Page 5 of Their World

Dhun had returned about an hour later carrying items in a bag that was secured to stay on his back. I assumed King Jolmach had attached it, but didn’t bother asking.

While he’d been gone, I had taken my phone out and tried to call or send a message, but there was no service. Did it only work when a portal was open and near you? I’d been able to watch Dhun through the video call for about thirty seconds before the phone had been destroyed.

I drafted an email to go to my entire family and the trio, so if a portal did open and I wasn’t able to make it through, maybe the email would send during that window of time.

The book I’d been provided was leather bound, had blank, lined pages, and had a price sticker from one of our popular bookstore chains on the back.

“Using stolen goods,” I whispered, and shook my head. “I never thought I’d see the day. Mom would be so disappointed.”

Dhun canted his head, looking confused.

The first lefthand page I titled “Hierarchy”, the second left hand page I titled “King Jolmach”. I gave each item the two pages, so I had enough room for notes. About the middle of thebook, I titled it “Creatures” and gave each creature a page to draw them as best as I could, note their attributes, and if I was stuck here long enough, whatever else I learned about them.

With Dhun in the room, I was able to draw a hellhound a bit better than the ones I’d seen for a short time, since I could stare at him as I drew. He seemed to realize I wanted him to stay still, so he sat straight and still, only moving his eyes to look at the page. Once finished, I showed it to him.

He yipped and danced around in a circle.

“I take it you think I did a good job drawing you?”

He bobbed his head.

“Tomorrow, I think we should walk around the castle a bit,” I said. “So, I can see the other types of demons.” And so I could map out the castle and draw the floorplan.

Dhun panted and curled up on the rug.

“Okay, fine, bed time it is,” I said and closed the book. Laying on the bed, I wondered what everyone back home was doing.

Would my parents be able to sleep? Would my brother and Maya console each other? Would the trio be causing havoc somewhere?

Knowing the trio, Mason was trying to jump through the nearest portal while Kayden was holding him back until they developed a plan.

Imagining that scenario put a smile on my face and allowed me to fall asleep.

The next morning,King Jolmach knocked on my door and escorted me back to the kitchen for breakfast. He pushed a plate of meat and scrambled eggs towards me.

“Did you sleep well?” he asked.

I nodded. “I did, how about you?”

Simple conversation would help keep things civil between us and hopefully keep his guard down to give me as much information as possible.

“About as normal,” he said with a shrug.

“Is there a plan for today?” I asked. “Would it be okay to take Dhun with me and explore the castle? I swear not to leave it.”

He stared at me a moment, looked down at Dhun, and said, “I have to speak with my council, so I won’t be able to escort you. If you stay in the castle, you should be safe. I’ll send one of the warriors with you just in case. Dhun is still young and inexperienced.”

Dhun huffed and lowered his head, his ears drooping sadly.

“Do the other warriors talk, too?” I asked.

“If they choose to,” he said with a half-smile.

“King Jolmach, have you?—”

“Just Jol, please,” he said, interrupting me.

I smiled. “Jol, have you heard from your Grand Advisor?”

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