Title: Book of Tales: Tales of the People of the Sun
Author: Dragonwrangler
Rating: M
Feedback: Please
Author's Notes: In this chapter I stray once again from the timeline of the series. (Originally the Millennium Items were made a little under fifteen years before Atemu's soul was placed in the Puzzle- that's the first bit of straying I did.) Here I do another five year shift- Dartz claimed to have come to Egypt at the end of Atemu's reign, in my stories he appears five years before that to cause trouble.
And to Crimson Eyed Dragon- Thanks for another review and I will gladly write this story just for you! And myself of course! You will also find out in this chapter just how much trouble Atemu's new wife just might be for everyone involved!
Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh is owned by Kazuki Takahashi. I do not make any money from these stories and only write them from my own entertainment and the entertainment of any who wish to read them. (Like Crimson Eyed Dragon!)
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Book of Tales: Tales of the People of the Sun
Chapter Five
"You're a Priest! Yay!"
Chuckling at the sight of a very confused Mahado suddenly dealing with an armful of overexcited Mana, Gaighdon moved further into the room to join Atemu where he had stopped to watch the scene before him. The prince was also laughing at his friend's plight but made no move to help the new Priest out.
Atemu turned to his wife Meskera as she joined him and asked, "How did she find out?"
The girl smiled. "When the Chief Vizier came to inform us you would be slightly delayed."
Atemu rolled his eyes. "I'm almost afraid to see how she'll react when she finds out he's her new heka teacher." Atemu said.
"Should I warn the rest of the household?", his wife asked with a raised eyebrow.
"That would probably be wise." Atemu said as he directed a smile at Meskera.
"How long do you think it will be before he tells her?" Gaighdon asked.
The prince shrugged as he watched Meskera slipped away. "I would guess sometime tomorrow, if he doesn't let it out this evening." Seeing the smile fade from Atemu's face as he glanced toward the next room, Gaighdon asked, "Is something wrong, Atemu?"
"I was just looking for Ifenete.", he said, the casual tone falling flat on Gaighdon's ear.
"She just left with Ciorstag to go to the market to get stuff for the princess's arrival." Mana said enthusiastically as she bounced over to Atemu and impulsively threw her arms around his waist.
Atemu grimaced a moment in pain as he gave her a quick hug back but then amusement crossed his face when he looked up to see Mahado coming up behind the girl.
"MANA!"
Gaighdon winced slightly as Mahado yelled. Startled, Mana looked over her shoulder at Mahado then suddenly let go of Atemu, backing into the new Priest as comprehension flashed over her face.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, my Prince! I didn't hurt you did I?"
Laughing, he shook his head, "I'll survive, Mana." Giving her a shrewd look Atemu asked, "I though you were helping Henneeka get things ready for the festival tomorrow?"
She nodded her head. "Yes! I am!"
"Helping her today, right?"
"Yes."
Atemu glanced out at the courtyard and the lengthening shadows then back to Mana. She glanced out, then looked at Atemu, then suddenly seemed to look inward a moment. A sheepish look came over her face as she said, "I should probably go and help her now, shouldn't I."
"It might be a good idea, Mana."
"All right, bye then." Mana turned, gave Mahado another enthusiastic hug, surprised Gaighdon with a hug of his own, then quickly skipped out of the room.
Atemu smiled at the now scowling Mahado as he said, "I promise to pray for you at the temple tomorrow, Mahado."
"You're enjoying this too much."
Laughing, Atemu turned to Gaighdon. " It is time I retired for the day. If there is anything you require, feel free to ask any in my household." Facing Mahado, Atemu rested a hand on his arm, his face growing serious. "And I hope to see you tomorrow."
"I promise, I will be here. Do you need help sleeping?"
"No, I think I have worn myself out enough that sleep will not be a problem. Good day to you both."
As Atemu headed to his room, Gaighdon leaned toward Mahado to ask, "What is it about this marriage that is troubling him?"
