"You're safe here, Pharaoh." Karim closed the large, heavy doors behind him and lead Atemu through the small antechamber to the living room. Atemu had refused to move into his father's chambers; it didn't feel right to him. His own quarters were adjusted and decorated to his every wish; he particularly enjoyed the large balcony with the wide, open doors. All of the Priests had protested against this particular wish, pointing out that gods-know-who could climb up to the balcony and enter the Pharaoh's living quarters through those doors.
As if he could read Atemu's thoughts, Karim closed the doors to the balcony as well, and pulled the linen curtains also close, covering up the doors. He went on to inspect every nook and cranny of the living room, and Atemu let him be. He went to the large dresser in the corner and dipped his hands in the golden bowl, filled with cool, fresh water. Carefully, he dipped his face with a wet cloth, noticing that his hand trembled. Someone had tried to kill him, and if it weren't for his loyal priests, he wouldn't have lived to tell the tale.
"Pharaoh?"
Atemu startled out of his thoughts and snapped his head to the right. "Yes, Karim?"
"Everything is all right, Pharaoh," the Priest answered, stepping closer to him. "I have checked all of the rooms."
"Thank you."
"It has been quite the scare," Karim continued. "We came very close to a tragedy today."
"I hope Set can find the true culprit," Atemu answered. He put the damp cloth next to the bowl. The assassin had been terrified, but not of the Pharaoh, or the Priests, or being held prisoner with sharp spears pointing at him.
"He was yelling 'King of...' something," Karim said and he frowned. "He was about to say a name, just before he was killed."
"Yes, the name of the one who was going to kill him if he talked." Atemu sighed and turned away from the dresser. He went to sit down on one of the sofas, but before he could recline into the cushions, Karim's hands were on his shoulders.
"Karim..?"
"Careful," the tall Priest said, albeit a little sheepishly. "This sofa has a solid wooden backrest. You would hit your head, Pharaoh."
"Ah, I see." Atemu felt a little stupid. With so much furniture in his living quarters, he had any choice to sit down, wherever he wanted; but until now, he had avoided this particular sofa just because of the hard, wooden backrest. Karim didn't withdraw his hands. Atemu stared at his Priest, trying to find something, any kind of emotion on his face; but there was nothing but genuine care and devotion. He was very fortunate to be surrounded by such loyal, trustworthy people who cared so much for him. Before he knew it, Atemu put his own hand over Karim's, a gesture that the Priest took as an invitation to sit down with him.
"Don't worry, Great Pharaoh," he said. "No harm will come over you. We swore to protect you with our lives."
"I know." Atemu was aware of the oaths his Priests had to take before they were accepted into his Court, and he knew that they took all these oats and vows extremely seriously. Set, Karim and Mahaado wouldn't hesitate for a second to sacrifice themselves, and he wouldn't even have to ask. Aishizu too, Shaadah probably as well. Akunadin? Atemu wasn't all too sure about the man, but he had served his father, and so he would continue his trust. However, it was all a moot point - Atemu would never ask anyone to give up their life for him. The knowledge that most of his Priests would, without batting an eye, was almost too much to bear.
He heaved a sigh again, faintly noticing that he still held his hand over Karim's and he dropped it, back into his own lap.
"You need to recover from the shock," Karim said. "Is there something specific you wish for me to do, Great Pharaoh?"
Atemu shifted a little, wishing he'd sat anywhere else but on this awkward sofa. Karim put a few pillows behind his back.
"I want to know who is behind all of this," he said. "I want to know who has planned this attack on my life, and who is able to put so much fear into a single man that he refuses to speak, even to me... and how it was possible to kill him from a distance."
"I'm sure Set will have those answers very soon," Karim answered, steadfast. When Set put himself to a task, he wouldn't rest until he'd gotten onto the very bottom of it, especially when lives were at stake.
"I am sure he will." Atemu was distraught. He couldn't get past what the prisoner had yelled. "King of..." King of what?
He shivered again, and Karim pulled him a little closer.
"How many guards?"
