It was late in the night, the feast had co to an end. Rod Drick was tired and took rest in a courtyard behind the shrine. Shrines consisted of more than just a temple. Stretching over a square mile, the Shrine of Cape made up the largest group of buildings in the city. Behind the grand temple, there were many courtyards and gardens created for the clergyns use and pleasure.
Lord Urhiya, in contrast, was energetic. After the feast, he summoned several people one by one, including the senior priest who had read the ssage in the staff, Judah Fayol, Abham Ramose and Hillah Ramose.
It was an honor to be summoned to a private eting with Lord Urhiya. The purpose of these etings was kept secret, but everyone summoned knew that it had sothing to do with Amon. Urhiya first spoke with the senior priest, then asked Judah Fayol about everything Amon had said and done when reporting to Rod Drick, and particularly about what he had claid to have seen in the cave. Urhiya carefully compared this report to what Amon had personally told him, in the hope of finding a contradiction in his statents. Any discrepancy had to be studied closely, for it could an that the young man had been hiding sothing important.
Fayol vaguely sensed the high priests attitude towards Amon and took the opportunity to add his own feelings, Dear master, I can tell that theres sothing fishy with that foreigner. He stayed several days in a hotel before he returned the staff to Lord Drick. He was clearly waiting for a big ceremony so that he could return the staff in public. A cunning rogue! I suspect that he was hiding sothing from us. His story about the cave might not be the whole truth!
Urhiya muttered impassively, You think that he should be investigated thoroughly? He is not Ejyptian. If hes hiding sothing which could harm the Empire if he spreads it to the other countries, it could spell trouble for us.
Fayol had been waiting to hear this, thus he continued fawningly, The best solution is to capture him and open his mouth, or even make sure that his mouth is shut forever. But it cant be done publicly, or else Lord Dricks reputation will be damaged.
Urhiya threw a glance at Fayol and moved to another topic,
I heard that so of the Ramoses hold resentnt towards Amon. Is it true?
Fayol nodded, It is true, dear Master. Lord Abham and Hillah once suggested that the Great Lord should arrest Amon and interrogate him. But they were reproached by the Great Lord!
Urhiya laughed, Lord Drick is a wise man. Such a foolish suggestion should naturally be rebuked. The ruler of the sepat cant let his reputation be tainted by inappropriate behavior. As the governor of Cape, his prestige should be carefully maintained You may leave now. Tell Abham and Hillah to co here. Also, I will be staying in the sepat for a long ti. Can I depend on you?
It would be my greatest honor, dear Master.
Urhiya summoned the two Ramoses in the next few hours. They had a long, casual conversation. The high priest expressed his sympathy for the loss of their old patriarch and his congratulations for the retrieval of their family treasure after three decades. The talk turned to what had happened earlier in the day, and of course to the foreign young man, who had left the shrine imdiately after he received his reward.
The Ramoses had obviously drunk a little too much during the feast. Once the topic turned to the foreign young man, they beca agitated. They thought that Amon only ca to Ejypt because he couldnt open the ring by himself and couldnt find a supre mage in his hotown. Nero must have left sothing more important in the cave, and the deceitful foreigner was lying about it! They said that they had tried to persuade the Great Lord to arrest the young man and carry out a strict and thorough interrogation. It was a pity that the Great Lord hadnt adopted their suggestion.
Urhiya gave them a half-smile, Lord Drick made the correct decision. You shouldnt express your discontentnt publicly. However, what Lord Nero left in the cave is absolutely worth investigating. This concerns your patriarch, after all. You naturally have the right to learn the truth. Now that the governor has expressed his will, you should act accordingly. But Lord Drick also said that Lord Neros secrets cannot be revealed, no matter what. And I completely agree with him on this point.
The cousins of the Ramose clan thought of sothing. They exchanged a look and left after a short discussion.
After the eting with the Ramose cousins, Urhiya called for Vitru, his officer attendant. Vitru was a senior priest of the Isis Shrine and a sixth-level mage. Urhiya had brought him along to Cape as an adviser. The two slowly devised a plan. At last, Vitru nodded solemnly and Urhiya said, You cant be too careful dealing with that hunter. A man who can safely carry a precious staff across the desert must be an advanced warrior at the very least. I can tell that he practices body arts.
Vitru replied, This affair should involve only a few people at most. I shall bring three or four warriors from your bodyguards. Please stay in the city, in the public eye. The bodyguards should be given several days off. This way, the disappearance of a few of them wont draw any suspicion.
Urhiya had brought two mages and twelve warriors with him to Cape. Being an eighth-level mage, he didnt actually need this kind of escort when travelling along the main road in the Empire. The escort was rely an honorary tradition of the high priests of the Isis Shrine.
