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's arrogant, but not overly so. Not as much as Kaiba, anyway. Hope you enjoy the chapter and thanks for all those of you who leave reviews. There's going to be a nice plot point or two coming up in the next few chapters, so keep an eye out. Set's loyal… but he's not. It's more like he's loyal to the death if he respects the person and believes them to be strong. This will be crucial to the plot later on, and don't worry; Atemu's going to put him in his place… eventually. And for those of you who think things are getting heated, wait for the next chapter.

Summary: Set plans behind Atemu's back, and Akunadin reveals that he knows about him and his secret affair as pieces start falling into place that will affect the future.

--

Chapter 14: Fishing For Flowers

--

Neith woke up alone in the bed, the other side of which was cold and uninhabited. She moaned heavily and rolled over, her fingers trailing lazily over where Set had been. The room was filled with the heady scent of perfume; he must have recently got dressed and left whilst she was still asleep. Why was it he could come and go so quickly?

She pulled back the covers and slipped her legs over the bed, weakly half-smiling at his disappearing act. She was not his helper, but it would be nice to know what he had planned. Looking down, she could see her pendant dangling beneath the cloth, and she smiled again.

Perhaps he wants to surprise me, she thought, pushing herself off the bed to her feet. I wonder…

Her right hand grabbed a fistful of the overly large tunic she was wearing. How could she have drunk herself into such a state? She rubbed the linen between her fingers; she must have been too inebriated to not notice him undressing her for bed, or so he claimed. Undressing her… at least one of them had gotten something out of yesterday's adventure. For the brief moments she could remember, she felt warm and happy. They were becoming closer as of late, and he seemed more like a man than the boy she had known.

Mother always told me to find myself a decent man, she thought, knowing she was nearing the age when a woman would be expected to settle down. I wonder what Father thinks…

She let go of the tunic and smiled. He would surely approve of him. She then sighed and began to change, heading towards the folded-up clothes Set had placed on the table to her right.

--

Once outside Set's room, she sighed as she emerged from the palace complex into the flower-lined walkways that linked the main complex to the duel stage in the east. She breathed in the floral smell that hung in the air and sighed sadly. Inside, Set had been nowhere to be seen. It was strange; she had searched the palace form top to bottom, even ordered slaves to look for him, and he was nowhere to be found.

She walked forwards, leaving the shade of the palace doorway in favour of the warm outdoors. Why did she feel so lonely?

That was when she realised that she was not alone. As she had been thinking, someone had walked up beside her. He was taller than she was, but held an air of authority. Her heart leapt momentarily, but fell in her chest once she turned her head.

Oh… the old priest looked down at her as she failed to hide her disappointment. Where is he?

"Priestess, have you seen Set today? I need to talk to him about something."

"Only earlier on, Sir," she replied simply but respectfully, knowing full well that he could read her mind to find out.

He probably already knows.

A slave holding empty dishes walked past the two of them, herself stepping to the side to allow the silver-haired man through. He had a sad look about him, as if he was hard-pressed and fearful of upsetting his master. He looked familiar… was he one of Set's? That would explain everything. Set was a hard taskmaster: harsh but fair.

A part of her was weary of his darker side. She would have to have been a fool not to hear the rumours that spread amongst the nobles and even the commoners, of how he had built up his army of Ka. But they were exactly that; rumours. She would only believe it if she heard it coming from his own mouth. He seemed so charming, at least to her.

"Interesting, is it not? How your mind always manages to find a way back to my student?" She looked up at the priest of the Sennen Eye and he glanced back down at her. "He always has been the unbridled sort, much like his father."

Akunadin looked away into the distance, and she continued to watch him. It was strange, how the two were so much alike. They talked similarly, acted similarity and even had similar habits. That stare Set used to frighten the lower orders was like that of his mentor. It was no wonder; he looked up to this man a great deal.

"You knew his father? I thought he died when Set was still a child?"

