Chapter 3: Supreme Epistates

Warning!

The following scenes mentioned cruelty and death. Please read on with caution.

Evthys Hassan

"Who's coming?" "The supreme Epistates is coming over here in Hermopolis. I heard he traveled all the way from Memphis to Thebes then here in Hermopolis" hearing Isman words, Dia didn't hide her disgust face "Oh dearest great Ra, to all people who can visit Hermopolis why is have to be that Epistates?"

I can't hide my confusion to their discussion. What's wrong about it? Isn't that person the highest rank among us? "I... I'm sorry, but i don't quite understand. Who is that Epistates your talking about?" "oh right, I forgot you lost your memories, I told you about him the other day. The Supreme Epistates is the leader of the hunters, he is not just the supreme Epistates, but he is also the nephew of the Pharaoh. I heard his mother is the princess, the second daughter of the former Pharaoh, and his dad is the priest. But sadly his parents died when he was only 11 years old. It said that the group of shesmu killed his parents.

And since their death, the Pharaoh raised him and he becomes the Epistates, that was the highest rank and I also heard that he will be the next to crown the throne. Amen will be the next Pharaoh!" Dia, telling me everything as if she tells me a story " but of course, Amen is also the ones who tortured shesmu to get some answers, and after he got answered from the suspect, the shesmu will get execution and Amen will be the one who will execute, the execution can be cutting your head off, slit your throat, but of course the last thing is you will have to sang the shesmu last song"

my body shiver hearing such Information. I couldn't believe I got here such in the mess! Not only I was accused of murderer but also broke the law of the Pharaoh! Oh my god, if they find out who I am then I can be sure that my head will be roll down like a dice. "so... I saw few hunters here in Hermopolis but the Epistates is not around yet?" "Yes, the only who arrives here just now are few hunters and the Epistates right hand man, Titian."

"I heard that this epistates has a lover, Selena right? Who is Selena?" Dia and Isman exchange glance, they were hesitate to answer but Dia sighs. "I don't want to tell you this because we want you to recover your memories. But according to what Isman's mentor said, if this relates to you then perhaps your memories will be recover. So, I think we will tell you"

I nod to Dia and she clear her throat. "you see, Selena and you were never get along to each other until something changed between you that you get closer. So three days ago before your incident and her death, few of people saw you both not get along."

Three days ago, before the accident. Temple of Thoth, Hermopolis.

The day when the hunters along with Selena and Titian, the right hand man of the epistates. They came here in Hermopolis to run some errands and also to take more healers and scribe so they can take them on Thebes. Selena was a healer, in fact she is the most beautiful healer, she is also like you as well.

When you first met her, you didn’t like her guts. I don't know if you're jealous on her beauty or you're just don't like her.

"Hello, I am is Selena of Memphis, nice to see you" she was friendly and even wants to shake hand with you but you only look and ignore it and say something that the hunter who accompany her didn't like your answer. "Like I shake a hand from you, Stop pretending to be nice, I know a lot of woman like you." Selena was surprised by your response, the student around you thinks you're crazy. "Hey, watch your words young neferut, you're speaking to the epistates' lover" I remember you ignore again what the hunter said and once again you act so bold and confident to your response. 

"Ha, like I care if she's the epistates lover or someone's important daughter. I don't give a Isfet about it. This is why I don't like rich people because they think highly of themselves" the hunter was about to get close to you but Selena stop him and you turned your back on them. But before you can even walk, Selena, who instead got offended from your words, she smiles at you. "wait, at least tell me your name" your head turns on her and surprisingly you reply her.

"Evthys. remember my name. pest" Selena's eyes lighten in interest on you and she was smiling warmly "Evthys huh... 'giver of life' such a unique beautiful name. Hope we get along because you perked my interest on you" I remember you looked so surprised hearing her kind words.

On next day, you and Selena meet again.

"Oh, Evthys! hey there, so nice to see you. Today is a good weather"

"Until you showed up. The weather changed" "well we can talk" "and what are we discussing about? Your popularity???" "Uhm, let's get to know each other"

I thought you don't want to talk to her but to my surprise, you agreed and I saw you both walking together. For days and weeks you seem get along with her until that day....

