Chapter Four- Fox and Jackal

Aknadin stirred the next morning to find himself human again and that he still wanted to hide what he was. He rose and stretched, smiling at how good he felt. He felt no aches and pains and knew that they would never bother him again. I am as strong as the other members of the court and as energetic, but no one can tell. He used a little water to wash his face. He examined his face as he dried it. Was it his imagination or did he look at least a little younger? He thought he saw fewer wrinkles on his face but not enough that anyone would notice; of course it probably was his imagination. He checked his ears, teeth, and fingers. They all looked just like they did yesterday. Good. I don't need to stand out, appearance-wise. He left the room, moving quickly and easily to the throne room. He then moved slowly into the room so his movements looked like they always had. He took his place, pleased with how he felt but a little disappointed that he couldn't share his feelings with anyone. No one would understand anyway.

Atem entered and all bowed, Aknadin savoring his ability to bow without pain. "Mahad told me that three criminals were caught yesterday so today we will hold three Millennium Trials. Have the first one brought up." The guards bowed and left before Atem said, "Aknadin, you caught this man. What was his crime?"

"Stealing food, my pharaoh. A minor crime, but he did not put it back when I told him to."

"Does that surprise you?" Seto said. "After all, Master Aknadin, most criminals do not cease their actions especially when told to do so."

"You are correct. It shouldn't have surprised me."

The man was then brought in, still looking as defiant when told to put the food back. The judging, extractions, and sealing was simple and he was released as his crime was minor and he no longer had a monster to influence him to steal. Atem ordered the next one brought up and turned to Seto. "This one was yours, Seto. What is his crime?"

"He disrespected you and made the mistake of saying it within my earshot. I will not repeat his words."

The man was brought in, glaring at Atem until his view was blocked by the court. His extraction was a little harder but it did not tax Aknadin like it normally would. The man was then taken away to seven years of hard labor.

"I heard the last one is a serious one," Atem said before looking at Aknadin. "We can postpone it to tomorrow."

"There is no need, my pharaoh. I am quite up to extracting any monster today. I haven't felt this good in ages."

Atem was surprised. He had watched Aknadin as the signs of aging appeared on his oldest court member. He was aware that the Items demanded physical and mental strength from their owners when called upon and tried to be considerate of Aknadin's well-being when it came to trials. So for Aknadin to claim that he was doing well today was surprising but pleasing to hear as well. "Then we'll proceed. Mahad, you were the one find this man. Explain."

"Yes, my pharaoh." He looked at the others. "I will confess that I was not completely truthful about the one I found and I beg your forgiveness. My encounter with him had left me shaking with how close I had come to having my life altered. The man was also a were-creature; a jackal, to be precise." Mahad saw the others exchange horrified looks before saying, "Yes, he was trying to bite me."

"He deliberately transformed in front of you to bite you." Seto shook his head. "Terrible."

"Well, they have to transform in order to turn someone. I had managed to avoid his first lunge and, if not for the guards, I would be standing here today as a were-jackal." Mahad shuddered.

"Oh, wouldn't that have been a tragedy," came a mocking voice before a large man appeared with spears pointed at his throat.

"It seems were-jackals are vulnerable to iron, the metal we use in our spears and swords," Mahad declared to everyone.

The were-jackal emitted a real growl before saying, "Just wait. One day, I'll bite you. We were-creatures are immortal, every last one of us." He gave a laugh that dissolved into barking laughs.

All seven Items glowed, indicating a good deal of wickedness in him. Shada did not need to use the Key so the trial proceeded to the extraction. Aknadin summoned his strength to fuel the power needed to pull the monster from the man. It was a difficult one but he succeeded and Seto had to use a considerable amount of effort to seal it. The man was still a were-jackal but a little less smug. "He will be sentenced to life in the dungeons like the were-fox," Atem stated. It had been decided that life imprisonment was the only sentence for a were-creature as their ability to turn others could occur at any time.

Aknadin still felt good later that day. He knew it was because he was an elderly werewolf. He had the strength and energy comparable to Kalim and Shada, he was immortal, illness could not touch him, he was immune to injuries, and he did not suffer the aliments of old age.

He then thought of the fox and jackal who would be in the dungeons for life or rather until those who knew their crimes were dead as they were immortal like him and the falcon. I think I will speak to them. Learn more about their respective animal halves. He strode to the stairs and down to the dungeons. There were no guards so no one would hear him question the prisoners. His nose flared and he caught the faint smells of fox and jackal which grew stronger as he approached them.

They were at the far end of the corridor in cells opposite each other. The fox kneeled in respect while the jackal sneered. "So, the old man comes to visit us," he said before baring a grin. "I had hoped to bite the one I tried to attack, but you'll do just as well."

"I suggest you use your nose before striking," Aknadin snapped.

The jackal's nose flared and then his eyes widened. "You're a werewolf."

"A newly-bitten," the fox said, his nose also flaring. "I did not smell wolf before."

"It happened yesterday. A child-like one lured me to him and bit me. I transformed last night. I chose to come here to learn more about your own gifts."

"Priest Mahad questioned me. I thought he would tell the court," the fox said.

"He did, but if there's anything else…"

"I misspoke concerning the bite. I can bit at any time like all those who have teeth. I've heard that those who become birds can turn by scratching with their talons."

"How old are you? The one who bit me is 100 years old."

"I've been a were-fox for fifty years."

Aknadin turned to the jackal. "And you?"

"I was bitten seventy years ago," he said proudly. "I have turned others and was pleased with how they turned out."

"Why try to attack Mahad?"

"The same reason you were bitten, I imagine. Jackals have the same full moon tendencies as wolves do and I wondered if a priest could resist them. Is that why you were bitten?"

"It is. I didn't turn the boy or myself in due to a wolf's protective nature."

"Jackals have the same nature. Rest assured, priest, I will not speak of you being a werewolf."

"I won't, either," the fox said.

"Thank you, both of you." Aknadin left the dungeon, satisfied with the knowledge he had gained from his fellow were-creatures.