Luneshale Pass fifty-third

"you act for yourself." senmut remained even, though anger had begun to curdle his belly. he did not know the queen! how could he say his actions were for her? "i do not fear coyotes, nor do i think it necessary to set our teeth on fellahin."

a man who could not handle a jibe from a servant's class was too tempestuous to wield a throne. or a crown. but that was not senmut's choice to make. "i trust zaahira, who means to be jodai. had she seen a threat, she would have moved to end it. but if you feel your hands are idle, great one, then take your men and move to discover these vagabonds the stranger described. for her."

the mouth was shadowed in unreadable emotion.