Colossal Legs of Stone

Chapter 8

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Ozymandias and his army reached the river that marked the border of Kelba. They had been traveling for weeks in the harsh desert, fighting off bandits and sandstorms, and they were exhausted and thirsty. They rejoiced when they saw the sparkling water and the green trees that lined its banks. The river was called Zeret, and it was a lifeline for the people who lived in this arid land. It flowed from the mountains in the south, where snow melted and fed its streams, to the sea in the north, where it joined with other rivers. Along its course, it irrigated crops and pastures, supported wildlife and fish, and provided drinking water and trade routes. It was also a natural barrier against invaders, who had to cross its swift currents and deep channels if they wanted to attack the kingdom.

Ozymandias and his army quickly set up their tents and lit their fires. They needed to rest and recover before they continued their campaign against their enemies. The night air was cool and refreshing after the scorching heat of the day. They could hear the soothing sound of the river flowing nearby and smell the fragrance of the flowers and herbs that grew on its banks. They ate their rations of bread and drank from their leather flasks filled with water from the river.

Ozymandias was not satisfied with just resting, however.

"My king, you summoned me," Horemheb said.

"Yes, I did," Ozymandias said. "I want to discuss our situation with you. We have a problem."

"Which problem, my king?"

"Our supplies are running low. We have lost some of our weapons and shields during the raid by the nomads. We need to replenish them before we face our enemies across the river."

"I know, my king," Horemheb said. "I have been keeping track of our inventory. We have enough fish and ducks in the river, enough fruits and nuts in the trees, to feed our men for a few days. But we do not have enough gold and silver in our treasury, enough jewels and gems in our vaults, to buy food, and replacements for what we lost. Not that the merchants around here would sell us what we need anyway."

"Exactly," Ozymandias said. "That is why I have a plan."

"What plan, my king?" Horemheb asked.

Ozymandias looked across the river and saw a large herd of hippopotami grazing on the lush grass. He also saw a swarm of crocodiles lurking in the murky water, waiting for their prey.

He pointed at them. "Those animals are our plan."

Horemheb followed his gaze and frowned. "Those animals are your plan?" he repeated.

"Yes," Ozymandias said. "They are a valuable source of food and materials. Their meat is tender and nutritious, their skins are thick and durable, their tusks are ivory and their teeth are sharp. We can use them to replenish our supplies. We can use their meat to feed our men, their skins to make new weapons and shields, their tusks and teeth to adorn them."

Horemheb shook his head.

"Ozymandias, my king, I do not think this is a good idea," he said. "Those animals are dangerous. They can crush a man with one bite. They are not easy to hunt or capture. You are risking your life and the lives of your men for nothing."

"No, Horemheb," Ozymandias said. "I am risking my life and the lives of my men to make Egypt as secure as I know how."

Horemheb sighed. "Your majesty, I respect your courage and ambition," he said. "But I also value your safety and success. There must be another way to solve our problem."

"If there were another way, you would have suggested it to me, wouldn't you?"

Horemheb nodded.

Ozymandias looked at Horemheb with determination. "Will you join me in this hunt or not?"