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, and the fact that she added in little bits of text here and there.

Author's Note: Ful Medames is a fava bean dish, commonly eaten with bread, lentils, raw vegetables and eggs. Just another interesting fact I researched for authentic food that existed at the time. And there's yet more of Akunadin's perspective.

Summary: After being beaten down by the powerful god Obelisk, Set finds himself held captive in his room and unable to even get out of bed. Neith has been held as well while Atemu and his priests discuss what their fates shall be while Akunadin waits for his chance to intervene on behalf of his injured son.

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Chapter 21: A Letter From Prison

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Sitting on the edge of the bed, Neith sighed as she ran her hands down her thighs, folding out the creases in her dress for about the hundredth time this morning alone. She felt so lonely, so incomplete now that she was apart from the one she loved. After what had happened, Atemu had decreed that they were to be kept apart. He could not risk another one of Set's moods, which he had wrongly believed were caused by the way he felt about her. There was no way that they could be allowed to remain together whilst in custody. She could understand the boy's reasoning but her heart still ached.

"Set, where are you now?"

She slowly rose from the bed; who knew where he was? For all she knew, he could be being kept locked away in the dungeon like some wild animal. She could only hope that the old priest Akunadin was still looking out for his most treasured student. And he needed it, having had Obelisk smash him against the pillar so painfully…

For her support of Set she had been held upon charges of supporting him, yet they were wrong! Had she plotted treason or made an attempt on the throne alongside him? No, she had not! All she was guilty of was lending moral support to the man she loved: something that was expected of every woman. Let them charge her; she was not afraid and nothing would turn her away from the man she had given her heart and soul to.

Who knows what they're doing to him, but I don't think Atemu would have one of his own priests tortured, she thought, walking over to the window ledge and peering over. It's so far down…

She turned around as she heard the sound of the door being unlocked: another day, another breakfast. Only several days had passed since Set had beaten Karim and then been defeated by Atemu. The hours seemed endless and each day ran uneventfully into the next with only the guards bringing meals for her to break up the monotony of her confinement.

"Priestess, I have something to eat for you. Would you like me to put it down?" a guard asked her, dressed in a plain kilt and metallic armlets, a lidded ceramic bowl balanced in his arms. "… Is something wrong?"

Her breath had caught in her throat as she recognised the small snake tattoo on the inside of the man's left wrist.

That's Set's symbol! He has spies in the palace?

The guard moved to place the bowl down on the floor to the right of the door as his two colleagues, who also bore the same style of clothing, watched on. Something passed between her eyes and his and she immediately knew just whom he worked for.

"I'll return for it at noon. You have about three hours. Please try to dig deep. I know you hate beans, but I'm sure you'll find it enriching. Besides, I don't think Lord Set would want to see you starve." He smiled at her and then walked away, the door being locked once more.

As soon as she was sure she was alone she dashed across to the bowl. Kneeling down, her nose curled upwards as she caught the scent of her lest favourite food: ful medames. A staple for many people, she detested it. This was trying her patience and resolve. She took a deep breath, slid the ceramic lid off the plate and plunged her hand into the mixture.

Feeling it between her fingers, she resisted the urge to squeal in disgust as her fingers clenched at something that felt out of place. It was a tube, about an inch thick. She shook her hand as soon as she pulled it out of the dish, wiping it with the underside of her dress.

Set, why couldn't you just send me it to me concealed in a jar of wine? It would have been tastier!

She uncorked the tube, held it upside down and shook it. Out of if fell a thin scrap of parchment and the small feather of a waterfowl. Tapping the tube against the floor, she further uncovered a miniature vial of ink.

This is… Set! I can write!

She understood what he wanted her to do. Her writing was not up to his standard but she would try her best.

--

Like Neith, Set had awoken to find himself placed into the same predicament. Three days had passed since his defeat and he was back in his room, separated from the one he loved. He had never expected to find such a thing painful; he felt… lonely.

He was also still being kept under lock and key; two of Atemu's Medjay stood guard outside and another two were below his balcony that overlooked the gardens, just in case.

I'm confined again like a wild animal, except now they dare to leave me powerless, he seethed, still angered by the confiscation of his Sennen Rod. It's not as if anyone else can take my place; it chose me! Me!

He folded his arms as he remained in his bed, rendered bound to his bed for the time being by Obelisk's ferocious attack. But his mind was already working upon a plan; he just did not have it yet. She was still in his thoughts, the woman he loved.

Oh Neith…

The sun soon rose higher into the sky, himself now laying back, his head resting on the cushioned headrest. It was getting so warm, just like his fear had increased when the sight of the angry God had confronted him. The damage, thankfully, had been minimal. At least it was just his left leg that was broken and nothing else. But the sheer force of the being called Obelisk had been overwhelming!

Trust Atemu to find the balls he's lacked for so long when I finally made my move. It's almost as if we're destined to be enemies.

