Luneshale Pass fifty-third

"prince @Rashepses."

senmut's voice cut through whatever words might have been bantered back and forth, through pleasure-seeking, to halt the feet of mazoi departing, to command the eyes of nobles and fellahin alike.

the erpa-ha did not summon guardians to stand with him. he stood beneath a half-dozen gazes and there he addressed the dark wolf with his haughty eyes.

"i do not need to remind you that while our queen is unguarded outside of akashingo, our interactions with the local populace must be united. the Divine Wife is kind, arms extended to those who would know her or worship her. in her name we must act, not on our own whims which divide from her intention."

if the slithering men were with rashepses, senmut ignored them. "i do not further need to remind a man of royalty that he and his attendants are guests and that whatever authority you enjoyed in your land is irrelevant here to the hierarchy of akashingo."

senmut pressed, challenged, all in cool even tone and the unyielding nature of his eyes. thutmose and rashepses would easily win a physical battle. he meant to work through other means.