Lion Head Mesa seventy-eighth

arrival set for march 22 @Madhuri @Gucci @Racharra @Nazli @Legend @Tuna @Machiavelli

with farewells given and a promise for more exchange procured, senmut called their departure one cold morning before dawnlight had broken.

by turns lightened from trade-goods and weighted with more, in pairs they all took turns carrying the heavy rolled bison hide that would be senmut's gift to their royalty.

the travel was uneventful. as soon as akashingo could be seen, senmut sent a runner ahead to inform @Zaahira of their return. the news was carried back that pharaoh had returned to claim her Horus Throne, and this pleased senmut immensely.

those of muat-riya would rest in the red palace and then return to the desert on the morrow. as he thought of it, amid the clash of greetings and unloading of goods, of shouted help and joyous laughter, he kissed nazli without caring who saw them now.

and then senmut was off, returning to his quarters as fellahin followed with his richly furred carpet, wrapped in protective lesser hides.

home. she spreads her paws to embrace the desert sand beneath her feet. she is home. and fortunately undisturbed in their travels.

quick to take her belongings to her chamber, racharra wastes little time in extravagancy. she has fellahin carry the seashell-strung fur. she arrives with less and yet, somehow, much more weighing her down as urgency haunts each step she takes.

the travellers had a surprise awaiting them.
zaahira came to greet senmut first with a hardlined bow. at the first moment she is able, he is pulled aside. she tells him of the coyote girl who had been caught trespassing, of mesen-ka's hand in her apprehension with a note of satisfaction in her voice. justice for the priestess will be found.
as she parts from him, she peruses the crowd and observes the trinkets brought from the sea. fine things, pretty things; perhaps she will have to barter for something or other.
she makes her way back to her chambers with a lighter heart.

Cameo!

she walks among the caravan until the familiar sight of the palace dawns across her vision, and then she slows, receiving the kiss from senmut and returning it distractedly; not thinking, only feeling, and what a feeling.
it has not been so long, and so little has changed of akashingo; yet it feels like returning to a half-remembered place, and nazli takes a breath.
when she seeks comfort from senmut, she instead witnesses him being whisked away by zaahira (zaahira! it has been too long!).
she is then led by fellahin to the visitors quarters, and quietly begins to organize some of her things. it will not be a long stay.