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 wish to read them.

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Book of Tales: Tales of the People of the Sun

Chapter Seven

Akhenamkhanen watched his newest Priest with a barely concealed smile. Mahado stood just behind Atemu- the Prince easily identified by the short kilt and cloak that matched his father's Sed garb- and appeared to be trying desperately not to fall asleep on his feet.

He was not smiling at Mahado as much as he was the looks Seth had begun sending Mahado's way. The High Priest was apparently growing just a little annoyed with Mahado and Akhenamkhanen would not be surprised if Seth snapped a few words at the new Priest regarding expected protocol when the Sed court continued on to the Temple of the Aten.

As Akhenamkhanen watched, he saw Mahado glance out of the corner of his eye at Seth and, seeing the High Priest had turned away, yawned discreetly behind his hand. As the hand dropped, Mahado looked up at the throne and winced in embarrassment, giving Akhenamkhanen a sheepish grin as he met Akhenamkhanen's amused gaze.

Turning away Akhenamkhanen said, "I see Seth and Mahado are off to a good start.", as his brother joined him in the shade of the Royal Pavilion set at the south end of the Heb-Sed court.

Akhenaden chuckled as he stopped to stand beside the throne. "Yes they are. It will do Seth some good to have someone who will challenge him."

Laughing, Akhenamkhanen agreed. "I have noticed none of the others had done that since he had become High Priest, including you."

"His leadership skills have been sound, I have not had a reason to. However, since Mahado is in charge of your well-being he will be within his right to argue with Seth if he believes an order would affect you adversely." Akhenaden gave Akhenamkhanen an unexpected smile. "And Mahado will not back down easily. It will be good for Seth." As he gave Akhenamkhanen a close look, Akhenaden asked, "How are you doing? You're getting a little old to run this race. You didn't have to do it so quickly."

Looking out from his throne at the circuit that ran along the edge of the Heb-Sed court, a circuit he was expected to run four times around to prove he was still strong enough to rule, Akhenamkhanen had to admit to a sense of surprise at the ease he had completed it. "I feel quite well." He glanced as his brother ruefully as he added, "Although tomorrow I may be giving you a different answer." Nodding toward his Chief Vizier, Akhenamkhanen said, "Siamun made sure I had no meetings for the first half of the day tomorrow, just in case."

"Well, if the Hatti princess is arriving tonight then there will be more than enough celebrations to distract anyone from that little fact." Akhenaden said. "Do you know yet when she will arrive?"

Akhenamkhanen nodded. "Siamun spoke to her adviser this morning after opening the Palace. She will be meeting us at the Temple of Amun this afternoon."

Raising an eyebrow, Akhenaden asked, "Did you choose that location?" Looking over at Atemu, he added, "And is Atemu aware of this?"

Letting a sigh slip out, Akhenamkhanen admitted, "Actually it was a suggestion from her adviser. With all that needed to be accomplished this morning, I have not had a chance to inform Atemu nor has Siamun."

A frown crossed Akhenaden's face. "It seems an odd suggestion to make, considering what happened there."

"This would have been planned far in advance. Apparently the advisor thought it the best way to prove to the people the Hatti are willing to put behind all that has happened in the past and their hope in forging a new future of peace between us."

"They would not have known what happened to Atemu until reaching the city yesterday."

Akhenaden continued to frown as he said, "The Temple of the Aten would have been a better choice."

Shrugging, Akhenamkhanen said, "For the Royal family, yes. But the Temple of Amun is the best choice to make such an appeal to the people of the Kingdom."

Giving Akhenamkhanen a curious look, Akhenaden asked, "Why are you allowing her so much?"

"I see no harm in this request. I will allow it."

Obviously frustrated by his answer, Akhenaden asked, "And the High Priest of Amun? How do you think he will react to having the Hatti princess meet Atemu for the first time within one of his temples while making such an appeal?"

Feeling a little irritated by the turn in the conversation, Akhenamkhanen said firmly, "I sent word to the Temple. I do not believe there will be any objections from the priesthood."

"You hope."

