Nedjem Bit
(Sweet Honey)
*chapter 2
By Sakata Ri Houjun

Warning: Yaoi. Ancient Egypt story that follows the past relationship between the High Priest Seth and a neglected servant he rescued. Other pairings will spring up throughout.

AN: I didn't quite get the response I had been expecting. But, I'm very pleased with myself thus far. Seth's characterizations come from my dear Sibby, who considers me her aibou. Next chapter will introduce more characters, including Yami, but for now, enjoy the cameos contained therein.

Summary: Kasiya is introduced to his new role in life, which turns out not to be what he expected, and Seth realizes rarity of his rescued jewel.

~***~

As Seth neared the palace, its walls standing high, the guards straightened up at the High Priest's return, the sound of weapons held at ready clinking with a metallic noise that echoed off of the massive pillars they patroled. The brunette moved through the threshold of alabaster, seemingly ignorant of the presence of the muscled sentries. There suddenly came a pattering of slippered feet as a small figure rushed up to the entering pair. Seth halted in his steps as he was greeted by the Pharaoh's dimunitive servant, Shimon. "Your cousin, the Per-a'a* seeks audience with you, hem-netjer-tepey," he panted after dipping into a quick yet respectful bow. Seth's disappearance, though expected, had raised a bit of an uproar among his fellow priests, each opinionated towards the brunette's show of disrespect towards Tutanyami after his defeat.

The High Priest stiffened as he glanced down at the smaller man, inwardly seething as he knew just why the Pharoah would summon him so swiftly upon his return. But a movement out of the corner of his vision caught his attention and he turned to focus over his shoulder at the intimidated blond before answering Shimon. "Send my cousin Tutanyami my reguards, but I am already predisposed for the evening," he spoke in a even tone before starting off again with a curt nod, his stride purposeful and proud. "Ii, Kasiya."

At the pronouncement from the High Priest to the short servant, the blonde trained his eyes to the floor, swallowing nervously. With those words, Kasiya knew what his fate was to be, the reason why he had been 'saved' from his father. It would be no different, because after all, it was his lot in life, to service others with the skills that had been ingrained into him since he was a child. While Seth continued walking further into the massive corridors of the palace, the subdued blonde followed the taller figure of the priest, trailing behind like a golden shadow, yet he found that he could no longer keep staring at the floor. This was his first time even near the ornate structure that housed the most powerful man in the country, let alone inside. Never had he gazed upon such splendor before; his senses assailed with a laviousness that captivated him, a look of almost child-like wonder in his honey-warm eyes. But Kasiya said not a word the whole time, feeling as though this all had to be a dream somehow. For how long had he been praying to the deities to be released from the prison of nightmares and pain his father had kept him trapped within? There was no emotional attachment to the place he had called home all his life, nor the man who he knew as his father. How odd to think that he'd never see that place again, and would instead be housed in such a magnificent place as the palace itself. Only instead of being at the mercy of his father and his associates, he was at the mercy of the High Priest.

Meanwhile, the brunette schooled his expression as he viewed the blonde's reaction from the corner of his eyes, taking his time to scrutinize the boy he had saved. He could tell that the teen's skin was a golden brown under the layers of dirt and multi-colored bruises that covered Kasiya's body, but what was most stunning about this creature was his hair. Golden like the sun, it was such an unusual color that he had not seen before within the empire's borders, but fitting with the warm tawny hues that were the teen's eyes. A fire burned within the Priest as he watched the boy move, still holding the side were he had been kicked, appearing more like a beat puppy then a boy that could very well be his age. But Seth remained discreet in his observations as he lead Kasiya to his private chambers.

When the ornately-dressed youth stopped, so did Kasiya, his eyes immediately trailing back down to the ground submissively as he awaited for the decree of his fate. He could certainly feel those penetrating blue eyes on him, like twin needles peircing into his very soul. Self-conciously, the blonde youth wrapped his arms tighter around his body, hunching over more as if to make a smaller target of his person. The large gilded door opened from the inside, as though expecting the priest's arrival and the pair was met with a servant, female with short chestnut hair and eyes as blue as the Nile. She was clothed in a fine linen shift, a beaded collar resting along her shoulders and neck, sparkling turquoise matching her eyes.

"Aziza..."* the High Priest commanded as he stepped past his servant and into his chambers. "Take Kasiya and have him bathed, anoint his skin with sweet almond and return him to me, dressed in more fitting attire to my chambers." His voice was full of authority as he spoke to the retainer, who simply bowed her head, crystaline eyes averted.

