A/N: I would like to make a correction regarding last chapter's author notes. I would like to apologize to Toxic Hathor, shining-tears, blackrosetenshi (did I get that right?) and the others who reviewed and were not acknowledged. My sincere apologies. And at the same time, I would like to thank them too for their reviews. To those who gave their reviews on Chapter 8, thank you.
I'm writing for the story one chapter per week (at my best, I'd go for two). And I'm considering writing a sequel for 'You'll Be Safe Here'. Of course, your opinions on this matter are very important. Don't forget to tell me, okay?
Here you go...
Chapter 9: Complications and Dilemmas
"But why would he want to kill you, High Priest Seth?" Shadi asked. The entire court minus Akunadin sat in the round table, discussing this new piece of information that Seth gave them. Mahado sat quietly, relatively thinking of the possibilities that the Ranmen they were talking about was connected to their past.
"I don't quite understand. What did you do, High Priest Seth?" Karimu added.
"How should I know? I am merely following the pharaoh's orders to tell you. I should be out there leading the troops," Seth answered. Everyone had the same question in mind, and they all shared the same desire to know the answer. What was going on? And why was their king hiding things from them?
Mahado sat up, catching the attention of Isis, who nodded knowingly, "Shadi, Karimu, that is enough. This will lead nowhere if we keep asking High Priest Seth, who apparently knows the same thing we do," she said, "Mahado, would you like to share something to us?"
The priests stared at Mahado, who had a scowl on his face. They knew what this meant. It wasn't good. Mahado rarely scowls, and when he does, it usually means trouble, "Ranmen is after the pharaoh," he started before looking at Seth, "But before he can obtain his goal, he has to take Seth out of the picture. This is particularly the reason why the assassin was hired, right?"
"We know that already," Seth said.
"Do you know what he's after in the pharaoh?" Mahado asked. Shadi stared at Karimu. Karimu stared at Isis. Isis kept her gaze fixed on Mahado, who had his attention on Seth. Seth blinked before narrowing his gaze, "Will you stop tarrying? What's going on? How do we protect the pharaoh?" he said.
"Ranmen is not after his majesty's powers. He's after the pharaoh, himself. He wants to claim his majestly like a lover would," Mahado revealed, "And to achieve this, Seth has to be gone. In this case, you have to die, High Priest Seth," he added.
It wasn't easy reacting to this kind of information. It never was. Just how exactly do you respond knowing that somebody wants to kill you to hurt someone you love? Seth stared at Mahado, his eyes wide and taken aback before narrowing again, "Then I would just have to kill him first, wouldn't I?" he answered before turning away.
"Seth, stop this!" Isis called.
"I refuse to let this Ranmen get what he wants. I will kill him," Seth said, clutching his Millennium Rod tight. His Blue Eyes will answer his call. It was one of the mightiest monsters in the kingdom, and his most trusted companion. He will defeat Ranmen.
"And you, Seth, are acting unbefitting of an educated priest," Mahado spat, making the other priest glare at him at the insult. He shrugged, "Don't you get it? He's after you first. If you want to help the pharaoh, you must not leave yourself vulnerable to any attack. That is the reason why his majesty refused to let you leave the palace."
"So I must stay in the palace like a coward?" Seth answered.
"No. You will not stay as a coward. You will perform your duties here, Shadi and Karimu will lead the troops today. I believe they would be capable enough to take your place in the fields," Mahado said, noticing the other scowl, "We know you despise this decision but for the pharaoh's sake, you must understand. He is your cousin after all."
Shaking his head, Seth left the room in anger. So they're going to lock him up in the palace? What is he? A child? It was simply ridiculous. If they thought Ranmen could easily defeat him, they were wrong. He belonged to one of the most powerful in the kingdom, what could defeat him?
XXX
"Seth, are you all right?"
Said priest looked up from where he was seating and gave a small smile at his cousin who sat down in front of him, "I'm fine, Atemu. Don't worry about me, all right?" he answered. Atemu smiled in return, "Of course, cousin. You look like you're ready to bite anyone's head off, what's the matter?"
Seth sighed, "Nothing."
The monarch frowned, knowing the other was lying, before leaning on the table to look directly at the other, "I know when something's nothing, Seth. Come on, tell me. I want to help," he said.
His priest met his gaze before shaking his head, "No. You don't have to. I already figured it out," he answered. With that, Atemu raised an eyebrow inquiringly, "You figured out what?" he asked.
Seth smiled, "That you're the most adorable and funny cousin I ever had," he said, taking his mind off issues and kissed the other on the forehead. Atemu chuckled, "You were thinking for Ra knows how long just to figure out I'm adorable?" he asked in amusement.
"Of course."
"You are ridiculous, cousin."
"And you love me."
"And I love you," Atemu answered added with a kiss.
"I know you do," Seth replied before pulling his pharaoh to his lap. He knew the other didn't believe his answer, but then again, he would just have to deal with them later, wouldn't he?
XXX
The battle was fierce and short. Blood flowed like water, bodies fell by the minute, their eyes wide with shock and pain. It was a nightmare and yet, it was reality. It was hell. Shadi and Karimu looked at each other, relieved to see neither of them was hurt. Blood stained their robes, they were slightly pale with the number of monsters and attacks they have been unleashing. Now it was time to return.
"Stop there if you desire to live, priests."
Shadi stopped and reached for his ankh, only to find himself being hit with something hard and everything went black. Karimu followed soon after but not before he saw one of the faces he see everyday in court.
Akunadin.
What was he doing here?
XXX
"Sire, sire!" the wounded soldier cried, trying his best to make his way to the pharaoh, who was talking to his priests. He was heavily injured, blood spilled from him but it did not matter. Duties come first. His message must be delivered. The gods could decide on his fate later.
Atemu looked at the man in concern, had the assault failed? Where were Shadi and Karimu? "What is it?" he asked.
"My lord, we have won the battle," he announced. Relief passed through him upon seeing the smile on the pharaoh's face, before it frowned, the pharaoh's brows furrowing in confusion.
"Where are High Priest Shadi and Karimu?" Atemu asked.
The soldier knelt and glanced at the ground before taking a deep breath. Everyone present in the court waited for his answer and before Seth could reprimand him for the long wait, he started to speak.
"They were abducted, sire. After the battle, we were cornered and... and then they were taken," the soldier said, seeing Seth glaring at him, "High Priest Akunadin... he was with the men who took them, sire."
"WHAT?!"
XXX
"You fooled me, Akunadin."
"You must believe me, Ranmen. I did not know they changed plans. I could go there and—"
"You will stop with your lies, Akunadin. You have deceived me, now you die," Ranmen said furiously, calling for Rabelais, who was watching the conversation from the shadows behind his master.
"But there could still be a chance. If we can get them to ransom something in exchange for the two, then we could achieve what you want to achieve," Akunadin insisted, "Knowing High Priest Seth, he will refuse doing nothing in the palace. Chances are, he might even escape and save the two."
Ranmen stared at him knowingly, formulating a new plan, "It sounds good. But hear this, priest, if you deceive me again--"
Akunadin met his glare, "I will kill myself before anything else, don't worry. My allegiance is yours."
Ranmen grinned demonically, "Good. I don't have to teach you that then."
A/N: Another note, did you know that I had this chapter in my computer for three days already? I feel guilty I didn't post it soon. I was so tired these past days with our school paper then All Saint's Day. Man, I'm happy I'm not sick.