The Unwanted Guests

"Carter! Wake up! There's someone here to see you. Come on, sleepy head!" Sadie rapped loudly on Carter's bedroom door.

"What is it, Sadie? Its 7 on a Sunday morning!" Carter snapped groggily. "You're the one with the policy of not getting up before 9 on weekends!"

"Brother dear, I really think you wanna be up for this. Do you want to make darling Zia wait?" she replied cheekily.

"Gods, if I find that this is a joke, you, sister mine, are dead!" Carter threatened.

"Be nice and hurry up!"

"Ugh! The one day I decided to sleep in..." he grumbled. Pushing thoughts aside, Carter got up and went about getting ready. He was, however, not prepared for the sight that greeted him as soon as he walked into the Great Hall of the 21st Nome.

The hall was full of people out of which he only knew Sadie, Walt, Zia and his uncle Amos. But what shocked him more than a room full of unknown people was that as soon as he walked in, that room full of people knelt. Only Sadie remained standing.

"Sadie, what's going on?" he whispered to her.

"I have absolutely no idea!" she, like her brother, was spooked.

Though Carter was announced the Pharaoh a week ago, he didn't rule actively- actually at all. All matters were left in the care of the Chief Lector- Amos Kane. So you can imagine his surprise at this welcome. He wanted to know what in Osiris' name they were playing at.

"Uncle Amos, what's going on? Why are you all here?"

"Lord Pharaoh, there is a slight trouble-" he started to answer but was cut off by Carter.

"Do rise. All of you." Once everyone stood up, he beckoned Amos, Zia, Sadie and Walt to follow him.

"If you all would excuse us for a moment," Carter told the room cordially and left.

Reaching his destination- the kitchen, he turned to look at the four who followed him. He turned to Zia,

"Zia-" he began but stopped seeing her bow low in acknowledgement. He was so stupefied that he didn't even blush addressing her.

Shaking his head as if to throw off unwanted thoughts, Carter was annoyed.

"Will someone please tell me what in the name of the great gods of Egypt is going on here? Why are there so many people in the hall? Why did they- you kneel?" he was exasperated at not knowing.

"Begging your pardon Pharaoh" Amos began but at one look from Carter was sent reeling back.

"Carter" he resumed, "all the Nomes do not accept my position as Chief Lector as the final decision maker. They are quoting ancient laws which state while the Pharaoh is alive, his presence is required in the First Nome and his decision final. I am being accused of trying to usurp your throne."

"What?" Carter was outraged. "How dare anybody suggest that?"

"Because you are not there to countermand it." Zia spoke for the first time that morning.

I turned to Sadie for support but she was as surprised and out of depth as me.

"So what happens now?" Walt asked. Carter had almost forgotten that he was there. He was so quiet and had as good as melted into the shadows.

"The Pharaoh must return to take his rightful place on the throne of Egypt and rule all Nomes from there," Amos stated.

"What? But I don't know the first thing about ruling. I'm a kid! I haven't even finished school. Why would anyone listen to me? You're the adult here Uncle Amos!" Carter protested.

But Sadie knew it was a futile attempt. Her doofus brother was the only one who could reunite all the magicians. Most of them still had problems trusting Amos after he hosted Set. Not to say that they trusted Carter or herself overly much because they also hosted Gods. And no adult like to be shown up by kids. But Carter still had the better claim- he was the Pharaoh. No one could openly go against him. That would constitute as treason. It had to be him.

"You may be a kid but you are also the Pharaoh. The power is your right. You are the most powerful magician in the world today. Refusing you is treason. Whoever dares do that becomes an outlaw. Nobody's situation is stable unless they are in your good books. The magicians were at war with themselves. You emerged as victor. Your power is the only thing constant. They have to listen to you. We have to listen to you, obey you," Zia explained.

Amos continued, "You just have to come back to Egypt with us. You'll learn everything else. And Zia and I will be there to help you along the way. You don't have to worry."

"Oh-kaay… it's not like I have a choice anymore. Can't Sadie come with us?" Carter asked. Sadie was quite touched that he wanted her to come along. But it made sense. He was moving to another country for an indefinite period of time.

"Sadie needs to be here to run the 21st Nome. But she can always come visit. And so can you," said Zia.

"Anyways Carter, I would have thought you'd be happier to spend time away from me and with Zia!" Sadie teased.

Carter felt himself blushing to his roots. Did his sister have to announce in front of Zia that he liked her?

He really must have gotten up on the wrong side of bed that morning.

A/N- This plot bunny struck me while writing the sixth chapter of my other KC story – Uncertain and I just had to pen it down.

Hope you guys like it. Please review! Constructive criticism is appreciated.

-A