Lion Head Mesa all's well that ends

their path brought them towards the budding waters of the wellspring. qiao kept her steps measured.

it was bold of her to speak openly. she wondered, had makono been brought up on a life of curated words? had she been fed from the spoon of manipulation, as she had seen ramesses do many times?

and would it cost qiao's hide to speak so brazenly?

perhaps ramesses would have paid the debt if his life had not been cut short. qiao kept this quip from her tongue. she knew nothing of makono, only that a serviceman of hers had willingly shed a loyal subject's blood. for that, qiao was wary.

i was promised a child apprentice, pharaoh makono. i do not tell you this to hold it over your head. qiao once more lowered her skull -- the wound along her head throbbed. i tell you so you may know the bigger picture. you question my loyalty to you after a man of yours spilled my blood upon your door and left me for dead. what reason did qiao have to trust her? 

here she paused, readying for a blow. if it is a coup you intended, its best not to offend your loyalists. my pharaoh.