Luneshale Pass just an appendage

whenever you have the time <333

She sought @Toula; perhaps, if she were lucky, before Rashepses got to her.
How long it had been since she had seen her Queen, her radiant godhead; how incredible she looked upon arrival, draped in jewelry and plumes, dazzling color and accentuating accents. A woman, no longer a girl; royal.
And still, divided by class, Zaahira held her close within the chasm of her heart; guarded as it was, within it was a soft and warm space for her. Only her. A love that knew no definition and no boundary.
In a time where the bustle came to a quiet hum, Zaahira came forth to her. A whisper of her title draws from her lips; Zaahira's title for her.
Malakti.

the woman would not need to wait long. more than anyone else there, beyond perhaps one other, Zaahira had her trust. Toula smiled to see her then, and titles nor anything else seemed to hold any bearing in this moment as Toula brought her into her own embrace. time apart had done nothing but make the heart grow all the more fonder; never did she feel quite so safe as she did with the woman before her.
well, do not make me wait, she teased, her smile betraying that she would wait for as long as needed to hear the rest: tell me all of your travels here! how brilliantly you have done, in securing the Pass. truly, I had no doubt in you, she hummed.

An embrace of friends, of sisters, of Queen and of royal guardswoman, of hemet-nekheb and her chosen jodai — the graceful arms of Toula are welcomed wholly and truly, Zaahira's own capturing the small of the godswife's back. Her composure falters, even of only briefly; a thin sheen of tears sweeping her eyes. I missed you, no, no, she mustn't cry; and yet she cannot seem to escape the raw strike of vulnerability. I missed you so much.
She lingers for a beat, the sweet scent of home still heavy upon pale guard hairs. Only when their embrace is broken does Zaahira speak again. We have had little trouble claiming the pass, relief, so much relief to be found in that. and everyone has been well. I have been busy. Many patrols, many talks, some enjoyable, some not.
Pride rings in Toula's voice, and Zaahira thought to mention Rashepses, of how blatantly he had disobeyed the high priest. But the thought of causing upset so soon—
No, no. She would enjoy this; they would enjoy this reunion for now. How are you?

Toula smiled easily and said in earnest, I have missed you, too. but near or far, I knew you and I are of one mind—I trust Akashingo beneath your watch, her tail swayed behind her. it was the highest compliment she could pay—and she meant it with her whole heart. Zaahira was important to her, and it would be important for all to recognize it.
it is no surprise they meet no resistance; why should they? she feels Zaahira has done well, as did the rest that had come. pride beat in her heart, but she ignored that—she did not wish to let the feeling turn her arrogant or blind to the challenges still to come! 
have you learned of any other occupants within these lands? individuals to invite to her coronation, perhaps!? or to keep away, if they were terrible… but given the lack of trouble, she doubted it! 
the question asked to her causes a smile. how thoughtful the Mazoi was! restless, she admits openly, but also tired. I have waited for this time for so long—I have been writing the princes, and preparing for my own arrival and then the future travels yet to come… and hoping that all was truly going well, here. to hear it from you… now I know it was so, Toula finds her smile growing.

Toula had entrusted Akashingo to lie beneath Zaahira's watchful eyes, and she knew this;
And she could not lie. Not to her Queen, her godhead, her friend. Not when seafoam eyes grow round with glee and gratitude; not when they lookvto her as if she holds the world at her fingertips. Not all was well. I am glad that you are well, my dearest. You are radiant as always.
But then, Zaahira's expression falters into one of concern, of sadness. There are others who live here, yes. Coyotes, I believe. They did not cause us harm, and with this she nods, a gentle swing of her narrow head. but there is something else I must tell you, malakti.
Her voice crests into a salted whisper. There was a disturbance when we met with one of the coyotes. One of our princes ordered his men to seize her against the wish of erpa-ha Senmut, and it-- it was frightening. I ordered our mazoi to stay put, but his men do not listen to my command. He does not take kindly to my presence, either, and, she swallows the bulb that had settled in her throat. I hate to say this, but I have begun to fear for your safety around him. Believe me, Divine One, I wish it not to be true and for me to be imagining things, but I cannot ignore it.
She does not mention the name; wildfire eyes glaze with renewed tears. I am sorry. I did not want to cause you unrest, or fear, or... or anger. But I do not know what else to do.

Toula heard the quavering in her voice, heard the real feeling there. and she sighs as she says, never shall you leave me alone with this man, then, until such a time that his trust is earned. Senmut should not have disobeyed—no doubt, it was a play at power. a test perhaps to see who else might listen. but if it was only his men, she hummed, we have nothing to fear. you are my people, and you each have my own protection. they must learn what that means—and if this man truly wishes to marry me, then they must learn what ruling Akashingo means. certainly not needless violence, she shook her head at that. 
your instinct is important. with you by my side, I do not fear, her eyes were bright. I am glad you have told me this. even now she was unafraid. she was, in fact, relieved to hear this. her people trusted her. 
what do you think of his men? she asked, eyes bright.

