Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh isn't mine. If it was, I'd be as rich as Seto Kaiba himself. (Well, probably not, but you get the idea…) And this fic is beta-read by Pamster. Thanks a lot to her for checking it and her advice.

Author's Note: Set is angry at the start of this chapter; that is why he seems disrespectful. He also seems to be one of the few people who can get away with talking how he does. The way he conducts himself would clash with Atemu's most faithful servant: Mahaado. There's also more romance, Set gets comforted and ends up getting very close to Neith. Mahaa is Set's way of showing Mahaado disrespect by giving him a nickname. Heru was the name for Horus.

Summary: Atemu was renowned for being a fair Pharaoh. However, his High Priest was well renowned for exactly the opposite. Set bickers, Mahaado glowers and Atemu tries to keep the two apart. Having had enough, Set finally snaps. Will Atemu survive?

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Chapter 12: Put To The Test

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Set strode through the corridor in the Royal Palace, a sour look on his face. The nearby guards wisely kept quiet as the angry young man strode into the throne room and felt everyone's eyes immediately focus on him.

The Hem Ntjr did not do meetings.

It was widely known that ever since he had returned from Per-Bast, Set had been in a foul mood. Neith's company on the voyage down had done little to alleviate the rage the young man was feeling; he had used his authority as Hem Ntjr to compel the brunette into accompanying him back to the capital, but he had not talked to Neith on the barge ride down, save for ordering her about. Also, Set's wrath had also not been sated by his 'questioning' of the two prisoners.

Perhaps later, Set thought, he would talk to Neith, when he was in a better mood. Maybe he could do so after this meeting, one that he deeply wished not to attend. And everyone else present knew this.

Set gazed coolly to the side, seeing the Sennen Ring's holder patently returning his gaze. This magician was eternally loyal to his Per A'a and as equally as much a thorn in his backside. Every time he decided to attend, Mahaado was always there to put the boot in.

"What do you want?" Set said, coldly and offhandedly.

Mahaado glowered at Set one final time and then turned to face his master, just like a loyal dog would. It was quite sickening.

"Set, where have you been? This meeting started over an hour ago," Atemu enquired of his priest.

Set glowered as Atemu looked at him, down at him, from his throne, making him feel somewhat insulted; a child dared to treat him like this?

The proud young man stood as straight as ever, a dark tone in his voice. It was lucky that everyone was used to and expected him to be so cutting with his words.

"I've been busy, my dear Per A'a. You should feel honoured that I've bothered to turn up at all," Set sneered.

"Set! How dare you show such disrespect to the Son of Heru! Apologise at once!" Mahaado snapped at the Hem Ntjr, a stern look on his face.

Apologise?

Set smiled. Mahaado should have known better by now. He never apologised. To apologise meant that you were weak; that you had failed. He was not weak and hated failure. Such traits were things he did not wish to possess. He cleansed himself through his work and the duels, which Atemu was increasingly growing concerned about. Though the boy might enjoy learning to duel, he was worried about the effect it was having on the mind of someone who valued power as much as himself.

How did Set know this? It was simple; the Hem Ntjr had overheard Atemu talking with Shimon and Akunadin. Set's mentor seemed to have no problem with his student's need for power, but had often told him to go about possessing it via the correct means. Treat the villagers with compassion, show them mercy, do not do unto others that you would not wish upon yourself, and so forth.

Bah! All I need is power, Set thought.

The brunette then smirked at Mahaado, feeling warmly smug as he folded his arms.

"Why apologise when I have done nothing wrong?" Set remarked, raising an eyebrow, Mahaado fuming at Set's obstinacy. "Stop wasting my time with your spurious nonsense, Mahaa. I have better things to do."

The assembled court had fallen silent ever since Set's arrival; what was Mahaado's problem? The Hem Ntjr derisively turned his gaze away from the holder of the Sennen Ring, his left hand falling to rest on his hip. What an annoying thorn, but how deliciously ironic it would be if Mahaado, the Per A'a's loyal servant, turned out to be his first convert.

Set subconsciously raised his left hand to stroke the Sennen Rod, unaware of Akunadin's concerned gaze.

Mahaado soon stepped towards Set, an irate look on his face.

"Oh, have I offended the Per A'a's pet magician?" Set asked, smirking as he stopped stroking the Sennen Rod, instead gripping it tightly.

"Done nothing wrong? You show up only when it suits you, show disrespect to our ruler and show me and our associates nothing but the utmost contempt!" Mahaado barked.

Set smiled and began to laugh quietly.

"Oh, I have the utmost respect for Per A'a and our fellow priests. I just don't like you." The young man coolly gazed at his older colleague.

"I am so sick of your behaviour!" Mahaado snapped angrily. "Take it back this instant!"

Mahaado was glaring at Set, his fists clenched, and Set himself could sense the powerful magical energies that were building up inside the magician. They were focusing upon the Sennen Ring, and his tongue could taste it in the air. But still, he held back for no one.

