Chapter Text
(1290 BC, the third month of low water)
Even after all these years, Tuya still remembers that fateful day.
It was a clear, fresh morning, at the very end of the flood season. She took two-year old Rameses out on a walk in the palace gardens, among the flowers and statues he was so fond of. Then, with his small, but already strong, baby-Pharaoh voice, he begged her to go bathe, to the back stairs of the palace that reach into the Nile. He played in the water, squealing with glee as he chased frogs and kept bringing water lilies to his mother, piling them up on her lap. Tuya just sat and watched him, basking in his toothy smiles and meowing laughs, her heart swelling with happiness.
She remembers thinking it couldn't possibly get any better than this when she noticed the basket in the water.
Although deep down, she knew she won't be able to have any more children, and she had already made peace with that, something about the baby gripped her heart. Just one look at him, his chubby little hands, the nest of his dark hair, his pouty smile, and she knew. She just knew he was her boy, and that his name was Moses.
Everyone at court found it strange. Tuya never cared about those mediocre courtiers' opinion. The palace servants gave her odd looks. Tuya never hesitated to assert her authority over such insolence. Seti disapproved at first. Tuya never thought she could make a decision to which she couldn't convince her husband to agree.
Rameses, however, he hated the baby with a burning passion.
In the first few months, he cried and bellowed every day, demanding that mama throw the thing back to where it came from. Every minute Tuya spent playing with Moses was a dagger of betrayal in his little heart. He kept on pulling at the baby's hair, hitting him, putting mice and locusts in his basket. Once, he wet himself on purpose while she was rocking Moses and singing to him. That was the first time Seti ever hit him. The red streaks of pain on his back broke him even more.
Then once, it just turned around completely.
When Moses became more aware of his surroundings, he fell in love with his big brother. He kept reaching out to him, cooing and squealing for Rameses to pick him up. He bruised his knees trying to follow him around. And then, after days of finally calling Tuya "mama", he said his second word. Reaching his arms out from Tuya's embrace, he waved his little fists at his brother and said "Ramie". Then, Rameses went and picked him up without a word, and for the first time ever, smiled at little Moses.
From that day on, they were inseparable. Rameses took Moses everywhere with him, played with him, taught him to walk, catch bugs and even lap around a little in the water. He sat him down on his lap when they ate and fed him pieces of fruit and honeycomb, smiling with delight as he ate them. Despite his father's stern looks and disapproval, he bundled him up in blankets and slept with him in his bed, arms around his little body. He couldn't stop talking to him, telling him about papa, the gods and the kingdom they were building together. At first, Moses would only answer with the few words he knew, then, gradually, he started talking too.
From then on, they grew together, and instead of Rameses' only enemy, Moses became the only person in the world who could always make him happy.
Now too, as they stand before their father drenched and dirty, going on and on about the witch in the swamps they just had to go see, Tuya can barely contain her smile. Though grown and lively, Rameses thirteen and Moses eleven, the former big and strong as an ox and the latter slim like a lynx, smiling awkwardly in clumsy, teenager guilt, they are still the same - two baby brothers holding hands, each the center of the other's universe.
***
(1286 BC, the second month of growth)
'Enough! We should stay and go to sleep'
'Come on, don't fret! This is our last day by the sea, we should cherish it'
'Easy for you to say... You are not the one Father will demolish if we're late'
Moses just answers his brother's worried groaning with a laugh and a playful tug at his sidelock he know Rameses hates. Odd as it may be to have a child's hairstyle at the age of seventeen, Rameses kept his because he thought it suited him... however, that does not mean he likes being reminded of his oddity. Not at all, really.
He slaps Moses's hand away and leans on the limestone windowsill, his face softening into a pensive expression. Outside the palace, one of the many the Pharaoh possesses throughout their empire, the city of Tamiah lies before them under the soft violet evening sky, vast and buzzing with life. A thousand little stars of torchlight freckle the cityscape, glowing among the flat, stout little buildings, the marketplaces and the gardens, colorful isles on the endless, white sea of the desert. The true sea glitters lazily, miles away from them, signaling the limit of the kingdom of Egypt. The kingdom that will one day prosper under Rameses II's rule.
