Title: Book of Tales: Tales of the People of the Sun
Author: Dragonwrangler
Rating: M
Feedback: Please.
Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh is owned by Kazuki Takahashi. I do not make any money from these stories and only write them for my own entertainment and the entertainment of any who wishes to read them
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Book of Tales: Tales of the People of the Sun
Chapter Three
Atemu shifted in his seat, trying to ease the sharp pain that stabbed across his back without attracting the attention of the audience of officials that flanked the Chief Vizier as he gave Pharaoh his morning report. Atemu knew the officials were there to see him, his father intending to reinforce his survival to those who had been present during Isis's vision.
When the Chief Vizier conveyed to him Pharaoh wished him to sit in during the morning meeting, and casually mentioned others would be attending when traditionally it was only Siamun and his scribes who reported to Pharaoh, Atemu knew his presence was mandatory. Discovering that Siamun had also discussed his ability to appear in front of an audience with Ciorstag before coming to him, Atemu decided not to have himself wrapped in bandages as he had the evening before. He allowed his dressers to cloth him only in a white pleated kilt, blue embroidered apron, and heavy beaded collar. That way he was sure his wounds would be visible for the officials to inspect.
Atemu knew he had made the right choice when he glanced into the throne room before entering. His father sat on the golden throne dressed in the formal regalia of Pharaoh, heavily embroidered linen- his name stitched in the sacred writing across his shoulders, the tall double crown of the upper and lower kingdoms upon his head, the crook and flail crossed against his chest.
His father was out to make a lasting impression with these men.
It had been difficult to fake an easy stride into the audience room with his side already burning in pain by the time he had reached the throne room but, somehow, he managed it. The surprised looks on the officials faces as they watched him from their bowed position gave him the encouragement he needed to reach his chair, slightly behind and to the side of his father's. Sitting in that chair, though, had proved more difficult, he had to find ways to shift without really moving, and the longer the meeting went on the less likely that was becoming. Before he was unable to hide his discomfort any longer though, he caught a subtle gesture from his father, a slight twitch of the flail held in his right hand. Chief Vizier Siamun bowed his head a little more in acknowledgement and effortlessly closed his report. The scribes gathered their notes before leading the way out of the room, followed by the officials, then Siamun. Atemu held himself still, waiting for a chance to move, and was about to rise as the last official left the room when his father stated, "Siamun."
Biting down hard to keep himself silent, Atemu watched the Chief Vizier stop to take a papyrus from one of the scribes before he made his way back to the throne. Atemu could see his father relax, setting the flail and crook down in his lap, before turning to speak.
"You can move around now if you wish." His father turned back to Siamun and smiled fondly. "I'm sure we can trust our Vizier not to tell anyone of your true condition."
"Of course you can, my prince!" Siamun said as he stepped to the side of the throne, his eyes sparkling with humor. "Your secrets are always safe with me."
With a guilty smile, Atemu stretched his legs out and answered, "I know that, I just wasn't sure what you both expected of me."
His father chuckled, nodding at his attire. "That was certainly more than I expected, my son, and I apologize for putting you through this. How did you slip past Ciorstag dressed like that?"
"Oh, I doubt I did. I'm sure either Ciorstag or Gaighdon are listening."
"Listening?" Siamun asked, curious.
Pushing himself out of the chair Atemu answered as he walked slowly to one edge of the platform the throne sat on, rubbing the small of his back. "Yes, Gaighdon somehow keeping his senses attached to the spell to make sure I did not damage myself yesterday." Turning he caught a slight frown cross his father's face. "Why does that make you unhappy father?" Atemu asked.
Pharaoh's frown deepened. "We do not know who they are. They should not be in the thoughts of the Crowned Prince, Atemu."
Scowling slightly, Atemu said, "They are not in my thoughts and I have no reason not to trust them."
"But what reason do you have to trust them?" Siamun asked in an even tone. "Yes, they saved your life but why were they in the temple when it was attacked?"
Atemu thought a moment. In truth, he had none, only an instinctive feeling that they would not betray him in any way. He also knew Mahado felt the same way as he and, of the two of them; Mahado would have been the one who would have sensed any spell work used to influence them. Walking back to his chair he dropped into it and stated, "I do not, I just trust them." Looking at his father he asked, in a voice he recognized as a little surly but not caring much that it did, "If you did not trust them father, then why did you have Siamun ask Ciorstag if I was well enough to be at a meeting?"
