Chapter 21

"WAKE UP!"

Kahmunrah jumped out of bed, his heart pounding as he panted in short tufts of air. Who'd yelled that? A quick scan of his quarters comforted him that no one else was there. But someone had made that noise... Or was it just a dream?

"Made you look," Seti smirked, his head peaking in through the window frame.

Kahmunrah rolled his eyes. "And what possible explanation could you have for waking me up at this ungodly hour? The stars have not yet even rested!"

"Nothing," Seti shrugged. "Merely got tired of watching you sleep."

Kahmunrah squinted at him. "No, there is something else. Something's bothering you, I can tell."

"I'm fine."

"Tell me."

"No! If I say it is nothing, it is nothing." His cousin nimbly leaped above the windowsill, briefly massaging his scalp where he bumped it on a corner. "So... did you sleep well?" He smirked.

"Argh, don't ask me that- especially not after waking me up." Somehow, Kahmunrah managed to glower whilst rubbing his eyes from fatigue. Seti had to admire that.

"Glad to hear! I slept decently."

"You just had to tell me that, didn't you."

"Yep."

A tickle fest ensued.

0o0

"Have you ever been in love?"

The question was so random, Ahkmenrah dropped his saber in surprise, nearly slicing off his large toe. "Have I-? What-?"

"You heard me," Kahmunrah demanded. "Have you ever been in love? Are you in love now?"

Ahkmenrah paused to consider. "Um... No. No one I can think of."

"Really?" Kahmunrah asked, "Nobody ever? No spark, nothing?"

"No."

"Hmm."

"Why are you surprised? I am far to young to even consider in love, let alone understand what it all means."

At that, Kahmunrah actually smirked. "You've definitely never experienced the true bliss from it, then. Not if you're speaking like that. Don't worry- when the right woman or man comes along, you will know. You're approaching fifteen years, Ahk- you've got to meet somebody sooner or later. If not, then believe me, our parents will find someone for you, as they have for me."

"I know, Kah! I suppose I never really thought about love before. When the right person comes along, I know I will find them and see them for what they are, who they are. And our souls will be naturally linked, connected through the ages like two tethers on a string." He bit his tongue, flushing deeply.

Kahmunrah chuckled, shaking his head. "You've definitely never fallen out of love yet, young one! Wait until you learn!"

"Learn what? Is this not what everyone yearns for in life?"

Now his brother stared darkly off into the distance. "All of us yearn for such fortune. Few of us earn it."

"Not everything must be earned, Kahmun. Surely you know this, right?" Kahmunrah merely huffed and walked away. There was his answer.

0o0

Ahkmenrah leaned back against a stable door, enjoying the view of the stars above. The empty practice field was so serene now, hard to believe the vigorous daily activities there-more like an oasis than a false war zone. Not a bad place to rest one's weary, busy mind. What Kahmunrah had said... He probably hadn't meant it, but the words had been almost mocking. True, he hadn't yet experienced love; yes, he had never given it much thought. But he still had dreams, ideals of love. His parents being a perfect example of what he might want someday: kind, supportive of each other, able to hold each other through the years. Never growing tired of the looks of affection and admiration, of respect in each other's eyes. That would be what he wanted someday.

Which bore in mind the question, with Kahmunrah chasing women before and now being potentially forced to stop: what did Kahmunrah want? From what they had discussed, it seemed he had no dreams at all. Only hunger.

Hunger for the throne, for honor, but not for love.

"Kah, what do we do? I thought we strode together, yet you fall further and further away from me... Why? What do you want?"

"What I want is peace," As if summoned, his brother strode up behind him, leaning over the balcony railing. "All I ever wanted is peace, and justice. Everything our kingdom deserves, in all its beauty- maybe expand it slightly. Those Hittites are annoying."

Ahkmenrah rolled his eyes. "They have made peace with Father- we must honor that."

"So peaceful as to invade every other year? Such foolishness will not be tolerated when I am king." Kahmunrah glared out over the balcony, admiring the view of his kingdom. How the gods had managed to mold such ethereal beauty was anyone's guess; he would never be able to cease marveling at it.

"And how will you deal with them?" Ahkmenrah asked cautiously. His brother shrugged.

"Maybe send an invasion of our own."

"That's not like you, Kah. You know we opt for peace before war! Violence-"

"Is necessary," Kahmunrah finished for him. "Father... It is not his fault he is too weak to see it now, but someday-one day, all of his negotiations will stop being useful. One day, the Hittites and others will see through his warrior facade to finally see the weakened man he has become." He pivoted and left before Ahkmenrah could argue.

"Please, Ra, grant my brother patience," Ahkmenrah whispered. "Help him remember the brother I always admired. The one no one else knows, but who he needs to be now. I doubt he can last much longer..." Only the wind replied.

0o0o0o0o

Ahkmenrah moaned in his sleep. Unconscious, but not without fear. His brother, his father, his darling mother- all were within him, all were suffering, yet he could do nothing to save them. He was utterly, unnervingly alone. Yet he was sleeping- he knew he was, for only dreams could feel so velvety against his skin. Against his soul. Then there was the voice. That was relatively new.

"Hello?" He called.

"Helloo-ooo!"

Oooo, oooo!

It sounded... Female? No, not quite male, either. Neither solid nor breeze, the voice lingered in his room, gently prodding his brain awake. Who was wondering the palace at this time of night, one of the priestesses making her rounds?

"Who are you?"

Oooo, ooooo!

"I understood that part, but whoo-ooooo are you?" He sat up fully, waiting. Whoever it was sounded farther away now- had he scared them off? "Please, I did not mean to startle you, I just want to talk!" Yet his pleas fell upon deaf ears, for there was no more singing or whispers that night.

Now only silence answered him. Unfortunately with the voice had flown away any notions of sleep; time for his mother's herbal tea. Shaking his head, Ahkmenrah rose, the nippy night breeze following him.

Greetings, everyone! How was everyone's 2019? I was looking back on my dates, and I feel I owe you all an apology- I had no idea my last update was so long ago! Here's to welcoming back the roaring 20s, new stories, bright beginnings... and reviews! :D

Remember, your authors love to hear from you; you are our inspiration and motivation to continue. :

Happy (belated) New Year!