Chapter 14
"So, I take it you overheard our little chat?" Belaying his calm tone, Kahmunrah was shaking inside- how strict would his uncle prove to be?
"My dear boy, I'm sure half the palace overheard it! Never would have guessed young Ahkmenrah possessed such a strong set of lungs- his voice carries rather nicely, don't you agree?"
Kahmunrah grudgingly nodded. "Could be an orator."
"Precisely what I was thinking! A fine position for the youngest son, wouldn't you say?"
"I suppose. Aside from being a backup plan."
"Of course! Which is why I wanted-"
Here it was, the verbal whiplash for abusing the precious golden child.
"-to congratulate you."
Kahmunrah spun around, surprised.
"Yes, congratulate you. You will be king one day, Kahmunrah, and so should not allow yourself to be misguided or influenced by your lessers. I'm not saying Ahk is less than you, but you are the heir, and what you say goes. Your father certainly held no restraints on making that known. Neither should you."
"Perhaps..."
"Ahkmen is only just beginning to border on manhood. He still has much to learn. Who better than you to teach him? You may have been a little stern with him, but he will have to learn sooner or later he cannot always have his way. Do you agree?"
Still mulling over his uncle actually taking his side, Kahmunrah nodded absentmindedly. "Excellent! I shall leave you now- my own brother desires my presence in the throne room. Take care of yourself now, Kahmun! And try to look after the little one as much as possible- he may prove susceptible to our- um, your- guidance yet."
Kahmunrah declined mentioning he understood Ahkmenrah's motives and desires better than anyone else- better than their parents, even- and so reluctantly understood his perspective in their argument. He had probably even been- right. But... best not let Uncle Menet think less of him.
The sound of fists distracted him.
0o0
Ahkmenrah pounded on the bag danging from the ceiling. Again, again, hit hit hit! Better to feel his fists burning than the other emotions inside. Much better. No wonder Kahmunrah found solace in fighting.
"You will break your knuckles if you continue doing that, you know."
Ahkmenrah ignored the voice, catching his breath before resuming his practice punches. He sensed movement behind him as a hand gently folded over his own. "Here, make sure your thumb is folded outside, not under your fingers. Otherwise you'll break it."
Grudgingly, Ahkmenrah did as he was told, not wanting to admit how much easier it was.
"I'm sorry I was so harsh with you earlier."
"M-hm."
"I just- why do you always have to be so difficult? You are going to give me a heart attack before I even ascend the throne!"
"Your apologies are getting better- last time you said I made you want to jump off a cliff."
"You are so annoyingly heroic! So self-sacrificing! Unfortunately, such antics do not lead to a long, healthy life. Keep it up and I will no longer need to fear competition for the throne!"
Completely missing the teasing note in his voice, Ahkmenrah froze, his eyes like a doe. "You don't really think so ill of me, do you? You don't believe I covete the throne?"
"I was joking. Seriously, you're always so serious about everything! Rather fun that you're so gullible." Ahkmenrah lowered his head.
"Look, with Menet fearlessly looming over my shoulder, I just have too much to worry over. I do not need to fear for your safety, too! I already do." The last he murmured as an afterthought, but Ahkmenrah heard him. "Must I send an armed escort after you always?"
"No!"
"Well, I might anyway- if your skills are anything to judge."
"Ha-ha."
0o0
"Sit down, Menet."
"My dear brother! Is that the only reception I get from you?" Displaying his mild annoyance, Merenkahre rose and hugged him.
Forgive me for my late arrival, urgent business, lost track of the time."
"Sit down, Menet. I have no time for your theatrics today. In fact I called you here for a dire reason," Merenkahre said, grateful for all his training in keeping a neutral expression. One thing Kahmunrah was not good at, unfortunately.
"Theatrics? Dear brother, you wound me! My mannerisms are charming, even if a bit- much, sometimes. I can keep a level head under any circumstances, unlike some people."
"I was seven, and it was a snake! How long will you continue mentioning that?"
Menet grinned. "For as long as you call my gestures theatrical."
"Regardless, we have more to discuss than pleasant childhood memories or gestures. The truth is, my brother- I am afraid you might have to pick up the pace in Kahmunrah's training."
If his ears could have pricked up, they would have. His eyebrows raised instead. "Oh? Why?"
