Duel of Love

by Crystal56

The Pharaoh knew nothing of her existance until she overheard a conversation between High Priest Seto who had kept her hidden and the Pharaoh himself. She goes to the palace to assist him in a job, but finds Pharaoh has a secret himself. Chapter 26 up

25. Anger

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh

A/N: Onto the next chapter!

Duel of Love

Chapter 25: Anger

Thief King

This sappy romance was making my stomach churn and I had lost my appetite countless times now whenever I thought about it. I had to do something about it; happy endings weren't what the pharaoh deserved.

Katiana

I sat in the library once more, working on finishing the translations of the texts. Now, just a few days after we got back from the gypsy camp, after he proposed marriage to me, some of what I read began to make sense. It actually began to make sense what I was reading, which was weird. At first, I had only been able to translate into our form of writing and then make words out of it. I could read some of it aloud and it wouldn't always make sense to me though because some of the words came out wrong. Something now though has opened my eyes or staying away from it for a while has allowed me to come back with a clear head because now I can make more sense of what I'm reading. One of the books, the first one I thought I understood to be about culture and tools still is about that, but the next tome after that is about weapons, but not just that. In it are several spells, incantations I think for enchanting weapons to wield elemental powers, although there are instructions for forging said weapons as well. I would never be able to do something on such a level as forging weapons but it listed several swords and other weapons already made that were hidden all over the world. There was even a map I could make out now showing where they were and a few were close by. I wondered if the pharaoh would be interested in magical items like that.

"I w…would be," I whispered as I poured over the pages once more.

"You would be what Priestess Katiana?" a voice asked and I looked up to see High Priest Shadi looking at me from the other side of the table. "What would you be?"

"I'd be n…nothing High P…Priest Shadi!" I said with surprise, realizing it wasn't the pharaoh. Sometimes I had to remind myself the pharaoh wasn't the only one who would be coming into the library and not the only one at the palace either. "I m…meant I w…would be interested in t…these…weapons." I beckoned him. "I mean…well, you'll s…see." He came over to my side of the table and peered over my shoulder at the tome. "It might not m…make much sense what it s…says there…" I hurriedly picked through the pages of papyrus I had with my notes and found what I was looking for, and handed it too him, which he took and looked at with interest.

"I can see why High Priest Seto kept you from the rest of us for such a long time, and not just to keep you away from the pharaoh." High Priest Shadi frowned. "Are you certain about these translations?"

"I'm c…certain," I whispered, a little afraid at what he was going to say.

"This is amazing work Priestess Katiana. If this is correct there are magically influenced weapons near here, not even at the original ruin site. I have to see the pharaoh right away about this," he said and held the papyrus paper as if it were the most precious thing in the world. He walked around towards the door and then turned back to me, beckoning me to follow. "Come along Priestess Katiana, I can't very well tell the pharaoh about it if you're the only one who can understand what's in those books." I stood and walked up to him until I was standing behind him. "What are you doing that for?"
"Respect," I said sheepishly and he smiled kindly.

"You don't walk behind me when you're the pharaoh's woman, furthermore you're going to be my Queen as well, Priestess or not. You walk beside me." He began to walk and I followed beside him as he ordered until he stopped. "Of course, you would be able to anyways, being able to read those tomes makes you a valuable resource. High Priest Seto is lucky to have you as a priestess, although I doubt he sees that."

I didn't respond. I think Seto did know, but he cared more at first about marrying me and keeping me away from the pharaoh. I haven't been home at the temple in such a long time now, and I would probably never really stay there again once I married the pharaoh. Sure, I wasn't treated well there but it was home. And I don't want Seto to hate me for all of this. For falling in love with the pharaoh, for being with the pharaoh so much…and now I'm marrying him.

I faltered in my steps and High Priest Shadi turned towards me. He was different now than I thought he would be. I've never met him before but Seto told me he could often be rude and cold towards people…but then again that was how Seto acted sometimes. High Priest Shadi was nothing like I had expected. He was tall enough to tower over me significantly and yet there was a kindness about him even though it seemed sad in a way.

"Are you all right Priestess Katiana?" he asked.

"I am." I straightened myself up and looked at him. "You d…don't have to call me p…priestess anymore. I doubt Seto w…will let me remain a p…priestess now."

"You cannot simply stop be a priestess or a priest for that matter just because someone tells you so," High Priest Shadi said. "You'll always be a priestess in my opinion. With all I've heard and with how the pharaoh's changed, especially after you helping him defeat his darkness, you are a priestess through and through. I think you couldn't do an evil thing even if you wanted to."