"Six guards are outside," Karim said, "do you wish for guards inside your quarters as well?"
"No," Atemu was quick to answer. He wanted to keep at least some of his privacy, and he didn't like the idea of having guards all over and so close to him. But on the other hand, if one man could succeed in coming that close in an attempt to murder him...
"We'll do anything to keep you safe," Karim repeated. "No measure is drastic enough to ensure your safety, Great Pharaoh."
"I am sure I am safe here," Atemu murmured, his other hand resting on his Puzzle. It was a symbol of the Pharaoh's power, and as far as he knew, it didn't possess any specific powers - and it sure hadn't protected him from the oncoming dart. Karim dropped his hand, covering Atemu's on the Puzzle.
"We don't want to lose another Pharaoh so soon again."
Two years...two years since Akunamukanon, his father, had died. Atemu wished for his father to be still alive, and to advice him in this matter. He remembered his father's lessons and warnings for jealousy surrounding him, envy at his Court, people with less than beneficial intentions, people who outright hated him, simply for what he was…had he, Atemu, become lax with security measures, had he been so trusting that he had closed his eyes for his father's warnings?
A loud knock on the door startled Karim and the Priest withdrew his hands, dropping them to his own lap and folding them together. It was faintly amusing, and Atemu suddenly noticed his own face, fairly heated.
"Enter!" he called.
Mahaado swiftly barged into the room, needing only a few seconds to notice Atemu and Karim on the sofa, the Pharaoh sporting reddened cheeks and Karim a smug smile that the Priest wasn't used to see of his colleague.
"Great Pharaoh," he said, bowing to him appropriately, "so far, we have not been able to catch the perpetrator who is responsible for..." the mess in the Throne Room, he was about to say, but corrected himself at the very last second, "...for the untimely death of the man who attempted to harm you. I have yet to research the dart, but I have my suspicions that it is poisoned."
"Be very careful, then," Atemu urged him, shifting a little to face Mahaado. His leg touched Karim's with this movement, and his blush deepened. Mahaado pursed his lips but didn't comment – after all, he was just a Priest in his Pharaoh's Court, and it wasn't his place to criticize the son of the Gods...or feel this ridiculously jealous. Mahaado barely noticed his hands fisting themselves in his robes, fingers clenching at the fabric.
"I suggest that my Pharaoh rests for the afternoon," he finally said, bowing to Atemu again. "It will be of no use to continue the audience, as most of us are occupied with our latest orders."
"Very well. I will stay inside as you continue to sweep the Palace, but I will not rest. There is enough work for me to be done here, and I will speak to each and every one of you accordingly, as soon as you have news for me."
"As the Great Pharaoh wishes," Mahaado said and shot Karim a deathly glare. The Priest, who had put his Sennen Scale on the floor, shifted a little nervously with his feet, almost tipping the Item over.
"Karim will stay here with me to help with the paperwork," Atemu said. "I trust you, Mahaado, to keep me up to date concerning the events, and I would like to talk to Set later, before dinner."
"As the Great Pharaoh wishes," Mahaado repeated, his cheeks coloring red of jealousy. He didn't understand why he reacted so…furiously all of the sudden. He'd spend more time than anyone with the Pharaoh, growing up with him, seeing him mature from Prince to Pharaoh. Even Mana, who came second close to Atemu, hadn't spent as much time with him as he had. He shouldn't be so jealous, it wasn't becoming of him…
Mahaado left the room, sensing the cramped, tensed position of his hands and slowly let go, releasing the folds of fabric. Karim was a good man, hard working and loyal to the Pharaoh…but perhaps a little too loyal. No one could deny the beauty of their Pharaoh; his crimson red eyes, the strong features of willpower and determination on his face, his small lips, the contrast of the intense gold he wore on his deep, tan his skin, his slim but taut body, his long, slender fingers…Mahaado blushed even deeper. He had never thought of his Pharaoh like this until recently. He was his friend…he couldn't be thinking of Atemu as anything else but his Pharaoh, one he had sworn loyalty to. He needed to focus on his task at hand, not fantasizing how his hand would feel running through his hair. To distract himself quickly from that particular train of thoughts, Mahaado searched out his Apprentice; he had to tell her that a poisonous dart had been brought to his study, and as she liked to poke and prod at anything, she better not touch it before anything else...