"Why should I apologise when it's true? What kind of leader stops me from questioning a prisoner?" Set asked Mahaado, briefly glancing up at the throne. He then looked back at Mahaado, drawing a finger across his throat. "If he doesn't have the stomach for what needs to be done, then he shouldn't be on the throne!"

"Set!" Akunadin sounded shocked at his pupil's outburst, as did Isis, Shadah and the rest of the court.

The Sennen Ring's holder opened his mouth to speak but fell silent when Atemu rose to his feet. He was just a thirteen-year-old boy, yet he had been chosen to command a great power. But where was this great power now?

"You had the man beaten to within an inch of his life! Any longer and he would have died before he reached Waset. You claim to act in the name of justice and our country, and I respect that, but let me ask you something, Set. Your methods are harsh and unwarranted; where is the justice in that?" Atemu asked Set, trying to appear and sound in control.

Set looked to his left at the young ruler, failing to disguise the snide tone in his voice.

"The justice, Per A'a, lies in the offences he committed, along with his accomplice. He deserves to pay the ultimate price, but you had to step in with your bleeding heart and grant him a reprieve he did not deserve. You seem too yellow-bellied to understand that certain measures must be taken in order to secure amity. Peace and mercy alone cannot do it," Set lectured.

"Set!" Isis gasped, shocked at the man's words.

It serves you right, keeping things from me, Set thought.

The Hem Ntjr then turned his back on Atemu and began to walk towards the exit.

"Now if you would excuse me, I have other business to attend to," Set announced.

"How dare you show such blatant disrespect!" Mahaado roared, blocking Set's path and stretching out his arms. "Apologise at once!"

"I shall not. Now remove yourself from my path before I do it for you," Set announced, gazing back at Atemu, an idea suddenly forming in the depths of the Hem Ntjr's mind. "I shall apologise, if Per A'a there can beat it out of me. Show me God, Per A'a. Show me your power, the power of Kemet's ruler. For without power, you are nothing."

Atemu gazed at Set wide-eyed.

"I – I shall not. The Gods are about more than just power, Set. I shall not duel with you," Atemu replied.

So, you deem me not worthy. Very well, Set mused inwardly.

"It's as I thought; you're too weak to face me. Should you find yourself developing a spine, challenge me once again. I look forward to it," Set murmured, pushing past Mahaado. "Until then, I shall be busy."

The Hem Ntjr exited the audience chamber with everyone's eyes on his back. The Per A'a had deemed him not worthy enough for a duel. How could he, the foremost duellist in the court, not be worthy? The boy duelled with Mahaado all the time so why not him?

Set stormed past the guards he had passed on his way inside, intending to seek another's company. At least he had someone who was still loyal to and respected him. Perhaps she would not be as judging.

-o-

As Set marched towards her quarters, Neith was sitting in a chair and leaning back, an attendant brushing back the priestess's hair as Neith wondered about the man in question. Set was such an enigma.

If he doesn't want to talk to me, why did he bring me back with him? the brunette wondered.

Satisfied, Neith waved away the attendant who placed the brush on the table and left her to her own devices. She then picked up from next to the brush a hand mirror and a tube of kohl. Carefully outlining her eyes, Neith finished and admired herself for a moment, but the loud banging of a fist on the door soon interrupted her.

Surprised, Neith placed the mirror and tube on the table, almost dropping them when she heard Set's furious voice.

"Neith, open this door! I wish to confer with you," the Hem Ntjr's voice called.

Neith took a deep breath for courage and rose from her seat. She then walked towards the door, brushing back her hair as she opened the wooden door. Set roughly brushed past the young woman, marching into her room without a moment's thought. Something had obviously upset him, though Neith did not know why he sought refuge with her. Was it because he felt as if she was someone he could talk to?

But at least he's here, Neith thought. That's better than nothing.

"Set! What's happened? Why are you here?" she then asked, surprised.

Set turned to face Neith from next to her bed, angrily tapping his foot.

"The Per A'a is what's happened," Set growled, causing Neith to stare at him in shock.

Set was well known for being overly critical of Atemu, but never had she seen him so openly mad. They had to have had another argument, but about what? She wanted to ask him but feared she would receive the brunt end of his temper. Set had never come to her like this in the past, but as of late, he seemed to be treating her as if she was someone who would listen to his concerns. Perhaps she should. Besides Akunadin, just whom else did the young man have?

"Please, just tell me what's wrong," Neith whispered gently, encouraging Set to talk.

The young man seated himself on the edge of her bed, balling up his fists and resting them on his knees as he seethed quietly. Neith approached him slowly, climbing onto the bed. It felt soft beneath her as she slowly slithered across the covers and tentatively reached out with her left hand to touch Set's cheek from behind, only just noticing that she had clamoured over the Hem Ntjr's cape. Set was muttering angrily to himself as he allowed her to stroke his cheek. At least she had made a start.

