Ah the third chapter. I'm overjoyed to have it posted. :) I've gotten great reviews so far and hopefully this chapter will get the same reactions!
Izzylizzy216: Never have I gotten a comment with that much enthusiasm so fast! Whenever I post a new story I get nervous that no one will give me feedback. You put my fears to rest quickly!
EgyptianAngel: I've never seen any stories like that, or had that idea before. However, there is a character toward the end of the story that could fit the bill as an ancestor of Larry and Nicky. :)
Magykal-guest: Thank you very much! Adorable was exactly what I was shooting for.
thestrangesong: Well since you said please. ;) Just kidding! I'll always update sooner or later!
The two boys got along better the next day to the delight of their parents. How long it was going to last no one knew, but the royal couple would cherish it while it did.
Ahkmenrah had made Kahmunrah promise not to tell anyone about the dream or the fact that he had gone to his room the night before. He felt that his older brother understood the importance of the dream, but sneaking into his room from fear he wasn't so sure. Kahmunrah might want to make fun of him for it in front of their parents. So Ahkmenrah gave him his dessert, just to be safe.
His duties done for the day, Pharaoh was now sitting with his wife by the fire, watching his two children across the room. They were sitting on the floor, playing a board game called senet.
Shepseheret told him, "I've received no complaints today from either boy. I don't know what happened at that banquet yesterday, but it's had a great effect on them both."
Merenkahre nodded, "Indeed." He chuckled, "Perhaps it was something they ate."
"If I can figure out what it was I'm having them eat it every night." There was some silence as both parents observed their children, but the queen remembered a conversation she had with her husband, "Earlier you had mentioned that you wanted to talk with Kahmunrah about his behavior toward Ahkmenrah yesterday, correct?"
"Yes, and I still do. The boys may be behaving today but I have reason to believe that Kahmunrah has to be told what he did wrong."
Kahmunrah looked thoughtfully at the black and white pieces on the senet board. The board represented the netherworld while the pieces represented souls trying to escape it. The goal of senet was to get all of the pieces of your assigned color out first. Right now, it seemed Ahkmenrah was winning. The elder thought of a way to prevent this, but at the same time it (hopefully) wouldn't get him into trouble.
"They've cheated," Kahmunrah told his brother.
Ahkmenrah looked at him in confusion, "What? Who cheated?"
"The souls," he indicated the game pieces, "have cheated. They tricked the gods."
"They have?"
"When it was time for their hearts to be weighed against the feather they used somebody else's. Now the gods are angry, and the souls shall be thrown into the darkest depths of the underworld!" Yelling, Kahmunrah took his arm and swiped all of the pieces off the board and onto the floor. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his parents' faces turn angry. Those expressions quickly left when Ahkmenrah fell backwards on the floor, laughing hysterically. Funny what could make kids laugh so much.
The youngest asked, "So who won?"
Kahmunrah shrugged, "The gods I guess." Better losing to gods than a little boy.
Shepseheret told Kahmunrah, "Make sure to pick up the pieces, Dear."
"Yes Mother." As Kahmunrah set all of the pieces back on the board, Ahkmenrah ran to his parents and sat in front of them. When he was done, Kahmunrah also made his way over and sat next to his brother.
Pharaoh said, "I'm glad to hear you two have gotten along nicely today. I haven't heard one rude comment from Kahmunrah about his brother and Ahkmenrah... you shared your dessert."
Ahkmenrah replied, "I don't really have a sweet tooth."
His mother grabbed Ahkmenrah and squeezed him in a hug, "Which is so surprising considering how sweet you are." This earned her a 'Mother!' from Ahkmenrah and an eye roll from Kahmunrah.
"Careful, Dear," warned Merenkahre, "You'll smother him to death." The queen released Ahkmenrah, but the little boy decided to stay in his mother's lap. Not wanting to be left out, Kahmunrah sat on his father's.
"I reckon bedtime will be in about an hour," she stated. "What do you think Pharaoh?"
He nodded, "Sounds reasonable."
She continued, "And one of the princes has yet to take his bath." She looked at Ahkmenrah on her lap, who momentarily froze.
He smirked at her before suddenly running off, "You'll have to catch me first!" Shepseheret smiled and shook her head before following. As she left she said, "I'll get Ahkmenrah ready for bed. You can have your talk with Kahmunrah."
Immediately Kahmunrah said, "I didn't do it! I deny everything!"
Merenkahre smiled, "I'm sure you're innocent of the crime of which you speak, but I wanted to talk to you about pharaohs. Your mother told me of what you said yesterday."
Kahmunrah answered, "I said a lot of things yesterday."
"I'm talking about what you said about pharaohs executing those who disrespect them." Kahmunrah nodded in understanding. He remembered the comment well. "Indeed pharaohs do execute those for disrespect, but the culprit must have done a major offense."
"Is demanding an apology a major offense? How would you handle it?"
"It depends. If a person insults me once I ignore and forget it. Perhaps even give the apology if it was my fault. But there are times when insulting me means insulting the gods, and those people will be punished accordingly."
"What of Ahkmenrah's offense towards me?"
"If your brother had demanded an apology from me I would remind him that I am his father. He knows better than to do that. You are a bit different. You're forgetting an important detail my son."
"What's that?" the boy asked.
"You are not the pharaoh. Not yet. You still have much to learn before that time comes. For instance, how to control your temper. If you lash out on the citizens when you get angry, people will fear you."
Kahmunrah squinted in confusion, "But I thought you said citizens should fear the pharaoh?"
"Some fear is necessary to keep order and respect in Egypt, but too much can have severe consequences. Citizens will be too afraid to go about their daily lives. Others may try to murder the pharaoh to be rid of a tyrant."
"Wouldn't they be too afraid of getting into trouble to try and kill him?"
"They'd be afraid yes, but they will do it if they believe the safety of Egypt depends on it." He removed his crown and gave it to his son. The boy immediately began admiring the golden accessory in his hands. "That crown was custom-built by my father-in-law for me. He refused to give it to me until he was sure I was ready. Being Pharaoh isn't easy Kahmunrah. It takes confidence, strength, responsibility, patience, and wisdom. When I had proven myself worthy of the throne he had the crown made, and I was given permission to marry your mother. It took much training and determination to get to where I am now."
Kahmunrah continued to admire the crown, "I don't understand what you're trying to say."
He gave him a sad smile, "Perhaps it is because you're still young. My message is too complex for you to understand. I suppose until then your definition of a pharaoh and mine will be different."
Kahmunrah answered, "A pharaoh is an all-powerful ruler of Egypt and the gods are always on his side. That's my definition."
The father shook his head, "It is not mine. It won't be until you figure out the right definition when you can rule."
"So you're not going to tell me?"
He gently took the crown from Kahmunrah and placed it back on his head, "No I'm not. It is something you must figure out for yourself. I wish you luck in your journey to discover it."
"Thanks." He yawned from boredom, but the pharaoh mistook the action as sleepiness.
"I suppose that is your cue to get ready for bed. Goodnight Kahmunrah."
I should have the next chapter (which will have much more action) posted very soon!
What do you think of this chapter? Feel free to review! :)
