Mysteries of the sands
The past five days have been pretty busy for my dragons, jaguars, Ikan and me with how we've been renovating the house. First thing I did was gather all of the stuff I didn't want to keep like the plans to dethrone Cleopatra and handing them over to Asim to have them disposed of properly, emptying out the basement and sold everything worth something and made a good price, replacing the velvet red drapes and blankets in the bedroom with new light blue ones since the I found out Adio shared that bed with many woman most of which were his slaves who couldn't say no to him, empty out the closets of the clothing since none of them were my style or size and I got a good price for them on the market. As for the renovations, I filled the stables put stone slab in one pen for Toothless, filled one with sand for Dune and filled the last one with hay for Nimla while also installing hooks on the walls where I could hang up their riding gear.
The basement has been completely transformed from a storage room to a training room which held multiple metal standup torches, on the walls I had hung up on hooks multiple types of Egyptian weapons though a lot of them were the same type but made from different materials. The weapons I had hung up included bows made up of both wood and metal each a different size, khopesh swords made of multiple types of metal for variety and the different designs of khopesh, multiple Egyptian battle axes, different types of Egyptian spear made of different materials, a few Egyptian shields and a few fan axes which consisted of both the one ended and the double ended, there is also the archery range I set up which consisted of multiple targets with a wooden board up against the wall to prevent damaging the wall and I also added some training dummies for me to fight against. As for the secret room, downstairs I had turned that into my designing room where I drew up designs for new inventions which was plain to see since the shelf was now full of plans for inventions, the table now had plans for my latest design and the walls were now covered in designs for new creations that could help in battle, farming, chores, etc. I've also changed the bedroom besides the change of color scheme on the bed and drapes. I've installed wooden shutters that go up and down from the ceiling when I pull a lever which wasn't an easy thing to make but I was able to work it out using a weight balancing system so I just had to pull a lever and wooden shutters would fall down blocking the windows but I only made those in case there was a sandstorm, I had put in two pet beds for my jaguars or any other of my animal companions I bring with me. All in all, I think my dragons and me will be very comfortable here now.
Besides the home renovations there had been other things that have happened. Cleopatra has declared that I am to be considered a nobleman of Egypt for my services to the crown and gave me the title of ambassador so nobody disrespected me in any way now, some of the noblemen have been acting friendlier towards me and started to inviting me to their houses for drinks and conversation, I've made friends with one of the cities blacksmiths and he's allowed me the use of his forge so I was able to make multiple weapons including the ones in my training room, my ship now holds most of the gold I have gotten on this trip along with some things that caught my eye like the basalt statue of a falcon which represented the Egyptian god Horus along with a basalt statue of a cat with gold engraved around the neck like a collar and in the ears which represented the Egyptian goddess Bastet, I did have other basalt and schist statues on board of other things like one of a pyramid with hieroglyphics carved into it said to bring good luck but I was just going to use it as a paperweight, Asim has been training me to fight like an Egyptian soldier and I think we've become friends, I was able to get seeds for the fruits, vegetables and herbs they grew here in Egypt which meant I'd have some gardening to do when I got home, I learnt how to sculpt things using the materials used to make statues which is why some of my storage unit was full of large pieces of basalt and schist rock and I've been studying maps from the city library and I was able to put together a map back to Berk but before I leave there are still some things I plan to do. One of the things that hasn't changed though is Cleopatra was still trying to buy Nimla from me and has tried to charm me into selling with flirtatious talks or a rub on the neck and even a kiss on the cheek but my loyalty to Nimla is just too strong. I've also been able to design a new crossbow which is a twice as strong as a regular bow since it did have two bows on either side of the head which I made into the shape of an Egyptian jackals' head. (AN: If you're having trouble picturing it go google Schakalslächeln and go to google images and it'll be the first image you see which is where I got the idea from) This bow was quiet a success and it had good range and accuracy as long as your target was in between the jackals ears you would get a hit if they weren't out of range and I'd named it a Schakalslächeln.
