All right. This chapter was ridiculously late and I really have no excuse for its tardiness. Sorry, guys! Thanks for all the support so far, guys, and I only hope you forgive me for being so late! You'll also have to forgive me for rehashing canon, but it is part of the story and important for later.

Content warning: mentions of child abuse, cult-like behavior and rituals, and canonical patricide (looking at you, Mr. Ishtar).

Yugi whipped the hood of the cloak over his head and turned to face them. A thick and fluffy beard was growing as his skin wrinkled and darkened beneath the hood. "How do I look?" he asked, his voice coming out in a low croak.

Mai, currently seated in a chair near the fire, studied the now aged appearance. Except for his eyes—which were still somewhat large and held a purple hue to them— he was completely unrecognizable. She shook her head. "I think you're fine, but I also still think that this is ridiculous," she said flatly. "If Téa is your childhood friend, I don't see how disguising your appearance is going to fool her any."

Jou was investigating the items behind Yugi's counter, and Marik was sitting at the same table Mai was, but Valon had been confined to his bed and was currently taking a nap; the Aurosian had been up all night and had been in a fight earlier, and despite his cheer it couldn't hide how tired he was.

It left Mai as the only one who could help with perfecting Yugi's disguise.

Yugi deflated at her words. "But Princess, I'm not supposed to be here," he replied, looking momentarily deflated. "I was supposed to have been banished by the prince. Maybe you can put in a good word to him to let my grandfather back? It's Prince Jean Claude who's banished him, I believe."

Jou's face twisted at the name and his tail twitched, knocking over a nearby vase. Yugi directed a reproachful glare at him, but the other man did not look apologetic. "Of all the vain, self-centered, selfish idiots I've ever met, he's the worst," he muttered sullenly.

Mai's interest was piqued. "You know Jean Claude?" she asked.

Jou glanced at her, his ruby eyes flickering. "Kinda," he said at last, sounding evasive and tense. "Let's just say I've met him once or twice."

Mai caught the way his hand rose reflexively to his throat. He was worried about triggering the gag spell—and by showing this tell, he'd just given her an answer. She sat up with sudden excitement. "That's a clue, Jou," she said. "In fact, that just confirmed my suspicions!"

Jou looked hopeful, but Marik snorted derisively. "What, that he's a member of highbrow society?" he asked with a scoff.

Mai grinned. "Actually, yes."

A confused expression flitted across the Enterran's features. "I was joking."

"I'm not." Mai turned to him with growing excitement. "Don't you see? Jou's got to be a noble of some kind. He knows things taught only to royalty. He also knows Jean Claude personally, which has to mean that he's met him before—the prince does not strike me as a man who will speak to commoners daily."

My, Ishtar child, you actually helped two royals in one sitting. Such generosity, said Yami, the barest hint of a taunt in his voice.

Marik bristled and glared at the Puzzle. "I was not aware we were talking to you."

Come now, Marik. I have as much right to speak as you do—perhaps more so, given your current predicament and your position. Some courtesy in your tone might be nice, child, especially considering your current standing with me.

There was something oddly menacing about Yami's tone. Mai stiffened when shadows began creeping along the counters; Marik bristled and his hand moved to the dagger at his side. Jou snarled and looked halfway ready to put himself between Mai and Yami.

Despite how preoccupied Yugi was, however, the shorter magic caster had not missed the argument. "Yami, Marik, both of you back down," he ordered sharply. "The last time you two fought nearly tore my shop apart! I won't stand for anything like that happening again."

The shadows instantly faded, and while the tension did not entirely dissipate it did diminish; Marik's hand was on the knife's hilt and Mai could practically feel Yami's angry gaze coming from the Puzzle.

There was old history between them, she knew now. She did not know exactly what had happened, but it was enough to have created tension between them. She looked back to the Millennium Puzzle. She knew Yami was the soul of an Enterran king…perhaps whatever had transpired between Marik and Yami in the past was a factor in why Marik despised nobility so much.

A woman's voice came from outside, cutting the tension inside the shop. "Hello?"

Jou instantly moved out of sight of the door and Marik violently flinched. Yugi jumped but grinned, picking up the Millennium Puzzle and carrying it to the counter. He placed it behind a stack of jars and rearranged them so that the Puzzle was out of sight. "I'll get you out later, Yami. Behave," he said in a low voice. He turned his attention to the door and called out in a croaking voice, "Come in, child."

The door opened and a young woman slipped inside. She had short brown hair that just barely touched her shoulders; her dress was collared, the fabric a light blue with crème-colored hems, and a pair of small, brown leather sandals completed the outfit. Her blue eyes swept around the room curiously, staying on first Marik then Mai before going to the disguised Yugi. "Hello," she said, looking both relieved and slightly confused. "Who are you?"

"Just an old man looking out for the shop in place of the absent magic casters," croaked Yugi in reply. "Is there something I might assist you with?"

