- Jamie Fraser, the Prince of the mountain lands, - announced the herald.
The mountaineer reached the height on which the king and the prince stood and knelt down, bowing his head a little.
- I am pleased to welcome you in the Central Lands, Prince Jamie, - the king bowed his head in response.
- Let me ignore the rules of decency and tell you how beautiful your son is, - the young man straightened up when he looked at Charles, and the prince looked as if he had burned his blue eyes with that look, and he stumbled, feeling a little blush.
- Thank you for the praise, I tried my best, - Xavier smiled and the audience laughed to support the joke.
Charles looked up cautiously to find out that the third contestant was still looking at him - attentively, carefully and warmly. The prince exhaled noisily, not knowing where to put himself, but at that moment the pipes in the square again announced the new participant, and the mountaineer had to leave the hall.
The fourth guest also arrived alone and walked quietly along the path with his heavy, as if animal walking, dressed in a light jacket made of leather, grabbed with rough threads. His hands stood out at once - with big hands, powerful, hunter's hands, used to squeeze a sword, spear or gun. His skin was swarthy from the sun, his face resembled the face of an animal, no, it was not ugly, but the expression of a predator was frightening and made those present whisper.
- The King of the South Lands, James Howlett, - the herald spoke loudly.
Young - and he was really young, much younger than the other two kings - king bowed his head sideways, looking carefully at the prince, and Charles felt uncomfortable with this attention, he immediately felt uncomfortable and wanted to turn away if not leave. But instead, the prince bowed quietly and immediately waved his proud chin.
- Welcome to the capital, - Xavier The Elder smiled a little. - We don't have beasts to hunt, unfortunately, but we hope you don't lose your hunting skills.
- You already have one bunny, - the southerner smiled, though his smile was more like a splinter. - I'm chasing him for now.
- Just don't shoot at the palace walls, - the king smiled back, trying to smooth out the awkwardness, seeing Charles as a step away from ruining the ceremony. - You know, we've got a very restless guard, and everybody will run away at once.
The king of the South Lands had fled, and Xavier exhaled, hoping for a little break. He turned to the prince, slightly clutching his shoulder.
- Good boy, be patient, two more guests, and you will rest.
- I'm not tired of standing, - the prince pressed his lips. - I'm tired of feeling like an exhibit at the exhibition. Father, this is wrong...
- This is the Tournament, - the king interrupted him. - And we obey its rules.
Charles wanted to object, but the pipes sang again - and twice again. Two people came into the hall at once, both dressed richly, both looking straight and proudly. No one must have given up the right to introduce themselves first, and in the end, it turned out that the two participants had decided to do it at the same time.
One of them was a little taller, his camisole - a purple color, as if baked blood, it seemed to be some very dense fabric, unknown to Charles - attracted attention with its shape, he was close to the body of the guest. His hands were wearing gloves made of the same material, and he walked quickly and confidently, but those he walked past were horrified. The prince looked at his father incomprehensibly, but the king only looked at the guests, but his lips were heavily pleated - he was preparing for the storm, although he knew that Charles was unlikely to pay attention to such a thing, perhaps it was the only time when the elevation of the prince could play on his hand.
- Wade Wilson, the King of the Fiery Lands, - the herald's voice sounded, but it was as if Charles hadn't heard him looking at the new guest.
The participant came close, and the younger Xavier finally realized what had scared the audience so much: half the man's face was burned and covered with scars from burns. Charles did not even tremble when he saw them and was the first to bow to the guest; he came down quickly, not listening to his father, and reached out to him.
- We are glad to welcome you in the Central Lands, - the prince looked without a shadow of embarrassment.
The king took off his glove, shaking his hand, which was burned and covered with scars as scary as a part of his face. A second later, he intercepted Xavier's fingers, leaning over and touching his soft skin with his lips to look into the prince's blue eyes like that and say, - Thank you.
Charles smiled back a little, but took away his hand, considering this gesture almost insulting, but forgiving him for the circumstances.
To Be Continued...