Chapter 10

Mana roamed the palace, bored out of her mind. All of friends were busy and her best friend was upset with her. She wondered whether or not she was allowed to leave the palace for the afternoon. Asking Atem for permission was definitely out of the question. Suddenly she spotted Master Mahad as she turned and strolled through another corridor.

"Master, can I-"

"Not now Mana, I´m busy" he replied sharply.

"Mahad I just want to-"

"I said not now!" he called walking past her, hastily. Geez, with this new visitor everyone seemed to be on edge. He mustn't be just any common visitor, she thought. Suddenly, it gave her an idea.

´With everyone running around like this, who would notice? ´

She walked down the stairs nervously and made her way toward the entrance. Not even the guards acknowledged her. Except for one.

"Where do you think you´re goin´?" Joseph asked her.

"Oh just for a walk, I´ll be back soon" she said quickly. He eyed her suspiciously,

"Weren´t you grounded or somethin´ like that?"

"Oh come on Joseph! Not you too. I won't take long, I promise", he sighed,

"Fine. But if I get in trouble for this-"

"Not at all! In fact, this conversation never happened" she said winking. He considered it and figured she was right. It was unlikely that anyone would notice her absence or any of the less important servants.

"Fine, get out of here. I envy you" he said rubbing his face with both hands. He was tired to say the least. Mana laughed and punched his arm lightly.

"See you later" she said skipping off. What Mana needed now was to get out of this place and see the city. She hated being mad at Atem, in fact she couldn't even remember the last time they had argued. And now it was even worse because they hardly ever saw each other, how were they supposed to make up?

Cairo was as warm and hectic as always, but she loved it. The energy of the people could really be perceived. No wonder tourists loved coming here. She strolled through the city for what seemed like hours, looking at all the different priestess and noble attires through the shop windows. They were all so expensive! Only those of high rank could ever afford such beautiful apparels. Of course that meant all of those in the palace (except for her) and other nobles who lived in the city. She walked through the market, looking at all the fresh fruit and the typical decorated vessels.

Mana sighed. No matter how she attempted to distract herself it just didn't seem to work. He was very handsome, rich, of high status, in other words, he was off limits completely. Mana hadn't wanted to acknowledge the new and unexpected feelings he stirred in her, at first. But something happened as they became teenagers. He changed, she changed. And after a while he was no longer her friend the prince who she played and cut classes with. He was the strong and all mighty King of Egypt. But it wasn't his title that changed her feelings, it was him.

Mana continued walking, so distracted with her own thoughts that she failed to watch where she was going. He was always there for her. Even with multiple occupations, he was there to join in on her pranks, or go swimming in the Nile, or just to hang out with her and Mahad. But now, they barely saw each other.

Suddenly, Mana hit something or someone, hard. She was knocked back, falling to the ground due to the impact.

He kneeled down and gazed at her worriedly. The girl seemed startled alright. As he took a better look at her, he realized how beautiful her features were. Lively green eyes that combined well with her unruly auburn hair. He'd seen many women pass him by so far during his stay in Egypt, but this one captivated him.

"Please forgive me, I believe it was my fault" he said, extending his hand for her to take. She did so and stood up immediately.

"Thanks, but I was pretty distracted myself" Mana said smiling sheepishly,

"Well then I think we can call it a truce" he said, causing her to giggle.

"Agreed. So…are you new to Egypt?" she asked, although his aspect easily gave that away. He was tall, had very light skin-almost pale-and grey eyes.

"Indeed. I was exploring the city on my own for the first time. I must say, it holds the greatest of beauties. If I had known, I´d have come sooner" he said, gazing at her absorbedly. A faint blush crept upon Mana´s cheeks.

"I-I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, I´ve been exploring the city too"

"Really? I would've thought you knew your way around perfectly" he said curiously.

"Not really, it's a long story" she muttered. Because it wasn't really long, she just didn't want to tell a stranger that although she lived in the palace amongst authorities of very high status, and that the King himself was her best friend, she wasn't allowed to do a lot of things. Like wander off to the city when she pleased or go off on an amazing magician's expedition.