"Absent?" asked Téa with a frown. She brushed some hair away from her face and Mai heard a soft jingle as the bracelets on her arms moved. "Did they go out to get more ingredients for potions?"

"I'm afraid not, my child," said Yugi. "They were banished several months ago. An edict went out from the castle. All magic casters were banished—Yugi and his grandfather were among those who left."

Téa did not say anything for a long moment. Finally, she crossed the room and the other people inside She leaned on the counter and looked directly into Yugi's eyes. "Oh dear," she said, the beginnings of a mischievous grin spreading across her features. "Well, if that's the case I need two things. Our caravan needs a few basic supplies, and the town's prices have risen since we left."

"I can negotiate with you for the proper supplies," replied Yugi, and even from here Mai could tell he was fighting the urge to blush. "What is the second thing you require?"

Téa smirked and then, using her finger, flicked the hood off Yugi's head. "I need you to remove that silly disguise so I can talk to you directly, Yugi," she said pleasantly, ignoring Yugi's indignant and alarmed squawk.

Mai laughed. "I told you she wouldn't be fooled by that," she said, her laughter increasing at Yugi's flustered features.

Téa looked over her shoulder to face her. Curiosity mingled with suspicion. "Who are you?"

"I'm Mai," she said, deciding to omit the fact she was a princess. No need to make this girl uncomfortable, and she knew someone else would bring this up eventually. "No worries, honey, I'm not moving in on your boy over there."

The other girl turned pink. "H-He's not my boy," she protested, much to Mai's amusement. It seemed Yugi was not the only one that got flustered if pressed on this particular topic.

"How did you know it was me, Téa?" asked Yugi, slightly scowling.

The brown-haired girl recovered and then leaned over the counter, grinning at Yugi. "You practiced that disguise countless times before with me, remember?" she teased. "Besides, you forgot to change your eyes all the way, both in shape and color. And there's no way your grandfather would leave the shop in a stranger's hands—he loves this place too much."

Yugi absorbed this statement and then smacked his forehead. "You're right, he wouldn't have. I completely forgot that when considering my covers story," he muttered, running a hand through his bangs tiredly. "I've had a lot going on lately."

"I've heard," said Téa with a frown. "I saw the damage in the forest. I've been hearing things about Kaiba's dragons in uproar, and a lot of the forest men being gone at the castle. And then there's the banished magic casters…"

She trailed off and stared in surprise at Jou—he had shifted and come fully into view. His hiding space had been too small. "You…who are you?" she asked, eyes wide.

Jou yelped and in a blur of movement leapt over the counter, ducking behind Mai and using her as a human shield. "Definitely not a demon, so don't hit me!" he said, eyes wide in alarm. "That's already happened twice!"

"Relax," said Téa, coming over. "Don't hide from me. I know better than to smack anyone if they're in Yugi's shop—demons or other dark creatures can't get in with Yugi's barrier up, so that means you're in here because he allowed you. He's helping you, isn't he?"

Jou nodded slowly. "Yeah, he is," he replied, brightening. "You aren't going to slap me or anything?"

"Why would I do that?"

In response, Jou shot Mai a very pointed look.

"Don't look at me like that," she retorted, moving away from him. "I didn't punch you just because I thought you were a demon. There were other factors involved and you know it."

"You punched him?" asked Marik, looking surprised. "I didn't think—"

"I keep telling you people that I'm not your typical kind of damsel," Mai said irritably. "The only reason you've not been seeing me beating up on people is because I'm in no hurry to play a Shadow Game."

"Why would you be turned into a Shadow?" asked Téa with a confused frown. "Yugi wouldn't hurt you unless you did something truly terrible to him, and even then…but you aren't with Yugi, are you?" she continued with a sigh, noticing the not-so-subtle glance Mai had shot to Marik. "Let me guess: Bakura's holding you prisoner for some reason."

"We're trying to ransom her back, Téa. Don't get yourself involved," Marik said shortly.

"I should," said the brown-haired girl, sounding somewhat indignant. "You can't hold a princess for ransom—and don't tell me she isn't one, because Bakura wouldn't have bothered keeping her alive for this long."

Mai wondered if the distinct lack of concern from anyone who heard of her plight was a mark of knowing Bakura. She concluded that it was.

Marik raised an eyebrow. "I could care less of what you think. I'll say it again: don't get involved."

Téa glowered for a few moments, but her expression eventually cleared. She turned her attention back to Yugi. "I need to show you something outside—I found it when we were in the capital city of Thystia, but it was cracked. I was hoping you could fix it. It might even be able to help Yami," she said brightly. Before Yugi could protest, she was dragging him outside.

"She didn't have to do much to get him out the door," said Jou with surprise. "I kept waiting for his arm to come off."

Mai smirked. "Believe me, honey, Yugi was a willing victim. Even if his arm did come off, I'm betting he'd let her keep it," she said, amusement coloring her voice.

