Chapter 4
Evenings of storytelling merged into weeks of speech therapy. To everyone's relief, Kahmunrah's speech improved to the extent of being well understood once again, though the physician thoroughly enforced he would carry a faint lisp until the end of his days. The prince was merely relieved to be able to speak without feeling like he'd swallowed a woolen cloth, but he yearned to speak without pain or the stupid 'th' sound. Mercifully, the doctor swore the pain would subside. As he progressed, eventually the lisp would fade away except during times of stress, but he wasn't to learn so until years later.
Though Kahmunrah would never have acknowledged so to anyone, Ahkmenrah's company was the only thing keeping him sane during his recovery. Little brother listened as he groaned, complained, and generally made fun of the stone-faced physicians. Ahkmenrah laughed as Kahmunrah performed the perfect impression of his therapist picking his nose. He learned the true influence of being the older sibling when, to his delight, Ahkmenrah began mocking the speech therapist with exaggerated facial expressions behind his back; he barely maintained his own neutral mask during that session.
While listening to Ahk bubble on in his high-pitched voice, Kahmunrah temporarily shoved away the promise he'd made to himself: never fall in love with his sibling. Egypt was wondrous, true, but it was also a place of sorrow, pain and suffering. His mother's stillbirths had been enough to teach him this much, and no matter how healthy or charming Ahkmenrah was, he could not afford to surrender. He could not fall under the same spell as the rest of the country. He told himself it was because Ahkmenrah was a general nuisance, but subconsciously he'd made up his mind and his heart the night of Ahkmenrah's birth- it could all end tomorrow. Only the dice of fate had ruled this child would live; who was to say it would continue to roll in his favor? Not worth growing attached to a wilting blossom. Besides, he knew what it took to rule a kingdom. If family got in one's way... Who knew if or when Ahkmenrah would want his throne? In spite of his parents' best efforts, his uncle had not shied away from teaching him the ways of the world through stories of exotic places, of royal dynasties torn asunder from within.
"Your mother is a goddess, and wise beyond her years," Uncle Menet whispered. "But towards you and Ahkmenrah, she is blind. You will be king one day; you cannot afford to make mistakes based on softness. Emotions have no place in a god's heart."
"But Father says..."
"I am aware of what my brother thinks. Experience has taught me different; please let me guide you before it teaches you, too."
"Why bother having brothers and sisters, then? If we might slay each other."
"Siblings are assurance of the continuation of one's bloodline, and little else. At best, a brother can be an adviser; at worst, he becomes one's murderer. I'm not saying you and Ahk will kill each other, but don't dismiss such a fate because you 'love' him. Never let your guard down. Remember this much from me, at least."
Siblings were born potential enemies. Why should he and Ahkmenrah be any different?
Yet you pushed him to safety.
And look where it got me- a lisp and a fractured arm! His conscience could be annoying sometimes.
You would do so again if given the choice. No, this was the queen's voice talking. His mother's notions aside, there could be no place for love towards his brother in his world. Yet the warmth spreading from his chest was hard to ignore as Ahk was hummed and snuggled up beside him. Lisp or not, he didn't regret saving him.
"Ah, the wounded king returns!" Seti cried, bowing before the former invalid.
Kahmunrah playfully shoved him. "Shut up. You know how little I enjoy bed rest."
Seti looked startled before averting his eyes. "Your speech has... Changed." Seeing Kahmunrah's glare, he back peddled, "Not terribly, but... You know..."
"Believe me, I do know. I sound ridiculous!"
"Not at all. You sound heroic, in fact." Embracing him, taking care not to touch the arm in the sling, Seti declared, "Your impediment is better than a visible scar! It proclaims your life-saving efforts far and wide! I'm sure all of Egypt will soon hear of your exploits, your selfless sacrifice in pushing your baby brother out of harm's way. The ladies will be falling over you!"
"All right, all right, enough! I know you're trying, Seti, but stop. I sound slow-witted, end of discussion." Stomping outside, Kahmunrah ignored Seti's penetrating gaze as he bathed in the sunlight.
Finally, Seti asked, "Want to race? I bet all the time in captivity slowed you down!"
"Not a chance!" Both boys flew off like hawks against the afternoon sky.
0o0
"Kahmun, please watch Ahkmenrah, it is only for a few hours. Your father and I have a meeting with the council today; we have delayed it long enough." Her voice was gentle enough, but her face bore no room for argument.
Ahkmenrah could hardly contain his joy as he skipped alongside Kahmunrah, who was noticeably less cheerful. "Babysitting duty again?" Seti winked.
"Shut up."
"Relax, I know what to do."
"Oh? Last time I listened to you, I got a concussion, a broken arm, and a lisp."
"Trust me." Clearing his throat, he stated loudly, "So, found any good hiding spots today? Remember how mine topped yours in last game?"
Kahmunrah glared at him. "You know how I despise hide-and-seek." A firm nudge with the elbow changed his tune. "Oh, yes! Though if I recall, my hiding spot was superior to yours!" As planned, their disagreement earned the interest of a certain youngster.
