The Tax Master

Prerequisite: Complete Harkhuf’s four side quests

Suggested Level: 17

Reward: 1,000 XP

Find and Rescue Harkhuf from Nikiou Fort

This quest becomes active after completing all four of Harkhuf’s quests. In his home (1), Jeska tells Bayek that Sefetu’s force has raided Sais and taken Harkhuf prisoner. He’ll be tortured and killed. You must find a way into Nikiou Fort to free him.

Nikiou Fort

Prerequisite: Approach the hideout

Suggested Level: 18 or higher

Location Reward: 1,000 XP

Location Objectives: Kill two captains and one commander, loot four treasures

Use a boat to reach the fort (2). Move in on foot through the water to access the connecting river (it’s barricaded by large wooden spears that keep boats out). Use Senu to mark all the enemies and locate Harkhuf and the east tunnel entrance (3).

Underground Entrance

Squeeze through the narrow cave entrance on the fort’s east side. Expect to battle a crocodile at the pool midway through. Head for the light at the end of the tunnel to reach the well (4). Climb up the bloodstained walls to reach the exit above.

Fort Infiltration

Quickly enter the tall grass (5) next to the well exit. Whistle so nearby enemies come to investigate; assassinate them so you can move a little more freely in the area.

Crawl up the wall to reach the wall walk and drop down to the wooden platform (6) near the guard tower. Eliminate anyone on the field below so they won’t see you climb the tower (7). If there’s a guard in the tower, stealthily eliminate him. Use a predator or hunting bow to eliminate every lone patrolling soldier you can.

Use the rope on the tower’s south side to repel down to the rooftop of the building (8) near the prisoners. A Level 13 captain guards the prisoners and a Level 16 brute patrols the upper walkway. Use single arrows to take out any guards you can see on the wall walk around this area.

Kill the Captain Prisoner Guard

Jump off the south end of the rooftop into the tall grass below. Crouch and head to the tall grass behind the haystack cart (9). Call the Level 16 brute to you and assassinate him from the hay. You can attempt to take out the captain the same way but you may not be successful, depending on your level. If no other soldiers are around, you can finish him off with combat. If this draws attention, escape over a wall, get into tall grass, and then return to try again.

If you don’t defeat the soldiers in this quadrant of the fort, then get up on the wall walk and take them out stealthily and set the brazier trap (10). Now you can free the prisoners in the cages. You receive the 100 XP regardless of whether they make it out of the fort.

Talk to Harkhuf

Enter the building (11) and talk to Harkhuf through the well cover. He tells you Sefetu wears the key around his neck. You’ll have to kill him (13) to get the keys. Use Senu to mark Sefetu.

Find and Get the Key from Sefetu

Head up the ladder in Harkhuf’s building to access the second floor and take the first treasure. If there is a guard right outside one of the second-floor doorways, then stealthily kill him. Be careful; there could be two soldiers on the floor above, so exit back through the first-floor doorway near the cages.

Head up to the southern wall walk, taking out soldiers along the way. Occasionally stop to look inside the fort for potential targets. Use the south wall ballista, if you can do it stealthily (kill lone soldiers). Always use the tops of towers for the best vantage point. Travel along the west wall walk to the second brazier and set the trap (12).

Sefetu’s Building

Enter Sefetu’s building (13) through the east doorway on the second level. Take the treasure on the left as you enter. Sefetu is often on the lower floor next to a table with a treasure. Perform a drop assassination on him. If you don’t have the ability to automatically loot, then confirm the kill to acquire the key. Take the third treasure.

Rescue Harkhuf

Make your way to the northwestern building (14) and get the last treasure on the first floor. A Level 17 captain patrols this area. Take him out now as well.

Return to Harkhuf (11) and use the key to free him from the floor cell.

Escort Harkhuf Outside Nikiou Fort

The fort’s southern area should be mostly clear of soldiers now; this is the direction Harkhuf runs after you free him. Hunt down the remaining location objectives. If you’ve been following this strategy, then there should be a commander remaining. He often patrols outside the fort walls. Hunt him down and kill him.

Speak to Harkhuf

Talk to Harkhuf in the woods (15) to the fort’s south to complete the quest.