-Vika Menshikov-

"Sabat spoke fondly of your sculpting abilities," I tell the French earth elementalist observing the block of sandstone before him.

"So had Desjardins." He looks up with a glistening in his eyes. "But I admired his garden. It's amazing how vast the abilities of a magician are, aren't they?"

"I believe you mean hobbies." I go to correct.

"Do you not have something that you are proficient in yourself, Lady Menshikov?" Dupont asks. "Or a fun hobby of your own?"

I paused, and mentally dug through my memories as a child. But to be honest, I was so wrapped up in earning my approval as a magician amongst my brothers, and not some pet female my mother could train into being just another noblewoman. And once I did earn my father's approval to take on the same training as my siblings, I didn't have much free time to consider 'hobbies'. Revenge swallowed more time.

And now, as Chief Architect in charge of rebuilding the First Nome by orders of the Pharaoh, I'm finding myself with a lot of time on my hands. Hence the time to search for a sculptor for my personal touch to the place. I even had the time to go back home to find this block of sandstone that my ancestors kept as a reminder of the fall of Egypt since they found it in the ruins of Alexandria. Perhaps scandalous of me to do so, but now the thought of not doing it bothers me more.

"Perhaps I'll try my hand at some hobbies. But for now, I'd like to come back to the sculpture." I land my eyes on the block. "Do you think you can work with this material?"

"Sandstone? It's my preferred canvas." He places his left hand on the block's rough edge in front of him. "I have more than enough material to make what you see of it."

"I'll be looking to hire a water elementalist for the project as well," I add on.

"No need, I have a friend that has assisted me several times with fountain projects." He waves away the thought.

"Will you need a practice block? This is a sandstone block from the ruins of Alexandria."

"No need," the Frenchman smirks at me. "This must mean a lot to you."

I nod to that, "Not just me. You said you can complete this project within the week?"

"I have no other projects for the moment. Three days minimum, including the water features. Can I ask what you have in mind for the rest of the courtyard?"

"Uncertain for the moment. But I will give you a week to work on this, which gives you some flexibility. If something comes up that you need, don't be afraid to contact me."

Dupont bows, "Thank you for considering me for this, Chief Architect."

The General of Armies surprisingly made his lunch appointment. As of late, he's been having his hands full working with the Greeks in establishing what our relations will look like. "-And then assisted Carter with his proposal. Kid is just like his father, scared to death of the women they love. Which fair enough, I'd be scared of a 'no' from the Eye of Ra as well."

I roll my eyes at that. Zia Rashid was unlikely to refuse in the first place. Which is why there are plans for the marriage in the making as we speak. And Amos chose to back off from helping on that, despite Carter asking him what in the duat is the difference between satin and silk.

"Therefore, busying yourself in Greek matters?"

"They had to discuss a few things before asking me to come back, but yes. And I started bringing Mel along for these trips."

"A combat magician?" I snort at that, "How do they not view that as aggressive?"

"Surprisingly they don't. But I, uh, had an incident with a certain scorpion goddess the last time I left the Greek camp."

My eyes narrow at the host of Set. "I'm fine, thanks for asking, it happened a month ago." He wraps up easily.

"I suspect you still haven't told your nephew about this?"

"I haven't even told Mel, I just told her I want her around as an assistant." He hesitates a moment, taking a sip of water. "Bast knows. She's turned into a serious mother hen from it."

"What happened to not hiding things from your Pharaoh?" I glare at him while he takes another bite of bread.

"This is all still a personal matter," Amos takes a sip of water. "If it does end up becoming a bigger issue than it has been, I'll bring his attention. Otherwise, he has enough on his plate."

"You realize they worry about you as much as you worry for them? That's the whole point he was making, Kane."

"I'm aware, but Julius grossly crossed a line doing what he did." Amos sighs. "The whole point of him walking away from the Per Ankh was to live his life with his family and not continue with the bullshit the Per Ankh knows of our family name. Friedrich shows up, and he decides his son suddenly needs all of this information?"

"It opened Carter's eyes to why the name Kane earns a reaction alone. I'd say it's made him a better Pharaoh." I clear my throat before continuing, "You're just touchy about who knows the secrets the Kane Mansion has within its walls."

"Twenty-First Nome, it's not the same place it was," I smirk because I knew he would correct me as such. Amos just peers at me with a knowing look, but decides to skip past what I know he is wanting to say. That I know exactly how he feels. "I thought it was long buried when my mother passed. But honestly, last year showed me that just knowing means it's still alive."