She found not fear in the rhythm of her Queen's voice, but trust. True power, true godhood; not worry, but will.
And Zaahira remembers again how fond she truly is of the woman before her.
I have scarcely let him out of my sight, her eyebrows knit, hard and embittered. and I will not start now. He underestimates me. His men, too. They wish only to follow order of man, as if they do not reside under the leadership of Queen. It angers me. for were they not birthed from the fruit of women? Were they not raised at the supple bosom of mothers?
I do not know if they will respect me as jodai when the day comes. But they will learn. And they will bow to you, and I will be sure of it. there is not anger in her voice, but ambition; determination, a promise to both herself and her godswife. But the rage froths beneath the surface; the rage that Rashepses has such audacity, and the thought of ever serving him—
But, her voice clears. I wanted to enjoy this, our reunion. Will you join me in a prayer?

how that must wound their pride, she says with a sigh. be gentle with them, my protector—all will be right in time. it is like you say—they will learn. each of them, and if they did not, then perhaps it was not meant—it would be revealed, sooner or later, what was and what was not. 
but she quite enjoyed Zaahira, and that she too recognized the strength of being a woman. Toula saw it, too—and had much more to even learn! for now we must be patient. and pray for them, that they should learn swiftly, 
and truly, she would. it would speak much to them that they could grow—and the Queen believed it was possible. 
Toula smiled brightly at Zaahira. I enjoy each moment I get to spend with you, but I should always love to join you for a prayer. I will let you lead us today, she offered, another branch of trust in the growth of the one to be Jodai. she had learned much beneath Toula, and plenty from the Gods as well. after all, They were the best teachers of all, teaching the two of them even then!

The Gods will show them the way, she says it as if she is willing it to be truth; as if it is truth. The age of man's chokehold on society crumbles before their very eyes, and she revels in it.
I will escort you to my favorite place to pray.
First, she stops at her makeshift resting place. Between Zaahira's teeth now is a small offering: a smooth stone marbled with bright scarlet, wrapped hastily between leaves.
Linking one arm with the Queen's own, with a leisured pace she leads her through the barren shale. Sagebrush and cholla surround in great expanse, a sea of nothing as the glare of Akashingo's outpost fades behind them.
The river that cuts the ridgeland, small but strong, rests now at the womens' feet. I come here so that They may hear me best, there was no altar here, not yet, but here she feels Them no less — a spark lit, a great presence within her very soul. it is my own altar.
The soon jodai had become zealous in her ways. No longer did the wild spirit roam. Sekhmet will heed our word.

Behold, I smell the earth before the mighty one.
Behold how I have kept the vigil in the shrine of Sekhmet.
Behold, I am the child, the child of Sekhmet, the lady of the east.
I am with her. I am one with her.
I am Sekhmet and the flames of all those who praise her.
I am the hand of the powerful goddess, wearer of the solar disc. I am the twice beautiful one, more splendid than yesterday.
I am she who goes forth with Ra. I am she.

as the Gods show us all, she dipped her head in pious humility; even she was guided by Them—Their sister, Their wife. 
guided by the future Jodai, Toula finds comfort in every step. she thinks of when they two first met—when the Lakewoman had only been interested in the faith. and now, look at her! building altars of her own for Akashingo, and finding her own independent comfort in Them. 
she is proud. so proud. and she knows each step of her friends is guided by the Gods—down to the first ones that brought the Mazoi to her that very same day. 
Toula could feel Their presence as well as Zaahira did. no altar, but then it was not yet needed. They were still present! all the same, I will help you build one, thinking the task of faith would bring them all the closer. that, and the Gods, she thought, would appreciate the sentiment and the sacrifices that would come to it in time. 
she thinks it is beautiful here. it shows in her warm and appreciative gaze—she can absolutely see why the Mazoi liked it here. all could be heard. they two would be heard above all, in this endless looking open expanse, as Toula prayed with her—saying the words with her own higher pitch weaving against her friends.

Head pressed to her chest, eyes held in a soft flutter; voice guttural as the prayer is recited, shouted, even; Zaahira is Sekhmet, Lady of eternity, the unveiled one! She is Her voice upon this mortal plane, Her hand, Her humble devotee!
It was as if Zaahira could feel Her in shades of brown-gold, Her clenched fist and sharpened teeth. The pull of dry heat, the flare of nape as it bristles; life and death, health and suffering, sickness and prosperity.

O Sekhmet, Eye of Ra, Great of Flame; protect her, our Queen, Lady of the Red Serpent;
Protect her and preserve her from all arrows,
And every evil of this year!

On and on does the mantra drum until the throat of the future jodai grows hoarse, the echo of two voices bouncing off the dry scape. Empassioned, devoted in full, with no longer an ounce of hesitation. And when it comes to a stop, Zaahira looks to her Queen with plush eyes; a soft search for approval, for pride, as a pupil might to their mentor. She had never before led them in their worship!

Toula easily falls into the prayer, speaking with Zaahira, thinking with her too—grateful for this prayer, needing it without having known it. she felt made safe by it, the protective cloak of the Gods wrapped warmly ‘round her shoulders. 
and when they were finished, she looked with proud eyes upon Zaahira. she blinked away joyful tears, breathing, thank you, thank you, and then smiling merrily—how wonderful that was! Sekhmet has heard you, and She is with you—I feel Her here now, and her voice was imbued with that pride that illuminated from her gaze.

The Queen's praise spreads warmth to the darkest places within Zaahira. She is proud. She has done well.
Sekhmet smiles upon them.
A heavy pause before wistful eyes reach for the seashine of Toula's own, that wondrous gaze held between rings of kohl the warrior had grown to adore so deeply. She will show us the way. She will guide us. and Zaahira thought to hold it close, that hope, that prayer. The coronation nigh, now that the Queen made her arrival to these southern lands, and fear still clung to her chest.
Politics. Jargon. None of it mattered here, none of it mattered now. The tangerine eyes shimmer. I am so glad to be with you again.