Dezuel@Acid Hippie Glad you didn't disappeared on us. How are you feeling? And do you need a summary of what's happened or are you already caught up with the posts?
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Amen fully expected to handle the slavers alone, not as if such a scenario would even remotely present a challenge for the young pharaoh. Slavers typically deal with resistance from slaves: those who are normally weak and malnourished. As a result, slavers fare as well in a fight as any able-bodied man. While Amen is still only a teenager, he has the benefit of combat experience and, most importantly, magic. Years of studying the mystic arts have granted Amen a weapon arguably better than any bare fist or sword. And his alignment with the god, Amun, has gifted him with control of the winds.
His assumption that he would be fighting alone, however, was quickly dismissed when, surprisingly, Qar joins the fray. Yes, the physician and vizier himself. Well, it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise considering what Iaret had told the Pharaoh before: viziers also act as the pharaoh's personal guards. It'd only make sense that Qar would know how to handle himself in a brawl, if only a little. The slaver could do little as Qar evades his feeble charge and delivers a swift and pinpoint strike to the back of the man's skull, rendering him unconscious as he falls face first into the dirt ground. Qar then appeals to Amen, asking him to refrain from maiming or killing the slavers and to allow him to handle the guards when they eventually come running.
"I had no intention of killing anybody. Maybe just a couple of bruised ribs; a broken arm or two. But I guess I'll have to settle with knocking them out." Amen proclaims.
He sets his sights on a slaver running towards him with a crude bludgeon drawn and extends his hand. Wind gathers to his palm as he calls out, "Amun's Breath," and unleashes a forward gust of wind. It's powerful enough to sweep the slaver off of his feet and send him flying backwards into one of his colleagues, taking both of them out of the match. The crowd looks on with a mixture of fear and excitement. The merchant girl from earlier nearly drops her jaw onto the floor as she watches Amen utilizing his magic. Two of the slavers surround Qar, hoping that two against one would produce a better result for them. They must've figured Qar to be the easier target due to a lack of magic shown by the physician. The last of the slavers is pitted against Amen, most likely to act as a mere distraction so the other two could take out Qar.
He did see what Amen can do with his magic, right? Even as a distraction, the slaver shouldn't last more than mere seconds. Oh, but this one is faster than the others. Not that it makes much of a difference but Amen is amused. He decides not to waste any magic on this last guy. With sword in hand, he brings it down in a vertical slash towards Amen who, with essence-infused hands, catches the sword between his palms. The sword-wielding slaver has a look of shock and horror on his face after seeing such a thing from the young pharaoh. Amen, using essence to soften the blade, breaks the sword in two and tosses the half he's holding aside. He then delivers a hard right to his opponent, knocking him out. While Amen would favor nothing more than to personally handle the last two slavers, he decides to let Qar end it himself.
In the aftermath of the battle, the guards finally arrive to restore order to things. Most of the guards turn their attention to the vendors, merchants, and shoppers, telling them to clear the area while two of the guards approach Qar who they recognize as one of the appointed viziers to the new pharaoh. While Qar deals with them, Amen approaches the slaves cowering in chains. "You won't be anyone's property anymore." Amen tells them as he breaks their chains with wind magic. He then removes more of his jewelry and hands it to the slaves. "Here. Make new lives for yourselves. Hopefully in better kingdoms than this one." The slaves thank Amen and make an attempt to leave, only to be stopped by guards. "Stand aside. If you refuse, you'll be going against Vizier Qar's orders." After Qar confirms Amen's words, the guards have no choice but to let the slaves go free.
As to the business of the unconscious slavers, Qar can do as he pleases with them. Imprison them, let them go, it doesn't matter to Amen now. All that's important is that the ex-slaves are gone now, safe from this wretched lot. When all is said and done, Amen walks up to Qar and thanks him for his assistance. "I think... I think I know what it is that I wish to do now. We should return to the palace. I'm sure we've kept the others waiting for long enough." Amen tells Qar.
Satiah's words regarding how the speech should be approached did little to convince the stubborn old vizier that is Aperel. It certainly didn't help that her comment calling him "Vizier Apple" and an "asshole" still rings soundly in his mind. Her stance is still that of a speech that would reflect Amen and who he is as a person, backing her ideal with the claim that those who wish to ally themselves with Amen will do so and those who oppose can be disposed, whether through means of force or other methods. How ridiculous, not to mention naive. Everything a pharaoh says or do must be backed by power. Being oneself is ultimately useless if it ends up causing trouble at the start. At this stage of Amen's reign, all he should think about is amassing power and support from the powerful. When he ultimately establishes a firm hold on the throne, that is when he can become more true to himself.