"Yes hem-netjer-tepey" she murmured softly with another small bow before walking over towards Kasiya, who just stood there silently, shuffling his feet and glancing at Seth warily.

The High Priest nodded in afirmation as he met the blonde's gaze. "Go with her. No harm will come to you." With that said, Seth shut the door to his chambers, leaving Kasiya alone with Aziza.

Duitfully, the chastened blonde followed after the servant, his gaze still trained on the ground. He was led down the corridor to a spacious room, and his golden-brown eyes widened as he lifted his head, taking in the wonderous sight before him. The floor was not much more than a grand pool of shimmering water, polished stone steps leading down into the crystal depths. The sweet scent of flowers and spices filled his nostrils as incense burned from hanging coffiers, filling the damp area with a haze. While distracted by this grandeur, Kasiya wasn't aware that Aziza had immediately set about removing his clothing until the servant began tugging his tunic up over his head. Instantly he started, turning wide, frightened eyes upon her, but her gaze was focused elsewhere while she finished her task of freeing the blonde of any vestments that tied him to his father. Once Kasiya made the realization that the girl posed no threat to him, he relaxed, but watched her guardedly nonethess.

Still fully clothed, Aziza took one of his hands and tugged him towards the marble steps and into the bath, the aroma of exotic blossoms growing stronger as his golden-toned body became envopled in the clear water. Kasiya stood mutely as the girl bathed him, her slender hands gently scrubbing his body throughly with an abrasive paste. He winced as his wounds, both old and new, were touched upon, pain flashing for brief instances within his shadowed gaze. But the brunette had no outward reaction to her gaffe, performing her service as well a servant should.

Once done, she drifted back to the edge of the pool, picking up a metal pitcher by its fluted handle and returned to the blonde's side. Aziza poured the contents of the decanter over Kasiya's head, the warm sweet-scented liquid rinsing off the cleansing paste as it trickled along his skin. When this was done, the chesnut-haired servant led him from the bath and set him down onto a stool, her delicate hands immediately busy as she rubbed an oil into his bronzed skin. As her fingers massaged the fragrant liniment into his back and shoulders, Kasiya began to look towards the true purpose he was being prepared for, his heart sinking in trepidation.

*~~~*

With disgust, Seth tossed the scroll he had been reading down, raising his long fingered hands to rub his temple, the regal headress long since removed. Ever since he had sent Kasiya off in Aziza's care, the High Priest had advanced to the stack of papyrus, attempting to resume his investigation on amplifying the power behind his dueling so as to achieve his ambition in dominating over his fellow priests as the strongest. But Seth's concentration was waning, the day being nothing but disappointment after disappointment. The only saving grace had been rescuing Kasiya from his downtrodden fate, the reasoning as to why still eluding him.

A sharp knock on his door snapped the brunette back to reality and he looked up from the gathering of scrolls before him to grant his visitor entrance. When Aziza opened the door, her head bowed demurely, the High Priest straightened up, instantly taking notice of the taller figure behind her that hung about in the shadows. "I have done as you commanded, Hem-netjer-tepey," she said before moving aside to allow Kasiya entrance and then bowed again, leaving the blonde alone with the High Priest.

Kasiya stepped forward, his face hidden beneath the shadow of his hair. He was clothed in pleated shenti, a flaxen girdle trimmed in gold belting it in place. This left his bronzed torso bare, the skin gleaming in the rays of sunlight that spangled through the balcony. Seth took note of the discolorization of older healing bruises along with the swelling that was beginning to form on his side and shoulder from the earlier beating, the only thing truly maring the lean pefection of his form. There was a golden band encircling the column of his throat, a more elaborate necklace of colored beads resting along his shoulders and falling lower on his chest. Golden bands enringed his upper arms as well as his wrists, while a pair of golden cuffs winked from his ears. Kasiya's hair remained unadorned but it had been lavished with rich oils so that it gleamed like the jewelry he wore. Kasiya had sat patiently and silently through the whole ordeal it had taken Aziza to make him this presentable, and he awaited to see if he was pleasing to Seth's tastes. If he was not, then the blonde was afraid of what might happen.

"Ii Kasiya," Seth murmured as he motioned with one hand for the teen to come closer, his eyes appraising the blonde's willowy form as he moved. 'Nefer...*' he thought as he drew nearer, the High Priest could not miss the light scarring that laced Kasiya's body, the more prominent patches visible from around the edges of the gold wristlets and along his sides. The sight presented him only managed to stir Seth's ire for the boy's father further.

