Sky Mesa muscle & water

his own skulk near brought their shoulders together. khusobek did not answer for some time.

a good man! had he ever once been called this in his life?

his mouth twitched with a dark ire. "suppose all you said is correct, jodai." the crocodile did not glance her way. "it changes not the fact that i have a — life — in kadesh, and while my return will not be celebrated, it is a return that must happen all the same. should i take her from this jeweled life," he went on, voice a murmur, "and into the rough sands to be scorned? i am worthy of her beauty, not her future."

muscles tensed now as a break came in the herd of pronghorns, who plodded toward the cliffline.