FSE

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Bakari blinked once, twice. A seemingly endless beach stretched out before him. Fog lay over the sea, whose waves gently stroked the white sand. Behind him, a cliff rose so high that he could not see its end. Confused, he looked around. The bed was gone, the soft silk and the warmth of Kheru's body blown away. He looked down at himself and saw that he was still naked. Except for the whisper of the sea, no sound could be heard. Yet he did not feel alone. On the contrary, a strange calm spread through his body. The salty air smelled fresh and clean.

As if of his own accord, he started moving. He could not tell where he was going, but deep inside he knew it was the right way. So he let his legs find their own course and followed the vague feeling. Almost like a soundless voice it called him and he quickened his steps. The sand was soft as velvet under his paws. Deep in the mist the sun shimmered, little more than a bright speck. Finally the curtain broke and a single beam fell on a cave at the foot of the cliff. Curious, he followed it. The change from sand to stone made him shiver, and he had to be careful not to slip on it. Further back, the cave widened, and he saw the flickering glow of fire.

Cautiously, he headed toward it. In a circular hollow sat a single fox. Before him burned a quiet flame of golden light. The stranger had his eyes closed and was sitting cross-legged. It was difficult to tell what color fur he had. One moment he seemed pure white, the next as black as night. Gray and silver tones alternated, and every time you moved your eyes it seemed as if his fur itself was alive. As Bakari came closer he noticed that the fire had no source; neither wood nor brushwood nor any other kindling lay there. The flame seemed to burn on the ground itself.

Without opening his eyes, the stranger pointed to the floor across from him. He waited until the Prince of Foxes had sat down, then he began to speak. "Do you know who I am?" Bakari simply nodded. The fox, his eyes still closed, seemed satisfied. "I am pleased that you have answered my call. I am here to warn you." It sounded like Heka was speaking in two voices, equal parts male and female. "Of Amris and my brother?" It was more a statement than a question. "Yes." The god of magic opened his eyes. They shimmered a bright blue, like the Nile or the sky or the sea itself. It was the color of a whispered secret, an ancient word, or a magical prayer. "Darkness is preparing to haunt the world. Not long now and the serpent will awaken," he continued. "But my brothers and sisters do not yet want to believe what is happening. They assume that everything will have a good outcome, as always. That the cosmic order will not be shaken. But our opponents are clever. Look."

He made a paw movement and the wall behind him began to glow in all colors. Swirls became images,and as they cleared, Bakari recognized the golden palace he called home. Spellbound, he stared at the image as it began to move. He saw the throne, but it was empty. A silver medallion flashed, then a massive catacomb. "This sacred hall lies deep beneath the palace. Few know of it. Where the place of order should be, darkness spreads. Those who should hear me have become deaf to my words." Black shadows began to billow back and forth, covering the golden floor and walls of the hall until it was completely engulfed. "Search for the amulet." The god's voice increased in seriousness. "Bring the two halves together. I fear we will not be prepared. You, however, can do it. The Ma'at has chosen you."

Something grabbed Bakari's shoulder and pulled him back. Sharp claws dug into his skin, and he screamed out. Kheru flinched. "Are you all right? Did I hurt you?" The fox felt for his shoulder, but could detect no wound. "You moved a lot in your sleep. I thought you were having a nightmare." Concerned, the big dragon tilted his head. Bakari rubbed his eyes and sat cross-legged on the bed. "It's all right. I was indeed dreaming. Heka appeared to me." The dragon prince's eyes grew wide. "Doesn't he usually appear only to the priests? Are you in trouble because you used magic yesterday?" Laughing, Bakari shook his head. "No such thing. He warned me, about Amris and my brother. And he told me to find an amulet here in the palace. Or at least part of it." "An amulet? What do you mean?" The fox shook his head. "I don't know that for sure. Apparently there's a hidden hall under the palace where part of a silver locket is kept. He told me to find the two pieces and complete them."

