"Your Highness, what do you propose to do about the water shortage in Mali?"
The man seated upon the throne looked a lot like Axel; thick, spiked red hair fell heavily upon his shoulders. Tanned, well-toned muscles met under beautiful silk robes of crimson and gold, painting a regal picture. Here in the palace, it was customary to remove the heavy overrobes that kept out heat and the burning sun outside; it was also seen as a sign of respect, and revealed a given visitor's loyalties and intentions toward the sovereign. Free of his own outer robes, the king's hair stood wild and defiant, like fire itself.
The man stroked his short beard thoughtfully.
"Have a wiseman sent down there tomorrow. If that does not summon some rain to replenish their stores, we can share some of our water with them until more wisemen can be sent out to rectify it."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"What about the level of crime escalating in the outskirts of town? Reports are that the thief Xerxes is massing a protest of the new tax law you levied, Sire."
The king sighed, waving a hand lazily. "Investigate it. In the mean time, I shall have more guards positioned on the east and south sides. Report back to me if the movement continues."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Axel sat on the lowest throne in the room, idly watching his father interact with his advisors. This would someday be his job, though he wasn't thrilled about it. The court was frightfully dull; though there had been a few fights or arguments in the past, the king's word was better than anyone's. He could settle a dispute quickly, though not always in everybody's best interest.
Just then, the queen came into the room, followed by several of her female attendants. Her long, sleek black hair was pulled back behind her, adorned here and there with a few stones, deep green to match her eyes.
When the king took note of her, he stood, as did his son and the rest of the court attendance. One of the men from the table below the throne stepped out to meet her.
"Your Highness, we are still in the middle of proceedings."
"I understand. Thank you, Callex, but I have need of my husband." Glancing their way, she smiled softly. "Would you indulge me with a few moments of your time, my lord?"
"Of course," the king replied, calmly clapping his hands. "Return to your other duties. We will speak again in three days time, unless the need is dire. My servants will conduct you to me if such is the case."
With that, the men pushed their chairs into the table, murmuring softly. Axel stretched slightly, noticing the slight ache in his stomach, and settled on the idea of food. Perhaps he would see Demyx in the kitchen; the other boy was fond of spending time there when he sought to shirk his other duties. That, or he was getting into the cactus juice again; the one that inspired him to strip and dance wildly at the Equinox festival two years prior. Those were the days...
"Axel, stay a moment, would you?"
The prince walked over to his parents calmly. "Of course. May I be of some assistance, Mother?"
The woman snorted, waving her hand as though dispelling smoke. "Surely you don't see me as some weak-handed damsel." Axel couldn't help but grin at that. Though she dressed elegantly, and always maintained an air of grace and beauty, his mother was quite capable for most women of Sharem. She even fought alongside the King on many occasions, something no woman had done in centuries "I was merely curious; we have not spoken in some time. How is your new servant coming along?"
Axel blinked. "The boy?"
She rolled her eyes. "Yes, the little Neko boy you picked up. Must I take you for a daft child?"
Shaking his head, he managed a chuckle. "No, Mother. You merely surprised me. I have not checked on him this morning, as of yet. Father asked me to join him before I was able to. Last I saw, he was still asleep."
His father spoke now, eyebrows furrowing slightly. "He sleeps still? My son, I sent you to the marketplace to fetch yourself a competent servant, not some useless fop who lays abed for days. I glean that this exotic child interested you, but looks alone do not-"
"I understand your concerns, Father," the prince gently interceded. His father hated being interrupted, so he had to tread carefully, even as his blood son. "You must remember, he came from a cooler land, and is not yet accustomed to this climate. He was very sick when I found him, and his fever broke only yesterday." The king nodded, still looking stern. "I will ensure that he is trained and taken care of, once he awakes. If he proves useful, I will keep him. If not..."
"So be it. I will trust your judgment for the time being."
"Son, would you like me to send more of my maids to your chambers, in his absence?" the queen asked, smiling softly at him. "If you have no other use for them today, perhaps they can at least be of assistance caring for the boy."