The supre mage thought for a second and continued, Ill give you a team of three. Havon will be their leader. He is only one step from becoming a supre warrior. Once he accomplishes this task and ascends to the seventh level, I will send him to mfis. Ill find a chance for him to take Gabriels place. Gabriel is no longer on our side. She decided to be that young girls guardian and fight for her. Now, she is only an obstacle to us. If only she had been banished, instead of ! Well, lets put that aside. Tell more about your plan.
Vitru followed, As your chief guard, Havon is definitely trustworthy. The other three shouldnt be told too many of the details. Havon was a hunter before he joined the Shrine Guard. He is well-trained and skilled in stealth and tracking. That Amon boy cant escape from us.
Urhiya nodded with satisfaction, and then warned his adviser, Havon has passed the second awakening. He can use primary magic and advanced scrolls. But dont underestimate this mission! That hunter has many scrolls. Beware of them! Dont let his last bite take your lives.
Vitru was surprised, Hes not a mage. How can he use those scrolls?
Urhiya shook his head, You never know perhaps theres a mage behind him. As an advanced warrior, its also possible that he has passed the second awakening. Even if he can rely use so primary magics, hell still be able to activate the advanced scrolls.
Vitru started, Dear Master, are you inferring that hes a sorcerer?
Urhiya said solemnly, You can never be too careful. Once you et him, you will know the answer. Here are three scrolls, two of them are advanced and the last one is supre. Take them, and give one advanced scroll to Havon in case of ergency.
Vitru hesitated, They are too precious. How can we waste them on a countryman?
The supre mage insisted, I also dont want to see them wasted on that Amon boy. Dont use them unless theres an ergency. But you have to be sufficiently prepared! I dont want to leave our prey even the slightest chance of escape. After all, he has more precious scrolls with him. Once you catch him, we will gain much more than what we could ever lose.
Vitru took the scrolls and asked, Is there anything else, Master?
A cold smile appeared on Urhiyas face, Once Havon tracks down that young man, leak the information to Abham Ramose. But dont let him know who sent the information. The Ramoses will surely be interested in eting him again.
Vitru was perplexed, What is your plan, Master? Shouldnt it be kept a secret?
Urhiya answered, Of course. Nobody is supposed to know what you are doing. But what if you fail to cover it up when dealing with Amon? Perhaps the scrolls will create too great of a disturbance, or perhaps sothing unforeseen will occur. Whatever the case may be, well need soone else to be there. The investigators, if there are any, will only find the Ramoses.
Or their bodies.
That would be even better. Ill give the guards a few days off tomorrow and tell them to travel around the sepat. As for you, Ill send you to mfis to deliver my inspection report to the Shrine. Havon and his team will join you outside the city. You can take your ti to track down and deal with the Amon boy. Once you return to mfis, you have to find a chance to et privately with Lord Burke and give this letter to him in person. Most importantly, dont let the Adoratrice hear even a whisper of your activities!
The next morning, Vitru, Lord Urhiyas assistant, was sent back to mfis to hand in so reports. Since Lord Urhiya was going to settle down in Cape, he granted his guards a few days off so that they could travel around and enjoy so distractions.
After a busy week, Lord Rod Drick was finally able to return to his own mansion. Aristotle stayed in the shrine till noon. He went to the Great Lords mansion to have lunch, and was stopped at the gate. One of the gatekeepers gave him a small box and politely told him, Lord Aristotle, Mister Amon asked to give this box to you when he left yesterday.
It was a box made from coconut shell, with a crack on top that had been sealed with beeswax. Amon had bought it from a small shop in the city. Aristotle was surprised. He had been unsure of whether or not Amon had recognized him, since the young man hadnt acknowledged him at the shrine. But Amon actually left him a gift before departing! Aristotle quickly returned to his room and opened the box.
Lying in the box was a blue parangon, glinting softly, like the sea glinting in the sun. Beside it was a small piece of sheepskin, on which was written two words: Thank you!.
Aristotle realized that Amon must have recognized him. The Aquaticore was ant to thank Aristotle for previously saving him in Duc.
Aristotles expression changed. He thought for a while and suddenly left the room. He went to Lord Dricks bedroom and asked to see him. He knew that the Great Lord must be very tired at the mont, and that Amon had already left the city. He had been planning to tell the Great Lord sothing at dinner. But after seeing what Amon had left him, he decided not to wait any longer.
If anyone else had woken him up, Rod Drick would have been livid. But for Aristotle, his most important adviser, he quickly got dressed and told him to co in.
Aristotle first apologized for his recklessness, and then placed the coconut box on the table, My lord, please look at this. Amon left it for when he departed yesterday.
Rod Drick had already noticed the Aquaticore. He was shocked. Picking up the sheepskin beside the gem, he asked with perplexity, What is this about, Aristotle?
Aristotle sighed, The Great Lord might not rember. Amon was a miner in the town of Duc. It was he who extracted the Gods Tear! He also served Lord Maria for three days. I once ntioned it to you, that I helped him avoid a severe punishnt in Duc. I believe this is his gift of appreciation. He has grown up in these past two years. I hardly recognized him! But he recognized .
