Lion Head Mesa bronze

Quickly, all the pieces fell into place—why there were fresh scents in the damp darkness of the catacombs, why Tavina was down here, and why she had seemed so short with him. She was hiding children; their cries were unmistakable. Pups? he said quietly. 

She wanted him to swear that he wouldn't say anything, but she knew what she was asking of him. I do not like to keep things from the Pharaoh, he said first. Why would these children need to be kept a secret? Sayf asked. The healer was intimidating, but he wouldn't lie to the pharaoh without a very good reason.