A surprised look crossed Pharaoh's face as he glanced at Siamun. Siamun shrugged before saying, "Not much escapes the sharp mind of your son, my Pharaoh."
Smiling slightly Pharaoh said, looking over at Atemu, "No, it does not." Having only started to feel comfortable sitting beside his father in council during the last few months Atemu felt a small glow of pride at the subtle praise from the two men.
"I was unaware of the extent of the spell that was used to heal you." Pharaoh added. "I feel as you do about them, Atemu, but," he shrugged, "I am also Pharaoh. My feelings do not matter in regards to the safety of my son and heir."
Atemu sagged a little, the glow fading. He said softly, "I have no wish to distrust everyone who becomes close to me."
"And I hope you do not. I just ask that you sometimes distance yourself and make sure that the people you have placed your trust in have given you more that just a feeling." Pharaoh said, a sad look of understanding crossing his face. "And, as I said, I do not distrust them. I only ask that you be a little wary of them for now."
Atemu nodded and sighed, feeling as if the weight of the crown he wore grew slightly, as his father turned back to his Chief Vizier.
"Has a message been sent to the High Priest of Amun?" he asked Siamun.
Siamun nodded. "I sent several messengers last night. He was to inspect the temple at Abydos within the next few days before he returned to Thebes. However, without a priest here able to give us his itinerary, it is only guesswork as to his exact location. I did place a warning within the message that he may wish to strengthen his guard against attack."
Thinking of Ifenete's attachment to her father Atemu asked, "Do you thing he may be in danger?"
Siamun shook his head. "We do not know. Until what happened at the Temple is understood it seemed best to assume that he may."
Glancing down at the sheet of papyrus in his hand, Siamun continued. "The priests who were not currently serving their temple duties have been notified to return and should be able to help shed light on what may have happened." Looking back up at Pharaoh he said, "The Iry of Wedju wished to talk to some of them before he left the Temple."
"Has the Iry sent word as to when he would return to the Palace?"
The Vizier shook his head, his eyes grim. "He sent a messenger early this morning to have Isis join him at the Temple. The messenger did not know when the Iry plans to return but he did say that he desires to speak with you privately before the Priests meet in full council. He said it was in regards to the Millennium Ring."
"The Ring?" Atemu started at the dangerous tone in his father's voice. "Did he say exactly what he wishes to discuss?"
"No, he did not."
Atemu watched his father's grip tighten on the flail as Siamun stood patiently beside him, an unreadable expression firmly in place. Atemu vividly remembered the event two years ago, that had led to the deaths of the holders of the Millennium Ring and the Millennium Rod.
Something dark had happened on that day when the keeper of the Millennium Ring had suddenly turned traitor and tried to kill Pharaoh. The keeper of the Millennium Rod had blocked the spell he cast, though.
Blocked at the cost of his own life.
It was at that moment Seth had become a Priest of Wedju when he had grabbed the Rod from the dead keeper and used its power against the Rings' to protect Pharaoh. Seth managed to overwhelm the man's ka long enough of the rest of the Priests to deal with him and had ended up unconscious but otherwise unharmed by the experience.
Atemu had asked him after he awoke why he had done such a brave and utterly reckless thing as attempting to use a Millennium Item. Set could not answer beyond saying it seem the only choice at the time.
Watching his father Atemu saw similar thoughts stirring the Pharaoh. He met his father's gaze and knew the message behind it.
I trusted him as well.
Pharaoh sighed then said, "As soon as he arrive, Siamun, have him report directly to me."
"Yes, my Pharaoh."
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It was not long before Atemu was allowed to slip back to his own rooms to see to his guests before he was summoned back to council. He knew when the Priests of Wedju finally met it would be a long meeting and he was going to be hard pressed to control the pain in his side.
Rest for Atemu, though, was not an option. His position as Crown Prince bound his life to expectations that had been set down long before he had been born.
He was beginning to regret appearing without the bandages, they were uncomfortable but they had kept him from slouching. His back felt as if it were pulling apart and the front of the wound when he twisted to find a position to ease the pain in his back only got worse. And nothing he did was reliving the pain between the two.
Atemu was amazed neither Ciorstag nor Gaighdon had appeared when he swallowed a sudden whimper of pain that almost made it past his lips.
