Chapter 18
"What are you up to?" Shepseheret gracefully strolled up to her beau, who hunched over his desk with a reed pen.
Merenkahre furrowed his brow, but brightened as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Nothing worthwhile, it seems. I merely hoped to leave a legacy of sorts before I... Before I leave you all." They couldn't look at each other, unable to acknowledge the encroaching doom. Yet acknowledging it they were, at least the king was; the scroll on his desk was evidence of this. Then Shepseheret noticed several other papers crowding his desk. "You have been at this for a while."
"Yes, well, I figured we couldn't expect our sons to carve something out of nothing, you know. Might as well leave them something for when we're both gone." Noting her gloomy expression, he sighed. "I wish I could make you smile again; I despise being the cause of your misery! No point in worrying, my dear. I have been blessed by the gods in having all of you. Indeed, last night Osiris himself blessed me with a vision."
"Really?"
"Truly! I knelt before him, but he bid me to rise, saying he'd rather have a son greet him as his prodigy than as his subject. He understands our pain, but begged us not to be afraid- I am coming home. We will all be together again someday..." Leaning against her warm embrace, he added. "I wish you wouldn't mourn for me before I even take my final breath. My sole regret is leaving you and our children so soon."
"I cannot help it, for you are fading away as we speak! What would you have me do?"
"Osiris visit hints my time is fast approaching. Why not leave our children a guide? I ordered the priests imbue the tablet with the most potent magic in our land- the ones they knew of, anyway. I have since added a couple of anecdotes to it. Should suffice, wouldn't you say?"
"Indeed it will. Now enough work- you are fatigued, and our bed awaits!"
Judging by her subtle wink, he hoped they would do more than just sleep. It had been a while.
"Smile, my son, for we are their sun!"
This 'sun' was shining too brightly, Kahmunrah thought miserably. Their armor, the stretchers, the dancers spiraling in and out of sequence! Tambourines, jewels, the very staffs in Father's hands! Such a display wealth and majesty should have brought light to the dimmest of hearts (particularly the lovely dancers), but for Kahmunrah, it reinforced the absence of joy. It was nothing more than a wretched conglomeration of glitter and gold, like the most nauseating sunrise imaginable. He grimaced. Merenkahre noticed. "We must maintain appearances. For our people."
"The people have the right to know about their king," he snarled back.
"These are your people now, Kahmun! Never forget, this is all for you, and Ahkmenrah. So smile, and enjoy the entertainment! Consider how much happiness a king provides for his people, and your reign will be long and with little contest."
"I will not forget, Father." His words were barely audible, but they were all he could manage. "Speaking of baby brother, where is the little sand sprite?"
Merenkahre wiggled his eyebrows. "You do not recognize him? He's one of the dancers! He insisted on doing more than sitting and getting a sore butt. From past experiences, we both know letting him participate more actively would ease his troubled mind."
Following his father's finger, Kahmunrah squinted into the throng of dancers- and let his jaw fall open. Of all people, Ahkmenrah would have been the last person he would consider graceful or agile. Dancing, he was both. Well, not perfectly agile, but his enthusiasm allowed one to overlook any technical deficits in his steps. It spread to the other dancers; he could see one of the maidens giggle at something he said. Ahkmenrah didn't need the dancers' bejeweled adornments (though he wore the bare minimum anyway), his spontaneous twirls and leaps were enough. He had never seen Ahk move as freely as he currently did. Surprisingly, he wanted to see him so genuinely joyful more often, struggling with a jealousy he hadn't known he possessed.
"Remember to smile when your time arrives," Merenkahre sighed. "This is for you, my son. Both of you! You would do well to remember that."
"There you are! Dad has been looking everywhere for you," Seti sauntered up to his cousin.
Kahmunrah groaned internally; the parade had taken its toll, and now his stallion was calling for him- or perhaps he was calling for him. "Of course he has. Thanks, Seti. I suppose he has been stewing in his chambers for the past hour, waiting to scold me on tardiness."
Seti chuckled darkly. "Lurking in the far, smoky corner, brewing potions and scribbling incantations!"
"Why does Father insist he remain here? He was fun when we were children-"
"Fun to make fun of, you mean?"
"-but now things are worse. He mutters to himself, murmurs randomly at the servants and screams at anyone crossing his path. The other day he screamed at Ahk for accidentally dropping a tablet in front of him! If I had not intervened... We know baby brother is too timid to truly stand up for himself. Do we need this right now, given Father's condition?"
Seti lay a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. "I always said your father is too generous."
Kahmunrah shrugged. "He wouldn't keep him on if he felt our uncle was a danger to us, so who are we to question him?"
His cousin grunted in acknowledgement. Best not go into what happened behind the bizarre mutterings. "Anyway, we'd better leave- no need to prolong your future punishment."
"Ha ha." Still they lingered, and the atmosphere grew charged, serious as the false laughter died away. "Want me to escort you?" Seti asked.
Kahmunrah nodded, hoping he hadn't agreed to eagerly. Seti's brushing his arm as he went to lead the way felt oddly reassuring, and he felt that touch long after its owner had left him.
Shepseheret jolted awake, shivering- another nightmare. She couldn't remember it, but endured its aftereffects reducing her body to seizure-like quakes. Careful not to disturb her husband, she slipped out of the covers best she could and headed for the kitchen embracing the chill night air against her skin. A cup of soothing tea would stop the quakes.
The earthen fire warmed her more than the steaming brew did. The glowing embers reminded her of the goddess's iridescent eyes- so full of pride and power, but also of love and compassion. Love and passion, which ruled all.
Merenkahre's idea was a noble one. She smiled to herself as she recalled the shy, quiet enthusiasm he had emanated- he'd never prided himself on his scribework. That he was recording must mean his illness was finally beginning to pain him past the point of ignorance... Her beverage suddenly tasted curdled and cold.
Circumstance or not, his idea was one worth contributing to. Might as well start now, since sleep evaded her. She took up her reed pen.
"Your form is improving, Ahkmenrah," Uruk nodded approvingly.
"Thank you." I know I am improving, he thought bitterly. Did it really take saving his brother, the heir, to prove that? Then again, perhaps there was a reason Kahmunrah lingered in the practice arena well after hours... The rhythm of his muscles and movements soothed him- a different, less quieting rhythm than dancing, but it would serve its purpose for now.
Fair warning, college is once again kicking my buttocks, so I might not be able to update any of my stories for a while, but I will try to remain consistent with at least a couple of them. I hope you enjoyed this latest addition! :)