'Let me guess' Moses chuckles, a smile blooming on his lips 'You are desperately trying to imagine how you will reign over all of this, again'
Rameses lets out a curt, dry laugh, but remains standing beside the window, his broad, muscular back to the wall. He turns to his brother, arms crossed on his bare chest. His eyes, those dark, kohl-lined lion eyes, always burning with passion or rage, now blaze at Moses, serious as death.
'I am sorry if you find my growing up to my duties ridiculous' he tells him, cold and acidic 'But one of us has to grow up'
Running a bejeweled hand over his smooth head, Rameses sighs. The cold stone mask of his face melts, his thin eyebrows furrow. His pursed lips soften and he bites down on them.
'It's just that... it always hits me when we travel' he confesses quietly, a rare glint of insecurity flashing in his eyes 'How enormous Egypt is. And what an exceptional man it takes to rule it...'
His voice falters, but Moses can almost hear his thoughts said out loud.
I am not that exceptional man. I will never be, no matter how hard I try.
Watching his brother, Moses, once again, feels astounded. Rameses, tall, godlike, Rameses, the strongest, most beautiful man in all of Egypt, this powerful, serious mini-Horus... if he is not enough, who could ever be? At times like this, Rameses looks simultaneously like a god and a scared child, making Moses feel like he wants to bow before him and hug him at the same time.
This feels weird. Moses does not like feeling weird, not in the slightest.
'Very true, brother' he nods at Rameses mock-seriously, laughter bubbling up in his throat 'Now... what do you think would make you more exceptional, sitting here sulking like a hen on her eggs or drinking men under the table in some tavern... while walking around to explore your future kingdom, of course'
For a few seconds, Rameses just stares at him in silent disbelief, choking on his revolted shock. Then, with a sigh, he gives up, hopping off the windowsill with a laugh, this time hearty and genuine, and deep, like a grown man's.
'All right then' he goes up to Moses, throwing an arm around his shoulders 'But please do tell me how you and your scrawny, girly, fifteen year-old ass are planning to drink men under the table...'
Laughter spills from Moses's throat as he leans onto his brother, arm around him.
'Not as efficiently as you, Your Majesty, no doubt' he grins, pulling at Rameses' sidelock again 'But please do tell me how your gigantic ox body will serve you better than my scrawny ass when the guards find us in town and we have to run...'
For a moment, Rameses looks terrified again, but then he bursts out laughing, white teeth shining behind his lips.
The two brothers scamper down the palace stairs arm in arm, out into the silken night. Running along the torchlit streets, amidst the sea of people, they are already drunk on the ambiance, laughing and bickering.
At times like these, Moses always ends up thinking the same thing in a small, hidden corner of his mind - thinking that as for him, they can be chased away, their crown can be taken away and their family banished. Because, as long as he has this beautiful world around him, all the joys of life and Rameses, living all of it beside him, his happiness is pretty much set in stone.
***
As Seti watches his two boys scurry down the palace stairs and disappear in the crowd, laughing and egging each other on, he sighs. For a moment, he contemplates sending the guards after them and bring Rameses to him for a scolding. Then, he swiftly decides that boarding their boat and having their morning classes barely sober will be punishment enough.
Faster, brother! he hears Moses holler faintly in the distance Do you want Father to see us?
Whatever he answers, Rameses' deep, strong voice gets lost in the fog of noise buzzing around the city. The Pharaoh sighs again, stroking his chin.
Ra bless, do they grow fast... Sometimes, it feels as if only yesterday, they were still children. He remembers Rameses, nine, ten, thirteen and then suddenly fifteen, sprouting into a tall, strong, statuesque mini-god and growing in his intellect, more driven and serious by the day. He remembers Moses, clever, witty Moses transforming from a boy to a young man, smaller, slimmer and not as imposing, but no less beloved than his brother.
The only thing he struggles to remember is when exactly Moses grew from the adoring second-born who follows his older brother everywhere to someone Rameses follows into insolence, a force to be reckoned with in his own right.
Rameses, my boy... Seti sighs inside, looking up at the stars. Nowadays, whenever he thinks of his firstborn, his stomach grows cold with worry, his chest tightening.