Her eyes shifted to Marik, who was leaning nonchalantly against the wall and carving what looked like an eagle. She frowned, her smile fading. He was obviously in the room to make sure she didn't try to escape—not that she would—but even now he was very deliberately not looking at her. Did he really hate her that much?

She cleared her throat. "Marik, I want to ask you a question."

The Enterran said nothing, continuing to whittle at the block of wood.

Mai rose to her feet and moved in front of the man, her hands on her hips. "Hey, I know you have issues with anyone wearing a crown, but at least show me some common courtesy. Just for one minute. Please."

Marik's eyes flicked up to her face. He heaved a heavy sigh. "All right, Highness, what do you want?"

Mai did not hesitate. "Why do you hate royalty so much?"

Marik's annoyance instantly vanished and he stared at her with startled wide eyes. It was clear he hadn't fully expected her to ask him that question. Even as she watched, his face darkened and he looked away. "That's not your business."

Mai reached over and snatched the carving out of Marik's hands, holding her ground even as Marik's angry eyes flew back to her. "I'm making it my business," she said. "You've been treating me poorly since the day we met. I've not done anything to warrant this hatred from you. I want to know what happened that caused you to act like this!"

Marik's fists clenched at his sides and he rose to his feet. "I answer to no royal," he said coldly, striding towards the door.

Mai made to stop him from leaving, but even as she took her first step Jou's tail looped around Marik's waist. Before the Enterran could react, Jou had forced him into a chair and moved in front of the door.

"Look, I get that it ain't our business," he said, "but she's right. At least give her a reason, or at least let her apologize."

Marik glowered at them. "Quit being so defensive of her, Jou," he said sullenly, but he did not rise from the chair. "Your judgment is clouded when it comes to her."

"Yeah? Maybe it is. But I would be sayin' the same thing if you were treating someone else like this too."

Marik didn't look at them. "She didn't do anything directly," he said at last.

"So why are you treating me like I did?" she asked. "Marik, did my country do something to you?"

"That's not the case either," said Marik. His voice was not angry, just tired.

"But something happened between you and a noble," Jou guessed quietly when Marik did not continue speaking. "Yami's got something to do with it, doesn't he? That's why both of you hate each other."

Mai shot him a startled glance. So she had not been the only one who noticed the way Marik and Yami acted around one another—Jou had seen it, too.

The Enterran's defensive features melted away. Mai got the impression of looking at a young forlorn child. "Not exactly," he said. "My dislike of royalty and the tension between us does coincide, though."

Marik studied his folded hands for a moment and did not look at them for several long moments. At last he looked back up at them, his expression hardened. "Before I start, I have a question to ask both of you. How much do you know of the Enterran Nameless King?"

Mai frowned and shook her head. She'd heard the title once before, but that had been when she was a young girl; her kingdom was often more focused toward entertaining travelers and its people, which left little room for her to learn about the history of any kingdom aside her own.

Jou, on the other hand, raised his hand tentatively. "I know a little of it. I learned about it once when I was younger," he said slowly. "I know magic casters were always talking about it."

"How much do you remember?" asked Marik.

"…Well…around three thousand years ago a nameless Enterran king ascended the throne, but days after he became king he died mysteriously. According to the texts scholars had, this was because something called 'the Great Evil' had come upon the land and the king had sealed it away by sacrificing his soul," said Jou. "It's never been proven that was the case, though …"

Marik looked mildly impressed. "That's a pretty good understanding. You have the basics of the story down pat," he said. "But as far as being proven—well, you've both seen the proof that this story is true with your own eyes."

Mai's frown deepened before she realized what Marik was referring to and her jaw dropped open. "Marik…you're not saying that Yami is the Nameless King, are you?"

"I am. Yugi confirmed it, based on text accounts and pre-existing finds," said Marik. "The reason magic casters are so interested in this account is because it's the first and only direct account of the Millennium Items and where Shadow magic originated from. There's also a reason that Yami is referred to as 'Nameless King'…according to the texts in my clan's archive, Yami's true name was obliterated from all texts to prevent anyone from resurrecting the Great Evil."

His eyes darkened. "But the story continued from those texts, though it was never recorded in the palace scrolls scholars have found. No, that story was an oral tradition. What comes next sets the stage, so bear with me." he continued.

Mai and Jou nodded, waiting to see where this was going.

Marik cleared his throat. "You see, a priestess in the Nameless King's court had a vision shortly after the Nameless King sacrificed himself. She predicted that the Great Evil would return in an unset amount of time, and the Nameless King would destroy it once and for all.

"This worried all the priests who wielded the Shadow items, as well as the new king. Though they had all combined forces to beat the Evil back, it had been the Nameless King who had ultimately sealed it. The new king eventually decided that three clans would be formed to protect the legacy of the Nameless King. These clans also would house different Millennium Items, waiting until it was time to reunite the seven together. Their existence would be secret and separate, to prevent outsiders or servants of the Evil from finding them.

