Acclayne Book 1: The Game Begins
Chapter 29

I first knew that I was awake, not because of any light, but becauseof the searing pain across my chest. I groaned and found that mythroat hurt as well. When I finally dared to open my eyes I realisedthat I needn't have bothered as I could have seen just as well had Ikept them closed.

I groped around with myhands and discovered that I had been dumped on a cold, hard floorsomewhere. Not the first time I'd woken up like this; I grant you,but the pain I was suffering was certainly reminiscent of ahang-over. As I grew accustomed to the darkness I began to see thefaint outlines of things, and; to my horror, I could make out aseries of bars. I'd been thrown into a cell. Well, I hadn't expectedit to end like this – to be tossed into a dungeon and left to rot.I'd done nothing wrong, I was a model citizen if anything. The worstcrime I'd ever committed was doing thirty three in a thirty zone.Hardly life-sentence worthy.

I pulled in my achinglimbs and sat up slowly so I could get my bearings. As I sat up someof the fog lifted and images of the evening's events came floodingback to me. Prince Fofana, Queen Siônel, Juney... how could I havebeen so stupid? I trusted her implicitly – figured that if anythingwent wrong that she'd be there to save my sorry ass; and then sheturns out to be one of the bad guys.

“Haven'tyou heard of undercover agents?”

Oh God, why was I soslow? I hugged my knees into my chest, the move made me wince inpain. I sniffled as I felt my eyes grow hot and fill with tears. “Ijust don't know what's going on anymore.” I whispered to myself,and though I don't know why, I was disappointed not to get an answer.I allowed myself to sob. I didn't even have the comforting weight ofTwin-Blade to fall back on. I really was all on my own now.

I don't know how long Iwas alone in the dark but it was long enough for my tears to stop andfor my crying to become a series of stilted, dry sobs. It was as Isnuffled quietly to myself that I heard a door creak open down thehall. What followed were a series of quiet footsteps and a whisperedvoice:

“She must be inhere.” Was that-? “I saw them carry her past; she was onlyunconscious, I think, but she looked in a bad way.” as he spoke Icould hear them coming closer Was my mind playing tricks on me?

“You think she'll beokay?” Malcolm?

“Yeah, she'ssurprisingly tough... for a Newbie... but don't tell her I said that.It'll only go to her head.” Kaylaer!

“I won't tell- if youdon't...” I managed to croak. My voice sounded terrible; morecoarse than I'd thought it'd be, and it hurt more too.

“Alaina? Over here!”Kaylaer whispered loudly. Before I knew it a light was being shone inmy face. “You look like shit.” She stated.

“Consideringcircumstances... I'll take... as complement.” I rasped – everyword feeling as if it were a sword being pulled up through my throat.Kaylaer laughed as I managed a half-hearted smile; she'd never say itbut she looked as relieved as I felt. My eyes became attuned to thesudden increase in light and I was able to make out their faces frombehind the bars. “How did you-” I started but Malcolm interruptedme excitedly;

“Someone told uswhere we could replace you, a friend; someone we thought was long gone.”

***

At the precise momentthat the door was kicked free of it's hinges, Kaylaer and Malcolmscrambled off the bed and onto the floor in an attempt to hide.Kaylaer pulled herself deftly across the worn carpet and soughtrefuge under the bed. Malcolm had not reacted as quickly so shereached out and pulled him under after her, just as the firmfootsteps entered the room. They heard the flimsy door crack and giveway beneath heavy boots and lay perfectly still as they listened tothe intruder search the place. Kaylaer was very aware of the sound ofher own heartbeat thumping in her ears, while beside her Malcolmstruggled to control his breathing.

The footsteps stopped.

“Iknow you are in here.” it was a man's voice; but it was not asthreatening as Kaylaer had imagined it would be. In fact, she thoughtshe had heard this voice before. “It would be much easier if youwould both just come out.” Kaylaer's mind searched frantically fora memory. It was dark. The smell of stale booze in her face. Largemen... and then... she was rescued.. Safe. A soft, comforting voice.Kind, brown eyes... it was him. He savedher. Kaylaer made to shimmy herself out from under the bed. Malcolmgrabbed at her ankle.

“Kaylaer! What areyou doing!” He whispered loudly.

As her head emergedfrom under the bed she came face to face with the only man that hadever made her feel safe.

“Ah, there you arenow Sparrow.”

Unlike her usual self,Kaylaer found herself to be lost for words.

