Hello, another chapter. Any questions then email me or put them in your
reviews...I don't mind flamers...I actually encourage them. It's fun to reply
to what they say.
*
It had taken 3 hours to successfully change Jou back into a human.
Honda had gotten into some of Seto's potions and had accidentally turned the head guard into something that resembled a mutated parrot.
But now Atemu could relax with his friends and muse about the upcoming events.
"Hey Atemu," Anzu said, then stopped short. "Yeah? What is it?"
"I was just wondering, are you ever going to get married?"
"Ew! No way! That word-" Atemu shuddered and fell silent, lost in his own terrible thoughts.
"What word? Marriage?" Jou chuckled and nudged Honda. "Looks like the prince is afraid of a bit of commitment."
"Ah! That word. Commi-commit- oh I just can't say it."
The young prince doubled over, his shoulders shaking.
"Oh, Atemu, marriage isn't really that bad." Shinzuka said, trying to be comforting.
"Yeah," Jou added. "You just have to stand by her for ever and ever and be obliged to her for all eternity and look after the children..."
"Children!?" Atemu gasped. His tanned face grew pale. "I've heard enough!"
With that, the prince ran out of the room, permitting his friends to hear a retching sound from the toilet chamber.
*
"Y' knows what I heard the other day? Prince Atemu threw up all over his personal scribe after hearing about marriage."
Seto stopped abruptly and pressed his ear to the wooden door.
Two peasants were sorting grain into a large barrel, talking idly.
"Oh yeah? Well I heard he fainted." Another commoner chimed in.
"Someone told me that he turned the captain of the guard into a fire- breathing ferocious beast!"
'That's it,' Seto thought. 'I've heard enough.' Pushing open the door he strode in and glared imperiously round at the peasants.
Using all the authority only a High Priest could, he spoke in an icy, formidable tone.
"How dare you speak of the prince like that. He shall be crowned tomorrow and unless I'm mistaken will be your future Pharaoh!"
One of them spoke up. "Well, regardless, my lord, we just say what we heard. It wasn't us, honest!"
"I could have you executed for treason! You better make sure I don't hear you saying anything like those lies again!"
A bearded man spoke next. "Yes, milord, of course. Never again."
"Good. Now move, before I change my mind and call the guards!"
The peasants fled, terrified. Seto scowled grimly. 'I better watch out for conspirators.' He thought to himself.
*
As Ra rose up to the stars to begin his trek across the sky, so did nobles and peasants alike who trekked from all over Egypt to arrive in Memphis.
They had been arriving since yesterday morning.
Soldiers camped outside the city walls, occasionally patrolling through town.
Farmers and mine workers sailed across the Nile to join the crowd.
Unmarried women queued up outside fortune tellers to see if they would be able to marry the Pharaoh.
Of course, Atemu had other ideas. As he was dressed for the coronation ceremony, he complained loudly to Seto.
"I don't see why the whole of Egypt has to be here! I mean, can't they just say 'you are Pharaoh', and then it's done? This is going to be so boring!"
Seto laughed at his cousin's view on his coronation.
Almost everything that had to do with sitting still was boring to Atemu.
The High Councilor entered. "It is almost time, Prince Atemu." Atemu nodded, focused on straightening his cloak.
When the first rays of the sun hit the city, Atemu stepped out on the main balcony of the palace to a cheer from the crowd below.
A cut-off white robe made of the finest linen ended just below the knee, its pleats billowing gently in the breeze.
Around Atemu's throat a gold scarab clasp kept a purple cloak in place.
An assortment of charms and bangles adorned his wrists, their shiny gold surface reflecting the dawn rays of light.
As he presented himself to the thousands of people before him, Atemu wondered idly how funny it would be if his robe blew up in the wind.
Married and unmarried women alike swooned in a faint at the sight of Atemu's heavily muscled chest.
As the High Priest, Seto stepped up on a raised platform and addressed the crowd.
"People of Egypt, three months ago our great Pharaoh Akunamon passed into the underworld. As Osiris he now guards the underworld. Now, it is Prince Atemu's turn to rule our country."
People cheered in agreement; one woman held up a sign of papyri that read in hieroglyphs 'Atemu will you marry me?'.
"All those that are in his presence are in the presence of Horus. We are honored to be graced by his glory."
Atemu was barely listening; his mind was more interested in which way the wind was blowing.
Seto took the white and red crown from a plush velvet cushion and raised it to the sky.
Atemu knelt before him, his head bowed in respect for his ancestors.
Seto placed the crown upon Atemu's head and thought to himself 'I wouldn't be surprised if it fell off, considering how wild his hair is'.
Then he took a broad gold band and hung it around Atemu's neck.
Colored pieces of glass depicted Maat, her vulture wings outstretched across the gold layers.
