A Meeting fit for a Pharaoh

"Excuse me, sir?"

Zale was snatched out of his eclectic distraction bubble suddenly. He wasn't sure if only munites or hours passed, but the prying voice of a young man interrupted him. He was tall and slender, wearing a well-tailored suit, and had neatly groomed dark hair pulled into a bun in the back. He was lightly tanned with Asian-like skin, but his features bespoke of the Middle East. His accent wasn't quite Middle Eastern, though.

Zale pulled his headphones out, returning to reality in a bit of a daze. "Yes? Can I help you?"

"Indeed, you might. You see, I noticed your book…"

"Master Shai. You mustn't simply wander about. We are on important business here," another gentleman dress to impress advised.

"Silence Akil. This matter is of the utmost importance. More so than any meeting with the people of this land," Shai quietly declared to the aging gentleman whose hair was silver but still hanging on.

The gentleman named Akil was ready to respond when Shai raised his hand for silence, indicating the matter was closed. Reluctantly, Akil bowed and stepped back in silence, only lifting his head after Shai had turned back to Zale. "Forgive my and my friend's rudeness. Again, I wished to speak of this book with you."

Zale took a sharp breath, muscles tightening. The strange man who addressed him was polite to a fault, but Zale wanted to avoid the topic entirely, regardless of the person. "Ah, it's just an old book from the city library," he tried.

"I see. It must have been near impossible to obtain. Such a find is…rare. I've only seen a handful of these in my lifetime. What does it contain?"

As Shai prodded, he stepped around the table to Zale's side to get a better view of the book's cover. Zale knew the cover was as ordinary as always, but he always felt an inexplicable connection to it. Shai furrowed his brow but didn't say anything about what he saw.

"No, it's just a normal book I checked out for a few weeks. That���s all. They probably have other copies."

The young man reached for the book, and Zale's reflex was to snatch it away. However, he refrained. Just as the librarian had done, and Meru, when he showed her, Shai would find only the words of a Japanese author translated into English.

Shai flipped open the cover, and his eyes went wide, a big grin spreading across his handsome face. When Shai managed to pry his eyes from the pages, their eyes locked in a gaze of recognition. Zale stood slowly and came face to face with Shai for the first time. "You see it too."

The words slipped quietly from his mouth, and Shai nodded slowly. Zale was stricken, a swirl of emotions rising that were difficult to sort.

Surprise that anyone else could see what he saw.

The terror that his secret was out.

He pushed these emotions into a box and locked them away for the time being.

Should this man choose to reveal the information to others, he would likely be labeled a lunatic or, worse, a heretic. Zale knew that if Shai was familiar with the contents, he wasn't foolish enough to reveal them. Yet another emotion rose from the box, elation.

He felt that maybe, just maybe, this was his chance at a breakthrough. It set Zale's teeth on edge. The risk was big, but the reward was well worth it.

Silence spread between them. Shai seemed to also be thinking, working out the puzzle to his own shocked emotions. Before either one of them could come to a resolution, the elderly man stepped forward again, his face wrinkled with great concern. "Master Shai, we mustn't dawdle here any longer," he sliced through their joint conflict, "The head of Elvash has been so gracious as to hear out our country's plea. I implore you to make haste in meeting this board of directors."

Shai was the first to recover. "Certainly, Akil, it is as you say. Elvash awaits at my humble request, and I am but a guest. It would be crude to delay further," he declared, much to Akil's relief.

He addressed Zale once more. "Thank you for your time...If you don't mind, might I learn your name?"

Shai's earnestness and respect were immaculate. Zale felt compelled to reply, though he found the opportunity too enticing to refuse regardless. "My name is Zale," he said, rousing his own dashing smile to cut through his dark circles and gaunt features, "Zale Sotanaht."

Though minorly intrigued by the strange last name, Shai set that aside and extended a hand. They shook hands, and Zale found a small card pressed into his hand. "I pray we meet again, Zale Sotanaht," Shai said before spinning on his heels and heading away.