Aristotle briefly recounted what had happened in Duc. Rod Dricks eyes widened, What an incredible coincidence! I heard that the town of Duc was completely destroyed in the flood. But this Amon sohow survived it! He is truly favored by the gods! Isis must have blessed him when he extracted the Gods Tear. But why didnt he ntion this in the shrine? Had I known his identity, I wouldve thanked him with even greater rewards!
He has his own concerns. Perhaps he didnt want to recall the disaster that destroyed his hotown, or perhaps he didnt want to think about anyone related to his early life before the flood. Whatever the reason, this boy must have been sent to you by Isis. He extracted the Gods Tear, which ensured Lord Marias ascent to the position of Adoratrice. And he also returned the staff of the Oracle of Cape to you. Please consider how this boy has changed not only your fate, but the fate of the sepat! He deserves your most ardent protection.
Rod Drick looked to him in concern, What do you an? Is there anything wrong?
Aristotle muttered, I dont know what is actually happening. I only have my personal suspicions. I didnt want to express them to you prematurely. But when I saw this box, I felt I had to otherwise, I wouldnt have peace at night. Lord Urhiya summoned several people last night. I presu that it was about Amon, although I cant be completely sure of what they discussed. But you can ask Fayol. Hes one of those who were summoned last night. You should also ask Lord Urhiya in person. I hope they arent planning anything which might damage your reputation or that of the gods! I hope that Im just being too sensitive.
Rod Dricks expression beca serious. He waved his hand, Thank you, Aristotle. You may leave now. Tell Fayol to see .
Judah Fayol was surprised when he was summoned to Rod Dricks bedroom. After the greetings, Rod Drick asked directly, Lord Urhiya summoned you last night. What did he say?
Judah Fayol didnt dare to hide what Urhiya had said from his lord. He reported the conversation from last night in detail, but he conveniently omitted the bad things he had said about Amon. In the end, he explained warily, My Lord, I wait upon Lord Urhiya in service as you ordered, and try my best to satisfy him. I can tell that Lord Urhiya is worried about that Amon. But I also tried to persuade him not to do anything that may do harm to you.
Rod Drick nodded with a sullen face, I see. Tell the guards to get my horse ready. I need to see Lord Urhiya right away.
Urhiya was similarly woken from his dreams. He nearly lost his temper, but then learned that it was the governor of Cape who wanted to see him. He got dressed and went to the parlor, where Rod Drick was already waiting. When they were the only two in the room, Rod Drick asked, My dear Master, are you planning to stop Amon? Is there anything I can do for you?
Urhiya twitched, then smiled, You truly have firm control of your sepat, my dear lord! But I was wondering, why you are asking this? Are you having doubts about ?
Rod Drick shook his head, I wouldnt dare to. Your Honor must have a reason for everything you decide to do. And its my duty to provide assistance. I only have one thing to say. If Amon were to be hard in Cape, the reputation of the sepat, of the Shrine and of Your Honor would be significantly damaged. What you gain might not make up for what you ultimately lose.
Urhiya suddenly laughed. He replied, I can see that such a thing would cause damage to the sepat and to your reputation. I am fully aware of it. So please dont be worried, my dear lord. I can assure you that no matter what happens, what you are worrying about wont co to pass. Is this promise enough for you, dear Lord Drick?
Rod Drick didnt answer. Urhiya continued with a half-smile, I will be spending one year in Cape as the supervisor of the Shrine, and I believe collaborating with you will be a pleasant task. I have a question on a rely hypothetical basis Between a foreigner and I, who would you defend?
Rod Drick lowered his head, Why are you asking such a question, Master? Of course I would defend you, dear Lord Urhiya. There is no doubt of it In fact, I have long been wishing that one day Your Honor could beco the Oracle of Cape. The Oracles staff was returned even as you arrived in Cape. It is surely a sign of the gods will.
Urhiya was startled when Rod Drick suddenly brought this up. He soon understood what the governor of Cape was implying. He laughed and said, Indeed. When I saw Lord Neros staff, I could feel what fate was revealing to . But as you know, this is not sothing that I can decide. The Pharaoh and the Adoratrice understand fate and the will of the gods far better than I. I am wholly at their command.
Rod Drick looked at the supre mage, As long as your answer is affirmative I hope I didnt offend you. If one day the gods favor is on and the sepat, may Your Honor give your full support to the people of Cape.
The supre mage laughed, Are you expecting to be the patron of Cape? Im flattered, Lord Drick In this case, we dont need to play around with words. I can promise you that I will regard the sepat as my own life, and I will do nothing that hurts Capes reputation. But there are two things that I must warn you about, my lord.
I am listening with full respect.
[List of Characters]
Vitru: Urhiyas adviser. A sixth-level mage.
Havon: Urhiyas chief guard. A sixth-level warrior.
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