STEEL BORN

SANTUX AND THE PRINCESS

It was the sixth day of the harvest festival, Santux had missed his new friends the previous day. He had dreamt of being lost in a cave with lots of dark passages. It was not really a nightmare. He was having breakfast with his parents when a knock sounded on the door. "I'll see who it is", Santux said rising, hoping for one or two of his new friends. He saw Mangu standing expectantly opposite the door, "greetings young sir, there is a message for you." Mangu handed him a paper and accepted his thanks. Santux shut the door and opened the paper at once, heading back to the breakfast table. They were having bread, milk and eggs from the kitchens of the Inn. His father had taught him to read, there was a collection of old books in there home. A few were purchased by his father during his trips to the city. They were mostly stories and histories of one event or the other. He read the contents, "what does it say?", his mother questioned staring at him expectantly.

"It is from Elias du Pakins", he sat down smiling.

"Ah, that boy from the common room", his father exclaimed in recognition.

"Yes father",

"You mean the ones he has been following about?", his mother questioned judgmentally.

"There is a party coming forward tonight at the Palace, Elias will be here to take me along", he said excitedly.

"Good for you my boy", the father cheered.

"Just watch the way you drink", the mother admonished.

"Let the boy alone, Maya. He is a grown man, he can handle himself".

"But I lack what to wear, father... I like the way Elias dresses and I'm sure he will be looking better tonight... He is of noble birth".

"Eat up my dear, we will go to the market... I'm there must be something we can find", his father said.

The market was filled with people of different colors, many stared at the looming form with handsome young face walking beside a man. They deduced the two men must be related, because of how the taller was leading the older man, who walked like a king following the path the taller made within the crowd. Santux was gently pushing people aside with his left hand, his right was placed firmly around his father's shoulder. Had Santux grown a beared like his father, he would have been looking like a larger version of his father. The market was fuller than Bogina had ever seen it. People were selling different things, Santux bought a thick silver robe made in the latest fashion, and a matching hat. He was excited even though he had spent almost all the coins he traveled with in one buying, he was greatful to Faro for advising him not to travel with empty pockets. He was certain Faro would love his new collection.

Maya made adjustments to the robe when they returned to the Inn, using needle and thread from her knitting box. Santux couldn't shut up about his anticipated visit to the great palace of Xion. "Will there be girls? how about Princesses?", he questioned his father, thinking about one he would give the world to speak with. "I don't know... You're a lucky boy my son. All my days and I have never seen the inside of that building", his father responded. "Neither have I", his mother added.

Few hours before dark, there was another knock on the door. Santux who was impatiently pacing about the room, rushed at once to answer. It Mangu, "sir, Elias du Pakins and another young man are waiting for you at the common room". Santux shut the door so fast, Mangu had to jump backwards exclaiming in amazement. "Sorry", Santux shouted as he rushed to get his robe. He was already putting on a black harem and sandals. He placed the matching hat on his head and made to rush out. "Come and give your mother a hug, Santux", he obey at once, rushed over to his father seated on the rocking chair watching him, and also hugged him. "You are looking good, son", Bogina complimented. "Watch how you drink", his mother shouted after him as he hurried out.

He found Elias and the other young man seated at the back of the common room, they were drinking from a pitcher of wine. They were in no hurry whatsoever, Elias gestured to the serving girl to bring an extra cup. "You look amazing Santux, who made your robe?", Elias questioned. "I don't know, I bought it today at the open market", he responded. "Yes, some of those merchants do sell quality products", the other man agreed. Elias and the other young man had jewelries around their wrists, neck and some parts of their robe. The other young man removed one of the golden pins on his robe and stuck it on Santux's left chest. "Now, you're complete" he said and they laughed. He had been worried when Elias informed him Santux was coming with them, they knew he was raised an ordinary village boy. He had surprised them appearing so elegantly dressed.

They finished their wine, stood and proceeded to the front of the Inn, they waited a little while, telling stories of all they anticipated to experience at the palace. A nice carriage stopped in front them, driven by a young man who had ran off when he saw them coming out from the Inn. Elias opened the door, holding it open for his friends. "This is a nice looking carriage", Santux said after they were seated, "it has been in the family for years", Elias informed him, he was seated by his friend facing Santux. He produced a bottle of wine from somewhere behind him, took a long sip and passed it around.

Darkness had descended by the time they arrived at the Palace gate, the carriage began to move slower than usual, there was a long queue.

A heavy knock sounded on the door of the carriage, Elias threw the door open. There was a Royal guard looking in at them. Elias produced a card and handed it to the guard, "these are my brothers", he said. The guard took one look at the card, handed it back and waved them forward. When the carriage finally stopped, they got down and Santux was awed. There was a brightly lit enormous building before him, It was white like all the buildings in the Royal city. The stairs before him looked like they had no end, stretching to a distance Santux could not see in the dark. "Come on, big man", Elias said, they began climbing the stairs, there was about thirteen of them, Santux counted because he planned to describe everything to his parents.

