Chapter Text
Seth tried not to pace the nice-looking front room he and Horus were waiting in for Isis to arrive. The chairs were comfortable and pale blue, and there were paintings of birds on the walls. The large window nearby had pale white curtains pulled back and showed the sunny beach, and the water in the distance.
“She wouldn’t agree to it out in the ocean without sending guards first,” Horus said, as if he hadn’t said it a dozen times.
“I know,” Seth said. He tried not to be snippy about it, but he was. He was frustrated and anxious. He was weaker in his humanoid form and they all knew it. He could still transform into sand, but it was harder to move around, and certainly harder to use the sand as a weapon. And he wasn’t going to sit in the pool and wait for Isis to find him. But if guards arrived first, they had no idea how the guards would react. Word could spread of who was here, and Seth… wasn’t sure how well that would go down. At least if Isis came herself, they could confront the problem head-on (hopefully).
Seth still lightly tugged at his thin brown slacks. The white shirt he’d picked wasn’t uncomfortable, but he wished he was in the water.
“If you’re nervous, you could always take a break and—”
Seth glared at him, and Horus pursed his lips. Seth settled back in his chair.
After a time, Horus stood up and went to the front door.
Seth stood, as well, and dusted off his shirt, as if it had somehow gotten dirty in the time he’d done nothing with it.
Horus glanced at him, and Seth settled his expression into a neutral one. Horus then opened the dark wooden door. “Mother, welcome.”
“Horus!” Isis was much shorter than her son, and had dark skin and long, dark hair with gold and jewelry scattered throughout it. She wore a gorgeous trailing black dress that cut her figure well, and translucent veils around her arms, as well as a number of jeweled armlets and rings. She stepped forward to embrace Horus, and he hugged her back. “Are you doing well?”
“Yes, Mother,” Horus said, holding her tightly for a moment before letting her go. He was smiling warmly. Then he put out his left arm to Seth. “This is Seth.”
Isis turned her gaze fully to Seth, and he didn’t stiffen. “Yes. We’ve met.”
It was many years ago, now, and they’d never been close. Isis had her own circle of friends and allies and never really involved herself with soldiers. And Seth wasn’t high society enough to frequent those circles himself. Seth bowed his head to her. “Isis.”
“It’s your majesty, now,” Isis said with a smirk.
Seth’s cheeks heated. “Your Majesty.”
Isis scoffed, but was clearly pleased. “We truly live in strange times. The greatest war hero of our people, and we don’t even know if you plan to return to my queendom, do we?” Her smile was bright, and her eyes were dangerous. Seth knew she could order his death with a word. He saw the soldiers waiting outside the door. Isis may not have sent them ahead under the agreement to meet here, but she came prepared, at least in part because she could still be attacked while traveling.
Osiris had died in his own home, after all, and he hadn’t waged war against the government, or attacked the palace.
“We don’t,” Seth acknowledged.
“Would you like something to drink, Mother? There’s food, as well,” Horus offered.
Isis walked over to the couches and sat, watching Horus and Seth thoughtfully. “I’ll take some tea. I suppose we might be chatting awhile.”
The air spirits fetched it for her, and Horus and Seth settled on chairs nearby.
Horus sat forward. “I have made my decision for my coming of age.”
Isis smiled. “Good. What have you decided?”
“I will join your court and live amongst the merfolk.”
Isis’ expression was bright. “Horus, that’s wonderful!”
“On the condition that Seth is allowed freedom to travel where he pleases, so long as it is within your control to allow it.”
Seth froze.
Isis’ smile twitched. “Excuse me?”
Seth looked at Horus, who was watching Isis and ignoring him. “That is my condition.”
Isis looked at Seth, who couldn’t keep the surprise off his own face. “Did you plan this?”
“No… Your Majesty,” Seth replied. Horus hadn’t told him that. “I’m just a guest here.”
“And what has that involved, specifically?” Isis ignored the hot tea on the table nearby to watch Seth with a sharp expression. “I remember what you did for Osiris.”
Seth’s left hand twitched, but he kept himself from attacking her.
“Mother!” Horus said, sharply. “I’ll remind you that Seth is my guest!” Horus turned to Seth. “I’m sorry about that.”
“Horus—” Isis began.
“Apologize to him, Mother.”
Isis glared, and then looked at Seth. “I apologize, Seth. I overstepped.”
Seth simply stared back at her for a moment, before saying, “It’s fine, Your Majesty.”
