STEEL BORN

XION

Stud was very excited, he loved the festive seasons of Xion, the changes that apply, the colorful decorations, beautiful parties, the food, the dancing and much more, the lively atmosphere of Worth. It was even easy to please the king, and the Queens laughed more in the company of each other, the periods of gossip, scuffs and show downs quickly forgotten. Stud was in fact never to forget the joy that washed over the King's face, as he took the little whimpering bundle from the hands of Morinda that day, and how it seemed the smile had remained never to disappear.

Stud had expected the news of the new born to cause more division in the palace, but he was surprised to find Talish and Wicca the daughter of the Chief of Ishikawa, pacing about by the entrance to the chambers of Euria when he had returned from alerting the King. Actually, Talish was sitting on the large waiting couch opposite the entrance, and was incessantly commanding her slave to fan her faster, forgetting to lift her feet so a slave could place them on a foot stool. The unfortunate slave was kneeling painfully before her, waiting, stool in hand. She regularly drank from her glass, another slave stood near carrying a jar of milk. "Did she intend to finish that?", Stud thought as he watched Wicca repeatedly slap one of her servants for trying to convince her to sit. "I'm sorry, your majesty, but you are sweating, your powder will be ruined", the servant had protested. Stud had bowed to each of them before going through the entrance held open for him by a guard. It would seem that the birth of the little Princess had forever broken the perpetual moody atmosphere of the Palace.

But that was over three weeks ago, today, he was having trouble deciding what to wear, he finally chose a dark woolen robe, adorned with shiny materials on a harem. He quickly headed out rushing to Euria's chambers, it was one of his many duties to see that the Queen is up and ready for her daily duties. Today was a special one, it was the naming ceremony of the little Princess, Xion was euphoric. The Royal city was already teaming with dignitaries, Lords, Chiefs, Dukes, Duchesses, Princes, Princesses and Noble men from all over the Kingdom, who had arrived the night before on different carriages. Commoners were heading towards Worth from all over the Kingdom, on diverse modes of transportation, there were dancers and entertainers of diverse sorts, there were groups of people bearing gifts, and happy young people just coming to observe. Servants and slaves, were milling around in the Great hall, decorating banquet tables, dance platforms, mini wrestling arenas, and dignified positions for the Nobles of Xion, very careful not to attract the judgement of the ever critical Wicca; only one shriek of shock out of displeasure from the Queen could take the life of the responsible slave. Some were cleaning the seats positioned for the commoners above. The long awaited hair to the throne was born and Xion will pay her homage.

Outside the eunuch's quarters, there was an assembly of eunuchs, practicing their traditional dance steps in preparation for the ceremony, they were in a circle, a group was dancing within and the others ware either clapping in support or making music using miniature instruments. Slaves were milling around, serving grapes, strawberries, sliced apples and pears, baileys, and large trays containing small pieces of grilled lamb chops. Stud grabbed one from a tray, stuffed it in his mouth, happily chowing as he continued to the royal quarters humming.

He was not surprised to find the three Queens - Talish the first, Wicca the second and Euria the third - in the parlor of Euria's chambers, drinking and eating while talking loudly and laughing hard among their friends, four beautiful Princesses and two adorable Duchesses from somewhere in the Kingdom, ignoring the well decorated dancer in the center of the gathering, who twisted and turned to the rhythm of the gentle music coming from the little group of young men by the corner. The room was very lively, all the candles were burning, the servants and slaves were busy attending the royalties. They were removing empty plates and replacing them with fresh ones, filling the wine glasses, cleaning the floor in a hurry, while the rest operated the large fans - raising and lowering in motion to produce breeze.

"Stud my dear, how is Morinda and my daughter?", he was caught between bowing in greeting by Euria's voice.

"But... But...", Stud stuttered, torso still lowered, face towards Euria, trying to concort a suitable response.

"Tell, Morinda to bring her to me at once", "Yes, your highness", Stud responded as he stood, whirled around and ran out of the parlor relieved.

The Nursery was guarded by two soldiers, they quickly pushed open the heavy oak doors as the eunuch approached. He stepped into the large brightly lit parlor, where a eunuch stood as if expecting the arrival of visitors. The parlor was decorated beautifully with the same shiny oak and leather backless couch cushions, as is found in the chambers of the Queens, making a circle in the center. Heavy long drapes covered the windows. Stud knew the eunuch by name, he had in fact recommended him as a handmaid to the little Princess. The eunuch speedily turned around, rushed to the inner room to announce the presence of the visitor.

Stud strolled in nonchalantly, exchanged greetings with the eunuch, and proceeded to the bed chamber where the little Princess was being breast fed by one of the wet nurses. Two wet nurses had been selected and groomed from among the servants months before. Morinda was sitting by the corner, nodding in approval. Stud knelt and bowed to the little Princess and arose to face Morinda.

"Greetings, Morinda, The Queen demands the presence of her daughter in her chambers this instant". Morinda got up, collected the already bathed and dressed sleeping baby, placed her in a wooden strolling basket stuffed with woolen materials, and covered her with silky clothing. She carried the basket towards the entrance, she was followed by Stud and the eunuch.