In the ancient Egypt, one can find almost anything one desires. Spices, treasures and even the most delicious looking people to grace ones home. On this day, a handsome prince would find a slave so appealing; one could not help wanting him.
The day began as any would. With the sun rising and the light shining off the glistening sand of the desert. A caravan moved along the horizon, a single cage behind them. Hours before, the person within was roaring his rage and displeasure. Now he lay exhausted from the blazing sun and lack of water.
"Give him some water before he dies on us." One of the slave traders ordered from on top of his camel. "We can't afford for one such as him to die before we get a profit for all our troubles." They had already lost three men just trying to restrain the man. Even as tired as the man was, none of his captors dared to try and give him anything, for fear they'd fall like their comrades.
"He has survived this long, has he not?" Another said, glaring at the man in the cage. "I say we give him nothing. He is not normal and deserves no mercy from us." A snarl sounded, making all who remained turn to the man in the cage. Every limb and major body part was restrained in some kind of chain or bond. Under the man's sand matted hair, golden eyes glared at everyone and no one. Who knew who the man was really mad at? Them for buying him or the one who sold him to begin with.
Their leader, the brazen man he was, stopped the caravan and leapt off his Camel. He strode over to the cage and kicked it, not even rattling the man, though his glare turned to his current owner. This man was already mad about their previous encounter. The chained man tried to tear him to shreds before someone put him down with a blow to the head.
"I know you hate us. I hate you as well." He sneered. "But be glad for one thing. That our association with one another will end soon. For I plan to sell you to the worst master I can find and drain every piece of gold I can from your mongrel self. So be good and accept the fact that you are no longer a free man. Or die. Either way, I will be rid of you soon."
All that came out in response was a savage growl. After hours without water or refuge from the elements, the man's body was drained of fluids. The fact he could even growl made the leader smile. What fun it will be to see him sold off and out of my hair. He thought, turning away. Maybe I should give him to a Master so harsh and cruel, the fire in those eyes will dwindle into nothing but ash.
The caravan continued, deciding to withhold the water until the man stopped glaring at them and begged them for water.
He never did.
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Prince Manu wandered through the palace with his head held high even though he felt anything but confident. He did not want to be here but it was too important to leave to a servant. Eyes drifted over him like slimy hands. He knew what they saw. The features of a foreigner. His hair was only slightly lighter than everyone else's stark black hair. His hair was straight where other had curly and his eyes.... He tried his best to keep them staring ahead despite everyone being was so unnerved by them. Eyes so pale, one would think he was dead.
"M-my prince?" Someone called from behind him. Manu turned to the voice to see a servant in next to nothing kneeling behind him. The next to nothing wouldn't be too strange, seeing as they lived in such a humid place, but this man wore less than a slave would. And he was not a slave.
"I am busy. Why do you bother me? " He demanded in a strong voice, even though all he wanted to do was run from the fearful stares he received from the servants. He hated to be so harsh but as the next in line to be Pharaoh, it was necessary. "Do you wish to incur my anger? Speak!"
The servant cowered even lower, truly scared by Manu's act. He was getting good at this. Whether that was a good or bad thing, he decided not to ponder.
"My deepest and most heartfelt apologies, Prince Manu!" He told the floor. "I have no desire to disrupt you but I was concerned that you may be lost." Everyone gasped. No one who wanted to live would accuse the prince of anything, even something as minute as being lost. To do such a thing would usually be responded with a thousand lashes or worse. But Manu surprised everyone by just crossing his arms across his chest and staring at the groveling man with nothing more than curiosity.
"Explain." He said, watching the man flinch with pity in his eyes. Slowly, the man raised his eyes in surprise.
"Pardon?" He stuttered, surprised that he was not being dragged out by his arms to the courtyard to be whipped. Rumors stated that Manu was harsh. Was it wrong?
"I am asking you what makes you think I am lost." He stated. "If you're answer is not satisfactory, you will be punished for your disrespectful words!" The man cowered once again.
"Yes, my Prince!" He answered, shivering despite the heat. "I only ask because you are in Prince Badru's private wing and I thought that you might not be aware that his majesty had moved his entertainment room elsewhere." Silence flowed that rushed rant. The servant was too scared to look up.
"So," Manu finally spoke after a long silence. "what you're saying is that I was going in the wrong direction? That my brother decided to move once again?" The servant nodded and heard the prince sigh. "I see."
Manu shook his head, disgusted with his brother. With what went on in those 'entertainment' rooms, migrating so much was unhygienic. What was he going to use the former room for anyway? A dining room?
"Fine!" He said, shocking the servant who was now staring at the prince in confusion. The man before him was different than what he expected. "Take me to my brother. Now!" He ordered, genuinely annoyed.
