V.E.: I am calm….I am calm…I AM CALM…..
OH, who am I kidding?! Just for the record, I'm little bit annoyed with a reviewer who shall not be named. Still, I guess I better be getting back to this. I have finally have some time to work on Princess.
At the same time, I also want to get back to Fate or Sea Child. I'm a little disappointed with the later's latest chapter's turnout in reviews. Well, I suppose that's the downside of being a writer. You know, I'm surprised that people aren't' reviewing more now that there's the guest reviewer option.
Oh well, it is what it is and I guess I should be grateful for it. Let's get on with the story. I am currently tired and running low on Diet Coke, so there's no disclaimer for this chapter.
The spiky tricolored crown prince put his senet piece down on the board calmly.
"I win again."
Mana struck her head into the table, groaning.
Kisara fought back a laugh, but caught the same look on Mahad's face to her right and the both of them shared a secret smile.
The four inseparables (as the Palace gossips were now calling them) were currently having a small senet tournament in one of the palace's many gardens. The past two weeks had them often meeting each other in the afternoons after Kisara's lessons. Sometimes they would be playing games, other times Mahad would be pressed by the two youngers of the group to showcase his new magic trick. Either way, it had been great for Kisara to finally get some time with people her age.
Mana, every now and then, would often intrude on her lessons with Lady Nephthys and start a game of tag or any other silly game she could think of. Showing up at her room some nights, Neftis had taken a somewhat liking for the hyperactive girl as long as she brought her treats.
Mahad, she had found to be calmer and more intellectual person she could converse with. Being around the same age, the two of them seemed to share the weight of responsibilities and warm bond with both Mana and Atem. The vision Kisara had seen hadn't been breached, but she could definitely tell Mahad thought about it too in the calm and serious way he gazed at her at times.
Atem was the leader of the group, often deciding what they were going to do. She often chuckled when Mana related a plan gone wrong that had been Atem's making. Kisara definitely felt more at ease around Atem, though she still couldn't beat him in senet.
So at the moment, she really was amused at seeing someone else get thoroughly trashed by her prospective younger brother.
Mana looked up from the table.
"Prince, I think I don't want to play anymore."
Atem seemed surprised at that and cocked his head slightly.
"Why? It's fun."
Mahad simply smiled as he explained.
"For you perhaps, but it's not so fun when you're the person who keeps losing all the time."
Atem sighed.
"It's not like I can't stand to lose, I just keep winning. I don't really mean to do it all the time."
Kisara sighed, shaking her.
"That's the problem."
All three of them turned to her with a curious look, Atem's was particularly blazing. Kssiara continued, much more at ease and a lot less self-conscious than she used to be.
"You don't really try to do it, it just happens. You're not really that challenged because you haven't met someone who's better than or at least on par with you. Losing may be unpleasant to people, but that's how we learn about our mistakes and helps us become stronger. If you keep relying on your luck to win a game, you'll never really learn anything."
Atem and Mana both looked really confused.
"What?"
Mahad simply chuckled, understanding what Kisara was saying.
"In other words my Prince, you'll never understand what it mean to really win or grow until you've found someone who can challenge you."
Atem rolled his eyes, having gone through the following discussion before.
"Mahad, how many times do I have to tell you? When it's just us and Mana and Kisara, you can call me Atem."
Mahad responded with a sigh.
"Your highness….."
Mana simply smiled, noticeabley cheered up from earlier.
"Oh come on Atem, you know Mahad is more serious than Master Rashidi, Vizier Shimon, and Mater Khalid put together."
Mahad was upset as he coughed at the reference.
"That's not true."
"Yes it is."
In what seemed to be the hundredth time since Kisara had really gotten to know them, Mana and Mahad descended into a rather childish squabble. The more she saw them, the more she was struck how much like siblings they were to each other. They may not be related by blood, but they sure acted like family with each other.
Kisara had gotten close to Atem and leaned towards him in a conspirator manner.