"I don't understand, why not?" I heard Selena's voice shouted while you watched her with your calm expression. "Selena, everyone must not know about this" "and what?! Let them treat you this way and hide the truth?! Evthys they need to know!"

I didn't know what Selena meant, truth? What truth? You were arguing inside to our room, I overheard your conversation "I don't want you to drag into this mess" "it's too late Eva, I'm already in this mess."

It's not the first time I saw you guys arguing. It was also last night, I saw you both. That was the last thing that you and Selena talked. I saw the both of you hugging each other tightly as if you reunited. I wanted to listen more but I heard some movements so I left quickly. And after that, she passed away and you were there with her.

Present time

"So, that was the whole story? But why blame me when I was also drowned at the Nile and almost die?" "Some people believe that you were still jealous of her that you and Selena fight and fall to the Nile and drowned." Isman said and Dia nods. "Right."  "Now that's nonsense, just because they see me as jealous woman that doesn't mean I have to take someone's life. Are they crazy?" I stomp my foot to the ground and scoffed. The three of us saw Ramesess to the table and wave on us to join him.

We took our food and joined him second later. "I thought you guys decided not to eat" Dia roll her eyes at him. "dummy, who doesn't want to eat while your stomach is empty? If course you're hungry. No person can ever go to work if their stomach is empty!" Dia said and I sneered. This woman, in our timeline, your words aren't matter. Some people don't eat or forget to eat when they have busy schedules or do something important, like me who always forget to eat before leaving to school.

I look down to my food and realize that the ancient Egyptian food was way different than the present time. I shrugged my shoulders off and I made myself a taste on it and honestly it was not bad. While eating I saw a group of hunters going inside to the temple, one by one they look around and see the other students. All of us saw them and stop. Others make way so the hunters will go on their way. "Damn, nasty hunters again" Dia mumbles as she winced at the hunters and Ramesess hiss under his breath as he pinch Dia at the arm and give her warning look before he said in lower tone "be careful, they can hear you. don't get us in trouble!" Dia only glares at him before eyeing back to the hunters.

I lean closer to Isman and nudge my shoulder to him. "Are hunters often visit the temple? Why are they here anyway?" Isman look closer to the hunters and as if carefully saying his words he whispered: "Yes. They're here to look around Hermopolis and probably take some healers and scribes from the temple to brought them from Thebes. Beside, The Epistates still not around. He will be here tonight or midnight." "Thebes? Are they heading to Thebes? again?" Isman nods while chewing his food "Yeah. The situation of Thebes right now is in bad situation. People in Thebes got sick and died quickly, it's said they died from the disease. But rumors was spread recently that the Thebes was in curse by the dark magician"

I raised a eyebrow and steal a glance to the hunters. "They believe those rumors?" Isman shrugs his shoulders "maybe. That's why you and your friends need to be careful around with the hunters. I advised you to tell your mentor not to practice the skill in the hall. the temple has eyes and ears everywhere." Isman said in lower tone before he gets back to eat his meal.

The shesmus, hunters, Selena, the Supreme Epistates, the disease, Eva's memory, or rather also my MEMORY. Damn so many happening to this world. Even this Eva also witnessed it all. Students in the temple started to gather their plates to clear out the table after their lunch, Isman went to leave first as he was busy with his mentor to get some oils and medicine while the three of us, Ramesess and Dia are going back to the lesson when we saw Remmao going out from the hall with few of papyrus hugging them against his chest so they won't fall. Seeing us right away, Remmao went to us and look at me with a serious expression and I can't help but to feel nervous.

"Is...is something matter?" I asked immediately even though he didn't ask me. "Come with me tonight, we're performing Oneiromancy comission. A costumer needed our help, his daughter wanted to take her own life but she wasn't successful. Right now she is still not waking up, and I will take you, Eva to used your Oneiromancy skill" Remmao said, straight away and Dia was surprised to choose me instead of her. "But Remmao, my memories are gone, I doubt I remember my skills as Oneiromancer." I nodded to Dia and added "why can't she do it instead?" I look at Dia then to Remmao, and he just shake his head.

