Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ The Tales of Hierakon's Empire ❯ Chapter 5

Author's Notes: Oreana here and I just wanted to apologize for taking so long on this. I had to finish this story that had been running for two years and I was desperate to finish it. I finally did and can now focus on other stories without worry over that one. Thanks for those who were patient and waited.

 

From Raist: Also, I want to point out that while I am in college now, Oreana starts her classes next week. This may make the updates a little slow, but keep in mind we will try our best to squeeze in this story as well as the others we write between the work we're doing. So no worries, we'll still be here writing and posting.

 

------------------------------------------------------

 

Omorose was fast asleep within her canopy bed amongst the riches that made her life appear perfect to those that lived outside of the palace or worked as mere slaves within it. Her fingers twitching slightly thanks to the light that Ra had brought, she batted her eyes open to look through the curtains that flowed over her bed of gold and pure white linens. Sitting upright, the young princess rubbed the sleep from her eyes to try and rouse from the deep sleep she had been within since the studying wore her to a sound slumber. As she pushed the covers from her form and got to her feet, the doors to her bedroom opened without warning.

 

The Maladraad Prince made himself known within his royal attire that glistened upon the morning sun, which snuck through Omorose's balcony. “I see you are finally awake, my Princess,” Djoser responded with a polite bow.

 

That bow was not enough to please the startled young Princess of Hierakon as she kept the covers close to her body seeing as she was not ready to be presented to anyone. “How dare you come into my chambers unannounced at an hour such as this!” She scolded with her expression not showing much pleasure within it. “You, Prince Djoser, are a guest in my father's castle, and as such, you treat his family with respect as we would you within your own royal limits!”

 

“Well, my dear Princess Omorose,” Djoser began with a sly smile, “you haven't really been showing me much respect as a guest at all.” His sandaled feet tapped against the pure marble beneath him as he made his way towards the balcony so the young girl would have the privacy she required. “Even as a guest, I should be treated with equal respect being of royal bloodline such as you.”

 

“Indeed,” Omorose growled as she kept the covers near to her body, “but it is also stated by not only my father but the written laws of Horus that you never enter a princess' chambers unless called upon or allowed to enter!”

 

“Quite the tongue, the young princess has,” the Maladraad prince continued as he gazed out at the walls towering over Hierakon Empire. “You would think with such a venomous attack of words, you would be able to spite at a few worthless servants that reside within your own limits.”

 

“How dare you,” Omorose grumbled as she pulled from the covers to try and face down the spoiled prince. “Slaves are humans and they cannot help that they are worse off than we.”

 

Djoser turned around on his heels to see the young princess daring to come closer as if to slap him for his choice of words. His hand was quick to the draw as he grabbed gently under her chin as if to threaten to choke her. “And as humans, they have the blood of a killer,” he expressed silently in an eerie tone. “As run down hounds of Egypt, they will growl and attack anything or anybody who dares dangle a piece of food within their sight and yank it back, only to mock the worthless beast. Have you ever seen someone mauled to death by a jackal? With a few choice bites, the person dies of the infections they often carry within their teeth, and they writher away and die in a slow and painful death.”

 

Omorose went stiff as she felt Djoser's hand move to the side of her face. She dared not speak a word, for she was too frightened to even attempt to form one.

 

“Slaves are like jackals and will decide when to protect and when to attack,” he explained as his thumb massaged the tense yet supple skin of Omorose. “That is why it is best to keep them on a leash and beat them into submission when they do not do their part!”

 

“You compare slaves to guard dogs,” Omorose whispered sternly with her fists tightly clenched at her sides. “What would you describe us as?”

 

The foreign prince pulled back his hand as he outstretched it towards the heavens above. “We are the gods that keep these beasts in order from the moment they are granted their life.” His fingers gently touched the edge of Omorose's chin to let her look within his dark eyes as he grinned almost wickedly. “You, my goddess, have the power to decide their fate. Why not get into your role now so that when your father passes, you will not be the weak and frail being who makes everything crumble.”

 

There soon was a knock at the door before tender female voices made their way through the towering doors. “Princess Omorose,” a young, submissive servant girl called, “we are here to help you get ready for the day.”

