Traveling

(Sneaky people are Sneaky)

Chapter Summary: For ancient egyptians their country was known as Kemet, which means 'Black Land', so named for the rich, dark soil along the Nile River where the first settlements began.

IPET-ISU

The first stop in their tour was at Ipet-Isu. The visit to this city would last about a week, and they were supposed to visit the temples of Amun, Mut and Konshu.

Upon arrival, the Pharaoh and his entourage were informed about the rumours of invaders trying to sneak past some of the walls of the main temples, a situation that was also replicated on Wasset. And how, some days before the start of their trip, a wall was demolished on the side of a minor temple and some of the relics being stolen from there.

There was nobody in sight, the apparent culprits fleeing the scene after the theft.

At the Pharaoh's question of why he was not notified earlier, the governor of the city answered in a not overly worried way that, since he knew that they would most likely be on his way to the city, there was no need to send a messenger in advance.

The Pharaoh's original plan only involved passing by the city, talk for a bit with the governor say some prayers and conduct a public hearing with some of the citizens to show that he actually "cares" about their Concerns. Now, it would have to address deeper things than anticipated and the Pharaoh was not exactly fine with the situation.

Later that day once he settled in his chambers, he summoned his closest advisors to start addressing this matter. Mostly however, he made his displeasure on the Governors attitude known.

"But majesty, you would eventually have to address this issue, it is better that you are now here and could see things with your own eyes rather than having to rely on the descriptions of people and scribes that could sometimes be borderline exaggerated " one of them said,not entirely afraid of the Pharaoh's apparent ire.

Moving in front of the rest, the same man decided to expose to his king how, even if he had known about this situation beforehand, he would have been unable to do anything and might have only resulted in an even more uncomfortable trip to their first city.

Ahmose was not pleased with it, but saw reason in the advisor's words. Upon asking if there were already actions being taken regarding an investigation on the theft, another of his advisors told him that local authorities had been interrogating possible witnesses.

"All their declarations seemed to point to the traveling people of the lands beyond Punt" another advisor commented, looking worriedly to the pharaoh's restlessness.

"Are we certain of this?" Ahmose frowned a bit, before he began to pace.

"According to witnesses," a third adviser began, "days before the first attempt on the temples, there were people with long robes and heavy clothes, that spoke a strange language that sounded like grunts. A day or two before the attack, these people seemed to have vanished without a trace. Then the attacks began"

"We'll need to send someone to investigate in that direction. Also we'll need to alert authorities on cities nearby so that they are on alert in case of a similar attack" Ahmose declared before moving to the door to ask for a the city's chief messenger and his personal scribe.

Before the day was over, the notice was sent. It should be reaching the cities of Dendera, Edfu, Khnum and Nekhen before the third day.

"I can't believe that this cursed trip is only beginning…" was Ahmose tired sigh once he was alone again in his room.

The attempt on the temple was the perfect excuse for some of the councilmen traveling with the Pharaoh to put their plan into motion. The spies were already sent to Hardai, and now they needed to gauge the Pharaoh's disposition to relax in the arms of one or many maidens.

The idea was to wear him down enough, to annoy him enough about him not seeking any kind of company to relieve some stress that when the idea of a marriage came to the front, he was more open to it, especially if he was given the illusion of him picking his bride.

Not that they would really let him choose, but it was the principle of the matter.

The first day, once they knew the advisors were out of his chambers, they sent a group of girls to him, all with similar features of what they knew he liked on a woman. They had instructions of pleasing their king to the best of their abilities.

The girls returned within the hour, with news of how the Pharaoh was interested at first but after some time, he just dismissed them without a glance.

"You're not what I really need tonight" was apparently what he told them before dismissing them.

The second night, after he came back from the first public hearing, they sent a new set of girls, now with different features, but still similar at what they knew the Hardai Girl looked like.

Again, he was interested for a time, but dismissed them nonetheless.

On the third morning, during a somewhat lighthearted reunion with the rest of the council, they asked him if he enjoyed the presents they sent his way to alleviate his stress. It was clear, thanks to his stutter, that he was looking for a way to tell them not to keep sending them, without looking like he was not interested.

They ignored his subtle attempts, and that night sent them another set of girls.

