Acclayne Book 1: The Game Begins
Chapter 18

“You give me what?!”I stared up at the large brick building in front of us; convincedthat I had misheard her.

“Oakley House.”

“WOW– I thought access was strictly prohibited.” Malcolm knew aboutthis? Well, of course he did.Could have thought to mention it. Might have been nice.

“It is.” Juneyanswered; cool as a breeze, and continued walking towards the house.

“What do you mean'Oakley House'? And why is it 'prohibited'?” Juney did not respondto my questions. Unsurprising really; she was punishing me for lastnight. Brilliant. I looked at Methyn for help but got nothing; Idon't think he even noticed. Some people just can't hold their drink.

“Oakley House wasreputedly your mother's base of operations,” Thank the Lord forMalcolm; walking encyclopaedia. “it's also believed to be the houseshe grew up in, though that is highly disputed. Since her, ah,disappearance the building is being maintained as a sort of shrine toher – all her weapons are still inside... hence the prohibitedbit.”

“...Right.” I wasin awe. This building was my mother's, she'd walked the path that Iwas walking right now. The thought gave me chills.

“So basically you'resaying that this was where she lived when she wasn't out kicking-assand taking names?”

“Yeah you could saythat.”

“Cool,” Kaylaer hadsuch a way with words. “So what are we doing here then?” By nowwe had reached the big wooden front door. Something told me that itwas probably made of Oak.

“Stocking up.”Juney smiled and rubbed her hands together greedily.

***

“Master Ferntill.”The elderly man at the wooden desk nodded in greeting and removed hisspectacles. “To what do I owe the pleasure? It's not often that Isee you around here. With good reason I suppose but nevertheless itcheers me to see you my boy, why, the last time I saw you you werebarely up to my shoulder, now, I dare say you are taller than me. Mymy my...”

“Yes yes more thanlikely, I'm actually here-”

“Such a small boy youwere, I think that even your sisters were bigger. How are yoursisters dear boy? And your mother – such a wonderful woman. Shevisits me sometimes you know-”

“Yes she did mentionit, actually I'm here for my father-”

“Now there's a properman! You must learn so much from him my boy, he has done so well forhimself, why I don't think there's an association in the whole ofVallaylii that he's not part of, in fact he's virtually in charge ofthe historical society...”

“Well that's what I'mhere about really-”

“Ah yes, what can Ido for him today?” The young boy paused and waited to see if theold man would say anything further; surprisingly he remained quiet.

“Right, well thething is there are some important visitors coming here today-”

“Here? Why no, thatcan't be right. We've no one booked in for an official visit formonths...” he frantically flicked through the large diary in frontof him, “no one comes in without an official booking, your fatherknows that, in fact he's championed that rule since it was first putin place - protects the integrity of the building. No, no, novisitors.” with that he closed the heavy book in front of him andlooked up at the young boy who bristled uncomfortably. Old he mayhave been but he'd been hired for a reason; the magical charge he wasemitting was enough to put even the most determined person off. Theboy took a steadying breath before proceeding;

“He said that youmight say that and told me to give you this.” The boy handed over afolded envelope which the elderly man opened hastily; adjusting hisglasses he scanned the letter's contents. Noticeably paler he foldedthe letter carefully back up, slipped it back into the envelope andstored it in his inside jacket pocket.

“Well?”

“Well, this changeseverything my boy.”

***

The huge wooden doorthat led into Oakley House creaked as Juney pushed it open. As wasusual for this time of day; it was unlocked.

“Come on then.”Juney looked back at her group, “We haven't got all day.”

“Did you need me toexplain the word prohibited to you? Because I'm fairly sure it meanswe can't just go strolling- and you're not listening to me. Youreally need to get that selective hearing problem looked at; I thinkit's getting worse.” Juney had ignored Alaina's protests and hadstrolled confidently into the foyer. The rest of the group followedtentatively behind her. Directly opposite the door was a large,currently unmanned, desk.

“That's unusual.”Juney looked around; though the large room was clearly empty. Malcolmmade a mental note of every detail; he had never thought that hewould be lucky enough to visit such a famous landmark but here hewas, and he was determined to absorb as much as possible - even ifhe only got as far as the foyer.

Alaina and Kaylaerremained surprisingly quiet; astonished by the sheer size of theplace. Kaylaer was sure that her parents house would fit into the oneroom. Methyn...well, Methyn was still too hungover to really noticeanything much, but he did appreciate being out of the brightsunlight.

It was while everyonewas distracted that the caretaker of Oakley House bumbled into thehall from a side room, colliding with Malcolm; who was admiring somerather intricate art work, and almost knocked him to the floor.

“Oh my! I am terriblysorry young man! I dare say that you gave me quite a fright standingthere. I wasn't expecting anyone until much later oh dear deardear...”It was as he was fussing over the slightly stunned Malcolmthat he noticed his other guests. “Lady Cholden,” he bowed asdeeply as his old bones could manage; Juney waved the gesture off, “Imust say that I was quite surprised to hear that you were to befronting this party.” He eyed her suspiciously.

“Yes well, there arecertain matters that need my attention.” Alaina noted the way thatshe glanced at her as she said it; it made her feel uncomfortable.

“Ah! You must be MissOakley.” He bowed again, this time towards Alaina who made anawkward half-curtsey in return. He slowly straightened himself,adjusted his spectacles and smiled warmly at her. “I never thoughtthat I would see the day when an Oakley would return to this house,but here you are! Please be sure, Madam, that the pleasure is allmine...”

“I'm sure it isOscar,” Juney interrupted, “now if you don't mind; as I wassaying earlier there are certain things that-”

“If ever there isanything that you need while you are here, anything at all, restassured that I will endeavour to help you in any way that I can,”He grabbed Alaina's hand in a show of loyalty. Alaina instinctivelytook a step back and almost crashed into Malcolm- who had justrecovered himself from his previous incident.