Mahado sighed as he began to walk out of the room, "He hopes to have Ifenete as his Great Wife when he becomes Pharaoh but they have not yet produced a son."
"Does he have any children?"
Nodding, Mahado answered, "He has a daughter by Nekhennan and I believe Meskera has just become pregnant with his second daughter. Ifenete has yet to bear him a child and since Dakhamazu's rank is higher than Ifenete's as a first born daughter to a king, her son would have the stronger claim to becoming Pharaoh after Atemu. The Prince will still be the one to decide who his heir will be but politics could force his choice, even if he declares Ifenete as his Great Wife."
Gaighdon nodded. "Atemu would have to choose an heir that would keep the stability of his kingdom when the change in leadership comes."
"Yes."
"But why is it so important for him to consummate this marriage?"
"The Hatti are the ones who attacked the Kingdom fifteen years ago. Pharaoh hopes that a marriage between Atemu and the princess, especially one that produces a son, will bring about a lasting peace."
Walking through the palace, down elaborately painted corridors, Gaighdon decided to changed the subject. "Atemu seems slightly concerned for you."
Catching Mahado suddenly chewing on his lower lip, Gaighdon stop in the middle of the corridor, feeling a shiver run across well- honed instincts. "Is there more to becoming a Millennium Item Keeper than the tests we saw?"
Stopping, Mahado nodded, his eyes watching Gaighdon's reactions cautiously. "I still need to be accepted by the Ring."
"Accepted?"
"The tests of the Ankh and the Scales simply tell the Iry whether you are suitable to wear an Item but one still needs to be accepted by the spells that are set into the Items to protect them."
"And if the spells react negatively to you what will happen?"
Starting to walk again, he glanced over his shoulder to say in a resigned voice, "They will kill me."
"Ah."
They walked in silence a few moments before Mahado asked, "Your not going to try and stop me?"
Gaighdon shook his head and sighed. "I would but you are not of my family or clan, I have no right to interfere." He gave Mahado an amused look. "I have only known you for one day after all." Gaighdon shrugged. "I also cannot believe Pharaoh would put you into any danger you could not handle."
"I hope you're right." Gaighdon heard Mahado mutter under his breath.
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Ciorstag marveled at the colors and aroma and sounds of the market Ifenete had brought her to. The smell of unusual foods and spices, the sounds of several languages- some she recognized, some that were new- the clothes and banners and the variety of the merchandise being sold soon had Ciorstag completely overwhelmed.
It had been a long time since she had felt such a reaction and she intended to enjoy it as long as she could. Feeling the awe of a child was certainly something one should treasure.
"You seem impressed." Ifenete said as she led Ciorstag through the market.
Smiling, Ciorstag answered honestly, "Actually, I feel astounded. I have only experienced markets such as this when the Great Clans gather once a year at Tara."
A small, proud smile crossed Ifenete's face as she stopped before a dealer of some of the spices Ciorstag could smell on the air. Quickly bargaining the seller for a diverse selection, she handed the packages to a handmaiden before continuing on.
A swift glance at the open curiosity of Ifenete's handmaidens as they made their way through the market and the barely concealed scowls on the bodyguards told Ciorstag that this trip was not the usual way of things.
Easily keeping pace with the swiftly walking girl Ciorstag asked casually, "Do you often shop for the things you need?"
Ifenete shook her head. "No, but sometimes I like to get away from the Palace and see those places I used to visit when I was a child."
Ciorstag smiled at the 'when I was a child' statement .
"It is not usually this busy but everyone is preparing for the celebrations that will be held tomorrow during Pharaoh's Sed."
Not familiar with the term Ifenete used, Ciorstag had to ask, "Sed?"
"Yes. This will be Pharaoh's second Sed, his first we celebrated five years ago." Ifenete slowed to glance toward a stall holding several small statues of anamorphic beings and fertility icons. A blush blossomed on her cheeks as she lengthened her stride before continuing in a rush, "A Sed Festival allows us to rejoice in the divine strength of Pharaoh and his son."
