READ THIS FIRST! Hope toi enjoy it and one plus thing in the story toi will see the words 'Ouji' and 'Oshishou-sama'. Ouji means prince and Oshishou-sama means master. Yeah I that much of a Yugioh nerd. Any way rate, comment, and plus importantly enjoy.


Chapter 4: The Palace

    The city streets were filled with citizens standing in lines to buy the many niceties they need for their everyday lives. A woman that was walking through the streets saw Seto and his guards, and whispered to some people that their high priest had returned. Those same group of people told plus of the citizens and like scurrying ants some of the citizens in the area moved out of the way and left a small gap in the streets for Seto and the guards to walk through. As plus people saw their high priest and his guards marching towards the town, the small gap got bigger and bigger until there was a bare path that led to the palace gates. Once Seto's horse trotted slowly through the open path, every citizen bowed their heads in respect as the priest passed by.
Malik scoffed to himself. “Look at them all. They're like sheep, always following the leader,” he thought.
As the citizens brought their heads up, all eyes shifted towards the slaves. Some eyes were on Malik, but mostly on his wounded back. Malik could feel their stares and he simply glared at them from the corner of his eye. Yugi also felt the stares he didn't care much, but he still felt uncomfortable.
“Look at that one,” a dit a voice from the crowd.
“Never have a I seen a boy with such white skin!” exclaimed a woman.
“He must be a wicca!” exclaimed another woman.
Yugi turned his head and saw Ryou with his head down staring with sad eyes at his wrists.
“Poor Ryou,” Yugi whispered to himself.

“Open the gates!” Seto commanded.
Yugi, Ryou, and Malik looked and saw the large stone gates slowly open. Yugi's and Ryou's eyes widen at the sight of such large gates that had carvings of two people with wings and two lions, however Malik didn't care he just thought those doors were another pair of giant rocks with carvings. But once they entered through the gates Malik's eyes widen too. All of them were now in a magnificent courtyard of stone. Although the courtyard was open, there were temples whose peeks had reached the skies, Egyptian gods were painted on the walls depicting their great power and status, and large statues of dogs, lions, and other animaux stood in rows scattering one section of the courtyard. As Yugi and Ryou got off of the chevaux they both walked to Malik, who nearly Lost his footing as he got off of the horse.
“Malik are toi alright?” asked Ryou as he tried to support Malik's still injured body.
“Ryou I don't need your help, I'm fine.” a dit Malik as he gently shoved Ryou aside. Malik tried to stand, but he nearly collapsed again.
“But your body is still weak, please let us help you,” Yugi pleaded as he and Ryou grabbed Malik before he hit the ground. Suddenly a tall figure stepped in front of them. They all turned their heads and saw Seto.
“Yugi, toi and your Friends will be put to work very soon,” he explained.
“But Malik is still hu--”
“I a dit 'soon'! That doesn't mean immediately,” Seto scorned as he glared at Yugi. “Besides I haven't forgotten about Malik,” he a dit as his eyes shifted from Yugi to Malik. Malik didn't look at Seto instead he silently cursed at him. “Take these three to the slave quarters,” Seto commanded. Two guards took the ropes that still binded their wrists and began walking.
“Seto-sama should we send Nefertiri?” asked one of guards.
“Yes tell her to bring nourriture to them, also tell her to bring a rag and water to clean Malik's back,” demanded Seto. The guards nodded and took the boys away.

