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Certain As The Sun Ch.2

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Centuries Later...

1300 A.D.

Far from where the jungle now hid the Pharaoh's palace, was a village. Nestled between a river and small mountains, it was quite a lovely place.

It was the stopping point, for many Merchants to sell their wares. As it was the dawn of Trading with other countries like China; there were thousands of new things to see and find.

All the houses were made of Sandstone or Alabaster stone with wooden doors and shutters; some small and others were larger with a second story. Many of the people who lived there had been in the village their whole lives...others came just for the peace and quiet. All had a routine that never changed; nor would it ever.

Yet there was one who didn't act as they did.

A young woman left her stone house, as the sun rose with a basket under one arm. She was dressed in a pastel green off the shoulder top, dark green skirt, and belt of brown leather. Shoes of the same leather were on her feet, and a green stone hung on a leather cord around her neck. If her attire seemed odd, then appearance was even more so. She had skin the color of pearls, hair as dark as Nut's sky at night...but the thing that was startling about her were her eyes. For they were the color of pure gold. And when she smiled, they sparkled like stars.

Her name was Angela. And she was from a different land, not Egypt. Hence why she looked different. She and her Godfather had come to Egypt many years ago, and since then became the Healers or 'doctors' of the village. Using only herbal plants of nature to cure the sick.

The young woman paused half-way down the path to look at the sunrise; it seemed more beautiful each morning she woke. She said a prayer in thanks for this glorious day, then continued.

She started walking into the middle of the village, a smile on her pale pink lips; as the people woke up and started their day, saying 'hello' in their language. Merchants and craftsmen set up their stalls...farmers peddled their crops...yes, just another normal day. Angela stopped at the baker's and bought a loaf of bread for dinner that night. The baker wrapped it up in cloth while asking, "And where are you off to today, Angela?"

"I need to return this book to Adom," She replied, with a smile. "I love the story he let me borrow. It's about a girl who loses a slipper of Red-"

"That's nice, Angela." The Baker said, while handing her the bread wrapped in linen. "Have a good day."

Angela mentally sighed, and headed to her next stop. A group of young boys passed her, running so they could get to their lessons on time. Or trying to ditch them. She chuckled at their antics, before weaving her way between the mass of people. It didn't surprise her that not very one wanted to know about what was in the book that Scribe Adom had let her read.

"If only there was someone, I could talk to." She thought, while heading to the small house. "Besides Adom, my Godpa is only one who likes to talk about things that aren't about the village."

A few scholars passed the young woman with curious glances at her appearance, before returning to their tablets of stone. Some women, who carried baskets of laundry on their heads, raised a brow at the raven-haired girl before whispering. "An odd child, that one."-"She doesn't belong here."-"Why can't she behave like other girls?"

It wasn't just the women, the many others thought she was strange too. But there were a few, like the people who received her help when they had nothing to give in return, saw her as one who was 'sent by the Gods' or 'child of Isis'. For she truly cared about others and not of their status.

Angela arrived at her destination and looked around, until she saw Adom finishing his morning prayers in the garden. The old Scribe was tasked with writing down all the legends and tales of Egypt from the papyrus scrolls of old to the pages of books...which involved a lot of time hunched over a desk. Sadly, that wasn't good for his joints and only ones who could make his medicine...were her Godfather and herself.

Upon hearing her footsteps; the elder scribe turned, and gave a smile at seeing the young woman.

"Angela, my dear girl."

"Good morning, Adom." She replied, while giving him a hug. "I brought the medicine you asked for, and the book you let me borrow."

Adom raised a brow. "Finished already? You're fast."

"I couldn't put it down, I love how the King looks everywhere for owner of the slipper."

He laughed. "Ah, if only my students would love reading and listening more." He took a sip from the medicine bottle, Angela had handed him. He coughed a few times, to get the taste from his mouth. "And if only my aches weren't acting up."

"You should have a break, Adom. Really...you can't keep doing things on your own." Angela said, worried.

The Scribe patted her shoulder. "Don't you worry, my girl. I'll be fine."

Angela knew she couldn't sway him to take it easy, and changed the subject. "Do you have any new tales? I'm going to visit the children and I thought I'd bring something to tell them."

