Heart hammering, Rania stepped to the side of the door that she'd opened in order to let Isis in. The Priestess came forward a few paces and announced, "My Pharaoh."
"Yes?" He turned from where he'd been standing at the far side of the room, revealing the end of a table with a papyrus map spread on it. He had apparently been deep in thought, for he looked like one just waking from a dream. As, Rania thought, I no doubt looked when he first saw me. Her hands clasped before her, she tried to maintain her respectful gaze toward her king without looking like she was staring as he turned completely around.
His dark-blue cape made a soft swishing sound as it revealed the traditional garb of the Kings of Egypt: a white tunic and knee-length kilt, surrounded by three bands of gold at the waist, with a blue sash extending below the gold to end at the knees. The Millennium Puzzle was hanging around his neck on a leather thong, extending to his chest. Along with that, the gold collar around his neck and on his chest were almost hidden by the neck of his cape, and it looked to fit comfortably in between the gold wing-like protrusions that seemed to sprout from the top of his shoulders. The usual bands of gold adorned his upper arms and wrists, and four bands wrapped around each lower leg below the knee. Aside from the gold bands, his shoes seemed to have been removed in favor of sandals, and two heavy-looking Ankh earrings were hanging down to just touch the neck of his cape. The crown, which looked to be fashioned after the Millennium Eye, seemed to scrutinize everything it looked at in an eerie manner.
All of this seemed to be taken in in an instant, then Rania dropped her gaze to the golden stone beneath her feet, feeling his gaze fall momentarily on her before transitioning to Isis.
"Rania, the daughter of Commander Aharon, is here at your request," Isis said formally, turning her head to indicate her prescence.
"Thank you, Isis. I will send for you to escort Rania to the village when the time comes," Atem answered with an air of finality.
Rania looked up to see the High Priestess bow her head, then she turned toward the open door. As she was going she met Rania's eye, and the gravity of what she was about to do almost made Rania turn and run out of the palace. I'm in his power now, Isis, Rania tried to communicate through the look she gave the High Priestess. I don't know if I'm brave enough to go through with this.
In answer, Isis made a subtle gesture with her hand as she reached for the door: with her index finger, she drew a circle in the air under the guise of getting her hand clasped around the handle. Rania instantly understood that she meant Aharon's pendant, which made sense, since the High Priestess would have seen him almost as often as she saw her own comrades. Rania gave a small smile to signify that she'd understood, then Isis stepped outside of the Pharaoh's chambers, and closed the door on them both.
Rania immediately turned around, her eyes humbly avoiding their subject, and she kneeled before the Pharaoh in the same manner as she had shown toward Seto: one hand hanging down at her side to touch the golden floor, the other elbow supported on the knee she bent, with her fist at a right angle across her body. "My lord," she acknowledged, then continued, "I appreciate the lengths which were taken to conduct me here safely. Now I am here, and it is my request to know what you would have of me."
She heard a small chuckle, and her breath quickened slightly when footsteps reached her ears, until two tan sandaled feet came into view. A hand of the same color reached down until it was before her eyes. "Your father taught you well," she heard Atem say as she glanced up. His violet eyes were kind, and they didn't seem to hold any trace of the animosity she had sensed when she had first been in his presence. Extending his hand lower, he said, "Please, rise."
She placed her own hand into his, hesitantly, feeling how strong and muscled it was as it tightened around hers in a gentle grip. Letting herself get pulled to her feet, Rania felt slightly nervous as the Pharaoh held her hand a minute longer. He looked at her with what seemed like sincerity. "All will be revealed in time," he continued, as he gently released her. "In the meantime, you may dispense with the formalities and call me by my name, Rania," he said as he turned toward the table, gesturing for her to follow.
"Yes, my . . . Atem," Rania stammered, feeling the name sound almost foreign as she uttered it, even though both her father and her mother had called him by name during many nocturnal discussions. Remembering guiltily that she'd often pretend to be asleep in order to listen then, she blushed suddenly at the crooked smile the Pharaoh gave her. Beckoning her over to the ornately carved table, he stood at the end while she placed herself on the left side. Bending over the map and then gesturing to it, Atem spoke. "Tell me," he commanded, "do you think I took the right course of action in regards to this apparition?"