"My clan is one of those original three, founded by the priestess who'd foreseen the Nameless King's return. We were charged with keeping the Millennium Tauk and the Millennium Rod, as well as preserving the rites needed for the King to regain his memories. The other two clans were responsible for other things regarding the Nameless King, but we never were told what they oversaw. In the meantime, all the clans were settled into tombs and catacombs underneath the ground."

"How can you give memories back?" asked Mai with a frown. "What, do you store them in a jar or something?"

Marik shrugged. "Good question. I'm not sure myself how this ritual is supposed to work, but supposedly his memories were stored in a place that only the Ishtar clan knew of. Once Yami collected all the Shadow items, he was to approach us and receive the location to complete the ritual needed to restore his memory. This was how he would supposedly destroy the Great Evil," he replied.

Marik's last sentence, however, held so much pain, anger, and bitterness that Mai visibly flinched. "I'm guessing that this wasn't such a good thing," she commented, leaning back in her seat.

Marik looked at the table, idly tracing a design into the wood with his finger. "At first, my people were able to understand why they were where they were, why only chosen people were allowed into the clan, or why certain people were allowed out of the catacombs. We had the Tauk, which could see into the past and future. The Tauk was an item given to the matriarch of the clan, who would wield it to foresee when the King would return or potential disaster that the Ishtar clan might face. It also preserved my people's culture since it could peer into the past.

"The Ishtar clan was founded by the priestess herself. She hand chose the women who were to be in the clan, knowing that only they and their daughters could wield the Tauk. It was brilliant, since only the woman entrusted with Tauk could take it off. Even in death, only her hand could remove it from her neck.

"Somewhere along the line, the priestess' blood began diluting. Outsiders that weren't from any of the other clans were marrying in, and they didn't hold the same amount of respect for traditions. It was enough that the clan splintered. A small portion remained beneath the ground—the others lived above it. We remained loyal to each other, but one did not feel the need to follow the laws of the clan as strictly as those who lived beneath the ground.

"By the time my mother married my father, no one could use the Tauk any longer. It had been that way for a long time before I was born. Without the Tauk, my people began to forget, until finally they were nothing but ignorant sheep. My father's fathers helped none. I'm thoroughly convinced that they warped the clan to begin with, making it so that only the patriarch's family could read the scrolls. My people did not even remember why we were beneath the ground, only that it had been that way for generations.

"That was what I was born into. My father had become a tyrant, allowing no one to leave or enter and following the traditions he barely understood, but the confinement underground was beginning to drive him mad. My mother was sickly but kind-hearted and loving…I never got to meet her, as she died after she gave birth to me."

Marik's whole face abruptly softened and he began to smile. "Then there were my older siblings. Ishizu was calm, smart, and wise, but she also knew how to make me smile when I was sad. She was also the first Ishtar woman in years who showed true potential to wield the Tauk. With my mother's passing, it had come to her until another suitable matriarch could be found. Her power was limited, but as the years passed her affinity grew stronger. It wasn't enough to avert what was to come, but she was able to catch glimpses of the past and future.

"Rishid was not my real brother. My mother had found him as a baby outside the clan's entrance one night, and she raised him as her own. He was the first outsider in ten years to enter the clan."

Marik sighed, pain in his features. "My father hated him and treated him cruelly, refusing to acknowledge him as an Ishtar son. Even so, Rishid was loyal, selfless, kind, and he almost never lost his temper. When my mother died, my father forced him into servitude. Rishid was little better than a servant when I was born."

It certainly sounded like a terrible home life, but not one that was connected directly to royalty, Mai thought. She couldn't fully see what had caused Marik's hatred—but the story seemed to be a long one, and it seemed Marik wasn't done setting the story up.

Marik gave them a bitter smile. "You could say my hatred started when my tenth birthday came around," he said, seeming to read Mai's mind. "Traditionally, the son of the patriarch receives responsibility for the ritual pertaining to the King's memory."

"I fail to see how getting some scroll would cause that much hatred for nobles," Jou said, frowning.

Marik's laugh was bitter and cold. "Scrolls and stone tablets can be destroyed, fade over time, or be stolen," he said woodenly. "No, no. The initiation ceremony entailed carving the ritual on the first son of the patriarch's back. I should mention that the ritual is in ancient Enterran."

Mai felt the color drain from her face and a hand went to her mouth to cover her gasp of horror; Jou paled as well and a strangled snarl of outrage escaped his throat. Ancient Enterran was really nothing but pictures, a complicated yet intricate language to read…and they had carved those rites into a child's back?

Marik's eyes closed, resting his forehead on tented hands. "I tried appealing to him. I tried doing everything I could to avoid the initiation ceremony. I even asked Rishid to take my place, I was that desperate. Since he was older and he wanted to be an Ishtar, Rishid would have been perfect."

