pharaoh surely returned. but in the interim, the girl had disappeared.

the high priest entertained no sentimentality toward children who were not his own. she was a mazoi, and she had gone. yet he did not want her harmed, cursing himself for having let her slip away.

"tell the medjay that i fear more conflict may come to our borders. request that he dispatch a patrol between here and luneshale. bring word to eset if you are able." the message, which made mention of @Machiavelli's capture and @Safiya's disappearance was sent to @Mesen-ka within the hour.

he had not seen @Legend in some time, and went instead to the noble @Briar Cayde, bidding the man to take his time as sentry in the high red reaches of the mesa. @Tadihor too, was placed on alert. @Ibrahim, @Taliba, @Charmion; they must report all strange occurrences directly to senmut, and to limit their time alone outside the walls of the mesa.

he himself returned to his prayers, though while heart pled for Ra's wrath, the green eyes watched for billowing clouds upon the flat horizon which might at last proclaim the return of their ruler.