the day arrived.

having written @Eset, @Toula, and @Rashepses of his intentions, senmut called for those from muat-riya to join their larger party in preparations at akashingo.

beyond delighted that the priestess of muat-riya would be coming, the prince disallowed himself from growing distracted. between @Legend and bayek, senmut surmised that their diminutive neb @Gucci should be carried, or perhaps ride in state upon strong shoulders. it was a long trek through heavy snow, and he wished the vizier's comfort, ordering that an extra blanket of cured sheepskin be brought specifically for the small man.

@Madhuri and @Haizel would travel with the mazoi and the vizier, senmut chose. @Racharra would journey with the erpa-ha at the head of their column. @Nazli too, he decided, knowing that her small stature did not bely the power that had grown in her.

knowing that he did not wish to be parted from her.

@Tuna, senmut declared, had whatever choice she desired. her role was to attend the needs of nobility on their frequent stops, but otherwise senmut too wished for her to be free, to explore and range as they traveled.

greatwater lake was where the trading expedition first stopped, senmut blessing the waters and the silent feral trees where khaba had betrayed them and been punished for it. the prince did not hope for more war. he communed here with racharra, sharing a private breakfast with the young woman and allowing her to lead him through the details of the lake to which he had not yet been privy.

yes. greatwater would be a fine place for her to reclaim what zharille had sacrificed for her young.

the heartwood was their second camp; blowing snows forced them to an early stop, but senmut was relieved to call it. two days were spent here while the storm passed, and half of another to navigate the newly deepened drifts between their encampment and neverwinter.

the spine was not visited, though senmut thought he saw sentries among the evergreens.

with wonder he called a third camp in the quarry, and collected a few of the smaller stones, considering how they would gleam beneath the moon in muat-riya.

"our aim is to return with as much or more than we will trade," the prince told them quietly once the mazoi had hunted a meal and they had gathered among the glowing rocks to sleep. "haggle. be fair but firm. our pharaoh treasures that which is very beautiful. trade for those things of the sea we do not have in the flatlands or the desert. and do not forget to trade also for yourselves. the bulk of our wealth will return to akashingo and muat-riya. but to take a piece of the ocean also for your own purposes is important. we are protected here by Wadj-wer, and it is to Him you should offer your praise and thanks."

in two days more they reached the plateau, though the fragrance of the sea and the salt upon the wind were experienced long before the rocky edge of moontide came into view. senmut received a great rush of anticipation; he helped to arrange the many packets and rolls of trade-goods into a wide swathe and then called out for the leaders of the village, his green eyes resisting a glance toward nazli. senmut stood before them, straight-backed and observant of the plateau-land beyond the borders.