With Akil urging him along from behind, Shai slipped into a group that, just as Akil, seemed highly concerned with whatever matter they were preparing to step into. Once they'd vanished into the elevator and the lounge returned to its quiet nature, Zale looked at the business card. It was simple: a white background with a gold border, a name, a phone number, and an adorning golden ankh. Shai Rah, huh?" he voiced, a smile wrinkling the corners of his eyes, "He must be a big shot in Egypt. This might be my only chance."

His hands shook slightly as he sat back down, eyes fixed on the phone number on the card. It was a twinkling light in the vast darkness of his mind.

He made the call that evening.

"Hello? Might this be Zale Sotanaht?"

"Yes, this is Zale. Since you gave me your card, I thought I should give a call."

"I'm very glad you have. I believe we've much to speak of. Perhaps it is in both our best interests to speak in person, though? I was hoping you might be available for a dinner."

"Uh, tonight? I think that might be…" Zale said, looking to Meru, who simply stopped halfway through a yoga stretch to give him a big-eyed look.

"No, no. I don't think it proper to make it so sudden. When might you be able to, though? Say, tomorrow, perhaps?" he pressed.

Zale thought for a moment. He looked at Meru and mouthed the question to her. She gave a slight shrug from her pose and mouthed, "Go for it."

"Tomorrow evening would be all right, I think."

"Excellent. I will decide the details of our meeting arrangement posthaste and send the information promptly thereafter, should it suit you," Shai rattled off into Zale's ear.

Zale was still put off by his mannerisms and speech, likening it to an overzealous professor who only read stories from the Shakespearian times, or maybe a duke from some era long forgotten by people in their scramble to gain God's blessings.

Regardless, he understood Shai's intention and was relieved he didn't need to make the plans. "That sounds fine. Just let me know. I'll be sure to be there," he added casually.

"Indeed. Once again, thank you for your call. I am greatly looking forward to meeting you properly. Until then, farewell."

"Same. You have a good evening."

"What a weird guy," Meru said, the conversation somewhat audible to her.

"He's Egyptian," Zale shrugged, "Like I said, some kind of big wig, I assume. Has to be if he's meeting the president and all that."

"Yeah, but why does he talk like that? He sounds like he lives in the 7th century or some shit," she pointed out, moving into a warrior pose.

Zale couldn't agree more. To add to the strange punctuality they both saw in Shai, Zale received the meeting details only an hour later, while Zale and Meru were engaged in the construction of a pillow fort between the couch, coffee table, and a chair.

The text detailed everything Zale needed to know. The time, address, directions, and even the insistence on him arriving in "the most well-groomed state possible," as it was a "respectable establishment that serves only the finest."

What Shai failed to mention was that the restaurant was a four-star establishment that required reservations months in advance. A valet took his car when he arrived the next evening, and Zale was dumbstruck while stood outside of a building that one did not simply "arrive" at. "Right this way, sir," an attendant said, directing Zale inside.

He followed with all the grace he could muster in his crippled body, book tucked in hand. He was led to an elevator that took him to the top floor of what must have been quite the fancy hotel. He checked his watch. 5:35 P.M. He was intentionally early.

The doors opened to a room with what Zale could only describe as a superior atmosphere. Chandeliers, soft lighting, plush carpet, and a wall of windows to display what would be a dazzling sunset. Zale, clad in his best suit of black and an accent tie Meru picked out for him, was lead to a table by the windows where Shai waited, watching the scenery. He stood when he saw Zale, they shook hands, and both sat. "May I start you with something to drink?"

"Chateau Pontet Canet 1986," Shai rattled off without batting an eye.

"Certainly. And you, sir?"

Zale, stunned like a possum on the road, swallowed and replied, "I'll have the same."

The waiter bowed and retreated. "Thank you for coming this evening," Shai began.

Zale was looking around, taking in the sights. "Um, yeah. Of course. I was hoping to speak with you, too, so no need to thank me."

