Chapter XX: The Dagger

Taymur led the ewes out to the Nile as if showing off to Meskhenet that he knew the way and didn't need her as she was being too slow, walking as if towards a funeral. Her shepherd crook in one hand while she gloomily wore a light tan hooded robe, some of the sheep bleated at her as if telling her to move it while they bumbled about, bypassing her.

Upon coming home, her father had grounded her so now Zaim had to watch her every movement but he often came late whenever she took the sheep out. Zaim was also not going to teach her magic for a while. It didn't matter anyways, not like she had anyone to hang out with or show off to. She hadn't seen Bakura in like a week or maybe less, she didn't know, she didn't care. It felt like Apep had eaten Ra and the world was going dark. Stepping onto the banks of the Nile, the sheep dispersed without waiting for an order. She walked close to the water, but didn't dare take a step inside as she watched the sheep graze and drink, Taymur proudly keeping watch like a dog.

So many thoughts were running through her mind, all bad, none good. Demoting and negative, she needed to get out of her own head but without the comfort of someone else it was hard. She paced around the Nile, stepping over patches of grass and dirt while surveying the sheep. What did she have to be mad for? Bakura had every right to break up with her; she broke his trust, lost herself. Stupid…stupid, stupid, stupid! Angrily, she took her crook and beat a patch of grass until it was pummeled with dirt and stray green flying outwards, the wood of her crook digging into her rough hands before she started kicking the grass, "Argh!"

"I'd hate to be that patch," Zaim's voice came from behind her. She turned around, breathing hard as she smoothed her robe and clearing her throat. Zaim was wearing a white robe with a golden belt and a headpiece that covered his hair, in his hands was a cloth covering something underneath. "Here." He offered her the cloth, hesitantly she took it.

Looking at him, she removed the cloth and saw that it was the Akhet Dagger. The Dagger was golden in hilt and blade with the short blade curving a bit, the cross-guard attached with the rain-guard had a circular red gem embedded; cursive designs engraved on the cross-guard with the pommel nothing more but a clean, smooth square. This was her father's Dagger, the one passed down in the Queen's Guards to the next wielder, its powers unknown to her.

"I thought maybe you could try it out," Zaim said.

She looked at it, frowning. "How do you know…I'm the next wielder?"

"Pick it up," he nodded to the Dagger. Reluctantly, she grabbed the hilt and quirked an eyebrow, wondering if anything was supposed to happen. "See? You're worthy to wield it." Looking left and right, she put it down, still not sure what was the point of that. Zaim rolled up his sleeve and reached for the Dagger, picking it up but something odd happened, smoke began to rise from where he touched, the smell of burning flesh filling the air as he winced before dropping it and showing her his now blistered and burnt hand. She gasped as he retracted his hand. "That's what happens when one is not worthy to wield the Millennium or Akhet Items. They burn."

Furrowing her brows, she looked at the Dagger. "I-I don't want this," she tried to give it to him but he stepped back as if afraid he'd get burned again.

"Just use it," he told her. Even if he said that, she didn't know what to do. "I'll summon my ka and you can use the Dagger."

"What does it do?" she asked, "What am I supposed to do?"

"The Dagger is a prototype of the Millennium Items, it can be used to rip the ka from the body," he pointed at his chest, "If you use the Dagger on someone so make sure not to unless absolutely necessary. It can also communicate with other people's kas. Give me a moment." He turned away from her, closing his eyes and then suddenly a flame burst into a whirlwind of fire right in front of him. A large bird of different shades of red flew through the flames and into the sky. Its wings were like rocks on fire and it had long flaming feathers protruding out from its head. It was a magnificent phoenix called Volcanic Wings.

It took her breath away. It was so beautiful, red and fluid like fire and yet rigid and hard like rock. She knew that the image of such a ka would forever be burned within her memory. Fierce and powerful, it made her wish she had such an amazing ka. The phoenix screeched as Zaim reached a hand to stroke its dark beak. "Volcanic Wings," he announced as if she didn't know his ka's name.

"He's beautiful," she said mesmerized by the flames that danced on the bird's body. She wanted to touch him. "Why would I need to communicate with one's ka if I can simply talk to the master?"

