Beneath the Pyramids

After entering the hidden passage, the group passed through a large iron double door. Zale looked around. Unlike the pyramids overhead, the walls and floor were all smooth stone, polished to near shine in some places, and covered by carpets and rugs in others. The room they walked into was a large two-story library, reminding Zale of the Coma Library in its layout. Several other rooms and halls branched off from the main one. "This facility is home to all the archives related to ancient knowledge. The forge, of course, but also the Holy Temple, what remains of our history, and much more," Shai explained.

He guided them through the room, up the solid-stone staircase, and to the books set against the back wall. These were all old, leather-bound books encased in plexiglass. Shai stopped and motioned to on in particular. "This is the volume containing details on the last attempt to use the forge. the one beside it is, in essence, the operation manual."

"Will we use that today, then?"

"Of course not. What do you take me for, a barbarian? All of the books you see here have been digitized already. We have them on computers and tablets, mostly housed on a closed network," Shai said with a smirk.

Zale sighed and shrugged, disappointed at himself for falling for the trap. "I guess I can't judge a book by its cover. Well, lead the way then, 'o wise one."

This time, Shai took them down a hall and into the room at the end. There, Zale was introduced to two members of the team he'd be working on. "In fact, you'll be one of the two in charge, myself the other," Shai explained as they entered the room.

"These two are part of the task force I've arranged, Rahja and Kahmil."

They both stood from their computers and greeted the pharaoh with a bow. "You two, this is Zale. He is the other man in charge here. His knowledge might even surpass my own in some areas."

A look passed between the two before they greeted Zale. "It's good to meet you both. What were you working on?" Zale asked, peering at the computers.

Rahja shifted slightly, intercepting Zale's attempt, while Kahmil replied, "As our pharaoh has instructed, we are currently devising a structured plan for future use of the forge. We'd like to avoid another incident."

"What, exactly, DID happen last time? Actually, I'd like to just read the documents you mentioned before. It'd be quicker," Zale said to Shai.

Another look passed between the two. "With all due respect, Mr. Sotanaht, I believe you should leave that to us. We have-"

Shai cut off Rahja. "See to it that he also receives a copy of the relevant documents for this project on one of our tablets."

Rahja, looking thoroughly chastised, consented. Zale sighed. "I'll have time to read them later. For now, can we look at the forge? I'd like to know what to expect," Zale asked, addressing Rahja and Kahmil with a smile.