V.E.: Well, I'm back everybody! Are you all going to say how much you miss me?
(Dozens of little red dots are aimed at her head and other parts of her body.)
V.E.: (annoyed) Alright, alright! I know how much you guys like this story and how you all must have been waiting patiently for this installment. Now please put away your sniper rifles so that you guys can actually get that next chapter and I'll be able to finish this story eventually.
(The dots fade away, though a few go a little more reluctantly.)
V.E.: Now that that attempt on my life is over for now, I guess I better give a little idea of where I was going with this. Basically, Kisara is in a room with her foster family and the Sacred Guardians including the newest of the bunch Seto while presiding over a regular day's worth of petition. Sounds pretty stressful enough, right? OHO HO, you guys have no idea! I'm turning that all up with the end of this chapter. As for what that is, you'll just have to read on.
The anecdote about the farmer later in this chapter was something I modified from the book The Heretic Queen, one of my favorites.
Quote: "You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of."- Jim Rohn (Considering this chapter is where Kisara takes a more noticeable role in governing the kingdom, I'd say a quote about responsibility fits.)
"Are you sure you don't want to have anything to eat? I mean, this is the first time you've…"
Kisara gritted her teeth as she set down her cup, the plate of bread and some fruit on her desk untouched. Despite having almost always taken breakfast in her room since she had graduated to the title of princess, she honestly couldn't muster up an appetite right now.
"I'm sure, Kiya. I just wanted something to drink this morning."
The pink scarfed servant looked at her mistress with concern, but held her tongue. For the next few minutes, the room was utterly quiet, neither of the two want to break it and possibly upset the other with their words. It might have gone on like this for longer it the door had not knocked and the door opened, Femi there with a quick message.
"It's about time for you to head to Court, Your Highness."
Resolutely not reacting to her formal title, the white haired princess rose gracefully from her desk.
"Well, I suppose the day starts whether I want it to or not. I'll be along Femi."
The darker skinned servant bowed and left the two girls to themselves.
Kisara slowly made her way to the door, her voice utterly clear to Kiya.
"I probably won't be back until much later, Atem says the petitions can take a very long time. You don't have to wait up for me tonight. I'll be sure to tell you all about it tomorrow…"
"Wait!"
Kisara turned to face the servant with the pink head scarf looking utterly determined.
"Please, let me come with you."
Kisara's voice softened as she answered her.
"Kiya, you know this something I have to face on my own."
"Even so….at least let me walk you there."
The princess paused to think for a moment before she nodded.
"Very well."
Kiya fell in behind Kisara, who sped up her pace then as the two quickly made it out the door. Passing once again through the many hallways, there was silence from the two as if both of their thoughts were millions of miles away from the splendidly decorated walls that the two were walking in.
Finally, Kiya spoke.
"Princess…Kisara?"
"Yes?"
"Is there something troubling you? Ever since yesterday, you seem so…"
The white haired princess attempted to fill in the blank.
"Short tempered? Annoyed?"
Kiya interjected softly.
"I was going to say distracted. What happened yesterday?"
"Nothing happened."
Yes, nothing had happened really. Despite seeing Seto again, nothing had truly happened. Not a conversation, not a word, only two looks between the two had passed. She had only attended the banquet for a short time, not even bothering to speak to him. She had excused herself that she would just be one of the many, but she knew that had she approached the crowd would given way for her to approach the new Sacred Guardian. She simply averted her eyes and left the hall.
But today, there was no escape. She couldn't just leave the hall. True, she would be listening to the petitions with the Pharaoh and Atem, but how could she keep her cool with Seto right there?
"Is something going to happen then?"
Kisara sighed at the servant's question.
"Perhaps, but…"
"But what?"
Kisara stopped then, startling her maidservant before she realized they had arrived at the intended destination. The white girl nodded her crowned head to the servant.
"That will be all Kiya. Make sure Neftis doesn't get into too much trouble today, alright?"
Kiya stepped back, returning the bow.
"As you wish…..and Kisara?"
"Yes?"
"When you're ready to talk to someone, I'll be here to listen."
Kisara gave the young servant a genuine smile.
"Thank you, but I'm not ready just yet."
Kiya smiled just as sweetly as she bid the princess goodbye.
"That's alright, I can wait for you. I will see you tomorrow, my lady."
With her little piece said, Kiya turned and went back the way the two of them had come from. Thus leaving Kisara in front of the grand door to the Audience Chamber. She steeled herself, taking a deep breath before nodding to the guards who quickly opened the door for her and moved aside for her to walk in.