“Sparrow?” came themuffled voice of Malcolm from under the bed, followed by a thump ashe hit his head.

“I just thought thatthe name suited you, I hope you do not mind.” The memory of himcame flooding back all at once; as if he had been a dream that shehad forgotten. Malcolm tentatively popped his head out from under thebed; quickly taking in the features of the man that was crouched infront of them. It couldn't be -

“OhMy Mother!” he exclaimed; the two turned to look at him. “It'syou.”

'You' quirked aneyebrow; an eyebrow that Kaylaer couldn't help but notice wasprobably one of the most perfect eyebrows that she had ever seen.

“Prince Alistair!”

Kaylaer'sstomach turned into a leaden weight. ThePrinceAlistair? The man who had killed his own father? He couldn't be. Hecouldn't have. Not this man.

“I am afraid that itis merely Alistair now young man.” He smiled a sad smile – thekind that reached neither of his eyes; good or bad. “It is apleasure to formally meet you,” he bowed his head, “ I wouldgreatly appreciate it; however, if you did not shout about it.”

“Of course. Sorry.”Malcolm's voice trailed off into a whisper.

“Now. There is notmuch time; your friends have been captured. You must come with me.”Malcolm had scrambled to his feet before Alistair had finished.Kaylaer, on the other hand, remained stationary.

“Come on Kaylaer, youheard the man!”

Captured? She couldbelieve it of Alaina and her professor; but with Juney around toprotect them. Well, it wasn't likely. “Juney is with them-”

“-I do not like totell you this but it was she who handed them over.”

Kaylaer felt as if shewas going to vomit. She bravely swallowed the bile that was rising inher throat but said nothing. Alistair allowed her a few minutes toabsorb the information. After a moment she finally spoke:

“Did you do it?”She asked quietly.

“Excuse me?”Malcolm responded agitatedly. “You heard him; Juney was badKaylaer,” he began to babble, “not really surprising given that-”

“Didyou. Do it?”She asked again, fixing her gaze on Alistair's good eye. How couldshe trust a word this man said if he was able to murder his ownfather?

“No.” was hissimple response; but Kaylaer could read a much more sorrowful storyin his seemingly unchanged expression. It was proof enough for her.

“Okay then.”

***

I made a barelyaudible; and rather unladylike croak as a familiar and oh so handsomeface approached the bars.

“I do not believe wehave been formally introduced. Alistair.” He said and gave me agentlemanly nod. I felt a swoon coming on. “And I see you still donot have a coat.”

“Right- well we don'treally have time to be discussing clothing choices right now.” Andthe swoony moment was gone. “Out of the way.” Methyn bargedforward; I was relieved to see him despite the rude interruption. Imanaged a smile as I watched his face contort with concentration, butthen noticed – to my horror- that he was in a pretty bad way. Theymust have gotten to him too. Poor guy.

“Just give me... a...moment...” His hands covered the over-sized lock that held the gateclosed. I watched with fascination as the solid metal became a coolliquid that trickled between his fingers; dripping uselessly to thefloor.

“Cool!” Kaylaerwhispered loudly, “Why haven't you taught us that yet?”

“That's prettyadvanced stuff.” Malcolm responded in awe.

“Yes don't get tooahead of yourselves, let's work on not accidentally blowing things upfirst shall we?” Methyn sighed.

“Oh you should haveseen it.” Malcolm laughed looking at me, “Sir was in amagically-sealed stone cell,” I nodded pretending I knew what thatwas, “and instead of removing the key stone Kaylaer only went andblew up the whole bloody wall.”

“Well I got him outdidn't I?” She huffed, “Besides I'd like to see you try it.”

“Enough.” Methynsighed again as he wiped the last of the liquid off of his fingers.“Yes you got me out but don't for a moment think I am beyond givingyou both detention.” He was way cooler than I gave him credit for.

With that they liftedopen the heavy gate. I helped as much as I could from my side of it,but with my badly bruised ribs it was a struggle just to stand upstraight. As if to prove a point I stumbled out into the corridor. Iclenched my eyes shut as I felt myself fall – the ground wasdefinitely going to hurt and so I braced myself for impact. What Ididn't brace myself for was to be lifted off my feet entirely. Icarefully opened one eye. Then I opened the other. Alistair's facewas distractingly close to my own. As was his neck,,, and his broadchest... and his muscular arms. In fact – I looked down – I wasbeing held up by those muscular arms. I felt my cheeks burn. Oh my.

“Clumsy arse.” Iheard Kaylaer whisper sulkily from somewhere behind me; but pretendedthat I hadn't.