Of course, he is proud. No other father in the world has a boy like Rameses, so strong, handsome, sharp and driven... but he has his flaws too. He is serious, but easily angered. Hot-headed, he often acts without thinking, with only his little brother there to stop him. Despite being older and undeniably the leader, the more resolute one of the two, he depends too much on Moses. Now, Moses, he is more agreeable, with a quicker wit, perhaps even cleverer than his brother, but he is a prince to the bone - all easy humor, pretty clothes and golden boy smiles, taking nothing seriously... since some time, not even his worshipped Rameses.
Feeling his torso stiffen, Seti stands up, stretching his aging back. His gaze sweeps over the city again.
Yes, that is it. Rameses' hot-headedness, his stubborn, impulsive mood swings, that is all correctable. His storms will quiet down with age and experience. The only true weak spot he has is his instability - the fact that his mind flies so high, he will likely need Moses to keep him grounded all his life.
A Pharaoh who cannot rule alone...
A truly troubling prospect.
Seti leaves his room and calls for the guards to search the city. Rameses is to be the earthly embodiment of Horus after he passes to the next world, the morning and evening star. He cannot afford to get lost in the city and drink with thieves and good-for-nothings.
If only he could lead Moses again instead of the other way around...
***
Long before they enter the palace, the hearty, raucous laughter of the two princes reaches Miu's ears. Hugging her knees in her little hideout, in the shadows above the entrance hall's columns, she grins, ready to attack.
In less than a minute, she sees Moses stride along the corridors, grinning like a crocodile as he flees an armada of servants trying to undress and refresh him. As he turns left into a more secluded corridor, Miu crawls along the edge of the pillars' lining, following him. When he is finally left alone, she slides off a column, her bare feet and short linen dress making no sound.
Silent as a cat in the grass, she sneaks up behind him and jumps on his back, arms around his bejewelled neck.
'Got you!' she exclaims, climbing on his back 'Yield or die, weakling!'
Two slim, strong, tanned arms grab her and hoist her small body over bare shoulders, into a hug, her arms pinned to her side.
'That was good' the young prince murmurs into her hair with an audible grin 'But still, strength beats stealth on the battlefield, young miss'
With a rather unladylike grunt, Miu peels the prince's arms off herself. As soon as she is free, however, she throws herself back at him, into his embrace.
'Miu Miu' he lets out a happy little laugh, planting a small kiss on her forehead 'Long time no see'
'Moses' she mumbles into his shoulders, then frees herself again, grinning up at him 'How was the grand tour of the Nile delta? Have you finally learned all the intricacies of ruling our sweet motherland?'
With another lazy-happy golden boy laugh, Moses sweeps Miu off her feet and hoists her onto his back like a child. Speckled with his usual easygoing, prickly jokes, he tells her all about their one-month voyage through Egypt, the sound of his laughter mixed with hers, smooth and boyish chuckles meeting catlike giggles.
Though no one bothers to give them strange looks anymore, it would be hard to imagine a more unlikely pair of friends. He is, though less so than his adoptive family, tall and strong, she is small and skinny. He is, as far as he knows, probably Hebrew, tanned and healthy, with strong, curly, brown hair, while she is Egyptian to the bone - limestone white, with catlike almond eyes. He, along with his white shenti, always wears a wig of tight braids and golden jewelry, while she, unlike other servants, always wears the same short linen dress and her natural hair, trimmed short but soft. Though both equally beautiful, he has always been oiled and polished to perfection, not a day of work in the lines of his soft-skinned hands, while she is ragged, her feet and palms roughened by ten years of heavy labor.
Moses and Miu, prince and palace servant, one rich beyond imagination, the other dirt poor. Although, for the record, her real name is Kia, even if nobody calls her that. As soon as she first arrived, they nicknamed her Miu, for she was small, lithe and swift, like a cat, and stayed like that her entire life.
