[center][h2][b][i][color=00aeef]Qar[/color][/i][/b][/h2][/center]

Just as Qar was beginning to feel he had made a meaningful, useful contribution to the assembly and perhaps even made a good impression, the last Vizier to speak laughed down his efforts and attitude.  He flushed, the feelings of inadequacy he had been keeping at bay rising to the fore as, with a casual attitude that bordered on disrespectful, she cast away his idea and then introduced herself to the young Pharaoh with a confidence he could only envy.  When he was acting in his capacity as a physician, Qar would order anyone regardless of rank to obey his wishes, the patient came first; in this situation where he felt out of place and keenly aware of his inexperience in the subtle matters of court life he fell back on the formality he had learned in his first days at the temple nearly a decade ago.

Thankfully, the Priestess came somewhat to his rescue although she also skillfully pointed out the flaws in his proposal.  Her attitude, although not what one would describe as warm, was not insulting and Qar made up his mind to learn from the Priestess' apparent understanding of the court.  While it was not his priority to be skillful in the matters of court life he refused to become a liability to the Pharaoh and end up being sent back to the Temple with nothing but failure and shame to give to the Head Priest whom had placed so much faith in him.

The Pharaoh himself spoke now.  Qar could feel the youth in his speech; there was confidence in how he spoke and he seemed ready to accept the authority of his newfound position even if he had yet to come to terms with the responsibility.  That in itself gave the physician hope, the rest was something that could be taught while belief in oneself was something that one either had or did not have and could not be learned.  Aperel then set about making himself the least liked of the Viziers and earning the only true rebuke from the Pharaoh and Qar smiled for the first time, although he quickly restrained himself; the young man appeared to be one of some virtue and that encouraged Qar.

They moved into another room and Iaret instructed them in their task before departing.  Qar watched the young woman go, frowning at the manner in which she led them.  It was to be expected that they, all new to the role except for perhaps Aperel, would need some guidance but he found the way in which she deftly managed Amen, Qar had resolved to use the Pharaoh's name as per his wishes, to be troubling.  He could not pin down why but in the end decided it must have been due to his own feelings of ineptitude.  After all, there were much easier ways to manipulate or discredit a new ruler without exposing oneself in such a manner.

Standing, Qar began to speak. [color=00aeef]"If I may, Aperel, the 'finest of speeches' as you have put it, although I am sure you were merely being positive; will be of no use and will ring hollow.  Amen is young and the people will expect exuberance and energy, not well crafted and poetic prose."[/color] Qar, surprising himself somewhat, spoke first.  Perhaps he had been put at ease by Amen's relaxed attitude; at the very least he had not completely embarrassed himself thus far so his worst fears had passed.  [color=00aeef]"Where possible we should allow the speech to reflect Amen's own speech so that he can deliver it truly.  Even the most unintelligent can tell when one is being false."[/color]

He felt that perhaps he was speaking too much but now that he had begun to express his thoughts he found it hard to stop.  After all, pulling up short in the middle of his input would only bring attention to how uncomfortable he felt.  Thus, he forged on. [color=00aeef]"We can adjust the words to reflect the position of a Pharaoh but I believe the basis, the content, should be our focus.  Without casting doubt on the previous Pharaoh's reign I believe that we should put forward how Amen's reign will improve the lot of the people while promising some continuity.  People are generally afraid of change so I believe, for now, we should avoid any dramatic proposals but focus on items such as tackling the banditry in outlying regions.  I am not as skilled in the matters of court and the political currents than run within it nor am I particularly aware of the kingdom's military and security status,"[/color] he glanced towards Nebet and Satiah in turn in acknowledgement, [color=00aeef]"however I spent a great deal of time travelling in recent years and worked in a lot of healing houses.  I hope that what I've heard and learned from those I have encountered, their concerns and their hopes, may be something that we can weave into this speech.  If the people have hope then relative stability will follow."[/color]

Feeling that he had had more than his say, Qar sat down to signal that he had finished.  They had five hours which was far less time than he thought reasonable and wondered why the Viziers had not been given a chance to discuss this speech ahead of time.  Surely having a finished script to propose to the Pharaoh would have allowed more time?  He shook his head, feeling paranoid after the many tales he had read in histories of previous Pharaoh's and their courts that all focused on intrigue.  Clearing his mind he focused on the matter at hand, their time was short and such thoughts could be properly explored later when less pressing matters had been resolved.