Bakura at this point really, really wished the king would allow him the right to fire people! But he knew that the odds were the king would never grant anyone that right. He found Honda sitting in a chair sleeping at the end of the maze.

Honda hated this assignment and with the snow wasn't about to patrol it. But with his chair at the only entrance/exit into or out of the castle he felt it was the best place to stay. This way no one could get by him going in or out.

Bakura kicked the back of his chair, making him fall forward on his face in the snow.

Honda was instantly woken and quickly picked up his gun and raised it at the person in front of him only to lower it, seeing Bakura. "What the hell did you do that for? I'm on duty, what more do you want for nothing!"

"What I want? What I want is your ass on a stick! But you're not my problem anymore."

Honda smirked, "Let me guess, Conner and Eagan ran and told the king what I said and so now I'm fired or something?"

"Or something. The king hasn't said a word to me. Conner and Eagan told me he made no protest to your being dragged away. So obviously…"

"Obviously Master King Kaiba didn't train him well enough. The Master King was great! He was a powerful and fine leader! I was proud to serve under him! I was so happy the day he pinned the Alamainian Medal of Valor on my chest."

"You got the Alamainian Medal of Valor? I knew we'd had a few minor battles under the Master Kings rule but I never knew he'd given out such an award to anyone."

"Yes, as he was pinning it to my chest he said I showed great courage and heroism in battle! That I saved not just his life but that of many others as well. It wasn't a major battle, just a mild skirmish but several knights had already been killed and many others wounded. I took it upon myself to disobey orders to stay put and somehow without being killed I managed to make it behind enemy lines and took out some of their catapults and snipers. Everyone was impressed I got through it all without a scratch."

"So what exactly is your problem with King Kaiba? Too much peace for you? I'm sure if you really felt that way about it you could have requested a transfer to one of our allies' armies that I've heard often have trouble."

"I knew the Master King was training his son; he just didn't train him well enough! He's too lax and cares too much for family. The Master King had no feelings like that. He did what was needed. He went so far as to take his own infant son and give him away so that he could concentrate on training King Kaiba. He didn't want or need him around. He also allowed the King and Master Atemu to become close. Have you seen how King Mahaado treats his assistant? That's the way the Master King always treated his assistants and staff. He was never friends or friendly with them. King Kaiba would fall apart if there was any major battle! He's always worrying over that brat, even more now that he's here and not just out there somewhere."

"I see. Well in that case I understand perfectly."

Honda's eyes shined thinking Bakura truly understood.

"Until further notice you will report to Connor for any assignments other than here in the maze."

Honda's jaw dropped. "But Connor is the head of the Guards!"

"I am well aware of who he is. I assure you it's temporary."

Honda sighed in relief thinking Bakura did care what happened to him and did understand and was willing to hand over Knight leadership back to him. "I shall await news." Honda said in a salute.

Bakura simply nodded his head. He didn't know what Honda was all happy for. If anything by the time he finished talking with the king he'd be lucky if reassignment was all he got!

x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x

Bakura found Seto trying to teach Mokuba some basic table manners in the form of salad fork, dinner fork, soup spoon and dessert spoon. He wasn't having a lot of success.

"Excuse me my king, Might I have a word with you, alone?" Bakura asked not wanting Mokuba to hear.

"Mokuba, why don't you run along upstairs and see if Yami's returned yet and see if he needs any help with anything. Try not to get dirty."

"Okay big brother."

Mokuba, hearing that Bakura wanted to talk to Seto alone, didn't argue. It's not like Seto told him to get lost or run along and play somewhere or sit there till he returned.

After Mokuba left Seto took Bakura to a room not far from there and sat down while Bakura stood next to the fireplace. There was a fireplace in almost every room of the castle.

"What seems to be the problem Bakura?"

Bakura sighed, "It's Honda."

"Again? What did he do this time?"

Though Bakura had told the other guards and knights not to tell about Honda's rant that got him his first reprimand after this incident Bakura told Seto all about it and about all he'd just been told and what action he took.

Seto sighed as he got up and looked out the window. "So he's that impressed with Mahaado? To the point that he feels that he's a lot like my father?"

"Apparently, sir. I think he believes I feel the same way as I simply commented that I understood what he was saying. I happen to disagree with him but I felt it best not to tell him this."

"Yes, I understand. I'll deal with it. You're dismissed."

Bakura bowed and left.

Seto was sad to lose Honda. He always seemed like the perfect knight. He was very skilled and highly trained and his father gave him high praises, which for his father was saying something. His father didn't usually give praise lightly. To be able to impress him that highly Seto felt was a great accomplishment. So he saw no need when he took over to change any of the staff or guards.

Well okay there were a couple of maids that tended to his father's needs, in more ways than one. His first act was to reassign them to help the guards and now he suspects that they tend to Duke and who knows how many other guards' needs. They were disappointed that he didn't want them to stick around and tend to his needs. But he didn't want to be a slut and screw everything that walked like his father.

Then there were a couple bulldozer maids that tended to him. He reassigned them to laundry and dusting unused rooms. It kept them busy and out of his hair. Then hearing a new king had been crowned a flood of new people came seeking jobs. New people were hired and he happened upon a couple of very pretty young women looking for work and seeking laundry or kitchen detail as they knew those were low lying positions and possibly more openings. However he took a liking to them and had guards escort them to the royal chamber off the throne room. Both feared what was to come knowing the kind of man the last king was. However Seto came in with Yami and the women were surprised when they were asked to consider personal maid positions. They jumped at the chance. So far few have caused as great a problem as Honda had lately.

x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x

As Seto was walking he found Mahaado talking to his adviser. He approached him.

"Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt."

"Ah, King Kaiba, to what do I owe the honor?"

"I want to discuss Maura."

"Oh, yes I suppose you heard she refused me when I asked her to come and live with me?"

"Yes, I did."

"Do you think perhaps we could work out some form of an arrangement?"

"I'm sorry but she's not my problem. My brother adopted her and I don't think he's willing to let her go."

"And you just allow this to take place?"

Seto shrugged, "Not a lot for me to do about it. He has the right to do it if he pleases. I am simply on the paper as a guardian nothing more."

"Then if you have no love for her, help me convince her to return with me!"

"I'm sorry but as I said it's not my place, but I do feel that if she does not want to go with someone who believes it's fine to hit children then I don't believe she should go."

"She disrespected me! I had to teach her a lesson."

"I have what you might consider a proposition. I'm not sure how you will feel about it…" Seto said changing the subject. If it kept going he might have lost his temper and destroyed any chance of peace!

"By all means ask away."

"I have a former head knight that's been causing a lot of trouble recently and was just demoted to guard for his attitude."

"How does this affect me?"

"I realize he'd be no replacement for Maura but the person in question feels that you are his new ideal King. He feels I am not worthy to be a king."

'My father pretty much felt the same way.' Seto thought.

"Really? Never even having met me before and already feels I am his perfect ideal king?"

"So I've heard."

"Where might I find this man?"

"He should still be on guard duty. If you wish I can escort you there and if you agree you may have him in exchange for allowing Maura to remain here but giving her a means to visit."

"I don't see why not. Shall we?" Mahaado said, gesturing for Seto to lead the way.