Enamels and Cameos

Chapter I

It was morning in a small hut. The sun began to heat the cheeks of a young man with white hair which shone in contact with the golden light. His brown eyes were beginning to be pursed by the sun and then a voice called him from the other side of the door.

-Ryo is time to get up. Get ready because we will go to the city.

-Yes father - with this the young man began to take off the blankets and stretch every muscle of his body, went to a small box with lots of clean clothes, placed the white clothes he had, tied his sandals and went as fast as possible to their room.

- Ryo, don't forget to tie the camel - said Ryo's father taking some strings that were near the door

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Minutes after Ryo had two huge camels ready for the long journey that awaited them. They ride directed towards the beautiful city where there was a market on the outskirts, which was famous because it had the most varied and strange objects in the entire region.

Ryo rode one of the camels with the help of his father.

- Father. What gift will you buy for the pharaoh?

- I don't know, but it has to be something truly beautiful, otherwise I don´t want to imagine the punishment we would receive if the gift is not worthy.

- Don´t worry everything will be fine.

Camels went through the desert dunes as fast as possible. Ryo saw his father and thanked Ra for have a great father. A couple of years before the death had separated from his mother and although this had caused great pain to both, always kept together and more united than ever.

Ryo pulled one of his hands on the rope which was attached to the camel. He closed his eyes for a moment and felt the hot desert breeze through his fingers; his hair stood in the breeze and shone like threads silver.

Ryo's father turned and looked at his son, the old man smiled while he saw his young son. But Ryo's father expression changed to one of concern, he reminded that some weeks ago he had to go to town for some food; several people had approached him to ask how much gold he would like for the young guy who accompanied him. He refused saying that the young man was his son and he won´t sell him as a vile slave, but others continue walking offering all kinds of treasures, telling him that they were amazed with the beauty of the young, which was beginning to bother the old man. He put Ryo away so that nobody would take him, "any kind of treasure can´t be compared to the life of my son" he retired as soon as possible of that group of people.

Then back to reality he listened to the song of a bird. In the distance they could see the glow of a beautiful city, the big Nile River, whose banks were covered with lotuses, pink ibis, crocodiles crawling through the green mire, and different obelisks pointing to the blue sky, palaces stood in the distance. At the city gates were stone images of gods, protectors of the Pharaoh.

Ryo and his father came down from the camels and headed towards the market.

- Ryo be careful, It is crowded don´t get lost - said Ryo's father.

Ryo watched the bustle of people as they were busy buying their gifts to the pharaoh. He loved to see all these things, exotic animals, silk fabrics of various colors, the statues of the gods made in different metals inlaid with precious stones. Everything fascinated him. His face radiated happiness; the mere simplicity of life was what made him happy.

Few hours later Ryo's father finally found the gift to the pharaoh. Ryo showed tired and sleepy.

- Don´t worry Ryo finally I found what we were looking for, is time to return to home. - To which Ryo responded with a brief smile.

Ryo's father realizing the weariness of his son chose to return home, but some eyes were watching from the shadows of the place.

On the way he saw the beautiful sunset - "I can't believe how much fun we had" - Ryo's father thought. At that moment he heard a loud sound behind him, quickly turning his eyes and saw Ryo was lying on the sand as the camel walked. The old man with a big smile returned for his son to take him back to the seat of his camel, stopping a moment the walk of the animal.

- You should come with me otherwise you'll break your neck falling asleep that way ... - Ryo only responded with a yawn - And we don't want that to happen right? - Said Ryo´s father.

- Of course we don´t want that to happen- Ryo's father quickly turned his eyes which reflected fear.

- In fact I wouldn´t want to bring a damaged gift to the pharaoh- That cold voice sound again. The old man knelt down against the person who appeared before him.

- But, you are the priest of the Pharaoh! - There was sitting on a black horse the figure of a young, man with brown hair and eyes bluer than the sky, wearing elegant clothes with jewelry on his wrists. There were also two brown horses rode by two burly guards surrounding the old man

- How I can serve you excellence? - Said the old man as he rose from the sand.

- I want that you give me the gift of the Pharaoh- answered the priest. The old man quickly took a bag and stretched his arms to give it to the priest, to which the priest refused, giving a strong blow with one of his hands to the gift, sending it several meters away from them. Ryo didn't know what was happening; he didn't understand why the priest had to be so cruel. That priest was really intimidating.

- I refer, the other gift of the Pharaoh – Said the priest. The old man looked confused.

- But sir, which other gift do you mean?

- That! - said the priest, pointing to Ryo who looked astonished that scene.

- But sir he is my son. I can´t give you my beloved son. - Answered the old man.

- Do you refuse the orders from someone higher than you? - Said the priest with a withering glance.

- No sir, but please take me. I'm stronger than this child. Please don´t take him.

- I don't want him as a mere slave to the pharaoh, he will be a very special slave.

- NO you won´t. Over my dead body! - said the old man carrying a sword unsheathed. The priest only gave her a contemptuous look. The two guards who were behind the old man fell from the horses; they drew closer to the old man willing to kill him.

- Please don´t hurt him, I'll do whatever you want but don´t kill him. - Said Ryo while he put himself between his father and the guards. Then he placed opposite the priest. - Lord I will go with you but please don´t hurt my dad, I beg you.

- I see; you're very smart. - said the priest with a little annoyance.

- But Ryo; I don´t want you to stay away from me, you're my son. - Said the father dropping his sword on one side, embracing and beginning to mourn Ryo

- I'll miss you dad, take care. - Said the young boy dropping a few tears and trying to separate his father from his chest to see him one last time to the eyes.

- Well is enough, this has taken longer - said the priest taking Ryo's shirt and carrying Ryo with him.

- Bye Dad- Said Ryo with great sadness in his eyes and then the horse began to run through the desert.

- Ryo, Ryo NO! - The old man ran after them, but the sadness was stronger than his legs and made him fall into the sand. The soldiers meanwhile rose to their horses and left the old man alone with his sorrow and great pain.

- Ryo don't go, don't go.

In the desert Ryo was with his abductor, his eyes were filled with tears. The pain would not let him escape a sound, knew that the future was going to be very cruel and hard for him.

Continue.