Lion Head Mesa after while, crocodile

Toula gives free reign for the fellahin to police themselves- Eset feared it would not be enough. It was not enough to speak it in confidence. It needed to be made a clear mandate to every ear and every mind that passed through Akashingo’s temple. And even then…

Could the servants ever acquire true respect? To be viewed as people, and not articulated objects? Eset had seen enough cruelty to feed her doubt, even in the face of the most divine goddess, who sought to protect her.

She caught her hand, and to her lips pressed it.

Slowly she lifts her eyes, so that the Queen could see the honesty there. “I am happy. All the fellahin are. Look at the life you provide for us. We would not have so much privilege anywhere else.”

She is relieved when Toula chatters away in her ebullient fashion and the fellahin observes her in wonder. In any mood she is stunning. Most of all when she smiles.

“I’ve heard rumors,” she teases, “even some from the lips of the Princes themselves.”