Okay, getting better about timely posting chapters, haha! Please continue to have patience with me as I work on a schedule for posting.

Also, there's a character who's going to be making a few guest appearances in this fic starting now. Sivya, who you'll be seeing soon enough, belongs to Gweniveve Skyes and makes her appearance in Gwen's fic "Atlantis Rising." Check that story out if you've got the chance, guys - Polarshipping is most definitely in that story, as well as other pairings and a very well-written plot :D

Thanks again to all reviewers and forgive me for the delays in PM's/review replies!

"Ryou, what are you doing here?" Mai hissed, recovering almost immediately. "What if you're caught by the peacekeepers? Does Bakura even know you're here?"

"In the order in which you asked: I'm about to tell you why I'm here, you thought I was a woman and if that's the case so will the peacekeepers, and no, Bakura doesn't know I'm here. I suspect he will more than likely be very angry once I return, but that is a problem for me to worry about," he replied calmly. "Anything else?"

"How did you even know I would be in the city?" she asked, still reeling from the sight of Ryou in the wagon. "You could not have possibly known I would be here today, at this exact time."

"You're right. I didn't," he responded brightly. "I snuck in with the incoming crowd early this morning and set up shop here in the bazaar. I was unsure if you would even come into town, but even so I was fully prepared to be in Hermos for a couple days. If nothing else, I would have found a way to sneak into the castle—don't look at me like that. I hang around thieves, Highness, I can easily break into the palace."

Ryou sobered. "Now then, about the reason I'm here in town and taking such a huge risk. I am not here to talk to you about Jou or to convince you to come back with me," he added, noticing the way she shifted uncomfortably. "Rather, I am here because Yami has sent me. So," he continued, sitting back down in front of her, "let's get down to it."

He rummaged at his side and procured a medium sized, violet colored pouch. He set it onto the table gently. She heard something that sounded like glass clink gently from inside the pouch and her interest piqued. "What's that?" she asked.

"This was something Jou was supposed to give you two nights ago, but when you rebuffed him Yami asked me to give it to you instead," Ryou replied. Noticing Mai's violent flinch, he held up a hand. "I said I wasn't going to talk to you of Jou, Princess. That topic is off limits unless you want it brought up. On that, you have my word."

Mai shot him a grateful look. She looked to the pouch, then lifted it and pulled apart the golden pouch string to open it. She reached inside and lifted out a glass vial, surprised to see a familiar golden substance inside it. "Healing potion?"

"Probably for your shoulder, I'd imagine. How is that, by the way?" he asked, looking concerned.

Mai leaned forward for Ryou to look at the bandages. "Does this answer your question?" she inquired with arched eyebrows.

Ryou rose to his feet and crossed over to a shelf, pulling out a glass bottle with a honey colored substance inside it. "The potion he gave is certainly strong enough, but I still want you to take a small sip of this," he ordered. "It's a stronger form of my healing potion and usually used on more serious injuries, such as minor fractures or deeper cuts. It will also limit scarring. That's why you must drink it instead, but not too much or you'll make yourself ill."

Mai hesitantly put the bottle to her lips and tipped the bottle back, allowing a small amount of the potion to slide down her throat. It tasted and felt like honey as it went down. As she swallowed, she almost immediately felt gentle and soothing heat radiating from her shoulder. The pain was already beginning to ease.

"Hopefully by the end of today the wounds will be mostly healed, if not entirely," he said, looking satisfied.

Mai rolled her shoulder, relieved when she could not feel the pain. She smiled at him. "Thank you."

Ryou beamed at her, but he gestured to the pouch. "I've not looked, and I don't know what's in there, but there's probably more inside it. I've only got a limited time to be here to answer any questions you may have."

Mai rummaged in the pouch to find another object inside. Her fingers closed on another vial; when she pulled it out, she found that it was filled with water.

"Yami must be thinking that I'll be thirsty," she guessed wryly. There was an ethereal glow to the water inside the vial, though, and Mai realized it was not just ordinary water. "He went to the healing spring?"

"I guess so," said Ryou with some surprise. "He did venture off just before he sent Jou, so he must've gone to get the water. Apparently, you're going to need it, but as for why…well, that's anyone's guess."

"But why give me two things that basically do the same task?"

Ryou shrugged. "Yami's a bit of a gambler. He likes to give gifts that don't make sense to give at the time, but usually that object usually proves to later aid those in need and just when they need it to. I'd hang onto both of those, Highness. You never know what occasion you'll need it for."

Mai nodded slowly, not entirely satisfied with the explanation but just enough so to forego seeking further clarification. The pouch was lighter without the two vials in it, but there was still something inside it. Mai upended the bag so that the contents spread across the table.

Two objects clattered onto the wooden surface, bouncing slightly as they hit the wooden surface. The first was a blue-colored river stone sitting inside a silver wire frame, attached to a thick black leather cord. She picked the pendant up and raised an eyebrow at it, frowning slightly before looking at Ryou for an explanation. "I'm not fond of wearing rocks around my neck unless they're gemstones," she said. "What is this dinky little thing, anyways?"

Ryou looked interested and leaned forward. "That's a navigation stone," he said. "They're unusual to find in anything aside from magic shops, but I had no idea Yugi had one. Given that his grandfather tended to travel a great deal when he was younger, though, I'm not entirely surprised."

"What does it do?" she asked, twirling it idly with her finger. "Thystia's not exactly the most magical of places, remember? Most of the magic there is simple showman's spellwork, not anything like I've seen during my stay here."

