Explanations of the Chapter:
-(*) Edom is the ancient name, Hebrew but used by other civilisations, of the Red Sea, located in the East of the Egyptian continent.
-A reference to a tribe of the people of Ma having crossed the Egyptian lands peacefully to settle near the city of Per Bastet is made in this chapter. This event really happened, however, the historical dates certainly do not correspond to those of my fiction. :)
-Anhour is the goddess of war in Egyptian mythology. As for Anubis, he is the guardian of the gates of the kingdom of the dead. To receive protection from him means not to be killed in combat.
"Straighten your head. That's it, like that. And walk a little more slowly, don't forget that everything you tread on belongs to you. "
"It's not going to be true... "
"Stop grumbling like that and focus a little! "
Sighing tiredly, Heba returned an angry glance at the grand vizier who had just spoken to him and stopped abruptly in his tracks, leaning back nonchalantly at the doorframe of the large golden doors before folding his arms over his chest, pouting.
"I have enough! I refuse to continue this playacting any longer! "
"Well, here is the tone that befitting your rank! "
The boy got irritated a little more by the remark of the sacred guardian and the sovereign at his side gave a faint smile, almost as in agreement with his cousin.
Really, they all gang up against me... he thought, biting the inside of his cheek, annoyed.
"It's enough, Seth. Leave him in peace. Shimon, why not take a break? "
"As you please, O Pharaoh. "
While watching the old man sitting on one of the chairs of the Council table, enjoying a sip of an infusion of Karkadeh, the teenager half turned towards the young king and his priest, pursing his lips in anticipation.
"What will happen once His Highness will be discovered? "
"If it concerned you, you would have been informed a long time ago! " replied the bearer of the millennium rod patronisingly.
"No... " lectured Atem, putting a hand on his eldest's shoulder. "Since he's the accomplice of our next actions, I think he has the right to know. Anyway, it's not like I can hide anything from him... " he clarified, offering a knowing smile at his double who hastened to smile sweetly in return.
Then, shifting from the wall against which he was leaning, the latter stepped towards the centre of the room, attentive.
"I still don't know what are the motives or even the involvement of the King of Ma... "
"There is more than one reason to want to make an assassination attempt on another monarch. " the adviser indicated as Seth joined him around the table.
"But Hussein isn't bold enough to commit a coup d'état or anything else against a kingdom as big and powerful as Egypt. " the latter continued, waving the air with his hand casually.
"This means that he tries to harm me either for a personal reason, any affront that I or my father would have committed against him... " explained at first the Pharaoh before being suddenly cut by the former holder of the millennium key.
"Which had never happened. " he commented, sure of himself, his slightly piercing voice proving his dissatisfaction with such accusations.
"Either someone else pulls the strings with the obvious intention of using King Hussein as a pawn, or even as a scapegoat. " resumed the sovereign, more seriously.
"The enemy of my enemy is my ally... " whispered the teenager in a breath, attracting the surprised look of the priest and the adviser.
"Have you become a great strategist now? " the bearer of the rod questioned mockingly, raising an eyebrow.
"If only you knew how right you are! " declared the young king with aplomb. "Heba really has nothing to envy to General Neheb, be certain of that! "
"Don't take it the wrong way, Dear Cousin, but don't you think that you put him on a too-high pedestal? "
"You shouldn't underestimate him, Seth. " related Atem, amused, barely being able to stop roaring with laughter as he leaned on the back of his chair at the Council table. "I have noticed several times that how sharp-minded he is. "
"Really...? " enunciated the sacred guardian with exaggerated slowness, not in the least impressed by the sovereign's words.
"Well, please Heba, show them what you're capable of... " stated the Pharaoh, trying his best to hide his hilarity.
"I-I... It's not, I mean... "
"Do we really have time for that? " Shimon emitted, seeming bored by the turn of events.
There we go again...! he complains mentally, not being an admirer of this game of cat-and-mouse that the Pharaoh and his cousin were playing on many occasions.
"Come on, Shimon, aren't you curious? Tell us, then, O great strategist of the village of Aldawminu, who would have the greatest interest in using His Excellency as a vulgar puppet? " Seth ordered, a disdainful snigger crossing his lips.
