Luneshale Pass fifty-fifth

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"those inside the palace, my lady," senmut lied, surprised at its ease. he need only make its root the protection of the queen's dominion. "your father died upon the throne. pharaoh makono all but abdicated it. the faith in such a rank has been shaken, from nobles to fellahin. why should a dynasty continue with you and not your sister who already holds the red land in her hand? why should another child of ramesses occupy the place beside her, when it seems the lineage must change to survive?"

senmut did not make his tone a challenge. he remained even, unbiased, contemplative as any royal scribe recording an edict. how dare melody, he thought, betray the queen who had given her a second chance inside their land; to squander first her chance as royal astrologer, then as ally to the most powerful ruler in their world.

had he underestimated her scheming? was an assured place of vizier to the stars not enough for the woman? senmut bore all this untraceably, but knew henceforth he would set his spies upon the priestess who stood silent and gilded in attention to her chosen regent.

"if you do this, akashingo may be undone by her enemies. they too have been sent here by our gods, great one," the priest finished, bowing once more and low.