"So who's going to win?"
Atem pondered his chances with a sly grin.
"Probably Mahad this time. Mana won the last three fights straight, he's bound to get lucky this time."
Kisara nodded her head in thought.
"Maybe, if he knows when to cut her off in time. Otherwise, it could be anyone's game."
The two shared matching grins and giggles as they watched the argument escalate.
A deeply amused older man's voice interrupted the two's shared discussion.
"Well, this is something to see."
The two turn to find the gray haired and royal purple eyed Vizier Shimon simply smiling, the Millennium Key around his neck completely still. Mahad and Mana didn't seem to notice, being engrossed with each other and past pranks brought up.
The spiky haired prince seemed surprised and confused at the old priest and vizier's appearance.
"Shimon, what are you doing here? Does my father want to see me?"
The old man's smile died at that, shaking his head more gravely.
"Oh no, nothing like that. Rather, it's Kisara I'm here for."
Kisara's eyes widened at being taken aback, just as surprised as Atem was.
"Me? Why?"
Shimon sighed heavily before going on.
"I don't quite know, all I know is that Aknadin wishes to speak with you. This afternoon, if possible."
Of all the possibilities Kisara was expecting to hear, that was not one of them.
"But….but…..why?"
Shimon simply shrugged.
"I suppose you will have to and see him. He requested Pharaoh Aknamkamon for a time to speak with you and the pharaoh agreed."
Kisara was starting to connect some dots.
"And the reason you're here is because when Lady Nephthys heard about this, she went ballistic."
Shimon fought back a shudder and kept his calm as he went on.
"To put it in mild terms, yes. The pharaoh is currently speaking with her right now."
Kisara thought for a moment then gestured to the currently pensive prince and the bickering brunette magicians.
"I'm kind of in the middle of something right now? Do you mind giving him a message to meet me later?"
The old vizier nodded.
"Under the circumstances, I believe it would be understandable you can't come right now."
Kisara steeled her gaze.
"I'll see him in two hours. Did he say where he wanted to meet me?"
"He said he wanted to meet you in the Sacred Guardian's private chambers. Femi will show you the way when you're ready."
"Very well, thank you."
Shimon bowed his head to the pale haired girl.
"My prince. Kisara."
With that, the old man walked off on his way, on to other things to see to.
Kisara was still reeling from the shock.
"That was…unexpected."
Atem's face made it clear he agreed with her.
"Yeah, what could Uncle want to talk about now?"
Kisara went on, before catching on to what the younger boy had just said.
"I know, it seems so….wait UNCLE?"
Atem nodded, not really aware of her surprise.
"Yeah, wonder what he wants."
Kisara had to set things straight as she got Atem to look at her directly.
"Whoa, wait a minute, let me get this straight. Aknadin is your uncle."
Atem nodded quietly.
"Yeah, he's Father's younger twin brother."
"And the reason I'm hearing about this for the first time right now, is because….?"
Atem was starting to catch onto her confusion and began explaining.
"Oh, that. Well, it's not so much a big secret as people just don't really talk about it. I don't really understand it either."
Kisara felt her curiosity piqued.
"Well what happened?"
Atem's face scrunched as he thought about it, giving as best an answer he could with the information he had.
"I don't really know what happened specifically. All I know is that Uncle Aknadin gave up his royal title because of something that happened before I was born. Father said what he did helped save Egypt, but he never really explained more than that. But I've never really felt any different about him, they always call each other by first names when they're in private."
"That really doesn't say much."
Atem nodded.
"I know! I think the only people who really know why are Father and Shimon."
Kisara fell deep into thought at that.
If that was who Aknadin was, it certainly explained where some of his antagonism towards her came from. She was the exact opposite of who he was, naturally he's rather distrustful of her. Given the circumstances of how she came into the palace, it was obvious he was bound not to like her.
