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It had been a few days since he last laid eyes on his childhood sweetheart. The sun rising in the East gave a glow of the utmost beautiful painted land that reminded the stallion of the sands of his homeland. Today was less than stellar as the adorned stallion treaded through unwanted mud making his shining hooves seem common, He huffed as all royals do, grumbling as the otrocity stuck to his hooves. He then turned to glance behind him as Kiros was working with his glaive. The royal stallion's wings flared outward blocking the sun, "Kiros. Why did you not tell me about the mud in this area?!" the stallion bellowed.

Kiros, born of fire and sky paused wondering what had unsettled Atem's nerves to the point of internal combustion. The winged taller stallion stood with his head bowed knowing full well that Atemu would have to face his true love sooner or later. Their reunion would be explosive but well-needed to settle their negative attitudes. Kiros wondered if Lady Iset was also faring poorly like her intended mate. Kiros frowned, "Forgive me sire. I didn't realize it would have rained as much as it did last night. The mountains are capricious at times involving the weather. Let me seek out a small stream, then we can resume our travels".

Pharoah Atemu nodded, "Very well. Just be glad I trust you". he muttered still shaking his hooves. At least his royal garments weren't soaked in this mess. He was a Princely King after all holding up to the royal standards. Moving onward through the forest that seemed thicker, a branch smacked him roughly along his cheek. "Ugh," Atemu groaned. This day was royally bad in Atem's eyes. Oh how he wanted to find her, but as bad of a mood as he was in, right now wasn't favorable.

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Meanwhile, a taller mare dressed in braids and accessories was also having quite a "royal" bad day. First, there were the sour apples that left the most horrible residue in her mouth. Then the heavy rains the night prior had left massive piles of water wherever she walked. The mare of royal blood breathed with a long sigh as she stepped right into a briar patch. Her companion a stylish female owl tried leading the mare anywhere but disaster, only to make things more intolerable. Her mind was thinking of her first love wondering just why things happened. She in turn wanted to see Atemu but, she knew things would get heated. Sighing she paused to glance over at her handmaiden, "Rashmi...I'm torn about what to do. I've been avoiding him yet, seeing him again makes my heart whole. I just don't know why this decision is eluding me for an answer. Please, things have been so rough today...".


WC: 468

Iset's hoof scoffed as they traveled along one another's side. Today just wasn't her greatest leaving her fate and wisdom within her handmaiden's hands. Within her heart, she knew she loved Atemu but, with her royal nature hearing he chose another was frustrating. As soon as their eyes met, they'd find themselves arguing, It's just how royals tended to act when situations went south for the winter so to speak. Her handmaiden's words were truthful in any case.

"I know being truthful is the correct solution. I'm just having trouble comprehending the situation" She sighed as Iset remembered the last time they were together. Silently, she wondered if this bad day was going to worsen when she did find him. As they neared the corner of the path, Iset delighted in finding a lone stream taking a moment to to quench her parched throat. Hopefully, this would wash away the bad day's proceedings.

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Kiros was impeccable in attending to the Pharoah's needs. As promised, the knight found a stream where the Pharoah could clean his hooves feeling less soiled than a Commoner wild Soquili. Atemu was very strict about said conditions due to his high-strung nature. " There sire. A stream as promised", he spoke aloud then he noticed a familiar sight. Wondering if Atemu would stay Cival, or if he noticed said familiar Soquili, Kiros hoped things would be better between them.

Pharoah Atemu's ears flicked hearing the stream. The scent he remembered, floated into his senses like ambrosia filtered within the breeze. He wanted to fully explain the situation but, his royal nature was prude, and stubborn. Walking toward her, he spoke with his royal mane brushing over his eyes, "I suppose you are better now?" he spoke arrogantly.

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Iset's ears swiveled upward, ready to apologize before she heard that arrogant tone. Ears lying backwards she knew irritation had set in once more. "What's that supposed to mean?" She returned his query with distaste. "The last time we met after all those years, I had to hear it from your daughter of all royals. How did you think I was supposed to react!" Iset snorted with a stamp of her hoof, "This day is horrible! Even more so, now that you've decided to treat the situation in your favor. I was hoping the fruit and the briers that scratched my legs were the end of this horrific day... but apparently I was mistaken".

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Pharoah Atemu snorted. Of all the narcissistic things he wanted to hear from her! "I've had a worse day than you, Iset! Mud. It's everywhere! That is why I am here, to clean my hooves. I pondered seeing you here but, more refined. Happy to see me even. Not dredging up the past... yet again!" he snorted stomping a hoof into the ground. " Besides the point of my "Son" telling you the truth. In my defense, I was informed you were dead. What was I supposed to think?".

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"Mud?!" Iset stammered, "You have a bad day because of rain? How childish!" Ears flattened she turned to look in another direction, "All I wanted was the truth from you. Not your son, Atemu. Spending eons to locate you only to find you chose another was heartbreaking! I would have nearly married off if Irisi hadn't helped me escape. You have no idea what I've been through! Stop thinking about yourself for a change Your Highness!" Iset was flustered by now, feeling her cheeks heated as her eyes widened.

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Kiros, dared not speak up rather he'd be sun into this web of destiny. Instead, he backed away slowly, moving over toward Rashimi hoping she was fine. "This day certainly has gotten worse, hasn't it?" he whispered to Rashimi as the royals hollered at one another.