The shadows crawling on the wall behind the throne behind the pharaoh cast him into half-darkness, etching the faint lines on his face more clearly. Had he always looked so exhausted? "The truth is, I am ill."
Silence. "Oh."
"I had hoped this disease would fade quickly, but it is repelling all efforts, all of my physicians' knowledge and remedies. There are still some treatments we have not tried yet, but I am losing hope."
So my son was right. The King is ill- desperately so, if he is asking for my aid.
"I say this not to make you lose hope or faith in me, but my children must be ready to ascend in case the worst occurs. Kahmunrah must be ready under all circumstances. Understand?"
"Of course, Meren! I will not fail you. As for my supposedly losing faith in you... Rest assured you still have my utmost loyalty, brother. Indeed, you would have lost it had you not confided in me now."
Merenkahre smirked. "It has been twenty years since you called me that, Menet."
"So it has."
"Remember how much you screamed when you saw that asp?" Menet laughed.
"As I said, I was seven! And it was in my bed! Mother always suspected you put it there."
"Hmph! Suspected, never proven. Rest assured my tricks aren't so juvenile."
"And what are your latest tricks, Menet? Turning my sons against each other? I heard them shouting."
Menet threw up his hands in surrender. "Rest assured, it wasn't me they were squabbling about. No, your eldest was trying to knock some sense into your dear Ahkmenrah's head! From what I overheard, Ahkmenrah confronted an angry merchant over the theft of a bread loaf. The boy is insane, with no regard for his own safety!" Pacing up and down, he grumbled, "It was good of Kahmunrah to tell him off. You certainly don't."
Instead of the angry outburst he'd hoped for, Merenkahre chuckled. "I always hoped he would grow into bravery..."
"Bravery? You mean foolishness! Carelessness, an utter lack of respect for his family! I have warned you against coddling that child, and yet!.."
"Careful, brother. I may rely you for advice in my royal duties, but you have no jurisdiction over how I raise my sons. Nor do I allow anyone to speak ill of them. Not even you." The sliver of steel rather than his fighting skill contributed more to his legendary status as a warrior than anythings else; Menet realized this as that steel was directed towards himself. Radiating benevolence, he approached the king.
"Relax, and never fear I will question your parenting technique again. But you must understand, I adore Ahkmenrah and Kahmunrah as though they were my own boys! I will do whatever it takes to ensure their happiness and survival."
"Their best chances for both are together."
"Perhaps. Though we both know this is not always true."
Merenkahre sighed wistfully. "It could have been different between us. I wanted it to be different!"
"Did you? Then how did Father uncover my heritage? My shameful, blackened heritage!"
"You know I never meant for that to happen! I was seven years old! How was I to know better? How was I to know such secrets are better left untouched?" Now it was the king who paced, observed by his remarkably serene vizier. "Everything I've done, I did to make up for it. Arguing with Father, my studies, my glory, honoring you as my Grand Vizier... All this, to mend our relationship! Yet it seems nothing made a difference."
"Ah yes, honoring your elder sibling a cushy job as his faithful servant! How thoughtful! Yes, I believe my feelings are mended now- kingship pales in comparison to being a lackey."
"This was a mistake. I never should have confided in you-"
"Oh please, brother. Don't insult me- I can set aside petty differences to protect the throne. I know my duties."
Merenkahre sank into his seat, ignoring the creak of his bones. "The last thing I ever wanted was for Kahmun and Ahkmen to become us. Yet every year they grow further apart, two leaf buds on the same growing branch. This cannot- will not- happen. If Egypt is to remain strong, so must the brothers. Set aside your grudge- I alone deserve it- and swear you will keep them safe. For if I die... You will be all my family has left."
Menet paused for a moment, reveling in the man's weakness. Seti had not been lying- the king was frailer than usual. Not noticeably yet, but his demeanor was changing. Still, he felt an unexpected jolt of nostalgia when their eyes met, sharper than electricity. He remembered warm sand, dust and grit between his toes as he ran... His toddling brother just inches out of reach, giggling...
No, he shook himself. That ended long ago. Too long ago to be repaired, his joy and self-worth too abused for all to be forgiven. At least now the gods were finally granting his wishes- soon he would be king. Yet his brother gazed at him, clearly anticipating a change of heart. Possible, since he was feeling generous. "I swear I will do all I can." ...To end your legacy.