"It's not that simple," he said, "Some kas are…independent, act as they have a mind of their own. There are also the kas in the Shrine of Wedju that you can talk to as well, those have no masters."

"So I can talk to a bunch of dead people's kas?" this was sounding less and less interesting to her. She didn't see the point in communicating with other people's kas, let alone dead ones.

Zaim sighed in frustration, placing his uninjured hand to the bridge of his nose. "Look, when you join the Queen's Guards, you'll have a shrine of your own, along with that, you'll have a variety of kas to choose from so you can protect the Queen and palace. With the Dagger you can bond more easily with your kas." Volcanic Wings ruffled its flaming rocky feathers, shaking its head. "Try to communicate with my ka."

Taymur trotted over to them, taking his stand next to Meskhenet, watching for her failure. She glanced at the ram before taking the Dagger into her hand, gripping it tightly. She didn't know how to use the Dagger, what was she supposed to do? Zaim said something to her but she no longer was listening. She concentrated on the item, forcing every thought away until she stood in a world of darkness, Zaim and Taymur no longer present. The Dagger glowed golden, hot in her hand, she was afraid it'd burn her the way it burned Zaim but rather than being burned, her body felt like it was being engulfed in warm light and suddenly in her mind she felt something, a presence. It was calming, soothing and somehow it felt protective.

"Meskhenet," she didn't actually hear a voice, it was just a presence she couldn't describe but she felt it call her name.

Who is calling me? Her eyes turned to the one being that stayed present in the darkness, Volcanic Wings. It eyed her with a look of content and kindness, something not commonly found in Zaim.

"It is I," the presence replied, "Volcanic Wings."

Hello, Volcanic Wings, she didn't really know what kind of conversation she was supposed to have with the ka, but somehow this was exciting to her and it got her mind off of her last troubles.

"You are human, you make mistakes. Do not fret so hard on the love you lost. Love can be gained or regained. You will have your soulmate as I have."

You? She laughed; did Volcanic Wings consider Zaim's love its love? Maybe, Volcanic Wings was Zaim's ka after all. It was a portion of his soul which made her think; did that indirectly make Volcanic Wings married to Skylar's ka?

In her mind, she felt the bird chuckle as it ruffled its feathers once more. "Yes, I am bonded to the ka of Skylar's. One day your ka will be joined to another as well." She found that hard to believe and as of now, she didn't care about that. Her ka had no form, she couldn't summon it. "Please, look after my master. He may be difficult but he means the best."

I'll try… and with that, Volcanic Wings flapped its large fiery wings, the pinions blazing through the darkness, lifting it off the ground before it flew away, disappearing from sight as if it never was there. Everything came back, the sounds of the sheep, the Nile's stream, Zaim and Taymur who was leaning against her legs as if hugging her. "Whoa…"

Zaim said nothing as he chanted a spell to heal his hand. He glanced at her, "Well?"

She didn't know what to say or how to say it; she didn't even know how she activated the power of the Dagger. She just concentrated on the item… "I had a brief conversation with your ka," she smiled, laughing lightly.

He smiled at her. "I have to return that to your father, but tonight we will discuss this. For now, get to shepherding your sheep."

"Right…"

Without practicing magic, her time with Zaim was less than eventful. She spent all of her time sulking in her thoughts or talking to Taymur which the ram seemed like he wanted nothing to do with her. Rejected even by a sheep, great... When the day ended, she took her sheep back home, Zaim walking behind them all before entering her house while she shooed the sheep into the back, making sure they had enough water for the night before closing the fence on them and going into her house. Zaim called her over to her father's room where her father sat stroking his beard with Zaim standing in the corner. Meskhenet sat down on her knees, the Dagger in front of her, laid down on the floor.

"Mes, now that you've accepted this duty, you should know your life will be different from here on out," her father spoke. Although she accepted this, she felt more like she didn't have much of a choice. It's not like she had a future anyway. "You will be training to become a priestess to prepare for your role as one of the Queen's Guards."