"I-It's not like I know an-anything about politics... " stammered the boy hesitantly, intimidated.
"That, I do not doubt it... " sighed the old man, disillusioned.
"B-But given the cu-current situation of the country... the-the only one who could benefit from such an act would be Queen Katimala... "
Surprising the priest and the adviser by his implacable logic, who leaned forward to listen a little more carefully, Heba continued his tirade:
"I-I imagine that a temporary alliance between Ma and Kerma would weaken the Pharaoh's troops... A-And if they achieve their aims, splitting Egypt in two wouldn't be a big deal. A-After all, the-the Nubians have been seeking to invade us for centuries, and-and the-the Meshwesh has never hidden their desire to enlarge their country by the invasion of enemies lands. "
Suddenly collapsing on his throne with a tinkling laugh, Atem was delighted by the faces of the grand vizier and the bearer of the millennium rod, now utterly taken aback, their pupils observing dumbfoundedly his double.
"He's a real fount of knowledge, is not it Shimon? "
"Without no doubt, Your Majesty... " admitted the old man, still speechless.
"I told you so. Knowing this, there is nothing surprising that I have so much trouble winning when I play against him. "
"It isn't easy for me neither...! " revealed Heba, offering a shy smile to the sovereign who returned it to him immediately, replying with derision:
"I hope so, otherwise it wouldn't be so entertaining! "
Closing his eyes for a second, the sacred high priest sighed and, shaking his head from side to side as a sign of defeat, got up quickly before putting a hand in his turn on the shoulder of the teenager who abruptly jumped at this gesture.
"Let's get back to your learning. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you because I didn't teach you well enough how to act. Me alive, I will not soil my name with such a fault. "
Sharing a sweet smile with his adviser, Atem nodded kindly to his game partner, leaving him in the expert hands of his cousin.
##########
A shower of stars was flitting through the skies, travelling for thousands of miles to finally crash into the depths of sand dunes or the deep-water of the oases, leaving behind glittering dust trails, silver-grey on an infinite navy blue background.
Atem observed this starry view without really seeing it, half-plunged in his thoughts. There were too many things to take into account, too many risks to calculate, to be able to rave about the miracle of the divine powers clashing against each other.
Sighing, he left himself fall down on the steps of the palace, putting a tired look at the whole courtyard, empty at this hour. Everyone was enjoying the show in the royal gardens, feasting while listening to the storytellers spouting their whimsical nonsense.
He had no desire to participate in these idiocies. He was a God among mankind and a man among Gods, his concerns as well as his interests differed from the rest of the common people. For him, Pharaoh at the head of a country even larger than the sea of Edom (*), every day was a fight. Much more when you were a young man of just sixteen.
"Atem. "
The voice that resonated behind him was both soft and firm, a hint of concern making it vibrate in the highs.
Turning slowly, the ruler smiled at the young woman now standing in front of him, her fine curves hiding Mana's shy figure, this one clinging to the skirt of the priestess's dress like a frightened child.
"Isis. "
"Don't you want to join us? " murmured the magician, showing a rare restraint.
"Unfortunately, I know all these old tales by heart. I'm not interested in hearing them again. And I can just as well admire the skies from here. "
"Even if it seems that you have no interest in them? "
Overlooking the young king with her invisible shadow at this late hour, Isis left the girl, preferring to look up at the shower of shooting stars, her hands clasped close to her chest.
"It's sometimes good to empty one's mind, not to think of anything... "
"I will follow this advice once all our problems will have found their resolutions. "
"There will always have a conflict to settle, a plot to thwart... " the young woman pointed out, closing her eyes. "It will be impossible to continue doing so if you run yourself ragged. "
"Isis' right! Come have fun with us! " exclaimed the little priestess in the making, suddenly more cheerful.
"We have guests, Mana! I cannot be as unruly as I usually am... " replied the Pharaoh, bored.
"Just enjoy the show as you would if you had been alone. " the wearer of the millennium necklace emitted, smiling tenderly at the sovereign who got up, dusting his clothes while answering:
"I'll try. "
Then stopping suddenly in his tracks as he joined the magician still motionless near the entrance to the royal residence, he exclaimed enthusiastically:
"That's it! "
"My Pharaoh? " said Isis with astonishment.
