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Neferseba Osiris Nakhtmin Henuttawy Ashait welcome home! no posting order, set about a week after this thread. aw; arrival for the amiirad's retinue!

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Never had jodai led with such adamant haste, and he was pleased to find that with their serpentine attendant draped over the leonine shoulders of Osiris they made good headway for the reciprocal direction of the desert. Yet unconvinced of the menagerie’s true accomplishments, he nevertheless was exposed to their dedication by the inevitable intimacy of the journey, and by the time they reached the stone gates he had no qualms about granting their entry.
But first they would be presented before their king.
“The Skyspear. Palace of the gods and horus seat to Pharaoh Khaemwaset of Satriya. I trust you all know how to bow,” an amused eye was for the serpent, Ashait. Was a snake capable of such maneuvering?
His call rang out, and beyond the waiting ears of guard and servant, Sapair anticipated with fervent desire that Sitamun would also hear it.

Nakhtmin considered the jab. Jodai was skeptical of their number. Perhaps Nakhtmin most especially, for he did not hunt as the others, and his kind (lesser warriors, indeed!) were the subject of sacrifice and feastdays.

He was eager for the day they might spar, and prove to the grizzled old commander that an oryx could be every bit as fearsome. It was a matter of pride!

As was the question of obeisance. Certainly they knew how to bow! All of them attendants to Neferseba, it would be unthinkable to serve her without knowing!

Well enough. Nakhtmin answered, Hmm, but I worry about your old bones, grey-muzzle! Will they not creak overloud in the motion, and disturb the ears of Pharaoh? He grinned with the jest.

they make swift time. the south is not warm in the way ashait remembers the desert, but Ra's light comes weakly now from between the clouds. no doing of Apep can block Pharaoh from the eye of the Divine, and it is with pleasure that she emerges, brushing snow from the thick cover of osiris' coat.

the Skyspear seems a fitting seat for the chosen of Ra. rejoined with some measure of good humor in the face of the sun, she eases herself down the slope of the lion's shoulders to cool desert sand, and tastes the air with curious tongue.

"there are none who bow with such spirit as nakhtmin," she says, resolving to find the time to watch the spar that will surely take place. Satiset's erstwhile shield is not easily dissuaded when he sets eyes upon a new target.

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‘there are none who bow with such spirit as nakhtmin,’ lmao she’s amazing! I’m remaining vague-ish for now about nefer until we figure out where she’s going to be, but still hoping to get everybody settled icly <3

Several warriors of the palace guard funnel out before them, whispering with voices into small anthems of wonder and praise. Satriya opens the main gates of the palace in welcome while courtiers line the tops of the steps. From within comes the scent of palm fronds and myrrh and the ranks of mazoi open to allow the queen to pass. The arrival of Satriya Merneith is announced with honoraries.

Even at a distance they are regal and mythical beyond Neith’s ability to express. She sees not prey, but a son of Satis the life-giver, with wide-spread horns. Beside him, Maahes, descendant of warfare, who need not lift his mane to be magnificent. Coiling there is a scale of wadjet, protector of Pharaoh, head marked with bold and intricate patterns of dark and light.

“Welcome home, jodai, and please, come forward honorable custodians to the amiirad,” her voice is pleasant. “Know that you stand high in the kingdom’s favour. You have discharged the duty that my pharaonic mother placed upon you with distinction. You have given the princess Neferseba invaluable instruction and security.”

Neith does not know her sister, though she longs to. More than once she had imagined a day when they might stand before one another as kin. That hope lingers, still. But here stand the amiirad’s salient attendants; a reflection of the woman she was becoming.

"You may find your seats here, in service of Pharaoh Khaemwaset. Even Satriya will have much need of your experience and wisdom when it comes to ordering the affairs of the palace, until the time of the amiirad’s return.”

khaemwaset was enthralled!
through the fanfare of court stepped newcomers, a group of servants to a younger sister, the princess neferseba. here she was not, and for that pharaoh was glum, for he would have liked to meet her. but this sentiment was buried beneath his grin, his standing beside the throne and moving to greet each in turn.
a lion! a cobra! an oryx!
gods of egypt, and he almost found himself bowing.
in addition to these powerful, glinting creatures, a woman traveled, her lip memorable, her eyes knowing, and Horus watched her for a moment.
he sat back upon gleaming haunches and opened his paws. welcome, welcome, attendants to our royal sister! satriya is honored to have you here in our obelisk. what parts have you played for the amiraad neferseba? he asked, nodding once at sapair before his eyes moved golden over the assemblage.

Nakhtmin stepped forward, bowing and making obeisance as he had been taught. He glanced from the corner of an eye to the Jodai, as if to say, told you so!

Then rose, I served as mazoi, Pharaoh. I am a warrior by birthright. But I did scout and guard and train hotblooded young fools into men through the glorious spar, for none can match the swiftness of Nakthmin! Or the strength of Nakhtmin! Or the keenness of his ears! The oryx grinned, Except, of course, the Horus.

A beat. I also grow flowers. This pleased my Young Goddess.

it is the spectacle they have been missing in these long months in the wisteria groves. the palace guard to announce them; behind, the Queen before them in gold and white, and Pharaoh alongside her in gilded black.

ashait cannot help but compare to the Emperor from the island of wisteria, and find him wanting. where his concubine had spoken to recover the error he did not understand he had made- a woman whose counsel he would never heed- it is Queen and Pharaoh who both speak now, in concert and welcome and voice of Horus and Ra.

she bows, then, pleased anew to have left the empire and its island behind.

"i have also served as mazoi, Pharaoh. i protect our young Goddess from those who might harm her. though i do not have the claws or teeth or horns of most warriors, there are none who survive my fangs."

it is said with well-earned confidence, for there are few as dangerous as a cobra. after all, one may live through the bite of a wolf or the piercing horns of an oryx with the care of a healer and some small amount of luck. the same cannot be said for a snake.

Azora's anxiety leaks through his paws. He takes careful steps, making sure to not bump into anyone. He's never had to bow before a Pharaoh before. As the others speak Azora can only hope that he'll pick up their terminology quickly - it's all so new to him. Prides were much simpler than this, run by their leaders with an iron claw.

As Osiris' turn to speak comes, Azora isn't sure whether to follow or not. Azora can already tell who the wolf with the power is here, and so he will be as respectful as he can.

When he's called upon by Osiris, Azora bows to the Pharaoh.

It feels strange. Lions do not bow - Azora could crush the wolf between his paws swiftly if he needed to. Yet all the same, he is giving his claws to the wolf.

How does one talk to a Pharaoh, anyway? Azora knows to be polite, to not cause unnecessary strife.

"I am Azora."

With the others sharing their skills, should he do the same? Does this group even have a rank suited to him? Azora doesn't want to be a problem by hanging around here.

"I was once a caretaker, or teacher. I will offer myself to your group if you would allow me to stay, Pharaoh."

Azora can only hope he can fit in well enough.

Re’s light spills down in traveling laths, seeming to illuminate each of the keepers as they spoke. Neith perches like another lioness beside the king, eyes settling warmly on the striking blue roan.

“Be welcome in this place, Azora,” she addresses, “and accept the title of meshkhenet; caretaker and teacher of young minds.” For the others she turns now. “Osirs, Ashait, and Nakhtmin— welcome to the mazoi; guardians and warriors of Pharaoh’s army.”

The gods had similarly blessed them! She wishes to celebrate this great gift with a festival; berry-wine, food, and dancing for all!