With difficulty, Rania suppressed the thrill of panic that arose inside her heart at such words, and, remembering the most significant lesson her father taught her, she merely directed an inquisitive glance at the Pharaoh. "How would I know of such matters?" she asked, maintaining a politeful tone.
Standing up straight and looking her in the eye, Atem answered, "A number of my Council have reported an intrusion into some of the meetings of which I have partaken. The aura that was sensed was not powerful enough to be a major concern, yet it was not weak enough to go unnoticed. Naturally, we took the liberty of attributing it to a common thief, but for the past few nights, I've sensed it whenever I was in the village, and more specifically, when I've been speaking with you."
Trying to appear composed, Rania nevertheless began to feel ever-growing fear at the impending consequences she imagined herself put to. Those thoughts, added to the keenness of one so royal and intimidating, only served to quicken her heartbeat, and make her short of breath. Attempting to decide whether she should politely refute his claim, or excuse herself altogether, she then met his gaze and made her choice. "I must protest, Atem, that I meant only the best for one dear to me."
Clasping his hands behind him patiently and making a gesture for her to continue, he said, "Speak then, and prove that you are more than the many thieves that dare to lie in my prescence."
Nodding submissively, Rania began, spinning a half-truth so as not to awaken the suspicion of the Orichalcos. "My lord, I have answered your summons out of the respect that is only rightfully due to you as the protector and ruler of this land. Yet, I come also bearing a request that has been weighing on my family since my father's passing."
Atem inclined his head in curiosity, although the look in his eyes seemed to soften through, Rania guessed, the experience of losing his own father in battle. Thankful for the change that had been wrought in him, able to ask the deed of the Pharaoh with more confidence, she continued.
"Since his death seven years ago, my dwelling has fallen into disrepair. My father would often ensure that the tributes were paid, and that our home was well looked after when he was away on his journeys, yet, as you saw, our condition has worsened. My mother, young as she might still be, will not be so forever. There are few positions in the kingdom that would suit a commander's widow and daughter, for my father's service and the fact of his lineage used to be enough. Now, I see that is no longer true."
Pausing for a moment to build up her courage, Rania breathed deeply and said, "I humbly request that my mother and I be granted lodging in the palace, and in return, we shall be employed in any manner others see fit to repay our debt of gratitude. However, please understand that I ask this not for my own benefit, but so that my mother can be given the life I believe she deserves."
There was silence. Fearing that she had asked the wrong thing of Atem, Rania lifted her gaze from the gold-tiled floor. The Pharaoh was looking at her with a thorough, thoughtful gaze, although the hint of affection remained in his violet eyes. Then, slowly, he did the last action Rania had possibly expected, given what she had asked. His face broke into a smile, and his eyes seemed to magnify its radiance tenfold. "Never, during my brief reign thus far, have I come across a request so selfless. Usually, the people I speak to would use their circumstances to only better themselves or they would try to take advantage of the people below them. However, there seem to be no conflicts to warrant that." His smile shrinking to a small grin, Atem nodded and said, "Very well. It shall be as you have asked, Rania."
Overwhelmed with the magnitude of the request she had had granted, Rania immediately bent her knees and her head in a deep curtsy, exhaling all the anxiety she had had about the request out in a few words: "Thank you, Atem."
He returned her gesture of thanks with an equally gracious nod. "However, that doesn't explain the reason for your intrusions into palace life, especially the Council meetings."
"I was only listening for any information that would aid my mother and I in our plight. I swear, my lord, that before too much time had passed, I would have come to request an audience of my own volition," Rania answered, feeling some of the panic start to creep back in as the Pharaoh's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Once again, her worst fears were assuaged as, after a critical moment of studying her face, Atem nodded finally, as the kindness appeared to flow back into those piercing violet orbs. "Now tell me," he said as she straightened, for he had returned his attention to the map again, "did I make the right choice?"
"I believe you took the right precautions for the land's safety, my lord, especially for the people in the outlying villages that are more vulnerable to an attack," Rania started, trying to recall the details of the meeting as she placed her hands along the side of the table, to better see the parchment spread between them. "The magicians' barrier should prove quite useful, as well as the deployment of the garrison."
"I'm not so sure of that," Atem began, a frown wrinkling his brow. At Raina's curious glance, he sighed and elaborated, "If this creature can harm others by its mere sight, and if it were to overpower the barrier, then the garrison would be useless against it."
