Help from the OtherSide

40. The Black Sheep

King Glorian seethed with anger. Queen immediately noticed it and placed an arm on her husband, trying to calm him. But he had his gaze fixed on Deccan who wasn't fazed by anything.

"Father please, continue this tomorrow. Let us think with a clear head in the morning." Telsin cleared his throat and said. The King looked at us one by one and slammed the book shut. He got up glaring at Deccan and marched out without a word. The unknown elf picked the fat book and scurried behind him.

Queen Imara massaged her temples and got up with a tired face. A guard accompanied her and they walked out. That just left seven of us with some confused guards. They stood awkwardly by the door and once the royals were out of sight, they too left.

"I cannot believe my ears." Anarzia muttered. "This is the first time someone challenged father, that too a Human, and got away with it." 

"Well, it had to be done. He already treats the five of us like dirt. Might as well speak your mind when there's no reputation to uphold." Deccan ran a hand through his hair.

"I absolutely agree. You need to put up a strong show of courage for the opposition to start respecting you and not take you as a joke." Liam advised professionally.

"Let's leave. I'm tired of this place." Amelia groaned.

"Zia told me how horrible the fight was. And from my personal experience too--", Telsin stole a glance at Deccan," I can say that your crowd may not be the worst of mankind. It will be hard to turn my father's head but we'll get there eventually. For now, I have made arrangements for you to spend the night here. If you could accept this as an apology on my behalf . . ." Telsin spoke humbly, watching our faces.

"We accept." Grant answered on our behalf.

"Very well, follow me."

We travelled down the maze of a corridor; turning left and right at unspecific intervals. Telsin and Dora walked ahead, talking about the problems in their kingdom while Liam and Deccan bullied Hex. Or simply put him in his place for telling something dumb. Amelia animatedly waved her hands beside Grant discussing about a dress that caught her eye in the changing room. This discussion was one sided, with him mostly listening and nodding at everything she said.

Princess however, trailed behind the group with her head hung low. I slow down to walk beside her. She doesn't acknowledge me at first, but after a series of attention gaining coughs she finally turned her head towards me.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I should have never made you people stand in the circle. I just thought that including you all would make my parents and others less suspicious." She explained dishearteningly.

"Oh it's alright. We're all alive and breathing so no harm done. You did what you thought was the best and that's okay." I tried to make her feel better.
She gave me a smile of relief like I had removed the guilt in her.

"If only all Humans were like you, then my father would see reason." She whispered.

I kept quiet for I can't speak on behalf of a billion people. Suddenly a wave of nausea passed over and I swayed a little on my feet.

"Woah, are you okay?" She asked with concern.

"Is there a restroom nearby?" I asked holding back the food that tried to come back up.

"Yes! It's by the-- I will come with you." She physically supported me and took a reverse turn from the our original path. Others kept walking  without noticing us. The last I saw was Deccan's back taking a right and then disappearing with the group.