The Elephant Gate

Once everyone was in place, several temple priests filed out and blessed the crowd while native music played in the background. After being blessed, the chief handlers walked over to the elephants. Kevin also stood up by his chair.

First, the a.d.u.l.t elephant was brought forward. She kneeled for a moment as the priests splashed holy water on her head and placed a huge garland of flowers around her neck. She stood up and was led to the side near the royal family. Surikitiyia was held back by her mom when she tried to reach Kwamsoo.

Khun Wit led the baby elephant forward just behind the dais. The priests completed a similar ritual, this time sprinkling the animal with holy water from head to tail. The garland placed on her neck was much smaller but no less gaudy. Once they finished the blessing, the priests filed out into the recesses of the barn.

King Phuna stepped forward and motioned for silence.

"We welcome into our midst a new member, whose fragile life was saved with much effort and much love."

He touched both ears.

"May she always listen and shield those under her protection."

He touched the trunk.

"May she use her strength to support and guard those under her protection."

He touched the back.

"May she carry to safety and to battle those under her protection."

Giving her a final pat, he stepped back and gave a low bow to the animal, who raised her trunk above her head in salute. A rumble of distant thunder punctuated the ritual.

Khun Wit nodded to Kevin, who swallowed a suddenly-dry mouth. He took a deep, steadying breath, and walked to the dais. A servant stepped forward carrying a large book with "Ēlĕphańt Ŗeĝisţratioň" embossed on the cover in silver gilt, and placed it on the table. Kevin stepped up and opened it to the first empty page. He gripped a silver pen in his hand, and carefully wrote "Ķandůla, of Ķwāmső by Lin-ŵāng" on the top of the page, then wrote down the baby's date of birth. Leaving it open to dry, he picked up a small jar and paintbrush left on the table, and climbed down to approach the animal.

He could almost hear the elephant's thoughts. She was enjoying the attention and feeling a bit mischievous.

The elephant playfully tickled Kevin's ribs, eliciting a giggle. "Stop it," he hissed through his laughter, "I don't want to drop everything." He dipped the brush into the reddish dye. There was a circular space drawn on the elephant's forehead, and Kevin painstakingly wrote her name again. Knowing how important it was, she obediently stayed still. Once he completed it, he stepped back, and took a deep breath.

"Her name is Kandula, named for a famous elephant in my country. May she grow to be strong and bright, to guard and shield all under her protection." He bowed to both elephants and returned to his seat. Captain Thadchai clapped him on the shoulders and quietly said, "Well done."

The elephant handler stepped onto the dais and initialed the registration entry. With a final musical fanfare, the elephants were led back to their pickets, and the guests began to file past them both.

During this time, the sky began to darken as the wind picked up. Khun Wit picked up the registry and carefully placed it in a black velvet bag, then carried it into the barn, along with the pot of henna and paintbrush. Servants started to dismantle the table and dais while others brought the flower bouquets against the wall and out of the threatening weather.

The royal family walked over to where Kevin was talking with the head of the equine facility. "So, how is our young charge, Khun Tae?" The king jovially asked.

"Although he has been to the barns only once, Your Highness, I can see he has a deft touch with the animals. I'm looking forward to training him." Kevin blushed while Suri snickered. The king cast a stern eye on his daughter, who immediately subsided. He was all smiles, though, when he shook Kevin's hand.

"Well done, young Kevin. You performed that perfectly. Do you know that Kandula is now part of your responsibility to take care of and train?" Kevin ducked his head as he felt his face redden even further.

"I promise to do a good job, King Phuna." He looked up at the monarch, who was again smiling. "Can Sur'kya help me sometimes too?"

"Of course." He replied, above the happy squeals of his daughter, "as long as she pays attention during her lessons and does her own chores."

"Thank you. Can she come with me to the elephants now?" With the king's permission, both scampered off hand in hand, to pet and talk to the pachyderms. The royals and their captain watch the two interact.

The storm finally reached them with a curtain of rain as everyone scurried into the shelter of the barn. The two children confidently led the elephants under the safety of the overhang with the handlers in tow.

"It will be good for the three of them to grow up together, for as long as Noy Kevin remains in our country," Queen Rachini observed. "He seems a very good boy." She pulled out a small camera. "I'm going to take some pictures of them before everything gets put away."

"My wife is quite observant." The king commented.

Thadchai nodded. "The next generation will have their own obstacles and problems to overcome."