I inhale before asking, "Are you concerned that your nephew will bring the cycle back?"

Amos thinks about this, eyebrows furrowed. "No, he has people around him that will make sure he stays on course. And I know Zia will not tolerate being viewed as anything other than his equal."

I take a sip of water before pointing it out, "You had to think about it."

"Of course," Amos eats the last piece of bread. "We're descendants of Narmer. When my sister-in-law mentioned seeing a certain snake escaping, I told her that I thought it was crazy. I told myself that we had learned from lessons that dabbling in with the Demon Days was bad news." He crosses his arms over his chest. "And yet, here I am, with a god bitching about how floury that bread was. It was a pretty good lunch though, I'm not entirely fond of what the Greeks eat."

I snort at that. "I hope next time the market will be as it was so I can host much better than today. But, it's nice to finally accommodate an equal, despite it being a rather poor lunch."

"The Russian Noble is coming out of you already, Vika," Amos rolls his eyes. "So, I want to see what progress you've made over the last year. Care to show off a bit?"

The last year was mostly struggling to find a way to solidify the mud-like substance that Gaia had made of our foundation. Along the way, we discovered we had an earth elementalist capable of converting the material to whatever he found fit. Job completed; they are on standby if I should need further assistance. So far, we've completed the outline of the blueprint Carter and I picked up from Amos' efforts. They've completed the spacious initiate rooms, and are almost done with the additional rooms for visitors. However, there is still so much to do still, and we haven't even addressed the Hall of Ages yet.

No reaction from him when I mentioned the halls leading to the Hall of Ages. Proof enough that the man in blatant red beside me truly did forget rather than pretend. I skipped over mentioning it ever again. As that naïve French girl said, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. If it hadn't been for my need to stand against my brother, I would still be at a loss as to why Amos stands so strongly against his father.

Speaking of the girl. "Are you attending the celebration in Paris?" I received an invitation from Francis Sabat himself last week. I had been honest in my response, that my presence is important here.

"Oh, you received an invitation too?" Kane clears his throat before adding, "Sabrina left a word with Mel. Just to have her tell me that she showed up outside the Greek boundary and accused me of having a relationship with her." He eye-rolled as he opened the entrance leading outside.

I follow him outside to have the desert sun beat on us. But I still chuckle slightly as I take in the General facing me after adjusting his eyes. "I take it she hadn't told her what the celebration is about then?"

It's a wedding between Francis Sabat and Sabrina Laflamme. Supposedly Francis realized that the woman he was arranged to marry was still alive despite all odds, and she agreed to follow through with the arrangement. I had asked him what his mother thought of this, and the answer I received was him not caring what she wants, despite still being the Nome Leader of the Eighteenth Nome.

Amos nods, "I'm uncomfortable with it all."

"Because you've seen the effects of the arranged marriage between your parents." He seems surprised that I could read it off of him. "I'm a Russian noblewoman, Kane. Refusal to marry a man I do not know is how I earned my nickname within the Per Ankh. With respect to your mother, of course. She thought she was keeping her family safe."

Amos pauses his walk towards his boat beached in the sand a good twenty feet ahead of us. "I hope one of these days I find something you don't know about my family, Vika. I'm suspecting that Michel was your insight though."

I'm alerted to that, taking him in as he crosses his arms across his chest. "You know?' I question carefully, hoping to not alert him if he doesn't. I'd rather not be that person that brings light to further truth.

"The whole traveling back in time thing, my mother decided to enlighten me on her having a secret admirer. So yes, and it's cleared a lot up on Desjardins."

He continues the walk toward the reed boat, and I follow shortly after. "But have the two of you discussed it?" I question.

How interesting. The kid questioning why people are not trying to kill him in his sleep during his stay in the Per Ankh trying to recover from the god of chaos' assault, discovering why the new Chief Lector was keeping him close. Long after he has already passed into Aaru. Or when they had worked together under Chief Lector Iskandar with Jabari Kane's discretion.

"I feel we are better off not discussing it," Amos' voice interrupts my thoughts, and I watch him board his boat. "That's not to dismiss everything he had done for my brother and I, of course."

"But out of respect," I nod in understanding to that. Besides, we haven't discussed a certain former host of Set.

