In Which Nebakh Gathers His Opinion On His Father

Nebakh woke with the pain of a hangover throbbing in his head. He was twice as reluctant to get up as any movement made him dizzy. Bewildered he trained his thought to the night before. White light, magic it was a jumbling in his head causing him pain. Daring to believe it was a dream he made his way from his bed into a cold shower. The water was refreshing and released him from his pain. His first action as he was dry was to lay the nights clothes out for cleaning. But as he searched for every last bit he noticed one thing missing, a slipper.

Quickly Nebakh thought to the night before. If he had truly been asleep he would not have even had the slippers on. But how could one be missing. Surely not magic. He growled in annoyance and slipped on the day's clothes. The usual a light blue tunic over his britches.

Nebakh entered the breakfast hall, in one of the worst moods, to find his father cheery. Apparently his father had had a very good night and just looking at the two ladies next to his father made him sick. His mind was still very much on the night before as he sat and frowned at his eggs.

"Son I think you're going to set them on fire."

Yes he was in a cheery mood but two women would not bring him this much joy. "I am just not feeling well father."

"Well start feeling better. You are coming to council meetings today. I have to make some very important decisions."

Nebakh looked at his father with pleading eyes. "Must I father. I would only be in the way."

"No son it's time you start learning the responsibilities of this position. And you are the right age. I have been neglecting you. It's time we had some father son teaching time."

Nebakh knew those very words meant his doom. He had seen his father's decisions and they made him sick. He killed for pure joy when the town misbehaved. He had torture chambers, gas chambers, and rape chambers. He had seen one to many women go into that room weeping for mercy to believe that his father's people loved him. His thoughts were distracted as a young girl came into the room carrying a tray with glasses on it.

Anita, was the young girl. He recognized her form his dream. But how could a human being be in a dream. All while serving she would not look him in the face but when he said her name gently she was forced to gape at him.

"So you remember about the magic, and the light, and the lady?"

Nebakh was stunned at her forwardness but before he could answer her question his father questioned the looks of the crime. "Is this girl bugging you?" The way he said girl enraged him. You do not treat another human being as if they are lower than you.

"No father I was just-."

"Very well then." His father even ignored him until breakfast was cleared. "Well son follow me." Nebakh followed him down to of the forbidden halls and into a meeting room. It was made of all wood, polished at that. There were no windows and Nebakh felt as if he was in a prison from which he could not escape.

The first 'important' discussion involved slaves. Many men stood up complaining of the shortage there was in the supply of help. Or about how clumsy they were becoming and how their workers were of no use. He could recall one saying "they'll be the downfall of me." Another explained that he would sell his slave for a copper bit. Nebakh checked his pockets he had two copper bits and a piece of string. As he had watched a few of the slaves get beaten he made his decision to buy and take care of them. His vow was to treat them like the human they were.

The second discussion interested him greatly. It involved Ancesteral's famous mage. The tyrant as it turned out was truly petrefied of magic and the Mage had been coming to see him lately. Why was the question? Nebakh thought the reason was he was trying to rid the land of slavery and of poverty. Nebakh knew that slavery all could do with out but poverty would exist in all natures or lands.

He dozed during the last two no longer interested in what his father had to stay. His father, in his opinion, was a sick, sick man who thought of nothing but himself. He was greedy, selfish and a coward in truth. He fell to sleep with the thought of how different from his father he was going to be. And the first thing to go would be slavery.

Nebakh woke as the people started exiting. He rushed to catch up with Names, as he was called. "Sir" he called out. "Sir!" Names turned around more than a little irritated. "What do you want kid?"

"You said you would sell those two slaves for copper bits well I have two copper bits, I'll take them."

"Kid do you know what you are doing?"

"Yes, perfectly."

"Than fine. Anything is better than these two bags of garbage."

Nebakh handed the gentleman his copper bits before leading the slaves off. His father eyed him with a pleased grin on his face as he left. This only forced him to believe his opinion on his father even more. He kicked his door open, as he was afraid to let the slaves go. He knew they wished to run.

"Sit" he gestured gently at the two cushioned chairs by the window.

"Your telling us to sit."

"Yes I am. Now tell me your names." They were happy for his kindness but obviously thought him a little mad. The young girl name was Hope and the boys name was Jovial. "Well Hope, Jovial, welcome to where we live. Of course you can't stay in here that would be inappropriate so I'll get you two situated in the servants quarters. And remember you belong to me so if my father tells you to do something you don't want to just tell him why you won't okay?"

"Okay sir" Hope answered. "But may I ask a question of you sir?"

"Yes."

"Why do this for us?"

"Because I am with the Mage on his decision. I want to end slavery as well."

Both nodded than left. Nebakh breathed as the door closed behind the two. He believed he knew what he was doing, but deep down he knew that he was only hoping so.