"You have assigned your strongest magicians to the task, Atem," Rania said, her voice full of reassurance as she traced her hand along the barrier he had marked. "The spirit will not harm the villages that are not close to the main route. It will not even harm the people closest to the palace road if you were to offer asylum to them before it reaches here."
"You truly think that would be the best decision?" he asked, tilting his head. His eyes appeared to be trying to discern what she was thinking about this matter.
Becoming wary, both from his appearance and his question, she said carefully, "I am only voicing my opinion, my lord."
"Your opinion is no doubt drawing off of the knowledge of the greatest general in my father's army," Atem stated, in all manner of seriousness, "and therefore it will count."
"Then . . . yes. I think that would be the right choice to make in this situation," Rania said, turning slightly red from the Pharaoh's compliment.
Giving her a grateful smile, which she pleasantly returned with respect, Atem turned away from the table with the words, "I will think most cautiously on what you have said, Rania. Now," he continued, for he had walked over to the balcony overlooking the kingdom as he beckoned to her, "now I shall reveal the reason for why I have summoned you here tonight."
Walking over to the edge of the balcony also, Rania leant against the stone barrier that enclosed it, grateful to allow her tired feet a little rest as she looked at Atem inquisitively. "What is it?"
Looking as if he were trying to compose his thoughts, Atem looked up at the countless stars hovering above in the night sky. After a few minutes of silence, interrupted only by the nocturnal desert cacophony, the Pharaoh turned toward her with a gaze of such intensity that she shivered despite the warmth of the air.
"Your voice, and your song, is unlike anything I have ever heard, Rania," he said, his own voice not lacking in longing. "When I hear it, it seems to spirit away the burdens of my position, and it is as potent as any medicinal remedy. It is for this reason that I ask that you sing at the Festival of Opet, which will be a few days hence. During that time, if you and your mother wish it, you may take up your residence in the palace before the Festival, or you may wait until after. I will leave that choice up to you."
"M-my lord, I don't know what to say . . . " Rania stammered, consciously avoiding his eyes after he made his request. She felt her face heat up in the cool air, and under his bent gaze, she thought her soul may as well have been peering out through her eyes.
"I would wish you to say yes," Atem suggested, smiling a little, as though to consciously put her off the thought that the Orichalcos was in control.
"Y-yes, I would be honored," she said quietly, looking up at him. However, as her eyes traveled up his person to meet his, she noticed a tiny emerald-looking stone that was bound around his neck on a silver chain of medium thickness. It was short enough that it peeped out of the neck of his cape at her, as though it were trying to be inconspicuous. Rania knew, with little doubt in her mind, that the stone was a fragment of the cursed Orichalcos. Just the sight of it sent her into a state of such mental fear of the person it held sway over that she couldn't look away. Only his voice, returned to normal, containing the benevolence of before, woke her out of her trance.
"I will be honored as well to listen to you again," the Pharaoh said, appearing to smile genuinely. After a few more moments where each held the gaze of the other, Atem turned toward his chamber door. "I believe that I have kept you for long enough. No doubt your mother is missing you."
"Yes, I believe she must be," Rania agreed, following, then at the door she turned and curtsied deeply once again. "I am sincerely grateful for the honor which you have bestowed, both upon myself and my mother. We will do everything we can to make sure that our debts to you are repaid in full."
"That, I am sure of," Atem answered, as he nodded deeply in response. "Farewell, Rania."
Bowing her head, Rania straightened to look at him one last time, and the sight of the stone, coupled with his imperious, desirous gaze almost made her fall to her knees, lay her soul bare, and cry for mercy from the wretched Orichalcos. She thanked the gods on high when she heard soft footsteps behind her. "Are you ready, Rania?"
Turning and nodding mutely at Isis, it was all she could do to walk calmly out of the Pharaoh's chambers, his gaze politely boring into her back.
. . . . . . .
Hello again, world! To all my readers and followers far, I am so, SO sorry that I've taken this long to update. Life kinda got in the way, like a multiple-week trip to my grandma's house, not to mention freshman year of college. But finally, here it is! The long-awaited Chapter 4! Again, I am both open to new ideas and/or constructive criticism, so keep that in mind. I understand I'm a fairly new writer of fanfics, but that's beside the point. Happy reading!