Author´s note: We have a very long chapter ahead so I keep it for short. Things are going to get pretty ugly for our friends. I use the River Lullaby of the Prince of Egypt but one that is wonderful for this story is Mercedes Lullaby of Pan´s Labyrinth, composed by Javier Navarrete (Worth listening to it, trust me). And for the record, Ratopher is my favourite character.

Song belongs to Cat Stevens (GORGEOUS SONG!)


7. Home of the Lost

"Ratopher" Papyrus walks inside the priest´s room.

"How was the visit?"

"Wonderful. Are you feeling better?" The old man had not come with them.

"Yes, thank you. I just need some time on my own. Still worried, my child?"

"Yes, I am more relief thanks to Kishu but..."

"You should go to bed now. I´ll excuse you." Smiles Ratopher. "You need rest."

"Thanks." Papyrus goes to his room and tries to sleep but Bes is not generous today. He turns and tosses. Why are the gods punishing him like that?

"Where´s Papyrus?" Theti is pretty concerned.

"He is tired. I send him to sleep. He will be just fine in the morning." Says the high priest of Horus.

"He has being pretty restless these days." The Grand Vizier has also noticed.

"Do you know the cause, Ratopher?"

"Well, he..."

"Papyrus is worried about someone who saved him when he was little." The princess says without knowing what she has done. Kishu coughs and Catulo rolls his eyes. Pharaoh glances at his daughter. "He, uh, saved him from some hyenas. Yes."

"And why is he so worried?" Asks the monarch.

"Because he has no news about this person and he wants to thank him."

"I see." That was a close shaved, too close. The dinner goes on in silence and when is over, Merenre bids good night to his daughter. "Wait there, Ratopher." The priest is stopped in his tracks. "Do you happen to know who is this missing friend of Papyrus?"

"No, your highness."

"I see. I guess that he wasn´t saved from hyenas but from that fire the boy once mentioned."

"Are you afraid of something, milord?"

"No, just making sure. I hope Papyrus is up and well tomorrow."

"I will see to that. Good night." Ratopher bows and walks away leaving the pharaoh with Mesimonptu, the vizier.

"What do you make it of it?"

"Ratopher is not likely a liar but he is hiding something. Is true that we have no longer have to fear the cursed blood line but then again, I am sure that Ratopher knows more than us about the burning village."

"I was young and foolish back then. But Ratopher saved the heir of the cursed family, is high treason. Papyrus is not going to claim my throne but, if all this is true then Ratopher will have to answer many questions and I fear that this is far more deep than what we think."

"What are your orders?"

"This must not reach Papyrus nor Theti. As soon as you can, talk with Ratopher and tell him that... That."

"Yes, milord."

"And find as much information as you can."

Back in his room, the priest glances sadly at the Horus statue. His past is catching up to him and it might cost someone dear just like then. He cannot put this up. He cannot risk the lifes of... Someone is knocking the door. Is Kishu.

"Evening. May I?"

"Of course, my dear." Lets her in and she sits down.

"Am sorry about the dinner."

"You did nothing. Theti was unaware of the consequences."

"I should have intervened."

"It would only make things worse. Merenre is now in doubt. He knows I have something to do and that the prize might be an exile for life or who knows." He sits down sadly. After a long silence, the old man speaks again with an unusual tone. Like nostalgic. "What would you do for someone you love?"

"Anything"

"My thoughts exactly. Back then and now. But the gods had other plans for us. They died while I am still alive. The only two women that had meant more in my life, excluding Theti of course, are dead."

"And Papyrus has something to do with them."

"Yes. But is much more than that." He sighs. "One of those women was out my reach when she died but the other one... It was my fault. And I can´t do anything to change it. Only by protecting the boy, I can do amends." When they go back to bed, they both still wonder about love.

Kishu remembers then a little story inside a beautiful song and while everyone´s asleep, she sings with her angel voice. A love story between the Moon and a mortal.

"A gardener's daughter stopped me on my way, on the day I was

to wed

It is you who I wish to share my body with she said

We'll find a dry place under the sky with a flower for a bed

And for my joy I will give you a boy with a moon and

star on his head.

Her silver hair flowed in the air laying waves across the sun

Her hands were like the white sands, and her eyes had

diamonds on.

We left the road and headed up to the top of the

Whisper Wood

And we walked 'till we came to where the holy magnolia stood.

And there we laid cool in the shade singing songs and

making love...

With the naked earth beneath us and the universe above.

The time was late my wedding wouldn't wait I was sad but

I had to go,

So while she was asleep I kissed her cheek for cheerio.

The wedding took place and people came from many

miles around

There was plenty merriment, cider and wine abound

But out of all that I recall I remembered the girl I met

'Cause she had given me something that my hear could not

forget.

A year had passed and everything was just as it was a year

before...

As if was a year before...

Until the gift that someone left, a basket by my door.

And in there lay the fairest little baby crying to be fed,

I got down on my knees and kissed the moon and star on

his head.

As years went by the boy grew high and the village looked

on in awe

They'd never seen anything like the boy with the moon and

star before.

And people would ride from far and wide just to seek the

word he spread

I'll tell you everything I've learned, and Love is all...he said."

Meanwhile, a small group of men are heading into the palace and walk towards the bedrooms.

"Are you sure, Chepseska?" They glance at the Memphis priest.

"Of course, I am sure. The old man knows something and the orders of the Lord of Ombos were clear. Now, get going." They walk towards Ratopher´s room. "But we better be quick about it."

Papyrus has finally fall asleep when something rubs his shoulder. Something small that tries to wake him up. The youngster grumbles. By Horus, why can´t he get some rest? Whoever it is does not give up and finally, the boy opens his eyes. But he can hardly believe what he sees.

A small child with very big eyes, spiky hair and dog ears who is on his bed beside him.

"Oh, so you are finally awake. Great." He has a kid´s voice of course.

"Who are you and what are you..." The small creature covers his mouth and hush him.

"Quiet now. There are strange people in the palace." He jumps to the ground and peeks through the door.

"What?" Papyrus follows and looks too. A group of people with no good intentions are in the garden. "We must do something."

"No big deal but they must see us. Pick up your friends and come to Lady Kishu´s room."

"All right. Say, what´s your name?"

"Oops. Forgot that. You can call me Ko."

"Papyrus. Let´s go kick them out."

"You got it!" Nods the child.


Who is Ko? Is he a friend or foe?

Things are getting dark, folks. What is Chepseska up to?

What does Ratopher know?

Next stop: The Magician.