STEEL BORN

THE FIRST SIGN

The staff of the city library were mourning. The chief caretaker of the city library - Handura, had been found dead from a heart attack in his office. He was found by his assistant the following morning. The man had found it odd that the caretaker's office was unlocked at that hour, he was never known to be that early to work. He had knocked repeatedly and when no one answered, he had opened the door to find the caretaker lying on the floor of his office, mouth wide open.

"I told you he was working too much for his age", one of the library workers said to her friend - a bookish young male.

"I agree, he should have retired", the young man said.

"You agree now because he's dead... I wanted to suggest so at the last meeting but you refused",

"There's too much politics here... you don't understand",

"Well, politics or not, he's dead and who's to blame now?",

"You should watch your mouth Nkita", her friend warned.

They were approaching the entrance to the staff room where a meeting was scheduled, to decide the next move of the library staff. Handura was buried yesterday morning - the next day after he was found dead. The library had been closed all day, all the staff had attended the burial ceremony at the place for the dead.

"We shall choose a new caretaker today", the former assistant to the late caretaker was saying.

"And who will perform the inauguration rights", one of the staff questioned.

"The most important thing for us to do now is to choose a new caretaker... I have been tutored well by sir Handura and can do my best during inauguration", the caretaker insisted.

"Alright... You are right any way, the library cannot be shut down forever", the staff speaking agreed.

"We will nominate three people, from whom we will choose the next caretaker by voting", the former assistant said, addressing everyone.

"I nominate you", someone responded from the twenty five staff.

"That is one. Next?", two other senior staff were nominated, and the former assistant won by majority vote. The staff decided he was more experienced since he worked closely with the late caretaker. The inauguration rights were performed by two senior staff without the idea of the cellar and the hidden key. Other necessary responsibilities were passed to the former assistant. It is he who would attend every function in the Royal city representing the library.

* * *

"This is Faro my friend and companion", Santux said to the Princess in his new chambers at the visitor's quarters in the Royal city. It was the evening of the day following his arrival, Amand had come with a note in the morning. The note had informed Santux that the Princess would be visiting that evening. Faro had wanted to leave, partly because he was afraid and partly to allow his friend some privacy. But Santux had refused, he had insisted that the earlier the Princess knew about him, the better.

"Your companion?", the Princess questioned, examining Faro. She had been hoping to find him alone, she had dreamed of how she would fall into his big arms as soon as they met. Now, she could not make a fool of herself in front of a total stranger.

"Yes, my Princess", Santux responded. "He is Faro, Faro Varom", Faro bowed again in greeting.

"I didn't know you had a companion", the Princess said ignoring Faro. She walked past them into the room.

"I am more of a servant to Santux your highness", Faro responded.

"Oh, that explains it", She said before Santux could speak. He closed his gaping mouth.

"How do you like your chambers Santux", Cara questioned, and sat on one of the rocking chairs now positioned by the fire place.

"It's beautiful my Princess, I am grateful", he responded, walking towards her.

Amand was standing by the door, "leave us", the Princess commanded as he left followed by Faro who understood he was also to leave. Santux stood before her, watching her.

"You are staring", Cara said,

"You look different my Princess", he responded. It was the first time he was seeing her as the crowned hair of Xion. The gold glistened on her face, on her neck and body from where he cold see her clothes open, also on her wrists and ankles. She was dressed in a long gray linen that covered her sandals, her neck was revealed all the way to few inches below her tommy button. There was a golden belt around her waist. It was the cold season, she had removed her coat at the door, handing it to Amand who hung it on a nearby stand. She was prettier, even though her head was smoothly shaved and bare.

"Yes... I've been crowned hair to the throne of Xion, and this is how I must look", she responded, averting her eyes.

