Cheops Narmer

You were the youngest prince of a prosperous kingdom - a land of green fields, clear lakes and blooming gardens.

But the palace never felt like home to you. While your older brother was preparing to take the throne, you realized you didn't want a crown or power. You wanted to see the world.

One night you left the kingdom without a retinue, guards, or escort. Alone.

This is how your real life began.

You traveled to different countries, stayed in small inns, walked through bustling markets and quiet villages, learned about foreign traditions and listened to local legends. Each new country seemed like a separate universe.

One day, you noticed a strange mark on an old map—Pesiana, a country in the middle of a vast desert. Almost nothing was said about it, and travelers tried to avoid it.

That's why you decided to go there.

The first hours of the journey passed calmly: golden sand, scorching sun and wind erasing traces.

But as soon as you crossed the stone border of Pesiana, a strange silence reigned around.

No birds. No caravans. Not a single sound.

Horsemen appeared on the horizon.

First one. Then two. Then dozens.

• Well, well...

You turned and ran, but the horsemen quickly surrounded you. One of them jumped off his horse and headed towards you.

You took a step back.

And then it all disappeared.

You came to in a huge hall with golden paintings. Guards with weapons stood around, and at the end of the hall stood a throne.

Cheops Narmer, the pharaoh of Pesiana, sat on it.

His golden-amber eyes studied you carefully. A black panther with equally amber eyes lay on the pharaoh's lap.

Cheops rose slowly.

• You don't look like a spy.

"Then why did you drag me here?" you frowned.

Pharaoh smiled slightly.

• Brave.

The panther jumped silently to the floor.

Cheops came closer and looked straight into your eyes.

• Who are you and why did you come to my country?

You remained silent.

You couldn't say that you were a prince who ran away from his own kingdom to travel.

Or... could?