Lion Head Mesa twenty-sixth

Makono! where had she gone! Toula, having just prayed and visiting where her father was placed for viewing, dressed his wrappings in any place she found lacking. she spent time speaking with him, as though he might answer her; she hoped that in dreams, he might still. but Toula could not spend too long in his presence, with the work she had now to do—work she had never anticipated before, but work she would not shirk from.
and once she was returned to her chambers, it seemed the work was to begin! Toula stood tall, leaning toward Senmut in observation. to his first advisement, she nods and agrees. Makono would surely return, would she not? and Toula would keep Akashingo standing for her in her absence. it was no question, that this should and would be done.
as far as the formal crowning of her, Toula also did not disagree. the party would come, surely, the spring celebration an event that would once more bring joy back to these halls... but someone needed to rule, and it could not simply be Amiirad any longer. It is my will that this be done, so that all these things might be properly addressed, and more!
enemies beyond the lake! her sisters enemy. Toula thought on this, but listened well. I think this is a good idea, Toula nods. but she did not look with Senmut; somehow, in her heart, she imagined that this was what must be happening. none would come through that door until they were ready; she only wondered who might be the first to return, between her own mother and her sister!
Toula did not think the former a traitor. the weight of the loss of her mothers husband... it must have broken her!
but for them all, Toula would not break. she gathered her own softness to her and became this one, great thing that the rest could fall upon. and so it would be. as for the conflict, Toula thought, neither of our reigns should begin with blood. I would not move the whole of Akashingo against one man, for what were the wolves of the Lake to them? if Toula hoped to rule them, too, perhaps might was not right to start with. by now, she was aware that one might have been wronged by Khaba. if justice is sought, I would not disallow it. each action has its consequence, for whatever the reason, Khaba had struck first—had broken the peace first. but regardless of that...
the Hem had the right of it. they were at a disadvantage, and Toula... she was no tactician. Toula thought, though, that peace was a good way to begin ones first reign. should they strike against us, we can reconsider, Toula hums, and looks to Senmut for his own thoughts on the matter.
his next question, she did not expect! but Toula, equally, could not find it in her heart to refuse the man who had done so much for her, for her family, this. it is done, she hummed, so long as you remain a vizier to me as well, erpa-ha, let her be the first to call him this!