He could feel the vibrations in the hard ground as the slaves flocked en masse wherever Sobek had ordered them to go, like frightened pigeons. The Master kept his head bowed dutifully, but there was a small, tolerant smile on his face hidden from his captors. Alone at last.

"And what do you desire now, my Master?" The words tasted undeniably sour to him, of course; he was the Master, not this grubby little parasite bonded to a fool's body. But he'd topple Sobek from his throne soon enough. Baby steps.