Chapter Nine- Criminal Roundup

Atem and Mahad rode back hours later, their horses alternating between walk and quick trots. After the light doze, Atem had that excess energy again and Mahad encouraged him to duel to expel it. Priest and pharaoh engaged in a fast and furious duel until both were worn out, neither aiming to win, they just wanted to expend Atem's energy. The young pharaoh felt a lot better and concluded that dueling someone would be a good way to solve his restlessness.

They had reached the top of a dune where they had an excellent view of the city when Mahad's Item blazed to life, all points aimed and quivering at the city and Mahad gasped in pain. "Criminal activity," he panted. "All…over the place. My pharaoh, return to the palace while I assist in rounding up the evildoers."

Atem nodded as they raced into the city. He couldn't believe the number of criminals in the few short hours they had been gone. He needed to make sure none of them had penetrated the palace. He raced for the doors that had guards on either side. They opened the doors for him when he swept back his hood to reveal his hair and crown. He dismounted and as a guard led the horse away, he heard a terrified scream coming from the city. The scream spoke of fear and terror and it tore at his heart.

"My pharaoh, you need to head for safety," a guard said.

"No. I must protect the people." Atem ran out the door toward the scream that had sounded near the palace walls. He turned a corner to see a woman clutching two children to her while two men loomed above her with sacks and swords in their hands. Robbers, Atem thought.

"Leave them alone," he commanded.

The men turned to him and a flicker of fear showed in their eyes. "The pharaoh," one of them said. His eyes roved up and down the young man still in a plain robe. "Hn, I thought you would look more impressive somehow."

Atem pulled off the robe, revealing his clothes. "Better?" he quipped.

The men's eyes roved over the fancy clothes and the gold jewelry adorning him and greedy grins spread across their faces. "Oh yes," said the only one who had spoken. "We'll take your gold and whatever the woman has." He jerked his thumb at their original victim.

"You will do neither," Atem declared as his eyes turned gold and fur spread over him. A desire to protect his subjects had risen up inside him and he invoked his conscious change. His change to wolf occurred faster than last time and soon he was growling at the men threateningly. They backed up several steps while Atem advanced. The werewolf pharaoh snapped his jaws at them and they took off, screaming in fear which amused him. Atem dropped his threatening manner as he looked at the woman and her children. "Are any of you hurt?" he asked.

The woman shook her head before saying, "P-Pharaoh?"

"Yes. I was cursed as a werewolf a cycle ago and recently learned that I can take this form outside of the full moon. I won't hurt you."

The woman tentatively stretched out her hand palm up and Atem slid his chin into it. He felt her fingers scratched the fur and he let out a whine and swished his tail. She smiled at his reaction. "Thank you for saving us," she said.

"I could do no less," he said once she pulled her hand back. "I can escort you home. There are still other criminals out there."

"I would like that." Atem led the way out before walking her and her children to her home. Once she and the children were safely inside, Atem proceeded to locate hidden crooks and scare them out of hiding and into the guards' arms.

Mahad was a little confused. His Ring had been going crazy since entering the city, the points aiming in different directions. It still was, but the glow had diminished a little and the activity was becoming more localized. What further confused him was when criminals were running up to them and allowing themselves to be arrested. Why are they acting like this and why do they seem so scared? He looked up the street to see a wolf dashing into a side path. Ah, I see. The pharaoh changed again and he's helping us round them up. As none are hurt, I'm guessing he's using scare tactics. He couldn't just stay safe when he could help. He strode toward where he saw Atem disappear. He heard a pained yelp and quickened his pace into the path to see an awful sight.

Atem laid on his side, a slash on his left foreleg. A man stood nearby a sword in his hand and some blood on the blade. The man saw Mahad and started toward him, sword at the ready. Atem growled at seeing the man advance and swished his tail into the man's path causing him to trip. Mahad wasted no time jerking the sword out of his grip before summoning guards to take the man. As the guards did so, Mahad tossed the sword aside and crouched by Atem to examine the wound.

Blood welled up from the cut and Atem whined from the pain. Mahad tore some cloth from his robes and wrapped it around the leg before lifting Atem and heading back to the palace. "You'll be all right," Mahad soothed. "It's not deep, but you shouldn't try to walk on it."

"You're right. You're not mad that I didn't stay in the palace, are you." It was a statement, not a question.

"No. You were a big help in scaring them out of hiding." He entered the palace, brought Atem to his room, and then left to get the palace physician to tend to Atem's leg.

Mahad entered the Throne Room about fifteen minutes later to meet with Siamun and the other guardians. "Mahad, you called us here saying it was urgent," Shada said.

"Where is the pharaoh?" Isis asked. "The two of you left this morning."

"We came back to see the city being robbed by criminals. I sent the pharaoh back here, but he didn't stay. He had changed again and was scaring criminals out of hiding, except the last one he found. The man attacked him."

There were gasps and Siamun said, "He's hurt?"

Mahad nodded. "A slash to a foreleg, but it's not deep. He will be all right."

Atem had fallen asleep after being tended to but woke when he heard knocking. He yawned before saying, "Enter." He looked over to see Seto enter and approach the bed, his eyes focused on the bandage. "Mahad told us what happened. You wished to help."

Atem nodded. "There was a robbery being attempted right near the palace walls and I just couldn't ignore it when I could put a stop to it."

"I am not disagreeing with your decision. Any of us would have done the same thing. It sounds like you helped a lot."

Atem nodded. "It felt great sniffing out the ones hiding and growling at them," he said proudly. "It was amusing to watch them beg the guards to arrest them."

Seto smiled in amusement at the thought. "And yet you were injured."

"Yes and I'm honestly surprised I wasn't hurt earlier. The robbery I stopped first. Both men had swords and yet when I changed and growled at them, they fled without attacking."

"That is surprising, but then most criminals are cowards."

Atem tilted his head. "Seto, did your eyes get more gold today? It's a little more noticeable than it was this morning."

"They did. I was surprised at that. There are still several days to go until the full moon."

"Indeed. My ears are pointed but not as much as last time. I know they will be by the full moon." Atem yawned and Seto bowed.

"I will let you get some rest, my pharaoh. Good night."

"Thank you, Seto. Good night." Seto left, closing the door behind him and Atem drifted back to sleep.

Seto sat on his bed and stared out into the night. The pharaoh had changed for the second time in the span of a few days. The first time took everyone by surprise, Atem included. He discovered that between cycles he could change, the catch being he was stuck as a wolf until the following dawn. But as he could talk and had control and awareness of his body and surroundings, it was an acceptable price to pay.

And in several days, both of us will change and think like ordinary wolves. I look forward to finally being a werewolf physically. I have gold/blue eyes right now, but more signs will show and some will persist during the day of the cycle. After that, I'll be able to change when I want and be aware the entire time.