Sidequest - 1
The Pharaoh
From the moment the boy could understand the world around him, he knew he was special.
His uncle had made sure of that.
He was bathed in coconut infused waters, and washed by six maids who made sure to scrub every inch of his body. Sometimes during a long bath after a hard day of play in the tombs, he would even eat grapes off a platter as the water ran over his head.
He often played alone, but when he did play with the other children, he noticed that when voices were raised everyone took his side and when someone didn't they were looked at with an eye of fear.
But it wasn't the luxury that gave him his final clue, nor was it the children at play.
It was the noise he would hear sometimes when people spoke to him. A slow steady hum that came up since he was a babe but now at the age of seven he understood.
It hummed when people lied to him.
"Very good my Pharoah. "
"That was great my Pharoah. "
"Of course it should be. After all you are to be Pharoah, who else would it be for. "
Most times the hum didn't bother him. It was something he got used to. He was the Pharoah, and so people would lie to him.
These things simply happened. It made him sad at first, but he had grew to accept it. He asked his servants less questions and played less with others.
The Pharoah grew alone.
Time passed quickly for the young pharow. Moons soared across the heavens and winter shook its tentative grip over the world thrice. Before the boy knew it he had turned the age of ten, the time was upon him for the taking of the great path and the ruling of the nation. It was time for the boy to put his gift to use.
In the councils of war that he would attend, he would ask further into any report given that had even the slightest sound.
In the councils of finance, he would dig deeply into any given set of numbers by the merchants who would report their profits.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
In the council of legislation he noticed the slight of words that although would give him a hum, would fail to raise an eyebrow, until the offender was questioned with a more tactful approach.
Of course It wasn't long before the rumors of his prowess spread far and wide. Many would know of the young Pharoah blessed by the heavens,, some even going so far to flock to the royal steps in hopes to glimpse him. The Pharoah. A prodigy that would lead this kingdom to a golden Era.
It was then that his uncle, his advisor, his only family who had supported him fully all of his life, began to lie to him.
It started off small.
A casual smudging of funds here and there. A remark on plans that he didn't really believe. Small things.
The young Pharoah had almost decided it didn't matter. After all, what was a lie in the face of all his uncle had done.
That was until,
"My boy, the day you take your great path and rule the land, the world will turn for the better. "
Humm.
"It will be a honor to serve you."
Humm.
" The revolution building in the southern lands is no problem."
Humm
"It will all be fine my Pharoah."
Humm.
The young Pharoah didn't know what about the statement was a lie, but he did have a strange feeling.
A feeling that his life was in danger.
So the young Pharoah, with his first ever true struggle in life made a decision there and then that would guide him for the rest of his life.
The next morning, the grand advisor to the Empire of Zero was murdered in his sleep.
The young Pharoah took his crown Early that day.
Ten years have passed since the day he put on his crown that smelled of blood. Some things have changed. His kingdom prospers more , his body has grown, his mind has sharpened.
His competitors are none.
And so he has grown bored.
Bored of ruling a kingdom, bored of the many women he courted , bored of the Hummms that flock him dayly. He has grown bored of being gifted in this dull place.
So bored in fact that -
“Ay , so , uh , are we going to do the thing , ya know …with the pirates. “
“Hell yea man , I know where the guys are meeting up too. “
“No way.”
“Yea man , c’mon , let’s meet some pirates.”
Two men dripping with demeanor of mischief departed , cutting through the busy town square and off in the direction of the harbor.
The Pharoah smiled, threw a bag carrying all his possessions over his shoulder, and followed.