Chapter Seven

The next day felt like a living hell for Mahaado. From the moment the sun entered his room and the young mage opened his eyes to greet the day, his body ached. Every part of his body screamed bloody murder in his ears as he got out of bed. Some of the simplest tasks, such as dressing himself, took forever and every moment of it hurt. He finished the task by putting his Millennium Ring around his neck, and let it rest against his chest. Finishing this, he turned and looked at himself in the mirror.

The image staring back at him was pathetic. The man in the mirror looked old and very tired. He began to laugh at his reflection, but stopped when he realized how painful it was to laugh. Sighing in defeat, he turned and left his room, making his way to the kitchen to eat.

However, the pain was almost unbearable. Each step he took hurt worst than the last step he took. He had to place one hand on the wall to help him along since all the pain was starting to blur his eyesight.

"Mahaado?" A voice called behind him.

He turned slowly towards the person. Even though all he could see was a big blur, he recognized the voice well enough to tell who it was.

"Good morning Aishisu. Did you sleep well?" He greeted cheerfully before groaning in pain.

"I knew it! You were in no condition to leave my room last night. You just had to be a stubborn one and now look at you. You can barely walk." She lectured him. Walking over, she crossed her arms across her chest and took a breath to continue her lecture.

He sighed loudly and rested his back against the wall. Aishisu stopped her lecture and her eyes filled will concern.

"Are you alright Mahaado?" She asked softly.

"I'm quite alright. I'm just waiting for you to stop your ranting that's all." He said opening an eye to smile at her.

Her frown returned and she took a step towards him.

"This isn't a laughing matter Mahaado." She snapped angrily. "You could have been killed out there!"

"Yeah that thought crossed my mind a couple of times last night." He admitted seriously. "But I have a job to protect the Pharaoh and the Prince at all costs."

He then raised a hand and brushed her cheek, moving some hair there behind her ear.

"And I have too…no I wanted to protect you too. That was all that was on my mind when I was out there." He whispered softly to her. "Your special to me Aishisu."

A blush appeared on Aishisu's face at this comment. The two gazed at each other, not even noticing the closing gap between them. Her eyes closed slowly, along with his, as their lips came closer together. Her heart was rapidly beating as she felt his breath on her. However, before the lips could touch…

"Mahaado? Are you here Buddy?" A new voice suddenly called out.

Aishisu and Mahaado's eyes snapped open suddenly in surprise. Once Aishisu realized their position, she gave a loud gasp and pushed him away. She walked backwards until her back hit the wall on the other side. She could only stare at him in disbelief.

"What…what just almost happened?" She asked softly.

"I…I don't know." He admitted softly. "Aishisu…I'm sorry…I…"

However, before he could finish that statement, the person looking for him arrived. Karimu walked up to say his greetings, but they died in his mouth when he noticed their faces.

"What's wrong? What happened?" He asked instead, making his way over to them.

"Nothing." Aishisu whispered looking away. Karimu noticed the hurt look in Mahaado's eyes, but it disappeared as quickly as it came.

"What do you need Karimu?" Mahaado asked dull and lifeless.

Karimu watched his friend sadly, as Mahaado moved away from the wall, and the silent upset woman.

"I was sent by the Pharaoh Akunamukanon, to fetch you. His Highness wishes to speak with you upon the issues of last night." Karimu explained.

Mahaado could only nod, as he began to make his way down the hallway. His mind flashed back to when he was in Aishisu's room, with her attending to his wounds, but the memory disappeared and the one of her frighten and shocked face from earlier appeared. He sighed frustrated and continued on his way. Karimu watched as Aishisu's made her way down the hallway in the other direction. Even though her back was to him, he could still see the heaving shoulders of a crying woman. He wanted to ask her what was the matter, but he felt that Mahaado would be easier to get that type of information out of, so he turned and ran after his friend. The two were turning a corner and were going down a different way when Mahaado finally reacted.

"Damn it all!" He yelled as he swung his arm back. The back of his hand struck a nearby pot and knocked it to the ground. It shattered loudly and pieces flew across the hallway. The magician groaned loudly and slid down the wall. Burying his face in his hands, the man sitting on the ground began to sob in frustration.

Karimu, who watched the whole exchange with shock and fear, knelt down next to his friend and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"I really messed up Karimu. I really messed things up." Mahaado muttered in his hands.

"What happened?" Karimu asked, gazing carefully at his friend.

Mahaado lowered his hands and looked up at his friend in distress.

"I tried to kiss her."

Karimu was silent at first. When he finally spoke, his words were slow and hesitant as he thought of what he was saying.

"What happened that brought this on?" He questioned slowly.

Mahaado looked at the floor than back at him. He began to tell him everything that has happened. From their first meeting, their walk in the garden, the tour of the market. Even with the fight and his visit to her room the night before. Everything that was happening he explained to his friend. Finally ending on the almost kiss that happened earlier.

"And now she hates me." He groaned. "I didn't want this to happen to us…I never wanted to make her upset." He finished softly.

