Lion Head Mesa Vasílissa

The woman – yes, it was a woman – spoke and Arsenio halted immediately in his tracks. The misthofóros bowed his head low and lifted it, grinning toothily. Tyche had touched him, he was certain, for he had found the queen and she was a quiet, lovely thing to behold. The soldier had not lied, the queen of Akashingo was a fine creature, even obscured by the shadows that had almost swept the mesa entirely.

Polý kalá! It was clear that he was pleased, for the auburn figure had become loose, tail swinging. The bold blue of his eyes did not leave the woman’s features. He had heard her question but did not possess the tact to inform her of his assignment. At least, he did not think he could speak as charmingly as the soldier had. Arsenio knew that it did not matter, not really. He would watch over the queen until his assignment was called to an end.

I am misthofóros for you. I will be the guard of the Queen Satsu. The – eh – soldier, he has given assignment. Queen Satsu is to have a guard until the war has ceased, Arsenio informed her, shrugging casually when he had finished and flashing her a proud twitch of his whiskers.