"Your highness!" a bright male voice called out. "The envoy from China will be here soon. We must get you ready."

  The young man raced across the smooth reflective stone floor and to the large hand-carved bed. He reached up and gently pulled down the covers, but there was nothing but bunched up sheets and pillows underneath. The boy looked around in confusion. He replaced the heavy woven cover and then pulled it back again like a magician hoping his master would be where he was supposed to be. He let out a pained squeak, nervous that he would be in trouble once again for losing his master. The Prince had a habit of leaving in the night doing who knows what in the city surrounding the palace.

  "What's the matter Thane?" a smooth toned male voice spoke "Did you lose something?"

  Thane turned around, feeling very thankful for the voice he just heard. The Prince was standing behind him in his plain white linen kilt, already bathed and smelling of cedar and vanilla. His whole upper body was bare allowing his dark tan skin to show off the black tattoo's on his chest and forearms. The bright turquoise gemstone which was embedded in his sternum (A trademark of his line, having been born with their families stone in his chest) glistened in the early morning sunlight as it streamed into the room. His exquisite physique, strong jaw, and striking eyes caused him to be the center of all attention when he entered a room. Stunning was not a word strong enough to describe the Jackal Prince. 

  "Your highness I am going to lose my job if you keep doing it for me. I am supposed to wake you, lay out your clothes for you, draw your bath, comb your hair, and help dress you."

  "I'm sorry" the taller man said, striding across the floor. "I'm sleeping less and less these days and I was already up so I decided to get ready. I do know how to dress myself and bathe myself Thane" he said ruffling the younger boys dark hair.

  "Yes but being royal means that you don't HAVE too. That's why you have servants. I mean look at your hair. You tied it all wrong."

  Thane moved to his master and untied the long jet black strands from the loose ponytail. His nimble fingers then created quick braids with the sides of the Princes hair and pulled all of his hair back into a tight ponytail which he tied with two golden bands from his wrists. The Prince smiled absentmindedly at Thane's passion for caring for his master.

  "Now why are you not sleeping? Is it still that dream?" Thane asked as he finished his work.

  "I don't understand why it hasn't changed" the Prince said. "I wake up every time feeling like something is coming: Something terrifying."

  "You are the Jackal Prince. Your kingdom is the largest in all of Egypt. What could possible make you so afraid? You still haven't told me what happens in this dream."

  "I told you" the Prince said scoldingly.

  "You told me that you were walking through the alabaster garden outside when a great fiery bird attacked you and pierced you through the heart with its beak. Is that all that happens in the dream?"

  "It speaks my name. It speaks my name as the city around us....burns to the ground. I can see mother in the background crying out my name as she too burns in the flames."

  "Oh" Thane said, lowering his head. "That's...terrible. I am so sorry my Prince."

  The Prince turned around and lifted the young mans chin, smiling brightly at him.

  "If it truly is a vision like Basti warned me, then we must keep our eyes open for who this firebird might be."

  "Okay" the boy said with a determined nod. "Right now however we need to focus on getting you ready. Your mother with be very angry with both of us if you walk into the throne room again with only your kilt and sandals on. Come have a seat please so I can finish adorning you."

  "Very well" the Prince said kindly.

  The Jackal Prince sat on the solid gold chair nearby as Thane went to work retrieving gold bracelets etched with intricate markings and designs, from the table nearby. As Thane continued his work, the Prince looked out across the city he so loved. The long thin white curtains between the pillars that stood at the open end of his room, leading to the small balcony, were tossing gently in the morning breeze. He remembered seeing those same curtains aflame within his dream as he looked up to his room from the garden. He had kept the truth of who he saw standing on his balcony, crying out his name, from Thane so far. Seeing the beautiful young man with dark hair and bright green eyes choking in the heavy smoke around him, reaching out begging the prince to save him, was too much. Seeing Thane dying like that was more than the Prince could handle. Whoever this Firebird was, the Prince had to be on his guard to prevent the catastrophe from coming true. But...why was there a small part of him that felt glad when the beast pierced him in the heart? Why did it feel…welcomed?

   The Jackal Prince walked down the main hall of the palace from his room. Behind him was his usual procession of attendants lead by Thane. The four attendants in the back of the group; that walked in perfect pace with each other, were the Prince’s armored guards. The three other servants who wore simple white tunics and kilts, stayed tightly pressed between the guards and Thane.  

   As their group passed the statue of Anubis that stood at the far end of the hallway, the Prince stopped and turned to it. His attendants all presented their hands with palms upward, bowing in honor of the kingdoms patron god. The Prince matched eyes with the jackal headed statue and the two large turquoise gems that served as its pupils. He drew strength from Anubis and at last bowed his head in honor. When he lifted his vision once again to the statue, the eyes seemed to glow for a moment, before cooling once again. The Prince stood frozen in place. His every muscle tensed and rippled. Thane noticed the change in his masters body and raised his eyes to read the Prince’s expression. 

   “Your Highness? Is something amiss?” Thane asked.

   “Nothing” the Prince replied, trying to relax his body and mind once again. “Let’s hurry before the envoy arrives.”

   “Yes, your Highness” Thane said with a bow, signaling the rest of the servants to follow.