I know he knows of Rua. But Kane is smart enough to know that if he was to say anything about it that it would swiftly destroy our alliance. Because I would have no other choice but to silence him if he were to. How the dominos would fall soon after that.

"Anyway, I'm not attending," Kane peers down at me after giving his animated coat instructions. "I do wish the best for them, distant family and all. However, I am scheduled to start meeting with the Romans."

"Ah," how convenient of an excuse. "I hope they didn't know you rescheduled around the Greeks to assist your nephew."

"Hey, that's important work too! I saw how horrible his dad was at proposing, I didn't want to see it happen again. And, I can use the excuse of him being the Pharaoh, I'm pretty sure."

"I suggest using the Pharaoh excuse first."

Amos smirks at that, "Noted." He starts digging through his bag on board suddenly.

"Are you certain you are not hurt by her marrying Sabat?" I decide to push. "That month you spent in Russia made it seem like the two of you were close."

"Vika, I'm being dead honest with you when I say there's nothing between us." That exasperated tone sounded off again from the last time I prodded into this territory.

"She was interested, Amos. You can't even deny that." I'm rewarded with a glare from the General of Armies for a moment before he continues digging for something.

"It's strictly one-sided," he replies intensely. "Here it is," he straightens, with a small wooden box in his right hand that he extends towards me.

I carefully grab it from him, my right eyebrow raised towards him questioningly. Amos nods as an encouragement to open it. My thumb gently opens the box to find a white spider lying motionless in the box.

"This has been long overdue, sorry."

My eyes lift from the box, realizing it's a shabti he is gifting me. And chose to go with the theme of the White Steppe Spider nonetheless. "And here I was, being jealous of Starr's turtle," I comment, gently closing the box

I've only met said shabti once. Floyd Starr had been more than happy to explain how he ended up with the albino turtle in the first place. Of course, wrapping it up with, "-the rate the two of you are bonding, I suspect you'll have one in no time as well." Which I had snarled and returned to the conversation at hand.

"Kyra updated me on your assistance with a safe room. Reminded me I had sadly forgotten to continue gifting shabtis."

This isn't just a thank you for helping his cousin hide away his father's heirloom sword. As Floyd had put it, it's a sign of trust. Certainly explains why the old man felt he had to get involved once he got wind of his former ally stirring up problems.

I already knew we trusted each other. While he had pretty much thrown me to the wolves as a Chief Architect, it was a sign I will not take lightly. A sign the Per Ankh also took note of, and previous tension around the former Chief Lector had lessened further seeing a blatant alliance between the once feuding family names.

Having a physical symbol of this trust had a different feel to it. I can now understand Floyd's foolish take on the matter. "I appreciate the gesture, General."

The boat lifted from the sand. "One of these days you'll have to entertain me on the origin of that nickname, Lady Menshikov."

"I'll consider it," though I am still leaning towards no. "Be safe, General."

I received a wave from the man before his boat dipped into the duat.

-Melissa Whitaker-

The beach air was refreshing, I didn't even know I could miss it. The faces I've gotten to know personally in the nome rather than faces of children I know nothing about made me immediately feel at home. But I found I still needed space from it all, collapsing on my bed once I went to drop my things off.

It's been a tiring month, but overall worth it. Between the bickering, the kids had seemed fond of the General of Armies, enough to let us experience their way of life within their camp. It's far from what it was like training in Cairo. Sadly, they train to expect their lives to be short, while the Per Ankh has members that have long outlived their close friends.

Amos had dropped me off for the next two days. "Straighten our heads before facing the Roman camp next."

I believe I was close to taking a nap, but the knocking on the door perked me up immediately. I swiftly got on my feet and opened to see Derrick Smith. "I was told you were here."

"Sorry, I know I hadn't updated you," I start nervously. After all, the man has been more than willing to pick up my duties as Nome Leader when I am away. "Wasn't sure if we would even get a break in between negotiations. And cell phones are considered a death sentence to those kids-"

He raises his hand to stop me, asking if he can enter. I step back to allow him entry and close the door behind him. "Was everything under control while I was away?" I ask as he takes a seat in the chair in the corner.

"Of course, I can handle the minor issues while you are away, Mel." He sighs and gestures that I take a seat on my bed. "When are you leaving for San Francisco?"

"Two days," I answer quickly. "Leaves me time to assist around here before I depart again."

"Oh good," the older magician nods. "How have the two of you gotten on?"