“Osiris kept Seth prisoner,” Horus said. “Seth is not my prisoner, nor do I expect payment from him, as he is a guest. But I have little enough I need in life, Mother. I merely wish to do as a leader should and support those who need it.”
Seth felt his cheeks warm again. He knew part of this was pity, and he hated accepting it, but what else was he to do? He had nowhere to go other than to flee to the humans on land and live there forever, apart from the sea. He was someone in need of the kindness of others, and living here, in Horus’ home, after taking Sekhmet’s help to get rid of Osiris and free himself from imprisonment… He was constantly reminded of how much he needed the help of others. He wasn’t strong enough on his own.
“That is admirable, Horus,” Isis said, her expression rigid. “A noble first decision for someone of your rank.” She looked at Seth. “I hope you appreciate what Horus is doing for you.”
“I do, Your Majesty.” Even if I still don’t really understand why he’s doing it, since it would be so much easier for him not to.
“Very well,” Isis said, looking at Horus. “This condition is accepted, so long as Seth never takes up arms against my throne.” She looked at Seth. “I know you could easily lead an army against me. Or attack me on your own. I will not allow this, if you are to reside in my queendom.”
“I accept those terms, Your Majesty,” Seth said. “I would be honored to help support your armed forces, as well, if you’ll have me.” It would be something like what he used to do. He could find his own people, too, if any of them remained, and see how they fared. Perhaps some of them had survived Osiris’ purges in the wake of Seth’s imprisonment.
Isis frowned. “You would serve as one of my generals?”
“If you wish.”
“It would be quite a boon to have you on our side… Though my soldiers would be wary.”
Seth watched her thinking it over. She picked up her cup of tea and sipped it, while watching Seth thoughtfully. Eventually she lowered the cup and said, “Very well. I will discuss this with my generals, and see what their thoughts on the matter are.”
Seth bowed his head. “I’ll want to speak to them as well, if I can, Your Majesty.”
“Of course.” Isis turned to Horus, “Horus, we’re going to have to discuss your new role and duties, as well.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“You’ll move to the palace, with me.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Isis looked at Seth. “Your old quarters have been left untouched since Osiris took you captive. Depending on what my generals decide, you may return to them.”
Seth felt his throat tighten at the thought. He hadn’t even thought about his old rooms in the palace. They were large, as suited his rank, and comfortable. The most home he’d had for much of his life. It felt like a whole other world. He’d be living in the palace again, near where Osiris had tormented him for decades. Could he bear that?
…He could leave for work. Perhaps he could even find somewhere else to reside. He would collect his things and make a new place for himself. But at least this way, he might have some of the old control over his life again, while he figured the rest out. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Isis included her head and looked to Horus. “Now we’ll discuss the island.”
“Staring at them isn’t going to make them go away,” Horus said as he and Seth swam through the water. Seth was busy occasionally glaring at the guards following them. Isis had brought quite a bit of protection, and Seth imagined things must be bad to warrant it. Unless she was showing off, or thought she needed them to keep Seth under control, which would make him almost respect her. “Plus, it means more freedom, in a way.”
Seth sighed. He knew that. With the guards there, he and Horus were free to leave the island, and swim where they pleased, at least after accompanying Isis to the palace. The water around them was open and comfortable, and Seth could properly stretch his fins.
It was nice.
He also noticed the look Isis sent them from up ahead as she swam onward, her bright, large tail weaving majestically through the waters. She carried her sea witch’s staff, covered in multicolored coral.
After their chat, Isis had insisted they head to the palace to finalize Horus’ ascension, as it were, and make it official as soon as possible. Anything Horus wanted from the house on the island, servants would bring. Horus had insisted Seth come along, which clearly annoyed Isis, but she shrugged, and noted that he would be expected to consult with the military anyway.
So here they were, swimming back to where Seth had escaped from, and Seth tried not to let the chills get to him. Osiris was dead. Isis said as much, herself. And Osiris wasn’t coming back. The guards around them were for their protection. Not an ambush.
Horus stayed close to Seth, but not too close, giving Seth a bit of room. It was difficult not to gravitate to him, with everything happening. Seth was wary of the soldiers, and still wary of Isis, for all she’d been quite giving in this arrangement. Horus was the only relatively familiar part of this, and a friend.
But that way lay madness, too. And Seth imagined Isis wouldn’t be very comfortable with him getting more obviously close with Horus. That was amusing in its own right. He found what she said earlier insulting, of course, but Seth didn’t know whether to be furious or amused that Isis might consider him as someone who would actually try to sleep his way to power, at least with Horus in particular. Anyone who saw his life under Osiris and assumed that would be incredibly stupid. Besides, it was definitely not who Seth was. And if he did pursue Horus, it wouldn’t be for that reason.
