2700 BCE Some days later...
Gilgamesh and his general have been wandering the deserts in the direction of Tipersis, the city nearest the Pyramids, for over a week now, riding during the cool of the evening and resting in tents in the heat of the day. With every mile they covered, the young king's spirits soared.
We're close,he thought, I can feel it.
It was the last day of riding before they reached Tipersis. The sun had finally set over the dunes, the stars began to shine in the fading light and the young king was eager to get going.
"Come now, Enki! We must be off if we are to make it to the city before sun up," Gilgamesh said as he climbed by his camel, waiting impatiently as his general loaded their belongings on his own camel.
Enkidu eyed his king ruefully, his sun baked skin revealing the bags of exhaustion under his eyes, "My king, I know you're in a hurry but we have yet to discuss what we'll do once we get there. Or perhaps you already have a plan?"
Gilgamesh frowned in confusion, "What plan?"
Enkidu rolled his eyes and looked to the heavens as if searching for the divine peace of their gods, "The plan to get to the library? Its not like the Pharoah will let you waltz in unannounced especially if you plan to keep up this guise of yours."
Gilgamesh paused to consider then smiled, "Yes, you're right. I hadn't thought of that." He stroked his beard in thought then said, "You know, I would prefer to keep up this guise for safety reasons; we would not want the Pharoah to suspect anything until I made a thorough search."
He looked to horizon where he could see, even from this distance, the outline of the great city and even further west, the famous Nile river.
A thought occurred to him and it was so devise and brilliant that he could not help but smile.
Enkidu groaned, "Gods! I know that look and I hate it with the passion of a thousand suns," he sighed in resignation, "What is it, my king?"
The young king chose to ignore his friend grumbling and nudged his camel forward, "Perhaps, my friend, there is no need to ask the Pharoah for entrance to his library...because he will take us there."
Enkidu furrowed his brow in confusion, "Why would he do that?"
Gilgamesh turned to him, his eyes alight with vigour, "Because he would be doing it out of service to his God, the same god who sent us."
It took a moment for him to realise but when he did, he too could not help but smile, "Brillant."
The young king inclined his head,"I know."
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Keepers of Time
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