This chapter is in the Prince's point of veiw...

I woke up to Seth calling me, "Prince, Prince, the Pharaoh is calling for you."

"Seth, what time is it?" I ask sitting up in my bed.

"Midnight, My Prince."

Why on Ra is anyone up at this hour? "I'm coming."

Once dressed, I follow Seth to the gardens on the south end of the palace, where my father is waiting, "Father, you sent for me?"

"Listen my son." He says looking into the desert, I nod and follow his example.

I hear nothing for several minutes as father, Seth, and a few guards stand as statues. Then I hear it, a soft screech, almost like a cat's hiss with a snap at the end, "Father?"

"Listen my son."

Listening closely I wait; again I hear the sound, but louder, "Its closer."

"Guards at the front entrance heard it first, almost an hour ago. I've sent men out to search for it. No one has heard from them since. Whatever it is seems to be circling the palace."

"Father, let me take men to search for it."

"Do you not listen to your father? I will not send my son, the crowned Prince to his death."

"Forgive me, father, i was not thinking. How many guards were sent?"

"Ten." Turning to the Pharaoh, I look at him astonished.

"Ten?"

"The best in the palace. We will keep the palace locked securely for the rest of the night, set extra guards at each entrance. We will hunt the creature in the morning; with Ra's help we will kill it without losing another man."

"Yes father."

The Pharaoh and Seth leave in favor of their chambers while I stay, listening to the sound. If I didn't know better I'd say I've heard it before.

As the sound grows louder I walk to the wall of the gardens, passing a bared door leading out into the desert I glance toward the dunes just in time to see a flash of red. I walk along the wall, the sound beside me at times, a little farther off at others.

"What are you?" I ask myself. Hearing a muffled grunt from over the wall, "Why are you here? Did the gods send you?" Another grunt, slightly drawn out, and a short snort.

Feeling slightly foolish talking to a creature I ask looking to another door a ahead of me, "Can I see you?"

I fall to my knees covering my ears as a loud earth-shattering screech sounds from the wall beside me.