Maura was up and about by the next day. Much to Yami's relief.

As they prepared to eat Seto then spotted Alister trying but failing to stand still. "Alister, why don't you and Varon go eat breakfast."

"Sir we shouldn't leave you." Alister said.

"You won't do anyone any good starving. Now go on, both of you."

It was then Mokuba remembered he had wanted to talk to Seto and Yami about Ryo and Varon. But before he could say anything between mouthfuls Maura told Seto and Yami about their adventure. She chose to leave out the part about running into Noah. She felt it would only upset them.

"Wow, sounds like you guys had an amazing time. I wouldn't have thought you and Mokuba could have used magic like that." Yami said.

"Well Mokuba did most of it, I only helped."

Seto frowned, "Wait, after that you never went to Yugi to put up the barrier shield, did you?"

Yami's eyes went wide, "No I forgot. I doubt Yugi would risk doing it alone."

"Then how is it up? Also how did you guys get back? Krystyn forgot all about you? Did you figure out how to come back on your own?" Seto asked.

Maura frowned, "The last thing I remember is we went to put rocks around the fair and I got weak and then I woke up in bed. I have no idea how we got back."

"Maybe Master Dartz did something to get the kids back and put up the shield but didn't say anything." Yami suggested hoping Dartz wasn't as bad as he appeared.

"No way, I think he helped boost Maura's power to help Mokuba but that's all he did."

Yami frowned, "Why do you say that?"

"At one point both Dartz and Krystyn looked at Maura. Krystyn looked surprised and Dartz looked guilty. I didn't ask because whatever he did, she didn't look hurt and Krystyn seemed happy if not surprised at what he did." Seto quickly added knowing Yami would demand to know why he failed to question what Dartz had done to Maura.

"If he didn't do it, then who did?"

Since no one asked him, Mokuba kept quiet, but he knew Seto would eventually ask him. He was right as Seto turned to him and asked, "Mokuba do you know how you got back?"

Mokuba wanted to lie, but felt guilty for thinking that. He sighed and said, "M-Maura f-fell and w-wouldn't get up I w-was s-scared. I c-couldn't remember K-Krystyn."

"So what did you do?" Seto asked.

"I c-called t-the only p-person I t-thought could help, Zariah."

'I really want to meet this woman.' Seto thought. "So she helped you get back?"

Mokuba nodded.

"Do you think she set up the shield?" Yami asked.

Mokuba shrugged as he had no idea.

"Most likely she did. Since she brought the kids back we have to assume Mokuba told her what they were doing and saw you couldn't do the shield so she did it for us."

"Why do you assume she did it and not Mahaado?" Yami asked.

"No, if Mahaado had done it he'd have been in here by now gloating."

"S-Seto?"

"Mmm...What is it kiddo?"

"I…"

"It's okay, you can ask anything."

"I d-don't know if i-it was a d-dream or s-something else. But I h-heard Ryo say he wasn't going to try to be k-knight because of me. I d-don't w-want him to g-give up on what he w-wants because of me."

"Actually he told me the same thing, when I asked him to accept knighthood and being your official guard. He didn't like that I was going to change the rules just for him."

"He told me something similar." Yami said.

Now that he thought of it Mokuba remembered something like that said not long after getting here. Though at the time he didn't really understand that Ryo was and wasn't going to get his dream. He only now realizes what Ryo being his guard would mean. Having Varon as his guard while Yami was away he understood more what a royal guard did. But thinking about what he saw of knights in that other kingdom and how little time Ryo had for him while training to join them, he realized that until Ryo was free of him he'd never get his dream of being a knight. Knowing that he was standing in the way of Ryo's dream he didn't want that. If he had known that when Seto first asked Ryo to be a knight and his guard he'd have never selfishly stood in the way. Looking back he remembered asking Ryo if he'd be his guard. At the time he didn't realize by asking that he was keeping Ryo from his dream. He started to think back to the times when he'd go to visit with Ryo and found him training and sometimes leaving that training to be with him. He's just now realizing that he's been selfishly keeping Ryo from training for his dreams by just being around him. He hated to lose Ryo as his big brother but at the same time he knew it was what Ryo needed. He'd have to learn to rely on Varon to fill that void.

