Somewhere in the mountains, Ash's P.O.V.

The first day wasn't so bad, but after that we left the only good road. Since then this carriage has turned into a torture device all its own. I have been bounced around constantly for the past three days, so much so that I haven't been able to practice anything.

Not that I didn't try to practice, but I only learned two things during these three days. One that my own mind blade can cut me, and two that being brought out of a soulscape by slamming face first into the floor isn't fun. I would have been much better off, and much happier, walking, but that isn't allowed because I am supposed to be a prisoner.

Jerrick just told me that we are only a few minutes away from Lord Shendaw's castle. That means this nightmare journey is almost over, it also means the real danger is about to begin. As long as Lord Shendaw doesn't kill me himself and throws me into the arena it should all work out.

As the carriage slows down I take a peek through the curtains, the castle is just coming into view ahead of us. It is bigger than Lady Xinun's castle, but looks more run down. I don't get many chances to look at it before the carriage stops but it looks poorly maintained.

The carriage stops and Jerrick opens the carriage door and motions me out. I slowly stagger out making it look like I can barely move, as I do I can see a lot of human and demon guards watching me. One of the demon guards moves to speak with Jerrick while four of the human guards move to surround me and grab me.

Two of the guards grab my arms and start dragging me towards the castle, while the other two follow with their spears pointed at my back. I stumble and stagger a lot making the guards mostly carry me, I want them to think I am completely suppressed. I want them to underestimate me right up until I am in the arena, and then I want them to be completely shocked.

As I am dragged through the castle gates I look back and see my escort and the carriage turning around and leaving. Now I am completely on my own, my survival is dependent on whether or not I can pull off my plan. Surrounded by enemies with nothing but my own wits and strength to depend on, this is going to be fun!

As they drag me into the castle itself I am surprised at the change, the outside looks worn down and poor. The inside on the other hand is lavish and very well maintained. Even the walls are scrubbed clean and decorated with art and gold.

The guards drag me along a plush carpet that lines the hallway, ahead I can hear music and voices. A pair of human guards ahead of us open the double doors and the sounds get much louder. The guards drag me into a huge room full of people, but my attention is drawn to the dozen very scantily clad human women dancing in the middle of the room.

We are halfway across the room before I manage to drag my eyes away and look around the rest of the room. The crowd is mostly demons with human servants moving about with trays of food and drinks. To me it looks like a cheap imitation of a high society party you would see in the movies.

Then I look at the dias and am reminded of another movie all together. I now realize that when the other lords were calling Lord Shendaw a pig that they meant it literally. He has no throne because he would never fit into one, his body is massive.

He has a small head and the face of a pig, but his body is made up of massive folds of fat. His body is at least five times the size of what it should be, he looks like a giant slug. If it wasn't for the small head he would look just like a hutt.

The guards drag me through the dancers interrupting the entertainment and all eyes turn to us. They take me before the dais and force me to my knees before Lord Shendaw. He looks confused at seeing me and having his entertainment disrupted, but one of his demons quickly informs me who I am.

Lord Shendaw says "This is the thing that killed my emissary?"

"Yes, it was me."

Lord Shendaw says "And why did you kill him?"

"I was simply trying to cause problems for Lady Xinun. I didn't even know he was your emissary."

Lord Shendaw says "Well, no matter, even if you did provide me an opportunity you must still die for killing one of mine."

"He was weak, he died in one bite. You should thank me for getting rid of him."

Lord Shendaw says "Weak or not he belonged to me and for that you must die. Take him to the arena!"

The guards immediately turn me and drag me from the room, as they do I can hear the demons already placing wagers about how long I will last. From the sounds of it I won't have to wait, they plan to make me the evening's entertainment.

'So far so good, now to give them a show they will never forget.'

I am dragged down several hallways then a flight of stairs before being thrown into a cell. I can hear a lot of growling and hissing from other cells further down the hallway. The cell I am in has one wall of bars which includes the door I entered through, and two solid walls of stone.

The last wall is solid and has an iron door which I am guessing leads into the arena. From the little I can see down the hallway I can tell that it curves, I'm guessing it surrounds the arena. So the cells across the hall should be normal cells and all the ones on this side connect to the arena.

So when it is time to fight the door in the back of the cell will open and give me access to the arena. I'm sure refusing to go out will be dealt with somehow, probably something painful. Not that it matters to me, I want to go into the arena and fight.

Just out of curiosity I test the cell, the bars aren't enchanted, and I am strong enough to bend them. I could probably escape if I wanted to, but I don't want to, although I might later. For now I will stick to the plan, if things go sideways I will improvise.

After about an hour I am brought food, the jailer calls it my last meal but I will prove him wrong soon. It is actually better than I expected, better than what we ate on the trip here. I finish eating then sit down to wait for the door to the arena to open.