Author Games: The River of Night

Task One: A Voice in the Reeds

"Fatima! Confound it, girl, where are you? More importantly, where are my printouts?"

Fatima Charobim, the single most intelligent, diligent, and refined graduate student to ever grace the halls of the University of Central Florida (in her own esteemed opinion) sighed and pushed her glasses up her nose. She arranged her papers before opening the heavy wooden door and giving the elderly man seated beyond her most withering look.

"Professor Wyndham, I am twenty-six years old. Kindly refrain from addressing me as 'girl' in the future."

"Yes, yes, of course. I keep forgetting. Are those...?"

Fatima brandished the folders with a wicked grin. "The photos from the latest excavation in Abydos? Specifically the photos of a certain wall that requires translation and interpretation from Old Egyptian, which just happens to be a dialect you have spent your life studying? I might have something like that, yes. Would you like to see it?"

Professor Wyndham eyed the folder hungrily, then raised one eyebrow. "I notice you aren't handing me this valuable treasure trove of archeological data?"

"Correct. Would you like to guess why?"

He looked at her for a long moment. "I'm very sorry I addressed you with such a patronizing term, which was entirely unbecoming of your station. Will you give me the files now? Please?"

"And my friends said you couldn't be taught," Fatima cooed delightedly. "Here you are."

The professor took the files gleefully, pulling out the first glossy image with something approaching reverence. Fatima adjusted her khimar before leaning over to peer at it beside him. 

"This should be the beginning of the text on the walls of an ancient temple at Abydos. It's the closest thing to a start we'll find. What does it say?"

The professor's eyes narrowed, then widened. "Extraordinary! It seems to be some sort of heroic saga, but I can't see the pharaonic names common to the dynasty. Take a look at this section here, Fatima. Do you recognize the symbols?"

She traced the photo lightly with one finger. "Cartouches... Names. More than I've ever seen in one place. I don't recognize the sign above it though."

"Less of a sign, more a title, I think. To the best of my knowledge, it simply says 'Listener-' no, that's the wrong term. A closer translation would be: 'Those who hear the call.' But whose call, I wonder?"

Fatima grinned. "There's only one way to find out. Let me get some more coffee, professor- I think we're in for a long night."

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Requirements

-The sun has not risen at the correct time (i.e., at all.) This is  noticeable, as well as problematic.

-Amidst the panic, your tribute is doing whatever seems appropriate at the time. Then, their patron reveals to them that they have been chosen to go into the Underworld and search for the missing Ra. The precise manner in which this takes place will no doubt be very creative and nicely symbolic. I can't wait to see it!

-That's it for now. Have fun, everyone! Things will get a bit trickier later.

Deaths

2 ballot kills, to be submitted with your no doubt superb entry. They will do nothing besides determine the ballot challenge for next task (which should be entertaining in it's own right, just not for you.)

Sponsorships

Five tributes will be sponsored based on the quality of their entry. Precise benefits will be described later, but trust me- you want these.

Due Date: Saturday, October 22 at 10 PM EST