"I know how to force Hussein's hand! "
"You mean, to push him to attack you? "
"Yes. And I'm going to need you, Mana... "
"Me? "
Sharing a surprised glance, the priestess and the young girl turned it to the sovereign, as if trying to read him.
A dark smile stretching his lips, Atem seemed lost in his thoughts again, the Pharaoh giving way to the king of games, his strategy already set in his mind.
##########
"It would have been unwelcome on our part not to wish you a safe return to your homeland without a great feast. "
"Great One, I am honoured... "
Barely bowing his head in gratitude, Hussein greeted the young king facing him, comfortably seated on his throne.
"Egypt boasts itself about its sense of hospitality. I would commit an affront to my country if I did not respect its traditions. " answered Atem, amused. "Thus, I have also prepared Games to entertain us and open up our appetite. "
"Majesty, you are too good. "
"Do not be ridiculous. It's the least I can do to thank our Meshwesh ally. You travelled a long way to see us, and all for a simple state visit. "
"Well... If you insist so much... I am impatient to admire your efforts. "
"And I am impatient to impress you thanks to them, Highness. "
"We will see that. "
Ending his sentence with a chuckle, Hussein bowed again and took his leave, returning to the apartments assigned to him.
Something, however, made him stop in the middle of the hall, and he listened carefully as two men approached.
"Are the garrisons settled? " the taller one asked, a leather breastplate covering his short garnet-coloured tunic and his caftan clinched with gold filaments.
"Yes, my general. " the second man said, a bronze armour wrapping his chest.
"Good. Are they informed of the situation? "
"Yes. As soon as His Majesty gives the order, the troops will besiege the city. "
"It's excellent. Make sure the messenger is ready. "
"Yes, General Neheb! "
"Per Bastet will soon be rid of its invaders ..."
With a quick wave of his hand, Hussein invited his courtiers to resume the walk, hurrying to avoid crossing the two soldiers who were slowly beginning to reach them.
Narrowing his eyes, the king of Ma turned a little to their direction, observing them discreetly while continuing to move away, dull anger distorting the features of his face.
"Your Excellency... " whispered one of the monarch's followers with some nervousness. Isn't Per Bastet the name of the city where the West Tribe settled? "
"Yes! They have peacefully crossed the Egyptian lands! How does this brat dare to attack the Meshwesh people?! " the King of Ma furiously replied. "I'll get him for that! Salem, start the preparations! "
"Yes, Highness. "
##########
"Well, I think you're ready now. "
Shifting a few steps backwards, the Pharaoh admired his double with a satisfied look.
Dressed in a vanilla-coloured tunic, a cobalt-blue Shendyt clasping his waist and an indigo cape covering his shoulders, Heba slowly turned to the mirror on his right, watching his reflection and the one of the Pharaoh wearing the same clothes as him.
Wasn't it there a farce of the Gods? If it had not been several weeks since he was standing alongside the sovereign, he would think this was all a bad dream.
Of course, the resemblance they shared had struck him the second they met. And, as time passed, he had finally got used to it.
But today, dress the same way as they were, this resemblance again disturbed him.
What was the reason for such a miracle? How could two so different beings share the same face and passions?
The threads of destiny had intertwined. So much so, that now, the roles were reversed.
"By Osiris, if I hadn't known you since your birth, I would easily think that he's your twin brother. "
Saying these words, Mahad advanced towards the two young men, adding his reflection to the others in the mirror.
"There is something to wonder about, indeed. " Shada stated, just as shocked as the magician.
"As if the Pharaoh had reincarnated once again in the world of mankind... "
Turning his head swiftly towards the bearer of the millennium scale, Heba meditated on his words, as if they weren't totally meaningless...
Two lives for the same fate. whispered to him a small voice in the back of his mind, and he shook himself energetically to silence it.
"One last thing is missing. " Atem declared, grabbing the shoulders of his game partner so they could be face to face.
"What is it? " the boy asked, puzzled.
"This. " the young king unveiled, catching the millennium puzzle hanging around his neck to hand it to the teenager.
"What? I can't wear that! " exclaimed the latter, panicked.
"You don't have a choice. " Mahad intervened before his sovereign has to do it.
