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Such a fact was not uncommon when it came to his tongue - a muscle that man he had scared or shifted into the mindset of rumours would like to tell tale that he did not possess. Yet this time it was true of his muscles, his steps and his mind also.
A man able to move around the city of Thebes without so much as a passing glance from others, he could also permit those around him to witness him - a dark shadow moving with lethal grace and predatorial gait - should he wish to frighten or use the defensive reactions of others to his advantage.
This time, he chose the former.
Moving quickly through the streets, sensing more than seeing his brethren of the Sariqas passing the exact same route only a few yards away or in the street next door, Akhmad knew himself to be in the lead. Of the group, he was the most skilled in moving fluidly and across obstacles without pause or hesitation. He might not have held the bulk or physical strength as Khanh, for example, or the slippery and charming nature of Zai. But being able to move from place to place more air than man was his very particular gift.
As such, he was the first one to skirt around the abandoned estate - one of several in the old capitol that had been left in isolation when the noble family within moved to Cairo in an attempt to chase popularity and courtly prestige. Around the buildings, beneath the foliage and over old barrels and broken gates he went. It took only a few heartbeats for Akhmad to make it from street to the furthest side of the estate and up the wall that backed onto the Nile itself,
If other buildings along the shoreline were anything to go by, this particular wall would fall into the waters of the river within the next few decades. The sand upon which it was built would eek away into the base of the river and have the mortar bricks fall in with it. But for now, it was sturdy and solid and Akhmad used it as his perch as he came up to its top edge and peered down a storey of depth to the waters below.
Crouched, with the balls of his feet and his fingertips rested on its surface, his knees out before him and the cowl of his hood rippling just a little in the breeze from the waters, he looked to his left and right, waiting for his brotherhood - his family of thieves - to secure their own positions of attack.
For there - along the Nile's stream and current - sailed the royal vessel of Naddar. A vessel that their intelligence had assured them would play host to the Queen Dowager Isetheperu.
Emboldened by the success of their robbery of the Sheifa Saraaya just a week before, the Sariqas were ready to up their game and take on not only a moving target, floating upon the waters of the Nile - but that of a royal victim...
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Akhmad was silent.
Such a fact was not uncommon when it came to his tongue - a muscle that man he had scared or shifted into the mindset of rumours would like to tell tale that he did not possess. Yet this time it was true of his muscles, his steps and his mind also.
A man able to move around the city of Thebes without so much as a passing glance from others, he could also permit those around him to witness him - a dark shadow moving with lethal grace and predatorial gait - should he wish to frighten or use the defensive reactions of others to his advantage.
This time, he chose the former.
Moving quickly through the streets, sensing more than seeing his brethren of the Sariqas passing the exact same route only a few yards away or in the street next door, Akhmad knew himself to be in the lead. Of the group, he was the most skilled in moving fluidly and across obstacles without pause or hesitation. He might not have held the bulk or physical strength as Khanh, for example, or the slippery and charming nature of Zai. But being able to move from place to place more air than man was his very particular gift.
As such, he was the first one to skirt around the abandoned estate - one of several in the old capitol that had been left in isolation when the noble family within moved to Cairo in an attempt to chase popularity and courtly prestige. Around the buildings, beneath the foliage and over old barrels and broken gates he went. It took only a few heartbeats for Akhmad to make it from street to the furthest side of the estate and up the wall that backed onto the Nile itself,
If other buildings along the shoreline were anything to go by, this particular wall would fall into the waters of the river within the next few decades. The sand upon which it was built would eek away into the base of the river and have the mortar bricks fall in with it. But for now, it was sturdy and solid and Akhmad used it as his perch as he came up to its top edge and peered down a storey of depth to the waters below.
Crouched, with the balls of his feet and his fingertips rested on its surface, his knees out before him and the cowl of his hood rippling just a little in the breeze from the waters, he looked to his left and right, waiting for his brotherhood - his family of thieves - to secure their own positions of attack.
For there - along the Nile's stream and current - sailed the royal vessel of Naddar. A vessel that their intelligence had assured them would play host to the Queen Dowager Isetheperu.
Emboldened by the success of their robbery of the Sheifa Saraaya just a week before, the Sariqas were ready to up their game and take on not only a moving target, floating upon the waters of the Nile - but that of a royal victim...
Akhmad was silent.
Such a fact was not uncommon when it came to his tongue - a muscle that man he had scared or shifted into the mindset of rumours would like to tell tale that he did not possess. Yet this time it was true of his muscles, his steps and his mind also.
A man able to move around the city of Thebes without so much as a passing glance from others, he could also permit those around him to witness him - a dark shadow moving with lethal grace and predatorial gait - should he wish to frighten or use the defensive reactions of others to his advantage.
This time, he chose the former.
Moving quickly through the streets, sensing more than seeing his brethren of the Sariqas passing the exact same route only a few yards away or in the street next door, Akhmad knew himself to be in the lead. Of the group, he was the most skilled in moving fluidly and across obstacles without pause or hesitation. He might not have held the bulk or physical strength as Khanh, for example, or the slippery and charming nature of Zai. But being able to move from place to place more air than man was his very particular gift.
As such, he was the first one to skirt around the abandoned estate - one of several in the old capitol that had been left in isolation when the noble family within moved to Cairo in an attempt to chase popularity and courtly prestige. Around the buildings, beneath the foliage and over old barrels and broken gates he went. It took only a few heartbeats for Akhmad to make it from street to the furthest side of the estate and up the wall that backed onto the Nile itself,
If other buildings along the shoreline were anything to go by, this particular wall would fall into the waters of the river within the next few decades. The sand upon which it was built would eek away into the base of the river and have the mortar bricks fall in with it. But for now, it was sturdy and solid and Akhmad used it as his perch as he came up to its top edge and peered down a storey of depth to the waters below.
Crouched, with the balls of his feet and his fingertips rested on its surface, his knees out before him and the cowl of his hood rippling just a little in the breeze from the waters, he looked to his left and right, waiting for his brotherhood - his family of thieves - to secure their own positions of attack.
For there - along the Nile's stream and current - sailed the royal vessel of Naddar. A vessel that their intelligence had assured them would play host to the Queen Dowager Isetheperu.
Emboldened by the success of their robbery of the Sheifa Saraaya just a week before, the Sariqas were ready to up their game and take on not only a moving target, floating upon the waters of the Nile - but that of a royal victim...
It was not uncommon in Egypt to see a person in a mask. The desert was hot, its sun glaring, and its air full of sandy grit. To wear not only a head covering but to further obscure the face with fabric drawn over the bridge of the nose to hide both nose, mouth, and chin was not something that caused anyone to look a second time if they saw. Khanh’s purposeful strides on the street opposite Akhmad, trailed by one other of the Sariqas, brought him to the agreed meeting point. While not as quick as Akhmad, Khanh was nimble enough to scale the wall and crouch on it, looking toward the Nile. From here, they were obscured by palm fronds of a tree that grew too close to the wall.