"I did, once, but that was a long time ago," Akunadin replied, sounding regretful. "He was inconsolable. It took a great deal for me to get him to calm down. But at least now he's found another person he can rely on. It helps him in the long run; having a woman he can put his faith in. He likes you, you know. I can tell."

She opened her mouth to speak but was beaten to it when Akunadin raised a single finger to quell her.

"He doesn't show it, but he does like you. Just you make sure you don't let him down," he told her.

"I wouldn't dream of it," she replied.

"I know; I can see you're an honourable person. I would hate to have to pick up the pieces once again."

The old priest fell silent, and she watched what Akunadin was watching. In the far reaches of the garden, Mahaado was standing over Mana, berating her for what was probably another spell gone wrong; she could not tell. That, or she had been attempting to hide from another lesson. She laughed to herself as Akunadin stepped forwards and turned to face her.

"What he needs, more than anything else, is a gesture of loyalty. Something to show him you care." The Sennen Eye's holder then looked away as she fidgeted with her hands. "What is it, girl?"

"I – I want to ask you… if you see Set today, can you please ask him to meet me on the edge of the great river this evening, just on the outskirts of town? I know he's busy, but it would be wonderful if he could come. It's always him who asks me, so maybe it's time I did something for him."

"Very well," Akunadin replied, nodding politely. "Now if you'll excuse me, I must take my leave. There is someone I need to find."

Akunadin walked away as she thought about what he had said. So, someone else knew of her and Set, and he approved. Isis, if she knew, was keeping quiet. Just what could show Set how much she cared? She walked over towards Mahaado and Mana, the matter playing on her head as Mana spotted her moving towards them and waved cheerily.

--

As Neith was talking to Mahaado and his student, Set was seated upon the throne in the hidden chamber below the palace, and he was smirking as he waited for Geberuk to bring in the two prisoners. He had only been here for a short while, yet the two prisoners he had watched previously had come a long way. Their Ka were almost ready to be extracted, he just had to work out how to do it without Shadah's help. Akunadin was keeping quiet about the matter; he had known for a while his particular hobbies. But Atemu… The Per A'a would surely question how he had managed to come by such Ka and he could do without the hassle.

So far, he had settled on using the Sennen Rod to seal the Ka in the tablet when it was in direct use in this underground facility. All he had to do was to take and arrange the delivery of the two necessary stone tablets in secrecy.

But at least I'll have two new Ka with which to protect the kingdom… Ku, ku ku. Who cares about what Per A'a thinks? Power is what is needed to protect, otherwise people will ride all over you.

Soon, his servant and a flank of his own personal guards, loyal to him, had escorted the two Syrian prisoners he had caught in Per-Bast into the pit. They were marched along the narrow bridge and pushed forcefully onto the spiked platform, after which the kilted guards came back to his side and pulled up the bridge. He could see the numerous wounds the prisoners bore, the results of Geberuk's handiwork. Geberuk may be a toad, but he was a master of torture. Let their Ka feed on their hatred and fester… Let them grow into good servants. He looked forward to seeing just how things would progress.

"Are they ready to fight?" he asked his servant, turning his head to the right. "I grow tired of waiting."

"Yes, my lord."

He smiled and gazed down into the pit. One of the two spies saw him starting and muttered something obscene under his breath. His eyes narrowed and he immediately raised the Sennen Rod, which glowed briefly before the man's eyes glazed over.

"Step forwards."

The man did so, immediately impaling his foot on one of the tall, sharp spikes that covered the platform the Syrian was standing on. Blood ran down the metal and over the man's foot. The Syrian remained still, any pain that he felt not showing in his blank face.

"You were warned earlier not to defy me," he said darkly, leaning forwards. "Only one of you shall be freed from this place. The other shall have his soul fed to Ammut. Consider this your punishment."

The impaled Syrian howled in pain as he was released from his control, pulling his mangled foot from the bloodstained spike as he leaned backwards, smiling wickedly. How were they to know what he had in store?