 

Omorose looked from over her shoulder to the prince that was in her room uninvited. “Please leave my room, Prince Djoser. I will deal with you some other time,” she ordered in silent anger.

 

“As you wish, my princess,” Djoser answered in a sort of mocking tone as he made his way towards the large double doors of jewels and gold. Grabbing onto the handles, he opened them to reveal the timid young women that were waiting beyond the doors he opened. “Your young princess awaits you,” he informed as he kept the doors opened for them.

 

The servant girls said not a word to the prince though they were quick to bow their heads in respect. Hurrying within the room, they held the items they needed to prepare the princess for the day that was to come. One of the young women with tied back, stringy russet hair and a plain burlap knee length outfit came towards the balcony wondering what was bothering the young girl.

 

“My Princess,” she began softly, “what is the matter? You appear distressed.”

 

Omorose turned her angered written face from the servant woman that was behind her as she shook her head. “I fear I cannot grant you with an answer,” she responded with her long hair blowing about within the subtle wind. “All I care to do now is get ready for what the day is to offer me.”

 

The servant girl brave enough to pry kept her brown eyes upon the flustered princess a moment before bowing her head, following after her master like a loyal dog to help get Omorose ready for the day that already started out just how it had ended the previous day. She and the others helped the Egyptian princess get dressed, groomed her hair, and made sure she was perfect in every detail before bowing lowly to her feet, hoping their jobs were completed to her liking.

 

Sighing through her nostrils at seeing the servants bowing around her, she brushed her palms against her knee length white skirt trimmed with gold, lightly shaking her head with a wave of her espresso tresses. “You know you don't have to bow down to me. Father won't know about it, so please, don't.” Still disgusted by the surprise entrance and words from the Maladraad prince, Omorose made her way across her room to the large double doors, pushing them opening to let herself out into the corridor.

 

“There you are, sis!” Rehema called as she came running in her eldest sister's direction with one hand waving. “We have spiritual rituals to learn from High Priest Darwishi today after breakfast. I always love this time of the week to study such things, don't you?” Beaming a smile, it dissipated slightly once she noticed the perturbed expression upon Omorose's face. Reaching for one of her hands, she held it gently within her own, leaning in closer to her. “What happened? I know that look. Something had to.”

 

Sapphire orbs hooking with the innocent emerald gaze of her younger sister, Omorose expressed a faint smile, placing her other hand on top of the dainty one already holding her other hand. “It's nothing to worry about, Rehema. I just had a rude awakening is all. Lets go to the dining hall to get something to eat before we head to Darwishi's study,” she suggested softly, gently pulling Rehema with her as her sandaled feet started their trek towards the dining hall.

 

Frowning softly, Rehema walked hand-in-hand with her sister, keeping her gaze upon her. “Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?”

 

“I'm positive, sister. Lets just forget about it,” she more than urged, scenting the faint odor of the meal being prepared as well as something on the sweet, spicy side of herbal perfume. She knew whom the scent belonged to, though ignored it, growling mentally at how badly she wanted to pummel the prince destined to take her hand in marriage in the future.

 

His rich, dark coffee oculars watched from behind a pillar in the shadows as the two sisters disappeared into the dining hall, a sly smirk etched upon his lips as he fingered the feathers belonging to a masked peregrine falcon perched upon the decorative bracer on his left arm. He felt the first part of his attempt had been somewhat successful even if she still refused to see the power she withheld, but he knew he had five more days to further plant the seed he wished into her tender heart to sway her to his thinking. “Just a little more time,” he mewed, gently pushing himself away from the pillar. “Lets go hunting. I'm sure there's a pigeon with your name on it out here,” the prince relayed deviously to the peregrine falcon that had his powerful talons clutched tightly to the metallic bracer, itching to have the mask removed from his sight so he could see to hunt as he was trained.

 

Pharaoh Kafele greeted his two daughters with gusto since he loved them both dearly, Queen Este smiling from her seat to the left of him. The morning meal looked more than inviting as the royal family sat down to consume it, speaking of the events for the day. The Pharaoh was concerned about Omorose's behavior the night before, wondering how her time would be spent today with the Maladraad prince.

