Chapter 18

It took Ksunamun a few hours to grow accustomed to the idea of Akhenaten going to battle with what was now his army. She was already worried about Akhenaten's safety, even though he hadn't left the palace. She didn't want to see him return injured - or worse.

When Akhenaten returned to their chamber that night, she pounced on him, pinning him beneath her on the bed. He'd been in the throne room, speaking with commanders of the local army forces. She wanted him all to herself for the rest of the night.

"My, aren't we playful tonight," Akhenaten chuckled as he kissed Ksunamun's cheek.

"Aye, but there's something on my mind, she tried to be blasé.

she had won Akhenaten's undivided attention. "What is it?"

"I made a promise I must keep. But in order to fulfil my promise, I need your help."

"Who did you make the promise to?" Akhenaten wondered.

"Atemakhu."

Akhenaten nodded. "What did you say you'd do?"

Ksunamun met his eyes so that he could see her sincerity. "I promised I'd have him taken to my old village - that we'd escort him - so that he could meet one of my friends."

Akhenaten nodded. "We'll do that. But it'll have to wait until I return, alright?"

Ksunamun frowned. "Must it?"

Akhenaten thought it over. "I think that it will have to, Aye. If you can prove me wrong, I will recant that decision and take you and Atemakhu to your village. I'm just worried there won't be enough time, that's all."

Ksunamun nodded. "Thank you, Akhe."

The Prince kissed her, his lips just touching hers lightly. "You know I will do anything in my power for you, Ksun."

"I know."

Sutekh had asked Ishza to wear the gown he'd given her. She was reluctant, saying that it seemed far too extravagant to wear unless it were to a festival or other major public event. Sutekh assured her she'd get a chance to wear it publicly soon. He encouraged her to try it on, and at last she relented.

When she returned to Sutekh's chamber, donning the lovely garment, Sutekh smiled triumphantly. "I now understand why your favourite colour is turquoise."

Ishza was bemused. "How?" she stammered, "Why?"

"Because it is so lovely against your skin." Sutekh answered simply, "It suits you. The same way your eyes and your hair compliment each other."

Ishza trained her gaze to the floor, trying to hide her blush. "Master is too kind and too flattering."

"Nonsense." Sutekh scoffed. "You are still too accustomed to the treatment of your former masters. In time, you will get used to me and my habits."

Ishza dropped to her knees before her master, took his offered hand, and kissed his knuckles. "You are the best master I have ever had. You are better than I ever could have asked Atem-Ra to be blessed with."

Sutekh snickered. "Now who's being too flattering? How many times must I say I'd rather have a friend than a toady?"

"I know master. I cannot help it. I was raised to act such."

Sutekh's free hand grasped Ishza's shoulder. "Sweet, gentle Ishza. Please rise." he asked gently, "Let me treat you as an equal."

She stood, but was still mystified by her master. "Master, Sire, why do you want to treat me as your equal? I am not just a slave - but I'm a woman. Even if I was your wife I'd still be less than you."

"That is an outdated belief, Ishza. I only tell you I feel this way, though. I'd be stripped of my title and thrown out of the priesthood if my conviction got out in the open." He sighed, sounding as though he carried a heavy burden, which he did.

A soft, gentle finger traced the outline of Sutekh's jaw. Ishza was being very daring in doing this, but Sutekh wasn't fighting. "Master, can I help you in any way?"

The High priest's dark eyes lifted, searching Ishza's. She was looking down at him with empathy, he knew she understood the weight on his shoulders. He answer was a bare whisper. "I do not know, Ishza. I'm baffled." He shrugged in surrender, "I just do not know what to do."

Every thought of rules and laws forgotten, Ishza cupped her master's face with her hands. He looked down, casting his eyes to Ishza's sandals. She forced him to look up at her fully, to meet her eyes. He looked to her then like a vulnerable child. He looked completely helpless, like he was lost, and could not find the way home. Unable to stop herself, she met his lips.

Akhenaten felt the need to train stir his blood. He was fine and competent with a sword, and so felt he should do more work with other weapons, in case he was ever in a situation where a sword was not available.

When he had made his way to the circular Training Chamber where he'd studied battle tactics and weapon use ever since he was a small boy, he found the General Rah already there, facing away from him, and doing an ancient form of shadow boxing. The general was retired as a soldier, and Akhenaten knew he would not fight this war. That was fine with Akhenaten though, for the General was a friend, and he didn't want to risk the General - he was ten years past his retirement, and it would be unfair to call him to war.

