AD takes the second part.
***
Chapter 3.14: A Dark Proposal
"What are you?"
Those were the first words Wanketh spoke to you after Wankare's troops were soundly defeated before the walls of Memphis, and the Pharaoh himself killed in battle. Five hundred against two thousand may not have sounded like great odds, but two thousand nervous, undisciplined, demoralized men against you were nigh impossible odds. You had first lured the Pharaoh's army out of Memphis by using your ragtag band of five hundred Heliopolitan milita as bait - Wankare himself lead the surge out from the gates of Memphis to prey upon your men, eager to let loose his frustration at his kingdom's state by slaughtering the enemy. Their indiscipline was soon turned upon them. In an open field, with no walls as protection, they were prey for your chariot instead. You had deemed this the best way - leading from the front - to ensure your men survived the battle. Taking Wankare's head in the first few minutes of engagement was just the icing on the cake.
But it seems your display of martial prowess has drawn too much attention. Wanketh, who had come escorted from Cairo by Samun and Kamun prior to your march to Memphis, waylaid you in the palace before you had time to wash the blood off of you.
"What are you?" He repeats his question. You sense that he fears the power you have displayed.
"I am but a general serving your cause, my liege." Wanketh gives a bitter laugh. "I know of no general so young and so skilled that served Memphis. You look Egyptian, and you certainly speak the language well enough, but are you truly of my people?" He strides up to you and grabs your tunic. "Or are you of the monstrous black cult that befouled my cousin's mind?" You shake your head. "I am on your side, Pharaoh. You may ask my comrades from Heliopolis if you do not believe me." Obviously, that does not convince Wanketh. "Why would your friends speak against you? I have my eye on you, Runi." Letting go of your tunic, he turns and walks away, towards the throne room. It looks like he knows of Gieloth infiltration, and he suspects you of being one.
A week after your victory in Memphis, the usual suspects convened again, this time with Wanketh and a couple of his advisors in attendance. He had not spoken to you after his confrontation. At this meeting, you learn that most of the cities on the Delta have thrown their lot in with Wanketh. Defeating Wankare swiftly had impressed them greatly, and Akil had the presence of mind to get the Heliopolitans to go around giving Wanketh the credit for that victory. You still had to solve the problem of the Gieloth agitators, but that could wait for now. There were three hold-outs; Avaris, Bubastis and Pelusium, who publicly declared their support for Astarth.
Astarth had used their backing to stand against Wanketh, claiming that Wanketh's dynasty had lost its legitimacy with Wankare's misdeeds, and a new dynasty was needed to revive Egypt's greatness.
The three cities had the most developed army in the Nile, and had long been siding with the general, who enjoyed military support even before Wankare came to power. It would require considerable effort to defeat one of them, let alone three. Each of them had a standing force of more than 1000 men.Your current army stands at a total of 3000, including levies from the other cities, while Astarth could likely muster up the same number from Heracleopolis alone, with perhaps more to come from the towns and villages he controls. Astarth's planned invasion is still three months away.
***
A. "We should move against the three cities and unite the entire Delta under our rule." Netzi, leader of the Heliopolitan militia, was in favour of attacking Avaris, Bubastis and Pelusium. He reasons that by conquering the three cities, we would not have to worry about them joining in on Astarth's side when he marches on Memphis.
B. "If we move on the three cities, Astarth will make a move on us too. It is best for us to do nothing and build up our forces." Akil counsels caution - we should take advantage of this respite to build up our army and strengthen relations with those cities who have already submitted to our rule.
C. "We could just attack Astarth head on. Defeat him. Once he is done for, the three cities will naturally fall in line. If we do not, we risk getting sandwiched between them and Astarth in three months' time." Wanketh speaks up after convening with his advisors. They think that a swift strike, just like the one you performed on Wankare, would remove Astarth's threat once and for all.
***
The council dispersed as the issue was unsettled. Wanketh was unwilling to force his opinion on his new allies - paranoid though he might be, the man knew that his current rule was shaky, and he would need you and your companions to consolidate it for now. It was decided that the decision on the three cities would be made tomorrow. You are the last to leave the chamber. As you head out the door, one of Wanketh's advisors appears before you - Kumare, you believe his name was, a dark, skinny man. The both of you are alone in the chamber.
"Master Runi, what do you think of the current situation?"
"It is quite a mess - all our options seem to be risky."
"There is another way."
"What do you mean?"
"Astarth must die. He is the only one holding his little fiefdom together - his appointed heir is a weak man with no support, and there is no one in his court who would be smart or powerful enough to take the reins of the kingdom. Once he is gone, all of our problems would be neatly solved... and he must go soon, before he sends his armies against us."
"And... how do you propose he die?"
"We assassinate him."
"Why do you need to tell me that?" you wonder.
"Astarth is a great warrior and a well-guarded paranoid. He has no vices to make use of. An ordinary man would have a poor chance of succeeding, but you, Master Runi, are no ordinary man..." Kumare trails off.
"I am just an ordinary man, Master Kumare. You flatter me."
"Oh no, no. You are extraordinary, Master Runi, your exploits have made that clear. If you are willing to help us out, both the Pharaoh and I would be extremely grateful."
You wonder what Wanketh knows of this. Kumare hides his emotions well, but you can sense that something is not right with this offer. "No matter what, we would appreciate your input on how to deal with the threat of the three cities. This is just an extra, little request." Kumare smiles obsequiously.
***
1. You participate in the plan to assassinate Astarth. There may be something wrong, but you are an immortal and you trust in your strength and wit to get you out of tight situations. You can save tens of thousands of lives by grabbing this chance to take Astarth out before he launches his war.
2. It is too dangerous to enter the enemy's stronghold on the word of a man you do not know. If it truly is a trap and you are unable to get back in time, or worse, Memphis could fall to Astarth easily. You are the only one capable of standing between Astarth and his domination of Egypt; you cannot risk yourself so recklessly.
.
