Lion Head Mesa Voice of man

all this time, and still the erpa-ha did not know what to make of the glimmering prince cut from glinting jetstone. effortlessly the Consort took over such arrangements; senmut felt himself plied into the water, and went willingly enough.

it felt good upon his travelworn muscles, but it was with a man's silent comparison to self that he looked at rashepses, at the water beading upon his black coat and the gentle pull of pretty paws at his spine. he was every inch the prince he had proclaimed himself to be, and senmut was reminded with godly insistence that he himself was only a fellahin.

"moontide is well. it is placed upon the coastline in such a place that all activity passes near or through the shores kept by rodyn and heph. the land is rich from earth and sea. they are traders, and have amassed great wealth in recent years.  "

he took the wine when it was offered, sipping before he spoke again; "they call themselves a village, and they are connected with a string of other villages through blood and marriage." another drink, lingering; "it was there that i came to meet several of these relations, as well as make a formal introduction of ourselves to another budding oasis in the mountains, hearthwood."

amusement touched his scarlet face. "the man rodyn is well-traveled and powerful. i considered him for our nebet racharra. but he has lost his wife, great one, and pain exists in him. i do not believe he would travel from moontide. and she has given up her questing for the lake, which raises another matter: zharille."

briefly did senmut explain which parts of this story rashepses might not know: the rise of greatwater, the defection of the man khaba to its leader, zharille. his theft of children and the might of akashingo which had taken their traitor captive in return for greatwater's bended knee. miho and racharra, left in the warm hands of the then-girl toula, queen to the red land.

"she has returned to the lake, it seems, or intends to return." a look now, for the Consort; senmut was erpa-ha and had commanded the first assault upon greatwater. suppose rashepses had another tactic. "racharra no longer wishes to press her claim and desires only to be married."

much had been said, and now he was silent, anticipating what the Consort's quick mind might make of all this.