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The Crocodile's Scales
The Crocodile's Jaws was a virtual representation of one of Bayek's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.
Description
Bayek must find Apollodorus's informant in the Faiyum in order to discover the identity of his next target, the Crocodile. The Faiyum has been brought to its knees through a combination of economic corruption and violent oppression. Egyptians are being stripped of their lands and culture. Over it all looms the shadow of the Crocodile.
Dialogue
Bayek rode in Faiyum to Hotephres's location.
- Bayek: And here I am, at last, in the Faiyum. I will root out the agents of the Crocodile.
It seems I'm not the first visitor today. - Voice: Culture for all! Greek and Egyptian knowledge joins in a new climate of restoration. The Faiyum is --
Bayek entered the building, and the voice faded.
- Bayek: Hotephres! Nek, he's not here. I need to find out where my informant is. A lot of damage, but no blood or signs of a fight. Maybe he fled before this happened?
The voice drifted in.
- Voice: Security for all! An increased military presence throughout the Faiyum has made life safer for everyone. Egyptian slums are --
- Bayek: Hmm. These scrolls tell me nothing useful. I should check upstairs.
- Voice: Prosperity for all! Latest census figures show increased wealth for all in Faiyum. Thanks to the Great Ptolemy's aid for --
Bayek came upon a slain dog.
- Bayek: Who would have done such a thing! What were you protecting, boy?
Climbing the stairs, Bayek continued his investigation.
- Bayek: A child's doll. I'm going to kill this neket iadet Crocodile.
Scrolls and ink. Nothing that tells me where Hotephres has gone. Wait... feathers. From a messenger pigeon? - Voice: The new Faiyum promises peace and plenty. A new age of wealth under the guidance of Greek innovation! Prosperity for all!
Bayek climbed to the top of the nearby pigeon roost to find a letter left behind by Hotephres.
- The Crocodile knows who I am. One of my servants has already been arrested by soldiers on false charges and taken to the nearby military camp. Ok Crocodile, let's dance. If you so desperately want to cross swords with me, you'll have to catch me...
- Bayek: A letter left behind by my informant. It looks like he fled, but the soldiers caught his servant. If the servant is still alive, he'll know where Hotephres is. They'll be holding him at the nearby military camp.
Bayek made his way to the military camp, finding and freeing the servant. He hoisted him onto his shoulders to carry him out of danger.
- Servant: Please... I've told you everything I know. Who are you?
- Bayek: A friend. Hold still and stay quiet. I will get you out of here.
- Servant: Gods. Thank you. Did Hotephres send you?
- Bayek: No, but I must find him. I need his help to find the Crocodile. Will you help me?
- Servant: Hotephres took a trader's ship to Lake Moeris. It has a large statue on board, and is marked by our symbol. The Crocodile has hired mercenaries to find him.
- Bayek: Then I must hurry. Get somewhere safe. Be well.
Bayek commandeered a nearby boat, sailing out onto the lake. He soon discovers Hotephres's vessel, finding him the deck, sharpening his sword.
- Hotephres: So, now they send a son of Egypt against me? It has been a long time since I spilled so much blood.
- Bayek: I was sent by Apollodorus. We share a common interest.
- Hotephres: Who are you and what do you want, eh?
- Bayek: I am Bayek of Siwa. And I seek information on The Crocodile.
- Hotephres: The phantom that has brought Faiyum to its knees? What could you want with him?
- Bayek: He belongs to a group that is destroying Egypt. I intend to hunt every last one of them down.
- Hotephres: Bayek of Siwa, you don't know what you are up against. The Crocodile has transformed not only the land, but the people: those who do not cower in fear, are made to work for him.
- Bayek: And you have no idea who the Crocodile is?
- Hotephres: I stole a ledger from a Greek magistrate I suspect of corruption. It should reveal the identity of this "Crocodile". And if we get it to Apollodorus, we may be able to bring down the whole organization.
- Bayek: Where's the ledger now?
