Acclayne Book 1: The Game Begins
Chapter 7

All of this sitting around was becoming extremelyagitating. The tiresome old bugger behind the big desk had not madeany smart remarks for some time; I was beginning to suspect that hemay have fallen asleep. Juney on the other hand was still very muchawake; but just as quiet. I had made a few attempts at strainedconversation with her, asking her about her job and whatnot. Her realjob, in this place. From the little information that she gave me Icould safely assume that she worked for the Palace. She had describedher coming to work in my building as a reconnaissance mission; thatshe had never expected to need to bring me back with her: just gathersome information. To me that was about as clear as mud. I hadn’tthe faintest idea why on Earth anyone would be that interested in me.But then we weren’t on Earth anymore, were we? So I suppose itdidn’t really have to make sense.

I began to fidget. Ihad been sitting up perfectly straight for what seemed like aneternity and I was starting to feel quite stiff. This was not helpedby the fact that what little alcohol I had consumed had worn off-leaving me with the beginnings of a mild hangover as a parting gift.I crossed, uncrossed and re-crossed my legs. As I did so I felt theheel of my shoe snag on my tights; leaving me with a lovely, long,flesh coloured ladder down one leg. Fabulous. I let out anexasperated sigh which caught Juney’s attention. Her eyes flickereddownwards to my leg.

“Hard luck.”

“Is it verynoticeable?” I asked; knowing full well that it was and that Icould have picked any other time to ladder my tights and it wouldn’thave been nearly as inconvenient.

“Maybe, but then I amsat right next to you. I wouldn’t curtsey too low mind you. Halfyour leg would be on show.”

“Brilliant, thanksfor that one.”

“No problem.” Iwondered if they had sarcasm here or if Juney just refused to rise toit. I picked gently at the loose nylon with my finger. It seemed asthough it had grown as much as it was going to; that was someconsolation I guessed. It was at the same time that I decided toslouch down in my chair that there was movement from the big dooropposite. I automatically scooted up; feeling like I’d been caughtdoing something wrong.

The two wooden doorswere so massive that when I had first arrived I had mistaken them forpart of the wall. One door was now creaking open slowly on it’slarge metal hinges. I expected that it would take a lot of force toopen and wondered at the size of the person behind the door. I wasstunned to see a slender, elderly lady step out from behind it.

“The King and Queenwill see you now.” Her voice was soft yet authoritative; she put mein mind of my grandmother; she would have all the love in the worldfor you but you crossed her at your peril. Juney stood and strodeconfidently across the room towards the door. She didn’t even lookback to see if I was following her. The older lady looked at me stillsitting in the chair. It seemed I was meant to follow. I stoodquickly and wobbled inelegantly on my high heels, tottering clumsilyacross the room and through the door. The lady followed me throughand closed the door behind us.

Methyn found himselfstood in front of a massive wooden door. He peered up at it. It wasperfectly straight and the oddly angled stonework appeared to haveformed around it; as if the door had been there always and someonehad attempted to build around it; badly. To his right their guide waspacing nervously and taking in deep gulps of air. He had proven to besomewhat nervy and had been absolutely no help when they had lostKaylaer. Methyn patted himself, mentally, on the back. Although hisdinner had made an appearance he was able to spring into action.Their guide, on the other hand, had begun to hyperventilate and wasno use to anyone so Malcolm and Methyn had searched for Kaylaeralone.

Looking at her now itwas hard to believe that just a short time before she had been sat ina corner looking so small and lost. Malcolm was trying to makeconversation with her now; her response was to shove him, hard, andwalk away. Methyn thought that maybe he should intervene but was justrelieved that she was coming back round. Suddenly she was at hisside.

“So, we going in orwhat?” She was gripping her wrist tightly. She imagined that shecould still feel a slight warmth there; that if she could hold ittight enough she might not lose it, and that the memories of herrescuer’s face would stop fading from her mind. Try as she might itwas no use; and it was frustrating her, though right now standingoutside in the damp, cold, night air was a more pressing concern.“It’s bloody freezing.”

“Language.”

“Whatever. Can we notjust go in? Leave whatshisname out here?” She gestured to theirguide. He was still pacing. This was; apart from the meeting newpeople aspect, the worst part of his job. He knew exactly what waitedbehind that door for him, and he hated and feared it more with everyvisit. His friends would tease him; say that one day he would snapand he had a feeling that it would be the monster behind that doorthat would push him over the edge. And he would probably take greatjoy in doing it too.

