Hathor
Chapter 1 - The girl from my dreams
As so many times before, he walked the streets of Thebes. The sun - Ra's embodiment in the form of a brightly shining disk - had disappeared behind the horizon for some time and from time to time the crowds around him had disappeared.

Merchants packed their goods and riches, from fine pots and structures to handcrafted clay pots, clothing and food.

Many of them wandered aimlessly, others returned to their families to feed them. Satisfied, he turned to two men, which conversation between each other was just ended and whereupon one of the two went to clear his booth.
"Did you find everything you could use, Mahaado?"
"Yes, my Pharaoh.", Replied the intended and stowed his things in a bag, casually eyed carefully their surroundings.
"It's getting late. We should go back to the palace."
The Pharaoh had to smile slightly.

Mahaado had been warmly recommended to him by the High Council and he had to admit that the young man had taken on his duties as a priest in a very short time. At nineteen, he was just two years older than the Pharaoh himself, but nevertheless he possessed a level of wisdom and an excellent sense of loyalty that was unlikely for his age.

He was more than happy with his new priest.
"You're right. We should really be going back."
Together they went towards the market square, where they met a few more people. A little isolated from the center of the market, their horses rested there.

After Mahaado had checked as a precaution that the horses were properly saddled and that the side bags with the new goods were fastened tightly enough, he rummaged in one of his bags.

He took out a hard piece of bread, which one of the traders generously gave for free, broke it in two and handed half of it to the Pharaoh.
"Is there your stallion. You kept quiet the whole time we were gone. You deserved this piece," said the brown-haired priest.
"They really did. Thank you Mahaado.", The young Pharaoh thanked him and gave his stallion the piece of bread while he patted his neck.
Mahaado watched the Pharaoh's loving gesture towards the animal. On the very first day he met the young ruler and performed his services as a priest in the palace, he appreciated his friendly nature right from the start.

While Mahaado was floating in his mind, he had not noticed how the Pharaoh had already mounted his stallion.
"Mahaado?", The Pharaoh's voice reached the priest only muffled.
This was easily startled by his thoughts. When he raised his gaze, he looked into the pharaoh's worried eyes.Only now did Mahaado notice this subtle shade of purple in the pharaoh's dark eyes, in front of which blond strands moved slightly in the wind. They looked like pure amethysts. The hood on his cloak hid his otherwise dark hair and the thin linen fabric covered his entire body in order to preserve his identity outside the palace.
"No, everything is fine. Don't worry," he said, looking insecure.
The young Pharaoh looked slightly skeptical at his priest. Mahaado had resigned his gaze to the sandy bottom, which, like so many times before, Atemu found it difficult to look into his eyes. Something bothered him and he wanted to change it.
"Mahaado? Would you do me a favor? It really matters to me."
The person addressed raised his head in surprise.
"Whatever you want."
The Pharaoh looked serious, but still looked peaceful.
"Please call me by my name. Not Pharaoh, King or Highness. Just my name."
Mahaado looked confused at the Pharaoh. Right from the start he had noticed that the Pharaoh was not talking to all the other priests and confidants, including himself among the high nobility. The whole time he didn't know how to address Pharaoh and all the others, let alone talk to them.
"If you wish, I will comply with your request. But ... um, eh?" Mahaado began to stutter.
But the Pharaoh understood what Mahaado wanted to ask him.
"Atemu! My name is Atemu."
The priest began to smile a little. He grabbed the reins of his horse and untied the knot that he had tied around a wooden stake. Then he saddled himself skilfully on the animal.
"Atemu, it's time we got on our way. Don't you think so?"
A gentle smile flickered over Atemu's lips. And for the first time he saw it. That light, which he had just wished to see, now glittered in the young man's eyes. They sparkled like two tourmalines alike.
Just like he wanted it to be.
"Yes!"
~ ° ~

[i]He was cold. He didn't know where he was going or where he was coming from. The only thing he noticed was the oppressive darkness around him.

But there was something else, he could feel it.

With every step he took into the darkness in front of him, he approached a small source of light. After a while he stopped because he noticed that it was not he who was moving towards this source, but that she herself was getting closer and closer to him.

The bright light it emitted blinded him. He closed his eyes.

When he opened it again after a very short time, he suddenly felt inexplicably warm, almost hot. He noticed how two slim arms wrapped around his body. Felt how hair settled down his back and any contact with his body made him suffer in pain.
They burned him.
After a while the pain subsided a little and he sank to his knees.With a lot of effort he managed to keep his eyes open, but what he saw he could only make out with blurred outlines.
A girl stood in front of him, surrounded by light.
Again these arms wrap around him and with them this burning torment again. The girl approached his with her face. Soft lips touched his. He groaned painfully.

The agony conquered his body, a dark veil covered his eyes and he fell to the ground. The only thing he could still hear was a distant voice, it was that of the girl.
"You torment me ... Please find me ..."

~ ° ~