Servant Song

CHAPTER 1: IN THE BEGINING

He was led into the chamber and forced to bow with his forehead on the floor. His ankles were shackled so he could walk fairly comfortably, but if he tried to run, he wouldn’t be able to. The ring on his left nipple had been removed and the jade jewel replaced with a blue-violet sapphire one and the collar on his neck was given a new tag. He knew he was at the palace, but with so many nobles there currently for the elder prince’s wedding, he couldn’t really be sure who had bought him. All he knew was that a private transaction had occurred and he never had to go onto the auction block. Unfortunately, that meant he had to witness the horrors that happened behind the scenes at that place. He didn’t think that many of the others would survive long after their ordeals. He shuddered just thinking about it.

He could hear footsteps coming his way and tensed up. His guard said nothing. Please, he prayed, let my new master be kind.

“Really, brother, you shouldn’t have,” a tenor voice drifted into the chamber.

“Yes, I should. I was your age when I bought Zechs.” A deeper, drawling voice replied.

“How is Zechs anyways?” the first voice asked.

“Enjoying his freedom. He’ll be back before the wedding. I gave him a job here, to keep him close by.”

“What does Lady Une think of this?”

“She understands, besides, she has her own lover,” the drawling voice responded, chuckling. And then the owners of the two voices came into the chamber then.

He kept his head on the ground, knowing he would be given instructions if his master wished otherwise. He heard a sharp intake of breath and the footsteps stopped.

“Oh my,” the tenor voice stated. “It doesn’t seem that you spared any expense.” And then the voice addressed him. “Stand.”

He stood slowly, and then locked his knees to keep them from trembling. He kept his eyes down, one slave trait his previous master had taught him well.

Prince Duo looked at this “gift” his elder brother had purchased for him, and felt the nudge in his mind of familiarity. Something about this man spoke to him, was recognizable, but he couldn’t place him.

“Chin up.”

Heero lifted his chin and attempted to keep his eyes downcast with difficulty. He could see the long braid whipping around the backside of one of the men, who was currently circling him. He recognized that braid, but didn’t move to get a better look.

“Hmm,” his master paused at his front. “Trieze, you know how I feel about these things,” he gestured to him. His master’s brother, Trieze, pursed his lips, then sighed.

“You need to live a little outside of yourself. Your,”

Duo cut him off, “Royalty, I know. That doesn’t mean that I have to be decadent.”

“Well, if you don’t want him, there have already been offers for him,” Trieze replied offhandedly, knowing exactly what kind of response it would provoke.

“No.” Duo said quickly. “I won’t send him to them, or anyone else.” He paused and turned to Trieze. “He’s a gift, it would be rude to get rid of him.”

Heero relaxed at that. He had a feeling that “them” were not the kind of masters that he would wish to serve.

“Guard,” his master said. “Take my slave up to my chambers. I’ll be up there in a moment.”

The guard moved up beside Heero to escort him, and Heero finally chanced a look at his master. It was meant to be a quick glance but as Heero flicked his eyes over Duo, Duo turned to watch him. Their eyes met and Heero inhaled sharply.

“Gods,” Duo stared in shock and Heero quickly lowered his eyes, his heart suddenly beating swiftly in his chest. He hurried gracefully to catch up with the guard and exited the room quickly.

Duo spun around, facing his older brother, and said in a voice full of awe and confusion, “What the hell did you give to me brother?”

A/N: should I keep going?