---

Hotep watched surreptitiously as Pharaoh came forth from his endeavor with rippling ebon fur, slick against a muscular form fit indeed for a god. Sesh swallowed dryly, and averted his gaze again.

...I have only seen the Divine Queen in passing, my lord. Hotep replied, choosing his words with some deliberateness. She seems well, but I am sure she would be glad of your company.

The frustrated reservations sworling in Hotep's mind did not lay suspicion upon the Queen. Merneith had found him in the wastes, and even knowing his past failures, accepted him into this new life with open arms. It was to her he owed his very station. He valued her piety, and had adjusted well enough to her importance that these days, he did not question whether Pharaoh kept her too close to his heart. Her steadying presence had value, in Hotep's opinion, and could not be more starkly contrasted with Nefertiti's beside Akhenaten.

But a... devotee of Hathor? He feared she served only her own interests, and wondered why Khaemwaset indulged in such posturing. She did not come from Jakten! This was no foreign alliance in the making! And still, it was considered Pharaoh's right to keep consorts. To bring up the change at all might be insensitive.

Especially when there were more pressing matters underway.

A slow inhale. To my knowledge, none have yet come into the camp. But I have met several near the border, including the Einvaled Jaxxon, and was but recently called to aid one of their mothers through her labours.