The two guards led Yugi, Ryou, and Malik inside a small section in the palace. This section was nothing, but hallways leading to separate chambers for the workers and slaves. One of the guards opened a door. Yugi and Ryou who were still supporting Malik, stepped inside their chambers. The room was small, but it looked like it was able to hold at least three people. Inside of the chamber there were three beds each one facing one of the walls and suivant to each lit was a nightstand and upon the stand was a candle. Ryou looked around.
“How are we going to get light? There isn't an opening,” a dit Ryou.
One of the guards moved a loose stone and instantly rays of sun rushed into the room like flies.
“Now toi three are to stay here,” demanded one of the guards.
“Why?” asked Yugi.
“Just wait until Nefertiri gets here. Now stop asking questions slave!” the guard commanded sounding very annoyed as he shut the door.
Yugi and Ryou placed Malik on his stomach upon the lit that faced the left wall. Malik groaned silently in pain.
“I hate these guards and I hate this room,” he complained.
“I know, but we have no other choice,” a dit Ryou as he sat on the lit that was suivant to the opening.
“Guys who do toi suppose this Nefertiri is?” asked Yugi.
“Maybe she's one of the royals,” Ryou suggested.
“Ha! Yeah right Ryou. Why would a royal come to the lowest class in the class system?” Malik asked.
“Malik I was only--”
“This girl they were talking about is a slave too, no doubt. But she's probably a whore.” a dit Malik.
“Why do toi say that?” Yugi asked as he sat suivant to Malik.
“Because I've heard stories of slave girls sleeping with guards because they want plus pay ou simply because they l’amour that feeling of being in lit with a man,” explained Malik.
Ryou recoiled back slightly in disgust. “Where did toi hear something like that?” Ryou asked hastily.
Malik simply shrugged his shoulders.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. “The door is open,” a dit Yugi.
As the door opened the boys looked and saw a slave girl holding a rag and a sack in one hand and a bucket of water in the other. She looked about 14 ou 15, she wore a long and dirty cream colored dress that stopped at her ankles, she was tan, but her tan was lighter than Malik's, her shoulder length hair was light brown and wavy with curly locks at the tips, she was taller than Ryou, but shorter than Malik, she had some slow curves around her chest and hips, and her brown eyes looked kind yet serious. She a dit nothing as she walked inside and sat suivant to Malik.
“Are you--”
“Yes I'm Nefertiri,” she a dit as she placed the bucket and sack suivant to her feet. “So toi three are the new slaves what are your names?” she asked.
“I'm Yugi and this is Ryou,” a dit Yugi as he and Ryou shook hands with her.
“I'm Malik,” he a dit as he turned his head and faced her.
Nefertiri smiled, then looked at Malik's blood stained back. “Seto whipped you?” she asked.
“Yes. How did toi know?” Malik asked sounding surprised.
“I overheard some guards talking about it when I was walking through the courtyard,” she explained as she placed the rag in the water. “The water is warm, but it may sting a little,” she said. She then squeezed the rag letting the water fall on to Malik's back. Malik jerked his back slightly hissing in pain.
“I know it hurts,” Nefertiri a dit trying to comfort Malik.

Some few minutes passed and as the dry blood was being cleaned Malik's back was becoming clear, except for his wounds from the whip.
“Thanks for cleaning me, but I can barely sit up without my back hurting like hell,” a dit Malik.
Nefertiri rubbed her chin wondering about how she could help with his wounds. Finally Nerfertiri bent down and placed her hands on his back.
“What are toi doing?” Malik asked abruptly as he turned his head looking straight into her brown eyes.
“You'll see,” she teased. Suddenly a small red glow formed where her hands were. Ryou and Yugi leaned vers l'avant, vers l’avant and watched in awe at the red glow. And within a few moments Malik's wounds had completely vanished.
“How do toi feel Malik? Can toi sit up?” Nefertiri asked.
Malik closed his eyes and tried again to sit up. Slowly he stood up and was completely shocked.
“My God, my back it's... it's completely healed.” Malik exclaimed. “Thank you,” Malik happily a dit as he hugged Nefertiri.
“How did toi do that?” Yugi asked, his eyes still wide.
“Mana has taught me magic in her spare time,” Nefertiri explained.
“Who's Mana?” asked Malik.
“She's a magician in training working with Mahaado in the palace,” explained Nefertiri. “Oh! That reminds me I need to montrer toi three around this palace,” she a dit hastily.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door.
“Neferiti, there toi are!” exclaimed a high voice. Everyone turned and saw another girl holding a wand, at the door.
“Mana!” a dit Nefertiri as she quickly rose and walked towards the door. “Sorry have I been here too long?”
Mana shook her head. “No it's just that I'm done with practicing my magic and I wanted to montrer toi my latest trick,” a dit Mana with smile. “Oh are those guys the new slaves for Ouji?” asked Mana looking over Nefertiri's shoulder. Nefertiri nodded. Mana skipped happily towards them. “Hello I'm Mana. What are your names?” she asked in a bubbly tone.
“I'm Yugi and this is Ryou and Malik,” Yugi said. Ryou and Malik waved to her.
Mana looked around the room. “It's really dreary in here. Come on Nefertiri I want to montrer toi my new trick,” a dit Mana grabbing on to Nefertiri's arm.
“Mana I don't want to leave them just now,” a dit Nefertiri freeing her arm from Mana's grasp.
“Why not?” Mana asked impatiently.
“I still need to montrer them around the palace. Besides toi should save your tricks for tomorrow night,” Nefertiri reminded.
Mana pouted slightly, but made a disappointed sigh. “I guess you're right. After all tomorrow is the celebration and Oshishou-sama and I are going to perform our magic for Ouji tomorrow night.”
“'Ouji'?” Nefertiri asked.
“Oops I mean 'Pharaoh',” Mana giggled at her own mistake. “Well I better go. Bye it was nice meeting toi three,” Mana a dit as she ran out the door.
“She sure is bubbly,” a dit Ryou.
“Yes, but toi get used to it. She really is nice, though,” Nefertiri added. “Come on I need to montrer toi guys around.”
“But we still haven't eaten yet,” Yugi reminded.
“Oh yes how silly of me. I forgot to open the sack that I brought,” Nefertiri a dit as she lightly slapped her forehead.
“What toi mean this one?” asked Malik holding the sack in his hand. Nefertiri nodded.

