Chapter 6: Letter From Home
Despite the fact Mahaad had been in Egypt for over a week, he still experienced spells where the reality and gravity of it all would hit him. Out of long habit, Mahaad rose before the sun. His duties no longer required this schedule, but he appreciated the quiet stillness it provided. He slipped from the guest room of the Ishtar's house he shared with his king. He entered the library and sat cross legged on the carpet. He wore a cream colored tunic that was fastened in the middle with a belt and let his brown hair fall past his shoulders. He cleared his mind in preparation to meditate. A folded letter appeared on the soft gray carpet in front of him.
His hopes rose as he considered the very small pool of people that would be writing him. He hoped it was a message from his fellow priest turned Duel Monster, Karim. A ball of worry formed in the pit of his stomach.
It was from his father.
Mahaad stared at the seal impression in the wax and honestly couldn't remember the last time he heard from him. Had it been a few years? A hundred? Why would his father be writing to him now?
Mahaad picked the letter up, broke the seal and unfolded the letter. He braced himself. His father accused him of running away, of abandoning his king like a coward, a peasant without shame. Mahaad's cheeks burned, his pride stung.
His father thought he would abandon his king now, after all these years of faithful service? His vision blurred as several tears fell down his cheeks. At least-
A light switch flicked on overhead, instantly brightening the dim room. Mahaad blinked as his eyes adjusted.
"Mahaad?" The Pharaoh inquired. The clinking of the Puzzle's chain indicated his Pharaoh was a few feet behind him. Mahaad tried to force down the rising panic. He hastily crumpled the letter and let it fall from his fingers, as he spun around to bow properly.
"My king." Mahaad fought to keep his tone even.
The Pharaoh didn't move or say anything for several seconds. He stepped forward and raised Mahaad to a standing position. Mahaad lowered his gaze, hoping his red eyes would escape his king's notice.
He could feel his king's eyes on him. "What's wrong?" he asked, concern lacing his king's tone.
Mahaad swallowed. "If I may, my king, I would rather not talk about it."
"Look at me."
Mahaad slowly raised his head. The Pharaoh's eyes widened as he searched his servant's face. "If something is upsetting you this badly, I will know what it is."
Mahaad nodded in defeat as he sat back down on the floor. To his surprise the Pharaoh joined him.
"My father sent me a letter."
The Pharaoh extended his hand toward Mahaad. The Priest picked up the crumpled letter and placed it wordlessly in his king's waiting hand, as he lowered his gaze.
He heard the Pharaoh smooth out the letter against his leg. Out of the corner of his eye, Mahaad noted that the Pharaoh was still in his blue pajamas, the ones with yellow stars. Since the Pharaoh was several inches taller than his lighter half, the Pharaoh's ankles were exposed.
Mahaad peeked at his king's expression, which began neutral, but quickly darkened, the more he read of the letter. When he finished, he tossed the letter away.
"I can see why you are upset. But tell me, what's on your mind."
Several more tears fell to the carpet. "I am ashamed of showing such weakness in your presence. It is unbecoming of a servant to behave in such a manner. I'm embarrassed by my father's letter. I hope you don't think less of me."
There was warmth that spread through Mahaad as the Pharaoh touched his forearm. "We are not at court, Mahaad. Things are different when we are alone. As far as I am concerned nothing in that letter matters. You and I both know I resurrected you. As for your father, I will speak to him."
"Pharaoh?"
"We will teach him what it means to cross the King of Games." The Pharaoh trailed his fingers down Mahaad's arm, until he grasped the other's fingers and pulled them both to their feet.
Without letting go of Mahaad's hand, he pulled him toward the door. Mahaad allowed himself to be pulled along. "May I ask where we are going my king?" Mahaad asked, grateful the shorter teen stopped short of the door.
Mahaad's gaze dropped to their intertwined fingers. "The Ishtars have a shrine out back. We will talk to your father there." The Pharaoh gave him a reassuring squeeze before releasing his hand.
"I don't want to make you uncomfortable in front of the others. But at some point you're going to have to start addressing them by their first names. I understand the Duelist/Duel Monsters dynamic. But you are more than just a Duel Monster and I, not any of them, are you Duelist."
Mahaad merely inclined his head. The Pharaoh pulled open the door and re-entered the living room. Ishizu, who had been on the couch reading a book, rose out of respect. Tea was asleep on the couch next to her listening to her iPod, while Joey and Tristan were in the kitchen eating breakfast.
"As you were. Ishizu, can we use some incense, a foreleg of beef, and some vegetables?"
"Yes, my Pharaoh." Ishizu put her book down and began gathering the requested items in a basket. As soon as she finished, she offered the basket to the Pharaoh. "We have a shrine out back. I'll see to it that no one disturbs you. Is there anything else you need?" She asked as she dipped her head.
"Yes, actually. A cloak with a hood."
Ishizu's head came up sharply. He smiled at her soothingly. "I assure you Marik and the Ghouls have nothing to do with this."
She nodded and returned a few minutes later with the cloak.
"That will be all, Ishizu. Thank you."
Together Mahaad and the Pharaoh headed toward the back door.
"Where are going with all that food, Yug? Are you having a picnic?" Joey asked. The Pharaoh shook his head.
"No Joey, we are going to pray. Mahaad and I can explain it later." Joey shrugged and went back to his falafel.
The Pharaoh crossed the short distance to the shrine, first and opened the door.
It was dark inside and there was a stone altar in the center of the room. A recess was carved into the far wall for a statue or offering stela. Mahaad lit the stick of incense with magic and soon the smell of frankincense filled the air. The Pharaoh fastened the cloak around him and pulled up the hood.
"When you summon him, I'm going to pretend to be one of your students. I'll reveal myself when I please."
Mahaad knelt and began chanting. A minute or so later a ghost entered the shrine from the false door, carved into the left wall, from the land of the dead.
The Egyptian was bald, wore a knee length tunic, and had a leopard skin draped over one shoulder. His crossed his arms, tapping his elbow with a finger.
"Mahaad, I am a bit surprised by your audacity. Although you probably didn't bring up the issue to the king. Otherwise, I'm sure whatever punishment he sees fit to give you will be just. Thank you for the food, son. But I would rather have my son behave himself honorably and not shame himself, his family and his king. Who is that?"
His father's attention shifted to the cloaked figure.
"I am Muto Yugi."
"You brought an apprentice to witness your shame? Pathetic." The man began pacing.
"I am going to give you this one chance to go to the Pharaoh yourself. Or I will write him a letter as well." As his father continued, Mahaad stared stoically ahead, but the Pharaoh could read him well enough, to know that these accusations bothered him.
"That's enough!" the Pharaoh said, pulling off the cloak, showing his face, Puzzle and clothing in full pharaonic regalia. Mahaad's father stopped mid-sentence and gaped at him for several seconds before coming hto his senses and quickly dropping to his knees.
"Forgive me Pharaoh! I didn't know it was you. My son deceived me!"
The Pharaoh snorted. "No, I entered the room Mahaad was in after he received your letter. He was upset but asked if he could keep it to himself. I said no and read the letter. You had better watch yourself priest. Making false accusations against my Vizier is not something I take lightly. Mahaad is my servant and answers to me and we answer to the Tribunal. I'll let you go now, but be warned. Do not do this again. Come Mahaad."
The Pharaoh turned on his heel to head back to the house. Mahaad extinguished the incense and followed.