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: The purification ritual after a birth lasts for fourteen days. In that time, a mother and child were secluded away from the rest of society to get her to know her child better and to ward off any evil spirits. Iunu is the name for Heliopolis Magna, a city to the north of Thebes. A long way to the north.
Summary: There is a new arrival for Set, who begins to notice a change in Akunadin's behaviour. What could the old man be thinking?
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Chapter 37: The New Arrival
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Two weeks ago…"It's all my fault. I was the one who helped him escape. I know it," Shadah cursed.
Gazing at Shadah with his chin on his hand, Atemu shook his head. Those few priests the Per A'a had left were assembled before him, not that it made much difference. Mahaado was dead; Akunadin had left to conduct business in Iunu and would not be back for weeks. And Set had…
Atemu gazed sadly at Shadah.
"It's not your fault. I'm sure Set did something to compel you into aiding his escape two months ago. After all, he was in possession of the Sennen Rod before he was arrested. Perhaps it had a power Set failed to inform any of us about," the Per A'a said thoughtfully.
"He also took the Sennen Ankh. I didn't know how he did it then, and I still don't," Shadah replied, equally as thoughtful.
"That Set's always been a sly one." Atemu looked down at the floor unhappily. "How could I let things get to the point they are now? If I had noticed it earlier, perhaps none of this would be happening. And now I have to catch him and bring him back, a man who I had hoped never to fight again."
The spiky-haired boy slouched in his throne, sighing tiredly as Isis stepped forward. The Sennen Tauk glinted on the priestess's neck as Atemu glanced at her, his eyebrow raised in silent questioning.
"Try to think of your wife, Per A'a. You've only just received the good news. That means time has gone by and that – "
"Set will soon have that child of his," Atemu said, finishing Isis's sentence.
There was a pregnant pause and everyone exchanged glances. At least Set's child would soon be born; it might keep Set off his back, at least for the moment. And Atemu knew he could not just send troops rushing in to drag Set back to face his punishment. It would be a bloodbath; the blue-eyed priest had carefully amassed a significant force inside his hometown and he was also deadly with his spells. There had already been several small skirmishes that had resulted in failures for his forces, and Atemu was reluctant to send more of his men to their deaths.
Atemu sighed again and glanced at Karim. There was no other option.
"Very well, let's try it your way. Perhaps we'll learn something we can use."
-o-
Set gazed across the table at Akunadin, who had turned up in his hour of need, and as their eyes met Set found himself growing ever more concerned for his wife. After almost three long months, Neith was finally in labour, and her cries of pain could be heard echoing throughout the entire household. Set had no idea how she was but he longed for it all to be over. He wanted to see his son.
I wonder how she is right now. She doesn't sound too good. She's been in there for almost seventeen hours. How long must I wait? Set then yawned, his energy drained from the long wait for his son to be born.
"Don't fret, Set. The process of birth is the business of women. We men have no place there. We can best help by patiently waiting and praying to the Netjer for your son's safe passage into the world." Akunadin hoped he had hidden his concern over Neith's safety, but he could not help being worried about her.
"I know, but what are you doing here, anyway?" Set gazed up at his mentor from where his head rested on his folded arms. "I'd have thought it'd be almost impossible for you to leave the palace."
"I wanted to be here for you, and for Neith. And I would like to see the little one once he's born. Once one reaches my age, you learn to appreciate the value and beauty of new life," the old priest replied.
Set smiled happily, resting his head again on his arms.
"I can understand; I'm looking forward to seeing him walk and talk. But I do worry about keeping him safe, especially with what's been going on," the Hem Ntjr confessed, sighing.
Burying his face in his arms, Set cringed when another piercing scream rang out, breaking the tense silence. Neith sounded as if she was dying and he hated it. He hated being unable to do anything; being of no use to her was driving him insane. He felt as if he should be able to protect his wife and child. Set immediately shot up out of his seat when he heard another scream.
"Sit down, Set. There's nothing us men can do but wait until the child is born." Set slowly sat back down, Akunadin watching him. "Don't worry; I'm sure she'll be fine. Neith is a strong woman. Have faith."
Shooting up once again, Set's face contorted in anger. What did that old man know?
"How would you know? You've never had a child!" he snapped.
Looking away, Set glared at the wall and crossed his arms, sniffing the opium that drifted in from several rooms away. Neith really had to be in pain if she was using that. And what did Akunadin know, anyway? He was old, unmarried and childless, yet somehow Akunadin fancied himself as more then just his mentor. Set had thought he would end up just like the old priest until his feelings for Neith had transformed into something more.
