Uarda : a Romance of Ancient Egypt — Volume 07

Set against the glittering world of Thebes' elite, the story follows Paaker, a scribe‑warrior born to a lineage older than the king's own. Though his family boasts pure blood and a reputation for generosity, Paaker feels out of place among the priests and generals who dominate the palace feasts. When an invitation from the Regent arrives—a rare honor for someone of his modest station—he wrestles with pride and dread as he prepares to attend a midnight banquet steeped in ritual and political intrigue.

The banquet itself unfolds on the sacred lake, where torch‑lit plays retell the myths of Isis and Osiris while the scent of wine drifts over the water. Paaker notices an empty seat beside a celebrated general and, sensing subtle snubs, he refuses to sit nearby, exposing his volatile temperament. As the evening progresses, whispers about a mysterious Mohar wine that sours in the presence of deceit hint at deeper conflicts within the temple hierarchy, promising the newcomer a perilous path through loyalty, ambition, and ancient power.