Disclaimer: See chapter 1

Chapter 5

With a start High Priest Seth awoke from his dream, grabbing the blanket and staring into space with wide, unseeing eyes. Slowly, his chest heaving with deep panting breaths, he unclenched his hand and passed it over his eyes. Then he looked up again, seeing Harachte's

face rising, red like freshly spilled blood. He sighed, then looked down at Atemu, as if to make sure he was still there. His eyes seemed glued to the peaceful face and very gently he brushed his ruler's blonde bangs out of his face, tucking them behind his ear.

Then he got up and walked a few metres, still staring at the sunrise.

Prayer of Seth to Maat, Goddess of justice and harmony

Maat, why did the gods send me a dream like this? Why did they show me dark meres and pitchblack holes? What do our dreams tell us? I was drowning in my dream and he was begging me to come back to him, asking me if I had forgotten my promise....

Does this mean I already betrayed his trust? Does this mean the desert dream we're living in is finally going to end?

Did I do wrong, Maat? Did I treat him injustly? Or is it the punishment for telling him I'd aid him even against the gods' will? If it is that I will gladly receive it. But don't expect me to ever regret it. I won't, because he is more to me than all the gods and goddesses combined.

I only beg you to keep him safe.

End of Prayer

Seth turned back to where Atemu lay, then he quietly started to prepare a meal to strenghten them for another day's journey. He also fed the camels, let them drink again. A bird's eery cry could be heard in one of the palmtrees as the heat was enveloping the desert again, burdening the air more with every merciless degree. A shadow seemed to be lying about the still land.

The priest patted Sitah's back, then took Athak's head between his hands, staring into the animal's eyes.

"May the gods always show you the right way," he whispered. Athak stood still, staring back. Then Sitah gently nudged Seth's arm as if to assure him of their loyality. Seth sighed, then he went back to the food.

"Mmmmmm"

Sleepily Atemu raised his head, smelling.

"Ah, Seth, is that...morning meal?"

Seth almost laughed at Atemu crawling nose-first with closed eyes towards him.

"Yes, my prince, that is our morning meal. The golden syprup of Nubian bees, dried dates and sweet balls of white rice. I hope you will enjoy it"

"How can you ask that, Seth? I smelled its wonderful scent even in my dream! And I'll be more than glad to taste it! Is there any reason for starting the day with a feast?"

Seth's eyes went slightly darker.

"Nothing but for a new sunrise."

"Then there is indeed a good reason. We should be thankful of every sunrise we live to see. I tended to forget that so many times in my life."

"Let us remind you then," Seth smiled and offered a date to Atemu.

They were walking again, but their spirits were low. Especially Seth was even more qiet than usual. Beneath a high slope of solid rock he raised his finger to his lips, signalling Atemu to be quiet. Then he listened for sounds in the still desert.

"What is it?", Atemu asked after long minutes of silence had passed.

Seth shook his head, passing his right hand over his forehead as if to wipe a fell image out of his mind.

"Nothing, my prince. Just a trick my ears played on me. I thought I heard the Nile's waters rushing."

"But that would be a good sign! It would mean we are nearing Abydos!"

"No, Abydos is too far from the Nile to hear the sounds of rushing water. At least at that time of the year, before the great flood comes. We would indeed be far from our course if we came across the Nile again. And that's what worried me. I think we went too far east indeed. I was doubtful yesterday, because I remembered the oasis much closer to the Nile. It seems I was right.The sandstorm might have changed the landscape....I am sorry, my prince. We should now be about mid-way to Abydos, yet Thebes is still closer."

Atemu shook his head.

"Don't worry, my faithful Seth. You did what you could. At least no one will be able to follow our tracks now. Do you know how we go on from here?"

Seth looked around doubtfully, shielding his eyes from the sun.

"I'm not sure of the way anymore", he declared finally. "We should ascend the rocks to get a clear view of our surroundings."

So they climbed up the small elevation, their bare legs scraping against the harsh stone. The sun illuminated the sandy top in a vast circle and there were small droplets of sweat on their faces when they reached it.

Seth rose to his full height, standing proudly amidst the hills and valleys of sand, letting his watchful eyes drift from one side to the other.

"I...feel danger," he suddenly murmured, eyes staring at something unseen far away. "I can't see it, but it is near. I could feel it since this morning and now it is so close. The darkness is welling up on the horizon."

Atemu furrowed his brow in confusion.

"Seth, I cannot see any darkness there. The sun is as bright as always."

But the priest turned around, a sudden urgency in his voice.

"Atemu, you must know...whatever happens, I...."

"Seth!!", Atemu shouted suddenly, his eyes on something next to the priest's leg.

As the other had taken a step forward while talking to his future pharao, something long, thin and yellow-brownish had started up from the sand like lightning.

But it was already to late.

"Ah!", Seth cried in pain, and the snake was sinking back, head darting to Atemu for the blink of an eye, then it slid away, leaving only a wavey trail in the sand.

"No, Seth!!", Atemu cried desperately, running to his priest's side. Seth stood still, his back bent, raising his head to his pharao.

"Atemu...Is it gone?....It's...You must know....", he whispered as the other grabbed him around the middle to support him.

"Shhh," the pharao whispered, as he let the heavy body sink down. He drew a short knife he had carried, bit his lip hard and with a swift stroke opened the wound further, flinching upon hearing Seth's pained gasp. As the poisoned blood flowed out of the wound, he ripped a strip out of his tunic and bound it tightly around the injured leg, a little above the wound. After that was done he crawled up to the priest's face, tears in his eyes and his lip bitten bloody.

