Lion Head Mesa wrath & poison

the father retreated. the girl chanted violence. senmut irrigated her wounds from the froth of wolfsteeth, again, again, again. he treated them with cloths soaked in cold chamomile; he bound them slick with willow and a salve of honey with fireleaf, to eat away any infection.

"mix the poppy into the strawberry wine. half a dose, there. good. safiya," the red priest murmured, "drink. drink."

and if his voice sank through her consciousness, charmion held a curled leaf to her mouth. across the girl, for the first time, the eyes of high priest met that of devoted fellahin.