Catching the sad look on Ifenete's handmaidens as they had passed the statue seller, and remembering the haste that they left the palace in, Ciorstag felt the sudden need to ask, "Why are you suddenly avoiding Atemu, Ifenete?"
"I'm not avoiding him." Ifenete answered, a little too quickly to be convincing. Obviously realizing that, she added, "He will need some time to get used to his new wife, there is no reason for me to bother him with my presence right now." She suddenly veered over to another merchant and immediately began haggling over the price of a richly dyed bolt of linen, much to the surprise of the merchant who obviously recognized her.
Realizing she needed to reign in her curiosity as a MÃ ileachan naomh, although she suspected that Ifenete's troubles might just fall within her duties as MÃ ileachan, Ciorstag wandered over to look at some of the other fabrics that were being sold. A murmur among the princess's bodyguards though caused her to glance up.
A small entourage of richly dressed men and women with their own force of bodyguards were slowly making their way down the center of the market, pausing occasionally to examine items that seemed to catch their attention. The cut of their clothing seemed just a little different from the rest of those around the market, making Ciorstag wonder if they were traveling merchants from a foreign land.
Distracted for a moment by the fabric seller's son as he inquired if she had questions regarding the fabric she held in her hand, Ciorstag failed to notice one of the group had approached the stall they stood at until a rich voice slipped into her ears.
"Princess Ifenete. I am please to have the opportunity to meet privately with you."
Glancing up Ciorstag was surprised by the elegantly dressed man who had slipped past the royal bodyguards to kiss the hand of Ifenete as he bent over it with a smile. For some reason Ciorstag considered the man's clothing archaic in some way, similar to the ancient cut of the formal dress an Ard Righ would wear during one of the Great Festivals. Ciorstag could see a puzzled frown cross Ifenete's face as if she too felt something odd about the man.
As the man straightened, revealing his face, Ciorstag almost gasped out loud.
The man's skin was as pale as her own, his face finely boned and regal, his hair white and flowing, and Ciorstag could see that one of his eyes was as warm an amber as Gaighdon's.
While the other was as green as an emerald.
Staring at them, unexpectedly remembering a detail from the old stories she had taught her children about the Ard Righ of the homeland, Ciorstag began to feel Gaighdon's theories were not as far fetched as she first believed.
"Who are you?" Ifenete asked cautiously.
The man gave the girl a gentle smile as he answered, "Forgive me. I am Lord Dartz. I have come to Akhentaten ahead of the princess Dakhamazu arrival tomorrow evening to help assist you in your preparations."
Slipping her hand from his, Ifenete stood straight and proud. "While we thank you for such an offer, Lord Dartz, we are quite capable of preparing for a royal's arrival." Turning with a regal nod to face the merchant, she indicated the fabric she had examined. "I believe we are done for the day. Please have these delivered to the Great Palace by nightfall." Stepping away from the man before her, Ifenete made a small gesture.
"We are returning to the Palace. Will you join us Ciorstag?"
Nodding, Ciorstag stepped to Ifenete side, catching what appeared to be a surprised look of recognition flashing across Lord Dartz's face, a look he quickly hid with a low bow.
"I apologize if I have offended you, princess. I will delay your preparations no more." he said in an even, unruffled, tone. "Until we meet again may your gods protect you."
Ciorstag managed to keep her expression neutral as she followed Ifenete into the crowd of people, resisting the urge to turn and stare at the man they were leaving behind. Ifenete's pace quickly took them out into the wide boulevard that ran through the center of the immense city, the pressure of people lessening as the crowds spread out into the street.
Ifenete's pace slowed as they drew closer to the carriers that waited at the edge of the market for her, a scowl firmly seated on her face.
Stopping suddenly, Ifenete glared back at the market then toward the Great Palace.