Presently I was outside doing laps in the pool wearing nothing but shorts I made for swimming. Right now, I was thinking of everything I needed to do before I left in two weeks since I already got some artifacts from this land along with scrolls and maps on my ship, arranged with Cleopatra for someone to look after my new vacation home while I'm gone, learnt the language they use but still mastering the writing since there are so many symbols and it's all so complicated and made a good amount of money and trade here in this land most of which was now on my ship. All I had left to do was do a final checkup to see if I've forgotten anything, make sure to take stock of everything in my house in case the people who were looking after my home didn't steal anything and there is one thing I still want to do before I leave. I wanted to fly over the Alexandrian desert to see what a sea of sands which stretched out for miles would look like and besides Dunes been wanting to go exploring these sands since we got here but we've always been so busy with helping Cleopatra and changing the house. I was hoping I might be able to find something worth taking back with me but you never know since Asim once said 'The desert holds many secrets and won't let them be found till it's their time to be found' so I'm guessing he's saying the desert is a big place and it is going to take a while to unlock all its secret which I have to confess I agree with him on that but tomorrow me, Toothless and Dune are going to fly over the desert to see if we can find anything. I'd bring Nimla but she always hates the sand in her feathers, Ikan can't come because he might get hurt if we get caught in a sandstorm and my jaguars can't come because me, Toothless and Dune are flying so those who are staying behind are just watching the house.
I dived under the water to just cool down a bit more but when I began to swim up I saw someone waiting for me by the edge of the pool. I popped my head out of the water in front of the person and much to my annoyance it was a nobleman by the name of Djar who wore a very expensive head piece, fine white robes, around his neck was a very expensive necklace which resembled a bird with its wings spread out representing the Egyptian god Horus and a bit of beard growing from his bottom lip to his chin (AN: A Goatee) The reason he annoys me is since I was promoted to nobleman status he has been trying to do one thing and that is hook his daughter Henite up with me even though I am not interested not because she's unattractive though since she was rather beautiful and it wasn't because of age since we were both the same age. I just wasn't interested in dating right now when there's still so much for me to explore and learn. He smiled down at me and offered a hand and since I didn't want to be rude I took the offered hand and he helped pull me out of the pool as he said.
"Hello Hiccup how are you?" I walked over to one of the loungers on the patio that had a towel on it.
"Can't complain! May I ask what brings you here this fine day?"
"Oh, I was just wondering if you were doing anything tonight and wanted to invite you over to my home for dinner if you're free." I used the towel to begin to dry myself off.
"Sorry but I'm busy preparing for my flight into the desert tomorrow and I'm leaving early in the morning so I'm turning in for an early night!" He looked down in what could be believed as disappointment but I could tell it was really annoyance by the look in his eyes.
"Too bad! Henite was looking forward to seeing you again."
"Well there' s always next time!" He nodded before leaving the grounds!
As soon as he was gone I let out a sigh of relief because he was not an easy man to get off my back. In the past, few days he has had me over at his house as often as possible and when I went over it was not that difficult to tell how much he'd do for his daughter. She wore many expensive jewels, had two personal servants, a personal guard, a bedroom the size of mine with her own private bath, more jewels then I have in my vault at home and much more so from what I can tell what she wants she gets. When Djar first started inviting me over I assumed he was just trying to be friendly and trying to get closer to Nimla like most of the nobles but throughout the night he didn't once mention Nimla but instead went on about what a great girl Henite is and what a wonderful wife she'd make. At first I thought it was just fatherly pride but then Henite started showing up at the places I visited like the temples where I went to sketch out the buildings and statues, the map section in the library, the market where I buy my food, etc. Always trying to strike up a conversation between us even if I just wanted to be left alone. I talked to Asim about this and he laughed telling me that it was clear Henite had a big crush on me and her father had noticed so he was trying to get me to go out with his daughter because what she wants she gets and right now she wanted me as a boyfriend.
I laid back on a lounger and let out a sigh of enjoyment as the sun's rays came down upon me and began to think. The last thing I want is to cause Henite any pain because from what I could tell she was a nice girl but I needed her to understand I am not interested in a relationship at this time. I then figured she'd understand it when I left in a couple of days and she'd move on to someone else. I got up from the lounger since I had more pressing matters to attend to like preparing for a flight over the desert with Toothless, Dune and Ikan to see if we could find anything. I spent the remainder of my day filling water canteens, packing dried meat and studying every map of the desert that was available to me in the library of Alexandria.
Next day
I was in the dragon stable, wearing my desert armor while putting Toothless' saddle on for the flight before we fly over the desert to see what we can find. I mounted him and turned to Nimla, my jaguars and said. "Okay guys we'll be back by tomorrow morning so try not to destroy the place while we're away!" They growled or cawed in response before I turned to Dune who was on the other side of Toothless and asked.
