Chapter 16

"Are you certain nothing more can be done?"

The Head Physician rolled up his sleeves in utter defeat, barely able to look at his beloved master. "We've tried herbs, tinctures, exercises... All of the standard procedures and more. I am truly sorry, my Queen. There is nothing else we can do for him."

Shepseheret maintained her composure, which threatened to shatter like glass dropped to the floor. "I refuse to accept this, I refuse to allow you to stop! Look at him, can you not see how fragile he is, how weak he has become?"

"My dear-" Merenkahre began, but she plowed forward.

"Is his current state befitting one beloved of the gods?!" Her voice rose an octave with every syllable.

"Love-"

"There must be something-!"

"Gem of my Life, that is enough!" Merenkahre raised himself off the examination table with far too much noticeable effort. "Can you not see he has done all he can for me? Even your magic could not aid me! And do not deny it, I know your ways." He approached her quietly, enveloping her delicate hand within his own calloused one. She bit her lip, unable to concede defeat. He turned to his doctor. "We cannot thank you enough for your services; may you continue to serve my family well."

Grateful to escape the woebegone atmosphere, the healer scurried away as quickly as possible. Though they were royalty, they were not as invulnerable as they appeared, and he recognized the signs of grieving- not even the living gods were spared.

"The gods have willed me to return home to them! Who are we to turn against them?"

"How can they want you back so soon when you are still needed here? Our sons are too young, too inexperienced to take up your mantle."

"Kahmunrah is not a boy anymore- he understands enough. And I will remain here a little longer to teach him. Have faith, my love."

Mistaking her tears for mourning, Merenkahre engulfed her in love's embrace. Shepseheret held her tongue- there was one last thing she could try. One final chance to keep her family together, for apart they were nothing. "Do you remember your promise to me, the night Ahkmenrah was born?"

Merenkahre nodded. "I swore we would never be apart."

"Will you keep your promise now? That not even Death can part us?"

Here the king's eyes lit up from within at the memory of that night. Then, they shadowed over. "I remember what we crafted so long ago, but is this truly the time? Remember what the priestess foretold to us..."

"Now is the perfect time to use it. What else would you have us do?"

"We are cheating death. You know everything has its place in the cycle, and the Priestess warned this would bring little but sorrow and pain to us and our kin."

"She also foretold it would bring unfathomable joy to others for eons to come. What better legacy is there than that, to bring joy to others?" Gazing up imploringly into his eyes, she finished, "This is our last chance."

Merenkahre bit his lip, considering. Much as he hated it, the tablet was their final hope. "This instrument was designed for our sons. I fear using it in this manner will harm more than heal."

"It was crafted for our family, not only for our children. And how can you be so cruel, to deny me a possible cure for you when I only long to have you a little longer?"

Softened by her rebuke, he finally surrendered. "We shall see it tonight."

0o0

"Is it ready?"

"My King, it has been ready for some time- perfectly formed, built from the purest silver and gold available. The problem remains."

"What problem?" Shepseheret demanded sharply.

The priest bowed his head in sorrow. "It will not come to life. Aside from the night of its creation, when I chanted the incantation meant to bring it to life, the Tablet has never glowed. It hangs there before us, dull and lifeless as any slab of stone adorning your legacy."

"Of course it is. And so it will remain, until The One Who is Chosen comes forth."

All turned towards the woman shrouded by the darkness.

"This tablet was made for your sons, not for you. Maybe for one of them more, but essentially for both. This is your legacy to them- not to yourselves. Let it be, until it awakens of its own accord."

At the High Priestess's words, the others went their separate ways, knowing the futility of their efforts. "My Lord," she called to one in particular. The king's shoulders froze rigidly. "Remember my warning. This creation was never meant to be. The power of life over death belongs to the gods alone, never to a mortal king. Yet you have done it. It was a risk against the gods' themselves, to create a being such as this, but fortunately they smile upon you still. Do not test your fate."

The pharaoh bowed his head in despair, the full rush of raised hope being crushed within himself. "As I had feared. Thank you, Mahkmet."