Despite their differences, however, the story of how they ended up in the palace bears quite the resemblance. Freshly orphaned, with two little brothers who could barely walk, Miu came here at six years of age, at her dying father's order. Joining the very bottom of the palace staff's ladder, she survived three years, ascending said ladder - by working harder than others, and being less noticeable in her stealing. While there, she learned and watched people, acquiring skills, from dancing to painting clothes and cooking, then, finally, reading and writing, from one of the younger scribes to whom she offered her body in exchange. She stayed and soldiered through the work, delivering stolen goods and food to her brothers every day...
...and then, at the age of ten, she met Moses. Or, more precisely, Moses met her.
By then, she has been watching the two princes for years, from dark corners, the lining of the pillars, the tall grasses in the gardens. Watching and listening, secretly taking part in their lessons and learning with them. And one day, when she was watching Moses stand beside the stairs by the Nile, struggling to recite the cities in the Nile delta, she cracked and revealed herself, reciting all of them. From that day on, they met there everyday, studying in secret. Over time, the studies turned into playing, talking, exploring and even dancing, in more discreet corners of palace feasts.
And then, one evening, the Pharaoh's wife discovered them in the middle of an impromptu history lesson. Miu still remembers her clearly - impossibly tall, slim and majestic, with her high waist and luscious natural hair, staring down at her. Then, her smile as she asked her who she is and how she had learned to read. That night ended with Miu becoming Tuya's handmaiden, and then, throughout the years, her most beloved storyteller and trusted confidante. Her being with Moses went not only unpunished but accepted, and slowly, their friendly banter and running through the corridors grew into a usual sight no one batted an eye at anymore.
Somehow, since then, work doesn't really feel that hard. And, when her brothers have enough to eat, Miu almost feels contented to be a palace servant.
'...and then we hid in a stranger's bedroom from the guards. When we turned up at the boat by sunrise, looking like hurricane-ravaged badgers... ouh. I thought Father will have us executed'
Miu lets out an ungraceful snort as they cross the corridor to the back stairs, attracting a few sideways glances.
'His two precious crown jewels? He could never' she quips sarcastically, drawing a laugh from Moses 'But still, ouch. I bet His Majesty The Morning And Evening Pain In Everyone's Ass was sulking like a baby all the way home'
Moses throws his head back with laughter, tousling her hair with pretend disdain. He opens his mouth, presumably to defend his brother, when a deep, sharp voice cuts into the air between them.
'Moses! Here you are! The damn high priests wouldn't leave me alone with their stupid new prayer schedule...'
With big, loud bull steps, the crown prince appears beside them. Strong, square jaw tense, his thick lips form a petulant pout, his feline eyes full of cold, liquid arrogance. Many of the servant girls like to go on and on about oh, aah, prince Rameses, the most beautiful man in the kingdom, but all Miu ever saw in him was a big, dumb, perpetually offended brat.
The brat makes sure to ignore Miu's remark very visibly - not that it surprises or hurts her. She has been hearing him coming after them for the past two minutes, and waited to say it when he is near on purpose.
'Come, brother' Rameses marches up to Moses, putting a leisurely arm around his shoulder, very much to signal his status as the owner 'It's time for our evening prayers'
Then, he turns to Miu, throwing her a fleeting glance of loathing.
'You. Stop slacking off and prepare our baths' he tells her, his deep lion voice cold with contempt 'And take out Moses's dogs. They need the exercise, and that will remind you to move and work instead of leeching on those above you'
The corners of Rameses' mouth twitch with satisfaction. He never hid his dislike for Miu, not even to please Moses. That, as the feeling is mutual, has always been fine with her.
Moses pushes his brother away gently, but firmly, giving him a frown of disapproval. Lips ajar and eyes wide, Rameses looks like a gravely hurt baby.
'Brother, quit it' Moses admonishes him lightheartedly, offering a soft smile to pacify them 'She is not your servant. Miu Miu, come, pray and eat with us...'
'I am the crown prince of Egypt' Rameses cuts in, with sharp, bitter hatred 'Every servant in this palace does as I bid them, and so will she'
Again, he flashes her a curt, acidic death glare, the corners of his left eye twitching.