 

“I saw prince Djoser was doing well this morning. I am assuming your time spent with him today will be much better than it was yesterday,” Kafele expressed hopefully, cutting off a piece of the glazed ham he was eating, allowing his emerald gaze access to his daughter further down the table.

 

Trying to keep her cool, the eldest daughter of the empire put on her forced smile, nodding to her father. “I apologize for yesterday. Today might be better; I cannot promise it will be. I still have a lot of things on my mind.” Taking a sip of the freshly squeezed fruit juice that was poured into her golden goblet etched with fine detailing, she placed her sapphire gaze upon her father just the same. “Perhaps a ride outside of the empire will help. After studies with Priest Darwishi, I would like for Rehema and I to go horseback riding outside of the stone walls that protect us. The guards always flank us, so nothing bad could possibly harm us.”

 

Perking at the thought, Rehema paused mid chew, restraining from bouncing in her seat. “Father, may we? We haven't in a long time. I think we deserve a break from our other studies to clear our minds in that manner.”

 

“Rehema, dear, don't speak with your mouth full,” Este softly pressed, taking sides with her daughters as she looked to her husband. “Love, I don't see what it would hurt. They wouldn't stray too terribly far.” Placing her hand on top of his, she caressed his ivory skin gently. “Just for a little bit after their spiritual studies.”

 

“Well,” the Pharaoh started, contemplating, all eyes upon him from the three major females in his life. “I guess it wouldn't hurt. Just promise me you will not go anywhere to the east, the far north, or scathe the territories of the ravine.”

 

“You have my word. I don't care to go in those places, anyway. I prefer to stay away from the bandits hiding through there,” Omorose admitted, thinking the scruffy, leather armor clad folk were quite scary.

 

“Rehema?” Kafele asked, wondering what her opinion would be, though he already knew by the happiness written all over her face.

 

“I promise, daddy! I won't stray from Omorose's side or anything!” The last time they had gone out together, Rehema rode off ahead of her sister and got lost, forcing Omorose to be lost with her, the guards having a terrible time getting them back to the empire since a sandstorm blew in to further mar their safe passage.

 

“Then it is settled. Now finish your breakfast so you can go be with Darwishi for a while. Learning to communicate with the gods and goddesses is highly important. As well as finding the spiritual link within yourselves.”

 

“Which is quite strong,” the queen pointed out as she picked her goblet of pomegranate juice up, humming at the sweet taste of the reddish-plum colored liquid.

 

“Indeed,” healer Bennu felt need to insert as she waltzed into the dining hall, her beads and tassels swaying with the gate of her hypnotic walk. “Are you two ready to go see Darwishi? You'll be learning candle lessons today. Learning which colors to use for certain chants using certain amulets.”

 

Both sisters eyed one another from their plates before wiping their mouth as they were always taught. Gazing up at the priestess, they expressed a nod in unison before departing from the table when their father allowed such a thing. “We are ready, Bennu,” both announced as they showed their respects to their family at the table before following behind the healer.

 

 

 

 

Later on within the hot hours of the early afternoon sun, Jin found himself hard at work on the wall that was yet to be completed. It was quite a task for him as he continued to work on the intricate design he had previously started within the early morning hours. Sweat glistened on his tanned complexion as he chiseled away at the marble placed before him. Wiping his brow with the back of his hand, he flinched when he heard the cracking of the whip as it broke the air about the slaves harshly.

 

“Keep up the pace, you worthless beings!” One of the guards scolded before trotting his horse down the line of the wall to look at each miserable worker. “We want this wall up!” As the hooves of his stallion trotted down the line slowly, he spied the redhead that was continuing to work on the designs upon the slab that would be erected to continue the wall's construction. “You!” He growled as he pointed down at Jin. “Make yourself useful and gather the water for the guards!”

 

Hiding his irritable sigh from the guards with his bare back facing towards them, Jin turned around to face the soldiers behind him. The buckets that were empty were tossed to him. He watched as they embedded within the hot sand at his feet. Reaching down, he scooped up each one to take off to the shaduf where the water usually was. He decided to go another way when the guards had their backs turned so he could have a moment's peace on the item he was working on last night.

