[center][h2][b][i]Chapter 3: Eye That Sees The Flow Of Life[/i][/b][/h2][/center]
[hider=Chapter 3 Synopsis]After delivering his address to the people of Thebes, Amen pays a visit to the necropolis under Iaret's behest. There, he and Nebet meet an assassin with a remarkable power. Meanwhile, Qar, Zamonth, and Satiah encounter the forty masked men.[/hider]

Sitting cross-legged and alone in a small corridor leading to a balcony overlooking the palace's main courtyard, Amen methodically breaths in and out while silently praying to Egypt's many gods. He often does so when he feels nervous, which is rare. However, public speaking isn't something he has much experience in nor is he comfortable with. But as the Pharaoh, he will be expected to address the citizens of his kingdom from time to time; it's best to get used to it now. He can hear the indistinct sea of voices emanating from outside. The people have waited long enough to meet their new Pharaoh. So, with all the courage he can muster, he stands up and walks out of the corridor and into the balcony. As he expected, his first sight is the massive crowd, probably numbering in the thousands and that's only the people that will fit into the equally massive palace courtyard.

Two servants standing near Amen blow their horns to quiet the crowd so that Amen may address the people. The silence is near immediate, catching Amen off guard a bit. But now is not the time to panic so Amen walks forward with scepter in hand. The Ankh scepter, which he received after he left the study, is part of Thutmose's royal arms collection which Amen has now inherited. [color=#FFD700]"Citizens of the city and kingdom of Thebes! My name is Amenhotep, son of the Pharaoh Thutmose, and your new Pharaoh! By the divine blessings of the god Amun and all the gods that watches over the vast lands of Egypt, I, Pharaoh Amenhotep, pledge to you all a just and honorable rule like my father before me and his father before him! For this is our empire of the sun, and I will ensure our sun burns brighter than ever before!"[/color] So far, they seem to be responding well to his speech. Amen continues and goes into detail about his vision for the kingdom, at least the one written by his Viziers.

The speech is masterfully crafted to simultaneously appease both the nobles and the common man. Fortunately, it manages to satiate those who are listening. By the end of the speech, the people in the courtyard responds will applause and cheer, wishing the Pharaoh a long and prosperous reign. Amen retreats back into the corridor and exhales a big sigh of relief. It's finally over. But he has no time for rest as he sees Iaret approaching him. After a short exchange, the two move to a more private area to speak. [color=#FFD700]"You want me to visit the necropolis?"[/color] Amen questions.

[color=#5BBAD6]"Yes, to pay your respects to the late Pharaoh Thutmose. It's only natural considering he is your father and, plus, it brings favor from the gods to pay tribute to the dead."[/color]

[color=#FFD700]"So his body has been entombed already..."[/color]

[color=#5BBAD6]"Well, no. His body has been delivered to its final resting place in the Valley of Kings. The tomb that is here in Thebes is merely a symbolic representation, but an important one. And as such, it is your duty to pay your respects to him. Please, Pharaoh Amen, come with me."[/color] Amen doesn't like the idea of paying his respect to Thutmose but he feels oddly compelled to listen to Iaret's wishes. She's sort of... frightening in a sense. He doesn't put any more thought into it and simply follows her around the palace. Some time later, they arrived at a temple: the same one Nebet works as a priestess for. As they enter, they see many priestesses going about their business; most are even dressed the same as Nebet. [color=#5BBAD6]"I've other matters to attend to but I'll leave you in the care of Vizier Nebet."[/color] On their way to Nebet, Amen decides to ask Iaret a personal question, one that a lady should never be asked.

[color=#FFD700]"Hey, Iaret, exactly how old are you? I mean, you're pretty young looking to have been Pharaoh Thutmose's wife."[/color]

[color=#5BBAD6]"Hmm? Pharaoh Amen, don't you know that is not a proper question to ask a lady?"[/color]

[color=#FFD700]"Uh, oh... Sorry..."[/color]

Iaret lightly chuckles. [color=#5BBAD6]"But to answer your inquiry, I am forty-five years old."[/color]

Huh? Did Amen hear that right? [color=#FFD700]"How many virgins did you sacrifice for your youthful looks?"[/color] Amen asks bluntly.

[color=#5BBAD6]"What was that?"[/color] Iaret asks, not hearing his response.

[color=#FFD700]"Uhh, never mind."[/color]

It doesn't take too much longer before the two of them find Nebet near a sacred altar of Anubis, god of the underworld who judges the souls of the dead. [color=#5BBAD6]"Vizier Nebet. Sorry to interrupt your evening but I've another task for you. As you know, the necropolis that lies underneath the temple is essentially a giant maze. One who hasn't spent years learning of its intricacies would surely become lost. Pharaoh Amen must pay his respects to the late Pharaoh Thutmose so I'll need you to guide him to the ceremonial tomb and back. My apologies for not giving advanced notice, but tomorrow has become an unexpectedly busy day for the Pharaoh when he addresses the council of palace officials. And as this is a matter of the utmost spiritual importance, it can't be delayed for too long. So, with that, I'll leave you two to it."[/color] Iaret leaves immediately after. She seems to be in a hurry somewhere. Well, she seems to always be in a hurry somewhere.

[color=#FFD700]"Sorry about all of this. Rest assured, I won't be taking too much of your time."[/color] Amen tells Nebet. After all, he really has no intention of properly paying his respects to Thutmose.