That still doesn't explain everything though. Why in Odin's name did he give up his royal title? After Atem, he'd be second in line for the throne. It just doesn't make sense.
Atem's cautious and nervous voice.
"Uhh, Kisara?"
She looked up at that.
"Yeah?"
He pointed to where Mahad and Mana were still arguing, with no end in sight.
"Don't you think we should probably stop them now before they do something that's going to have the servants cleaning up this place?"
Kisara nodded furiously.
"Right, first thing's first!"
Femi gestured though the open doorway, the end of a long journey through parts of the palace Kisara had yet to explore.
"This is the place miss."
Kisara nodded her head in gratitude.
"Thank you, Femi."
The darker skinned woman didn't seem to react in the least.
"It's the least I can do miss. Lady Nephthys is currently…."
Kisara mentally cringed at the possible images.
"Yes well, thank you anyways. I believe I can handle this on my own."
Femi leveled her a questioning look.
"Are you sure miss? I doubt Lady Nephthys would mind if I came with you."
"I'll be fine."
Besides, I need to learn to handle these things on my own.
Femi seemed to get the point as she bowed and gave the young girl space.
"As you wish, Lady Kisara."
She was slightly taken aback by the way Femi addressed her, whom she didn't did for anyone aside from Nephthys. Still, she gave another small nod of thanks as she stepped into the room.
The room was just like many rooms of the place, stone walls decorated with the traditional scenes of the gods and hieroglyphics. But there was a difference in the fact that there seemed to be a circular fire pit in the middle of the room, a blue flame still burning which struck Kisara as rather strange.
How did it get that color?
"Magic."
Kisara stopped her observation of the room and focused on Aknadin who was standing there. She simply walked toward his positing right next to the blue flames, determined to look him right in his eye.
Finally, she stopped right in front of him. Silence reigned for several moments before she spoke.
"You wihed to speak to me, Master Aknadin."
The older man nodded slowly, his white hood barely going at all.
"Yes, I did. I must say I'm surprised you agreed to meet with me this soon. I would have thought Nephthys would have recommended against it."
"I haven't spoken to my teacher about this. I just wanted to get this over with, whatever this is."
Aknadin considered her words.
"An interesting policy."
Kisara shook her head curtly before going on.
"Not really. I've just decided to be as blunt and truthful as possible because there's no point in lying to you."
The golden Millennium eye glinted as the deep blue eye seemed curious.
"Shimon was right, you really are a smart girl."
"So I've been told, but I doubt that's the reason you want to speak with me."
The older man was silent for a few moments.
"You should know, I don't approve of this."
"I know."
Aknadin's gaze pierced her sharply.
"Do you really?"
Kisara didn't flinch though, she stood her ground.
"I've heard enough about you to guess."
Aknadin's eye narrowed, Kisara knowing he was trying to find the thoughts behind those words. Finally, he stopped and seemed calmer.
"It's not just about what I feel about this."
Kisara looked at the pharaoh's brother in interest.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You will become a target. You'll be sleeping with one eye open every night for the rest of your life. I've seen many people crushed by this court, pretty young women included. Don't say you weren't warned."
Kisara almost smirked.
"Lady Nephthys said something similar the first day I came into the palace."
Aknadin nodded curtly.
"That woman would say that, she of all people would understand what makes up this court."
Kisara felt inclined to speak up then.
"Just for the record, I never asked for this."
Aknadin observed her at that, more curious than anything.
"I know, that's why I'm talking to you right now. If you had chosen this, I would have written you off as a lost cause."
Kisara pondered his words for a bit.
"You speak of those words as if someone with experience. Or at least, a much practiced bystander."
At that, the piercing gaze turned up a few notches.
"Let's just say I have secrets and leave it at that."
Kisara brushed the glare off as she turned around towards the door, Nephthys' training really was doing wonders.
"Everyone's entitled to secrets, I have no reason to expect you to answer me. Just so you know, I don't really like you either."
Aknadin 'hmphed.'