"You are even prettier, my Princess", she looked into his eyes, saw the sincerity within, arose and hugged him. He lifted her gently and kissed her on the lips. Later, he gently placed her on the chair and sat on the other, opposite her. She reached out and pulled a string dangling by the fireplace. A knock was heard few minutes later on the door, Santux opened it and ushered in a slave. The slave bowed when she saw the Princess. "Get us a pitcher of vine wine, and something to eat",

"Yes your highness", the slave responded, bowed again and left. She returned few minutes later accompanied by two others carrying trays filled with food, fruits, roasted turkey, bread, sauce, two pitchers of wine, cups, plates and cutleries.

The Princess had a good time with Santux and by the time she left, both she and Santux had lost their innocence. She was happily smiling in her carriage on her way back to the Palace, Amand who had accompanied her to the visitors quarters pretended not to notice.

* * *

The apprentices of Niobe had always found him odd, he was ever so secretive and enyoyed being left alone. He taught them when he pleased, and said regularly that their main duties were to care for the things in the temple. So it wasn't odd that they stopped seeing him during the day, and only heard him, humming strangely at night moving around their side of the Temple's quarters. It had been almost a month since he assigned one of them the duties of performing the burial rights of Handura - the late caretaker of the city's library. The apprentices had taught it strange that one of them should do the job, but everything about Niobe was strange.

Niobe was in his secret room beneath the Temple, he was reading from the books he had returned to the library's cellar night after night to steal. He couldn't move freely in the day because his eyes hurt terribly in the sun. His powers were growing, he was learning a lot and very fast. The spirit that had possessed him was directing him, he discovered now from the book in front of him, that a jewel he needed to complete a scepter he had been making from stolen golds of the Temple, was hidden in Arden - the Royal burial Cave. He looked up speedily and his eyes flashed. He was not wearing his usual black hooded dress, he was in a simple black harem and light robe. His eyes fell on two of his inquisitive apprentices who had followed him down, and were hiding behind a Rocky wall watching him. They turned to run and he appeared in front of them. He struck them with paralysis, such that they could neither speak nor move, he carried them to the Chapel doors and left them there.

It was against the law to visit Thanati at night, it was said that the statue came alive possessed by the god in the night, and was dangerous. Niobe wanted to create the impression that they had disobeyed the rules and were therefore struck by the gods. Arden was too far to be visited to night and back before sun rise. He would wait until night. The two apprentices were found in the morning and nothing could be done to restore them.

* * *

"Princess Cara, here to see you my King", Kudo announced with his head raised, his deep baritone reverberated in the room. King Raul was finishing a design he was making on a new pot.

"Send her in at once", Kudo bowed and left. The Princess strolled in happily and sat on the cushion not too far from where the King was working. Amand greeted Kudo and stood by him.

"Father I have news for you", the Princess didn't know that the King was informed, about the presence of Santux from the moment he set foot on the capital. She didn't know he knew about the Royal chamber she had set apart for her lover, or that he knew the number of times she had visited the Royal visitor's quarters since that day.

The moment the Royal carriage stopped at the Wharf, a woman selling fish had become interested, and when the carriage left, she had taken a break from her business. She went to whisper in an ear that in turn whispered to another, until the news got to Kudo.

"uh - ho?", he said while concentrating on his work.

"Do you remember Santux... Santux Bogina from the city of Ludia in the North, you met him at Kastaly", Cara said.

"oh the boy as huge as my Kudo, what about him?", the King responded.

"He's here in Worth father",

"Really?... What for?",

"I invited him",

"Why?... I'm not aware of any events this cold season in Worth",

"I missed him father, and I think I love him", the Princess had arose from the cushion and was standing by her father, she placed her hands on his big arms making him look at her.

"Alright... I will just hang him then", the King said, turning to his work.

"Please father...", the Princess began, and was going on her knees when the King grabbed her by the arm and held her up.

"Have him come and see me", He commanded, she hugged him from the side of his shoulder, placing her head by his neck.

"That's enough Cara, you will ruin my work", She kissed him on the cheek and happily strolled away.

