Lion Head Mesa fortieth

senmut saw melody's reaction only as one of surprise and awe in the position she had just been given. "yes. you will learn to choose auspicious days for the queen. if she wishes to journey out, it will be you whom she consults to know when her caravan might leave. or if she wishes to name a new member to her court, you will choose the hour for this as well."

he had stepped toward melody as he spoke, standing before her with fur slowly drying into dampened scarlet spikes. the fellahin moved at his heels, quick tongue-strokes settling his pelt into gleaming hairs until a lift of his paw dismissed their ministrations, and indeed them as well.

"foremost, you will work with myself and with akhtar to determine the proper days for her coronation, her engagement, and her marriage. those three things are greatly important to the wellbeing of her dynasty."