The blonde halted hesitantly, his bare feet making no sound on the polished stone, a few steps away from his new master, face still trained on the floor. He could heart his heart beating, the blood pounding fast through his veins, feeling as though he would become sick and faint. Kasiya was very much afraid, especially with those blue eyes gazing at him; he didn't need to see the High Priest's survey to know that his attention was riveted to him. His chest rose and fell with each shallow breath he took, trembling faintly under that peircing scrutiny.

Raising gracefully from his stool, the priest strode towards the blonde, his slippers making a light pattering sound as he closed the distance between them. Seth took a moment to circle his newly aquired treasure, seething silently at the appearance of more scarring along the shorter teen's back. Though he longed to look into the rescued blonde's face, he noted how Kasiya was trembling and the High Priest tactfully retreated, shifting towards his bed. "It seems that Ra has sent me a diamond in the rough. Ii Kasiya, you should realize that I wish no ill towards you."

Heart leaping into his throat, Kasiya made his way towards the bed and his new master. Though his whole body trembled still, it was his fingers that were the most noticable, the tremors visible through the slender digits that hung lax by his sides. The fine linen that swaddled his body clung to his hips, making a whispering sound as he moved, the beads of his necklace clinking together almost musically. When the blonde stopped before the High Priest, he remained looking down, his gaze focusing on Seth's slippered feet, remarking to himself how perfectly delicate they seemed.

"When we are alone Kasiya you are to look at me and not be afraid to speak. Now come, sit." Seth reached to the ornate table, pulling from it sage and other incenses as he waited for the boy to comply to his command. Silently, the blonde moved closer to the High Priest, sinking down to the floor to kneel beside the imposing man, hands resting on his knees, and yet, still he shook from fear.

Lighting the sage Seth passed it over the teen's form, purifying the trembling youth. The sandlewood was then burned, its scent used to relax the boy more. Seth stood silent for a moment before reaching for a vial and advancing toward the kneeling blonde. He began to circle him, chanting a prayer softly, reverantly, "Isis, glorious Goddess, You of the healing wings, World-Mother, Wound-Mender, Breaker of the chains of pain, You who hold the world in the palm of Your hand Heal from me, heal through me, Heal by me, heal for me, All Glory to You, Holy Isis!"* After his benediction was complete, Seth anointed the scars and brusing gently with the healing ointment, one he had obtained from Mahaado.

As he recieved this treatment, Kasiya shivered at the almost gentle touch of the High Priest, the feel of those long fingers sending his heart racing to new heights. When the wounds that had been inflicted recently were caressed, he flinched, the pain still fresh, but the benign action was not lost on the blonde youth. He knew that Seth was healing his body, an action that elicted a soft noise of astonishment from him, the fear he had been harboring in his heart abating just a touch. Gathering what little courage he still called his own, Kasiya lifted his head, finally showing his face and the work that had been painstakingly done. Dark kohl circled his eyes with a light dusting of gold powder along his cheekbones to enhance the golden flecks in his honeyed depths which were now gazing up timidly at the taller man, seeming to wait for something.

The High Priest continued his task of healing the boys wounds, each mark he touched upon only steeled his silent vow to protect the boy. His azure gaze focused on Kasiya's revealed visage, instantly captivated by the decorated features which held no emotion, lifeless like a doll. But it was his tawny stare that wasn't so easy to disguise, revealing the turbulence of his heart. After his task was finished, the High Priest inspected the cleansed body of his dessert rose. 'By Ra, he is sublime.'

Kasiya opened his mouth to say something, but no sound emerged, utterly drawn in by the orbs that were as clear as a cloudless sky, the same way a bird would be entranced by the hypnotic gaze of a snake. And the blonde's heart was pounding just as swiftly as a tiny bird's, fear and something more feuling the rapid pulse.

"You should rest Kasiya," came the High Priest's even tone before turning to replace the vial's stopper.

Blinking at Seth's retreating back, the blonde suddenly found his voice "W...why...? Why did you...save me...?"

"I will not have one such as yourself suffer under the hands of another," came the smooth reply. "You have done nothing to warrent the atrocities preformed to you. You will be safe here, under my protection." Seth faced the blonde once more, something akin to warmth in his normally icy gaze. "Now you shall rest."

Kasiya averted his eyes, a blush spreading through his tanned cheeks. "Why would...the Hem-netjer-tepey concern himself with a nameless tool...?" came his quiet voice. When he recieved no immediate answer, he pushed himself up to his feet, head still bowed towards the ground. Automatically, his hands proceeded to the girdle at his waist, untying the bejeweled strip of frabric that held his shenti in place, the movement concise and unhesitant, unlike everything else he had done so far.

