Lion Head Mesa Hey, O'Connell! It looks to me like I've got all the horses!

NPC'ing a bunch of characters who are adoptable! Mazoi, fellahin, and one sesh. Open to @Toula and/or @Senmut and/or anyone else that might intercept them.

The procession moved in silence across the sand of the steppes, and then with some trepidation as monoliths of red stone sprouted as if from the aether to surround them.
There were three mazoi, two attendants scurrying between them, and at the helm stood a regal hawk-like man, followed by a closely heeled, crooked gentleman.
As they came to the archway which signified the beginning of the kingdom of Akashingo, all stopped. One mazoi lingered with the attendants while the other two swept up along either side of their prince, their eyes upon the slanting shadows and ears alert for the sounds of footfalls, or scattering rocks, or anything that might be perceived as danger.
The prince stood firmly in place. He gave a glance to the soothsayer at his flank, and it was then a call went up — the voice of the stooped man sounding leagues younger than he appeared.
Here stands Harakhte, son of Ra-Semerkhet and heir to the dunes of Akhet! Honored guests to Akashingo! So went the announcement; and thus they were left to stand in wait to be received.

Though typically not far from the company of Toula, Hyacinth could not resist when the call upon their borders rang out.

Arriving on swift feet, she was surprised the entourage that awaited her — or whomever else they had been expecting.

After casting a glance over each present, her attention soon settled on he who stood at the center. The one they followed here, as it had been announced.

I greet you, visitors. Hyacinth offered kindly, bowing her head curtly to show means of welcome. I am Hyacinth De Vries, Lady of to-be Queen Toula's court. A title she now proudly wore, but dared not take advantage of. 

With expectancy clear in her soft, puddled gaze, she waited to know what they wished from her, if anything. Did they desire to enter the palace? Or was this a brief visit?

Beneath the looming arch, the shadow crossed both mazoi and served to shelter the prince from the glare of the spring sun. He did not mind the feeling of the chill, but it was the other man - who had called out - that pestered at him, urging him to step from the shadow and be fully lit by the light, as if that might change the opinion of whoever came to greet them. With a clenched jaw and a sweeping step, Harakhte did as he was instructed, then leveled a yellow glare towards the advisor.
Before he could say what was on his mind, there came the sounds of footfalls. Both the mazoi alerted to it first and moved ahead to intercept, iron in their spine and bristling, until they seemed to both realize it was not worth the effort to be so wary. The stranger was close enough to being wolf-like that they could soften their guard, but there was something angular about them which made both men nervous enough to exchange a glance.
Their introduction aside, the stranger was no threat.
We are here at the behest of your divine ruler, Lady De Vries. The advisor now said, and as he spoke the guards moved back a step, and then another, so that both their named prince and the soothsayer could be on display.
An invitation long ago given! Our journey has been long. Will we be welcomed? His voice turned harsh with judgement, exasperated.
It was the prince that now stepped forth to play the kinder role.
We are guests on the cusp of their land, priest. You will pay them respect. Harakhte chided his follower and with one look, the stooped man was silenced, and he went to stand with the idling fellahin at the rear of the procession. The boy named as their prince now looked to the Lady, a warmth in his eyes and an apologetic tone to his words. It has been a long journey. Months of travel far from my homeland. We were meant to speak with your pharaoh.
Perhaps that would clear some part of this up.

Two larger of the party stepped forward to intercept her approach, both looking rather wary. In response to this, Hyacinth slunk backward a few steps, tail curling to caress her hocks.

She had not wanted to upset these guests—but yet by the hostile manner of the looming shadows, and the commanding voice of a man ahead, she could only feel as though she had done just that. 

Above them soon came another voice. One kinder and soothing; speaking up to defend her in a way. Hyacinth lifted slowly, but took no steps closer. Forgive me if I had overstepped in any way... They both were keen to apologize, it seemed. Yet she more vocally. 

You would be most welcome within our walls! Soon she answered, knowing this was what they certainly desired to know. As would any visitor! 

I cannot presently speak on the whereabouts of our pharaoh, unfortunately, but I could offer an audience with my amiir. For your presence would be on behalf of myself as nebet. Safe passage, she would eagerly grant him, as he had already been so kind to her. How could she act any differently?

To hear the truth now, as it flowed from the woman and to his own ears, both the prince and the priest were surprised in equal measure to hear of a weakness in this place. No kingdom could survive without the divinity afforded by a pharaoh! Not unless they'd found their way through other means, as the dunes had. Harakhte did not let this news disturb the smile upon his face, nor allow even a tremble of doubt to surface there; he was royal and divine in his own right, and he knew better than to let any trepidation show.
All was well, for the travelers. They would be welcomed — given safe passage by the Lady, and invited to speak with another. It was not the sort of reception that Harakhte was expecting, however he was mindful enough to accept.
Thank you. I have brought attendants with me, he mentions the fellahin and at once, with fleeting steps, they are beside him on the left. Their guardian stands a few paces behind, watchful of them rather than the surroundings - but that's what the other two are for. So I will not trouble your own with anything. Perhaps my guards could be given a place to rest and a bite to eat? They are each under my command, but they are important to me, and have served me well so far.
There wasn't a request made for the priest, oddly.
Once we have rested I would very much like to speak with your amiir. He would not question where their pharaoh had gone — that seemed to him as dangerous as probing an open wound. Harakhte would keep the absence in mind, and no doubt conferr with his priest in the coming hours over what to do.

He had brought many with him. The only fit company for a man of his divinity, surely! 

They will be tended to well, She promised, nodding softly. When we return to the palace, I will call for a fellahin to see to their needs. 

And as for the rest of them. There are plenty of guest chambers for yourself and the rest of your party to select. Or as she had seen upon her initial tour.

If you would follow me, I can lead you further within the mesa. A soft invitation, to which a response was awaited patiently and with a warm smile.

So it was that the procession would continue their march. The guard with the pair of fellahin fell back to his place, ousting the priest from where he hid in the rear, and the twin mazoi kept to either side until one look from the prince made them double back. The guards formed a crescent with the fellahin between them.
The priest moved to walk where he had throughout the journey: alongside the heir of the dunes, but he was not received with a look or welcomed, and he knew by that cue alone that he was not welcome there, and fell back again with a small huff to walk before the fellahin; he kicked up his heels on occasion so that tiny rocks would slide back at them, which none would comment upon.
Harakhte was enamored by the archway as they passed beneath it. Then came the rising of the palace proper, and in the distance more red stone where he could see moving shapes - mazoi fleetingly entering their barracks or heading on their patrols - and beyond that, things were still and quiet.
The Lady had mentioned going within and this only registered as they came to a passageway, and the idea was jarring to the prince, as he was accustomed to having the eye (the sun and its glorious rays) upon him at all times. How did these people live within the earth? It was a shock!
But he would be gracious, and he would stow his apprehension.
Let the soothsayer worry over their souls for now, at least until they had time to rest.

Fading!