'Do not be absurd, Moses' he reprimands his brother 'Stones and dirt do not pray and eat with the stars in the sky. Now, servant, get out of my sight and do as you were told'
'As you wish, Your Majesty' Miu chants, smooth as the Nile at night. She bows before Rameses, but the shadow of a smirk lingers on her small lips, and the silent honorific of The Morning And Evening Pain In Everyone's Ass is audible in her voice, clear as a shout.
Moses rolls his eyes with a mock-exasperated sigh. He extends a hand to caress the top of Miu's head, tousling her hair tenderly.
'Wait for me' he tells her softly, with one of his rare, honest smiles 'I will walk the dogs with you. Just one more minute with Father would drive me mad, and you have a lot to tell me anyway...'
Miu grins, warm satisfaction bubbling in her empty stomach.
'So do you, still' she retorts cheekily 'Especially about last night...'
And with that, she bows again and leaves the brothers behind, gliding across the corridor. Rameses' glare follows her, like that of an angry lion cub that has just been kicked in the belly. Miu allows herself a small half-smile, savoring the sweet, sweet victory.
Serves him right she remarks to herself That arrogant, spoiled prat has to learn that a little brother is not just a toy he can freely use and keep to himself.
***
It is a beautiful night by all means. Stars speckle the smooth, inky blue sky, mirrored by the dots of torchfire on the ground. A thin veil of cool, moist fog, characteristic of Mhyr, the second month of growth, covers the city outside, and the Nile lies at its feet, like an obedient, sleeping dragon.
This beautiful night, Rameses is staring out the balcony of his chambers, thoroughly infuriated. Moses is still nowhere to be found.
Volatile and hot-tempered as he may be, the crown prince still fancies himself a simple man. When Moses is not with him, he is not happy. That is it.
And, out of all the people living at court or in its general direction, it has to be this scrawny, cynical, disrespectful, lowly slut he gives the gift of his time and attention to. The bitch talks back to Moses, tousles his hair, calls him names, they even share unsavory jokes like two men and spend an unacceptable amount of time together. This trash of a woman disrespects everything sacred on this earth, Moses, Rameses, the power of the Pharaoh and even the gods themselves - yet Mother and Moses display a seemingly unwavering fondness for her. Miu, he calls her, the most endearing of pet names. The name he sometimes hears Father call Mother, when he thinks no one is listening.
Merely thinking of her makes the bile of anger rise in Rameses' throat, choking him.
She should be banished from the palace he thinks, rage flaring up Whipped through the streets and beaten up.
Recalling the almost amorous tenderness on his little brother's face when he talked to her this afternoon, Rameses balls his fists.
She should be raped by every single palace guard, to be reminded what the punishment is for a slave trying to bewitch the prince of Egypt.
Pushing himself off the balcony's limestone railing, Rameses starts pacing in his chamber once again, his shadow stretching and shrinking in a deranged dance under the torches on his walls.
The gods must have decided he had too good of a time with Moses this past month, because this damned day, everything seems to be working against him. After having arrived late, hungover, dirty and disheveled to board their boat in the early dawn, Father scolded them out of their sweaty loincloths. His voice boomed inside Rameses' head all day, only amplified by the disdainful silence he punished him with throughout their journey home. During dinner, he had to sit silently, like an idiot, and listen to Father tell Mother all they have done, and what shame Rameses is bringing on him with his infantile deeds. By the end, he was near tears, chest tight to the point of almost exploding.
And Moses, he wasn't there to stick up for him like he always does, because apparently, chasing mongrels through the slums of the city with that bitch in tow gives him more joy than Rameses does.
Seething, Rameses slams his fist on the wall. Childishly, tears sting behind his eyes, threatening to burst. He glares at the sickle on his wall, sharpened to lethal perfection. Something boils in his stomach, an urge to slaughter someone right this instant.
He is in the middle of contemplating bloody mass murder when he hears a familiar laughter from outside.
He perks up and listens. Yes, that is definitely Moses. His heart races in his chest, suddenly invigorated. A smile takes over his face, but then it falters, giving way to a grimace of rage again.
Who is he to be strung along so pathetically? The crown prince of Egypt does not behave like some maiden, wet between the legs.
