CROWN COMPETITION: THE FINAL STAGE

[Sarah]

When the remaining competitors return to the late king’s tree (perhaps to rest a moment beneath it’s hearty boughs, relaxing in the respite from an experience that was so real and yet surreal), there is yet another god-like figure sitting beneath it. Surprise, surprise. This one, however, is different from its predecessors; it does not try to impress or appear assuming. Distinctly male, he sits cross legged in front of a low desk, stylus in hand, and papyrus scroll unfurled before him. He places a few finishing touches on whatever he is writing and turns his head towards them. It must be an odd sight - earnest, but curious eyes blink in a bird-like manner, while his hands move with the steady, swift grace of a professional scribe. His beak is long and thin, giving him a scholarly look. He is Thoth. A god with the head of an ibis, and the body of a man.

Dressed in the same style as Isis and Osiris, he is slightly less formal, wearing only a light, pleated linen kilt that is tied at the waist and secured around a single shoulder, with a colorful necklace of gold and turquoise about his neck. Don’t think too hard about it, it’ll only make your head ache.

He lays down his tools and lays his palms upon each knee, appearing rather serene and comfortable; he should, for he is adept at many skills, and speaks the will of Ra. He is the wisest of all the Gods. Today, however, he is doing his brother and sister yet another favor, once again presiding over affairs with all his infinite wisdom. There is a long silence, wherein he looks at the three assembled and contemplates exactly which questions to ask them. Finally, he appears to decide, and with a wave of his ink-stained fingers, three boxes appear before him, in the empty space between the god and the mortals.

The boxes all look the same: made of a light wood, with a small golden lock keeping the top in place. Whatever is inside them is blocked from view, be it normal or magical. Each, however, bears a different inscription.
The first reads: Choose me and obtain what many desire.
The second reads: Choose me risk all you have.
The third reads: Choose me and get what you deserve.

Thoth says simply, “Two of these boxes will kill you. The third will potentially crown you… If and only if you can answer the following question. Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”  He tilts his head a little and says no more, content to wait for their reasoning. A light breeze blows. He has all the time in the world.
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Have your character take the threat of death seriously. Obviously they won’t die… but who knows where the other contestants have gone? Also, please do not try to look up the answer to the riddle.

You have until Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Good luck!