“Look, the kids aregetting antsy and we’re late enough as it is; we should probablyjust head in don’t you think?” Methyn attempted to speak in asoothing tone but it came out more agitated than he had intended. Hedealt with anxious children in school. He was useless with them aswell; had no patience with them, which just served to make themworse, so he avoided them as best he could.

“Y-y-y-yes, quiteright. Late enough now.” He breathed, long deep breaths. He lookedacross to the tall, muscular guard and nodded. The guard was used tothis behaviour now. He had been warned about this nut job on hisfirst day; Chief messenger apparently. Scrawny little bag of nerves.Having to wait so long for him to go in used to annoy him but he hadstarted to time the nervous outbursts. Only ten minutes today;nothing to write home about. He heaved the door open and the unlikelygroup headed inside.

They found themselvesin a large room with chairs and suits of armour lining the walls;standard Palace entry hall from what Malcolm could ascertain. He hadnever seen one in real life that was for sure, but he was pleasedthat it was just as he would have expected; though the room seemedless grand than he’d imagined. The chairs were less plush that hadthought they’d be and the armour less gleaming but he was astoundedby his surroundings nonetheless. He wandered slowly around the roomand away from the group so that he could take it all in; storing itfor later when he could write about it in his notebook. When packinghis small bag for the journey he had checked and double checked thathe had remembered his notebook. It was full of fascinating facts thathe had read about, little doodles and diagrams, original ideas thathe had come up with all by himself. He was scared of learningsomething only to forget it later; as long as he had his notebook hewas safe.

Kaylaer floated alongbehind Methyn. She was still not feeling entirely comfortable, herhand had not yet released her wrist. She would never admit it but aslong as she kept the others in view, for now at least - her worrieswere eased.

The messenger walked alittle way ahead of them; towards a rather tall, wooden desk. Behindit sat a severely wrinkled old man. He looked as though he wasscowling over his pile of papers, but the creases in his face made ithard to tell. The messenger shifted his weight uncomfortably fromfoot to foot.

“You’relate.”

“I k-k-k-know, we raninto a litt-”

“Speakup, and don’t stammer.I can barely understandyou.”

“I s-said we had ab-bit of trouble.”

“That ishardly my problem, isit?”

“W-w-well I nev-”

“No, itis not. I scheduled yourappointment myself.”

“Y-yes I-”

“Do notinterrupt me.”

“I-” Methyn sathimself down across the room, leaving the two men to it. It looked asthough they were in for a bit of a wait.

Through the huge doorsI found myself standing in a grand throne room. The majority of theroom was in darkness apart from the far end where I could make outtwo figures sat on their thrones; the King and Queen of Corthus. Asthe torches flickered I noticed how the long shadows danced againstthe stone walls. It was all starting to feel very ‘medieval drama‘.Juney and I followed the older lady down the length of the room. Herstride was long and confident and I struggled to maintain a decentpace in my heels. She stopped abruptly before us and bowed low fromthe waist; the way a man might.

“AnnouncingJuney Cholden of Quintthessa and Alaina Oakley… of Earth.”I was pretty sure I heard a touch of condescension at the mention ofmy home. Bloody cheek. Juney quietly cleared her throat; she wasbowing low at the waist also. I curtseyed awkwardly as not to showtoo much cleavage. I was sure they could see more than enough of mealready.

“Thank you. That willbe all.” The King’s voice was gruff and quiet. He did not look athis servant when he addressed her. In fact he did not look up fromhis lap. His hands were folded together, too tightly. “Cholden.”

“Your highness.”

“I trust your journeywent well?” I noticed that he still did not look up but he broughtup his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose with his finger andthumb; leaning forward on his elbow. Hardly a regal position. HisQueen sat beside him; straight as a poker. She had small delicatefeatures and her skin was pallid from being kept inside the palace.Her blonde hair was cropped just below the chin and it struck me thatif not for her regal garb she would not look out of place back home.It appeared as though her dress and robes were made from velvet andlace; the dark emerald green complemented her complexion. As Istudied her I became aware that her dark eyes were on me; a smallsmile had formed on her lips.

“Yes your Highness.For the most part at least; I fear we may have been spotted.”

His headsnapped up, “May have been or were,Cholden?” His voice had become loud and angry, I notice his eyeswere bloodshot. He wasn’t sleeping.

“May have, yourHighness.” Juney bowed low beside me as if to sate the King. “Welost our tail before returning.”

“You areaware of the delicacyof the current situation are you not?” Juney nodded emphatically inreply. “I trust that your companionhas not yet been debriefed?” I bristled at being referred to as ifI was not even in the room; he had not even glanced at me. The Queenon the other hand seemed content to observe me with some amusement.

