Badru walked down the stairs that lead to the hall of murals. He had been told his father and brother were down there but Badru couldn't figure out why would be the case. The hall was incredibly dark at night and the torches lit weren't much help to see. Then again, his father was a man who did things for his own reasons. Rarely did the man actually explain himself.
As he traveled through the darkened hall, Badru stared up at the few murals he could see in the limited torch light. He smiled, running a hand over one. It had been so long since he'd been down here. He used to play here a lot as a child, talking to the figures permanently engraved on the stones. He had a lot of good memories of this place. In fact, he recalled correctly, this hall was where he and Manu first met more than a decade ago.
Badru let out a short chuckle, thinking back on those good times just before he heard someone talking. Curious, Badru crept closer toward the noise and soon found his brother and father talking.
Well, more like a one-sided argument.
"Why do you remain silent, Manu?" Their father, the pharaoh, demanded, scowling at Manu, who remained silent. The pharaoh, dressed surprisingly plain this evening, paced the floor. Manu stood before him, his head tilted downward with his hands behind his back. The stance made him look like a child being scolded.
Badru would have chuckled at the display if he didn't know that Manu hated being scolded. He was very sensitive.
"Father!" Badru called out, drawing both the men's gaze. Father looked to be surprised but not as much as Manu did. The man looked like he hadn't even expected Badru to show up at all. Strange, considering he was told that both of them had been summoned. Maybe father hadn't told him yet.
"Badru, my boy." The eldest man exclaimed, grinning. He strolled past Manu and pulled Badru in to a warm embrace. Badru froze for only a second before hugging him back. It was only at times like this that the two could hug. In public, whenever they greeted each other, it was very formal. "How delightful it is for you to join us. What brings you down here this late?"
"Good evening, father." He replied respectfully. He frowned at his father question though. "What are you talking about? Did you not summon both of us?" He asked, confused.
Badru watched his father shake his head. "No, I only called for Manu this evening." He stated, folding his arms across his chest. "Did someone tell you otherwise?
Badru thought back to when he was told to come down here. It was Fathers aid that told him to come down. Was he lying? He could be. Badru wouldn't put it past him. The man was an ass and hated Badru. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that the man had told a lie but... Would a man as smart as him do something so stupid? He could have sent anyone else to give the message without getting involved so why?
"Yes." He replied, knowing he couldn't just remain silent forever. "But I-"
"I see." He father interrupted, drawing Badru's full attention once more. "I suppose you were told false information then. Fine then!" He snapped. "Later, we shall go out and punish those who misinformed you. I can't have our servants spreading false information to royalty like this."
Badru flinched at the man's tone. Its not that he felt any pity for the man. One should expect some kind of punishment when they fail at their task. To be punished was to learn from your mistakes physically. Yet the way father spoke, it sounded less like a royal duty and more like a pleasant pastime. That alone scared Badru. Father did sometimes have a bit of a vengeful streak when it came to his possessions.
A bit frightened by the joy on his fathers face, Badru tried to reason with the man. "F-father, you don-"
"Your Majesty!" Manu interrupted, walking forward. "I do not think that would be wise." He stated, looking much more dignified than before. Badru guessed he was feeling less hurt now.
Father glowered at Manu, both of whom were taller than Badru by at least foot. "Manu, you are a dear son to me but do not presume to tell me what is wise and what is not." He commanded. "I will not forgive such insolence."
Manu turned to Badru, giving him a strange unreadable expression before turning back to their father. He knelt down on one knee and bowed his head. "Then Your majesty, I beg that you forgive me for my rudeness this time, for I feel I must correct you on this matter."
