Chapter 8: Discovery of Secrets Part 1
Many years passed after that day. The more time passed, the more my skills increased (no matter how much Priest Akunadin disliked it). I saw more of Naru than I did of Atem also. Atem had to take more and more classes the older he got, because he was the heir to the throne. But Naru became a close friend of mine and visted me in my room often. Even Sethos sometimes visited, but that was rare. I had finally reached the level where I was worthy of at least standing next to the Pharaoh. During most parts of the days, I stood between Atem and Priest Akunadin, just because Priest Akunadin didn't trust me on my own. Soon he allowed me to train on my own though. It was also time for the Millennium Items to be handed down. If I remember correctly, it was when I was 14 years old when the next most important thing happened in my life...
Juliana stood next to Atem, who stood next to his father. Priest Akunadin stood next to Priest Siamun on the other side of the throne. All of the one's who stood on the platform looked at a young boy about the age of Atem and Juliana. He had fairly long brown hair and blue eyes. He wore a blue and gold formal Egyptian outfit. The boy bowed and looked at the Pharaoh. "My Pharaoh, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"A pleasure to meet you as well, Seto." Pharaoh Akunumkanon said.
Seto. Finally the other she was to protect has arrived. Juliana looked at Seto, then at Priest Akunadin who also looked at her. Actually, it was more like a glare than a look. There was also a possibility he was glaring at Atem though.
"Perhaps we should hold a banquet in your honor, Priest Seto." Priest Siamun said. "What do you think, Priest Akunadin?"
Priest Akunadin nodded. "Yes. We look forward to your work as the new keeper of the Millennium Rod, Priest Seto."
Seto nodded, bowed and walked out.
Later on, Priest Akunadin took me aside to explain to me my orders for the banquet. I was not to speak unless spoken to (a rule that was set the day I arrived), and I was to stay by the Pharaoh's side at all times unless stated otherwise. He suspected something was to happen. He was more right than he could ever know...
All of the priests, including those without Millennium Items, sat at a long table filled with plates of food and glasses of wine. The Pharaoh sat all the way to the end, and Atem sat at the other side. Juliana stood next to the Pharaoh, Seto sat a few seats away from the Pharaoh, sitting next to Priest Akunadin. Servants brought food and placed it in front of those who sat.
"Everyone enjoy!" Pharaoh Akunumkanon said. Everyone bowed their head and began eating.
Juliana watched everything, wearing a black cloak with a hood covering her head. Priest Akunadin thought that those who he did not wish to hear should also not be seen. She looked around carefully, watching for anything suspicous.
"Juliana." Priest Akunadin said.
"Yes, master?"
"Fetch Priest Seto some biscuits, will you?"
Juliana nodded and began walking when Pharaoh Akunumkanon grabbed her hand. "Hold on. Priest Akunadin, is that really necessary?"
Priest Akunadin shrugged. "She seems bored. I thought it would give her something to do." He laughed a bit and Juliana walked out of the room. She returned with a plate of biscuits and began walking toward Akunadin and Seto. Akunadin nodded to one of the servants, who stuck out his foot as Juliana was passing by. Juliana fell, all the biscuits flew off the plate. "Stupid girl!"
Juliana looked up at Akunadin and her hood fell back. She looked around at the biscuits on the floor and started picking them up. "I'm sorry, Master...it was an accident."
"I don't care! I want you to pick these up and personally bake new ones!"
"Akunadin!" Pharaoh Akunumkanon stood up.
Seto looked at Pharaoh Akumumkanon, then at Juliana who was quickly picking up biscuits and placing them back on the plate. He stared at her for a moment, then get out of his seat. Everyone watched as he bent down and helped Juliana pick up the biscuits.
"Priest Seto...that really isn't necessary..." Priest Akunadin said looking at him.
"Well I believe it is." Priest Seto said, helping her stand. "If no one else should help, someone should."
Juliana looked at him, half in disbelief and half in gratitude. Although she would surely be beaten for this later...She sighed then suddenly pushed Priest Seto to the ground as a flaming arrow flew over their heads.
Everyone gasped and quickly stood. "Juliana!" called Pharaoh Akunumkanon.
"I'm on it!" Juliana jumped off the ground, hopped on the table and jumped out the window. She jumped onto the roof of a building and looked around. Guards were running all over the place, seeing the fire arrow fly into the dinning room. She continued to look around. "I smell a thief..." she muttered.
