all disclaimers apply as usual.
True to form, the leader of thieves managed to elude locks, guards, traps, etc. and escaped from his confines prior to the rising of the sun. Laughing manically into the desert, the thief lived again to raid another day. He even had a most esteemed reward for his efforts...he had stolen the pharaoh's war stallion, complete with gold garnishments upon it. The stable guards didn't even see it coming...the white wind of thievery and deceit struck with the speed and fury of a rampaging sandstorm.
The prince and others awoke to the sounding of the alarm bugle. Guards entering the prison facilities to feed the prisoners their rations noticed the absence of their newest captive. More guards, sporting injuries from a quick pounding, ran from the stables to summon a search party for the prized horse of the king.
Yami looked up and cringed in pain. He had fallen asleep in an upright position at his desk area. He had a crook in his neck and his back felt stiff. His legs had little feeling until he moved them, causing pins and needles to shoot up them as the numbness faded. The bugling sound spelled more pain for the young prince. His father would be in a most foul mood this morning. That did not bode well for his upcoming punishment. Despite the sun's warm, shining rays, it provided no sense of goodness for the prince on this day. The gods would not side with him on this day. He could feel it.
Elsewhere the young priest stirred from his newfound sleep. He stretched and yawned then suddenly snapped alert. He remembered what this day would bring...trouble for him. Uttering a few curses about certain princes and his own ignorance for following such royal troublemakers, Seto prepared himself for the day. Looking into a mirror, he cursed a little louder. The black eye he'd received was even blacker. It was swollen and impeded full opening of his eye. He hated being marked, especially on his handsome face! In his mind, if a certain prince's punishment didn't seem harsh enough, he himself would add a little more discomfort to it...just to remind the prince about how important outside appearances are to those of high status.
Back in the prince's room, Yami too, was looking in a mirror. He looked like a being who lost a very viscious fight with one ticked off, very large kitty. If he were older, he would save his pride by saying it was one rough night with the concubines, but at his age, such activities were remote and even frowned upon. With no excuse, no alibi, and no reason for anything, the young prince had no choice but to hope for the mercy of his father.
Both youngsters were forced to remain in their rooms past breakfast. Yet another portion of punishment. They could smell the aroma of roast goose and freshly baked bread. Their stomachs growled, their mouths salivated, and their body yearned for nourishment. But on this morning, they would go hungry.
A few hours later, Simon was summoned to retrieve the two boys and escort them to the throne room. The time both had wished would never come, did. He didn't say a single word to them though he seemed initially shocked at the prince's scratched up face and young priest's black eye. Both boys knew exactly what was expected of them. They followed in solemn procession with heads hung low, as if prisoners being escorted to jail. To them, it was exactly that. Neither Seto nor Yami looked at one another. Both minds' were inward, reflecting upon their own selves and what was going to become of them.
Upon entering the throne room, the pharaoh ordered all others aside from priests, his Great Wife, the royal scribe, and a military general outside of the chambers with doors closed.
From his lowered gaze, the young prince's eyes noted all present. His father, mother, scribe, and priests were usuals in matters of family business such as this, but why was a military general there as well? Was he going to question them on the thief and what may have occurred this morning? All Yami could do was wait and see.
The mighty pharaoh, Akunamukanon gazed upon the two boys. Neither boy looked up to meet the pharaoh's gaze. It was respectful, especially in an instance such as this, to maintain submission to the living representation of a god. The king motioned to his wife to approach the boys. He could tell both boys appeared to be in rough shape, but he wanted to see such clearly. Without a word, Yami's mother approached her son and nephew. The king gave her a gesture with his hand. She nodded and gently raised each boy's head with her hands. Yami closed his eyes. He could not bear to look his father in the eye. He felt ashamed and very guilty. The young priest stood firm and kept his eyes open, but they did not look directly at the king but rather emptily to the side, at a pillar nearby.
The king was concerned about his son's condition, but as king, he was not allowed to reveal such. "Was this caused from a skirmish between each other?" the king asked. Silently he hoped it wasn't such. If it was, his son was the obvious loser.
Yami's mother stepped some distance away from them, so that the king was aware that she was not manipulationg the boys' answers in any way. Yami wished his mother would've remained close by him. For only the second time in his life, he felt frightened of his father. The first time having been told that he was not above the rest and had to undergo the circumcision ritual like all Egyptian boys who came of age. That wasn't that long ago and all the bad feelings that occurred with that had resurfaced on this day.
Both he and Seto shook their heads in response. "If your injuries were not inflicted by one another, then was it the thief?"
Yami had to think about this one. Indirectly, it was. "The injuries were caused by an accident, father, others were self inflicted." There, the honest truth was out. Yami sighed, glad to have that part over. But, the worst was yet to come.
"Self inflicted? May I ask why?" Yami's father was indeed curious as to why his own son would harm himself.
Yami said nothing. This was one part of the plan he would rather take to his grave.
