Lion Head Mesa sarcophagi

She spoke plainly of what to expect. Of the options that would perhaps be granted to Nazli, but also that she would have to endure the pharaoh first, regardless. That his happiness and his pleasure, his wants, should be valued above all. It was not such a hard lesson there - it was the truth of Akashingo as Nazli knew it. Of course the pharaoh would be expectant of things. She would take her time to wrap her head around it all.

It wasn't so much the future that frightened Nazli, though. Tavina picked up on the guilt that manifested, and the other emotions which Nazli could not quite name. Her question was met with a sigh.

I was angry with something he said. Nazli wanted to claim it was a private matter but she had no right to that, given her station, and she knew it. Something about... He sees me as a person, not a fellahin. It was offensive to me. As if I am not by default a person! As if I need to be saved, somehow.

It riled her all over again, but to a lesser extent. There came a shake of her head; she did not want to revisit it again and again and tire herself out further. I like my place, and my work, and the people here. I don't see why that has to change — or why, how, I am not good enough the way that I am.

That could change, though. Nazli had no idea what it would mean to lay with a man — how it might change her love of this life that she led.