"Well, I've got time. Would you like to tell me the story over supper?"

"Supper? Well…"

"How careless of me, my name is Dartz" he said for the first time, stretching his hand out.

"Mana" she answered, shaking it.

"And please, it's the very least I can do after knocking you down that way"

"I guess I am sort of hungry" she mused. It had been hours since she left the palace and not once had she noticed that she was starving.

"Excellent, have any recommendations?" he asked her, smiling.

"Mmm…yeah I think I know a place" she said, recalling a small diner she´d passed by earlier.

"Lead the way, fair lady" he said, Mana giggled.

"So you're master grounded you?"

"Yes and for the most ridiculous reason. I was invited to assist on an expedition but he doesn't think I'm ready for such an event. I disagree, and so…we argued" she said, sighing.

"I see…"

"So…have you decided what you want to order?" she asked.

"I´m willing to try something new, but I still haven't a clue as to which of these meals to choose from. My knowledge on your customs are still quite scarce", he explained, a bit embarrassed.

"Well then, may I recommend something?" she asked, shyly. He smiled, suddenly looking intrigued.

"Be my guest" he said to her. She took the papyrus from him.

"This here. Macaroni béchamel. It's one of my favorites",

"Well you are the expert", he said to her.

"So umm…how long have you been in Egypt?" she asked as the server took their orders. Dartz chuckled.

"Only a couple of days, as you can probably tell", she nodded.

"So you´re from…?"

"Atlantis. A beautiful nation located to the north of Egypt. It´s a bit colder but I must say I greatly enjoy this climate"

"So that explains why you´re rather pale and-"she stopped herself abruptly,

"I´m sorry I shouldn't have said that, really I-"she tried but Dartz laughed casually,

"It´s fine, actually you´re right. So since we´re being so straight-forward, has anyone ever mentioned what beautiful eyes you have?" he asked. Mana blushed and stared down at the table. Atem had mentioned once that her eyes were a unique shade of green, although she never gave it much thought.

"Thank you. It-it must be difficult for you to get around" she stuttered.

"Please forgive me if I´ve made you uncomfortable Mana, I don't usually make such remarks to women. But I believe that when someone deserves to be praised, they should be", he said apologetically. She smiled.

"It's alright, I´m just not used it. The only real compliments I get are about how annoying I am", she said rolling her eyes. Dartz laughed lightly.

"Really now? And why is that?"

"Well, mostly because my magic doesn't always work the way it's supposed to, or sometimes I get my spells mixed up but if you ask me-"

"Spells? Magic?" he asked, astonished. Mana nodded.

"Oh yes, I´m a magician in training",

"I see…" he replied in wonder.

"My dream is to become an elite spell caster. But sometimes it just feels as though nobody takes me seriously", she confessed. Dartz gave her a small smile.

"I think I know what that feels like. As a child, my father always pushed me to my limits, and I thought he wanted to anger me. Now that I´m older I realize he was merely preparing me for what was to come. Don't give up Mana, if you have a dream don't let go of it", he told her.

"I really needed to hear that", Mana said. Listening to Dartz reminded her of Atem. It also must have been very hard for him as Prince, all that studying he was forced to do. He had hours and hours of training in combat. Maybe she was too hard on him, perhaps he did know what was best. But she at least deserved a choice in the matter didn't she?

"Where is your father now?"

"I´m afraid he passed away several years ago. But when he departed, he and I were on much better terms",

"I´m so sorry to hear that, I shouldn't have asked", she said.

"Do not worry. Time heals all wounds and mine have already sealed. I will never forget my father but I´ve learned to live with his absence", he told her. Mana nodded solemnly.

"So, could you show me one of your spells some time?"

"If you´re not afraid of getting blown up, than I´d love to" Mana answered. Dartz laughed wholeheartedly.

"I haven't felt like this in a while. I like your sense of humor"

"That's very nice of you, there are some of those who don't" she said, glaring at the memory of a certain Priest. Seto for instance…Well, the feeling was rather mutual.