Sighing, her shoulders sagging, Ifenete began to speak in a voice so low that Ciorstag had trouble catching her words.
"Forgive me, I don't know why I lost my temper but something about that man simply brushed my ka wrong."
Curious as to her reaction to the strange man, Ciorstag asked, "It appeared he was simply offering his service to you, why did you refuse him so abruptly?"
"Someone like that does not serve another." Ifenete snapped as she crossed her arms and resumed her stare at the Palace.
Surprised that Ifenete had sensed the same thing she had, Ciorstag found herself glancing toward the market. She could spot nothing out of the ordinary, at least nothing she could recognize as wrong, as she turned her thoughts outward to find Gaighdon.
/What is it, Gaighdon asked, as soon as their minds touched.
/First, I need to know where Atemu is./
/Asleep in his quarters./ Ciorstag could almost see Gaighdon frown. /Do you need me closer to him, Ciorstag/
/No. There is no immediate danger only Ifenete seems anxious about running into him./
Gaighdon let a sigh slip across the link. /I have an idea why. I can explain when you return. I'm not expecting Atemu to wake anytime soon if that helps./
There was a pause before Gaighdon asked/Are you going to tell me why you opened the link Ciorstag/
Suddenly reluctant to share her thoughts, Ciorstag forced herself to say/I think I saw the Ard Righ./
Surprise flickered from Gaighdon. /They were not expecting us to return for a month. What could have happened that he would come looking for us so soon? For that matter why would he be the one to look for us/
Ciorstag shook her head even though Gaighdon would be unable to see it.
/No, Gaighdon. I mean the ancient Ard Righ. The one in your legends./
There was no response.
/Gaighdon./
/I heard you, I'm just not sure how to respond./ he answered carefully. /What makes you believe you saw the Ard Righ/
"Ciorstag?"
Blinking, Ciorstag had to break the link as Ifenete's worried face came into focus.
"Are you all right?"
Giving the girl a reassuring smile, Ciorstag answered, "I am fine. Forgive me, I was speaking to Gaighdon to see how Atemu was doing."
Deciding to see what reaction she would get, Ciorstag added, "The prince seems to have retired for the day."
Barely hidden relief filled Ifenete's face as she quickly turned away and headed for the carriers. "You are able to do such a thing? Speak mind to mind over a distance?", she asked.
"If the distance is not too great I can." As she watched Ifenete settle into her seat and the carriers prepared to move, Ciorstag said, "Again I do apologize for my rudeness for doing so during our conversation but I sensed that he would be able to answer, that his thoughts were not focused on other things." It was not the truth but she did not want to give Ifenete a reason to ask what the conversation was about.
She already had enough to think about without trying to explain to Ifenete she may have been speaking with a man who should have died several millennia ago.
The carriers moved swiftly, and Ciorstag soon found herself following Ifenete into the palace. As they crossed through the courtyard that separated the woman's quarters from the rest of the palace Ifenete suddenly veered to her left. Ciorstag had been so preoccupied she failed to notice Gaighdon sitting on a bench at the edge of the courtyard.
Ifenete stopped before Gaighdon as he rose to his feet, inclining her head slightly as she said. "I wish to apologize for interrupting your conversation with your cousin. I was unaware she had contacted you and was concerned when she failed to respond to a question."
Gaighdon glanced over Ifenete's head with a raised eyebrow as Ciorstag stressed across the link/Tell her nothing./
Focusing back on Ifenete, Gaighdon bowed low and said, "It was not your fault that we chose an inopportune time for our conversation. We will try and be more considerate in the future."
Smiling, Ifenete turned to ask, "You will be joining us later?"
"Yes. I have some instructions for Gaighdon that I would like to give him regarding the spell we are using on the Prince. Will that be inconvenient for you and your servants?"
"Not at all. You are free to join us when you can, Ciorstag. And thank you for your understanding, Gaighdon."