Akhenamkhanen nodded, ending the conversation. "Yes I hope."

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Gaighdon regarded Atemu as the Royal procession made its way to the Great Temple of the Aten. As far as he could tell, Atemu was in no more pain than he had been earlier this morning but a slight scowl had appeared on his face ever since they had left the Heb-Sed court. Gaighdon wondered what Pharaoh had said that had caused that look to appear.

Gaighdon shook his head slightly as he followed the six Priests of Wedju as they approached the entrance to the Temple. The opening was flanked by immense, stylized carvings of Pharaoh that spread out along the length of the walls on both side, carvings of Pharaoh holding his hands up toward the sky in a pose of worship. Looking up at the carvings as they passed Gaighdon considered how much they did not understand regarding the politics and religion of the kingdom. And he was discovering that the more he learned the more complex and confusing everything became.

As they stepped into the courtyard, a man dressed in white linen with a belt and apron heavy with embroidery and gold greeted Pharaoh, dropping down to his knees and spreading his hands out before him as he bowed his head. On either side of him were men dressed just as impressively, who were also kneeling down.

Pharaoh stopped before them, speaking in a deep, commanding voice, allowing them to rise to their feet. Dressed only in the short cloak and kilt he had worn during his run- a collar of thick gold rings and a sword the only change to his attire- it would have been obvious he was the one they all yielded to even if they had not knelt before him.

As the priests of the Temple and Pharaoh exchanged words, Gaighdon let his gaze roam over the Priest of Wedju. The six Priests had fanned out around Atemu and Pharaoh, calm but clearly watching the exchange carefully. It felt as if there was some tension in the air, though it may have more to do with the Priests being overly protective of Atemu than any ill feelings.

As Pharaoh and the Priest of the Temple continued to talk, Gaighdon noticed Mahado shift slightly, reaching up to touch the golden ring resting against his chest. An odd expression crossed his face as Isis leaned over to whisper something to him. Mahado nodded then straightened as if nothing was wrong.

(Did you notice that?) Ciorstag asked over the link.

(Do you mean Mahado?) Gaighdon answered as the group began to move slowly toward the entrance to the Temple itself.

(Yes.) Her voice became curious as she added, (I think I felt something from the Ring just before he touched it.)

(It is an item of power. I would have thought you would be sensing a lot from it.)

Gaighdon caught a shadow of a frown on her face as she answered, almost as if she had not heard his comment. (It may be best if we switch.)

Concerned, Gaighdon asked, (What do you sense, Ciorstag?)

(I don't know. Just in cause though, I would feel more comfortable if we switch.)

(All right.) Letting go of Atemu when he felt Ciorstag's magic against his own, Gaighdon glanced back over to Mahado. Ciorstag's ability to sense changes in magic was one of the talents that made her such an excellent Màileachan naomh but unfortunately she was still new enough that she could only sense the change not the cause of the change.

Isis moved closer to Mahado as his steps slowed. He had reached back up to lay his hand flat over the pyramid set in the center of the Ring. Mahado looked up toward the Temple with a frown.

"Are you all right, Mahado?", Ciorstag asked quietly as they caught up to the two Priests. He stopped and gave her a distracted look.

"I do not know. I am getting an odd sensation from the Ring."

"What type of sensation, Mahado?"

Mahado glanced at Akhenaden as he stepped over to the perplexed Priest. Mahado shook his head as he answered, "I am not sure but it seems to be getting stronger as we move away from the Palace." As he looked back at the entrance to the Temple, Mahado said in a distracted voice, "It feels as if the Ring is being drawn toward the Temple of Amun." Looking slightly self-conscious, Mahado added, "I may be misinterpreting what the Ring is telling me."

Akhenaden frowned. "You may not be though." He folded his arms as he regarded Mahado a moment. Turning to Isis, Akhenaden asked, "Can you sense anything, Isis?"

She closed her eyes as she raised her hands to the Tauk. Holding them cupped around the eye in the center of the Tauk, Isis frowned.