"I think they simply haven't gotten to know you, Mana", he said. She giggled.

"They may be right you know. We´ve only spoken for about forty minutes",

"A person´s true essence is the easiest thing to see when you´re looking for it, forty minutes is enough", he said confidently. She was mesmerized by his gaze and his kindness.

They enjoyed the rest of their meal in silence, only making small comments from time to time.

Mana put down her napkin and pushed her plate aside.

"I´m so sorry, I should really go now" she said, standing up.

"Is something the matter?" he asked her standing up as well, probably thinking he had done something wrong.

"It's just that I didn't exactly ask my Master for permission to come here, he must be worried", she explained, while placing a few coins on the table and pushed in her chair.

"Mana, wait. Do you think we can see each other again?" he asked.

"Oh umm…geez I don't know. I don't really do this often-"

"My stay in Egypt won't be for very long, Mana. I greatly enjoyed your company this evening. Why don't we eat again tomorrow?" he persisted.

Well what could the harm be? He´s a tourist, just trying to make friends in a new country. And he seems so nice.

She nodded.

"Okay then. Tomorrow it is", she said rather shyly, which wasn't really common for her.

"I´ll be here at the same time, and if you wish to go elsewhere we can choose a place to go to from here"

"Sounds great! I´ll see you tomorrow then, it's been…a pleasure" she said to him.

"The pleasure is mine" he answered, taking her hand and kissing it gently. She blushed madly and nodded. Not once in her life had someone done that to her. Surely if she had been a noble, Atem would have…

Mana shook her head. The breeze was already beginning to get colder and she hadn't even brought her cloak. It was a long way back to the palace. She just hoped to make it back in time before the gates closed and the guards alerted Mahad.

Atem sat in his throne, awaiting the moment when a servant or member of his court would enter to announce that Dartz was back from his tour. Someone´s voice could be heard close by, but he paid no attention to it. He had other things in mind. Like Mana….

Seto was probably right about one thing. Now that he was Pharaoh he definitely had responsibilities and obligations to attend to, and he was very willing to deal with it all. He´d sworn to do so. But Seto claimed that Mana was taking up too much of his time, which seemed ridiculous because he saw less and less of her every day. But now, even when she wasn't around, his mind wandered back to her. To her laugh, her crummy jokes and mixed up spells and those green eyes of hers…

Atem sighed. He simply missed his best friend. He assumed that the reason why he thought of her so much lately was because now as King, Atem dedicated little to no time to himself. He didn't have time to be a normal teenager and take a break, and one of the things that made him feel like a normal teenager, was Mana. It was the only real explanation Atem could find. And the only one that existed as far as he knew. He and Mana were friends, nothing beyond that. Suddenly someone cleared their throat.

"My Pharaoh, is something disturbing you?" Shimon asked calmly. Atem sat up straight in his throne.

"Not at all, Shimon, forgive me. Has Dartz returned?"

"Not yet, your majesty. But if I may sir, you seem distracted", he said. Shimon was more than his royal advisor. He had been faithful to his father for years and was now doing the same for him.

"It's just…well, it's about Mana. She wishes to leave on the Magician´s upcoming expedition, but I can't allow it. She seems to be under the impression that everything continues to be as it used to. But it's not. I am not only her friend now, but her King. And I must protect my people. My duty is to protect all of Egypt, what makes Mana think it doesn't include her?" he said nearly out of breath. Shimon listened to his outburst for a while.

"I wish Mana would get her head out of her spell books and simply try to understand!" Atem concluded.

"Perhaps little Mana hasn't understood the magnitude of your duty yet, sir. She´s spent all of her young life within these palace walls. And in spite of being under Mahad´s surveillance, or enjoying your or the other servants´ company, she´s quite independent. So very used to fending for herself, to the point where she convinced the young Prince to escape his classes, or taught him how to stuff himself inside a vase", Shimon said, laughing at the memory. Atem chuckled along with him.

