1.2

The figure approached the terrace with measured steps, holding a semicircular object in his hand.

*klick*

The masked figure put the object on the table

*swip*

With a flick of his wrist, the figure removed a lid to reveal an opulent tray of the most exquisite food imaginable.

"Oh my, you've outdone yourself," I said, unable to hide my admiration.

Noticing my little friend Oinksi jumping back onto my lap, I asked, "Do you have anything else for my companion?"

The masked figure stared back, its expression visible through the mask, a mixture of confusion and panic.

"Oh, right," I chuckled, "you can't speak as well."

Turning to Oinksi, I said, "It's all right, my little friend. You can have some of my share."

As I spoke, Oinksi leapt onto the table and devoured the sumptuous meal with great delight. Meanwhile, the figure stood frozen, completely at a loss for words as half the food landed on the floor.

"That's enough for now," I said, dismissing the masked man with a nod of my head. The figure bowed before hurrying out of the room at twice its previous speed.

Turning back to the plate, I saw a small piglet lying on its back, its stomach visibly distended from the feast.

"I guess there's nothing left for me," I sighed, resigned to the fact that Oinksi had once again eaten my share of a delicious meal.

Basking in the warm sunlight, I decided to get up after a few minutes. When I returned to my room, it was even brighter than before. Not a speck of dust was visible and the bed was perfectly made. The masked men had done their work and disappeared without a trace.

"They still do their job perfectly," I thought to myself.

As I walked through the door, it opened and closed by itself, as if it recognised me. Ahead was a seemingly endless corridor.

'I should go visit my old friend.'

Accompanied by two knights in obsidian armour, I made my way through the vast and mighty building.

---------------------------------------------

Thomas's heart was racing, his breathing ragged.

'What have I done? Will they execute me now? Or should I take my own life?'

He tried to calm himself and closed his eyes, only to snap them open the next moment as the memory returned.

He and his colleagues had entered through the door into the 'lord's' chamber. Each of them had a specific job to do, and his task was to bring the Lord his meal.

'How could this have gone so wrong? Why was there a pig!?!? And why hadn't he prepared food for the pig?'

He remembered the moment when the 'Lord' stared at him and ordered more food. Thomas' mind went blank, he didn't know how to react at that moment.

~Hey, are you all right?~

A voice pierced Thomas' mind, snapping him out of his reverie.

Michael, one of his masked colleagues, sat next to him, staring at his face.

~How long have you been sitting next to me?~ Thomas asked, he hadn't heard him come in.

~Quite a while. But you didn't react to me,~ Michael grinned.

~Man, I was so excited, Thomas. And I'm so jealous of you for getting so close to the Lord. What was he like, did he talk to you?~

Thomas was astonished. Didn't he hear the Lord when he shouted at Thomas?

~Didn't you hear anything?~

~What? What are you talking about, what should I have heard? ~

~Nothing. Nothing at all!~ Thomas tried to change the subject. He might have a chance of survival if no one else had overheard. And the Lord has probably forgotten about him again. .... Or so he hoped.

~Have you heard that Sam has been allowed to leave the palace? He's to go to the city and look for new ingredients for the lord"~

Thomas was shocked.

'Oh God! No!' … 'Don't tell me I have to bring him food again?!?'

At that thought, sweat ran down Thomas's forehead and back.