"What if I h…had to though?" I asked, curious why he was saying such things.

"If you had to be evil? There is always that choice, I suppose," he said, looking thoughtful for a moment. "You're a sweet girl Priestess Katiana. Don't stop being that way. Even after your married, I think you'll remain kind and gentle. The pharaoh needs that kindness more than all of Egypt; at least, that's what I believe." He began walking again and I took a few running steps to catch up, his stride was much longer than mine. "I heard a while ago that your spirit monster evolved to save you in the ruins. I regret I wasn't able to ask back then but since we're talking now I am curious as to what it became. Or more so what it was before it evolved. All the shadow monsters are of an interest to me, particularly ones used by the priests and priestesses, all have their own strengths and weaknesses and all are unique."

"My P…Petite Dragon changed into a B…Blackland fire dragon a long t…time ago," I said, wondering if this wasn't just some foolish question testing me. "It c…changed into a Black Dragon J…Jungle King to protect me and the p…pharaoh in the ruins…"

"Did you want it to change?" he asked.

"No," I whispered.

"I see," he said.

"Is that imp…important?" I asked.

"Your dragon evolved so strong both times because you didn't want it to. It wanted to protect you, but since you didn't want it to change it changed to be as strong as it could for you because of the fact it knew it could never change back," he said. "Your Dragon loves you. That much is obvious. Tell me, did you talk to it when you were little?"

"When it was l...little," I whispered ashamedly. Should I be able to talk to it now? "I can't n…now though."

"Ah, here we are," High Priest Shadi said and I noticed we were in the pharaoh's throne room. High Priest Isis and High Priest Karim were at his sides so when High Priest Shadi went forward, I stayed back, not wanting to disturb anything.

"High Priest Shadi, ah, I was wondering where you wandered off too. Who is that you have with you?" I watched the pharaoh look past High Priest Shadi and right at me. "Miss Katiana? I thought you were in the library."

"I was." "She was." High Priest Shadi and I talked at the same time, our words colliding with one another. The pharaoh smiled and beckoned for me to come forward. "Come on, you're perfectly allowed to come forward my love." I blushed and lowered my head, shaking it as a 'no'. I heard his sigh and then heard footsteps as someone; I think the pharaoh approached me.

"I'm s…sorry," I whispered and felt his hand lift my chin, forcing me to look him right in the eyes.

"There's no need to be sorry. You're not intruding. Besides, if you're coming in with High Priest Shadi, I assume it has something to do with the tomes and what you've found in them. I suspect he's going to be asking to go out looking for something, am I right?" he asked and I nodded while his hand held me. He kissed me gently on the lips and took my hand, walking me back towards the throne with him, and had me stand by High Priest Shadi's side. "So High Priest Shadi, what errand do you want to go about now?"

"It is no pointless errand I assure you. When I went to see Priestess Katiana in the library she was looking over a tome, and she told me about some enchanted weapons…"

"Enchanted weapons?" the pharaoh asked, looking at me. "You have been busy."

"I was c…correcting a few translations I n…noticed didn't fit…" I trailed and he smiled kindly before turning back to High Priest Shadi, "Continue."

"The weapons marked down on this sheet of parchment aren't too far from Egypt itself, I suggest we go and fetch these weapons before they fall into the hands of an enemy," High Priest Shadi proclaimed.

"If they've been hidden for many years already who's to say anyone will find them now? It's not like just anyone can read those tomes and we're the ones who have them," the pharaoh said, and I think he was wondering how well High Priest Shadi could defend his argument, although by the look on the pharaoh's face he wanted to see what this was all about.

"The weapons are listed here as a bow, a sword, a broadsword and twin blades, as they are translated to be," High Priest Shadi explained. "Each one enchanted to work with a different element, the bow with wind, the sword with water, the broadsword with fire and the twin blades with earth."

"Elements of the world," the pharaoh said. "I must say High Priest Shadi, I am much intrigued."

"Then do I have your permission to gather a team to go and fetch these items?" High Priest Shadi asked.

"I give you permission, on one condition," the pharaoh said and I saw a glint in his eyes. It was almost amusing watching the two talk. For High Priest Shadi it was excitement but for the pharaoh, although the excitement and curiosity also was there had to make sure it was worthwhile.

"What is this condition my Pharaoh?" he asked.