"It's simple, really. Hold it in your hand, think of the place you wish to go and the route you wish to take, speak it into the stone, and then attach it to your horse's bridle. The location is then transmitted to the horse's mind, and it takes you to that place on the road you specified. For example, if I wanted to go back to the lair I would say 'Bakura's lair, the road less traveled' and my horse would take me there via the road few travelers know about," he replied. "You must clearly form the mental image of your destination in your mind when you tell the stone. The roads are something the stone picks up on for itself, but the destination is up to you."

"And Yami thinks I need this…why?" she asked, puzzled.

Ryou shrugged.

Mai sighed impatiently. "Does he even know what I'll need any of these items for?"

Another helpless shrug and a sheepish laugh was all she got in reply, and she scowled. "Never mind. I'll just see what else he gave me and get this over with," she muttered.

Mai placed the vials and the navigation stone back into the pouch, then turned her attention to the last item that remained on the table. The object had been wrapped in parchment and her name was written on the front in dark ink; the ink seemed to move in the dim lighting, but Mai attributed it to an active imagination.

She gingerly unwrapped it, uncertain of what she'd find, but then gasped as a golden framed amethyst tumbled into her hand. It was warm to the touch, fitting snugly into her palm. Engraved into the frame was a phrase written in Latin: Memini Quid Oblitus Es.

"'I remember what you have forgotten'," she read aloud at last, frowning as she looked up to Ryou. "This is a memory gem. My father has one of these,"

Memory gems were commonly found in the markets of Thystia, used as an extension of their user's memories. Her father's memory had been fading lately, and he had a memory gem that he used to recall important laws or what had been said in meetings. She did not know the exact details surrounding the gem, but supposedly the larger the gemstone the more memories it could recall. She had seen these gems at work in the gambling halls or in the treasury in addition to seeing the one her father had.

"Yami must still think I'm missing some memories," she mused, turning the gem over in her hand. "I don't understand why, as it seems I remember everything just fine."

She reached for the parchment and unfolded it to see if there was an explanation. Sure enough, Yami had left her a note on the parchment, written in the same black ink that had been on the front of the paper:

This was a gift from Téa to Yugi. It was meant to try and help me with my lost memories. However, the magic binding me is older than the magic of any memory gem. Therefore, I feel you would benefit most from having it. The chances are high you know how to use this, given your country of origin, but in case you have forgotten: hold the gem and say Priori Memoriam. It will show you what you have forgotten. It will also read the memories of all who touch it when the spell is spoken.

I will offer a word of caution: using the gem will both enlighten and endanger you.

"Aaaand more cryptic nonsense. Thank you, Yami," she said irritably, crumpling the parchment. "He either wants me to use the gem or he doesn't, and I wish he'd just come out and say what he means."

"I don't know what his intentions are in giving that to you, but it would be wise to adhere to that warning he gave you," said Ryou darkly. "He does not often warn people. For him to do so in this instance, is a clear indication that he thinks it's dangerous to use."

"Yeah, but that's only if I know what he's warning me about," she grumbled. "I saw how well he warned Jou before he used that discerning spell on him—not that he even got to the spell stage of things."

Suddenly uncomfortable with Jou's mention, she put the memory gem back inside the pouch. As an afterthought she rummaged in her moneybag to place the necklace Eatos had given her inside the new bag. She tucked it into a pocket in her skirt; it had been getting in her way all morning when she had tried to pay for things.

She looked back at Ryou, trying her best to figure out how to ask her next question. She steeled herself, then asked, "How have you all been doing since I left?"

Ryou offered a wan smile. "Not very well, actually," he replied, his voice tired. "Yugi was badly hurt in the attack. Something broke Yugi's barrier and the magical backlash overwhelmed him. He'll be fine," he added hastily, noticing Mai's alarmed expression. "It seems it's his turn to rest inside the Millennium Puzzle until he recovers. Yami has taken over Yugi's body in the meantime."

"What about Marik? Téa too," she said, trying to sound as if she was not deliberately leaving one name out.

Ryou raised an eyebrow but did not comment on it. "Marik was bruised in that attack, but it was a malady fixed with a healing potion. Téa was not hurt at all, thankfully. She's staying at our lair…I'm thoroughly convinced she's waiting to see if Yugi will be all right. We had to leave Yugi's shop behind, unfortunately, and a couple days ago palace guards tried to arrest Yami."

"They did?" she asked, surprised.

"Yes, and they learned a valuable but painful lesson from the encounter. Yami sent them back to the castle once he was finished with them. You act as if this is the first time you've heard of this."

"It is. I didn't even know that Jean Claude had sent anyone after him," she said, suddenly realizing that the drunken-looking guards she had seen yesterday morning must have been the same ones Yami had dealt with. "Will they be okay?"

"Likely so," replied Ryou. "At first it was taking your life into your own hands if you challenged Yami to a Shadow Game. Thanks to Yugi, he's mellowed out enough to make the games not nearly so condemning. They'll recover soon enough."

He paused, seeming to struggle with adding onto the conversation; likely it was because he was waiting for Mai to ask about Jou. When she remained silent, he cleared his throat and said awkwardly, "And, ah, Valon's been keeping his distance from us since that night. I feel he's all right, but…"

Mai remembered Alister's death and her features darkened. "Has he now?" she asked grimly. "Maybe it's because he knows what Bakura did to Alister, unless you all have been keeping that under wraps."

Ryou blinked, a puzzled frown on his face. "What?"

"I'm guessing you haven't told Valon about the part where Bakura murdered Alister in cold blood," she said flatly.

The white-haired man's face paled. A look of genuine shock crossed his features, the emotion palpable enough to tell Mai he was not feigning his surprise. "What?" he breathed, horrified. He half rose from his seat, an urgent expression on his face. "What do you mean by that? Start from the beginning, Princess—please!"

