Two Eyes Cenote pin & dagger

as soon as he was able, khusobek burned into his role as wedjat.

patrols were doubled. even in healing he took another time at sentry-work. excursions for herbs and water were commanded to stay within eyeshot of the cenote.

kiyya and kheti had never returned from patrol. this numbed the man to no end, but he knew safiya and tiye still lived in akashingo, and making safe muat-riya before his daughters returned was paramount.

anything khusobek found fault in was roughly addressed, redone, or destroyed, crocodilian power leeching into his every movement.

she would be returning home to her own children, soon. but first to ensure that things were well here—and to ensure a path home remained for her Hebsut. 
the Pharaoh noted the crocodiles efforts. but she knew he healed even still. Toula had many thoughts, but for now kept them to herself as she was announced in the room that he lingered in.

"pharaoh."

voice a rasp of grief and anger. "do you still hear the gods, Great One?"

he did not know why he asked, only that he must, turning icewater eyes as far as her gilt chest but no more.

the question he posed was one she regarded piously. the Pharaoh nodded. and They hear me. They have returned you to me, she said in answer. looking skyward, she speaks: the tests of our Gods can be cruel. but my faith to Them remains true—and I hear Them. there is more yet to come, now she looked to him. 
but They have told me that we shall prevail, her smile broadened. all trials and tribulations would be made worth it, for the ending They promised. Toula tilted her head and asked, did you hear Them, in your sleep? see Them?

"i see only muat-riya without our hebsut," khusobek groused. his worry was great; he did not know where the guiding woman had gone.

a breath rushed from his chest.

"you say more will come. is it our enemies, Great One? if they are to rise, then i too must stand to guard our gate. even if it takes me from you again," jested the crocodile with a weary grin.

her heart sank at his initial words. she will return to us, was her rejoinder. it was why she remained—her yearning for her Hebsut was unending. she had no regret in giving her station and status—but how she missed her! it is easy to see what is only in front of us. but I see something… more, she had been gone for too long. Pharaoh of many lands had a role to play in each of them, even if she was but a figurehead. 
no, she answers again, They say nothing more of them. they are nothing in what They have warned against. that is all that I know, beyond the fact that after… it all felt so clear! we will know peace once more. for They have told me that I shall lead us to salvation, perhaps by taking another head—or perhaps this was the price that she had already paid.