Journey to the secret tomb

Long ago in Ancient Egypt, there lived a king who ruled the country and was favoured by his people as well as the neighbouring rulers. He had a beautiful wife who supported him in everything he does and was considered as a kind queen whom every woman dreamt of becoming. The queen, bore a son whose smile as bright as the sun and had courage as well as intelligence liked by many women. The prince grew to be a handsome prince and was requested by the neighbouring rulers to be their son in law. By the time Atem reached the age of 13, the king suddenly got sick and weakened. The king then died after a year, both Atem and the queen grieved about the king's death but the queen promised her husband to teach Atem everything there is in order for him to be like his father. Now that the prince is at the age of 17 turning 18, he is expected to become the next ruler of Ancient Egypt. His mother helped him a lot and the councils trained him to become the king like his father. Many princesses around the world had asked him to be their husband, but Atem does not want to get married just because of political issues. The prince wanted to find someone he'll fall in love with and be loved in return. On the day of his birthday, Atem woke up to find everyone in the palace busy, he looked around confused and Shimon his council advisor came up to him with a smile.

"You seem confused our prince, is there something wrong?" Shimon asked.

Atem looked at Shimon with a weak smile, "Why is everyone so busy?"

Shimon laughed after hearing the prince's reply which caused Atem to look even more confused. The council advisor then stopped laughing and replied, "Forgive me our prince. I just found it funny that you are not even aware of your own birthday."

"No, it's ok Shimon. I do know it's my birthday today but I don't think it's needed to give too much preparation. While we celebrate here and waste too much food, there are people outside the palace that needs these food and water" Atem replied.

"It is good that you are selfless our prince, but you do know that you are turning 18 today. It signifies that you are an adult and will ascend the throne. So it's just expected that the preparation today is grand, plus your mother the queen specifically ordered that securities will be tightened today and that you will be properly groomed so you can choose your wife to be" Shimon said.

"Is that so? Thank you Shimon, I'll go to the library then" Atem replied and started walking towards the library.

Time goes by fast and with everyone in the palace finishing the preparations of the celebration, Atem was still studying in the royal library. It was already 5 in the afternoon when a knock was heard on the door of the library.

"Who is it?" Atem asked stopping on what he was reading.

"Pardon me, prince. It's me, Mana" the voice outside answered.

Atem smiled knowing the owner of the voice, he then replied "You may come in."

After acknowledging the prince's order, Mana went inside and bowed in front of him. "I'm sorry for interrupting your study, prince. I was ordered to call you out since it's time for you to prepare" Mana said smiling while she bowed with her usual outfit.

"Its fine Mana, you do know that out of everyone here, you and Mahad are excused to just call me by my name. We have been childhood friends so I don't want things to change even after I became a pharaoh" Atem replied smiling as well.

"Well, I will try to keep that in mind but Master Mahad I'm afraid will call you pharaoh from now on. Besides, I appreciate that I'm a childhood friend of the soon to be pharaoh but as a royal magician I should show respect towards you prince" Mana said.

Atem laugh, "Very well then. I think I should go now to my room, thanks for coming here Mana." Mana nodded and bowed when Atem stood and left first the library.

It was already 6 in the evening when the guests started arriving in the palace, the room on which the party is being held was decorated with purple curtains on the throne area, while big purple flags were placed on each side of the walls with gold hieroglyphics of atem's name embroidered on each flags. The foods were placed on a long table each positioned on the sides of the throne stage, while dancers were performing in front of the queen and the prince. The room was so bright that every people seemed to enjoy the celebration. Atem who was wearing only a red cape, his millennium puzzle, white long pants held tight by a golden belt, and gold bracelets on both his wrist was already sitting on the throne chair beside his mother. The queen was wearing a white long dress that shows her curves, while a big golden necklace pleat and many small gold bracelets was used as her only jewelry. Her long hair which is the same as her son's hair color was made into a bun and a golden crown was placed on it as a head ornament. The 6 councils were standing on each side of them while Shimon stood beside Atem. The royal guards were positioned near the walls of the room as well at the entrance door, while the servants are busy welcoming the guest as well as serving their food. It was then that the queen stood and everyone stopped on what they were doing and listened to her.