"Well I don't think she hates you. She is probably very confused right now. Why don't you go and see the Pharaoh and I'll have a word with Aishisu." Karimu suggested with a smile.

Mahaado smiled at his friend.

"You're the best Karimu, thanks.'

Karimu smiled and stood up. Offering his hand, he helped his friend to his feet. He then pointed down the hallway.

"Keep going that way and turn left. Pharaoh Akunamukanonwill be expecting you in his study."

"Okay…but what about the pot?" Mahaado asked looking at the mess he created.

"Oh I'll say it was my clumsiness that knocked it over, don't worry. I've been here long enough that the servants would believe that."

Mahaado nodded once more and began to walk down the hallway. When he got to the end, he looked back once more.

"Thanks again."

"Anytime."

The two friends smiled at each other one more time before they went their separate ways. Mahaado made his way down the hall, his thoughts clouded with thoughts from earlier. His normally calm and cheerful face was distressed and upset. Some the servants who passed by him shivered and moved to get away as possible. However, Mahaado either did not mind or notice their actions.

Finally, he found himself in front of a pair of large oak doors. Raising a hand, he gave the door a large rapping sound.

"Enter." A deep and calm voice responded from inside the room.

Mahaado opened the floor and walked in. Keeping his head down and his eyes glued to the floor, he made his way into the room. Once he closed the door, he offered the Pharaoh a low bow.

"You have requested to see me Sire." He asked softly.

"Oh Mahaado, please rise and come here. I wish to discuss the actions that has happened last night." The Pharaoh said waving his hand to a chair nearby.

Mahaado stood up and made his way over to the chair. Once he was seated, he looked at the Pharaoh. The elder man waved his hand, permitting him to speak.

"Well sir, the man who attacked last night goes by the name Akains. He is a magician of the same guild as me. Actually, we use to work together. He is a Class 6 magician, myself a Class 8 at the time. His reasons for coming was to attack the Prince, but I also believe he was here to fight myself. I apologize to admit that his appearance has caught me off guard, but I shall not allow that to happen again." Mahaado explained.

The Pharaoh was silent as he watched the man explain all he knew. When Mahaado finished his story, the Pharaoh sighed and stood up. Making his way over to the window, he looked out. Outside was the garden that the battle took place in. He smiled as he watched his son, Prince Atemu, go sneaking around through it, most likely avoiding one of the Priests who he was suppose to have a lesson with.

"This magician, this Akains, is he stronger than you Mahaado, in your current state?" The Pharaoh asked at length.

"Yes, only because he still has all of his powers, as I do not." Mahaado admitted.

The Pharaoh smiled and looked over at the Priest. He knew what the Priest spoke of even if the others didn't.

"What you did last night was admiral indeed. I am glad that you risked so much to protect my son. He is very fond of you."

"I am very fond of the Prince myself."

"I wouldn't want any other Priest protecting him but yourself."

Mahaado bowed his head softly at the compliment.

"I am grateful of your praise, My Pharaoh."

The Pharaoh walked over and sat down across from the mage.

"That is why I am asking you this. I was wondering if you would take the role of being my main general of my armies and protecting my and my son's pyramids after we have passed."

Mahaado was speechless. His eyes widen slightly and his mouth dropped open as he gazed at the Pharaoh. His heart began to rapidly beat against his chest.

"I…I am very honored, My Pharaoh." He finally managed to stutter out. "This is a huge honor indeed."

The Pharaoh smiled.

"Well you are a very kind and gentle man. My son is very fond of you, and the Priests respect you. You have earned this position."

With all of this said, he picked up a wooden box that was next to his chair. Placing it in his lap, he opened it up to reveal what was inside to Mahaado. Inside was a headwear. It was made of a pure white cloth that went down low. In the top center of the headpiece were two golden arrows and a golden circle. Standing up, the Pharaoh placed the headpiece on Mahaado's head. The cloth reached down and covered all of his brown hair from view. He turned his head and gazed solemnly at a mirror nearby.

"You look like a totally different person." The Pharaoh observed.

"I feel like a totally different person." The mage admitted.

"Well go. I shall prepare a feast in your honor."

Mahaado stood up and bowed to the Pharaoh again.

"My many thanks again for such an honor my Pharaoh."

He turned and made his way to the doors. However, before he opened the large oak door he paused and turned one last time.

"My Pharaoh, if I may speak."

"Go ahead." The Pharaoh permitted with a nod.

"If you care for this woman, to the point of death for her happiness, but something happens that makes her upset. What should you do to make her happy again." Mahaado asked. Mainly summing up everything that had happened earlier.

The Pharaoh smiled softly at this.

"If you truly love this woman, and she the same for you, than all will be well. Go and apologize to her about what ever has upsetting her and ask for her forgiveness. She is most likely confused than mad at you. In the end, it will all work out."

Mahaado smiled at this and existed the room. He began to make his way down the hallway, towards Aishisu's room.

"The Pharaoh is right, I need to apologize for earlier." He declared confidently.