Part IX: Revenge
An MA! Fanfic
The life of the nobles of Amenutept's court were so different from the simple life of the villages I had lived near, it was a confusing adjustment to make. One thing that startled me was shortly after the announcement of our engagement, when I heard one of the lords ask Amenutept how soon we intended to wed - within the year?
It seemed, like with everything, marriage to the nobles was simply a convienience. In the villages, when an engagement was announced the wedding would be held at the next hospitable time. Before or after Planting or Harvesting - whichever came first. But among the nobles engagements could last years. It seemed a strange way to go about getting married, but I wasn't going to object to the unexpected reprieve.
I still had no idea how Amenutept felt for me. I'd been forced, however, to face the realizatoin that I cared for him a great deal. His welfare worried me, and I hated seeing him unhappy. I'd also chosen to stay with him and not run away - even though it meant sacrificing any chance at driving a chariot again. Chariots had been my life, so how could Amenutept mean THAT much to me? I really didn't want to think about that.
But fate had other plans, plans that would force me to take a look around and force myself to look at my feelings, and myself. Looking back, it was also a foreshadow of things to come years later. A warning neither Amenutept or I spotted - Though we should have. Hindsight has perfect vision.
It all started when I overheard a conversation between Amenutept and leader of his armies. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, I was only out for my daily walk in the garden. Then I overheard Amenutept's voice, and stopped to wait for him - until I heard what he and his army leader were saying, then I was quick to hide.
"Hevar is not dead." The Army Leader stated.
"Scarab assures me he is." Amenutept replied, unaffected.
"He's wrong, or he's lying. Hevar was seen in a nearby city."
"Do you know what yoo're suggesting?"
"I know only what my men tell me, Your Majesty. And they've told me Hevar is alive, and in a nearby city. If these rumors are true, you could well be the danger."
"I am always in danger. It comes with the title of Pharaoh. What would you have me do?" When the army leader did not reply, Amenutept continued. "Exactly - there is nothing that can be done. If Hevar is alive, the next move is his to make. Only then can we react."
"If he is alive? Do you doubt my scouts loyalty? To suggest they would lie?"
"No offense to you, you've proven your loyalty, but scouts - scout's loyalty can be paid for. It wouldn't be the first time in history."
"Advisor's loyalty can be paid for, too, Majesty. Or be the one paying for loyalties."
"Watch your tongue!" Amenutept's voice was filled with anger. "Scarab has been loyal to me, and I will not have his loyalty questioned! Speak such again, and I may doubt your own motives."
There was a heavy silence, then a weary sigh. "I am sorry, Majesty. I spoke in haste. Though I do not care for Scarab, there is no proof he is disloyal. Please, forgive me for speaking out of turn."
There was another pause, as Amenutept digested the old warrior's apology. "You are forgiven, but watch your tongue and do not speak on such matters without proof."
As the two walked on, my head was spinning from all I had heard. Loyalties being paid for? The very idea was foreign to me. Hevar alive? How could that be possible? If he was, though, someone was disloyal - be it the guards who supposedly found him, or the messsenger who said he was dead...possibly even Scarab? I shook my head - no, not Scarab. Amenutept seemed to trust him completely, and so I would too. The guards then, or the messenger.
I swallowed back a lump of fear in my throat. If Hevar was alive, he'd be out for revenge. I felt like running away, though how or where I wasn't sure. I wished Amenutept would do so, too. I sat down on the grass, leaning my head against the tree I'd been hiding behind. I felt woozy, and light-headed. And very, very afraid.
I was quiet for the week that followed the conversation I'd overheard. Thoughts of Hevar being alive, and out for revenge, disturbed my waking hours and haunted my sleep. My maids noticed my solemness, but said nothing. It was true I hadn't wanted Hevar to be killed, and had been disturbed when Amenutept told me he didn't reach the border alive. Still the possibility of his being alive, and within Amenutept's country was no less disturbing. I really didn't know what Hevar was capable of. When I'd pointed out Amenutept had been forgiving for me, he'd said Hevar's crimes were greater. Greater than stealing the Pharaoh's chariot? Whatever he had done, Amenutept considered it grave. Having lost his title, and being banished from Egypt also meant that he had nothing to lose. And that made him a very dangerous man.
After the week, though, my spirits began to rise. Perhaps the scouts had mistaken another for Hevar. All that concern for nothing! Or so I was beggining to believe, and I'd never been happier to be disapponted.
Days passed by in a confused jumble of court hearings, dinners, and my walks in the garden. I couldn't seem to tell one day from the next - they were all starting to seem alike, and the nobles were as monotonous as the days. Every now and again I caught the weariness in Amenutept's voice and eyes again, but nobody else seemed to take notice of it. Perhaps they all felt that way sometimes. I seemed to feel that way all the time. The only moments that stood out clear in my mind was when Amenutept and I spent time alone. Sometimes we would have dinner together in one of our rooms instead of with the court, sometimes he would join me during my walks through the garden. Those moments came to mean the world to me. Still, I didn't understand why. I refused to put a name to what I was feeling, as if by doing so I could deny its existence.