Moving as though with the grace and speed of the Gods, Seth's hands settled firmly atop the teen's, halting the boy's actions. "No." That one word was strong and absolute, leaving no room for arguement or question. His cursing of Kasiya's father began anew, his heart recoiling in absolute fury as a new truth dawned on him. 'A nameless tool?! Is this what he had taught the boy?'

The skin along Kasiya's face and neck burned hotly, shame filling his heart. "Am I...not what you desire...? I had thought my appearence was pleasing to you...."

The High Priest's heart fluttered in his chest at the blonde's self-reproach, knowing full well that his very presence was alluring. "Though your appearance is pleasing, it does not matter. I will not take of one who is surely not willing. It is not your fault to believe that this is what is expected of you, but you will learn differently here." One hand moved from Kasiya's, lifting to tilt the blonde's chin upward, gaze seeking those honeyed depths. "You are no longer to give or perform this deed to anyone, unless it is what you desire."

"I am willing, master," he returned softly, without hesitation, but the tone flat nonetheless. "I belong to you and am therefore to cater to what you will."

Seth shook his head. "My will is to have you rest. You are to heal."

It was apparent from the confusion etched on Kasiya's face that the wheels in his head were obviously turning. 'No one has ever...refused my services. Everyone I had been shown to had just...taken me, either slowly or without ceremony. I don't understand...' Under the intense scrutiny, he shifted where he stood, a bit unclear of what was expected of him. "I must repay you for saving my life..."

The young priest pulled away with another curt shake of his head. "Ii... Kasiya..." Carefully, he took the confused boy's hands into his own before leading him towards the bed. As though with no real will of his own anymore, the blonde was easily guided to the plushness of the brunette's chaise, the glass beads clinking around his neck as he leaned back, still staring cautiously at those peircing blue eyes "Now lay and rest."

Trembling, Kasiya could only stare up at him, his honey-hued eyes doeful and wide, like a puppy that wanted to be petted but was afraid to be kicked should he ask. The lightly toned chest heaved slightly with each breath he took, attempting to calm himself down, but he couldn't slow the rapid cadance of his heart, nor could he tear his gaze away from those wonderous blue eyes that could seem so cold one moment and warm the next. Delicately Seth started in removing the jewels that adorned the trembling sun kissed body, his movements guarded and slow like he was handling a child. The removed jewelry he set aside, before returning to Kasiya and settling on the large bed himself.

Slowly he reached over once more, this time caressing one bronzed check. "Sedjer,* Kasiya." The blonde flinched at first from the touch, his body going rigid, but once he realized that Seth wasn't going to hurt him, his eyes slid closed and he relished the feel of the tender caress. The young priest did nothing more than stroke the boy's face soothingly, something Seth remembered his mewet* doing for him when he was young, before she passed on to the valley of the dead.

"Relax, no harm will come to you," Seth murmured as he drew the teen into the circle of his arms, his hand still petting the smoothness of Kasiya's face as he silently sent a prayer to the Gods. It was the priest's wish that the youth in his arms would find safe passage in Imhotep's realm of sleep and that the Goddess Nephtyys would grant him peaceful dreams. Though he could not understand yet how Kasiya could affect him so deeply after just meeting him, his heart ached for the blonde's plight.

Never had Kasiya been held like this before; it made him feel precious instead of just a thing to be used and tossed aside when done. The pleasant sensation left him with a astonishing feeling growing in his heart, the first buddings of hope peeking through the desolation that was left behind in the wake of years of abuse and pain he had suffered through. Within that tender embrace, one that held no possessiveness nor malice behind it, Kasiya found himself enveloped in a wonderous scent of myrrh, sandalwood, and exotic flowers. Beneath it all, there was the musky aroma of Seth's skin, the warmth that was permating his being like a blanket of protection, the very pulse and life that beat inisde the young priest. For the first time in his life, the blonde actually did feel safe, even if it were only for this one moment. A few seconds passed, and Kasiya nodded off, his body growing lax as he rested within Seth's embrace, slipping into a dreamless sleep that was beyond peaceful and free of fear.

~***~

*Egyptian Translations:
Per-a'a - Pharoah
Aziza - name meaning 'precious' (originally I had thought of Anat as a joke because it was a mythological name for the wife of Seth)
Nefer - Beautiful
Sedjer - Sleep
Mewet - Mother

*Healing prayer to Isis was found here by Sibby: