I studied the city, it was easily the rgest pce I had been to since coming to this world. It was built near the Kush, as the Silver Kush met at this point of the main river. I don't know if it was naturally occurring, but a rge water basin was next to the city and formed a natural harbor in which a rge amount of commerce would come and go by river.

  A small well-fortified isnd sat at the harbor mouth making it difficult if not impossible to attack from the water. The city, except for the docks, was enclosed in massive walls that were easily twenty feet tall and made of thick granite, with towers, and what could possibly be siege weapon empcements.

  The city itself was built on a set of hills with the rgest dominated by a fortified pace crafted from bck stone, 'It's the Full Moon Citadel, in times past this was where the Pharaoh would hold court during the winter, splitting their times between the north and south.' Bast commented as I turned my focus towards the massive pyramid on the eastern bank of the river.

  It was simir to the oldest Egyptian pyramids, built like a ziggurat instead of the world-famous ones that had become iconic for the ancient nation. 'Resting pce of Hespu, his son, and grandson. It's considered sacred nd and even during the height of the civil war no one moved to take them and use them.' Bast informed me.

  I frowned, "Why not near New Thebes? I assumed it was the original capital of Hespu the first, why wouldn't he be entombed there?" I asked the Goddess.

  Bast shrugged, 'They were enshrined here after the kingdom's hold was solidified over the south, as a reminder of what their dynasty did and what they would be capable of to future generations. At least that was what I was told, of course, the quarries here were vast and deep before the Compact was broken, I thought it was just because it was cheaper to build here.' the cat commented.

  I turned away from the structure and checked my gear one st time before popping open my Character Sheet one st time.

  SpoilerNameAlexander DrakeSexMaleRaceEbian (Demi-God)Renown750Level9Experience6,232/10,000CssTemprSpecialization---AlignmentLightCarry Capacity340 Lbs.Attribute Points0Skill Points3 --- Stats --- Health550/550H-Regen6.3 per SecondStamina590/590S-Regen5.9 per SecondSpirit720/720S-Regen7.5 per Second --- Attributes --- Constitution40 (+15)Endurance43 (+16)Strength25 (+9)Dexterity48 (+32)Intelligence40 (+18)Spirit45 (+27)Luck10  --- Offense --- Base Melee Damage57.5Base Ranged Damage---Critical Hit Chance13%Critical Hit Damage150%Attack Power51Ranged Attack Power120Spell Power87  --- Defense --- Armor220Evade Chance18%Block Amount70Block Chance33% --- Resistances --- Blunt5%Piercing15%Sshing15%Poison35.8%Disease15.8%Shadow15.8%Light55.8%Fire35.8%Cold15.8%Lightning15.8%

  [colpse]Not bad for where I was at in my mind, "Sos will lead his team to the local chapter of the Medjay after we disembark but with our order marshaling as much as they can to defend New Thebes, we may not have a choice to keep the current escort." Hakim reported.

  I nodded my head absently, "Understood, should we expect any trouble from customs?" I asked the Medjay as Beatrice and Ayh joined us.

  It had taken me a while to figure out, but the girls were a couple but had a somewhat open retionship. When they found a man or woman, they both found attractive, they enjoyed their time together based on some of the sounds that came out of their room the night I had figured out they were a couple. I didn't care and it would be the first time I had come across such a couple, I just never pnned on getting involved with them.

  I pointed to the city, "So what do I need to know about this pce? What do I need to avoid?" I asked Hakim.

  Hakim frowned, "The Steward is from an old family that dates back from before the Bck Kings and Queens, when the civil war started, they dropped the title of Nomarch and took up Steward prociming that their bloodline would support whoever was chosen by the Gods. The Medjay have not been harassed by their bloodline and have even received some support and protection." the Medjay expined as we drew nearer to the city.

  I turned my focus toward the dies, "After we meet up with my family, I assume you two are going to the temple to feel the situation out there?" I asked them.

  Ayh nodded her head, "That is the pn, the head Priest may request a meeting but until we talk, I am unsure." the Priestess expined.

