Lion Head Mesa it's the same old trick, they played their hand

I’m just going to tack a conclusion on this since it’s so dated. Hope the assumptions are okay!

the great pair conversed in privacy. a memory came to qiao, dithering as it shuttered through the halls of her old mind. she was young again for a moment; her fur resplendent, gangly limbs unburdened by life’s burgeoning responsibilities. she was in a tall chamber, the waft of valley lilies floating through. and in the other room, the dark murmuring of a priest. 

her mind snapped back to the present as a guard motioned her to move. qiao obeyed, pleasant in every interaction that evening. she told the pharaoh of her plans to gather spice to the north; she asked for leave in two week’s time, and offered the option for any requests. keeping her head bowed, she was the picture of humility — but at times that night, her eyes blazed with the glitter of injustice.