The moon was waxing in the sky above the plaguebringer. The slender young man lingered among the mists and trees, lounging across a flat rock that was still warm from the previous day's sun. With his legs out behind him, he gnawed on what was left on the femur of a deer kill he’d scavenged from. Below the rock were a few other bones he’d carried with him.

Meticulously, he peeled what he could from the bone with his incisors, licking and savoring it. Yueshi was no mighty hunter, and the kill he’d stolen from was a gift. From the gods, he thought to himself with amused irony. He started to giggle to himself, pulled the femur into his mouth and pinned it between his bone-crushing molars. A crack echoed in the still air around him and he proceeded to suck the marrow out of his prize.

Though the camp beside Jakten's border was relatively mild, if a little drab and wet, the further one ventured from safe shores, the less friendly the landscape became. After his chilling adventure with Phoenix in search of runes, he had no real desire to return here. But the sound of crunching bone drew sensitive ear. .. and Hotep worried a packmate might have strayed too far without escort into dangerous lands. (And what are you doing, now?, he thought to himself, briefly.)

Khonsu was between forms, tonight, and his protection seemed less assured.

Hello? Hotep called out, as he drew close to the sound... but not so close he could not beat a hasty retreat if needed!

Yueshi paused in his noisy gnawing. His breath held, his ears strained. No. Was it really? A smile spread across his lips, lighting his autumn-red eyes. His nostrils flared as he sniffed the wet air, confirming his suspicions.

“Helloooo,” he called back. “Setemhotep, is that you?” His voice was light and airy.

He didn't rise from his rock, but he rolled half onto his side as he licked the remains of his dinner once more.

Hotep stopped short. Blinked. It was a familiar voice...

But who...?

...

Yueshi? The one who had fallen from the sky! Who claimed divine connection with Khonsu! To be here of all places, of all nights!

Stepping forward to gain better view through the brush, Hotep's ears fell flat as he spied the other, appearing utterly at ease, and gaped. Why have you... I mean... what — are you...?

The bushes rustled, the mist swirled, caressing the coat of his visitor. Yueshi grinned, lighting his ghostly, ashen face. He lifted his tail and swayed it back and forth slowly in a warm greeting.

Gently, he laid a delicate paw across the bone he gnawed at. He blinked innocently.

“I'm afraid I have no idea what you're asking!” he tittered, eyes glittering with mirth. “But I certainly didn't expect you to follow me way out here,” he added with a wink.

I did not — Hotep started hastily, before realizing he was being teased. Ugh! Of all the times to have his tongue in a knot!

Taking a deep breath, he stepped more into the open, grimacing at the mist as it sworled between his paws like something alive. Satriya's great convoy is camped nearby, as we negotiate trade and allegiance with Jakten. I did not know if I would see you again, after... Crashing like a star from heaven out of the sky. The way we parted.

You seem... well.

Yueshi continued to grin. One eye was squinted shut, the tip of his tongue sticking out from between his teeth, and his head tipped his head to the side. He snickered.

He rather liked Setemhotep.

“Ah, I was wondering what Satriya was doing out this way.” He licked his paw once and rubbed it across his muzzle. He sniffed. He did not know of this… Jakten clan, but he supposed he'd need to investigate further.

Yueshi rolled over to the edge of the flat rock, elbows resting on the rim. His tongue drew across his teeth before he flashed yet another grin at Setemhotep.

“For-tu-i-tous,” he said, intonating each syllable.

“Why wouldn't I be well?” His eyes were as bright as his voice. His head tilted once more, and an ear angled towards the growing moon above and behind him. An implication he had no doubt his clever friend would understand. He chuckled. “You seem well, too,” he added, his tone more natural and less teasing as a brief, genuine smile brushed his lips.

Yueshi pushed himself up into a lazy sit and rolled his shoulders, silvery light haloing his ashen fur.

“Care to join me? There's a few ribs down there.” He stretched a thin foreleg to point with his paw at the bones gathered at the base of the rock. “You can… fill me in on what I've missed.”

The people of Satriya did not speak like this. Did not move like this. Did not come by such names! And Hotep had not been an agent of Khonsu in his old life, but of what he knew of gods in general, and the one he had served most particularly, none of these things seemed in alignment, either.

He did know what he had seen, the night of the man's arrival. And Khonsu was a god who traversed ages, so perhaps a... puplike energy was fitting for a being in service to the moon. If Yueshi was indeed what he claimed to be, of which there remained some uncertainty.

I imagine it should be hard to live alone, even for a prophet. Hotep replied mildly, finally reclaiming some sense of inner calm as the surprise wore off. Shoulders loosened, his eyes cast down to the collected bones. He recalled the mazoi's mention of a scavenger, and wondered if he had found the source. Were he recognized as a priest in Satriya, Yueshi would be waited upon, and want for little. I have eaten lately already, though I thank you for the offer, Hotep replied, but approached. Carefully. What is it you desire to know?

The plaguebringer offered up a pleasant smile. “Yes. It is. But not so hard.”

He didn't mind stealing for now, though he imagined it was only a matter of time before someone took offense. He wouldn't mind feasting with these pack wolves, though, even if he had no idea what any of their religion, or half their words, meant. That meant joining their ranks, and it had crossed his mind more and more as of late. If only he understood more of their ways. He did not wish to be a nobody again.

Yueshi dipped his head as Setemhotep declined his offered ribs. Not that there was much meat on them anyways. “Well, if you change your mind.” There was a vulpine gleam in his eyes as his lips pulled into a smile.

“Oh, nothing in particular,” Yueshi answered. Setemhotep approached so carefully, Yueshi wondered if he feared an attack. His tail flicked. “What does Satriya wish to trade with this… Jakten?” He enquired.

Accustomed as he was to the machinations of court, Hotep's nose itched at the innocent phrasing of questions which might have very dangerous answers indeed. He stayed on four feet, even when Yueshi sat, though the sesh kept his body gentled and calm. Really... the ground was very muddy, and he didn't want to have to submerge himself deeply in potentially crocodile-infested waters later to remove it.

Satriya brings delights of the South to these Northern climes, in return for delights of their own. A simple answer, easily surmised by other means. Trade makes both nations stronger, and alliance deters conflict. Of Khaemwaset's desire to ultimately demand tribute, Hotep said nothing.

Now for a question of his own, Why are you in this place, Yueshi? You say our meeting is fortuitous, do not tease me! A smile, and a silent half-laugh. He might not take pleasure in the game of politics, but he could play it. Hopefully well enough.