Chapter Two: First Encounter
The following morning Seifer was on the prowl. He had been busy yesterday and had not seen Rinoa's new servant since the rock quarry. Ever since the brunet had dared to glare at him, Seifer had been itching to bump shoulders with the other. It sent a chill down his back—a rush of adrenaline when he looked into those storm cobalt eyes that were so defiant. Seifer would make sure to put in the effort in breaking this particular slave.
Seifer rounded the corner, the long red skirt brushed over his ankles. He had decided to remain inside the cool palace today. That meant he did not have to face the hot, drying sun. It also meant that Seifer could wear something more to his comfort—a long red skirt made of a breathable fabric. Dark green patterns were woven through the cloth and it hung loosely around his frame. Red was the known color for passion, strength. Green could be seen as greed, jealousy, or envy; but mainly it matched well with Seifer's eyes. He was attired with his usual set of gold and silver jewelry, and he was wearing no shirt so he had a bare chest as he felt most comfortable.
Stepping around a servant that was carrying a basin of water, Seifer wondered briefly where his sought prey might be hiding. He glanced around the hallway and decided that he did not want to prowl around Rinoa's room, which was currently in this hallway. Because then it would be far too obvious to what is plans were. Seifer wanted every element of surprise in this war between him and his sorceress cousin.
Yes, a sorceress. It was a rare gift given from the Gods. Rinoa was able to channel their powers, and sometime even let the Gods enter the physical realm. As much as Seifer envied the ability, he always reminded himself that Rinoa was simply a tool that the Gods used to channel their energy into the physical realm. Besides, channellers such as Rinoa always went insane. No mortal could handle the true power of the Gods; the fiery fury of Ifrit; the beautiful coldness of Shiva; the electric storm of Quezacolt; the chaotic black void---Well, the many diverse powers of the Gods.
Seifer came to the end of the hallway sooner than expected. Thoughts of the numerous Gods fluttered through his mind. It was always good to dwell on the great power and respect that the deities deserved, then one day he would make a great Pharaoh that the Gods would respect in return.
After his mind cleared, Seifer settled his eyes on the bulk of a door sentry that stood alert at the very end of the hall. Seifer stared for a moment, then waved his hand in front of the guard's face. There was no response; the sentry simply stared unblinking at the rest of the hallway.
"Raijin," Seifer snapped his fingers in front of the man's eyes. The dark-skinned guard jumped to life, nearly dropping his long spear in the process. He wiped the corner of his mouth and quickly regained his composure. Shoulders went straight, chest puffed out in an imitating pose.
"Cut it out, I know you were sleeping," Seifer smiled in a friendly gesture. He lightly tapped Rajin's chest with the back of his hand. "Wake up now, I need to ask you a question."
Raijin's shoulders sagged as he let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks Seif—My Prince. It just gets so boring standin' around 'ere, ya know?"
"Save the excuses," Seifer waved his hand through the air then crossed his arms over his broad chest. He turned his back to the guard and scanned the hallway. "Have you seen any one new around the palace lately?"
"Uhm, well," Raijin stuttered with a dumbfounded expression. "I don't really see anyone, ya know? It's hard to say. I haven't seen anyone suspicious if that's what ya mean."
Seifer ran a hand through his gold blonde hair in a gesture of mild frustration. "It wouldn't be someone suspicious. It's a new servant. He's young with dark brown hair and beautiful eyes—"
"Beautiful eyes?" Raijin's face twisted in genuine thought.
"Er, well, I guess," Seifer narrowed his eyes at the curtains lining one side of the hallway. Silently he scolded himself for having a lack of a better term to describe the brunet's blue-gray eyes. "They're out of the ordinary, I suppose they could be described as beautiful—not that a servant deserves such flattery."
"No no, I think I know who you are talking about. I think he stopped 'ere.. he was lookin' at me, ya know, like he knew I was sleepin'.." Raijin trailed off while squinting up at the ceiling. He muttered a few words then gazed inquisitively at Seifer. "How high do ya think he was?"
Seifer grimaced at the question. He didn't know the brunet's height. At the time of their first meeting, the man was being restrained between two guards. Seifer sighed while letting his arms fall loosely to his sides. He then lifted one hand and made a cutting motion through the air around his chin. "He was about—"
The words froze at the tip of his tongue. Seifer had just passed a man around that height, and come to think of it he had dark hair. That servant, he was suspicious. One reason, Seifer had to step around him. Usually servants moved out of Seifer's way, either out of respect or fear.
Damn him, Seifer scowled mentally while storming down the hall, leaving Raijin in confusion. The guard raised his hand to about where Seifer had been guessing—obviously still trying to figure out who the Prince was seeking.
Seifer continued to move purposely down the hall as he muttered curses harsh enough to match Ifrit's fury. How could he just walk by that slave? Just pass by like he was nothing. Well, technically the man was nothing. But he was, however, an important piece in Seifer's secret war with Rinoa for the next few days. A sly smirked crossed Seifer's lips. The servant might think it was a privilege to be in the interest of such royalty, but it was quite the opposite.