Examining the object carefully, Heba gently took it into his hands to hang it on his own neck, a bit anxious.
"L-Like this? " he stammered, worried.
"Yes. Don't worry so much, everything will be fine. " Atem related, smiling softly to reassure the boy. "I trust you, Heba. I know you'll take care of it... "
"Remember, no one had carried this item before Pharaoh Atem and his father. You must cherish it at the price of your life. "
"Mahad! " cried the young king, frowning, turning abruptly to his priest and faithful friend.
"Don't tell me you would not do the same thing? " Karim added, a teasing smile stretching the corners of his mouth.
Scowling slightly, as if he had been reminded of an old unpleasant memory, the sovereign shrugged casually, nonchalantly announcing:
"It's my responsibility, not his. "
"Well, it looks like it's going to be his very soon... " answered the holder of the millennium key, approaching in his turn. "Isn't it, Pharaoh Atem? " he said to the teenager who suddenly looked up at his alter ego, disconcerted.
"You've become King of Egypt, Heba. " concluded the sovereign, anchoring his purple pupils in those of his double, determined.
##########
Amber dust sneaking in the air through the blowing wind, the warm sand seemed to quiver at the rate of tension that was climbing. A crowd to his right and left had invaded the courtyard of the royal residence, the people of Khemet having gathered in large committee for the Great Games.
The royal throne rose in all its splendour above the steps where all the palace courtiers had gathered, a veil of satin elegantly surrounding it; Just thin enough to watch the Games, and just thick enough so that no one can doubt of him by examining him a little too closely.
If nobody tries to greet Atem. the boy thought, closing his eyes, preventing a sigh from crossing his lips.
He really couldn't afford to make mistakes. He was the Pharaoh Atem, or at least he had to be convincing enough to make them all believe it was the case.
Turning to the vizier standing next to him, Heba nodded, marking the beginning of the event.
"Welcome! Welcome! Today, in honour of our guest, His Excellency Hussein Amaal Naji al-Ajdābī, are organised the Great Games of Khemet! "
A burst of applause fell around the arena, almost making the floor shake, and Heba difficulty caught hold of the armrests of his seat to avoid being knocked out by the deafening noise coming from all sides.
"Our fiercest warriors from all over the country has assembled here today to dazzle us with their exploits! Do them honour! "
Turning his eyes away from the fighters presenting themselves to the public to postpone them on the monarch installed on his left, the teenager began to study him with meticulousness while the latter revel in the praises that were made.
His long braided light-brown hair was shining brightly under the dazzling sun of this afternoon, taking on a strange blood-red colour. A leather headband encircled his forehead above his blue-green eyes, multiple white and black feathers casually clung to it threatening to fly away with every gust of sand that was rising.
A large beard, also braided, was spread all over the lower part of her face, pearls of ivory and jade decorating it here and there.
He was dressed in a thin tunic of dyed antelope skin with tribal prints falling to his calves, bracelets and other gemstone necklaces weighing down his outfit.
Finally, long jet-black tattoos based on rosaces, squares, circles and crescents of the moon covered his arms from all quarters. His nails, painted in an orangey colour, giving to the former warlord became king an almost supernatural appearance.
Suddenly, as he if he had felt his gaze, the king of Ma also turned to the boy, offering him a smirk distinctly full of contempt which the latter choose to ignore to focus anew on the opening speech pronounced by Seth.
"Without further ado, let the first fight begin! Proud challengers, may Anhour lend your strength and Anubis protects you! "
Quickly, the calm settled, and under the only sound of beating drums, two men in simple white loincloth faced, greeting each other respectfully.
Shimon glanced sideways at the 'Pharaoh' and Heba took a deep breath, his amethyst pupils staring at the arena before gently raising a hand in the air.
Exactly as we have practised it one dozen times these last two days.
With a quick movement, his hand fell to the ground, curt, and the assault began, the blades of the swords hitting each other under the loud acclamations of the crowd.
Leaning discreetly at the windowsill on the first floor of the palace, Mahad frowned, firmly gripping his millennium ring.
"It's time. Are you ready, my king? " he said, anchoring his eyes to the ones of the sovereign posted not far away.
"Game on! " declared Atem, an ecstatic smile cracking his mouth in half.