Rosewater Oasis Killed him, took his name, and I got new glasses.

pharaoh watches the boy approach. his gaze sweeps over the boy’s form—scarred, battered, but still standing. still breathing. he moves first, stepping forward with the grace of a panther.

his shadow falls over nokht, enveloping the boy. the faintest flicker of interest crosses samir’s face as he tilts his head, studying the stranger with a critical eye. still, he says nothing.

then, without warning, samir lifts his chin and turns. his tail flicks once. to follow. follow, he says.

to your salvation.

and with that, the pharaoh disappears over the dunes. ascending one final, tall hill of sandstone, and unveiling below the oasis in all her grandeur. palm trees framed by the radiance of ra, a pool of water that glitters with the rays of His light. the faintest movements of dwellers who move, tending to her.