The way the river ran, it was usually a straight shot, but there were certain points in the river, like this one, that made it possible for thieves to drop onto the boat as it paddled past. This attack from above was likely not a concern or thought for the bodyguards upon the ill fated vessel. Why would it be? What but birds could drop upon the royal barge? On the far side of the Nile, a fishing wharf jutted out and would necessitate the royal barge to turn its course more in this direction, passing close enough to the wall that Khanh, Akhmad, and the rest could feasibly leap from here and make it aboard. The guards wouldn’t have enough warning to properly prepare.
The khopesh at Khanh’s hip ensured that they weren’t going in completely unprepared. This was as daring a plan as any they’d yet done and Khanh grinned beneath his mask, flashing Akhmad a pair of bright green eyes and waggling eyebrows in a ‘do or die, right?’ sort of way. He turned his attention to the barge as it made its way up the river. Their Sariqas brothers gathered in their allotted places, each ready to do his part. While Khanh and Akhmad leaped onto the boat, two of the others would swim in quick, powerful strokes, drawing up to the side and climbing aboard, unimpeded because, ideally, all of the guards would be dispatched. Khanh was not concerned with his brethren getting fatigued from the swim; the boat would be too close to shore for that and the excitement of a hit like this never failed to give a body untold energy. Khanh was positive he could lift a horse right now, so strong was the excitement thrilling through his veins.
“Ready,” he whispered, peeking through the palm fronds as the barge drew closer. It was a grand, large vessel, with its banners, its servants with their fans, its armored guards looking hot and bored at their posts. “One...two….three!” His legs surged upwards and within half a second he was airborne, khopesh out, ready to rain death as he landed on the boat’s deck below.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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It was not uncommon in Egypt to see a person in a mask. The desert was hot, its sun glaring, and its air full of sandy grit. To wear not only a head covering but to further obscure the face with fabric drawn over the bridge of the nose to hide both nose, mouth, and chin was not something that caused anyone to look a second time if they saw. Khanh’s purposeful strides on the street opposite Akhmad, trailed by one other of the Sariqas, brought him to the agreed meeting point. While not as quick as Akhmad, Khanh was nimble enough to scale the wall and crouch on it, looking toward the Nile. From here, they were obscured by palm fronds of a tree that grew too close to the wall.
The way the river ran, it was usually a straight shot, but there were certain points in the river, like this one, that made it possible for thieves to drop onto the boat as it paddled past. This attack from above was likely not a concern or thought for the bodyguards upon the ill fated vessel. Why would it be? What but birds could drop upon the royal barge? On the far side of the Nile, a fishing wharf jutted out and would necessitate the royal barge to turn its course more in this direction, passing close enough to the wall that Khanh, Akhmad, and the rest could feasibly leap from here and make it aboard. The guards wouldn’t have enough warning to properly prepare.
The khopesh at Khanh’s hip ensured that they weren’t going in completely unprepared. This was as daring a plan as any they’d yet done and Khanh grinned beneath his mask, flashing Akhmad a pair of bright green eyes and waggling eyebrows in a ‘do or die, right?’ sort of way. He turned his attention to the barge as it made its way up the river. Their Sariqas brothers gathered in their allotted places, each ready to do his part. While Khanh and Akhmad leaped onto the boat, two of the others would swim in quick, powerful strokes, drawing up to the side and climbing aboard, unimpeded because, ideally, all of the guards would be dispatched. Khanh was not concerned with his brethren getting fatigued from the swim; the boat would be too close to shore for that and the excitement of a hit like this never failed to give a body untold energy. Khanh was positive he could lift a horse right now, so strong was the excitement thrilling through his veins.
“Ready,” he whispered, peeking through the palm fronds as the barge drew closer. It was a grand, large vessel, with its banners, its servants with their fans, its armored guards looking hot and bored at their posts. “One...two….three!” His legs surged upwards and within half a second he was airborne, khopesh out, ready to rain death as he landed on the boat’s deck below.
It was not uncommon in Egypt to see a person in a mask. The desert was hot, its sun glaring, and its air full of sandy grit. To wear not only a head covering but to further obscure the face with fabric drawn over the bridge of the nose to hide both nose, mouth, and chin was not something that caused anyone to look a second time if they saw. Khanh’s purposeful strides on the street opposite Akhmad, trailed by one other of the Sariqas, brought him to the agreed meeting point. While not as quick as Akhmad, Khanh was nimble enough to scale the wall and crouch on it, looking toward the Nile. From here, they were obscured by palm fronds of a tree that grew too close to the wall.
The way the river ran, it was usually a straight shot, but there were certain points in the river, like this one, that made it possible for thieves to drop onto the boat as it paddled past. This attack from above was likely not a concern or thought for the bodyguards upon the ill fated vessel. Why would it be? What but birds could drop upon the royal barge? On the far side of the Nile, a fishing wharf jutted out and would necessitate the royal barge to turn its course more in this direction, passing close enough to the wall that Khanh, Akhmad, and the rest could feasibly leap from here and make it aboard. The guards wouldn’t have enough warning to properly prepare.
The khopesh at Khanh’s hip ensured that they weren’t going in completely unprepared. This was as daring a plan as any they’d yet done and Khanh grinned beneath his mask, flashing Akhmad a pair of bright green eyes and waggling eyebrows in a ‘do or die, right?’ sort of way. He turned his attention to the barge as it made its way up the river. Their Sariqas brothers gathered in their allotted places, each ready to do his part. While Khanh and Akhmad leaped onto the boat, two of the others would swim in quick, powerful strokes, drawing up to the side and climbing aboard, unimpeded because, ideally, all of the guards would be dispatched. Khanh was not concerned with his brethren getting fatigued from the swim; the boat would be too close to shore for that and the excitement of a hit like this never failed to give a body untold energy. Khanh was positive he could lift a horse right now, so strong was the excitement thrilling through his veins.
“Ready,” he whispered, peeking through the palm fronds as the barge drew closer. It was a grand, large vessel, with its banners, its servants with their fans, its armored guards looking hot and bored at their posts. “One...two….three!” His legs surged upwards and within half a second he was airborne, khopesh out, ready to rain death as he landed on the boat’s deck below.
It took only a few heartbeats for Khanh to join Akhmad atop the wall that so erroneously that day looked out upon royal vessel turning against the weaving path of the river. The man was larger than Akhmad by far. Monstrous in his height, the man was almost a foot taller than him and what seemed like the same in width. Built with muscle, he extolled power in every step and motion. Where Akhmad had speed, Khanh had strength. Which meant that he worried not when the man was only a step or so behind him. Khanh would prove his own uses where Akhmad was forced to deviate or dodge.
When his brother looked across at him from his own found perch, Akhmad was amused by the difference. For himself, he appeared to be some kind of insect or perhaps a small cat, crouched and elegantly positioned for the greatest dexterity. His hands didn't need to rest upon the stone and mortar, the tips of his toes enough to balance upon. Khanh on the other hand appeared like a large lion - or perhaps an elephant - far too big to be allowed upon such a small surface, one of his hands braced between his outstretched knees to maintain his balance. Despite his size, however, Akhmad could see the stillness in Khanh's frame and body and knew that he wasn't so much as wobbling in his position of attack.