He stopped a moment to lean against a column while he regained his composure, calling again on the Puzzle for aid, when a movement of blue caught his eye. Glancing down the corridor, he found his cousin Seth, his head down and without the tall blue headpiece adorned with the rearing cobra on the front band that usually covered his brown hair, heading toward the throne room. He appeared half-asleep and, knowing Seth, he probably was. Only recently been granted the rank of High Priest, Seth would not have allowed himself to sleep while assisting the Iry at the temple, would have seen it his duty to expend all his energies in the duties he had been assigned.
Atemu suspected Akhenaden had sent Seth back to the palace in the hope that he might take a few moments to rest.
That was not likely to happen.
Pushing away from the column, Atemu said softly, "Seth?"
Seth stopped in the middle of the corridor. It was a moment before the tall priest met Atemu's gaze, and a moment longer before he reacted to what he saw.
"My Prince!" he said in surprise as he dropped to one knee.
Smiling fondly as he stepped over to Seth, Atemu asked, "What brings you back to the palace, Seth?" Atemu said as he reached out to help the Priest to his feet.
As he rose to his feet, Seto asked, glancing at the sword wound, "You're all right?"
Atemu nodded. "I'm fine." He looked Seth over as he said, "Actually, I may be in better shape than you, cousin."
Seth raised an eyebrow before smiling ruefully. "The Iry sent me back to inform Pharaoh the Priests will be able to gather this afternoon." He ran a hand through his hair as he continued. "Most of those visiting the temple have recovered but the priests…" Atemu watched Seth's blue eyes grow dark. "I couldn't find any trace of their ka. I checked them all" He shook his head as he said softly, "I just don't understand what was done to them."
"So the attack was against the Temple?"
Seth nodded, "It appears so. As far as we can tell, you were just in the way."
Atemu frowned. "Did he mention what connect this has with the Millennium Ring?"
A look of confusion crossed Seth's face. "The Ring? I was not aware the Ring was involved in this. I thought it was still sealed in Wedju Temple."
"I don't know that there is a connection but Akhenaden sent a message to Pharaoh to speak to him in private about the Ring."
"I do not know about that. He did not mention anything in regards to the Ring while I was there." Seth said. Atemu could see the conversation had awakened Seth slightly but he was still beginning to sway a little in weariness. Knowing he had held up Seth long enough that Pharaoh would not miss the condition Seth was in, Atemu smiled and stepped out of his way.
His father would know how to deal with the stubborn Priest.
"I guess if we are meant to know, we will be told. Forgive me for delaying you, Seth."
Seth bowed, smiling slightly. "There is no need for that, my prince. I am always at your service."
Atemu nodded as he answered, "Thank you, Seth."
Leaving Seth to make his report, Atemu, upon reaching his rooms, went in search of his guests. Crossing through one of the rooms, he headed toward the shadows cast by the fabric that had been pulled away from an arch leading into the central courtyard. He could hear voices and laughter and, reaching the shadows, stopped to watch the scene playing out under the shade of the eastern wall.
Ifenete was deep in conversation with Ciorstag, their heads leaning toward one another as Ciorstag examined a length of fabric Atemu recognized as one woven by Ifenete and Meskera. Across from them Atemu could see Nekhennan had wedged herself between Mahado and Gaighdon and was unabashedly flirting with both, causing Mahado to blush with embarrassment while Gaighdon playfully countered her advances, with Mana and Meskera shouting encouragement Mahado's way. He could tell from the slight tensing of their shoulders that several of the handmaidens were trying not to laugh in response to the shouts. Atemu knew several of them were more than a little interested in Mahado.
Although Atemu knew Nekhennan, given the chance, would lay the first claim on Mahado.
Atemu began to step toward the group when Gaighdon turned from Nekhennan to meet his gaze for a brief instant. This time he sensed the once over Gaighdon gave him before the man turned away, shouting a suggestion at Mana that sent the girl into a fit of laughter. Atemu stopped, an odd sense of uncertainty filling him. Within that casual touch had been a gentle push away from the group, a feeling that reminded Atemu of his father sending him off to bed when he was a child. His instinct was to ignore the push, to do his duty as host and see to his guests and to follow his father's advice to be wary but something deep down decided that, for once, he had the right to do as he wished. His wives were more than capable of taking care of Gaighdon and Ciorstag; watching the ease that they had become part of the small group Atemu considered his friends, he could see that there really was no need for him to appear right now.