"Ready to go big guy?" He growled and nodded before getting ready to take off as I mounted Toothless. "You ready for this bud?"
He crooned in approval before I gave him a gentle nudge and we took off. As we flew up I looked down at the city of Alexandria as we flew over it as people went about their daily lives and I couldn't help but think how big this city is compared to Berk and how many more people there are compared to Berk. It's just that growing up in such a small village on an island in the middle of nowhere seeing a city like this is pretty much a big thing. I then looked ahead and saw the edge of the city, which was the beginning of the desert. Nothing but sand and desert plants for miles and I couldn't wait to explore it so without hesitation we took off to explore it.
Three hours later
We were now flying over the sand dunes and so far, we haven't seen that much besides sand, desert plants, the occasional camel, Dorcas gazelle, fennec fox, Egyptian hare, jackal, etc. I was thinking of maybe catching and training some of these animals to take home to help remind me of the desert but they won't be too trusting of me since most of them or rather skittish when it comes to humans so it won't be easy. It was then I saw something shine in the sands like something made of gold so I said to Toothless and Dune.
"Let's go down guys it looks like there's something down there."
We slowly descended and landed close to what was shining in the sands as Ikan landed on my shoulder. I walked up to it and found what looked to be a gold bracelet but I was a little uneasy about it since it could be booby trapped so just to be careful I took one of my swords off my back and pulled the bracelet up with it only to find it wrapped around the wrist of a skeleton. Once I got over the shock I had Dune help me dig up the remains since he was a dragon species known for digging in sands like this.
Half an hour later
After Dune dug up the first skeleton I had dig around the area and found there were seven other human skeletons around the first each wearing a gold bracelet with a gold scorpion on top! (AN: Think of the bracelet of the scorpion king from the mummy 2) Soon after the first skeleton was uncovered along with multiple weapons I got a good look at the bracelet and I came to realize that these men belonged to a group of bandits who called themselves the Scorpion Raiders. They were famous for pulling off big thefts to people who were traveling across the desert back in the times of the Pharaoh Tutankhamen but they disappeared and judging by the holes in their canteens that could only be made by either arrows or sharp blades they perished under the hot desert sun without water. I figured there was no use leaving the gold and weapons behind so I gathered up all the weapons and gold before placing them in Dunes saddle bag since Toothless was carrying most of our food and water before we took off again.
Four hours later
Since we found the remains of those raiders not that much has been seen except the plants and animals of the desert. It was then I saw something up ahead and it was big so I had Toothless and Dune fly towards it and much to my amazement I found out we are a lot farther out then I originally thought because I was looking at the sphinx and pyramids. I had seen drawings of them and heard tales but they are nothing compared to the real thing. I had Toothless and Dune land so we could get a better look at the size of the sphinx but when we landed a guard walked up to us asking me who I was and what my business was here. After a quick explanation and him explaining how Cleopatra had informed all the guards of the monuments a week ago about me he left us alone to study and admire the sphinx and pyramids. To say the architecture was amazing would be a major understatement since I couldn't figure out for the life of me how they were able to create such incredible monuments.
2 hours later
I had spent the last two hours studying and admiring these incredible pieces of architecture and to say I was impressed would be the biggest understatement ever made in the history of Midgard. I had also spent some time talking to the locals who live around the monuments and sell some things. They were more than happy to tell me all they knew about these incredible creations and one even offered to make me a hieroglyphic picture of me and the Sphinx but I turned him down knowing that it would be too heavy for my dragons to carry and besides I had already done some sketches and diagrams of them in my note book.
Now we were up in the sky again ready to explore more of this sandy wasteland of mystery. I was enjoying the sun on my face as I enjoyed the surprising beauty the desert landscape provided. It was then I noticed an Oasis which looked like a good place to rest up and refill our water. I had Toothless take us down before we landed right in front of the water under the shade of one of the trees. It felt good to get out of the sun and I knew my dragons felt the same way since they immediately went to the water and started drinking from the oasis. I rolled my eyes at them before taking my canteens and refilling them as I got a good look at this place. It was truly beautiful with the large lake in the middle surrounded by all sorts of beautiful green hydrated plant life. I think I know where I would be camping out for the night since this place had everything I could need for the evening. I laid back on the warm sand as the shade of a nearby tree fell over my face before Toothless and Dune stopped drinking and began growling at some bushes right before a group of six armed men stormed out each glaring at me. They all wore black robes that covered their faces and were armed with either sword, axes or daggers all pointed at me and from what I could tell they were ready to end me and my dragons before taking my belongings. I got up to see if I could perhaps negotiate with these men by saying in Egyptian.