The looked that the thief passed to his brother was one of excitement and adrenaline. And whilst Akhmad rarely showed any form of emotion on the limited features that were shown between the strips of bandage around his head, Akhmad showed it now. As his lids drew narrow and his cheekbones appeared to rise, it was clear to those that knew him that there was the potential for a smile behind that mask.
For Akhmad lived this life for a reason... and whilst no-one had ever heard him speak it, his continuing loyalty to the group and the fact that he had not once disappeared into the night when he had every opportunity to leave them behind in the wake of his silent steps spoke volumes of his interest in such adventures.
Nodding once when Khanh began his countdown, Akhmad made no other gesture, nor spoke a word, until it was time to leap, at which point his launched himself into the air.
Smaller than Khanh and significantly lighter, Akhmad tucked his legs and rolled through the air, propelling himself further forwards. Loosening his limbs and falling then in a straight line with feet pointed and arms raised, Akhmad bent his knees and absorbed the shock of his landing upon the deck of the open royal vessel.
His propulsion through the air, further than that of Khanh's weight, meant that the two of them landed on opposing sides of the two guardsmen keeping watch upon the front of the ship. As if rehearsed, the two of them attacked simultaneously. The surprise drop-in and a heavy knock to opposing sides of the guards' heads had their skulls cracking together and the two crumpling into their tunics.
There were only a half dozen more soldiers on the boat so, even without their fellows now swimming across the waters of the Nile... the peacock's eye would be theirs easily enough...
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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It took only a few heartbeats for Khanh to join Akhmad atop the wall that so erroneously that day looked out upon royal vessel turning against the weaving path of the river. The man was larger than Akhmad by far. Monstrous in his height, the man was almost a foot taller than him and what seemed like the same in width. Built with muscle, he extolled power in every step and motion. Where Akhmad had speed, Khanh had strength. Which meant that he worried not when the man was only a step or so behind him. Khanh would prove his own uses where Akhmad was forced to deviate or dodge.
When his brother looked across at him from his own found perch, Akhmad was amused by the difference. For himself, he appeared to be some kind of insect or perhaps a small cat, crouched and elegantly positioned for the greatest dexterity. His hands didn't need to rest upon the stone and mortar, the tips of his toes enough to balance upon. Khanh on the other hand appeared like a large lion - or perhaps an elephant - far too big to be allowed upon such a small surface, one of his hands braced between his outstretched knees to maintain his balance. Despite his size, however, Akhmad could see the stillness in Khanh's frame and body and knew that he wasn't so much as wobbling in his position of attack.
The looked that the thief passed to his brother was one of excitement and adrenaline. And whilst Akhmad rarely showed any form of emotion on the limited features that were shown between the strips of bandage around his head, Akhmad showed it now. As his lids drew narrow and his cheekbones appeared to rise, it was clear to those that knew him that there was the potential for a smile behind that mask.
For Akhmad lived this life for a reason... and whilst no-one had ever heard him speak it, his continuing loyalty to the group and the fact that he had not once disappeared into the night when he had every opportunity to leave them behind in the wake of his silent steps spoke volumes of his interest in such adventures.
Nodding once when Khanh began his countdown, Akhmad made no other gesture, nor spoke a word, until it was time to leap, at which point his launched himself into the air.
Smaller than Khanh and significantly lighter, Akhmad tucked his legs and rolled through the air, propelling himself further forwards. Loosening his limbs and falling then in a straight line with feet pointed and arms raised, Akhmad bent his knees and absorbed the shock of his landing upon the deck of the open royal vessel.
His propulsion through the air, further than that of Khanh's weight, meant that the two of them landed on opposing sides of the two guardsmen keeping watch upon the front of the ship. As if rehearsed, the two of them attacked simultaneously. The surprise drop-in and a heavy knock to opposing sides of the guards' heads had their skulls cracking together and the two crumpling into their tunics.
There were only a half dozen more soldiers on the boat so, even without their fellows now swimming across the waters of the Nile... the peacock's eye would be theirs easily enough...
It took only a few heartbeats for Khanh to join Akhmad atop the wall that so erroneously that day looked out upon royal vessel turning against the weaving path of the river. The man was larger than Akhmad by far. Monstrous in his height, the man was almost a foot taller than him and what seemed like the same in width. Built with muscle, he extolled power in every step and motion. Where Akhmad had speed, Khanh had strength. Which meant that he worried not when the man was only a step or so behind him. Khanh would prove his own uses where Akhmad was forced to deviate or dodge.
When his brother looked across at him from his own found perch, Akhmad was amused by the difference. For himself, he appeared to be some kind of insect or perhaps a small cat, crouched and elegantly positioned for the greatest dexterity. His hands didn't need to rest upon the stone and mortar, the tips of his toes enough to balance upon. Khanh on the other hand appeared like a large lion - or perhaps an elephant - far too big to be allowed upon such a small surface, one of his hands braced between his outstretched knees to maintain his balance. Despite his size, however, Akhmad could see the stillness in Khanh's frame and body and knew that he wasn't so much as wobbling in his position of attack.
The looked that the thief passed to his brother was one of excitement and adrenaline. And whilst Akhmad rarely showed any form of emotion on the limited features that were shown between the strips of bandage around his head, Akhmad showed it now. As his lids drew narrow and his cheekbones appeared to rise, it was clear to those that knew him that there was the potential for a smile behind that mask.
For Akhmad lived this life for a reason... and whilst no-one had ever heard him speak it, his continuing loyalty to the group and the fact that he had not once disappeared into the night when he had every opportunity to leave them behind in the wake of his silent steps spoke volumes of his interest in such adventures.
Nodding once when Khanh began his countdown, Akhmad made no other gesture, nor spoke a word, until it was time to leap, at which point his launched himself into the air.
Smaller than Khanh and significantly lighter, Akhmad tucked his legs and rolled through the air, propelling himself further forwards. Loosening his limbs and falling then in a straight line with feet pointed and arms raised, Akhmad bent his knees and absorbed the shock of his landing upon the deck of the open royal vessel.
His propulsion through the air, further than that of Khanh's weight, meant that the two of them landed on opposing sides of the two guardsmen keeping watch upon the front of the ship. As if rehearsed, the two of them attacked simultaneously. The surprise drop-in and a heavy knock to opposing sides of the guards' heads had their skulls cracking together and the two crumpling into their tunics.
There were only a half dozen more soldiers on the boat so, even without their fellows now swimming across the waters of the Nile... the peacock's eye would be theirs easily enough...
The barge swayed gently on the surface of the Nile, as servants with their poles and paddles shifted the craft to the easternmost shore to avoid the jut of a fishing quay. The heirloom ship of Hei Fakhouri was as a glittering jewel upon the river – not ostentatious in the way that new nobles were wont to flaunt their coin, but distinguished and graceful like a lotus flower floating on the current. It extolled the praises of Isetheperu’s discerning taste.
Rising from its deck was a pole topped with the banner of Hei Naddar, and either end of the ship’s prow culminated in a gilded facsimile of the Heron of Fakhouri, heralding the Queen Mother’s unmistakable presence where the sheer drapes of the canopy obscured her visage from the prying eyes of the commoners who watched her approach from the river bank.
