Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh isn't mine. If it was, I'd be as rich as Seto Kaiba himself. (Well, probably not, but you get the idea…) And this fic is beta-read by Pamster. Thanks a lot to her for checking it and her advice.
Author's Note: This is a prequel to events that happen in Ancient Egypt and my other fanfiction, The Reeds, The Lotus And The High Priest. It focuses on Akunadin's early years, when he met Set's mother, who I have called Ain, who is shown in the anime and manga. It also focuses on Akunadin as he served his brother, Akunumkanon. Each chapter shall focus upon important points and moments in Akunadin's life, eventually leading up to the time when everything changed. Also, sometimes Egyptians added seawater to wine to make it more flavoursome. And a name in this fanfiction, Fenyang, seems Chinese but it is actually Egyptian. Kasiya and Ain themselves are Egyptian names too. I researched all the names in order to make it more realistic. Here's a small glossary of terms:
Hem Ntjr – High Priest.
Kemet – Egypt.
Per A'a – Pharaoh.
Shemou – An Egyptian Month (corresponds to April).
Summary: During his early years, Akunadin lived in the shadow of his brother, never allowing himself to become close to anyone. One day, he is surprised to find himself facing a woman and now he must decide if it is time for him to leave the shadows behind. But will everything change?
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His Brother's Servant:
Chapter 01: Ain
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The First Meeting…
For as long as he could remember, Akunadin had always been placed in the shadow of his brother. Ever since they had been born as twins, it had always been Akunumkanon who had been allowed to bathe in the loving light of everyone's favour, Akunadin himself choosing to remain in darkness and protect Kemet from the sidelines. But as one might expect, Akunadin was not seething with envy at this situation. Instead, he merely felt sad that it was because of the simple loud cry of his brother that his fate had been determined.
Sitting inside the Temple of Karnak, Akunadin's eyes shifted towards the young woman who was serving others on the other side of the room. His eyes lingering on the figure in the background, the Per A'a's brother, who was also Akunumkanon's Hem Ntjr, sipped some wine from his shallow bowl before placing it back on the table.
The taste of seawater lingered on Akunadin's tongue as the man sitting opposite him chuckled.
"You're smitten, aren't you?" Fenyang chuckled, turning to face a third man. "Kasiya, would you say our dear friend is in love?"
"I would indeed," the usually silent Kasiya replied. "It's about time, too."
The two men then gazed knowingly at the woman in the corner before smirking at Akunadin.
"Knock it off!" Akunadin exclaimed, declining into his chair as his fist hit the table. "What I feel is none of your business! Get back to talking about your boy, Shadah, Kasiya!"
Akunadin then cursed, forcefully hitting the table. The jolt caused the jar of wine to fall over, the sticky liquid pouring all over the priest's left hand. The irate man turned his hand over, droplets of wine sliding across his skin until it fell to join the puddle on the table. Now he would look like a right fool!
Akunadin then shook his sodden hand.
The woman who had caught the attention of Akunumkanon's brother was quiet an unassuming, or so the Per A'a's sibling thought. Akunadin cupped his chin with his right hand. Was this woman what he truly wanted? He had gone through his life so far without ever being in the true loving company of a woman. Sure, he had thought about it, but why had he not acted sooner? Was it because he felt more comfortable in the shadow of his sibling and suppressed any desire to bask in the joy of love?
"Are you all right, sir?" a woman's voice asked.
Akunadin almost jumped out of his seat at the sound of that voice; full of concern.
"I'm fine," the black-haired man mumbled. "It's nothing, really."
What is she doing? Akunadin resisted the urge to ask the woman to leave as she began to clean the table with a cloth.
Looking up, Akunadin could see that the woman he had been watching was holding the cloth out to him. He looked up at this woman, her dark blue eyes warmly looking back down at him. His mouth began to open but no words came out.
"It's all right, I can do it myself," Akunadin murmured. He took the cloth. "Thank you…"
"My name's Ain," the woman said.
Akunadin smiled to himself, his eyes closing.
"Thank you, Ain," the man said, quietly.
-o-
"Brother, are you feeling all right?" Akunumkanon quizzed. "You seem to be acting a bit strange lately."
"I…" Akunadin began to reply.
The younger of the twins raised his head and gazed up at his brother on the throne, his left knee resting on the floor. Several days after he had learnt Ain's name, Akunadin had developed a curiosity towards the young woman. Discussing the upcoming festival with his brother, the tall, thin man had found his mind distracted by other matters.
I wonder if she even knows about me, Akunadin wondered.
"Akunadin, are you sure you're all right?" Akunumkanon asked, leaning forwards. "You're not ill, are you?"
"I'm fine." Akunadin shook his head, clarifying his thoughts. "As you should be, brother; it is the month of Shemou, after all. The Netjer have blessed you with a bountiful harvest."
"Thank you, Akunadin," Akunumkanon replied.
"It's all right," Akunadin replied.
The youngest twin rose to his feet and then bowed respectfully to his brother, an arm across his chest as he then straightened himself and left the throne room. He then ran a hand through his beard, still deep in thought about the woman he had developed such a fascination for. No, not a woman; her name was Ain. His lips curved into a smile and he laughed; she was priceless, indeed. As Akunadin walked through the corridors, he found himself desiring to get to know Ain a little bit better.
-o-
A blaze of colour.
Those were the first four words that entered Akunadin's head as the man started to move amidst amongst the crowd that had gathered to celebrate the harvest festival. All around him, Akunadin could smell the beer the commoners drank, the night sky littered with stars. The smell of burning gazelle meat wafted up his nose and he calmly gazed around at the various people running to and fro. This time of year had always been his favourite. There was always so much going on to occupy his mind.