"May I help you gentlemen?" They glared at me before one of them stepped forward and ordered.
"Hand over all your valuables and your pets and we will let you live!"
"That's not happening!"
I unsheathed my swords as the men charged at us. The one who spoke came right at me sword held high ready to take my life but I used the sword in my right hand to block it before cutting his leg with my other sword leaving him paralyzed before I tossed him over my shoulder and ducked under an axe that was swung at me by another bandit only for him to get hit in the side by a small ball of hardened sand launched by Dune. I turned to him and nodded in thanks before dodging another sword strike from a third bandit before cutting him as his back was turned away because of the swing. As he fell to the ground paralyzed a bandit with an axe charged at me before I grabbed him by the waist and threw him against a nearby tree and giving him a slice on the chest before he could get up. As I looked around for more bandits I heard a scream of pain behind me. I turned and found a bandit right behind me but Ikan was attacking his face. I knew this guy was about to attack me from behind only for Ikan to stop him by going for his face. While he was suffering at Ikans talons I cut his stomach paralyzing him. After he collapsed Ikan perched himself on my shoulder as I said.
"Thanks, Ikan."
Before I looked around and saw no more of the bandits since Toothless and Dune had taken care of the last two while I handled the others. Looking around I saw there to be no more bandits so I thought it best to take care of these men before the paralyses wore off or before they came to and they were able to cause me harm. Getting some rope out of Dunes saddlebag I tied all of the bandits to some of the trees before I took wrote a message to the guards which were at the sphinx about the bandits and request for them to be picked up. I had Ikan pick it up in his talons and said.
"Okay pal I need you to get this not to the guards and bring them back here to pick up the bandits! Can I trust you to do that?"
He cawed at me as if saying yes before taking off. It was then I heard some weird sound come from behind the bushes but I know I heard it somewhere before. I went past the bushes swords drawn when I saw six camels all tied to the trees with saddles and saddle bags on their back and bridles in their mouths. I figured these must be the bandits camels so there wasn't anything to worry about but might as well check what they got on them.
1 hour later
It has been an hour since Ikan left and I found the camels that were now lying by the trees after I took off their saddles and saddlebags. I have to say I was pretty impressed by what I found in their saddlebags. I found a couple of gold treasures, some turquoise scarabs, some water canteens, dried meat, some jeweled necklaces, jeweled bracelets, a jeweled necklace representing the Egyptian god Horus, a gold Ankh encrusted with precious jewels, some old scrolls and a map to what I assume is their hideout which I've got to remember to check out once Ikan gets back. It was then I heard a caw up in the sky and looked up to see Ikan coming in for a landing. Once he landed on my shoulder I asked.
"Did you get the guards pal?" He gave another caw as the bushes began rustling before a man dressed in a white guard's uniform holding a khopesh sword in one arm and a shield in the other. His eyes fell on me and said.
"Hiccup Haddock we got your message! Where are the bandits that attacked you?" I pointed to the men who were currently tied to the trees and he glared at them. "We've been after these bandits for months but they always able to disappear and leave no survivors!"
"What's going to happen to them?"
"They'll be put on trial before suffering whatever fate is decided for them! Do you know what they had on them from their robberies?" I showed him the things I found in their camels' saddlebags.
"This is what I found on them when I caught them." He nodded!
"Thank you Hiccup! We'll take this stuff and allow the queen to decide what to do with it as the bandits always left no survivors so the items are now ownerless." I nodded before I helped the captain gather the stuff up except the map and watched as his men gathered the bandits. "Is there anything else we should know Hiccup?" I looked at him before holding out the map.
"I believe this to be a map to their hideout since I found it on them. I'd like to investigate it myself before sending a message for help."
"I shall inform my superiors of this and will see you then!" I nodded before him and his men dragged the bandits away. Once they were gone I turned to my dragons and said.
"Well guys it looks like we're going for a little exploration." They growled or crooned before I mounted Toothless and we were off again.