They won't be freed, unless one means in the spiritual sense, he thought, smirking.

He leaned his head to the right and rested his chin on his fist. He then stopped smirking as the two prisoners summoned their Ka in the way they had been shown, a wondrous expression now appearing on his face. He was like a child confronted with a plate of sweets. He could have both Ka, but why tell them that? Let them grow stronger on their hatred of him and their desire to escape. They would make better servants that way. They were foreign criminals who had threatened the peace of the country and tormented someone he held dear; they deserved such a fate.

"So this is where you are. I've been looking everywhere for you."

He glanced to his left at Akunadin, his eyes slipping back to the pit.

"I've been here since the start of the day. Why do you ask?"

Akunadin walked up to him along the side of the room, looking down at the prisoners in the pit before casting him a disapproving look. He then came up close and seated himself in the remaining throne.

"Is this really necessary?"

He looked at his mentor.

"Yes. The security of Kemet depends on using power, wherever or whatever it may be. Their lives are insignificant when compared to the greater good. They willingly conducted themselves as enemies and criminals, so let them be punished for it."

"Set, I can understand your desire to protect this land, and you wish to do so is sound, but you should not have to conduct your desires in such a manner. Let them be tried according to the proper means."

"Are you worried for their welfare, master?"

"Not at all," Akunadin replied, looking straight ahead. "Just your moral wellbeing."

"I see… Thank you for your concern, but it is unnecessary."

He raised his hand and swiftly brought it down, beginning the fight. At least the two had learned enough of the basics to get their Kas to appear. The scorpion scuttled quickly towards the skeletal horse, catching it in its pincers. The ghostly horse then phased through the scorpion's grip, floating away down the platform to safety as its owner ran alongside it. It was not a bad start, but they were not strong enough. Not yet.

"I am willing to forego my moral rectitude in order to protect this country and the people who live in it," he added, as the two of them watched the fight. "Even though some people are more deserving than others."

"Is that true? What happened to those lessons I taught you about mercy and forgiveness? I doubt Neith would be too happy, to hear such words coming from you. She was looking for you too, you know. She is a nice girl: strong but benevolent. I can see why you like her." He looked at his mentor, his hands gripping the arms of his throne as he realised just what Akunadin knew. "Yes, I know about the two of you, but you have no need to worry. You secret's safe with me."

He leaned back as Akunadin turned his head to look at him.

"I see. What else do you know, if I may ask?" he enquired, gazing blankly ahead.

"Enough to know that she is fond of you, and that she desires your company this evening. She asked me to ask you if you would meet her on the edge of the great river this evening, just on the outskirts of town."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Well then I suppose I'll have to indulge her."

--

Later that evening, around the appointed time, Neith glanced down at the reeds bobbing in the Nile, the distant sunset having a calming effect on her mind. She kicked the sodden ground below her feet, casting a glance over her shoulder at Thebes that lay below her. It was illuminated beautifully by the dim glow of the fading sun, the royal palace standing out from the rest of the city.

The city Set lived in for most of the year was indeed beautiful. It was a wondrous sight, almost as good as being in love…

"Well, well, well. Look at what we have here. I would have asked what you were doing out so late in the day, wearing such finery, but it's not a man's place to ask that of a lady. What say you, my dear? Am I on time for our appointment?" a familiar voice murmured, a masculine quality to it.

She came to a stop, gazing down at her right at the riverbank.

Set was sitting there; he looked oddly at peace in the sunset. She liked to see him dressed in his finery and her heart skipped a beat. A purple and gold-lined mantle hid the white tunic he wore beneath, a matching white cape bunched up behind him. His purple and gold headdress was placed at his side with the Sennen Rod, his brown hair glinting in the sunset. Such an ensemble greatly accentuated his high status as High Priest of the Pharaoh. She wanted to know what such a life would be like but was lucky and contented enough to be the High Priestess of her temple. It felt good, to know that he wanted her, that he had chosen her.

