Chapter 3
"Yes, this is fitting. Almost perfect," Merenkahre murmured, testing his thumb on the edge of a blade. "Almost. A little more silver inlaid with the gold, and these will truly be worthy of the gods."
0o0
"Kah, please," Ahkmenrah pleaded, yanking on his brother's arm persistently.
"We played tag yesterday!"
"Please."
"No."
"Please!"
"I am tired, Ahk. The training master gave me doubles yesterday." This wasn't a lie; what he didn't add was that he'd asked the training master to train him harder, hoping it would help him get out of 'baby brother duty.' His mother had not been sympathetic enough. Now he was sore and had to deal with a whiny five-year-old. Not his best plan.
"Kah, Mama said you have to play with me. Pleeeaase! You can chose again!"
Seti suddenly came up to them, noticing his cousin's hassled look. "Hey Kah! Want to race?"
Despite his protesting muscles, Kahmunrah could feel the tug of a smirk at his cheek. "Perhaps..."
Ahkmenrah, sensing his brother's change in temperament, asked, "Not foot race?"
"No, I was thinking of a challenge: chariots!"
Kahmunrah's grin spread. Curious, Ahkmenrah asked, "Chariots?"
"Mhm. Chariot racing is the best game invented! The truest way to test one's bravery and skill! Oh yeah, you don't know what I'm saying... Well, chariots are these shiny, big boxes that soldiers and royalty sometimes ride in for pleasure. They're pulled by war horses."
This gave Ahkmenrah pause. "Horses?" He wasn't sure how he felt about those creatures yet- something about them kept him slightly on edge, yet hyper simultaneously.
Seti knelt down to the child's eye level. "Very big horses. They're three times bigger than your papa!" He drew his arm upwards for emphasis. Instinctively, Ahkmenrah shrank away, barely forcing himself not to hide away completely behind his brother.
"Are chariots fast?"
"Oh yes. The winds blows your hair around, and if you're wearing a wig, it could fly right off!" The small boy immediately clutched at his head, where short curls sprouted wildly. Seti laughed. "If the track is bumpy, you'll-"
"Seti, what are you doing?" Kahmunrah asked.
"Well, he seems curious. Maybe he'd like to join us."
"You're kidding, right? Mother would kill us!"
"Who would tell her?" Winking at Kahmunrah, Seti looked down at his youngest cousin. "What do you say, Ahk? Want to steer some big horsies with us?"
Looking back and forth between his brother and cousin, Ahkmenrah nodded. "Fun!" Shaking off a new sinking feeling, Kahmunrah followed them to the stables.
"I don't think this is one of your best ideas, Seti," Kahmunrah said, surveying his brother approaching the stallions. "You know he's shy around horses!"
"So? Maybe this will help him get over his fear." Scratching his nose, Seti looked unsure for the first time since they'd agreed to go skinny dipping in the Nile. "Don't tell me you're backing out. You love chariot racing! Don't let baby brother spoil your fun any more than he has already."
Kahmunrah shrugged. Apparently his moodiness hadn't gone unnoticed. "What if my mother or father sees us? Have you any idea-?"
Seti silenced him with a finger to his lips. "They won't. Besides, since when has one of my plans failed? The worst that could happen is he'll get scared off a little. Remember when we had fun?"
He couldn't argue with that.
"Make sure you don't let go of the reigns," Kahmunrah hissed as he strapped his brother up in light armor. The horses had proved not to be too troublesome, as long as Ahk didn't stand by one for too long. He couldn't figure out what it was about those animals that unsettled his brother so much, but as long as he himself was close by, things didn't get out of hand. Regardless, he doubted it was only horses worrying Ahk. For the first time in living memory, Ahkmenrah looked nervous- he kept biting his lip and holding his thumb-sucking hand down. To his own surprise, his brother's discomfort was making him feel bad. Should he call for the queen? Maybe Ahk was too young for this. Scratch that- of course he was too young! He'd just turned five. Why had he agreed with Seti? He loved his cousin like a brother, but when it came to laying low and not causing trouble, Seti's schemes wreaked havoc.
