Lion Head Mesa break my pencil on your empty poem

tag for reference! open to any still at the mesa

he’d spent the last few nights tending to the basin of hidden gemstones, his project now complete. he took a day to rest for himself, to recover from the tireless nights of digging, and in this day he drank and slept, energy seeping back into his bones that he’d lost in his work.

now was the time to return to the prince, to reveal what he had promised and claim his payment. and so he set off for the palace of royals, tongue lolling from the side of his mouth as he pressed onwards. finally the mesa came to his vision, and he slowed his pace to a stroll.

upon the borders he lifted his maw, voice calling for @Senmut, unaware the prince was off discovering the lands the vagabond had just traveled from. he sat himself until the expected arrival of prince or escort, and let his breathing steady as he rest.

Priest-Prince Senmut left the lands southward, with a number of mazoi in his wake and two competitors fighting for the Queen's hand in marriage. Mostly so Fellahin and Sesh remained.  

So when the call came out for Senmut, Naberius thought himself the best in line to heed it. At least until the Queen arrived if she were able, sided by her Fellahin. With so many warriors out on mission, there was a good chance she would not for her own safety. 

When he leaves the confines of red rock caverns and out into the arid open air, he is pleased with the vision that is presented to him and his smile easily gives this away. 

I see you have returned! He calls out cheerfully as he trots into his way on long, springy limbs. The Erpa-ha is out on task. He explained vaguely. He had no intention of sharing that he, among many mazoi, were not here and would not be for a time. I am Naberius Cyrus, Neb of Akashingo. Prince to the land of Sun and Sand. Perhaps the beautiful man would see to speaking with him instead.

similarly to his last visit of the mesa, it was not long before a figure emerged to greet him. he rose at the sight of the tawny man, maw dipped in silent acknowledgment. he was not recognized by appearance alone, but scent was vaguely familiar. had this man been among the crowd during his initial hire? eh, it mattered little in the grand scheme of things.

the man spoke of senmut and his absence. it seemed the nomad had a streak of stopping by at the most inconvenient of times. "do you know when he might return?" he asked with a swish of his tail. not that he was pressed for time, but a single sandstorm could ruin the effort he'd put towards his work. the sooner he delivered his findings, the sooner he could reap the rewards.

the stranger introduced himself as naberius, prince to sun and sand. alphus gave a glance in the southern direction of desert wasteland. "sun and sand," he started, words twirling about his lips as if thought over them carefully. "as in of the south?" he questioned in earnest, curious if this prince was of the desert.

I do not. Naberius did admit, for even if he felt he was able to say so, it was not likely so his place to say. However still, Queen @Toula I'm sure would be happy for another visitor to the red palace. You were here before... He muses. Had Senmut sent you on an errand? He had done so before, to dismiss those at their doorstep to leave them with a mission in order to prove their worthiness as one of Akashingo and as a possible suitor to their Queen. 

Naberius' eyes follow Andrealphus own southward. There is a 'hmmm' on Naberius lips and a smile to follow. Yes - but my birth-land stretches even days longer then the basin beyond the river. He could feel the quiver in his limbs and quiver in his flanks. Those that were out exploring these southern territories Naberius had not yet. Soon, he would join them along Toula's side when it was safe for the sacred Queen to be moved.

it was unknown when the prince would return from whatever venture he was on, but alphus could not imagine that it would be terribly long. he would remain near until senmut returned, perhaps holding up in one of the nearby territories.

"he had, an errand more for the queen than himself though." an errand that had taken a great deal of effort to complete, and one he hoped would not go to waste at the delay of time.

the sun and sand prince went on to explain the location of his homeland, and alphus felt a pang of displeasure in his stomach. "i imagine it is not an easy journey to make," he let out with a grimace. the desert was not for him, and the idea of having to spend days crossing the sea of sand to return home would have been enough to prevent him from ever going back.

but those born to dunes seemed to hold a wild resistance for the unrelenting heat, and in this alphus held a small amount of jealousy.

I see. The lord murmurs, thinking on this errand he had been given to complete. Come, He would beckon the man, to turn and move back towards the jutting tower of red rock. You may rest away from the sun in our greeting room. I can seek our Queen whilst you wait. 

Then, at the mention of home beyond and the mention of the strain of journey it was, It is not. Yet still easier for some then others. I've grown quite accustom to the condition. He speaks with a pride. Now, giving a chuckle at his own expense, You'd never catch me trying to scale mountains. I imagine it wouldn't take me long to fall off a cliff. Yet not to my death, of course. I'd never get high enough to accomplish that.