Mai relayed to him what had happened yesterday, leaving nothing out as she spoke. Ryou paled even further at the mention of Alister's unstringing, but he was shaking his head even before she had finished speaking.

He looked back at Mai. His voice was sharp as he spoke. "Bakura was not responsible for that attack. He's been at the lair ever since we arrived there nearly two weeks ago…something's frightened him and he's not wandered from that clearing since. Neither has Valon."

"And aside from the thieves, who can vouch for that?" she said.

"Yami and Téa both can, as will Jou and I. Bakura was nowhere near the castle any time yesterday. Even if he were, he certainly would have never killed Alister. Despite all his claims that Valon isn't one of us, Valon's done too much to help us for Bakura to murder one of his friends."

At Mai's dubious look, Ryou's own face creased with indignant anger. "Your life is not the only one Valon's saved. While Bakura's moral compass doesn't point exactly north, he still wouldn't kill helpless people. He prefers a challenge, not a massacre."

Mai's eyes narrowed. "I thought so," she announced, sitting up. "I didn't think Bakura would attack that small a group, either."

Ryou blinked in surprise, anger replaced by confusion. "So why did you say he had?" he asked, a perplexed frown pinching his features.

"I wanted to hear it from you what happened, as you're the closest thing to Bakura I'm going to get," she replied grimly. "You just confirmed what I was thinking. If it wasn't Bakura who killed Alister, that means the captain of the guard and his men are lying about what happened to Alister."

Ryou frowned. "You think they killed him?"

"I do," she said with conviction. "I've been uneasy about certain events going on at the castle since my return. Alister's death is only cementing my suspicions. Remember my earlier thoughts that Jean Claude was the one who de-scaled Mizu?"

When Ryou nodded, Mai told him what Jean Claude had said to her the day before. Ryou did not let her finish the story, however—he was shaking his head with visible disbelief as he held up a hand, his face darkening at every word she spoke.

"I've told you before, Kaiba would have never allowed such a weapon to be created and given as a gift to just anyone," he said. "As for the story involving the blacksmith, I find it just as unbelievable. It could be possible that the blacksmith might find a single scale in passing, since dragons do occasionally shed them…but to have so many as to make a sword means he'd have to live near the dragons. Kaiba doesn't allow anyone to do that."

"So that means Jean Claude is still lying to me. Yay," she said flatly.

"Yes, but why? Can you think of any reason for him to deceive you?"

She shook her head. "He seems like a braggart and a vain one at that. I think he's only trying to impress me," she said. "But if that's what he's up to, he's failed spectacularly."

The sound of angry shouts from outside the wagon startled them both. After exchanging quick glances, Mai hurried to the entrance of the wagon and peered out. She could see a crowd gathering at one of the stalls, but she could not tell what was happening from her current spot.

Ryou, who had gotten his disguise back on with remarkable speed, joined her. "I can't see what happened from here, Highness. You're on your own if you want to find out what's going on," he said. "I can't go into the crowd, too much chance of someone finding out who I am—"

"Don't worry about it," she reassured him. "I'll be back."

She hopped out of the wagon, darting into the crowd. She ducked and weaved past those around her, trying to get to the front of it to see what was going on. At first, she tried being somewhat polite, but when she was nearly knocked off her feet she growled and began elbowing her way through. She finally made it to the front of the crowd, eyes landing on the cause of the commotion.

An Enterran woman was holding a small knapsack at her side, backing away from the two burly men advancing on her. She was wearing a white short-sleeved peasant top and a deep green skirt, a blue sash tied around her waist; at her sandaled feet was a quarterstaff, but the young woman could clearly not reach it without risking being grabbed by the men.

Behind her was another Enterran woman, wearing a cream-colored sleeveless dress. This was coupled with a matching veil, one that spread below her shoulders. Though most of her hair was hidden beneath the veil, there was two parts of her hair visible. The hair came from behind her ears and spread over her shoulders, held in place by golden bands. On her upper arms and ankles were matching gold bands. A hand was at her neck, her fingers barely touching a necklace at her throat.

Mai took in a soft breath as her eyes landed on the golden pendant. She had seen the strange eye on the golden chain before.

"You are a thief!" called a third man from his stall. He was short, balding, and overweight, and Mai realized it had to be the stall owner. He jabbed a fat finger at the younger Enterran girl. "How dare you try to steal from me!"

The first girl shook her head vehemently. "You're wrong!" she cried, looking both indignant and scared. "I didn't steal anything from you!"

"Silence, girl!" snarled the owner, his face reddening. "You have the audacity to lie to me? I saw you slip the bottle of incense and those earrings into your bag!"

Mai's eyes narrowed. This was something she'd seen before in the markets of Thystia. Crooked merchants would sometimes place something on an unsuspecting passerby and then raise a ruckus. The passerby would then pay the money owed to avoid a confrontation with the peacekeepers. It was one of the oldest tricks in the book, and any seasoned visitor to the marketplaces knew how to avoid it—but this poor girl had no such experience, and no way to protect herself from becoming a target.

The other woman spoke calmly, her blue eyes locked on the other man. "You have no other proof than your eyes. Who is to say you did not place those items in her bag when no one else was watching?"

"And I suppose you saw me? I didn't see you anywhere near here, until your friend started making a fuss," retorted the shop owner.

A small smile played on the older woman's lips, her sapphire eyes twinkling. "I did see you," she replied. "But like you, we both rely on evidence based only on our eyes. If you have no other proof, I am afraid that you cannot claim Sivya a thief. For that matter, even if we find the items on her it will not prove she took them. You could have easily put them on her to frame her."

Mai raised an eyebrow. This woman had come to the same conclusion she had about the scam the owner was running. They weren't entirely clueless about the markets, then.