Kheru put his claw to his chin. "And he probably didn't tell you where the second half was hidden, did he?" Bakari shook his head. With a sigh, the dragon swung himself out of bed. He grabbed a fresh robe, slipped it on, and walked over to the main room. By the door were two silver trays, covered with fresh fish, bread, wine and figs. He settled down on one of the reed mats and beckoned the fox over to him. "Are you coming? It's not good to look for magic medallions on an empty stomach." Shaking his head, the fennec joined him. "You're taking this whole thing very casually," he said, biting heartily into a piece of warm bread. Kheru took a sip of the wine before replying. "Ever since I was little, I've been taught to approach every problem as if it were an easy one to solve." "Does that work?" The fox asked between bites. He shrugged. "Most of the time, yes. But it can be very exhausting. You can rarely show how you really feel."

Bakari swallowed the bite. "Sounds tiring. We're taught to let our feelings guide us without letting them take control."" He reached for his cup, but paused. „"For example, the Ruhak situation. I'm angry with him, and sad, too. At the same time, I'm afraid to confront him. First because I'm afraid our suspicions will come true, and second because I have no idea how to explain that we heard him."

„"I can meet with him alone if you like,"" Kheru offered. "No one needs to know you were with me. And if we were right, I still don't think he would attack me just like that." Bakari shook his head, and his ears swung from side to side. "Just because I'm scared, I can't let it stand in my way. I need to talk to my brother. Not just because I want to stand by myself. I want to stand by us, too." Kheru choked on the wine. "To us?" The fennec's ears sank. "That's not a problem, is it? Was I too hasty?" The Prince of Dragons waved it off and shook his head vigorously. "No, no, no, absolutely not. It just came as a surprise. I wasn't sure if you felt the same way I did." The fox's ears shot up again. "Of course I do, you giant lizard. I feel safe with you, and I really like you a lot." Kheru felt the blood rush to his face. Bakari shook his head with a giggle, leaned forward and kissed him. His eyes glittered like gold as they broke away from each other.

They found Ruhak in the garden, training together with Nubia. The silver of their blades flashed in the sunlight. Better said, it was barely possible to make out Nubia's sword. It cut through the air so quickly that it almost seemed as if the blade was made of pure light. Her focused gaze was on Ruhak, who was deflecting her blows one by one. Light-footedly she pranced around him, spun around herself, dodged him and then leapt forward like a cobra. He returned this with the precision of a hawk, not allowing any of her blows to penetrate through to him. Impressed, Kheru watched the spectacle. "Your sister can fight well." Proudly, Bakari expanded his chest. "No one in the entire kingdom can match her, except Ruhak, perhaps. You are fortunate that she was not willing to go into battle against you." The Prince Of Dragons murmured his agreement.

A few seconds later, the fight was over. The two foxes stood offset from one another, their blades each at the other's throat. Nubia let off first and put her sword away. The two princes approached her. "You can fight well, Princess Nubia. I am glad not to have met you on the battlefield," Kheru paid his respects. The vixen brushed a strand of hair from her face and grinned smugly. "It's all a matter of practice, my prince. The most important thing is balance, inward and outward. That is why I had refused to take part in the senseless bloodshed you called war." Embarrassed, Kheru looked to the side. Bakari took up the word. "We would like to speak with Ruhak, sister. May we steal him away for a moment?" "Please, I'd love to. I could use a break," the sand-colored fox replied with his usual confident smile.

Bakari's brother followed them until they were out of earshot. Kheru looked around to make sure no one overheard them, then began to speak. "We heard you last night, Ruhak. What game are you playing?" The fox tilted his head. "We?" He looked his brother up and down. "That's what I thought. I was sure the sound yesterday couldn't have been an animal out in the desert." Bakari drew his lips together into a line. "Don't deflect now, brother. I'd like to know who the men were who broke into the room yesterday and what Amris and you had to do with them." "More to the point, why you want me dead so badly," Kheru followed up.

Ruhak's mine hardened. He leaned forward and spoke quietly. "Amris came to me a few moons ago and spoke of visions. An eclipse that would haunt the palace. When you arrived at our home, I thought it was you who would bring the darkness." Bakari folded his arms in front of him. "Then why did you give me the dagger?" His brother scratched behind his ear. "How shall I put it...you look harmless, brother." Kheru drew his brow muscles upward. "If I was your target, why did your assassins search both our chambers?" Ruhak blinked, then shook his head. "The men were not assassins. They were mercenaries, and I hired them when Amris spoke of the darkness condensing in his dreams shortly after your arrival. But he harbored doubts that you were the cause, and by now I feel the same way." He took another step closer to her. "That means the danger is coming from something, or someone, else in this palace. I'm afraid we should continue this conversation elsewhere. There is a tavern in the city, hidden on the banks of the Nile. Come there tonight. When you are asked what relieves the suffering of the eye, answer 'the light of the moon'.