The adornment hung heavy on Atemu's neck, but he rose and bowed to the people.
"Nobles and peasants, priests and servants," Seto said, his sharp tone commanding attention.
"I give you your king, Pharaoh Atemu."
*
"Well, I'm just glad it's all over. I couldn't stand being there any longer. I was convinced my robe would blow up!"
The Dark Magician laughed warmly at his friend's view on the previous day's events.
It was nighttime, the Shadow room lit only by moonlight. A cool breeze blew in through the open windows.
"Magician? Do you think I'd be a good Pharaoh? Be honest."
"I believe you would, Atemu. You have the ability to be anything you can be, and that is enough."
"Wow. Okay, that was a bit too deep for me. Eh, I don't really get all that weird destiny stuff."
The Dark Magician laughed again and rested a hand on the young Pharaoh's shoulder.
"I'm sure you will do fine, my Pharaoh."
*
Seto lay awake that night, staring at the decorated ceiling and thinking.
When Atemu had been crowned Seto had glimpsed a different version of his cousin.
This version was mature, confident and ready to rule Egypt.
Seto wondered if that was the real Atemu, one he had been hiding from everyone else.
If that was the case, then his cousin would have no problem as Pharaoh. Seto smiled.
He would talk to Atemu privately tomorrow.
*
The Pharaoh looked at the line of women standing before him, eyes narrowed and contemplating the possibilities.
A pathetic, sniveling servant knelt before him. He had brought the women here as prospective wives.
Atemu swept his eyes over the females, giving his opinion on each.
"Too fat, too thin, her legs are like tree trunks, hair's a mess, butt's too big, her face looks like the Luna crater....is that one a woman or zebra?"
The women made noises of disgust and turned away.
"Honestly," Atemu said, turning to his servant. "Is this the best you can do?" Atemu asked dubiously.
"Yes, m-my Pharaoh." Atemu inclined his head.
"I mean no! No, Pharaoh. I mean yes! No, eh-" The servant panicked and messed up his words.
"That's it." Atemu said flatly. "If these are the most beautiful women in all of Egypt, I'd hat to think what the ugly ones look like!"
The women glared at the Pharaoh and stalked off.
"I've decided. If I can't marry someone who looks even half decent instead of resembling a baboon's ass, then I won't marry at all!"
Atemu clomped out of the room rather like the women who had done so only moments earlier.
"Priest Seto was right." Muttered Atemu's servant. "He IS a drama queen."
*
It had taken 3 hours to successfully change Jou back into a human.
Honda had gotten into some of Seto's potions and had accidentally turned the head guard into something that resembled a mutated parrot.
But now Atemu could relax with his friends and muse about the upcoming events.
"Hey Atemu," Anzu said, then stopped short. "Yeah? What is it?"
"I was just wondering, are you ever going to get married?"
"Ew! No way! That word-" Atemu shuddered and fell silent, lost in his own terrible thoughts.
"What word? Marriage?" Jou chuckled and nudged Honda. "Looks like the prince is afraid of a bit of commitment."
"Ah! That word. Commi-commit- oh I just can't say it."
The young prince doubled over, his shoulders shaking.
"Oh, Atemu, marriage isn't really that bad." Shinzuka said, trying to be comforting.
"Yeah," Jou added. "You just have to stand by her for ever and ever and be obliged to her for all eternity and look after the children..."
"Children!?" Atemu gasped. His tanned face grew pale. "I've heard enough!"
With that, the prince ran out of the room, permitting his friends to hear a retching sound from the toilet chamber.
*
"Y' knows what I heard the other day? Prince Atemu threw up all over his personal scribe after hearing about marriage."
Seto stopped abruptly and pressed his ear to the wooden door.
Two peasants were sorting grain into a large barrel, talking idly.
"Oh yeah? Well I heard he fainted." Another commoner chimed in.
"Someone told me that he turned the captain of the guard into a fire- breathing ferocious beast!"
'That's it,' Seto thought. 'I've heard enough.' Pushing open the door he strode in and glared imperiously round at the peasants.
Using all the authority only a High Priest could, he spoke in an icy, formidable tone.
"How dare you speak of the prince like that. He shall be crowned tomorrow and unless I'm mistaken will be your future Pharaoh!"
One of them spoke up. "Well, regardless, my lord, we just say what we heard. It wasn't us, honest!"
"I could have you executed for treason! You better make sure I don't hear you saying anything like those lies again!"
A bearded man spoke next. "Yes, milord, of course. Never again."
"Good. Now move, before I change my mind and call the guards!"
The peasants fled, terrified. Seto scowled grimly. 'I better watch out for conspirators.' He thought to himself.
*
As Ra rose up to the stars to begin his trek across the sky, so did nobles and peasants alike who trekked from all over Egypt to arrive in Memphis.
