Chapter 5: The Court Visor of the Palace of Princes

The sealed cell was less desolate than he had imagined, with a camping cot style bed and desk with no chair. It was dry but with a musk-stone smell despite the walls being smooth and shiny bluish steel. The lighting was mellow and just enough to distinguish everything, but it wasn't hurtful to the eyes.

Yet, a sensation of moisture and icy coldness irregularly passed through the room to make him feel sticky and uncomfortable. The sensation would last for a few minutes then fade to a level of comfort. But it occurred frequently at irregular times that it was hard for Kairo to rest well.

"I think I'm getting a cold." He coughed and sneezed, feeling the chills in his chest and sinus becoming stuff.

The effects of the stasis bubble didn't take long to wear off once he was released. But he felt that whatever the cell was doing to his body, would surely leave some lingering impacts. Like a body reaction to a virus.

"This is by magic." Kairo shook his head at the thought.

His first logical thought was toward the denial of magic being able to exist Yet, here he was in a cell after being trapped by a force he could only explain as magic.

"Then again, history has countless records of magical societies. The āšipu and bārû healers and diviners of Mesopotamia. Heka god-rulers of Ancient Egypt."

Clarity flowed through his mind as he started to piece a logical conclusion toward the existence of magic being fact.

"If I have truly been somehow transported into another world, then magic most definitely can exist where the Laws of Universe would differ."

Grating and scrapping noises drew his attention toward his immediate surroundings. He saw an image of a single door being etched onto the metal surface before him. It became solid and opened to show a corridor of white stone beyond.

"I see your mind can adapt." A stranger commented as he entered the room.

An aroma of citrus and honey flowed into the space to invigorate Kairo's senses and heal his chest cough and sinus.

"Thank you." Kairo's eyes widened with disbelief and caution when he saw the stranger clearly.

The man was dressed in a full-length white robe trimmed in blue-silver, where the hems touched the front of his feet and wrists. His fine silver hair was elegantly held in a half-bun adorned by a crescent moon headdress. It was his features that made Kairo's heart race with disbelief for the man resembled his father except for his stark-blue eyes.

"Even when you found yourself in a strange and dangerous situation, you held composure." The man commented as he took meticulous steps to the desk. With a hand flourish and a small amount of green energy, the door disappeared.

"Senior, are you a Warden?" Kairo cordially asked.

"Warden?" The man frowned as he pondered on the word and let out a chuckle when he discerned a meaning.

"I suppose. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Jan, Court Visor to our esteem and glorious Demon Prince." He gave a cordial bow with a hand flourish that went from his forehead to his heart.

"Visor?"

Jan nodded. "I provide advice on palace affairs and political strategy to our gracious Demon Prince."

"And prisoner interrogations?"

Jan bellowed with hearty laughter. The kid might be an alien, but he seemed genuine enough. Perhaps our Demon Prince is on to something.

"If you like. We have an excellent process involving oil, fire and tiny hot pokers that go into…"

"No! It's fine if we can skip the torture. I have nothing to hide…. I think."

Kairo swallowed a nervous knot as he waited for the man to calm down. He pressed his shaky hands to his sides to steady them and began to time his breaths. It wouldn't do well to show a weakness for him to exploit. He had to learn what this man, and the prince's intentions were for keeping him alive.

"I haven't stumbled into George R.R. Martin's throne novels, have I?" He thought to himself as he slowly blinked at the thought and swallowed hard again as he recalled all the killings, blood, pillaging and gore in episodes of that show. It would be ideal that those fiction did not become his reality. But if it would happen, at least they could give him a tasty meal before he was made kaput.

"Have you been sent to give Last Rites?"

Jan frowned, looked puzzled by the term and prompted Kairo to explain the meaning.

"It's a ritual given for a decent send-off into the afterlife," he frankly answered.

"Is that what you want?" Jan chuckled.

"Who wants to die? But I'm interested to see what is keeping me alive here," Kairo soberly answered.

This snippet of insight tickled Jan's interest. "Very well. Follow me."

But Kairo stayed where he was, unsure if he should leave his cell.

"Or if you prefer to rot in this cell forever. I will warn you that only a Court Spell can open the door to it."

Jan stifled a chuckle when Kairo snapped to attention and began taking immediate steps toward him. He activated an opening and ushered the boy out the door.