Setemhotep was awake in late hours. But it was not altogether a poor night to be so. Khonsu shone a blessed crescent over the sleeping world, guiding travelers to safety in lands untamed. So it was the sesh found confidence to wander beyond the confines of camp unattended, when strange dreams first woke him from restless slumber. He was not truly alone, with the gods to watch over him. They had done so many nights prior, and he had no reason now to doubt their continued comfort.

Through rain-thriving trees he meandered, ears twisting this way and that at the sounds of nocturnal creatures unknown to him yet. Pale silver light shone brightly off the leaves, and the ‘grass’ on the trunks he now knew to be moss.

The reason for his wakefulness became clear in time. Stranger’s scents reached him, coming in from the desert places beyond this foreign oasis. Hotep knew not every newcomer would be a kind one, yet could not escape a sense of rightness to the encounter, as though he were called to be here. So he followed his nose to a great stone vantage jutting out over a low patch of woodland, and blinked at the sight of a golden-hued visitor.

Hail. He called from above, tail wagging slowly to indicate a friendly reception, You approach the camp of Pharaoh Khaemwaset and Divine Queen Merneith. You stand before I, Setemhotep, a humble sesh, but you are unknown to me. How should I then address you?