"That's why I choose you Evthys so you can recall your skill. You're good at Oneiromancy than the Necromancy. That's why I am bringing you to this commission. Dia has already done her task, now it's your turn" Remmao said and frown looking outside and see that the sun will soon going down. "Meet me tonight, no any complaints" he said before leaving us. Ramesess whistle and turn around to see me with a smug look "My brother is taken a favour from you. First time!" Ramesess slap from behind my shoulder and shrug me off. "Ouch!" I hit his chest and hiss while he just laugh it off pretending he was hurt. "Honestly you're lucky tonight Eva, damn I wish I was in your place" Dia pouted, hiding her jealousy and I smirk.

"Why? Do you want to switch places?"

"Uh, no. It's better if you go to Remmao tonight, maybe your memories will return if you used your skills"

"Dia is right, my brother is smart to do this to you. He knows that your memories are lost, so he used some techniques to bring your memories back"

Ramesess pats my shoulder again and Dia grabs my hand and said desperately "you better tell me the details tonight. I want to know!" Ramesess wince at her and made her pull her hand away from me. "Oh stop it! She can tell you after that. Now let's just go and have some rest while my brother is busy."

Night at the Temple of Thoth

Just like in discussions, I meet Remmao outside at the terrace, hearing my footsteps he turns around. "You're here." He gestures me to stand beside him and I did. "Remmao, if you don't mind. Can I ask a question?" Remmao wave his hand and said he said coldly "go ahead, we have much time. Aks what you want to ask and I'm gladly to answer them."

"Dia and Isman told me about...this Amen. The supreme Epistates? Perhaps you can tell me about him? Is he really the nephew of Menes II?" Remmao look at me with surprises look "You want to know about him? why?" "Yes, I wanted to know what kind person he is and why should I avoid him. Is he really that dangerous? Is it because he's the executioner of all shesmu?"

There was silent between us, Remmao was looking at me with serious expression and then he breaks the silent with his rough laugh. "Oh Eva, so curious. Fine, I will tell you since I was the one who said to answer your question. First of all, yes, he is the Pharaoh's nephew and possible to be next line on the throne after Menes II if the Pharaoh manage to have a son, if not then Amen will be the next after Menes II. Secondly, there is also a Prince. The lost prince that was never found. He is the son of the former Pharaoh." "Who is this former Pharaoh? Dia mentioned him..."

"The former Pharaoh named Amun is married to Hator and they have two daughters Nefartari and Hepshesut, and one son who is unknown and never known since his birth, and one know what happened to him." - Remmao

"A lost prince? If he was found then there will be competitive to the throne. There's Amen, the son of Princess Hepshesut and the lost prince who's the son of Pharaoh Amun and Queen Hator. What happened to them?" - Eva

"No one knows, the news of Pharaoh's death cause chaos around Egypt. His wife was killed, his daughter Nefartari was executed. She was accused of murdering her mother and siding with the Romans" - Remmao

"What? without investigating?? They just killed her just like that?" - Eva

"Yes, no interrogation, no investigation, they just executed her. what's more worse is that Princess Nefartari is with a child the night she was executed. her brother, the prince was still a baby when that happened" - Remmao

only the breeze from the wind and the cricket covered our silent. It was late at night when Remmao decided to meet me outside my room and have a commission with him. suddenly, from the distance, we heard a chariots coming inside the temple.

A group of chariots was in line getting inside the temple. out of curiosity, I step closer and look just to see one chariot, more expensive than the others. "it can't be...Remmao is that him?" I nod at the tallest man who comes down from his chariot with a white cloak, fair and white skin and hair, and icy cold blue eyes. This man, is he a albino person? I can't believed there is also albino people born in ancient times. Are they? Is not that wrong if I'm so curious right? damn i should have listen to Mrs. Muhammad carefully, huhuhu.

"That's him" "What?" I shivered when I feel him closed to me that I almost recoil from him. "That's Amen, he's the Epistates. Don't get too close from him or attract his attention to you, you wouldn't want him to keep an eye on you especially now that his hunters are suspicious of you from Selena's death" he gives me a warning look and I scoffed "that again? It's not my fault that she died at the river. no one knows what happened to her" "exactly Eva, no one knows what had happened to you and Selena the night both of you drown at the Nile, there is no witness. So the hunters suspecting you that you killed Selena and tried to drown yourself from fear being caught."