As he turned around the corner, he bumped into his fellow Priest, not Mana. "Aishizu," Mahaado said, bowing to her. The Priestess returned the courteous bow.
"Mahaado," she mumbled, and her hand went to her Sennen Tauk. Like all the Priests, she had the urge to touch the Item she was responsible for every now and then; there was a strong connection between Item and Priest.
"I have to thank you," Mahaado said. "If it were not for you calling out to me, I would not have been able to catch that dart and save our Pharaoh's life."
Aishizu nodded. "The Tauk gave me a glimpse of what would happen," she said. "It's one of the most fickle Items, but when it works properly..." her voice trailed off. Mahaado put his hand on her shoulder, wanting to console her. It was hard for her, this life amongst the male Priests, with no one really to confide in. Mahaado wondered sometimes if she felt lonely – she often was in Shaadah's company, and they usually held long and tedious philosophical discussions. She probably saw the bald Priest, wielder of the Ankh, as her best friend.
"What did you see?" He was almost too afraid to ask. Aishizu shivered violently.
"I saw our Pharaoh, slumped in his Throne, dead," she said. "Hit by the dart, death almost instantaneously. So young, and nothing we could've done to help him..."
Mahaado shivered as well. This was something he'd rather not think of, his biggest nightmare of them all. He cleared his throat.
"Did your Tauk show something else? The one behind all this?"
She shook her head. "It showed me darkness," her voice was soft and timid, but her words cruel and cold. "Dark entities. Darkness in people. Hatred and rage, and something even more ominous, but I couldn't exactly see what, or who...I need some time to arrange these images."
"You have to be careful," Mahaado answered, worriedly. He didn't like her words at all. Dark entities? Darkness in people? What could she be talking about? The glimpses, or rather, the visions that the Tauk granted her wielder to see, were for the wielder only. Mahaado couldn't help her in this, as much as he wanted to. The possible future was for Aishizu to interpret; she knew her Item best. He felt like there was something more, though; when Aishizu spoke about her visions, she never digested the full scope of it. It wasn't his position to pry and to impose on her.
Gently, he touched her cheek. "If you need any help…"
She looked up at him, a slow smile showing on her face. "I know, Mahaado. I have to do this alone. These visions..."
"I know. Will you tell the Pharaoh about this?"
"Of course. He needs to know..." Her voice trailed off again. She was about to ask him something, but she didn't. Mahaado waited patiently for the Priestess to start speaking again, but she remained silent. He couldn't get any grip on her, or on her thought process.
"I will escort you to your quarters," he offered, knowing that the small gesture would be of some consolation to her. Indeed, when he saw her eyes lit up, he knew he's said the right words.
"Peasants!" High Priest Set snorted out loud. "Commoners, morons, idiots! Our Pharaoh wastes his precious time listening to their wailing and complaining, and his kindness is repaid by an attempt to kill him. Imbeciles!"
"Now Set, don't be too hasty to judge." Priest Akunadin, sitting opposite of the other, knew better than to correct his younger, fellow Priest, but his voice lacks vehemence. He knows how Set reacts to a stressful reaction, after all these years of working together and sharing the same study. His wrinkled hands reached for the papyri on Set's desk.
"These are all the names of the people inside the Palace?"
Set nodded. "This one holds all the names of our servants, the guards, other personnel…and this one the names of the commoners present at the time of the attack."
"Where are they now?"
"Secured," Set answered loftily. "They will not move a muscle until I tell them to."
Akunadin brushed a long strand of gray hair out of his face, studying the papyri. "We didn't have any change of personnel recently, and I can vouch for the loyalty of the most of them."
Set drummed with his fingers on the desk. Akunadin was old enough to have lived through several generations of servants, and of course he knew the lot of them – though as to why the Priest would even bother to get to know them, was a mystery to him.