“We have to go. Thereis not much time – I have had to play a very dangerousdistraction.”

Aww man, even his breathsmelled good. I felt weird just thinking it; talk about a dangerousdistraction.

Alistair strodemanfully forward, showing no sign of putting me down.

“Youknow she could probably walk.” Shutup Kaylaer.

“OhI probably could-” I sighed in what I hoped displayed both mybraveness and fragility. “but I wouldn't want to slow you down.”I felt Kaylaer's eyes burning the back of my head as we continued on.Little girl's and their crushes.

***

“And so you haveemerged at last?” Prince Fofana barely looked up as the door to thethrone room creaked open. “And you have brought company.” Acrosshis lap lay Alaina's Twin-Blade, Fofana caressed it lovingly as if itwere truly his own.

“My leej, I was tol'to hide the girl-” There was a tense moment of silence beforeFofana stood; stowing the blade on the grand chair behind him. Heturned-

“NOTFROM ME YOU FOOL!” Before Alox could respond Fofana was in front ofhim and had smacked him hard across the face. Had anyone else triedthat, even thoughtof trying it, Alox would have decked them as soon as they were withindistance.

Stella, who was stood alittle way behind him, winced in sympathy. The gag that Alox had sowisely fitted around her mouth did it's job in preventing her fromcrying out.

“WHAT GOOD IS IT TOHIDE HER FROM ME?!” Fofana turned sharply on his heel and strodeback in the direction of his ill-gotten throne.

“Yer messenger.”Alox spluttered, “'e said we'd been found out. It wasn't safe nomore-”

“Messenger?” Fofanasneered, “Don't make up stories to cover up your own incompetenceyou idiot. I never sent a messenger!” With a wave of his handFofana had Alox restrained. “No, no one has been privy to the wholeplan until now.” He turned, fixing Stella with a sinister smile.“How rude of me. Princess Stella,” he bowed low, “I do notbelieve we have had the pleasure. I am Prince... King Fofana, and mayI be the first to offer my sympathy,” he approached her now but sheremained still; just as Alox had instructed her, though she couldfeel herself beginning to shake. “Yes, my most sincere sympathy...and apologies, for the untimely death of your Father.”

Stella's eyes welledwith tears instantly, her gag threatening to choke her, while Fofanalaughed openly at her grief.

“Oh no my dear, notyet – but soon. You see, I intend to Rule Glakyrie in it'sentirety.” He gestured with his arms as he walked around her; avulture circling it's prey. “But for this I will require a Bride.”Stella's eyes narrowed in disgust. “No no, not you. Heaven's no!Someone more befitting my station. I shall be taking your beautifulstep-mother as my Queen. How could I possibly choose any other;without her none of this would have been possible!”

Stellahad not seen or heard her approach, but, there she was. Herstep-mother, beside the mad man, her hand resting lovingly on hisshoulder. It was all too much; the gag was suffocating her, the ropesthat bound her began to burn her skin – suddenly she fainted to thefloor. No one made a move to catch her.

“She always was sovery unladylike.” Queen Siônel remarked, staring down at her.

“Such a pity,”Fofana sighed as he returned to his throne, “She will miss the bestpart.”

Alox struggled againstthe guards as he watched Fofana pick up the Twin-Blade.

“I did so want her tobe awake when I killed her.” With that he raised the Twin-Bladeabove his head. It felt like a lead weight to his thin arms, andsuddenly almost reluctant to fall. Fofana shook off the feelingeasily and let gravity bring down the blade.

Alox was by no means anhonest man, nor a gentle man, nor even a good man; but he was not anevil man. Alox had a heart, and as he saw the Twin-Blade above theinnocent young woman – the one who reminded him so much of his owndaughter – the one who had thawed him, he knew what he had to do.

Using the last of hisstrength, Alox made a final push to free himself from the guards andhurled himself between Stella and the Twin-Blade; the fine metal cutthrough him as easily as one would cut butter.

Fofana sneered at hismaimed corpse:

“Youwould have been next if you'd had only waited your turn.” He wipedthe bloodied blades across Alox's yellowed shirt. “Some people haveno patience.” The Prince tutted to himself, “and some people haveno manners-” he continued without looking up. “You didn't evenhave the decency to stay locked up for just one night.” he turnedround, incensed by Alaina's escape, but a brief look of confusioncrossed his face as he recognised Alistair. “Now I must say thatthisis a surprise. Well well Alistair, you've survived all this time, andby yourself no less. Good for you.”