Juliana looked over toward the treasure room and saw a shadow quickly disappear inside. She smirked and jumped down from the building, running toward the treasure room. A sword appeared in her hand and she slowly walked into the building. There she saw a girl with short blonde-hair and an old Egyptian outfit on, walking around with a bag in her hand collecting gold and jewlery.
"Haha! I wasn't expecting this to be so easy!" The girl said.
"Good, because your luck ends now," said Juliana.
"EEP!" The girl dropped everything she was holding and quickly looked at Juliana. She put on a fake smile and scratched her head. "Oh hello. I'm here to..uh...clean the walls! Yes! That's it!" She grabbed the bag she was holding and started to wipe the walls with it.
'Just one? Was expecting more. And this one isn't too bright either...' She sighed and looked at her, lowering her sword. "Who are you and what do you think you are doing?"
"I am Ishico! The best theif in this part of Egypt!" She blinked. "Whoops...you didn't hear that."
Juliana walked toward her. "You will be arrested and tried for attempted theivery and attempted assault on an Egyptian Priest."
"Well...then...I guess...I'll just TAKE THIS AND RUN!" She ran over to a pedistal that held a golden bracelt on top.
'That's not a good idea...Pharaoh Akunumkanon told me never to touch that bracelet...' Juliana watched as Ishico disappeared in a flash of light. She heard her yell and then all was silent. When the light faded, all that remained was the golden bracelet on the ground.
I remember when I brought the bracelet to the Pharaoh to explain what happened, all he did was say I did a good job and walked off with the bracelet. No one even seemed shock about what happened to the theif, Ishico when she touched the bracelet. Things were strange...but I didn't have time to worry. The Pharaoh sent Priest Akunadin, Priest Seto and myself to search the city, making sure she had no partners and such. Another day that did not go as planned...
Priest Akunadin and Priest Seto sat on a platform that was carried by a group of guards as they walked down the main road of the Egyptian city. Juliana walked with the guards, carefully looking around. She knew Priest Akunadin was watching her, and even felt Priest Seto's eyes on her, but she had to focus.
"Such a nice day, isn't it?" Priest Akunadin said.
"Yes...but that is usually when the danger strikes." said Priest Seto looking away from Juliana.
"All too true."
Just then a girl in old peasant clothes ran up to the priests. She bowed a few times then held out her hands. "Please my lords! My family is poor and needs food! Could you spare a coin or two?"
Juliana's eyes widened when she saw the girl. It was the same one she had helped escape when she had first arrived in the city. She looked over at Priest Akunadin who laughed a little. She then looked around as people began to slowly gather. One person went right up to her, arms extended. "Please, Lady Juliana! Can you spare anything?"
"I..."
"Guards, get these people out of here now." Priest Akunadin said. The guards nodded and began pushing people back with their spears.
"Move along now! Go!" yelled the guards.
The first girl pushed passed the guards and still begged to the priests. "Please, my lords! Surely you can spare just one coin!"
"I said get back!" said a guard. He was about to hit her with his spear but was stopped by Juliana.
Juliana threw the spear to the side and handed the girl a few coins. "Take these and go! Hurry now, be quick!"
"Bless you, Princess Juliana, bless you," smiled the girl. She then ran off as quick as she could.
Juliana turned around to look at the two priests who sat in their chairs. Priest Akunadin was glaring at her.
"You and I will have a talk when we return to the palace..." he said.
She looked at the ground. "Yes master..." They continued walking.
--------Back in the Palace-------
Seto walked through the hallways of the palace looking around. Naru looked over and walked to him. "Good afternoon, Priest Seto." she said.
"Ah, Lady Naru. Good afternoon."
"I heard what happened in town today. Quite an experience for your first assignment here."
"Hm..." Priest Seto looked around, then back at Naru. "Lady Naru, what can you tell me about Juliana?"
"Lady Juliana?" Naru smiled. "She's as good a sorceress as any priest or priestess in the palace."
"A commoner in the city called her 'Princess Juliana'. Why is that? Is she related to the Pharaoh?"
Naru shook her head. "They call her that because she's so close to the Pharaoh and his sons Prince Atem and Prince Sethos. She sort of looks like one if you know her well enough."