The shop owner seemed to realize this as well. His expression darkened and he waved the two men forward. "This seems to be a matter for the peacekeepers to decide!" he announced. "Hold them!"

One of the two burly men reached out to seize the frightened looking girl, but the other Enterran stepped forward and placed herself in front of the younger. This did not entirely deter the man and he grabbed her arm. "You think that will stop me?" he sneered.

"Ishizu!" cried the younger girl with alarm.

Mai froze. I know that name…I know who this is!

Someone much taller than she was pushed past her with a brusque "Excuse me" and strode forward. She could not see very much of the newcomer's features because of the hood that covered his face, but what she could see told her that the man was from Enterra as well.

He was taller than both men antagonizing the women were, looming over them with an ominous silence. "Release her," he ordered, his voice firm but quiet.

The shop owner looked indignant. "But she is shielding someone who stole from my stall!" he snapped.

"Neither of them are thieves," he retorted. "Release her—now."

"Or what?" sneered the man holding the girl. "You have no weapon."

The Enterran's foot abruptly swung back behind him. His foot caught the fallen quarterstaff, kicking it into the air in an almost impossibly fast and smooth motion. He caught it when it went airborne and then brought it whistling into the man's chest, knocking him off his feet and forcing him to release his captive.

Mai was impressed. He'd done that in less than ten seconds.

The motion had caused the Enterran's hood to fly back, revealing a head that had been shaved bald save for a long black ponytail at the back of his head. As his face came into view, Mai caught a glimpse of golden eyes. Her gaze shifted onto the left side of the man's face, and she stiffened even further.

The scars that lined that side of his face had been carved painstakingly in ancient Enterran, all the characters written in almost impossibly straight lines. They extended from the front corner of his eye to just shy of his ear, and they ended just beneath his jaw.

Mai's breath caught.

"I have one now," the Enterran man stated evenly. His voice held the barest trace of a growl as he gently ushered the woman behind him. "Do not lay another hand on my sister."

His sister…if that was Ishizu, then that taller man was…

"No," said Marik 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 not far behind."

Marik had been right. Somehow, impossibly, his siblings had managed to stay together all these years. She bit back a groan—she was never going to hear the end of this.

"Move aside!" called a new authoritative voice. The crowd parted to allow four armored men to pass. The peacekeepers had arrived at last. Mai stepped to the side to allow them in front of her, watching them with a frown.

The stall owner jabbed a vicious finger at the group of Enterrans. "Thank heavens you've arrived! They were trying to make off with my goods and the man was getting violent! Look what he did to my cousin!" he cried.

The Enterran man clearly looked as if he was ready to continue fighting when the blue-eyed woman—Ishizu, she knew now—gently shook her head. She murmured something in Enterran to her brother, and he slowly lowered the staff. Her gaze then shifted to where Mai was standing, gaze locking directly onto her. Mai gained the unsettling feeling that Ishizu was asking for her help.

Well, why not? She'd never backed down from a challenge before.

"Hello, boys," Mai announced cheerfully, waving at them to catch their attention as she strode forward. When several startled gazes shot to her, she curtsied and continued speaking. "I was in the crowd and could not help but overhear what's happening. I decided to get involved."

"And who are you?" asked the shop owner suspiciously.

Mai winked at him. "Oh, don't fret over me just yet," she said airily. "We'll worry about that in a minute once this is settled. Peacekeepers, you can take your leave. I'll resolve this argument."

The armored men glanced at her briefly before bowing and stepping away. They knew Mai's identity, as Jean Claude had introduced her to them when they toured the city. They trusted her in this matter, at the very least.

"Now, first order of business—sweetie, turn out your bag," she continued, turning her attention to the younger Enterran girl. "Don't be afraid, honey, go on."

The girl hesitated and then slowly rummaged in the bag at her side. Her face paled as her trembling hands lifted out a blue glass bottle and a pair of silver earrings, medium sized hoops attached to the end of a small chain. "I—I didn't take these," she said, looking fearfully around her. "You've got to believe me, I—!"

"I told you she had them!" said the shop owner, triumph in his voice.

Mai held a hand up to silence him. "Now, now, settle down. I know what I'm doing, so let me work," she said with the slightest bit of impatience in her voice. Once she was certain she would not be interrupted again, she looked around at the gathered crowd. "Did anyone here see her take these items?"

A murmur rose from the crowd, and Mai noticed several shaking heads.

"Now, here's a different question: did anyone see this man place the items in her bag?" Mai called, and she got the same response as before. "I didn't think so."

"She took those things from my stall! There's no other way to explain why she would have them in her bag!" cried the shop owner. "Arrest her, peacekeepers!"

Mai shot the man a withering glare. "If I have to tell you to stay silent one more time, then I won't settle this argument in your favor," she snapped, showing the first signs of irritation since her intervention.

The man glowered at her but said nothing further.

"Now, as I see it there's no way to prove either side of the story to be true," she continued, clapping her hands together as she looked to the owner. "As such…aside from your brutes, who else works in your stall?"

A smaller, younger boy raised his hand timidly and stepped forward. He gazed up at her, adjusting the oversized cap over his hair with a nervous motion. "I'm the stall runner, ma'am," he explained. "I run the items for delivery."

"Do you know the prices of the items?" she asked.

The boy nodded, suddenly shy.

"Good. What would you say the price is for the combined total of the items?" she asked pleasantly. "And don't be afraid to speak the truth," she added, noticing the look the shop owner was directing at him.

The child shifted and then stammered, "S-Six gold pieces."

Mai smiled at him, then turned her attention back to the shop owner. "Is that correct?" she asked pleasantly, already knowing the answer.

