STEEL BORN

THE PALACE

The soft pot was turning on a stand, it was a slim vase. King Raul loved making vases of different kinds and sizes in his spare time, or times when he felt under pressure and wished to reach a decision. Making the vases helped him think keenly while selecting his choices carefully, and as gently as he touched the soft wet clay. He was nothing close to gentle, soft or meek and therefore a medium was shown to him years ago as a child, which helped him balance the energy in his body. His mother had seen to it, she had been advised by the Priestess of Aura - goddess of light, to train her son in the ways of the pot, if she wished to see him succeed as a King. Raul had mistakenly broken the arm and limb of his master, who taught him the methods of fist fighting. She had refused to believe it was a mistake since he was temperamental. He missed her everyday since the day she passed.

His hands were covered with watery clay, they were positioned by the turning pot. He was rubbing it gently from top to bottom, while seated on a long stool by the pottery table in the back of his bed chamber. Kudo stood far behind, his hands tucked under his clothes as he watched. He saw the entrance to the chamber open and a Eunuch hurried in, stopped, looked around and began to hurry towards him. It was Amand, Cara's Eunuch. He bowed briefly, whispered to Kudo and hurried away.

"Your grace, my King. Cara is here to see you". His voice boomed in the silence.

"Let her in at once", the King commanded as he gently arose and began to wash his hands in the bowl on the table. One of the slaves who had been standing afar off approached at once, a fresh bowl of water in hand. Cara walked in, followed by Amand. Kudo bowed all the way to his waist as he greeted the young Princess. "Where is my father?", Kudo gestured with his right hand, "this way, your highness". Cara was ten, but already as arrogant as befitting a Princess of her class. She walked with a gentle grace - as she had been taught by her teachers - towards the pottery area. Amand stood beside Kudo, head held high facing his front. The slaves attending the king knelt at once and prostrated towards Cara, careful not to spill or drop the burdens they carried.

"Greetings father, what a great morning",

"How are you my Princess?",

"Very well... I heard there's an execution coming forward today", she sat on the backless couch by the corner, raising her legs and placing them on it as she leaned on its corner. "I see you're excited", "pardon me father, it would be the first in my sight". She responded.

"You are looking sad, why is this?".

"No, I am only worried", King Raul cleaned his hands on the towel another slave had brought forward, he placed it on the silver tray he held and walked towards his daughter. "Kudo, get me something to eat". He sat opposite his daughter on a stool, placing his strong hands on his knees. He was bare chested, the golden jewels glistening on his dark form. There was a table between them surrounded by more stools and the couch where Cara perched.

"Why are you worried, father?",

"Judh was the Royal treasurer and someone I had began considering a friend, I trusted him. If he could steal so much who am I to trust?". Cara was the only member of his family he discussed matters of the Kingdom with, he saw it as a way of tutoring her in the ways of the throne. His wives were just people who slept in his bed when he wanted or who accompanied him on Royal duties. But his daughter, he saw almost as an equal.

"He was never a friend if he could steal from the Royal treasury, father". Cara retorted as a very intelligent girl. "Mrs Jonas says a friend will never steal from you".

King Raul agreed as his breakfast began to arrive, carried by servants on different silver trays. They began to place the food on the table between the Royals. Cara began eating at once, grabbing a bunch of grapes from a tray. King Raul watched her as he ate, he thought how fast she was growing and how he could no longer lift her into his bosom. He loved her dearly.

Kudo entered and announced the presence of Queen Talish. She entered immediately his voice faded. She slightly bowed and smiled at Cara.

"Greetings mother", Cara greeted as she had been taught. All the Queens were to be addressed as her mothers. Even though she knew her actual mother and regarded her as such.

"What is it Talish?",

"Your grace... I have come to plead that you have mercy, my king", Judh's wife had visited the Queen last night begging for help. She had promised to do anything to redeem her husband's life. "Shut up at once woman", the King was angered. Queen Talish had taken pity on the wife of Judh and decided to do this even though she understood the risk. "Surely there can be other measures of punishment for this unfortunate situation", she pressed on. King Raul looked at her, "I wish there was, I had almost taken action against the Chief of Ishikawa few years ago during the collection of taxes, he is the father of my wife, Talish... Only to discover it was the fault of a mere treasurer. My judgment is final". He barked.

Queen Talish bowed again and left as she had entered. Cara knew her father was displeased and so ate silently. She was now certain he was really sad as she had noticed before. She suddenly felt very sorry for the thieving Noble man, her excitement was reduced a great deal after what she had witnessed. She understood it was not out of joy but of necessity that a man must die in the retribution of his sins. King Raul did not speak again either, he finished his breakfast and stood ignoring the little Princess. There was work to be done and now he must face his duties.