Lion Head Mesa manzanita

belen watched with bright eyes as crowfeather looked at her paws then upon her once more. "the gods have favored you, principe!" the girl exulted with delight, and theatrically lifted her foot to reveal the small stone which she rolled toward his own grasp. "two games in a row you have won." belen pretended to sulk. there was more to say but then sayyadina was between them, telling belen that she was wanted in the queen's apartments, and carrying a message that invited crowfeather to dine with the pharaoh. but both of them knew it was a command. "i will come back sometime," she told him, straightening. "i will think of a better game. one that is harder." she grinned and bowed her head, waiting to be dismissed.