When the man grudgingly nodded, Mai's smile grew. She pulled out her money pouch and rummaged in the bag. She counted out seven gold coins and dropped them into the man's hand. "There you go. Now she gets to keep the bottle and earrings, and you've received the gold necessary for payment."

The stall owner stared at the gold in his hand in disbelief and opened his mouth to argue, but then Mai said coldly, "If you don't like my decision then see your prince about it—but keep in mind that I am a princess of Thystia and a guest at his castle. I don't think you'll get a fairer price."

The man glowered and muttered sullenly under his breath, glaring at her. However, he did not argue any further with her, choosing to stalk back to his stall. Behind her, she heard the crowd tittering in laughter; clearly this was not the first time the stall owner had tried this maneuver, and it seemed it was a rare occasion that he had been thwarted in such a manner.

Mai nodded in satisfaction, but she felt the eyes of the crowd on her and she shifted her gaze to them. "The show's over, folks. Move along now, go on, shoo," she said brightly, waving them on.

The crowd dispersed, but Mai was not surprised to see that the three Enterrans had remained where they were. Mai gestured for them to follow her and began marching away from the stall, heading back towards Ryou's wagon.

The moment they were away the younger Enterran girl hurried forward, catching Mai's arm. "I'm so sorry I caused trouble for you!" she said, looking alarmed. "I didn't mean to—"

"Easy, honey," Mai said soothingly. "You were the victim of a common trick found in the marketplace. It's pretty obvious you're new to the markets. Don't feel bad," she added with a laugh, noticing the crestfallen look on her face. "I've fallen for that trick before. Just use a little more caution next time."

The girl looked suitably embarrassed, and then shyly handed her the earrings and the incense bottle. "I have no use for these," she said. "You should have them, Princess."

"Oh, I couldn't possibly…well, all right, I'll take the earrings," she amended, taking the jewelry. "Keep the bottle, though. You deserve some compensation for your troubles, Miss…?"

"That is Sivya. She and her brothers live well outside of Hermos. Though her brothers come here often, it is her first time in the city," said Ishizu evenly as her blue-eyed gaze went to Mai. "Thank you for your aid."

Mai raised an eyebrow. "I would say you're welcome, but I got the impression that you were expecting me to help," she said, tipping her head to the golden choker around Ishizu's neck. "Did you foresee me coming?"

Sivya shot her a puzzled look, while Ishizu and Rishid exchanged subtle glances. At length Rishid asked, "What makes you ask such a question?"

Mai's other eyebrow rose. "You carry the Millennium Tauk, right, Ishizu? You could see me coming to help you."

Ishizu smiled mysteriously. "You even know my name. You would be correct. I did see a meeting between us, but not how it would come about. I did not deliberately place Sivya in harm's way, if that is what you fear," she replied. "The chance of encountering you here was why my brother and I asked Sivya to bring us."

Sivya nodded. "My brothers had to leave for Enterra with our flocks a few weeks ago, but I remained behind because Rishid and Ishizu were far too exhausted to travel. They were close to collapse when they stumbled across us," she said, giving a worried glance to her companions. "They'd been lost for the better part of a week."

"My gift of foresight does not encompass everything, Princess," Ishizu said, sounding prim. She'd seen the startled look Mai had given her. "Our map was lost in a storm and we were put severely off course. Sivya was kind enough to board us until we regained our strength."

"Before you continue, I do believe you owe us an explanation," said Rishid sternly. "How is it you knew of the Millennium Tauk and its abilities, as well as my sister's name? That knowledge is not commonplace."

Mai glanced at Sivya, not immediately replying. Did this girl know of Marik and his involvement with the thieves? If she did not know and inadvertently drew attention to the group by her reaction…but Mai had to at least point Marik's siblings in the right direction. She had promised Marik she would do what she could if she met them, and she was a woman of her word.

"You're right," she said at last, meeting Rishid's suspicious gaze. "But then again, your younger brother isn't exactly a conventional source of information."

Rishid's and Ishizu's eyes widened and they stared mutely at her, the sound of the market and its shoppers the only thing audible for several moments; Sivya shot everyone an increasingly puzzled look, uncertain as to what was going on.

It was Rishid who broke the silence, all traces of his suspicion gone. "You…you've seen him?" he asked slowly, hope lighting his eyes. "He is…he is all right?"

"Well, yeah. He's healthy and whole, and it matches the healthy hatred of anyone wearing a crown. I'm not exactly one of his nearest and dearest friends, but he was fine when I left him," she replied. "Considering I spent the better part of a week and a half with him, too, I'd say he's doing fine. He's been looking for you all these years."

Rishid relaxed and a smile began to grow; Ishizu's face lost the expression of detached dignity she'd been carrying, relief and joy lighting her features. Mai could see that they were overjoyed at the news.

It did raise a question, however. "Ishizu, can't your necklace show you where he is?"

Ishizu shook her head. "Bakura is in possession of a Shadow item. It is difficult to see the future of those who carry Shadow items," she explained quietly. "I've been unaware of my brother's whereabouts or his welfare since we parted ways years ago."

Sivya jumped. "Bakura?" she asked, her voice lowering as she shot a furtive glance around her. "Wait, does that mean the younger brother you were telling me about was Marik?"

"You know about Marik being with the thieves?" asked Mai, surprised.

The girl nodded, her eyes lighting. "He and Ryou ended up lost in a blizzard last winter and stayed with my brothers and I until the storm passed," she explained. "We'd had to remain behind that winter because the flock was too weak to travel. I had no idea that you were the older siblings Marik spoke to me about, otherwise I'd have spoken sooner."