I take a deep breath, processing the past month so far. "Well, it's not him doing stupid shit and expecting me to cover his ass kind of mission, so I appreciate that." Maybe I'm being too harsh considering that was just one mission we were on together, but I like to believe he was like that even within the Kane Squadron. That would explain the exasperated look Julius normally had.

I smile as I recall the kids again, and how acceptable they were towards us. "Got to know the Greek culture these days. Amos did a bit of sparring as well. He's still awful with a sword." But that's part of Kane that I appreciate most if I were to be honest. It put a massive separation from his father.

Thinking about this reminded me of how well he did with the kids. I flop to lying on my back now and sigh. "I started thinking about if they had children. He would have made an excellent father. And I already decided I want to be called Auntie Mel."

But that was never going to happen. Because Caroline died in that stupid museum in his arms. I huff to let my frustration out before I can cry over this again, cry over my sister all over again. Not in front of her father, at least.

"Did you talk to him?" Derrick asks. "About the San Francisco Nome Leader showing us that tape?"

No, though I had told Derrick that I would while I was around Kane. Because how does one do that really? Even worse, tell him that a friend of his dug up this information. Sebastian seemed like he regretted finding it in the first place, but was certain we needed to know for closure's sake. While we highly appreciate it, and Derrick has chilled out finally after nineteen years, Sebastian was right.

I spent a whole month with Kane and the most I heard him talk personally was when that wine god insisted we drink after a rough negotiation session. And that was mostly him talking about his mother, and spilling that her dementia led to Julius keeping his distance. Apparently, after falling down some steps, she confused her oldest with her late husband. Thankfully Ruby had been around to handle the situation, but Julius was very unhappy with the idea that his brother knew and left her in their care to go on a mission with me where he wasn't readily available to assist.

I'm kind of on Julius's side on it, Amos knew his mother wasn't well. But Kane still was loyal to Desjardins and Iskandar so he made what he thought were the best accommodations before leaving. There wasn't a way he could have known that his mother would fight her oldest son off of her. But he understood why his brother was hurt by this, and didn't leave his mother under anyone else's care until her passing.

And Caroline knew. It's why she packed her things as fast as she had, only telling her father and I that she wasn't going to leave him alone in that big empty mansion. The last time we even got to see her.

My left-hand forms into a fist to slam into the bed before sitting up again to face her father. "I didn't have it in me," I finally answer.

Derrick nods, and his eyes tell me he understands completely. The man has made himself absent when Amos turns up here. While Amos believes this is still rage from not being told the truth, it's because Derrick is afraid. This man doesn't cry for his daughter anymore, not until he locks himself in her room with the things she had left behind anyway.

"You know what's in two days, don't you?" Derrick sniffs in an attempt to contain his emotions.

"Other than me leaving with the General of Armies?" I question what I might be missing. It'll be February.

"Her passing, Mel."

"Oh."

There was silence in the room for a good five minutes as we took it in. We didn't know if she had even died, or when, until recently thanks to Kurtz. But there's one that has known the whole time.

This must be a big step then, being in the same city that she had passed in on this day of the year. And yet distracting himself with work. I pull my knees up to my chest as I process this further.

"Make yourself available," Derrick offers, pulling me from my thoughts. "I imagine he'll appreciate the support."

I nod in understanding and watch Smith leave the room. Then I go to position myself to follow through with that nap I had considered earlier.

-Amos Kane-

I sigh as I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Sadie, do you know how crazy you come off as?"

"You are one to talk, Uncle!" Sadie snapped, blue eyes blazing as I removed my hand.

"To them, Egypt died to Roman conquest. So yes, you come off sounding like you need medication to them. The last thing we should be doing is faking therapy notes to clear you of this." I sigh as I clasp my hands together in front of me. "Or maybe we can play off that your father is the nutty one, they could believe that."

A pillow hit the wall to the right of my head. "Sorry, but the thought is pretty tempting," I smirk at my niece who huffs at this. "I suppose the first warning from studying Egyptian history was that you were even paying attention. I'll make sure to call your counselor back to discuss pulling you from that course. And then parrot whatever the school's expectations are for when you come back next week."

"I don't know if you even heard me, I blew up her desk!" Sadie finally sits on her bed. "I don't need to go to school, right? Carter didn't."

"Carter was homeschooled, Sadie. And from what I know of you living with your grandparents, you weren't fond of school there either." That earns me another huff. "Even if you deem it not worth your time, it is. You'll appreciate spending time with the normal world now. At least it'll spare some confusion."

