Through The Shadows – Chapter 9 – Horizons Of Grayness
FAB: (sings) "Ricky was a young boy – he had a heart of stone, lived 9 to 5 and worked his fingers to the bone!"
Malik: Stop this noise of yours! This isn't the band's gathering anyway. Why can't you sing something nice and quiet? what are all the screams and wild sounds for?
FAB: Go to Hell, Malik, I love Skid-Row!
Malik: I just don't like your screams while I'm doing homework…
FAB: Get used to this, my dear, screams and music lovers are welcomed! And so my dear ANGST readers! How are you? I just feel I have to write another chapter!
Malik: And FAB is singing out-loud some hard ROCK songs while doing so!
FAB: Oh well, I think I disturbed our dear Malik a little…By the way Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN YGO! But I believe in magic…STARCRAFT…
Malik: Now you are going to whine about your reviews…
FAB: Oh…Yeah, almost forgot that part…So, dear readers, if you like this story then please R+R!
It takes a second to review, but it can change someone's entire day…
Malik: Now it's my turn. On with Chapter 9!
Chapter 9 – Horizons Of Grayness
Pharaoh Atemu stared at the morning horizons. He sat on his balcony, one of the most peaceful places he knew those days, and was deep in thoughts. He couldn't believe he was so rude to Kisara just yesterday, hitting her and hurting her so badly…
(What had gotten into me then? I can't even understand myself…It wasn't her fault, after all…How could she know about me loving her at the time?...Well, she should have been more careful. She mustn't have gone to see Seth, she mustn't have disobeyed her father…It's her price to pay.) But the remembrance of her silent, desperate scream when he roughly shook her, the pain he saw in her eyes, her shocked and weakened state…He shouldn't have hurt her, he shouldn't have made her cry even harder. He had to make her realize she loved him and only him…
Atemu glanced at the sun rising up. The fact that Seth was away – made him feel more confident about Kisara (Seth can never stand in my way now. But I have to make her understand…I have to make her love me.). He closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of the dawn light on his face. This day was going to be very busy, some guests from neighbor countries wanted to meet him, and he had to take care of the usual kingdom issues.
He slowly got dressed and walked down the marble stairs. When he reached Kisara's bedroom, he silently went to the door, and opened it without making a noise. He stared at the small sleeping figure over the bed. He got into the shadowed room, and closer to where Kisara was lying. Tilting his head over her, he saw she was shivering and her pale skin was cold for his touch. He quickly picked up her fallen blanket and covered her with it again, helping her lay more comfortably. She was cold…really cold…(I will send Ikana to help her when she wakes up. She must get better as soon as possible because our wedding is coming. She needs her rest.) He sat there, blinks of guilt still consuming a corner in his heart for what he had done to her, but he shook it away and got up, leaving Kisara alone again as he went to his business.
Seth was really tired that day, riding on his horse. He knew it was very dangerous to keep riding when the tendency to fall asleep was taking over him, but he had no other choice. He had hardly slept the previous night, he dreamt about Kisara crying from pain and betrayal, and his eyes were sore from tears he couldn't cry. He wished he would have stayed with her.
(I'm afraid Atemu can hurt her. What if he found out about Kisara and me? He can be really cruel and ruthless. I don't know what to think. I'm not sure what should I do. Maybe turn back my horse and ride back to Pharaoh's palace? I still can prevent the wedding if I interfere it…But what about my father? What about the power he wishes me to obtain? So what the hell should I do now? I feel I can't keep going, but I can't return too…Oh, Kisara…) and as he stared into the eternal desert around as he prayed for her (Please hold on…)
Ever since he has gone searching for Kaa, Seth had to leave Kisara, but this time the situation was much more critical. But maybe if they rode faster, they could make it to the village and back in time.
"We are not doing a rest stop today," said Seth as he navigated his horse towards one of his servant "We are going to keep this pace from now on, we have to hurry up." the servant nodded, and quickly the message passed through the convoy. They kept riding as the unforgiving sun beat down on their backs and the sand burned under the horses' hoofs. (I'm not going to stop! I'm not going to give up! I will make it back in time, and I will save Kisara!)
