss?" The girl seemed worried.

"This is the price I have to pay. I knew that the moment I sought him out for help." She smiled. But the smile didn't reach her eyes. "But I ask…that Yuri be sent back to Hattusa. You have no use for her, so there is no reason in keeping her from His Majesty."

"It's too risky. The only way to keep you from trying anything." I shook my head. "Yuri stays."

I saw her clench her jaw in anger. But that was the only indication of emotion that showed on her face. The loss of Yuri's baby must weigh heavily on her heart.

"…then I wish for you to send Sakuwai and Rusafa home." She had a determination set in her eyes.

"That, I will do." I agree. I had no use for the two.

"I will not leave Princess Yuri" Rusafa stood his ground.

"P…Please don't make me leave…Miss. Yuki…I promise I won't be a bother…" Sakuwai had tears in her eyes and looked utterly miserable.

"Sakuwai, darling, it is dangerous. I promised you a job in the palace, and I know that Ilbani will honor that when you go back to Hattusa." I saw her eyes soften as she tucked a stray hair behind Sakuwai's ear.

"No! I wish to stay! I want to stay with you, Miss! Please!" The girl sobbed, grasping onto Yuki's tunic. Yuki calmly petted the poor girl's head and tried to hush her sobs.

"I don't see a problem bringing her along. You might need a handmaid anyway." I wave off the problem.

"I will NOT put her in more danger then necessary!" Yuki suddenly snapped at me. Her face was a mask of rage, her mouth was turned down in a snarl and her eyes had a fire in them again.

"I will be careful, please don't send me away! Please don't abandon me!" Sakuwai was in hysterics. Something Sakuwai said seemed to strike a nerve in Yuki. She jolted, almost as if an electric shock rippled through her body. There was a pained, lost look on her face and ran her hand through her hair in frustration.

I have never seen that expression on her face…what was causing the glimmer of pain behind her eyes?

"I got it, Sakuwai. Fine. You may come. But you are to stay by my side at all times." She grumbled, walking back into the room to tend to Yuri.

Yuki's POV

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, tasting the salty air as our ship sped toward Egypt.

Egypt. I was so far from home…and in this time period…I know Egypt was going through a period of corruption in leadership, which had seeped into the people. I was bringing Yuri and Sakuwai into a country wrought with corruption, with danger lurking in its alleyways. What have I done?

I was the one that insisted that we travel by sea. I was the one that did not check our crew before we boarded. I was the one that couldn't get Yuri onto the other boat in time. This is entirely my fault. Yuri's baby…Sakuwai…Rusafa…it's all my fault. What have I done?

"Yuki. Look." Ramses came behind me and gestured over the horizon. "You can see Egypt."

I did look. And as much as I hated the thought of Egypt right now, I couldn't stop the gasp that escaped my lips.

The river was so calm and clear, I could nearly see all the way to the bottom. Papyrus stalks lined the edge of the river. The sun beat down relentlessly.

Egypt. I was truly in Egypt. How many times had I read of this country? How many times had I studied of it in books? I never would have thought…that one day I would be sailing along the Nile. I have come a long way.

Egypt was beautiful. But it wasn't home. I can't stay here. In this beautiful land, shadows are lurking, dangers that I don't know about.

In a way, it was like when I first arrived in Anatolia. But I am different. No I have to be strong for Yuri. Now, I have grown, I have learned things. I will get us home. All of us.

I looked at Yuri. She was still blank. Rusafa was nearly begging her to eat something, anything. It was killing me to see her so broken, but I know this is nothing I can protect her from. I know that there is nothing I say that can make it better. She needs time to grieve. Time to mourn.

Then, I guess I'm on my own now. I'll get us home. I will. Only His Majesty will be able to heal her wounded heart.

MEMPHIS:

I stepped off the boat, Rusafa was carrying Yuri in his arms as we stepped onto dry land.

"Welcome to my residence. I hope that everything will be to your liking." Ramses said with a tinge of pride in his voice.

I immediately began taking note of the area. The place was very open, not surprising considering how incredibly hot it was here. This means there are ample escape routes. A couple of days of observation and I could document the guard rotations and find an opening for escape. But then, how to get all the way back to Hattusa? In this weather, we couldn't go without supplies. The desert was a dry wasteland; food and water would be scarce. Perhaps we can go by boat? But that would be incredibly slow, and it's not really inconspicuous to suddenly sail a boat down the Nile.

As we walked through the palace, I noticed the women that were ducking behind curtains and pillars, sneaking glances at us as we walked.

Concubines perhaps? The thought passed through my mind. Hopefully they would leave Yuri and I alone. I was in no mood for petty problems of a seraglio right now.

We were ushered to a room, where Rusafa gently laid Yuri out on the bed. She just lay there, unmoving. Just staring straight ahead, but not really seeing.

"Sakuwai, will you watch over her? If anything happens, I want you to scream. Understand?" I look at her sternly. Her eyes were determined as she nodded. I didn't feel right leaving her alone like this…Rusafa had gone to find food for Yuri, I had to check and mentally map the area. I rubbed my neck in unease.

"I will be fine, Miss. Yuki. Please, go and do what you need to." Sakuwai smiled, but I saw a moment of apprehension in her eyes.

I reached under my dress and took the dagger that I always had attached to my leg. Sakuwai looked at it with eyes wide and opened her mouth to protest. I pushed it in her hand.

"I don't want you to have to use it. But please, Sakuwai. Just in case." I wrapped her fingers around the hilt.

"B-but I have no idea how to use it!" She protested, looking at the blade in wonder.

"I hope you wont have to. But if you do, I want you to have some kind of protection. Please, Sakuwai, just to ease my mind." I say gently. She took it and tucked it under her dress, in the waistband.

