Lion Head Mesa thirty-seventh

"she is no longer here. i shall tell you what i know."

senmut knew much more of the princess than he had known her. he noted that taltos, newly revealed as father, did not touch the berries.

to swan his attention now. "our fellahin collect the fruit starting at the beginning of the warmer months. they are left to ferment in the darkest storerooms, where strange magick turns them from mere berries into a drink of the gods."

the striking green of his eyes lingered upon the woman before returning to her companion. "lilitu was made a princess by ramesses. he married her to a man called charles, whom he had also made prince. when her time came, they joined, but i do not recall that a pregnancy came of it."

senmut spoke frankly, seeing little reason to hide any details. "she rejoined her family after the ascension of the second queen, and i have not seen her since that day."

another berry, proud gaze moving unhurriedly between the two as he waited for their reactions.