About one week later, the Pharaoh's architects were able to present him their first results.
It has been a difficult time for both the queen and her three friends, Serenitete not being used to their sort of lifestyle, while Ptah-koto, Minak-Osiris and Horei had to endure her moods and clumsiness.
Also, Minak was missing sleeping in her own, warm bed, which she had to leave for her queen... and at the same time, she had to endure Serenitetes unbearable snoring.
Even the normally very patient Ptah-koto and Horei were glad when they were allowed to attend the Pharaoh's meeting with his architects, together with their queen and friend.
Mam-Or-Amun was sitting atop his throne, his gaze sweeping over the assembled people.
"So, let's begin. What did you all bring me? You there, let's start with you."
A scrawny young man called Uminoth stepped forth. He was very nervous as he raised the plans of the building he came up with.
"I, um... I thought about a new palace with 330 chambers. If you would take a look at the plan, my Pharaoh..."
Mam-Or-Amun took a short look at the blueprints, then shook his head. "No, I'm sorry, but this is too banal. Next one, please!"
The disappointed Uminoth stepped aside to make way for a beautiful-looking woman with dark green hair. She had a confident smile on her face.
"My Pharaoh, if you would take a look at what I had in mind..."
"I think I know her," Horei whispered to her friends. "That is Bastet-Suna, the famous inventor and architect. Some say that she was the one that constructed most of the temples in our kingdom."
"Wow..." Minak-Osiris was impressed.
"I see..." the Pharaoh said as he took a look at Bastet-Sunas blueprints. "Your building is shaped like a pyramid..."
"That's correct, my Pharaoh," the female architect nodded. She gestured at a certain point on the plan. "If you look here, here is where we will make a hidden entrance to the treasure chambers..."
"Where I can store my gold," the Pharaoh nodded. "Sounds interesting."
"But that's not all," Bastet-Suna went on. "In later centuries, this building will make you famous."
"Sounds even more interesting," Mam-Or-Amun smiled. "I have to admit, I'm very tempted..."
A disapproving sigh could be heard from the crowd. Mam-Or-Amun looked up in surprise, and Bastet-Suna turned around angrily.
"Who dares to disturb my conversation with the Pharaoh?"
"Excuse me," a cute, blue-haired girl spoke up. "My name is Amisis - I've just become an architect - and I believe I have a better idea than this."
"Oh, have you now?" Bastet-Suna frowned, not liking the attitude of this young upstart.
Amisis nodded. "You know, while a pyramid may be a nice idea... I'd suggest something else. You know, a cube has - when the base has the same size - the triplicate volume of a pyramid."
She smiled at the Pharaoh. "Triplicate volume means triplicate storage place for your treasures."
The Pharaoh nodded. That sounded logical.
"Furthermore, the cube I came up with is totally impregnable."
"Really?" the Pharaoh asked. "To what extent?"
The young architect pulled out a small cube that looked like it was composed out of some smaller, colorful cubes.
"This is only a model of the real thing, my Pharaoh! You see, only one of the many color combinations will lead to a result." She held it up to the throne. "Try it yourself! If you manage to find the correct combination, the cube will open up."
"Um, I don't think I..."
Serenitete patted his shoulder. "Try it, dear! It's just a game, after all!"
Mam-Or-Amun took the small cube with a sigh and said: "Okay, fine!"
He turned around the various sides of the cube, while the hidden mechanism gritted and creaked.
After some time, sweat appeared on his forehead, as he still couldn't figure out how to solve the puzzle.
Amisis giggled. 'I believe that in future centuries, no one will be able to solve this puzzle,' she thought to herself. 'But I think I won't tell that to the Pharaoh.'
Finally, the Pharaoh gave up. "I have to admit, it really is impossible to open it without the correct combination." He looked over to Bastet-Suna, who was still waiting impatiently for an answer, her pyramid blueprints in her hands.
"I'm sorry, but I like this idea more than your pyramid."
Bastet-Suna didn't say another word, instead she just grabbed her blueprints, huffed and left the throne room.
"Looks like he's satisfied with that thing," Ptah-koto assumed.
Minak-Osiris nodded. "Yeah... it looks like fun, though. Think he'd lend me this model so I can try it myself?"
When she saw the disbelieving looks of her friends, she blinked. "What?"
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(Posted Mon, 05 Mar 2007 12:51)
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