STEEL AND FLESH

WEARINESS IN THE MIDST OF PLENTY

"Your majesty our economic records here shows that we made gross profit from the sale of wheat, barley and corn, a profit higher than any we have recorded in our history." The King's economic adviser said. "With the demand for these cereals increasing three times higher than last year, we made more coin from our cereals than we did our gold and diamonds."

"I think our men at our mines need to step up their efforts or instead we could improve labour there at our mines, because with this shocking news, it shows that our export of gold products which have been our main economy over the years is losing its place to agriculture." Lord Cantrio said.

"So do you Lord Cantrio think that recognising agriculture as our main economy is a bad idea?"

"The success of an economy based on agriculture is determined by the weather, extreme workforce and quantity of products which could lose it's value over time, gold never loses value, so I say we improve our labour at the mines, I say we continue to recognize gold as our main economy." Lord Cantrio replied. The economic adviser turned to king Lauihnio who was paying no attention to what they discussed about, he supported his head on his knuckles with his hands stationed at a vertical direction above his golden desk which included books, slabs and scrolls. He fixed his gaze on the desk, thinking about all Bongan and the other Envoys had said about King Brothlander. King Lauihnio was worried about the sovereignty of Bauthinia but more than that he was concerned about the security of his people.

"King Lauihnio, your ability to secure trade lines across the shores of Mocini, has benefitted us greatly with revenues generated from our export reaching eight hundred thousand yaseriis a double figure compared to the four hundred thousand yaseriis we made at the last harvest."

The economic adviser said smiling at king Lauihnio. King Lauihnio jerked when he heard his name.

"What?" He asked in confusion.

"I said that our revenue generated at this harvest has doubled compared to what we generated at the last harvest." The economic adviser said dragging his speech. King Lauihnio put up a fake smile.

"Wow that's great, we made double this year, who knows next year we could hit triple figures." He said. Lord Cantrio and the economic adviser looked at each other with their mouths opened out of surprise because they found what the king said to be out of point.

"Yes your majesty we hope so, however we also registered increase in revenue generated from taxes." The economic adviser said glancing over a scroll he held in hand.

"Yes your majesty the rate at which people migrate into our kingdom especially our capital Laoia is increasing every single year, people believe Bauthinia would offer a better life and a higher standard of living." King Lauihnio heaved a sigh.

"Well that is good to hear at least our population is increasing - however what about the barons."

"Uh the barons, they left for their various provinces." Lord Cantrio said. "They spoke well of the tournament, and all of them except Lord Barthine Loust were delighted that Lord Banio Marrio is the new champion of Bauthinia." Lord Cantrio started chuckling but maturely.

"Yes Lord Banio Marrio is a good fighter, he deserved to win." King Lauihnio said. "He is an aggressive fighter who shows no fear, he shows great skill when weilding the sword, he reminds me of my days at the arena." The king took a sip of red wine placed on his desk.

"At last a man from the province of Vegia wins the title champion of Bauthinia - you should have seen the face of Lord Barthine Loust when his gladiator the man beast Crascios who was the defending champion yielded his sword to Lord Banio after a fierce battle which made both men to get soaked in their own blood."

"Yes that is what the arena is all about, surprise surprise surprise." The King said coldly. The door to the king's cabinet swung open, queen Lana walked in, she wore a beautiful red Linen stola and wrapped herself with a golden palla of which coupled with her beauty made her look resplendent. Lord Cantrio and the economic adviser stood up and bowed their heads towards queen Lana.

"Greetings your majesty!" Lord Cantrio greeted. "I must confess you look ravishingly beautiful."

"Thank you Lord Cantrio, I am honored." The queen smiled.

"The people of Bauthinia are blessed that Satti has made you a model of beauty, virtue, love and kindness for our women." The economic adviser said happily.

"Thank you for the compliment and I would do whatever is within my power not only to serve as a model of beauty but to serve as an encouragement to the women of Bauthinia concerning more spiritual things like prayer, reading the holy scrolls and practicing the purity and selflessness Oridon teaches us." The queen said taking a seat close to her husband. "So what do we have here, what is the news." She picked up one of the scrolls from king Lauihnio's desk and glanced through it.

"You surely are a woman sent from the gods to us - however we have good news of economic growth precisely in the agricultural sector which helped to boost our revenues generated from our exports, two times higher than that of the last harvest." The economic adviser said excitedly. The Queen's eyes were raised in amazement.

"Wow that is good news." She said.

"Yes my love, it is your fervent prayers and your dedication towards the ways of the gods that made them reach out their hands of favour and prosperity towards us." King Lauihnio held her hand passionately, he looked into her eyes and smiled. "You surely are a woman sent from the gods to us."

"Owww, that's so sweet of you." She replied her husband then turned to face Lord Cantrio and the economic adviser. "I really love the company of both of you, but at the moment I want to spend some private time with my husband." The queen said meekly.

"Oh yes my queen we would be leaving immediately." Lord Cantrio said then he walked with the economic adviser to the door and closed it behind them. With the door to the cabinet closed she turned to her husband.

"So how are you." She asked.

"I am good, all thanks to Oridon."

"Did you sleep well?" She tried to locate his eyes which failed to make contact with hers after Lord Cantrio and the economic adviser left.

King Lauihnio glanced at some scrolls on the table. "Yes I slept, but not so much as a baby would."

"And why is that?"

King Lauihnio giggled. "Well can't you see that I am a king, I have lots of work to do." He said.

"But you need to start having sleep, it has some health benefits - the gods speak to people who have peaceful sleep also, because when they sleep nothing bothers them and because of that, they are able to hear the gods clearly." The king looked up into her eyes uttering no word, then he continued his glance on the scrolls on his desk.

"When last did you say your prayers?" Queen Lana asked.

King Lauihnio creased his eyebrows as though confused. "What?"

"I asked you when last you say your prayers? - and don't you lie to me, because if you do lie I would know."

"I have been saying my prayers, but I have not been frequent."

The queen smiled. "If you tell the truth, swear by Oridon's mace."

King Lauihnio looked sheepishly at his wife. Being unable to think of anything reasonable to say in his defense, he gave in for he lied, he never said his prayers since his return from Quania not to talk of visiting the Oridon temple, the queen was aware of this and it was a development that got her really worried.

"Alright you win, I haven't said my prayers since the war."

Queen Lana frowned at her husband. "You are going to say your prayers this moment."

The king was confused. "What? Now? Where?"

"You are going to come with me to my chamber, we would say our prayers together, I have a shrine there and please don't hesitate, you surely do not want to make this hard for both of us." She said persuasively.