Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ With the Wind at My Back ❯ That Old Black Magic ( Chapter 3 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Disclaimer: You know what I own of Yu-Gi-Oh? Nothing. Know what I'm making for this story? Nothing. We clear? `Course we are. I mean, heck, if I owned YGO, you wouldn't laugh at me naming the kingdom "Duel."

Author's Notes: Beware falling AU! Medieval AU, at that. Old black magic has me in its spell. Old black magic that you weave so well. Eh, I doubt any of you actually know those lyrics. Gah, moments like this make me feel old.

Random Yu-Gi-Oh Fact: Did you know that the Yamis have no bodies of their own? That's why they have Yugi, Bakura, and Malik as hosts. Therefore, all those fics out there that write as if the Yamis and their hosts can be in the same room at the same time (hoo boy, there are a lot of them) are totally out of continuity.

Chapter Three: That Old Black Magic

Three days into the disappearance of the Lady Anzu, and the palace seemed to be in quiet chaos. Knights were sent out in rotating groups for hours, only to come back with nothing to report. All of them were very fearful of having the king's wrath brought down upon them. The servants were especially on edge. After all, knights were necessary for protection; servants were expendable.

However, King Pegasus seemed, much to the surprise of all who saw him, to be quite calm with the situation. The very first day he had been expectedly furious. Then, after only half the day had burned away, it was if everything was back to normal for him. Like Lady Anzu hadn't gone missing at all.

To say the king's odd behavior unnerved everyone in the castle would be an understatement. It outright scared a few of them. What could be going on his mind that he could be so utterly content with everything? How could he be so sure that Lady Anzu would be back soon, if at all? Soon, old rumors of the king having strange powers started up again. Tales that he could tell if his followers were lying were stirred up. Maybe he could even see into the future, some dared to argue.

There were only three people in the castle who didn't seem interested in the gossip that was circulating. They were stationed at the highest point of the stone fortress, a tower room with a view of the entire Duel kingdom. They were a trio that most had not seen, and many had not even heard of. Only a few of the higher knights, and the king's council were fully aware of who they were, and the king himself was apparently the one person who had the privilege of knowing what each of them looked like.

This mysterious group studied the Dark Arts, the oldest of them being a master himself. The other two were younger, apprentices, but powerful in their own right. They had long since dropped their given names, opting for titles, and thus ensuring no one, not even the other two of their team knew their true identities. The three black magic users had become the king's personal guard against any foe who might use mystical powers to do away with him. They had come into the king's services shortly after the queen's death, and were reportedly --among the few knights that knew about them-- very powerful, and very dangerous.

Of course, it was doubtful that the knights would still consider them dangerous had they seen the youngest of the trio on the third day of Lady Anzu's disappearance.

In the top tower room a blonde young girl sat on a dusty table, big green eyes fixated on a book in front of her. To her left sat her odd, blue hat, and by her right was her staff. Had the other two of her group been there, she probably wouldn't have been sitting in such a casual, immature manner. She was the neophyte, and determined to make the best impression.

However, she was also a teenaged girl, with curiosity and quirks that are associated solely to teenaged girls. With her eyes still locked on the spellbook she held, she reached out with her free hand, and picked up her wand. Concentrating on the words in front of her, she murmured them while waving her small staff, the magical item glowing from her incantation. Finally, with the last word passing her lips, she tapped her wand on the top of her head, unable to suppress a squeal when a loud pop resounded in the stone room.

She looked down at her handiwork, expecting it like a mason would his new creation. She wondered if maybe she should've left it the way it was.

A cloud of purple smoke materialized in the middle of the room, two tall, robed figures emerging from it. The older, taller one glowered disapprovingly at the girl before him, tapping his long staff, the mystical cane making a strong clack clack against the stone, as if even it was annoyed with her. The younger of the two stood dumbfounded, blue eyes staring at the girl, who glared back.

"What?" demanded the girl to the blue eyed young magician. "You don't like it?"

"I-it's just... " he stumbled for the right words, trying not to upset her even more. Surely, their teacher would do that for him. "It's... Red."

"Humph," she twirled a strand of her newly colored hair. "Think I should've left it blonde?"

"Black Magician Girl!" barked the eldest, his gray beard twitching. "We leave for practice for only an hour, and you spend this study time to play? How do you expect to better yourself?"

"I studied for most of the time," Girl swore, knowing she was fighting a lost battle. "Honest!"

"There are times," the elder, known only as the Black Robed Sage, shook his head, "when I wonder what it was that made me take you in. You can't keep using your powers for such frivolous things."

