• The sun poured down on the Red River’s shore and across the Egyptian land. The rainy season had come and gone and sounds of the land coming to life were breathtaking. In the village of Fountain Spring named because of the Fountain in the center of town that all the villagers got their water. The Red River was the center of all life here, supplying the village with the water it needed during the dry season. Today was the first day after the rainy season and the villagers were busy at their work. Shops were opened and merchants were selling, children were running about the streets chasing dogs. Young boys herded goats, sheep, and cattle to grazing grounds with their fathers. Young girls carried water from the well and helped their mother keep the house. Even at the pharaoh’s palace things were the same. The palace sat on a mountain north of the village. The pharaoh was Kant the second, his wife Elisabeth. They had only one child, a son named Kamoto. Kamoto was 17 years old, he was tall and lean. His hair was light brown as were his eyes. Today the servants ran about getting chores done and seeing that everything was in order. Kamoto sat in his room and looked out his window, a sad look upon his face. Yesterday his own personal servant Haji had been bitten by a cobra and had passed during the night. Haji was a present to him on his 5 birthday and as the years had gone by he concerned Haji little more than a servant. Lost in his thoughts he was startled when servant entered the room. “Young Prince your father wishes you ride with him.”

    “Tell my father I will join him momentary.”

    The servant bowed and left, Kamoto cleaned himself up, the gods forbid he didn’t look decent in front of his father.


    “Kamoto! My boy I was being to think you weren’t coming.” Kamoto gave a low bow showing his respect for his father. “Sorry father I didn’t mean to make you wait long.” His fathers smiled, “Well, forget it. Come get on your horse boy! We ride!”

    Kamoto mounted his horse, a black stallion with a with mark on his forehead. They rode through the garden, and down to the gates of the palace. “Father, where are we going?” asked Kamoto

    “To the river and than to south side stable. They do work on it and I want to make sure it’s done right.” They raced along the river’s shore, Kamoto won. My, my boy you are excellent rider! You have been practicing have you not?” Yes father. I have been practicing

    Have you been doing your studies? A good pharaoh must also have good mind and be wise it everything.”

    Yes father I’m studying well.”

    That’s my boy. You will be an excellent pharaoh some day.” As they approached the south side stable the slowed their horses down to a walk.

    Kamoto, I’m going to see the overseer and make sure everything is in order. You done as you wish.”

    Kamoto nodded and separated from his father. The sounds of hammers and nails filled the air. Slaves worked to expand the stable, nailing wood and molding bricks. As Kamoto rode an overseer spotted and came at once to his side. “Young prince. What brings you here today?”

    “Just observing the work of the slaves. How goes the work on the stable?”

    “Rough young prince. We have just got in some new slaves. They make many mistakes so far, but they will learn quickly soon.”

    Kamoto dismounted his horse and walk along the construction site.” Tell me how old are most of these slaves?”

    “They rang from 12 too 14 prince. Do you wish to see them?”

    Yes. I want to see who’s working on my horse’s future home.”

    Right this way.

    The slaves were hard at work. Many were mixing sawdust with water and salt and other were sawing wood and gathering water. In a small ditch a 6 slaves were mixing sand, water, straw, and dirt to make weak cement. As they walked on by a young boy crossed their path, the overseer was enraged. “Hey! Boy, how dare you cross the prince’s path! On your knees now and beg for forgiveness!

    The boy was quick to obey, “Please young prince forgive me for crossing your path, but I told to hurry and fetch more water.”

    The prince just stared for a few minutes. The boy was pale skinned, his hair was light blonde and his eyes were light gold almost.

    “Rise up you are forgiven.”

    The boy rose, gave little bow and ran about his way.

    Prince watched him go “I’m sorry prince we teach them better than that.”

    “It’s ok.” Kamoto replied.

    After a few minutes Kamoto headed back to his father and they rode home. Kamoto dismissed himself and went to his room. He lay down on his bed and stared at the ceiling. He couldn’t get the slave from that day out of his mind.

    “My son, what is wrong?”

    “Mother! He sat up with start

    His mother embraced him. “Kamoto, you still mourn over Haji? You are going make yourself sick my son.”

    I’m sorry mother if I worry you. Mother, may I request something?”

    “Anything for you my son, what is it you want?”

    “May I get a new personal servant?”

    Of course my son. Do you want me and your father to get you one?”

    “No mother I wish to pick this one myself.”

    Very well my son. Now get ready your father has arranged a ride through the village. We must encourage the people.”