But Aperel, uncharacteristically, remains quiet. He wants to see how the priestess will react. Can she be considered an ally or not? This would be so much easier if he, alone, is Pharaoh Amenhotep's sole vizier. Not long later, Amen and Qar finally return to the study. By now, they would have two and a half hours left until the speech is due. "Pharaoh Amenhotep, words fail to describe how worried I was regarding your absence. I pray everything is alright?" Aperel immediately starts kissing Amen's ass for the umpteenth time.
Amen ignores Aperel's "concerns" and decides to address everyone in the room. "Sorry for running off. Truth be told, I had no intention of becoming Pharaoh really. Perhaps it was curiosity or maybe it was the lure of riches that got me here in the first place, but, despite it all, I still wanted to leave this place behind. However, I think I understand it a bit better now. I think there might be another reason why I accepted this responsibility. Maybe my reign will be short. Maybe not everything you'll say will get through to me. But... I think I want to try. Not for my sake, but for this kingdom. So," Amen bows to everyone, "please help me become a great Pharaoh!" Amen turns his face up to look at everyone. Alas, there is conviction in his eyes.
His assumption that he would be fighting alone, however, was quickly dismissed when, surprisingly, Qar joins the fray. Yes, the physician and vizier himself. Well, it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise considering what Iaret had told the Pharaoh before: viziers also act as the pharaoh's personal guards. It'd only make sense that Qar would know how to handle himself in a brawl, if only a little. The slaver could do little as Qar evades his feeble charge and delivers a swift and pinpoint strike to the back of the man's skull, rendering him unconscious as he falls face first into the dirt ground. Qar then appeals to Amen, asking him to refrain from maiming or killing the slavers and to allow him to handle the guards when they eventually come running.
"I had no intention of killing anybody. Maybe just a couple of bruised ribs; a broken arm or two. But I guess I'll have to settle with knocking them out." Amen proclaims.
He sets his sights on a slaver running towards him with a crude bludgeon drawn and extends his hand. Wind gathers to his palm as he calls out, "Amun's Breath," and unleashes a forward gust of wind. It's powerful enough to sweep the slaver off of his feet and send him flying backwards into one of his colleagues, taking both of them out of the match. The crowd looks on with a mixture of fear and excitement. The merchant girl from earlier nearly drops her jaw onto the floor as she watches Amen utilizing his magic. Two of the slavers surround Qar, hoping that two against one would produce a better result for them. They must've figured Qar to be the easier target due to a lack of magic shown by the physician. The last of the slavers is pitted against Amen, most likely to act as a mere distraction so the other two could take out Qar.
He did see what Amen can do with his magic, right? Even as a distraction, the slaver shouldn't last more than mere seconds. Oh, but this one is faster than the others. Not that it makes much of a difference but Amen is amused. He decides not to waste any magic on this last guy. With sword in hand, he brings it down in a vertical slash towards Amen who, with essence-infused hands, catches the sword between his palms. The sword-wielding slaver has a look of shock and horror on his face after seeing such a thing from the young pharaoh. Amen, using essence to soften the blade, breaks the sword in two and tosses the half he's holding aside. He then delivers a hard right to his opponent, knocking him out. While Amen would favor nothing more than to personally handle the last two slavers, he decides to let Qar end it himself.
In the aftermath of the battle, the guards finally arrive to restore order to things. Most of the guards turn their attention to the vendors, merchants, and shoppers, telling them to clear the area while two of the guards approach Qar who they recognize as one of the appointed viziers to the new pharaoh. While Qar deals with them, Amen approaches the slaves cowering in chains. "You won't be anyone's property anymore." Amen tells them as he breaks their chains with wind magic. He then removes more of his jewelry and hands it to the slaves. "Here. Make new lives for yourselves. Hopefully in better kingdoms than this one." The slaves thank Amen and make an attempt to leave, only to be stopped by guards. "Stand aside. If you refuse, you'll be going against Vizier Qar's orders." After Qar confirms Amen's words, the guards have no choice but to let the slaves go free.