In a bygone age, Isetheperu would have lavished in the attention. A woman of her station was a beautiful thing, physical appearance aside, with her painted skin under layers of gold and jewelry. She fondly recalled her people’s awed exclamations at the very sight, a manifestation of the gods’ will on earth. Now Isetheperu, despite all her vanity, felt she had earned the choice to not have to catch sight of those crowds. Travel was an odious enough endeavor as it was, even if the trip from Cairo to Thebes required minimal effort on her part.
Isetheperu sat within her linen-walled deckhouse, the forward curtains drawn to cast a view of the river head, and the gold heron perched at the front, upon which she trained her eye. The bird was a symbol of rebirth, both for Egypt and her Hei; a symbol of the great heights achieved by her ancestors who forged the nation anew in their own ideals when they had first seized the throne so many generations ago. Isetheperu gazed upon it, but looking past it, towards the future which she was tasked with preserving.
Word would have spread by now of her approach, alerting Hei Fakhouri’s properties. She could imagine the servants scrambling about the halls to ensure that not a spot was out of place since the Queen Mother’s last visit to her ancestral home, her appointed steward imperiously barking orders in a manner to rival Isetheperu’s own. Travel for pleasure’s sake was a luxury reserved for nobles who lacked vision and ambition. Behind Isetheperu’s lounging chaise rested a wide chest which contained a hefty sum of coin and several scribed contracts. This, as always, was a matter of business – a business she was intent to see through with minimal delay.
The boat shifted yet again, interrupting Isetheperu’s ponderings and seeding a familiar bolt of irritation deep in her chest. She flicked a dismissive hand at the servants to her sides, who were each quietly working the air with palmiform fans. “Enough,” she intoned, “I'm going to overheat simply from proximity to your flapping.”
The two men faltered and fell still, the Queen Mother not sparing them as much as a sidelong look as she traced two fingers across her brow and temple, neck arched longingly as she peered through the thin veil of her linen canopy. Past the facade of the long-defunct noble house they now sailed past, she could make out the familiar shape and distinguished stature of the Fakhouri Sarayaa.
Not moments later, whatever peace she felt at the sight of it was frozen still in her chest with the soft sound of a mass striking on the cedar planks of the deck: a thud which Isetheperu felt reverberated through the boards. One of Isetheperu’s personal guards positioned at the opening of her deckhouse cocked his head at the sound, an imperceptible motion if not for her perceptive nature.
Though demanding as she was, the Queen Dowager would not subject herself to the humility of being thought paranoid over every stray oddity. She sat unfazed and watched through half-lidded eyes as the guard muttered to his counterpart and stepped away, presumably to investigate, though his relaxed posture indicated he perhaps simply needed to stretch his legs more than anything.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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The barge swayed gently on the surface of the Nile, as servants with their poles and paddles shifted the craft to the easternmost shore to avoid the jut of a fishing quay. The heirloom ship of Hei Fakhouri was as a glittering jewel upon the river – not ostentatious in the way that new nobles were wont to flaunt their coin, but distinguished and graceful like a lotus flower floating on the current. It extolled the praises of Isetheperu’s discerning taste.
Rising from its deck was a pole topped with the banner of Hei Naddar, and either end of the ship’s prow culminated in a gilded facsimile of the Heron of Fakhouri, heralding the Queen Mother’s unmistakable presence where the sheer drapes of the canopy obscured her visage from the prying eyes of the commoners who watched her approach from the river bank.
In a bygone age, Isetheperu would have lavished in the attention. A woman of her station was a beautiful thing, physical appearance aside, with her painted skin under layers of gold and jewelry. She fondly recalled her people’s awed exclamations at the very sight, a manifestation of the gods’ will on earth. Now Isetheperu, despite all her vanity, felt she had earned the choice to not have to catch sight of those crowds. Travel was an odious enough endeavor as it was, even if the trip from Cairo to Thebes required minimal effort on her part.
Isetheperu sat within her linen-walled deckhouse, the forward curtains drawn to cast a view of the river head, and the gold heron perched at the front, upon which she trained her eye. The bird was a symbol of rebirth, both for Egypt and her Hei; a symbol of the great heights achieved by her ancestors who forged the nation anew in their own ideals when they had first seized the throne so many generations ago. Isetheperu gazed upon it, but looking past it, towards the future which she was tasked with preserving.
Word would have spread by now of her approach, alerting Hei Fakhouri’s properties. She could imagine the servants scrambling about the halls to ensure that not a spot was out of place since the Queen Mother’s last visit to her ancestral home, her appointed steward imperiously barking orders in a manner to rival Isetheperu’s own. Travel for pleasure’s sake was a luxury reserved for nobles who lacked vision and ambition. Behind Isetheperu’s lounging chaise rested a wide chest which contained a hefty sum of coin and several scribed contracts. This, as always, was a matter of business – a business she was intent to see through with minimal delay.
The boat shifted yet again, interrupting Isetheperu’s ponderings and seeding a familiar bolt of irritation deep in her chest. She flicked a dismissive hand at the servants to her sides, who were each quietly working the air with palmiform fans. “Enough,” she intoned, “I'm going to overheat simply from proximity to your flapping.”
The two men faltered and fell still, the Queen Mother not sparing them as much as a sidelong look as she traced two fingers across her brow and temple, neck arched longingly as she peered through the thin veil of her linen canopy. Past the facade of the long-defunct noble house they now sailed past, she could make out the familiar shape and distinguished stature of the Fakhouri Sarayaa.
Not moments later, whatever peace she felt at the sight of it was frozen still in her chest with the soft sound of a mass striking on the cedar planks of the deck: a thud which Isetheperu felt reverberated through the boards. One of Isetheperu’s personal guards positioned at the opening of her deckhouse cocked his head at the sound, an imperceptible motion if not for her perceptive nature.
Though demanding as she was, the Queen Dowager would not subject herself to the humility of being thought paranoid over every stray oddity. She sat unfazed and watched through half-lidded eyes as the guard muttered to his counterpart and stepped away, presumably to investigate, though his relaxed posture indicated he perhaps simply needed to stretch his legs more than anything.
The barge swayed gently on the surface of the Nile, as servants with their poles and paddles shifted the craft to the easternmost shore to avoid the jut of a fishing quay. The heirloom ship of Hei Fakhouri was as a glittering jewel upon the river – not ostentatious in the way that new nobles were wont to flaunt their coin, but distinguished and graceful like a lotus flower floating on the current. It extolled the praises of Isetheperu’s discerning taste.
Rising from its deck was a pole topped with the banner of Hei Naddar, and either end of the ship’s prow culminated in a gilded facsimile of the Heron of Fakhouri, heralding the Queen Mother’s unmistakable presence where the sheer drapes of the canopy obscured her visage from the prying eyes of the commoners who watched her approach from the river bank.
In a bygone age, Isetheperu would have lavished in the attention. A woman of her station was a beautiful thing, physical appearance aside, with her painted skin under layers of gold and jewelry. She fondly recalled her people’s awed exclamations at the very sight, a manifestation of the gods’ will on earth. Now Isetheperu, despite all her vanity, felt she had earned the choice to not have to catch sight of those crowds. Travel was an odious enough endeavor as it was, even if the trip from Cairo to Thebes required minimal effort on her part.