His cheeks heated. If he did? It wouldn’t happen at all.
“You’re sure you’re okay leaving so soon?” Seth asked, quietly, to distract himself. He’d asked earlier, but they’d moved so quickly…
Horus shrugged, the movement highlighting his thick shoulders, which Seth forced himself not to stare at. “It was a home. I admit I care for it. But I’ve moved before. And I like the idea that you’ll have more freedom sooner, and we can chat as equals.”
Seth felt his cheeks heat. “You’ll be a noble. I’m just a soldiers, at the end of the day.”
“But you’re more powerful here, physically and with magic. A title can’t grant me that.”
Seth supposed that was true.
“Besides, I trust the air spirits to take care of it all. And anyone Mother sends. Most of what’s there is stuff she sent me. I doubt she’d forget any of it. Or abandon it.”
“It’s rash, to go so quickly.”
“I’m seizing power,” Horus said, grinning. “Someone wise taught me about that, once.”
In spite of himself, Seth smiled, and looked away.
Seth blamed his distraction for why he wasn’t ready for the attack.
They were passing an old, rotting, human shipwreck mostly inhabited by various fish. Soldiers sometimes used such wrecks as target practice. Children sometimes dared each other to explore them, which could lead to accidents and angry parents. They were a common enough sight that elders simply mapped them and told people to be wary. But that didn’t stop the daring and the stupid.
They were also an excellent hiding place for ambushes, such as the armored and armed group who leapt out over Isis’ group.
Isis pulled up a translucent blue bubble shield made of magic around them, which blocked much and kept enemies away, but didn’t block some of the magic arrows and assorted missiles from taking down a few of the guards in the first wave.
Horus pulled Seth out of the path of a spear that fell where he’d been floating. Seth dissolved into sand to escape the grip, studied the area, and quickly launched himself past Isis’ shield at their attackers. He was furious at being caught unawares, frustrated about the mess Horus was throwing himself into, and tore through two surprised enemies before they even realized what hit them. He used his sand to wrench up boards from the ship and toss them at more enemies, dissolved himself when they shot at him, and reformed to smash his tail into the head of an armored merman who was desperately looking for him. The hit knocked the man into the side of the ship, stunning him.
Seth lost himself in the fight, falling into old, familiar movements, particularly as more enemies appeared from within the ship. He grabbed a lost spear at one point and began cutting down enemies with it, hitting his targets every time. Screams filled the air, and there was a mix of people scrambling to shoot at him and also to flee from him, particularly since no one could get close to him, at least until it was too late for them.
In the end, he moved back to the circle of Isis’ guards, looking out for more enemies. But there was only the carnage he’d left behind, with a few merfolk floating, unconscious, dead, or too injured to get away, in the area. Blood drifted in the water.
Seth gripped the stolen spear in his hand, ready to use it again. His blood sang at him to keep going. But he calmed himself, knowing he needed to be focused and ready.
“If anyone is still alive and able, come out now and surrender!” Isis called out. “Or we’ll show no mercy!” She still had the shield up over herself, Horus, and a few guards who stood ready beside her. Most of her forces were still there, albeit with injuries of their own. Their weapons were bloody.
There was no reply, and Seth wondered if they’d killed the only leaders the group had, or if they were too cowardly to come forward. But as he looked around, he spotted movement beneath Isis’ shield, near the bodies of some of the fallen, partially in the shadow of the wreck. Someone was making a spell!
Seth aimed and threw his spear at whoever it was. His aim was true. They went down. The spell died.
But his focus meant he didn’t see the person behind him aiming for his back.
He felt whatever it was hit him straight on, before he could dissolve into sand. The pain was sharp, whatever it was, but he was already turning and going after them. The woman who’d fired at him barely screamed before he killed her. She’d been hiding on the top deck of the ship, among more bodies of the fallen.
A burst of pain went through Seth and he collapsed on the deck, back in his true form. I really need to get better at guarding my back…
“Seth!” Horus yelled.
Seth tried to get up, but it felt… rather hard. His tail struggled to move. He saw Horus swimming towards him, and Isis following him, and then darkness covered his vision.