"I must be allowed to join you." The simple reply caused every one of the High Priests and the High Priestess to turn and look at him with confusion. "It's quite simple really. You can't read the map that shows you how to get to the site, which I can assume to mean you will ask to take Miss Katiana with you on this journey. I will accompany you if that is what you plan to do, although I'm quite sure High Priest Seto will wish to accompany her as well."

"I see," High Priest Shadi said and looked at me. I glanced up at him before turning my face to the floor. "If that is what the pharaoh wishes then so be it." I raised my head again as I felt him touch my shoulder. "Will you come Priestess Katiana? I will not be able to arrive there safely with my team unless you can read the map for us."
"C…Couldn't it be copied?" I asked.

"I doubt the creators of such a map would just allow it to be copied into any other language. If their race was one of magic, I believe that map is protected with spells I can only dream of learning," High Priest Shadi said and his necklace swayed in the wind. For that matter, I really hadn't noticed that all the High Priests and the one High Priestess had various pendants and items. I wasn't the most observant person, was I? It was probably where they kept their monsters from the shadow realm. That would make their monsters really strong too. I mean, to be kept in a golden item? My dragon was kept in just a small pendant. "Priestess Katiana?"

"Oh, well…um I s…shall do my b…best," I said with a bow.

"Then it's settled. I shall gather my team and report back to you when I am ready to depart. We shall of course be ready sooner should my pharaoh ask it of us." High Priest Shadi bowed low and the pharaoh let him leave. He waved the others off as well and beckoned me to come forward. I did so cautiously and he kissed my mouth gently as he took me into his arms.

"My Princess, are you scared? No one may force you to do anything," he said.

"I'm not s…scared," I said. "I'm j…just worried about you."

"I shall be fine my love," he whispered into my ear. "Do not worry about me." He put his hand on my back and I let out a small cry. "Is something the matter?"

"No, I m…mean, well my s…scar on my back," I said. "It j…just hurt a little and I d…don't know why."

"Then you should go see High Priest Mahado. I have been meaning to talk to him anyways so why don't we go together? If that scar is bothering you that can't be a good thing," he said and kissed my forehead as I sat in his lap. I blushed.

"It's all r…right," I whispered, not wanting him to do anything for me.

"Are you going to walk with me or do I have to carry you?"

…

High Priest Mahado was an old friend of the pharaoh, especially as he (the pharaoh) was still a prince and not even pharaoh yet. So was his apprentice healer named Mana. She was really nice and was the one to greet us when we arrived at the temple where High Priest Mahado resided.

"Pharaoh!" she exclaimed as she ran towards both of us. "And um…wait, you're Priestess Katiana, aren't you? I remember because my master had to heal you when you were brought back by the pharaoh from the desert. No task is too hard for my master!"

"Mana, you aren't causing trouble again are you?" I looked past Mana to see where that voice was coming from and saw High Priest Mahado. I hadn't really heard him speak before…the last time he was near me was when I was completely unconscious after that thief had hurt me.

"She's causing little to no trouble at all old friend," the pharaoh greeted and when High Priest Mahado saw who was here he bowed low.

"I didn't know you would be coming today or else I would be wearing something a little more formal," High Priest Mahado said.

"Your everyday robes are fine, how many times do I have to tell you that?" the pharaoh asked and embraced him warmly. Mana came up to me as the two men began to talk about something I couldn't make out and held out her hand.

"The pharaoh and my master are really close friends," she said. "I don't know if you know me, I'm Mana!" I took her hand and she grabbed onto me and pulled me close. "I'm so happy the pharaoh has found someone special!" I winced in pain as her hands in the small embrace touched my back.

"Um…t…thank you," I said as she released me from the sudden hug.

"So what are you here for?" she asked as she looked at me, hunched over a little and forcing myself to stand up straight.

"My b…back," I said softly. "The pharaoh s…said we'd come here b…but just because of m…me. He just s…said he w…wanted to talk to High P…Priest Mahado."

"You have a stutter!" she exclaimed with joy and I blinked at her. "I can't believe I can meet someone with a speech problem."

"I'm s…sorry," I said and looked down at the floor.

"What do you have to be sorry about? I think it's really amazing. Enough of that though, if you don't like it, that's fine. I think it's neat and don't think anything's wrong with it and neither does the pharaoh, right?" she asked and I nodded. "Well good then. Master, stop talking with the pharaoh! They're here because Priestess Katiana is feeling bad!"

High Priest Mahado turned to face the two of us and I caught the pharaoh with a grin on his face out of the corner of my eye. "Very well then. Mana, go inside and get a room ready. Priestess Katiana, what's troubling you?"