The cold night breeze blew lightly through the windows in the hall Atemu was sitting in. He was a little tired; he did a great work today, receiving people and solving problems like lack of water for the eastern fields and some trade conflicts.
The sun was slowly lowering in the horizon, and the sky was darkening again. He watched the view silently, lost in thoughts. Suddenly a knock was heard as young girl with worried expression entered the room. She bowed, and Atemu looked at her.
"What is it now, Ikana?" he asked the girl bowing on the floor.
"I'm sorry, my great Pharaoh, but…I waited and waited for mistress Kisara to wake up, but she wouldn't…" the girl didn't dare looking Pharaoh Atemu in the eyes. He got up, worried expression floating over his face.
"What do you mean by that?" he asked, his voice filled with glints of horror and anger. Ikana got up slowly. "She just…just didn't open her eyes today…"
Pharaoh Atemu stormed out the hall, with very terrified Ikana at the heel, mumbling "I didn't know what to do so I just came to…I'm so afraid, I tried to…Please…"
"Be quiet!" Atemu shot back, glaring at her dangerously. Ikana immediately stopped talking and run after him to Kisara's room. Atemu opened the door, and rushed inside. He knelt down beside her, watching her, desperate to understand what was wrong with her.
She was really pale in the gray light of her room, her skin was cold and she was quivering. Her breathing was slow, and when he saw her chest rhythmically rising he felt drops of relief pouring into his heart. (But why wouldn't she wake up? Is she that tired?)
Ikana stood there, watching in horror as the Pharaoh slowly raised one hand and put it on Kisara's face. "She is cold, but she is alright. She suffered some kind of breakdown lately. I believe she will be alright, she just need more sleep. She slept all day, still she needs more. She will be perfectly fine tomorrow."
(How can the Pharaoh be so sure?) Thought Ikana, but didn't dare to say a thing like this to the Pharaoh. She nodded silently, brushing a tear away from her face. "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, my Pharaoh, I just was so scared and…"
But Atemu shook his head. "It's alright. You don't have to keep apologizing, you disturbed me too, but it is fine. Don't worry now. She is alive and breathing."
"Yes, your majesty." said Ikana quietly.
"Now listen: when Kisara wakes up tomorrow, help her get ready and bring her to the weavers Hall. I ordered them to make her attire for our wedding." said Atemu, still looking at Kisara "I told them she must look adorable." Ikana nodded once again, bowing lightly.
"I have to go now. I believe Mahado wished to see me." said Atemu and walked away, leaving Ikana alone with the sleeping-queen-of-Egypt-to-be.
Ikana looked at her, a worried expression still on her face, and sighed. (I hope she will be fine as the Pharaoh said…) she sat down next to Kisara, gently covering her again.
"You know what I heard today from our beloved Pharaoh Mana?" asked Mahado the instant he came home.
"Did something happen?" asked Mana with a curious look on her face. "The Pharaoh is again worried about Kisara. She didn't wake up at all today. According to what I heard, she is still sleeping even now. They just can't make her open her eyes. But Pharaoh Atemu says it is alright and she will wake up tomorrow. What do you think?"
Mana looked at him seriously. "I don't know…It isn't normal, no doubt about that…Maybe she needs some help. I'm afraid she was shocked when she realized Seth had abandoned her…Poor girl," said Mana, concern appearing in her voice. "I will go to the Pharaoh's palace tomorrow, and ask for his permission to help with her. She needs attention and affection right now, and I believe the Pharaoh is too busy lately with the preparations for his wedding and those damned farmers from the east."
"I think you are right, Mana, great idea. I'm sure the Pharaoh will be pleased. He really needs someone to take care of Kisara so she won't be left alone."
(Tomorrow then…Poor Kisara, she is in great shock right now. All because of me…I went and found out about her and Seth. She is suffering so much because of me. I have to help her. I won't leave her alone after what I did.) Thought Mana, feeling really guilty, as she and Mahado were eating dinner in complete silence.