She walked into the Grand Hall, drawing the attention of several of the courtiers that were hanging around before the day's business could really get under way while the pharaoh and Atem along with the priests seem to be discussing something amongst themselves towards the front of the room. Resolutely keep up her relatively calm appearance she walked until she found herself right behind the Crown Prince as he asked a question to the Pharoah.
"Alright, but what is the other throne on the left for?"
Kisara cleared her throat, gaining the attention of everyone including the newest priest who was nearest to Vizier Shimon.
"I hope I'm not too late."
Pharaoh Aknamkamon smiled at his adopted daughter with a hint of pride.
"Not at all my dear, you're right on time."
Atem looked happy to see his adopted sister, but confused at the same time.
"Kisara, what are you doing here? I thought you were going to be with Isis and the other girls today."
The pharaoh answered for her.
"I asked her to come Atem, I thought you might pay attention better if your older sister was here to watch you."
The young boy let a long suffering sigh in front of the high priests, most of which seemed to be hiding amused smiles.
"Dadddd…."
Kisara eyes glanced at the Pharaoh, her the thoughts in her mind spinning furiously.
That may be what he's telling Atem, but I don't think that's close to the real truth. There are others who could keep an eye on him, but I'm the one who's here. I mean, I may have training as a princess to entertain diplomats, but what reason is there for me to be hearing petitions? I mean, unless I might have to take over for Atem when he was away, but that would usually be taken over by…
Before she could go any further into that train of thought, the Pharaoh called for everyone's attention, both those near to him and the others courtiers filling the Great Hall.
"Now then if that previous matter has been resolved, let us take our places. It's going to be a long day by my reckoning."
That got the small group to disperse as Kisara leaned close to Atem as the two walked to the thrones with Pharaoh Aknamkamon.
"What were you talking about earlier?"
"Preparations for the chariot race for next month. It's the first time I'll be able to compete with the whole Court, I can't wait!"
Kisara looked at her adopted brother frankly.
"You know, I should say that it is completely dangerous for you given your size, but I know you'll go ahead and do it anyway, no matter what I say."
Indignation entered the tricolored hair boy's tone.
"Hey, I'm not that short!"
That got a small chuckle out of the white haired girl as she reached the throne, flanked by two smaller thrones on each side. Aknamkamon took his seat in the middle while Atem took the chair on the right leaving Kisara with the left throne. Off to the farside of the room, several scribes seemed to be chronicling the day's events and by extension the petitions. She strode over calmly and took her seat, observing the grand room from a direction that she hadn't before. It was another time she felt that no matter how much she could see something, it would always take some part of her breath away.
It seemed that the pharaoh seemed to remember something at that moment and spoke.
"Oh yes, that reminds. Priest Seto, come forward."
The new priest flinching visibly and the white haired princess doing so on the inside, Seto came forward and knelt before the throne with his eyes resolutely looking forward at the pharaoh.
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"I had almost forgotten that the two of you have yet to formally meet. This is my adopted daughter Prince Kisara, I hope you will treat her with as much respect as you would afford Atem. She may look young, but she is wise beyond her years."
That led Seto to bow his head in response (not noticing the blush that had appeared on Kisara's face at her adoptive father's praise).
"Of course, Your Majesty."
Then the pharaoh turned to Kisara.
"Kisara, this is the new priest of the Millennium Rod, Seto."
She nodded, her blush faded as she turned her attention towards the boy she had known while making sure her expression could give nothing away.
"I am aware, I must apologize for not introducing myself at the banquet last night, but I wasn't feeling as well and big events have never been my thing. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lord Seto."
Seto responded coolly, yet somewhat nervously.
"The honor is all mine, Your Highness."
The Pharaoh nodded at the exchange, dismissing Seto before returning his attention to the matters at hand.
"Very well, that will be enough for now Seto. Now, let us begin this day in earnest. Bring forth the petitions!"
The young priest rose to attention and responded with the other Sacred Guardians.
"Yes Pharaoh!"
Just before he turned to walk away where the Sacred Guardians were gathering as several of the guards went through the doors to start bringing in those with the petitions, Seto caught Kisara's eyes once more for a moment before turning away.
Internally, the white haired princess sighed.
I knew this was going to be hard, but not this hard.
