Lion Head Mesa Little girl

Safiya made it back. She was covered in dirt and water and god knows what else. But she made it bsck. Thinking back perhaps it was foolish to go after Machi and it was a good thing Soto had found her and not that jerk Nino.

She lay huddled at the edge of the mesa. Forcing one foot in front of the other. She knew @Tiye would be angry, but Machi was still out there hurt and alone.

She found the closest bath spot and settled into the warm waters breathing out a shaky breath. Pain assaulting her from all sides. She'd just rest, in the perfumed waters. 

Her head found the edge of the stone and she began to drift drift away. The pain was leaving.

Mumbling I gotta find Machi. Save him. He's alone. He's hurt. It was like a mantra over and over.

She can either be found to close to death from the water or fevered, but here she is

crumpled was a child, and silvertongue's smooth arms reached instinctively for her. was it forgotten mother's know, or only a servant's intention? whatever it was, she pulled the girl into her grasp, tongue clucking at the fetid warmth wafting from the child. "who is hurt, mi dulce?" and she glanced around then for another fellahin, perhaps even @Charmion if he was close, to help her in bringing the mazoi back to the palace.

did he regret renewing himself as a fellahin?

no, but he found himself choked by the restraints when war swept along the hot breeze. he did not think he might survive it but the heart within him yearned for giving more.

but he was reminded it was important to be here when he saw the scene. he composed himself with a straight face. he knew he must gather poppy wine and this time he might make it a full dose so that she might not think to go again. was it cruel? he did not think so. it would slip her into rest and she might recover.

furs wetted with water to lay upon her hot skin. from there it might very well be beyond his expertise. he could manage pain, but he could not heal.

perhaps lay her in the House of Gucci. there is — room. for work, for visitors. and the space would not feel so cold if she laid there in healing.

other fellahin — one new and one familiar — had already gathered. tiye pushed them aside, parting them to see what was left of safiya. the sun had never felt so cold.

yet even when speaking what could be her last words, she thought of that "beastie". that coward who was supposed to protect her. she rebuked the thought even if it was mumbled.

stop worrying about him! think of yourself for once! what will mama think if you leave her? and baba? and kiyya and kheti??

she was alive. just barely alive. tiye stumbled through her sobs. her head hurt these past few days, and now it felt like her brain wanted to melt out through her ears from this pressure. though she cried, tiye didn't stall.

she needs to be guarded is what she needs. get her to the nearest chamber possible. tiye rushed to silvertongue's side to share the weight. safiya was heavy, but even more now that she was soaked. ghk- i'll bring food for her, and i'll get @Tavina. she might know what to do.

The she wolf that had first gathered her spoke a language that Safiya knew. And through the haze of fevers. Singular eye fell upon her and burned. I know that tongue. Then she grew silent as darkness rose up to take her again.

But as they moved her and jostled she awoke, irritated and sleepy. But TIye. She heard Tiye.

Ti''ye. She mumbled.

charmion's presence was swift and comforting; she gave him a warm glance as he maneuvered stronger skill around the fevered girl. "yes," she agreed, meaning to speak more before their poor charge skewered her with such a look that silvertongue fell silent. another fellahin arrived then, bearing far more authority and a passing resemblance to the downed mazoi. "the chambers of the doctor are closer than those of our neb," she managed to charmion with an apologetic look. she said then no more as the three servants carried the girl to the small scoured room, lying her upon the plinth of stone therein. she began to sponge water from the sodden fur, crouched close to warm the child.

cameo! just assume she will take over care <3

safiya. "why did you go, girl," tavina sighed roughly. "thank you," she said to the fellahin. "i will tend her now. myself and tiye," she decided. it was not for the sesh to dismiss the servants; they would go, but she turned her back toward them and bent over safiya.

so much fever. blood. injury.

she made safiya as comfortable as she was able, sighing over the crumpled form.

overruled by a child. a child he had just recently had to teach how to pluck cactus flowers and instructed how to preserve.

he might have felt an anger, but it flashed only as quickly as it had come. maybe pride wriggled within him too. regardless he relinquished his position as something strong here.

a sesh arrived. the healing would be taken over and he would not have to fret. yet his eye sought to catch the brilliant eyes of belen. reading and searching. half-tempted to pull her aside and half-tempted to keep her busy here so he may walk far.

he moved close to her and did not worry over the sesh seeing or hearing any such thing he uttered now.

stay, help the girl. his eyes warm but his voice grew thoughtful. i will send supplies but — i must walk and send someone to watch. it maybe was not his place but it felt like such all the same.

Last post from me sorry if I jumped line.

Safiya was no longer in the present. She was fighting the monsters of her mind. Her body chilled and her pain was paramount. She was restless in her darkness. And she wanted nothing more than to ease the discomfort and by sheer oblivion was how she planned to do so.