Chapter 5

"Have you any idea how worried we were, the state we were in? Your mother was sobbing for hours! And it appears our concerns were justified." Merenkahre roared, inspecting his sons' appearance more thoroughly than necessary.

Both princes stood at attention as he berated them, notwithstanding their bedraggled state. Remarkably composed, Kahmunrah's and Ahkmenrah's rigidity was the only thing hinting their anxiety.

"The state of you both is beyond my speech. Go to your rooms! I will send for you when I select an appropriate punishment. As for you," he turned towards his eldest standing before him. Though Kahmunrah was still a preteen, his height was already equal to his father's; nonetheless, it took every ounce of willpower for him not to tremble in shame and nervousness. "I would have expected more from you. I- I am disappointed in you, Kahmunrah." If not for the wet glimmer in the boy's eye, one might not have believed the statement had any affect on him. Only Ahkmenrah noticed.

"It wasn't his fault, Papa."

Merenkahre looked down at him, an eyebrow arched. "Oh? And why is that, Ahkmenrah?"

"I- it was my fault." Kahmunrah looked ready to argue, so he prattled on. "I wandered off, I left Kah! I tricked him! I wanted to see the dunes, and Seti told me where they were! So I went there."

"Seti told you about them? That boy is more trouble than he's worth, it seems." Shepseheret lay her hand on his, a silent request to reign himself.

"Papa, please don't yell at Kah, he did not leave me. He found me, pulled me out of the Nile!" Looking down at his toes, he added, "Don't hurt him. Punish me."

Merenkahre stood silently before them, for once at a loss for words. Finally, he dismissed them. "Go to your rooms, both of you. Go!" Both fled before he could so much as thump his staff. Not for the first time did he wish he could be less strict with them.

"You shouldn't have done that," Kahmunrah whispered. He didn't need anyone standing up for him but himself, especially if he were to be king someday.

"But you looked so sad, Kah. And Papa was so angry!"

"I appreciate it, but we both know who's fault your accident was. I don't need you to protect me!" Now it was Ahkmenrah's turn to look wounded. "I did not mean it that way, I just... I'm sorry. I don't want him fuming at you without cause. Or me, for that matter." This admission surprised himself more than he cared to admit- since when had he cared about how Father treated Ahkmenrah? Knowing his parents, baby brother would get off easy. Himself, on the other hand, he was more concerned about. Ahk might mean well, but he'd just made one more mess to clear up with Father.

"I'm sorry." Ahkmenrah started sucking his thumb again.

"Don't be sorry, for Ra's sake- and please stop doing that!" He yanked the thumb away. "You don't want teeth like cousin Amun's, right? All crooked and sticking out over your lip?" Wide-eyed, Ahkmenrah shook his head. "Good, because that is what thumb-sucking does if you don't cut it out." Frantically, the child began touching his teeth- were they crooked already? Relenting, Kahmunrah gently took his hand in his. "Your teeth are fine. I only mean you should find another stress-reliever. Now off to bed- you heard Father. Shoo!" Ahkmenrah skittered to his chambers, leaving big brother alone in the shadows. Reluctantly Kahmunrah returned to the throne room.

"Father, may I speak with you?"

Merenkahre looked up from several layers of parchment. "I thought I dismissed you and your brother."

"Only for a moment, please." He regained his courage when the pharaoh leaned back against his throne, appraising him. "First, I deeply apologize for my actions. It was unconscionable to abandon my brother as I did, and for that, I deserve whatever punishment you bestow. Second," he couldn't believe he was about to say this, but he had to cover all of his bases. "I know Ahk said it was his fault, but it truly wasn't, it was mine. I knew better than to leave him unattended, yet I did. Seti and I were the sole rule-breakers in this case. We are both very sorry. It will not happen again."

"Why are you telling me all this?"

Trying not to look flustered, Kahmunrah replied, "Because I don't want you to assign blame to one who is innocent. Which Ahk is, in this case." Where had that come from?

Merenkahre's soft chuckle caught him off guard. "You don't need to fear I will be too hard on him. He is young still, and besides, a terrible liar." A smile tugged at the corners of Kahmunrah's mouth. "I am proud of you for admitting your mistakes. A true king accepts responsibility in all things, not just those he sees fit. However, you understand why you must still be punished, do you not?"

Reluctantly, Kahmunrah nodded.

"Excellent. I have already decided on appropriate consequences, but don't trouble yourself over them tonight- rest now. We will discuss them in full tomorrow morning." With no choice, Kahmunrah bowed and left.

Glaring at his own bed as if it had personally affronted him, Kahmunrah shoved the linen sheets aside and huffed into his pillow. Already, he regretted speaking up on his sibling's behalf, for Father had made it plain he would not to be too harsh with Ahkmenrah. Nobody ever was. He understood why Father had yelled at them; he even understood why he deserved punishment. This did not stop him from fretting over what was to come. Against his better judgement, his imagination conjured up grimmer scenarios. The king had never beaten either son, but there was always a first time...

Knock knock!

Almost asleep, Kahmunrah nearly jumped out of his bed. "Wh-who's there?"

Ahkmenrah shyly pulled open the door. "Me, Kah. Can I come in?"

"Must you, Ahk? I am trying to sleep, you know."

The child shuffled in, clutching his baboon toy close to his chest. "My room is too dark. I-I cannot sleep."

Sighing dramatically, Kahmunrah threw back his sheets. Ahkmenrah all but flew in, wriggling himself deep within the folds. It took him two minutes to settle down, his cold toes tickling Kahmunrah's shin. "Comfortable yet?" Kahmunrah grumped. Ahkmenrah nodded; he was nestled so deeply, only his eyes and black curls were visible. "Good. Then let me get some rest!" Fluffing up his pillow, he plunked his head down atop it, doing his best to ignore Ahkmenrah's continued squirming.

"Kah?"

"Yes?"

"Papa was so angry. Will he hit us?"

"Don't be silly, you know he won't. He never has."

"Of. Kah?"

"What is it?"

"Thank you for saving me." He didn't see big brother flush, nor the quiet grin spreading involuntarily across his features. Kahmunrah waited until he heard Ahkmenrah's gentle breathing before whispering, "Goodnight, little brother."


Until the next chapter! Which siblings here haven't had to comfort a younger sibling on a dark and stormy night? As always, please review. :)