It hit me all from sudden, it was the moment I realize that my mentor was right. No one saw us together that night. And the Epistates Amen is in relationship with Selena. Fear creep out from me that I hold on to balance myself. "What...what if he calls me? should I run?" "I don't know? It's your mess and you should be the one fix it. But I advised you to follow his command and answer his questions honesty. Don't try to deceive him. He is smart and has instinct." Remmao warned, and I stood there  and I breath out. I feel there's a lump on my throat but I make sure to calm myself down and not panicking.

I slowly turned to look the hunters and their Epistates. Although he wears a cloak and cover himself from his hood, I can sill see his hair and face. "Is he already born with white hair and white skin?" "Yes, ge already has it since his birth" Remmao replied without looking back at him. The Epistates removed his hood and as if he felt someone looking at him from far away, he look to the direction where Remmao and I stand. His eyes are on me and I freeze. His silent gaze was feeling like he was looking through my soul, digging inside. And I look at him back. There was as if we're having conversation from eye to eye contact.

Couldn't do it any longer, I avoid his eye contract and look down. "It's time to go." Remmao said before leaving and I look to the Epistates one more time just to see him with his hunters, reporting everything to him and I left with Remmao.

Late at night, Outside the temple of Thoth

As expected, Remmao has a bag with him and inside are two plain mask and two black cloaks. "Uhm, Remmao? The hunters are patrolling around. Are you sure this is the best idea to have commission? What if they check the bag and found these? they will caught us for sure." "They won't, as long as you're smart enough to hide them then everything will be fine. If not, you're dead as new." I raised a eyebrow while Remmao was still rummage to his bag checking everything.

"By the way, I heard about Thebes. Is it what Isman said true? That Thebes is cursed and people in there are sick and died?" Remmao grimace and look at me with disgruntle look. "That's nonsense, it's a disease that no one can know what it is and how to find a cure. It's not a curse, don't believe others stories, they're fake sometimes" Remmao said as he checked the bag one more time before he close it.

"What's in Thebes? can we go, i heard the hunters are taking few or more scribe and healers from here. Maybe we can pretend that you're the mentor who teach us to write and read." Remmao suddenly flicks my forehead "Aww, Remmao?!" Remmao hiss under his breath and said deeply "don't make a fool of yourself! If you go to Thebes, not only curse can make you sick but also your life! we're not going in that place, not the same place with the hunters." Remmao then got out from our hiding spot and I follow him until we reach one of the house.

"Stay here and don't go anywhere!" Remmao whisper loudly before getting inside to the house. As soon he left me alone, I lean my back to the wall and cross my arms to my chest. I look up to the night sky covered with stars and moon. Seeing them remind me of something that my mythology teacher tells me.

"Khonsu....god of the moon, known for his association with travelers, healing, and fertility. damn if he still up there, he might witness everything down here."

Khonsu was the Ancient Egyptian god of the moon. His worshipers were primarily from Thebes. His symbol was the crescent moon. Due to his name meaning "traveler", he was believed to be the protector of those traveling, particularly at night. However, he was also the god of healing because he is known as a healer, in cases of affliction by evil spirits. His role as protector of travelers and healers is he can raise the dead, create illusion, and teleport.

Khonsu has the power to bring the decreased back to life, he can also creates manipulation perception. He has the empower to others with immense strength, often giving this power to Marc Spector, his chosen servant. And when the crescent moon shines, it is said that Khonsu is thought to bring fresh air.

"And he has a daughter named Lady Bastet, she was made out from her father's blood, ashes, and small strand of hair from goddess Nepthys. And with the helped with his powers and Isis, the goddess of life, protector, healer, and powerful magician. Lady Bastet was formed like a human and a goddess. well at least that's what Ramesess told me"

Lady Bastet was the founder of dark magician and even she was in the land, she was still worshipped her father every night to tell him everything happened to her and protect the mortal from their travels. Lady Bastet was the goddess of night, she is the protector of everyone's dream. She keeps everyone protected from their nightmares making sure that they sleep peacefully. Legend say that her image shines like a bright moon, her face was beautiful as the moon. Even her daughters takes after her. Her father once told her that if she brought a daughter, that will be his daughter as well. Including her grand daughters and great grand daughters, and the generation of granddaughters from Lady Bastet's bloodline.

