The Scarab's Sting
The Scarab's Sting was a virtual representation of one of Bayek's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.
Description
Apollodorus sends Bayek to Sais to track down a member of the Order of the Ancients: The Scarab, a cruel shadow terrorizing the region. Bayek's contact is Harkhuf the brewer, who has collected what stories he can about the mythical Scarab.
Dialogue
Bayek rides to Sais, finding two men working outside at the brewery. He approaches one of them.
- Bayek: I seek the master brewer, Harkuf (sic).
- Worker: I have no time. Speak to one of my overseers, if you must.
- Bayek: You misunderstand. I am a Medjay. Apollodorus sent me.
- Worker: Apollodorus! Of course.
- Bayek: He sent me for the Scarab, the shadow that darkens Sais.
- Worker: Shh! Please! That is an evil name to speak aloud!
Apollodorus knows that people are suffering. In my position, many confide in me.
Trade is strangled, the soldiers run rampant, and the weight of Ptolemy's taxation crush the breath from us.
Come with me. Let us retire where we have a roof overhead.
Bayek follows Harkhuf to his home.
- Harkhuf: There are many terrible stories about the Scarab, I am sure Apollodorus told you.
Tales of mutilations, disappearances, and folk buried in the desert and left to die.
A horrendous fate. Trapped in the shimmering sand. Your mind and body pounded by the relentless sun.
Waiting for the final release into the Duat.
Harkhuf slides a tall pot to the side along the back wall of his home, revealing a passage.
- Harkhuf: But these are only stories.
There are real villains in Sais... but the Scarab? If he exists it is not safe to speak of him.
Bayek enters the small chamber beyond to examine Harkhuf's informant table. He finds a parchment, the Story of the Scarab, which reads as follows:
H - you know I share your concerns about Sefetu, but I believe a greater force directs him. This is the Scarab. Perhaps a mix of myth and rumor, but I think he exists. I think he controls some of Pharaoh's soldiers, through fear or greed. That is why I was tortured, when I discovered a rich payment to one of the captains. They nearly killed me - I would have died after they mutilated me - if they had not thrown me onto the road where Taharqa found me and brought me home.
- Bayek: The investigations of Harkhuf's agents, concerns of the people. Sais is no different than Siwa.
Bayek meets Harhuf outside the chamber.