Chapter Seven- Learning

Mahad swam beside Atem as they headed out of the kingdom. The announcement of their engagement was received warmly after explaining Mahad's origins, his save of Atem, both falling for the other instantly, and the bargain Mahad had made. The kingdom put their full support behind the couple as the alternative of the bargain was horrifying.

"Mahad, why would you agree to switching bodies?" Atem asked.

"I thought about that myself and concluded that Aknadin had silently cast a spell to influence me to accept."

"Sounds like he was already powerful if he can cast spells silently."

"Indeed. That's a skill I have not mastered."

"Well, there's the wreck." Atem pointed at the ship. Mahad moved ahead and led the way to the rear where half of the rudder hung half off the ship.

"Okay, as I already said, this is the rudder and the steering wheel…" He swam onto the ship to the back of the top deck. A broken vertical stick was there. He looked about and saw half of the wheel. He picked it up and held it up against the stick. "The wheel is supposed to go here and is moved like so." Mahad demonstrated as best he could. "And the rudder moves in the direction the wheel is spun."

"Okay. I see now. So, what is that?" He pointed toward the center.

"The mast." Mahad swam up alongside the broken post with Atem behind him. "Masts are used to support large cloths called sails that catch the wind to propel the ship across water."

"Oh," Atem said. "So sails move the ship forward and the steering wheel controls the direction of the ship as well as the rudder. Mahad, I appreciate your insight. It explains a lot."

"You're welcome. So, about those objects you can't figure out." He followed Atem over the side and through a porthole. His eyes roved over the room. He suspected large sea creatures helped the pharaoh with the bigger and heavier items. He swam about the room. "You found all this on this ship?"

"No. Some came from other ships I was able to find. Any small things I found I brought back with this." He held up the pouch.

"You found a human pouch?" Mahad looked it over. "It's in very good shape."

"I know. Maybe an actual trip to far-off ships could be arranged."

"Sounds like a plan. Perhaps as a honeymoon activity?"

"I love that idea, Mahad. It will be just the two of us. Your magic can protect us."

The next day, Atem and Mahad were in a classroom, the former teaching the latter the alphabet. Mahad found it easier to learn than his spells and wondered if merpeople spells were easier as well. Atem had to leave to settle a dispute that demanded his attention while Mahad decided to practice writing. He was so focused on forming the lines, he didn't hear Isis come in. When he paused to check his letters, she spoke. "Mahad?"

He looked up, startled. "Isis. I didn't hear you come in."

"So I noticed." She sat beside him, eyes on his paper. "You learn fast and have lovely penmanship."

"Thanks. I find it easier to learn than my old language and the spells as well."

"Speaking of spells, I thought you'd like to take a look at one of the library's beginner's spell books." She slid a volume across the desk.

Curious, he opened it to the first page and used the alphabet guide to make sense of what he was reading. A levitation spell! he thought. Very basic and I've mastered it. He turned a page and pieced together another spell he had mastered. He continued to flick thought the book, noticing that he had mastered most of it. He closed it and looked at the mermaid. "It would seem I know the human version of most of the spells listed in here." He nodded at the book.

"You may want to start over with our version," she said gently. "After all, you live here now."

He smiled. "I do and I couldn't be happier."

"It brings me comfort knowing the kingdom will soon have a warlock pharaoh to help watch over us."

Mahad blinked. "Warlock pharaoh," he repeated. "It has a nice sound to it. Isis, what exactly does a pharaoh do?"

"He settles any disputes that come up and addresses any concerns the citizens have. As the pharaoh's partner you will have those same duties as well as the title of pharaoh."

"Seems simple and easy."

"Sometimes too easy. The pharaoh often gets bored and seeks something to occupy his time, mostly long swims outside the kingdom."

Mahad had a pretty good idea what Atem did on those long swims: Adding human items to his impressive collection. He then noticed Isis was staring at him. "Isis? Is everything okay?"

She jerked slightly. "Oh, yes. Everything's fine. I was just thinking that the pharaoh is lucky to be engaged to you and I was also thinking of your first encounter."

Mahad smiled slightly. "I've re-lived that myself. I was astonished when I first saw him. I had been unaware that we existed and considering how far down we live, that's understandable. I followed him out of curiosity and because I fell for him. When he took off after the ship, it made me aware of how much humans interest him."

"Yes, that's one thing that makes him different from previous pharaohs. Seto, a guard, and I were the only ones who knew about his fascination with humans and now four of us know. Despite the kingdom knowing you were human and how you saved the pharaoh, they don't know exactly how you met or that the pharaoh accidentally put himself in danger."

Mahad nodded. "If you want me to keep this side of Atem secret, I will, of course, do so."

"Just so. You are going to make a wonderful pharaoh, Mahad."

"I'm pleased to hear that."

Atem felt like his head was going to split open and he could tell that Seto felt the same way. The two mermen he was meditating seemed unable to reach an accord and uninterested in being silent so he could mull over the situation in silence. They were speaking to him in loud voices in an attempt to drown out the other.

Finally, Atem could take no more. Rising from his throne, he thundered, "All right! That's enough!" His command shocked the room into silence. He exhaled heavily as he sat and pointed at one. "Tell Seto your side of the story and you tell me yours."

Seto nodded to himself; by delegating one of the litigants to him, further shouting would be avoided. After they both listened, the two of them would compare stories that would lead Atem to a solution. He focused on the merman, folded his arms, and said, "All right. What's the story?"

Several minutes later, pharaoh and advisor were sharing what they heard. Atem blinked. "Honestly, I don't see the conflict. I think this is a case of miscommunication."

"I agree," Seto said. He smiled as Atem groaned. "My pharaoh, allow me to conclude this dispute. You need to relax. I recommend a swim or more time with Mahad."

Atem sighed in relief. "Thank you, Seto. I will see how Mahad's doing with his studies." He swam off as Seto approached the disputing parties. He entered the classroom to see Mahad hard at work and one of the library's spell books nearby. The warlock looked up and smiled at him. "Long dispute?" he inquired.

"Actually, it was simple miscommunication. Seto is delivering the message. I look forward to when both of us will settle the disputes."

"Are all disputes long?"

"No and they are few. We can spend time in the garden or the library or swimming through the kingdom."

Isis was right, he thought. Being pharaoh is simple and easy; more so than the king of a kingdom.