Lion Head Mesa myrrh

inaros calls for @Rashepses, finally completing his pilgrimage from ta-senet to find his brothers.

prince, receive me, for i have arrived!

Akashingo called for aid, and Ta-senet answered. Their militia grew weekly, amassing the most dangerous and skilled muscle in the south. So confident was the king that this was the genesis of the most powerful fleet known to wolfkind: Mereo.

But no seasoned warrior met their border this day. Had Ta-senet sent a squire? Upon approach the riverlord’s nostrils flared in disaffection only for his eyes to fall upon the once-familiar face of Inaros. A child no more, who stood before him was a young man.

Rashepses’ laugh resounded, greatly amused and yet passionately he clapped an arm around the yearling, letting the familial scents of the river fill him.

“You, baby brother, have come to serve the Red Kingdom?” It was a look that teased as much as it delighted. How his face had changed!

rashepses receives him with all the mirth in the world!

a brotherly bond between the boy from the barracks and the divine consort that trespassed manifested bloodties.

not if you choke me out! he coughs but matched in boyish joy, shoving at his prince's chest before he's tucked into his knuckle and come out with carpet burn on his pretty head!

Rashepses’ smile was broad as he let him go, standing back to appraise the boy in full.

“You look not a day older, boy,” he teased, though certainly it was not the truth! Inaros was lankier, stronger, somehow the red on his face seemed fiercer.

“Come,” the royal moved them towards the grand entrance of the palace, “we’ll settle into a few bottles of wine and you tell me how your journey has been.”

that will do me nicely, brother.

akashingo! muat-riya! he felt as if he was granted the deed to these places, no guard-captain over his shoulder, no poring over deckle-mold combat courses—he would be regarded like a true warrior, despite his prince's teasings ( all taken in stride, surely )!

what were their courts like? their nobles, officials? he would be sure to taste them all--what to spit out, what to taste first, and what to wrap in newspaper and pickle for later.

There would be a time for the full tour of the estate, but for now the regal whisked his riverlad to a gleaming room which he had arranged explicitly for leisure. He gestured to a fine hare rug and sunk his silken form down upon a pile of silver swan plumes.

Three fellahin quickly came to attend them, two to massage their shoulders and another coming round with an offering of sweating berries.

“Summerwine,” he told the boy, “especially sweet.” He flattened the fruit between his teeth and held up an arm for his servant girl to stroke.

“Tell me about your training in Ta-senet,” he purred, shifting a pleased look at Inaros.

directed to the mint room, the fellahin are sent for, and he quickly comments his lower back should receive the most attention.

he slips a sweating berry in delight.

the captains of ta-senet would never let me forget my purpose! it was hard to exercise a politically inclined mind such as mine among the barracks, he half-jokes, a charismatic solider all the same with a demagogical political style that the less educated parched for, but my training finished and immediately knew i wanted to be stationed with you and your wife.

his eyes dangerously flick to his brother then, wondering if his tone would be tested in the interim. i hope you know you can employ me as youre implement here, rashepses.

better, anyways.

“And my wife,” a dark brow cut high but his lips rolled with a smirk, “yes, you will soon meet the lady of the house. I’m afraid she’s made a domestic man of me, Inaros.”

The king purred and rolled onto the side of his hip, at present resisting an urge to pull the maidservant onto his lap as he did so. A deep groan sounded when the girl kneaded into the strained muscles of his neck and he arced himself delightfully against the pressure.

“So you’re not a soft boy anymore, hm?” He growled in jest towards his rascal. “Good. My wife is carrying my sons. They will need guardians— and good counsel” Trusted advisors to the divinities of Mereo.