"I know," she said, eyes downcast, as she grabbed her hat and placed it over her incriminating locks.

"You both act like I'm going to be around forever to teach you," Sage continued, surprising the young Black Magician, who thought he'd be exempt from this lecture. "I'm not young, you know? I'm old. Too old to deal with such silly matters from two teenagers with bubbly ideas floating about in their untrained heads.
"Sooner or later," he informed them, "barking out orders to irresponsible apprentices will be your jobs." The sour face on Girl did not go unnoticed by him. "Yes, that's right, young lady. One of these days you'll be too old for those silly little dresses of yours, and you'll be telling your students to pay attention. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," both Girl and Magician replied meekly, knowing better than to argue anymore.

"Good," Sage nodded. Then, with an incredulous expression on his old face, he whapped Girl lightly on her hooded skull with his staff, causing her transformed hair to revert to its original color. "And you look better blonde."

"Yes, sir," Girl said, glancing at Magician, who gave her a tiny, close-lipped smile in return. No matter how angry their teacher got, he never seemed to stay mad at them for long. He was, in a strange way, much like a father. A very old, cranky father.

The dull sound of horses galloping reached their ears, and Sage walked to one of the open windows. From far down, five knights were leaving the castle on horseback, while five more were returning. One of the returning knights took off his helmet, revealing himself as head of the guard, Otogi Ryouji. The dark haired young man barked out a few orders to the knights that had been in his group, before stalking off to the castle, no doubt to tell the king of what they had found, or lack thereof.

"No sign of Lady Anzu yet, hmm?" Sage murmured.

"Is she still missing?" Girl asked, poking her head out the window. "You'd figure they'd find out who took her by now."

"Who said it was a kidnapping?" Sage challenged, smirking at his young apprentice.

"You think she left deliberately?" Magician wondered, shocked.

"I don't see why," Girl frowned. "It seems to me she had everything she could want here."

"You don't see a lot of things," Sage explained, stepping away from the window. "An unfortunate side affect of us being so secluded, I'm afraid."

"So, why did she leave?" Girl demanded, not liking the idea that her teacher knew something she didn't.

"Now, that's up to Lady Anzu to explain," Sage smiled, picking up a book. "After all, I'm not the one in the castle who can read minds."

The vague answer left both apprentices staring, cluelessly.

Sunlight streamed through the opened windows of the small cottage the family Mutou owned. It was almost midday, and Yugi had fixed up some soup and tea, after Sugoroku had nearly caused a fire trying to do it himself. The two had settled at the small table that divided the kitchen from the living room, each of them slowly sipping the remnants of their drinks.

The day before, Yugi had shown Anzu some of the plants in the surrounding forest that were helpful for sick or injured monsters. That new knowledge had given Yugi the chance to excuse Anzu from cleaning up the burnt mess Sugoroku had created, insisting that she go out with Kuri and find some plants for the Holy Elf that was to visit soon.

Thinking of their new guest, Yugi took a quick glance at the door.

"She'll be back soon, Yugi," Sugoroku calmly reassured his grandson, taking a small sip of his tea. "It's lunch right now. She's bound to be hungry, so I'm sure she'll arrive soon enough."

"I'm not worried, Grandpa," Yugi said, slightly embarrassed his anxiousness had been obvious.

"You should be," came the short statement.

The boy clenched his cup, taken aback. "Grandpa?"

"The girl ran away from something, Yugi," Sugoroku said, a-matter-of-factly. "Goodness knows from what or who, but it was enough for her to escape with barely anything on her to keep her alive for long."

Yugi frowned, silently contemplating what the older man had said. What could've possibly been so frightening that she would run away like that? In the middle of a rain storm, no less?

"You do realize," Sugoroku continued, "that it means we've probably brought a great deal of trouble into our household by letting her stay." He took another sip of his tea, staring into the dark liquid when he lowered the glass. "It would be safer if we asked her to leave soon. In our best interest."

Yugi stared hard at his grandfather, digesting the idea with ill ease. Force Anzu to leave? His grandfather was right; it probably would be a great deal safer for them if she was gone. But then, where would she go? How would she manage? His talk with her that first day proved that she came from a family where knowing a trade was unnecessary. She had no skills that could help her earn her keep anywhere. The best thing she could do was to become a... A harlot.

The boy blanched. He certainly couldn't do that to Anzu! She was the first person his age that he could consider a real friend. She was nice, and sweet. He liked having her around. He couldn't possibly... He just couldn't do that to her.