That evening, Santux was ushered into the Palace followed by Faro who had assumed the duties of a servant, even though it was only in public and around the Princess. The Palace was beautiful, there were fountains in the flower garden, families of Goose were on the waters. Birds of different colors and sizes were everywhere. There were smaller animals in the distance, they had seen larger animals at the lower part of the Palace. It took a lot of energy for Faro and Santux to control their emotions in the presence of Amand, who had received and was leading them towards the inner Palace. The King and his family were seated at the dinning chamber, drinking wine and waiting for dinner. The King sat at the head, his wives beside him. Cara was at one end being nervous and silent, she had sent a note to Santux as soon as she had left her father's quarters inviting him to dinner.

Santux and Faro were ushered into the excessively large dinning room, the table was long, there were plates arranged as if a banquet was about to begin. There were flowers in the center of the table, the Royal family were seated at the end of the table talking and laughing. They went silent as soon as the strangers entered the room. Cara smiled, stood and went over to get Santux, she was happy to see him. He was nervous, she reassured him silently, as they walked towards the King and his wives, who observed silently. Faro had been left standing by the entrance, Santux bowed in greeting.

"Father, Mothers this is Santux Bogina, my chosen", Cara said. Queen Talish spat a mouth full of wine in shock. Santux was looking handsome in one of the new princely robes Cara had filled his closet at the Royal visitor's quarters with, so it wasn't that, neither was it the fact that Santux was a commoner judging from his name. Queen Talish's grandmother was a commoner, she herself wasn't completely Royal, her father was simply a Duke. It was the fact that Cara had grown enough to have a man, now how did that happen so fast? Cara had informed her mother about Santux and she was pleased just by looking at him. She took one warning look at Talish... "You are welcome my dear, do have a seat". She said.

The hot food began arriving as soon as Santux sat, the smell filling the room. Faro swallowed where he stood and wondered how the Eunuchs and servants managed to act like nothing is happening in the presence of so much sweet smelling, mouth watering, food. Cara placed Santux by her side, and by the time they began eating, he was fully relaxed. The King stood, after eating and invited Santux to come with him. They walked into the garden by the dinning room, darkness had descended. The garden was illuminated by fire places, the King had a manly talk with Santux.

"Tell me Santux Bogina of the North... How many women have you had", he questioned.

"None, your Highness, I have had eyes for only the Princess since the day I saw her",

"When was that?",

"A little over two years ago, during the harvest festival",

"Ah, now I remember you, you were the boy with a cup",

"Yes, I had to return it... I had mistakenly taken it with me after the party the previous night",

"Have you touched my daughter?",

"I... She... I..."

"Yes?", the King demanding, watching him.

"I beg your pardon your highness, but Princess Cara was very persuasive and irresistible", he responded.

"I could arrest you, have you executed or anything... But I would never hurt my daughter. You must know I love her and now so must you". The conversation was over.

They were about returning to the dinning room when they saw a flash of red from the sky, it flew directly towards them and dissipated before it touched the tip of the castle. Princess Cara had become worried by how long they had been out and was coming out of the dinning room, the trio saw it and the sky held a large golden circle for some time.

* * *

Niobe was standing by an ancient sarcophagus in Arden - the Royal burial Cave. He had left the Temple few hours ago, as soon as darkness had descended. He was wearing his usual black hooded dress. It had been fun scolding the remainder of his apprentices from the confines of his darkened room, when they had come bringing the news about the two unfortunate ones he had struck down.

"Have I not warned you about entering the Chapel at night?", he had questioned.

"They were not found in the Chapel sir", the chief apprentice, had said. "They were found outside the Chapel".

"They were probably coming out of the Chapel", Niobe had rethought.

"The doors were locked", the young man informed him.

"How do you know they didn't lock it after they came out?... You should check to verify that nothing is missing in the Chapel".

"Sir, what do we do?",

"Send them back to their homes... It should be a lesson to you all... Learn to keep away from the Chapel at night",

"But sir, what do we tell their parents?",

"I would not be disturbed!.. Tell them what you please... I have duties to round up, you may leave".

