"The Rumor"
Meryre slouched idly in a chair, daydreaming of dark silvered hair and mysterious brown eyes. The normal bustle of pyramid life swelled around him: the clang of Jaffa footsteps, the whisper of slave gossip, the boisterous laughter of two slightly intoxicated warriors.
A set of footsteps broke off from the main to stop in front of his seat. He looked up, eyes still unfocussed as the dream played itself out in his mind.
He had far too much free time, he decided absently.
"Meryre, beloved of Ra," the Jaffa intoned. "I have news of the Rebellion."
Now Meryre's gaze sharpened and he stared at the Jaffa intensely. It was one of the rebels, a Jaffa by the name of Seneh. "What news?"
"The rumor goes that the req-ib is dead."
For a moment, the statement didn't process. Sef…dead? No, impossible. Not the strong, sarcastic former First Prime. Not Sef.
For a moment, all Meryre could do was stare in shocked terror. If Sef was dead, that meant the Rebellion had no leader, and would probably fall apart or be found. Then there was no chance of dethroning the false God Ra, no chance of any of the people of Earth ever knowing freedom from his tyranny, no chance of him, Meryre, ever knowing what it was like to be loved and not used.
No chance of Meryre finding a name to fit the emotion that raced through his veins whenever Sef's name was mentioned.
…the rumor…
"It is simply a rumor?" Meryre asked tightly, grasping for his self-control.
"It is," Seneh affirmed.
"Then he may still be alive?"
"Yes."
"Thank you," Meryre said. Then again, more tenderly, "Thank you."
The Jaffa bowed and left.
Meryre sank back into his chair, and desperately prayed to whatever god, even his own false one, that Sef was alive.
This side-story is dedicated to DarkJediQueen, the only person who has reviewed. Thank you, DarkJediQueen, for your support. It means more to me than you probably realize.