Acclayne Book 1: The Game Begins

It was a clear night and the stars were easily visible; not like being in the city at all. He lay back quietly on the roof; appreciating, for the moment, the still silence of a country village in the early hours of the morning. Crickets chirruped, the birds were beginning to stir in their nests, and he had a perfect view of the stars: he just wished the circumstances were better. In his peripheral vision he could still see Alox impatiently pacing outside his small cabin. Waiting had become his forte, along with a few other skills he had picked up these last few years. Clearly Alox was not a fan of waiting; he allowed himself to become agitated, while on top of a roof across the street the young man was sitting perfectly still, allowing time to drift lazily by. As long as the thrumming in his pocket remained constant he had nothing immediate to worry about.

On the ground Alox could feel himself losing his temper. Waiting; what a waste of time. He looked up and down the road again. Nothing. There were very few houses around, and very little light so he could see no further than a few yards around his own cabin. He hated the countryside. He hated the sound of the poxy birds singing in the day time and he hated the crickets chirruping at night. He was under the impression that people came out to the country for peace and quiet. Quiet my arse. He could hear Princess Stella snoring even from outside. Princesses were supposed to be delicate, quiet, polite. He was starting to wonder whether they'd nicked the right girl. Stella had shown no signs of being delicate, or polite. She was just plain rude, and as for quiet? You're having a laugh. If he had to listen to one more story about her bloody pony, or her dresses, or the tutor she has a crush on, he might kill her there and then and damn the consequences. He'd be doing everyone a favour. Parades would be held in his honour. It was as he was imagining receiving an award for his great achievement that a loud snort came from inside the cabin. The image was gone; and Alox found himself more agitated than ever. Bloody woman. He had refused to engage her in conversation ever since she'd made that first insult about his bread. He was no cook, but his food had always been good enough for him so who was she to complain about it. He had been instructed not to talk to her, but if he was honest, he was doing it out of stubbornness now more than anything else. He wouldn't have minded a bit of conversation. It wasn't very often that he got to talk to people in his line of work; unless it was about killing and stuff, and it was very rarely that he got to talk to an actual lady. He picked at the dirt under his nails. He supposed that maybe he'd let himself go. He hadn't washed in months- he just didn't have the time. He blamed the job, and though he loved it he had to admit that it did hinder his chances with women.

Had it not been for the princess' snoring Alox might have heard his master approaching sooner. As it happened he was only alerted to his presence when he was a few feet away; both men could hear his expensive shoes tapping on the roughly cobbled road. Alox was immediately on guard, but from his vantage point the young man could see, even in the dim light, that it was his employer: Prince Fofana of Cortharen. He hadn't been sure at first, but he had suspected that the royal family had had something to do with Princess Stella's capture.

“My Lord,” Alox let out a deep breath as Fofana emerged from the shadows, “you startled me.”

“You are supposed to be on guard Alox, I do not pay you to be startled.” Fofana's arms were folded across his lean chest. He was not amused.

“No M'lord...sorry.” Alox bowed his head to reiterate his apology. Fofana fanned it away.

“Never mind, just stay alert for The Mother's sake, the situation is delicate at the moment.”

Alox didn't quite follow, but that was perhaps because he didn't understand the 'situation' as his master put it. “Is she aware of what's going on?”

Alox snorted; “Haven't said a word M'lord.” he tapped the side of his bulbous nose with a dirt encrusted finger. “Not that the bleedin' woman would give me half a chance...”

“...Good. Well let's keep it that way shall we?”

“...stupid girl's 'ell of a mouth on her. Never stops. Talk about rude. Ain't Princesses supposed to be all airs and graces? Nothin' bleedin' graceful about 'er...”

Fofana let out a short sharp sigh of annoyance but permitted Alox to continue.

“Ain't there anythin' else I could be doin' for you? I've no patience for babysitting see; no kids meself... not no more anyhow.” Alox was silent for a moment before picking himself up again; “just as well, probably woulda killed the little buggers myself by now. Aye there's a thought; anybody needed killin'?” Alox actually sounded hopeful at the prospect. Fofana knew there was a reason he had hired him.

“Yes, actually. There is; however, an army preparing to do that as we speak. Sorry to disappoint you.” A small smile lingered on Fofana's lips. Alox didn't think he was sorry at all. On the roof opposite the young man listened keenly; an army? That was a new development.

“An army M'lord? Whatcha need one of em for? I thought this was about money.” He waved his arm towards the cabin. Stella snorted.

“Was it about money when I had your brother kill the Prince of Corthus five years ago? Whatever did become of him, such a ruthless thug.”

“Yeah,” Alox sniffed, “Did the family proud he did. Died last year, got drunk and died banging a prostitute. They say she suffocated 'im with her knockers.”

“I see...”

“What a way to go aye?! Lucky bastard. That wasn't about money?”

The young man on the roof was livid. He could feel the blood boiling in his veins; he had never hated anyone as he hated Fofana in that moment.

“Of course not, then they killed the boy for it! Well that was just the icing on the cake.”

“Prince Alistair? But they say he's locked up somewhere.”

“That is what they'd have you believe.” Fofana could no longer help it; he was rubbing his hands in glee. Eight years he had been planning and it was finally coming together before his very eyes. “Now there is only one remaining heir to the throne of Corthus and she is snoring not ten feet away from us!”

Fofana was becoming delirious with it all, Alox was visibly confused; “But I don't see how-”

“If there is no remaining heir and I kill the King then Corthus will be mine you bumbling idiot!” Fofana's whisper had quickly escalated to a controlled roar; his hand was raised as if to strike but he thought better of it. Alox was an idiot but he needed him on side. He sighed.

“So... what will we do with the girl?”

“Nothing, for now.” Fofana rubbed his temples. His delirium now over he was back to his calm collected self.

The man on the roof was enraged, but relieved. The princess was safe for the time being; that was something at least. It bought him a bit of time if nothing else.

“Be patient Alox; you may yet see your share of bloodshed.” Alox rubbed his hands together; after the hell she'd put him through tonight he would love nothing better. Wrapping his hands around her chubby little neck would soon shut her up. Fofana handed him a small bag of coins and was gone before Alox could even blink. No matter how many times he met up with him this always took him by surprise. Surely it was unnatural for someone to move so quickly and quietly; maybe he should have been doing the killing himself. With stealth like that there was no way anyone would catch him. With a final glance around Alox went back to the warmth of his hut. He didn't see his friend sitting on the roof opposite.

The young man remained perfectly still, waiting for a noise; a woman's scream, but thankfully none came. An army, that was a lot to take in. He reasoned that they could not yet have left Cortharen as none had passed this way yet; he had time. He fingered the stone in his pocket; the thrumming remained constant as the first light of the day began to trickle lazily over the distant mountain tops. They hadn't started moving yet, if he left now he could catch up with them. He stood and swiftly jumped off the roof. His landing on the stone floor was as silent as if he had been a cat. Reassuringly he could still hear Stella's snoring from inside the hut. He hated to leave her but he would just have to trust that his cousin could take care of herself- for now at least.