"Well, at least we can agree on that."
She continued.
"And I would never harm the Pharaoh or Atem. I SWEAR."
Aknadin's face was blank as he watched her retreating form go towards the entrance.
"I know."
That stopped the pale haired girl in her tracks.
"Then what was the point of this?"
Aknadin's reply was slow and controlled.
"To confirm."
Kisara turned her head back towards him.
"There's something else you want to know, isn't there?"
Aknadin waved her off.
"I don't need to know that. Everything else, I've already gotten here."
"You're a strange man, Master Aknadin."
The wielder of the Millennium Eye didn't seem at all bothered by it.
"Just be on your way, girl. This discussion, for the most part, is over."
Neftis was purring, not really listening to her pale haired owner's talking.
"That guy is beyond cryptic! Hard to believe he and the Pharaoh Aknamkamon are brothers, although they do share some facial characteristics. I'm sorry I didn't realize it sooner."
Neftis simply snuggled more into her lap.
Kisara sighed at her hopeless pet.
"If I really wanted a good listener, I would find Nephthys. Though, I have no idea whether she would approve of what I said to him in there.'
At the same time, Kisara knew that this wasn't the end between and Aknadin, not by a long shot. No doubt in the future, they would probably come to clash at some point.
I guess I'll have to accept it as what it is, there's no way you can make peace with all your enemies. Still, at least he knows I wouldn't do anything that would harm Egypt intentionally.
The other thing that was bothering her was her memory of her first meeting with Aknadin.
Why did I think he was familiar anyway?
She took a deep breath, feeling the small nudge of what felt like her dragon from within her. Knowing that it was her Ka, had given her a better understanding of what the dragon really was. She never feared it, her dragon had been there before she had even realized it was. It was just as responsive to her call as Neftis was, yet it also apart of her like her hand or her eyes.
She breathed in the incensed air, imaging stroking the hard white neck of the beautiful winged beast. Once that was done, she returned to her reality with a sense of peace in her mind.
Speak of the dragon, one of these days I'm going to have to ask Mahad about that vision of mine.
A sudden quick successions of rapping on the door interrupted the quiet musings.
She straightened up and answered.
"What is it?"
The doors practically flew to the side as Mana and Atem came bounding through the door, Mana practically tackling her as Neftis hurriedly fled sensing danger.
"Is it true? Is it really true?!"
Kisara's voice showed her puzzlement.
"What's really true?"
Mana looked up at her, somewhat astonished for a young girl.
"You mean you don't know?"
"Know about what?"
An authoritative woman's voice answered the question.
"You've been approved."
Kisara turned her head with Mana and Atem to find Nephthys standing in the doorway.
The stern priestess gave nothing away, going on as if she were discussing normal business.
"Aknadin just gave his approval to your adoption and his advising just convinced some of the other nobles. You're already proficient in your studies and the Prince has already said his point to the Pharaoh. It's official, you're going to be a princess."
Atem turned to his soon to be sister with great curiosity.
"What did you say to Uncle to get him to do that?"
Kisara shook her head in disbelief.
"I didn't do anything, we just talked to each other."
Nephthys favored with a rather unusual gaze.
"Oh, I think you did more than you realize."
Atem turned to Nephthys.
"So it's for the end of this week, right?"
Kisara was startled at the suddenness.
"The end of this week?! Isn't that a little soon?"
Nephthys smiled at her protégée.
"Oh Kisara, this is anything, but out of nowhere. When the pharaoh want something, it helps to plan ahead of time. And this celebration will be just the thing that's needed."
V.E.: Yes, I know I'm late. Hopefully, I'll do something this weekend.
Along with watching old cartoons and movies, I've also discovered a man called the Nostalgia Critic. Though there are some things I don't agree with, the guy's as funny as hell! Thanks to him I've discovered Batman the Animated series, which is awesome!
Please review! Next one up, the Mummy! I mean, my Mummy Reborn story.