Lion Head Mesa Nobody died (except me).

The dark woman tried to introduce him, but it was the pharaoh's tone that scythed through the air instead, to cut her off.

His words were leveled to Reyes now, and the man wished he had his usual fervor with which to fight back in some way. He couldn't, not now.

Reyes didn't know what to say, but at least he took the time to think before he said it, so that he didn't run his mouth.

I don't know. Maybe you shouldn't. Not the greatest opener, there.

My daughter, he started, and let his eyes drop to the floor, away from the godhead. I only want to get home to her. She's everything to me. I'll do anything to get home to her — and I know I must owe a great debt to you and your people. It felt like grovelling. It felt like weakness, standing here and speaking this way before this particular man.

Reyes went silent, expecting the worst.