a wager? she echoed, in tone light but edged with that familiar prim sharpness. the reeds shivered around them as a breeze slipped through, carrying the dry rustle of wings tucked somewhere deeper in the marsh.

you may choose the terms, she said. i have little of my own to stake. a truth stated without shame; she wore her scarcity like another clean, well-kept line in her posture. in a place she where she has nothing, her wealth comes only from her mind. but if it pleases you, i can fashion you a hide. something formidable—suited for a pharaoh.

her eyes narrowed slightly, not at him but at the faint stirrings in the reeds. a single heron lifted its head among the cattails, unaware of the two shadows watching. if i win? she murmured.

did his scribe not approve of gambling? khaemwaset grinned with extraordinary mischief at her. done. i would like to see your craft, y'var'la. and it was true, for he was not a man who laid any stock by such himself. others made that which made him glorious, and so it would be, and so it ever was. if you win --
here pharaoh's voice trailed in jest, though he was thinking of what he had to offer. their riches were great, but as they traveled, there was no root upon which might be built.
the skins of these three herons, and i will have a blue stone found which can be tied there.
over her heart, tangled into the fur -- blue and white, the colors of royalty or those favored.
herons lent fine, thin pelts of tiny and meticulous feathers. pharaoh felt that y'var'la would approve.

---

bit short sorry ;w; how do we want to decide who wins?

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y'var'la's ears tipped forward, pleased with his choice. her gaze lingered a heartbeat longer than necessary before she inclined her head. fair terms.

her attention slides back to the reeds quick, posture lowering. the herons grow restless ahead of them, wings whispering as she inches a step closer, ready to spring. on your mark,

---

oh good question, i am fine for her to win this one unless we wanted to find a place for dice rolls! <3

pharaoh lunged first, and came up short as the long-legged birds squalled and took to the skies. hyena dung! khaemwaset swore gaily, though he was not angry. to succeed so early into their hunt would have been strangely unenjoyable. leaping ahead, Horus found a new way through the reeds, quieting himself to hunt the fowl anew.
they would settle ahead; now he looked around at y'var'la, to see how she had fared and if she was ready to proceed. an advisor as well as a hunter. perhaps next time he would even ask the sesh!