"We will start with the interrogations as soon as possible," Set continued. "If there is anyone among them who knows more about this, I will find him."
"Or her," Akunadin mumbled.
"Her?"
"What, you don't think a woman could be capable of plotting this?"
"Before he died, the prisoner yelled 'King of...' something," Set recalled. "He would have yelled 'Queen of...', if that were the case, don't you think?"
Akunadin put the papyri back in place. "It could've been a diversion."
"Hm."
"Don't allow yourself to be guided by the first impression."
"I know. I will get to the bottom of this, even if I have to dig with my own hands. I will find this King of whatever, and will bring him to his impending justice."
"I just can't believe why anyone would try to kill the Pharaoh," Akunadin mumbled again. Set leaned a little closer, wishing the man would speak up loud and clear.
"There are idiots everywhere. Who knows what goes around in the mind of a madman…"
"It has to be about political power," Akunadin interrupted. "Maybe someone of the delegates…how many foreign guests are in the Palace?"
Set grabbed another papyrus, unrolled and quickly read it. "We have three Syrian delegates, four from Nubia..."
"We don't have a peace treaty with Nubia yet," Akunadin said. "The last negotiations ended because our Pharaoh didn't agree with the taxes they wanted to impose on our trade. Maybe they wanted to get their point across?"
"Killing him would not exactly help their position to negotiate," Set scowled. "I am sure it has to be someone else."
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"I think I am going to need Shaadah and Karim to look into any suspicious souls," Set answered. "If we can see the evil, we can find our criminal."
"The man worked for this so-called King," Akunadin said. "Is there any word on the streets about a certain King? If somehow an unknown King has risen to power…a King without a country, but with an army... he could prove to be very dangerous."
"Very well, I will leave that up to you, then. Report to me if you find out anything about this King."
Set frowned as he studied the papyri. So many names…he hardly had realized before how many people, how many commoners were present in the Palace. He didn't mind the Pharaoh having contact with the common people, but if they repaid his kindness by trying to kill him…if it were up to Set, he had thrown everyone out, but he wasn't the Pharaoh, not by a long shot. He was a High Priest, holder of the Sennen Rod, and he would make sure everything at the Court would go orderly and peaceful.
"Pharaoh...Pharaoh."
Atemu blinked a few times, unable to identify the voice so close to his ear. "Hmm... what?"
"Pharaoh, it's almost dinnertime, and Set is here, as you have requested."
Atemu blinked again. It slowly dawned to him what was going on – he had fallen asleep, and he was rather comfortable... tucked away in Priest Karim's arms. Did he ever make it to his desk? Bewildered, Atemu looked up at his Priest, who shook his head to answer the unspoken question. Atemu felt embarrassed; so much for a hardworking Pharaoh.
"You needed the rest," Karim chided him gently, knowing that he felt guilty. "No one expected you to work immediately after a murder attempt. You needed some time to recover."
"Does Set have any news?" Atemu asked promptly. He didn't want to interrupt Karim, but he didn't want to be cuddled like a small child either. He was the Pharaoh, the incarnate of the Gods themselves, and he wasn't going to be babied throughout his period of reign. He could take his own decisions. Atemu disentangled himself from Karim, missing the disappointed look on the Priest's face and got up from the sofa, a little shaky. He had barely eaten or drunk all day and he swayed, Karim quickly standing behind him to catch him if he fell. Not a moment later, the doors opened and Set barged in. He had a firm stride; one step matched two of Atemu's, and not only because of their difference in height.
"Great Pharaoh," he said, bowing to him – even though it was a mere nod with his head. Set never bowed properly – and straightened himself. "We have not been able to identify the mastermind yet. I have interrogated people, but no one was aware of the culprit or his intentions. I did manage to find the farmer he traveled with, but he claims that they barely spoke to each other."
"Have you been able to find any family of the man yet?"
"Not yet, but I will. The farmer told me that he sort of knew where the man lived, and he will give directions to the guards so they can search for his wife and children."
"They will be compensated for the loss of their father," Atemu said.