Trying to focus on what was going on at hand, she observed people come in, each one being flanked by a guard as they were escorted to where the Sacred Guardians had gathered at the moment. At the distance where she was, she couldn't hear exactly what was being said. After some time, some of the people were escorted back out the door while others were talking to Vizier Shimon.
She leaned over to where her father and brother were sitting to ask.
"What's going on? Nephthys didn't tell me much about how the petitions go."
Atem was quick to explain.
"When a person comes with a petition, first they go through the priests to see if Vizier Shimon could grant the request without requiring the Pharaoh's permission. If they can't or Shimon can't resolve the matter, it comes to Father."
The pharaoh then cleared his throat, bring the children's attention to him as one of the guards seemed to be escorting the first of the petitioners to them.
"As glad as it makes me to see the two of you getting along, we have our first matter of the day brought to our attention."
The two children quieted down as what seemed to be a soldier (which Kisara recognized to be dressed in the garb of a Hittite Soldier) bow to the pharaoh and hold out a scroll of parchment before them.
"Greetings, Ruler of Kemet! I bring a message from General Teshub and General Nabu."
Aknamkamon nodded, gesturing to the guard who took the scroll in hand.
"You have my thanks for the message. Tell me is there anything else that the generals wished for you to tell me?"
"Only that they desire your response as quick as you are able to give it. Though I am not privy to the contents, I was told it was a matter of dire importance."
The pharaoh gave his response with authority ringing in his voice.
"I can guess what that might be. In the meantime, I request that you stay as guest of my court. You will have your answer by tomorrow or the day after at the latest."
The soldier bowed his head near to the ground.
"You have my thanks, Great King."
The soldier rose to his feet and was escorted back to where he had come from by the accompanying guard. Kisara watched him go, wondering how Ashur was doing with the two generals.
I hope he's having an easier time than I am right now.
A couple of minutes passed then, with the guardians and especially Shimon dealing with the lesser petitions. During such a space of time, Kisara allowed her eyes to wander around the room once more.
At least she tried. Ultimately, her attention focused on the blue robed Seto, who seemed to mostly be standing by and learning from his elder priests' examples. After a few moments, it seemed like he felt someone's attention on him and turned to see who it was.
Kisara averted her eyes at the right moment, Seto continuing to stare at her until Vizier Shimon returned his attention to the matter at hand, causing him to turn his back to her.
She sighed to herself once again.
I really need to follow my own advice sometimes.
Luckily, her mind was saved from chastising herself further as the second petitioner for the pharaoh approached the throne with his accompanying guard. She observed his clothes were pretty standard for an Egyptian as he bowed with his left leg to the pharaoh as custom.
Aknamkamon addressed the man that had come respectfully.
"What reason has brought you to my Court, good man?"
"I merely come to give a report on the healing techniques that pharaoh has requested. Just yesterday, I received a message from my subordinate from one of the nomes close to Upper Egypt. According to him, ever since the implementation of those new healing techniques there has been a sharp decrease in instances of illness. Also, healing of wounds and more serious illnesses have had a faster recovery rate."
Kisara straightened herself, smiling at the information. She knew that if Amma were alive and here right now, she would be glad to hear that her techniques were still saving lives and would continue to do so.
The pharaoh also smiled at the information, dismissing the servant calmly.
"That is good to hear. Perhaps if we are lucky, we may be able to spread these techniques to our allies. Gods know that these are healing practices are needed by all in the world. Thank you."
The man rose at that, escorted back with his guard, passing another group as they made their way to the monarch of Kemet. This man seemed to be a farmer based on his apparel and the even more tanned appearance.
This man the pharaoh didn't seem to know what to make off so he simply asked.
"What is it that brings you to my court?"
The farmer seemed rather nervous addressing the ruler of his country (and upraised at the two odd looking children that flanked the king), but nonetheless poke unfalteringly.
"My apologies, but I sincerely didn't expect to end up in front of you, Pharaoh. The leader of the Khaset, the nome where I live, wouldn't see me so I traveled here. I thought perhaps the Vizier could solve my problem, but he sent me to you."
Her foster father's expression was equal parts respectful and annoyed.
"The matter of your nome's governor, I'll deal with later. Please, tell me your request."
"I wish to gain access to my neighbor's wells."
"And why should you have such access? Could you not ask your neighbor to give you access to his wells?"
The farmer's expression was frank as he explained.
"He denied my request, his choice of words he used to convey that statement I'd rather not say. And considering that I have given his cows grazing in my field, I should say that I should get some compensation. I don't have any water on my lands and I have animals that need it too!"
