Lion Head Mesa ascendant

pharaoh watched as they gathered, each of them. and still he was silent. still he was implacable. 
until at last he shifted forward in his throne and looked to the high priest, then to siptah. "your sister makono wishes to be crown prince in akashingo. she desires to follow me upon the throne."
to akhtar, now: "your student conspired with the amiirad. he knew the ways of the sacrifice to the Apis Bull. and he scorned them in loyalty to princess makono."
ramesses' voice was heavy, but he had no judgement.
"the gods have moved with with the princess. they speak to her. they sanctioned that she should stand in the sacrifice's blood. she has sought to change Ma'at, and Ma'at, for her, has changed."
and that could not be denied.
pharaoh stared at his daughter. "makono understands the law of succession. she understands divinity. she understands where her place should be. and yet her spirit calls with the voice of a man for my crown, and Amun has blessed her."
he lifted his chin. "siptah. if you recognize makono's claim, and will observe it, then you will be her Divine Consort when she takes the crown." 
now his attention was weighted upon his strong son. "but if you do not, then makono must be be declared as contender."
ramesses looked at the high priest once more. "hem akhtar. please tell to the royal children how a dynasty ends when the gods are displeased."
he wanted to hear from no one save for the holy man first.