all disclaimers apply

Author's note:A few of you been wondering what my original characters look like.
Here's the link to my sketches of Anhur and "the Prince."Go to my website: The Flamin' Dragon/Realm of Pharaoh. Link is also in the author info section) or type in flamindragon.net/bind1.jpg after all the basic url info. (Having trouble giving a full link in words here...ff.net may not let me I guess).

As Yugi and Solomon arrived at the airport, Yugi thought inwardly and tapped into the Puzzle for Yami.

/You there, Yami?/

//That should be rather obvious isn't it aibou?//

/Sorry, couldn't be helped. You've been quiet for a while now. Any particular reason why?/

//Just thinking about things Yugi. I'm trying to fit all this together--the dreams, these strange new findings the Ishtars talk of, the hope of light being shed onto my past, everything.//

/Well, that's what we're going to find out. Maybe some of the pieces will fit. Afterall, we're going to Egypt itself. There's got to be something there in reference to you right?/

//Perhaps Yugi...perhaps.//

Yugi was shaken out of his mindset when his grandfather grabbed his arm, thus preventing the young man from walking straight into a wall.

"Yugi, you were given eyes on your face for a reason. I suggest you use them once in a while." Solomon joked.

"Sorry grandpa. I was talking with the spirit." Yugi said in a soft tone.

"Well, let it wait until we're seated rather than en route. Next thing you know we'll be denied boarding passes because you're acting weird and suspicious to them."

"I'm not a weird kid grandpa!"

"I know that, but others who don't know you may not think the same."

Within minutes the two Motous had passed through the entry and found their departure gate.

"We have nearly an hour before we board Yugi. Would you like to eat?"

Yugi looked about at the various eateries in the area and spotted one to his liking. "Yeah, if we go to that one!" Yugi replied as he pointed towards a hamburger stand.

"Always burgers isn't it Yugi." his grandfather muttered as he followed the excited boy towards the hamburger stand.

After a filling meal, the two Motous returned to the gate and awaited the boarding call. Yugi tried to read a magazine, but now found himself restless.

"Yugi, have a seat."

"I can't grandpa. I feel edgy."

"I knew you shouldn't have had the soda with the caffeine."

"It's not that grandpa. I just don't feel like sitting right now."

"Well burn it off somehow Yugi. We've got a long flight ahead of us and you WILL sit through its duration."

"I know. I'm just going to walk the concourse a bit. I'll be back in time for the boarding call. I promise."

"Don't wander off too far. Stay within view of this gate, got that?"

"Yes grandpa."

And with that Yugi briskly walked off.

"Damn boy's got the energy of a jumping bean." Solomon muttered as he returned to the reading of his newspaper.

Ancient Egypt...

With the prowess of a stalking cat, Anhur was on the move again. With night as his ally, Anhur scaled the outer walls of the palace and gracefully climbed higher, onto the palace itself. He was probably the most skilled climber in all of Egypt. He could scale cliffs, overhangs, and yes, even sleek palace walls. Using padded gloves with sharp 'claws' embedded at their tips along with special rope that was entwined with cloth, he scaled silently, drawing ever nearer to his intended destination. Perhaps he was a snake in his past life because the silent, deadly hunt was in his blood and he was ever so skilled in it. The special gloves allowed him to dig into the solid walls of mud, clay, and sand, for like most other buildings in their village, the palace was built from the materials of the region rather than marble or stone like some of the temples or the pyramids themselves.

From his vantage point high atop the palace wall, Anhur gazed outward for a moment and took in the view. He could see vast expanses, from the death shroud of the Valley of the Kings to the slithering meanders of the mighty Nile itself. The moon and starlight gave him ample views of all things necessary though not so bright as to give him away. His unusual eyes, like those of his biological father's were large and well suited for dim light. It was an advantage he had over the prince, whose eyes weren't well developed for dim light. But, as in most things of life, both designs had their advantages and flaws. Anhur disliked the brightness of midday, his sensitive eyes constantly squinting to shield themselves from the harsh bright light. The prince thrived in midday, his eyes perfectly suited for bright light. But Anhur knew enough to never reveal this flaw to anyone.

Prowling his territory like a panther, Anhur's constant visits to the palace allowed him to learn every nook and cranny of the place. It was almost like a second home to him. Though in most visits, it was merely to learn the lay of the place rather than visit someone. Most visits went by completely unnoticed by anyone other than Anhur himself. But this one was to be noticed. Anhur wanted it to be so.