"Then it turns out our meeting was most fortuitous," said Ishizu warmly. "I'd wondered why we were guided to your home."

Mai smiled. "Speaking of Ryou, come with me. I know you and your brother are going to want to see him. Marik isn't in Enterra, so you're going to need a guide that will take you to your brother," she announced, gesturing for them to follow her into Ryou's wagon.

Ryou's back had been turned to her and as she entered the wagon he partially turned, the old woman's voice coming from underneath the hood. "Care to have your fortune to—oh, Highness, it's you," said Ryou when he saw her, his voice shifting back to normal. "What was all the commotion about?"

Sivya, who had been right behind Mai as she entered the wagon, gasped in surprise. "Ryou, why are you dressed as a woman?" she said, staring curiously at him.

Ryou did a double take, peering around Mai to the newcomer. "Sivya, I didn't realize it was you! I'm surprised, I would have thought you would have been off to Enterra by now."

He looked to Mai and said, "What was the commotion about? Did it involve Sivya?"

"Sivya ran afoul of a crooked shop owner, but she'll tell you about that later. When do you leave for the forest?" Mai asked.

Ryou sobered. "As soon as possible. Bakura's likely furious at me for leaving. It's best I don't linger here for long, or he might very well start attacking and maiming people…I'll most likely leave tonight before the city gates close. Why?"

"Nothing much, just that I need you to guide a couple extra people to Bakura's lair," she said pleasantly.

Ryou stared in surprise. "Who?"

His eyes moved past Sivya as the remaining Enterrans entered the wagon. Recognition flitted over his face moments later, Ryou's expression shifting into a stunned one. "I don't believe it," he breathed. The starts of a smile began to grow. "Rishid…Ishizu…is that really you?"

"It has been some time, Ryou," said Rishid, also smiling. "I am glad to see you are unharmed and looking well."

Ryou's eyes brightened and he began to grin. "I could say the same to both of you," he said, looking from one to the other. "You have no earthly idea of how happy Marik is going to be when he sees you. I had feared you would have been split up long before we ever found you."

Ishizu's eyebrow arched. "The slave traders learned quickly that separating my brother and I would not be possible," she said evenly, though her eyes flashed. Rishid shot his younger sister an amused smile but said nothing—Mai gained the impression there was a story behind this statement.

There were a few more minutes of conversation between them, during which Mai stood awkwardly near the exit. She wondered if she should leave. It was not until she shifted toward the wagon entrance that Ryou noticed her and said, "Goodness, Highness, I forgot. You need to be going, don't you?"

Mai offered him a small smile. "I'm pretty sure that everyone at the castle is going to be wondering where I am, and given how clingy Jean Claude is…yeah, I think I need to go," she said. As she turned to leave, she paused, then looked back at Ryou. "Do me a favor?"

"Anything, Princess," said Ryou. "What is it?"

"…Tell Jou that I want to see him when the next new moon comes around," she said quietly, shifting uncomfortably under the startled look shot to her. "I need to talk to him about what happened. Hiding in the castle won't get anything solved. Be careful on your way home, Ryou."

Mai left the wagon before she could be called back, turning the corner of the wagon to head out of sight of the doorway but stopping shortly afterward. She leaned against the side of the wagon and sighed, closing her eyes. Jou…oh please tell me I made the right decision.

"Princess?"

She opened her eyes and her head turned to where Ishizu was watching her. She must have followed Mai out.

"Forgive me for interrupting your thoughts," continued Ishizu calmly, "but I did have another reason for coming to Hermos and it involves you."

Mai's eyebrows rose, waiting for Ishizu to speak.

"I knew you would be in this city, which was why I asked Sivya to lead my brother and I here. I did not know you knew Marik, so that was an unexpected and pleasant surprise…but there is another reason I've sought you out."

Ishizu's hand went to the Tauk on her neck and it gleamed briefly. "For some time now, the Tauk has shown me your face, as well as the shadows that surround you. I've been unable to delve into why I am continuously shown your face, only that there is something around you that requires urgent attention. It has also delivered a message that I must give to you—it is the least I can do, after what you've done to help us."

Ishizu's eyes closed before Mai could say anything. The Tauk began to glow. In a low but queenly voice, the Enterran woman spoke. "'That which was taken is buried beneath the sand, trapped behind glass. The answers you seek will come, but only when you have breathed your last.'"

Mai's breath caught as Ishizu finished. She took a step backward, inadvertently bumping into the wall of the wagon. "What is that supposed to mean? Is it telling me I'm going to die soon?" she demanded, scared and angry all at once.

"I do not understand what it means, Your Highness, and I apologize for distressing you," said Ishizu, opening her eyes. The briefest hint of sympathy lit her eyes. "Do keep in mind, however, that not everything I see comes to pass—at least, not in the way most think they do. There are often multiple meanings to my prophecies, but I am no closer in deciphering what they mean."

Mai groaned, some of her fear dissipating. "More riddles. What is it with anyone holding a Shadow item speaking in riddles?"

Ishizu offered her a mysterious smile. "Unfortunately, I do not have an answer for that question either," she replied, a fleeting look of amusement crossing her features. She sobered and said, "Do be careful, Your Highness. There's something ominous and evil coming this way. While I cannot see what it is, I know it somehow involves you."

Mai lifted her chin and, after a moment's pause, grinned at her even though she felt the furthest thing from confidence. "I'm no stranger to trouble, honey," she said with a wink. "I can take care of myself. Whatever it is, I'm sure I can handle it."

The other woman smiled. "I do not doubt you, Highness," she said. "I believe you are capable of protecting yourself."

Mai dipped her head and smiled, then turned away. "Until we meet again," she said, starting on her way.