"I'm afraid not." He replied. "But...I have an idea. You tell them the story you just read, I bet they'd love hearing it as much as you did."

"That's not a bad idea! Thank you, Adom."

After talking a few more minutes, Angela headed down the road to where some of the Children played. Many of them couldn't go to school, thus they stayed close to home. Whenever she came, they would smile and crowd around her like baby chicks. Today was no exception. She sat on a rock or under a tree and tell them stories or play with them, her heart literary warmed at the their excited faces.

All Mid-morning, she told them of the maiden who had lost the Red Slipper. Her soul ached when it was time to head home, but she had to. But she promised to come by again soon.

~*~

On the other side of the village, a man rode a horse through the streets. His skin tan as the villagers, but had hair the color of clouds from being in the sun for days. It shot backwards slightly, and a few spikes near his face were like bat wings. A scar went down the side of his face and his brown eyes narrowed at the bustle of the town. He wore a long red coat, and a kilt, called a 'Shendyt' which left his chest bare. Golden Trinkets adorned his neck, and his shoes were that of a king.

He was Bakura; once King Of Thieves...now a top Mercenary. One of many hired men that traveling Merchants paid to protect them from Bandits and other thieves. The man used to be a thief, but once the Tradesmen started attending he found a much more useful way to use his abilities. And the pay...was more than he ever had.

Beside him, was his twin brother Ryou. He had the same hair as Bakura, but wasn't in the form of spikes. Light brown eyes focused on his own horse, as he petted the animal. He wore a beige tunic and Shendyt and simple sandals. While he often helped his brother, Ryou wasn't one for killing. He preferred to find a peaceful way to settle things.

From atop his horse, Bakura took out a Spyglass he 'received' from a past job and looked at the town through it. A wolfish grin spread across his lips when he saw Angela making her way through the crowd. "Ah~ There she is, Ryou. My future bride..." He handed his brother the Spyglass. "Angela is the most beautiful woman in the village, that makes her the best."

"I agree that she's pretty, Bakura." Ryou said, after lowing the object. "But she's-"

"Don't I deserve the best?" The Mercenary asked, with a growl.

"Y-Yes!" Ryou squeaked.

Finding the answer a good one, Bakura looked back at the town. "the moment I saw her, I knew she was to be mine. Just imagine her on my arm..." He trailed off at the thought for a minute with glazed eyes. "Enough talking, let's go." The man made his horse charge down the trail with Ryou yelling for him to slow down...

Angela, however, was looking at a few herbs that came from overseas. Some she knew from her late-parents journals, and others she had never seen before. Like Mustard Flowers and Mistletoe to name a few. After getting a few of them, she turned to leave and caught sight of Bakura entering town on his horse.

"Oh no..." She mentally groaned, and ducked behind a moving cart in hopes that the Mercenary wouldn't notice her. Angela had too many run-in's with the man and wasn't up to listening to his bragging today. A few young girls saw him and tried to not swoon, making Angela roll her eyes. Bakura dismounted to look for her...as well as taking flowers from a shop when the shopkeepers back was turned.

Old habits die hard; as the saying went.

Angela was almost out of the town when the once-Thief King spotted her, and cut her off. 

"Good day, Angela."

"Yes, it is." She said, taking a step back. "May I help you, Bakura?"

He presented the flowers to her with a flourish. "For your table, milady."

The young woman took them. "Um, thank you..."

"May I join you for dinner this evening? I hear you're a wonderful cook."

"Is he serious?" She thought, before saying, "Sorry, not tonight. Please excuse me-"

He cut in front of her again. "Come now, Angela. I know how you feel about me."

"You can't even imagine..." She tried to push past him.

Ryou came trotting up to his brother, panting. He wasn't as athletic as his older sibling, so he was always bringing up the rear. "C-Couldn't you have...waited for me?"

"Are you alright, Ryou?" She asked, the younger brother.

"Y-Yes, Angela...thank you for asking."

Angela reached into her basket and held out a cheesecloth bag of some Ginseg, that was powdered. "Here, make tea with this. It'll help you recover from running."