Creeping into the chambers like a spider upon the floor, Anhur silently slinked his way to the bedside of the sleeping form. For a moment Anhur contemplated his next move, unsure of the reaction of the bed's occupant. Then, with a smirk of pure mischief, he opted for the obvious, but in a most subtle manner.

Anhur removed his clawed gloves and slowly ran a finger up and down the cheek of the sleeping form. The form stirred but didn't wake. Not willing to be defeated by the gods of sleep, Anhur became just a little more mischievious. This time, he pulled a tie strap from his cloak and dangled it enticingly over the sleeping form's face. Then, ever so carefully, the piece of cloth danced upon the face and around the entrance to an ear. Unable to ignore the tickling sensation developing around the ear, the sleeping form awoke.

Anhur had already guessed a startled reaction so he reacted accordingly with a hand quickly to the mouth to prevent any sudden loud noises.

"Hey! Hey, it's just me. Relax. I'm not some thug or rapist." Anhur whispered trying to assure the shocked sleeper. Once he knew that there would be no sudden loud noises and felt the form relax, he removed his hand...and proceeded to get a sharp slap across the face.

"Yeeooow!" Anhur yelped as quietly as he could. He hadn't quite expected THAT maneuver. Still rubbing his stung cheek, he continued. "Is that any way to treat a lover who's risked life and limb to come a'calling?"

"Don't you ever scare me like that again Anhur! I nearly passed out in shock!"

"My presence does have that effect on people from time to time..." Anhur cockily replied.

"And who's to say you're my lover eh? If I recall correctly, you are still a virgin, or has that changed?"

"Kashir, you know you're my one and only. And we haven't even gone that far yet. I wouldn't look at another woman let alone bed one."

"Then you're a fool to waste your godly looks and intelligence on just one woman."

"A fool I am then. Such is my sentence of fate. I've been smitten by a fair lady named Kashir."

" Trying to be a romantic now eh Anhur? You know, they may call you a jackal, but you behave more like a spider. You can be really creepy sometimes and now you're crawling on walls eh?" Kashir remarked as she noticed the clawed gloves and picked one up.

"The pharaoh and prince are careless in their arrogance. Apparently they have never come across a being who is willing to climb to gain entrance into the palace. But let's not talk about them. What a way to turn off the mood."

"Mood? What mood?"

Anhur blushed. "For a special night? I have a gift for you."

Seeing that Anhur wasn't carrying anything, Kashir quickly caught onto his meaning. "You can't be serious can you?"

"You do not wish to?"

"Oh I wish to, believe me Anhur, you have haunted my wildest fantasies, but what happened to waiting?"

"I live a life that could end at any given moment. My very existence is a thorn in the side of both the pharaoh and the prince. If it is so destined, I could enter the afterlife sooner rather than later for if my wily ways ever fail me, it will be certain death. I'm certain the prince knows exactly who I am and what that means for him. If he hasn't yet, he'll figure it out soon enough. Can't have a rival bloodline remain within striking range of the throne right?"

"So what you're saying is that you're never going to settle down, marry, have children, and a peaceful life with your own lands and home?"

"Seems more myth than reality for me."

"But you're also assuming that you could lose?"

"I am the son of Atemu, the King of Games. I cannot ever lose. But, a part of me feels that I cannot keep up this ploy indefinitely. I'm either going to fully succeed or die trying. Either way, my point will get across the sands of time, in this kingship and for those that follow that the blood of Atemu still flows as freely as the Nile."

Kashir grabbed Anhur gently by the arm and led him onto her bed. "Then allow me to join in your quest. Perhaps we can secure immortality for you and the blood of Atemu."

"What do you mean?"

Kashir put a finger to his lips to silence his questions. "In due time Anhur, in due time. But tonight, allow me to show you a realm beyond time and space and indoctrinate you into true manhood." Kashir purred as she seductively removed her own garments then began to peel off the dark, protective cloak of Anhur's.

Anhur allowed her to, but hesitated as soon as she tried to bare his chest.

"You still frightened of this?"

"No, Kashir, not this. I worry for you. You are the prince's not mine."

"The prince invalidated our marriage by never truly consummating it. The pharaoh keeps me here to live out a lie to the people. He wants the people to believe his son is normal and all is well within these walls. Pay it no heed."

"Than it shall be my dearest Kashir." Anhur uttered as he now assumed the lead in their passionate game of love.

to be continued...