"So what do we do about it?" Yami asked.

"Well you once said you wanted to find someone new and have Varon become Mokuba's guard. So first we check with Varon, then when I'm sure he'll agree. We put up a notice for anyone who wishes to try out. If you don't find anyone you want amongst the ones who try out you could either keep Varon till Spring or choose someone as a temporary replacement till spring at which time we could send out proper announcements."

"Yeah it'll all depend on if anyone tries out and if anyone can match up to Varon. Most likely I'll end up doing a little of both. Since right now the kids can't go anywhere till the snow lets up, then Varon could stay on and help train whoever takes over even if they're only temporary."

"Do I get a guard too?" Maura asked.

Yami frowned, "Yeah now that you mention it, we should probably get you one too. Perhaps we should ask Mahaado if he has someone for you."

"No."

Yami looked at Seto confused, "Okay, why?"

"Think about it for a moment, Yami. Do you really think Mahaado would just allow a guard to move here and live here to be Maura's personal guard and not report back any and everything he saw. If not secretly magically sending anything we say or do directly back to him!"

As much as he wanted to say 'No he'd never do that. He'd only report back if it was something important concerning Maura.' Honestly as he thought about it he realized Seto was right. Mahaado's man, even if he didn't secretly magically video tape everything that went on, would take every opportunity to spy and report back anything he found out he felt his master might find interesting.

"You're right, come spring we'll add Maura's name to the flyers and look for two royal guards."

Alister and Varon returned and only heard Yami say they were going to look for two royal guards.

Alister, knowing he'd been on Seto's bad side lately asked, "Did we displease you that much sire that you're replacing us?"

Yami smiled and instead of answering said, "Mokuba come over here."

Mokuba thought it was strange but didn't question it and walked over to Yami. Yami turned the boy to face them and said next to the boy's ear but loud enough to be heard, "Why don't you ask Varon?"

'Ah no. I'd rather not.' Mokuba thought.

"Go on, it's alright." Yami encouraged.

Varon bent down and said, "Come on little one. Don't be afraid, you can ask me anything."

Mokuba sighed, he built up his courage, "W-will you b-be my r-royal guard?"

Varon was more than surprised, he looked at Yami, "You're replacing me sir?"

Yami shook his head, "It's only a request from Mokuba. Whether you choose to switch positions or not is up to you. I am not forcing or ordering you too. If you wish I'd allow you to switch to Mokuba's guard and you would remain mine as well until a replacement can be found."

At that Varon smiled and looked at Mokuba and said, "I'd be honored to be your new official royal guard." Mokuba smiled and hugged him.

"Am I being reassigned as well?" Alister asked.

"Not yet." Seto said. "If your attitude doesn't change that might. No, the other guard Yami mentioned is for Maura."

Varon stood up and asked, "Who's going to tell Sir Ryo?"

"Well not tonight, right now I have a promise to keep. I promised Mokuba we'd go exploring the castle more." Yami said.

Mokuba had honestly forgotten about that, but at the same time not exactly looking forward to it. After hearing Yami tell Yugi he didn't like explaining things he won't be able to ask any questions.

"So what do say Mokuba? Wanna go?"

Mokuba did his best to smile and act like he wanted this and said, "Of course."

Seto however saw through it. But didn't say anything, he hoped this time together would help them bond.

"Can I go to?" Maura asked.

"I'm sorry Maura but I promised Mokuba it'd just be us. Maybe tomorrow."

'Or later today after he realizes he doesn't really want to spend time with me.' Mokuba thought.

"So are you ready to go kiddo?"

Mokuba smiled and nodded, hoping he was wrong about this. He wanted to bond and spend time with Yami but he knew Yami didn't feel the same since unlike Maura there were still a lot of things he didn't know or understand.

X-x-x-x

That night as if by fate Ryo who was getting ready for his date with Shizuka was putting his shirt on when the necklace that connects him to Mokuba snagged and broke off. He picked it up and said, "Well that's weird. How'd it do that? Oh well it was getting harder to wear both while practicing and them always clanging together. I'll have to find time to go to the jewelry store and see if he can fix it so the two are on the same chain. Maybe I can make it into a pin instead and wear it that way? I'll have to think about it."