"I sense something but…" Her voice trailed off for a moment before she added, "It feels as if there is a wall between myself and the vision. I can see nothing past our approach to the Temple of Amun." She dropped her hand and looked at Mahado, her face full of concern. "He may be sensing the truth, Mehy."

Nodding his head as he made his decision Akhenaden gestured to Seth. "The Ring sometimes warns its Keeper of potential dangers.", he said in explanation. "It may be best if you went ahead of us to check the Temple before Pharaoh and Atemu reach it." A look of surprise crossed Mahado's face as Akhenaden spoke quickly to Seth.

Nodding, Seth agreed with Akhenaden. "We will continue behind you with Pharaoh and the Prince. Do you wish another to accompany you?"

"I will accompany him." Gaighdon said. At Seth's surprised look, Gaighdon shrugged as he added, "If he is sensing something that threatens, it would be best if you all remained with Pharaoh and the Prince. My going with Mahado will not affect Pharaoh's safety."

"You are not armed." Seth pointed out.

"That can be corrected.", Atemu said as he walked up to the group. Gaighdon had been aware of the Prince's approach but, from the startled look on the Priest's around Mahado, they had not realized he had been close enough to hear the exchange. Atemu stopped and slipped off his sword, held in an ornate scabbard, from his waist. Atemu raised the sword up in both hands and presented it to Gaighdon as he said with a slight smile, "Since you have already used this sword, you are more than welcome to use it again."

As he took the sword and scabbard and attached it to his waist, Gaighdon said with a slight smile, "You do not appear concerned by this, Atemu."

Giving Gaighdon a sudden bright smile, Atemu answered, "I would say I am well protected, I have no reason to be concerned. Both you and Mahado have proven that to me." Nodding once Atemu said, "May the Aten protect you both."

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As she stood beside Atemu as Gaighdon and Mahado left the Temple, Ciorstag could not resist asking, "You did not tell Gaighdon the whole truth. Something is concerning you, is it not?"

When he gave her a surprised look, she added with a smile, "You did say last night we could ask you anything."

The smile returned, though not as bright as before. "Yes I did." Cocking his head to the side he said, "That ability to speak mind to mind must come in handy. Is it common among your people?"

Ciorstag shook her head. "No, it is not. It is actually quite rare. It is one of the reasons, though, that we were chosen to discover where the Crosspoint led to."

"That, and the fact neither of us are affected by the unpleasant side effects traveling through the Shadow Realm can cause."

Giving Atemu a knowing look, Ciorstag added, "And my question still stands, Atemu."

A chuckle slipped out as Atemu answered, "I know but my answer will have to wait." He gave Ciorstag an apologetic look as he walked away, "Duty requires me to join my father now. However, I promise I will answer your question as soon as I am able."

Ciorstag sighed as she settled in to wait.

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Glancing at Mahado as they approached the Temple of Amun, Gaighdon found himself reviewing what the Chief Vizier had passed on to him in regards to this Temple. One of the newest buildings within the borders of Akhentaten, Pharaoh had allowed it to be built within the city dedicated to a god called the Aten to help heal a rift between the Royal family and the apparently powerful priesthood of Amun- Ra.

The explanation had been confusing to Gaighdon for, as far as he had been able to understand Siamun, both the Aten and Amun- Ra were the same god- or at least aspects of the same god, though he may not have been translating what Siamun had said correctly.

As they entered the open area before the road leading into the Temple, a road guarded by a procession of statues depicting catlike creatures with the head of a ram, Gaighdon finally asked carefully, "Do you have an idea what the threat the Ring is reacting to is?"

Mahado shook his head, obviously irritated. "No, I only have a feeling that something is wrong, that something is out of place. I do not feel threatened; I only feel a wrongness in the air."

A sigh slipped out of Mahado. "I apologize for dragging you into this, Gaighdon." he said as they passed between the first pair of statues, "but thank you." A slight blush darkened his cheeks as he added, "I think this is a mistake, I am not used to the ways of the Ring and, as I said, I may be misinterpreting what the Ring is trying to convey to me." He added with a slight, nervous laugh. "As I believe I may have last night."

