Grey Like This Night
Grey Like This Night
In-universe date: Era Nova, May--June, Year 2
Real-world date: 15 August 2026
Author: Semet
In the Golden Quarter, the merchants had just finished dusting the sand off their stalls at the foot of the great obelisk of Ib-Nbw. The last storm had been harsh, but our proud buildings had withstood it, as always.
“ O Queen Goddess, please accept my thanks,” a citizen said to me with the greatest reverence, “Thanks to your protection, business can resume immediately.”
Stopping by his stall, I inspected his products, taking care to avoid the dried meat he was offering. One item caught my eye.
“I see that your appreciation of flowers is not just a rumor!” laughed the old man.
“What is it? I don’t recognize it. Even books have never introduced it to me…” I breathed, intrigued.
“Oh, it’s an allium. A flower that grows on a bulbous vegetable. Its name is garlic. It doesn’t grow here, but you can find it in Coronado, in particular, where the climate is milder.”
While listening attentively to my interlocutor's explanation, I held this plant between my fingers, rotating it to admire every angle. Its shape, so different from others, made it quite fascinating.
“I would like to buy it from you,” I said, raising my head and presenting a small, shiny gem.
The merchant's eyes widened. Quickly, he shook his head.
“My Queen! I cannot accept this gift. Everything is free for you! Besides, it's just a flower!”
In turn, I refused.
“You deserve this payment, both for your merchandise and for your teachings. If that is what you wish, I will not insist, but at least accept my gratitude. May the Six watch over you.”
Overjoyed, the vendor bowed low to the ground. Receiving his Queen's blessing seemed to be one of the greatest honors for him.
However, a strange figure at the city gates quickly caught my attention. Pushing through the cheering crowd, I reached him soon after. He too greeted me, but in a less solemn, less polite manner. He didn't seem to be familiar with our customs.
This stranger, draped in a large black cloak, forced me to use my imagination to guess what he looked like. The only visible part of their body was their pale gray eyes, through which I could sense strong negative emotions.
His look is gray like this night…
And yet…
“Welcome to Kheta-Kedet,” I announced, discreetly signaling the guards to lower their weapons. “I am Semet, the Queen-Goddess and protector of this place. What brings you here?”
The stranger explained to me that he came from a southern town called Serrano, that he wished to visit the area and that he had a request to make of me.
From the beginning of my reign, I made a point of explaining to merchants that these flying creatures, whose origins we held secret, could be useful for a multitude of purposes, particularly for transporting goods and people. This is how Kedet ended up selling many of these animals to other nations eager for fast and pleasant means of transportation.
The man who called himself Osiris, standing before me, also wished to acquire one of those rare and precious mythical creatures. He possessed little wealth compared to our city, but he had a talent that Kedet coveted as much as gold and precious stones: architectural knowledge.
With the temple of the mages razed, I needed a new palace, and my sights had fallen on the hill near Mistra-Itrw, where I enjoyed watching over the merchants and the bees. Far from Ssta-Mastaba, but close enough for me to keep an eye on it.
Today, Ib-Nbw was sending this person to me. There was no doubt about it, I could feel her presence, her benevolent gaze fixed on Kedet during this mutually beneficial transaction.
Thus, once the specifics of our agreement were finalized, I guided Osiris to our master architect, with whom the plans for the seat of my supremacy would come to life.