Luneshale Pass oil & stone

the mazoi's snort was quick and bullish. he sunk beneath the surface of the nightdark river to his eyes and flicked droplets from his scarlet ears. "these are things that will be known to you when you return to akashingo," he replied, ice-stare unwavering.

this was information only delayed, not secret. not withheld. "i am at her door day and night. i want captain of the queensguard and harem," khusobek said directly. "i have served a pharaoh already in this capacity and now i serve akashingo's bride."

the secrets of a queen's spies fed into pharaoh's ears was a skill for which khusobek could demand gold, and had before. he wished to impress upon rashepses that he understood the practice of a new pharaoh routing the others, but that his skill made him immovable. he had not asked to be captain of the guard, capitulating that to the close-man, siatum.

but the crocodile was clear in his expectation.

he thought of brilliant flowering eyes, his prize, the only one about which he considered with any frequency. a gift, suspended.