Lion Head Mesa dust

the wolf with the name slate turned out to be an older woman.

with her, the woman brought curious objects. tamar took care not to stare at them. she set the same path back along toward akashingo. the maidservant wanted to ask if slate was the same to merrick. but she did not think it was so. merrick did not have commands for those around him. he was not like pharaoh, and he terrified tamar in a way that ramesses did not.

the girl led the healer first into the expansive anteroom where satsu and pharaoh received their guests. two hallways here, one curving into the tiny space that belonged to germanicus, and the other leading downward. the smell of flowers and berries and desire mingled here. tamar ducked her head and continued along the carved hallways of red stone.

there were many passages veering off to either side. theirs widened into the large bathing room fed by the underground springs. tamar took a left, mentally recounting now how she could find the room that was maggie's own. unfortunately, even before she and slate had entered, the syrupy scent of rot had begun to waft into the hall.

"i do not know why the queen has asked for you," tamar blurted, stopping abruptly. she did not want to enter. "the saints did this. many, many days ago." she sought to hold her breath, pale brown eyes widening. "she has lain here ever since."