Several hours later, Mahaad found himself at his desk once more, studying the spell he was to perform for his master the following day, a spell to summon fire. As he looked over the motions and incantations, he heard a familiar voice from outside of his room.

"Hey, Mahaad! Are you in there?"

Mahaad sighed, but his lips stretched into a smile. What would he do with that boy?

He closed the tome he had been studying from and said, "You can come in, Prince."

The door swung open to reveal the young face Mahaad had grown to cherish. Without the Prince around, Mahaad doubted he would ever retain his sanity, being stuck at the palace with his master. However, the childish face tonight sported an impish, mischievous grin.

Mahaad closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Prince, what in the world are you up to...?" he asked, slightly wary of what sort of answer he might receive.

"Why are you always so suspicious of me?" the prince asked, still smiling.

Mahaad raised an eyebrow. "You underestimate how well I've grown to know you. Are you skipping out on lessons again? I will not be blamed for-"

"Oh Mahaad, it isn't anything like that," Atem cut him off. "I just brought a friend along, is all!"

Before Mahaad could respond, Atem stepped outside and out of sight for a moment before walking back in, leading someone by the hand. Mahaad's eyes widened as they met the impossibly blue ones that greeted him.

"Oh! You were at the ceremony today!" Isis remarked. "It's very nice to meet you."

In his hurry to stand, Mahaad knocked his chair over backwards. Flustered, he bent down to put it back on its legs again, but knocked several books off his desk as well.

"Oh I'm so sorry! Here, let me..."

"No! No, no it's fine I just..." Mahaad swallowed and took a deep breath before trying to speak again. "I apologize, I get, er, clumsy when I'm nervous..." Electing to leave the books on the ground for the moment, he stepped to the side of his desk and bowed, his hair reaching the floor.

"It's an honor to meet you as well, Isis."

Isis laughed softly, pushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "There's no need to be so formal," she told him.

"Oh, he's always like that," Atem piped in.

As Mahaad straightened, he cleared his throat, his cheeks flushing red.

There was an awkward, tangible silence for a few moments before Isis spoke once more.

"So, um, how exactly does your magic and Item training work? I'm a little nervous, I'm not too sure what to expect..." her voice trailed off.

Mahaad broke their gaze, looking away. "I...I don't think I'm the best person to answer that question. Priestess Senet seems like a wonderful teacher, and, well...Priest Kassim is rather...strict."

"Yeah!" Atem broke in once more. "He hits Mahaad-"

"W-with new spells to learn every single day! It's difficult, but I manage to get all of my studying done, even with the Prince coming to visit. Isn't that right?" Mahaad turned to look at the prince. His lips stretched into a smile, but his eyes glared daggers into Atem's visage.

Isis's eyes narrowed a fraction, but she did not inquire. "Oh I'm so sorry!" she began. "I had no idea you were so busy! I would never have-I'll just leave now!"

As she turned towards the door, Mahaad gently took her wrist in his hand, saying, "No, wait!" Isis turned around and looked down at his hand before meeting his eyes once more. They stayed like that for a moment before Mahaad's cheeks flushed again and he quickly let go of her hand.

"I-er," he stammered, struggling to voice his thoughts. He stopped and took a deep breath before proceeding.

"Would you...um...want to...practice magic with me sometime?"

The last few words spilled haphazardly out of Mahaad's mouth.

Isis's whole face brightened. "Oh, would I!"

Mahaad smiled widely and breathed a sigh of relief. "You really have no idea how much that would help me out," he began quietly. "I mess up really terribly when I'm nervous, so having someone to watch when I'm practicing may just be a life saver."

Isis nodded eagerly. "Of course! I'm glad to-"

"PRINCE ATEM, WHERE ARE YOU!?"

They felt silent at the sound of Mashti's voice resonating through the hall. Mahaad turned and looked at Atem with a disapproving expression.

"Prince, you said-"

"Oops!" Atem said, grinning. He then dashed out of the room, in the opposite direction of Mashti's voice.

Mahaad sighed and turned back to Isis, whose eyebrows were raised in confusion.

"He's always getting into some sort of trouble, but he has a heart of gold if you dig deep enough," Mahaad explained with a small smile on his face.

Isis smiled as well. "You two really care for one another," she remarked.

Mahaad nodded. "He is the reason I keep up with my lessons as best I can. He is so young, and yet...he has this amazing vision of the world he wishes to build. I will always remember...some time ago, he and the daughter of one of the palace servants, Mana, were playing in the palace gardens. I had only just arrived when I noticed a snake curled up in a tree next to the two. I managed to intercept it just as it struck, and it bit me." He rubbed his forearm subconsciously, remembering the sharp fangs.

"I asked if the Prince was alright, but he didn't answer. He simply told me not to move, took my arm, and began to suck the venom out of the wound. I told him that a person of his status should do no such thing, and I'll never forget his response." Mahaad smiled and looked toward the ceiling. "'What is so different between you and I?' he asked me. 'The same red blood runs through our veins.' I was amazed that such a young boy could have such a revelation. But then he continued; he said, 'When I am Pharaoh, I want to build a world where everyone can see the same red blood in each other. And I want you to help me build it, Mahaad.'"

He met Isis's gaze once more. "And that's why I have sworn to become a priest of the court. So that I can always be by the Prince's side, to protect him, and to build this world of his."

"What an inspiring boy," Isis said, noticing the admiration in Mahaad's blue-grey eyes.

Mahaad nodded. "Yes, he truly is. One shouldn't be fooled by his silly antics."

Isis smiled. "Duly noted. Now then, I should really let you get back to your studying."

Mahaad tried to hide the disappointment from his face, but he must have failed. Isis's smile grew wider and she pushed her hair behind her ear and blushed slightly as she said, "Well, if you'd like...I can always...I guess...come back tomorrow..."

Before Mahaad had a chance to voice his agreement, Isis turned on her heel, saying, "Good luck at your lesson tomorrow!"

Once she had gone, he sat back down at his desk and opened the spellbook once more, but found himself unable to concentrate. He rested his face in one hand and noticed his cheeks were still warm.

How was that kid so perceptive?

Author's Note:

Well, it has...definitely been a while, and to be honest I have no excuses, except for that the story simply wouldn't come to me. I've gotten some really nice feedback on this fic so far (thank you reviewers), but I don't like to try and force myself to write, because it shows. In any case, I have a few more chapters written, and I think I know where I want to go. So thanks to those who have stuck with me. Until next time!