"A priestess?" as much as she loved the gods, being a priestess was just…not for her. She didn't want to spend her time in a temple, attending to festivals for other people's joys. It felt more and more like she was surrendering to imprisonment with chains bounded around her to keep her from leaving.

Her father nodded, "Tomorrow I will take you with me to Thebes so you will meet your mentor,." Zaim was silent; she sighed and merely nodded, feeling hopeless in arguing or even trying to convince her father that this wasn't for her.

"Is this what you want?" she asked him, a small part of her hoping he'd say he wanted her happiness like he always did, but instead he said:

"Yes."

Whatever part of her that was intact broke. Bound by duty, she would do this for him, her last living relative as his last living relative. She would become something he could be proud of at the cost of her happiness and freedom. She forced a smile and scoffed, "Is there anything else you want of me?"

"I want to see you taken care of, Mes. I am old and broken; I fear I may not have a lot of time."

"Father, don't say that…" she placed a hand on his knee, feeling a sickening twist in her stomach. As much as she felt a little bitter to him, he was her father and she loved him. The thought of him leaving her too was frightening. She would do this to make him happy. She thought of Bakura and how he had made her feel happy too, who was she kidding? She had no future with him, he couldn't take care of her…she couldn't live with a thief, not the way her life was going. "Then you want me to marry?" she asked, erasing all thoughts of her fantasies of Bakura and her. "Father…if that's what you want then I will marry someone you choose."

Her father was silent, he coughed a bit. "Mes, do not rush this. Let us just take this one step at a time. I am not asking for you to end things with Bakura. Ahem, we will head to Thebes tomorrow." Right…Bakura…

She stood up, placing the Dagger at his bedside before leaning down to hug him and kiss him on the cheek before she left the room, not saying anything to Zaim. She went to her room and closed the door, leaning on it as she slid down to the floor, looking at her neat folded clothes. She removed her shoes and looked at them; they were a bit worn now that she had been using them. She wondered why she kept them, they were a constant reminder of Bakura and the blissful times she had with him. Her heart ached, crying for comfort, for healing but there wasn't anything she could do. Her chest tightened, making it hard to breathe and before she knew it, the tears rolled down the sides of her face. Love was pain. Gripping the shoes tightly in her hands, she flung them across the room, crying in her knees.

"You seem distracted," someone said from behind her, but she was distracted. Whoever spoke to her was nothing but a giant blur. She was leaning on a pillar at the hall where she had first seen the royal scribe and the prince with Zaim oh so long ago. The person lightly tapped her shoulder and she turned to them, trying to concentrate hard enough to see who it was but she didn't recognize the man who stood there. Garbed in white and gold, he wore a headpiece with a golden bat like symbol at his forehead, the white cloth covering his brown hair and the bluish gray eyes held recognition of her and yet she had none for him.

"Oh…I'm sorry, what?"

He chuckled, "You are Meskhenet, right? Master Zaim's apprentice," she tilted her head at him, furrowing her brows. Who was this? Why did he know that? If anything, he should've known her to be Yaqeen's daughter not Zaim's apprentice. Who in Thebes really knew Zaim besides the other magicians? "You do not recognize me." A glint at his chest caught her eye; she shifted her eyes to it and saw that it was a golden necklace of some sort, a ring around a triangle with an eye engraved onto it, five needles hanging on the ring. Hadn't she seen this somewhere before? The young man removed his headpiece to reveal long brown hair. "My name is Mahad," he tried.

Mahad? Oh! She laughed a little, biting her lip and flushing red. How could she forget the nice magician boy? "I'm sorry…for some reason I-Ra, sorry!"

He chuckled, "That's quite alright. What brings you back to the palace?" he asked, replacing his headpiece on his head. "I do not see your master around."

"Oh, I'm here with my father. I'm supposed to meet the priestess who is going to train me," she said, looking around. There wasn't anyone here besides her and him.

"You are training to become a priestess?" he asked, furrowing his brows, "If I recall you wanted to be a magician."

"Oh, yes…well that's done and over with," she laughed mockingly at herself. Seeing his confusion, she shut up. "I'm the next Wielder of the Akhet Dagger." He seemed genuinely surprised at that, but he seemed a little worried. "At least…that's what Master Zaim and my father says."

