Ryo stepped out from the bushes and almost fainted, what he had thought were horses were actually centaurs!
"I am King Dor of Xanth," said Dor, "and you are?"
"Ryo of Wildfire. I mean you no harm," Ryo said as he bowed before the king, "My companions and I are lost, we only seek a way out."
"No need for such haste," said Dor, "Why don't you and your friends stay awhile and be my guests?"
"Um, well I'm not sure, can I ask them first?" Ryo sadi, in light of recent developements, he had no reason to believe any of this, it was all a dream. It had to be.
"In the morning, we must rest first," said Dor and bid him adue. Ryo went back to camp and slept until daybreak, which surprised everyone as the day literally broke into the night sky. After this, Ryo told him everything.
"So he was talking to a rock," Kento said skeptically, "and the rock spoke back?"
"Kento, have you ever listened to yourself after eating bad food?" pointed out Cye, "But that does sound a little farfetched Ryo."
"Yeah, I know it sounds crazy, but it's true!" Ryo said, though he still doubted it.
Kento whirled his finger around his ear, "I think Ryo's gone crazy?" Ryo hit him over the head.
"I'm not crazy. Look I don't really believe it myself, but I know what I saw!"
"I believe you Ryo," Mia said as she looked into his eyes, he had beautiful eyes, "After seeing a Roc carry off a Griffin and eating pies of a tree, I'm ready to believe anything!" she said as she remembered yesterday. Then Yulie spoke up. He was twelve and a lot quieter than he used to be, so people tended to forget that he was there.
"I see the centaurs. OH WOW! THAT ONE! SHE'S NOT WEARING ANYTHING! OH MAN!" He yelled and everybody turned to see. All except Mia and Ryo who were still lost in each other's eyes.
"Hail!" Dor shouted, Ryo turned to see the man he had met the night before, "Ryo of Wildfire!" As he came closer Ryo could see how young he really was. He looked about only thirty. He had fair hair and rode a male centaur, who looked about the same age. Riding close beside him was a woman about the same age with green. She was riding a female centaur, who was in the buff, but then again weren't all horses?
All the Ronins (yes even the Warlords), except Ryo, were wide eyed in shock about centaurs.
As the King approached, Ryo became aware that there was a small child, about six or seven ridding in front of him. The centaurs stopped and all three dismounted.
"The rest of my party is one the way, we went on ahead to meet your friends," Dor said as he streched out his hand, Ryo took it and they shook.
"You're in for a shock, King Dork!" said a nearby stick in a taunting tone.
"Never mind that for now," he said kicking the stick, "Welcome to Xanth!"
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