As to the business of the unconscious slavers, Qar can do as he pleases with them. Imprison them, let them go, it doesn't matter to Amen now. All that's important is that the ex-slaves are gone now, safe from this wretched lot. When all is said and done, Amen walks up to Qar and thanks him for his assistance. "I think... I think I know what it is that I wish to do now. We should return to the palace. I'm sure we've kept the others waiting for long enough." Amen tells Qar.
Satiah's words regarding how the speech should be approached did little to convince the stubborn old vizier that is Aperel. It certainly didn't help that her comment calling him "Vizier Apple" and an "asshole" still rings soundly in his mind. Her stance is still that of a speech that would reflect Amen and who he is as a person, backing her ideal with the claim that those who wish to ally themselves with Amen will do so and those who oppose can be disposed, whether through means of force or other methods. How ridiculous, not to mention naive. Everything a pharaoh says or do must be backed by power. Being oneself is ultimately useless if it ends up causing trouble at the start. At this stage of Amen's reign, all he should think about is amassing power and support from the powerful. When he ultimately establishes a firm hold on the throne, that is when he can become more true to himself.
But Aperel, uncharacteristically, remains quiet. He wants to see how the priestess will react. Can she be considered an ally or not? This would be so much easier if he, alone, is Pharaoh Amenhotep's sole vizier. Not long later, Amen and Qar finally return to the study. By now, they would have two and a half hours left until the speech is due. "Pharaoh Amenhotep, words fail to describe how worried I was regarding your absence. I pray everything is alright?" Aperel immediately starts kissing Amen's ass for the umpteenth time.
Amen ignores Aperel's "concerns" and decides to address everyone in the room. "Sorry for running off. Truth be told, I had no intention of becoming Pharaoh really. Perhaps it was curiosity or maybe it was the lure of riches that got me here in the first place, but, despite it all, I still wanted to leave this place behind. However, I think I understand it a bit better now. I think there might be another reason why I accepted this responsibility. Maybe my reign will be short. Maybe not everything you'll say will get through to me. But... I think I want to try. Not for my sake, but for this kingdom. So," Amen bows to everyone, "please help me become a great Pharaoh!" Amen turns his face up to look at everyone. Alas, there is conviction in his eyes.
I'm going to wait for @Grey to post first before I do. Wrapping up the first chapter soon.
@Rune_Alchemist I had a feeling that would be the case.
Infuriating. Simply infuriating. Who does that physician think he's mouthing off at? Aperel sits there, quietly simmering in his own anger. He has been working for the royal court since the days of Thutmose's father. To be told off by someone so green to it all; to be told that he hasn't been contributing. Surely, there must be a problem with his ears. This is the problem with electing young viziers. They think their way is correct. It's not. Aperel knows his way is. After all, his experiences far outweigh theirs. A weak pharaoh is what they desire. Someone who unabashedly caters to the populace of farmers and servants. The only way to secure the throne is to ally oneself with the nobles and those with power.
Aperel looks up at Nebet and Zamonth. "Surely, you two must understand... We must secure the interests of the nobility and those with power with this address lest we face a possible coup. Sure, we'll make a mention or two about improving this or that for the majority populace but they are of little consequence in the face of bigger fish. And while Satiah's words ring true somewhat, she doesn't understand the bigger picture either. Power trumps all ideals. We must make the Pharaoh a powerful man. Do you want to secure the throne for Pharaoh Amenhotep or don't you?" He mostly directed his little speech towards Nebet. He couldn't care less about Zamonth's place here. From what he can gather, he's simply here to train the pharaoh in matters of combat, not to whisper political advice into his ears. Truth be told, he rather not have to appeal to the priestess either. Fact of the matter is, he, alone, should be the only voice the pharaoh needs to heed. After all, he is much more reasonable than the rest of them...
Back on the streets of Thebes, Amen has a run in with a face he doesn't entirely wish to see at the moment: his vizier, Qar. How annoying. Amen doesn't want to think about any of that pharaoh business right now. Qar, calling him "Master Amen" for the sake of keeping his identity hidden, tells him that it is about time for them to return to the palace. He then asks him if he's found something he wishes to do to help the people of Thebes. "Something I wish to do? Tch, I'm guessing leaving this place isn't an option?" Amen walks forward, passing Qar before stopping. "This... isn't for me. I didn't want to say it. I didn't even want to believe it myself but... I've realized that I'm not fit for all of this. Regardless of what Thutmose wanted, I just can't."