…

We went inside towards the room Mana directed us to, the one she had been told to prepare. I had told High Priest Mahado about my problem and he wanted to sit me down and take a closer look. The pharaoh was coming in as well.

"You know, the pharaoh falling in love with you is a good thing," Mana said. "I knew him when he was little, he wouldn't settle down for anything! He always took lots of risks, along with doing things that weren't normal for a prince to do. Now he has you to love and protect and that's a really good thing." I nodded at her with a smile as I sat down on a stool and High Priest Mahado lifted up my shirt in the back to take a look at it, which would mean seeing the scar I had there. Mana was doing a good job of distracting me and keeping me talking while High Priest Mahado was doing whatever it was he was doing to it. It didn't hurt or anything, I think he was just really taking observations. The pharaoh was watching from the doorway, having claimed he didn't need to see how High Priest Mahado worked, he already knew firsthand.

"Mana, I think you've grown more talkative since the last time I've been here," the pharaoh said with a smile. "I think Miss Katiana hasn't been able to get in a word with all the things you keep saying."

"It's okay pha…pharaoh," I said and Mana looked back and forth between us, her eyes wide as saucers.

"You two aren't just calling each other by your first names?" she asked and he and I shook our heads. "That's sad. Once you two are married will that continue."
"Most likely," High Priest Mahado chimed in. "These two seem to be too formal for their own good."

"Last time you saw Miss Katiana you were healing her unconscious body. How do you know so much about her?" the pharaoh asked with an amused tone.

"When I went to see High Priest Seto on occasion I could see her. He wasn't worried about me when it came to her. He'd actually shown her off once to me, her healing abilities on some wound or another, nothing major. She was so polite, still is. Speaking of High Priest Seto, does he approve of this?" High Priest Mahado asked as he stood up and my shirt fell back down on me.

"We don't know exactly. It seems like in a moment he just changed," the pharaoh said. "He hasn't tried to force himself on her and seems to be all right with the fact we're together."

"Have you told him you proposed and she said yes?" High Priest Mahado asked. Mana had come to sit down next to me, pulling up a second stool and we watched the two men talking.

"Not yet, but I plan on it," the pharaoh said and the look on his face showed he wanted to change the subject. "Is there something wrong with Miss Katiana's back?"

High Priest Mahado's gaze fell upon me once again and I looked down at the floor. "I'm s…sorry, I d…don't want to cause t…trouble." He chuckled and I looked up at him.

"Too polite for her own good," he said putting a hand to his chin. "I believe there is something wrong with her back, and it has to do with that scar. I can only give her something for the pain though, for it will take me a little bit more time to decipher what's wrong with her." He walked to one of the nearby shelves and took of a jar and gave it to me. "Have that applied to your back whenever you feel the pain again. Is it hurting right now? If it is I can show you how to apply it by yourself right now or do it for you."

"It h…hurts a little." He nodded and took the jar from my hand, opening it and taking out a little of what was in it. He lifted my shirt again and I felt him massage the lotion or oil or whatever it was onto the scar and the pain faded away as quickly as it came. "It d…doesn't hurt!" He chuckled and was soon joined by the pharaoh's chuckle.

"My master is the best healer around. Any medicines he makes work all the time." Mana looked at me for a moment and then grabbed my hand. "I know, let's be friends!"

"What?" I asked in surprise. The room quieted. I felt my shirt flutter onto my back once more, High Priest Mahado had finished putting the lotion on my scar and I had the jar of it in my hands once again.

"I didn't think I said that wrong. I just said I wanted to be friends," she said.

"My only f…friend is Madera," I whispered.

"Surely you had other friends in High Priest Seto's temple!" she exclaimed and looked away from me. I looked at the pharaoh whose eyes burned with understanding. I didn't have any other friend really other than Madera…I didn't know what to do.

"She didn't," the pharaoh said, intervening for me a little, for which I was really grateful. "She was hurt by some of the priestesses and priests there, I'm sure High Priest Mahado knows…"

"I had to know," he said. "I think I remember having to do some healing for her there as well."

"Her only true friend that I know of is the Madera, who makes pottery. She's rude and outspoken but she's the only friend Miss Katiana has that I really know of," the pharaoh said and I watched Mana nod.

"Okay then, I'll be your second friend," she said and extended her hand. "Is something wrong?"

"I j…just never…" I said and she smiled at me.

