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Nakhtmin returned with the golden bloom. Several, in fact, to see whether it could be cultivated in the Skyspear and what ways it might be dried or applied to other ailments. Setemhotep was grateful. Azalea, he suspected, would be more appreciate still. For with this blossom, she would be free once and for all of the curse which ravaged her.

The blue turtlehead gave her back her faculties. But without frequent infusion, its effects faded. She could not leave Satriya, or she would succumb again to the influence of chaos. She had not seen her sons, and for this, Setemhotep ached.

He was glad to be a vessel by which true healing might at last be offered. It was prepared in a tincture with honey and white fish, for no other reason than he thought the ordeal deserved some celebratory pomp.

I think, He even suggested, sliding the delicacy toward her, We might even have reason to break into the wine.