The giant entrance to the building was open, there was a guard standing on each of the ends. The hall they entered was brightly lit by giant chandeliers of candles. There were beautifully dressed young men and women at every turn. Everyone had a cup in hand. They were standing in groups discussing, gentle music was coming from a corner at the extreme of the hall, Santux could see the musicians because of his height. A number of people were dancing at an area close to the musicians. There was an elevated section where some people were seated, mostly ladies. The were cushions by the walls of the hall, few people where also sitting on some. "Meet the privileged children of Xion", the other man said to Santux and they laughed. He began pointing out important personalities in the crowd. An almost n***d slave approached them carrying a tray containing glasses of wine, they took one each and Elias admired her plum breasts. She behaved like nothing happened, she was wearing a golden flay skirt that covered her all the way to her ankles, a matching scarf was wrapped around her head, as were all the serving slaves. Her dark skin glowed in the light.

There was a blast from two glimming trumpets from above. The crowd turned towards the noice and the pretty form of Princess Cara appeared, she smiled down at the crowd, waved and proceeded to the staircase leading down. She was dressed in a pretty shining green dress, the dress covered her front from a round golden ornament around her neck, it covered her entire bossom to her waist, there was a golden belt around her waist. Her entire back to the golden belt was bare. The dress was long, all the way to the floor, it flowed a little behind her. There was a small golden crown on her head. Santux was relieved to see that she was alone, the sight of the man who had accompanied her during the opening ceremony had filled him with jealousy. The crowd raised their glasses towards her in greetings, while the slaves knelt at their various positions until she got to the foot of the stairs joining the crowd. Santux wished for a moment with her.

The party went from cool to vibrant all the way to wild. Santux had lost the sight of the Princess after watching her for a long time, he had also lost his friends. There was an endless influx of serving slaves, some trays were beginning to contain fruits and roasted porkchops placed in small ceramic plates. Some carried empty trays for retrieving emptied cups and plates. At some point, he decided to go outside in search of fresh air. The door they had entered from was shut, but there was an open door not too far from where he stood, he went out through it. He found himself in a beautiful flower garden, there were large burning fire places at strategic points. There were seats made of stone scattered about - milk colored like the building, he sat on one. He was still taking in the magnitude of the beauty surrounding him, when he heard a beautiful female voice from behind...

"Greetings", he turned to find Princess Cara standing behind him, she looked inquiringly into his eyes. He was stoned, "am I interrupting something?", she questioned.

"No, I'm... I am sorry your highness", he stuttered as he arose and bowed.

"May I join you? I was beginning to suffocate in there",

"Of course", Santux responded. She was amazed at his height, and pleased by his good looks. She smiled up at him and sat on the spot he had stood from. "You may sit", she gestured to the space beside her.

"No... No", Santux stuttered still dazed.

"I demand that you sit", Cara commanded. He looked around in unbelieve, trying to be sure he was safe, the few people around them were paying no attention. Even the guards by the entrance to the hall. "Do you know what will happen if you disobey me?", Cara was becoming impatient. He reluctantly sat beside her, obeying her command.

Morinda whom Santux hadn't noticed earlier came towards them carrying a small golden tray, there were two glasses of wine on it. She bent towards the Princess presenting the tray. The Princess took one of the glasses and she presented the other to the remarkable young man beside her. There were two purposes behind her action, one to serve the Princess and the other, to take a proper look at the young man beside her.

"How may I address you?", the Princess questioned ignoring Morinda who left as soon as the last cup was lifted from the tray.

"Santux, my given name is Santux", he answered noticing the difference in the glass he sipped from. The cup was heavier than the ones he had drank from in the hall, the wine tasted exactly like his father's product. It was made of vine with little alcohol.

"Do you have a family name?", the Princess questioned in surprise at the shortest name she had heard in her life time. Santux hadn't been taught to accompany his name with his father's, it was seen as a reservation for the noble.

"Oh yes, Bogina... My father's name is Bogina", he responded as he swallowed.

"Santux Bogina, you are not from around here, are you?".

"No, I mean yes... I am from the city of Ludia, I came with my parents for the festival?".

"How interesting... where are your parents?", She questioned sipping from her glass.

"They should be sleeping right about now at the Inn - De Ion, where we found lodging", he responded. They were interrupted by Elias, who bowed to the Princess smiling from ear to ear. "Greetings Princess Cara", he said. "This is my friend Elias du Pakins", Santux introduced his friend. "Well, hello", she responded finally understanding how Santux Bogina had managed to be in the party.

"I'm afraid we have to leave, Santux", Elias said still staring at the charming Princess, it was the closest he had ever been to her.

"Will I see you again Santux Bogina, from Ludia?", she questioned.

"By all the gods, I pray?", he responded as he arose. They bowed again to her and headed towards the front of the hall. They were joined by the other man who had been too afraid to approach the Princess and Santux. Till they dropped off the enchanted Santux at the Inn, they never stopped talking about their last moments at the Palace.