Isetheperu sat within her linen-walled deckhouse, the forward curtains drawn to cast a view of the river head, and the gold heron perched at the front, upon which she trained her eye. The bird was a symbol of rebirth, both for Egypt and her Hei; a symbol of the great heights achieved by her ancestors who forged the nation anew in their own ideals when they had first seized the throne so many generations ago. Isetheperu gazed upon it, but looking past it, towards the future which she was tasked with preserving.
Word would have spread by now of her approach, alerting Hei Fakhouri’s properties. She could imagine the servants scrambling about the halls to ensure that not a spot was out of place since the Queen Mother’s last visit to her ancestral home, her appointed steward imperiously barking orders in a manner to rival Isetheperu’s own. Travel for pleasure’s sake was a luxury reserved for nobles who lacked vision and ambition. Behind Isetheperu’s lounging chaise rested a wide chest which contained a hefty sum of coin and several scribed contracts. This, as always, was a matter of business – a business she was intent to see through with minimal delay.
The boat shifted yet again, interrupting Isetheperu’s ponderings and seeding a familiar bolt of irritation deep in her chest. She flicked a dismissive hand at the servants to her sides, who were each quietly working the air with palmiform fans. “Enough,” she intoned, “I'm going to overheat simply from proximity to your flapping.”
The two men faltered and fell still, the Queen Mother not sparing them as much as a sidelong look as she traced two fingers across her brow and temple, neck arched longingly as she peered through the thin veil of her linen canopy. Past the facade of the long-defunct noble house they now sailed past, she could make out the familiar shape and distinguished stature of the Fakhouri Sarayaa.
Not moments later, whatever peace she felt at the sight of it was frozen still in her chest with the soft sound of a mass striking on the cedar planks of the deck: a thud which Isetheperu felt reverberated through the boards. One of Isetheperu’s personal guards positioned at the opening of her deckhouse cocked his head at the sound, an imperceptible motion if not for her perceptive nature.
Though demanding as she was, the Queen Dowager would not subject herself to the humility of being thought paranoid over every stray oddity. She sat unfazed and watched through half-lidded eyes as the guard muttered to his counterpart and stepped away, presumably to investigate, though his relaxed posture indicated he perhaps simply needed to stretch his legs more than anything.
His clothes had been all but abandoned, hidden in the reeds along the river that he could return to when the time came aside from the dark cloth wrapped around his head to hide his face, and the loincloth that kept him covered. Alongside him the other Sariqas had slipped into the waters of the Nile, swimming slow and low along the bank that to an eye just glancing out they might be nothing but a crocodile or bird floating through the reeds. Black hair was bound behind him and his darker complexion allowed for him to pass by the dock as he waited, eyes turned to the sky to watch for his birds to land. As soon as Khanh and Akhmad had disabled the two guards behind Nahash gave a low whistling sound akin to the sound of an egret along the river, the signal for the other Sariqas to move forward.
They approached from the rear of the vessel, towards where the first two had already dispatched the guards and along the sides. This time he gave the croak of a crocodile, slowly lifting himself along the rudder of the boat until he was on deck, the others following behind. Signaling for Somra and Zai to follow him, he made his way toward the hold. Somewhere beneath their feet, treasures lay that could bring more wealth and notoriety to them all.
Allowing Khanh and Akhmad to move slowly forward, the bag he had been holding as he swam would allow them to gather what they needed once in the depths of the ship, and once they had done their best there perhaps they would need to relieve the dowager queen of whatever finery she carried on her person. For now though, the peacock's eye was their goal, and as he slipped slowly beneath the deck, glancing about for any servants or guards who might sound an alarm, Nahash felt the buzz of adrenaline rise at the sight of several trunks that could only hold some sort of finery, ready for the taking.
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His clothes had been all but abandoned, hidden in the reeds along the river that he could return to when the time came aside from the dark cloth wrapped around his head to hide his face, and the loincloth that kept him covered. Alongside him the other Sariqas had slipped into the waters of the Nile, swimming slow and low along the bank that to an eye just glancing out they might be nothing but a crocodile or bird floating through the reeds. Black hair was bound behind him and his darker complexion allowed for him to pass by the dock as he waited, eyes turned to the sky to watch for his birds to land. As soon as Khanh and Akhmad had disabled the two guards behind Nahash gave a low whistling sound akin to the sound of an egret along the river, the signal for the other Sariqas to move forward.
They approached from the rear of the vessel, towards where the first two had already dispatched the guards and along the sides. This time he gave the croak of a crocodile, slowly lifting himself along the rudder of the boat until he was on deck, the others following behind. Signaling for Somra and Zai to follow him, he made his way toward the hold. Somewhere beneath their feet, treasures lay that could bring more wealth and notoriety to them all.
Allowing Khanh and Akhmad to move slowly forward, the bag he had been holding as he swam would allow them to gather what they needed once in the depths of the ship, and once they had done their best there perhaps they would need to relieve the dowager queen of whatever finery she carried on her person. For now though, the peacock's eye was their goal, and as he slipped slowly beneath the deck, glancing about for any servants or guards who might sound an alarm, Nahash felt the buzz of adrenaline rise at the sight of several trunks that could only hold some sort of finery, ready for the taking.
His clothes had been all but abandoned, hidden in the reeds along the river that he could return to when the time came aside from the dark cloth wrapped around his head to hide his face, and the loincloth that kept him covered. Alongside him the other Sariqas had slipped into the waters of the Nile, swimming slow and low along the bank that to an eye just glancing out they might be nothing but a crocodile or bird floating through the reeds. Black hair was bound behind him and his darker complexion allowed for him to pass by the dock as he waited, eyes turned to the sky to watch for his birds to land. As soon as Khanh and Akhmad had disabled the two guards behind Nahash gave a low whistling sound akin to the sound of an egret along the river, the signal for the other Sariqas to move forward.
They approached from the rear of the vessel, towards where the first two had already dispatched the guards and along the sides. This time he gave the croak of a crocodile, slowly lifting himself along the rudder of the boat until he was on deck, the others following behind. Signaling for Somra and Zai to follow him, he made his way toward the hold. Somewhere beneath their feet, treasures lay that could bring more wealth and notoriety to them all.
Allowing Khanh and Akhmad to move slowly forward, the bag he had been holding as he swam would allow them to gather what they needed once in the depths of the ship, and once they had done their best there perhaps they would need to relieve the dowager queen of whatever finery she carried on her person. For now though, the peacock's eye was their goal, and as he slipped slowly beneath the deck, glancing about for any servants or guards who might sound an alarm, Nahash felt the buzz of adrenaline rise at the sight of several trunks that could only hold some sort of finery, ready for the taking.
Allowing their leader to slip beneath the deck into the cargo hold and investigate the trunks of treasure and finery that the Queen Dowager might be foolish - or arrogant - enough to travel with, Khanh and Akhmad focused instead of the Queen herself.