"But he couldn't," said Mai, noticing the way Marik's face twisted. Rishid was older, but he was an adopted child. "I'm guessing that your birth interfered with Rishid's chances of being initiated."

"I was born two days before Rishid's tenth birthday," Marik confirmed hollowly. "My father insisted on following tradition, and against my will he performed it…he…"

His voice shook and trailed off, at a loss. His eyes darkened, his shoulders hunched and trembled. His fist was clenched so hard Mai saw a thin trickle of blood beginning to seep out of his hand. He was remembering what had happened.

She reached out and gently shook Marik's shoulder. The Enterran gave a violent start and nearly fell out of the seat.

"You don't have to keep going," she said quietly. "If this is why you hate royalty so much, I understand. You and your people were forced into a life by a king that's long since dead, forced to follow meaningless traditions to wait for a king that would likely never find you, and forced into a horrific ceremony. It's no wonder you hate royalty."

Marik stared at her, gauging her response. The smile he offered her was small but genuine. "I appreciate your concern," he said quietly. His smile faded. "But the story isn't over."

Mai and Jou exchanged glances, then stared back at Marik There was more? Mai found she was certain she would not like what was to come.

"I was furious with what happened," Marik told them. "I hated my father and my clan, I even hated my older siblings for a short time…and ultimately, I decided that I would find a way to break the clan rules in retaliation for what happened. After receiving the initiation, I wasn't allowed to leave the catacombs—so I decided I would.

"All I wanted was to see the outside world. Just for one hour, that was all. I wanted to see the sun, the clouds, the desert…the people beyond the catacombs…I only wanted to spend one hour out of the darkness, and then I'd gladly return to it.

"Rishid would do anything I asked him to, and both of us knew that. And over the next two years, I wore my sister down enough to convince her to sneak me out. She couldn't foresee anything bad happening, so I thought it would be safe. I would pretend to be sick the night before we were to go out, and Rishid would cover for us."

Mai repressed the urge to shake her head. It was a plan conceived by children. Even the smartest child could not account for everything—all it would take was one missed detail, and things would go catastrophically wrong. Judging by Marik's dejected countenance, she knew it had. "Marik…"

"I didn't think it would backfire the way it did, I didn't think that my plan could go wrong…honestly, I just didn't think," Marik said, guilt plainly written on his features. "I shouldn't have even thought of such a stupid idea, but I was so angry and desperate that I went through with it."

Marik fell silent, and Mai and Jou waited patiently for him to continue.

"That one hour of freedom is honestly one of the best memories of my childhood I have," said Marik at last. "My sister and I walked through the marketplace of a nearby village. We saw the people, the sun, the sky…everything was new and wonderful, and I was never happier. But we also knew better than to push our luck, so my sister and I left early to return to the tomb. On our way out, we passed some noble that was shopping in the bazaar. He watched us leave, even stopped us to ask us about our features, but we were in such a hurry that it didn't occur to us that there should be something wrong."

Mai knew there was a reason he had mentioned this noble, and a terrible suspicion began to grow. She decided to wait until Marik confirmed her suspicions, but…

"We were so stupid," Marik said, his voice shaking. "We were so worried about the threats beyond the catacombs, but we never considered the ones inside it. My father was paranoid. He feared losing control over his people. He booby trapped the entrance to alert him if someone left. When we left, we unknowingly set it off. He knew exactly where to go once the alarm went off."

Jou growled, his eyes alight once again. "He went to your room."

Fury and pain crossed Marik's face. "By the time my sister and I returned, my father had nearly killed Rishid out of rage. It wasn't even my brother's fault that I was gone, but my father wanted me to learn a lesson in humility.

"My father had dragged Rishid into the room where we kept the Millennium Rod to punish him, and when my sister and I entered the room we were walking on blood. When I saw what was happening, I was so angry and guilty and frightened…and then my father saw us and advanced on us. He struck Ishizu and knocked her into the wall before he turned his attention to me."

He trailed off, shaking his head and looking at the table. "My memory blurs here," he said, his voice low and troubled. "I've tried so hard to remember, but it's no use. The last coherent memory I have of that moment is reaching for the Rod. I was scared for my sister and Rishid, I was furious at my father, furious with the Nameless King for stranding us in such a terrible place…and…"

"Marik?" Mai tried gently when the Enterran trailed off. "Marik, you don't have to…"

"The next thing I remember is looking down at my hands and realizing that they're coated in my father's blood," Marik continued, his eyes hollow but his body trembling. "My siblings were unconscious, the Rod was gone, my father was dead, and I was covered in his blood."

Mai paled as the full impact of his words sunk in and the hairs on the back of her neck rose. "You killed your father."

"It's the only conclusion I can come to," Marik said hollowly. "If there was something either of my siblings knew about that moment, I never got the chance to ask."

"Why not?" Jou asked, a growl into his voice.