When Seth came to, he was laying on his left side, and staring at what he realized was Horus’ neck. Seth blinked, and then froze when he realized Horus was pressed up close to him, chest to chest, and their tails were entangled. Horus’ left arm was wrapped around Seth’s chest, keeping him close. Horus’ eyes were shut, and he was asleep. He felt warm. The electricity of their tails touching was getting to him, as well, making it difficult to focus. But he needed to figure out what was going on, so he pulled his gaze away to look around.
They were still on the shipwreck, but somehow had seemingly cleaned away some of the corpses. Seth and Horus floated slightly above the deck itself.
“You’re awake,” Isis said from nearby.
Seth looked up over Horus to see Isis sitting on a broken mast, watching him. Her dress looked something like an octopus’ tentacles, which made her more intimidating. He also realized it probably wasn’t a good idea that he was, well… the way he was with Horus.
“What happened?” Seth asked, unsure how to extricate himself without hitting Horus somehow.
“You nearly died,” Isis said, watching him calmly. “The blow that hit you was a curse, meant to poison you quickly to your death.”
Seth shuddered at that.
“Thankfully, Horus got to you in time, and helped slow the curse.”
“…What?”
Isis shrugged. “Neither of us knew what he did. But your tail wrapped around his, and the curse’s progress slowed. It gave me time to deal with it.”
Seth blinked, and recalled his injury when he’d arrived at the island. He’d healed so quickly… “But Horus doesn’t have magic.” There was a coming of age ceremony when Horus hit 28. They would know then if Horus had any. It couldn’t be their connection, could it? He’d never heard of special healing powers coming from that…
Isis studied Seth thoughtfully, and Seth realized he’d forgotten to call her Your Majesty. But instead of reprimanding him she said, “He is a mysterious child. He will make an interesting prince.”
Seth had no response to that.
Isis lowered her eyes to Horus. “My son was worried sick about you. He went to your side immediately when you fell.”
Seth’s cheeks darkened.
Isis studied him for a bit. “What is your interest in my son? Because clearly there is more going on than you say.”
Seth’s cheeks heated. “I… He’s a good man. I didn’t intend… This isn’t what I meant. I don’t wish to be with anyone.”
“So you say. But your actions seem to show otherwise.” She looked pointedly at Seth and Horus’ intertwined tails.
Seth swallowed nervously. “I don’t remember grabbing him. It was…” He grimaced. “I don’t know.” Had he subconsciously reached for safety? Which in this case, meant Horus?
Isis met his gaze. “I cannot say I support this relationship, whatever it is.”
Join the club, Seth thought.
“But since my son is not averse to it, I will not stand in the way.” She sighed. “He will have time for other relationships, after all.”
Seth had no idea what to say to that. He knew at least some of Horus’ feelings on the matter, but knew it wasn’t worth debating while Horus was sleeping and they were still out in the open, potentially in danger. But he knew his limits. “I won’t get in his way,” Seth said. “I don’t want to hurt him. I owe him much.”
Isis nodded. “Given my son’s advocacy for you, and the way he reacted when you were injured… I don’t see any of that being an issue.”
Seth simply stared back at her. Given her previous demeanor, he expected more of a fight.
Isis sighed and leaned back. “You did a good job defending us. I can see at least some of where your loyalties lie.” She studied him again. “Do not hurt my son.”
“I won’t,” Seth said. He didn’t intend to. Ever.
Horus’ left arm tightened around him, and for a moment, Seth recalled a different arm there, pulling him close, keeping him caged. But Horus’ tail twitched slightly, sending more pleasant electricity through Seth, and he felt contained and… oddly safe. His back still hurt a bit, but he could tell he was healing.
“I will admit,” Isis continued, “Selfishly, if this is what convinced him to take up his birthright, I’m not averse to it.” She met Seth’s gaze coldly. “I want my son nearby where I can protect him. When he can become a powerful man.”
“He’s a pawn,” Seth said, quietly.
Isis raised an eyebrow at him. “You disapprove?”
“Does it matter? I’m a pawn for you, too. He’s your son. I’m just a soldier. Your Majesty.”
Isis studied him for a bit longer, then shrugged. “I suppose it doesn’t.” She flicked her tail to raise herself up off the mast. “Rest. Recover. We’ll head out soon enough. We all have responsibilities waiting for us at the palace.”
Seth watched her go. He was still held tightly, and realized he had best resign himself to this for the time being. They’d talk about it when Horus awoke.
He settled against Horus, listening to the sound of the younger man breathing. He watched Horus’ sleepy expression and thought, I’ll keep protecting you, too. Even from Isis, if I have to.
He shut his eyes to sleep.