Sighing, Bakari plopped down on the round bed. After their conversation, they immediately went back to the Dragon Prince's chamber, one of the few places where you could still be sure that no one was listening. "What do you think of all this?" He asked Kheru, his eyes fixed on the patterns on the ceiling. "I don't know," the dragon replied. Somehow, it seems like he had an answer for everything. Almost as if he expected the questions." With a whimper, the fox agreed. "I would like to believe that my brother's words are true. But he is keeping something hidden." Kheru sat down beside him. "I see it the same way. After tonight, we will know more."

The tavern, if it could even be called that, was little more than a hole in the wall. Hidden between two buildings, only a mural, washed out by sand and Nile water, indicated where it was at all. The passage was barely wide enough for Kheru. He had to squeeze through sideways, getting caught on the uneven bricks of the wall several times. When he finally made it through, he breathed a sigh of relief. In the wall in front of them, a wooden door hung askew on its hinges. His hand clasped the hilt of his dagger. He didn't want to bring a sword; after all, there was no reason for it except for their shared gut feelings and a cryptic dream. Still, he was more comfortable with the thought of being able to defend himself in an emergency. He knocked three times, and the hatch on the door was pushed aside. "Are you here to ease the suffering of your eyes?" mumbled the deep voice behind the wood. "If so, I'm sure you can tell me what it takes." "The light of the moon, dear friend," Kheru replied, trying to sound confident. Without another word, the flap was harshly pushed shut. A few seconds later, the sound of a latch being unhinged rang out, and the door swung open.

Carefully, the two princes entered, passing the fox who had opened the door. A large scar stretched from his right shoulder down to his stomach. With a nod of his head, he motioned for them to sit down. Behind the counters burned a single large candle. Its light was barely enough to fill the room. Apart from them, there were three others. From their clothing and hostile looks, Kheru assumed that they were black marketeers or thieves or worse. They took a seat at the counter and the one with the scar set out glasses for them. Bakari smelled the liquid and flinched, much to his amusement. "You're going to meet a friend, aren't you? I'll let him know you're here." With that, he disappeared through a curtain that looked more like a repurposed horse blanket. A low growl rose from Bakari's throat. "Kheru, we should go. Right now." He leaned over to him. "Maybe I'm wrong, but when that guy just leaned forward, I caught a whiff of citrus in his fur."

Kheru just nodded and stood up. But it was already too late. The three foxes who had been sitting at the tables had gotten up and were coming their way toward her. In their paws they held rusty knives and other blades. One of them carried a sword. It was dented and full of nicks, but it would certainly still do its job well. Kheru bumped his back against the counter. A growl sounded beside him, and with a leap Bakari was on the other side. His hand clutched the scarred man's arm and his claws dug through the fabric. With a yelp, he dropped the knife that had stopped just inches above Kheru's back. Without hesitation, the dragon turned around and punched him in the gut. The fox collapsed with a gasp and two more who had followed him from the back room pulled him away.

With a swipe of his muscular tail, Kheru made the other three back off. It gave them just enough time to position themselves, Bakari behind, he in front of the counter. Behind him, something cracked as one of the two attackers flew into the shelf. The air shimmered around Bakari's paws. His attention turned to the three opponents in front of him. They drew nearer in a semicircle. His claws closed tighter around the hilt of his dagger. The place of assault was extremely cleverly chosen. He could hardly move in here, and the narrow alley made escape impossible.