"Well, since neither of you seem very talkative, I will proceed. Both of you have broken several rules. Should I name them or are you already aware of them?"
The boys nodded that they knew. They did not wish to be reminded of just how many had been violated.
"What do you propose I do with you two?"
Now this was an interesting turn. Yami had not expected his father to hand him a piece of the decision making. But after thinking for a moment, he thought it best to remain silent. This was likely a trap the king was using to siphon a little more information out of the two. The young priest obviously came to the same conclusion as he too, remained silent.
"Again with the silence eh? For two scheming boys of your intellectual levels, I would think you both a little more talkative. But suit yourselves. I will also inform you two that the thief discovered with you two has escaped. He also made his escape with Wahankh* who was being equipped for my march through the city later today. Should I add this to your violations? You were indirectly involved afterall."
(*=see meaning at end of chapter)
Yami gulped. The king's prized war horse was stolen by that creep! This was not going well for him at all!
In his mind, the young priest was reciting the egyptian dictionary of curse words for the second time. While the conversation with the king was directed at both of them, Seto could feel the weight of blame focusing onto the prince. But, this pharaoh was wise and true. The young priest would not go unpunished for his role in the matter as accomplice.
"Cat still has your tongues eh? Perhaps a bit more than that eh son?" the pharaoh joked in reference to his son's multitude of scratches upon his body.
Yami's head remained lowered, but he raised an inquisitive eyebrow. His father was joking!? At a time like this!? What was his old man up to? A game was afoot, but was the prince supposed to call his bluff and match the game utilizing his own gaming skills? Was this a test of skill? If he bested his father, would he prove himself and lessen any punishments? These thoughts began to race in the prince's mind. But, he opted to play conservative. He was in too much shit already to take a chance in a crapshoot with his father.
"This is a momentous occasion indeed. I have NEVER, EVER seen you two boys as silent as on this day. I feel as though I am talking to myself. Or perhaps you two boys are wiser than I had previously thought. You remain silent so as not to incriminate yourselves?"
There, Yami's father hit a bullseye. The young priest and prince weren't stupid afterall. Evenso, neither gave the king any indication of his correctness.
To the side, Yami's mother grew more and more concerned. Her husband was toying with them and dragging this session out. Granted it was derserved to some extent, but she knew of the punishment to come. It had been discussed shortly after the boys were sent to their chambers. That in itself was more than enough. There was no need to add more salt to the wounds already made.
"Since I am talking to two statues here, I may as well get to the point and hand out your punishments."
Both Seto and Yami gulped and held their breaths. The most dreaded moment had come.
"Young priest Seto, for you being an accomplice and utilizing ill judgement, you will follow Priest Akunadin on his journey to Sakkara to rebuild a temple there and inscribe lost writings discovered there. You will remain there for the turn of two seasons."
Seto allowed air into his lungs. He had never left the safety of this palace or city! A slight wave of fear shot through his body, but he did not reveal it on the outside.
"And my son, Prince Yami, for being the mastermind of this, for involving another in your ploy, for disobeying me yet again, as well as disgracing yourself and position within this family, you will become a part of the army until further notice. General Dagi is here to take you to the ranks. You will be under his command in the calvary. Under current orders, his calvary will be travelling beyond the kingdom to lands of friend and foe. May this experience better prepare you for your duties as prince and future king."
Yami's heart sank. The military!? Like Seto, he had never left the safety and security of the palace and city aside from a trip or two by his father's side. He'd never been alone, with strange people, in strange lands, with a strange job either. Fear swept through him and he immediatly sought his mother's comforting gaze. When she sensed his eyes upon her, she refused to meet his eyes. Rather, she held her head low and closed her eyes. This was a punishment for her as well. To have her only son torn from her and sent to serve in the dangerous military, facing unknown people, places, and elements, was more than she could handle. She wanted to break down and cry, but she had to remain firm. The young prince had to grow up and become a man someday. The time had become now. She had to let go.
"I suggest you two prepare for your journeys. Seto, you and Akunadin will be departing in two day's time. Son, you will be departing at sundown. Your chariot is being readied as we speak."
The blow to his own son was swift and harsh, but it had to be as such. The young prince was a intellectual genius and skilled gamer. If given too much time, the young prince might just find a way out of it. The quicker he was sent away, the better it would be for all...father, mother, and child.
Seto's heart sank as well. True to his theory, his friend's punishment was the harshest of the two. For Seto himself, at least he was with a familiar face, his mentor. And his journey was more of an expedition or adventure rather than a punishment. But the prince's...even within the ranks of one's own military, corruption, crime, and other atrocities occurred. And that didn't even count the unknowns outside of the military itself! It was not the place for a kind-hearted boy who simply had a knack for trouble with his games and adventures. Silently he prayed for his friend's safe return and a time where they could both resume their skills...together.
to be continued in the final chapter of this fic...pt. VIII: Heart of Lion, Skill of Leopard
Wahankh means "Strong in Life"