Marik's face twisted and he gave Jou a bitter smile. "Remember that richly dressed man that I told you of? The one my sister and I passed on our way back? That man was looking for a slave in the marketplace when he'd spotted my sister and I," Marik continued, his voice furiously bitter. "We stood out in the crowd. He even asked us about our features, if they were natural or if we'd used magic to alter them. What better way to impress his fellow nobles than to have someone like me among his servants?"

Marik's words from the argument the day before rose in her thoughts: "How have you wronged me? How about your society, Highness? All of you, so shallow and petty in your societal games, so selfish when it comes to what you want —you don't care about whose lives you ruin!"

Mai's suspicions had been confirmed.

"He followed you back to the catacombs, didn't he?" Mai asked gently, already knowing the answer.

Marik nodded tightly. "My siblings had no sooner revived when that prince and his men came to enslave us all," he said, his fist clenching again. "They ushered me down a seldom used tunnel. We escaped just as pandemonium broke out in the catacombs, but Rishid was badly hurt and we didn't get too far."

Marik's head lowered. "Ryou and Bakura had been traveling through Enterra to meet with Ryou's father, a scholar in Kairas, when we ran into them that night," he said in a barely audible but anguished voice. "Rishid and Ishizu pulled Bakura aside and spoke to him briefly. They left then, saying they had to cover our tracks, but…I should have known what they were really going to do, the signs were obvious, but at the time I was scared and disoriented and I…"

Mai took one look at Marik and she suddenly understood. "They used themselves as bait and lured the men away, to keep anyone from finding you," she said softly.

Marik barely nodded, his eyes far too bright. "I didn't figure it out until it was too late," he replied miserably. "By the time I realized what happened my siblings were long gone. They made a deal with Bakura. I would aid Bakura in whatever he did, whether it was robbing the tombs of ancient kings or attacking caravans. In return, Bakura would make sure I was not captured until I was reunited with them."

Silence fell after Marik spoke, one that was thick and uncomfortable. Mai found herself gazing into the nearby fire.

What could she say to him that would make Marik see that she was not like the nobles who had done so much harm? She could not counter the damage done to Marik or his people by some long-dead king, she could not go back in time and prevent the nobleman from invading the catacombs where Marik had lived, and she especially could not bring back the siblings Marik had lost that day because of a noble's selfish actions.

Yes, some of this had been caused by Marik's own actions, but he had only been a child—it was not enough to warrant such a tragedy coming to his clan. Judging by the guilt clearly written across Marik's face and the way his shoulders were slumped dejectedly, she knew Marik understood that.

Mai mulled over her response for a few minutes before locking eyes with Marik. "What do your siblings look like?"

Marik started, coming out of whatever thoughts he had been in. "What?"

"Your brother and sister. What do they look like?" she asked again. "Look, you're obviously trying to find them. I'm in a position where I can ask about your siblings and even free them, if need be. When I get back to the castle, I'll do what I can to find them. In return, I ask for one thing."

Marik scowled. "Were you even listening to my story? I told you before I don't—"

"I'm not going to make you my servant or anything like that," she cut over him, correctly guessing what he was going to say. "It's barely anything, I promise."

Marik looked skeptical but motioned for her to continue.

"All I want you to do is treat me with a little respect," she said. "It doesn't have to be much, mind you, but just enough so that I know you're trying. I am not like the royals you've encountered, and I want a chance to prove that to you. I can't do that if you won't give me the chance."

"Believe it, Marik," said Jou seriously, noting the disbelief etched on the Enterran's features. "I trust her whole-heartedly. Any promise she makes is one she keeps. You trust me, right?"

"Not in the slightest," retorted Marik flatly. "I still have no idea who you are, at all."

Marik studied her for a few minutes to see if she would waver or look away. When Mai kept her eyes locked on him, he leaned back with an air of resignation. "You're going to keep pestering me until I talk, aren't you?"

"Pretty much. Right now, I'm being rational, but believe me I can get a lot worse," she replied cheerfully. "You don't want to see me as the whiny spoiled princess you keep thinking I am—I almost caused a war once by simply nagging a prince I didn't like."

Marik made a face. "Oh, Heaven forbid," he retorted sardonically. He relaxed and his fists uncurled. There was something close to hope barely visible on his face as he looked back at her. "You're…being serious?"

"Obviously, honey," she reassured him. "I wouldn't be nearly so cruel as to promise you something like this and then not deliver."

"…Rishid has scars down the left side of his face and is shaved bald except for a ponytail at the back of his head. The scars are in ancient Enterran—he did that to himself to support me," he continued, noticing both Jou's and Mai's horrified looks. "I told you he was selfless. Since he couldn't take my place, he did his own initiation ceremony."

"Okay…and your sister?"

"Ishizu does not stand out as much as Rishid. She's fairer skinned than other Enterrans, though, and she's got the Tauk still around her neck. She'll be with Rishid. That's how you'll know it's her."