  I grunted and looked at Hakim who grimaced, "New Memphis has been our headquarters for a while, our Elder Council will probably request a meeting as well." the man informed me.

  I gnced down at Bast, 'Push the meeting with the Medjay back until after the trial. They can and will wait, it will give us time to evaluate them and discover if they are working on faith or wish to act against you and us.' the Goddess advised.

  I frowned and nodded my head in agreement and reyed the advice to Hakim. The trail was too important and the sooner I started, the sooner I could head north. "What are the chances that the crew will keep silent about the st few days?" I asked.

  They all ughed, even Bast joined in until my gre silenced them. "You have a better chance at surviving the swim to the city than keeping the crew quiet," Beatrice expined.

  I sighed and pulled up my hood before retrieving Bast and putting her up on my shoulder, 'A Pharaoh shouldn't hide like a thief.' the cat commented.

  I snorted and shook my head, "I am not Pharaoh yet, if I pass the test I will start acting like an arrogant ass just for you sweetie." I told the Goddess earning a hiss causing me to chuckle. The ship turned down one of the channels leading into the harbor, "Remember, anonymity is my best defense at the moment, I am sure the followers of Apophis are spreading word of my existence as far and wide as they can to drum up resistance. That doesn't mean I should act stupidly or arrogantly, fight smarter, not harder." I expined as I studied the fort on the isnd.

  It was a massive thing, giving no space for enemy troops to be nded, and had a few docks on the side facing the city where I assumed supplies and troops could be loaded and unloaded during times of war. A garrison was present and manning the battlements keeping watch on the coming and going ships as they crossed the waters to and from the harbor. "How does the northern capital compare to the southern?" I asked the others.

  Hakim was the one who responded, "Like New Memphis, Neo'Waset is built near the River Kush, but where this city is built upon several hills and surrounding area, New Thebes is far different. When Hespu first cimed it, the pce was just a rge town, but it slowly became a city. It's built within a valley surrounded on two sides by massive rock faces that are impossible to climb. Sun-Spire Citadel sits atop the pteau carved from the rockface. The harbor there was even more fortified, but the battles there destroyed much of the city, and I am unsure what has been restored and what is still a ruin." Medjay did his best to expin.

  I think I would wait until I saw it for myself to determine if I liked the city or not, "Have you received word if the Free Tribes will assist in the defense of the city or not?" I asked the Medjay.

  Hakim nodded, "Yes, but we have no clue when or how many they will commit, which means they could commit a small force or a rge force that can make a difference." I sighed, without the Free Tribes' support I doubted we would be able to hold the city.

  I was brought out of my musing as I heard shouts being called out as lines were cast out toward the dock workers to secure the boat to one of the piers that dotted the harbor. Most of the crew were busy securing the ship, tying up the sails, and pulling in the sweeps to make sure the oversized oars were not broken.

  Another team was working to make sure the pnk and guide rope were secure so the passengers could disembark and unload what was going to be dropped off there. "This is where you disembark, will we be seeing each other again?" the captain asked.

  I shrugged my shoulders, "I have no idea what the future holds captain but thank you for the swift and smooth ride upriver." I told the man as I offered him my hand.

  After a moment he took it, "You're welcome my lord, and as I told your friends, I can only keep my crew working for so long before they are off. You have a few hours of anonymity before they get off the ship. Once they hit the drinks, I am sure tongues will wag and the tales will grow with each round." with that warning, the man turned and left as he started barking orders at his crew.

  I grunted and eyed the others before I headed down the gang pte with the others in tow, Sos and the other Medjay swept ahead and behind us, trying to blend in with the growing crowd as the dock workers came to help move whatever was being unloaded. I am sure if Hakim and Sos had their way, the whole pier and this part of the docks would be swept clean of everyone, which would ruin my chances of slipping into the city unnoticed.

  That was my hope at least, I knew the priests and local Medjay would know of my presence within a few hours at most. How they reacted to it would tell me if I could depend on them or not. I shoved my worries to the side, for now, I needed to concentrate on the meeting with my family and figure out how to expin all the craziness I had fallen into.