Lady Bastet's bloodline of daughters and her great grand daughters will be born beautiful. Their hairs are brown and black, skin is like warm ivory, natural, and dark and light brown, their eyes are amber, emerald, blue and black, there are tall and has slim body, and the daughters will be shining at night as the moon. And more importantly, the daughters first born will always be females. The daughters are not just Lady Bastet's bloodline but also the daughters of Khonsu.

I was snapped on my thoughts when I heard someone was coming. I step back to hide myself from the shadows to covered me. I put down the bag and kicked it to the darkest corner, I furrowed my eyebrow and saw the hunters with....

"No....this can't be, the supreme epistates?!" I whispered under my breath and curse Remmao for taking so long. I tried my best to get out from the shadows, the clouds covered the moon and the streets are now dark, without the moon, it will be harder to see me on time.

Author

Eva couldn't believed who she saw, the epistates stop when he saw someone's silhouette on the shadows. The hunters stop behind him. "Who's there? come out" Eva froze when she hears his voice that was deep and cold. his voice was echo through her.

Eva felt the goosebumps with no choice left she slowly approach the moonlight to reveal herself. as soon the epistates saw her he was not only see a young woman but also like a goddess. Eva was shining like a moon, she avoid her gaze on him and just look down. the epistates was the only one who approach her. "Tell me, what are you doing here? It's late at night." His deep and cold voice made her shiver, without looking on his eyes she replied "forgive me, epistates. I ...I was just having, umh... a quick fresh of air!"

hearing the excuse, Amen raises his eyebrows. "That is not excuse to be here in night. Unless you're a priestess of love waiting for a men to be his services." Eva finally have a courage to look from his eye. "service? what service?" at first Eva didn't understand what he meant, but then it hit her. the epistates was thinking that Eva was waiting for a random man to offer her body. This made Eva scoff and disgusted. "Ha! Me? Offering my body to a random man?! Why would I offer my body? How dare you?"

Amen was surprised by her reaction and the way she talk to him. "You're a epistates yet you think of a woman that way? Listen here, i am not a selling my body. If I am, I could have wear something better!" Amen look behind him and his hunters shook their heads. They have no idea how the Priestess of Love ears when waiting for their service. Amen look back to Eva with a heavy sigh. "Fine, your not a Priestess of love. Not offering your body. But going out in night is forbidden, you can't stay here long. There are a lot of evil man coming out at night and you're lucky that it was me and my hunters found you here."

Amen nods to the house behind her "get inside and don't go out." But then he notice something behind the young woman."What's that?" Eva turn around when the epistates pointed on something and she saw the bag. fuck you Eva! Damn it, you're so dumb! "Bring that here and open it" with no hesitation, Eva grab the bag and open it to show the epistates inside of the bag. seeing it empty, Eva silently sigh in relief.

"It's empty. Why bring a empty bag?" He ask while looking at her suspiciously, Eva replied nervously "I...I was only letting some of ugh...dust out of my bag, I was planning to move out tonight." Amen raise his eyebrows "moving out? Tonight? you must have gone mad woman, you do realized that it's dangerous going out at night especially a woman like you." Eva avoid his eyes and look away from embarrassment. Nice Eva. Nice try..."and so? I can manage on my own" Eva said bravely enough while she clears her throat. "I can ride a camel anyway."

Amen look around to see if there's any camel around. Camels rarely can be seen in Hermopolis, usually when there's a travelers going inside the Hermopolis, the brought camels with them. Unless of course someone can afford to have a camel. But mostly people in Hermopolis used horses or donkeys for the waggons and bringing their things when going out to their hometown.

