Lion Head Mesa the deals we made to shake things up

is it ok to have this backdated a week? i fudged up! 

the trek from mereo to akashingo proved  difficult; twice now qiao hit an impasse of sheetrock and ice, and was forced to detour. 

she made note that the trek became more trying the later in the season it was. 

but finally, she was here. the herbalist threw back her head in a howl announcing her return as she entered the red keep. first order of business was to deposit the small cache of pathetic winter herbs she’d managed to gather — and then it was time to find ramesses.

yes ofc! <3

the palace seemed suspended upon an edge of tension. and so ramesses had seen fit to dispel it. he was insatiable among the fellahin, engaging in a dozen pleasures before he sent them all away again and fell to sleep in the fragrant furs.
qiao would find him at the wellspring. belen and sayyadina sluiced water over his fur and face. the younger fellahin laughed as she joined him in the coolness, grooming his pelt with the intent to cleanse him, but also to tease.
the priestess had returned. ramesses felt his mouth curve with satisfaction to see her back. belen continued her ministrations and sayyadina kept on with gentle pouring of water from her jaws.
"how did you find mereo, holy one?" pharaoh inquired, attention trained upon qiao even as he was bathed.

there the pharaoh sat, indulgent as a fat cat while two servants plied water across his pale hide. a smile lingered across his lips, coy and dangerous.

qiao bowed her head in humble greeting. i found mereo receptive, if cold. the herbalist withdrew a quiet breath before continuing. i met their healer, and a few of their militants. if they have any design to move upon you, they shielded it carefully from my eyes. you were right, they believed me a spy -- but i wanted for nothing while within their keep.

ramesses was pleased that he had been correct and pleased that mereo seemed to thrive. "the roman is a tactician. he will give nothing away." pharaoh lifted a paw from the water for belen to preen.
"mereo has many resources then. were you able to gather what he means to do with the outpost?" for it was that, no matter what the latin dog felt about such.
ramesses simply was not a fool and would not come to press his claim.
the fellahin began to groom his ears. pharaoh grinned with pleasure, closing his eyes as a sigh emitted from his lips. "there is a new man here. @Akhtar. he arrived in your absence. he is a priest from my country, and you are a priestess from this one. he is hem and you will be hemet, sacred counterparts and respected by those in akashingo."

if he any design, sire, he keeps them well hidden. qiao imparted, the line of her lips thin. i do not suspect he has eyes for akashingo. it was a non-answer in some ways, but qiao would not lie to please the pharaoh.

a new priest from the land of red clay and sun. qiao wondered if the man carried ramesses' manner. i will be honored to serve alongside him. she dipped her head low.

tag for ref!

"i have given @Sayf charge of finding your rooms and appointing them himself. he will be your chosen fellahin, unless you decide to take another." ramesses tilted his head toward belen. "akhtar himself has been charmed by this one."
the girl grinned beneath pharaoh's praise.
"the queen. i do not believe you yet have met. but soon there may be royal children in akashingo. i would like you to acquaint yourself with our prince crowfeather. he is an astrologer. perhaps the three of you might choose an auspicious feast day."

qiao made note to seek out sayf. if he was to be assigned to her quarters, she had designs in plan for him.

her head dipped once more as the prince was mentioned. as is your will, so will be done. her mind sprung immediately to the northward equinox, which came around in a short few week's time.

i shall seek out both immediately. i regret i did not learn more in my time in mereo, but with your blessing i would like to set trade with them once the winter thaw has ended. the general is industrious, but every outpost needs food, shelter, and medicinal stores. without such reasonable accommodations, soldier loyalty is tried and fighting spirit runs thin.

his will be done. 
ramesses tipped his lips upward in a smile. "run a supply chain to mereo and turn their loyalties toward yourself."
treason? a test. let them see how well germanicus maintained morale.
"go now. relax. perhaps bathe the dust of the canyon from your feet later. join me tomorrow for a midday meal."
his lapis eyes were cunning upon the hemet.
"i will send refreshments to your rooms, once you have settled. understand, qiao: you need only utter a want and it will be given."

qiao had designs for more than simple subterfuge. ramesses' enemy was mereo. qiao's was far greater. in her plan, the outpost would be reliant on its progenitor. this alone would make it easy to sabotage on the pharaoh's whims.

she was commanded to rest. to bathe. qiao would do both eagerly. very well, my lord. i will see you tomorrow. during their midday meal, qiao would start the foundations of her plan in motion. 

excused then, qiao bowed gracefully and exited the room.

ramesses watched her depart.
this time his eyes did not linger so much. the lithe and wet feminine bodies on either side of him distracted pharaoh willingly enough, and for a long while, ramesses thought of nothing else.