The pharaoh’s palace loomed ahead, like the executioners axe. The sun beat down mercilessly upon the unfortunate inhabitants below, sand shifted underfoot as a huge gray stallion strutted forward his master ridding tall, a snake like whip in his hands, like a the desert side-winder it struck fast, but unlike a snake it need not be coiled before the lunge.

“Walk faster boy! Or would you have the Pharaoh detained?” the Egyptian upon the horse demanded and like lightening the whip cracked, resounding through the silent and deserted land, hot winds blew tugging at his clothes, it uncoiled again and slashed against pale skin, the boy raised his arm, his sole defense, and when the whip retreated it left a trail of crimson red along his skin.

The man chuckled evilly. The boy, though tired, would not submit to his dominance and cower –like so many others who had been begging him on hands and knees by now.

The boy raised his head defiantly meeting the Egyptians cold eyes, and once again he was struck –unwillingly- by the boys exotic beauty. He was slim and slight of stature with black spiked hair tipped with ruby, streaks of blond lightening, and golden bangs framed his striking face, but he was by no means feminine in appearance. His face was youthful but not naïve, with high cheekbones and high arching eyebrows that screamed superiority, and his eyes; they were a deep crimson red. Though he played the part of a slave, he looked the part of a prince.

The Egyptian narrowed his eyes at the boy, he was only a slave and yet his every look exclaimed defiance. Oh well. Even the most seemingly untamable animal could be gentled, or broken.

Which ever came first.

The whip cracked again and agony lanced through the boys body. But he did not cry out. His dignity was all that he had left…he would not submit.

And it cost him much.

The Pharaoh sat upon his throne of gold the intricate carvings glinting in the faint light streaming in from outside. He spoke idly with the passing priests and awaited the slave master Daemon’s return. The Son of Horus himself was short in stature but where he lacked size he made up for in strength and spirit. He had wide innocent violet like eyes with spiked black hair tipped with cherry, and blond bangs.

The Pharaoh sat up straight once hearing the fast approaching steps of his High Priest Seto, his priest bowed formally “You’re Highness” he said and took his place on his right hand side, “High Priest” the Pharaoh replied just as formally.

The Pharaoh looked over at his cousin –The High Priest- and a wide grin split across his face.

“What?” the High Priest demanded irately in a hushed whisper “Don’t look so solemn! It is not Judgment Day!” the shorter of the two said chidingly, the High Priest grumbled under his breath, “What in Ra’s name are we doing here anyways?” he snapped with an impotent glare, “Awaiting Daemon. He’s boasted that he has something new, and…exotic this time, from the far of shores” the Pharaoh said calmly, his voice flat, “He was supposed to bring a new slave eh?” the High Priest growled, glaring about at the audience awaiting this slave masters return hoping to get a look at the purchase no doubt, “Sometimes these people disturb me” the High Priest muttered, “To be sure” the Pharaoh said neutrally, “We have enough slaves already I don’t see the point” the High Priest added, “I agree, but…it seems some are, uh, unhappy, with the, um, current, slaves and want new blood so to speak. I couldn’t outright refuse without looking odd and gaining disfavor” the Pharaoh commented with a shrug, his High Priest nodded in silent accord.

Then with a thunderous crash the palace doors where thrown open and in trudged the Egyptian slave master, Daemon, and the palace fell into a hushed silence. Everyone peered closely at the dirt-smudged young man walking behind the slave master. And they winced sympathetically when he was forcefully shoved to his knees, but none did a thing to help.

He went to his knees gracefully but none could miss the raging fire within his crimson eyes. And though he was on his knees, and though, he was but a slave. They feared him, and his gaze openly challenged them, but none said a word. For some unknown reason, none dared.

“What is you name?” the Pharaoh asked not unkindly, but to his and everyone else’s shock his question was met with deafening silence.

“What? Is he mute?” the High Priest snarled, stepping forward but was halted when the Pharaoh waved a hand at him directing him to stay silent, and so he did, begrudgingly.

“No!” the slave master exclaimed and the whip cracked again, twice, thrice and then fell silent, they stood in shock, not a sound had the slave uttered, no cry no plead. Absolute silence was there only reward.

“Answer the Pharaoh’s question you ungrateful…slave” the Egyptian spat portentously.

The High Priest saw the crimson eyes harden a cold fire ignited within ruby depths, and knew something was about to happen. But before a word could be spoken the boy was in action. He was a blur of motion as he successfully snatched the slave master own gleaming dagger from his kilt and pressed it against his stomach.

“Stop!” the Pharaoh exclaimed, causing the boy to glance his way, effectively distracting him, before another word was spoken Daemon slammed his fist into the boys head, he rolled with the impact and stood up blood dripping from the gash on his jaw and his back in agony from the previous whips that went unseen because of the mantle he wore over his back.

Daemon advanced on the boy, now unarmed, who stood tall and fierce, even when about to be beaten yet again, and that’s when a mercy happened.

“Stop! Leave him be” the High Priest said stepping forward, the Pharaoh watched in astonishment, he’d never thought he’d see the day. He smiled slightly, but quickly buried it.

The slave master turned to the priest his cold eyes frigidly resting upon the slave boy. But he did as he was told, “Yes, oh High Priest” he replied and backed away.

“What is your name boy, I’ll ask but once, so answer!” the High Priest snapped, “…Yami. My name is Yami” the boy said after a measure of silence, he assessed the young man before him, he was tall with auburn hair and icy blue eyes that chilled the soul.

The High Priest eyed the boy speculatively, he was wild and unpredictable with a fiery spirit but he held a certain dignity about him that he’d never before seen on a slave, and oddly, he found it suited him.

“Yami. Welcome to the palace,” the Pharaoh said kindly, Yami tried to smile, but found he didn’t have the heart so merely inclined his head politely. The High Priest watched him carefully as he was escorted out of the throne room and shown to his quarters.

High Priest Seto accompanied his cousin Pharaoh Yugi to his chambers, but unfortunately for him the little Pharaoh was in a nosy mood, “He’s sure is something isn’t he? He’s liable to keep you on your toes cousin” Yugi said with a cheeky grin, “Yes, and he’s liable to cause a lot of trouble. But I can’t help thinking…” Seto stopped himself and continued thinking, “What?” Yugi asked impatiently, “There’s something about him, that is…unusual. Nothing to worry over I’m sure,” Seto said “Who said you should worry?” Yugi countered and with a mocking bow retreated from the hallway and to his own private chamber, leaving Seto standing in the hallway his mouth agape. A very unusual sight to be sure.