A Magicians Heart

Mana, with all her chaotic energy, seemed more animated than usual as the caravan got closer to the palace. It had been a full three weeks away from home, securing the border and collecting census information with Mahad and his other apprentices. "Boring things," as she would call it. The entire party was eager to reach home and relax, but Mana most of all. Mahad peaked over the scroll he was reading to watch her nervously wring her hands and tap her foot on the floor.

"It won't be too much longer now, will it Mahad?" She asked as she poked her head out of the caravan's window.

"Mana, sit down."

But she didn't seem to heed him, with nearly half her upper body sticking out of the caravan in an effort to get a better approximation of how close they were to home. And then suddenly, the caravan leaned to the side as the weight of Mana caused it to nearly tip.

"Mana!" Mahad grabbed her arm and briskly pulled her back to a sit. "Please, calm down. We won't get there any sooner if you cause a wreck."

Mana huffed impatiently.

"Your prince will still be there if we arrive in two day or two minutes…" Mahad muttered, the faintest of a teasing smile pulling at his lips.

Mana flushed furiously and she shook her head.

"That- that isn't what I'm excited about." She stuttered out defensively. "I planted some flowers before I left and- I just want to make sure they are doing alright with this drought and all…"

Mahad chuckled, which only served to make Mana more defensive. Crossing her arms over her chest, she huffed.

"Master… Don't tease me."

Mahad raised an eyebrow at her playfully and smiled.

"So what did you think about your first tour, hm?" Mahad folded his scroll and turned his attention to his restless apprentice. "This will be part of your duties very soon, after all."

Mana hummed thoughtfully.

"It was… good. It was wonderful to get out of the palace and mingle with my fellow Egyptians. I especially enjoyed meeting other girls my age and going to the market to haggle for new clothes."

"That's good, but what about the less fun duties?"

Mana shrugged. "As you said Master, they were less fun."

She smiled, pleased with her witty answer. Mahad frowned.

"The 'less fun' duties are usually the most important." He warned.

Mana's smile disappeared and she sighed. "Yes, I know. And I'd gladly do them again. Just as long as there is a bit of play with all the work."

Mahad chuckled, satisfied with her answer.

Suddenly the caravan slowed considerably, signaling that they were closing in on the palace gates. Mana could not contain her excitement, squealing in glee as she went to look out the window.

"We're here! Finally!" Mana was giddy with excitement, a smile extending from ear to ear. "I need to let the prince know!"

With a loud whistle, Mana's favorite hawk appeared outside the window's caravan within seconds.

"Anzu, find the prince." She lovingly pet the hawk before ushering it out on its mission.

Inside the palace, a rather unfocused prince sat with his tutor. It was getting late in the day, and still the caravan he was expecting to be back by sundown had not arrived. He rubbed the back of his neck as he looked out the window in hopes of spotting it appear in the courtyard.

"Ahem-"

His tutor rapped his knuckles on the table.

"Is there something more interesting than trading agreements with other nations outside the window, your highness?"

Atem felt his face flush a bit and shook his head. There were many things more interesting, he reasoned to himself.

"No, let's continue."

But just as soon as the tutor began his lecture again, loud tapping came at the window.

"Anzu?"

The bird cried out to him before disappearing from the window. Atem's focus on the lecture was entirely gone at the site of Mana's pet, signaling to him that the caravan was arriving.

"Sorry, I must be off now."

"But your highness, we have not even begun to discuss the tariff on -" But it was too late to argue with the prince, who had quickly gotten to his feet and dashed out of the room.

Atem had not expected himself to be this excited over the return of his friends from their tour. It had only been three weeks, and yet with each passing day he missed their company more. To his surprise and curiosity, he especially found himself missing the company of Mana. In her absence, the palace seemed stale and reserved. The halls seemed quiet without her laughter and his free time lacking without her creativity for chaos and lively pranks.

He reached a balcony and paused for a brief moment to spot the caravan making a turn around the corner into the palace courtyard. If he was going to meet her on arrival, he had to hurry. His sandals made frantic flapping sounds against the stone of the palace floors as he ran past servants and guards in a most undignified way. Some of them bowed before him, but quickly were forced out of his way as he mumbled "pardon me" and "excuse me."

