Lion Head Mesa The ballads of life

Everywhere, through the entire red palace, the word of new life had spread like a great fire, burning the ears of all who heard, bring joy, pride, and hope. Tadihor had emerged from her chamber this morning, first to watch the sunrise over the wide horizon, then, to bathe, to freshen up before she mingles within the royal palace.

Fresh from the bath, and decorated with desert flora behind her ears, she traversed the halls, asking a nearby Fellahin that she wished to see the princes and princesses. To lay her eyes upon the blessed children of Pharoah and Semer-wati.

Merneith was awake from her nap.

Mama had nursed them, and though she’d wanted to tussle with her brothers after, she instead foundered into a deep and leisurely sleep. She was unlikely to rise from suckling anytime soon, and wouldn’t have, if it were not for an sudden spattering of dust and a pervasive tick spiraling through the passage of an ear.

She awoke with a start! Glancing to see it was not some beautiful thing like the emerald scarabs which flew in from the high palace casements from time-to-time. This mottled brown insect was deemed an ugly nuisance, and so the little amiirad paraded herself through the palace with the winged creature dangling on display for all to see, and to admire her hunter's abilities. 

As if on queue, she rounds a corner, tail wagging fervently as soon as her eyes make contact with the nebet. She props herself up on back legs, paddling the air with her front paws as if to say: look what I've found!

A small but proud daughter rounded a corner, wrapped in furs of heavenly gold. This must be one of the princesses, and therefore, Tadihor knelt before the young royal. Then, as she brought herself up, she saw that the child was insisting her subject take notice of the brown, earthly beetle that this child had slain. 

“This is most wonderful sight. You are strong, young princess. Tell me, what is your name?” Tadihor spoke gently in her accented tongue, a sign of her Egyptian heritage. Yet she chose to speak in the common language, not knowing what tongue they would speak.

her children were her pride and joy, but she also had a kingdom to run! alliances with southbound kingdoms and calls from the northern ones, each that had interest in meeting the newborn babes of herself and her husband. the celebration to come would be grander than she had ever hoped! she thrilled at the challenge, and thus far all went as smoothly as it could. we will invite the moonkingdoms, too, she determined, and when this meeting concluded, she made way to her children!
she was surprised to see her daughter first, but not so surprised by the place she had come to. there was a handmaiden watching behind her—the cubs were never alone, two now for each. one more obvious, one in the shadows for the child that thought they could escape the one that watched in the light. 
but Merneith was not one who sought to do either! none were yet, not truly, but stories of Rashepses being quite the young rascal lingered on both of their minds. after one such story, they shared a long look that said: ah, yes, but we will be better than our predecessors and look after them with more care! it was a delicate balancing act, ruling such a grand kingdom and raising its next generation. but they both adapted to it quite well, and Toula took to motherhood and Pharaohdom with grace.
the days were longer of course, and she did feel tired—she had been eager to be alone with her babes, and her husband too. but there was another, bowing before the princess. a fellahin was quick to realize who was among them and prompt, then, in announcing Toula with all of her grand titles. 
she stepped alongside her daughter, noting the catch with a glimmer of pride in her eye. Toula turned to the Nebet, none of her tiredness present then on her pristine features. her babes had been napping when she had left, and she wondered what the others were doing—her attendants would surely advise her.
the other was lovely. flowers in her furs, and with a beauty that could not be missed, Toula openly admired her. another flower in their desert! the compliments were not missed, and Toula looked upon the Nebet with a kinder eye for it. a look to the fellahin accompanying her daughter had them stepping forward to announce her daughter, with her own names and title—not so many as she, quite yet, but Toula had no doubts each of her children would become quite accomplished. they forget “slayer of beetles”, Toula’s look to the fellahin and the Nebet was playful then. would the Nebet note that Toula spoke in their shared tongue? one her father and own predecessors spoke. one Merneith and the rest would, too. what brings you to your Amiirad? her mood was pleasant. her daughters accomplishment, and the way she held her trophy, lifted her spirits greatly. but the direction the Nebet had been heading left the mother curious to her intent.