Throwing the curtains open, he storms out of his chambers, straight into Moses's, right next to his own. By the time his little brother enters, he is here, leaning against his wall like a big, brooding, murderous god.
'Brother' Moses stops dead in his tracks, taken aback 'What are you doing here?'
'I could ask you the same thing' Rameses shoots back sarcastically 'I was beginning to think you and the bitch took the dogs all the way to Babylon'
With a frustratingly knowing little hah, Moses rolls his eyes, but a smirk blooms in the corners of his mouth. He looks at Rameses as if he could see his weakness, the wounded, impotent rage eating him up inside, and found it amusing.
'You know, if her disliking you frustrates you so much, you could come with us' he chuckles, nipping at his big brother's nerves 'Try and make her like you more'
'Very funny, Moses' Rameses growls. He pushes himself away from the wall, towering over his brother.
'I'm warning you, don't enrage me further' he adds darkly 'I am furious enough as is'
Moses raises an eyebrow, thoroughly unimpressed.
'And... what exactly do I have to do with that?' he inquires mockingly, cocking his head to the side. Anger rises inside Rameses, his chest tight.
'You know very well what' he spits back, his voice a deep, guttural growl 'You were with the bitch again'
Instead of being useful and listening to Father. Instead of being with me.
His little brother's light, melting gold gaze hardens. He takes a step back from Rameses, crossing his arms on his chest.
'Miu is Mother's most trusted handmaiden' he retorts 'And my closest friend. I have the right to spend time with my friend, however much I please. In case you forgot, I am a prince of Egypt as well'
He adds this last part with acidic, liquid sarcasm, turning his brother's own weapon against his heart. Rage boils inside Rameses' chest, burning at the place of the blow.
'That bitch never works, and everyone knows she sneaks around and spies on people' he snarls hotly 'I should have her whipped, to teach her some manners'
Moses's dark eyes widen, his mouth slightly agape. With a grimace of pure disgust, he runs a hand through his hair, then chuckles, dry and curt.
'Gods, Rameses, you really need to relieve this bloody tension' he laughs and shrugs, with a mocking half-smirk 'Go ahead and touch yourself, I will go and sleep with Miu beside Mother's chambers'
He turns around to leave his room, throwing Rameses one last glance of revolted loathing. Rameses' heart skips a beat, his stomach growing cold with shame, then hot with anger again.
He doesn't even notice himself grabbing Moses by the wrist and pinning him to the wall. He leans close to him, their noses almost touching.
'You are forgetting yourself, Moses' he growls, deep and threatening 'You are not the lap dog of some unworthy slave girl, you are my brother. You are mine'
For a moment, Moses looks taken aback, but then, to his brother's surprise, he smiles again, cocking his head to the side.
'Of course I am' he chuckles, his cheeky-sweet voice lined with honey 'And I love you, brother. But that does not mean I want to be in the way when you are in divine murderer mood and do as you bid'
He stands on his tiptoes and wraps his arms around Rameses' neck, embracing him. His torso is smooth and warm, his scent fresh... but before Rameses could pull him in his arms, he steps away, giving his sidelock a playful pull.
'You really ought to sleep, however' he remarks, with an easy smile 'As my one and only owner, apparently, do you wish to sleep here, guarding me, or will you be fine without me for a night?'
A smile spreads on the crown prince's face, big, toothy and pathetic, but he cannot stop it. Trying to act nonchalant, he shrugs and walks over to his brothers bed, taking off his jewelry with smooth, light hands.
'I'm staying' he retorts playfully 'But only because of the air quality in here'
Moses chuckles, running a hand over his wig and taking it off.
'Suit yourself' he tells him, softly mocking 'I am going to bathe... but don't worry, I will come back. I would never defy my princely brother's orders'
'Ah, just go, you idiot' Rameses laughs, shoving Moses gently.
He acts nonchalant, but his heart is racing like a hundred horses inside his chest. Warm, happy satisfaction pools in his belly as he watches his brother go.
Yes, that's right. Whoever wants to take him away, Moses will always belong to him. He would never leave his side, and if he is here, all is well.
Rameses grins and stretches his torso. His limbs suddenly light and pliant, he starts to undress for bed, waiting for Moses.