Situated within her boat "house" - a structure of fine gossamer sheets that kept her shielded from the eyes of the populace - and they from hers - the Queen Dowager perhaps knew nothing of their appearance on her boat save for the disruption they made to its rocking and balance on the waters of the Nile. For instead of having the front of her little home lifted to witness where the vessel was headed, the Queen Dowager had chosen the eastern side, where she could enjoy sunshine without being burn by the stronger afternoon rays.
As such, they were free to approach her however they wished, their bodies lightly showing only as dark shadows once they were close enough and, even then, easily mistaken for that of her guardsmen. Guardsmen that now stepped out from her little fabric nest and headed down towards the front of the ship, easily spotting the two that did not belong and charging forwards in order to defend their Queen and rid such vermin from the decks.
Akhmad glanced only for a moment at Khanh with eyes narrowed as if he were smiling behind his mask and with a flick of either wrist was suddenly in possession of two daggers just a hand's length in blade and glinting in the Egyptian sun.
Some guards were so naïve. For just because you wore a loyalty sigil and were given your weapons by your benefactors didn’t make you impervious to harm. Nor to death.
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Allowing their leader to slip beneath the deck into the cargo hold and investigate the trunks of treasure and finery that the Queen Dowager might be foolish - or arrogant - enough to travel with, Khanh and Akhmad focused instead of the Queen herself.
Situated within her boat "house" - a structure of fine gossamer sheets that kept her shielded from the eyes of the populace - and they from hers - the Queen Dowager perhaps knew nothing of their appearance on her boat save for the disruption they made to its rocking and balance on the waters of the Nile. For instead of having the front of her little home lifted to witness where the vessel was headed, the Queen Dowager had chosen the eastern side, where she could enjoy sunshine without being burn by the stronger afternoon rays.
As such, they were free to approach her however they wished, their bodies lightly showing only as dark shadows once they were close enough and, even then, easily mistaken for that of her guardsmen. Guardsmen that now stepped out from her little fabric nest and headed down towards the front of the ship, easily spotting the two that did not belong and charging forwards in order to defend their Queen and rid such vermin from the decks.
Akhmad glanced only for a moment at Khanh with eyes narrowed as if he were smiling behind his mask and with a flick of either wrist was suddenly in possession of two daggers just a hand's length in blade and glinting in the Egyptian sun.
Some guards were so naïve. For just because you wore a loyalty sigil and were given your weapons by your benefactors didn’t make you impervious to harm. Nor to death.
Allowing their leader to slip beneath the deck into the cargo hold and investigate the trunks of treasure and finery that the Queen Dowager might be foolish - or arrogant - enough to travel with, Khanh and Akhmad focused instead of the Queen herself.
Situated within her boat "house" - a structure of fine gossamer sheets that kept her shielded from the eyes of the populace - and they from hers - the Queen Dowager perhaps knew nothing of their appearance on her boat save for the disruption they made to its rocking and balance on the waters of the Nile. For instead of having the front of her little home lifted to witness where the vessel was headed, the Queen Dowager had chosen the eastern side, where she could enjoy sunshine without being burn by the stronger afternoon rays.
As such, they were free to approach her however they wished, their bodies lightly showing only as dark shadows once they were close enough and, even then, easily mistaken for that of her guardsmen. Guardsmen that now stepped out from her little fabric nest and headed down towards the front of the ship, easily spotting the two that did not belong and charging forwards in order to defend their Queen and rid such vermin from the decks.
Akhmad glanced only for a moment at Khanh with eyes narrowed as if he were smiling behind his mask and with a flick of either wrist was suddenly in possession of two daggers just a hand's length in blade and glinting in the Egyptian sun.
Some guards were so naïve. For just because you wore a loyalty sigil and were given your weapons by your benefactors didn’t make you impervious to harm. Nor to death.
Body slicing through the air, Khanh landed like an acrobat. His tucked body unfurling, arms and khopesh out, slicing into the first human being nearest to him. Between himself and Akhmad, both practiced with the dispatching and catching of bodies so as not to make too much noise, they cleared this portion of the deck in ghostly silence. Large but light on his feet, Khanh practically danced his way through the line of shocked men who thought to stop them. He did not dump their bodies in the water as he went, not wanting to alert whoever else was on the ship with undue splashing. One body? Of course they could get away with that. A crocodile or hippo, perhaps. But repeated splashings? That would require investigation, even if the source happened to be animals. Hippopotamus’s were lethal and to be avoided at all costs. If the boat happened to be heading towards a herd of them, then everyone would do their part to avoid them. He did not believe that anyone’s first thought would be that thieves had come aboard. Not in the middle of the Nile. That one little bend, that one place that had brought the boat close enough to shore was the weak point and he felt the arrogance of both boat captain and guards surrounding the queen would make them relaxed and less likely to respond quickly.
It turned out that he was right. No one came when the boat rocked to and fro. Why should they? The crew of less than a dozen up top were the ones supposed to see to it. This was what gave Nahash, Zai, and the rest time to climb aboard. Khanh nodded to him, then glanced at Akhmad as two figures finally stepped out of the curtained area that held the queen.
Khopesh at the ready, Khanh was not going to fling a knife. Knives hurt but rarely killed and he wanted a more permanent solution than that. One guard went for Akhmad, one for himself. There was no blood curdling battle cry from the guards. This wasn’t battle and the boat was too small for any sort of rage. All he saw was abject shock before he and the queen’s guard started toward each other. The guard held a spear, a weapon with a much, much longer reach, but Khanh leaped closer. The spear charged forward, stabbing where he had been. He slashed upwards, the guard not quite able to bring the spear up in time to stop him. The guard stumbled back and Khanh reached out to grab the shaft of the spear, intending to keep the man from tumbling into the water, but he did not quite manage it. The body hit the water and vanished immediately from view. Khanh, thinking quick, took up a spot just outside the queen’s curtains, his huge shadow holding the spear that her guard should have had.
“Crocodile, your majesty,” he said, hoping to capitalize on the sound Nahash had made earlier. Despite their attack on her boat, Khanh had zero wish to assassinate the dowager queen. He had no quarrel with her...he just wanted her stuff.
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Body slicing through the air, Khanh landed like an acrobat. His tucked body unfurling, arms and khopesh out, slicing into the first human being nearest to him. Between himself and Akhmad, both practiced with the dispatching and catching of bodies so as not to make too much noise, they cleared this portion of the deck in ghostly silence. Large but light on his feet, Khanh practically danced his way through the line of shocked men who thought to stop them. He did not dump their bodies in the water as he went, not wanting to alert whoever else was on the ship with undue splashing. One body? Of course they could get away with that. A crocodile or hippo, perhaps. But repeated splashings? That would require investigation, even if the source happened to be animals. Hippopotamus’s were lethal and to be avoided at all costs. If the boat happened to be heading towards a herd of them, then everyone would do their part to avoid them. He did not believe that anyone’s first thought would be that thieves had come aboard. Not in the middle of the Nile. That one little bend, that one place that had brought the boat close enough to shore was the weak point and he felt the arrogance of both boat captain and guards surrounding the queen would make them relaxed and less likely to respond quickly.
It turned out that he was right. No one came when the boat rocked to and fro. Why should they? The crew of less than a dozen up top were the ones supposed to see to it. This was what gave Nahash, Zai, and the rest time to climb aboard. Khanh nodded to him, then glanced at Akhmad as two figures finally stepped out of the curtained area that held the queen.