He lay back even further, his broken left leg having been set by the palace healers and then wrapped in special compresses that they had said would help his bones knit together faster. There was a strong smell of comfrey, which the bandages had been steeped in. It was incredibly painful, which was why he had been imbibing opium.

Such is the awesome power of a God… Ha! He wouldn't even have summoned Obelisk if I had not pushed him!

He coughed, raising a fist to his mouth. Now all he had to do was wait for Neith's reply.

It soon arrived, brought to him by one of his guards; one of the spies he had in the palace. It was a letter stuffed inside a tube that would have been used to store kohl. Atemu may have him locked up but he was not lacking resources. He knew the importance of loyalty…

The guard had already left by the time he had gotten the letter out of the tube. It was scruffily written; several of the hieroglyphs were wonky and out of place, but it still brought a smile to his face.

Set,

I know that this letter will look poor to your discerning eyes, but it's the best I can do. I hope that you're starting to get better; that God Atemu summoned hit you pretty hard. Akunadin and myself feared that you would not wake up for a while, so I'm gladdened by the fact you're making a quick recovery. He told me earlier this morning, after I got your 'gift'. And in case you're wondering I'm fine. And thanks for the beans; you've really made my day.

One thing that may interest you is that Mahaado wanted to leave you exactly where you were, by the pillar, except your mentor fought tooth and claw for you to be looked after by healers in your own room. Or so he told me. I was quickly ushered away, but not before I heard Mahaado's words.

Anyway, I know you'll be brooding over your defeat, but try not to be disheartened. I'm still thinking of you, and remember that it took one of the Three Gods themselves to take you down! And if you need something to make you smile then try thinking of that day we spent together. I know it makes me happy.

So take care and I'll see you soon. Good luck with Atemu; may the Netjer guide you.

Thinking of you always,

Neith.

He smiled and placed her letter on his stomach. She still thought of him after all this… Now he knew that he had something to work for when he got out of here.

She still believes in me, he thought, clasping his hands together. She's either very brave or very foolish. But still, at least she's mine.

Yet, he still remembered that day perfectly.

--

Two months ago, in Naquda…

"Come on, Neith. You know you want to have fun. What's life without fun? One must enjoy life; if you don't you die inside," he murmured, taking Neith's dainty hand and rubbing it gently.

He backed her up against the wall and pressed himself against her, feeling her shift against him with a quiet moan. He then grabbed her other hand and looked into her brown eyes, their warmth making him feel at peace as he leaned down and kissed her exposed neck.

Having been with this delightful creature for a short while, he was enjoying the hold he had over her, as well as the fact that she was keeping his interest with her mystery, wit and biting tongue. He had already driven her towards him by taking her virginity, making sure that he was the only possible contender for her heart. No one got in his way when he wanted something.

"Get off! And you're a fine one to talk about enjoying life. You never let loose. All you do is read, work, study and theorise," she replied, unsuccessfully trying to push him off her.

He kept her pressed up against the wall as he lifted her hand, running it and his own through her hair.

"And who is to say I don't find that fun? You? My, my. You're so presumptuous, my dear. Anyway, like it or not you're coming with me," he announced, pulling her off the wall by her hands.

He strode out of his personal chamber, a licentious smile on his face as a torch flickered nearby. He smiled wider and felt Neith take a stumble behind him as they rounded a corner, he was pushing her that fast into keeping up with him. She sounded nervous, and as he momentarily peered over his shoulder he could see her looking from side to side as they entered the main antechamber of his estate, Akunadin not present. That was good… for him, anyway.

"I don't know, Set. What if we're seen?" she murmured.

She was looking up at him for reassurance, which did not help her much; he wanted her to learn to stand on her own two feet.

He smiled to himself as he pulled her further inside, spotting the perfect place in which to further his aims in regards to the pretty young woman he held. Secluded from view, surrounded by shadows and with the ideal leaning post. Perfect…

Pulling her up behind him, he suddenly heaved her up off the ground and slammed her into the pillar. He growled into her neck and supported her with one of his strong hands as she giggled.

"That's why it's fun, my dear. I don't know about you, but I find the element of danger to be a wonderful aphrodisiac," he snarled back, running his other hand through her thick brown hair.

There was a lustful gleam in his eyes as Neith nodded in understanding.

--

Neith, meanwhile, was bored as she perched herself on the side of the bed. There was nothing to do in this room except think. All that was here was a bed and a gilt chair.

Why did they have to put me somewhere boring?

She then looked darkly across the room at her visitor. The Per A'a's betrothed herself had come to visit her and Neith wondered why. Was it because she had been her friend? She could not be a friend to the future wife of her lover's enemy. It would not be right. That and the fact it was her intended who was keeping her and Set apart.

"What do you want? I'm not in the mood for chit-chat." Her tone was unwelcoming and her posture hostile, just like an angered cat. "Just say what you came here to say and then get out."

She glared at Subira, soon to get an answer.

"I came to see how you are and to get some answers," she hatefully watched her say. "Why did you do it, Neith? Why did you keep quiet?"

Ten…

"I did it for the man I love. I thought that you, also having someone to cherish, would understand how I feel."

