"I need to know whether the tournament has started," said Johan. "I have been training for it all year. I cannot afford to miss entering it. It is my way to safety dad."
[Very well, I'd love to see my boy do something he is passionate about. I'll scout the area and come back,] said JD. [See if I can find a way out for you. If not head out without me, I'll find you in the city.]
[Alright dad,] thought Johan, [Be careful, remember, Armyka is looking for you. I'll be at Slum Gym or Lanna Muay Boran.]
[Slum Gym and Lanna Muay Boran,] said JD. [Yes, I remember that place. Jade passed by it in the past, I will come looking for you there or at the tournament. Stay safe my boy.]
With that a small glowing speck of dust flew out of Johan.
"Hey," said a deep voice from behind Johan, "Master Rey told me to show you around while she sleeps. Furthermore, I brought you a change of clothes and will take you to the shower to clean yourself up. You look like you've been through a war."
Johan turned around to see who was behind him.
"Down here," said the voice.
Johan looked down to see a puppy dressed in a tuxedo, standing on two legs.
"Whoa?," whispered Johan jumping back.
"Follow me," said the puppy with a bow, "my name is Sam. I am one of Master Rey's loving and faithful butler."
"A talking puppy in a suit?," said Johan, "how?"
"I think you know the answer to that," said Sam.
"Voodoo," said Johan.
"What is Voodoo?," said the puppy turning and walking towards the back of the garage. "It was the power of my master's love for me. The power of love made me determined to please and surpass her expectations."
Johan scratched his head confused, and accepted the fact that there were some things he would never be able to understand no matter how much he thought about it.
Johan followed Sam.
The puppy led Johan out of the garage into the house.
"So demon god Sir," said Sam, "how did you manage to befriend the loving and ever so beautiful and super-caring master Rey? Did you finally bow down in submissiveness and release Rey's soul mate Luisa from your evil prison of doom and take to a path of goodness rather than tormenting our innocent and ever so caring master Rey who would never lie or steal?"
Johan had forgotten that Rey had had an intense disliking towards him.
"She has been calling me a demon god?," said Johan. "It was a misunderstanding."
Johan glanced down at Sam and saw him staring back at him innocently.
It was clear Sam had no ill-intentions.
"That is good to hear," said Sam, "a friend is better than an enemy."
Sam got Johan a towel, a new pair of white Khakis and a black t-shirt. Then he led him to the showers to clean himself up. The shower was refreshing and long over do.
After coming out of the shower wearing new clothes, Johan felt like a new man.
"Have you heard anything about the fight tournament?" said Johan, "I am participating in it."
"Yes," said Sam, "I heard of it through the chain of command. Apparently, the tournament is starting tomorrow."
"TOMMOROW!," gasped Johan, "Can you show me how to get out of here? I need to get home to prepare."
"Yes," said Sam, "but first, come. Lin and Brandy, are expecting you. The ever so kind Master Rey has been taking care of them in your irresponsible absence because Master Rey believes in kindness rather than pettiness. It would be rude to leave them without saying hi."
"Is that what she has been telling you?," muttered Johan.
Sam led them down a hall to a door.
"Behind this door waits Master Lin and Master Brandy," said Sam. "I cannot enter with you for this is where the treats are kept and Master Rey put a spell on this room to keep us out."
Johan nodded and said, "Thanks Sam. I'll go and see them and then we can leave. I need to get ready for the tournament."
Sam nodded and said, "Yes, will do. Please bring me back a treat for waiting like a good boy for you."
"I will," said Johan smiling.
Although Sam walked and talked like a person, he was still a puppy.
Johan opened the door and walked into the room.
-- Ø --
Lin and Brandy sat on couches within the room and the Television watching a show.
Seeing Johan enter the room, expressions of surprise spread across their faces.
"Johan!," said Brandy, "finally you are back! Rey and Athyne left us alone with those adorable dogs! It was uneventful but fun!"
"The dogs fed us dog food!," said Lin as her eyes teared up, "they have nothing but dog food here! It is terrible, for a person of my status to be reduced to eating ... this ... you got to let us stay at your place. Rey and Athyne aren't normal people!"
"It wasn't that bad," said Brandy, "and the puppies are adorable. Talking puppies, its like heaven. Plus, you get used to the dog food. It grows on you. I like it here, but I'd like to look around the city. I haven't had the opportunity yet."
"Have you spoken to Luisa?," asked Johan.
"Rey used to take us to see her," said Brandy, "but Rey disappeared like a month ago and I don't think Luisa knows where this place is."
"I see," said Johan, "well, I need to get back, I am competing in a fight tournament tomorrow and need to prepare."
"Take us with you!," said Lin.
"It is dangerous," said Johan. "Soldiers are patrolling the city and I know two people who are out to get me that oversee them. If we encounter them, things can go wrong."
"We are from the upper realms," said Lin, "danger is nothing new to us."
Johan looked at Brandy, and she smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
"Alright," said Johan, "lets go."
Brandy and Lin stood up and turned off the TV.
Johan turned and walked towards the door and paused.
"Say," said Johan, "do you guys know where Rey keeps the doggy treats?"
"We ate them all," said Brandy, "Lin liked them better than the dog food the puppies kept bringing us."
"Well, I tried," whispered Johan.
Johan opened the door to see Sam looking up at him innocently with hopeful eyes.
"Treats?"
"I am sorry Sam," said Johan, "Lin ate all the treats."
"I see," said Sam glancing away disappointed, "I guess there is nothing that can be done. I hope she enjoyed them. If master's friends enjoyed them, it is as good as if I had had them myself."
Tears flowing from Sams eyes and he glanced away in an attempt to hide them.
"Sam," said Johan, "are you alright?"
"Yes Sir," said Sam, "do not mind me, I am nothing but a humble butler."
"Sammy!," said Brandy, "Cutey boy! There you are! Are you coming with us for a walk through the city?"
"WALK!?," said Sam as immediately his mood improved. "OUTSIDE!? IN THE CITY!?"
Sam started jumping up and down excitedly as Brandy came out of the room.
"Give mama a kiss!," squealed Brandy squatting down and holding her arms out.
Sam jumped onto Brandy and he started to lick her face excitedly. Brandy hugged him.
"I LOVE WALKS!," yelled Sam excitedly.
"YOU CUTEY! YOU'LL COME WITH US!," squealed Brandy, "YOU'RE SUCH A GOOD BOY!"
"But," said Johan, "he might stand out. We can't attract attention. It isn't safe with so many soldiers out there. With Armyka and Jade out there, if word gets back to them of me, we will all be in danger. The solider's definitely report to them."
Sam eye's widened, pupils dilated and ears slouched in disappointment and he gazed at Johan.
"Are you saying I can't come?," asked Sam.
"He can hide on me," said Brandy, "I'll keep hidden. Plus, he can loose the suite so that he will look like a regular puppy if anyone discovers him. I don't know who those two are, but hiding won't get you to that tournament."
"Alright," said Johan, "lets go."
Sam jumped to the floor and stripped off his suit and stood on all fours.
"Follow me," said Sam, "I'll take you to the city."
Sam started to run down the hall.
"Lets go!," said Johan as he followed Sam.
Lin and Brandy followed.