Chapter Twelve

"Alright, so talk." Bakare grunted. He watched Yaminah's secret lover through narrowed eyes. "What do you want?"

Seth smirked just a little. "A little impatient,aren't we? I'd be careful if I were you."

"You're the one who should take caution." Bakare growled. "You're wasting my time, Priest."

"Oh alright." Seth gave in. "I brought your people enough food from the palace to last you two months. But you'll only get it on one condition."

Bakare raised an eyebrow. "You want me to hand over Sagira." What a fool! Does he honestly think I'm going to hand my sister back to the pharaoh! Over some food?

"You can't honestly tell me your people are getting enough food the way you're doing it. Are you really willing to let them suffer over one life? You know no harm has ever come to Sagira in the palace. It's only here that she's being hurt, and you know it."

"Don't you dare presume that I don't know that! It's not about that. It's the principle of the matter. The King of thieves' sister living with the Pharaoh...do you know how that looks!"

Seth frowned now. "It looks like he wants his sister to live a better life. Why else would you have left her alone for so long? Need I remind you it was Beni that kidnapped her?"

Bakare growled. Damn it to Set! Even if I did think it was best, I wouldn't give him the satisfaction. Period! But...he's right. She was happier, and healthier back there..."What did you bring?" He changed the subject of conversation, allowing Seth to think he was thinking about it.

"All sort of things. Meats, cheeses. Wine. ." Seth opened his packs, to let the thief king examine it all. He watched him carefully,occasionally glancing over at Sagira, who was quiet.

Bakare finished his inspection, then nodded. "And all I have to do is give up my sister?"

"Not give her up,per se. I'm sure we could arrange for you two to see each other every now and again. I'm down here often enough with Yaminah,as you well know. I'm sure I could get her away from the palace." He came over to sit beside Sagira now. "How are you feeling,Sagira?"

"I'm alright..." Sagira was looking from one to the other. Would her brother really give her up for some food? What would it be like, returning to the palace? She was such a mess now. And nothing like the princess the Pharaoh had come to know and love.

"Do you want to go back?" Bakare broke into her thoughts. He came to stand in front of her imposingly. "Do you want to call that place home for good?"

"I...I don't know, to be honest." She felt like she was being cornered. "I do, but, I liked getting to know the person in my dreams..."

"Well, you don't have to say goodbye forever,Princess. I'll make sure you get to see him on a regular basis." Seth replied soothingly, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Alright." Bakare spoke now, with a note of finality. "Get her out of here, before I change my mind."

Both Sagira and Seth looked up at Bakare startled at his abrupt tone. Could it be he really was ready to be rid of her?

"I only have one thing to say to you. For every month she is there, I want two bags, like this, brought with you when you bring her to visit. Show up one time without them, and it's over." Bakare hugged Sagira close to him gently. "You take care of yourself."

"I will..." Sagira replied softly. She took Seth's hand in hers, and the two began their walk back to the palace. Her stomach was in knots.

Mahadou enfolded her into a long, relieved hug the minute he saw the princess in the entrance hall. "We were so worried, Princess!" He held her away from him, looking her over. "You need a bath in salt and a hot meal." He announced. He beckoned to Sagira's handmaid. "Draw her up a salt bath quickly. She can't go to her father like that."

"I wouldn't care if she did." Atemu had come to greet his lost child. "Sagira..." He embraced her tightly. He looked into her eyes. "Are you alright?"

Sagira felt strange. She had missed her father and his people, but now she felt out place. "I guess so..." She looked around for Seth, but he had disappeared.

"Come to your bath, Princess. It will due you good to return to yourself." Her new hand maid said softly. Almost immediately, Sagira went into the washroom, and began to strip for her bath.

"It's the Sedjem curse. It works on very subtle commands as well as obvious." Mahadou remarked. "We must all be careful of how we talk and say things to her now."Everyone nodded in agreement. As the hall cleared, he turned to go back to his work. He would send for Sagira later, after she's had time to adjust to being home again.

"Mahadou. I don't suppose you have a moment?" Seth came up behind the other priest.

"Of course." Mahadou looked up at him "What is it?"

"I'll have to take her to him once a month." Seth replied, sighing. "Her and a few pounds of food from the storage."

"She's back home now. You don't have to comply." Mahadou replied, shrugging.

"If I don't she won't be here too long." Seth replied softly He glanced around quickly. "You'll have to cover for us the days we go down there, Mahadou. We'll only be gone a few hours."

"Very well." Mahadou sighed. He didn't see why the priest would insist on taking Sagira back to the people who had forever cursed her. He turned, and walked into his study. Seth went to his study in the other direction.

"What did you do!" Beni glared at Bakare furiously. He had come back to Bakare's hut to find the Pharaoh's daughter gone.

"I let my sister go." Bakare replied, glaring at him back. "I told you I wasn't going to use her. She needed to be taking care of, Benikan."

"You've gone soft, Bakare." Beni replied softly, his voice cold. "She is the key to getting our final act of revenge, and you just let her go!"

"Perhaps I don't want revenge using my sister." Bakare said just as quietly. His eyes were distant. "Just let her go." He sighed deeply. "It's time for the village meeting. I have to prepare. Leave me." He desperately wanted Yaminah to come and tell him he did the right thing. It's so hard to know the right course of action these days. I just wanted Sagira to be happy. She deserves it more than anyone else.