forum Heroes and Monsters 6/6 Group rp Closed

Started November 02, 2021 by @The-Dyonisia group

tune

Tilila stood outside the Pharaoh's palace, taking in all the sights. The tall columns inscribed with the ancient stories of the gods and their servants, of kings and their men, of temples and sights which man could never imagine. She gazed at the meter long ivies and grapevines that twisted and twirled up the sides of the palace, nearly reaching the top. She marveled at the gold-filled crevasses of the ground and the walls. All of it was a bit overwhelming for her, especially because she grew up in a small tight-knit tribe rather than a large, bustling kingdom like this. She began to sweat a bit, but thought of the fact that she had volunteered for this, so this was a good thing. She composed herself and sighed, walking into the throne room. She spotted four others adjacent to her, along with a few servants at the entrances and beside the walls. Then she tilted her head up. A dozen steps led to a throne surrounded by spotless linen curtains and golden pottery. On it sat a man in royal regalia. A golden head cloth draped on his head and shoulders, a skirt draped over his legs and torso, and he held a golden crook and flail crossed over his bare chest. Presumably, he was the Pharaoh. Next to him stood a small girl, wearing a long tunic, and a very beautiful necklace around her neck. The room was silent for a minute when the Pharaoh rose to speak. "As you know, I sent for a group of travelers willing to make the dangerous trek to the mystical and not yet seen Isle of the Hesperides" He took a step forward "Thousands answered the call, but you six" at this Talila looked around confusedly, suddenly noticing that he was also referring to the young lady standing next to him. "You six were the most rewarding prospects" he smiled warmly "A warrior for protection, a sorceress for magical issues you might face on the voyage, a healer for medical procedures that might happen, a merchant for commercial knowledge, and an artist for recording locations and beings found on the way" he pointed at his sister "And of course, the princess will be looking over this whole mission" His smile sort of faltered when referring to his sister, but he went on "I have prepared a ship filled to the brim with everything you will need, food, weapons, medicinal herbs, scrolls, paints" he tilted his head "Wine." Tilila smiled at the mention of alcohol. "And all other essentials for your journey" he shook his hand, gesturing them off "You will be on your way tomorrow morning, for now, you will all be given rooms in the palace. Sleep well" At the wave of his hands, five guards were at their sides, escorting them to different rooms.

Ehlaea stood near Tilila for a moment, admiring the ivies and grapevines. She had entered the city shortly beforehand, and had found comfort only in the plants. She didn’t like cities, or crowds, and she was stuck in both. But, she hoped it would be worth it. The Garden of Hesperides awaited her.

She followed Tilila inside and listened to the Pharaoh closely. She nodded at his mention of a sorceress, then glanced around at the mention of the others, curious who was who. When the guards came up to escort them to their rooms, she followed silently. She then gave the guard a nod of thanks and respect before settling into her room.

Bast had studied the people that would be accompany her on the trip. She didn't look at them with respect, no, they would have to earn that. Instead she looked at them trying to determine their worth to her. Though her gaze fell on Tilila. When they were dismissed, she turned to her older brother, "This is the people you have chosen? Honestly I don't see anything worth of value other than the warrior."

"Just trust me here, Bast. I am the morning star of Egypt" her brother, Besawa, answered sternly "They'll all be useful in their own ways." he didn't look her in the eyes, in fact he turned in the opposite direction "Remember, this is for father's sake. I'm trusting you to keep an eye on them. Do not let me down"

Bast flinched at his last comment but nodded, "I will not fail you." She went to say goodbye but stopped herself. She looked at her brother without showing emotion in her eyes, "In case I don't see you tomorrow…. goodbye. I shall write to you with any results." Bast left and went into her chambers.

Efraim tried to pay attention to the Pharaoh as best they could, but their eyes wandered to look at the walls occasionally. Here in the throne room were some of their father’s paintings, most noticeably the stretch of blue that represented the Nile River underneath a flock of herons in flight. Underneath that, near the floor and in the various corners of the room, Efraim could spot small, golden fish clustering in groups of two or three. Father’s fish had always very good; they liked to think that repetitive strokes that made up the scales were relaxing to him.
Their eyes then drifted over to the others, taking in their unfamiliar faces and clothes. They couldn’t form an immediate judgement of any of them, but could only hope that they wouldn’t be judgmental in return.
Upon hearing the word “paints,” Efraim snapped back to attention. Excitement bubbled in their stomach as they realized how close they were to breaking free of the bubble that they had been living in for so long. Sure, it wasn’t as if the journey wouldn’t be fraught with danger, but they trusted that God would protect them.
When the guard came to escort them to their room, Efraim half expected to be led where they normally slept. However, they came to an unfamiliar room, and they realized this was probably so they wouldn’t have to catch up with everyone else in the morning. They stared at the guard for a moment, unsure, before entering. After taking off their sandals and kneeling beside the bed, they began to pray. They asked God for protection and safety, and that He would give them courage, as they always did.

Chi ran through the bazaar outside the palace, dodging the passerby and panting. I'm going to miss it! I'll miss them, and then I'll be no better off than before! The palace suddenly loomed into view, in all its splendor. But Chi only had eyes for the gates. The immense golden gates to the palace, inscribed with tales of the Pharaohs of old. The gates that were beginning to swing shut- No. They were swinging shut. Faster and faster, gaining momentum with every agonized second that Chi spent running in desperation towards them. She felt as if she were running through quicksand.
She pounded on the gate. "T'hari! T'hari, please, please be there! T'hari! " T'hari of her best friends, a servant in the Pharaoh's court. And around lunchtime - now - he was permitted a stroll around the grounds. "T'hariiiiiii!" Footsteps. Quicker and quicker, clop-clopping like a camel's hooves. A click, a sliding bar, and the gate swung open. Ish. Only a few inches, but enough for Chi to see her friend's grinning face.
"Chi! You're late! They're all already here, and they're inside. And don't call that loud. I know at least three other servants heard you, and one soldier. You've gotta be more-"
Chi slid through the space between the gate and the walls. "T'hari, I've gotta go. If they're already in there, then I'm late. Late, for my only chance for Baba. Late for the rest of my life, so move it, you big lump of camel fat!"
T'hari grinned and stepped aside, locking the gate and waving goodbye, before asking, "You do know where to go, don't you?" Chi snorted. "I could find my way there with my eyes covered by a sash!" "Bye then," said T'hari, running back to the kitchens where he worked.
She walked inside. She could spend her whole life in the palace and still marvel at the beauty and magnificence of it all. The paintings of the Nile, the birds, the bazaar. She turned left, and suddenly she heard voices. Voices! Foreign-sounding voices. She an the rest of the way, dipped a curtsy to the guard, and waved hello to a darker-skinned older girl before letting herself be shown to her room.
I'm doing it, Baba. I'm oing it for you.