I took a deep breath and left. I truly didn't think that that little knife would do much if anyone decided to attack them…but it was something.

Sakuwai's POV

I sat in a chair in the corner of the room, watching Princess Yuri. She was awake…but not really. The grief was eating her alive.

I reached under my sash and pulled out a little scrap of fabric I had hidden there. My one treasure.

I recognized that guilt. That sadness. I had often seen new prostitutes act this way when they first start…"working".

Some pulled out of it and "woke up", some remained in that trancelike state until they one day disappeared…

I was like that for a while. When the pain and guilt had overrun everything. That time is still blurry in my memory. I don't remember what happened, I don't remember how long I was like that. Perhaps it was years. Perhaps it was only a few days. I remembered when I woke up though.

We were in a small village. Business was slow, and I hadn't gotten a customer so I was sitting out in the cold, leaning on a building. I remember feeling a small hand on my shoulder. A little girl with big eyes, dressed in rags. I must have just stared at her a while, her face was burned into my memory. She looked so much like my younger sister. The one I left behind.

I remember the weight of a thin blanket on my shoulders and the child running away. I kept that blanket, everywhere I traveled, I had kept that raggedy old thing. I would rub it against my face when things felt too difficult. Years passed. That blanket had worn down, now it was a scrap. Small enough for me to fold up and keep it in my dress or tie it to my wrist.

That child…I wonder if she would end up like me? Would she be able to smile like that? Was her life full of painful memories? But she still smiled. A child like that, she was much stronger then I. I was a coward. I was running away, hiding in a dark world where I could not feel any pain. Where I felt nothing. But I couldn't live like that. That wasn't living. Even if my life was miserable…it is the only life I have. I will live my life. I will live for those small moments of happiness. For the moment just before sunrise; when the sky was beginning to light and the stars were beginning to disappear. For days I could lie in the grass and relish in the sunshine.

Now, I live for Miss Yuki. I lived to see her smile that patient smile. For her to laugh that ringing, breathless laugh. For those moments she would pat my head and hold me when I was sad. My life was hers now.

The knife was cold against my skin. I pulled it out and looked at the gleaming blade. I could see my eyes reflected back at me. Those determined eyes…were they really mine?

I had never killed anyone. I had never even purposely injured anyone. Could I do such a thing?

My thoughts were cut short as Ramses entered the room. I immediately stood up and planted myself firmly in front of the bed. He regarded me with amusement.

"Your hands are shaking." He scoffed and tried to walk around me. I stepped in front of him and tried my very hardest to glare at him. Even I could feel my hands shaking though…I took a deep breath. Miss Yuki had left Princess Yuri's safety to me. I can't let her down.

I suddenly made a decision right then. I yanked the knife from my waistband and held it with shaking hands in front of Ramses.

"Put that thing down. You don't know how to use it. I thought you were loyal to Yuki?" He sneered at me.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. And pushed the knife closer. I would kill him for Miss. Yuki. I would. She trusted me; I will do anything for her.

"I…Miss. Yuki smiles only if Princess Yuri is safe. I will protect her smile. No matter what. Do not doubt me. I will kill you if you threaten their safety." My voice came out stronger then I felt.

I squeaked as Ramses grabbed my wrist and forced my fingers open, dropping the dagger onto the floor with a clang. I glanced at it as it skidded away from me, but didn't move.

"You have spunk, girl." Ramses reached over to push me away. The door opened then and Rusafa walked in with a basket of jujubes in his hands.

"Ramses. What are you doing?" Ramses growled.

"I was only going to check on Yuri, but this little Miss is pretty stubborn." Ramses said with a laugh.

I still didn't move. I just stood my ground wordlessly. My hands were still shaking, I restlessly gripped my scrap of a blanket and rubbed it between my fingers.

"Oh, I came with some news." Ramses suddenly said with a grin. "Where did Yuki go?"

"I'm here." Yuki suddenly came into the room. She eyed the dagger on the ground and at me, still standing defensively in front of Yuri's bed. "What did you do?"

"Aww, how come I always get in trouble." He pouted.

"What is your news?" Miss. Yuki snapped.

"Oh right! You know, I got news that His Majesty is incredibly sick with worry. His campaign is showing this. At this rate, Egypt will win. I just got the news directly from the palace." He practically sang.

I glanced quickly at Princess Yuri, such news could drag her even further into her depression. Miss. Yuki seemed to be thinking along those lines as well.

"Don't say that here!" She hissed at him. Then froze.

"K-Kail is ill?" Yuri murmured. I saw a bit of emotion behind her eyes again. Perhaps this news had snapped her out of her reverie. But then why was Miss. Yuki still frozen?

Suddenly there was a clatter and before I could blink, Miss. Yuki had snagged the dagger from the floor and was pointing it at Ramses' chest.

"Where did you get this information?" She hissed, pressing the dagger into him. He merely smiled down at her.

"Think about where you are, dear. You are in my residence. Where my guards are at the ready. If you kill me, you're friend's lives will be forfeit." He smirked. Miss. Yuki lowered the dagger and gave a hiss of frustration.

"What is going on?" I stuttered out.

"A spy in the palace. Someone close to Kail." Yuri sat up. The fire was returning to her eyes.

Miss. Yuki growled lowly. Her eyes reflected the hurt she obviously felt. I could understand why. I had noticed that Miss. Yuki was a very reserved person. She did not love easily. Miss. Yuki had trusted all of the aides; she had helped choose them herself. One of them has betrayed her.

Chapter 20 and we are in Egypt!

I'll try and get more story from back in Hattusa next time since I've been kind of neglecting their point of view.

I'm trying really hard to develop Sakuwai's character and back story, how do you think she's doing?

Anyhow, thanks for reading!

~EternallySnowy