Seifer rounded a corner then paused. This was the last place he had seen the servant. It wasn't that long ago, so the brunet had to have gone into one of the nearby rooms. Mentally Seifer noted that one of the doors led to Rinoa's living quarters. Avoiding those, Seifer looked in the nearest room. It was a small guest room, this one unoccupied.
Seifer sneered. Was this really necessary? It was not like he had anything better to do with his day, but it was so degrading. He should not be seeking a slave; he should simply call and have that man be brought before him.
Someone exited the room belonging to Rinoa; a male servant carrying a vase. No one special. Seifer opened a second room and growled when he found the same vacant space. Suddenly he turned, "You there."
The servant stalled then continued walking away. Seifer smirked and began to follow the man, it seemed he had found his prey. Besides, no male servants were allowed in Rinoa's room. And absolutely no one ignored the Pharaoh's son. Seifer called out again, but the servant continued walking. Who did this slave think he was? He was acting like being bumped from the rock quarry to the palace made him some kind of nobleman. Well, if that were the case, Seifer would make sure to fix that personally.
Snapping his arm forward, Seifer seized the man's arm in a rough grip. He then forcefully flung the servant around so that they could face one another. The vase, that was being carried, slipped out of the brunet's hold and shattered against the marble floor.
Seifer sneered, but the man was keeping his head tilted towards the floor to avoid any eye contact. Usually Seifer would take that as a sign of surrendering, but with this man those subtle gestures had entirely different meanings. It was complete disrespect and mocking. That exciting chill ran up Seifer's spine, "Look at what you did, fool."
The brunet offered no reply. Instead he pulled his arm out of Seifer's grasp then kneeled to the floor to begin picking up the jagged fragments. Seifer cocked his head to the side when the servant had not apologized. He pressed his foot down onto a large piece of pottery that the brunet was about to grab. It broke under the weight and burst into a dozen smaller pieces. The servant ignored this and began to scoop up the pieces into his hands.
"Aren't you going to apologize for breaking one of the pharaoh's pots?" Seifer hissed down at the head of brown hair. "You should be groveling before your prince, begging for mercy. Are you blind, deaf, or just plain stupid?"
Seifer fisted his fingers in the servant's hair, making the brunet still his actions and visibly tense. A pleased smile spread across Seifer's face. Was that fear he saw in the other? Seifer began to tilt the man's head back in order to gaze into the blue-gray orbs, expecting to see the fear mirrored in those peculiar eyes.
The smile fell, and Seifer narrowed his jade eyes when he found no such fear. Instead the man's eyes were faded to a dull gray and glaring hatefully back. This slave was certainly foolish. Seifer tightened his fingers with a feral grin. Just then another figure came out of the room, the very resident of the room, Rinoa.
"What is going on here?" She demanded after eyeing the two men.
Seifer's fingers loosened slightly and the servant instantly jerked his head out of the blonde's grasp. Seifer shot the defiant brunet an annoyed glare before turning his attention to his cousin. "Nothing that concerns you."
"He is my servant, therefore it concerns me," Rinoa stepped out of the doorway, pulling the ends of a long white dress out behind her.
Seifer arrogantly planted his hands onto his hips and straightened to his full height to tower over Rinoa, "Actually, everyone in this palace is under my orders, therefore he is my servant, and I can do anything with him and it would not concern you."
Rinoa usually pale skin flustered with annoyance. She narrowed her eyes on Seifer, "He doesn't have to listen to you. He is under my orders. I took him here, not you."
Seifer smiled. So, this subject got on the sorceress' nerves. How pleasing. "I hate to remind you, but he came from my rock quarry. He is one of my father's slaves; therefore he has to listen to me. I allowed him to be in the palace. Besides, the only people that don't have to listen to me are the servants you brought with you from Aldazir. Understand?"
Rinoa ignorantly flipped her hair over her shoulder, sending a musical clinking of hair beads through the air. She pivoted her back towards Seifer, ignoring that he existed. She inclined her head towards the servant. "Squall, forget the pot. Return to my room. I'll send someone else to clean up the mess. I have more important tasks for you to attend."
"Ah, the dog has a name," Seifer mused while watching the brunet rise. Squall then walked past, nearly brushing shoulders with Seifer. The tall blonde smirked yet again. He'd break this Squall. One way or another, Seifer would break this strong willed man.
He watched Squall walk towards Rinoa's room. Eyes were focused on the man's back and for the first time Seifer took in the fact that Squall was wearing the light gray tunic and shorts that all servants were required to wear. The point was that the tunic covered Squall's back. Seifer was convinced that the brunet had whip scars. No slave worked in the quarry without wearing the brand. Seifer was determined to show Rinoa that her servant was far from being perfect.
"You better keep him on a short leash," Seifer coolly threatened earning an icy glare from Rinoa. She turned in a musical ring of jewelry then disappeared after Squall.
Seifer kicked at the broken pieces of clay pottery. What made that servant so special to Rinoa? It was pathetic how she was protecting him. A person of her standard should not waste her time with dogs like Squall. It was a bad reputation for the palace. Almasys did not favor slaves. Rinoa was a thorn in the side, and Seifer would be sure to remove her. He would open her eyes; teach her an important lesson.