- Hotephres: I gave it to my wife Khenut to hide. As long as the Ptolemies think it's with me, my family is safe. That is why I have to stay on the move. Here, this will tell Khenut you are a friend to be trusted. It is for my daughter Shadya. Once you have the ledger, find me at the docks, south of Euhemeria.
Bayek, take a look around my ship before you go. I keep records of local problems which may have The Crocodile at their root. They may interest you, as a Medjay.
Bayek sailed to Euhemeria to meet with Khenut.
- Citizen: Greeks grow fatter and richer in Egypt while we go hungry. The poor are taxed more than the rich. Why is this happening? This is our home. Egypt belongs to us!
He approached Khenut.
- Khenut: We need to clean this place up and get it running again. Don't worry. I won't let them close down this kitchen.
- Bayek: Khenut?
- Khenut: Yes?
- Bayek: Hotephres sent me. I am here to help. And I have your daughter's doll.
- Khenut: Great. I was awaiting word from my man. Thank you, come, eat and we can talk.
As Khenut gave food to the nearby people, Bayek knelt and handed Shadya her doll.
- Shadya: Oh, I love my new doll, Bayek! I will name her... Iset, and she will be the protector of all Faiyum.
- Khenut: Ever since Hotephres got ahold of that ledger, Faiyum has been on edge. Soldiers with torches patrol every night. And this alms kitchen was practically razed to the ground. They have left Shadya and me alone, at least. Hotephres has made sure of that.
- Bayek: Where is the ledger now?
- Khenut: I instructed our most loyal servant to hide it in our villa. They can search the place as many times as they want. They will never find it.
- Bayek: Can you take me there?
- Khenut: I have been summoned to the lighthouse for another of their "routine investigations".
- Bayek: That may not be safe. The Ptolemaic authorities seem to be working with the Crocodile.
- Khenut: It happens every few days. Don't worry. They wouldn't dare touch someone in an official position. Shadya, show Bayek the way to our home.
- Shadya: Come on, uncle Bayek! You can see my house from that roof. Follow me! You are not afraid of heights, are you?
- Bayek: Lead on, little one. I will follow.
Bayek followed Shadya, climbing up a network of ladders.
- Shadya: Haha! Where did you learn to climb like that? That looks like fun! I come up here a lot. Everything looks so beautiful. The people should be happy, but they are not.
- Bayek: Don't worry. Your mother and father will look after them. Where is your house?
- Shadya: On the hill over there! See it?
- Bayek: Yes... and soldiers. Thank you, Shadya. You should go back to your mother now. It might get dangerous.
- Shadya: Nothing bad will ever happen to me! Iset can fight, you know! She will protect me!
Shadya ran off, back to the kitchen, singing.
- Bayek: Bye Shadya! You and Iset enjoy your life!
Bayek descended from the rooftop to the villa in the distance, making his way around the perimeter and eventually inside. He investigated what he could uncover along the way.
- Bayek: (reading scrolls) Complaints to Alexandria about the administration's practices in Faiyum, from Khenut. She didn't have much success. No ledger.
(trying a door) It won't open. There's something blocking it on the other side. There must be another way in.
Another of Shadya's dolls. Did Hotephres make this one, too?
An unfinished letter to the Sobek priests. Scathing. Khenut and the Cult don't see eye to eye. Nothing else here.
Bayek found what blocked the doors.
- Bayek: Servants tried to barricade the doors. They weren't quick enough.
He found Shadya's diary on the floor, reading a passage.
- I wish father would come home. I miss him. I want to show him my new doll. But I have an idea. I heard mother say we have to hide these scrolls for him. So I'm going to help! If I take them with me, father won't have to worry about them, and he can come back home.
- Bayek: Gods! Shadya wrote this. She has the ledger! And I sent her back to her mother! I have to find Khenut before the soldiers get to her! Oh, Shadya! What have you done little one? You cannot play games with The Crocodile!
Bayek raced back to the kitchen.