"I don't mean to be a downer, Marik, but how do you even know that she's with your brother?" asked Mai doubtfully. "For all you know, they could have been separated after being captured."

"No," Marik said with such conviction that it startled her. "Ishizu is with Rishid. I'm willing to bet my life on it. Rishid would have never allowed them to separate him from Ishizu, and the same goes for my sister. Find one, and you'll find the other."

"What about your twin brother?" asked Jou. "You haven't even mentioned him."

Twin brother? It took Mai a moment before she realized who Jou was talking about—the one that had been seen outside of Kaiba's cave, and the one who had supposedly injured a baby dragon.

"I don't have one," said Marik flatly, though he looked worried. "Really, there's only one person in the world that has the same features as I do. I can assure you that he wasn't the one who Kaiba saw."

"And you're sure of that?" asked Mai. "Can you truly say that with confidence?"

"I know it's true because I killed that man with my own hands," replied Marik tightly. "I take after my father in appearance, after all."

Mai winced. That was one way of establishing an alibi.

"There's one more question I've got to ask," said Jou. "You still haven't explained why Yami doesn't like you. I mean, I know he's the Nameless King and he's likely angry over the noble attacking your clan—"

Marik snorted, looking irritable. "He doesn't care about that part of the story, Jou," he retorted. "Yami and I don't get along for three reasons. One is because I've allied myself with Bakura, and another is because I rob the tombs of the dead Enterran kings. That's something unavoidable and I can't change that fact until I find Rishid and Ishizu again."

"And the last reason?"

"The last reason is the part of the story that Yami really cares about: the loss of the Millennium Rod and the Millennium Tauk."

"Maybe that noble took them to sell or hold in his treasury," Mai suggested. "It doesn't sound like he's a wizard or anything like that."

The Enterran shook his head. "Remember, the Tauk can't be removed unless Ishizu herself takes it off, and my sister would not willingly hand that over. The Rod, however, vanished before the noble's men broke in."

Mai started. "Are you sure?"

"I'm positive. I remember looking for it briefly after I regained my bearings, as the last coherent memory I had before my father's death was reaching for the Rod. It was gone."

"But it couldn't have grown legs and walked away," Mai pointed out.

Marik let out a dark laugh. "At the top of the Rod were projections that I always thought looked like wings. A part of me wonders if it didn't fly off somewhere," he said. "It's not like I had the luxury of looking for the blasted thing, anyways."

He went quiet again, but the silence did not last as long as it had before. When he next spoke, his words were directly addressing Mai and there was an almost desperate edge to his words. "You're really serious, aren't you? You will look for my siblings?"

Mai held out her hand. "You have my word, Marik. Just trust me on this, all right?"

"All right, Highness—I'll put my faith in royalty one last time," Marik said at last, reaching for her hand to shake it. "I'll try to be more respectful. Don't expect miracles, though," he added. "I still think anyone with a crown is nothing but a shallow idiot."

"Then I've got my work cut out for me," she said brightly. "I love a challenge."

The shop door opened and then Yugi peered in at them. "Hey guys, come on out! The caravan could use some help unloading supplies and they're trading a few things for items in my shop," he said cheerfully. "Customers for the first time in an age, that'll make Grandpa happy."

Mai had the sudden impression that Yugi had been waiting just outside the door for Marik to finish, and this suspicion was only furthered by Yugi's abrupt entrance. She rose to her feet and followed after Jou and Marik, but before she could exit Yugi caught her arm. "I wanted to show you something here behind the counter. I had a thought about breaking that memory spell on you. Jou, Marik, go on outside, she'll be out in a bit."

The other two glanced at them curiously but left. From outside, she could hear startled gasps from the people—likely it was because of Jou's appearance, and sure enough she heard Jou let out an exasperated, "Oh for crying out loud I'm not a demon!"

"What did you want to show me, Yugi?" Mai asked, but then jumped when she realized she was not talking to Yugi. The magic caster had pulled on the Millennium Puzzle when she hadn't been looking—she found that she was speaking to Yami.

"I remained silent while the Ishtar child spoke with you," said Yami quietly. "I do not need to add on to his story, and it is not my place to speak out. While it is true that I am angered about the loss of the items, the fate of his clan is not one I am fond of. I would have never allowed it to happen, had I been there three thousand years ago. Understand that, first and foremost."

Mai nodded slowly. If Yami was in fact the Nameless King, that meant the decision about the three clans had not been his—it had been made after his death.

"You must also understand something else, maiden," he continued sternly. "Yugi was listening to your conversation, though he came in at the tail end of it, and he worries about the promise you just made. Should you rescind on your word, Marik will likely never trust anyone wearing a crown again. You offer him something precious, something he cannot easily regain."

"Are you worried that he won't let you read his back to find your memories, if that's the case?" she asked testily.

