Lion Head Mesa to have peace, there must be strife

"you certainly bring an impressive wedding gift," senmut commented.

the pharaoh makono had trained beneath soldiers, had indeed molded herself into a leader who would approach one. but she had been young, not an experienced commander with his own barracks in a foreign land.

senmut was not convinced thutmose would appeal to toula's innate sense of beauty and romance. but loveliness and affection were not the only basis for a marriage; a cunning tongue with no courtly skill would be a detriment to her as well. she would be queen. she needed a strong pharaoh.

"i am sorry to hear of your sister," the prince said with genuine feeling. "you may find it comforting to know that lovers in aswan often refer to each other as sister and as brother, to suggest the level of investment they have in one another."