Half an hour later
We arrived at a large mountain which the map has lead us to because somewhere in this mountain was the hideout of those bandits. We circled around the mountain and saw a couple of Nubian ibex hoping around the mountain side but not much else until my eyes landed on a small cave and once I saw it I told Toothless.
"Take us down near that cave bud! It might be the hideout we're looking for." He growled in understanding before he took us down. When we landed, I walked up to the cave and saw nothing but darkness so I turned to Toothless and said. "Do your thing bud!"
He did so and I saw that it was a big cavern but there was a torch lodged in the wall of the cavern probably left there by the bandits. I took out of the wall and had Toothless light it before we began our trek into the cave.
As we advanced further and further into the cave I noticed the cave walls began to stop looking like cave walls and more like the walls of a man-made building. I continued down what was now a hall. When we reached the end, I found a large room full of gold and jewels barrels but the thing that caught my attention was the sarcophagus laying against the back wall with a statue of the Egyptian god nubis and the god Horus watching over it which is when I realized this was the more than just the bandits hideout! It was a tomb it was then I realized that this place should be left alone and I know Cleopatra would agree with me so I turned to my dragons and Ikan who was resting on Dunes head and said.
"Come on guys let's get out of here!" They growled or cawed before turning around and going down the hall but as I reached the door I turned back and stared at the sarcophagus and said. "Rest in peace whoever you are!"
When I turned back around I felt a gentle breeze blow past me but I shook it off. Once we had gotten outside I had Toothless and Dune blat the top parts of the cave causing a cave in which sealed up the cave to the tomb to make sure nobody would ever disturb that final resting place ever again. After that we returned to the oasis for the remainder of the day since it sun was beginning to set. We set up a fire pit and got some of the food I brought out to enjoy for supper. After that my dragons curled up around me as Ikan rested in a tree.
4 hours later
I just woke up from a sound sleep because I was feeling rather thirsty so I got up carful not tow wake my dragons and slowly approached the oasis water. I kneeled down in front of the water and cupped my hands before bringing the to the water slowly scooping it up and drinking the water. I enjoyed the sensation as the cool water ran down my throat but as I was about to repeat the process I saw a small fog coming towards me from the water. I immediately looked up and much to my shock I saw an elderly man who was giving off the faintest glow. He had a beard braided and wrapped up like most Egyptian nobleman's beards, wearing glowing white noblemen clothes. To say I was freaked out would be an understatement as he seemed to float up to me as I fell back in fear before he kneeled down and took my left hand before placing something in it but I didn't look because I was focusing on what I believed to be a dead man's spirit smiling at me. Before he stood back up still giving me a gentle smile and whispered.
"Thank you!"
Before he floated away and disappeared into the mist before the mist disappeared with the man as well. To say I was freaked out would be an understatement of the year since I just had a close encounter with a spirit. I turned my attention to the item in my hand and saw a gold winged scarab necklace encrusted with precious stones which colors were dark blue, red and light green. It was then I realized that the spirit I just encountered was the cold breeze I felt in the tomb and he was thanking me for making sure nobody would ever bother him again. I was a little uneasy but I put the necklace away in the saddlebag and went back to bed figuring that this must be a dream and went back to sleep.
Morning
I woke up as the sun caressed my face as I let out a yawn and stretched out my arms. I looked around the oasis and couldn't help but smile at how the morning sun reflected off the water giving an incredible sparkle as if diamonds were floating in the gentle ripples of the water. I stood up and stretched out my muscles before I walked up to the water and kneeled down before splashing some into my face to fully shock myself awake. I smiled at the feeling of being awakened to the beauty of an oasis due to its natural beauty in a sea of sands. I then heard a small splash next to me so I turned and found Toothless and Dune getting a drink. I smiled at them and said.
"Morning guys!"
They looked at me and each gave a soft growl probably still waking up. I shrugged it off before going over to the saddlebags and pulled out some food to start on breakfast. After I had my fill of food I decided to refill the water canteens but then I saw something glimmering in the water. Curiosity got the better of me so I removed my armor and dived into the water before swimming towards the part of the water the item was before I took a deep breath and dived towards it. When I reached back I swam back in shock because I found it to be a solid gold ankh with a ruby that filled up the entire hole at the top (AN: Like the Ankh from Scooby doo in Where's my mummy)but it wasn't the item that shocked me it was the fact that there was a skeleton with plants growing on the bones holding it. Figuring I couldn't leave the ankh here to be lost forever I grabbed it and swam back to the surface as fast as I could to get away from that skeleton. When I surfaced, I swam back to shore and put my armor back on before I began to study the ankh. The ruby in the ankh had to be the biggest one I had ever seen in my life and I got plenty of them back home. There was no way that this was some nobleman's ankh since its value would be worth their entire treasury. I figured maybe Cleopatra would know who it belonged to so I put it in one of my bags.