“Noyour Highness.”

“In thatcase she shall be debriefed in the morning. The rest of your partyhas not yet arrived.” Sowe were to be accompanied on whatever little escapade I was beingdragged into? Fabulous, Juney was proving not to be such goodcompany. Before she could respond the King had stood; “If you shallexcuse me I must get some air.” He looked significantly older thanhis wife; the black circles beneath his eyes were prominent, and hiswhole body seemed to sag as if under some immense strain. Despitethis he still managed to exude a majestic authority. He said no morebefore sweeping between the both of us and out of the room entirely.The Queen remained seated on her throne.

“Pardon my husband.”Her voice was sweet and high as a bell. “He is somewhat tormentedthese last few weeks.” Juney nodded in understanding beside me.

“Understandable yourHighness.”

“Yes, well quite.”She smiled brightly, “It’ll all be fixed soon enough I shouldexpect. The situation is well in hand.” Her voice was chirpy andher demeanour light and friendly, though there was a look in her eyesthat I couldn’t place. Whatever was troubling her husband was nodoubt also troubling his young wife; no matter how happy she seemed.I wondered what mess I was being dragged into. “Now then dear…”To my surprise she addressed me directly.

“Ah, your Highness?”I imagined that this is what a dear caught in headlights might feellike. The full force of her positive demeanour was now upon me; herbright, wide smile and her large eyes… I was distinctly dazzled.

“As muchas I adore your quaintoutfit, I rather think we should replace you something more appropriate;it is quite cold here after all.” She laughed at her own comment;the sound tinkled and echoed around the large room. I felt that maybeI should be insulted but found myself more embarrassed than anythingelse. I could feel my face beginning to flush. Just what I needed; tolook like an inappropriately dressed tomato. “No matter, I’m surewe can replace you something suitable. I’ll have a girl bring someclothes to your room. Juney, you can replace the rooms by yourself?”She did not wait for a response; “Fabulous, I must fetch myhusband to receive our other guests. Until tomorrow ladies.” Shenodded to us and Juney curtseyed. I followed suit a moment too lateand rushed to follow her out of a small side door. I felt the Queen’seyes on our backs as we left.

“What do you meanCartaisey was unable to attend!” The King stood up in a rage.Methyn had known he would not be well received as his master’sreplacement. He was very rarely well received, even when he hadactually been invited.

“Y-y-y-our Highness,Cartaisey has sent Methyn personally as his replacement. H-h-he ishis second at the school.” The messenger was a jittering mess andcould barely get his words out but at the mention of Methyn asCartaisey’s second the King seemed a little placated.

“Personally you say?”He sagged back into his chair and Methyn noted that he seemedunusually drained for the time of day. “Not what we were hopingfor, but better than nothing I suppose.” Methyn bristled. If he’dhad his way he would have given them nothing; how would he have likedit then? As it was Methyn just stood there unable to answer back. Hewas the King after all. “You may leave.” The King waved themessenger away and turned his attention to Methyn; who could havesworn he heard a small sigh of relief from his guide as he past.

“Your Highness,”Methyn bowed low to the ground, “I do apologize for MasterCartaisey’s absence. I am sure you can appreciate that he is not asyoung as he once was and he does send his regrets.” Methyn couldnot have known how wrong he was; as his master was sitting quitecomfortably in Methyn’s own office raiding his stash of biscuits tofeed to the pixies in his shoes. “I too am sorry for wasting yourtime; I shall gather the children and we shall be on our way firstthing in the morning…”

“Children?”

“YesYour Highness, Master Cartaisey insisted on sending the, ah,reinforcements.” Hesmiled to himself, in a situation of danger they would probably beabout as useful as an empty parachute bag. “He thought the tripwould be a useful learning experience.”

“Yes, well I am surethey will learn a lot on your trip to Cotharen.”

“Cotharen? But yourHighness, I thought…”

“If I can’t haveCartaisey you shall simply have to do, Melyn.”

“Methyn, YourHighness. Surely there would be someone more suitable for the job?”

“No. We simply musthave you. As the second to our most powerful Sorcerer it isimperative.” Methyn had not expected the Queen to speak at all buther sweet voice rang out clear and firm. He was to be going on thistrip whether he wanted to or not; and he most certainly did not.

“Your Highness,” hebowed low again, “May I enquire as to why this trip is soimportant?” The King covered his face with his hands; Methyn wasunsure but he believed he heard a small sob escape the King’s lips.