"Don't you ever speak to me in such a tone; after all I've done for you! How dare you; you don't know the first thing about me, child," Akunadin spat.
They remained silent for several minutes, each annoyed by the other's attitude, their arms folded in exactly the same manner and their posture identical. This silent stand off was interrupted when a shrill wail pierced the air.
Recognising the sound for what it was, both of their eyes widened.
"He's finally here. You must be overjoyed," Akunadin smiled.
"At last the waiting is over! Lord Akunadin, I am so sorry for what I said. Please forgive my outburst; this has been so hard on me and I did not mean to offend you."
"I know Set. I understand."
I understand better then you think my boy, Akunadin added inwardly.
Set almost jumped on the spot he was that excited; he was finally a father! The waiting was finally over. He had grown tired from helping Neith through it all, and now he would finally receive his reward: a little baby boy, his own successor.
Embracing his closest friend, Set's eyes began to water.
"I never thought this would happen, you know," the young man admitted.
"I know, and I'm glad for you," Akunadin replied.
The old priest held Set close and Set himself felt hugely relieved. Once the chief midwife arrived some time later, Set followed her out, unaccompanied by Akunadin as he was taken to see his son. Why worry about Atemu any more? The Per A'a was back in the capital and would never catch him. Not now he had something so precious to live for.
-o-
Set quietly opened the door that led to the room where Neith had been taken to have their baby, the three maidservants the Hem Ntjr had hired as midwives having left Neith to grow accustomed to her new child. They had already cut the cord and washed the tiny child before laying him on a pillow of cloth. Meskhnet had told the fortune of the newborn before he had then been handed back to his mother. Set had no idea how Neith was feeling, but he was overjoyed that it was all over.
Having waited for such a long time, Set was looking forward to seeing his son. Of course, he wanted some time alone with Neith and Sobek, the three of them together as a family. Everyone and everything else could wait.
"Neith, are you all right?" Set asked. "Can I come in?"
"Of course you can come in." Neith was smiling down at something she held in her arms, her aura tired but radiant. "You should see your son; he's so perfect."
"I can imagine. Look at who his mother is," Set smiled.
"It's because of your flattery I find myself in this position, you wicked man," Neith giggled.
Set walked towards the young mother and sat next to her on the bed. Wrapping an arm around Neith's waist, he peered down over her shoulder at his son. Sobek was resting on his back on a pillow of white fabric that was wrapped around him, his large head resting in the crook of Neith's elbow. He was staring up at his mother with blue eyes. So this was his son?
"He's beautiful, isn't he?" Set tentatively reached with his free right hand towards his son, gently brushing his forehead with his finger. "Did it hurt?"
Paling, Neith went quiet.
"Yes, it did hurt; very much so. I thought I was going to die. It seemed like it would never end," she whispered.
Neith fell silent after that, refocusing her attention on their son. Set held his wife closer to him, feeling Sobek grasp fleetingly on his stroking finger. He was about to talk when Neith interrupted him.
"But let's not talk about it anymore. After all, we've got something much more precious out of all that pain. Haven't we, little one?" Neith cooed quietly, as Set looked back down at Sobek.
Sobek may look less than perfect, with slightly mottled skin that had a greasy sheen, as well as a flat nose and swollen head, but this child was his son and so he was perfect in every possible way. The love Set felt for Neith and Sobek was overwhelming and he was glad that they were together to share this moment. How his own father must have felt, to hold him like this. If only his mother was still alive to share his joy.
"Would you like to hold him?" Neith asked.
Set nodded, taking Sobek as the baby was handed to him. Neith manoeuvred Set's arms and hands until he was holding his son correctly, the Hem Ntjr feeling oddly at ease. Once Set was sure he was holding Sobek in the correct manner, he looked down contemplatively at the new life he was holding in his arms. Finally, it was all over.
How can this perfect little child be ours? I can't believe it, Set thought in awe.
Suddenly, a thought entered Set's mind. He would not make the same mistake as his father; he would be here for his son, not going off to die for some weak ruler who failed to appreciate such a sacrifice. Set wanted to watch Sobek as the child began to walk and talk, to give him advice on girls and be there when his son eventually had a child of his own.
I wonder how father felt, holding me like this for the first time. It's a shame he's not here; it's because of him I became a priest in the first place, Set thought deeply. Why did he have to die?
His arms supporting his son, Set gently leaned down to kiss the boy's forehead. Oh no, he would not die, no matter what Atemu might wish. He would be around for years to come. He would make sure of it.