"Excuse me, Pharaoh?"
"You heard me. I want this family compensated. When the guards return, I want to hear from them personally that they gave the gold to the family and not spend it themselves, otherwise heads will roll."
"Pharaoh, this man attempted to kill..."
"Not his wife and children!" Atemu made a dismissive gesture with his hand. "They are innocent. This man fell into a trap, swayed by gold, seduced by someone with a stronger mind than his. His wife, and certainly his children, will not suffer for his mistakes."
"You are rewarding them," Set grumbled.
"The man was at fault, his wife and children do not need to suffer. Discussion closed, Set. What other news do you bring me?"
"Not much news so far. Priest Akunadin has sent out men on the streets to catch wind of this 'King' the prisoner was talking about. Priest Shaadah has helped me to look into souls, but we have not found anyone evil or wicked enough to be the mastermind behind the attempt on your life, Pharaoh."
"Very well." Atemu rubbed over his stomach, hoping that it wouldn't give off embarrassing sounds.
"I will continue my search," Set continued. "I will find the perpetrator and bring you this 'King'."
"I know you will. Thank you," Atemu said. "Together, we will find out who is behind all of this. In the meantime, we can get some dinner..." he added, hoping he wasn't that obvious.
"Maybe it's wiser to stay inside and have dinner served here?" Karim suggested.
"I am not afraid," Atemu protested. "I can not hide in my quarters all day and all night!"
"You would be less of a target," Set reminded him.
"Nonsense. I will have dinner with my Priests as usual. It will show everyone that I am not afraid, and what kind of Pharaoh would I be if I hid behind my Priests all day?"
"A live one?"
Atemu pursed his lips. "I want to have dinner," he said petulantly, "and no one is keeping me from going to the dining hall."
"I will go with you, Great Pharaoh," Karim offered. Set didn't answer, but crossed his arms in front of his chest, his facial expression unreadable.
Mana ran through the hallway. The news about the attempt on the Pharaoh's life had traveled around the Palace fast, and she wanted to see for herself if Atemu was really alive and well. Her cheeks flushed red from the exertion as she ran faster and faster, almost tripping over her own feet. Usually, at this time, he would have dinner with his Priests; a daily tradition where apprentices weren't invited to. As soon as she saw the guards, Mana yelled at them that she wanted to enter the dining room.
"We know who you are, but you aren't invited to the Pharaoh's table," the guard said. "Mana, calm down! The Pharaoh is alive and well, you don't have to get all worked up."
"I want to see him myself!" Mana bristled, tugging at the muscular arm of the guard, who easily fended her off.
"We'll tell the Pharaoh that you were here," the guard said, a little impatient. She was about to kick his chin when he let go of her, all but shoving her aside to make way for the servants carrying large trays with dishes. The most delicious scents wafted towards her, reminding her painfully that she hadn't eaten all day yet, ever since she had heard the news. As soon as the door opened, Mana slipped inside, in front of the servants, ignoring the indignant cries of the guards. She sprinted into the room, towards the large, heavy wooden table in the center.
"Mana!" Mahaado gasped as he saw his disobedient apprentice.
"I'm sorry, Master," she said apologetically, quickly searching for the head of the table. She smiled when she saw Atemu. "Prince!"
"Pharaoh, Mana, Pharaoh!" Mahaado hissed at her. He thought he had a good grip on his apprentice and now she proved him all wrong!
Set coughed loudly, annoyed by the disturbance. "Mahaado, would you mind removing your noisy Apprentice from the table?" he asked, frowning at the sight of the young girl. "She is not supposed to be here."
"I just wanted to see if Prince was all right," Mana objected, lifting up her chin defiantly. She wasn't afraid of Set, or any of the Priests, but that didn't mean she wanted to get on their bad side. Not everyone was as lenient as Mahaado, and he was already quite strict with her. With pleading eyes she looked at the head of the table, at Atemu.
"Please join us, Mana," he said and the Priests muttered a little. Aishizu smiled at the young apprentice, and two servants ran around to get an extra chair and an extra plate. Mana herself clapped in her hands, overjoyed, and ran to her Pharaoh's side.