 

Sitting within the privacy of the shadows that was created by two houses nearby one another, he pulled out the phoenix pendent he had decided to work on after he finished the griffon he had resting at home with his other belongings. His back against the cool building, Jin added on the detailing on the wings that were the last thing to be added on his creation. “Hopefully I can get this finished before handing the water back to those idiots.”

 

The sound of horses snorting at the air about them and their hooves beating into the ground in an almost entrancing beat broke the ruckus within the market area as some of the guards from the palace were accompanying the two young princesses on their journey outside of the castle walls. Omorose stayed upon her pure white horse she had been given from her mother as Rehema rode the peach colored mare with white mane and tail. Both of the horses got along well with one another as they rode side by side though Omorose was still deep within thought.

 

Rehema looked over at her disturbed sister as the horses jiggled the tasseled reins of gold linens. Her childlike eyes gazed down at the raggedy doll within her hands that was supposed to be a duplicate of herself. It had buttons for eyes and horsehair for the tresses. It was a favorite of hers that her mother had sewn by her own hands to give to her youngest child. Bouncing it a bit in her saddle since one of the guards often guided the horse by holding onto the reins of the mare, she began to speak to the doll as if it were a real person.

 

“I know,” she began loud enough for Omorose to hear, “big sister sure is upset. I know she wants us to pretend that she isn't so, shhh.” Her finger to her lips, she looked over at Omorose with her doll close to her face. “She says if you want, you can sleep with her tonight so you will have some company and won't be so sad.”

 

“Does she now?” Omorose asked as she managed a smile for her sister.

 

“She thinks you are lonely,” Rehema answered while smiling widely for her elder sibling. She tried to keep her sister smiling while keeping her favorite doll close, but the strong sudden wind would be the thing to tear the light doll from her hands. Holding onto her hair that blew about thanks to the wild currents of wind, she watched her doll fly off to the left of the road with a panic. “Stop, stop!” She demanded as she pulled on the reins of her horse.

 

The guards stopped as well as Omorose as they watched Rehema quickly jump off of her horse to meet with the hot sand below. She watched as the doll dropped before the feet of the redheaded slave she remembered from that day when she and her sister had to bear witness to his friend's horrible beating.

 

Jin looked down at the doll there at his feet nervously. He could clearly see whom it belonged to and he feared touching it or even being spotted by the young princess. Jin hid the item within his hand that he was working on as he gazed over at the oncoming girl.

 

Rehema bent down to quickly pick up her doll before being rid of the sand that had embedded within her toy's hair and clothes. “Why is the wind so strong today?” She asked herself before looking up at the slave that was hiding within the shadows of the building. “I remember you,” Rehema whispered as she pointed to Jin.

 

Not knowing what to say to her, Jin merely bowed respectfully as he was often ordered to do around the presence of royalty. In his hand, he kept a gentle grip upon the phoenix he was working upon. He dared not release it to the royals or the guards, knowing what they would do if they dared catch it.

 

Rehema caught the silver chain within the redhead's hands regardless as she pointed towards the item glistening within his hand proudly whenever the light caught it. “Are you still making necklaces and things?”

 

Jin followed her gaze at the silver chain within his hand that he had managed to find through the sand one day. Opening his hand gradually, he outstretched his hand to show it to her nervously. “It is an Egyptian phoenix,” he responded as he allowed her to eye the proud bird singing to the skies with its wings spread apart and its tail feathers fanned out.

 

Coming closer a bit, she looked at the item within the man's hand to see the detail upon it. The item's beauty drew her hand curiously towards it as she pressed her fingertips on the item gently so as not to break it. The curves of the designs within it caressed her skin as she did so. “When will it be finished?”

 

“It is almost finished, young Princess Rehema,” Jin answered softly as he brought the item back to his side.

 

Keeping her doll close to her body, she swayed there before Jin with her childlike curiosity. “It looks really nice,” she responded shyly almost behind her doll she held.