Pharaoh Aknamkamon questioned the man.
"If your neighbor does not give you any water for your services, why not simply stop giving his cows feed?"
The farmer's tone took a noticeably angry quality.
"If I did so, my brother would let the animals die just to spite me! He knows how much I wanted them when father divided up the livestock before he died!"
That took the pharaoh aback for a second before recovering.
"Your neighbor is your brother?"
The farmer explained the details.
"My half-brother, his mother being my father's second wife and my stepmother, but she has always disliked me and my brother shares those feelings. When my father was about to leave this world, he gave me the land with a fourth of the animals and gave the rest to my brother so as to take care of his mother in her old age. I gave my brother a portion of the land in exchange for half of the newborn lambs and calves from his flock in the coming year. But he only gave me the calves and not one of the new lambs. Now, what little herd I have is dying while my brother's herds profit off my land!"
The pharaoh looked to be in deep thinking at the perplexing problem, Atem looked to his father to see what he would come up with. However, Kisara seemed to be the first to speak.
"Umm….excuse me?"
That got all three men in the area to pay attention to the white haired princess. Not showing how nervous she felt, the girl pressed further on.
"Did your father give you the deed to the land before he passed on?"
The farmer nodded, a little surprised at being addressed by her but still forth right in his answer.
"Yes, he did."
"And when you gave your brother a portion of the land, did you give him a deed for it?"
"I gave him my word."
Kisara shook her head.
"It isn't enough to just simple give your word. Did you get a scribe in your area to give him the land in writing?"
The farmer shook his head, his eyes widening in realization.
"I have given him nothing in writing."
"In that case, the lands and the wells should still be yours to use until you sign him the land with a deed or your brother finds his own lands."
All three of the males looked at her in silent astonishment, making her feel rather uncomfortable.
"Did I get that wrong?"
The pharaoh shook his head before addressing the farmer and motioning one of the scribes over to them.
"No, you are absolutely right Kisara. As the rightful owner of the deed, the lands and the wells are yours to use. I will have one of the scribes write something for officials if you decide to bring this up legally."
The farmer bowed in gratitude, also addressing her.
"Thank you, my pharaoh. Thank you, princess."
Kisara smiled in thanks as the scribe came over to jot thing down as her foster father dictated, her brother looking a little bit confused but seeming to understand his sister had done something clever with the way he smiled at her.
Then she froze, a sudden dark chill climbing up her spine as the words that the pharaoh was speaking to the scribe, her brother's face that had turned away from her then, the farmer's satisfied expression as he was led away from them, and her surroundings seemed to dim as her hands clenched the arms of her small throne. She could feel her ka, her dragon restless and growling in warning. She leaned forward, shivering as if back in her home country in the dead of winter.
What….what is this? This utter feeling of dread…..this utter chill….
Her head lifted up ever so, noticing a commotion in the distance where the Sacred Guardians were. There seemed to be some furious discussion going on with two people that had just come in, at a distance Kisara really couldn't tell that much about them. Her eyes sought Seto who mostly seemed to be listening until he felt her eyes on him again and turned to meet her gaze.
This time, she did not look away. The look in his eyes; confusion, concern, dread, and something else that made her feel elated and frightened; pierced as a knife had been thrust straight into her heart.
"Kisara?"
She turned away from the blue eyed gaze to find Atem's own concern married in his own royal purple red orbs. His confusion has also gained the attention of the pharaoh who looked at his adopted in equal concern.
"Kisara, what is….?"
"PHARAOH!"
That got the attention of all three of the royals to find that the two men (now close enough to be identified as guards) that the priests had been talking with so furiously from earlier had come before the thrones, the Sacred Guardians trailing not too far behind them.
Pharaoh Akanamkamon's face flashed with irritation for but a moment at the interruption, addressing the two guards with utter patience.
"What is it that could be so important as to interrupt the daily petitions?"
The first of the guards spoke, both of them kneeling with their left legs to the pharoah.
"Your majesty, we just have come from the royal tombs."
That caught the king's attention as Aknamkamon straightened himself on his throne.
"Another break in?"
The second guard spoke up then.
"Yes, my pharaoh. As usual, nothing was taken and the only the difference to the tomb seems to be the unusual markings painted on the walls."
That seemed to exasperate the pharaoh, a groan escaping his lips.
The first guard piped up then, holding up a piece of folded cloth to the ruler of Kemet.