"I'm so glad you're safe and sound, Prince!"
"Pharaoh, Pharaoh!" Mahaado corrected her, all but mentally slapping himself. Was she really hell-bent on destroying his reputation? The others looked quizzically at him, and Set was spelling out how much he, Mahaado, had failed as a teacher by simply frowning at him.
Mana hopped on the chair and beamed at Atemu, who was very amused at the girl's antics.
"I am fine," he said. "Thanks to Aishizu and Mahaado, my life was not in danger for a second. Set and Akunadin will take care of the perpetrator, as soon as he is found."
"B-but... wasn't he already killed?" Mana asked.
"The man who attempted to kill me, was killed himself, yes," Atemu said softly. "By someone outside, not by anyone of us. He was afraid, deadly afraid…and unfortunately, his fear came true."
"He must've been really desperate," Mana said. "To try to do this to you, Pri…Pharaoh."
"He was promised gold," Atemu answered, leaning a little to the left as the servant put some food on his plate. "He was poor and desperate enough to accept gold to try to do what he did…"
Mana shivered. "I can't think of what would've happened if he were to succeed."
An uncomfortable silence hung between everyone. Aishizu visibly paled, the images the Tauk had shown her still fresh in her mind, and she dropped her spoon. Startled, she quickly looked for it, mumbling apologies.
Atemu showed Mana a soft smile. "There would be another Pharaoh to take my place."
"But not someone like you," Mana said.
"Not someone like me," Atemu agreed. Mana saddened, fixing her eyes to her plate, laden with the most delicious lamb stew she ever had before. I need to protect him. I need to study and become strong, just as strong as my Master, and then no one will be able to come even close to him without me knowing!
"It is all right, Mana. Eat," Atemu nudged her. The golden earrings dangled with every movement he made, and as he leaned a little back again the weight shifted with him, the end tips almost shifting over his shoulders. Mana nodded and ate a spoonful of the stew, reveling in the spicy, yet delicate taste. The Priests seemed to have accepted her presence at the table, though Mahaado sported a dangerous, frowning expression; she could almost hear him thinking up an appropriate lecture for her behavior. At this moment, she didn't mind; she just wanted to see for herself if her Pharaoh was safe, and that was more important than any lecture.
They finished dinner in relatively silence, and Atemu found himself rather stuffed. He had eaten more than normal, completely distracted by Mana and her anecdotes and stories. Without noticing, he had eaten two plates full, and another plate of dessert. Satisfied, Atemu stood up from the table, the Priests following his example. Atemu wasn't feeling like working this evening, and for the first time in a long time, he told the Priests they were all dismissed for the rest of the evening. Surprised and excited about the sudden time off, the Priests thanked Atemu and left the table. Mana took Atemu's hand as a friendly gesture. She felt how his fingers tightened around hers, and a sudden possessive streak welled up in her. Mana had seen how many people looked at her best friend. Male, female... they had this hungry look, as if they wanted to undress Atemu with their very eyes, and if they were mentally calculating all of their possibilities when they had the Pharaoh in their claws. Mana's biggest fear was that Atemu would choose a Queen who was only interested in his power, and not for who he was. She wanted nothing but a kind and friendly Queen for her friend, and she wasn't counting on being the lucky one. She was just Mana, she wasn't interested in politics or power, and she was already overwhelmed with her studies and responsibilities as a magician in training.
"What are you going to do this evening, Pr.. Pharaoh?" she asked him.
"I want to relax, Mana," he answered. "The events of the day have been exerting, and I think it is for the best if I just try to unwind."
"I can show you a new spell," Mana said enthusiastically.
"That sounds good to me. Will you come later to my quarters? I wish to bathe first."
"Sure!"
Atemu watched her retreating back as Mana all but bounced away, going a little to the right... and too late to escape her Master. Mahaado was pretty angry, but of course he would halt mid-lecture as Mana would show him her doe-eyed, apologetic look and promise him sincerely to never do it again. They would be all right.