They had to stop, eventually. The servants fixed a bonfire and prepared some food and water, but Seth thought only about the dueling against the Pharaoh. He had to improve his skills and moves. He ate quickly, and then he asked his servants to organize the filed for a battle. He had to play against one of them, but he wasn't arrogant and haughty. He knew everyone of them was wise enough to make him notice new moves and improve his own.
When he finished the game, the servants went to sleep and some of them went to guard the campsite. He laid awake, watching the stars, worrying about Kisara and wishing she was here with him.
Kisara opened her eyes. She had to make such an effort to do this, it tired her so much again. Bright lights were shining through the shadows, and it made her eyes hurt. She closed them again, tears immediately streaming on her face from the dazzle.
The door was opened, and Kisara turned her head, fighting to open her eyes once more. She saw the blurred figure of Ikana running to her.
"Oh, mistress Kisara, I was so worried, I didn't know what to do anymore…" the excited girl hugged her and almost cried "I couldn't wake you up yesterday, but Pharaoh Atemu said you will be alright and finally you are awake!" she let go of Kisara and stared at her "You scared me so much. You were sleeping all day long…" Kisara smiled tiredly, but before she could say a word Ikana started her speech again "I hope you are alright now. I just…"
"I was sleeping the entire day?" asked Kisara in amazement, her voice husky and low.
"Yeah, but who cares? Now you are alright and…"
Kisara's hands grabbed her head as pain shot through her. "Mi-mistress Kisara?" asked Ikana "What is it with you?"
The pain reduced a little, and Kisara could look at her again. "I don't know. My head hurts, and…I feel unwell…"
"It has to pass," said the voice of Pharaoh Atemu. Kisara turned to the door, to look at him, into his eyes. He smiled at her and it confused her. (Wasn't he the one that caused me so much pain? But maybe it was a dream? I saw many horrible things, but maybe everything was just a bad dream? Maybe he doesn't know about Seth and me…Maybe he still knows nothing…)
She was so lost in thoughts she didn't notice Atemu picked her up and carried her to the river, when small natural lagoon was filled with cold fresh water. Then he left, and Ikana helped her to undress and wash herself in the sacred waters. "You will feel a lot better after…Ooh, where did you get these?" asked Ikana suddenly, looking at the deep marks on Kisara's arms. Kisara looked at them, and then the remembrance came back to her…
/"I see," he hissed through the anger, his voice was distorted with rage "You disobey me." he grabbed her arms violently, pulling her up, his nails digging into her skin "You won't do it again; you won't ever think or speak of him again." Kisara let out a scream when the pain reached her mind. She opened her eyes to see twisted expressions on Atemu's face; he was enjoying her double pain. He threw her down, her body falling weakly on the floor, her tears streaming on her cheeks, red marks left on her skin where he painfully gripped her./
(So it wasn't just a dream…He knows…And Seth had left me forever…) "I-I must have injured myself accidentally somehow…" Kisara closed her eyes, letting Ikana's gentle touch soothe her physical and mental pain.
After breakfast Kisara was brought to the weavers hall.
"Mistress Kisara?" she heard her name, and turned around, supporting herself by holding the wall. Her legs were weak and she could hardly walk. Her skin was paler than any other time that day. "Hello, my name is Mana. I'm the apprentice of priest Mahado," she saw the speaker was a young girl with beautiful eyes.
"Nice to meet you," answered Kisara politely and the girl smile. "Pharaoh Atemu sent me to help you get prepared for the wedding. I really want to help you out! Please ask me for anything and everything, and I will do the best in my powers to assist you." the girl said heatedly.
Kisara looked amazed for a moment, but then she remembered she was going to be the queen of Egypt. She smiled sadly, holding the wall tighter and replied "Well, please just call me Kisara. I want you to be my friend, is it alright?"
Mana looked at her (So she is so kind and polite. And she is very beautiful too. I understand why the Pharaoh chose her. I'm going to make sure she will look wonderful on her wedding day.)
