Chapter 21: A Remedy for the Pain
Seth opened his eyes, cursing the sun for rising. Why was it so bright? Not quite aware of what happened, he sat up and regretted it. He winced in pain as his wounds, he presumed, opened. Blood stained the bandages and he scowled.
"You should not strain yourself so," he heard the priestess say from the side of the bed. He glared at Isis who continued to ignore his actions.
"And I would rather have the tent to myself. I wish to be alone, Isis," he answered, knowing he was beyond annoyed. He was cranky, simply put.
"Ranmen is dead," the priestess said, breaking the silence. Seth stared at her, wondering perhaps how it was done, concern and guilt gnawed on him. Where was the pharaoh then? Atemu… he didn't die, did he?
"The pharaoh is in his tent. He's still healing from his own injuries, which is also why you must do the same. We do not need a bedridden priest in court," Isis replied. Seth, however, was as stubborn as usual and rose, ignoring his wounds and left the tent.
"Seth, how foolish can you be! Your wounds need healing, you have to recuperate!" Isis shouted at him, catching the other priests' attention. The blue-eyed priest glared at them as if blaming them for not telling where his pharaoh was earlier.
"What happened to the pharaoh?" he wanted to know as he made his way to the other's tent, noticing the healers waiting outside.
"What's going on here?" he asked the healers, seeing them flinch upon hearing his voice.
"My lord…" one of the healers tried to explain something, which was, of course, unheeded.
"What happened to the pharaoh?" he asked again, "I will not repeat myself again. Speak."
One of the healers cast a glance at the priest inside of the tent, knowing the other would be disappointed and angry when the secret is revealed. He frowned. "He has sustained deep injuries, sire. High Priest Mahado is inside with him."
"Is he conscious?"
The healer shook his head, "No sire."
Seth scowled even more and entered the room, seeing Mahado prepare the herbs that are to be applied on the pharaoh. His anger was thrown away seeing the monarch, wondering what the bastard Ranmen could have done to hurt his Atemu so. Sensing Mahado's eyes on him, he frowned, "I remember. You should have gone to him first," he said, as if blaming Mahado for all that has happened.
"I was made to believe that you were about to die then, High Priest Seth," Mahado explained, "You were the first one we saw."
"And yet he was the priority. He is pharaoh."
"You are equally important. To him."
"So he always comes last?"
Mahado shook his head, trust in Seth to be angry over the smallest of things. Of course he didn't have a choice. Would he rather run after the pharaoh when the other priest was basically dying in the room he entered? He wouldn't leave the priest alone knowing what effects it would have on Atemu.
And yet he knew he also held some regret. If he hadn't saved Seth then he would have saved the pharaoh earlier, wouldn't he? He would have saved the monarch from suffering such cruel fate in Ranmen's hands. And for that, he was truly remorseful.
"I have not the time or the opportunity to verbally spar with you, High Priest Seth. Now if you excuse me, I have some tending up to do," Mahado told Seth, knowing how the other desperately wanted to punch something in anger.
"Tell me what happened to him," Seth suddenly said, stopping the other from performing what he needed to do, "I want to know what Ranmen did to him to sustain these wounds."
'You've finally noticed, High Priest Seth?' Mahado thought to himself, thinking of the best way he could tell the other the pharaoh's condition.
"It wouldn't be wise to tell you of this now," he decided. The other scowled, "And why is that?" Seth questioned. Mahado sighed, "It's simply not the time for such discussion. Especially now that we're in his majesty's tent."
Seth knew better now than to further rebel against the other's statement. What happened to Atemu was grave, that he knew and he knew he'd kill Ranmen again if he had the chance, and so he decided to let it go for once.
"We will talk soon, Mahado."
"I will not forget. For now you must also take the time to rest. Your wounds are not healed, not completely," the priest replied.
"I will see you in the morning," Seth answered and left the tent, finally admitting how truly exhausted he was. The blood was seeping through his bandage, reminding him that he had to call the healer to check on his wounds.
As he lied on his bed and prepared to sleep, he frowned. Somehow he had the idea what happened to the pharaoh. And just as he was going to close his eyes, Atemu's face appeared, crying in pain and calling his name. Just as he was about to sit up, however, a hand stilled him and he met Shadi's gaze.
"Control yourself, High Priest Seth. You wish to comfort the pharaoh, we understand, but first you must see to yourself. It will help no one to see you collapse due to your wounds," the priest reminded.
Before Seth could utter a word, he felt his eyes drift close and his mind shut down. Damn Shada and his spells.
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"Is he asleep?"
"Yes."
"The pharaoh's condition is worsening, Mahado," Isis said, meeting Mahado's pierced gaze. The priest frowned and shook his head. "We failed in our duty," he whispered, "I failed him," he said to himself. This has far beyond his capability to repair. He cannot just let the pharaoh die!
"He cut himself, didn't he?" he asked, not really needing to wait for Isis' answer. He knew, of course he knew. He always did.
"What are we going to do?" Karimu suddenly questioned, raising the query that has troubled them from the very beginning. All eyes fixed on Mahado, waiting for him to make his decision. If you ask him, it was easy. If only things go his way. Apparently, it doesn't.
"Do you think he'll heal if Seth was with him?" he suggested, letting the other priests know how uncertain he was with his suggestion. Everyone inside that tent knows how Seth could be the deciding factor in the pharaoh's life—if he decides to be a fool, Atemu would die, if he can pull the pharaoh back, the monarch would live. Simple as that, but not that simple to Seth, was it?
"The Nubians are taking this advantage to attack," Shadi suddenly announced, disrupting their conversation and turning it drastically to his announcement. Everything was falling apart, they couldn't take this anymore. Just couldn't. They needed Atemu, needed him fast.
"How fares the city?" Karimu asked.
"Not quite well. It appears a peasant spread the rumor that they're already here. Right now they're questioning the palace if it was true and asking the whereabouts of the pharaoh," Shadi answered, meeting Mahado's gaze.
"We need to do something."
"Question is, what?"
Mahado was silent, chose to, and pondered over his thoughts. The Nubians were a threat to Egypt just like the incident is gnawing the pharaoh's spirit. What to choose? King or country?
"We part ways. Shadi take the men back to the palace. Everyone will follow Shimon's orders while we help the pharaoh recuperate," he decided, "Isis, you will ensure that every Egyptian is aware and calm of the situation." The priestess nodded, "And you will not forget to report to me every once in a while," he added.
It was too risky, what they're doing, but they had to do something, right? Mahado sighed. Danger lurked around the corner for the pharaoh despite the fact that Ranmen was dead, he was aware of that. Letting the wounds of both pharaoh and priest heal just enough for them to return would take days.
He would have to protect them.
"Go. You leave by daylight," he said and watched as the other priests leave.
"It's time for me to concentrate on my magician," he told himself and left the tent moments later.
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