Scars

Chapter 7- The farewell

The word about Djehuty's victory spreaded like wildfire. He was back at the school but was asked the next day to get ready, for he was being promoted to be a part of the Royal army. The army had a well-established hierarchy, with the Royal General of the army leading it, and the five commanders leading different commands: Infantry, artillery, naval development, intelligence and reserve and enforcement forces. Those commanders further had two layers of officers(captains and lieutenants) under them and then there were armed and unarmed military personnels.

The royal army of Kemet was considered to be one of the most powerful and effective army and the credit lied with the King of Kemet, Osiris. One of the finest fighter and strategist, was building a committee and there was only one void there: A young, fierce general who could replace General Senemut. General Senemut was a very orthodox, and conservative leader that believed an army should only be there to show your strength on paper, and wars should be avoided at all costs. He was accredited with developing the intelligence wing and naval development, for he believed intelligence wing is a must have for every emperor that wants to avoid clash/confrontation of any sort and also get a real picture of what exactly is going on in their state. Also, he felt naval wing could be a very useful tool to expand the business and exports from the state.

Though Osiris respected General Senemut a lot, he disagreed with him on a lot of things. The conflicts were never direct, but there was a clear bias between their choices and this was a hindrance in his plans to take over the desert. Here too, Senemut believed a state should approach the neighboring states with a plan, a treaty and offer to take them over: stating why their state is great, and why they should consider merging. A land of historical importance, fertile land, and a focus on new methods of agriculture and cultivation, Kemet checked all the boxes. The administration was transparent, the business, arts, everything was given equal importance and equal oppportunities to grow. Also, there was another benefit: it was immune to any attacks given they had an army of twenty four thousand active and nine thousand reserve personnel. They had mastered almost all the aspects required to form an ideal state and Kemet had earned that reputation, over the past six years since Osiris started to take care of the things.

Djehuty was to be given a proper farewell, a party was to be arranged in the central hall of the school: while the others of his class would graduate out of the six years long course two years and three months later, he would soon join the infantry wing of the Kemet army, as a lieutenant. That was just symbolic as he would need to familiarize himself with the work culture of the armed forces, but he would in a month be working as a captain. Another month as a captain, and he would then lead the royal infantry of the Kemet, for three months or a major battle. In six months, a day before his twentieth birthday, he would be replacing General Senemut and addressing the royal court of Kemet as he takes over the command.

A servant entered the special room that had been kept for Djehuty, to give him the new clothes. He dressed up as he heard the footsteps, near the window of his room. He dimmed the lights as he pretended to step out while he simply proceeded to lurk around the window to see if anyone was there.

He heard someone walking very discreetly, and was alerted. He reached out for his dagger that he had kept away as he was simply going to the dinner, and moved the curtains to the side. The footsteps had vanished and he heard a very subtle whisper, "I am just here to give you a message."
"Show yourself." Djehuty said in a firm voice.
"I apologise for I have to show up like this, I am a mercenery and on a lookout currently. I can not walk out in the open like others and that is why I had to do this, your highness. I am leaving this letter, here under this rock. You can leave a message right here on a piece of paper, I will be back tonight."

"Who sent you?" Djehuty asked.
"That is not important right now your highness. I had to bring this message to you: General Senemut would not be given any importance right now even though I am pretty sure he has already deciphered what is about to happen in Kemet. Please read this and take a call immediately. I will be back to take your message two hours past midnight."

"Alright." Djehuty said, as he stepped out of the room, grabbing his dagger even more firmly and having put on his armor. The man that he just spoke to was nowhere in sight. There was indeed a rock. A small, shiny rock and there was a piece of paper right under it. He looked around, and very swiftly put it in his pocket as he walked towards the dining hall.
"Relax General, we know your caliber, you don't have to walk around with an armor like that? What is next? Beheading your meal and cooking it with fire spontaneously?" His friends chuckled. He realised he forgot to take the armor off.
"I just thought I would cherish this for as long as I can, as I will soon be leaving."
"Nothing could make us more proud, brother. We got a story of a lifetime to tell our kids." Iset said, "Just don't forget your friends once you're royalty."
"What are you even talking about?" Djehuty seemed a little emotional,"both of you are graduating and helping me as soon as you join your respective wings." Iset and Aten were his best friends. They were to graduate with the rest of their batch and they were just as sad to part ways as Djehuty, yet happy that he was the General to-be of the land of Kemet.

Aten raised his hand, "To the General to-be, your highness Djehuty!"
A night to remember it was going to be.