“Give Stella to usand I shall not kill you.”

“Ha!You want me to simply giveher to you? Oh you are just too much! Killing her will finally let meunite Glakyrie - don't you see? It's how it was meant to be!”Fofana clasped his hands together as if he had just revealed to themsome fundamental truth. Mental,yes.Fun? Not so much.Alaina reflected inwardly- power really did do strange things topeople. “On the other hand... ah yes – I can trade you...”

Alistair narrowed hiseyes; he knew better than to trust the mad man in front of them.

“Stella for Alaina; astraight swap. No catch.” He smiled, “The choice is yours.” Hewas enjoying this far too much; he almost laughed as he watched thefaces in front of him shift from looks of determination and anger toconfusion and fear. All faces, that was, apart from Alistair's, who'sexpression remained unchanged. He slowly placed a frightened Alainaonto the ground; being careful not to jolt her battered body.

“Good choice!”Fofana clapped, “Though you must understand that I, we, shall wineither way.” he gestured to his Queen. “Without the Oakley girland her Twin-Blade you shall be defenceless.”

“Then you mustunderstand this: I do not make deals with my enemies.” Alistaircharged Fofana knocking him to the ground. As he took a punch to thejaw Fofana released the Twin-Blade from his grasp; leaving itmotionless on the floor beside him. Alistair hit him again and again;throwing his full weight onto Fofana. Even after taking a knee to hisstomach Alistair did not relinquish his hold.

Seeing that Fofana wasout of his depth the Queen quickly ushered the guards forward and ittook the full strength of the two burly men to lift Alistair offtheir King.

Alistair spat inFofana's face as he was lifted up. Fofana wiped it away with a smile.

“I'm impressed. Sucha shame that you didn't put up so much of a fight when I had yourfather killed.”

Alistair struggled invain against the strength of his captors; his grief too heavy aburden.

“Now,” Fofanacontinued, reaching for the Twin-Blade “I shall finish the job. Ido like a complete set.” But the Twin-Blade was no longer where heexpected it to be. He patted the ground; fumbling for it.

“Howabout Ifinish it?” Stella had remained as still as she could whilst sheregained consciousness. She listened, and as she did so she wriggledfree of her loosely tied ropes. Seeing the Twin-Blade on the floorshe snatched at it, hoping against all hope that she possessed atleast a tenth of the natural talent her cousin had been blessed with.

Stella swung the blade,but missed her target as Fofana rolled quickly across the floor.Suddenly Stella's head was whipped back as her step-mother; Siônel,pulled hard on her hair.

“Not so fast youlittle bitch.” with that she punched her hard in the face; Stellaflung the Twin-Blade away as she tried to defend herself. Reacting oninstinct she clawed at the Queen's face; finally she had a validreason to hate her and she wasn't about to hold back.

Fofana saw hisopportunity and reached for the unguarded weapon but it slid acrossthe floor and out of his reach before he could even touch it – itcame to a stop at Alaina's feet.

“I think you shouldprobably hold on to that.” Methyn said giving her a brief smile ofencouragement before turning his attention back to Fofana. Methynfocused on Fofana's potential energy and using his own as a key heunlocked the potential for movement; sending Fofana flying across theroom like a doll. Attuning himself to the energy, Methyn took controlof his limbs as if the Prince were a puppet. Fofana tried in vain tofight but what little knowledge of magic he had couldn't possiblycompete with Methyn's long practised skill. Before he knew it he wasstamping on his own feet and being forced to punch himself in theface.

“Ha! Stop hittingyourself! stop hitting yourself!” Kaylaer laughed.

“Time for somepractice I think.” Methyn turned to his two students, “Have atit-” Kaylaer was a natural; immediately seizing control and tossingFofana around the room like a rag in the wind. Malcolm, on the otherhand; for all his academic confidence, froze whenever he was calledto action.

“I-I can't-” Hisnerves were always getting the better of him.

“You can.” Methynpatted his shoulder, it was a classic case of visualisationdifficulty. “How is it you remember all of the things you know?”

“I can see them,almost like the words are written in my head.”

“Well there we go,don't try and picture 'energy', picture words. Everyone writes theirown story, when you use magic all you are doing is taking control ofthe pen.”

“I- I suppose I'lltry...”

“You will try;especially if you want to pass your practical class this year.” Itwas all the encouragement Malcolm needed; he ran over to joinKaylaer. “I'll be grading you!” Methyn called. Malcolm putKaylaer to shame as he made Fofana's boots burst into flames.