-o-
Some time later…"You should have seen him, Akunadin. He was so healthy and strong I don't even know why I was worried in the first place."
Listening attentively, Akunadin looked across the room at his son who was leaning against the doorframe. After all this time, he was finally a grandfather. To a boy, no less! Pausing for a moment, Akunadin thought deeply about what this meant for Set.
There was now a continuation of his bloodline: the royal bloodline, to be precise. Now Set would have an even deeper right to claim the throne. The old priest wondered what the newborn looked like. He could still perfectly remember holding Set when he had first came into the world. Akunadin had felt delighted to hold such a beautiful creature, and he was sure his son now felt the same way.
"May I see him?" Akunadin enquired.
Set seemed hesitant; he was shifting uncomfortably and was in the process of folding his arms. Akunadin could tell with the Sennen Eye that Set was hesitant to let anyone near Neith or his child. He could tell that his son was thinking about the time he had spent with the one called Sobek, his own heart being filled with Set's overwhelming sense of pride.
Akunadin then ached unhappily, remembering what he had given up.
Why did I do it? he thought sadly, his face hardening. No, I can't get like this! Not with Set here.
"No offence, Lord Akunadin, but I shall be presenting him to the rest of society once him and his mother have gone through the purification ritual. You can see him then," Set answered, glancing at him.
It had taken Akunadin a lot to get up here. He had been forced to convince Atemu, his brother's spawn, that he needed to visit Iunu in the far north. This had given the old priest time to spend with his son. He had used black magic to create a portal to Naquda but it had been worth it. And now he was being told he had to wait?
"Are you sure I can't see him now?" Akunadin asked.
"I'm afraid not. Why do you keep on asking me?" Set seemed annoyed.
Because I'm family.
Akunadin could tell that Set thought of him as everything but the one thing he desired the most; a father. After all, how could he try to fill shoes that he already owned and had stepped out of so long ago?
-o-
Fourteen days later…Holding the tiny Sobek in his arms, Akunadin gently rocked his grandson, as the newborn slept for what Neith had said was the first time in a long time. Set was letting the old priest see his son before everyone else, not knowing that the family bond was much more than he suspected. Akunadin smiled; his grandson seemed like a strong healthy baby. Plus he was glad to see such strength passed onto the next generation, ensuring their bloodline for many years to come.
Akunadin looked from Sobek to Set and Neith, his son holding his tired wife close as they sat on the bed.
"He's a credit to you both," he announced, rocking Sobek gently. "And you, my dear. You must be relieved to finally be able to go back into the outside world."
Neith nodded at Akunadin, yawning tiredly as she rested her head against Set's shoulder.
The old priest smiled as he held his grandson close, yet he felt some pangs of sadness in his heart. He could clearly remember holding Set when he was this age, except Sobek was quieter; a whole lot quieter.
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Twenty years ago…"Why won't he stop crying, Akunadin?" Ain cried.
Holding his newborn son in his arms, Akunadin tried unsuccessfully to calm the child down as Ain sighed and ran her hands over her face, no doubt in a quandary over their son's constant crying.
Looking down at their wailing son, the dark-haired man felt no less proud about the little being him and his wife had brought into the world. For as soon as he had been born, his adorable son had been the most attention-seeking child he had ever seen! The whole household had been kept awake by his son's crying he was that demanding.
"Perhaps he's trying to live up to his name?" Akunadin replied, still looking down at his son. "That's what we get for naming him after the Netjer of Storms."
Akunadin chuckled at his words, whispering softly to Set in an attempt to soothe him.
It proved futile.
"I don't think I can take much more of this, Akunadin," Ain cried again. "Fourteen days? I won't be able to take it!"
"Ain, I'm sure you'll be fine. Perhaps he's just hungry?" Akunadin rocked his son gently, but to no avail.
There was fourteen more days to go before Set would be presented to the royal court and his brother, Akunumkanon. But now, if his brother failed to produce an heir, the throne would pass to his son. Akunadin smiled at this. His family would rise to glory once again, so long as Set was the only one who could inherit.
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Sometime later, Neith had taken her son back from Akunadin, and as Neith sat on the edge of the bed the old priest sat down next to her. Feeling Akunadin stroke her arm, Neith remained perfectly still as she felt her skin crawl, recoiling from the unwanted physical contact. She glanced up at Set to her right, seeking support.
"He is a fine child, a real treasure," the old priest said.
"Thank you, Lord Akunadin," Neith replied.