"Grandpa," Yugi croaked out, his voice suddenly hoarse, "I don't think we should kick her out. I... I can't ask her to leave. It wouldn't be right!" he insisted, eyes stern for once. "I want her to stay."

"Really, hm?" Sugoroku mused, eyes closed. Then, one magenta eye opened, and he smiled. "Well, that's good. I wouldn't mind her staying, either. I wouldn't feel very comfortable knowing I let a vulnerable girl out on her own."

"Honestly?" Yugi relaxed, relief washing over him.

"Of course," Sugoroku nodded, kindly. "I'm sure we'll be fine keeping her here. We're pretty secluded, and I doubt the likelihood of her being seen by anyone. Besides," he added, with a small grin, "it's nice to have a woman around. Gives the old place a new atmosphere."

"Yeah," the younger one agreed. He smiled, warmly. "Anzu's very nice, isn't she?"

"Yes, she is." The old man's grin was hidden by his tea cup. "She's also very pretty."

Yugi blinked, pink slightly dusting his cheeks. "Huh?"

"And," Sugoroku continued, amused, "she's your age. Isn't she, Yugi? Not a bad match, really."

Yugi's face went from pink to red, and he stuttered. "I-it's not like that, Grandpa! Honest! We ha-haven't really known each other that long, or anything."

"Long enough to develop a crush," the grizzled man's grin widened. "You can't hide anything from your old Grandpa, Yugi!"

If the boy's face could get any redder, it would have. Jumping up out of his seat so quickly he nearly spilt the remainder of his tea, Yugi practically tumbled out the front door. "I'm going to find Anzu, and bring her back for lunch before it gets cold. I'll see you later, Grandpa!"

Sugoroku watched his grandson run along with energy that comes with being embarrassed. Chuckling to himself, he leaned back in his chair to enjoy the rest of his drink.

As he walked down the corridors of the castle, Jounochi felt a pit forming in his stomach. The king had ordered a meeting with him, and the blonde knight could only guess what it was for. With his luck, the king had figured out that he had something to do with Lady Anzu's disappearance. Which meant he'd probably be beheaded for his troubles.

A cold shiver ran down Jounochi's spine. He didn't like that idea, at all. Best to think positive. It was a good thing Honda hadn't been requested, instead. Honda was far too honest to keep up a lie under pressure.

But even though he tried to keep his mind on optimistic thoughts, Jounochi couldn't help but feel like he was sticking his head into the hungry lion's mouth as he walked into the throne room. Still, his gate was steady, and he kneeled before his king without any show of trepidation.

Still sitting on this throne, King Pegasus gave the knight an expressionless countenance. "Sir Jounochi," he drawled. "You are one of my best knights. I have the utmost faith in your abilities."

"Thank you, sire," Jounochi kept his head down, somehow uncomfortable with the prospect of looking into the king's face. He could feel the royal man's stare burning a hole through him, and he didn't want to know how much worse it would get if he looked up. That, and he had an awful feeling of how this was going to play out.

"Which is why," the king continued, "that I want you to go the Black Forest."

Jounochi's head shot up. He hadn't been expecting that! "Black Forest, sire?"

"That's right," King Pegasus nodded. "The cave there, to be exact. I'm sure you know where it is."

"But, the witch lives there," said Jounochi, too shocked to realize that he shouldn't be talking back. "She has three Harpy Ladies as guards."

"She won't attack unless she deems you a threat," the king smiled. "And I'm sure you won't make yourself threatening. I want you to give the witch this letter." King Pegasus stood, reaching into the folds of his robe, pulling out a rolled piece of parchment. He handed the letter over, taking an extra moment to stare hard at his knight. "You will make sure she gets this, and reads it. I want no failure."

"I... Yes, sire!" Jounochi corrected himself, trying to snap out of the surprise. He narrowed his eyes at the letter in his hand. He couldn't help but wonder exactly what it was about. After all, it seemed so odd to want the witch's help, when the king had three powerful magicians at his beckon call.

In a moment, King Pegasus glowered. "The reasoning for the letter is none of your business, Sir Jounochi! Keep it that way."

Jounochi's brown eyes snapped to his king, his heart plummeting quickly. "Uh, y-yes, sire." How had he...?

"Good," the king nodded, waving his hand in a dismissive manner. "Go now, while the day's still young. I expect the letter to be delivered and read before the sun sets."

Still unnerved, Jounochi bowed. "Yes, sire."

Next Chapter: Newcomers, and Old Friends