"Why are you arguing?" Ahkmenrah asked.
"Merely proving whose hiding skills are superior," Seti explained.
"You realize the only way to demonstrate our skills is by actually playing," Kahmunrah sneered.
"You wouldn't dare challenge me!"
"I wouldn't- not if you're too great a coward to try! What do you think, Ahk? Whose hiding spot will be better?" Kahmunrah turned to him expectantly.
Unused to their attention towards him, Ahkmenrah hesitated. "I do not know. I like... Hiding under my bed?"
Kahmunrah barely resisted rolling his eyes while Seti snickered. "A brilliant place! However, a better one is inside the stables."
"Or in the sacred gardens..."
"In the Grand Vizier's office!"
Back and forth the two argued, each spot more outrageous than the last. Finally, Seti asked, "Well cousin, how about it? Who's up for a competition? You can be our tie-breaker- whoever you find first loses. Agreed?"
Deliberating, Ahkmenrah finally nodded, shaking Seti's hand. Kahmunrah barely kept his relief hidden as he followed them outside. As a matter of fact, he was so wrapped up in his euphoria, he failed to notice Seti bend down and whisper something in Ahkmenrah's ear, as if in the strictest of confidence. He would regret this later.
"One... Two... Three..." Ahkmenrah counted, carefully concealing his eyes from the world. He did not see Seti, fingers to his lips, leading Kahmunrah away, both boys giggling silently. When he opened his eyes, he was alone.
This didn't bother him the slightest initially, but after searching in every place they'd mentioned, loneliness settled around him like a cloak. Stubbornly he shook it off, remembering his cousin's words- they loved hanging out in the sand dunes near the Nile. He'd even pointed out the direction! Grabbing his favorite toy baboon, Ahkmenrah set off towards the unruly desert.
By the time he'd arrived, his feet ached, but he was determined to find the older boys. He could play as well as they could! However, after two hours of inspecting every sandy mountain, enthusiasm had soured into fatigue and exhaustion. Their hiding place must be excellent, which was saying something- usually he was best at this game. By the time Ra was sinking closer to the horizon, he finally understood.
Kah had left him again. Why, what had he done this time? Pouting, he sat down at the base of the biggest dune he'd encountered, succumbing to his grouchy exhaustion. Well, fine- if Kah didn't want to play, he didn't either! Let them come find him! His feet couldn't have carried him home anyway. Ignoring the tears pricking in his eyes, he tried making his stuffed monkey dance, but even this failed to entertain him. He was so thirsty, and the sun, his only landmark, was swiftly disappearing. How was he to get home? Lying down to consider his options, he didn't notice the gentle lapping of the everlasting river lull him to sleep.
0o0
"Take that!"
"No fair, yours is bigger than mine!" Seti glared at him from the sand as Kahmunrah loomed over him in mock victory. "Switch?" Seti asked hopefully.
Kahmunrah shook his head with a smirk. "Our sticks are the same size; you're just a sore loser. Will you continue whining, or allow me to continue beating you?"
Seti grumbled about how the prince got more battle training, but picked up his fallen 'sword.' No matter how many duels they fought, he knew Kahmunrah would likely retain his superior combat skills- a fact he was reminded of almost daily. At least now Kahmunrah was smiling again. Another hour later, Seti and Kahmunrah all but collapsed upon the ground, their souls rejuvinated.
"One more round, Kah? Please?"
Uneasily, Kahmunrah squinted at the sky. "It's getting late, we should be heading back. Poor Ahk must have overturned the palace three times over! When he tells Mother, I'm never going to hear the end of it."
"Don't worry, I took care of it. The dunes will be more than enough occupation for him!" Seti replied.
Kahmunrah looked up sharply. "The ones by the Eternal River?"
Seti nodded, perplexed by the sudden change in demeanor.
"Are you insane? None of us are allowed near the place! It's haunted, and, and... How could you?!"
"What? Anywhere else and he would have followed us! As for it being haunted... Surely you don't believe that nonsense, do you? I have played there myself and I'm fine!"
"You are not five years old! He'll get lost in there!" Without a backwards glance, Kahmunrah dashed off in a race he was bound to lose.
0o0
A howl startled him awake. Flipping onto his back, Ahkmenrah groggily rubbed his eyes, his vision still bleary from sleep.
Another howl, swallowed by a roar, made him jump to his feet. How long had he slept? Long enough, for dusk had tinged his surroundings to a deep indigo Uh-oh... Mama must be so worried! Fortunately, he was well-rested enough to walk home. If only he knew which way to get back! Maybe that way, over the dune? Or was it this one?..
Something whispered in his ear, gentle as the barest breeze, but unmistakably human. A woman? Before he turned to see who it was, he recalled Mama's warning: these dunes were forbidden. Never set foot within them, for those who did were lost forever, haunting in the hope of misleading travelers. If she was right, whatever was behind him meant him harm. Shivering despite the heat, he dared not turn around. The whispering continued more adamantly.
He needed no further encouragement to run towards the Nile, guided by the sound of gently lapping water.