Waiting until the girl and her handmaidens left the courtyard before speaking, Gaighdon asked, "This man you saw must have shaken you if you tuned out a conversation, Ciorstag."
"I was unaware I had missed that much. And yes he did shake me." Sitting on the bench Gaighdon had used she asked, "Where's Mahado?"
"He has gone to prepare himself for receiving the Ring."
Seeing the frown on his face, Ciorstag smiled slightly. "He has another test to face?"
"Yes."
Ciorstag nodded. "I thought as much. No item with the powers that these Millennium Items hold can be born without paying a price." Sighing she added to herself, "I wonder what the price was for Atemu."
"Ciorstag."
Leaning back, Ciorstag regarded her cousin carefully. "In the stories you have learned, how is the Ard Righ described?"
"Described?"
"Yes. I remember telling one story that mentions his eyes."
Gaighdon nodded. "One eye is amber and one is green. All the stories seem to agree on that."
"And his name? I never learned that."
"The only one I've ever heard mentioned a name was Ard Draoidh Lachlann during the reciting of the Righ list when the old Righ was interred. If I remember correctly the name he gave was Dartz, son of Ironheart."
A sigh slipped from Ciorstag. "We may wish to speak with Pharaoh immediately then. The man who spoke to Ifenete identified himself as Lord Dartz, and he is apparently making the arrangements for the arrival of Atemu's new wife."
Gaighdon sat next to Ciorstag and asked, "And what would you tell him? The man before you is somehow responsible for your son's injuries and that he should have died ages ago?"
"It is what you were implying earlier. Are you saying we should now be silent?"
Gaighdon shook his head. "All I am saying is that we should be cautious. From what Mahado said, the first Keeper of the Millennium Ring may have been influenced to kill Pharaoh by the same people that this marriage treaty is tied to."
"If this truly is the Ard Righ of legend and he is responsible, then he may be manipulating events on a grand scale."
"Events we know nothing about."
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Stepping into the living section attached to the Shrine of Wedju, it was not long before Akhenamkhanen could hear the frustrated voice of Seth coming from Akhenaden's quarters. When he reached the room's entrance, he stopped in the doorway to watch Seth arguing with Akhenaden.
"But the duel guard, it had to have come from the Shrine. The design is exactly the same."
From Akhenamkhanen's position, he could not see his brother's face but tired irritation was clearly evident in his voice.
"Shada checked all the guards at the Shrine and the Dueling Grounds, there are none missing." Seth shifted as if ready to protest when Akhenaden snapped, "You will not cast suspicion on any of the others, Seth. Yes, only a Priest of Wedju could have removed a guard from the Shrine but the designs of those guards are ancient, it is possible for another to have made this one."
"The magician who attacked was obviously familiar with the Shadow Games. There may be other sources beyond that of the Book of Millennium Magic."
Seth turned away in frustration and found himself facing Akhenamkhanen. Surprise flashed across his face as he quickly dropped to one knee.
"Forgive me, Pharaoh, I did not realize you were there." he said.
Hiding a smile as he stepped into the room, Akhenamkhanen moved forward to rest a hand on Seth's shoulder. "We would have been offended if we had announce ourselves and you had ignored us but since that was not the case, there is nothing to forgive. Feel free to stand in our presence, Seth."
As Seth rose to his feet, Akhenamkhanen turned to Akhenaden. "We wish to speak with you a moment regarding a slightly different matter."
Nodding, the Iry turned to Seth to say, "Mahado should be arriving at the Shrine at sunset. As High Priest it falls upon you to insure that everything is ready at that time."
Seth bowed. "It will be so."
Dismissing Seth, Akhenaden gestured to the chairs set around a small table that was covered in papyri filled with hieroglyphs and several writing implements. Moving some of the papyri to the side, Akhenaden gestured to a servant to bring refreshments.
Settling into a chair as a tray of cut fruits and cups of wine were set down, Akhenamkhanen waited until only his own bodyguards remained within the room before turning to Akhenaden.
