The young Seth had seen too much in his short nine years. His village and family destroyed right before his very eyes, saved by a mysterious beautiful creature. Now he lived in Thebes, just outside the palace. A very kind family had taken him in, and he worked his hands to the bone everyday to garner a rightful living. Every morning he'd rise just before Ra and pray.
He wanted- he yearned for something, he needed; and he knew not what it was. He just knew that it was close. To make his way into the palace must have been his destiny. So every day, when he was done with his chores, he tried to get as many scrolls as he could to read, to practice- to anything as long as his mind was preoccupied.
It was one of those days; a clear blue sky that spanned on for miles and miles, the market quieting down for the day. A trio of children rushed passed him to the fountain at the edge of the city. He looked up to watch them for a short moment. There was a tall young man, obviously the eldest of the group, a young bouncy girl and-
Seth got stuck.
He couldn't look away.
The smile of the young Pharaoh-to-be caught his very being like a bee to honey. Crimson eyes meeting his gaze for a moment, the prince smiled at him with a wave. Atem was young, only seven years old, not having seen troubles in his life. He was well taken care of, and loved by all as the little prince. His heart full of compassion, and his mind already mastering techniques and logic that seniors five times his age didn't comprehend-
He was special, and Seth could see that right away. His soul was warm, almost calling out to Seth. Or was that just Atem himself? The younger seemed to be waving his arms, trying to get Seth's attention. The little prince not wanting the young boy to be out on his own. He thought that Seth looked very lonely, and could use some friends.
Though as he failed to pay attention, Mana, the young girl, giggled, crept up behind him and pushed him headfirst into the fountain. His clothes were soaked in an instant, hair falling against his crown. Seth watched the scene unfold. The edges of the fountain were high, and it looked as if Atem would need some help climbing out. Mahaad was busy scolding the young girl, though as he saw Atem reaching he offered his hand.
"No!" Atem laughed. "I can do it by myself." His hands grabbed the wall after he jumped enough times, grunting shortly as he used all of his strength to pull himself up and roll out of the basin.
A young prince; used to having everything handed to him, sitting in the lap of luxury- and yet so strong, so willful. Seth was stunned. He was stunned out of his thoughts by a harsh voice, "Prince! Prince!" The old man called as he ran to Atem. "You've dirtied your clothes! What will your parents think! Ra almighty…"
Atem giggled. "They're just clothes, Shimon." Seth smiled, couldn't help himself.
"You two, back to the palace this instant!" Shimon scolded the other two who ran off with their heads hung. He then picked up the young prince.
"Shimon put me down! I am capable of walking!" He struggled.
The man sighed. "Prince you must learn your place. It is not out here playing in the water of the peasants."
"One day we won't have that word! When I'm Pharaoh- you'll see! Everyone will be equal!" It was Atem's lifelong dream to wreck the wretched class system that kept so many down.
"Yes, yes, prince…"
Atem sighed, crossing his arms, realizing he wasn't going to be listened to. Though as Shimon passed Seth he smiled again; raising his hand to wave. "Bye, bye…"
Later that night, when Seth and his family had sat down to dinner he stood. His foster-parents looking at him questioningly, though knowing he must have had something on his mind.
"When I get older, I am going to be the right hand of the Pharaoh! I'm going to serve directly under him and bring all of his wishes into fruition. Just you wait and see… I'll protect and help Pharaoh Atem!"