"Yeah...do you know where I may find Lady Juliana?"
She frowned. "I last saw her walking down the hallway with Priest Akunadin. That usually means they went to the training room."
"Thank you." He began to quickly walk toward the training room.
Naru quickly turned and yelled to him. "But Priest Seto! We were told never to enter there while they were training! -oh boy..." She sighed and continued walking on her way.
Seto walked down to what the priests called the training room. It was mostly a practice room, but training worked just as well. He walked to the door and put his ear to it, hearing voices.
"Who do you think you are!" Priest Akunadin's voice. There was a yell, then a crash. "I'm the only one who sees you for what you truely are!" Another yell, and an even louder crash.
'What is going on in there...?' Seto thought. He slowly opened the door and walked in side. His eyes widened at what he saw. Juliana lay on the ground in a pile of broken spears, a bloody mess. She was coughing and breathing heavily, spitting out blood every now and then. Akunadin slowly walked toward her, his Millennium Eye glowing fiercely.
"You ungrateful girl..." He lifted his hand up and Juliana floated into the air. She coughed once again. "We take you into the palace and you choose to be disrespectful! I should have destroyed you when I had the chance!" He quickly swung her into the wall.
Juliana's head hit the wall hard and she was knocked unconsious. When she fell, there was a huge crater from where she hit the wall. Seto had seen enough. Any further and Akunadin would kill Juliana.
"You and your foolish parents! ALL SOMEWHERE YOU SHOULDN'T BELONG!" He lifted his hand again.
"Priest Akunadin! Stop this now!" Seto ran and stood between Akunadin and Seto.
"S-Seto...it's not what it looks like."
"Then tell me, Priest Akunadin. What is it?" When Akunadin stayed silent, Seto crossed his arms and continued. "This girl is a lady of Egypt, not your slave. Or anyone else's slave for that matter. I have never in my life seen anyone treat their slaves like you just did. That was over the line, Priest Akunadin. And I think the Pharaoh should hear of this."
"Se-Priest Seto! Wait, you don't understand!"
Seto ignored Priest Akunadin and turned, picking Juliana up. He walked out of the room with Juliana in his arms as Priest Akunadin continued yelling for him. He walked down the hallway toward Juliana's room and once again ran into Naru.
She looked at him, then her eyes widened at Juliana. "Juliana! What happened!"
"Please get me some bandages, water and cloths. Maybe some healing herbs. Meet me in her room."
Naru quickly nodded. "Right!" She ran down the hallway.
Priest Seto walked into Juliana's room and layed her on the bed. He gently moved her hair out of her face and caressed her cheek. "So beautiful...and so amazing. I'm surprised she's not a priestess..."
"Priest Seto?" A fairly-aged servant slowly walked into the room with a bucket of water in one hand, and cloths in the other. "Lady Naru asked me to bring these to you, and to tell you she will be here shortly."
"Alright. Bring them over here."
The servant walked over and placed the bucket next to Seto. He looked over at Juliana and looked her up and down. "Oh my...I've never seen it this bad before..."
Seto looked at him. "This has happened?"
The servant nodded. "About every time she returns from training with Priest Akunadin. But she always comes in here without a word and cleans her own wounds, saying it was just a rough practice." He sighed. "Priest Akunadin dislikes Lady Juliana very much...none of us know why. He treated Prietess Safiya the same as well. Poor child..." He put a hand on her forehead. "In all her 5 years of being with us, I have never seen her smile."
Seto looked at the man, then at Juliana. "Never?"
He shook his head. "Never. Not even a small one...she never eats or sleeps neither."
"How can she not eat or sleep?"
"Who knows. Usually at night we see her in the weapons shop helping the blacksmiths make weapons and such. She's such a kind girl, just like all the other magic users in the palace...Hey, it feels like she's developing a fever."
"What?" Seto put his hand on Juliana's forehead, then felt her cheeks. "She wasn't like this before..."
"Out of the way!" they heard from outside the door. The door slammed open and Naru's mother Illana, Naru and Prince Atem ran into the room. "Priest Seto, please get away from her!"
"What's going on?" He looked at Illana, then at Juliana, who had begun to twitch and groan.
Prince Atem frowned at Priest Seto. "There's a reason Juliana doesn't sleep..."