"For tonight-" King Settra's attention turned to the rear of the room. Lahmizzash turned to see a guard giving hand signals. "Ah, Lord Lahmizzash, stand here." He indicated a spot just beside and behind his char on the right- an obvious place of influence, power, and trust. Lahmizzash took up his position, and in moments, two new figures appeared from the granary's hallway. Each of them appeared to be male, though undeath made gender somewhat difficult to tell at a glance- they were the same height, and royally dressed and armored. Their armor, and the clothing which poured out from its gaps, was all in Settra's turquoise.
They neared the throne and kneeled before the seated King Settra.
"Rise, Lord Rakir. Lord Rakar. Deliver your reports."
Both did so, and stared at Lahmizzash- staring with a degree of indignation that was evident even in their eyeless faces, wrinkled and worn by death.
"Report!" barked King Settra.
Both men jumped in surprise and then the one on the left bowed hastily. "My King, the west of the city is empty of the traitor's soldiers. They are gathered outside the northern gate, under guard, as you ordered."
The other man bowed. "My Great King, my report is the same for the east of the city. However, I accomplished it much faster than Lord Rakar."
"That's a lie!" hissed the first man, obviously Lord Rakar.
"I do not lie! Your authority is weak." hissed the second back, presumably Lord Rakir.
"Silence," said King Settra, in a lazy sort of way. By the tone, Lahmizzash presumed this sort of competitive banter was a common occurrence between these two lords. "Maintain the guard as I ordered, and in the meantime, both of you shall go to the palace of this city and prepare it for my arrival. See to it that it is ready to host a banquet."
A banquet? Lahmizzash wondered at that. He was certainly not hungry, though he had not eaten since he was awakened. He'd assumed food was not within his personal needs any longer, being dead and all. But Settra was awakened some time before him, and presumably, so were these two lords. Did they feel hunger? Perhaps not. Judging by the plain surprise on the faces of both Lord Rakir and Lord Rakar, they were similarly mystified by King Settra's order.
Obvious questions were forming on Rakir and Rakar's lips, but King Settra raised his hand, palm outward. "I will personally see to the meal. Just do as I say and prepare the venue."
The two lords bowed, satisfied. They then began staring at Lahmizzash again.
"Ah, let me introduce you, Lord Lahmizzash" said King Settra, "These are two of my loyal captains, the Lords Rakir and Rakar Ahmazid. Their house is an offshoot of my own. They are my nephews, several degrees removed, from quite a few generations after my own death. You may know of them, as they became somewhat famous in Nehekaran history, as I now understand."
Lahmizzash searched his memory and found them. Two brother princes who, on the night of their father's death, assassinated each other in an attempt to secure power over their family's assets. Their sister inherited. The event was a sort of fable, advising Nehekarans that either greed will destroy them, or that greed will turn anyone into a traitor- depending on one's point of view.
Settra continued: "My Lords, this is Lord Lahmizzash Yak'reb, formerly of Khemri, now King of Numas by my decree. When he speaks, I speak through him. Let it be known to you and to all."
The two lord's mouths dropped open in unison. They looked at each other. Looked back. Lahmizzash, King Settra, the two assassinated princes, and all the surrounding guards stood silently for a long moment. King Settra was enjoying himself a little.
"Now go! Carry out my orders," he said. The two lords turned and left the room. They waited until they were almost around the corner in the hall before one shoved the other and they jostled for precedence before exiting from Lahmizzash's view.
"Fools," said King Settra "but not foolish in all things. Their competitive natures are sometimes amusing, sometimes obnoxious- but they drive each other to improved performance in their duties. That is their value. Should you ever find them under your direct command: utilize them to command loyal and obedient soldiers, set them to similar tasks so they will try to outperform each other. But do not trust them with anything that may require finesse."
"I will keep your advice foremost in my mind. They are going on your campaign then?"
King Settra stood, put his hands on his hips, and arched his back in a weary stretch- a thoroughly human movement that must be instinctual to the man. He turned to Lahmizzash. "Yes, they are able commanders in the field- if they have simple orders to follow. They would be a hindrance to you here, as much of your task will be administrative. I doubt either of those two could even spell the word." He paused, seemed to reconsider himself.
"Come!" said King Settra, formal and cold again, his body stiff with authority. "Ubaid has had enough time to calm himself and consider his fate." He strode from his impromptu throne and Lahmizzash followed closely behind, again the subordinate.
Lahmizzash felt off balance, wondering at King Settra's vacillations in speech to him. Just then, he was almost like a teacher, then the ruler mask was put back on. It had happened outside the city, too- when Settra had explained the change in behavior in Lahmizzash's guards. In one moment, it seemed Settra was regarding him as a someone close, like a confidant or life-long retainer- and then he would abruptly switch back to the same cold King Settra which first greeted Lahmizzash under the White Pyramid. Perhaps King Settra was himself off-balance- as stricken as Lahmizzash by that recent moment when they saw one another, really saw each other.
Perhaps it was like himself. He knew King Settra is a dangerous man, one that would try and destroy him should there be a perceived need to do so. But after that moment they shared, with the veils dropped- he did not feel fear or apprehension around Settra any longer. Then his conscious mind would remind him that this was a mistake and he needed to be careful. Never assume. This could all be temporary. Settra's changing mood was evidence of that possibility. But Lahmizzash thought maybe it was because King Settra was experiencing the same inner-conflict about Lahmizzash. It was difficult for rulers to trust, but perhaps, they were each fighting against their feelings they could trust the other.