 

Sucking in his lower lip slightly, Jin accepted her comment before looking down at the necklace he was working upon. Pointing to the young princess of the Pharaoh, he squatted down to try and look within her eyes. “How does this sound to you? How about, I finish the necklace and you can have it if you want it so much?”

 

Surprised by the response the redheaded slave gave to her, yet excited at the same time, the curious young princess beamed a smile from behind her handmade doll, sliding the doll over to show half of her face to him.

 

“Really? You'll let me have it when you're finished?” she inquired, looking into his child-like cobalt blue eyes.

 

Omorose peered over her shoulder to witness the communication between her sister and the slave from the other day, hearing the guards holding the reins to the horses shift in their saddles to wonder what was keeping her so long. Biting her bottom lip gently, she tried to hurry her sister along so neither she nor the slave would get into trouble, clearing her throat gently.

 

“Rehema? Can you find it? The horses grow restless, you should come along if you found it.” Looking back in front of her at the backs of the two guards leading them around, she tried to reassure them so they wouldn't see Rehema communicating with the slave. “She's coming. It was covered in sand and hard to see at first.”

 

Catching the hint in the elder princess' voice, Jin smiled to Rehema, nodding to her. “Of course. I'll find a way to get it to you, so don't worry about that. You better get back to your sister. She's risking a lot to keep you out of a lecture and me a beating.”

 

“Thanks!” Wanting to hug the slave, she knew she couldn't for fear of getting caught, giggling to him as she quickly turned to skip back to her peach pelted horse. “Coming, sissy!” Her doll under her arm, she mounted her Arabian filly with a smile. “Okay, we can go now.”

 

The two guards leading the horses started off down the lightly sanded trail leading through the market place again, Omorose looking over at her beaming sister quizzingly.

 

“What were you two talking about?” she asked Rehema in a whisper, the cerulean haired slave entering her mind since she knew he was housed with the redhead.

 

Looking over at her sister with her child-like emerald oculars, Rehema released a small giggle, hugging her doll close to her chest. “I'll tell you when we get back home. I don't want those two bimbos to hear me,” she whispered back, referring to the two guards, getting loud once more. “As I said earlier, my dolly says she likes to see you smile, so she doesn't mind staying with you tonight.”

 

Managing a smile, Omorose chuckled. “Thank you, Rehema. I'll love having her company.”

 

Acting like she was listening to her doll talk, Rehema started to laugh. “She also says you think too much.”

 

Laughing at her sister and her doll, she started to reply, only to be interrupted by the screech of what sounded like a peregrine falcon, her attention drawn towards the sky of blue, spotted with stratus clouds that resembled horsetails. The outline of the raptor could be seen against the backdrop of the sky, hurling down in a nosedive after another outlined dot. The attack happened so quickly Omorose could only blink; craning her neck further around since she was moving thanks to the horse she was riding upon. Watching the bird of prey soar down with its prize clutched within its talons, the flash of gold reflecting from the owner's bracer caught her attention, her expression hardening again when she realized whom it was. Djoser. He's…following us.

 

“Sis, everything okay? What do you see?” Rehema felt need to ask, searching in the sky since she saw her sister once looking up in that direction.

 

Masking her frustration, Omorose turned her attention away from the distant prince, shaking her head gently. “It was nothing, sis. Just a bird I was admiring is all.” Sighing softly through her nostrils, she tried to change the subject. “If your doll sleeps with me, who will you have? I know that doll means the world to you, I don't want you to be lonely while she's with me all night long.”

 

“I have your tiger. I'll snuggle up with it instead,” Rehema answered positively, bouncing her doll lightly within her saddle.

 

“All right, that sounds fair enough. An exchange for a night, then. Should be quite interesting.”

 

Jin waited until both the guards and the princesses had left before bringing his phoenix pendant out again, trying to work on it while he had a moment longer. Knowing it would be going to the princess made Jin's heart fill with happiness, knowing he should try and make it perfect for her. He knew Touya wouldn't stand for the thought, so decided he would keep the tidbit of hope to himself, fixing the intricate wings carefully that were silver, inlayed with carnelian. “I knew not all of them were bad. I just wish Touya would believe me. Stubborn and stuck in his ways, that's for sure.”