Chapter 21
The night seemed particularly dark that day, as though the night knew what had happened. The village was quiet, but the entire village was gathered in the central market. Each member of the village was holding an oil lamp which the village priest was lighting, one by one. Haji stood next to his father holding a lamp in his hand. He watched as the priest approached and lit his father's lamp then his own. Haji turned to where his mother would have been standing, except she was not. His mother had died a few months ago and he had not quite adjusted to her death yet. He sighed, exchanging a look with his father before following him. They were under strict instructions that night, once the priest had lit your lamp you were to begin to head to the river. Haji kept his head down as he followed his father, who in turn was following the other villagers with lit lamps. No one dared speak, this ritual was far too important. No one was willing to spoil it and be at the wrath of the priest. Taking his place next to his father at the riverbank Haji held the burning lamp in both hands and looked out at the river. The opposite bank also had numerous people lining it, all with burning oil lamps in hand. Turning to his father he made to speak, to ask what was going to happen but his father merely shook his head, his eyes on his own lamp. Haji turned his gaze to his surroundings, it appeared that everyone from the village was now standing on either side of the riverbank, all holding lamps. Now, now they waited.
Haji couldn't be sure exactly how long they stood but soon the waves of the river became stronger and a large felucca could be seen approaching. The felucca was large and golden. It moved almost silently along the river, getting closer to them. The only sounds it made was from the rowers as they dragged the oars in and out of the water. The felucca continued to move towards them and now Haji could begin to pick out the things and also people who were aboard it. The first thing that drew his eye was the large golden sarcophagus which was position in the centre of the felucca. Stood at each corner was a woman holding an oil lamp. Stood at the edges of the felucca, nearby to the sarcophagus were soldiers, their weapons sheathed but their eyes carefully taking in their surroundings and the line of people on the riverbank. Towards the back of the felucca, also in line with the sarcophagus was a large golden throne. From his position Haji could see someone in clothing reserved from royalty sat in the throne however he could not see the person's face. Around the throne dark coloured cloths were hanging, obscuring his face from view. Stood around the throne were six people, their eyes locked on the direction that the felucca was moving. Haji's eyes widened as he noticed all of the six were holding golden items and, when he looked closer, the person in the throne was wearing one around his neck. Were those the items that Bakura had mentioned? The felucca glided past him, he bowed his head briefly along with the other villagers around him. When he was allowed to raise his eyes once again he looked towards the felucca which was gliding away. He caught a last glimpse of the throne before it was gone, gracefully continuing its journey down the river. There was an odd silence amongst the villagers before the priest allowed them to return back to the village and their homes. Haji walked alongside his father, thinking over what he'd just seen but eventually he put a voice to his thoughts.
"Father, exactly who was that?"
His father did not look at him but Haji could see his confused expression, "What do you mean son? That was our dearly departed Pharaoh, making his way to the Valley of the Kings."
"No sorry I knew that, I meant that person sitting in the chair. Why couldn't we see his face?"
His father made a sound, "That my boy is our new Pharaoh. He must accompany his father to his tomb and assure his safe passage to the next world. It is the last duty he can carry out for him."
Haji nodded slowly, "But why weren't we able to see his face?"
"We cannot gaze upon the new King until the old has completed his journey to the afterlife."
Once again Haji nodded, but another question soon came to mind.
"And that golden object? What was that?"
At this his father turned to look at him, "I'm sure I do not know. He is the Pharaoh now, he has many fine possessions. It would not be wise for us to question what our King has, it is his right now as the new Pharaoh."
Haji frowned but made no response. He followed his father to their house but whereas his father went straight to sleep, given the lateness of the hour, Haji did not. He sat on the rooftop gazing out over the horizon. There were too many thoughts going through his mind. It took a fair amount of time but he eventually managed to get to sleep.
He found upon his awakening that his father had made arrangements for them both to travel to the capital to pay their respects to the new Pharaoh. Haji couldn't help but a feel a bit of uncertainty was raging within him. He couldn't stop his thoughts turning back to what Bakura had told him. The items the new Pharaoh was holding were dangerous and cost Bakura everything. Perhaps it was better if Bakura took them. Despite the smile he gave his father he still wasn't convinced. Together they mounted a couple of horses that his father had recently bought and they made their way towards the capital. It took them almost half of the day but soon the tall walls of the capital city came into view. A stream of people on horseback were approaching the gates of the city, clearly people had travelled from all over to pay their respects to the new Pharaoh. Haji followed his father as they entered the city and stabled the horses. The city was full of excitement, everyone was itching to see their new King. Street merchants were flogging a wide range of items, from foods Haji had never seen before to carving said to be a likeness to the new king. His father picked up one of these carving, examining it closely before handing a few coins to the merchant.
"Let's see if it's a real likeness." His father said with a grin, pushing the carving into his hands.
Haji gazed down at the carving, the person depicted in the carving was certainly royal looking although his hair which spiked up in a way he'd never seen before in his life. Gripping the carving in his hand he continued following his father. Whilst his father took in the many sights and smells, Haji was gazing at the variety of people that lined the streets. As he looked a hooded figure caught his eye. Staring at the person he could have sworn he recognised them but they were gone before he could get a good look. He stopped, gazing in the direction of where the figure had once been but his father was tugging his sleeve.
"Come son." He said, "It's time to head to the palace."
They joined the growing crowd all of whom was making their way towards the palace. People jostled them as they tried to get in a good position. Everyone around them was almost bouncing with excitement but Haji couldn't quite match it. His eyes were drawn to the palace balcony as people began to file out, taking up positions. The people around him began cheering and chanting.
"Pharaoh! Pharaoh! Pharaoh!"