He'll be fine. It's not like they were letting him handle a saber, for gods' sake! One quick lap, and it would be over. With any luck, Ahkmenrah would be scared away from their games for a while. Chuckling ironically to himself, Kahmunrah shook those thoughts away- he wasn't that lucky. More likely Ahkmenrah would enjoy the thrill of the ride so much, he'd want to do nothing but racing for months.
"Are you two ready yet? I'm getting as restless as the horses!" Seti whined.
"Almost! Just adjusting the chin strap," Kahmunrah replied. He looked back to find Ahkmenrah staring at him uncertainly. "What is it?"
"Where is your armor?"
"I am wearing it."
"No helmet."
"I don't need it."
"Why?"
"I don't like it! It itches," Kahmunrah gruffed.
"Mine itches too!" Ahk began fiddling with his, but Kahmunrah stopped him.
"Leave it on."
"Why?"
"Because you might need it!" He yelled. Ahkmenrah flinched, and Kahmunrah sighed. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't yell." Good thing Mother isn't here.
"Why don't you wear a helmet?"
"Because- oh fine! Here, I'm putting it on, see? Happy?" He stomped off before remembering he and Ahkmenrah were riding one chariot together; he huffed back, praying his face wasn't as red as it felt. Judging by Seti's laughter, it was. "You'd better be ready."
Ahkmenrah beamed. "Ready!"
"Ready?" Seti called.
"Just hold on, and don't get in my way," Kahmunrah hissed into Ahkmenrah's ear. The child nodded shakily.
"On your mark... Get set... Go!" Seti snapped his reigns right before he shouted go.
"Cheater!" Kahmunrah shouted, laughing all the same. Initially, Ahkmenrah clung on to the rail for dear life, reconsidering every life choice he'd made leading to this moment. How could Kah and Seti find this entertaining?!
However, after the first lap progressed to the second, he grew brave enough to peak from behind the carriage's crossbar. He looked to the side. Had their chariots sprouted wings to fly? There was no other way to account for such graceful speed. He gazed up at his brother.
Kahmunrah's face no longer possessed his typical sullenness as he laughed and urged the horses onward. He glowed from within, not from anger or resentment, but from unadulterated bliss. He wished he's seen this before. Would it end when the race was over? If Kah's glee relied on racing, he'd cling to a hundred chariots to see him smile. Kahmunrah's laughter proved contagious, and soon Ahkmenrah joined in on the fun, even spreading his arms outward like a falcon.
Then the fun ended.
A bump jostled them to the right. Ahkmenrah resumed his grip on the handlebar, recalling Seti's unfinished warning about bumpy tracks. "Nothing, merely a pebble Ahk. Don't worry!" Kahmunrah's ease vanished when suddenly, with another bump, there ride became considerably less smooth. "What in Ra's name-" Kahmunrah glanced down at the side and gasped, his eyes growing wide.
"What wrong, Kah?"
"Nothing," the prince said, far too quickly looking straight ahead. They should stop. Now.
A groan followed by a crack were all the warning they got before a wheel broke away, throwing the whole contraption off kilter. Ahkmenrah screamed as Kahmunrah tried to regain control of the stallions, who whinnied and neighed in panic. Meanwhile, the single remaining wheel spun faster and faster, friction threatening to make it shatter. Kahmunrah actually wished the wheel would break- at least then they would stop. As it was, they sped on uncontrollably as the chariot suddenly leaned precariously to the left.
"Lean to the right!" Kahmunrah shouted, throwing his weight for all it was worth. It was barely enough to help the cart correct itself, but somehow they sped on. Dimly, he was aware of Seti shouting at them, but the words were lost in the crescendo of a vehicle falling apart. At least we still have the horses, he thought. Maybe somehow he could guide them away from the wall, but he was barely keeping the beasts under control. "It'll be fine," he tried reassuring Ahk, who was mercifully still safely inside. Now was not the time to feel guilty about dragging him into this; now was the time for action.