"Good evening to each and every one present here. As you all know, my son prince Atem is turning 18 today. This means that he will no longer be a child but an adult and since he is our only son, he is the only heir to the throne. I would like to extend my gratitude for everyone here who came, I hope that all of you will enjoy this celebration and will respect my son prince Atem as he ascends as a pharaoh of this country. May all of us continue to support one another and to become good rulers of our country, that's all" the queen said and then sat on her chair.

Every guest bowed to the queen and continued the merry making afterwards. It was not long enough when Adar, King of Syria arrived. He bowed towards the queen and Atem then explained what he wanted to say.

"Good evening to you Queen Aziza and prince Atem, I am the king of Syria and I have brought here today my beautiful daughter who had wanted to see the prince. Meet Sabeen, my daughter" King Adar said as he bowed and presented his daughter.

The princess of Syria dressed in the finest clothes and wore many jewelries walked gracefully in front of the queen and Atem, she then bowed at them with a smile. "Good evening to you Queen Aziza and prince Atem, I am Sabeen" she said with a smile.

Atem smiled back, "it is nice to meet you Princess Sabeen of Syria. I hope you're enjoying the party."

"Indeed, I am prince. Just seeing you made me happy already" Princess Sabeen replied as she looked at Atem with a blush on her cheeks.

The queen observed her son and the princess exchanges but then spoke afterwards, "I am happy to see that your daughter grew into such a beautiful lady. But I know and you also know King Adar that it is not just merely a simple introduction that you want."

King Adar laughed, "You certainly amused me Queen Aziza, as always nothing escapes your observation. The truth is...since your son will be the next pharaoh, I am sure he will need a wife/fiancé in order for him to ascend the throne. I think that my daughter will be the right choice considering our country can benefit you a lot in military power."

"I appreciate your concern King Adar, but it is not my decision to be made. What do you think of this, my son?" Queen Aziza said now looking at the prince.

Atem sigh, "Thank you for the concern King Adar but you see, I am not in a hurry to take the throne. I want to choose who I marry with and I'm afraid it's not your daughter."

Princess Sabeen after hearing Atem's reply was hurt and run off the room with tears falling from her cheeks, everyone saw that and started whispering.

The king of Syria was angered upon hearing the reply and the reactions of the others, his hands formed into a fist. "Why you! I don't know what you want for a wife, but I'm sure you'll regret your decision prince Atem. Because of this public humiliation, I declare war on this country!"

Everyone in the room heard what the King of Syria said, they all looked surprised and the noise stopped. The attention was now focused on the throne area. The queen sighed noticing the situation, she then stood up and came towards the king of Syria.

"I'm sure you're not serious with what you said King Adar," the queen said seriously.

"I am serious Queen Aziza. After 3 days I will wage war on this kingdom!" the king of Syria replied with a tone of anger.

Atem then also stood and came beside his mother, "then is it possible to stop the war if I apologize to your daughter and found someone who will be my Queen?"

The king of Syria laughed, "You are still just a child prince Atem. Even though you will find someone, I won't stop the war. I hope you'll not forget this day that you made a wrong decision, good bye." The king of Syria then searched for his daughter and left the palace in a hurry.

The queen sighed as she massages her forehead, "Its ok. Everyone please continue the celebration!"

After the queen's announcement, the people continued celebrating. Atem and his mother were busy talking to the guest while the councils looked at them.

"Looks like our prince will face an early battle. Hmph," Aknadin said eyeing Atem.

Shimon smiled and laughed, "Its ok Aknadin. I know our prince can handle that problem alone."

Aknadin sighed, "I admire your loyalty and trust to our prince but sometimes you need to be honest."

Shimon replied, "I am. Let's just see what happens after this. Ok?" He then laughed and the other councils only sighed.

It was already 10 in the evening when the party ended, the guests already left the palace. Atem and his mother were the only ones left in the throne area. The queen went to her son who was sitting quietly on the throne, she then placed a hand on his right shoulder.