Atemu shook his head and smiled. He had a suspicion that if he ignored the push he might just be dragged to his bed by his guest with his wives backing them up. He already knew neither Gaighdon or Ciorstag would be stopped by such a simple thing as his status as Crowned Prince.
Deciding it would be best to avoid such a scene, Atemu turn and headed for bed, feeling a surprising lack of guilt at his actions.
He wished he could dismiss his pain that easily.
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The light of the midmorning sun had slowly reduced the shade in the courtyard, sending the prince's harem back into the palace to wait out the hottest part of the day. Gaighdon spoke swiftly to Ciorstag to inform her of Atemu's condition as she passed with the rest of the harem before speaking to Mahado as he watched her depart.
"Do you know when Pharaoh will call on us to appear before him, Mahado?" he said as he turned to glance at the youth. He found Mahado looking up at him but it was obvious his thoughts were elsewhere. He had a look similar to what Ciorstag referred to as a thought storm. She often had that look when she was on the edge of puzzling out a particularly difficult spell.
Feeling almost guilty for interrupting his thoughts, Gaighdon asked softly, "Mahado?"
The question startled Mahado. Gaighdon watched his reaction in amusement.
"You've been speaking to me a few moments haven't you?" Mahado said contritely.
Gaighdon shook his head, smiling. "Well, I did begin speaking before I looked to see if you were listening but, yes, a few moments."
"Sorry." Mahado answered. He leaned back to glance at the sky as he asked, "Should we check on the prince and make sure he is resting?" He turned back to Gaighdon. "Or can you tell how he is from here?"
"Ah, you saw him as well. I wondered if anyone else did." Gaighdon answered as he glanced toward the prince's quarters..
Mahado laughed. "I'm sure someone did. Ifenete placed the handmaidens with their backs to the prince's quarters so they would not react to him right away. She wanted to give him the chance to see that you and Ciorstag were fine and that you did not need his attention. I think Meskera was going to be the one to get him to bed if he didn't get the message." Mahado gave Gaighdon a curious look. "What did you tell him that made him smile?"
Gaighdon looked at him in surprise. "What did I tell him?"
Mahado nodded. "Yes. You were checking on him again but the feel of the heka was different." Mahado frowned slightly as he searched for words, "You sent something outward this time."
For a moment, Gaighdon was silent, trying to understand how Mahado could sense that change. "You can feel the difference?" he finally said.
"Yes."
Gaighdon fell silent again.
"Gaighdon, is something wrong?" Mahado asked, his voice uncertain.
Gaighdon shook his head. "No, I'm just trying to understand a few things." he said reassuringly. He smiled as he added. "Our heka training doesn't begin until one reaches your age and yet I believe you may know more of the ways of heka than our Ard Draoidh." He shrugged and nodded toward the arch where Atemu had stood. "It's a trick I've used on my sons to send them to bed when they pretend they can't hear me. It was simply a nudge in the right direction. In regards to your first question, I cannot be sure from here but I believe Atemu is a little restless right now. A visit may help distract him enough to get some rest." Gaighdon frowned slightly, sensing the constant pull of magic Atemu was using to keep the pain in check. "He is in serious need of some right now."
Mahado nodded as he pushed himself to his feet. Leading the way to the prince's quarters Mahado asked, "Why are you the one listening to Atemu? I would think Ciorstag would be the one since it is her spell."
Gaighdon shrugged. "We assumed I would have easier access to the prince than she if something were to happen."
"Yes, you would, but an exception might be made for a healer." Mahado said.
Gaighdon shook his head. "We have already intruded more that courtesy allows. We do not wish to cause any more disruption than necessary."
In the coolness of the hall they found several servants waiting, some crouched down and leaning against the painted wall with jugs of water and beer beside them, some standing in a small group by the door to the prince's quarters speaking in hushed tones. Seeing Mahado, the servants bowed before one, much older than the rest and dressed more formally, stepped up to him to say firmly, "I hope you have come to talk some sense into the Prince, Mahado."
Mahado chuckled softly as he asked, "He threw you out, Hurenmun?"
The man nodded, frowning. "Yes. He will not allow us to do our duties to see to his comfort. I have tried to explain that we can help but he will not listen."
Mahado nodded. "I understand. I will pass on your concerns and make sure that he is comfortable." He gestured to the others. "For now, find time to rest yourselves. You will have little chance of that tomorrow during festival."
