Lion Head Mesa Ntropí

satsu's attention shifted only momentarily to tamar's red shape as she was ushered from the room, missing her by a fraction of a second. she caught the looming figure of germanicus and dropped her eyes again.

it felt very much like she were on trial herself. that tamar and this girl child were on one side of the scales, and herself the other, waiting to see which was of more weight.

ramesses gave his orders and the girl, yet unbroken, was not keen to listen. satsu watched this girl and saw the fire in her, saw the way she fought back with her very spirit. deep inside herself her heart applauded.

but she knew, also, there was no point in fighting ramesses if he wanted something. it was the first lesson the girl would come to understand. he was the lord of this place — he was the daimyo, he was pharaoh — and now angered as he was, nothing could stop him.

he burned brightly now, so bright that belen averted her gaze and fell victim to his whims.

what an honor for belen, to serve both her queen and pharaoh.

a laugh, echoing.

and satsu watched as the girl was whisked away, as the sun-god, her husband, descended his throne; he looked back, then left.

and satsu was alone — finding that she had been eclipsed.