The younger brother took the pouch. "Th-Thank you, Ang-"

"Would you like me to carry your basket, Angela?" Bakura asked, cutting off his brother while shoving him aside. "It must be heavy."

She shook her head. "No, I've got it. Now if you'd excuse me, gentlemen. I must get home."

Bakura mentally growled in annoyance; before he saw some of the village girls wave him over to 'talk'. Ryou, seeing his chance, headed into the local tavern to make his tea...before he'd pass out. And before his brother dragged him on another job.

~*~

Angela didn't release the breath she had been holding, until she got home. That man made her want to bathe and scrub her skin raw. "Can't he go chase after some other girl?!" She muttered. "Good grief..."

She also couldn't fathom why or how Ryou was related to him. He was a sweet young man that deserved to not be pushed around by his bully of a brother. 

Closing the door behind her, Angela set her basket on the table and saw her Godfather in the other room. He was muttering in Gaelic while mixing up a tincture. His name was John, an old Army Medic. He was around forty years of age, with red hair and beard that was streaked with grey. Dressed in a tunic and pants of earth colors, he looked like a sage to Angela. His Cudgel-Walking stick leaned against the wall, like a soldier awaiting orders. He had an old war injury in his left leg that acted up every now and again...but it didn't stop him.

He looked up and gave a smile. "Good Mornin' lass. How was your time in th' town?"

"Nice as always." Angela said, while sitting next to him. "Godpa? Am I odd?"

He looked at in surprise. "My Godchild odd? Now where did you get an idea like that?"

"Well...people talk."

John gave a chuckle. "Let them talk, they don't know what they're talking about. You know what your father used to say?"

She shook her head.

"'Those who talk behind you, are destined to stay there'."

Angela hugged him, he always knew how to make her feel better. "Tell me one more thing about Dad and Mom? Please Godpa?"

His eyes misted over, as he thought about it. "They were the best Healers in all of Ireland. And they never asked for anything in return for their help. Your Pa was the best friend I ever had..." He trailed off. Angela knew to not press; she had never known her parents or what had happened to them...for it was painful for her Godfather to tell.

After a minute, she helped him pack up his wagon to head to the town down river. He went around this time every year to get more supplies for their pantry. Angela made sure their dark grey horse, Oberon, was hooked up and secure to the cart before going inside and making her Godfather a small lunch to have on the way. Once he was in the front and had the reins, did Angela give him the food.

"Be careful going that road, Godpa. I think we're going to have rain soon."

"I will lass." He told her, kissing her forehead. "What would you like from the village?"

"A rose." Came her reply. "Please? I know I ask for it every time, but I love them so much."

John laughed. "It's fine, lassie. I'll bring you a rose...and perhaps some Rose Seeds as well. Should I find some."

"That'd be wonderful."

"Well then..." He flicked the reins. "I'll be back soon. Take care my child!"

"Good-bye Godpa!" Angela called out, waving. "Good luck!"

She waited til he was out of view, then went inside the house to make dinner. Not knowing what was about to unfold...
Here's the next part of my 'BEAUTY & THE BEAST' story! I love the fairy-tale so much, and after seeing the new movie...I just HAD to write one! This will be a mix of the original tale by 'Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont', Disney, and my own ideas. (I highly recommend you read the original tale if you haven't.)

As you can tell, many years have past since Atem was Pharaoh...which was the idea. Since the rose is magic and will bloom for many years...it'd last a very long time. So makes since that the time era has changed, from the time of Pharaohs to the Middle Ages.

I made Bakura a Mercenary, as they were in big demand back in the time. So, I thought I'd try writing him as one a whirl. ^^;

The story that Angela had read is a tale form Ancient Egypt; which was a story called 'Rhodopis (The Egyptian Cinderella)'. {You should read it, it's good}

Picture was done by :iconlemony-kitty:

Hope you like it, and please comment. Rose

The story idea and Angela belong to me.
Yu-Gi-Oh! character belong to Kazuki Takahashi.
© 2017 - 2024 FairyOfThundera22
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ChaosTrevor's avatar
I like how you made Bakura the Gaston in your story. He should prove to be a difficult foe for the heroes to deal with later on :)