The weavers came into the hall, and Mana sat Kisara down, talking to her about materials and clothes, pointing at the examples and asking her what she liked. "I don't know much about these things," said Kisara finally and smiled warmly yet weakly at Mana "I believe you can choose something beautiful for me. I know I can rely on you, you know so much about clothing."
Mana smiled back. "Are you allowing me choose the attire for you? Really?" She asked. Kisara nodded. "So I suggest this one." Mana pointed at a folded example of clothing. Kisara was about to take it and look how it was, but Mana stopped her "Please don't! you have to wear it on the body. You can never feel a cloth unless you put it on you."
Kisara nodded, and got up slowly. The weavers put their work and went out to let Kisara undress. When Mana helped her out her dress, she noticed the marks on her arms. "Oh, I see you injured yourself…" she said as she examined the marks "Don't worry, I have the perfect medicine for these. I will give you some later and the marks would disappear in no time!"
Kisara had to admit the clothing was really beautiful. A long, bright, fair skirt, the rims of it were set with beautiful stones and embroidered in a very special way. The top part of the gown was made to expose her arms and shoulders, and made Kisara look even more beautiful than an angel.
"You are marvelous," admired Mana, feeling tears welling in her own eyes from excitement "Of course, you'd need jewels and so makeup, but even without them you look absolutely amazing!" Kisara smiled weakly.
"Thank you very much Mana, I really appreciate your help." yet Kisara sounded somehow sad and unsure. Mana knew exactly why. (I won't let you think about Seth, Kisara dear, I am here to make you concentrate only on your wedding.)
Suddenly Mana's conscience shrank lightly inside of her. "Kisara…" she whispered. Kisara's ocean eyes looked at her "I'm sorry…" Mana said.
"Sorry for what, Mana?" asked Kisara.
"Nothing, I'm just sorry…" and Mana looked away as Kisara stared wonderingly at her.
At evening Kisara and Ikana went to the gardens to walk. Kisara felt much better, and Ikana was full of questions "I heard your wedding dress is the most beautiful dress any girl in Egypt desires…" she said. Kisara smiled "Well…The dress is really beautiful. The weavers promised it would be ready in time."
"And what about that girl, Mana? How is she?" asked Ikana curiously.
"She is alright, she was very nice to me. She even gave me some medicine for the marks on my arms." told Kisara.
"Yeah, I heard about her. She is Mahado's trainee, you know. I heard she is a talented priestess-to-be." said Ikana as she helped Kisara to sit down and get a little rest. A while passed in silence.
"You know, we should head back now. The Pharaoh wanted to eat dinner with you, and you need to rest afterward. Tomorrow I will take you to a nice shore near the palace so you can rest and bathe. It is clean and nice place, you will love it." Ikana said. Kisara nodded and the girls started to walk back into the palace.
"Kisara is a good person. I'm glad that your majesty chose her. My Pharaoh, she will be perfect for you," said Mana as she stood before the Pharaoh.
"Did you help her with her wedding attire?" asked Atemu, eyeing Mana.
"Yes your majesty." she said, and Atemu smiled. Mana looked at him pleadingly "…My Pharaoh, I wish to give you something." she walked closer and handed Atemu a small package. Atemu looked at it wonderingly.
"It is a beautiful jewel I found for Kisara's wedding day, but I wish your majesty would give it to her." Mana bowed slightly "It is a very special jewel."
Smile spread across Atemu's face "Thank you Mana, I really appreciate your help."
"I'm here to be your loyal slave and servant forever." said Mana as she asked for permission to go.
(I will make sure Kisara is happy with Pharaoh Atemu more than she could have ever been with Seth!)
FAB: Soo dear readers, how is the chapter?
Malik: Stop! No one appreciates your miserable tries to write!
FAB: Really? But I still hope someone reads this…
Malik: Ah, you wish!
FAB: Oh well, I think I need to go. Goodbye, dear readers, and please don't forget to review! Have a great time reading!
"18 and life you got it, 18 and life you know, your crime is time and now it's 18 and life to go…" (Skid Row)