"No need, Mother, but thank you. If that is all you wanted me for, I will go straightaway to check on him." A second had barely passed before his stomach growled loudly. The prince blushed a bit, embarrassed. "After I've had a snack."
The queen smiled and placed a warm hand on his shoulder. "So be it. Thank you, dear. I may call you again before supper."
The boy acknowledge her with a smile. Then, with a low, respectful bow to his father, Axel left the court room and headed for the kitchen, all the while entertaining himself with the idea of Demyx drinking that strange cactus juice again.
Those were the days.
~o~
He had not found Demyx in the kitchens that afternoon. However, based on the monstrosity the cook was fashioning in there, the prince made haste in grabbing something easy, then bolting for the exit. He was NOT in the mood for taste-testing for Aqua today.
When Axel returned to his chambers, munching on a few Saguaro fruits, he noticed the maids had changed the room around slightly. In the third and final part of the chamber, they had moved the bathing basin over a bit and filled it with water. Several bottles of herbal soap lay at the base, and as the prince walked in, he saw a beautiful young girl with dark hair bent over the basin. She looked up at his entrance, surprised.
"Master Axel. I did not think you would be back so soon."
"Court was dull, as always," he said with a growing smirk. "Mother cut the meeting short. I'll have to go back soon enough, but thankfully not today."
The girl snorted. "Such disdain for your birthright, my prince. It is unbecoming of the next king of Sharem."
"You are certainly one to talk, you little tease. Forgetting our place, are we?" Axel chuckled, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. Xion giggled and jokingly tried to push him off, but decided better of it when she felt soft lips kissing her cheek.
It was truly a shame. Had her status in life been anything higher, she and Axel could have been easily betrothed, and the issue of a wife would not have been so troubling as it was now. Best friends made the best lovers, as the old saying went.
But even then...
"So what brings you here today, little raven?" He glanced over her shoulder, not surprised to see a familiar tuft of golden hair sticking out of the basin.
"I thought I would give the boy a nice bath. I think it's helped to keep his fever down," Xion said cheerfully, reaching down to run her fingers through soft, blonde hair. She traced over his little ears and giggled. "How funny these must feel. Do you think he hears better, with these ear atop his head like so?"
Axel shrugged. "Probably. The better to listen with, I hope."
"Would you like to help me, Axel?"
His smirk turned more natural, gentler. "I might..."
So the two talked a bit as they bathed and redressed the boy, before tucking him into the small but comfortable bed Axel had had built two weeks ago, on the other side of the room from his own bed. The little Neko seemed to be dozing comfortably, easily allowing Xion to tilt his head back as Axel poured some cool water. Running his fingers over the soft, smooth cheek, Axel gazed down at the boy fondly.
"I don't even know his name, and yet I think about him so often."
Xion smiled softly, casually readjusting her skirt. "It's sweet of you to worry about him. Another master could have easily killed him."
"The merchant who picked him up was just as close," he said simply, as his friend winced faintly. "I don't approve of the slave trade. I'd prefer getting work from honest employment, but I realize the rest of the kingdom sees it differently. And it's very easy to take for granted."
The dark haired girl smiled.
"You are kind beyond words, Axel. Your family treats those of us here at the palace very well. We are grateful to you, and would loyally serve you as long as you'll have us."
Axel took her hand. "Thank you, Xion...Do you ever miss your home?" She had come to the palace as a very little girl, and after some time, she had told her new master of what had happened to her prior to then. But she always seemed so strong and positive, even when looking back on such sad things.
The girl sighed. "Sometimes...But it's been years, and my village has been ravaged by many greedy traders. It was so even before I was taken. For all I know, my mother and sisters are..."
In the brief air of silence, Axel hugged her. This was as much emotion she had ever showed him, but he knew the feelings had always been there. Xion just kept looking forward, always trying to make the best of things. He admired it about her, but at the end of the day, she was still human.
Even as their relationship had changed over the years - and it had changed drastically at times - they would always be friends, she and him. Slave or no slave, they would look after each other, and her other friends among the servants worked gladly and were treated well. Nearly as well as she was.
In such a harsh desert land, kin was everything.