Akunadin then took Sobek from Neith once again, holding him aloft. And this made the child's mother even more uncomfortable for reasons she could not pin down. The old priest had been hovering around her and Set ever since Sobek had been born, and Akunadin had said something to her husband that had caused Set to grow equally uncomfortable. The old priest seemed almost desperate to keep in contact with his old pupil. And what was this fascination Akunadin had with her son?
Neith glanced at the old priest as he cooed to Sobek, watching him carefully.
"Yes, this one's stars are quite clear. Oh yes; you'll be as great as your daddy," Akunadin commented.
Neith questioningly looked up at her husband, who shook his head and gazed down at his wife, mentor and son protectively.
It's obvious he's just trying to flatter me into coming over his side: to get me to remove Atemu, Set thought darkly, continuing to watch the three with a watchful eye.
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"I hope I haven't offended your wife in some way, Lord Set. I don't think she likes me," Kisara mumbled.
Set held Sobek close and stood quietly in the room he had given Kisara in the servant's quarters. Worried about the dwindling but still-present friction between Neith and his guest, the Hem Ntjr shook his head and glanced at the white-haired girl.
"This is our first child, so she's a little emotional," Set replied, resting his hand beneath his son's head. "I'm sure she just feels threatened by your presence, but she'll get over it soon. In fact, she's been talking about you to me. She feels somewhat a fool that she acted the way she did, but she's too proud to admit it." Set chuckled and shook his head. "Anyway, that's enough about my wife. How are you doing? Do you feel any better?" he asked Kisara.
"A bit, yes. I just feel constantly tired for some reason. I'm still not used to this hot weather. I don't know how you people stand it," Kisara replied.
Set chuckled, holding Sobek close.
"I guess we're born into it and don't really notice how hot it seems to others," the Hem Ntjr thought aloud.
Set moved closer to allow Kisara to gaze upon the tiny baby, which made the girl's face light up.
"He's beautiful, Lord Set. He has your eyes. Thank you so much for allowing me to see your lovely child. You both must be very proud of him," Kisara smiled.
"Yes we are indeed. I thought you might enjoy seeing him, and I'm glad I was right. You should rest now and regain your strength."
Set had known that his wife's jealously would come to the fore but he was glad it seemed to be abating. Besides himself and his mentor, Neith refused to let anyone else near Sobek. Set put it down to a mother's instinct. And even though he was pleased that Akunadin had came to visit, Set was making sure to keep the old priest away from Kisara. He knew Akunadin would only try to pressure him once again into taking Kisara's Ka, and he had no desire to do so as long as it meant the girl's death.
Speaking of which, Set glanced up when he saw that Akunadin was standing at the open entrance to Kisara's room. The pale girl backed away from the two men as if she could sense the purpose of the older man's visit. Fear was written plainly on her face and shone in her blue eyes. Sadly, Set could see Kisara was shaking with fright.
"Is there something I can do for you, Lord Akunadin?" Set asked.
"Yes. I wish to have a word with you." The old priest then glanced at Kisara. "Alone."
"Very well," Set agreed, nodding at Kisara. "Until next time."
Set then left with his mentor and followed the old man out into the courtyard, passing several soldiers on the way. No doubt, the old man would rag on his not taking the girl's Ka. And he was soon proved right.
"So, you've got no stomach for killing to acquire power, yet you could to defend Kemet? Are you falling for this pathetic slave girl, Set?" Set grew visibly irritated, irked at Akunadin's words. "I was disappointed that you had not sealed her Ka by the time I came to visit you. I had thought that you would have seen sense by now."
"I will not take her Ka when it means her death. I've told you this much before!" Set snapped, noticing that Sobek was squirming in his arms. "Now look what you've done!"
Set's fingers hurriedly stroked his son, attempting to calm Sobek down but to no avail. The Hem Ntjr grew red-faced as a cry began to echo throughout the courtyard and he rested Sobek against his shoulder and patted him on the back. At times, Set thought that he would never get any sleep again.
"Set, I only care for you, " Akunadin said.
"You do? Well you've got a funny way of showing it!" Set retorted, still patting Sobek on the back. "Damn it! Why'd Neith have to go to sleep? Why do you care so much, anyway?"
"Because I'm your – "
Suddenly, there was a commotion as a soldier called for the two men's attention. Set could see the soldier running up to him as more of his men amassed around the entrance to his estate, rumours spreading quickly as the one who had ran up to Set informed the Hem Ntjr that they had caught a spy in the town.
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