"It's okay! I don't have many friends either. My master is really my only friend, and the pharaoh too," she said. "So come on, then let's be friends so we get one more than we have now!" Her reasoning was simple in my opinion, but she seemed honest enough and didn't seem to hate me for any reason. I held out my hand and she took it, pulling me into her arms for a hug. "Good, now we're friends."

"That was odd," High Priest Mahado said and I looked up at him and he stared at me. "Agreeing to be Mana's friend, not many would." He was smiling though, and I think he was teasing her and me.

"Master, that's not nice!" Mana exclaimed and stood up. I felt the pharaoh come and grab me, helping me to my feet and we went to the door, my hand still holding tightly onto the jar. "How could you say such things?" I noticed she was smiling as well though. The pharaoh motioned for us to leave, waving High Priest Mahado a final goodbye as he began to playfully argue with Mana about why people shouldn't be her friend.

"We're g…going?" I asked and he nodded. I followed him out of the temple, whispering a goodbye to the master and apprentice and went out of the temple into the Egyptian sun where the pharaoh gathered me in his arms tenderly and kissed me.

"I'm glad you feel better," he said as he broke away from the kiss. "That ointment should help until High Pries Mahado can truly determine what's wrong with your back."

"Do I n…need to see him again for t…that?" I asked.

"Possibly," he replied with a shrug. "For now though we can return to the palace. I'm feeling a little hungry and I think you may be as well and so we should eat. Then we need to get ready to go on the trip with High Priest Shadi. We don't have to be fully ready just yet but I do believe starting to prepare is a good thing, am I right?"

I nodded slowly. "Um t…thank you." His eyes widened a little and his gaze softened as he traced a cheek with his hand.

"What are you thanking me for?" he asked with a small smile.

"For c…coming with me and for l…loving me," I said.

"No, I need to be thanking you more than you will ever need to thank me," he said and pressed a finger to my lips to hush me as he continued to talk. "Don't think like that at this moment though, there's no need to be thanking me for anything. I still need to apologize for all the pain I've caused you my princess. But enough of that. What do you say we go get something to eat?" I nodded and he released me from his arms to start walking again. "Good then, because I feel very famished and I shall make sure the freshest bread is brought forth tonight as well, for you of course." He offered his arm to me and I took it nervously. "Then to the palace my love." He kissed my forehead. "And soon off to a new adventure, they always seem to find us, don't they?"

Pharaoh Atemu

High Priest Seto came to see me later that night. Miss Katiana had gone to bed after dinner, wanting to meditate a little on things before going to sleep so I let her leave and attended matters that I could get to before I planned on heading to bed as well.

"My Pharaoh," he said, bowing low. "It's good to see you're well."

"High Priest Seto, I do believe there's something I need to tell you," I began but he stood up and smiled sadly.

"If' it's about your excursion to the gypsy camp I already know of it. You took Katiana there as well, didn't you? I must say I was worried, but you would never let anything happen to her," he said with another bow and a look fell upon his face that seemed to say 'or I would make you regret it if she gets hurt again.' A veiled threat to be sure but I wouldn't call him on it. He had every right to be worried about her, he had loved her long before I had and I had hurt her in the past as well.

"That isn't it. It's what happened at the gypsy camp I must tell you about." His eyes went wide and he took a step backwards. "No, no, I didn't…we didn't. High Priest Seto! I am honorable in that respect!"

He straightened himself and looked at me. "My apologies my pharaoh, I didn't mean to disrespect."

"No, it's all right. You're just worried about her. You always worry and I should know that by now," I said with a sigh. "No, it's not about that. At the camp I proposed to her." I watched him stiffen. "It was within a moment's thought that it came to me." I didn't mention it had come because she believed I had not found her desirable enough to bed her. "And not at all how I had thought it would be but I asked nonetheless."

"And her response?" His voice sounded strained as he asked it and I knew he was hoping she had said no to me.

"She told me she would," I said and watched his face fall and then as quickly as he had become saddened an understanding seemed to cross his face. "High Priest Seto, are you all right?"

"Quite fine," he replied. "I assume you're the one who approved High Priest Shadi's trip into the desert?" I was grateful for the change of subject. He didn't seem to want to dwell on the fact he didn't have her anymore as his own, not that he ever really had, and that was fine with me. If it helped him to move past it then so be it.

"Yes, and Miss Katiana has been asked to go," I said.

"I thought as much," he replied. "And you, my pharaoh, are you going as well?" I nodded. "That is why I really came you see, to ask permission if I might go as well to find these weapons."

"Are you just going because I am going on this journey as well?" I asked.