Alaina stood helplesslyon the sidelines – what little confidence she's gained in the pastfew weeks was left in tatters by Juney's betrayal. Her Twin-Bladefelt unusually heavy in her hands, reluctant almost; as if it couldfeel her fear and sadness. She watched the scene unfold before her,everyone fighting bravely; even the children. Why was she so useless?

You'renot.

She should have beenready for this -

Youare.

She thought of Juney –how she would have encouraged her, helped her to be her best. The pitin her stomach grew. Thoroughly absorbed by her grief Alaina did notnotice how her sword began to shake in her hand, nor did she noticehow the metal began to heat up. Instead her head was filled withimages of Juney- sneaking around; the times that she wouldn't tellher things; and finally her impassive profile as Alaina wasrestrained my the guards. Suddenly Alaina was angry. Very angry.Angry to the point where she began to shake – where her blood beganto boil.

“Enough of thisnonsense!” Fofana had broken free of Malcolm and Kaylaer; theirmagical ability not yet strong enough to hold his will indefinitely.He was back on his plinth now, accompanied by the Queen and they hadrecaptured Stella; this time it was she who was at knife-point.

“I am going to killthe little brat this time and your party tricks are not about to stopme from doing it!”

“How about my partytrick?” Alaina moved forward slowly, Twin-Blade hanging by herside. Every step hurt but her anger drover her forward, She was notgoing to be anyone’s pawn any longer.

Fofana laughed as shecame slowly closer, “And what would that be my dear? You can barelystand, let alone fight me.”

“Alaina stop! Do notdo this!” Alistair pleaded with her from where the guards forcedhim to kneel. “This was not supposed to be your fight!”

“Ithink you'll replace that somebodymade it my fight-” she said without turning from Fofana, “ andnow, I intend to finish it.”

Pain and anger. It wasall that was driving me. I had never felt anything like it before.Until now I had been entirely useless; downtrodden and cast aside.Not anymore. A fire was burning inside me. I had been nothing but agame piece; how could I have not realized it? Not anymore. Ipositively burned with rage; no idea what it was that finally lit thefire – but it was not about to burn out. Not until I fixed this.Not until someone died...

Slowly,and with purpose, Alaina raised the Twin-Blade, yet the smug look ofamusement never left Fofana's face. Anyone who would have touched theTwin-Blade at that point would have flinched at the intense heat ofit; it was surely hot enough to scold, but to Alaina it was as if theblade matched her body temperature – as if they were one.

At chest height shegripped the hilt with two hands; one on either side side of thehandle and, seemingly without any effort or forethought, pulled theTwin-Blade apart.

She moved quickly afterthat, her pain numbed by adrenalin. She rushed the plinth beforeFofana had a chance to react. Her injuries forgotten she leapt –putting a boot to Fofana's chest she knocked him into the throne. Heflew backwards and Stella was released from his grip. Now free, shescampered across the room.

Alainaheld one half of the Twin-Blade to Fofana's throat as he writheduncomfortably in the throne, unable to escape. She stared him downunblinkingly. What a pathetic littleman. As shestared she was struck by a disturbing vision; she saw him killing therightful Queen and her unborn child. The vision was not through hereyes yet somehow she knew it in her heart to be true.

“You disgust me.”she snarled through gritted teeth, “and you-” she growled atStella's step-mother, “don't you move.” She hadn't needed to lookat her to sense that she was going to try and make a break for it.Alaina aimed the other blade at her without looking. “Watchcarefully,” Alaina said, her voice dangerously soft, “you'll benext.”

“Don't be so hasty-”Fofana gulped, squirming in his chair, “I'm sure this can all besettled-”

“It already is.”Alaina said without looking away. The fire burning in her belly wasnothing like she had ever felt before. “I think it's time we partedyou from that pretty little head of yours. Don't you?”

Before Fofana couldeven comprehend her words Alaina had turned the blade on it's sideand sliced it cleanly through his throat. His head made a satisfyingthud as it hit the floor.

As suddenly as itstarted the fire within Alaina subsided and she wobbled on her feet.The disgraced Queen took advantage of her lapse in concentration andvanished before anyone could stop her.

The guards that wererestraining Alistair loosened their hold; as if freed from a spell.Seizing his opportunity Alistair rushed to help Alaina.

The last words that sheheard before she passed out from the overwhelming rush of pain werespoken in his soft voice-

“It is okay; I haveyou now.”