WC: 402

Iset was about to bolt, but her royal blood refused to let dogs lie, so to speak. She was not weak, nor was she a pushover, just tired from everything currently and from the past. They were supposed to be lifemates, Atemu deemed it so by decree when he was old enough. It wasn't Iset's choice to be taken away and almost married to a stallion she disliked. She just wanted to scream right now! Screaming to the cosmos she was tired of this petty quarrel that should have been buried seeing her long-lost beloved. Yet, here they were once again complaining as royals do. Preparing to bid Atemu forever, her ears twitched, perking to Rashimi who was speaking up out of place appearing drenched to the bone. To most royals, handmaidens were simple accessories for problem-solving. To Iset, Rashimi was a close friend and confidant. She appeared as words of wisdom when Iset was lost or stuck in place. Before Rashimi, Irisi spoke her mind, leading Iset to the Mainland free of being pursued.

"Rashim?!" she gasped hoping Atemu wouldn't attack her for interfering. Moving over closer to Rashimi, she stood her ground staring deep into Atemu. It was at that very moment that Iset realized that her handmaiden was actually truthful. They were acting like a bunch of childish foals right now.

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Kiros couldn't believe his eyes when Rashimi did the unthinkable moving to face both the Lady and the Pharoah. In royal culture, those who attended were to be silent. His eyes were not deceiving him as she moved over to speak her mind. Being tempted to motion her to stand down, Koiros realized that Rashimi had the right idea. Moving toward Rashi, he stood beside her in protection should Atemu lash out in defiance. He as well had felt this fighting had gone on long enough. "Sire and Lady, I'm sorry but I need to address this issue as well. Please, I ask you to hear what we have to say regardless if you view this as disrespectful". Kiros stood tall, his wings tightly settled on his back, head lowered in respect he resumed his speech, "Instead of being here in this moment screaming and being narcissistic, You should be grateful to have found one another after everything you've been through. I have not seen my mate in eons since I chose to be employed under your wing. The whole past was misfortunate, yes. But, you have time to rectify and enjoy your time together.".


Atemu had enough as the mud clung to his feet like sheets of sticky annoyances. All he wanted to do was soak the menace away so he'd be in a better mood. Now, Iset was combatting his authority which was angering him. To make matters more of a sticky situation, both his Knight and her Handmaiden were pointing out they were acting like foals. Then something hit him as if his heart had been penetrated with truth. Kiros hadn't seen his mate in years choosing to follow the class of a fighter being the royal escort and confidant to the Pharoah. Neith was the one who had caused this mess to begin with. He was a hardheaded son after all who refused to listen to his father's rule. Perhaps, more than anything he deserved a mother of royal blood. He grunted, tail swishing in contemplation, Perhaps, after all was said and done. Maybe they were acting like quarreling foals. From the moment he saw her again grow into those beautiful wings and length of hair. She was his and his alone by his decree. This fighting was not proving anything other than how narcissistic they both were in their own rights. It was time to mend the situation. Even if it means admitting you were wrong and making yourself appear weaker than you were.

Clearing his throat he spoke, "Iset... I'm sorry I've wronged you. I never thought I'd see you again". The Pharoah spoke feeling remorse. "Thank you, Kiros, Rashimi for opening my eyes. Do not feel that you spoke out of place. It was well deserved".


WC: 687

Iset's eyes widened as Atemu for the first time in his life admitted he was being immature. She herself had done the same, recognizing her own fault once it was pointed out. A small smile formed on her muzzle as she stepped forward to quietly nuzzle Rashimi, "It's starting to rain again. Let's find some shelter before you catch a cold". After hearing Rahimi's sneeze, Iset felt concerned she was coming down with something. Raising her wing over her handmaiden to deter the rain she urged her to follow. Stopping momentarily, she turned to look at Atemu, "Let's agree to not disagree from now on. It will be difficult at times but, together my King, we will prevail". She smiled contently, a nod in his direction as the Royal lady sought out shelter before the rain came down any harder.

Kiros couldn't believe his ears as things settled on a good note. Things had been extremely tense with the Royals and now they sharing apologies and acceptance. Letting out a sigh of relief he noticed that Iset was moving on to find shelter. As if the sky had finally released tears of happiness, they cascaded down faster now to cleanse the world. "Sire?" he began looking over toward the Pharoah, "Will you be joining us out of this rainfall? It won't do us any good if we all develop sickness in this cold". Moving behind Iset and Rashimi, Kiros followed behind protecting the Lady and her handmaiden. If Atemu was ready, he'd indeed follow suit to be with his Queen.

Atemu stood motionless, potentially embarrassed of how he acted toward his declared love. As Iset spoke, her words filled in like a comforting nuzzle. The rain was chilled as it soaked into his coat leaving a nipping sensation as something built up inside till he felt it was too chilly to be out in this weather. It certainly was a bad day but, at least things were settling down between him and Iset. "Yes" he murmured, "Let's agree to not disagree... Iset my Queen". Moving after them, he followed in the rear of the party deciding not to be left off in this weather. Oh, how he missed the desert where his garments weren't clinging to him, soaked to the bone.

The future was untold, but it was hopefully a better beginning than before.

~ Fin


WC: 395