Part: 1/6
Warning: death and spoilers for the Ancient Egyptian arc.
Summary: AU. Pharaoh Atem is too young to resolve the conflicts that threaten to tear down the royal palace. Amid the crisis, a priest rises above the corpses with insatiable desire for power.
A/N: I put notes along the fic. Don't read them if not needed because they interrupt the flow of the story. Now, before you read, think about Seto in early manga.
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It was a day with unbearable heat and dust. Shu (1) scattered the clouds with blows of hot sand to reveal the sun disk that shone its radiant rays upon Kemet (2). One wanted but rested lethargic limbs under a shaded tree by the Nile and listened to the sounds of water over rocks. Most people, however, were not following the temptation of the day in spite of the afternoon that caused their bronze bodies to perspire. They were gathering on the dusty streets and waiting patiently.
There were the neighs of horses, the knocks against the ground of hooves, the stamping sandals, the turning wheels and unidentified noises of various cattle. The main gate of the city gave a creaking sound as it was slowly opened.
The loud jubilant cries and cheers started rising and flags flew high on the sky as troops debouched into the city. The infantry and chariotry stepped forth with shining spears and shields, bows and quivers, cattle following behind, and laden carts of booty and provisions rolling through. Flowers rained in the air and over the troops, a spectacle of beauty and joy.
Marching among the infantry before the chariotry was a white horse, its graceful back bearing a small rider clad in full armor that spoke clearly of him as a man of status. He was holding a spear which caught the sunlight and gleamed impressively.
A layman recognized the rider and cried, "Hem-Netjer-Tepey Seth, the General!" (3)
The words spread. The gay crowd recognized him almost immediately and the sounds erupted again like thunders and bounced off the city walls.
"Seth, He Before Whom the Sky Shakes!" (4)
"He who slays his enemies to bring triumph."
With a graceful movement of his hand, the rider took off his helmet, shook his long hair and lifted his face. He was a young boy, not much older than sixteen, but his jaw was that of steel and his eyes were of a strange color -- intense blue ringed by a silver corona around the irises. The boy was not smiling but on a corner of his lips was a hint of a satisfied smile -- one that he and no one else deserved.
He regarded the crowd for a moment and lifted his hand in response. Everyone started falling on their knees, shouting.
"General Seth! We welcome you home!"
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The sound was still reverberating in his ears as he stepped towards the camp with his commanders. Upon their arrival, servants and grooms bustled around them to discharge the sick and wounded to the physicians and horses to the stalls. The men were billeted and the trophies were dispatched to the scribes who would record before delivering them to proper vaults.
Seth was still busy with the many mandatory duties as a servant approached and bowed. "Per A'a requests an audience with you immediately, General."
Huffing in annoyance at being interrupted in his job and knowing that he could not refuse the audience, he replied with a glare.
"Deliver my words that I shall be by his royal Highness' seat swiftly."
After giving careful instructions to one of his trusted officers, he headed towards the throne room. The guards stopped and released him off all of his weapons except the Millennium Rod before allowing him to enter.
Upon the golden chair sat Per A'a Atem who looked even younger than Seth was, his two sides flanked by his entourage.
Seth prostrated, kissed the ground and greeted. "Atem, Per A'a of the Upper and Lower countries, Majesty of Horus, Son of Re whom Ptah approves, Mighty Bull who roams with the strength of Horus."
"I'm pleased to see you back with another victory, General Seth. You may look up now."
Having given permission, he lifted his head and met the crimson eyes of his ruler briefly before sweeping his eyes around the room. It had been more than three months since he set his foot there but there were not many changes -- he could recognize the faces of most of the scribes, viziers and Netjer-Tepeys. All of them were in the same erect imposing posture but he was not afraid for his status was equal or higher than all, except Per A'a who was Horus himself and the old vizier Shimon who had served under Per A'a Akunamukanon, may him sleep in peace.
There stood his mentor, Lord Akunadin, still as gaunt and haunted with an unblinking single red eye under the hood. By his side was Keith, the Bearer of the Millennium Scale, unkempt and bulky built, a perpetual haughty smirk on his face that could rival his own. On the other side were Shadah, a little too stiff and stern looking for his age, who stood still like a statue and grasped the Millennium Anhk in one hand, Isis with eyes dark like those of a cobra, and Mahaado...
Seth sneered inwardly at the sight of the tall man.
To him, Mahaado was a petty narrow-minded hypocritical man who became a Hem-Netjer-Tepey because of his noble line and preceding relationship with Per A'a when the latter was still the Crown Prince. Seth hated those who possessed no skills but received sinecures as he and his men had to shed blood and tears in endless battles.
"General, I have received news from your messenger about the valor you and your men have displayed during the campaign. Yet, words of mouth are not sufficient. I would like to hear it directly from you."