0o0
"Ahk? Ahk, where are you!" Mentally cussing out his cousin and himself for their recklessness, Kahmunrah dashed towards the Great Dunes, their shape the only break in the desert's flat monotony. How long had Ahkmenrah been trapped there? Was he still alive? More importantly, how could he have been so stupid? Seti or no Seti, everyone knew about the dunes; even Ahkmenrah had been told the bare minimum! He, unfortunately, remembered more- how the dunes were haunted by the souls of the forgotten, the cursed, and executed criminals. Those careless enough to walk among them were lost, tricking lost travelers into joining their ranks. Shaking off the myths, Kahmunrah cried out again, "Ahk? WHERE ARE YOU!" Blessed Horus, he was almost there!
0o0
Ahkmenrah turned. Was that Kahmunrah? All anger towards him was forgotten as he ran from ghouls and specters. The glittering Nile provided relief- surely no evil spirit dared approach it? He raced towards it. Once his feet touched the velvety comfort of the fertile soil, he sighed and crouched on the bank, rocking himself back and forth. Kah... Mama... Papa...Uncle Menet. How he wished they were beside him!
His brother's second call distracted him long enough to miss the tide rushing in. It dragged him under before he could scream.
0o0
"Ahk? AHK!" Breathless, Kahmunrah slumped over his knees. If he didn't find him soon, either the cold or the lions would gobble him whole.
"This way..."
"Who's there?" No one. He shuddered- the sooner they left this location, the better.
"This way..."
"No, don't listen! THIS way!"
The voices rose in unity and dissonance, confusing him, frightening him, comforting him. Yet not a soul to be seen. The majority of them were fading gradually, as if guiding him somewhere.
"This way!"
Something brushed his shoulder, enough to spur him towards the river. Only the Nile's disturbed ripples hinted that something had just sunk beneath her.
"AHK!"
"Hurry, he hasn't much time!"
"No, leave him! Soon you will both join us..."
Ignoring the hisses and taunts, Kahmunrah dove in.
Darkness. The world turned black as Ahkmenrah sank deeper into everlasting darkness. The gem of the surface retreated from his outstretched hands, disregarding his silent pleas to return. He knew even as he struggled, kicked, and let lose a bubble in a hiccup of terror, that the darkness was as endless as the Nile herself. It would never release him. No escaping it, he knew, yet still he fought and kicked. He could not, would not give in. Yet even as his will remained strong, his body weakened without air. Claw, kick... No good. Oh why had he come here? He'd never see his family again! Mama and Papa would weep for him. What about Kahmunrah, would he miss him at all? He did not want them to grieve, but the darkness was descending faster now. It was clouding his sight, his mind; his heart and lungs felt ready to burst. He needed air...
The surface was gone. He was alone.
"Breathe, damn it!" Kahmunrah shook his brother, but Ahkmenrah remained unresponsive. "Ahk, wake up! AHK!" Why oh why had he ever left him alone? Even the dumbest fool knew better!
Muscle memory guided him through the motions of chest compressions; get the water out of his lungs! If he couldn't breathe, he'd have to do it for him! He did so until Ahkmenrah awoke spluttering and coughing up water. Kahmunrah yanked him upright, thumping his shoulders. Stunned to be alive, Ahkmenrah looked about in confusion. Then his gaze settled on his brother.
"Kah?.." He rasped. Shock turned to relief to hurt to anger. The combination of almost drowning, bone-deep exhaustion and past rejection, ignited a fire in his heart he didn't know he had. Kahmunrah didn't have time to react before Ahkmenrah lunged at him. "You left me! You and Seti left! Ghosts... And darkness... And!.." Coughs stopped his words, but not his tiny fists, which pounded harmlessly away.
Under normal circumstances, Kahmunrah would have been mortified by being 'beaten up' by baby brother. Just then, however, he stood there, taking it, realizing he deserved much more. Tears began trickling down his cheeks and, before Ahkmenrah could start shouting again, he smothered him into a hug. Surprised by the display of affection, Ahkmenrah stopped hitting him long enough to feel his body shaking. Was he crying? Hesitatingly, he hugged him back.
How long they remained there, no one could say. For them, it felt like seconds until they finally pulled apart.
"Kah? I- I'm sorry! I-"
"No, I am sorry! Had I known Seti tricked you into coming here, I would... It was selfish of me to leave you!" You can hit me all you want this once. Just never scare me like that again! "I thought- I thought you were dead!"
Ahkmenrah's rage evaporated, replaced by wariness. "You- you did?"
"Yes! And I was chased by bad ghosties all the way to you!"
"You were? Were you- were you scared, too?"
Chuckling weakly, Kahmunrah nodded. "Yes, very." Finally recognizing the bloodshot, feverish look in Ahkmenrah's eyes, he said, "We'd better get you home now. Mother will kill me if you get a cold!" She'll probably kill me anyway.
Adrenaline had worn off by the time Ahkmenrah tottered to his feet, supported only by his brother. He shivered in the wind. In a final display of unexpected concern, Kahmunrah swept him up, cradling him all the way home.
Reviews and comments are more than welcome. ^.^
