An ongoing slice-of-life series on Zep's life.

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There are no traditions in Khemet which dictate the need to have a family name, instead all Khemetian's are given a first name by their parents and adopt a last name based on the God they have elected to follow. Gods in Khemet were plenty from minor to major, each just as equally important as the other, each serves their own purpose. All citizens of the Empire are encouraged to adopt a following based on a reflection of their personal goals, and ideals. There was no such thing as a preferential belief system over another and that all beliefs are of equal standing in the eyes of the Empire, and its Citizens. As was mentioned, adopting a belief is encourage it is not forced nor necessary for anyone to fulfill whatever duties or work. A soldier may choose to worship Sekhmet for the Warring Goddess is in alignment to their career paths, but it is not necessary nor compulsory.

It was expected that Zephyrius would require 2 months to trek his way back to the Capital but as record should show, he returned in 1 day.


In a hall, the lone jackal stood in the center flanked by other Sentinels as a panel of senior council members of the Order presided over his trial

Zephyrius, you stand accused of cheating in the final aspect of your Trial managing to return here in 1 day. How do you plead?

Not guilty, of course

You would plead not guilty? The audacity! You should be expelled from the Order and disgraced for your dishonesty!

Murmurs erupted in the grand hall as whispers of discussion took over

Silence! This Court is still in session!

And why should I?

Zephyrius pipped up amidst the cacophony of voices echoing against the walls of polished limestone

The orders delivered to me was to "make my way" back to the Capital, it didn't dictate how.

That doesn't mean you were allowed to reverse engineer your Eidet Crystal and activate the Waygate back to Memphis!

Like I said, Grand Vizier, I followed my orders to return home. Is it not in our teachings as Sentinels to seek creative approaches to our objectives? Is it also not in our teachings that constantly remind us that we are not common soldiers trained to rush head-on into situations? That our order is based on the flexibility of how we carry ourselves to fulfill an objective? By our teachings, Grand Vizier, by The Order, I have done as I have been trained. Will you and the Council now deny me success and acceptance into The Order as a full Sentinel? Surely everyone in this room can see the irony.

Such... Such insolence! This was a test and it's not meant to be bent to your whims!

Random shouts from the crowd echo Zephyrius' sentiments, calling for the council to dismiss their claims against the jackal

Then this tests needs to adapt! We cannot be taught to think out of the box only to have a test that puts us in one. That contradicts and goes against the spirit of what it means to be a member of this Order. I besiege you, Grand Vizier, Councilmen, to reconsider your judgement.

Silence spread across the room as the gavel came hammering down on the table. The elders turned to discuss on their own, arguing and deliberating outcome of this trial among themselves. Time seem to drag on forever while the jackal stood in the middle awaiting what may potentially be the end of a very short career so far. He thought about the time he spent in the Order's training grounds, in classes both of the mind and of the body, his time spent out in the wild and the peace it provided. Maybe if the council denied him his rights to become a Sentinel, he would leave the city for the tree hut he had built over the last 2 years and live a quiet existence. Perhaps...

The council has decreed... though your methods were, unorthodox. We the council have come to the conclusion that you have done exactly as you were trained to do and performed your task flawlessly. Hence it is in both yours and and the interest of The Order that you would be allowed to graduate and become a full fledged Sentinel of the Order. We would like to take this opportunity to deliver a recorded warning against potential Sentinels from doing the same thing. Congratulations on your achievement, court is dismissed.

The hall erupted in cheers at the result of the final judgement, Zephyrius breathed a sigh of relief and at the same time relegated the idea of his hut in the wild for retirement.

Thank you, Grand Vizier and your Council. I serve the Order with pride.

So tell me Zephyrius, have you decided on your belief?

Yes Grand Vizier, I have chosen to pledge myself to the teachings of Anubis

Then, Zephyrius mesu Anubis, we the Council welcome you the Order

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