"He couldn't leave well enough alone, could he? No, he has to stick his nose into matters that don't concern him…"

Ah. It has to be Atemu, Neith realised. He's done something to upset Set, again.

Neith then rested her hands on Set's shoulders and squeezed them gently through the purple fabric that covered them.

"Gods, Set. You're so tense," the young woman remarked. "Here, let me see if I can do something about it."

Set bowed his head in quiet acceptance as Neith began to massage his shoulders, kneading his bunched-up muscles with her hands. She had learned this off one of the attendants who had used to look after her when she was little and had found it to be a useful thing to know. Set sighed in release, seemingly once more accepting Neith's company as the young woman carefully removed his headdress and placed it beside her on the bed so she could massage his neck. Set was not a fickle person, not at all, but the Hem Ntjr truly took after his namesake. He was as violently unpredictable as a storm.

"I know he's our ruler… Ahh, that's better… but he needs to learn… Mmm: you're good at this, lotus," Set murmured, and Neith blushed in embarrassment when she felt one of his hands rest on hers. "Perhaps you can do it again sometime?... Yes, that would be good… At least now I know I've got one person I can rely on."

Neith pulled away in shock, and as Set's shoulders slumped the young woman stared at her hands. What was she doing? How could she do such a thing, after Isis's vision? Set had approached her, made her abandon her fears, and then he treated her with the utmost coldness and failed to talk to her. Yet, as soon as she once more found herself in his company, she felt happy. It was as if she was betraying herself. Why did he make her feel this way?

-o-

Later, Neith was straddled atop Set's back upon the bed, the priest lying facedown with his head in the pillow. He was now devoid of his cape and upper robe, wearing nothing but his kilt. The young man moaned lightly as Neith moved her hands down his back, massaging fragrant oils into his skin. She had not expected to end up in this position with him, that the two of them should have grown so close. He was so…

Neith blushed as she ran her hands back up Set's back to once more massage his shoulders, his brown hair tickling her skin. Neith then turned a deeper shade of red when Set moaned again.

Perhaps now's the time, the young woman thought.

"Set, may I ask you something?" Neith asked. Set murmured something into the pillow as he nodded his head. "When I told you about what Isis showed me, what did you think?"

"What did I think?" Set replied, reaching up with an arm to clasp one of Neith's hands. He then brought it to his mouth and kissed it gently before releasing it. "To tell you the truth, lotus, I did not know what to think, about the throne, you, or the child. You, being a woman, cannot understand what it's like to be raised to rule the country should something happen, only to be kept beneath the thumb of a mere boy. And now I discover that the vision promised me a son, an heir; it's enough to make me choke."

"It's just a vision, it doesn't mean anything," Neith offered.

Set turned onto his back and gazed at Neith. Was that disappointment in his eyes?

"You know better than that, Neith. Everything Isis has seen has come to pass," Set told Neith, caressing the side of her face with the back of his hand.

"It worries you, doesn't it?" Neith asked.

Set nodded, and Neith leaned back as the Hem Ntjr sat up and leaned in closer to her, feeling unnerved by his admission as she suddenly found herself tumbling backwards, only to have Set fall on top of her. His blue eyes stared into hers and then they kissed. They had only just started to feel this way, and she knew little about the man who lay behind the mask of the Hem Ntjr. Perhaps Set's small admission of how he felt was a sign of things to come?

Shifting beneath Set as he rested on top of her, Neith felt him take her hands with her own and place them either side of her, his fingers clasping tightly. It was surprising how at ease she felt. She had been worried about the vision, but Neith secretly wondered about the child she had seen. What would his future be like, if he was born? It was pointless, in Neith's eyes, to blame one child and the circumstances of his creation for the destruction of a whole country. There must have been other factors that she was not party to. How could a child, a baby, possibly be responsible for all that destruction?

Neith also knew that it was considered a woman's duty to bear children. But did she want to? Perhaps in the future; she would not mind being surrounded by a horde of smiling faces. It soothed her heart to think of such a scene. Neith loved children, and Set may be many things, but he did not strike the young woman as the kind of man who would be a bad father.

"I had almost forgotten the beauty of your smile. Thank you for reminding me," Set breathed, having pulled away when Neith was deep in thought.

Neith looked up at Set, who had his arms pinned either side of her head.

"Set, just say that if we have that child, do you think he would be beautiful?" she asked.

"Of course he would. He would look like his mother," Ser replied, resting his head in the crook of her neck and nuzzling her gently. He was so unbearably close.

"Flatterer," Neith giggled.

Set then smirked before getting off the young woman beneath him. He sat up on the bed, pulling Neith up with his hand. Neith herself could see the wicked smirk on Set's face as he swung his legs over the side of the bed, almost pulling her off; he still held her hand.

"Come on, lotus. There's something I want to show you."

-o-