Khopesh at the ready, Khanh was not going to fling a knife. Knives hurt but rarely killed and he wanted a more permanent solution than that. One guard went for Akhmad, one for himself. There was no blood curdling battle cry from the guards. This wasn’t battle and the boat was too small for any sort of rage. All he saw was abject shock before he and the queen’s guard started toward each other. The guard held a spear, a weapon with a much, much longer reach, but Khanh leaped closer. The spear charged forward, stabbing where he had been. He slashed upwards, the guard not quite able to bring the spear up in time to stop him. The guard stumbled back and Khanh reached out to grab the shaft of the spear, intending to keep the man from tumbling into the water, but he did not quite manage it. The body hit the water and vanished immediately from view. Khanh, thinking quick, took up a spot just outside the queen’s curtains, his huge shadow holding the spear that her guard should have had.
“Crocodile, your majesty,” he said, hoping to capitalize on the sound Nahash had made earlier. Despite their attack on her boat, Khanh had zero wish to assassinate the dowager queen. He had no quarrel with her...he just wanted her stuff.
Body slicing through the air, Khanh landed like an acrobat. His tucked body unfurling, arms and khopesh out, slicing into the first human being nearest to him. Between himself and Akhmad, both practiced with the dispatching and catching of bodies so as not to make too much noise, they cleared this portion of the deck in ghostly silence. Large but light on his feet, Khanh practically danced his way through the line of shocked men who thought to stop them. He did not dump their bodies in the water as he went, not wanting to alert whoever else was on the ship with undue splashing. One body? Of course they could get away with that. A crocodile or hippo, perhaps. But repeated splashings? That would require investigation, even if the source happened to be animals. Hippopotamus’s were lethal and to be avoided at all costs. If the boat happened to be heading towards a herd of them, then everyone would do their part to avoid them. He did not believe that anyone’s first thought would be that thieves had come aboard. Not in the middle of the Nile. That one little bend, that one place that had brought the boat close enough to shore was the weak point and he felt the arrogance of both boat captain and guards surrounding the queen would make them relaxed and less likely to respond quickly.
It turned out that he was right. No one came when the boat rocked to and fro. Why should they? The crew of less than a dozen up top were the ones supposed to see to it. This was what gave Nahash, Zai, and the rest time to climb aboard. Khanh nodded to him, then glanced at Akhmad as two figures finally stepped out of the curtained area that held the queen.
Khopesh at the ready, Khanh was not going to fling a knife. Knives hurt but rarely killed and he wanted a more permanent solution than that. One guard went for Akhmad, one for himself. There was no blood curdling battle cry from the guards. This wasn’t battle and the boat was too small for any sort of rage. All he saw was abject shock before he and the queen’s guard started toward each other. The guard held a spear, a weapon with a much, much longer reach, but Khanh leaped closer. The spear charged forward, stabbing where he had been. He slashed upwards, the guard not quite able to bring the spear up in time to stop him. The guard stumbled back and Khanh reached out to grab the shaft of the spear, intending to keep the man from tumbling into the water, but he did not quite manage it. The body hit the water and vanished immediately from view. Khanh, thinking quick, took up a spot just outside the queen’s curtains, his huge shadow holding the spear that her guard should have had.
“Crocodile, your majesty,” he said, hoping to capitalize on the sound Nahash had made earlier. Despite their attack on her boat, Khanh had zero wish to assassinate the dowager queen. He had no quarrel with her...he just wanted her stuff.
The thievery was easy enough. At first, Akhmad had thought they were going to have to breech the gossamer curtains that held the Queen Dowager and shock her with the appearance of two, brutal looking thieves upon her ship. No doubt that would set her screaming and no doubt she would end up getting them all killed. But, in return, they couldn't exactly kill the Queen Dowager.
Luckily, her riches had been stored in two places and neither one was upon her person.
Their leader Nahash - the apparently crocodile that had snuck aboard her ship and slipped down to the under deck of her vessel - would be searching one, seeking through chests and boxes to find the smallest but most valuable of the keepsakes. They would hardly be able to cart a heavy trunk of metal back across the water without being taken out by loyal guardsmen or suspicious patrollers on the docks. Instead, he would look for anything that would make a large profit and be easy enough to spirit away. And so would Khanh and Akhmad, on the upper deck.
But, instead of breaking through the Queen Dowager's little silk tent to rip the necklace from her throat and the rings from her ears, Akhmad spotted something far more useful. A little bejewelled trunk at the base of the mast. It had been chained and padlocked to the column of wood.
What kind of low value goods did you ensure was fastened to the very boat you travelled in? The answer? None.
Akhmad moved to crouch beside the lock upon the trunk and quickly sought his picks and tools. They were spirited away inside the folds of his clothes but he was quick to locate them all the same. They appeared in his palms as if by magic and he popped one between his lips, creating a divot in his mask. With the thin little implements that he kept in hand, he worked at the lock, trusting that Khanh would protect his blindside until he heard the little click of release that had the trunk free of its chains and in the hands of the Sariqas.
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The thievery was easy enough. At first, Akhmad had thought they were going to have to breech the gossamer curtains that held the Queen Dowager and shock her with the appearance of two, brutal looking thieves upon her ship. No doubt that would set her screaming and no doubt she would end up getting them all killed. But, in return, they couldn't exactly kill the Queen Dowager.
Luckily, her riches had been stored in two places and neither one was upon her person.
Their leader Nahash - the apparently crocodile that had snuck aboard her ship and slipped down to the under deck of her vessel - would be searching one, seeking through chests and boxes to find the smallest but most valuable of the keepsakes. They would hardly be able to cart a heavy trunk of metal back across the water without being taken out by loyal guardsmen or suspicious patrollers on the docks. Instead, he would look for anything that would make a large profit and be easy enough to spirit away. And so would Khanh and Akhmad, on the upper deck.
But, instead of breaking through the Queen Dowager's little silk tent to rip the necklace from her throat and the rings from her ears, Akhmad spotted something far more useful. A little bejewelled trunk at the base of the mast. It had been chained and padlocked to the column of wood.
What kind of low value goods did you ensure was fastened to the very boat you travelled in? The answer? None.
Akhmad moved to crouch beside the lock upon the trunk and quickly sought his picks and tools. They were spirited away inside the folds of his clothes but he was quick to locate them all the same. They appeared in his palms as if by magic and he popped one between his lips, creating a divot in his mask. With the thin little implements that he kept in hand, he worked at the lock, trusting that Khanh would protect his blindside until he heard the little click of release that had the trunk free of its chains and in the hands of the Sariqas.
The thievery was easy enough. At first, Akhmad had thought they were going to have to breech the gossamer curtains that held the Queen Dowager and shock her with the appearance of two, brutal looking thieves upon her ship. No doubt that would set her screaming and no doubt she would end up getting them all killed. But, in return, they couldn't exactly kill the Queen Dowager.
Luckily, her riches had been stored in two places and neither one was upon her person.