"Is there a problem my son?" the queen asked with a smile on her face but a hint of concern can also be seen.

Atem sigh, "I didn't know that finding a wife can get me in trouble mother."

The queen laughed after hearing her son's reply, she then kneeled and looked straight at Atem's eyes. "You know...being in the royal family, you are bound to face such problems even when it's just a simple problem on the others. What is important is that you know what you are doing. I believe in your decision and I hope you'll find someone who will truly treasure you just the same as me and your father did."

"But mother, an incoming war will be happening here at the kingdom. The citizens would face danger just because of the decision I made" Atem replied.

The queen smiled, "my son...you don't have to worry about that. I know of a place that might help you in the war, it is only our secret though. You see, there is a secret tomb that was made by your father's ancestors. In that tomb lies the wealth of the different ancestors that ruled over Egypt, but there is this lamp that was said to hold such tremendous power that the rulers before us only used it on wars they aren't sure to win."

"A secret tomb? Where is it, mother?" Atem asked in excitement.

"Well, I will give you the map tomorrow morning. Also, this tomb will only be opened by a blood pact from the royal family. Be sure to get only the lamp and be careful inside the tomb, I heard there are traps set as you enter it" the queen replied and Atem nodded.

The queen smiled and held her son's hands, "Good...I think you should rest for now my son. You will have to wake up early tomorrow for a long journey. Good night." The queen then kissed Atem's forehead and left the place first while Atem stood.

He held his puzzle and stared out of the window, "A secret tomb and a lamp...I can't wait to go there."

The next day, Atem woke up early and tried finding his mother. The queen was in the library studying, Atem approached her.

"Mother! I am now here," Atem said as he sat beside his mother.

The queen nodded, "Shimon, please call on Mahad and Mana. Tell them to go immediately here."

The council advisor answered from the door outside, "As you wish our queen."

The queen then gave Atem a papyrus rolled and secured in a box, "my son...you shall bring this box with you along with the things I ordered the servants to prepare on the journey. It is very important not to lose this."

Atem nodded. It was not long enough when a knock was heard, Shimon then said that Mana and Mahad are now with him. The queen ordered them to come in. Upon seeing the queen and the prince, both magicians bowed to them.

"What is it that you want us to do, our queen?" Mahad asked.

The queen replied, "As you both know...a war will soon happen here in the kingdom. My son will go to a journey on which he needs to get something that he can use for the war, I want you Mahad to go with him and protect him at all cost. My son has to come back here safely."

Mahad nodded, "As you wish our queen."

Mana then spoke after hearing everything, "our queen...if you may reconsider. I would like to go with prince Atem in place of Master Mahad."

Mahad looked surprised after hearing Mana's words, he then said "No! Our queen ordered me to go with the prince so I shall go. Mana, just stay here and train your magic. As an apprentice of mine, it is better you should develop your powers."

Mana replied, "Why wouldn't you let me go in the journey? I am indeed your apprentice Master but I am also a royal magician. Our queen, please allow me to accompany the prince. I promise you I will protect him and make him come back safely."

Mahad was about to reply back when the queen suddenly spoke, "Very well then. Mana, you shall go with my son while Mahad would stay here and guard me."

Both Mahad and Mana was surprised by the queen's decision but nodded. Atem smiled and hugged his mother. "Thank you mother, I'll return immediately after I get that lamp" Atem said and his mother nodded with tears forming on her eyes.

It was after breakfast that Atem and Mana decided to go, Atem changed his royal clothes into a simple white sleeveless dress that stops above his knee, a golden belt was tied around his waist and he wore golden sandals. The two rode on Atem's horse as Mana sat behind Atem. The queen hugged Atem one last time and everyone in the palace bid their goodbye to the two.

Mahad looked at Mana and said, "you should do what you promised Mana. I put my trust in you."

Mana smiled and nodded, "Don't worry Master."

After that, both Atem and Mana began their journey towards the secret tomb without knowing what danger they will soon face upon arriving there.

To be continued...