Chapter 3: Pharaoh's Invitation

Mahaad left the room and decided to return the scrolls he had been borrowing. He traced his steps back to his room and scooped them off the table and brought them back to the library. He stood awkwardly in the center of the room, looking around for the librarian. "What brings you here?" a voice from behind him asked. Mahaad turned to see a short elderly man standing there, giving him an amused look.

Mahaad's breath caught in his throat as he recognized the distinctive clothing of the vizier, the second most powerful man in all of Egypt. Mahaad made a move to kneel, but the vizier stopped him with an extended hand. "Master Vizier!" Mahaad said in awe. The elder man's eyes twinkled in amusement.

"Yes, I am. However, you still didn't answer my question," he reminded the boy. Mahaad felt his cheeks redden, and he glanced down at the scrolls he was carrying. "I—I was just returning these scrolls I borrowed," Mahaad said quickly.

"You can put them over there," the vizier indicated a table to Mahaad's left. The vizier watched in silence as Mahaad followed his direction. "I don't recall ever seeing you before. What is your name boy?"

"I am Mahaad son of Nakht, of Waset," he stated proudly. The vizier nodded, recognizing his father's name.

"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Shimon Muran, vizier to the Pharaoh. Perhaps we shall converse again soon, Mahaad. May Horus guide your travels."

Mahaad returned the invocation and remained rooted to the spot as the vizier took his leave. It was a few minutes before approaching footsteps shook him out of his stupor. Mahaad decided he was going to take a walk to the gardens. He sat down under the shade of a tree and closed his eyes in contentment.

He was awakened by someone shaking him. His eyes fluttered for a moment before he was fully aware of his surroundings. A palace servant was crouched in front of him with a hand on his shoulder. "I apologize for waking you. But I was sent to come and find you. You and your father have been invited to dine with the Pharaoh." Mahaad started.

The boy shot to his feet, fighting the urge to panic. "When is dinner?" Mahaad asked, a bit harsher than intended. The servant was a bit taken aback, but replied, "Right now."

The servant led the way to the dining hall, Mahaad at his heels. Upon entering the room, he spotted his father seated a few places away from the vizier. Mahaad also noted that the crowned prince was seated to the Pharaoh's right. The chair at the head of the table was vacant, Mahaad breathed a sigh of relief. Dinner couldn't start until the king was present—Mahaad wasn't late.

As Mahaad stood off to the side, unsure of where to sit, the prince turned around and potted him and grinned, waving at him. Mahaad retuned it and smiled back. A guard noticed his discomfort and directed him to a seat a few down the table from his father. As soon as the Pharaoh entered the room, everyone stood. The Pharaoh casually waved them back into their seats. As soon as the Pharaoh began eating, this set off a chain reaction and the rest of them joined in.

Mahaad's mouth watered as the looked at the food spread out before him. There was even wine. He had only had wine on very important occasions. This would be one of them, it wasn't every day that one dined with the god-king of Egypt.

The Pharaoh chatted quietly with Shimon and Mahaad stared at his plate too nervous to look anywhere else. "Nakht," The Pharaoh said, drawing Mahaad's attention. "after meeting your son, and learning of my vizier's good impression of him, I would like to invite him to test his skills in magic. If he does well, he can continue his training here with my magicians." It was hard to tell who was more shocked, Mahaad or his father. Nakht recovered first.

"We would be honored, my Pharaoh," Nakht replied humbly. The Pharaoh smiled in approval. "So, let it written, so let it be done!" he clapped his hands for emphasis, and the ever present scribe perked up and scribbled furiously on his papyrus roll.

Once the meal was over, Mahaad accompanied his father back to their guest room. Mahaad bit his lip as he turned to look at his father. "Father will I be able to see you and mother again?" he asked. Nakht sat on the bed next to his eldest, who had drawn his knees up to his chest.

"Yes," he soothed. "The court moves to Waset during the hottest part of the year. You'll be able to visit then. Being invited to train at the palace is a very great honor. You should be proud," he reminded his son.

"But I won't be trained at the palace will I?" Mahaad asked.

Nakht was often impressed by his son's observational skills. "No you will be trained in one of the temples around here." Nakht picked up on Mahaad's unspoken thoughts. "You think there is no better placed to be trained than at Karnak, don't you?" Mahaad started and looked away guiltily.

Nakht laid a hand on Mahaad's shoulder. "The Pharaoh employs the strongest magicians in all of the Two Lands. It is their students who teach at Karnak," he said seriously. Mahaad looked somewhat relieved to hear that. They talked long into the night before Mahaad fell asleep.

Author's Notes:

Sorry it has taken me so long to update this. I just didn't think anyone wanted to read this.

The Omega: I hope you liked this chapter! Sorry it is short. I'm open to any suggestions you have!