The first attack came from the left. He ducked to the side, and the knife sliced the air a blink away from his chest. Kheru struck with the hilt of his blade, hitting his opponent in the forearm. Without giving him time, he reached out and pressed against his shoulder with the other hand. A cry of pain accompanied the fox's fall to the ground. His fellow attacker jumped over him carelessly and, like mad, slashed at Kheru. His eyes were bloodshot and foam dripped from his mouth. His dagger twitched through the air like an adder. There was neither rhythm nor plan behind his attacks. He barely managed to keep up. Hot pain shot up his arm as the blade of the knife grazed him. Kheru saw his chance and aimed at the unprotected side of his opponent. The fox let himself fall sideways and his dagger hit nothing. He barely managed to dodge before the fox's jaws snapped shut where his hand had been. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Bakari leap over the counter. He almost seemed to fly and knocked the third attacker off his feet.

He had had enough. With his intact arm he grabbed a chair and swung it with a roar in the direction of his opponent. The surprised fox had just enough time to raise his hands, but he could not withstand the attack. Immediately Kheru followed up with a kick, then a blow to the temple. Unconscious, his opponent collapsed. His pulse pounded in his ears. He ran past Bakari to the outside, grabbing the sword from the fox's hand his partner pinned to the ground as he ran. Kheru stopped abruptly. There were no other enemies to be seen. Certainly this couldn't be. Did Ruhak seriously expect a few mercenaries, only one of whom posed any threat, to be enough to stop them? No, something was very wrong here. His eyes grew wide. Of course. He tried to warn Bakari, but a heavy punch to the stomach robbed him of his breath.

Bakari interlaced his fingers and let both fists crash down on his opponent's face. The mercenary's grip went slack. He stood up. Kheru was already outside. An acrid smell rose to his nose, hot and metallic. His heart leaped. "Kheru!" As if in slow motion, the dragon toppled backward. In its stomach stuck a long arrow. The prince of foxes screamed. "Kheru!" Without thinking, he shot forward, grabbed him under the arms, and dragged him back inside. Hectically, he looked from left to right, then pulled the unconscious body behind the counter and through the curtain. The back room was more like a converted stable. There was straw everywhere, a bottle of cheap alcohol and a second candle on a small table. Somehow he managed to move the huge dragon over to the hay. Below him, it turned dark at an alarming rate.

His vision blurred. Outside, a window shattered. Faintly, he sensed a pulse at his neck. Bakari felt as if liquid metal was flowing through his veins. More and more the feeling rose inside him until it seemed to fill every tip of his hair. He heard a scream. Where it came from he didn't know, the sound seemed to replace the air itself. His throat burned like fire. A group of perhaps a dozen foxes backed away in surprise as a blast of light swept through the tavern like a whirlwind, sealing doors and windows with silvery fire.

As if someone had extinguished the sounds, silence fell. Bakari heard only his own heart and, so he hoped, Kherus. The arrow rested beside the scaled body. His claw cut his shirt, and he wrapped it around the wound. Under his paw, he felt warm blood spreading further and further. He pressed harder, hoping to slow it down at least a little. Kheru groaned. Fire flowed down into his fingers, and his hands were aglow. The dragon screamed and arched his back. Then it was silent. The fire in his veins disappeared. Faintly, he heard the dragon prince's breath.

Bakari was overcome by a tiredness he had never felt before. It felt as if every muscle were made of stone. Exhausted, he dropped onto the hay beside the wounded dragon. The Prince of Foxes barely had enough strength to raise his hand to his stomach once more. The last thing he felt was relief. For some reason, the bleeding had stopped. Knowing this, blackness washed over him faster than the tide of the Nile.

Faint light shimmered through the barrier as he woke up. Swirls formed here and there, as if stones were being thrown into a wall of water. He felt a movement beside him and his heart leapt when he saw that Kheru had opened his eyes. " How do you feel?" Whispered the fox. The prince of dragons tried a smile. "Like shit. But I'm alive, and I owe that to you." Bakari sat up. "Can you move? So I can bandage your wound properly." Kheru nodded and grimaced as he sat up. "This is going to hurt a little," the fox warned him, pressing a damp piece of cloth to his stomach. The dragon drew in a sharp breath. His claws dug into the straw beneath him and he gritted his teeth. From somewhere Bakari pulled a surprisingly clean-looking sheet, which he tore into strips and wrapped around his belly. Kheru raised both arms, which made it easier for him. Where the wound was, he felt it pulsating under the bandage.