"You mean like the time some of your bandmates had to explain the bus transportation to you?"

Right, like that. "Remind me to talk with Emily before I leave."

"I won't be doing that," Sadie promises.

I roll my eyes as I stand from the chair. "I take it then the Twenty-First has accepted her? I'm slightly surprised, given the past few adult magicians I sent here were not treated very well."

"She's your student, Uncle." Sadie points out the rather obvious difference. "She doesn't ruin the daily chaos of the place like everyone else tries to."

I'm reminded swiftly that Dasher had been introduced to the Per Ankh having Julius throw a car to her calling me crazy. Felix's constant overtake of the fireplace with penguins is just a normal Wednesday for her.

"You have a year left to go," I go to bring us back on topic. "If you can deal with Isis' constant annoyance, I know you can accomplish this just as well."

"Probably not as annoying as Set is," my niece gives a pointed look.

My eyes narrow, but I am certain that she is right about that. "What if I told you that he thinks you should drop out?" He's yet to give his input on any of this, but I'm about at the end of my rope on this matter.

Sadie gives an annoyed grunt at that, flopping to lying on her back. "Fine, but only to piss him off."

I'm impressed that even worked. Oh hey, he does still exist beyond 'terrible lunches'. Vika should be beyond embarrassed. I can't help but eye-roll at that in disagreement.

"Spring break is coming around," I remind Sadie. "You still have plans to visit your grandparents?"

To be honest, I'm surprised she hadn't planned more trips to London than she has since being forced to move here. Though I suppose the threat of the world being consumed by an oversized snake would probably take priority. And the time she did go to London in the mix of it all for her birthday. At least White had been willing to assist her grandparents after their possession.

"Yep," is Sadie's quick response. "Carter's been harassing me already about making sure I pack everything in case of emergency."

Ugh, I guess Carter hadn't forgotten about it either. "Older brothers sometimes," I shake my head as Sadie sits up to take me in. "I'll chew his ear a bit to calm down," I promise. "I trust things will go better than last time. I just wanted to make sure you were still planning to do something for yourself."

Sadie nods and I go to open the door. "Thanks."

I nod and enter the hall, closing the door softly behind me. I exhale before releasing my grip on the doorknob, turning to head towards my room. I stop before I get there to spot the Starrs with Alyssa showing them around the place.

Trevor tells his daughter to stay close to her and pulls away from the tour to approach me, "General."

"Trevor," I regard back, "it's just Amos to you."

"You can keep saying that." Trevor goes to lean against the wall. "You taking a break from your duties for once? I know Max has been trying to reach you."

"I've been out of reach most of the time," I admit. "Was I needed for something important?"

"To him? It's an emergency." Trevor shakes his head before suddenly cracking up. "He wants a CD from you. His jeep's antenna broke, something about a god snapping it in half. Says it's your fault and you owe him a disc."

Yeah, he told me that a year ago before I jumped into my newly demoted role. "I offered to pay to fix it," I bring up again.

"Max mentioned that as well."

I sigh in slight annoyance now. "If I ever have a week off, I'll consider producing said item."

Trevor gives me a look before asking, "This is just a small visit home before heading out again, huh?"

I nod, "Between Carter and Zia's marriage arrangements for the summer, Sadie blowing up desks at her school, and checking in on the progress in Cairo, my hands are still full. Demotion or not."

"Checking on Cairo?" Trevor is giving me quite a judgmental look now. "Sounds like you didn't really demote yourself, only in title."

"Pharaoh needed an update and I was out anyway-"

"Yeah, the excuses don't shy away from the fact that you think you're still Chief Lector, General." I sigh because he is making a valid point here. "I figured you promoted Menshikov because you trust her to get the job done on her terms?"

"I do, I simply wanted to see the progress for myself."

Trevor's eyes narrow for a few seconds before he relaxes his facial features. "Well, make time to go hit up a bar later tonight." I raise an eyebrow at the Nome Leader. "We didn't get to talk about the shit that went down last year. And I could go for a drink, my daughter has decided she wants to start training. You could use a drink dealing with your niece trying to terrorize her school from the sounds of things." Trevor notes the hesitation on my face. "I won't tell Max that you took an actual night off over making his coveted disc. And I won't take no for an answer."

"I can't tell which one of you is more annoying, you or your father." I roll my eyes. "Fine, after dinner, we can slip out without drawing attention to ourselves."