Demo and his group arrive back at the castle. Seemingly they will go through the front gates. Suddenly the soldiers, Orja and the aide stop right before they cross a golden line on the ground. They all look at Orja.
"Go," is the only word the aide uttered in Orja's direction.
Orja bows out of what seems like a reflex and back peddles. Demo grabs his arm and shakes his head.
"He is with us."
The aide clasps her hands, and with a regretful look replies,
"I am very sorry, but a slave is forbidden to cross this line, let alone walk through those doors."
Ten knows better than trying to convince Demo of changing his mind.
"Would it be possible to make this an exception?"
The aide's voice and demeanor quickly change.
"No slave shall cross this line!"
Ten is taken aback by her sudden shift in personality. Demo looks at the big royal door in front of him and then back at the aide.
"Ok, then tell your king we can't stay in his fancy room because we are friends with a slave."
The soldiers and aide all look at each other befuddled. Ten gestures to Orja to lead the way.
"We will just go to our ship and be on our way."
The aide knows that she has to bring Demo and Ten into the castle and keep them there. But their behavior is inexcusable. Yet going against his highness' order could mean death, but letting a slave walk through those doors is against the law. And then it hits her.
"Wait, these soldiers will accompany you, to ensure you don't get lost, and then we may meet up again inside the castle."
Demo shakes his head.
"I don't need any babysitters. Orja here knows his way around the castle."
Orja doesn't even know what to say anymore. His energy has been sapped by all the craziness, but he is convinced that Demo is trying to get him killed. The aide gestures for the soldiers to follow them.
"Even so, I insist, for your own safety and ours. We wouldn't want anything to happen to our esteemed guests."
Demo looks at the aide and the soldiers, then taps Ten on his shoulder and whispers something in his ear. Ten has a surprised look on his face as he listens to Demo, but he nods once Demo finishes. Demo turns around and walks towards the soldiers and the aide.
"You have a lot of faith in these guys."
Demo looks at all the soldiers while cracking his knuckles.
"Let's see if you can protect me."
The soldiers grip their weapons and ready them for battle. Right then Ten takes off running. The aide and the soldiers are caught off guard. The aide points at Ten running away.
"GET HIM! DON'T LET HIM GET AWAY!"
Demo smiles, quickly runs in front of the soldiers about to chase after Ten.
"Do you always treat your guests like prisoners?"
One of the soldiers tries to ignore Demo and run past him. Before he can respond, Demo's hand covers the soldier's face and he is thrown to the ground. Orja can't believe Demo's speed. The aide is shocked as well yet keeps her focus.
"He is getting away!"
The other soldiers are well aware that they are dealing with something they can't manage. Hesitance grips their souls and keeps their feet in place. Demo looks back to see if Ten is still in sight. He isn't, and with that, he raises his hands in surrender.
"As long as none of you touch me or my friend over there, I'll come along peacefully."
The aide is overcome with rage as she screams, "Arrest him!"
The soldiers surround Demo and Orja. Demo looks at Orja with a smile on his face, but Orja is just overcome with despair. The aide is frustrated at the fact that things came to this. The king will not be happy with her report. They then take Demo and Orja away through a different gate.
The cell door slams behind Demo and Orja. The group of soldiers who brought them turn around and walk away, and a guard appears.
"Here are the rules, you scum. No talking, no screaming, no begging. You pieces of shi…"
Before the guard can finish his sentence, Demo shoots him a look filled with menace and danger. The guard freezes up. In a very low and timid voice, the guard continues,
"You better keep quiet."
The guard then walks away, occasionally looking back, scared as he does. Demo and Orja stand in the cell. Demo kneels down and releases a burst of energy. Several devices can be heard falling to the floor.
"Literally everywhere. He wasn't joking."
Orja, still somewhat baffled by the sequence of events, looks at Demo.
"Who are you?"
Demo goes into his pocket and takes out his pebble and starts throwing it up.
"I'm Demo." As he answers, he sits down in the corner of the cell. Orja looks around the cell, frustrated.
"Why did you do this to me?"
Demo looks at Orja with a calm look.
"I didn't like how they treated you."
"They will kill me for this," Orja says in a rage.
Demo still looks at him with a calm gaze.
"I promise you, I won't let them touch you."
Footsteps can be heard coming from down the hall, till finally the aide stands in front of their cell.
"Why did you come here? And where did your friend go?"
Demo doesn't look at her as he answers.
"I came here to find the Book Keeper, and he went to where he is."
The aide smiles a devilish grin.
"You better answer me before the king feels like asking you."
Demo catches his pebble and looks at the aide with a very serious look.
"Bring your king."
Chapter 91 fin