The plan seemed to be working. Now all they needed was information and patience.

DENDERA

The trip to Dendera was rather uneventful. For a moment, the Pharaoh and his entourage were worried they were going to be attacked by the mysterious people that attacked Ipet-Isu. Fortunately, it did not happen, and the only thing their worries accomplished was to drain them of their energy.

By the time they finally reached the city, all they wanted to do was to sleep for a while and forget about everything. Then again, the moment they saw a welcome committee waiting for them outside of the City Hall, they knew that rest and actual sleep would be far away still.

Ipuki, Dendera's governor, was not one of Ahmose's favorite people, mostly because he was too blunt to the point of rudeness. The man was frugal with his words and was not of the habit of talking unless it was completely necessary. Today however, his bluntness was a trait that he sincerely appreciated, he was not in the mood for hollow pleasantries.

Ipuki briefly told them about the state of the city, the most relevant affairs and the general population's opinion on the last taxes regulations. Which was not as good as expected but it was holding up.

For a moment, Ahmose thought Ipuki would also comment on the organization of the future festivals, especially the one for the goddesses Isis and Hathor. However, the governor simply told him that he understood that they might be tired from the trip and would not want to overwhelm them with things that could wait another day.

Even if Ahmose tried not to show it, something in his voice should have betrayed his fatigue considering the knowing gaze Ipuki sent his way.

They were shown where their quarters were and where their servants stayed. Final instructions were given and after a bit, the only thing that reigned in the visitors quarters was silence and the occasional snore.

The visit to the Sanatorium was scheduled to be in the early hours of the Morning, just a few minutes after the sun rose on the horizon. The original idea was to visit some of the patients there, hear some of them out and ask around about the state of the health services.

Once there, and since there was a visiting convoy of youngsters training to become healers, the pharaoh and his entourage stayed with them and let them ask whatever questions they had about the city, they government or even about their faith.

By the time they finally moved to the Hathor and Isis Temple most of the day was gone and they could only visit the temple grounds superficially. They talked about the works made during the Last Pharaoh's reign, and how they were incorporated into what was already there. They also talked about the expansion of the sacred pool and the rituals held there in years past.

They were supposed to talk about the incoming festival during the day too, but since Ipuki wanted the Pharaoh to see what was being prepared inside the temple, they decided to move those talks to the next day.

It was during the visit to the temple where some of the councilors mentioned as an afterthought that it was a shame there was no heir to the throne in sight, and that the kingdom would definitely benefit to having a queen to lead the festivals for the feminine deities.

Ahmose remained silent in the outside; on the inside however, wondered if he was ready to actually commit to have a queen or would prefer to keep playing around with his harem. The unbidden image of a smiling Massika made him think that perhaps he would be willing to finally settle down.

His smile did not go unnoticed by the other councilors, who exchanged conspiratorial smiles between them.

ABYDOS

They left Dendera after a last visit to the Isis and Hathor temple, setting route to Abydos and the valley of the Kings. They briefly considered passing through Naqada, adding it to their already set itinerary, but in the end decided against it, arguing that it was better to get to Abydos as soon as possible.

They reached the City of Osiris just a few minutes before sunset, and just like before, they were greeted by the governor and some of the nobility of the place.

This time, they were shown to their quarters first and invited to a feast that would double as meeting time so they could get the Pharaoh caught on the affairs of the city. Considering that the last meal they made was several hours ago, they greatly appreciated the gesture.

Aside from the main dishes served during the diner, there were lots of beer and dried fruits to sample, and once Metjen, the governor of the place ended with his report of affairs, and once he promised to give the Pharaoh a tour of the building site of his own temple, he announced that the fun was about to begin.

The sound of soft music being produced down the hall reach their ears, making them turn around just in time to see the doors open and a line of dancers enter the room. There were men and women moving their hips around to the rhythm of the music, each one as alluring as the previous ones.

Ahmose's councilors looked ecstatic to see that they would not need to plot something while staying in the city, since it seemed that Metjen's reputation as a wild party man was actually truth.

NOTES:

The city of Ipet Isu in now known as Karnak.

And in case you missed it:

Ahmose / Akh: Ace