But then a figure rounded the corner, narrowly missing a collision. Aknadin huffed, collecting himself.

"Your highness, where are you off to in such a hurry?"

It was a question, but its tone sounded much more like a warning in Atem's ears.

"Aknadin- I am meeting the caravan in the courtyard."

The old guardian raised a dubious eyebrow.

"Oh? Nothing better to do, perhaps?"

Atem shrugged.

"She's been gone for three weeks…"

"She? You are quite fond of that magician girl, hm?"

Atem flushed at his comment. Embarrassed and puzzled, he did not know how to answer Aknadin. Thankfully, his uncle seemed to lose interest in the conversation and continued on his way.

Atem shook off the uncomfortable conversation and ran down the stairs and towards the main courtyard. His heart was pounding in his chest with a ferocity that made him slightly dizzy. Was he… nervous almost? Before he had long to ponder his strange emotions he had made it to the courtyard.

The caravan was in front of him, the door opening and a familiar face popping into view.

"Oh, Prince. It is good to see you again." The good natured smile of Mahad greeted him warmly and Atem felt his heart rate slow.

"Mahad! It is good to see you as well, friend. I am happy you have returned safely."

"I think there is someone else who may be more excited to see you than me." Mahad chuckled to himself as Atem's face fell in confusion.

"Mahad, where is-"

Before he could finish his question, a loud exclamation came from beside him as Mana leaped from a nearby vase and tackled him to the floor in one swift movement. He fell onto his back as Mana's full weight sat on top of him. After the initial shock wore off, they both burst into joyful laughter.

"Your highness!" The guards sprung into action, brandishing their swords.

Atem struggled to placate them through his laughter.

"It's fine. I'm fine. It's just… Mana" Atem fluttered his eyes open to look at her, pushing back the hair that obscured her face. She was beaming down at him in a way that almost looked as if light was surrounding her head in a glow. Perhaps he had hit his head, he reasoned.

"Prince- I have missed you."

Suddenly she was pulled away from him and their reunion was interrupted.

"Mana! We have talked about this!" Mahad griped.

She answered in a most disingenuous apology, an enormous smile still plastered on her face. Mahad turned his attention to the prince, reaching down to help him to his feet.

"Are you alright, your highness?"

"I'm alright." He mumbled, dusting the dirt off his tunic.

"I have missed you too, Mana."

Her smile widened at his comment, her entire face radiating happiness.

"It's good to be home."

Atem nodded. He could tell that she had spent most of her days out in the sun, as her brown skin had reddened a bit on her cheeks and nose. She was also wearing a new dress that hung off her shoulders and cinched at her narrow waist. He found himself studying her for a brief moment before catching himself. A little embarrassed, he cleared his throat.

"New dress?" He managed out.

"Ah!" Mana flushed a bit and nodded, feeling a sudden wave of insecurity wash over her. "Yes. I got it at a market in the south. I am an expert at bargaining now."

She did a small twirl. "The skirt is flowy. Do you like it?"

She looked at him earnestly, biting her lip as she waited for his answer. Suddenly, his approval in her outfit mattered an awful lot to her for reasons unknown to her.

"Yes." He answered a bit too enthusiastically. "You look nice."

"Thank you." Mana smiled sheepishly at him and then a silence fell between them. Mana, usually full of words, found herself quiet and shy in the presence of her oldest friend. Atem blinked, puzzled as to why she was suddenly reserved. They both supposed at this point, perhaps they would embrace. But neither moved towards each other.

"Mana!" Thankfully, Mahad broke the awkward silence. "Come help us unload, please."

"Gotta go!" She turned on her heel and took a few steps towards the group waiting for her before stopping and looking back.

"Atem."

Their eyes met and Mana smiled at him like she always had.

"It's good to see you again." Her voice, sincere and warm as the setting sun behind her cast a golden glow through her hair. In an instant, the strange tension dissipated. Atem chuckled in relief.

"You as well, Mana."

Comments or critiques welcomed.