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Several weeks have passed with no word from the Grand Pyramid, or rather, the Pharaoh himself. Public appearances have gone from rare to non-existent in recent days and the only one that has been seen has been Cain. Though things have become more silent since Cain has left to Waiko to search for Divinus. Inside the Pharaoh’s chamber, Dayan was slumped over his desk looking very much pale and weak.

“You’re not looking too good Dayan.” Ridley appeared inside the room and helped Dayan sit up. She sat down on a chair nearby and stared at him for a few seconds before continuing, “I’m not a bad person you know, I never was until the war came unto our lands.” Dayan would look at her blankly, he stirred up the energy to speak. “Father told me of his brother, how he sailed off one day and never returned without a word of where he was.”

He took a moment to catch his breath and continued, “Khagan Khaiju despite being deformed, looked a lot like my father.” Ridley would look down, now connecting the dots of her odd family history. She had taken the name of her mother and so has her father, but her father's true last name had always been a topic of no discussion. She herself was half human and half siren and so was Dayan and thus it dawned on both of them…they were cousins.

The two would be the only two known members of the Itsu family. Could it be possible that more are out there after the Skull attack on Goshima? For now, that did not matter, Ridley had gotten up and embraced the only family she had left. This for Ridley is very odd to show such emotion, for much of her life has been dedicated to the Death Lotus which has hardened her heart to stone. Dayan also felt much joy to know he wasn’t alone after twelve years. The family reunion had to be cut short for Dayan had a mission for Ridley out in the desert.

Dayan reorganized his papers and took out one old scroll to the top of the stack. He signaled Ridley to have a look at the parchment. “As you know, there is a monkey colony just north in the middle of the desert, I want to help the colony growth in the name of Apmeken. It has been rumored that Apmeken has been seen once more and her senses restored. It would give us a good favor if we helped the colony expand. They will, however, remain autonomous, they will simply receive aid from the empire.” Puzzled, Ridley stood up, “And you are telling me this why?”

Dayan scrolled up the parchment and put it to the side. “Everyone else is mostly busy and I cannot expose that I am Ill at this current moment. You, however, seem to have free time.” Ridley was surprised at the motion, she has never been entrusted with anything other than security detail or assassinations. But why would he trust her with such a diplomatic mission?

She looked towards the doorway that leads to the balcony, “Very well, I will see what I can do, and fret not, I will not harass or intimidate… perhaps my people, er, monkey skills can do with some work.” Before she left, Dayan had her send word to the Workers district about another building contract along with a large sack of gold to pay them for their work. She took the contracts and the gold and left the Pyramid into the blazing desert sun. Perhaps not everything is so bad after all she thought to herself as she made her way to the Workers district.

The once slums of the city have over time turned into a housing area for paid workers ever since slavery was abolished. Batal has since become head of the workers union, this is who Ridley would have to speak to about the contracts along with pay. “Ah well then, I see the Pharaoh, at last, has work for us to do…hmm, hand it here girl.” Batal took the parchment from Ridley and read over the orders.

Dear Batal,

I wish to inform you that I have several contracts for you and your workers to complete. Along with this letter, I have a large sum of gold for the workers initial pay and the rest will be handed over once the work is finished. As usual, please ensure the workers have enough water and food, the desert heat outside the city is much different than that within. Other projects are listed for the Arc, thus a ship is ready for your workers to set sail to the designated spots of construction. Please Read over and the supplies of course will be supplied.

• A monument dedicated to Zaros shall be erected at Jaldraocht Pyramid
• A monument dedicated to Apmeken shall be erected at the monkey colony
• A Bamboocutting Guild shall be built in Tuai Leit
• A Divination Guild shall be built in Sophanem
• A Watchtower is to be built on Goshima to aid in repelling Skull pirates

The Supplies Carts are ready to transport everything at your command. Thank you dear friend, and keep me updated.

-Dayan Itsu
Pharaoh of the Wushanko Empire

Batal scrolled up the parchment and smiled, “Such a large order, yes…very large indeed. Much work to do then. And where is the gold, girl?” Ridley took out the large sack of gold and handed it to the shrivel man. “It should be around two thousand pieces of gold, enough for you and your workers for the initial payment.” She tipped her and closed her bag. “Ah yes, this is perfect. We shall begin work immediately. Farewell for now.” Batal entered his dwelling and began writing to his workers. With that done, Ridley just had one more thing to do which was to go to the Monkey Colony.

Back at Menaphos, Dayan continued his work at his desk. Papers and ink bottles were scattered all over the desk. He began to fill dizzy and passed out, once again slumped on the desk. Everything was hazy, and a figure appeared in the haze… “You cannot defeat me, even after death, I still live.” Then an echo of a voice could be heard, “Dayan?” he woke up to find Divinus shaking his shoulder to wake him up. “Divinus? What are you doing here?” Dayan would sit back up. “I’m afraid things are worse than I thought. I will explain to you what I know so far…”

Ridley who had taken a magic carpet instead of walking had arrived at Pollnivneach for a quick bite to eat. She had gone to the local Kebab shop and bought a few, some for later. As she sat at a nearby table and began eating, she began thinking to herself. “All these years, my mother and father had lied to me… I can see why my father did, but why my mother.” She took another bite of kebab and eventually finished it.

She had put away the rest in her bag, left the owner a generous tip and continued on to the monkey colony. But, her magic carpet was missing. “Who…stole…it” she quickly got the attention of the locals as her eyes began glowing a bright green with anger. A woman came up to Ridley and told her she saw a group of thugs take it and went north-west of the town. Furious, Ridley began running in that direction, it wouldn’t be long until she caught up them. “I should have known…” a group of desert bandits could be seen attempting to get on the carpet.

“Hey morons! What do you think you are doing…” Ridley still fuming that someone would steal from her. The most muscular one looked at her and laughed, “Ha! And what are you going to do little girl? I suggest you just go back and continue cooking your dinner you pathetic, worthless WOMAN.” The other two scrawny looking bandits laughed at the joke.

“How dare you!” she screamed these words as she lunged at the group, her katana at the ready. Her first attack struck the neck of the smallest bandit. Blood sprayed across the white sand. Ridley’s face was now crazed with anger, her eyes widened and locked on the beefiest looking bandit. “No, please, forgive us! Spare us! We will return your carpet!” He and the other collapsed on the ground next to the body of their fallen friend pleading for mercy.
Ridley’s eyes returned to normal, and she sheathed her sword. “If I find that you are still committing criminal offenses, hope that you don’t see me again. I am the last one you want to cross.