Unfortunately, a hairline crack, invisible before, spread along the shaft connecting the yokes to the rest of the cart. Kahmunrah failed to notice it until the shaft split in half, separating the horses from the chariot.
One wheel. No horses. No slowing down. They were as good as dead.
"Kah, Ahk! Hang on!" Seti called out as he drew up alongside. "Jump!"
The wall was coming up too quickly. Only one would make it. Even as he beheld his brother whimpering, crouched down below him, Kahmunrah knew which one should survive. "Ahk, jump."
Ahkmenrah shuddered, beyond the point of responding. "Ahk, listen!" He shook him, snapping him out of his terror-induced coma. "Jump!"
"NO!" Ahk clung to the handlebar, looking ready to cry and vomit.
The wall was getting nearer. Everything seemed to slow around them as Kahmunrah focused on his sibling. "Look at me, no not ahead, look at me! It will be fine." He forced his voice into a more soothing pitch as the world careened around them. "You must jump."
"How?!"
"Seti will catch you. You'll fly!"
"Like Horus?" Ahkmenrah breathed.
Forcing himself to breath, Kahmunrah nodded. "On three. One... Two..." He threw his brother to Seti just before three. He barely registered minor relief before crashing.
Darkness. Too much for his liking, but then Kahmunrah realized his eyes were still closed. Gradually he blinked them open as he took in his surroundings- incense, candles, cool, comforting bed sheets. Even the chanting of priests! He was in his own room! Howin Ra's name had he survived?! Where were Ahk and Seti? Had they made it? Who was stroking his hand? What, how?..
"Shh, my son, it's all right," Shepseheret soothed as she reapplied the damp cloth to his forehead. Kahmunrah remained lay as still as possible, enjoying the coolness spreading from his mother's touch. He started to speak, but found his mouth was swollen for some reason; it felt thick, as if he'd swallowed cotton.
"You had quite an accident- you're lucky to be alive." Only years of royal training kept her tears in check.
"Whe- whe..." What was wrong with his tongue? He could barely move it, but finally managed to sputter, "Ahk? Th-eti?"
"Safe. Ahkmen told us what happened, how you pushed him to safety. He thought you were... We all feared the worst for a while." Before he could struggle some more with speech, she murmured, "You've been asleep for three days. It is truly a miracle you've awoken! Blessed be the gods..." She trailed off, her cloth action growing automatic as her mind wandered backwards in time.
Three days! How could such rest make one feel even more fatigued? All he wanted was more sleep and a return to normalcy. Squinting, he finally noticed how shiny his mother's eyes were with held-in tears. She was keeping something from him; was his consciousness temporary? Had his head been pounded incurably, were his injuries still so life-threatening? Why did his mouth feel so slow?
"You have a concussion, and your face will certainly sport some bruises for a few weeks, but fortunately most of your injuries will heal with time." What did she mean by most? Was his nose broken? Damn, it had better not be. He felt it with his left hand- shockingly normal and the only part of his face that felt relatively pain-free. He opened his mouth, but she interrupted him once more. "Ahkmenrah was so worried about you! His wet nurse practically had to sit on him to keep him in his chambers! He will be thrilled to see you awake. Your father has been pacing his bedroom and visiting the temples to sped your recovery. Seti keeps trying to poke his head in here to visit, but the guards have kept him at bay for now."
Kahmunrah tried asking if he could see him, but the words wouldn't form. What was wrong with him?
Noticing him struggle, Shepseheret bit her lip. "Kahmun, I- there is no way to say this. You... You were gravely injured in the crash. I wouldn't try speaking immediately." His eyebrows raised in a silent question. "Oh Kahmun... My son, you somehow... Your mouth was bleeding so badly!.."