Before Gaighdon could ask what he meant, he caught sight of a man who was dressed in a similar fashion to the one at the Temple of the Aten- the only difference being the skin of a spotted animal that was draped over one of his shoulders- striding purposely toward them from the Temple's entrance. Mahado stopped in surprise and bowed low once the man reached them.

"High Priest. Forgive our intrusion but I request permission to enter the Temple proper to inspect the building before Pharaoh arrives."

The man looked amused as he regarded Mahado, a look that Gaighdon found vaguely familiar.

"I see you've become a Priest of Wedju, Mahado. Such a shame. I had hoped I might convince you to become a priest of Amun one day." Crossing his arms as Mahado snuck a glance at the Priest, the man continued with a genuine smile, "And there is no need to bow to me, Mahado. As the Keeper of the Ring you are very much my equal, as irritating as I may find that."

Smiling, Mahado straightened and gestured toward Gaighdon. "I would like to introduce Ceann-feadha Gaighdon de Dalriada. Gaighdon, this is Inherynakht, High Priest of the Temples of Amun and father of Ifenete."

As Gaighdon bowed, the Priest gave Gaighdon a curious look. "Ceann-feadha?", he asked.

Glancing at Mahado with a smile, Gaighdon answered, "It simply means council chieftain in my language."

Inherynakht chuckled as he gave Mahado a knowing look. "You just cannot resist the sound of a new language, can you boy." Turning he began walking back to the Temple while he answered, "I have no objections to you or your companion inspecting the Temple, Mahado."

As they resumed walking toward the Temple, Mahado asked, "You seemed to have been expecting us, High Priest."

"I was. Pharaoh informed the Temple that Atemu's new wife will be meeting him here at the Temple this afternoon, so I was not surprised to see you when I noticed you carried the Ring."

"Wait, his new wife is meeting him here?", Mahado asked in surprise.

Inherynakht glanced at Mahado. "You did not know?"

Mahado shook his head.

"Ah, that would explain the Prince's look when we left the Heb-Sed court, though.", Gaighdon said thoughtfully.

Mahado nodded. "Yes, it would."

Stepping into the courtyard, Gaighdon found it almost as quiet as the first time he was within its walls. Priests move efficiently around the threesome as they approached the entrance of the Temple itself.

Gaighdon was startled when Mahado suddenly gasped and doubled over, his hands grabbing the rope that held the Ring around his neck. The golden tines along the bottom half of the Ring shivered as the Ring itself began to glow. Mahado dropped to his knees, as he looked wide-eyed into the depths of the Temple.

"Mahado?" Gaighdon asked, worried, crouching down in front of the stunned looking Priest. He rested his hands on Mahado's shoulder as he asked again…

"Mahado?"

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Mahado stared at the entrance into the Temple, his chest feeling as if a giant was squeezing his ribs together, his breath difficult to draw in. He could hear Gaighdon, hear the concern in his voice, but for a moment, he was unable to draw in enough air to form a reply.

There was something near and the Ring was being drawn toward it. Mahado felt the heka in the Ring straining toward the Temple, trying to connect to whatever was pulling it there.

Mahado closed his eyes as he chanted out a spell in his mind, trying to unite his own heka with that of the Ring so he might understand better what the Ring was attempting to do. He was not surprised when he heard a voice slip across his thoughts.

(Mahado?)

Frowning as he answered, Mahado said across the link, (Wait. I need a moment, Coeremar.)

The Ring's heka fought Mahado's attempts to bring it under control. It seemed almost eager, eager in the same way the Puzzle's heka was when Atemu called upon it in a duel. Pulling slightly on the added power Coeremar's presence supplied, Mahado finally brought the rebellious heka under his command.

"Mahado?"

Opening his eyes, he found Gaighdon and Inherynakht both kneeling before him and at some point, Mahado discovered, he had grabbed Gaighdon's arms in a fierce grip. Finding himself able to breathe once again, Mahado took a deep breath and carefully loosed his hold on Gaighdon.