Beside him his father was similarly joining in with the excitement but Haji still did not have it within him. Finally another figure emerged on the balcony and if anything the crowd got even more excited.
"We are your loyal servants!" Someone nearby yelled.
A frown crossed Haji's face, if only that guy knew what he knew then perhaps he would not be so loyal. The crowd continued chanting until up on the balcony the new Pharaoh raised his hand. At this everyone fell to their knees, bowing before their King. Haji joined them, not really having a choice to do anything else. He did not know how long they stay that way but when the people far in front of him began to cheer and chant once again he took at as safe to get to his feet. Up on the balcony the Pharaoh had retreated inside the palace, with the other people on the balcony close behind him. Beside him his father clapped him hard on the shoulder.
"How amazing was that?" He said, "We have a new King!"
Haji smiled but said nothing, unsure of what to say. They joined the crowds moving back towards the marketplace where celebratory parties were starting. These parties went on late into the night and once again Haji just did not have it in him to celebrate.
But the mood was soon cut by screams. Suddenly the people around him who had a moment ago been drinking happily were running to clear the road. Haji turned and saw perhaps a dozen horses charging towards him. The leading horse was dragging something behind it, something which Haji was sure he'd seen before. He locked eyes with the rider and he went pale, it was Bakura. Hands grabbed him and pulled him back just in time. The horses thundered past him, missing him by mere inches. A strong arm was on top of him, keeping him pinned to the floor. It was only when the ground seemed to stop moving that the arm was removed and Haji discovered that it was his father who saved him. His father had gotten to his feet, his eyes like so many others were on the palace. They could see lights bursting from inside and the sounds of roaring coming from within.
"Did you see what that horse was dragging?" Someone nearby asked.
"I did but I wish I hadn't" Someone else replied.
"Who would do that?"
"Sacrilege!"
Haji moved closer to his father, but his father was watching the palace.
"We should go father." He said, "Let's go home."
But his father made no reply, only continued to watch. It seemed as though all of the people were frozen in place, they did not know what was happening. But soon enough the ground beneath them shook as horses thundered towards them once again. People scattered trying to ensure they were nowhere near the many horses which charged back towards the city gates. Haji, who'd thrown himself to the floor, turned to see Bakura atop his horse laughing wickedly as he sped away, the royal guards hot on his heels. He watched from his position on the ground as the horses once again raced out of sight. The people around him gradually dispersed, all of them casting worried glances around in case anything else happened. It appeared that now no one was in the mood to party. His father pulled him to his feet.
"Come on son, we're going home."
Haji nodded and followed his father back to the stables and together they began the journey home. Despite the lateness of the hour many people from the outside villages had had the same idea. No one could be sure what had happened, but it seemed they weren't keen to remain in the capital. Glancing at his father Haji saw the angry expression on his face. A long period of silence fell between them before his father spoke.
"Can you believe that? Who would do something so evil as to disturb a former Pharaoh's tomb?"
Haji made no reply.
"You must have seen what that mad man was dragging? It was our dearly departed Pharaoh's sarcophagus."
Haji still made no reply which only seemed to infuriate his father.
"It is sacrilege Haji. No man should disturb another's tomb, to do that is to doom oneself to be devoured by Ammit in the Duat."
"But what if the former Pharaoh wasn't as noble as we all thought he was?"
His father stared at him, disbelief in his eyes, "What on earth would make you say that?"
Haji bit his lip for a moment before responding, "What if the former Pharaoh deliberately caused the deaths of many just to grant himself more power?"
"The great Pharaohs work for us, to protect us. They are the gods down here on earth, they are to be respected as we respect the gods." A pause, "I should not have to explain this to you, my son."
"I know father but listen, I think the Pharaoh is responsible for causing the deaths of all those in Kul Elna when it was attacked years ago."
His father shook his head, "I never thought I would hear my son making such accusations. The great Pharaoh would never do that. We don't know what happened in Kul Elna and we will perhaps never know."
"Father please, I'm not making this up. I was told –"
But he never got to finish his sentence. His father moved around on his horse, so he was facing his son, looking him directly in the eye.
"Do you know who was responsible for what just happened?
Haji held his father's gaze not willing confirm or deny anything. Silence stretched, but as it did his father's eyes widened.
"You do know. Don't you."
"Father you must believe me. I was told that the former Pharaoh committed a truly appalling act a few years ago he –"
"Enough. I do not wish to here anymore lies, not if you wish to remain in my house."
"But father please –"
"I said enough!"
Haji made to say more but his father gave him a look, a look he'd never seen on this father's face before. Closing his mouth Haji merely looked at his father until he turned and spurred his horse in the direction of the village. They said no more on the ride back, merely rode through the night in silence. When they finally reached the village his father was quick to reach the house and hitch the horse outside before moving into the house without another word. Haji hitched his own horse and made to enter the house but paused on the doorstep. Closing his eyes he let out a sign before turning and walking away from the house, away from the village. Why hadn't his father listened? Heard him out? Bakura had explained to him what had really happened in Kul Elna and how the former Pharaoh had been at fault. Because of his selfishness he'd killed so many people in order to make items of power. He may not fully understand what these items really were or what they were capable of but it was surely not a good thing. No being should hold items that were created in such a horrific way. He soon found himself at the riverbank, staring out over the water. Dawn was still a fair way off. Rubbing his tired eyes he let out a sigh. He wasn't sure what to do now, maybe he should try to talk to his father once more, once he'd calmed down. If he could persuade his father to believe him then perhaps they had a chance to spread the word and get these items collected and given to Bakura. He'd surely know what to do with them. A hand suddenly rested on his shoulder making him leap out of his skin. He jumped back, away from the hand and stared at the person standing there.
"Well, what did you think of my little stunt?" Bakura asked, a smirk on his face.