Another festival. That's where everything changed. Once again Amenutept took me out to enjoy the festival, with the group of guards I was growing accustomed to having around whenever we left the palace walls. I remembered one thing about that morning, and that was that he was actually smiling. It made me happy to see him smile, and I did all I could to keep that smile on his face. The chariot races were that afternoon, and of course I couldn't leave without seeing them. I remember him teasing me about not stealing any of them again during lunch, but most of the day - as happy as it was - is still a blurred memory.
Evem the chariot races are still unclear in my mind, but I remember what happened next with crystal clarity. The chariot race had just finished, and there was a break before the next one started. Scarab asked to talk to Amenutept, and they left the nobles' pavillion to talk in private. I waited patiently at first, but they didn't return. The new set of races were about to start, so I left my seat in search of them, my guards at my side. They were only a few feet away from the pavillion, still in deep discussion. I started toward them, and that was when I saw Hevar. He was hiding in the shadow of another pavillion, a bow and arrow in his hand.
Was it Amenutept's name I screamed? It must have been, because he turned toward me. My guards had seen what I had seen, and two raced forward. Amenutept's guards followed their path and spotted Hevar as well. I knew the arrow would be released before they reached him. All I could remember thinking was that Amenutept could die. That's the sort of thing his guards were there to prevent, but my mind coldn't grasp that thought at that time. All I knew was that Amenutept was in danger. I ran forward, to the horror of my guards who hadn't expected it, and reached his side just as the arrow shot toward him.
I think my goal had been to move us both aside, not get in anyone's way. But as I felt the pain of the arrow pierce me, I remember vaguely thinking I'd done more harm than good. I must have screamed, but I couldn't hear it - all I could hear was beating of my own heart, and the pounding of my blood in my ears. I remember Amenutept was saying something, but he could have been screaming and I wouldn't have heard it. He looked furious, and I think I tried to apologize. It was only when he looked down at me that I realized he was holding me in his arms. His face contorted with concern then, and as the world faded to black I remember wondering why...
Yshta
To Be Continued
I know, I know. That's SOOO typical. But, ask yourself this, do I usually write typical plotlines? So, don't expect anyone to react how they normally would after such an event! Mwahahaha!! I'm so evil. Oh well. The next chappie will be up soon...hopefully...
Salmon
An MA! Fanfic
The life of the nobles of Amenutept's court were so different from the simple life of the villages I had lived near, it was a confusing adjustment to make. One thing that startled me was shortly after the announcement of our engagement, when I heard one of the lords ask Amenutept how soon we intended to wed - within the year?
It seemed, like with everything, marriage to the nobles was simply a convienience. In the villages, when an engagement was announced the wedding would be held at the next hospitable time. Before or after Planting or Harvesting - whichever came first. But among the nobles engagements could last years. It seemed a strange way to go about getting married, but I wasn't going to object to the unexpected reprieve.
I still had no idea how Amenutept felt for me. I'd been forced, however, to face the realizatoin that I cared for him a great deal. His welfare worried me, and I hated seeing him unhappy. I'd also chosen to stay with him and not run away - even though it meant sacrificing any chance at driving a chariot again. Chariots had been my life, so how could Amenutept mean THAT much to me? I really didn't want to think about that.
But fate had other plans, plans that would force me to take a look around and force myself to look at my feelings, and myself. Looking back, it was also a foreshadow of things to come years later. A warning neither Amenutept or I spotted - Though we should have. Hindsight has perfect vision.
It all started when I overheard a conversation between Amenutept and leader of his armies. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, I was only out for my daily walk in the garden. Then I overheard Amenutept's voice, and stopped to wait for him - until I heard what he and his army leader were saying, then I was quick to hide.
"Hevar is not dead." The Army Leader stated.
"Scarab assures me he is." Amenutept replied, unaffected.
"He's wrong, or he's lying. Hevar was seen in a nearby city."
"Do you know what yoo're suggesting?"
"I know only what my men tell me, Your Majesty. And they've told me Hevar is alive, and in a nearby city. If these rumors are true, you could well be the danger."
"I am always in danger. It comes with the title of Pharaoh. What would you have me do?" When the army leader did not reply, Amenutept continued. "Exactly - there is nothing that can be done. If Hevar is alive, the next move is his to make. Only then can we react."
"If he is alive? Do you doubt my scouts loyalty? To suggest they would lie?"
"No offense to you, you've proven your loyalty, but scouts - scout's loyalty can be paid for. It wouldn't be the first time in history."
"Advisor's loyalty can be paid for, too, Majesty. Or be the one paying for loyalties."
"Watch your tongue!" Amenutept's voice was filled with anger. "Scarab has been loyal to me, and I will not have his loyalty questioned! Speak such again, and I may doubt your own motives."
