Atem the Pharaoh and Ammon the Thief

By WarriorLoverInc

Chapter 2: Atem the Runaway Pharaoh

"Pharaoh! Where have you been!" A man in quite rich looking garb ran up to the man next to the Dark Magician Shadow Creature, "Everyone's been worried sick!"

The Pharaoh chuckled at the man's frantic voice, "They needn't be." His eyes narrowed, his face became serious, and all of a sudden he was all business, "But there is someone who needs all the worrying people he can get." He held out the boy he had been carrying in his arms. The other man winced a bit, the wounds were horrible! Other than the numerous cuts and bruises around his body, he had a deep gash in his stomach. He wasn't moving.

"Is it alive?" the other man asked skeptically.

The Pharaoh nodded, "Now quickly, take him to Tawaret." He held out the boy for him to take.

"Wait, you're not going to-"

"Just take him!" The Pharaoh yelled agitatedly, "He's just barely alive!"

Startled a bit by the Pharaohs intensity, the man bowed slightly and replied, "Yes m'lord." He took the boy and watched horrified as the boys head lolled to the side and his body hung limply in his arms. Like a puppet without a master.

The man ran off towards a wagon among the several others in the camp. Heads turned to watch the man dash into the wagon with the strange boy in his arms. Then all the people in the camp turned to stare at the Pharaoh. A boy who looked to be around five ran up to him and tugged on his cape, "Who was that Atem?" The boys' eyes shone with curiosity.

Atem let out a sigh of relief, the man, Seth, had taken the mortally wounded boy to Tawaret, the caravans' most skilled healer. She had brought people back from the brink of death before, he could trust her with anyone's life, even his own. The boy pulled on his cape again, "Who Atem? Who?" He insisted. His mother rushed over and scooped him up in her arms, holding him close while scolding him, "Oh, Chigaru that is impolite! You will address him as Pharaoh!" she said sternly, with that strangely complete caring tone all mothers seem to inherit, "He will answer your question in due time, do not bother him with such things."

Atem laughed a little and mussed the petite boys' hair, "It's alright ma'am, the small one is just curious."

Something passed over him, and a dark shadow fell over his face. His cheery smile disappeared, and his head was tilted down, hands clenching and unclenching. People from the other carts and tents began to gather around Atem.

"Who was that boy?"

"Pharaoh, you smell like smoke."

"That kid was beat up pretty bad…"

Many questions were thrown around, and when the Pharaoh didn't answer any of them, the crowd grew quiet, waiting for a response. Atem raised his head, looking miserable; he said to them all, "I do not know who that boy is."

Silence met his words.

"I suppose you're also wondering why he is so severely injured."

A few mumbled agreements.

"His village, or at least where I found him, was attacked and destroyed by Pharaoh Rameses soldiers. He was about to be killed by them when I showed up and saved him."

There were shocked whispers floating around, Pharaoh Rameses! He was the false corrupt pharaoh who faked Atems' death and stole the throne for himself! What was he doing here?

"Pharaoh, should we move?" The man, Seth, had returned from Tawarets' wagon. "Pharaoh, if they are so close, should we not change locations?" He asked again, realizing he had all the attention on him now.

Atem nodded, "Good idea." He turned back to the anxiously waiting crowd, "Tomorrow morning we move out."

There were orders given, schedules exchanged, and in a bustle, the camp started to pack up their tents and various possessions. The fires were doused until only smoke wafted up into the night sky.

Atem turned to his Dark Magician Shadow Creature, who had been standing vigilantly next to its master during the entire scene, "Thank you for your help." Atem gratefully sighed. The Dark Magician nodded. Bright light surrounded him, sticking to him like cling wrap, then, he faded away into the night.