Redsand Canyon exordium

tamar wanted to smile but she could not.

whatever comfort arsenio had brought her before was dulled for now. the fellahin — no, she was not that any longer — the young woman coughed again, gently, eyes closing. but they came open again at the sound of a soft voice.

tamar observed the slight figure of a woman with a gentle face and knowing eyes approach the door of the den. ruenna caeso-redsand. this was confirmed by germanicus; husband? him? there were a thousand questions and no answers.

"thank you," she whispered, shuffling closer to ruenna. the girl's ears were splayed now; she did not want arsenio to leave her. but somehow the dryer canyon and the specific absence of pharaoh heartened her.

tamar sought the guard — no — she sought her beloved's gaze, lips curving softly, though for the moment the intended encouragement could not touch her eyes.