People in Hermopolis can buy a camel from the owner for the travels, if of course people like Eva can brought one. But seeing Eva doesn't have a camel on her own, Amen doubt her words. "You don't even have your own camel. Do you have horse?" Amen saw Eva how she winced of his last words. horse was one thing that Eva doesn't want to ride with. She doesn't know how to ride a horse, what's more worse is that the owner of her body also have the same faith as her. Both Don't know how to ride a horse because they haven't ride one. "I can't. I don't know how to ride a horse, never been ride one"

Amen was surprise, a woman was planning to move one doesn't know how to ride a horse? Amen look behind her and sees that she is not like other people, she was a lower class. Means a poorly woman from Hermopolis. However, Amen notice that her clothes was expensive, she started to suspect Eva if the house behind her is hers or she was pretending. He knew something wasn't right, so he put his hand to the halt of his weapon ready to take it out immediately. his hunters behind him got alerted and was about to step closer when Amen stop them.

Eva starting to realized that Amen is getting suspicious of her and starting to see her was lying with him. For god sake Eva, even here. You don't know how to lie? I'm bad at lying huh. She looks down and saw her clothes was really like a rich lady and shouldn't be living inside such a poor house, that must have suspect Amen about her. I need to be careful. He is a hunter amd I'm a shesmu, if he find out, I'll be killed early, this body is not mine anyway but still I need to be careful too. My life depends on this part.

Eva put a fake smile. "My clothes is nice isn't? My aunt who married such a fine and rich man visited me, she gave me her clothes. She shouldn't be bothered, she was rich now compared to me." Eva pretend to be disappointed and sad but in reality she was trying to save herself from her own mess, she took a small glance to the hunter so she can see if her lies are working and Amen seems starting to believe her lies. He put his hand away from his weapon and his hunters did the same.

She wanted to snorted but she stop herself, she couldn't believe that she deceived a epistates. After all, the owner of her body is a shesmu. Shesmu can't be trusted, that's what her learned back to her world. Eva remembers how her teacher mentioned about the dark magician in ancient Egypt.

Dark magician, also calls as shesmu by the citizens and hunters are used to be in the pharaoh, but when the former pharaoh died everything change immediately. Soon the dark magician was seen to be evil creatures in people's eyes that needed to be slaughtered and wiped out their bloodline as soon as possible. But not all shesmu are evil as the hunters sees, there are also shesmu who needed money to supported their family needs, other shesmu risk their lives and ended up killed, mostly who got killed are young shesmu below 18 years old, whole some are in 20's. One of those shesmu who needed money so badly is Eva, she lives in a very poor family.

according to her memories, her mother didn't love her since childhood and often bring different man from their house and Eva was kicked out from her house just not to disturb them and sleep outside instead, sometimes she goes to Isman's house to spend a night with them. months later a fire broke out from her house and after the fire, her mother blamed her for everything. Eva realized that she is no longer tolerate her anger on her so she ran away from her ajd lived with Isman until she grows to adult. That's why Eva wanted to have her own money so she can pay them back while the rest is for herself to buy new clothes, food, and her own house.

"Go back to your home now woman. It's not safe for a woman to go outside the time like this. Especially you're beautiful, you can easily be victim by a man." Amen was surprise from his words. What am I talking about? He thought to himself, Eva looks at him sharply, her eyes were suprise. Did he just call me beautiful? Why am i blushing?. A heat of wave flush on Eva's face that she looks away biting her lip. "I'll...go back when you're out of here" Amen chuckles coldy and he took a heavy step causing Eva to step back. The moon comes out from the dark clouds that was hidden it's light and now shining to Eva.

Amen was about to say something when the door opens and Remmao came out from the house with no mask or cloak. He hears the epistates outside and his student was in trouble so he came out to help. Remmao acted surprise. "Eva, dear, why are you here?" Eva breath sigh of relief and Amen saw it. Amen moves away from Eva and nods at her "Is she your daughter? Or your sister?" "My wife" Remmao replied without hesitation and Eva was shocked. To all lies, why is it have to be a wife??? Eva was silently looking to Amen to see his expression, but to her suprise, he wasn't shocked or surprised, rather he was expressionless and acted coldy. "Is she now?" He looks at her then back to him "keep an eye on your wife. She has a smart mouth, it won't end good for her." And with that, he left Eva and Remmao.

To Be Continued....

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