“Ah-”

“I am getting aheadof myself as always, I am Oscar; Caretaker of the house, and curatorwhen the occasion calls for it.”

“Nice to meet you -”Alaina turned to Juney; her hand still held enthusiastically byOscar, “- another educational tour?”

“Maybe some othertime, we're behind schedule as it is. We're here for a sword.”

“I thought that'swhat you were doing yesterday.”

“I was, for me. We'rehere for yours.”

“Haha, funny that! Ithought you just said that we were here to get me a big pointyweapon. Me; the girl who can't be trusted to wield a letter opener incase I inadvertently cut someone’s finger off.” This had actuallyhappened to her once; the intern in question managed to have theirfinger reattached just in time; though they would never recovercomplete feeling in the tip. Subsequently Alaina was banned fromhaving anything sharp at her desk, this included, but was not limitedto; Scissors, knives, pencil sharpeners, pencils and of course;letter openers. She was also banned from keeping those little fluffypromotional monsters at her desk due to a choking incident during arather memorable Christmas party. But that's another story.

“I'm aware that thesituation isn't ideal-” Alaina let out a short laugh while Kaylaermuttered something about understatements. “-but I have to work withwhat I have been given and; unfortunately you are the only heir tothe Oakley estate. Though that might actually be a good thing givenyour track record...”

“Excuse me ma'am-”Oscar piped up, “but technically speaking, due to the length oftime that the property has been left unoccupied, and given theunfortunate disappearance of Alaina Oakley senior, added to that thehistorical significance of the property-”

“Out with it Oscar.”

“that is to say thatthe Historical Society-”

“It's not thebuilding that we're here for Oscar; no need to go getting yourpanties in a twist. We're here for the Twin Blade.”

“Excuse me?” Alainainterjected. Nobody listened.

“I'm terribly sorryMadam, but no one has ever recovered it. I know Mister Ferntill hashis suspicions but I have worked here for many many years and I haveonly ever seen it with Alaina Oakley senior. I have not seen itsince.”

“You knew mymother?!” Once again Alaina went unheard.

“That's because it isnot yours to have access to. Clever things these magically infusedweapons.” Juney smiled at Oscar who had decided that he didn't muchcare for her cocky attitude.

“Very well, by allmeans have a look around but it is not here.” He paused and turnedback to Alaina, “With all due respect my Lady.”

“Thanks?”

“Young MasterFerntill is waiting for you downstairs; you'll forgive me forremaining at my post.”

“You're not going tobe joining us? What a shame.” Juney shrugged, her smile remainedfixed. Oscar scoffed and busied himself around his desk.

“Is it just me or wasthat a little insincere?” Malcolm whispered to Kaylaer as theyfollowed Juney to the staircase.

“It was meant to bedoofus.” She shook her head; it was a wonder how someone could beso smart yet so socially inept. “Hey did he say 'young MasterFerntill'?”

“Yeah?” Malcolmclocked the blank expression on Kaylaer's face and wondered howsomeone so quick witted could be so slow to catch on, “Giflyn's sonI'm guessing.”

“I thought it mightbe. Balls.”

***

He sat calmly beneath atree feeling the sun beating down on him; warming him through to hisvery bones. From his post he had a clear view of the Oakley estate.Oakley house was not an unexpected move on Cholden's part; however,he had not expected it so soon. That said, in the years he had cometo know her, she had never done quite what he had expected. She wasknown for always being at least one step ahead; and given her otherattributes this was as unsettling as it was unfortunate. He wouldhave to report back to Alox tonight; setting him back a whole night'stravel. Nevertheless, this new turn of events would be of greatinterest to Prince Fofana. In fact he may have to alter his wholeplan to accommodate them. Unfortunate.

Before his first visitto Oakley House he had been as sceptical as everyone else as to thewhereabouts of the infamous Twin Blade; yet any sorcerer worth hissalt should have been able to sense it within the walls of OakleyHouse. The magical energy was overwhelming; it could not possibly gounnoticed by anyone who was familiar with the art.

***

Methyn felt queasy andtired. Magical weapon of mass destruction or no, he would have ratherhave been in bed. As he descended the stairs behind his group he felta large wave of nausea wash over him, followed by an unexpecteddizziness. At the time he put this down to dehydration and a lack ofsleep; swearing to himself to never again drink with Alaina Oakley,but when he would later be asked about his input on detecting thewhereabouts of the Twin Blade he would claim that he sensed it assoon as he entered the building; that he could not get down thestairs without being deeply affected by it's presence. Kaylaer wouldoften contest this claim by reminding him that, given his conditionat the time, he could barely sense his own feet let alone anythingelse. Studies of the weapon would eventually prove nausea anddizziness to be a side-effect of close proximity to the artefact;especially seen in those particularly sensitive to a strong build upof untapped energy. So as to whether or not Methyn did sense the TwinBlade upon descending the stairs to the basement of Oakley House; noone really knows.

The fact of the matterwas that Giflyn Ferntill was nothing if not thorough when it came tohis obsession with weaponry. To his quite expansive knowledge, therewas no other weapon like the Twin Blade. It was created especiallyfor Alaina; commissioned by the two royal families of Glakyrie andforged by the blacksmith responsible for the throwing stars of Dolak.The balance of the two blades was outstanding and although unnamed inthe history books, the blacksmith was undeniably a true artisan. Asthe blade was forged a master sorcerer infused it with a magicalenergy so strong that it was believed that the blade itself couldtranscend time and space; meaning that it was not limited to oneworld or reality. It was this knowledge that allowed Giflyn to cometo the conclusion that the blade had found it's way home uponAlaina's death. Found it's way home, and was waiting.