"But there was something else, this was piece of cloth was left behind in plain sight!"
The moment Kisara set her eyes on ragged piece of fabric, the dark chill returned, the folded cloth pulse intensely as her voice became a breathless whisper.
"Don't…..touch it…please….don't…."
While the pharaoh and the prince heard, the guard didn't as they both rose to stand, the second guard unfolding the piece of cloth.
On the piece of ragged fabric, a lotus flower rested, but what should have been a pure white blossom was speckled with deep red stains over the white petals.
The very sight of it made Kisara only want to throw up, the sense of utter malice coming from the flower itself.
Something that the guards seemed incapable of sensing as the one who had uncovered it looked at the plant with confusion.
"A flower?"
The other guard was of the same mind.
"How strange."
The two seemed to reach for the blossom at the same time as the pharaoh seemed to recollect something so long ago in what was before him, standing up in great haste as he shouted in desperation.
"NO, it's as she says, DON'T TOUCH IT!
But his warning came too late.
At the moment two touched the flower, a dark black aura began to glow and spread out to claim the guards as its own. Screaming as the darkness surrounded them, the guards' bodies shriveled up more than the oldest of mummies, until it seemed like only the skeletons were left. The Sacred Guardians stood back, uncertain of what to do other than wait. The dark aura grew darker and darker until it engulfed the two, the screams reaching their apex until they halted sharply.
With that, the dark aura died away, leaving nothing behind but two piles of dust and the white and red flower resting on the cloth as if nothing had happened.
The whole court stood there in silence in what had just occurred, uncertain of what had just happened. Then, the Sacred Guardians attempted to get closer before being stopped by their king.
"Come no closer to it!"
The pharaoh came down from his throne, wordlessly walking over to the dust and the flower. Stopping before the strange arrangement, he bent down and with great care picked up the flower with the cloth.
Rashidi's voice was full of fear as he addressed his king.
"My pharaoh, surely…"
The king turned to the wielder of the Millennium Ring, his voice utterly calm.
"Do not worry, the blood curse set upon this flower will only activate when it is directly touched by human skin."
He then turned to the two royal siblings, who had risen from their own little thrones and stood together.
"Kisara, I must apologize, but this day of petitions is now over. Take your brother back to your room and do not leave there until I come for you two. Understood?"
Kisara's eyes widened at the expression in her foster father's eyes. It wasn't something she could easily define, but she understood at that moment how important it was to do as he asked. She nodded and took her brother's hand in her own.
"Of course."
She led Atem away, who was full of questions but kept his tongue as the two made their way to the doors and went through them without looking back once.
The Pharaoh then turned his Sacred Guardians.
"As of now, this thief takes our top priority. Double the guards around the old royal tombs, at once!"
They responded in unison.
"As you wish, my pharaoh!"
"Rashidi, Thabit; interview the new criminals in the prisons, someone must know something of this thief. Seto, Aknadin; review the reports of the leaders of the nomes, see if there is anything resembling this incident mentioned in them. Nephthys, I want you to increase your daily meditation time, we may need your visions now more than ever. Do I make myself clear?"
The five responded as one, though all showing the worry in their eyes.
"Yes, Pharaoh!"
"Then go to your tasks."
The three groups set out towards the doors; Thabit and Rashidi with matching grim countenances, Seto slightly behind the one eyed priest who seemed to be pondering many things at once, and Nephthys whose expressions almost always seemed to be so controlled betrayed the first hint any might have seen of fear.
Once all three of those groups had left the Grand Hall, Aknamkamon returned his attention to the flower, an echo of voice that spoke so long ago resounded in his mind.
"It is a symbol of that promise, to pay back any debt in blood for what has been taken from us. We never forgive and we never forget."
"My pharaoh?"
The only Sacred Guardian left in the hall, Shimon looks at the king that he has watched over since birth with utter concern.
The look on the king's face was lost as could be.
"I don't know, Shimon. I just don't know…."
V.E.: Well, aren't cliffhangers wonderful? Sometimes I feel like I use them too much.
Okay, this is a nice long chapter which means I get a little brake before I get some calls to update this story, all right? Cause after this I plan on doing my BRoTP for a chapter and then Paradox which is still my most popular story. And that one's going to be an action chapter.
Please review as it is what keeps me going. I know many on this side write because they love it and would love nothing more than to make a career out of it. Me, I write for the enjoyments. If it were my job, it would lose the fun and just become my work.
See you next chapter!