The Advisor

Timer stood at the head of the war table. The map of the empire was spread before him. Markers. Flags. Little symbols of chaos.

The generals lined the room. Old men. Battle-scarred. They had served under Akhenaten. They had survived the heresy. They had kept the kingdom together when the gods turned their backs. Now they stood silent. Waiting.

Timer's voice was low. Not a shout. Something worse.

"How did this happen?"

No one answered.

"What is wrong? Who is responsible for this?"

The oldest general opened his mouth. Timer raised a hand.

"I don't want excuses. I want a name."

The silence stretched. The torches flickered.

A young general stepped forward. He was barely older than Timer. His armor was polished. His eyes were afraid.

"My lord. The rebellion is led by someone from within the palace."

Timer's eyes did not blink.

"Give me the name."

The generals stood frozen. The oldest one spoke, his voice trembling at the edges.

"Sir... we don't know yet. But we will try to catch them as soon as possible."

Timer leaned forward. His palms pressed flat against the war table. The markers trembled.

"I don't need excuses. Or possibilities. And where is Horemheb?"

The oldest general swallowed. "Sir, he is trying to interrogate all the accused people. We have some suspicion on—"

The door slammed open.

Horemheb stood in the doorway. His armor was dusty. His jaw was set. His eyes found Timer's across the room.

"My lord. You need to hear this."

Timer's eyes narrowed. "What is it?"

Horemheb stepped closer. His voice was low. The room held its breath.

"Sir... we might have found the culprit."

"Who is it?"

Horemheb paused. The pause was heavy. Not hesitation. Preparation.

"It is..." He looked Timer in the eye. "It is Aziru."

Timer's expression did not change. "What?"

"And some of the priests were with him."

The war table cracked under Timer's palm. Not from force. From speed. He had moved before anyone could blink.

"What are you doing? Put them to jail right now. And get the information anyhow."

Horemheb was already moving. The generals followed. Orders were shouted. Soldiers scrambled. The palace woke to the sound of armor and urgency.

Timer did not follow. He walked the other way.

The corridor was quiet. The torches had burned low. The stones were cold beneath his feet. He pushed open the door to his quarters.

Meritaten was still asleep. The blanket had slipped from her shoulder. Her hair was spread across the pillow. The kohl was still smudged at the edges of her eyes. She had not moved since he left.

He sat on the edge of the bed. The mattress shifted under his weight. He reached out. Touched her shoulder. Gentle. The same hand that had cracked the war table.

"Hey. Wife. Wake up."

She stirred. Her eyes opened. Slow. The sleep was still in them.

"I need my advisor."

Meritaten opened her eyes fully. The sleep was fading. She looked up at him.

"What is it, honey?"

"I need your help."

"And that is why you woke me up?"

"Yeah."

She sat up. The blanket fell to her waist. Her hair was tangled. The kohl was still smudged. She did not fix either.

"What is it?"

"We have a rebellion on the loose." He paused. "And we caught who did it."