She had barely put distance between herself and Ryou's wagon when she caught sight of a familiar shade of yellow, followed by the too familiar sight of Vivian. She paused, biting back a groan as she saw the guards flanking Vivian. She made eye contact with her lady-in-waiting, offering a sheepish smile when Vivian scowled at her.

"You found me," she offered sheepishly.

Mai glanced around furtively before leading her horse into the castle stables. She had no doubts Jean Claude would be looking for her right now, but she was still not in any mood to see him. She wanted a chance to sort through her thoughts following the meeting with Ryou.

She had come back alone to the castle. Although it was clear Vivian did not want to let Mai out of her sight, someone still needed to pick up Mai's various purchases. Mai had marked each stall and shop she had visited, along with writing a list of what she had bought, then sent the soldiers and Vivian to get them. She had promised Vivian a generous consolation prize for putting up with the large group, and for leaving Mai again, and Vivian had reluctantly acquiesced as long as Mai promised to return directly.

The ride back to the castle had been a silent one. Mai had been mulling over everything that had happened in the marketplace. She was still reeling from Ishizu's prophecy, and she was also largely conflicted over the decision she had made with Jou. With any luck, everything would work out, but even so…

She shuddered. Ishizu's prophecy had hinted she would die trying to find answers to her questions…but what were the answers for? What questions would lead to this prophecy coming to pass? Would she die if she kept delving into the background story behind Jean Claude's sword? What if she was killed trying to break Jou's curse? She had not forgotten that promise to Jou and was going to fulfill that vow, but with the revelation of Ishizu's prophecy she was suddenly hesitant—and that was a feeling she did not enjoy.

"You caused quite a commotion with your little disappearing act," commented a gruff voice behind her. Mai jumped when Raphael stepped into view. He looked irritable, and Mai knew he was still angry at her for what had happened that morning. "The prince was looking for you. I nearly got whipped again for letting you leave."

Mai repressed a scowl at that thought. Really, that man…Jean Claude needed to learn how to keep his head and how to identify a proper crisis. "It was worth it for an afternoon of peace and quiet," she retorted, handing Raphael the reins to her mare. "But if he whipped you over that, I would have words with him. You've had enough done to you."

She felt the confused frown on her back, and Mai nearly ignored him as she started out of the stables. She was almost out when there came a gentle clink from the pouch at her side. She stopped, turning around to study the burly man. She could still see the angry red lines from where his injuries were still bleeding through his shirt; his arms and neck were heavily bruised as well, and it was obvious he was carrying himself gingerly.

She debated, then rummaged in the pouch. "Raphael."

When he looked at her, Mai held out the bottle of healing potion. "Take this," she said, looking away as he came closer. "It'll help with your wounds. Get those taken care of before infection really starts setting in."

Raphael examined the vial. There came the briefest hint of surprise that flew across his features. "Healing potion?" he questioned, eyeing the golden potion. "Where did you get this?"

Even as Mai began to reply, however, Raphael shook his head and held it out to her. "Take it back. I don't want this."

The blonde woman scowled at him. "Swallow your pride, Raphael, and take the stupid thing," she retorted.

Raphael's face darkened. "I can't. The prince will know—"

"'Thank you for your considerate gift that you didn't have to give me, Princess,'" she said, her voice taking on a gravelly edge to sound like Raphael. "'I'm so glad you decided to help.'"

"I saw what happened the last time you offered your help. It didn't end so well for Alister," Raphael growled, his eyes flashing. Nonetheless, he tucked the bottle into the belt at his side. "Now if you excuse me, I have to unsaddle your horse."

"I already said I'm sorry!" she snapped, following him. "I don't have the power to bring him back from the dead and I can't go back in time! I didn't deliberately send him to his death!"

Raphael glowered at her, his jaw tightening. "Don't play the innocent act, Highness," he said coldly. "We both know whose side you're on."

"Whose side I'm…"

Mai's eyes flashed, then stormed in front of him. She shoved him hard, and Raphael's face twisted in pain as he backed away. "Look, pal, the only side I'm ever on is my own," she said, her voice rising in anger as she glared up at him. "If my opinion just happens to coincide with yours, then so be it, but I only look after myself! That's how it's always been. Besides, Jean Claude's been lying through his teeth from day one! Right now, I don't trust him as far as I can throw him! If I did pick sides, I wouldn't exactly be picking his now!"

Raphael's angry features softened for the briefest of seconds. She saw something close to confusion cross his features. "He's lying to you?" he asked. "About what?"

"Pretty much all the things he's said he's done, especially how he got the sword from the White Dragons," she replied, folding her arms over her chest. "And now that I've seen Ryou, I'm not convinced Bakura killed Alister. Maybe you should quit spending your energy blaming me for something I didn't do and focus instead on Gurimo and his men!"

Raphael stared. "Ryou…he was in the city?" he asked, but before Mai could reply he scoffed, his face darkening once more. "Oh, now you figured out Bakura didn't do it? You actually had to ask Ryou about that…what, Jean Claude didn't tell you?"

"…What?"

Raphael studied the look of dawning realization that was blossoming across Mai's features, his angry features fading away. It was with a slow and suspicious tone that he asked, "You really didn't know that Jean Claude ordered Alister to be executed?"

Mai shook her head, stunned. "No, I didn't," she admitted, reeling from the revelation. "I could understand why he did it, since you and Alister were involved with the coup-d'état and it's a lot easier to only deal with one of you. What I don't get was why he had to resort to framing Bakura instead of just executing him."

"Coup- d'état? You're really trying to milk that cover story for all it's worth, aren't you?"

"A cover story for what, exactly?" Mai asked, her frown deepening. "How about you elaborate on what you're talking about and quit with the riddles—I've had enough of those for today."

