Little did she know of the changes that had befallen the kingdom of Satriya; that her father Senmut had not yet returned from the fires, or that he held audience with them at all; that Legend had her own demons to quell; that Khusobek had gone in attendance—or that Tavina had so swiftly departed, too. The many main-stays of the palace had vanished prior to Aiesha's return.

Thus, as she paced the halls and then stood silent beside Osiris, there was only the disquiet left behind. Fellahin remained—someone scurried between doorways, a few moments later a pair of others carried some offering or prepared object away; but there was no face to greet them and no explanation.

Do not go far from me, please, she murmured over her shoulder to the lion, frowning as she tread further.