khaemwaset felt quite well now, better than he had in some time. good. let it be done. there was no need to speak more upon these things; pharaoh was satisfied and favored setemhotep with an even smile.
he was granted a vision then, a glimpse of an image so beautiful that his heart came to ache: a square window in the high stone wall. sunlight streaming upon the masoned floor of the obelisk, pouring honeygold over merneith, reclined upon a simple couch of fine elegance. in his nostrils, the scent of her perfume. setemhotep, bowing toward pharaoh after what seemed an examination.
her face was radiant. that of the sesh was content.
khaemwaset let out his breath. it was as if the pictures had come to life by painting that was not his own, as if the shapes had been placed there. he still felt the touch of the sun, smelled the cloying crush of a thousand lotuses softly wilting in the heat.
you have pleased me, sesh. pharaoh stretched, shut his eyes. as physician to all, including the queen, i will not ask anything too precise, setemhotep. but -- and now his face took on a shine of youthful hope, if only for a moment; i wish to know if there is any change in her -- condition. immediately and without delay, at any hour.
the tension eased to a single rope in his chest would be forever quelled if Hathor should bless merneith upon their expedition.