"You know what I'm talking about, Highness," said Raphael, and he turned to lead the horse away.

"No, I don't!" she growled, stomping in front of him. "I've had enough of all this mystery talk! I want an answer, Raphael—what is going on around here? Don't act like you don't know, you know exactly what's happening in this castle. If I must resort to ordering you to talk, then I'll do it!" she added when Raphael glowered at her.

"I could say the same for you," he retorted, turning to walk away. He stopped, however and turned back to her with a frown. "Shouldn't you already be in the loop with Jean Claude, anyways?"

"In the loop with what, Raphael? What is it you know about this?" she asked impatiently. "Tell me!"

Something close to realization dawned on Raphael's face as he gazed at her. "You really don't know…he's already proven himself to be a liar, what's to say he wasn't lying to you?" he murmured, speaking more to himself than Mai. He tethered her horse to a nearby pole and began pacing. "But that doesn't make sense, because how could he lie to you? You wouldn't fall for it once you saw what was going on here, or if you were in on it…not unless you…"

Raphael abruptly stopped pacing and turned to face Mai. "When you ran into us back in the forest, you were coming from the direction Yugi's shop was in. Yami's obviously around if those guards yesterday were any indication," he said.

Mai took a step back, startled by the intensity of his stare. "And if he was? Yeah, I was in his company, but why is that so important to you?"

"Did he say anything about a spell you might be under?" he asked, ignoring her reply.

Mai felt the color leave her face. "How…how could you have known that?"

Raphael did not reply, instead striding forward and leaning over her. Mai took a step back, but the taller man caught her upper arms and gripped them. Her injured shoulder, though mostly healed by now thanks to Ryou, was still tender. Mai winced and tried pulling away. She was not going to take a chance on re-opening her wound. "Raphael, what are you—?"

"Listen to me," he said in a low growl, cutting over her voice. "You can't trust anything you've heard or seen in this castle, especially if it came from Jean Claude. If you're on your own side, now's the best time to stay there—don't believe anything you hear while in Jean Claude's company."

"Why not?" she asked, struggling when his grip tightened. "If you leave bruises, Raphael, I swear I'll—Raphael?"

The man had stiffened, his eyes widening in pain. The blue eyes suddenly dulled and darkened, his face clearing of emotion. Mai realized with an unpleasant jolt that she had seen this blank expression once before, and that had been just before Jou had attacked her in the clearing. "Raphael?"

The man abruptly shoved her away and then stormed off, leaving the stables and turning the corner before she could react. It took Mai a moment to process this latest turn of events and when she did Mai sprang into action.

"Raphael!" she called, running after him. "Raphael, wait! Come back—OOF!"

Mai had not been watching where she had been going and ran into someone, nearly losing her balance as she stumbled backwards. A hand caught her arm and steadied her. Mai looked up into a familiar face, his features brightening at the sight of her.

"Princess Mai, you've returned!" Jean Claude cried, looking much happier now that she was present. "I'm so glad to see you here, safe and sound. It seems your lady-in-waiting found you—I'm so relieved to see you're all right! Where's your escorting group?"

"In the city getting my purchases, but that's not important. Where's Raphael?" she said, looking around the courtyard for any sign of the blond man. "I was just talking to him—"

"Raphael?" he asked, shooting her a concerned frown. "Why, what's he done now? What did he say? If he's offended you, my dear, I'll be more than happy to straighten it out."

Mai did not immediately reply, her gaze crossing over everything in the courtyard. There was no way for Raphael to have disappeared so fast, and yet there was no sign of the burly man anywhere around. It was almost as if he had vanished into thin air. "I don't understand…he was just here."

Mai heard horses approaching. She watched as Vivian and the group of guards she'd been with entered through the castle gates, bundles on some of the horse's backs.

Jean Claude noticed them return and his face brightened. "Oh, so you went shopping. Goodness, my dear, you should have told me. I would have gone with you in a heartbeat. Why don't you tell the men where you want your things stored and we'll discuss another shopping outing over dinner? It's nearly dinnertime now, you know. And don't fret about Raphael," he added when she hesitated. "I'll have him speak with you later."

"…All right. Jean Claude, let's have dinner together," she said, managing to keep her voice light-hearted. "I want to talk to you about a couple of problems I'm having, and I'm sure only you can answer my queries," she continued.

She hated how she was practically simpering right now, but it seemed Jean Claude responded well to having his ego fed. Given what she'd just heard, she wanted to keep any suspicions he might have from being aroused until she had the answers she was looking for.

"Oh, certainly, my dear Princess," said Jean Claude brightly, waving her toward the group of guards. "I do believe Vivian needs your assistance, so you might want to go on over. I'll be there in just a minute."

Mai reluctantly nodded and gave up on trying to find Raphael around her. She'd wait until tomorrow morning, when he'd more than likely be back in the stables, and then she'd drag the answers out of him then. She curtsied to Jean Claude and hurried over to the group to begin relaying orders for her purchases.

Jean Claude made certain Mai's attention was on the group before shooting a surreptitious look at a spot near the stable. He could still see the shadows receding back into the castle walls. Noticing the broken bottle of potion still visible on the path, he strode over and, using his foot, swiftly nudged the pieces of glass into the overgrown grass. He scuffed his feet to put dirt over the spilled golden potion before his gaze went to the still pulsing shadows.

"That was close," he muttered. "Don't kill him yet, but I want him out of sight. I'll deal with him later."

The shadows completely dissipated at his words, as if they were never there. Jean Claude turned back, striding to where Mai was standing. "Now, my dear, let me assist you," he said brightly. "What can I help you with?"