Mana was nervous as she entered the Pharaoh’s
bedchambers. Not because of where she was, or who she was talking to. The
Pharaoh had been her friend since childhood and though she had to show the ‘proper’
respect in front of everyone else, when it was them alone, they could be more
themselves.
No, the nervousness came from the Pharaoh, who was
still recovering from the poison, which had taken three more doses of the
antidote to leave her system entirely, asking for her to come alone to discuss
recent events.
If the Pharaoh wanted to discuss what had happened
with her and only her, Mana couldn’t help but worry that the Pharaoh had
somehow learned about the lessons Ba-Khu-Ra had been giving her before she had
left for Kul Elna and wanted to confront her before bringing the guards down on
her head.
She knew she was being paranoid, but Mahad’s
constant ranting about the ‘traitor,’ and how anyone who had associated with
her and aided in the attempted assassination would lose their heads if he had
his way was making her nervous.
She stepped into the bedchambers to find the
Pharaoh was on her balcony, the one that overlooked the courtyard where the
fight had taken place. As Mana stepped up cautiously, shutting the door most of
the way behind her, the Pharaoh spoke up, her voice a little unsteady.
“Do you believe Ba-Khu-Ra is a traitor too?”
Mana paused to consider the question, wondering if
she was expected to actually speak her mind, or just agree with the crowd.
“A simple yes or no would suffice.” The Pharaoh
continued as she leaned against the railing, using it to support her weight
instead of her still unsteady legs.
“May I speak my mind?” Mana asked her ruler,
hoping for a positive answer.
“I would welcome it.” The Pharaoh snorted in
reply, half turning to look at her.
“I think,” Mana started as she moved to her
Pharaoh’s side, “That if Ba-Khu-Ra wanted you dead, she wouldn’t waste her time
hiring mercenaries to kill you.”
“Finally.” The Pharaoh breathed, relief obvious, “Someone
that agrees with me.”
“My Pharaoh?” Mana asked, confused.
“Everyone’s so focused on what the mercenary said,
despite him admitting he never saw the face of the woman who hired him, that
they’re blocking out any other options.” The Pharaoh pointed out, “I don’t
believe she hired them for one simple reason.”
“Oh?” Mana asked, wondering if it was the same
reason she could think of.
“If Ba-Khu-Ra wanted me dead, she wouldn’t hire
someone to take me out with a quick acting poison.” The Pharaoh shrugged, “She’d
do the deed herself, make it slow and painful and she would ensure that I knew
every excruciating detail of why.”
“You are far too calm about that.” Mana wondered
at the older teen.
“Sometimes it’s nice to know where the danger lies.”
The Pharaoh explained, “At least with Ba-Khu-Ra I never had to worry about
getting a dagger in the back. At least not after the first couple of months.”
The Pharaoh sighed, “And if she wanted my demise, she had plenty of opportunities
before she and Akhenaden went to Kul Elna. I was even alone with her the morning
she left. Why not kill me then?”
“You believe someone’s making Ba-Khu-Ra the
scapegoat.” Mana realized.
“Indeed.” The Pharaoh turned to look at her
properly, “I’m no fool, Mana. I know what you and Ba-Khu-Ra were up to in your
spare time and don’t bother lying about it.”
Mana, who had been about to try and cover her
tracks closed her mouth.
“I want you to use those skills to find out who
really hired those men and help me bring them to justice.” And clear Ba-Khu-Ra’s
name was left unsaid but clear enough.
“My Pharaoh, what if it’s someone within the
palace?” Mana asked, “Or one of your High Priests?”
“I highly suspect it is.” The Pharaoh grimaced, “Though
once again I have no proof.”
“Akhenaden?” Mana yelped, before glancing around,
double checking they couldn’t be overheard before continuing, “He wouldn’t be
so foolish, surely? He’s already in disgrace.”
“My uncle stands to gain everything if I die.” The
Pharaoh pointed out, “And by getting Ba-Khu-Ra blamed for the attempt, he
removed a thorn from his side.”
“How do you want me to proceed?” Mana asked
cautiously, well aware that Akhenaden could read minds, which made sneaking
around him difficult at best.
“Carefully.” The Pharaoh’s reply made her smile
slightly, “In the mean time I’m going to send a runner with a message for Ba-Khu-Ra.
She needs to be made aware of the current situation. Preferably before Mahad
arrives to arrest her.”
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