"Your Majesty, I hereby humbly beg deliver my report, as true and impartial as possible. According to the decree, I have led nine thousand men to follow the desert routes and travel south. We moved on barren landscapes for days to Nebet (5), quickly passed Semna (6) until we reached the third cataract (7) where the rebelled Khenet-hennefer (8) stationed. The army was divided into three divisions, Amen, Re, and Ptah, each consisting of four three men. The infantry Amen confronted the resurgence directly from the front with the support of the chariotry Re to cut through. With the naval Ptah attacking from the river side to block the retreat, we have smitten and slain our foes. Third cataract was seized and peace was established," Seth concluded, rising his head to look under his bangs, unable to conceal the pride in his voice.
Akunadin delivered a look of approval his way and some of the scribes and minor priests nodded their heads. The young Per A'a appeared pleased and spoke.
"I give praise to your prowess and skills that have exulted over the Khenet-hennefer, General. I shall honor and remunerate all brave men as fitted. Oh, General, it seems something is missing in your report. You have accounted the events and the victory but not the loot."
Seth quickly bowed and answered.
"The acquired possession is plenty. There are more than two thousand mares, foals and stallions. The number of cattle excesses four thousands. For jewelry, there are polished gem stones, golden earrings, headbands, armbands, chains, and necklaces. Additionally, we have chariots, some wrought in silver, leather armor, bronze weapons like bows, swords, spears and maces. The specific number will be in my written report to your Majesty."
A pondering look flickered on Atem's countenance and he knew the inquiry before it came.
"You have done and reported well. Yet, I have not heard any mention of the prisoners of war. How many have you captured?"
Atem and the other Netjer-Tepeys were looking at him in expectation which he bent his head to avoid and replied shortly although not least politely.
"There is none."
He heard someone gasp and a sudden silence surrounded the room like fingers of the death.
"You have killed them all, have you not?
"Even the aged?"
"Women?"
"Children?"
"There is none alive," he repeated dutifully and trustfully, suddenly conscious of his long hair that had grown messily past his shoulders, armor stained with unwashed blood, and tunic and breeches discolored due to days of sleeping in sand covered tents.
Whispers started spreading. He caught words like 'barbarian', 'savage', and 'inhuman' but he tried to ignore them all.
"With little regard for the people! That is too cruel an action, General Seth! Do you still remember what you have sworn last time?" This time, it was Mahaado's voice that lay the blame on him and Seth found himself thrown into rage that boiled his heart at the accusing voice.
"What do you know about it, Mahaado? If you do not even know the art of warfare, how do you understand?"
"Behave, Hem-Netjer-Tepey Seth! You shall not speak that way in front of Per A'a," Shimon reproached.
He swallowed his rage down. "My apology, Lord Shimon."
"Seth, Mahaado is right. Twice have you done the same thing, brutally murdering children, men and women alike with no thoughts of mercy. 'Killing the innocent, I shall not,' you had uttered the words as you were kneeling before me at this place before you departed three months ago. You have not kept your words!" said Atem, rolling his red eyes.
"Your Majesty, I have endeavored to adhere to my words! The plan was meant to trample the Khenet-hennefer with pure power of arms. Although we had the factor of surprise which entailed the initial victory, we did not anticipate backup support. We were enumerated which led to the death and injury of hundreds and thus, decided to strategically retreat to the desert. For a month, we were besieged by the enemies with no provisions and I could do naught to save my men except... " He stopped briefly to consider his words and continued, "... breaking the seals to lent on the power of my tamed spirit beasts. The destruction of my Blue Eyes unfortunately left few alive. Those who escaped the attacks were all dangerous chieftains who were requested to... commit suicide. The camps and villages were subsequently burnt to ashes."
He saw some people flinch and Atem rub his forehead in exasperation as Mahaado continued glaring at him. The other Hem-Netjer-Tepeys were neither against nor supportive except Akunadin who was gazing at him in sympathy.
"Once again you have unleash your spirit beasts, General! I feel such irresistible anger that is gripping my heart. Yet, your action served to save our people and you deeds deserve but honor." Per A'a shook his head hopelessly and rose. "I wish things could have been changed but mayhap, it is useless to speak of it at this moment. A ritual to pray for the souls of death will be performed two days after and I expect to see you and your commanders there, General!"
"Yes, your Majesty. Might I beg your leave to retire to my quarters now?"
"Off you go, General," said Per A'a and waved him off.
He bowed, stood up and left quickly, sensing stares locked on his back until he reached the entrance. No one heard his silent grumble about a 'sniveling Per A'a' as his sandals strolled the corridor angrily to his quaters.
TBC
Notes:
1. Shu is the God of air.
2. Kemet is the name the Ancient Egyptians call their own land.
3. Hem-Netjer-Tepey stands for High Priest.
4. That's the meaning of the name Seth from the God.
5. Nebet is the ancient Nome of Kom Ombo.
6. Semna stays south of the second cataract in Nubia.
7. Nubia is marked by the First Cataract in the north and Sixth Cataract in the South.
8. Khenet-hennefer is name given to the riverine Kushites or Kush in Nubia. Their land is called Kash.