As he focused on Gaighdon, Mahado noticed Inherynakht rising up to issue an order to a nearby priest.

Turning back, Inherynakht said sharply, "It will take some time to account for everyone within the Temple. Do we have that time, Mahado?"

Shaking his head to straighten out his thoughts, Mahado answered uncertainly, "I think so." Taking another deeper breath and keeping a hold on Gaighdon for balance, he added, "I'm not sure what happened though."

"It appeared as if the Ring was warning you." Inherynakht said thoughtfully. "I saw the Ring act like that once before when Pharaoh was threatened." Crossing his arms, he gave Mahado a searching look.

"You are welcome to recover in my quarters until I have a count of all my people. Do you remember where that is, Mahado?"

Using Gaighdon for support, Mahado pushed himself upright and stood unsteadily on his feet. "I remember. Thank you."

Inherynakht gave Mahado an understanding smile as he stepped close and rested a hand on Mahado's shoulder. "Do not doubt yourself, Mahado. You are more than prepared to carry the Ring, you just need to trust your instincts."

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It took much longer than Mahado had hoped but eventually, the High Priest reported that all of the priests and servants within the Temple had been found and were now gathered in the courtyard.

"One of the men reported hearing sounds within the inner sanctuary but had simply assumed it was a fellow priest." Inherynakht said as they approached the main entrance.

"Should anyone have been in there?", Mahado asked.

"Not at this time of the day."

A frown crossed Gaighdon's face. "Has the hole in the outer wall been repaired?"

Inherynakht stopped suddenly and glanced back at his group of priests. "Repairs have begun on it, however I did not send anyone to check on the guards posted there."

"We will check that from this side." Mahado looked into the depths of the Temple as he added, "It would be best if you held Pharaoh at the entrance to the courtyard until we have returned."

Nodding, Inherynakht turned and said, "Be careful. Both of you."

Absently, Mahado nodded in return as he started into the Temple.

As they made their way down the hall, Gaighdon moving slightly ahead, Mahado turned part of his attention inward. (Coeremar?)

(I am here.)

Finding comfort in those simple words, Mahado focused back outward.

Only to find Gaighdon suddenly stopping in his tracks.

Trying to figure out what had caught Gaighdon's attention Mahado saw a shadow moving amongst the columns to his right.

"Gaighdon, look out!"

Gaighdon spun around, drawing the sword free, as a figure moved out from between the columns. Another figure appeared further down, moving towards them with swords that glimmered in the sunlight that reached into the hallway.

"Find the source, I can hold them here!", Gaighdon shouted as Mahado made a quick gesture. A circle of power locked around the waist of the first figure, clamping the man's arms against his side, his sword dropping to the ground.

Gaighdon reached the second man, immediately driving him back between the columns. Seeing Gaighdon was holding his own, Mahado ran deeper into the Temple.

Stopping just inside the room set before the inner sanctuary, Mahado found the tines of the Ring were now pointing out and off to the right. Quickly slipping to the edge of the room, Mahado could just make out a figure emerging from within.

The white-haired man strode confidently down the middle of the room but stopped at the midpoint, his head cocked to the side as the sound of Gaighdon's fight filled the room. A frown crossed the man's face as he shifted to the side, toward the spot Mahado remembered Gaighdon and Ciorstag coming out of during the fight with the assassins. Mahado tried to move silently toward the man but he was spotted as soon as he changed positions.

The man turned in surprise. Mahado reeled as the Ring's heka sang through his mind.

It was this man that the Ring was reaching out to.

A possessive smile crossed the man's face as he watched Mahado stagger and, taking a step toward him said, "Well, I wasn't expecting to have one of the Millennium Priests here so soon." A chuckle slipped out as he stalked closer to Mahado. "And you appear to be in some distress, how convenient."

Mahado grabbed for the heka of the Ring and straightened. He felt Coeremar reaching out to aid him in controlling the Ring as he forced out, "You have violated the sanctuary of Amun. The punishment for such an act is death, robber."

The chuckle grew louder. "And you think you can deal out such a punishment to me? The Thief King?" He stopped and leaned forward slightly as he growled, "I'd like to see how you intend to do that, Priest."