"I suppose it would have to be true then," he frowned, "Are you alright? You do not seem very enthusiastic about this prospect."

"Um, no, no…this is my duty as servant to the Pharaoh and as daughter of Yaqeen," she said, twisting her fingers within each other. "I was just having other issues and whatnot…"

"If I can be of assistance then please lay them on me," he smiled at her. "If you want that is. I do not wish to pry into your personal matters." Wow, he's so nice. He was the complete opposite of Bakura, offering to help, being kind and polite. Why couldn't she fall in love with a man like this? No, her heart had to go for a thief.

"Love problems," she answered honestly, somehow feeling safe to confide in Mahad. He didn't seem to have ulterior motives like Ata and he seemed quite easy to talk to. "I screwed up with the person I love…I was feeling insecure and I did something stupid." He looked at her with sympathy. "I lost myself…"

"Sometimes the best person we can be is we," he said with a smile. "Love yourself the way they love you and if they can't accept the you who you love then…perhaps it would be best to analyze your relationship, have a talk before taking actions that you might regret. Be open with them. A relationship works best without secrets."

She laughed. She wished she had this advice before everything went wrong, "Where were you when I needed you?" she laughed.

He laughed with her; she thought he had a nice laugh. "Would you like to walk with me?" he offered, gesturing to the left side of the hall. She nodded and together they started walking. "I wasn't aware you were accepting suitors, Master Zaim made it sound like you weren't interested in marriage." She slowly turned her head to him. What did Zaim talk to Mahad about?

"I wasn't aware he spoke of me," she frowned.

"He speaks of you quite a lot, actually. I think he's rather proud." No, they weren't speaking of the same Master Zaim, were they? Zaim wasn't proud of her. He yelled at her for every choice she made, always disapproving, always…

Shaking her head, she decided to change the subject, "What about you? A kind man like you probably have a nice wife at home," she looked down at her hands, remembering Bakura and sighing loudly.

Mahad gave her a sympathetic smile, "Actually no, my father never really intended for me to marry. He wanted me," he paused, "To focus on my studies. But right now I have little time for that or love; my duties are to the Pharaoh." How sad, he would've made a good husband to some lucky girl. Oh…she realized those must've been the same thoughts Gamilla had about her. She didn't really like knowing how Gamilla felt, it bothered her. Mahad must've noticed her look because he said: "I'm not disappointed with the life I've lived. I'll meet my one and only someday, just not today."

She moved her hair over her right shoulder, brushing it with her fingers. "Yes, it's probably better that way, love is rather complicated and painful." Ugh, she sounded like such a downer, why was she talking about love? It made her heart ache and cry. She sighed again, holding her chest. "How is life in the Court?"

He chuckled, "It is...not quite what I expected," he said, looking down at his Ring and gently holding it. "There are things I wish I hadn't known." He stopped and turned to her which made her stop to and face him. "The Court is filled with secrets, be it people or our items. I am lucky to be in the Pharaoh's Court with the old wielders and to get to know the new ones. You, on the other hand…will more than likely join the Court along with the new Queen's Guards."

"New?" she questioned and he nodded.

"Most of the wielders are preparing to pass on their items to the next generation. Priest Amon and Master Aknadin being the exceptions." He excluded her father so she really was going to join the court. "It might be hard to make friendships with a court that has no experience with each other. I suppose you must look to Priest Amon for guidance as we will to Master Aknadin. They both have been here quite some time."

"Is it possible for me to get to know these other wielders?" she asked, liking the court less and less. At least if she was a court magician she could've stayed away from everyone, it would have just been her magic and the Pharaoh.

He shook his head, "I do not know the other wielders," he replied. She frowned and sighed, "I do know one who is like you though. He comes from a less opportune background than most of the other wielders. He's training to become a priest right now. His name is Set."

