After he had gone to hunt for the queen and to inform her that Ramesses requested her presence, Arsenio did not waste his time. There was no need for goodbyes, no reason for him to bid the mesa wolves any kind of farewell or thank them for their hospitality. His mind burned with the thought of Tamar’s freedom. The price had been much too high, but the Greek did not care, and he would not allow it to halt his pace.
@Tamar,
his voice sounded through the stockroom. His eyes scanned the living quarters.
Tamar!
The thrum of his heart could be felt in his throat, beating like a battle drum. Where was she? Where had his autumn leaf gone. Arsenio paused for only a moment. His eyes searched the caverns of Akashingo in hopes that she would appear, as she had many times before when he had wished it.
*whistles*
mereo grew in strength. informing
@Ruenna that he would be visiting their ally and checking in with crowfeather, the imperator set out.
the mesa reared before him. he stepped onto the frigid sands and felt disappointment and trepidation set into his heart. with a nod to the guard on sentry duty, germanicus slipped into the palace.
while he ached to find the little room that had once been his quarters, to find the shadow, he heard the voice of arsenio.
the guard called for tamar. he would find germanicus, wending through the corridors to find him.
"what has happened?" he asked, looking around them for the listening ears and watchful eyes of the fellahin.
Germanicus was there, drawing into the low light of the hallway. Arsenio met the man’s gaze with his own and offered a small bow of his head. It had been the Roman who had informed him of the exchange, so he had no reason to lie.
I have made the replacement and now we will journey with you to Mereo. It is time. We should leave before the Pharaoh is aware of the deceit.
The redstone guard turned his sights from the grey soldier and scanned the distant darkening doorways for the maid. Her scent was there, muted by the others. Arsenio wondered where she had been sent to. Had the queen assigned her with a task?
he had made the replacement.
germanicus considered his earlier thought that arsenio would not dabble in such. it seemed he had been misinformed. did the love for this girl run so deep? "gather whatever you have. i will speak to the pharaoh. our departure must be as smooth as i am able to make it."
he would have moved on. germanicus held fast. "does he know it was i who placed you at the queen's door?"
The soldier was stoic as ever, polite in his response, and seemed to believe that he could make a better parting for them. Arsenio did not wish to argue with him, nor did he wish to see Germanicus placed in a situation he was not prepared to face.
He was not pleased before I presented the new girl to him, so be wary and watchful. He may want to play games.
It was the best he could offer when his mind hummed with thoughts of Tamar and only Tamar.
Before Germanicus turned, he wished to know if the Pharaoh had been made aware of their arrangement, even the simplest of information. Arsenio smiled swiftly and shook his head. He knew better than to allow such things to be known. It would have meant his job had not been successful. If the man had wanted it, he could have spoiled the Roman’s secret and fled into the night. That was not part of his intentions.
He does not know. Even Tamar does not know it was you who hired me, Germanikos. Be swift and safe.
Arsenio returned to searching for his beloved.
germanicus nodded. pharaoh's one consistency was his mercurial nature. arsenio was ready to be done with words. the eagle watched him. "meet me in the open-air throne room. it may be some hours. but we will travel at once."
with that he nodded and began to walk down the hall again, headed for the throne room where he expected to find ramesses and his queen.
The mercenary understood. He nodded to the Roman and watched the man’s silvered back disappear to speak with the Pharaoh and likely to Satsu, as well.
Arsenio returned to his search for the maid. His adrenaline had fallen short. His breathing had steadied in his conversation with the other man. The misthofóros lifted his snout to the air and drew in the scents of the caverns until he believed he had found Tamar’s. Holding her fragrance, he plodded through the familiar passages. The eagerness in his step could not be diminished. Arsenio could not wait to tell her the good news.
You are free…