Kintla Flatlands udjat

tamar outtie

tamar found herself inspected.

the queen was young and lovely, with the cool voice of one who knew she had been chosen for greater things than the new harlot.

maidservant, she reminded herself. plaything. the wolves handled her and spoke to her as if she had no mind of her own. the red-gold along her shoulders shimmered all the same. she bowed with the ease of emptiness, unencumbered by pride. "yes, great one." it was what pharaoh had told her to say.

with that she was gone, and only when she was alone in the waters did the pale earthen tones of her eyes pool with a tearless anguish.