"Yes! Of course!" she replied, not managing to contain her excitement that he had come. "Thank you for coming."

The Hem Ntjr Tepey was looking at her; she would never have expected that he would have another side that she was learning about. The methods he used were not exactly kind. She had heard of the ways he had gotten his Ka. Being under his authority, she had had no say in the matter and could not protest. She could always turn a blind eye… Shadah was also responsible for aiding him with his Ka collecting, though he was probably down there in the palace, debating with himself his actions.

"Don't think about it. I have fulfilled my orders for the day and am glad to come. Besides, I've missed you. I thought that we should spend some more time together. I've missed you so much," Set whispered, his headdress and the Rod being picked up from the ground, the headdress being placed on his head as he rose from the floor and turned to face her.

"You only saw me last night," she said jokingly.

She took a step back as he came closer.

"Neith, stop thinking about that and look at me. I want to spend some time with you, to douse myself in your beauty and wisdom. I'm ordinarily a very busy man, so you should feel honoured. You've slept with me. What more could you possibly want when you've had the best thing ever happen to you?" he told her, clasping her hands with his own and kissing them.

A wry smile appeared on his face and she rolled her eyes, feeling the coolness of the Sennen Rod as it touched her skin.

"We haven't done anything of the sort, Hem Ntjr Tepey."

"Well that's true, but you know, we shall do soon enough. Just you wait and see. I'll turn you into a giddy little schoolgirl all over again," he murmured, running a hand lovingly over her palm.

"You're as full of yourself as ever. It's nice to know that some things don't change. I don't know whether to feel flattered by your rhetoric, or to throw up in disgust at your pretentiousness," she retorted, closing her eyes.

She laughed along with him as she felt one of his hands let go of her and move to her head. Once there, it proceeded to lovingly stroke her hair, the arm that held the Sennen Rod moving to her back and pressing her to him.

Being held close, she forgot about what she had been thinking about before, more concerned with the peaceful embrace she now found herself in. Sure, Set had his dark side, but who didn't? How could she pass judgement on him and ignore herself. She was no hypocrite. Set had his nice side, deep down inside, and it made her feel safe whenever she was with him. No one could tell her that there was not something there, for she had felt it many times. Let her friends try and convince her otherwise, once they found out. It was nothing to do with them.

"I was out fishing for flowers, my dear. Perhaps you should feel happy. You seem happy, though you try to tell me otherwise, so it would be nice for me if you offered me a smile," she heard him murmur, a long well-manicured finger tipping her chin upwards. "That's it, lotus. Smile for me."

His blue eyes gazed at her momentarily, his voice low before he leaned down to give her a slow but sensuous kiss, her fingers extending as she leaned into it.

She felt his free hand move up into her hair, freeing her hands, coiling the light-brown strands around its fingers as her tongue brushed against his. He knew exactly what buttons to press to illicit any reaction that he wanted. Why could he make her feel like this? Why did she give in just like that? Her arms wrapped around his lean frame, searching for something to hold. Clutching at the folds of fabric, she found it in his cape. They then separated, holding that position.

"What about Per A'a? What will he say when he finds out about us? What about your colleagues? Akunadin already knows, and probably Isis… This was supposed to be a trip for state business, Set. That's the reason you made me come down here. You're getting me into all sorts of trouble," she said worriedly.

"Neith, like I told you before, stop worrying your head with all these silly thoughts. You are state business; I'm making it so. My fellows need not know. The Per A'a is probably off consorting with his whore, rather than running the country like he should be doing, and I can handle the old man. Come on, Neith. You know you like being a bad girl. Besides, no one shall have your hide. That's mine," he told her, pulling her towards him with one arm, slapping her ass with his free hand, laughing gleefully as she pushed him gently on the shoulder with her hand.

He pulled her alongside him as he proceeded to take her along the riverbank and back towards the city, where they were to have dinner.

--