Lion Head Mesa benet

"bring the princess @Toula here," ramesses instructed his servants. the day was cold. he had a repast of light pine liquor and meat laid for them, and the very last berries, shriveled now in the iciness. they thawed upon the eating mats as he waited.
ramesses could not move lilitu from his mind. now that he had spoken of dissolution, the desire crept and slung slim arms around his neck. why not right the slander she had received from charles, why not make her Second Royal Wife and set brecheliant to raising his own seed in their nest?
he was not dissatisfied with treva; the opposite. but more children meant a longer legacy for pharaoh, and tucked away from the palace, a son might be safe from the crown prince.
still, only now, he wanted the company of the daughter who had quietly become his favorite. makono polished herself and ashikaga was devoted to her studies. but toula glowed with love and with piety, and he outstretched his arms to her when she at last arrived. "come and see!"
a piece of wood, whittled by teeth into the rough approximation of a wolf's eye. "i had this made for you. it is a charm of luck, the all-seeing Gaze of Ra."