Shai gave a light chuckle. "Maybe this choice of dinner was a little too presumptuous of me?"

Zale checked himself, reigning in his attention. "Sorry. It IS a lot to take in, but you're fine. I'm just more used to the battlefield than places like this."

Shai nodded. "Well, that said, how about we set aside our social standing and speak as equals tonight. I've invited you as a comrade, a kindred spirit if you will," Shai started, not hesitating to broach the subject first, "I saw you brought with you the book. The same as before?"

Zale took a deep breath. "Yes, it's the same. Frankly, I was surprised you could read it. No one else is able to."

"Indeed. I've found myself in a predicament, as, while not entirely a secret amongst those in my proximity, only I am granted the right to view such volumes."

The waiter brought their wine, and they took a moment to browse the menu before ordering. "So, what of the contents of that volume? Have you read it to completion?" Shai eagerly asked.

"Hold on. I appreciate you inviting me out here, but I can't just tell you everything. I mean, I hardly know you or your intentions. Maybe we should establish some trust? Tell each other about ourselves?"

Shai pulled back slightly, giving a small smile as he breathed out. "My deepest apologies. I allowed my excitement to get the better of me. You are certainly correct.

"Ah, I mean, don't worry that much. I'll go first. My name is Zale Sotanaht, born and raised here in Georgia. I'm actually a hunter with Elvash, tier 2. I was not far off from tier 3, but as I'm sure you can tell by my appearance, some things happened, and now I'm in rehabilitation.

"I've been hunting for several years. Been through more than my share of struggle. I've seen plenty of blood and death, both on the enemy's side and mine," he admitted with a bitter smile, "but I still fight so we don't lose others. Recent events left me crippled, but that's the reason for us even meeting today."

Shai listened carefully, certain to retain what he could about Zale. "Facinating. Thus, you are a man of The God of Blessings, but also a man of magic."

Zale cocked his head. "Are you not? I thought for sure you'd be blessed as well since you have so much money."

For a moment, Zale thought he was rude to talk about his assumptions when he didn't know anything, but Shai simply shook his head. "No. While I am granted insight into the ancient wisdom of my people, my status forbids my indoctrination into the Chruch of Blessings or any church for that matter. I am merely a man.

However, I am not a man without some power. My name is Shai Rah," he started in a low voice, "I am the current pharaoh of Egypt. I am on business in your country to...Ehem. Well…"

Zale was leaning closer over the table, eyes wide. Not a hunter, not a business CEO, but the head of a whole country! Zale was in the presence of royalty. Based on the restaurant where he sat amongst what had to be other big shot hunters and CEOs, he had little doubt in what Shai told him.

Shai cleared his throat and restarted. "You're right. Trust is important. Currently, we are seeking an alliance with this union of hunters, Elvash, and others. I hope to receive aid from those who rule this country to prevent disaster in my own. I hesitate to talk about the circumstances that have pushed me to this point. It is bad luck. Many tragic events may follow, and I fear the worst. I am powerless to act myself, so I seek those who can."

Zale saw it. Shai was a figurehead, much like his own president. Yet, he held his head high and performed his duties for his people. He did what he could with his power. His eyes, though, hung. "In truth, Zale, I am but a political pawn, a pharaoh in name only. I hold very little power in my country. Yet, you bring an interesting revelation, one that could turn the tides," he finished, indicating the book that Zale had kept in his lap.

Zale sat at a table in the most expensive restaurant he'd ever set foot in. The expenses were covered by a pharaoh, THE pharaoh. But, that pharaoh was just a man down on his luck and doing his best.

Zale set the book on the table between them. The cards were on the table, and both sides wanted to know what the other had. Shai's eyes lit up. He didn't dare to touch it this time, though.

"I believe we've both something the other person wants," Shai said with a nod, "What say you, a trade of sorts. I seek the knowledge in your possession. What of you?"

"A solution."

Shai raised a brow. "To what, Zale?"

"To mortality."