"General Rah?" Akhenaten asked suddenly.

The General stopped, and turned to the prince, seemingly embarrassed. "Aye, Prince Akhenaten?"

"Could you help me train, General Rah?"

Rah wiped his brow. "You are more skilled than I with your long sword, sire."

"If you say so, Good General. I meant - I need training in other weapons. I was thinking about the bow and arrows, actually. I need more target practice, to try to improve my accuracy. And, as you know, skill with the short sword still evades me."

"If you ask me, my Prince, you have skill in all weapons. It just so happens that long sword is the weapon that the gods have gifted you with a talent for. All the other generals know your talent. Some say it is a good thing that you do not have bloodlust, for if you did, you could be a terrible tyrant."

"I suppose it is good. I may never know just why I am the way I am, however."

General Rah unsheathed his short sword. "Maybe it is better that you know not, Sire."

Akhenaten lifted his own short sword from the large wooden weapon rack on the stone wall. "Aye, you may be right."

It was late when Akhenaten finally dragged himself to bed. He wished there was some way he could escape going into battle, but it was his place to lead the troops. He would do it for that reason. In a manner of speaking, he was now Khemet's father. He had to defend his country, as a father would defend a young child from a villain who'd wish them harm.

With a heavy heart, Akhenaten disrobed and fell into the comfort of the plush mattress and overstuffed pillows. He pulled the blankets up over himself, and settled to stare at the ceiling, his hands folded behind his head.

Ksunamun was immersed in the luxurious bathing chamber that adjoined to their bedchamber. Akhenaten could hear the gentle splashing of the water from where he now lay. He had asked to join her, but she had asked for privacy. He was submissive. He supposed it was only fair to let Ksunamun be alone when she wanted to be.

"Having fun?" He called out, hoping he was loud enough for Ksunamun to hear him.

Ksunamun's response was sultry. "Aye, my Dear Prince, so much fun." she gave a devilish little chuckle.

Akhenaten knew she was trying her hand at tormenting him. He'd try with all his might not to let her know how well she was succeeding. His efforts only lasted a moment. "How much longer shall you linger in that blasted bath, Ksun?"

A giggle was all that Akhenaten was given. He sighed. "Seriously, Ksun, when will you come out? You've been in there for ages!"

"Are you missing me, my sweet and hopeless Prince?" she taunted.

"You know I am!" Akhenaten replied, an irritated sigh escaping him.

"Aw, how sweet." Ksunamun cooed. Her voice was close, Akhenaten observed.

The Prince sat up. Ksunamun was standing before him, wrapped in naught but white cotton. His expression was one of bewilderment. "Why did you not get dressed?"

Ksunamun grinned. "There isn't really much need of clothing this time of night, is there?"

Akhenaten got to his feet, and with a few short strides was directly in front of Ksunamun. "Hard to believe, Ksun." he murmured, "Hard to believe that the seductive siren before me now was once so shy that it was maddening."

"I've learned that love can make people do strange things." Ksunamun said in a sultry whisper.

Akhenaten dropped his night robe, and pulled Ksunamun close as her towel whispered to the floor. Their lips embraced in salacious indulgence. Ksunamun wrapped her arms around Akhenaten's neck, and Akhenaten lifted her from the ground, swinging her legs over his left arm, cradling her back with his right. He carried her over to the bed, and set her down on the large mattress gently.

"Akhe-" She was breathless.

"My sweet Ksun," he silenced her by placing his fingers over her lips. "Sweet Ksun, my life."

"Akhe-" she said again, kissing his fingers as he blew out the oil lamp on the bedside table - the last light source in the chamber.

Ishza fell to the floor, unable to look at her master. "I-I'm sorry, Sire." She sobbed, "I'm so sorry."

Sutekh dropped down on his knees, making himself level with his slave. He grasped her shoulder. "Why are you sorry?" he wondered, "I did not rebuke you."

"I shouldn't have-" she managed to say.

Sutekh furrowed his brow. "Shouldn't have done what?"

"Oh, master -" she cried, "Why do you toy with me?"

Sutekh shifted position, and gripped both of Ishza's upper arms. He held her firmly, but not so tight as to cause her injury. "Ishza, you've done nothing wrong."

She slowly raised her head, her eyes meeting his, but only warily. Hers were amber and misty, sparkling with tears; his were dark, unabashedly bemused.