Crossing his arms, Hurenmun said, "You will make it clear to him, Mahado that it would be best for him to listen to my advice."
Mahado bowed slightly. "I will Hurenmun."
Gaighdon let the servants pass before saying to Mahado, "He seemed quite upset with Atemu."
Mahado grinned. "Hurenmun has been seeing to the Prince's needs since he was born. He gets a little defensive when the Prince starts changing how things are done."
Reaching the entrance to Atemu's sleeping quarters Gaighdon watched Mahado glance cautiously into the room. He could hear Atemu state, in an irritated tone of voice, "I don't have to be checked on every moment as if I were a child, Mahado. I'm quite capable of taking care of myself, no matter what everyone might think around here."
Mahado burst out into sudden laughter.
Looking over Mahado's shoulder, Gaighdon could see Atemu pushing himself upright, surprise slowly filling his expression. "You're laughing at me!" he said in amazement. "I can't believe you'd dare laugh at me!"
Mahado turned to Gaighdon and said, "Restless may not have been the right word." Following Mahado into the room Gaighdon watched Atemu shift to sit cross-legged in the middle of the bed. The prince was moving cautiously but he appeared to be no worse than he had been last night. The prince continued to stare at Mahado.
Mahado acknowledged the look by dropping onto a bench and said, "It is your fault you know."
"Yes, but I can't believe you're laughing right at me, Mahado." Atemu repeated, a delighted smile spreading across his face.
"You're the one who said everyone should be equals so..." Mahado returned Atemu's grin and shrugged.
Atemu shook his head, and then waved his hand in an exaggerated but regal manner, "I did, we're equals and you're free to do as you wish, Mahado."
Gaighdon failed to hide his smile as he watched the two acting more the age he believed them to be. He listened as Mahado uttered a few words he did not recognize, words that caused the look of surprise on Atemu's face turn to utter astonishment.
"I can't believe you said that!" Atemu said.
Maybe I don't want to know, Gaighdon thought. He settled in a chair before speaking into the pause that fell between the two.
"Is there a reason you don't have the bandages on, Atemu?"
"Pharaoh had guests." Mahado stated knowingly.
Atemu made a face. "Pharaoh had lots of guests." Atemu fell back down onto the bed and spoke to
the ceiling. "Had to make sure everyone knows I'm still alive."
"If you don't wrap that up soon, you may not be." Gaighdon said.
Both youths turned to him in surprise, Atemu pushing himself back up to meet Gaighdon's gaze, a worried look shadowing his eyes. Gaighdon chuckled to relive some of the tension before saying, "That came out wrong. What I meant was that you're not in any danger right now but that you may not have enough sense to relax when the pain gets severe."
Mahado looked at Atemu with a smile. "That's certainly true."
Atemu dropped back again with a grunt. "You can stay out of this, Mahado." He laced his fingers behind his head and said self-confidently, "Besides, unlike Seth, I do know better than to push myself to exhaustion."
"Ah." Gaighdon raised an eyebrow as he met Atemu's gaze. "Then explain what happened on your way here."
Atemu gave him a guilty look. "You felt that?"
"It was a little hard not to."
A sigh slipped out of Atemu. "Oh, don't let my father hear you say that."
Mahado looked to Gaighdon then Atemu before asking, "Why not?"
Atemu raised his head to look at Mahado. "He's being overprotective."
Mahado thought about that a moment before looking back at Gaighdon.
Gaighdon shrugged. "If it were my family I would certainly be leery of strangers popping out of nowhere and getting involved in a situation they knew nothing about."
"That's what he said." Atemu said, and then yawned.
"Do you know when we will be called before your father?" Gaighdon asked.
"Sometime this afternoon when the Priest of Wedju meet." Atemu said absently as he shifted his arms to rest them at his side. As he shut his eyes he said, "The Iry is due back by then and he will also wish to speak with you."
"Who are the Priests of Wedju?" Gaighdon asked Mahado as Atemu shifted his position on the bed slightly.
"They are the Keepers of the Millennium Items. Akhenaden is the Iry of the Shrine of Wedju and the only one who survived the forging of the seven Items. After the Iry there are four other Millennium holders not including the Prince. Isis holds the Millennium Tauk, Shada- the Ankh, Karim- the Scales, and Seth, who is the High Priest of Wedju and Keeper of the Millennium Rod." Mahado said.