“Myhusband's only daughter; your Princess and heir to the throne, hasbeen kidnapped. She is being held in Cortharen.” Methyn felt hisface turn white. “Do not worry so, we have been in talks withthose... fiends, and have negotiated a settlement,we simply need someone of your standing andskill to go and retrieve her. We have assembled a team of the mostqualified people; of which you are integral…” The Queen was cutoff mid-speech as a young maid came over and whispered something toher; it seemed it was a matter of urgency. “Forgive me, I am neededelsewhere. I shall leave my husband to explain.” She placed hersmall hand gently on her husbands arm and delicately kissed him onthe forehead before following her maid out of the room. She seemed tofloat elegantly behind the young girl and virtually made no sound asshe left. The King had composed himself and was now looking up atMethyn. His eyes were bloodshot, and his voice cracked a little whenhe spoke;

“W-wehave enlisted the help of our top assassin, should the situationbecome dangerous you shall be in safe hands. She is more thancapable.” Methyn tried to overlook the King’s use of the worddangerous and wonderedto himself if the King was referring to the woman he thought he wasreferring to. Surely not. This would be small potatoes for her;though this was the safety of the King’s daughter they werediscussing; of course he was going to take no chances. “We havealso recruited Alaina Oakley to accompany you; though whether she isof any use remains to be seen. She is not what I expected at all,though I’m sure you can appreciate why we wanted her…” Oakley…Where had he heard that name before. It was an old name, that was forsure. Glakyrian most definitely… no, it couldn’t be?

“TheOakley? Your Highness?” She had vanishedyears ago: in Acclayne time. She would be Master Cartaisey’s age bynow, surely? Maybe older. He’d read about her in books as a smallboy. Alaina Oakley; winner of battles and conqueror of kingdoms.Rumour had it that she was also as beautiful as she was brave. Then,one day, she just disappeared. People said that she had finally beenbeaten; killed and left in an unmarked grave. Others believed thatshe still lived in Glakyrie somewhere, world weary and tired offighting. Though there were a few, like himself; more privy to theins and outs of the magical world, who believed that she had left ona risky mission for the palace. The first Glakyrian to have visitedEarth. It was thought that she had been gone years before anyone wassuccessful in returning from Earth; by which point she was an oldlady. That it was possible that she had fallen foul of something thatno one had anticipated; the ravages of Earthly time. No one hadrealised that the time lines were out of synch. What had been a fewyears here could have been decades there. Her body, not coping withthe time change well would age beyond her years; she'd be incapableof returning and so remained. Had they found a way to bring her homeagain? If so he would finally get to meet his hero, if this was notworth the trip to Cortharen then nothing would be.

“Not exactly. AlainaOakley died some time ago…” The King looked around him as if tomake sure no one was listening. There was no one in the large roomwith them but instinctively Methyn did the same. “…Giving birthto her only child.”

Juney had walked me tomy allocated room with the confidence of someone who had visited thepalace many times. I had asked her if we were to share but we hadbeen given our own rooms. I may not have found her the best companybut I could not deny that I would feel a lot more comfortable havingher with me. She must have seen panic on my face as she assured methat she would be in a room just down the hall if I needed anything.

My room was dimly litand opulent in the extreme. Detailed portraits were hung on thewalls; their wooden frames so large and ornate it was a wonder thatthe walls were able to support them. I assumed that these were facesof previous royals. A good looking bunch, I had to admit. From what Icould tell it was the King who was of royal lineage. The woman, whosepainting hung at the foot of my bed, had the same long nose and darkeyes as the King, yet she had an impish smile I could not picture onthe gloomy King. My bed was a massive, four poster, woodenconstruction; draped in heavy navy fabric. True to her word the Queenhad had someone leave me several changes of clothes on the bottom ofthe bed. I picked the one I thought that looked most like a nightgownand climbed into the monstrosity. It wasn’t until I lay down andfelt the softness of the thick pillows beneath my head that Irealised just how tired I was. My mind was filled with the overloadof information I had been given this evening, yet sleep called to melike a siren and before I knew it I felt my eyes unable to open. As Ilet myself drift into sleep I let myself think about my tallstranger. The width of his smile; and the warm touch of his hands onmy arms. I thought about Juney’s reaction to him yet there wassomething in me that refused to be afraid. It was as I let my mindwander that I thought I heard a noise from outside the room. A lowtapping sound, like rain on a window or a cat padding across a tiledfloor. I thought about my cat at home, and about my dad; wanderingwhere I had vanished to and what had become of me. Upset now, andexhausted I let the comfort of sleep envelop me.