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.
- Harkhuf: The last man who asked questions about the Scarab was near beaten to death, with his tongue cut out.
- Bayek: Hmmm. Who was he?
- Harkhuf: Old Ghupa... Father-in-law to the most powerful man in the region, Taharqa.
Harkhuf gestures to a boy playing outside as the pair exit the home.
- Harkhuf: That boy, Kawab, is his grandson.
Bayek walks up to Kawab.
- Bayek: Eh, you tired of winning?
I'm looking for your grandfather. Do you know where he went? - Kawab: No, he left on the road to Camp Pyrrhos. He should have been home by now.
- Bayek: I'll see if I can find him along the road.
Bayek departs the house to find and rescue Ghupa. He rides up the road to Camp Pyrrhos and infiltrates the camp.
- Guard 1: What are we to do with the beggar that Markos caught in the (officer's) tent?
- Guard 2: If he survives the beating the men gave him, we'll sell him at the harbor for a drachma.
Bayek finds the cage and opens it, hefting Ghupa onto his shoulders.
- Bayek: Ghupa. I will get you out.
Placing Ghupa on a horse, he proceeds to ride away to Shupa's house.
- Bayek: I think you will survive.
- Ghupa: (mumbles)
- Bayek: I know the Scarab took your tongue. But we can help each other.
Harkhuf told me that you were investigating the Scarab.
Help me, and I can ensure he dies.
Bayek helps Ghupa inside his estate, where Kaweb, his grandson, awaits.
- Kaweb: Grandfather!
Are you all right? Is he hurt? - Bayek: Banged up, bruised and thirsty. The soldiers did not take kindly to him. But he will be all right.
Where is your father, Kaweb? We must speak of this. - Kaweb: Father is away, on his great work.
Mother! Grandfather is hurt! Soldiers mistook him for a beggar again!
Kaweb's mother enters the home.
- Mother: Father, what have you done this time?
- Bayek: He was searching for the Scarab. I hope he can help me. And, in return, I can protect your family.
- Mother: The Scarab is nonsense. Everyone knows this.
Ghupa rises and motions at Kaweb, giving him a piece of parchment.
- Kaweb: He wants you to read them.
- Bayek: (Upon reading) It looks like the Scarab is summoning warriors to the city of Letopolis.
- Mother: By the gods! That is where my husband is.
- Bayek: The city swallowed by the desert?
- Kaweb: It is Father's destiny to rebuild it! We're going to join him soon. Right, Mother?
- Mother: Yes. My husband Taharqa has been slaving there for months. I am sure he can help you. He knows everyone there.
- Kaweb: If you go, tell him I can't wait to see him!
Kaweb hands Bayek a wooden horse.
- Bayek: Of course I will, Kaweb.