Chapter Four-Court Confession

Atem lifted his cup in a toast as usual but once everyone was drinking, he passed his cup to Siamun so he could drink. He admitted to Siamun to having eaten before dark and was still full. Siamun, responsible for the court's blood dosage, brought seven cups of blood, claiming he had already had his dose. Of course he hadn't as he would receive Atem's cup. We could have done this a long time ago, Siamun thought.

"All right," Atem said once all had finished drinking. "I chose to have a court talk tonight and the topic is on werewolves and vampires."

"Werewolves?" Seto scoffed.

"Yes. I know there's a rivalry over human prey, but is that all?"

"No, there is also the stereotypes of each other," Aknadin said.

This piqued Atem's interest. "Go on."

"The werewolves see us as vulgar and crude. I believe this view stems from our need for blood. Obviously we are not vulgar or crude."

"But perhaps a bit arrogant," Atem suggested.

"As are the werewolves," Seto pointed out. "Arrogance is rather even-handed, be it vampires, werewolves, or humans."

There were nods from everyone and Atem said, "And what stereotypes do we have about werewolves?"

"Oh, a fair few," Aknadin replied. "Unlike us, they are vulgar. They crave flesh and eat nothing else. When they change, they behave like vicious animals. They tend to speak using only the canine language whether in human form or wolf."

Atem felt angry at everything he was hearing, but kept his anger in check. He saw Siamun's look of disbelief out of the corner of his eye. He knew his advisor didn't believe Aknadin. We both know that werewolves are not vulgar, we're not vicious animals when we change, and we can talk like anyone else though we do speak the canine language, but that's to be expected. I admit, we do desire flesh but that is not all we eat.

"I believe that we need to know if these beliefs are true. I have trouble believing they speak only as wolves. They have human form so one would think they can talk same as we do," Atem said.

"Well said, my pharaoh," Mahad said. "I agree with that point."

"What of their behavior when they change?" Aknadin asked.

"I would think that not all of them act like animals when they change," Atem said.

"I'm afraid I disagree, pharaoh," Aknadin said.

"Have you spent a lot of time with werewolves?" Atem asked.

"No, my pharaoh."

Atem's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Actually, you have. Your entire life as a priest. All of you have."

The court shared surprised looks and, for Mahad, he caught on to what Atem was hinting at and it was a shocking conclusion he was drawing. "My pharaoh…are you saying that you're a werewolf?"

Atem slowly exhaled. "Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying and not just me. My family line going back generations were also werewolves and wifewolves."

"Generations? How?" Aknadin asked.

"It goes back to where two sons were born and the younger ruling as his brother died before he could rule. The eldest was a vampire and the younger one was a werewolf because their father, the pharaoh, was a vampire who fell for a wifewolf."

"A pharaoh tainted his line with a wifewolf?" Shada asked with disgust.

"I prefer blended," Atem countered with a slight scowl. "Surely, revealing myself as a werewolf shows that the stereotypes you spoke of are not true."

"The pharaoh has also shown himself to be a great ruler," said Siamun. "Just as his parents were."

"It all makes sense now," Seto said in awe. "The full moon illness, the lack of silver, the eaten bodies. All of which are werewolf traits."

"Yes," Atem admitted. "I become a self-aware wolf on the full moon, not a vicious animal. I can still talk when in wolf form. I did not tell you as our races are rivals for prey as well as our eternal dislike for one another. I also feared I would be cast out, exiled."

"Nonsense," Seto said. "We would not cast out a wise ruler, no matter what he is. I feel no dislike for you, my pharaoh. You were justified in concealing your true nature from us. I would have done so in your place."

"Thank you, Seto. I also realized today that we do not have to fight over prey. You need the blood while I want the flesh."

"Yes," Kalim said softly. "Of course. There is no need to fight over prey. You are welcome to eat the bodies as it is only the blood that we want and need."

"I appreciate your permission," Atem said with mock sarcasm. "But I do need your approval on a related matter. I was on a walk today and met a werewolf prince who was outside the shield until I invited him in via a secret tunnel I dug so I could run outside."

"A prince?" Isis repeated.

"Yes. His name is Yugi and he looks similar to me. He admitted to not getting to eat flesh much. I propose that we offer the drained bodies to his kingdom as we have no use for them."

"That's not entirely true," Aknadin said. "You would have a need for some of them."

Atem smiled a little. He had become used to pretending to be a vampire; it would take time to remember that the truth was out now. "True enough. Still, giving them some of the bodies would benefit both of our cities."

"Now that we know the truth, does this mean you will be present during the full moon?" Aknadin asked.

"I believe so. It will be a little strange at first but we will adjust. I only ask that you allow me to indulge in some wolf behavior such as running and making sounds."

"Of course." Mahad then came forward and knelt. "Do you require any food before we continue?"

"That is not necessary. I ate earlier today with Yugi. That is how I learned of his not eating much flesh."

"I see nothing wrong about giving the bodies to Yugi and his city," Shada said. "It is the perfect solution." The others nodded in agreement and Atem felt pleased.

"Then, I will inform him when he comes by tomorrow. Everyone is dismissed to do your duties and activities."

"That went well," Siamun remarked once the others had left.

"Better than I had hoped and I look forward to tomorrow night as it is the full moon."

"All this time, our pharaoh was a werewolf and we didn't realize it," Aknadin said as the court sat in their tower.

"We had no reason to suspect that he wasn't a vampire," Seto pointed out. "It is ironic, though. Our races are rivals and one would think we would never get along, yet it seems we can."

"Perhaps we can make deals and agreements with the werewolf city as the pharaoh has already befriended their prince."

"A prince who looks similar to the pharaoh," Isis said. "Is it possible for two werewolves to rule and produce heirs?"

"We could ask him, but why? He hasn't given any indication that he is attracted to Yugi," Mahad said.

"Yes, you're right. In any event, I would like to meet this prince. Make the deal Master Aknadin proposed."

"It would have to wait until after the full moon, but we can bring it to the pharaoh's attention."