They had been arriving since yesterday morning.
Soldiers camped outside the city walls, occasionally patrolling through town.
Farmers and mine workers sailed across the Nile to join the crowd.
Unmarried women queued up outside fortune tellers to see if they would be able to marry the Pharaoh.
Of course, Atemu had other ideas. As he was dressed for the coronation ceremony, he complained loudly to Seto.
"I don't see why the whole of Egypt has to be here! I mean, can't they just say 'you are Pharaoh', and then it's done? This is going to be so boring!"
Seto laughed at his cousin's view on his coronation.
Almost everything that had to do with sitting still was boring to Atemu.
The High Councilor entered. "It is almost time, Prince Atemu." Atemu nodded, focused on straightening his cloak.
When the first rays of the sun hit the city, Atemu stepped out on the main balcony of the palace to a cheer from the crowd below.
A cut-off white robe made of the finest linen ended just below the knee, its pleats billowing gently in the breeze.
Around Atemu's throat a gold scarab clasp kept a purple cloak in place.
An assortment of charms and bangles adorned his wrists, their shiny gold surface reflecting the dawn rays of light.
As he presented himself to the thousands of people before him, Atemu wondered idly how funny it would be if his robe blew up in the wind.
Married and unmarried women alike swooned in a faint at the sight of Atemu's heavily muscled chest.
As the High Priest, Seto stepped up on a raised platform and addressed the crowd.
"People of Egypt, three months ago our great Pharaoh Akunamon passed into the underworld. As Osiris he now guards the underworld. Now, it is Prince Atemu's turn to rule our country."
People cheered in agreement; one woman held up a sign of papyri that read in hieroglyphs 'Atemu will you marry me?'.
"All those that are in his presence are in the presence of Horus. We are honored to be graced by his glory."
Atemu was barely listening; his mind was more interested in which way the wind was blowing.
Seto took the white and red crown from a plush velvet cushion and raised it to the sky.
Atemu knelt before him, his head bowed in respect for his ancestors.
Seto placed the crown upon Atemu's head and thought to himself 'I wouldn't be surprised if it fell off, considering how wild his hair is'.
Then he took a broad gold band and hung it around Atemu's neck.
Colored pieces of glass depicted Maat, her vulture wings outstretched across the gold layers.
The adornment hung heavy on Atemu's neck, but he rose and bowed to the people.
"Nobles and peasants, priests and servants," Seto said, his sharp tone commanding attention.
"I give you your king, Pharaoh Atemu."
*
"Well, I'm just glad it's all over. I couldn't stand being there any longer. I was convinced my robe would blow up!"
The Dark Magician laughed warmly at his friend's view on the previous day's events.
It was nighttime, the Shadow room lit only by moonlight. A cool breeze blew in through the open windows.
"Magician? Do you think I'd be a good Pharaoh? Be honest."
"I believe you would, Atemu. You have the ability to be anything you can be, and that is enough."
"Wow. Okay, that was a bit too deep for me. Eh, I don't really get all that weird destiny stuff."
The Dark Magician laughed again and rested a hand on the young Pharaoh's shoulder.
"I'm sure you will do fine, my Pharaoh."
*
Seto lay awake that night, staring at the decorated ceiling and thinking.
When Atemu had been crowned Seto had glimpsed a different version of his cousin.
This version was mature, confident and ready to rule Egypt.
Seto wondered if that was the real Atemu, one he had been hiding from everyone else.
If that was the case, then his cousin would have no problem as Pharaoh. Seto smiled.
He would talk to Atemu privately tomorrow.
*
The Pharaoh looked at the line of women standing before him, eyes narrowed and contemplating the possibilities.
A pathetic, sniveling servant knelt before him. He had brought the women here as prospective wives.
Atemu swept his eyes over the females, giving his opinion on each.
"Too fat, too thin, her legs are like tree trunks, hair's a mess, butt's too big, her face looks like the Luna crater....is that one a woman or zebra?"
The women made noises of disgust and turned away.
"Honestly," Atemu said, turning to his servant. "Is this the best you can do?" Atemu asked dubiously.
"Yes, m-my Pharaoh." Atemu inclined his head.
"I mean no! No, Pharaoh. I mean yes! No, eh-" The servant panicked and messed up his words.
"That's it." Atemu said flatly. "If these are the most beautiful women in all of Egypt, I'd hat to think what the ugly ones look like!"
The women glared at the Pharaoh and stalked off.
"I've decided. If I can't marry someone who looks even half decent instead of resembling a baboon's ass, then I won't marry at all!"
Atemu clomped out of the room rather like the women who had done so only moments earlier.
"Priest Seto was right." Muttered Atemu's servant. "He IS a drama queen."