Now, he was examining the ancient sarcophagus in front of him. It had belonged to an ancient King of Xion, one of the great grandfathers of Raul. He began reading from a book he had brought with him, his voice vibrating and increasing in tempo. The sarcophagus shook, bounced once, and opened emitting some smoke from around the lid. He put the book aside and pushed open the sarcophagus. The insides were covered by gray dust, there was a skeleton dressed in an expensive apparel, the apparel was dirty but intact. It had jewels spotted all over and a golden crown was still on it's skull. There were jewels of gold, silver, and precious stones surrounding the skeleton, it was clutching a long sword. The green ruby Niobe wanted was at the hilt of the sword.

Niobe pried the sword from the strong fingers of the skeleton, he tried to remove the ruby without success and decided to take home the entire sword. Jewels were not in his interest, he replaced the lid on the sarcophagus and left.

The ruby he was interested in was the ancient symbol of power of Xion, the sword he had stolen was the sword that had built Xion, it had been used in the battles that united all the regions of the Empire. It was buried with the King who had declared a lasting peace in the Empire - Buldagrash. A golden scepter had been made and fortified as the new symbol of peace and power, it was passed from generation to generation of Emperors. King Raul was it's present custodian.

It was dawn by the time Niobe arrived his secret room beneath the Temple. He was finally able to separate the ruby from the hilt of the sword. He hid the sword away and kept the ruby safe for later use.

* * *

Cara was in her mother's parlor, she had visited the Priestess of Light last night after dropping Santux and his companion off at the visitor's quarters. Santux had wanted to accompany her to the Temple, she had refused insisting it was safer for him to remain out of the matters of the Kingdom, for now.

The Priestess had seen the same thing they saw, she had been finishing a ritual under the light of the moon when it happened. She was seated in her mysterious bed chamber, which was the only room she owned in the temple expecting Cara, when her chief apprentice led her in. The room was dimly illuminated by light coming from blurry candle stands, the Priestess was seated within a circle of pots, and mysterious objects. The chamber smelled of bad insence, there were jars containing mysterious items on shelves surrounding the room. Cara was trying to adjust her eyes to the darkness in the room when the Priestess spoke.

"Greetings, Cara daughter of Raul and Princess of Xion",

"There's no light in this room as befitting a Priestess of Light", Cara mocked.

"You saw it didn't you?", The Priestess whose position was becoming clearer to Cara questioned, ignoring the sarcastic observation. Something was emitting smoke which was traveling upwards in front of the Priestess.

"Yes, as did my father and someone who was visiting me at the Palace",

"Someone?",

"Yes, Santux Bogina of the North",

"What was a commoner doing visiting the Princess of Xion in her Palace?",

"I invited him", Cara snapped angrily.

"Do you have any interest in this commoner?", the Priestess questioned with a gentle tone.

"Yes, he is my chosen", she was looking around the room, the excuse for a bed the Priestess slept in was at the far corner of the room.

"And you say he saw it as well?",

"Yes, as did my father".

"Sit", the Priestess commanded pointing to a low stool by the circle of mysterious pots, Cara obeyed. The Priestess lifted the pot that was seating on the miniature fire before her, she approached Cara and circled her head thrice with the smoking pot. She blew air at the Princess and she was hypnotized.

"Remember... You were there, what was the light?", the Priestess questioned. Cara was silent for a while, then she began to speak.

"It was the return of the spirit of death... The spirit which had brought destruction to the Earth... The light was the first sign". Cara spoke dreamily, the Priestess clapped twice before Cara's face and she awoke.

"The goddess Aura was right, the spirit of death has returned... Your path is entwined with this stranger who saw the sign with you, the fate of the Kingdom lies on your shoulder".

"What am I to do?",

"Aura says we must wait". The meeting had ended.

Now, she was having breakfast with her mother. She ate silently, lost in thought.

"What ails you Cara, my dear?", Euria questioned. Cara told her about her visit to the Temple.

"She said my path is entwined with Santux's",

"Where is the boy now?",

"He's staying at the visitor's quarters",

"He must move in with us Cara".

"Will father allow it?", The Princess was surprised.

"If it is as you say, then the earlier he started receiving the training befitting a Prince, the better for us all. Don't worry, I will speak to your father".