"I have questions to ask you regarding the Millennium Puzzle."
Frowning slightly, Akhenaden said, "I doubt there is much that I can tell you that you do not already know. You were it's Keeper for ten years. What is it you would ask me?"
"After the meeting I was discussing Atemu's condition with his guests when Mahado mentioned that the Puzzle apparently likes Atemu, at least that was how he phrased it. Atemu thought that was how all the Items worked."
"I do not remember having such a sensation when I wore the Puzzle myself." Akhenamkhanen fingered the stem of the cup as he asked, "Do you know why he is having a different experience with the Puzzle?"
Leaning back in his chair, Akhenaden shook his head. "Atemu is the youngest to hold a Millennium Item even according to the Book. It is possible he has adapted to the power in such a way that he does not need to rely on the rituals that the rest of us use to access our Item." Looking at Akhenamkhanen, the Iry added, "Your son is also destined to become the Horus after you. You were already filled with that power when you became Keeper of the Puzzle, you had no need to tap deeply into your Item's power for the Horus was already part of you. Perhaps Atemu is simply doing what he was born to do- wield great power as he will when the Horus fills him at his ascension."
"You do not believe he is in any danger then?"
"I do not believe so but I will consult the Book of Millennium Magic just to be sure." Akhenaden gave Akhenamkhanen a small smile. "I will admit that there is much I have yet to decipher in the Book but I am sure you have nothing to fear."
Akhenamkhanen nodded. There was silence for a moment then Akhenaden asked, "May I ask you a question, my Pharaoh."
Surprised by the formal tone Akhenamkhanen said, "Of course."
"Why did you allow the strangers to witness Mahado's test?"
Akhenamkhanen smiled slightly, recognizing the formality of the question as a subtle rebuke. "I wished to see what their reactions would be. Since they said they were familiar with the Shadow Realms I was hoping they might reveal more when shown the power of the Scales and the Ankh." Taking a sip of wine before continuing, he added, "I was not expecting Gaighdon's reaction though. Ammit's appearance surprised him but it did not stop him from moving."
"I am sure he was not aware he was in the presence of a goddess until she spoke."
Akhenamkhanen shook his head. "I do not believe that would have stopped him." He glanced at the Iry. "I wish I understood what Ammit said to him."
Akhenaden shrugged, "I could not see the exchange but Ammit sounded amused."
"Yes, she was." Pondering the events on the Grounds Akhenamkhanen said, "Perhaps it would be best for me to speak with Gaighdon privately."
"Why do you trust them enough to let them stay so close to Atemu?" Akhenaden asked .
"Fear, I suppose." At Akhenaden's surprised look, Akhenamkhanen added, "You saw the vision, if it had been Seth who had been pierced by the sword wouldn't you allow them to stay close if it meant his survival?"
Akhenamkhanen sighed and said softly, "It was a killing blow. Of that I have no doubt."
Shaking the memory from his thoughts Akhenamkhanen lifted the wine to his lips, enjoying the taste, before asking, "This duel guard. If it is not one of the Shrine's would it be possible for Isis to use the Tauk to discover it's source?"
"She has tried but there appears to be defensive spells placed upon it." A frown passed over Akhenaden's face. "It is an ancient type of heka I am not familiar with."
"Tomorrow I will ask Mahado to inspect the spells. He will not be influenced by past experiences with the guards and may be able to give a more accurate view of the heka surrounding this one."
Akhenamkhanen raised an eyebrow. "Is that why you asked my permission to test Mahado?"
Shrugging, Akhenaden said, "He was ready. I would not have risked him if I did not believe that."
Giving Akhenaden a shrewd look, Akhenamkhanen said, "And Ammit's warning?"
"It does not matter." Akhenaden said softly. "Without the Ring, the other six are diminished. If Mahado can control the power of the Ring, it will be worth the risk."