"Maybe Set and I can be friends," she stated, wondering what Set's reasons were of why he came here. He probably hadn't been forced into it, perhaps he chose it for honor and whatnot which would only make her feel more horrible about herself. From ahead of them, making a turn she spotted her father walking alongside a beautiful woman who had long black hair that reached her back, dazzling blue eyes and held herself quite regally and yet she looked so stern it frightened Meskhenet. The woman wore a dress of white, her body adorn with jewelry with a single necklace tied around her neck, blue and in the shape of an eye.

"That is Priestess Halima, Wielder of the Dragon's Eye," Mahad told her as her father and Halima walked right over to them, stopping a few feet in front. Mahad gave a bow with his head, "Hello, Priestess Halima." The stern woman returned his nod, but focused her attention on Meskhenet.

"Mes, this is Priestess Halima," her father gestured to the black haired woman. "She will be teaching you for your duties as a priestess." Oh, she wished she had someone nice and less regal, someone more like Zaim. Sure, he could lose his temper, but he was easy to ignore at times. Halima, however, she oozed strictness in every way and her presence demanded respect and command, it was all so scary for Meskhenet.

"It is a pleasure to meet you," Halima said to Meskhenet which surprised her because the woman spoke in a gentle manner, though her tone still held a bit of harshness to it. "I have heard a lot about you."

I haven't… not sure what to do, Meskhenet bowed lowly, "Pleased to make your acquaintance," she said a little loudly. Mahad merely smiled, looking over to Halima though, she held a different expression, merely nodding to Meskhenet's greeting. Turning to her father, they spoke in quiet whispers which worried her. She wanted to know what they were speaking about; she knew it was her, argh, why did they have to whisper in front of her?

"Priestess Halima, Priest Yaqeen, I have to take my leave," Mahad said as the two adults acknowledged his statement with curt nods. Panic took over her as she frantically looked at the adults then at Mahad. No! She didn't want him to leave, he was good company and she liked talking to him. He turned to her, "It was nice seeing you again and quite a pleasure to talk to you. I do hope you can resolve your issues though, good luck." He gave her a small wave. "May we meet again."

"Um, it was nice talking to you too and thank you for the advice…" she muttered, not finding any excuse in her brain to make him stay. He bowed slightly before turning the other way and leaving her there with the adults. Oh, I feel like I'm going to die… when the two stopped talking, her father came over and patted her head, kissing her on the cheek before he walked off, leaving too which meant she was stuck with Halima who she gave a sheepish smile to.

"Your father does not wish to have you live in Thebes," Halima started, "Although it would be easier to train you this way if you were closer to the temples and shrines. Your time will come though, for now I will show you around the temples and leave you with a bit of homework." Out with the magic, in with the temples, Meskhenet merely nodded quietly as Halima offered a gentle smile, "I am sorry. I know this is not what you wish for, but it is a great honor to serve Egypt." It should be a great honor and yet…it feels like my doom. Clearing her throat, Halima walked a bit closer to the redhead. "Your father did inform me that you have yet to summon your ka."

"Yes…I have been unsuccessful," she admitted, feeling a burn to her ego. Why did it feel like her father and Zaim just spoke about her to everyone? She didn't like the fact they knew her and she didn't know them. Her father never spoke of his work at home so she knew nothing about the Queen's Guards which made her feel awkward with Halima who probably knew eighty percent of her, if not more.

"We will have to work on that," Halima told her, "Come with me, please." She walked passed Meskhenet who slowly spun around and trudged after the black haired woman, almost like it was a death march to her funeral. Well, at least with this training she could avoid thinking about Bakura. Placing a hand to her chest as her heart throbbed painfully, even if her mind forgot him, her heart still cried for him. Why couldn't they just be one for once? "Training to be a priestess takes about five years, there is a possibility to rise up in a shorter amount of time, though that happens rarely. I am determined to get you to the Queen's Guards as soon as possible."

"Yes," Meskhenet said. This was her life now. Her future had taken a different spin than what she had expected, thieves, wielders, items, everything she had never taken into account were prevalent in her life now. Did any of this mean anything? Did the gods have something planned for her? Or was her changed future just a speck of sand in the desert? Whatever it was, it didn't bode well for her, somehow joining the Queen's Guards felt like her doom.

I always feel so bad when Meskhenet talks to Mahad because of how he dies :(. Well, read and review! :3