STEEL BORN

THE GREAT HALL

The commoners were seated on ranks upon ranks of bleachers above. The hall was built like an Arena, below were the Chiefs and Noble men of Xion, half-sitting, half-lying on large foams in circles and squares around the various low and large banquet tables in the center of the hall. There were Dukes and Duchesses, Chiefs, Princes and Princesses. The various banquet tables were surrounding the various entertainment areas, either a dance platform, a wrestling area or a performance floor. The slaves were milling around the banquet tables, filling and refilling empty jars of wine as they waited in anticipation of their King.

Bang... As the sound reverberated, the crowd arose, they had been talking loudly and laughing, the noise was almost deafening.

"Behold Raul, son of Karrh, son of Cush, King of Xion", the orator shouted on top of his lungs, as the King dressed in a long heavy golden robe on gray harem, exposing his entire chest all the way to his abdomen, which was criss-crossed with golden jewels, a crown on his head walked into the hall. He was accompanied by his equally royally dressed Queens - Talish, Wicca and Euria whom he held by his left arm, while clutching a golden scepter by the right. The crowd bowed, as the King raised the golden scepter and sat only after he was comfortably seated behind the royal banquet table set apart on the elevated platform, in front of the Great hall. The Queens took their seat beside him, each perching on the side of the low table, half-sitting and half-lying on the large soft pillows scattered about. Kudo quietly entered and stood, towering mightily behind his King. Slaves brought in the large hand fans and began their duties. Servants began to bring in the drinks at once, filling the waiting glasses before the King and his Queens.

On the center of the Great hall was a large walk way, demarcating the Chiefs, Princes and Princesses, Dukes and Duchesses from the Noble families; all the way to the foot of a fleet of stairs leading to a different part of the Palace. At the head of the stairs arrived Morinda flanked by Stud and the eunuch, with two other servants beautifully dressed for the occasion.

Bang... The Crowd went silent once again and stood, as they heard the sound of the cymbal, except for the people at the elevated royal table in front of the Great hall - the King and his Queens. The Dukes and Duchesses, Prince and Princesses, Chiefs and Noble men remained standing, the servants and slaves quickly knelling on their various positions, bowing to the ground, the commoners assumed a bowing position while standing, as they had done before the entrance of the King and his Queens.

"Behold, the Princess of Xion, she by who's scepter we shall one day bow". Morinda began to descend the stairs, followed by Stud, the eunuch and the two servants. She was carrying what looked like a golden basket, as soon as she got to the floor of the walk way, the servants rushed forward and straightened the foot of the golden basket. It became a golden stroller, she began to push it before her as the crowds arose except the servants and the slaves. The commoners above began to shower different colors of flowers from above, there were roses, petals and pieces of shredded linens. The royalties below were clapping, some raising their glasses. The crowd screamed and shouted in honor of their Princess.

Morinda walked, head held high, she had never been prouder in her life. She was honored to be taking the first walk of the Princess by her side. "Alas, the goddess as heard my prayers and given me a day as a Princess", she thought with a broad smile on her face. She hoped her stubborn husband and two children were among the crowd cheering from above. Stud and the eunuch followed behind, hands tucked away under their robes, faces without expression, behind them came the two servants. They walked towards the elevated royal platform, where the King and the Queens were seated smiling in pleasure.

The cymbal was built far behind the elevated platform where the King and his Queens were seated. The Eunuchs who operated it were heavily built, and dressed only in golden harem leaving their torso n***d. Their heads covered with a matching head wrap. The cymbal itself was very large, circular in shape, hanging between two poles planted in the ground. It was used to issue commands - one beat signified, silence. Two beats signified the exit of the King from any ceremony taking place. Random beats were used in ceremonies to intensify the joy. As soon as Morinda got to the end of the walk way, pushing the golden basket, the sound of the random beating of the cymbal filled the air. It abruptly stopped when the King arose.

King Raul walked towards Morinda, he stopped at the head of the seven steps which led down to the walk way, and waited. Morinda lifted the wailing baby who had been woken by the thunderous pandemonium of the cymbal. Morinda carried her to the King who lifted her into the air with both hands. His baritone voice broke the silence, "behold, your Princess, the hair to my Kingdom, a child from my loins, she shall be called Cara". The crowd cheered in joy. The cymbal gave off more pandemonium, the noise ceased when the King raised a hand. "Drink, eat, make merry, welcome Princess Cara to her Kingdom", more cheers followed as different dance groups ran into the Great hall from every direction, stopping in the sections made for them, beating drums, blowing flutes and trumpets, juggling steaks of fire, juggling balls, climbing polls, somersaulting simultaneously.

Morinda accepted the crying baby from the King, and walked proudly to a position set apart for her and the baby beside Queen Euria. Stud, the Eunuch and the two servants who carried the golden basket, stood behind her.

The slaves and servants began to bring in different kinds of food. The people of Xion partied long into the early hours of the morning.