Seti trounced in, surveying the scene before him dismally. Ignoring the weeping, crumpled fiend much like his own father had, he asked, "Did you truly have to?"

Menet shrugged. "Easiest method of ensuring total obedience."

"He is not what I meant." Seti gestured angrily downward.

"Ah." Menet- taking great pleasure all the while- slowly drew himself up to his full height, then slowly turned away. It wouldn't be long now...

"I thought we'd agreed to spare Kahmunrah."

"You wanted to spare him; I merely induced the illusion we would. Oh don't give me that look- I was after Ahk, not your playmate."

"So Ahk is part of this now? What threat does he pose to you?!"

"You never know- no room for human frailty when pursuing the throne."

"Oh, I'm sure you would know all about softness, wouldn't you, father?" Seti spat.

Menet froze, and the atmosphere with him. "Never use that tone of voice with me." The duly flickering flame of a lone candle sizzled out. "Cunning you may be, but regarding the Arts..." He gestured with his hand, and the flame burst to light as a spark, zooming and exploding in Seti's face, who leaped back with a yelp. "I am sole master."

Seti glowered.

"Never forget. And never question my methods again- my reasoning is beyond reproach. Understand?" The young man rubbed his still-stinging nose, reluctant to answer. Without warning, Menet reached out and gripped the front of his tunic, yanking him up into a choke hold. "Understand?" He growled.

"Y-yes," Seti gasped.

"Good," the Vizier purred, releasing him. He turned away once more.

"But Kahmunrah will be spared."

Menet's shoulders slumped a little. "If you insist, Kahmunrah might be spared- if he remains susceptible to my guidance. You may go." Seti rose. "And take that disgusting thing with you."

Asim sobbed harder.

"You never told us."

The Queen and King exchanged anxious glances as the thunder rolled in. Ahkmenrah and Kahmunrah had both been seated before them, calm until the news broke. Now in his anger, Ahk stood up, leaning on the table for much needed support. "You knew this for months, yet you never told us."

"We-"

"We wanted to spare you the heartache. Both of you," Shepseheret said, looking at both of her sons in turn. Kahmunrah glared at an opposite corner of the room, but Ahk retained eye contact.

"So you thought to keep us ignorant?! You are dying, father! How could you believe it was better for us not to know?!" With a clatter, he pushed the chair away from himself and stormed out.

"Ahkmen!" The Queen extended her arm, longing to run and comfort her youngest, only to be restrained by her husband.

"Let him rage if he must," he advised gently.

"No, he is right," Kahmunrah rose to follow his sibling. "You should have told us."

0o0

Kahmunrah found the younger prince on his bed, crumpled up. "You do a poor imitation of sleeping, you know."

Ahkmenrah kept his eyes stubbornly shut. Maybe if he did, the rest of the world would also be shut out.

"Come on, this isn't appropriate behavior."

No response.

"Must I resort to drastic action?" Still nothing. "All right, I warned you..." He began tickling Ahk's right foot, the only visible part of his body besides his face. Ahkmenrah tried shoving it back under the covers, only for said bed covering to be whipped off, leaving him mercilessly exposed to Kahmunrah's ministrations.

"No, stop! Kah, STOP!" Overcome by giggles, Ahkmenrah fought against the relentless fingers, rolled over onto his back, but this failed to prevent every part of him being 'attacked.' "Stooooop!"

"Do you surrender?"

Ahkmenrah huffed some hair away from his forehead, but nodded. Kahmunrah smirked, "That always works with you."

"Not fair."

"Neither was you waking me up every morning for three years!"

"Let me be, Kah. I mean it- no more tickling. I need rest."

"I know you do. So why are you awake now?" Kahmunrah asked, voice devoid of judgment. Ahkmenrah sighed contentedly, flopping back onto his pillow and wishing he did not have to leave those sheets ever again.

"You should get up, you know. Put on a good show for them, if not for yourself." Kahmunrah said.

"Father is dying, Kah. How can I put on a good show about that?"

"The same way we have usually done everything. Together."