"C'mon, move it!" A rough masculine voice draws the attention of Amen. He looks forward and sees a man whipping a group of slaves: men, women, and children. Standing beside the man is five other men, similarly dressed. They must all belong to a slave company. "You useless pieces of shit! Stop crying and move your asses!" The man raises his whip again and prepares to strike the slaves. Suddenly, a white blade comes flying at the man and cuts his whip in two, rendering it useless. "What the-" The slavers look towards the direction of the projectile and sees Amen and Qar.
"This city still tolerates the use of slaves...? If I leave here with nothing else, at least I'll leave these slavers with broken bones!"
"I-Is that kid a Magician? Don't wait around for him to use his magic, beat his ass!" The slavers rush towards Amen.
"Qar, don't you dare say anything about who I am. I don't want anything stopping me from beating these slavers down." Amen proclaims. He seems entirely serious about this...
Aperel looks up at Nebet and Zamonth. "Surely, you two must understand... We must secure the interests of the nobility and those with power with this address lest we face a possible coup. Sure, we'll make a mention or two about improving this or that for the majority populace but they are of little consequence in the face of bigger fish. And while Satiah's words ring true somewhat, she doesn't understand the bigger picture either. Power trumps all ideals. We must make the Pharaoh a powerful man. Do you want to secure the throne for Pharaoh Amenhotep or don't you?" He mostly directed his little speech towards Nebet. He couldn't care less about Zamonth's place here. From what he can gather, he's simply here to train the pharaoh in matters of combat, not to whisper political advice into his ears. Truth be told, he rather not have to appeal to the priestess either. Fact of the matter is, he, alone, should be the only voice the pharaoh needs to heed. After all, he is much more reasonable than the rest of them...
Back on the streets of Thebes, Amen has a run in with a face he doesn't entirely wish to see at the moment: his vizier, Qar. How annoying. Amen doesn't want to think about any of that pharaoh business right now. Qar, calling him "Master Amen" for the sake of keeping his identity hidden, tells him that it is about time for them to return to the palace. He then asks him if he's found something he wishes to do to help the people of Thebes. "Something I wish to do? Tch, I'm guessing leaving this place isn't an option?" Amen walks forward, passing Qar before stopping. "This... isn't for me. I didn't want to say it. I didn't even want to believe it myself but... I've realized that I'm not fit for all of this. Regardless of what Thutmose wanted, I just can't."
"C'mon, move it!" A rough masculine voice draws the attention of Amen. He looks forward and sees a man whipping a group of slaves: men, women, and children. Standing beside the man is five other men, similarly dressed. They must all belong to a slave company. "You useless pieces of shit! Stop crying and move your asses!" The man raises his whip again and prepares to strike the slaves. Suddenly, a white blade comes flying at the man and cuts his whip in two, rendering it useless. "What the-" The slavers look towards the direction of the projectile and sees Amen and Qar.
"This city still tolerates the use of slaves...? If I leave here with nothing else, at least I'll leave these slavers with broken bones!"
"I-Is that kid a Magician? Don't wait around for him to use his magic, beat his ass!" The slavers rush towards Amen.
"Qar, don't you dare say anything about who I am. I don't want anything stopping me from beating these slavers down." Amen proclaims. He seems entirely serious about this...
@Rune_Alchemist Noted about your post.
@Jinxer He's not just a roguishly handsome physician? Damn, getting rid of him might be tougher than I thought.
@Grey Exactly as planned. As for Aperel, he's got nice legs.
@Jinxer He's not just a roguishly handsome physician? Damn, getting rid of him might be tougher than I thought.
@Grey Exactly as planned. As for Aperel, he's got nice legs.
@Jinxer How do you know I'm not being sarcastic too? I'm actually planning for Qar to die. That way, Amen can start his harem.
@Rune_Alchemist @Grey Is hoping that Nebet and Satiah will see past their differences and write a speech while dissing Vizier Apple too much to ask for?
@Jinxer I'm serious about them being really weak. Qar knows enough self defense to not have any issues.
@Jinxer I'm serious about them being really weak. Qar knows enough self defense to not have any issues.
Nebet saves the day with her speech making powers?!
The fight will be quick anyways. Some trash mobs.
EDIT: @Jinxer Qar will be fine. Level 1 bandits.
The fight will be quick anyways. Some trash mobs.
EDIT: @Jinxer Qar will be fine. Level 1 bandits.
A fight is about to happen so everybody may want to head to where Amen and Qar is at.
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