We had to cross part of the concrete slab, which was the landing spot, to get to the path leading to the mansion. It looked quite nice from afar, with all the plants, and flowers surrounding it.

- I watched your fights, Peter - said Bashan out of the blue, making me focus back on him.

He didn't look at me, though, just kept walking. There was a pause, as he clearly expected me to say something, but I really didn't know what.

- So? - I asked eventually.

This caused him to laugh.

- So I can say you have a lot of talent, but you are rough on the edges. From what Yagg told me you had access to a lot of different powers before the Queen put some restrictions on you. I guess that you are still getting used to not having that.

- Correct - I admitted.historical

- You see... I used to train some of Yagg warriors back in the day. I have a keen eye on those things, but I'm retired now, as my life is inevitably coming to an end. My race does not live as long as Calludins do. But I had plenty of fun, and now am resting here. Spending all the fortune I managed to acquire.

- Good for you - I said to him.

- The big gentleman behind you is, for example, my last student. He is a champion of the Royal Tournament, so despite what you might think, there is no way you can escape from here, so please don't try.

- Oh... So that's why you were telling me all of that. For a moment I thought you were just bragging...

My words made him laugh again.

- No. I wanted to explain a few things, as a good host would. After all, you are my guest.

- I'm a Yagg slave.

- No. You are the slave of the High Queen, borrowed to him, so the Calludins would shut up, and so she could realize her own goal at the same time, but this might change...

- Change? What do you mean?

- I mean that Yagg is going to visit the Queen, and they will be talking about you, as she requested. You see, the little incident when the young Calludin attempted to possibly even kill you, reached her. And from what I heard she wasn't even mad as the whole thing gave her an idea, so they will be discussing your future.

- I already heard that...

- You seem down. I thought that this information would lift up your mood - he pointed out and for the first time looked over his shoulder at me.

- I'm not the biggest fan of the Queen, so whatever idea she has, I probably won't like it - I explained.

- Well... Considering your current situation it should be a positive change, as I can see very few options for a negative one.

- She could always throw me into a meat grinder...

My comment made him laugh yet again.

- From what I heard she needs you alive for something, so I doubt that something like that will happen - he said after he stopped chuckling. - Maybe I shouldn't tell you this, but your whole situation got me curious, and I reached out to a few friends. They told me that if nothing changes there is a possibility for you to have a better life compared to what you have now, so be happy.

- I'll be happy when I get back home.

After those words, Druoag behind me laughed loudly. I was a bit surprised and looked over my shoulder at him.

- You are a Queen's toy. She never lets go of her toys - he explained to me.

- He is right - added Bashan. - And he actually knows what he says, as he nearly became one.

His words made me look again, but I didn't receive any further explanation from the massive alien.

- Others could tell you something else, but the two of us know how it really goes in the empire - sadi Bashan. - We know the truth behind the Queen's rule, as we have seen in first hand.

- And that is? - I asked, kinda curious.

- I'm unsure if such a word exists in your language, but we here call it tyranny.

- Well, since whatever you just said got translated by this lovely piece of technology inside my ear, I guess we do. We, humans, had a quite strange history as we were the only species on our planet until very recently, so we did all the atrocities to ourselves.

As I said that we finally get off the concrete slab, and entered the nice gravel pathway between the plants. The flowers were pretty and colorful and also smelled quite nice. It was something very refreshing after many days spent caged.

- I could lie to you and say I'm sad about that, but I don't really care about the history of your species. I can tell you this though. Contrary to what many might say, we are not leaving in a paradise under the High Queen's rule. We belong to her, and if you think otherwise, you are delusional. Although those who are not directly of interest to her might be enjoying freedom, those who are, like you, might very much well forget about the existence of such a term.

- Your words make me think that your story might be worth listening to.

- It's not mine but Druoag's.

- I'm willing to share if you do the same about the history of your race. Maybe Bashan was not interested in it, but I am - said the giant.

He again took me by surprise.

- Despite his look. This massive gentleman is quite an intellectualist who enjoys history - said Bashan.

- I am - agreed Druoag. - How about we share the stories after a meal?

- Fine by me - I agreed.

Our conversations topped, as we reached the first structure of many other buildings that were part of the mansion.

It was dome-shaped, like the ones I saw in the distance back at the landing spot. I noticed an entrance, and windows on it here and there, but except that it was just a grey half of a sphere.

- This is one of my many guesthouses. You might take it if you want, or maybe choose a different one - proposed Bashan. - But for now, follow me to the main residence.

We stopped only briefly, so I could have a look at the building, and then kept moving forward through the garden.