she lounged upon a throne and furs. as was common when she planned to hold an audience. sayf at one side, some bodies of workers fluttered about for a moment.
then she sent a fellahin to fetch @Isana.
the newest fellahin had plenty of time to settle in. now it was time to see her face in the way of akashingo.
It was as if she had been speaking of the shabti only moments ago when conversing with the hem, Senmu. And now, she was being summoned.
Another fellahin had come to collect her. Isa wasted no time, readily being lead to a larger chamber than that of the sleeping quarters she had seen.
The darker silhouette of the royal sat upon a bed of furs. Isana approached slowly, instantly bowing her head upon the moment she was before the woman's view. No words were spoken. She was fellahin; so twas not her place.
she bid the woman to rise with a low rumble.
approving, jade gaze filled with delight. some of it bled into her voice as she spoke to the fellahin.
tell me what you have learned.
orders, plans. they brewed within her.
Isa rose with a poised posture and firm expression. Though her eyes remained low, not daring to lift high and meet that of the shabti.
Shabti,
She began, voice thick of velvet, but hinting at slight hoarseness. These past days, I have made sure to learn well of each chamber, the warmest parts of the springs for comfortable bathing, where the moss grows thickest to use as a foundation for fur bed linings, and the quickest paths to reach your chambers when and if you call upon me.
These seemed to be the necessities, yes? She hoped she had listed them all.
Oh!
There was one more thing. I even bumped into the hem, Senmut.
But she would not share of their words together. Not unless the shabti commanded it.
her gaze warmed. delighted with all that the woman had quickly learned. she would prove to be useful if she stayed upon this path.
especially as she mentioned none other than the we'eb.
now tell me what you think of the boy priest.
she prompted with a soft jut of her chin.
What she thought of the hem? Oh, it was simple... There were many details she could share — perhaps maybe vile and judgemental ones, even — but she wouldn't share them.
The boy... he is- how to say, quick to assume...
This was the nicest wording she could find. But nothing more.
she laughed!
humored beyond belief to hear this. but it was the truth, wasn't it?
did he ask no thing of you?
her gaze invited details, encouraged truth of the tale between them. she wondered if this fellahin may become a treasure one day.
Did he ask something of me?
Was there something she would expect the boy to ask of her?
No... shabti, there is no specific thing he asked of me.
There hadn't been, really, minus the odd and assuming questions the senmut spoke of.
he is a timid man.
she spoke this freely, so that the fellahin may understand fully. besides it planted seeds to speak such.
bashful even! although i am sure you saw that in full, didn't you?
She did not wish to belittle the priest, but nor could she not agree with the truth's the shabti spoke.
Yes, shabti,
So she could only play along and give a brief, honest reply.
But he is a kind man.
Handsome too, even. But in the divine presence, she would not admit such bold things.
fade and something new soon? <3
kind he is. in abundance, even.
this she did not deny. for all his boyish manners about him still, he was not as foolish as some young men tended to be. it would break him, she imagined.
i am pleased greatly with you. go, tend to your other duties so that i busy you no longer.