Acclayne Book 1: The Game Begins
Chapter 22

Darknesshad fallen over the little hut, but Prince Fofana barely noticed thatno light shone from the poorly boarded up windows. He kicked open theflimsy, half-rotted door in a rage – only to replace the room empty.The place had been turned over and was a complete mess; as if atornado had swept through. The Prince growled; his face burned withanger. Striding across the room he kicked the toppled furniture outof his way. The bathroom door had been left open- there was no onethere. He punched the wall and the whole building shook. He didn'tnotice that his hand began to bleed, or how the blood was now slowlydripping down the bathroom wall. They'd gone.

Had the Prince arrivedmere hours earlier then he would have arrived to a much differentscene. Alox and Stella, having formed a pseudo-friendship, had beenpassing the time by playing three in a row. Stella had already woneleven games out of fifteen and Alox refused to give up until he hadwon at least one game where he didn't feel as if she'd let him win.This was proving to be somewhat difficult as out of the four times hehad won she had 'accidentally' made a mistake every time. He justcouldn't get his head around the game, and rather than replace ittiresome, Stella found it rather amusing.

They were just about tostart their sixteenth game when the door was knocked; that is that itwas knocked twice, kicked once and then knocked again – the secretcode. Alox looked at Stella who quirked her eyebrow at him.

“Better get that Isuppose, we would not want to keep the big bad boss waiting.” Aloxsympathised with her, he did, but he didn't have to appreciate hersarcastic tone. He grunted as he got up off his chair. This sittingaround stuff wasn't doing anything for him; he was stagnating, and itwas making him feel his age. Opening the door ajar so that she couldnot see out , he slipped outside. It was still daylight and thebright light blinded him momentarily.

“You need to move.”

“Wha-?”

“Youneed to move. Hewants her moved.”

Alox blinked; it wasnot Fofana. Good, he could be a right little brat. “Does 'e now?Since when did you become his messenger?” Alox rubbed his bristledchin; barely feeling the bristles through the callouses on hisfingers.

“He does. The planhas changed. I'm sure you can appreciate that he is a very busy man.”

“Right-an' you jus' expect me to move 'er now do ya?” His friendsighed; exasperated. He had that same stroppy air to him that thePrince had – even if he wasn't as arrogant.

“You will be dulycompensated.” He produced a bag of coins and tossed them at him.Alox caught the pouch in one hand, the weight was substantial and hebegan to salivate. He wiped the corners of his mouth with his thumband forefinger before speaking.

“An' where am Itakin' 'er to?”

“There is a safehouse -an Inn - just inside of Cortharen-”

“Cortharen?! Tha's abit risky innit? What if I'm spotted?”

“You will not bespotted. You have my word.”

“Hmm...”

“Please, thecircumstances have changed; the plan is in jeopardy. She is – youare both, in danger.”

Alox felt queasy. Itwas an unfamiliar feeling. He had been prepared to kill the Princesshimself when he had accepted the job, but now, somehow the idea of ithad lost it's appeal. As annoying as she was he couldn't harm a hairon her head. He'd do it.

“Right, an' how do yasuggest I move 'er?”

“The same way youbrought her here I would imagine.”

“Ah. She's not gonnalike tha'.”

“And I suggest youmove quickly; they are coming for her as we speak.”

“How will I know thesafe house?”

“He's expecting you.”

“Who is? I thoughtthis was all Hush hu-” Alox never finished his query; instead hewas left standing alone outside the hut, talking to the air. Hesighed, it wasn't the first time and certainly wouldn't be the last.He turned and went inside.

“So, what now?”

“We're leavin'” hesaid, busying himself throwing things into a bag.

Stella visiblybrightened; “Oh goody! I could do with stretching my legs!”

“Ah-”

“What do you meanah?” She watched in horror as Alox crossed the room and picked upwhat looked suspiciously like a big sack. “No. Just no.”

“You have to.”

“No.”

“Come on.”

“I am not getting inthere.”

“You'll be killed...or worse.”

“Worse than killed,or a burlap sack? Really?”

Alox stared at her;“Jus' get in.”

It took half an hourand countless attempts to get Stella to cooperate; eventually Aloxsettled on rendering the girl unconscious. He didn't think he'd doneher any serious damage but she'd probably have a bit of a bump whenshe came round. He was hoping that it wouldn't be for a few hours atleast- he was rather enjoying the peace and quiet.

The Prince had arrivedtoo late; their trail had already started to go cold, and it was nowcompletely dark. He would not replace them tonight. He gritted his teethand growled, his anger bubbling up beyond his control.

“That greedybastard-” He snarled at the empty room. It was clear to him; thetreacherous leech had grown impatient with the girl and had tradedher for a reward. He knew he should not have trusted such a low lifewith this important task.

He punched the wallagain and bits of plaster flaked off, floating to the ground. Hewould replace them, both of them, and he would kill them himself.

He strode angrily fromthe abandoned hut, letting the front door hang open. The cool nightair flooded in and the fresh blood on the wall began to congeal.