Mahado realized that, even with Coeremar's aid, he was losing his grip over the Ring's heka as it continued to react to the man before him. Knowing he had no choice, that he had to try and remove the threat before him without relying on his own heka, Mahado raised an arm, took a step closer to the man. and began to chant.

The man crossed his arms and laughed.

Which was exactly the reaction Mahado had hoped for.

Suddenly lunging forward, Mahado swung his other arm up, his hand clenched in a fist. Focused on the hand Mahado had held out to cast a spell, the thief was momentarily caught unprepared. Jerking his head back, the thief snarled and reached out to grab Mahado. Expecting the move, Mahado brought his elbow back, striking the thief's face and knocking his head back.

Mahado knew the thief could easily beat him if he gave him a chance to think. Taking advantage of the thief confusion, Mahado grabbed the collar of the man's robes and twisted the stunned thief off his feet and down to the ground. He heard the man give a grunt as he landed atop him, his hands keeping a firm grip on the fabric around the man's throat, driving a knee hard into the man's stomach.

The Ring fell forward, the edge hitting his bare arm as the tines dragged against the thief's exposed chest.

Mahado's world suddenly went black.

Screams erupted across his senses and out into the room, echoing crazily off the walls. The Ring's heka burst out of Mahado's control, seemingly giving power to the screams. An unaccountable sense of loss, of panic, of utter grief streamed through him as the screaming grew even louder.

Twisting his head, Mahado grabbed his ears trying desperately tried to block the sounds and found, when he opened his eyes, disembodied spirits swirling around him.

Somehow managing to hear the choked cry, Mahado found himself staring at the man beneath him and watched an expression of utter shock fill his face.

"NO!", the thief screamed.

"You cannot refuse us, son of Kul Elna. Only you can exact the justice we crave.", the spirits sang out as they reached down to caress the face of the horrified thief.

"THIS CANNOT BE!", the thief shouted desperately at the spirits. "YOU'RE ALL DEAD!"

Mahado pushed away from the man and scrambled to his feet. Without thinking, Mahado wrapped his heka around the Ring's power and wrenching it back under his control. Ignoring the howl of anguish issuing from the thief, Mahado held a hand out stiffly before him as he summoned Coeremar.

But before Coeremar could appear, when he was somewhere between being linked with Mahado and manifesting himself, the Ring chimed as the tines began to move erratically. Distracted by the sound, Mahado's voice momentarily faltered as the spirits turned their attention to him.

"And we will not allow you to stop us, magician!"

The power of the Ring twisted within his grasp and turned his own power against him as the dead struck him. Pain erupted through his mind and body, pain so sharp it obliterated all coherent thought from Mahado.

But before he was lost to the pain, he heard a low, satisfied laugh flowing out from the heka of the Ring.

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Ciorstag's head snapped up at an obviously unintentional mental shout from Gaighdon. She stopped as she unconsciously said aloud in surprise, "Gaighdon?".

The Royal Sed Court had reached the courtyard within the Temple of Amun and had just been stopped by the High Priest- who had intercepted them before they could go any further- when the shout had slipped across her senses. Sensing all eyes turning toward her, Ciorstag shook her head as she tried to understand Gaighdon's situation.

"They seem to have run into trouble." Ciorstag muttered.

"How can you know that?" Isis asked in surprise.

Atemu stepped into the middle of the remaining Priests of Wedju. "She can speak directly to Gaighdon with her mind." Atemu said to Isis before turning to her to ask, "Are you close enough to tell what is happening, Ciorstag?"

"No.", she said, irritably, just as Isis gave a surprised shout. The eye in the center of the Tauk flared with power as Isis shouted, "Mahado's in danger!"

Seth turned and shouted, "Guards cover the temple entrance! Shada, come with me!"

"Wait!", Ciorstag yelled at Seth as she felt different sources of power suddenly erupting all over the Temple. For a moment the sheer volume of power in the air overwhelmed her abilities but with a snarl, she straightened out the information that was suddenly bombarding her and grabbed Gaighdon's mind.