2 hours later
I was now on Toothless up in the air and we were now on our way back to Alexandria. I have to say I was pretty pleased with my first trip into the desert. I found some long dead bandits, saw the sphinx and pyramids, beat some living bandits, found and sealed an ancient tomb, pretty sure I saw a spirit since when I did a final heck in my bags I found the necklace I was given and found a gold ankh with a ruby in it. It didn't take a genius to figure out that this was a good trip and I was hoping Cleopatra could clear things up for me on the ankh. It was then I saw Alexandria coming into view so I had Toothless go a little lower so we'd have an easier time landing. It wasn't long before I saw our house come into view so I said.
"Slow down guys we're almost there!"
They did so before we came to land in front of the stables. After I dismounted I was about to take off the saddlebags when I was jumped felt something rub up against my leg. I looked down and smiled seeing Maya and Ah Tabai rubbing up against my leg. I kneeled down and rubbed their heads in greeting before I continued to take off the saddlebags and placing them on their hooks on the wall after I emptied their contents which much to my shock included the scarab necklace I received from the spirit into a wagon I had in the stable except for the ankh which I put around my neck. I then moved all the other items into the basement. I put them all into my private study and closed the door locking it before returning upstairs. After that I grabbed my bag and put the ankh that was around my neck into it. After that I went out to the pool where Nimla was lounging in the hot sun. When she heard, me approaching she lifted her head up and looked at me before slithering up to me and nuzzling my chest in greetings. I smiled and rubbed her head in greeting before saying.
"Hey girl how you been?" She simply purred in reply as I smiled before she pulled away. "Well girl I've got to get to the palace to see Cleopatra so we'll have to play later okay?" She nodded before curling up by the pool and enjoying the sun. I smiled at her before I left the pool area and went back to the entrance hall on my way to the library to do some research on the ankh but stopped when I saw a couple of guards at my gate. I walked up to them as the one at the front said.
"Hiccup Haddock the queen wishes to speak with you immediately!"
"Did she say why?"
"It is not my business to question her majesty nor is it yours!" I simply nodded before they led me away to the palace.
When we arrived at the palace I was quickly lead to Cleopatras throne room where she was waiting for me on her throne with emerald encrusted jewels in her hair and a white silk gown on. She smiled at me and said.
"Hello Hiccup! I am pleased to see you back from your trip into the desert and from what I heard you had quite a busy trip. Finding the remains of the Scorpion Raiders and encountering those living bandits."
"It was quite an interesting trip and I did find something that I was hoping you could help me identify if you would give me the honor of this favor?"
"Hiccup you have done a great deal for me in your time here such as saving me and catching the leader of a group who wanted me dead and caught some bandits who have been causing my people trouble. You need only ask your favor." I smiled at her before I reached into my bag and grabbed the ankh.
"Well you see while at an Oasis I found a skeleton at the bottom of the water gripping this ankh and I'm hoping you could help identify which family it might belong to."
I then pulled the ankh out but the second she laid eyes on it she gasped before quickly walking to me and grabbed the ankh from my hand and examined it. She looked at it for three minutes much to my confusion before she looked up at me before grabbing my shoulder.
"Hiccup do you have any idea what you've found?" I just shook my head in confusion. "You have found the long lost ruby ankh. An ancient artifact that was said to have been a gift to the first pharaoh Narmer. It was stolen from him and thought to be lost for all eternity. Hiccup you have brought back an incredible artifact from the time of the original pharaoh. You have no idea how important this is to the history of my people. Whatever you want you may have it whether it be a mountain of gold, land, livestock, statues, portraits, books, any number of beautiful woman for servants or a monument made in your honor. All you have to do is name it and it shall be yours."
"It's alright I don't need anything in return!"
"You are such a humble person Hiccup Haddock but I insist! What is it you wish to have?" I looked down at the floor in thought before looking up at her.
"Honestly I can't think of anything I want because I'm pretty happy with my life!" She smiled at me.