Subira looked surprised and she watched her carefully.

"But he turned against Atemu! It was your duty to inform on him!" She glared angrily at the younger girl, no older that fourteen and childishly unaware of how true love worked. "Why did you say nothing?"

Nine… Eight…

"I said nothing because he was relying on me. Besides, I only found out at the last minute, once Set had made his challenge. You'll soon know what it's like, to shoulder such a responsibility."

"But he betrayed him! Why do you support a criminal?"

Her fists clenched tightly by her sides.

Seven… Six… Five…

"I've already told you! It's because I love him! And he is no criminal no matter what you think!"

This was becoming tiring. Her nerves were on edge and she was close to blowing her top. They had already taken her father's artefact away from her; leaving her without any memento of him, save for her memories. It was probably being kept with the Sennen Rod, locked up away from their rightful owners. They were sure to have taken that away from Set.

"To tell you the truth I don't know why you love him. Everyone says that he's just using you. And now that he's talked you into his bed you've made it a whole lot easier for him…"

Four… Three… Two… One…

"How dare you! Get out!" She looked sharply at Subira. "What do you know? You know nothing! Our relationship is much stronger than that!"

"But…"

"I don't care! Out!"

She grabbed the nearest thing to hand, wrenching out her hair clasp and hurling it at her former friend. But the girl ducked and the wing-shaped accessory hit the wall and fell to the floor. Subira hurriedly retreated from the room, leaving her to her tears.

They're going to pass judgement on him and I can't do a thing to protect him. Not a single thing…

--

"Isis! How could you keep such a thing from me?" Atemu said angrily.

Akunadin gazed to his left at the throne. His son had been much too rash, in his opinion, and had paid the price. He now lay in his room, bound to his bed and caged away from his woman as this boy kept the throne that was rightfully his. But that was not all that had come about as a result of his son's impetuous uprising…

Isis had finally divulged her vision to the court, only to have her conduct thrown back in her face. What had she expected? Atemu and her colleagues would have been irked, as they indeed were, that she had not come forward sooner. There had been gasps, curses and thoughtful words.

Himself? He had kept silent.

"I didn't feel it revealed enough to warrant it's disclosing to anyone but Neith. I was just trying to respect everybody's feelings. We couldn't punish the two of them for something they might do, or for the fact that they will have a child. It would not be right. Kemet will not fall because of a child, an innocent one."

Wise words, girl…

He gazed across at Mahaado. He had taken the news particularly badly and had been among the first to chide the priestess for what she had done. He had expected nothing less, considering the mutual enmity that existed between the Sennen Ring's holder and his son.

"He was my student. If anybody is at fault it is I. I should be the one to take responsibility for his actions," he whispered.

That stupid boy! Now I have to save his skin again!

"Akunadin, it's not your fault. You were not to know," Shimon said soothingly, only for Mahaado to rudely interrupt him.

"You could have, though! No disrespect, Lord Akunadin, but does not your Sennen Eye allow you to read minds?"

He looked at the younger Priest, quietly mulling things over in his head. His eyes then narrowed into slits reminiscent of his son's.

"I make it my business not to pry into the personal lives of my colleagues or abuse the powers of the Sennen Eye," he said coldly, yet lying effortlessly through his teeth.

I know every thought you have and can read every move you'll make, you idiotic fool.

"Do you truly see it being your fault?"

He gazed back at Atemu, solemnly bowing his head. Sometimes one got what they desired not through the use of force but with a show of meek compliance. But like his son, a prideful young man if ever there was one, he had to ignore his pride whenever circumstances demanded such a thing. Like father, like son; they were as proud and as stubborn as each other.

"Yes, I do."

Atemu murmured thoughtfully to Shimon, who was standing to the young boy's right-hand side. Using the Sennen Eye, he could tell that they were thinking of handing Set and Neith into his custody. He resisted the urge to smile as his hands clasped together in a display of humility at the front of his robe.

Excellent…

His eyes surveyed the room and fell upon Shadah. The young man had been as quiet as always, thinking about what had happened and how he had failed to stop it. What he failed to understand was that no one could stop his son once he put his mind to something.

"Akunadin, what would you say if we released the two of them into your custody, along with the Sennen Rod and Spirit Point? Per A'a has no desire to see either of them suffer greatly and thinks that a softly-softly approach on your part would have better success. Nor does he wish to see them executed or exiled from their homeland," Shimon announced, to which he nodded acceptingly.

"Per A'a is wise. I shall take full responsibility for their actions and their items."

Mahaado, however, disagreed totally, raising his angry voice in protest.

"What? You mean to say that he is to walk away as if nothing has happened?"

He smiled behind a mask of fake benevolence as Atemu held up a hand to silence the holder of the Sennen Ring. Much like he had when Set had brought up issues of importance that Atemu had not wished to hear him speak about, ones that had indirectly been responsible for his son's actions.

Set's right. You're too weak for your own good. I'll see that you get yours, Per A'a. All in good time…

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