Yami raised an eyebrow. "I have mentioned you were astute. That is, however, only a small portion of it. The ritual on his back will not go anywhere, and one day I will see about reading it. However, it is Marik's decision to show me and one that may be a blow to his pride. I shall be patient and wait," he said calmly. "No, I only point this out to you because Yugi is friends with Marik and he does not wish to see him betrayed."

"You care for Yugi a good deal, I notice," she remarked.

"Of course. He has defended me and aided me without price, even at a time when my less-than-exemplary behavior almost caused his expulsion from this place. He has protected me without question or hesitation, which is why I protect him," replied Yami. "And what of you? What is your response to my inquiry?"

"You didn't directly ask me anything," she grumbled after a moment. "But neither of you need to worry. I've never broken a promise before, and I won't start now."

Yami chuckled. "A bold statement, but an honest one. Very well, maiden—we are reassured."

Yami's posture shifted, and in the next second Mai was looking at Yugi once more. He had changed back so quickly Mai had not even realized it had happened until Yugi was speaking. "Go on outside, Highness. I need to go check on Valon and make sure his ribs are healing properly."

Jou was waiting for her when she stepped outside. He waited patiently as she shielded her eyes against the sunlight; she'd been indoors all day, and the brightness of the day outside had caused her to stagger backwards. "What did Yugi show you?"

"Nothing that you need to worry about, Jou," she said with a smile. Her eyes went to the wagons just beyond the fence, numbering four in total, and she looked to Jou expectantly. "Now what do I need to do?"

"Oh no, Mai, you don't need to do anything," called Téa from the back of a nearby wagon, hopping out nimbly.

"I won't take that for an answer. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty," she replied. "I need something to do besides twiddling my thumbs uselessly."

"You'll find she's not like other princesses," said Jou with a grin, noticing Téa's startled expression. "She can handle it, no worries."

"Well…I could use some help with this," she said, pointing to several trunks on the ground that had fallen open. Clothing and other items were scattered across the grass. "They got knocked off when we were pulling the wagons around."

Mai fell to picking up the scattered clothing and replacing them back in the trunk, taking care to dust off everything before placing the object back inside. Jou and Marik moved to what appeared to be a food-laden wagon and were carrying barrels inside the inn, and Yugi came back outside minutes later to speak to an elderly man nearby.

It was not until the wagons had been nearly reloaded with the proper supplies when Jou heard galloping horses coming. By the time they finished re-stocking the wagons, Bakura and Ryou had returned. Mai brushed the dirt from her skirt and rose to her feet. "So how did it go with Kaiba?" she asked.

Bakura ignored her and went inside the inn. Rolling her eyes, Mai then turned her attention to Ryou. "Are you going to answer me?"

Ryou looked up at the sky, clearly distracted. "Everything went smoothly…where's Yugi?" he asked, looking back at her. He noticed Téa peering at him from inside a wagon, and he did a double take. "I didn't know she was in the area…hello!"

"Hi, Ryou!" Téa called to him. "How's it going?"

Ryou did not get the chance to reply to her—Yugi had spotted him from across the clearing and was coming over to investigate. "Hello, Ryou!" he called.

"Er…hi," replied Ryou uncomfortably.

Yugi blinked, frowning when he noticed Ryou's discomfort. "What's wrong? Did things not go well with Kaiba?"

"Oh no," said Ryou, his voice reassuring. "Everything was fine. Kaiba agreed to meet us here, but…ah. Yugi, remember when you warned us about springing surprises on you?"

"Yes, I remember."

"And remember how you told us never to spring said surprises on you when you've got customers nearby?"

"…Ryou, I don't like where this conversation is going."

Marik and Jou spotted Ryou, and the two of them came over to find out what was going on. Mai noticed that Ryou was looking uncomfortable, while Yugi had the beginnings of annoyance on his face.

"What's going on?" asked Marik. "Ryou, is Kaiba coming?"

Jou abruptly stiffened, his ruby eyes swiveling to the sky above. His pupils contracted into cat-like slits, and a low growl rumbled through his throat. Mai put a hand on his shoulder, concerned by the sudden shift in behavior.

"I'm dreadfully sorry, Yugi, but he changed the meeting time on us. It was the only way he'd agree to meet here instead of the lair," said Ryou quickly. "He's coming early."

"…how early?"

A shadow from overhead was the only warning they had before the dragon descended through the trees. As it landed a tremor rippled through the earth. Its wings flapped hard to balance it after landing so suddenly, and the force of the wind nearly knocked Mai over. Jou steadied her with an arm and pulled her to his side to keep her upright, but he did not stop growling and was watching the scene with narrowed eyes.

The dragon lowered its body, but Mai did not understand why until she saw the same brown-haired man that had chased them the night before smoothly dismount. The man—Kaiba, Mai realized—was gingerly holding a bundle in his arms, very much the same way a shepherd would carry a lamb.

Ryou had the grace to look sheepish. "Ridiculously so."