"You´re right. Maybe I didn't speak to her the way I should have. She has to know it´s not easy for me to say no to her. Especially now that I have the right to do so", he said, remembering how he always joined in on her antics, as children.

"Now I must warn you, my King, the ruler of Atlantis must not perceive your distraction. He is known to be a strict man, and you must present yourself as you always do, your majesty. You are a strong and firm ruler as well", Shimon told him. Atem was kind and respectful but was also very rigorous when needed. He would be fine.

"I´ll get this out of the way first, but I´ll certainly focus my complete attention on the treaty Shimon, thank you", he said standing up and leaving the throne room. Mana was on his mind all the time because of this insignificant quarrel and he needed to make things right.

He walked down one corridor, then another. She probably wasn't in the gardens at this hour, it was nearly noon. Her chambers…He walked to the first floor, to the servants´ wing. Mana had her room close to that of the other young servants. Atem was sure he would find her in there, probably practicing another spell or making a mess. He turned the door knob slowly.

"Mana?" he asked, "Mana, can we-"he began, popping his head into the empty room.

"Talk…"

The Pharaoh entered the room and noticed that her wand was set on the table. Well she certainly wasn't practicing, which meant that she wasn't with Mahad or any of the other magicians. He gazed around her chambers for anything that could indicate that she had been there today. Nothing at all. As he left her room he spotted one of the guards, Honda.

"Your majesty", he greeted. Atem cleared his throat,

"You haven't seen Mana, have you?" he asked. Honda blinked, taken off guard.

"Uh-Mana-no sir. Not since this morning", he informed. The pharaoh simply stood there for a moment, pondering on where to look next. Why was it so hard to find her today?

"My King?"

"Thank you, Honda. That is all" he said turning his back, his cape whirling behind him. There was one last place he could think of.

He stood at the kitchen´s entrance, still feeling strange. He was so accustomed to coming here or sneaking in for snacks, and now….it had certainly been a while. If any of his royal advisors found out he was here, they´d pull him out immediately.

"Excuse me" he said, entering. Instantly, each of the people working there turned around, surprised.

"Your majesty! To what do we owe this honor", Rahim said, bowing.

"My pharaoh, I must say, it's been a while", Denisse told him, smiling warmly. Atem had definitely missed her. He smiled back.

"It certainly has, is there still anything saved for me?" he asked, smirking. Rahim laughed.

"Of course, Pharaoh, you needn't ask such a thing!" he exclaimed, rushing over to choose something from his many pastries. Atem turned to look at someone who had been staring at him since the moment he entered.

"Sage" he acknowledged, with a nod. She looked at him wide-eyed but quickly regained her composure,

"Pharaoh, how-how are you?" she replied, blushing. Something about his deep voice gave her jitters, or maybe he was just extremely handsome altogether.

"I´ve been better. Actually, the reason I´ve come here is Mana"

"Mana? Is something wrong with her?" Denisse asked him, warily.

"No, well…I was wondering if any of you might have seen her. I´ve searched for her just about everywhere",

"Little Mana´s quite the adventurer. Have you searched the gardens, perhaps?" Rahim asked.

"Been there" he answered.

"With Mahad?"

"There too" he sighed. No matter who he asked, he seemed to be getting nowhere. Now he was beginning to worry.

"Well if you see her, please tell her that…just tell her to come speak to me. It's urgent" he instructed.

"And Rahim, thanks again", he said appreciatively. He really was the best chef in all of Egypt.

Mai leaned against a counter with a curious look on her face, as Atem left.

"So the pharaoh´s looking everywhere for the magician girl? What's the deal?" she whispered to Sage.

"Oh, they´re friends. I guess he must want to talk", she explained. Mai shrugged,

"Never would´ve guessed. But if he came this far just to find her, it must be important", she noted and moved on to her chores. Now Sage was curious. What was going on? Mana and the King had seemed rather distant since he ascended to the throne and now he was looking for her, and she was missing. Maybe Serenity knew something. But even lady Denisse was taken by surprise.