Lion Head Mesa ninety-seventh

please allow @Nasima to post first! <3 aw!

now that tavina had returned to nurse @Eset, there was no need for senmut to remain where the sesh and the hemet qiao were quite apt. he would have retreated then back to the warm bower of @Nazli's healing-room, watching @Aiesha grow into an aspirant priestess, but summons came then from pharaoh and her Divine Consort. the naming-day of the children was at hand, and as High Priest, he must preside for a time.

it was bittersweet, to be parted at last from his beloved and their daughter. he charged @Medusa quite seriously with overseeing any spiritual questions which @Aiesha might ask both of the priestess and her mother. a sacredborn, she must have all thoughts nurtured.

his journey from the palace was unmarked by event, save for when he bedded down near a small oasis. it was there that he met a woman who might bring to mind another, had he ever met the first. soft-spoken and elegant, it was in their discussion that he was reminded of @Rashepses' desire for more.

for more.

he did not offer this to nasima, as he found her name to be; he told her instead of pharaoh's kind court and the riches therein, the softness of requirement, the protection of two lands.

it was agreed at very least she would meet pharaoh, and now they strode up the great red land, to the rough-hewn paths, where a servant welcomed them and called audience with royalty.