Lion Head Mesa twenty-third

senmut was not a man of violent passions.

but he had seen how they established kings. until makono shed blood, she would only be seen as a paragon of words, no matter her personal accomplishments.

and yet he did not want this for her!

"gather the roman and your mazoi. lead them. show khaba that his betrayal of you means death also for those who support him."

was he exhorting her to a horrid end? "i will come with you. send your sister and brother with their retinue elsewhere, or trust akashingo in your absence to its queen."

her sister, now also to prove herself. senmut moved closer.

"and for all that, send me alone, great one. send me alone and i will see that poison enters his throat, even if i cannot return to you."

here, his zeal unwavering! she was the divine link between the gods and the mortal world. more rested upon her crown than he would ever know; he must only devote himself entire to those immortal aspects of ancient power she carried in her very blood.