Qar watched as Amen flouted his magic openly, absorbed in its use and the power it gave him. That feeling of ascending to another level, feeling the benevolence of the gods shining upon you, was one Qar could relate to. While he rarely used his magic, perhaps because his nature demanded restraint or because Thoth was not a god who rewarded excess use of his patronage, he could well remember the first time he had felt that power moving through him.
Unfortunately, now that he had stepped into the ring, Qar could not merely stand and watch. Two thugs, seeing Amen's magic, sheered off towards Qar while the remaining man challenge the young Pharaoh directly. It was tempting, in this situation, to use his own magic; a simple matter of removing himself from the sight of the thugs and disabling them with well-aimed blows would be child's play. However, Qar restrained himself and instead stepped back quickly to give himself more room to manoeuvre. Assuming that Amen's reign continued, there would be times when Qar would have to defend the Pharaoh from skilled assailants or perhaps use his magic to aid an escape. No one knew who Amen was but there would be those who might recognise him, especially those already watching him, and his greatest weapon would be the secrecy of his magic.
The first thug moved forwards, confident but more wary than the first man who Qar had felled easily. They had seen his movements and knew that they were facing someone at least able to fight a brawl and held their cudgels ready, simple but brutal weapons that could easily shatter a bone when applied properly. Qar shifted his stance to face the man, aware that the other was circling around into his blind spot. When both were in position they charged and the physician, waiting for that moment, moved swiftly. Lighter on his feet and fitter than either thug, he stepped back and twisted to the side, narrowly avoiding a blow from behind. He jabbed the man in his side, making him falter, reflexively twisting away from the blow and exposing his neck. One more blow and the man went down but the remaining thug was already upon Qar.
Swinging the cudgel down in what would be a crushing blow, the thug hoped to catch Qar off guard. Instead the physician stepped out of the way and then twisted his torso when the follow through blow, an awkwardly thrown punch while off-balance, came. He allowed it roll across his torso and shoulder, glancing away with the force spent before ramming a fist into the thug's solar-plexus. As the man gasped for breath and folded over, Qar delivered the final blow to the side of the man's head behind the ear.
By now the Guard had arrived and Amen was busying himself freeing the slaves. It appeared Qar had taken too long; he had planned to take the slaves into his own ownership as recompense for the slavers' assault and then freed them quietly when attention had moved on. While he was not completely opposed to slavery, a certain institutionalised notion ingrained him, it was clear that these particular slaves were people from the Kingdom or nearby and had been forced into their situation rather than sold or captured from foreign lands.
"Stand down, this matter is settled." Qar carefully flexed his shoulder, making sure the blow that glanced off of it would not cause any issues but he doubted it had had enough force to even bruise the skin. He shrugged his upper robe on properly and readjusted his sash as he spoke the leader of the Guard troop, calm in his manner as if the battle had been no trouble. In truth, it had not but the appearance of strength would at least make the spread of rumours positive.
"These slavers were criminals I encountered in the north of the Kingdom. Why they were allowed into the city can wait until another day," he had no idea, of course, of the slavers' identity but putting the Guard on the back foot would make them much easier to manipulate,
"for now, lock them up but no one is to speak to them until I have. Am I clear?" Confidence and authority was something that Qar had learned to feign, it was not something that came naturally to him, from his travels; people were more likely to listen to and believe someone who seemed to believe what they were saying and assumed their orders would be carried out.
There was a minor trouble with the slaves being allowed free but a signal from Qar and they were let free into the city. Sadly, Qar fully expected to see many back in chains, starving or dead within a week but there was only so much they could do now. He supposed one of the things he would have to educate Amen in would be thinking through his actions to completion, perhaps Qar's mild mannered and deliberate approach to all things was why he had been chosen. Soon, he would have to stop trying to work out why he had been chosen, he decided.
"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." There was a new purpose in Amen's eyes. Up until now there had been a nervousness brought about by a lack of direction, the young Pharaoh eager to escape the trappings of his power. Now he could see something he could do with it, a reason to become Pharaoh. He did not ask, Amen would tell them in time he was sure.
"Of course, Amen. Let us go."There was tension in the study. Qar noted how Priestess Nebet had been standing by Satiah's chair before noting their arrival. Whatever had been said before they arrived, he suspected it had been a good thing to have interrupted but there would certainly be more conflict between the two in time. During their journey back to the palace, Qar's presence letting them in easily where the guards did not yet recognise Amen, he had tried to consider his position. No longer was he concerned with
why he had been chosen. He was there now and he felt it more important to work out what role he should perform and had come to the conclusion that he should become a bridge, a moderating influence who attempted to opposite sides to an agreement while maintaining balance as Thoth would attempt.
That started with healing a divide he himself had created.
"Vizier Aperel," Qar spoke as Amen continued around to his position,
"I owe you an apology. I was frustrated and unjustly spoke grievous words against you, despite your experience gained through years of service. I hope you will forgive my rashness and allow me to learn from you in the years ahead." He bowed, not expecting to learn anything from the old Vizier whom he suspected of being placed to create divides. Instead, Qar was thinking of how best to limit the old man's influence by pandering to his ego.
First, however, Amen spoke. It was an honest speech, not eloquent and the lack of authority in his words made Qar grateful for the lack of slaves or other officials in the study; it would not do for the Pharaoh to appear weak. His conviction now, though, was stronger and he was prepared to work with them even if it meant changing his ways although he recognised his own shortfalls in accepting guidance and that, at least, was a hopeful sign.
Astute as ever, the Priestess picked up in Amen's change in attitude which had Qar thinking rapidly how to intervene. He intended to inform them all of the events in the city but not in the presence of the Pharaoh, the inevitable recriminations might serve only to reverse Amen's newfound purpose.
"The Pharaoh spent his time amongst the people and learned of their plight. I watched him speak to some stallholders and has found that there are things he can do that, perhaps, he had not thought of before." He glanced at Amen, hoping that the young man would pick up on why Qar was avoiding the full story. Rather than allow further questions, he forged on with a proposal.
"As I searched for the Pharaoh I considered our progress up until this point... or lack thereof. Each of us in this room," he gestured to the Viziers present,
"have a particular area of expertise. Our different experiences are causing us to clash because we are trying to weigh them up against one another. Instead, would it not be better to focus upon pieces in which we have the most experience?"Qar was gesturing now, pointing at the Viziers in turn as he spoke.
"Priestess Nebet is the wisest of us when it comes to the matters of the nobility and keeping balance in the court, in matters of law and theology. Satiah is the most experienced warrior amongst us with knowledge of what the ordinary people care about. My experience is... mixed but I believe the most I can contribute is experienced from the frontiers of the Kingdom to which I have travelled, where the Pharaoh's reign is weakest and where we will need loyalty amongst his officials most." Qar gestured towards Amen now, less directly in respect of the man's station but after their brief battle he felt a little less nervous around the young man.
"Pharaoh Amen cannot convey words he does not understand the purpose of and so must at least know the reasoning and aim of what we craft for him for the speech to be successful. And finally, Vizier Aperel is our Master Scribe able to forge our differing views, hopes and goals into one coherent speech for the Pharaoh to deliver to all in the realm, both noble and poor." Qar moved to sit but thought better of it and instead remained standing, not wishing to give up the floor. If they were to come to any kind of agreement then they would need a moderating influence, an arbiter, and it certainly should not be up to the Pharaoh to rein in his Viziers.
