Mana shivered in fear as she was brought into the palace. Her mom told her not to play with magic. She knew it was dangerous. She just hadn't thought the cute monster that had appeared would really hurt anyone. It seemed she was wrong, and now she was being dragged to the palace by a guard. She shrank down as much as the young girl could as they entered where the pharaoh was holding court. She knew she was in trouble, but she hadn't thought the pharaoh himself would pay attention to someone as unimportant as her! Wrapping her arms around the thin linen dress she wore Mana glanced up at the stern guard. He released her arm, a sharp command to stay put and he approached the living Horus. He had been terrifying when he grabbed her, but now she wished he was still standing beside her. At least he was something vaguely familiar.

She knew she shouldn't but Mana couldn't help herself from taking a peek at the pharaoh. She had heard about how wonderful he was, and really just wanted a little look before she died. Would she die for what she did? She didn't know. The pharaoh looked a lot how Mana had imagined he would. His features were stern with fiery crimson eyes that seemed to burn into everything he saw. Gold adorned his bronzed skin with a brilliant red cloak wrapped around his body, a clear declaration of who he was. There was even the Puzzle like she'd heard hung around his neck, the most powerful Item in existence.

A clatter from behind tore the girl from her thoughts jumping sharply. Magic sparked in her hands reflexively. Mana wished they wouldn't do that. There would be no way to convince them that it had been someone else doing the magic, and really she hadn't meant any harm.

"Who's there?" a guard called. Mana's breath caught as another child stepped out. He looked like he was around the same age as her. The boy stared at her unabashedly drinking in her appearance. He was so very different from her. His skin was a dark bronze color while hers was more of a soft brown. His skin looked soft despite his sharp features where her own had callouses and a couple scars from playing. Thick spiky black hair framed his face, shining a dim red where the light reflected off it. It looked soft to the touch compared to her own knotted unwashed light brown hair. She tugged at it nervously feeling inadequate before this palace child. It seemed even the children in the palace were grander than her. His eyes matched the king's, even with the same piercing stare that seemed to gaze right into her soul, a world's difference from her soft blue eyes. Clearly he belonged in the palace with his red rimmed kilt and thick golden bracelets.

"Who are you?" the boy demanded. Mana flinched. How could he speak this way in front of the pharaoh? He'd get them both in trouble, and he hadn't even acknowledged the guard. Mana shifted nervously unable to find her voice.

"You know better than to enter when I'm holding an audience, my son," the pharaoh said sternly. This was the prince? No wonder he was so far beyond what she was. Her eyes dropped to the ground as the boy's cheeks darkened. He turned to the pharaoh and bowed.

"Apologies my pharaoh," the prince murmured, "I was simply curious. There aren't many children in the palace, and I know them all." The pharaoh's look softened slightly as he looked at his son. Mana couldn't believe she was catching the attention of someone so important. A squeak broke past her lips as the pharaoh's eyes turned to her.

"What do you call yourself mage child?"

"M-Mana, my phar-raoh," Mana stuttered. The pharaoh nodded his head.

"My guard says you are gifted with your magic. Is this true?"

"I really o-only know a-a little." The pharaoh smiled.

"The prince could use another servant, especially one as gifted as yourself. Mahaad's studying to become a magician now, is he not?" Mana could hardly breath. Was this real? Were they really suggesting she stay here with the pharaoh? Serve the prince? She was dying to ask about her family, but the pharaoh's word was law. She couldn't say no.

"You will stay here and learn how to control your magic. You'll earn your place serving the prince. Understood?" Mana's heart sank slightly. They wanted her for her magic. If she'd just listened she wouldn't be here. Glancing to the prince Mana caught sight of a small smile, seemingly out of place on the proud child.

"Understood," Mana whispered. The pharaoh waved his hand dismissing her. Mana looked around nervously, hoping someone would tell her what to do. Should she leave? Keep standing here? She flinched as a warm hand took her own. Looking over she was shocked to see it was the prince. The prince had touched her! Mana, a lowly commoner! She didn't know what to do. Should she apologize? Pull away? Numb she just stood there.

"Come on," the prince whispered. Numb Mana let him pull her back into the hall. The prince moved quickly weaving through the halls and large rooms with ease. Mana was lost within minutes. They stopped outside one of the rooms the prince glancing back and grinning at her. The bold confidence and playfulness was obvious in his features, but there was something more there as well, curiosity, and maybe nervousness? No, royalty was never nervous. She was just seeing her own fear.

"I know my father can be scary sometimes," the prince told her, "but he's a nice man when he's not running court. I'm sure you'll like him." Mana gaped in surprise. The prince was talking to her! Why? She was just a servant. He frowned and tugged on her hair.

"If you're going to be my servant you need to smell better," the prince told her. Mana blushed. She knew she wasn't as polished as the other palace people. If she was going to stay here she had a lot to learn. The prince opened the door and nudged her in. She blinked surprised at the large bath house.

"Here, wash up. And make sure to use some perfume." Mana nodded her head. As soon as the prince was gone she obediently stripped and stepped into the water. It was warm. This was a luxury she'd never had before. Mana didn't wash often, perhaps twice a year, and the river water was cold. This actually felt nice. Feeling out of place in such a grand room she scrubbed herself down quickly feeling oddly self conscious about the dirt washing off her. She washed her hair and stepped back out making sure to use perfume as she'd been told. She reached for her dress, and blinked to find it was gone.

"Miss?" Mana looked up to find a beautiful woman standing there smiling softly.

"Your old dress was removed. The prince commanded us to prepare a new dress for you." A clean beige dress was held out to her. Anxiously she slipped it on. New clothes! It seemed that everything of her old life would be stripped away here. The dress felt nice, and she liked it, but somehow she found herself wishing for her old one.

"Thank you," she murmured. The woman inclined her head and left. Mana crept out of the bath house and looked around, finding the prince leaning against a nearby wall looking bored. He glanced up to her and grinned.

"Good! You look much better now." He made a quick show of smelling her and nodded his approval.

"You smell better too." Waving for her to follow him the prince again set off down through the palace. Scurrying behind him as quick as she could Mana followed him out. The prince began to chatter, pointing out the various rooms, complaining about his tutors, and showing her where he spent his days. Her head spun trying to keep all of it straight, homesickness building up in her chest. When supper came she could barely pick at the rich feast before her. It wasn't as grand as the prince's own meal, more like the other servant's, Mahaad's. He was older than her and the prince, and seemed used to the prince's mischievous manner. She was shocked when he actually had the audacity to correct the prince, only to watch in surprise as the prince laughed at Mahaad and threw a grape at him. Mahaad disappeared again after the meal to study some more, the day finally beginning to wrap down.

It was late that night when Mana curled up on her pallet. The prince had told her she'd be sleeping in his room to serve him if he woke up. The large bed the prince had was amazing. There was a huge room set for his clothes, and a table for breakfast, a lounge, and the walls had beautiful carvings. Still, the room was frightening. It seemed so empty compared to home. Mana shook slightly sobs finally escaping her. She wanted to go home. She wanted her mom.

A silent figure slipped from the bed. Mana hiccuped softly as she was cradled.

"Sh," the prince whispered, "I'm here. I'll take care of you. Everything's alright." The night breaking down the barriers of what was right in her positions Mana clung tightly to the prince. She buried her face in his shoulder still shaking slightly as she cried. Mana listened in soft amazement as the prince began to sing an old lullaby in a low husky voice.

It seemed hours, but held close by the prince Mana finally drifted to sleep. The prince smiled at his new servant. He had wanted someone close to his age. And now he had one. He wouldn't lose her.

"I'll protect you," he whispered.

And Mana believed him.