"I only go out of curiosity and a desire to protect Katiana," he said. I nodded, he would think about protecting her. "And a strong desire to protect you. I have had this ominous feeling lately that tells me there is something coming."

"I've felt that as well. Would it make you feel more at ease to protect Miss Katiana on this trip?" I asked.

"Yes," he said, not bothering to hide the fact that he truly cared for Katiana. "I would like to protect you both." I knew he was saying that because he didn't want to seem selfish but I knew better. He just wanted to protect Miss Katiana because he didn't want me hurting her again, even on accident and he was worried about her more than he would ever tell me directly, even if I ordered him to.

"You may come," I said and his face shone with relief. "I appreciate you wanting to come. My curiosity is more than aroused by these weapons but who knows if they are dangerous to those that seek them."

"And since Katiana is the only one who can read the writing from the tomes she might try to decipher writing that could be on the weapons and become injured?" High Priest Seto suggested and I nodded. "That is my fear as well."
"Very well then. I shall summon you when High Priest Shadi has his team ready to go. I trust you will be ready in just a few short days?" I asked.

"But of course," he said. "I am always ready." I smiled, expecting that comment. "If I may My Pharaoh, I would like to retire since my business here is currently finished."

"Goodnight," I said and he walked off, the cloak of his outfit swaying behind him as he exited. I placed my head in one of my hands currently resting on the arm of the chair. "What made you change so quickly High Priest Seto?"

…

The morning came all too quickly, the one we were going to leave on I mean and head towards where the weapons were at. Miss Katiana seemed more than excited to be going on an adventure of sorts although she was worried about me coming along. I always told her though not to worry about it and that I was fine. High Priest Seto was ready to come along as well, and he spent a while at the palace too. I hadn't been able to tell if it was for him to prepare or if it was for him just to spend some more time with Miss Katiana. He might be accepting the fact that we're together but I think he still longs for her. I was in the stables though, watching a few servants help everyone get saddled up. I was already ready to go with just a few things more to do.

"Is my h…horse ready?" a soft voice asked and I turned around to see Miss Katiana looking over the stable activity with a slight tremble.

"Just about," I said. "And don't worry love, it's a gentle mare. It won't throw you off."

"I've r…ridden before," she said with a blush. "I'd be okay w…with a more d…difficult horse." I think she was being entirely serious, although I never could tell sometimes with her. She was confused about almost everything, sometimes to the point where understanding her got so hard she didn't even understand herself sometimes. She always had good intentions though, of that I would never doubt.

"But I wouldn't let you take that chance," I said. "I'm overprotective of you now and that's how it will be." I regretted saying the words even if that was how I felt when her face turned angry and she glared at me.

"I c…could take care of my well before I k…knew you," she said angrily and then looked down at the stable floor. "I'm s…sorry."

"You had every right to get angry. I just spoke without thinking," I said apologetically and she looked up at me. "I do feel that way though. I keep forgetting you saved me and not the other way around."

"But you s…saved me as well," she said and I smiled sadly.

"I caused you to get hurt. Saving you was something I had to do. After all the pain I had caused you, nothing required you to save me. But you did, and I thank you much for that," I said and kissed her forehead. "Let me introduce you to your horse. If you want something harder to handle, we can tackle that later. Now really isn't the time, not the morning of our departure."

"Promise?" she asked with bright eyes. "You'll let me h…handle a stallion then?" I laughed; she must have a lot of experience then. What did High Priest Seto teach her exactly?

"You can handle stallions?" I asked and she nodded. "We need to have a talk sometime about all the things you can do. Of course, you did grow up with High Priest Seto, so it's only natural you would be like this."

"What does that have to do with anything?" a cold voice asked and I looked past Miss Katiana to see High Priest Seto standing there with a pack slung over his shoulder. "She grew up just fine with me my pharaoh, I do take offense if you assume otherwise."

"I was pointing out how much she can do that a man can do," I said dryly. "I never said it was a bad thing." He raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Thank you, now Miss Katiana, let me show you to your mare…"

High Priest Seto

He still wasn't even calling her by her name alone? Then again, she wasn't either. This was amusing, both too nervous for their own good. I hated High Priestess Isis though, I can't blame her for her visions but I hate her for having them anyways.

I let out a sigh and approached my own horse. No time to think like that now. All that mattered was protecting her and him and making sure those 'weapons' were found. This would be an interesting journey.

TBC

A/N: Sorry it took so friggen long to update. With college fast approaching I'm under a time limit to get things done now, so if it seems as if I'm forgetting people with stories they like, I'm extremely sorry!