Lion Head Mesa now we'll see who is who

their barbaric ritual ended in silence. qiao listened as wind rushed around the canyon halls.

seventy days now the pharaoh's body would cure. seventy days to sneak back in and steal a rib from his aging bones. he had been most interesting to qiao, and she was sorry his soul had gone beyond her reach.

she gathered her things, noting nala's demeanor seemed a little less detached than hers' and senmut's. perhaps the girl had not yet experienced death -- or perhaps she had been close to the great red king of akashingo.

either way, his name would fall to dust now, while they remained among the living.

and qiao intended to keep it that way. 

she pulled the green torc about her neck, murmured a soft incantation over the place where ramesses rested, and then she too would retire to her chambers.

there was much to ruminate.