He tried to stand up, but the response was pain and dizziness that made him plop on his butt ungracefully. "Stay put," the fox prince scolded him. "I was able to stop the bleeding, but I couldn't heal it. It's almost a miracle that you're still alive at all." He turned to the wall of silver mist. "You can't walk in your condition. I will return to the palace and get help." Kheru grabbed him by the wrist. "No. They're still out there. These men are not ordinary mercenaries. I heard stories about them when I was young. Supposedly there's a secret order of contract killers who drink poisons to increase their strength, at the expense of their health." His hand wandered to his bandage. "One of the foxes was so strong, it felt like I was wrestling a dragon." Bakari released his arm from his grip. "I can put up amveil, just like I did before. They won't notice me."

"What if they do? There's no guarantee they won't use magic, or that the spell will fail." Kheru's voice grew quiet. "Please. Stay here. I don't want to sit in this room alone, waiting to die, not knowing if you're okay." Bakari knelt down beside him and put his paw against his cheek. "Then I will stay here with you. I will not leave you alone." Kheru quickly turned his head away, but he still saw his eyes moisten. Wordlessly he embraced him and together they lowered themselves onto the straw. Bakari stripped off his torn shirt, and pressed himself against him. They lay close together, so close that they could feel each other's breath on their noses. His paw stroked the side of his face, down to his neck and over his muscular shoulders. The smell of salt and myrrh and cinnamon filled the air. Their legs intertwined, and he felt Kheru's member press against his through the thin fabric.

Bakari's hand travelled down and undid the knot of his pants. His paw slid inside and Kheru closed his eyes. Slowly he let his fingers wander up and down. The fabric brushed the back of his hand. He felt every little movement, every twitch between them. Kheru put his head forward and kissed him. The fox opened his mouth. A sigh escaped him as the tickling tip of his tongue passed over his lower lip. Despite its size, the dragon's tongue was incredibly soft. His breath brushed along his cheek fur. He felt a huge hand gently rest on the back of his head and pressed his lips even tighter against his. Their bodies moved in unison, and for a moment it was just the two of them and the warmth between. Kheru followed him a little as he broke away. Tracing the path of his hand, Bakari kissed his neck and shoulders and chest. Kheru made a sound, a low throaty growl, almost like a cat's purr. Careful not to touch the wound, he moved down his body.

He could feel his heat through the fabric of the pants. Slowly he grabbed the waistband with his teeth and pulled it down. The smooth black dragon dick was revealed, lying long and heavy on Kheru's belly. Bakari placed his hands on his scaled thighs and positioned his head right between his legs. This time he took more longer than before, running his tongue down the inside of his legs to the base of his cock and back down again, kissing the soft skin just above it, turning only to its tip at first. With one hand, he unfastened the clasp of his own pants and slipped them off, exposing his erection, which was already peeking out of the shaft up to the knot. He made a triangle around Kheru's length with his hands and ran his tongue up it until the tip was at his chin. Bakari looked up and found himself in a brief, intense eye contact. Without breaking it, he opened his muzzle and took Kheru's member into his mouth. The dragon put his head back, and the purring grew louder. He exhaled slowly and pushed his head further down until the tip of his nose touched the scaled belly. He held there as long as he could, then slowly pulled back. Bakari felt dizzy in the best way possible. The world around him had shrunk; it was just him and Kheru. For a while he repeated his movements, up and along the side and all the way down.

When he noticed the dragon trying to sit up, he gently pushed him back onto the hay. "Don't move," the fox whispered, "I'll take care of you." On all fours, he pulled himself forward, careful not to touch the bandages. He stretched his tail in the air, slid his knees back a little, and brought his butt in line with the dragon's hard erection. With one hand, he guided it to his entrance and pushed back. He sucked in a breath as he slid inside him. Slowly the fennec straightened up as the dragon's penis continued to penetrate him. Kheru's claws dug into the hay beneath them as Bakari began to move up and down. He felt as if he was experiencing every fiber of his body, from the weight on his lap to the warmth enveloping his member to the dull throbbing in his belly to the tail tickling his legs. Not only that, but he was fully aware of his senses too. He felt him with his whole body. Heard his breathing quicken and the soft whimper with each exhale. Saw how his golden eyes seemed to glow in the dim light. Smelled the sweet scent of his fur and the warm air around them. Still tasted the kiss.