I wonder how Akunumkanon's doing, Akunadin thought.
The priest's head fell into his right hand and he yawned, feeling the effect of nights spent without sleep. He had left Fenyang and Kasiya behind, the two men well known for their ability to consume vast amounts of alcohol. It made perfect sense in the case of his youngest friend, who was in the service of Bast, a goddess whose festival was known to become quite rowdy.
Akunadin's eyes then picked out a familiar figure to the side. A young woman, her hair tied back, was struggling to cope with the heavy-looking sack of grain she had on her back. She stumbled briefly and the priest hurriedly made his way over, steadying the sack of grain.
"Here, let me take it for you," Akunadin announced, shifting the sack onto his own back. "You looked like you were struggling."
That piqued Ain's interest; she smiled in agreement, stood aside and gazed at the man that had came to her aid.
"Are you sure?" Ain asked Akunadin. "It's no trouble, really."
"It's all right, Miss. I owe you for cleaning up after me the other day," Akunadin replied, trying to manage the heavy sack.
"Thank you," Ain smiled. She then brushed back her hair. "Haven't I seen you someplace before? You seem so familiar. What's your name?"
Akunadin stared at Ain for a moment, trying to keep his balance.
"My name is Akunadin," he announced, minimally.
"You – You're the Per A'a's brother!" Ain exclaimed, her hand in front of her mouth.
The young woman blushed; the Per A'a's brother himself was helping her!
Akunadin noticed the embarrassed red haze that seemed to appear all of a sudden on Ain's skin. He then chuckled and managed to shrug his shoulders beneath the heavy sack, twisting and turning until he had a grip of the sack but could moderately stand upright.
"It really doesn't matter," Akunumkanon's brother smiled. "Where do you want me to take this?"
Ain nodded her head in the direction of a nearby street.
-o-
Akunadin smiled in relief as he placed the heavy sack of grain down on the dusty floor. It had been hard work, but he had managed to transport the grain halfway across town to where Ain lived: a fairly well to do house in the part of town where those of the upper class lived. On the way there, Ain had engaged the priest in conversation, revealing to Akunadin that her family had made its money through trade.
The older priest himself knew that they were not in the same league as his own family, few were, but Ain herself made him smile.
The pleasant aroma of roasting meat drifted in from the festival and Akunadin appreciated it. He then looked down at Ain, who looked down at the floor in respect.
"Thank you for aiding me, Lord Akunadin," the young woman murmured. "I hope I haven't kept you from anything important."
Akunadin smiled to himself at this display of politeness.
"It's all right; it was my pleasure to help you," he said softly, pausing. "Ain, would you like to accompany me to the rest of the festivities this night?"
Ain turned around and gazed up at Akunadin, her face a perfect picture of surprise. What would the Per A'a's brother possibly want with her? Akunadin himself chuckled, feeling a strange warmth feeling come over him.
"So, would you like to?" Akunadin asked again.
"Yes, that would be wonderful," Ain replied, smiling.
-o-
"So, what would you like to do today?" Akunadin asked.
The older man and his companion both looked to the side at a nearby collection of grain, fruit and meat, all of which was to be left to the statue of the Netjer as a sacrifice to appease the god and pray for a continuingly good harvest. Feeling somewhat calm but content, Akunadin's mind was thinking about Ain and the fact she had accompanied him. What was he supposed to do now?
"You're smitten!" Akunadin remembered Fenyang teasing. "I dare say you're in love!"
Why do I feel like he's right? Akunadin looked away from Ain, her head turning in his direction.
Ain, meanwhile, was deep in thought. She was puzzled over why someone of the stature of the Per A'a's brother would have asked her to accompany him to the festival. Perhaps it was something else?
"Would you like something to eat?" Akunadin questioned, looking at Ain.
"Thank you. That would be nice," Ain replied, still sounding embarrassed.
Akunadin walked off and soon returned with two bunches of grapes. They weren't his favourite, but they would do. Plus the juice they contained would help in the night's heat. The priest handed the second bunch to Ain, pausing in silence for several moments.
"Ain, would you like to talk a bit longer?" Akunadin asked, Ain nodding. "Good. I know just the place."
-o-
Akunadin turned to face Ain once they had reached the spot he had taken the young woman to. Overlooking the great river, the priest sat down on the small outcrop and gazed out at the starry sky. Looking up as Ain took a seat next to him, Akunadin found himself feeling oddly at ease. It had been a long while since he had felt so peaceful.
Not knowing how to start, the two spent several moments in silence.
"So what's it like, working at the palace, with your brother?" Ain asked, eventually.
"It has its advantages," Akunadin replied, falling silent.
Why must everything always come down to him? the priest thought, somewhat bitterly.
"I'm sorry, Lord Akunadin. Have I offended you in some way?" Ain murmured, her eyes surveying the ground.
Shaking his head, Akunadin showed his feelings on the matter. He did not know why he was here, save for the fact that he was in pleasant company. That and the quiet but loving atmosphere made everything feel right. That and he was surprised that Ain's family had not made her find a partner yet. It was rare to see a woman of her age without any children or a man in her life.
"Ain, what are your plans for the future?" Akunadin asked the young woman, turning to face her. "Surely you wish to fulfil any dreams you may have before you find yourself dying?"
With that, Ain fell thoughtfully quiet, the river's lapping audible in the background.
"I don't know," the young woman whispered. "I'm not really sure what I want."
"Well then, I'd be happy to help you decide, should you wish for my help," Akunadin smiled.
Akunadin then rested his hands on his knees and gazed once more at the river down below, the sun slowly starting to rise in the distance.
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