There was a heavy silence, then a weary sigh. "I am sorry, Majesty. I spoke in haste. Though I do not care for Scarab, there is no proof he is disloyal. Please, forgive me for speaking out of turn."
There was another pause, as Amenutept digested the old warrior's apology. "You are forgiven, but watch your tongue and do not speak on such matters without proof."
As the two walked on, my head was spinning from all I had heard. Loyalties being paid for? The very idea was foreign to me. Hevar alive? How could that be possible? If he was, though, someone was disloyal - be it the guards who supposedly found him, or the messsenger who said he was dead...possibly even Scarab? I shook my head - no, not Scarab. Amenutept seemed to trust him completely, and so I would too. The guards then, or the messenger.
I swallowed back a lump of fear in my throat. If Hevar was alive, he'd be out for revenge. I felt like running away, though how or where I wasn't sure. I wished Amenutept would do so, too. I sat down on the grass, leaning my head against the tree I'd been hiding behind. I felt woozy, and light-headed. And very, very afraid.
I was quiet for the week that followed the conversation I'd overheard. Thoughts of Hevar being alive, and out for revenge, disturbed my waking hours and haunted my sleep. My maids noticed my solemness, but said nothing. It was true I hadn't wanted Hevar to be killed, and had been disturbed when Amenutept told me he didn't reach the border alive. Still the possibility of his being alive, and within Amenutept's country was no less disturbing. I really didn't know what Hevar was capable of. When I'd pointed out Amenutept had been forgiving for me, he'd said Hevar's crimes were greater. Greater than stealing the Pharaoh's chariot? Whatever he had done, Amenutept considered it grave. Having lost his title, and being banished from Egypt also meant that he had nothing to lose. And that made him a very dangerous man.
After the week, though, my spirits began to rise. Perhaps the scouts had mistaken another for Hevar. All that concern for nothing! Or so I was beggining to believe, and I'd never been happier to be disapponted.
Days passed by in a confused jumble of court hearings, dinners, and my walks in the garden. I couldn't seem to tell one day from the next - they were all starting to seem alike, and the nobles were as monotonous as the days. Every now and again I caught the weariness in Amenutept's voice and eyes again, but nobody else seemed to take notice of it. Perhaps they all felt that way sometimes. I seemed to feel that way all the time. The only moments that stood out clear in my mind was when Amenutept and I spent time alone. Sometimes we would have dinner together in one of our rooms instead of with the court, sometimes he would join me during my walks through the garden. Those moments came to mean the world to me. Still, I didn't understand why. I refused to put a name to what I was feeling, as if by doing so I could deny its existence.
Another festival. That's where everything changed. Once again Amenutept took me out to enjoy the festival, with the group of guards I was growing accustomed to having around whenever we left the palace walls. I remembered one thing about that morning, and that was that he was actually smiling. It made me happy to see him smile, and I did all I could to keep that smile on his face. The chariot races were that afternoon, and of course I couldn't leave without seeing them. I remember him teasing me about not stealing any of them again during lunch, but most of the day - as happy as it was - is still a blurred memory.
Evem the chariot races are still unclear in my mind, but I remember what happened next with crystal clarity. The chariot race had just finished, and there was a break before the next one started. Scarab asked to talk to Amenutept, and they left the nobles' pavillion to talk in private. I waited patiently at first, but they didn't return. The new set of races were about to start, so I left my seat in search of them, my guards at my side. They were only a few feet away from the pavillion, still in deep discussion. I started toward them, and that was when I saw Hevar. He was hiding in the shadow of another pavillion, a bow and arrow in his hand.
Was it Amenutept's name I screamed? It must have been, because he turned toward me. My guards had seen what I had seen, and two raced forward. Amenutept's guards followed their path and spotted Hevar as well. I knew the arrow would be released before they reached him. All I could remember thinking was that Amenutept could die. That's the sort of thing his guards were there to prevent, but my mind coldn't grasp that thought at that time. All I knew was that Amenutept was in danger. I ran forward, to the horror of my guards who hadn't expected it, and reached his side just as the arrow shot toward him.
I think my goal had been to move us both aside, not get in anyone's way. But as I felt the pain of the arrow pierce me, I remember vaguely thinking I'd done more harm than good. I must have screamed, but I couldn't hear it - all I could hear was beating of my own heart, and the pounding of my blood in my ears. I remember Amenutept was saying something, but he could have been screaming and I wouldn't have heard it. He looked furious, and I think I tried to apologize. It was only when he looked down at me that I realized he was holding me in his arms. His face contorted with concern then, and as the world faded to black I remember wondering why...
Yshta
To Be Continued
I know, I know. That's SOOO typical. But, ask yourself this, do I usually write typical plotlines? So, don't expect anyone to react how they normally would after such an event! Mwahahaha!! I'm so evil. Oh well. The next chappie will be up soon...hopefully...
Salmon