Lion Head Mesa Upon this back of mine

He has 2 octopi, 1 minx fur and he can go gather more if he needs too. Set for the 18th of June

Rodyn found his way to the mesa and stared up in silent awe and also discouragement at the large rocks and sandy dunes. This was a palace indeed and it looked cold. He preferred the open airs.

He had only brought with him two of the Octopi and one minx fur, but he could easily go gather more if it was requested. But he had a lot of packs to meet and he needed to be sure that he had enough trade items for all.

He stayed far far away from the borders. He could see the guards. He lifted his nose to the sky and called out for @Senmut or any of the others he had met, for they would know him. @Toula

so sorry idk how I missed this!!

it had been Toula nearby, returning from prayer—attended by her fellahin and escorted by the Jodai she was given pause from up on high upon hearing the call for the made-prince. her route adjusted, and she made her way toward him with her retinue. a fellahin stepped forward to announce her with her many titles, and she peered at the man with interest.
even from here, she could smell salt! and she remembered one of the descriptors used when describing the place, but she didn’t know enough of the sea to know that this was where he might have come from. 
welcome to Akashingo, she starts with, allowing him room now to introduce himself!

It's alright. I figured you would get to it eventually <3

Rodyn was met by a younger female. Graceful and with a kind face. He quickly averted his eyes and bowed his head a little when she was introduced.

Unsure how to title her. He spoke quietly. I apologize. Royalty is not in my knowledge skill set. What is it that I call you? Your majesty? Or something different. I'm sorry.

he cringed hating that he didn't know what to say, but how was he to know. He was essentially a poor farm boy from a quiet village in a manner of speaking and was not as world built as many others.

I am Rodyn Ardeth Alpha of Moontide. I briefly met Priest Senmut. I bring items for trade and an invitation.

Pharaoh Toula, she answers warmly, given this was a diplomatic event—and he had asked! but she would not begrudge him if he simply called her by her name, as their customs were different. she did not expect for him to immediately adopt them—but his manners caused her to look upon him with warmer eyes than even the start! she liked him, this Rodyn. please, there is no need to apologize! your wish to learn is something I am grateful for. I do not expect any who were not raised within Akashingo’s halls to know, and her own voice was gentle. she would never dream to condescend him for such. 
his name was not unfamiliar. her eyes twinkled with her excitement. by now, she knew the moonvillages were a good people—one her made-daughter might marry into, perhaps. ah! I have heard of you, she said with a smile. our Erpa Ha spoke well of you. please, share with me what you have brought to trade! and tell me of your invitation. now Toula turns to a fellahin and requests they bring precious items for Rodyn to look upon in this trade with a whisper, before withdrawing from their ear and listening to them depart as she says I am grateful you have come all this way. a room is being prepared for you to stay overnight, should you wish, and now another fellahin arrives, bringing upon a sturdy piece of drywood shed from a tree a variety of sweet meats. alongside them, berries to enjoy. she gestures to them, her first offering. you were a most gracious to my people. you have my gratitude. if you hunger, I invite you to partake in this first small course, she says in earnest!

I’ll prioritize this guy now! So sorry!

Very well. Well met, Pharoah Toula. these royals and their titles were a bit beyond him. But it was not so bad. He just had some learning to do.

Rodyn didn't know how his name had gotten far. And he didn't know if it held weight. But it was his, freely given.

I have brought dried octopi mest. It is a sea creature near our land. And a minx fur. I have more tradeable items in a nearby place if these don't please you.

A small smile then. I also bring an invitation to hunt with moon villages in the fall for Elk. There will be general fellowship, hunting, women's circles, and we also have a matchmaker if her services are requested to strengthen allies with bonds of matrimony.


I will stay one night and depart before the sun rise. Thank you.

He looked at the meal and motioned. Would you join me or is that not a normal pastime?

oh gosh! No need to apologize. I'm just trying to clean these ones up since the group hunt is coming up soon

oh! these please me greatly! she exclaimed in earnest, eyes taking in these treasures. it had been the prince-priest @Senmut that had first brought the ocean to her, but Rodyn was the continuous rolling tide of it that brought much and more this day. her eyes were bright as he spoke of his invitation. ah! if not myself, a paw moves then to trace her own underbelly, a coy smile sharing yes! I am with child!, Akashingo shall certainly send an esteemed representative to attend. but know that if it is possible for me to be there, I shall, she speaks warmly, and means each word. a woman’s circle! a matchmaker! oh! and she knew her husband would love the hunt!
Toula nods in understanding. he would need to return to his village, of course—she would not keep him longer than this unless he wished to rest a little while longer. as for his other question, she smiled. a larger meal is also being prepared, that one for the both of us. I should like to know you better, out of the elements! but this, this is for you—something light, but at the very least something to fill your stomach after your long days and nights of travel if you feel any hunger now. I will be unoffended if you wish to save your appetite for dinner, a light laugh then as she regarded him, quiet for only a brief moment. ah! would you like to look upon our items while you dine, or would you prefer to review them now? she inquired, thinking again on all that he had brought! she found herself desiring both of his items—one for its difficulty to obtain in the desert, the other for her cubs.

Senmut had been a strange one that had come to the shores of his home. But it had not been an unwelcome visit. And Moonwoman had seemed to like that he had made allies of them. Even if he didn't understand all their customs he was trying.

He didn't miss the movement. And mentally ticked off the items he had back in his pack. And he nodded. ON a return trip through I will drop off an elk hide for any little ones that may come this year.

That was the only comment he made after that.