(What's happening?) she shouted at him.

(Goddess, Ciorstag! Not so loud!) Gaighdon snapped back before asking, (Where are you?)

(In the courtyard.) she answered with a bit more control. Blinking, Ciorstag looked out at a barely restrained Seth, who was only held in place by a light touch from Atemu. (Seth is prepared to help but do you need it? I can't make sense of what is going on in there.)

(No, hold him there. Something just happened in the inner Temple. Adding more magic may make it worse. I'm trying to get in now but a barrier is up that I'm having trouble with.)

Keeping the link open, Ciorstag managed to say aloud, "Gaighdon recommends that you wait a moment, Seth. There's a…" Ciorstag abruptly dropped the link with Gaighdon and locked on to Atemu when she noticed his attention turning inward. The power of the Puzzle was suddenly rising in power, wrapping tightly around the healing spells she had crafted around his wound in almost a protective manner.

"Atemu?", Ciorstag asked. He blinked once, meeting her eyes, before his own eyes rolled up into his head.

"Atemu!", Seth cried as he caught the Prince as he collapsed to the ground. Dropping to a kneeling position, Seth held Atemu as the Prince closed his eyes, his body arching as a hand reached up to grab the High Priest's robe.

The Puzzle's magic suddenly burst out of control, sending out ribbons of power randomly in all direction as Atemu's eyes suddenly popped open, his eyes glowing with power.

As she dropped to the ground beside Atemu, silently thanking Seth for not letting go of the Prince even as the Puzzle's power flashed around his body, she heard Gaighdon suddenly swearing profusely over the link. As she tried to listen to Gaighdon and ascertain what was happening to Atemu, beginning to swear herself when she realized the healing spells were starting to unravel now that the power of the Puzzle was being pulled away from it, she heard a voice say softly, "I may be able to help you, healer."

Turning to refuse the offer as she reinforced her spells, she suddenly found herself face to face with a pair of mismatched eyes. For a moment, she could not speak as his gaze held her, until Seth snapped, "Guards, remove this man!"

As Lord Dartz turned away to respond, Gaighdon shouted across the link(The Ring is out of Mahado's control! Ciorstag, something else is controlling the Ring! You need to get Atemu and Pharaoh away from here!)

Remembering the comment that the Puzzle linked all the Millennium Items together, feeling the healing spells within Atemu beginning to shred as the Puzzle continued to react to the power around it, Ciorstag suddenly whirled to her feet to shout at Pharaoh, "Do you trust us!"

Caught by surprise by the question, Pharaoh stared at her as she repeated in a desperate voice, "Do you trust us?"

Straightening, glancing once at Atemu, he said firmly, "Yes, I trust you."

Ciorstag turned into the link and shouted to Gaighdon, (It's too late, you have to get Mahado out of here.)

(Ciorstag! How am I…)

(Take him through the Crosspoint, Gaighdon! You need to do it now or we lose them both!)

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Gaighdon shouted out Mirror Force as he reached Mahado's side. For a moment, the wall threw back the spirits of the dead that were attacking the unconscious magician, threw them away long enough for Gaighdon to grab the limp form and gather it in his arms.

Rising to his feet, he ran blindly for the corridor that led to the break in the wall. He distantly registered the presence of a white- haired man rising to his feet in the center of the room, a man the dead were circling protectively around, as he passed between the columns.

Gaighdon felt the dead at his back as he reached the opening. Twisting his head, he called out the spell that summoned the swords of heaven, hoping they might contain the dead long enough for him to reach the Crosspoint. He staggered momentarily, but did not stop when he hit the body sprawled across the dirt around the corner of the building. Regaining his footing as he ran, he chanted out the opening spell as the swords of heaven shattered and the dead burst out from the walls.

Knowing it was too late to stop, Gaighdon hit the wall where the Crosspoint sat, thankfully passing through it into the Shadow Realms.

With the dead following through behind him.

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To be continued in 'Book of Tales II: Tales of the People of the Mists"