AnnouncementSorry about the dey, but I have had a lot of things going on and more ideas about what I wanted to write. This is book 2 in my Age of Legends Series, I hope you all enjoy!Mentu Thespa stared out over the city, Neo'Men-nefer by the old tongue, but by the common tongue, it was known as New Memphis. Since the downfall of the Pharaonic line, his forefathers had done everything they could to keep the kingdom united and at peace. Then when the st Bck Queen was assassinated and all the heirs were eliminated, severing the corrupted line, they tried to minimize the civil war.
Since then, those who came before him gave up the title of Nomarch and adopted the title of Steward, and the kingdom fell apart within a few short weeks, as almost every Nomarch battled for the Sun Throne. The Thespa's before him swore an oath to the Gods just as he did, to save as many as they could, and help keep the peace as much as possible, and when the Gods chose to establish a new bloodline of Pharaoh to support the chosen vassal of the Gods when the man appeared.
In return, New Memphis and the surrounding vilges and towns had been retively untouched by the ongoing civil war. The Thespa bloodline continued on, enduring against the few invaders that were stupid enough to try and conquer the city, and all assassination attempts. Mentu like those that came before him always knew that the power he had, was thanks to past Pharaohs and the Gods that had helped them keep power.
Now Mentu had learned one of his servants had overstepped and the man was furious beyond words, if the man's mad pn had worked, Mentu would have been made an oath breaker and he and his ancestors would have been judged as such. Now the future Pharaoh's first impression of him would be based on the actions of another.
Mentu turned away from the view he adored, preferring the peace the view brought. He knew his duty, and like other Stewards, it was time to do it. As he neared the council chamber, he nodded to his Vizier. "Well?" Mentu asked.
A thin smile appeared on the man's face. "We managed to capture the former First Captain. He has been detained in the cells below for your judgment." Mentu frowned but nodded his head as they passed through the closed doors behind them.
Mentu stared at the man for a few moments in silence, the others waited silently. "Have him questioned, thoroughly. He served for the better part of a decade faithfully, I want to know why he took such an insane risk now." Mentu told the Vizier before turning his focus towards the glowing map. It depicted the city, surrounding nds, and the border regions of the adjoining old Nomes. "Have we confirmed that self-procimed false king Durgess is massing an army?" Mentu asked the others present.
The new First Captain and Shadow, a position from when the Pharaohs existed and now served as Mentu's chief spymaster, nodded their heads. The Shadow deferred to the captain, "Initial scout reports indicate seven thousand have been martialed so far. Most are conscripts, but Durgess will marshal the Silver Falcons if he follows through with the invasion. We haven't seen any indication of siege weapons at the camp, although they could be coming with the elite forces as an escort." the First Captain reported as he pointed to one of the icons that indicated a bordering vilge. Mentu knew at one time the vilge exported cy and sculptures but had been abandoned during the endless civil war, "Once they decide to march, they will hit the vilge of Keby three days ter. A week after that they will be on our doorstep if they ignore the other outlying vilges between the city and border." the First Captain finished reporting.
Mentu considered the man's report and wondered if he was loyal to him or waiting to betray him like the st one. "What can they hope to achieve with so few and possibly no siege weapons?" Mentu asked the man.
The First Captain was stumped, "I don't know my lord, but perhaps the Shadow can shed some light on the situation." the man offered as he looked at the older woman who nodded her head.
The Shadow was a position that had been an unofficial capacity held at every court outside the Pharaoh's, as a reminder to all the Nomarchs that while they ruled, they ruled at the will and grace of the Pharaoh. They were a mix of a spy, advisor, and possible assassin if the Nomarch proved traitorous to the crown, "I have several items of importance to report..." she waited a few moments as she stared at Mentu. The Steward nodded, "Very well, first Ameni is marshaling forces and if my reports are correct, she has nearly three thousand so far, but she could march south against Durgess or west towards us.' a dot appeared on the map where the town of Hesh was located, 'Second, Bau is marshaling his guard which numbers a thousand but I don't know why as of yet as he detests Durgess and has shown no inclination at ciming the title of king. Third, the Free Tribes are stirring and there have been several meetings between the various chieftains, and rumor has it that some of them are deploying their warbands. If the reports are true, a minimum of five thousand are pushing hard north." the Shadow reported.
Mutters and whispers filled the air until Mentu held up his hand to silence them and nodded for her to continue, "Fourth, the Medjay are marshaling their numbers, and from what I have been told they are gathering near Kor'Dral. As you know the bulk of their strength holds Neo'Waset, but they can field between two and three thousand, all of them veterans between Level fifteen and twenty minimum. This is in preparation for another Ilithian push towards New Thebes, as of yet I have no numbers for their army and will update as soon as I discover anything." the Shadow reported as she met the Steward's eyes without flinching. Like him, she had taken oaths to serve any Pharaoh the Gods put forth and would die rather than betray him or them, "Finally the bulk of the remaining Medjay assigned to New Memphis left two days ago, and they requested the City Guard to increase patrols to assist with deterring any outlying elements or possible sabotage attempts from the possible invasion. They did not request any reinforcements in defense of New Thebes." Mentu frowned.
The Medjay were outside the normal command structure and ultimately answered only to their commanders and the Pharaoh. Losing nearly five hundred men and women would be noticed if Durgess fielded a rger army and could y an effective siege against the city. "A minimum of at least six armies may be marshaling in the coming weeks, if Durgess presses his attack, do we know when it will occur?" the Steward asked his council. No one could provide an answer causing Mentu to sigh, "Very well, your priority now is to monitor these forces marshaling around us and determine if and when they will march. Work together and coordinate with the First Captain and Shadow. Dismissed!" Mentu barked as he sat down in one of the few chairs in the room.
He gestured towards the two central figures to stay behind as the others filed out of the room, once the door was sealed Mentu nodded to his Vizier who pced an orb on the table, a brief fsh of light enveloped the room, "We are alone and unless a spy is loitering about, we are secure." the man advised.
Mentu nodded as he turned to address the others and waited expectantly, "He arrived this morning, he wasn't detained by customs and made his way to the Copper District. Any of my agents that get too close to the building are...turned away rather forcibly by a team of watchers. Based on who it is, I can only assume they are Bast's spawn, as such I would recommend that we keep our distance at this point and let him decide if and when he wants to meet." the Shadow reported.
Mentu grimaced, but nodded his head in agreement, "Do we know why he would come here if the bulk of the Medjay is marshaling north to repel the invasion?" the Steward asked.
The Shadow grimaced as she seemed contemptive, "I think I know why, some of the old archives contain reports that past Pharaohs had to undergo a trial for the Gods and be evaluated by them. If they passed the test, they were elevated to the position of Pharaoh, if they failed, they died. How and where this test is, I don't know but some of the man's companions have gone to the Temple of the Gods and been seen meeting with several of the senior Priests there. They may be providing guidance, or their location may be there." she advised.
Mentu considered the older woman's words before nodding his head, "I don't have a better expnation, for now, make sure no one interferes with his activities. The old First Captain will be interrogated until he either breaks or expins why he betrayed me. Learn from his mistake captain and do not fail me or you will suffer worse, is that understood?" the Steward demanded.
The other man nodded and bowed before leaving, Mentu turned his focus towards the map. "Is this the result of his appearance? Is this a st-ditch effort to gain control of Ebia by a few over-ambitious bastards?" the Steward absently asked the room. He knew he wouldn't get a response, but it was a question he desperately wanted an answer to.
