Amgyptapan

Chapter 4: Demon Ways

Nothile and Serina retraced their steps to where they had left Pharaoh Amenemhet and Chief Shalom. Serina growled like the dogs that the Madjei kept back in Thebes when they discovered that the two monarchs had relocated. Nothile scoffed and remarked that it was possible that the two had decided to move to the throne room to talk in private. That is where Serina and Nothile found them.

"Daughter, it has been decided between the Pharaoh of Egypt and I that, as payment for your services, the Pharaoh, his High Priest, and the two servants accompanying them shall be our honored guests for a fortnight." The Chief announced as the demoness and High Priest took their place at the side of their respective sovereign.

Serina unenthusiastically replied, "Oh, joy. There is nothing I relish more than four humans visiting for two weeks."

"Now, do not be like that!" Chief Shalom chided his daughter gently.

The Pharaoh turned to Nothile and inquired, "And what is your opinion on this decision?"

"Circumstances being what they are, this...arrangement is a small price to pay considering the fact that the price could be much higher." The High Priest answered.

Pharaoh Amenemhet caught on to what Nothile meant within moments. Thankfully, Chief Shalom and his daughter had not understood what he meant. The two demons were quite intelligent, even more so than Nothile, but they had not began privy to the fears of the two Egyptians.

"Tonight is to be a very entertaining night. My people adore after-dinner activities. My nephew and daughter were honing their skills for tonight's activity; Sai duels." The Chief explained eagerly.

Pharaoh Amenemhet smiled politely and replied, "I am looking forward to seeing that."

Chief Shalom chuckled and remarked, " I am sure that you both will quite enjoy watching the duels."

Nothile's eyes widened and he asked, "I give my regrets for speaking out of turn, but did you say duels? There is to be more than one?"

Before Pharaoh had a chance to admonish his advisor, Chief Shalom softly smiled and answered, "That is quite alright. My people are free to speak, no matter their status, and I will give the same freedom to you. Yes, there is to be more than one duel. At least three, in fact."

"Three duels is quite the...achievement." Pharaoh Amenemhet said in vain appeasement, "However, I do believe it is time for my High Priest and I to rest for the activities in the evening. May we be shown to where we will be staying?"

"Your servant have already been shown where the both of you are staying along with themselves." Chief Shalom told the two.

As soon as the last word faded from the room, the two servants entered and escorted the Pharaoh and High Priest out. The four walked in silence through many corridors. Unlike the walls in Thebes, the sides of the hallways were decorated with all types of colorful scenery. To an imaginative mind, the heat of the sun could be felt on the skin, the sweet scent of flowers could be smelled, and the cobblestones in the courtyard could be felt under the feet.

Pharaoh Amenemhet's guestroom was well-suited for his station. It seemed that the two truly were back in Thebes. At the Pharaoh's nod, the three continued on until they arrived at the room meant for Nothile. Unlike Amenemhet, Nothile could easily tell that he was no longer in his private chambers in Thebes.

There was no table for Nothile to unwrinkle his robes. The desk was plain and bare of scrolls. Simple linen covered the mattress of animal pelts. Nothile decided that it was best to get some sleep even though it was still daylight.