Three weeks later, after a rather boring voyage at sea, the ship reached the port of Paras, the capital city of Ghota. The men on his ship were now dressed in leather armor with Ghota's crest upon their chest pieces. Ten of them escorted Roban to the palace. They didn't capture too much attention walking through the town. A young boy, even a large one, escorted by some soldiers didn't seem to be very unusual to the townsfolk, or just not very interesting. Nothing happened until they reached the palace. It was a huge building at the back of the town, surrounded by beautifully arranged gardens. The gate was guarded by a moat and they crossed a drawbridge to reach the palace. Roban was further escorted into a great hall. At the far end of the hall was a beautifully decorated throne on a dais, but currently empty. There were many people in the hall, gathered in small groups, talking and laughing. His group obviously caught the attention of a young women's assembly, curiously watching them and whispering amongst each other. Three of the women finally left the group and walked straight to Roban and his escort. The soldiers bowed deeply to the arriving women. The leading young woman gave a short nod to the guards and they left.
She was a lovely young woman of maybe twenty to twenty-five and average height. Long, dark red hair flew in gentle waves around her shoulders and down to the middle of her back. Dressed in a dark green silk gown, her shoulders were left bare. The gown was belted by a gold chain with a large emerald in its center. The chain-belt accented slim hips and a small waist. The hem of the gown ended at her ankles, allowing glimpses at the golden strings of her sandals. Her décolleté, decorated by another gold chain and a large dark ruby, gave way to a generous view of a rather large bosom. Eyes the same dark green color as her dress, an aristocratic straight nose and full dark red lips completed the view of a perfectly beautiful woman. Her rather predatory gaze didn't disturb Roban because she didn't wear any weapons as far as he could see. He hadn't learned yet that weapons of steel were not the only thing a warrior had to fear.
She slowly walked around him, never taking her eyes from him.
"Roban, the heir to the Throne of Blood." She mused to herself. "You are big. They told me you're just sixteen, is that true?" She asked him, finally standing in front of him again.
"Almost seventeen!" He answered. "Are you Queen Leandris?"
"Where are my manners? Yes, I am Queen Leandris of Ghota," she replied smiling at him.
After a short bow to the Queen, Roban asked her, "Am I your guest and may leave whenever I want, wherever I want to go?"
The Queen answered still smiling. "Yes of course you are! I just hope you don't want to leave so soon again. We should take time to get to know each other better, much better. Maybe you will like your stay here, I am a very generous host to my guests! You must be tired from your journey. We will talk more soon. Meyra and Chalissa will show you to your rooms and give you a first insight to my hospitality", the Queen said with a wink and a smile.
Turning she nodded to the two young women who accompanied her, then sashayed away to join another group of people. The two women stepped closer to him.
"I am Chalissa," the one to his left said smiling.
She was a dark skinned beauty of average height. A short white tunic showed long and slim but toned legs. A curly mane of coal black hair framed a round face with big dark brown eyes and a cute upturned nose. Her mouth with full red lips and shiny white teeth was a stark contrast to her dark skin.
"And I am Meyra. Please follow us to your rooms Roban," the other one said and turned around to lead the way.
Meyra was voluptuous and a little shorter woman at about five-feet-three. Her light brown hair was done in a rather wild-looking braid on top of her head, spreading in all directions like the leaves of a palm tree. The same sort of white tunic covered much less of her obviously big breasts. A small waist, generous hips and strong bare legs led to astonishing slim ankles. Her fair skin was almost of alabaster white color. Both women seemed to be about the same age, approximately twenty years old.