"You are a truly humble and wonderful man Hiccup Haddock and know this should you ever need anything you only have to ask for it and it shall be yours but until then this will have to do!" I looked at her confused before she clapped her hands. "Cover him in gold!"
Then two men with large pots walked up to my sides and proceeded to pour gold coins on me and this continued like the first time she ordered me to be covered in gold for helping save her life. Once I was covered in gold it stopped as I shook my head to get the coins I chuckled.
"I'm beginning to think I should come to the palace more often!" She smiled at me before I gathered up my gold and went home after Cleopatra told me to come back to the palace that night for a celebration in my honor.
Nightfall at the palace
I was wearing my formal armor in a large ballroom full of nobles who were socializing with each other while being served by servants. The smell of expensive bath salts and whine filled the air as I leaned against the wall with a gold chalice full of wine rested in my hand. Many nobles had tried to get close to me and start up a conversation but I could easily tell they just wanted to get closer to the queen or her new general Asim through me since they knew Asim was my friend and the queen valued me after all I had accomplished. Some of the young Nobleman's daughters had come by and tried to get me to notice them and I assume their beauty and family's wealth since they were wearing silk gowns and a lot of jewelry. Some of them even offered to help me enjoy the night with our own private party as they moved their bodies in a way that would make me turn my attention to their more private parts. (AN: True fact back in ancient Egyptian times you single you could have a nice time with whoever you wanted.) I did my best to just ignore them and gently sip at my drink as I watched the people go by and enjoyed the music.
It wasn't long however before Henite walked out of the crowd and began walking towards me. I knew in this crowded room my chances of avoiding her were slim so I figured I might as well get it over with. As she approached me I took notice of what she was wearing which was an elegant white silk dress that hugged her curves with a long cut in the top showing a good amount of cleavage, a gold belt wrapped around her waist, a gold wesekh collar around her neck, ruby encrusted gold earrings, emerald and ruby encrusted jewelry in her hair and in her hand a gold cup not unlike the one I had in my hand. She smiled at me as she approached and said.
"Hello Hiccup and how are you enjoying the celebration?" I shrugged!
"I like it well enough but it's the complete opposite of what we have in my village. By this time chances are I'd be ducking as a chair flies over my head and a man falls unconscious at my feet." She looked at me in a mixture of confusion and shock.
"That's how your people celebrate?" I shook my head.
"No that's just how the parties turn out halfway through which is no surprise really. No surprise really since it's just common sense that if you put a bunch of big muscled Vikings with bad tempers in a big room with a ton of alcohol then it's only a matter of time before things get violent. Anyway is the any reason you came to me?"
"Well I wanted to thank you for helping catch those bandits in the desert and finding an ancient treasure of my people. You have truly done my people wonderful favors that truly deserve more than just this small party and some gold." I shrugged.
"Like I told the queen it was nothing and I'm pretty happy with what I've got and the party in my honor really wasn't necessary but I couldn't say no to the queen." I was hoping this would keep her at bay for now so she'd rejoin the party but unfortunately it was only answered with more requests for conversation in the form of her saying.
"I was also hoping you could tell me a bit about your trip into the desert." I took a sip of my wine.
"Not much to tell really! All I did was find some dead bandits, take in the scenery and wildlife, visited the pyramids and the sphinx, had a run in with the bandits, sealed up an old tomb they were using as a hideout and find an old relic in a skeletons hands!" She giggled at this.
"Oh please I'm sure it was more than that and when you get back to your home I'm betting your girlfriend will be thrilled at the money you've brought with you." I took a small sip of my wine.
"Don't have a girlfriend back in my village or anywhere to be exact."
"Oh really now? I figured a man like you would have had multiple lovers in the past."
"Just not interested in dating right now." She put her hand on my armors chest and looked into my eyes with a smile.
"Maybe you just haven't met the right girl yet." Before she began to lean in probably for a kiss as I began to lean back but it was at that moment Asim walked up and said.
"I hate to ruin the moment but some of the visiting guard captains from the other cities wish to see you Hiccup."
Henite pulled away before she looked down in both disappointment and annoyance before saying she'd see me later and merging back into the crowd. I turned to Asim and asked.
"Why do the guard captains want to see me?" He smiled.
"There are no visiting guard captains!"
"You are a life saver my friend." He chuckled before we began talking the night away.