Bakari sped up and Kheru closed his eyes. Nothing existed anymore except him and the Prince of Foxes. Every time the fennec's hips met his, the sensation spread through his whole body. He was no longer in pain. The fur felt incredibly soft as he placed his hand on his thighs. Bakari remained seated on him, moving only his lower body in slow circular arcs. Kheru felt the feeling withdraw from, refocusing on where it had come from. His abdomen tensed and Bakari sighed a squeak as the dragons cock pulsed inside him. The fox's legs cramped and he could feel him trembling under his claws. Kheru felt him come as well, all the way up to his chest. They remained that way afterwards. The fennec leaned forward and gave him a long kiss, and slowly slid off him. A deep weariness enveloped them. He put his arm around the fox and he snuggled up to him. "I never want to spend another day without you," the dragon whispered. Bakari's smile shone as warmly as the sun itself. "Neither do I," he heard, then exhaustion won.

A voice brought him back from the brink of unconsciousness. Bakari tapped against his shoulder, signified him to be silent, and pointed to the veil of mist. Muffled, a woman's voice was heard calling out. "Who is that?" Kheru whispered tonelessly. The fox shrugged and leaned towards him. " Almost sounds like Nubia," he whispered back. Quickly, he slipped into his clothes and helped Kheru do the same. A wave of his hand, and the barrier lost its density. Relieved, Bakari exhaled and let it fall. In the center of the tavern stood his sister, her hair braided tightly together and a sword in her left hand. She called his name, and he answered. Relieved, she came over to them. "Thank the Heavens, there you are," she shouted. "Please, please don't ever do anything so foolish again. We were worried sick." Her eyes fell on Kheru. "By the gods, this looks bad. We need to get you back to the palace now." She turned and called back over her shoulder, "Ruhak! I found them, but Prince Kheru needs help."

The two princes did not believe their ears or their eyes. Ruhak came to them in quick stride, and knelt down beside Kheru. "Thank the gods, you are all right. Fortunately, I was right in my guess. Why didn't you let the city guard handle this?" Bakari clenched his hand. "Nubia," he growled. "It was him who lured us here." Ruhak lowered his ears and turned to his sister. "I am so incredibly sorry. We had talked about Amris' visions and I had told them about this place. I should have known they would take action themselves." "He's lying!" Bakari barked. "He organized this ambush. It was he who gave me the knife. He wants Kheru and me dead!" Ruhak tilted his head. "What knife?" He grabbed his brother by the shoulder. "You have been locked up here for almost two days. Without water and besieged by danger. Prince Kheru is injured, and we know he is very important to you. I beg you brother, calm down. We can discuss everything when we get back to the palace, but for now we have to get you out of here. Can you walk?"

Kheru only nodded. He would have liked to jump at his throat, but he lacked the strength and that would inevitably lead to a confrontation with Nubia. So he let himself be helped up and remained still. The two princes supported his arms while their sister walked ahead. A self-satisfied smile spread across Ruhak's face. "What luck that we found you in time," he said just loud enough for the two to hear. "I would certainly have been in need of explanation had I not been looking for you as the concerned brother I am." "You are deceitful and cowardly," Bakari growled back. His brother laughed. "That may be. But Nubia trusts me. You are welcome to try to tell her the truth. But first ask yourselves who is more likely to be believed. The king's advisor and the prince who will ascend the throne? Or a lizard and his concubine." Bakari bared his teeth. "Ascend the throne? Is that what you're about?" His brother's silence was answer enough. Nubia turned to face them. "Is everything alright?" Ruhak nodded and put on a worried expression. "Prince Kheru can only walk at a slow pace." He patted the bandage. "His wound is quite deep." The prince of dragons would have loved to grab his arm and bite it.

He barely noticed as they arrived at the palace. Every step up the stairs had been like stepping through the underworld. Somehow he got to his room and when he woke up again the bandage around his stomach had been renewed and Bakari was sitting by his side. He could see that he had been crying, but now all that was left of it was the ashes of anger. "You could have died," he growled. "I won't let something like that happen again. We have to stop my brother."

Kheru managed to nod. "Right now, things look bad for us. But we know something he doesn't."

"The chamber beneath the palace," the fox finished his thought.