Shiro Bara

WARNING: Character death

Ch. 5: The Pharaoh's End

Atem had grown more in the next three summers of his time. He was sixteen when his life had been changed for better and for worse. His physical form had changed much. He had a bit more muscle and his features had sharpened more making him look much more mature. The playful look in his eyes was still there of course and his crown was now the winged crown of crowned Prince-Since Atem was the only male child of the human Pharaoh.

Atem's voice had deepened as well, causing many to respect him with the respect he had worked hard to earn.

"Atem!" A familiar voice called. Atem and I looked up and saw Mana hurtling herself at us and latching herself onto Atem in a hug. It was a natural occurance but usually Mana would jump out of a priceless vase.

"Mana!" Atem gasped in surprise. Her attacks still surprised him to no end. Mana laughed and I let out a small chuckle as well. Mana too had matured, at least in body. Her hair was even longer and wilder and her breasts had developed well. She had fine curves and a good figure. Yes she would make a good mate to a lucky human male. Too bad it wouldn't be Atem though, he had been forced to marry at the age of 14 so in the future he would be able to produce an heir.

Beauty isn't much to look for when a dragon looks for a mate. With females we look for a male that is strong and a worthy opponent. One that can fend for himself. Males look for the same in females. They look for strong females that can protect the eggs. Beauty to a dragon is in how many scars we have to prove our skill and bravery.

I snorted and Atem glared at me as Mana let go of him and stepped back. We then continued our little walk with Mana now stepping along Atem's other side.

We walked with Mana chattering, Atem nodding and throwing in a few comments, and me silently walking along with them. I still had a duty as Atem's protector after all.

Suddenly Shimon, a kind old human male, came running out of the palace toward us.

"Shimon? What is it?" Atem asked, I could tell he was worried for his father.

"My Prince!" Shimon spoke nervously as he always did around Atem. Whether it was because I was near him and could kill the old male or because Atem was Prince and if he so chose could have Shimon killed. Either one was stupid anyway, I would NEVER kill Shimon. He was like a...What are they called? Grandfather? Yes! A grandfather to me. And Atem felt that same vibe from Shimon as well.

"Your father, he-" Shimon tried to speak but I suddenly caught the scent of blood. My head snapped up and I looked around.

"Dreamer? Are you alright?" Atem asked me. I didn't answer. Instead I took off in the direction of the blood scent and the humans followed me. As I neared I heard a scream and ran faster. Atem called after me but I ignored him. I had to make sure I was not imagining it.

I screeched to a halt and stared wide-eyed at the scene before me. Human Pharaoh Akunumkanon lay face down on the floor with a dagger in his back where his heart should be in the midddle of the section. Atem, Shimon, and Mana hurried over. I turned to them and stepped to the side to show them the body.

Shimon gasped, Mana covered her mouth to keep from screaming, Atem...Stood there, stunned.

"He was assassinated." I confirmed.

"Oh Pharaoh Akunumkanon!" Shimon cried. Atem still stood there. Shimon kneeled by his king and close friend I had learned them to be and told Mana to get Isis and Mahado. I sat to the side and watched.

Isis soon came as well as Mahado and the two examined the wound. They confirmed the dagger was spiked in Shadow Magic and that the culprit was one that could use magic. They then moved the body to be mummified and I herded Atem to his chambers.

...

Once inside his chambers, Atem went over to his bed and collapsed then began to cry. I walked over to him and watched him cry, no expression showing on my features. Pharaoh Akunumkanon had been a close allie to my kind and maybe even concidered a 'friend' and I did grieve for his death. But I could not show it and Atem needed to pull himself together. He needed to be prepared for wittnessing deaths.

I let Atem cry and then finally I climbed up onto our bed with him and curled around his smaller body and he curled up to me and cried more onto my scaled armor. I pressed my head into his side and allowed the Prince to cry on me while I gave him some comfort.

Next: Dreamer takes Atem flying for the first time.