Two weeks later
I was finishing putting my remaining supplies onto my ship for the long trip home to Berk. Nimla and Dune were in the den resting, as were my jaguars. Ikan was resting on the side of my ship while Toothless was helping me put things away as Scaulder got ready to pull the ship. On my ship were the statues, large pieces of basalt and schist rock from before but I had also loaded some other things like a few khopesh swords, fan axes, a board game that I enjoyed from time to time called 'dogs and jackals', along with the board game 'twenty spaces', the bracelets from the scorpion raiders, two Schakalslächeln, a few Egyptian shields, some gold wristbands, some ankhs, basalt book ends with small basalt cats encrusted with gold around the neck and ear, the seeds for the plants and flowers of Egypt, some architectural designs I got from some architects I befriended and some Egyptian materials so I had plenty to bring back home. I was on the dock in my sailing armor going over my list of things to do marking off make sure the alpacas and turkeys had enough food for the trip when the sound of horns filled the air. I turned towards the sound and found Cleopatra being carried on her litter with guards on either side of her, six female dancers in front with the men playing the horns on either side of the dancers and some men carrying some gold chests behind her. You can say what you want about Cleopatra but she knows how to make an entrance. I smiled at her as she left her litter and walked up to me and said.
"It's a shame you must leave so soon Hiccup." I gave an uneasy smile.
"Yeah but I have work to do back home and I will visit again."
"Well before you go I have some parting gifts to thank you for what you have done for my people." I knew it would be both rude and pointless to try and refuse the gift so I accepted them. I got a large chest full of gold Egyptian coins, a ceremonial dagger, a large stone tablet with my portrait carved into it like a hieroglyphic drawing of me, an Egyptian soldier uniform, a ceremonial jackal mask and the promise that I'd always be welcome in the city of Alexandria. After everything was loaded Cleopatra gave me a kiss on the cheek and said she hopes I'll come back soon before I boarded my ship and we were off.
Two weeks later
We just arrived home and boy was I glad to be back since as nice as the Mayans and Egyptian cities are there's no place like home. As soon as we docked and the gangplank went down I was pounced on by Snowflake who immediately began licking my face. I laughed and pushed her off saying.
"Easy there girl!"
Once she was off I saw the wolves had surrounded me as the pups crawled onto me happily. I gently pet them before getting up and greeting my dragons and monkeys while getting ready to move my new livestock into their new pen and coop that I had the sense to build before I left. It took some time to herd the alpacas into their new pen and help them settle down and even longer with the turkeys. Eventually I was able to calm them down so they'd settle into their new home and once that was done I was able to unload the treasures I brought back with me. I took all the gold coins, jewelry and ankhs into my vault, which I'm probably going to need to enlarge soon. I had taken the statues and put them on their own pedestals in the art gallery with the paintings and vases so it's a good thing I made some spare pedestals for just incase. Along with the statues went the ceremonial dagger and ceremonial jackal mask those were pieces of art in my eyes and of course my stone portrait also went into the art room after I carved a hole in the wall to fit it into. I had put the weapons away in the armory except for the Schakalslächeln, which went to the archery range. The large chunks basalt and schist rock went into storage after I gave Cole and Gnaw each some pieces to chew on. I placed the each of the board games in the library on one of the tables so I'd be able to play a game by myself when I felt like it. The bookends went on the shelf in my private room so I'd be able to enjoy some decoration in there and they did look good. The scrolls for architecture design I brought back went into the library that was really beginning to fill up. I had also brought all my suits of armor off the ship and put them back in their proper place along with my new Egyptian soldier armor. The new materials went into storage so I could make new clothes out of them or trade them to trader Johan for a fine price later. All in all I got some pretty good stuff on this trip and I wasn't even planning to visit Egypt for a few more months but I guess things happen. Sadly I now have to face a far greater challenge then any harsh storm, desert bandits, spirits from ancient tombs or girls who are too stubborn to leave me alone. I now had to face my village since I did promise them I'd visit from time to time and I promised I'd visit when I got back. The way I see it might as well get it over with soon so tomorrow I'll go to the village and face my past once again but I need to rest after such a long journey and catch up with my dragons and animals so for today I'll rest.
AN: Hey I hope you all enjoyed this new chapter because it's going to be the last one for a while since I'm going to be focusing some time on my other stories so please be patient and write kind reviews until next time.
