Serpent Lake stained glass and marble

@Senmut or @Zaahira, or anyone from AK! @Qiao maybe? @Toula @Rashepses.

Glaukos marched a while longer. He knew the way to the palace, but he chose to seek out other things first: the river running to the south was a good start. Whether the young witch's familiar followed or not, he would seek the shallows of the Serpent.

Once there, he waded in to the river. The flow lifted bits of grass seed and pollen from his time crossing the meadow, and in time would rid Glaukos of the scent of the valley. He drank when thirsty, and after pulling himself to the embankment he let the sun warm him. A few shakes, some rolls in the grass, and the bear of a man was ready.

Hunger still nagged at him, but Glaukos figured he could withstand a few more days of travel—and so he followed the river north towards the mesa, knowing the way well enough, and when he saw the rising stonework of the steppes and the red rock, he knew he was close.

The man did not want to call out—although he was far enough from the valley now to be safely removed from danger, silence held a tactical advantage that could not be ignored. Glaukos sought the most obvious and well-used path (as it might have been a frequent patrol route by mazoi) and watched for signs of life.

"who might you be?"

the red land was good to khusobek, warming his reptilian body until the only crocodile ice was that which sat in his eyes.

he had put a large band around the palaces this time, and found the stone man here. "and what do you seek in the land of pharaoh?" khusobek demanded in a tone which rumbled thunderously.

A stranger approached; they held the bearing of a warrior, and they spoke the word pharaoh which meant they were the right person, or at least aligned in some way with Akashingo, as he desired.

Myrmidon. It was easy to assume a new name, to hide away the troubles of the old.

I once served as mazoi to a desert palace. I served a term on behalf of Mereo. Did this man know the name of the old barracks?

I seek work. Mereo is no more, and I have been without purpose for too long. Neither of these things were lies; but neither was Glaukos willing to speak of Rivenwood or the past few months of his life, not when it might draw too much attention.

"work is here aplenty. akashingo still stands, with a new pharaoh and a new court awaiting new royal children." if this man had been mazoi before, then he would understand.

khusobek indicated that myrmidon should walk with him. "akashingo has expanded its reach down into the desert now, a second palace. muat-riya, led by the hebsut eset. we mazoi are tasked with one patrol every seven days that encompasses both lands."

it was why he was here now. "choose only now where you will be ranked and i shall see it done."

His claim of previous work was accepted, and news of the empire's growth came to his ears. The man nods but does not choose either place; he looks to the warrior man instead, awaiting assignment.

Where would I be best utilized? But by the way Khusobek spoke, there was space in either location. Is this expansion well maintained? I could go there if bodies are needed. It would also keep him even farther from Rivenwood — farther from any threats posed within that valley. If anyone went looking for him it would be to Akashingo, if they thought to look at all.

I go where you say.

since this has been up for so long, ill title u and we can fade//BTS the rest if u like! <3

"the main palace, then," khusobek grunted. "come. i will take you there myself."

if the stranger had been here before, there was no need for pomp. down the red sands they moved in a tight warrior's clip.

they would seek the throne room and an audience with the royals, khusobek speaking for myrmidon's former service with mereo.