1/3/2026, 1:14 AM
![[Image: dd8rnsn-3f0d7905-62c6-4066-9c31-4588d1cb...iHgzqQRbN4]](https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/d2b3a0d4-24b8-4179-ad96-7bb8f88cc929/dd8rnsn-3f0d7905-62c6-4066-9c31-4588d1cb077a.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2QyYjNhMGQ0LTI0YjgtNDE3OS1hZDk2LTdiYjhmODhjYzkyOVwvZGQ4cm5zbi0zZjBkNzkwNS02MmM2LTQwNjYtOWMzMS00NTg4ZDFjYjA3N2EucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.sGIeAzj9HJrO3HXW7wAN0K4wShSrvVJW-iHgzqQRbN4)
Mekh nearly stumbled as he righted himself in his haste to follow her, gangly limbs a tangle of intent mixed with poor execution. He muttered a brief apology under his breath, ears pinned back as he moved swiftly to catch up to the stately Queen who seemed wholly unbothered by the error (or simply masked it well; he hoped it was the former).
He kept an even pace with her, an almost comical figure of odd proportions next to the she-wolf. Nevertheless, his sharp features were drawn together in an expression of great focus, keeping one ear cocked in her direction as he kept a respectable distance so as not to overstep.
There was some surprise that he might have - options. It was true his muddied parentage had always limited his trajectory, but even when gifted to Seti for the young Pharaoh's birthday, their close bond had made it so that the servant did not mind his position; if anything, he embraced it. There was a contented sort of satisfaction that came with being good at one's job, and not every slave had a burning desire to leave their comfort zone.
Here, however, he did not have Seti - he did not have anything at all.
Square one wasn't even an option; Mekh was beginning at zero.
Save but for the grace of this new Queen.
I am humbled with gratitude beyond measure,he said after a brief moment of silence between them, digesting the information in stunned wonder. They continued on this way for a little while yet, and Merneith likely knew him to be wrestling with himself over what might be the correct course, or whether or not this was a test to see if over-reaching dwelt in his nature.
To choose fellahin was to make this choice for life, and often the only one a half-wolf could ever make. That the gentle Queen might even consider the possibility of Mekh one day making a mazoi...
He did not even know these people, this dynasty. It felt like too much. Too much grace when they had already saved his life, kept him warm, fed him their meat.
I... the life of a fellahin is all I have ever known. It would be a disgrace to your kindness should I choose the path of the mazoi and fail,he said, casting a resigned gaze toward the dim horizon. His golden eyes glittered with emotion, but it was difficult to say what.
Many long nights have I feared Ammit's judgment, thinking her ever nearer as the hunger gnawed at my insides; lost, alone, abandoning my Pharaoh even if through no intent of my own,he said.
I am only Mekh.