"I did what I could, Seth. Now promise me you won't die. Promise you'll stay with me. This was a horned viper, a man can well survive her bite. Promise me you'll do. Promise me you won't give up," he begged, his voice rising in a frantic attempt to make his plea more convincing.

"Atemu....", the priest whispered, "Whatever happens....this journey was worth it....I don't want to spend my life with anyone...but you."

The tears spilled over and Atemu pressed his face into Seth's hair, shaking slightly, murmuring, "No, I won't give you up. I won't!" With that he lifted his face, turned and gave a loud whistle, shouting the camels' names. Then he half supported, half dragged Seth down the slope.

The camels were already waiting, sensing that something was wrong. Atemu made them lie down and hastily unpacked Athak, putting everything onto Sitah's back. Biting his lip again he lifted the priest's body and set him backwards onto Athak's back. Then he settled behind him, one hand pressing Seth to his body, the other holding the reins to keep himself steady. Seth looked at him, his face pale.
"My prince...You don't have to do this for me..."
"Shh," the other boy replied, "Get some sleep. All is well."
The priest's tired head sank upon Atemu's shoulder, as the pharao bent a little towards Athak's ear.

"It's back to Thebes, Athak," he whispered, "Let's hope you are as good a leader as your master."

Then he let the camels get up and with a shout they turned and ran.

Prayer of Atemu to Isis

Isis, mother! Protect us, make us come back savely to the palace.

You brought your husband back from the dead, please, save my Seth, save the one person I ever truly cared for! Make us swift as lightning and sure on our path, and give the camels strength.

Why did the gods do this to him? Because he promised to stay with me forever? Because he aided me in my flight? Why punish him, why not me?

He can't die now, now after all that has happened. I will get him back safe, I will. Please, Isis, help me. Take pity on your son's child, grant him that one wish.
Please...make him live!!!

End of prayer

Ra went down and rose again and still Atemu was riding. Only when the shadows grew shortest and the sun was unbearably hot, he let the camels rest, apologizing to them, but gazing worriedly at Seth.

The blue-eyed boy hadn't slept very long. The wound was swollen in spite of Atemu washing it every half an hour, also opening the strip of clothing that served to keep at least part of the venom in the blood from travelling up into the priest's body.

Most of the time Seth was silent during the ride, his face pale, but his wounded leg changing to a livid red colour. Sometimes Atemu would talk to him randomly, about anything that came to his mind. His father, the palace, the people, his childhood. Sometimes Seth would doze off for a while, grimacing when he woke again, but never complaining.

Now he was awake, watching Atemu hastily build up a small shelter with the tarp to provide some protection from the sun.

The younger boy didn't eat, barely drank a sip of water, then tried to feed the priest or get him at least to drink. Seth accepted the water gladly, but wasn't able to swallow the food. He didn't speak but breathed in short pants, eyes half-lidded.

"Are you in much pain?", Atemu asked, sounding a bit like a worried child.
Seth gave a short, gasping laugh, "Hardly," he said, but the pharao noticed full well that the other pressed his hand to his stomach.

"You are," he stated. And his point was proven as only a few minutes later Seth was sick, violently vomiting while his ruler held his shaking body, stroking his back softly.

They rested for a few hours, then rode on swiftly in the afternoon hours, again journeyed the whole night. Seth had fallen in a kind of unconscious sleep, now and then moaning softly, breathing heavily, head resting on Atemu's shoulder. He seemed to have nightmares, sometimes he cried out softly in his sleep.

Often Atemu looked up at the stars, and tears returned to his eyes. At those times he pressed his wet cheek to Seth's, whispering, "I don't want anyone but you. Stay, and we will forever be together."

Another sunrise made Atemu glance hopefully ahead and he saw the Nile. He thanked the gods, patting Athak's head, telling him, "You and Sitah are the wisest animals I have ever seen."

They only had to follow the river's course from now on.

At midday they found rest beneath green palm trees, enjoying the shadow. Atemu wetted the streak of his tunic he had untied from the other's leg and tried to cool Seth's forehead a little. He also got water to refill their bottles, made the priest drink a few sips, then swallowed some himself.

When the Ra was climbing down his golden path again, they journeyed on in haste. They passed fields and peasants working in them, stopping their work to stare at them. The full moon, Chons, replaced Ra's face, and in his gentle light Atemu saw the palace of Thebes appear in the distance.

Hastening on they reached the borders of the city when the first hesitant morning light glimmered on the horizon.

Author's Notes:

Snake:

Yep, I did a lot of research on it, the effects of its venom, they way it looks, the consequences and dangers of a bite, even the treatment of a snake bite. I hope it's all correct...if it isn't...well this is still an AU, so I have a last excuse –grins-

Return Journey:

I tried not to make it too long or too short. Remember they only take short rests and ride during the night as well. So they should be faster on their way back. Also, they are closer to the Nile and don't get hindered by sandstorms. So I think – or hope – the time it takes them to get back was chosen reasonably. Of course, I never journeyed by camel in the desert for longer than half an hour (which I paid for and was on a "tourist camel" anyway)

By the way, I have no clue if two can sit between the humps of a camel...well, they're only thin boys, it should work. Though they might sit very close...hehe But how else would Atemu transport his priest?

"Isis Mother":

In Ancient Egyptian mythology Isis is the mother of Horus and the pharaoh is considered the son of Horus.

Thanks for the reviews!! And sorry I made you wait longer this time – Loving Chocolate and Egyptian Dreams took me some time to do....

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