Responses to Comments:
NeferNefari - Heh, what I meant was the plan will work out, just not the way the Queen had originally wanted it to. And don't worry, Atem will be alive … since the story will be over if he died. Enjoy this chapter though!
Kuruelna Kahini Kilani - Yeah, the story does slow down since there's so much plotting by the characters. It probably would have been better if some of the chapters were combined together, but since I didn't write this story …
If I had, I'd probably put in even more twists to it … hehehehe.
Chapter 6
During the evening, the Queen once more gathered together her servants. After the course of several discussions later, they finally drafted a plan.
At this moment, a maid suggested to the Queen, "Your Highness, this plan is not as simple as it seems. If we were to only depend on ourselves to carry it out, I cannot guarantee that something unexpected will not happen …"
"Your meaning is … to look for a figure in the royal court to aid us?" The Queen asked.
"Yes. Then our plan would be even easier to accomplish." The maid responded.
"Hmm…" Although this was only a small problem, yet the Queen pondered it over for a long time.
'Who should I ask to assist me? … These days, people's hearts can be very sinister… I have to be on my guard …'
The Queen sighed and headed toward a window overlooking the palace, still brightly lit. Just as she was watching the scenery from the window to help relieve her worries, unexpectedly, a man's image flashed across her eyes. That person was the most respected of the priests in the court – High Priest Meti.
'Yes, Meti! Hmm, among the priests, there probably isn't anyone else with as much power as Meti. In addition, from what I know, he isn't a bad person. He'll probably be able to help me.'
The Queen happily thought this, but after a moment she realized, 'But, Meti is a priest … and a priest absolutely obeys the decrees of the gods. What I am doing now is disobeying them. Will he help me?! If … if he doesn't assist me … and instead leaks out my plans … then what should I do?'
The Queen paced around her room in a continuous rhythm, thinking right and left, as she finally made up her mind.
'Alright … I'll make a gamble on this.'
She picked up a pen made of white goose feathers and rapidly wrote out a string of sentences on a piece of papyrus. After stamping the end of the letter with her seal, she immediately rolled it up with another piece of paper. The Queen called over her trusted servant, Sala and told her, "Sala. This letter is related to our plan. You must carefully deliver it to Priest Meti without bringing suspicion to us. Also, take note to not let others know who you are. Do you understand?"
"Yes, my lady. Even if I were to lose my life, I will safely deliver the letter!" After speaking this, Sala promptly changed into a dark colored garment and quietly slipped away from the room.
{In a Temple}
Meti was engrossed in reading a report on the progress of repairing the temples and shrines when he suddenly felt someone close in on him, moving very carefully.
'Is it an assassin?! … No, I don't feel any murderous intent from the person. Then who could it be?'
He quickly stood and headed towards the door.
By now, Sala had already reached the door to his room and looked around her surroundings. Certain that there wasn't anyone around, she lifted her hand in preparation to knock on the door when it suddenly opened. Sala was surprised at this as a voice asked, "Who are you? Why did you seek me out in the middle of the night?"
She realized that it was only Priest Meti speaking and immediately knelt down before responding to his question.
"Priest Meti, I am a maid from the Women's Palace. Under the orders of a certain person, I come here to give you a confidential letter."
"A maid from the Women's Palace? … Give me the letter."
'Women's Palace … can it be …'
At once, Sala handed over the letter the Queen wrote. Meti looked over its contents, not uttering a word.
'Should I help the Queen? I am a priest … as such, I should try to prevent this plan from succeeding. However, I am suspicious of that old thief Akunadin's words. Hmm…'
Sala watched Meti anxiously. 'What should I do? Priest Meti doesn't give me an answer.'
In the end, Meti broke the silent atmosphere and sat down to write a reply to the Queen. He then tells Sala, "You must return quickly! Don't let anyone see you here."
Her task completed, Sala took the letter and left quickly. Watching Sala leave with his eyes, he immediately called for a servant.
"… Go inform him of this. Move quickly! We must tell him of this before the plan is carried out."
"Understood, Priest Meti!" The servant hastily ran towards the royal palace …
The stars were itinerant – seemingly as if to tell the people that a great storm would begin in the Egyptian royal family. Even more, it would be a storm enveloping the whole country …
Author's Corner:
Youlan: Once again, I write a chapter filled with useless words… I think I'm finished …
Yami Youlan: From the beginning, you were finished. (Indicating the people in the rear, scathing with murderous looks.)
Youlan: AHHHH!
Yami Youlan: I will offer incense for you. Do you have any final words?
Youlan: Remember to burn me some novels… waaaa!!! (In a moment, Youlan is KOed.)
Yami Youlan: How annoying …
Updated on May 6, 2004 by Rika.