Egyptian Treasury

Since all the recipes can be replicated, theoretically, we shall be going over the list of items in our treasury," Shai announced.

"I will have Akil relay the details once we've decided. I'd like to have everything ready before lunch. Gather the remainder of the team as well," he instructed Kahmil.

After that, the group of four left the forge, and Akil guided them through the underground labyrinth. Zale was certain he'd be lost should he roam around alone. Luckily, he knew Mert would be with him wherever he went, for better or worse. He glanced back at her. "Yes?"

"Ah, nothing."

After a disorienting journey, they arrived at a large vault door. This one was still original stone, unlike the many metal and wooden doors they'd passed through. It was intricately etched with what looked like hieroglyphs. Though Zale couldn't make any sense of them, he didn't need to.

Akil stepped forward to the door. He did a thing, then another thing, and something else, as Zale saw it. Afterward, Shai stood by one side of the door while Akil at the other. They performed a similar pattern of strokes on the door. As silently as an elevator, the stone slowly parted. "Old magic. This treasury was built simultaneously as these pyramids, so it was imbued with much magic. We can neither break nor change it with our current knowledge. However, we know how to use it," Shai said, tapping his temple with a smirk.

Zale was reminded that his current company was connected to the highest order of mystery he could imagine. Even his knowledge as a hunter, something only a handful of people in history were privileged to, felt disconnected from this: wealth, power, knowledge, and a life he'd never considered until mere months prior.

The treasury opened itself, and three of them walked in, Mert not moving from her post. "Mert, under my authority, I grant you permission to enter the treasury," Shai commanded, and the woman bowed before following them in.

"Uh, should I have asked for permission...or something a little more formal?" Zale asked, realizing he'd carelessly waltzed into a place full of secrets.

Shai grimaced. "Please, I prefer it when you don't stand on ceremony. I'd get tired very quickly having to do that with you. We are on equal footing, the way I see it. I sometimes wish Stiff Legs was more like you."

"I'd not have it, Pharaoh, I beg your pardon. You are the king of Egypt, and, as your humble servant, I will treat you with the respect you deserve."

The pair both held back their laughter, and even Mert cracked a small smile. "Anyway, this is the Treasury of Egypt. More specifically, of Ancient Egpyt. We have a great many historical items kept down here, all of which are magical in nature. Naturally, very few people have access to this room, and only I have the permission to authorize the usage of these items," Shai explained while guiding them through the room.

Despite it being a treasury, it looked like a museum. The stone walls had cubbies cut out to house the items. Many were fixed in place with metal clasps, and, more recently, clear plexiglass was added for further security. The room's walls rose at least two yards higher than Zale, and every inch was the resting place of an artifact.

More like a long, wide hall, the room had pillars and short steps running the length that led down to the center, where more artifacts were encased on stone pedestals. The far back wall was the only thing out of place. It looked like a rough, abandoned wall that had never been refined for use. "This hall was originally a work in progress as more artifacts were forged. However, the project was left unfinished when the forge was decommissioned," Shai explained, seeing Zale's perplexion.

Zale was quickly becoming acquainted with the feeling of being overwhelmed and just asked, "So, how will we pick a test piece to replicate?"