Naaghai Lowlands iron & eye

zaahira had not noticed the stranger, and khusobek was intrigued by how badly it seemed his fellow mazoi had taken this revelation.

"it means nothing for he and the queen. it means he favours legend, for now. it means he is a man, and if he becomes pharaoh, it is even more likely he will gather concubines and lesser wives. pharaoh sires a dozen sons, and they fight bitterly while their father ages," the crocodile went on, enjoying this lurid retelling of an ancient pattern.

"he names his firstborn son the crown prince, and henceforth a target is on the back of that royal head," khusobek chuckled, kicking a gleaming stone across terrain that was starting to shift into sand. "the sons fight and die and only one will inherit the kingdom after their father expires. all so ugly, but the queen will learn to share her husband. after all, she is his Divine Wife, and should she become mother to a new pharaoh, she will be Dowager Queen."

"but none of this concerns us. we are mazoi. if we are lucky, we will enjoy a peaceful regime. if we are not, we will die in battle. and what do you choose, friend?" khusobek called out, turning finally to address their follower with hard eyes.