Lion Head Mesa a final inundation

in some interest but more wariness he had answered the call, falling into step behind tavina. he wanted to ask her what she made of this, but did not wish to jeopardize anything. his eyes roved for danger and when the assembly had circled around the priest, he stood to one side.

his ear was not for the gods; he watched the gathered wolves with a growing sense of trepidation and as the final edict came, he snapped his head toward senmut, toward the cavern beyond.

honed senses felt the fall before it came. "safiya! tiye! get out!" roared their father, cutting through the galvanized crowd with hard shoves to reach his daughters.

stones fell.

he dodged the first, the second, the third.

the fourth crushed his spine, and in a bellow he fell, bracing his broken body beneath the pillar and forcing himself to hold, to hold, to hold this small space if it meant even a single wolf escaped.

death came swift, and in its mercy the great agony in his flesh was lifted; khusobek was caught up and up, and breathed his last against the brilliant memory of summer sunlight and inji's laughter.