    Kamoto nodded and went to get ready.


    After the ride through the village Kamoto relaxed on his room reading, he had decided to go to the slave quarters when the sun went down.

    It was about 10:00p.m. when he left. The night was cool and crisp; the full moon lit the sky. The slave quarters were behind the palace about a mile. The quarters housed about 30 slaves each. Boys were separated from girls at all times. They all received water and food on a daily basis and baths each week. Near the quarter was a small stable where a few horse were. Theses horses were their responsible. As he rounded the corner he saw the boy walking back to the quarters, his back was bloody.

    You come here, he called to him.

    The boy came and got on his knees at once. “My prince...”

    Kamoto dismounted from his horse, and studied the boy’s back

    Why have you whipped?”

    Punishment for crossing your path earlier my prince.”

    Who ordered this whipping, boy.”

    The overseer himself did. He whipped me himself.”

    Kamoto balled his fists, but he quickly came to his senses.

    “Arise boy. Tell me how old are you?”

    The boy arose, “I’m 14 sir.

    Name.

    My name is Kayo I’m from a far land.

    Why are you a slave?

    I was captured outside my home 3 months ago and was shipped here. Your father bought me and seven other of us on the boat.”

    Kamoto studied Kayo’s eyes; his eyes seemed to glow in the light of the moon. Kayo noticed Kamoto stare and turned his head avoiding his eyes. Kamoto gently reached out and turned his face back toward him. Kayo pulled away slow, “I’m sorry your majesty, but I must get to bed before they turn out the lights.”

    “Understood, go before you get in trouble again.”

    Kamoto watched him go until he disappeared into his quarters than he mounted his horse and rode back home.






    Chapter 2


    Next morning Kamoto skipped breakfast, took a couple of guards and rode down to the south side stable. The slaves were working as usually he rode down to mixing center, but he noticed Kayo wasn’t there nor was the overseer. He approached young boy carrying water to the pit.

    “You, where is your overseer?’

    “He is over by the slave stable, he said that he had something to finish.”

    It didn’t take him long to figure out what he meant. “Come on”, he ordered the guards. He put hurried his horse it a gallop.

    “Hope we get there in time.” he thought.

    Meanwhile in the stable in one of the empty stalls Kayo stand tied up to a post his shirt ripped from his back by the whip. Blood ran down his back and legs collecting in small poll on the ground.

    You shouldn’t be alive now you scrum. Embassies me like that in front of the prince going to whip you until you have nothing but bones on your back!”

    Kayo said nothing the pain from his back was too unbearable for him to speak. He heard the sound of the whip rising and braced for the pain.

    Just then the door opened, “STOP! That’s an order!”

    Get him on his knees!

    Quick as a flash the overseer was push onto his knees and his head forced upward to see the prince.

    “What is the meaning of this?” Kamoto demanded.

    “Just punishing this boy for.......

    For what? For crossing my path yesterday? I DISMISSED THAT ISSUE THE OTHER DAY WITH YOU!! For doing you have disobeyed my orders. Take him to the prison hold until I decide what to do with him.”

    Yes sir!” the guards carried the overseer out.

    Kamoto walked over too Kayo and untied the ropes that bond his wrists. Kayo collapsed to the ground.

    “Thank you”, he whispered before he passed out on the ground.


    He woke up few hours later in a bedroom. He groaned and forced himself up. “What happened’ he asked still not sure himself.

    You passed out.”

    He jumped with start looking up too see Kamoto standing in the doorway. “I brought you here. Your wounds have been treated for the time being.”

    “Why are you helping me prince?

    Kamoto smiled, “you’ll know in good time. Tell me Kayo how old you are really, because I can tell just by looking at you that you are not 14.”

    Kayo looked down at he ground “answer me.” Kamoto said.

    Kayo sighed, “I had just turned 16 two weeks ago when I was captured. I lied about my ago when they asked me how old I was.”

    Kamoto entered the room softy and sat down beside him on the bed. “Why,” he asked.

    “If they found out that I was 16, I would have been shipped out to the mountains. He smiled to himself; I wanted to be somewhere close to home.”

    You planned on running away or something and go back home?

    Kayo gave a small laugh. “To tell the truth I was kind of spoiled back home. My mother saw to that. My father always complained that I would never learn the value of hard work, so in a way I think this is good for me.”

    Kamoto got up from where he was sitting and turned a few times on his heels. “Why your mother spoil you so much?”

    Kayo smiled again, “Sorry my prince, but that story must wait for another time.”