Lion Head Mesa thirty-fourth

the Queen listened on in silence, content to play the part of listener. but she was more than that here; she, ultimately, would be the decider. 
all that the once Hem said was true, she knew now. and there was anger in her heart toward the betrayer. but it seemed it was not so uncommon, him burning those around him—
Toula knew more now, and would tell it.
there is worse than even this, Toula breathed quietly. another of theirs has come to us for refuge. though she, too, wishes revenge against him. he uses the women, then pits them against one another—and one of them has died for it. Raven, she had called her, and Toula would again and again say the girls name, to keep her alive! 
now she turned to the Neb. I think they are already broken, from within. but if allies were needed, I think none would wish for their daughters to find this place to be seduced by a betrayer. to die. would you? she asked, whisper-quiet. there are children there. they should not be subjected to such a life… more than conquest, which had its benefits, Toula thought of the children. thought of the little girls…
what would he do, were it his Medusa? and so she asked him, her voice unwavering, tell me how you think a strong Akashingo looks, for she had heard Senmut. and while it was clear she did not disagree with him—and perhaps more clear than that was her own outrage for these women that he had wronged and the woman that he had killed, that he would keep his cubs away from their mother…—was that if blood could be avoided, Toula would keep her mind open to the ideas that were presented. 
and only then would she speak.