Chapter Eleven- The Trip

"Diplomatic trip?" Mahad repeated.

"That's right. I will be leaving tomorrow morning. Alone."

"Alone!?" Seto exclaimed. "My pharaoh, I insist you go with a few guards."

"Alone," Atem repeated firmly and with finality. "I can take care of myself."

"Yes, pharaoh," Seto said.

"All right. Court adjourned." Atem rose and left the room. He had provisions to acquire. Food and water mostly. He wasn't sure how long he would be away but he was determined not to hunt down a human as that would be a very bad move in a kingdom of vampires, especially as they are having trouble finding human to drink from.

The court hadn't left after Atem did; instead they stayed put to discuss Atem's decision. "I think he's hiding something," Seto said. "A diplomatic trip that we were unaware of?"

"I agree," Shada said. "He would usually take an escort with him when on a diplomatic trip. No escort this time is odd."

"So, why no guards?" Isis mused. "Where is he going?"

"I don't know, he did not say," Seto replied. "But I know how to find out."

"What are you suggesting?" Mahad asked before adding, "Wait. You plan to follow him."

"Not just me. The entire court will follow him. Siamun will watch over the city." He looked over at the elder who nodded in agreement. "We will need food and water for the trip."

"I will handle that," Isis said.

"I will tell the guards and assign one to lead in my absence." Mahad left the room and bit his lip. He disliked the idea of following Atem, but the choice of having no guards worried him enough to agree to tail Atem. I do hope he's not heading for trouble.

"My subjects, I have news that will help us achieve a measure of peace. On one of my searches for blood, I met up with the alpha of the werewolves. I made no move to attack, but instead greeted him. He responded in turn and we actually talked. He is just as interested in peace with us as we are. To that effect, I invited him here and he's accepted. He will begin his journey shortly after dawn. While he is here, none of you will attack him."

"He wants peace? You are sure?" Kevin asked.

"I am. I look forward to reaching an agreement of peaceful co-existence." He saw looks of apprehension on their faces and didn't blame them. He would feel the same way if told an enemy was coming to talk peace. But I know Atem and we love each other. Even though I told my subjects not to harm him, I will insure that he is not in danger during his time here.

Atem hoisted his saddlebags over his shoulders as he was escorted to the palace gates by his court. He turned to them as the gates opened. "I will return in a few days. Take care of the people while I'm gone, Seto."

Seto knelt. "Of course, pharaoh. The city is in good hands."

Atem nodded as Seto rose before heading out the gate and toward the city's boundaries. Once the city was out of sight, He removed his silver, stowed them, and then started sniffing the air. He had Bakura's scent firmly locked in his mind and a vague idea of where the village of Kul Elna was located. He sniffed the open air with no success before deciding to go to the cave and see if he could pick up a trail. Nodding, he sprinted off for where he admitted love for Bakura.

The court watched Atem leave as the gates closed. Seto slowly exhaled. "All right. Let's gather our supplies and take our time leaving the city." He led the way to where their own saddlebags lay. He wasn't concerned about Atem getting away from them as Mahad had a sharper sense of smell than the others. One werewolf can't shake six that are tracking him. We will find out where he is going and why he insisted on being alone.

Atem sniffed the spot where the king had sat and the scent was still strong. He continued to sniff as he walked out and headed into the desert. He felt lucky that his senses were still sharp in his human form. He followed the scent of his mate while thinking of presenting a peace offering to the vampires. It would show he was sincere about peace. Naturally, a human would be perfect. He breathed deeply and the scent of Bakura came from the west as did a human village. He ran in that direction, wondering what he would find when he got there.

It was a little later when he got to the village to find it deserted. They were either killed or abandoned the village or both. This village would make a good meeting place for Bakura and me. A place to be alone. He sat there to eat and drink a little as well as rest a little. I don't need to rush as I'm covering a lot of distance with my increased speed. I can't really enter Bakura's kingdom until after dark. I am interested in peace with the vampires and Bakura and I will draw up an agreement while having intimate time. He smiled as he imagined being in Bakura's arms. If he lives underground and I'm sure he does, perhaps he can stay awake long enough to see my human form. He got to his feet, hefted his bags, found Bakura's scent again, and set out a run no human could do, unaware that his court was following his scent.

Bakura opened his eyes and excitement flooded through him. Atem would soon be here! He emerged from his coffin and a quick look out confirmed that it was night. He headed outside to see his subjects milling around and looking nervous and scared. He moved among them, assuring them that there was nothing to fear, that the alpha was nice, and that no harm would come to them.

A howl sounded followed by a familiar scent and the kingdom huddled behind Bakura and Kevin. The form of a gray wolf approached, a set of saddlebags on its back. There was no hint of silver on it and Bakura heard murmurs about that. Good move, Atem, he thought. It shows you trust them to not attack you.

The wolf came closer and Bakura said in a formal tone, "Welcome Alpha Atem. I hope your stay here will be pleasant."

Atem adopted the same formal tone. "Thank you, King Bakura. I hope we can end our ancient hate and work toward an era of peace and cooperation. To prove I am sincere, I brought a peace offering." He turned to the side to reveal an unconscious human tied to his bags. He heard the vampires murmur appreciatively at the sight of prey.

Bakura went over and cut the human loose before dragging him over to Kevin. "Make sure everyone drinks some," he said before returning to Atem who seemed pleased that his present was received so well. "I imagine he wasn't hard to catch."

"No, particularly since it was still daylight when it happened."

"I see. Well, you will be welcome to feast on the body once he's been drained and I insist you room with me."

"I accept both offers. I assume your room is underground."

"It is."

"Good. Do you fall asleep right as the sun comes up?"

"Not really, but as the sun is fatal it is preferred to sleep at dawn. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I was hoping you could stay awake long enough to see my human form."

Bakura's eyes lit up. "I would love to. I'll stay awake to see it. I promise you that."

"Excellent." Atem's tail swished. The visit was off to a wonderful start. The vampires accepted his sincerity, Bakura wanted him to share his room, and he would see Atem human. If all still goes well, maybe we can announce our love to the kingdom. I imagine it'll be a shock, but I think they will be supportive and our races really could live in peace.

Atem's nose suddenly flared and he whirled around to face the desert, growling angrily. His action concerned Bakura. "What is it?"

"I was followed," Atem growled. "I told them I was going alone."

Bakura intuited that the 'them' was his court and sure enough, six silver-wearing gray wolves appeared. They stalked slowly toward the village, the vampires backing up, Bakura included while Atem moved toward his court a little before standing his ground, determined to protect Bakura and his subjects.