She was truly making him nervous; what wasn't she telling him? He wanted to poke his finger around to see, but his stiff muscles strongly advised against such action. Glancing down at his right arm, which was propped up by pillows, he noticed it was wrapped up in bandages. Broken. Damn it, there went his battle training.
As the head physician entered, Shepseheret quieted. "Just please, do not try to speak yet." With evident reluctance, she got up to grant the doctor his space. The physician was not as delicate as she was. "You bit off part of your tongue. You'll be lucky to speak again."
After a few days, Kahmunrah regained some speech ability. He supposed he should be grateful for any, but his migraines prevented the gratefulness from sinking in- he was too busy not coming to terms with his oral injury. How in Set's name had he managed to bite off part of his own tongue?! As if that weren't enough, Kahmunrah was bored- the noxious incense and stiff healers were awful company. All he was allowed to do was lie as still as possible, like the corpse he'd avoided becoming. Even reading would be better than being treated like some fragile patient! As for his mouth... Amazing how the smallest things one took for granted could change one's life forever.
A small figure emerged from the shadows. "Kah? Are you alive?" Ahkmernah asked uncertainly.
In spite of himself, Kahmunrah nodded, wincing as the pounding migraine returned. The pain herbs had yet to kick in. "Ye-yeth, Ahk, I'm alive. Though currently withing I wathn't." He winced as he listened to his own voice- he despised the stupid lisp already! Despite his headache, he tried to sit up for a better look. Miraculously, Ahkmenrah had emerged from the accident unscathed aside from a swelling scrape on his left cheek. Surprisingly, this came not as an irritation, but as a relief- his brother was unharmed.
"Your talk!.. Papa said you hit your head."
Groaning, Kahmunrah replied, "And he wath right, to th-ay the leatht."
"And your arm."
Thank you for reminding me. "Both my arm and my head are in th-ignificant pain."
Ahkmenrah looked ready to cry, approaching the bed with caution more befitting wandering into a lion's den. "I-I- I"
Annoyance towards his brother was returning. He really didn't want to deal with him now, he wanted rest. "What do you want, for Ra'th th-ake?"
"You saved me. I was scared you were sleeping-"
"Which I would like to do now, vank you."
"-sleeping forever," Ahkmenrah finished. "I am sorry!"
That caught him off guard. "What?"
"I am sorry! Should not have raced, my fault, I wanted to play horses!" Ahkmenrah burst into tears as he sat on the bed.
Kahmunrah chewed on his lip before remembering it was swollen. "Ahk, stop it. Stop it! It wasn't your fault." Unconsciously, he lay a hand on his brother's shoulder in comfort. "Listen to me! This was not your fault. It was an accident." Ahkmenrah peeked out through his fingertips. Gradually, he let Kahmunrah peel his hands from his face as he sniffled. "Now the important question is are you ok?"
Ahk nodded. "Okay. Sorry you got hurt, Kah."
Sitting up, Kahmunrah grimaced as his body growled in protest. "I'll live." Without prompting, Ahkmenrah reached over and fluffed up his pillows.
"What-wh-?"
"I am tucking you in, like Mama would." For once, Kahmunrah didn't protest. "Will you feel better soon?"
He faked a cheerful tone as he answered, "Very th-oon."
"Good! I will stay until you are better." Before Kahmunrah could protest, Ahkmenrah leapt into his bed and snuggled into him. "Want a story? I remember Mama's favorite."
You would, she tells it to you every night. Still, Kahmunrah reluctantly settled into his brother's warm touch as Ahkmenrah began the tale. Might as well get comfortable. "Once there were two brothers..."
Okay, so I'm positive there have been writer's who've written Kahmunrah's lisp into his dialogue. I admire how they were able to do that, but beyond this chapter, I'm not going to. If I do try to write in his lisp, it will be during times when I find it aesthetically necessary, otherwise, I feel it distracts from my writing the dialogue too much. I'm truly sorry if this disappoints any of my readers! Just know he now has the lisp he's famous for.
I hope you all had a lovely Easter and an even better weekend! :)