"Who holds the seventh Item?"
"At the moment, no one does." Atemu muttered- his voice groggy, his eyes still closed. He fell silent.
Mahado waited a moment, watching the prince closely before continuing. "There was an incident two years ago with the keeper of the Millennium Ring. I was not there but from what the Prince told me, something corrupted the keeper of the Ring and caused him to try to murder Pharaoh. The other Priests were forced to kill him- because of the Ring's ability to track the location of the other Items, they could not allow him to escape and possibly fall into enemies hands."
"Pharaoh believes it was an attempt by the enemies, defeated by the Items fifteen years ago, to cripple the Kingdom's defenses. He believes they used a type of dark magic unknown to us to possess the keeper of the Ring."
As Mahado stopped speaking, Gaighdon found himself turning toward Atemu. He could sense a change in the magic around Atemu and reached a little deeper than he wished to discover its source. Gaighdon could hear Atemu slow and steady breathing and felt him dropping into a deep sleep. A movement from Mahado pulled Gaighdon's gaze away from the sleeping Prince. He watched Mahado cautiously rise to his feet and step over to the bed. Reaching out, he gently removed the winged crown and the heavily beaded collar. When Atemu did not awaken as Mahado eased the collar out from under his shoulders, Gaighdon realized Mahado had cast a spell that had merged with the magic already active within the youth, knocking the Prince completely out.
Recalling the strange words Mahado had uttered a few moments ago, Gaighdon said, as they left the room, "I'm surprised he allowed you to do that to him."
Mahado shook his head. "He could not ask me directly so he challenged me to do it." A smile tugged his lips. "I doubt he expected me to follow through, though."
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"I just received a messenger from the northern Vizier that the Hittite princess will be arriving much earlier than anticipated. She is due to reach Akhentatan the day after festival. Which may be an issue considering the Prince's current condition." the Chief Vizier said as he handed Akhenamkhanen a sheet of papyrus.
Akhenamkhanen scowled slightly as he glanced at the missive. He was not looking forward to this arrival, even without the issues of Atemu's wound and the attack on the Temple, but it had been a vital part of the treaty to help settle the threat the Hittite posed for the Kingdom and the Kingdom's allies. He knew that even after the passage of fifteen year, the Hittite army had yet to recover from the damage the Priests of Wedju had inflicted on it but it was only a matter of time before they rebuilt and allowed their thoughts to turn back towards the fertile lands of the Kingdom.
As Pharaoh, he could not allow that to happen again in his lifetime.
Even if it was at the cost of his son's happiness.
"Have you discussed this situation with our guests?" Akhenamkhanen asked Siamun.
"Not yet. I did not think it appropriate to do so without your permission. I do know that Ciorstag informed Ifenete that the Prince should not indulge in any strenuous activities for at least five more days. "
Akhenamkhanen shook his head as he sighed. "Is there any way to delay them?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
"None that would not be obvious, my Pharaoh. And I do not believe she will tolerate any delays."
Settling back into the gold trimmed ebony chair he said, "I will decide how to approach this discussion with our guests after the meeting. Inform Atemu and his household to prepare for the princess's arrival. Also inform the artisans to finish the memorial cartouches so they are ready when she reaches the city."
Siamun nodded then turned to glance at the entrance. One of the guards had slipped out and was now returning to bow before the Pharaoh.
"The Iry of Wedju has entered the city, my Pharaoh."
Akhenamkhanen nodded as he rose from his chair. Turning to Siamun he said, "Inform the Iry he has time to refresh himself and that he will find me within the Shrine of Wedju when he is ready."
"Yes, Pharaoh."
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Akhenamkhanen stood in the middle of the dais at the top of the Pyramid of the Ka that filled the interior of Shrine of Wedju. He gazed up at the slabs that contained the image of the three God Monsters, the great Irys of his Kingdom who were said to protect the Kingdom through his will as Pharaoh, inscribed into the angled ceiling of the Shrine. Their carved forms, lit by the great firebrands set at the four corners of the dais, seemed to twist and writhe within the confines of their borders. Somewhere in the past, the knowledge of their names had been lost from the line of Pharaoh's, possibly during one of the rare times of occupation, when the balance of maat was disrupted and the scales had been tipped toward chaos.
It was possible that the last Pharaoh to truly know all their names was the legendary Pharaoh Abydos the Third, said to be unbeaten by any man in the games of war or the Shadows until his death.
