Lion Head Mesa thirteenth

right back for u senmut loves 2 chat

how he hated this! how he knew it must be done, for the sake of akashingo. 

and how many times had the forbears of makono sat like this in similar halls in similar whisperings, viziers and priests and nobles and heirs, all quietly aligning their futures behind a new vision before the old one could end.

the young priest considered what he might ask these men.

"your father has brought wealth and prosperity to akashingo. you must prove yourself to do the same. bring victory. bring tribute. gain the confidence of his vizier."

senmut inhaled. "pharaoh puts out his hand to seek a marriage for toula. offer to take this task from him. in this way you will think of your sister first and ambition second. but to the prince you must show mercy and understanding. to establish yourself as head of a lineage you must maintain the divinity of the bloodline."

did he speak as priest? as vizier? as traitor? senmut did not know. nor did he understand the wisdom which flowed through him now. "ashikaga must be kept as queen's-heir, should —" the current queen find a harsh and early end.

"your father may sire new princes this year, great one. think upon this also."