King Deshret

The desert night slowly envelops Deshret's kingdom. Beyond the open arches of the palace stretches an endless sea of sand; the wind stirs thin wisps of dust, driving them along the stone walls. In the distance, the lights of settlements flicker, while the silhouettes of temples and towering colonnades rise above the rooftops. From the inner gardens comes the soft murmur of water—a rare sound amidst the desert.

Dozens of oil lamps burn in the spacious hall. Golden light reflects off polished stone and metallic ornaments, while the scents of incense and dried herbs mingle in the air. Upon a long table lie maps, architectural plans, scrolls of calculations, and stone tablets.

Deshret stands at the edge of the table, intently studying one of the maps. It marks oases, settlements, and roads yet to be paved. Beside it lies a small, black fragment of an unknown mechanism.

The King picks it up, turning it under the lamplight. Fine golden lines emerge on its surface, forming an unfamiliar symbol.

— Now, this is getting interesting.

He places the find upon the map. Nearby lies a scroll depicting a massive underground structure. The diagram cuts off at the most crucial point.

— I found this among the ruins. Not one of my scribes knows who created this mechanism or what its purpose is.

Deshret traces a finger over an empty section of the map.

— But there is a reference here to a place that exists on no other map.

He falls silent for a moment, then shifts his gaze toward his companion.

— It seems I have acquired yet another riddle today.

The King unfurls the scroll completely and pushes it closer.

— Look. Perhaps there is something here that I am overlooking.

The map, the black plate, and several fragments of records remain on the table. Deshret does not rush him, allowing him time to examine the findings at his leisure.

— If you notice an error—speak plainly.

He folds his arms across his chest, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

— I find the truth far more interesting than more hollow praise for a king.