Their leader Nahash - the apparently crocodile that had snuck aboard her ship and slipped down to the under deck of her vessel - would be searching one, seeking through chests and boxes to find the smallest but most valuable of the keepsakes. They would hardly be able to cart a heavy trunk of metal back across the water without being taken out by loyal guardsmen or suspicious patrollers on the docks. Instead, he would look for anything that would make a large profit and be easy enough to spirit away. And so would Khanh and Akhmad, on the upper deck.
But, instead of breaking through the Queen Dowager's little silk tent to rip the necklace from her throat and the rings from her ears, Akhmad spotted something far more useful. A little bejewelled trunk at the base of the mast. It had been chained and padlocked to the column of wood.
What kind of low value goods did you ensure was fastened to the very boat you travelled in? The answer? None.
Akhmad moved to crouch beside the lock upon the trunk and quickly sought his picks and tools. They were spirited away inside the folds of his clothes but he was quick to locate them all the same. They appeared in his palms as if by magic and he popped one between his lips, creating a divot in his mask. With the thin little implements that he kept in hand, he worked at the lock, trusting that Khanh would protect his blindside until he heard the little click of release that had the trunk free of its chains and in the hands of the Sariqas.
This had to be the easiest job they’d ever pulled. Thanks be to the gods that the Queen employed the absolute dumbest guards known to man. The old woman, too, seemed willing to trust. Possibly she did not know the tone and timbre of all of her guards and so when Khanh answered, she accepted. Because, really, how likely was it that the royal barge was to be boarded? And with so many and so well trained guards at her disposal, did she truly need to worry? No. So she could more readily accept that it was a crocodile, rather than something far less likely that caused the disturbance.
While Akhmad and Nahash went about their business, Khanh stood sentry, hand around the hilt of his Khopesh, ready to use it at a moment’s notice. But they weren’t rushed by other guards. The water gurgled along the side of the boat. In the distance he heard bennu birds calling to each other. Representative of the god Osiris, Khanh quickly looked to the sky and sent up a quick assurance that they weren’t here to harm the dowager queen. Not that he wouldn’t if worse came to worst. Murder The Dowager Queen just hadn’t been on his To-Do List that morning.
A group of hippos wallowed on the far side of the river and the boat man steered the barge to give the animals a wide berth. Their hollering and bellowing was loud enough to cover any sounds that Akhmad and Nahash might make and every single guard’s attention was on the dangerous animals. This was, in short, the perfect time to leave. Khanh ghosted along the ship, tapping first Akhmad and then darting down to Nahash, giving him a rapid hand wave in the universal ‘let’s go’ gesture. Whatever they had would have to be enough.
Khanh waited on the ship’s deck for both of the other men to make their exits first, then plunged back into the Nile himself. No one looked in their direction because a bull hippo made a splash at nearly that same moment while fighting with another. The swim was much further now, since they were not at the easy bend that they’d started from. The entire swim, Khanh kept thinking exactly one thing: please don’t let me be eaten by a crocodile.
Thankfully they emerged up onto the bank, everyone with their limbs intact, and having made the cleanest getaway they could have hoped for. Khanh swiped his hair back away from his face and grinned at the other two. “Shall we get lunch, then?” He was in the mood to celebrate.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
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This had to be the easiest job they’d ever pulled. Thanks be to the gods that the Queen employed the absolute dumbest guards known to man. The old woman, too, seemed willing to trust. Possibly she did not know the tone and timbre of all of her guards and so when Khanh answered, she accepted. Because, really, how likely was it that the royal barge was to be boarded? And with so many and so well trained guards at her disposal, did she truly need to worry? No. So she could more readily accept that it was a crocodile, rather than something far less likely that caused the disturbance.
While Akhmad and Nahash went about their business, Khanh stood sentry, hand around the hilt of his Khopesh, ready to use it at a moment’s notice. But they weren’t rushed by other guards. The water gurgled along the side of the boat. In the distance he heard bennu birds calling to each other. Representative of the god Osiris, Khanh quickly looked to the sky and sent up a quick assurance that they weren’t here to harm the dowager queen. Not that he wouldn’t if worse came to worst. Murder The Dowager Queen just hadn’t been on his To-Do List that morning.
A group of hippos wallowed on the far side of the river and the boat man steered the barge to give the animals a wide berth. Their hollering and bellowing was loud enough to cover any sounds that Akhmad and Nahash might make and every single guard’s attention was on the dangerous animals. This was, in short, the perfect time to leave. Khanh ghosted along the ship, tapping first Akhmad and then darting down to Nahash, giving him a rapid hand wave in the universal ‘let’s go’ gesture. Whatever they had would have to be enough.
Khanh waited on the ship’s deck for both of the other men to make their exits first, then plunged back into the Nile himself. No one looked in their direction because a bull hippo made a splash at nearly that same moment while fighting with another. The swim was much further now, since they were not at the easy bend that they’d started from. The entire swim, Khanh kept thinking exactly one thing: please don’t let me be eaten by a crocodile.
Thankfully they emerged up onto the bank, everyone with their limbs intact, and having made the cleanest getaway they could have hoped for. Khanh swiped his hair back away from his face and grinned at the other two. “Shall we get lunch, then?” He was in the mood to celebrate.
This had to be the easiest job they’d ever pulled. Thanks be to the gods that the Queen employed the absolute dumbest guards known to man. The old woman, too, seemed willing to trust. Possibly she did not know the tone and timbre of all of her guards and so when Khanh answered, she accepted. Because, really, how likely was it that the royal barge was to be boarded? And with so many and so well trained guards at her disposal, did she truly need to worry? No. So she could more readily accept that it was a crocodile, rather than something far less likely that caused the disturbance.
While Akhmad and Nahash went about their business, Khanh stood sentry, hand around the hilt of his Khopesh, ready to use it at a moment’s notice. But they weren’t rushed by other guards. The water gurgled along the side of the boat. In the distance he heard bennu birds calling to each other. Representative of the god Osiris, Khanh quickly looked to the sky and sent up a quick assurance that they weren’t here to harm the dowager queen. Not that he wouldn’t if worse came to worst. Murder The Dowager Queen just hadn’t been on his To-Do List that morning.
A group of hippos wallowed on the far side of the river and the boat man steered the barge to give the animals a wide berth. Their hollering and bellowing was loud enough to cover any sounds that Akhmad and Nahash might make and every single guard’s attention was on the dangerous animals. This was, in short, the perfect time to leave. Khanh ghosted along the ship, tapping first Akhmad and then darting down to Nahash, giving him a rapid hand wave in the universal ‘let’s go’ gesture. Whatever they had would have to be enough.
Khanh waited on the ship’s deck for both of the other men to make their exits first, then plunged back into the Nile himself. No one looked in their direction because a bull hippo made a splash at nearly that same moment while fighting with another. The swim was much further now, since they were not at the easy bend that they’d started from. The entire swim, Khanh kept thinking exactly one thing: please don’t let me be eaten by a crocodile.
Thankfully they emerged up onto the bank, everyone with their limbs intact, and having made the cleanest getaway they could have hoped for. Khanh swiped his hair back away from his face and grinned at the other two. “Shall we get lunch, then?” He was in the mood to celebrate.