STEEL BORN

THE TRIP AROUND THE KINGDOM

It was finally time to crown Cara as hair to the Kingdom of Xion. There were rituals to be observed before the arrival of the crowning ceremony. She must first travel around the Empire. There were three regions - the North, South and East, Worth was located in the West. The various regions had five cities and one capital. The various regions were known for their various contributions to the wealth of the Empire. Diamonds were found in the East, Gold in the mines of the South, the North was known for the production of food. The Princess must visit these places before the day of the crowning ceremony.

There were seven carriages in front of the Palace, slaves were loading them with materials necessary for the journey. The King was to travel in the first carriage accompanied by Kudo, the Princess, Morinda and Amand were to travel in the second. The rest were occupied by a good number of servants, slaves and luggage. The chief of Worth - Sia's father, and the chief commander of the army was to watch over Worth until the return of the King. The best soldiers in the capital had been selected for the trip, they were charged with protecting the King and his daughter till they returned, there were over a hundred riding men and horses.

"I wonder what it would be like on the sea, I have never traveled", Cara complained to Morinda. It had been two years since the remarkable harvest festival. She was older, taller and prettier. She dwarved Morinda who had to walk faster to meet up, they were heading towards the front of the palace where the carriages awaited. Her mother had kissed her goodbye few minutes ago, the shape of Euria's lips was still fresh on her cheeks. She had hugged the other Queens ignoring the dramatic crying of Talish. Behind them followed Amand, hands beneath his robe.

"Don't worry my Princess, I am certain you will enjoy every bit of the trip", Morinda responded. Slaves were kneeling and bowing everywhere they passed. The King and Kudo were already seated in his carriage when the trio arrived. A servant held open the door to Cara's carriage as they stepped in. The servant quickly climbed up and sat by the coachman, the journey had began. People were on the streets outside the Royal city, they had come to say farewell to the King. Flowers were thrown from windows and rooftops as the processsion approached the city gates. The soldiers on their horses preceded the convoy, there were also soldiers by the carriages and some behind. The Royal Ship waited ready at the Wharf outside the gates of the capital.

* * *

It was midmorning when the entourage arrived in Ishikawa - the capital city of the South. The journey to the south had been full of adventure. Their Ship had ducked at the only Wharf in the South, located over one city away from Ishikawa. They had continued on carriages as they had done in the beginning of the journey. The convoy had stopped at some places where the horses were fed and rested. One of the places was the abode of Idam - a small man who lived with his family on a large castle - Castle Khalo. Idam du Khalo had inherited a large part of his wealth from his father and had increased through Animal farming, he reared animals of diverse sizes. Some of the animals in the Royal city had been taken from his farm. He traveled far and wide in search for animals and rare species, using one of the two Ships he owned on the sea. He had been earlier informed of the visit of the King and his daughter, he was well prepared and ancious to show off his latest findings. Some quarters in the castle had been prepared for the short rest of the King and his daughter. Idam was an ambitious man, he secretly hoped the king would give his daughter in marriage to one of his grandsons.

"I would prefer to be chief of the South, being of noble birth is just not enough", he had once said to one of his grandsons.

"Why can't you be chief Pa?",

"To be chief, I would have to be born to a royal family",

"Like Yule?", Yule was one of the grand sons of the chief of the South, who was in the same class as the little boy at the place of learning in Worth.

"Exactly!", Idam had concluded.

When they arrived at Idam's territory, they were received by few guards accompanied by Idam and his three sons. Idam and his sons led the Royal family including Morinda, Kudo and Amand accompanied by few soldiers to the castle, while the guards led the rest of the soldiers and slaves to a quarter behind the castle. They were received at the entrance of the castle by the entire household. There were the three wives of Idam's three sons, their children and all the servants working on the property - the slaves were to care for the rest of the King's soldiers, slaves and horses behind the castle. The entire members of Idam's household wes lined side by side waiting for the arrival of the King. They bowed as soon as the King and his daughter alighted from the carriages, Idam introduced everyone, one after the other. He had prepared a banquet, there was a lot to eat and drink. Idam du Khalo had taken the Princess and her father to his animal shelter the following day. There were animals of different sizes and forms. King Raul chose a few from the collection of birds to be sent to the Royal Ship. Princess Cara enjoyed the two days spent in Castle Khalo.

Now, they were arriving Ishikawa, the people of the capital city had heard about the visit of the King. They were on the streets throwing flowers and celebrating their arrival. Many who lived near the capital had abandoned their various activities for the day to witness the coming of their King. They were warmly received at the Cherub's castle - chief of the south and father to the second Queen of Xion". Cherub was a tall lanky man, he was dressed in the royal regalia of the south, his family stood by him - his wife, their son and his son's family.

"You are ever young, Cherub son of Dayeu", the King said laughing.

"But never younger than my King",

"How is my daughter?",

"Very well... Very well indeed",

"Greetings Princess Cara, the ever beautiful", chief Cherub said to Cara.

"Greetings my Lord", Cara responded as she had earlier been instructed by Morinda. Chief Cherub was her grand father by marriage, since Wicca his daughter was one of the Queens of Xion and by office, her second mother. The castle was like a second home to the Princess. They rested and on the second day, they set off to visit the gold mines. They were led by the chief, half of the soldiers that had accompanied the King and some soldiers of Ishikawa.

The ride was almost a whole day. Huge tents were erected closeby in anticipation of the visitors. One for the King, another for the Princess and another for chief Cherub. The Princess, Morinda, Amand and the three slaves who were accompanying her on the journey, settled in their tent. Her bath was drawn and dinner was served before she retired for the night. King Raul and Kudo settled in another tent, a smaller tent was erected for his slaves. The following day, the Princess was led by the King and the Chief, they were accompanied by few soldiers to the mines, they were on horses. The gold mine was a huge opening in the ground, there were various tunnels on the walls of the opening. There were hundreds of slaves in line entering and coming out of the mine through different paths, they were very busy. The Royals observed the happenings for sometime, chief Cherub discussed constantly with the King pointing towards various direction. It was a glorious sight to the Princess.

"I felt like I was going to fall in there", the Princess said to Morinda during her bath back at the tent.

"I've never seen the mines, but I've heard a lot about it from your mother", Morinda had been born and raised in the city of Worth.

"One day, I may take you".