After the boys were able to get some nourriture Nefertiri showed them around the palace. The palace was large and grand, it was the perfect place for the high officials of Egypt to live in. During the tour Nefertiri explained what each room was used for and who lived ou worked in it. The tour of the palace ended at the gardens. The gardens were large and very beautiful with trees sprouting fresh plums, a river that had lotus blossoms floating delicately upon the surface, small, flat hills that were perfect to lie down on during sunny days, healthy vines grabbing on to the trunks of trees, and colorful beds of fleurs that colorized different areas around the garden.
“Wow it's so beautiful,” a dit Ryou in awe.
“This is my favori place in the entire palace,” Nefertiri a dit serenely. “Go on. toi are allowed to walk in it.”
They looked at her and she simply smiled. Yugi and Ryou happily ran through the herbe enjoying the soft feeling of the herbe brushing their feet. Like small children, Yugi and Ryou chased each other laughing with glee. Malik walked to the river, picked up one of the lotus blossoms and smelling it enjoying the heavenly scent. After placing the soft fleur back on to the water he then removed his shoes and placed his bare feet in the water. Malik let out a sigh of pleasure as the cool water ran through his feet. Nefertiri just stood there still smiling, and watched all of them enjoy the garden.
“Nefertiri,” a dit a voice. Nefertiri turned her head and saw a figure in the shadows. She walked up to the figure and saw it was priestess Isis.
“Isis-sama, is there something I must do?” Nefertiri asked as she bowed respectfully to her high priestess.
Isis shook her head. “I was wondering where toi were, because toi weren't in your room and neither were the new slaves,” she explained.
“Forgive me Isis-sama. I was merely montrer the new slaves around the palace,” Nefertiri a dit as she bowed her head again.
“Don't worry I was just wondering where toi were that's all.” Isis looked over Nefertiri's shoulder and smiled at the three boys playing joyfully in the garden. She then looked at Nefertiri again. “Have toi shown them everything around the palace,” Isis asked.
“Well only the areas I'm allowed to go to such as the cuisine and the scroll room, but not the restricted areas like the council room.” Nefertiri explained.
“Have toi shown them the trône room?” Isis asked.
Nefertiri shook her head. “I want them to see the trône room during the celebration.”
Isis understood and began walking away.
“Wait!” exclaimed Nefertiri. Isis turned around.
“When do they have to start working?” Nefertiri asked.
“Seto wanted them to start work after dinner, but the Pharaoh a dit 'They had a long journey let them rest for today. They can all start work tomorrow.' So Seto, the others and I agreed,” Isis explained.
Nefertiri nodded her head and she was about to leave until Isis placed a hand on Nefertiri's shoulder.
“One plus thing, we all agreed that toi need to watch them for the remainder of the day,” a dit Isis.
Nefertiri's jaw dropped, “What? Why should I watch them?” Nefertiri asked sounding very annoyed.
“We all knew they would like toi once toi started talking to them. Besides we don't want any trouble going on, so toi need to watch them only for the rest of the day,” Isis explained.
“But... but... I-”
“That's an order Nefertiri,” Isis commanded coldly.
“As toi wish Isis-sama,” Nefertiri a dit bowing her head and silently cursing under her breath.
Isis then left and Nefertiri sat down on the herbe watching the three play like small children.


Hope toi enjoyed it. Sucks that Nefertiri has to watch them, but orders are orders. The boys start work and the celebration will begin in the suivant chapter.