A small smile and a nod. I will take a small morsel since you and your people made me something. And save the rest of my appetite for our meal. I would prefer business now and then at the meal we can perhaps relax and I can answer any questions you may have about the pack or the hunt?

you are kind to do so, she said warmly, pleased by this trait within him. and once he enjoyed the appetizer provided to him, they made their way inside.
she brought him to the large receiving room of Pharaoh—displayed neatly in the room were items to be traded that he or his people might enjoy. furs of things only found in this part of the wilderness, but also furs from beyond the desert—to show to him that there was much to offer to him of the things he might wish for not exclusive to simply this climate! Akashingo traded with many, and she continued to expand such. her hand reached far to acquire the things that she desired.
there were things from the far north, and things from unexplored west among them today, beyond things of the desert. horse hide and meat, dried and preserved, and that of mule too. pronghorn skulls of varying sizes were on display. mink furs, bison hooves and femurs as well as skulls were also presented. and of the desert there was a rich variety of furs and meat—black-tailed jackrabbit, the fangs and skin of a rattlesnake, and that of a viper too! larger lizards of the desert were also lain out to be reviewed by him. other than the things she offered in trade, he might note the ornate decor of the receiving room prepared for the two of them. flower petals of her preference everywhere, plants placed neatly alongside her throne, “art” to be viewed for their enjoyment…
she watched him with a proud eye, curious to his own preference this day! if we are to do business first… do you see anything you think that you would like?  it will be prepared for you to take home with you at once, she speaks with a smile.

feel free to come up with other items too—I’m not very creative and need to work on it but tried to think of cool things!

He would not have any little ones sleeping where they were not warm. And he had no doubt that there would be many elk furs to trade come soon. Or so he hoped.

The pelt of a snow leopard caught his eye. White with black spots and he could not quite tear his eyes from it. And for the first time, he wanted something for himself, or more so for whomever he decided to marry again, if he decided as such.

He motioned towards the pelt of snow and ice. would you take my items for that? And some healing plants that we do not have around here. Kukutux would like those.

HE studied the other items. Everything was beautiful. Moontide was rich in their endeavors and had much trade. But he believed that this pack, may have him beat and he wondered and marveled at it in equal measure. But they also had many at their beck and call. He was not a king and his people not servants.

You have many beautiful things. I commend you for this.

he requested something magnificent and uncommon, and she smiled at his rich taste! it is yours, she accepted. she looked to a fellahin and murmured that they included native healing herbs to be brought with the traveler, and as another neatly rolled the item meant for him she said, both shall be brought to your chambers before you retire this evening, with a nod.
I thank you. we are always seeking to find such things, to acquire more and provide back in turn what we can. I have built many relationships and hope to continue to do so, so that all might be able to enjoy beautiful things. it is not enough for me to survive—I wish to live, to enjoy everything around me. to appreciate all that this life has to offer. ah, it is true that death is not the end—but even still! it is good to see all and appreciate all that is around you, Toula thinks aloud, then laughs. oh! I ramble. I am sorry, she shakes her head, still laughing softly even as she speaks. 
the things you provide to us in trade… I, and Akashingo, am grateful for. the one who has found these furs will be paid properly for your interest, and thus the economy continued to grow and would improve. he also made their kingdom richer—his part was not small. thank you, truly, her smile lingers.
the feast is being prepared and not yet ready, so should you like to wash beforehand, I can take you to the warmwaters where you might bathe, Toula offers with a tilt of her head.

Rodyn did not want it for himself. HE wanted it for someone else. Who that someone else was he didn't know yet. But it was not for him. Though was it in a way. He shook his head. Pushing the thoughts away. Now was not the time to think on such things.

Rodyn nodded his head. We look forward to trading more with you. Though it seems we may need to gather a few more things. There was a gentle tease in his voice. For they had much. His people could provide, but he would not have them run ragged or ruin their lands for pretty things.

You're quite alright.

And she was. It was nice to know someone who loved life as much as this one did.

He blinked surprised and then nodded. Sure. That will be fine. Thank you.

she laughs. I have much to offer because we are here, within my home where it is all kept! next time, we shall come to you, and it shall be you that has much to offer. we are not of the sea, and you are the first traders of these waters we have engaged with—truly, there is much that you have given me today, she speaks in earnest, and does not look upon him or at him as a simple sort of man. his value also lay in his heart—and she thought that it must be good, for this opportunity to come to him. to them. Toula saw herself as greatly fortunate! 
as he accepted her offer, Toula rose to lead the way. and soon enough they were in one of the many bath houses, this one reserved for esteemed guests! steam rolled around the softly perfumed rooms, and she gestured to oils laid out for him to use if he so desired. please, take your time and enjoy—and I shall see you at dinner, where she and her husband @Rashepses would meet him again, she in a new ensemble and also freshly bathed! white furs were draped over a large stone, and she said, to dry yourself upon. should you need assistance, there is a fellahin nearby—they will escort you through Akashingo, she explains. she waited to hear if he had any questions of her, and if he did not, she would depart to get ready for the evening!

He nodded his head. But he was not so sure she would agree were she to come. Th ey did not have many things like this. Their stores were full of dried meat and furs from animals they killed. There were a few trade things, but nothing major. But that was okay.

Rodyn was not 100% sure he liked all the scents wafting his way. It was a bit overwhelming actually. And he was unsure what to do about it. But he sniffed at a few with quiet contemplation.

He about choked when seh said someone could help him bathe. Who needed help bathing unless they were handicapped in some way. He shook his head.

I will be okay thank you. I will greet you and your husband this evening. Thank you for you hospitality.

He bowed his head and would wait until she was far far away and so were the fellahin before he took his bath.