Lxotu

Two hours later, Miashgon was thinking to himself that this was not such a fine idea after all. He was cold, and he couldn't even take out a bow and sword because he was at the front gate instead of one of the towers. Besides, this was just a stupid political function; all the guests were stuffy nobles and their boring children, and most of the crowd was local nobility, noone wanted to travel these days. Miashgon was hoping to see someone he didn't recognize, maybe someone from Ashgor, but he'd seen everyone before. A peace had recently been established on the Rijero/Ashgor border, and though noone had mentioned it, this function was to test the Kingdom of Ashgor to see if they would accept the Rijero hospitality.

Another half-hour passed by. The banquet was about to get started, and thankfully, Miashgon was only a half-hour from the end of his duty. Suddenly, a huge mass appeared on the horizon. it moved very quickly, and within five minutes, the group of people had reached the castle doors.

The man in the front of the group wore a plain silver band on his head. "I am Jarel Lxotu, King of Ashgor," he boomed, "and this is the court of my capitol. I believe we have a standing invitation?"

Miashgon simply stared at the group for a few moments, then blinked as one of the men around the King cleared his throat, "Oh! Of course. I am Miashgon Jiponte, Prince of Rijero, and I welcome you on behalf of my father, though I'm sure you will be welcomed many times over tonight."

"The Prince? Guarding the gates?" The King laughed, "Has Rijero no end to its oddity?"

Miashgon began to explain, "Well-"

"I think that its a grand idea!" A proud-looking, blond teenager shouted from the crowd, "A very noble thing to do, protect your own father's castle during important events. I believe I should guard the gates at our next banquet, Father."

The King chuckled at the boy's words, "Very well then. Let us go in."

Miashgon motioned to the doorman, and the gates opened. Miashgon watched the crowd as it walked in. There were perhaps a hundred people here, maybe more. Most of them were older, fifty or sixty years perhaps, but near the back of the group, there was some children, and a group of teenagers. Miashgon looked at each youth's face, each as unrecognizable as the one before. The group seemed fairer than the nobility of Rijero, possibly an effect of living so close to the elves.

As he scanned the faces, one came clearly into focus. She was gorgeous, probably sixteen or seventeen. They made eye contact. Her eyes were hazel, beautiful and smiling, as though she had never felt sorrow in her life. He wanted to keep looking, but she quickly passed over the threshold.

A voice scared him out of his reverie, the words frightened him even more, "Yeah, my sister can have that effect on noble teenage boys; seriously though, you should not be distracted like that on guard duty. After I stuck up for you and everything."

Miashgon looked back to see the blond prince standing next to him. The boy was about six feet tall, about an inch shorter than Miashgon himself, and he wore a thin, gold chain around his neck. He had hazel eyes, very similar to his sister's, but not nearly as carefree. He had an aura of nobility, and the devil-may-care feeling that came with it.

"I know you can speak, I heard you earlier." His grin widened, "Perhaps it always takes you five minutes to come up with a response?"

Miashgon looked him dead in the eyes, "Perhaps it does, but then again, why would I need to respond. You spoke nothing but the truth, and I am much to proud to apologize for my act."

"Ah, you do speak, and with humor. I was afraid for a moment that you would be boring. So, I know your name, Miashgon, but you don't have mine: Xavier Lxotu, Prince of Ashgor. That girl, the one you were staring at, that was my sister, Zerona."

"A pleasure to meet you Xavier. You shouldn't be late getting into the banquet though."

"Oh, forget the banquet. I have a brand new castle to explore. You wouldn't be up to the challenge of tour guide now, would you?"

"I must finish this shift, and make an appearance for the last half of the banquet. I'm afraid I would be missed. However, that does leave about an hour and a half if you're game."

"I'm game. I'll be at the doors to the banquet."

"Sounds good, see you there."

Xavier passed through the gates, and disappeared down the hall. Miashgon turned back to the horizon, and mused on the Lxotu family for the last quarterhour of his watch.

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