Akhenamkhanen prayed to his father, the Aten, that the knowledge of their names would be return if their strength were ever needed again.
Hearing footsteps ascending the southern stairs of the Pyramid, Akhenamkhanen said softly, "I believed this location would best serve the news you have for me, Akhenaden."
Stepping to the top of the dais, the Mehy of Wedju nodded his approval. "Yes, it does." He stopped next to Akhenamkhanen and glanced up at the God Monsters. "How is Atemu?"
"He fares amazingly well. How are you?" Akhenaden asked cautiously.
Frowning, Akhenaden turned to Akhenamkhanen. "Is something wrong?"
Crossing his arms Akhenamkhanen dropped his eyes from the God Monsters to look at the Iry of Wedju. "Siamun mentioned you had information regarding the Millennium Ring."
To Akhenamkhanen's surprise, the Iry gave him a grim smile and shook his head. "Forgive me, brother, I did not consider how that message would sound to you."
"What do you mean?"
"I meant to convey that I may have found an answer to our problem regarding the Ring."
Curious now, Akhenamkhanen asked, "The Ring had nothing to do with the attack then?"
"The Ring? No. However the attack may have revealed its next Keeper."
"Who?"
"Mahado." Akhenaden turned to pace across the dais as he spoke while Akhenamkhanen stared at him in amazement. "I have been watching Mahado for some time, ever since Khurnaba complain to me that Mahado has moved beyond anything that he could teach him." The Iry stopped a moment to meet his brother's gaze. "The boy absorbs magical formulas and knowledge faster than the desert absorbs rain."
"Even seeing what happened in the temple through Isis's vision I still have no idea how he stopped the assassins and the magician. He should not have had the proper knowledge to do what he did. And yet he did it with an ease even I would have been hard pressed to manage."
"He should have been unconscious when we found him."
Akhenaden resumed his pacing. "There is more. When he cast the spell that stopped the magician, he appears to have had help. I believe he shared his ka with another, that there were two who cast the final spell in the Temple."
"Two kas?" Akhenamkhanen said, stunned. "You mean he's a Spirit Sorcerer?"
"He's certainly on the path to becoming one. With your permission I would like him tested for the Ring when the Priests meet later today."
Akhenamkhanen frowned slightly. "He's a little young to be a Priest of Wedju. Even your son was older than Mahado when he took up the Rod, and you had already begun to groom him for such a position."
"You gave Atemu the Puzzle when he was ten." Akhenaden said.
Akhenamkhanen smiled slightly as he pointed out, "That may be but I did not make him a Priest."
Akhenaden nodded and said, "This is true but I believe Mahado is old enough to become a Keeper. It will also allow him to stay near Atemu when he ascends to Pharaoh. I believe that was one of the reasons you adapted him into your household?"
"Yes, it was." Akhenamkhanen thought a moment then nodded. "You are free to test him in council, although you may need to wait until the discussion of the attack is through. I do not know if I wish to give our guests that much of a demonstration regarding the Millennium Items."
"Do you wish for the meeting to commence at the Palace or at the Dueling Grounds?" he asked Akhenaden.
"It would probably be best to do it at the Dueling Grounds. If something unexpected happens, the damage can be kept to a minimum there. Only Siamun and your guest will be needed; the few who regained their consciousness remember nothing of what happened."
As Akhenaden returned to the spot before the God Monsters, Akhenamkhanen said, "I assume you sent Seth back early to the Palace to get him to rest before the meeting?"
"Were you able to convince him?"
"I convinced him he could serve me best if he was not falling down in exhaustion. He is as stubborn as you are sometimes." Glancing at his brother he said carefully, "Will you ever tell him the truth, Akunadin?"
Grimacing at the use of his true name, he said, "I have already answered that. It was my decision to make." A sign slipped out as he added, "There is no need to continue to go over this." Akhenaden turned to Akhenamkhanen and said, "Unless you intend to tell him yourself?"
"I gave you my word. I will not tell him. I simply do not understand why I must keep such a secret."
Akhenaden looked up at the God Monsters and said, "Because it was the price that had to be paid to keep your peace."
Having no answer to Akhenaden's statement, knowing that it was the truth, Akhenamkhanen turned and left the Temple, leaving the Iry of Wedju staring up at the God Monsters.
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Ard Draoidh- (Gaelic) high druid