Few words she understood, and fewer among those uttered by the new woman, but in tone alone Neith recognized the spoken praise! It enlivened a little gallop in her feet before she poised herself further, sitting in straight and proper admiration of the stranger, intrigued especially by the colorful objects woven into her fur.

“Neef!” The girl cub replies! Name; she knows this word! “Neef, Neef!” She cheers again, paws stomping in emphasis, the forgotten, half-crushed deathwatch beetle barely limping to its escape beneath the romp of joyous feet.

So preoccupied with her new friend that Momma’s close strides behind her had gone unnoticed by the amiirad, and she only turned once the familiar sweetness and milk-scent prickled recognition into her mind.

“Mama!” A leap, a squeal! And skittering across the stone floor came the pudgy daughter to burrow her nose into Momma’s leg, tail wagging in the carefree bliss that belonged only to children.

The girl spoke with excitement! Repeating her name with a cheer! Neef, said the princess, it was certainly a unique name, like rain in the desert. 

The fellahin that was with the child had turned their head, upon the sound of footsteps. A golden woman, colored in the coat of the child, rounded the corner. This woman carried a regal air about her, decorated, nobility, and one who looks like this should be none other than…. The pharoah herself!

The child ran to her mother, and Tadihor bowed down low in the presence of the divine woman. Her eyes were shut and her head down, as she kneeled on one front leg. The fellahin had begun announcing the titles, and Tadihor would only bring her head up upon the Pharaoh’s command.

“I wished to see the children that have been so highly spoken of, my Pharoah. They are just as divine as their parents, it would be a blessing to see them with my own eyes.”

you may rise, she invited, the joyous noise of her daughter causing Toula’s smile to linger. a featherlight kiss was given upon the brow of her daughter, and as the Nebet speaks Toula listens. 
only once she was finished did Toula respond, remaining in a stand herself. she could not stay long—her children still relied upon her for much, and it was about time for them to feed! soon, Nebet, the kingdom entire shall lay their eyes upon the little Gods—and indeed, it shall be a blessed day! your eagerness to meet Them pleases me, her words were warm. she did not fault the woman for her excitement! today you have come across Amiirad Merneith. may you sing Her praises, having the privilege to meet Her first, the smile Toula wears reaches her eyes, shining forth from them.
she smooths the golden furs of her daughter, perfect to her in every way. as for the rest, the Gods will surely reward you for your patience, her tail swayed behind her. time was a great sacrifice, truly—one often forgotten by many.

Momma warmed her crown up with kisses and Neith tucked herself close. Even on cold nights, when it was raining or storming, the sun shone when Momma beamed her maternal smile. She lifted her head and stared up in her face, and for the rest of her days Neith would remember how lovely she looked and how sweet it was to be held by her.

The woman bowed, of course, everyone bowed to them! Neith did not truly know why, only that she and her family were something special.

“Fren!” The amiirad swung her paw up high in the air towards the new woman, tail a giddy beat on Toula’s belly. “New fren!” Excitement made her blue eyes sparkle as she eagerly sought her mother’s approval.

Tadihor rose and could only smile warmly for a time, at the words which came from Pharoah Toula. Mother and daughter, both the images of divinity, golden in more ways than the desert was vast.


Once Toula’s words came to a close, Tadihor brought her eyes upon the divine princess, Amiirad Merneith, once more. With the warmth of the desert sun throughout Tadihor, her eyes sparkled as she said: “Amiirad Merneith. Your praises be sung from on high, and those of your divine family. I shall be servant,” she gestured with a small dip of her head, “and it will be an honor to be a friend.”

“With your permission, Pharoah, Amiirad, I must move on. But if you are wanting of anything, please, send for me. I shall do my very best to please you.” 

And she would turn as if signaling to go. There was truth in her words, for in her culture, and that of Akashingo, one must serve their royalty. And to serve them will be an honor and pleasure.