Acclayne Book 1: The Game Begins

Under the cover of darkness a lump of a man lurked in the palace gardens. His name was Alox; the son of an inn keeper. Cortharen born and bred. He did not belong behind the walls of this palace but his was a special mission. A royal mission. He had been recruited specifically by the royal family. These were exciting times; apart from the waiting around. That was pretty boring. Alox picked at his nails. They had been chewed down to the cuticles, and what little were left were chipped and yellowing. He chewed on the corner of his thumbnail and spat it on the ground. Flecks of spittle clung to the ends of his dirty blonde moustache.

“Alox?” The hushed voice came from a few feet in front of him, out of the darkness. Alox dropped to his knees.

“Your highness!” He bowed his head and his long greasy hair fell in front of his face.

“Oh do get up. Quietly Alox.” Alox scrambled awkwardly to his feet. His frame was large and clumsy. The fact that he managed to get into the palace at all never failed to astonish the man in front of him. “Now, what is the current status?”

Alox thought hard before he answered. He was relaying important information- information that he had received second hand.

“Well, sir, word is tha' the King has sent fer some sorcerer. Cartaisey?” Alox heard a small gasp from the man in front of him. The name Cartaisey had not meant anything to Alox but it certainly rang a bell for his master.

“Yes yes. Go on.”

“It seems, sir, tha' the guy is ill. Apparently 'e can’t leave the school?”

“mmhmm, well this is surprising. Though not entirely unfavourable. So the messenger is returning as we speak?”

“Yes sir. But there is someone wiv 'im.” The royal made no comment or movement in response. For a brief moment Alox thought he had disappeared back into the palace.

“For Heaven’s sake go on Alox.”

“Righ', yeh, some guy. Er, Meryl. No tha’s not it. Methys, no ah. Methyn?”

“I see, probably just someone from the school gone to explain the situation. Nothing to concern ourselves with. I don’t even recall the name. Any news on the girl?”

“They’ve found her sir.”

“Excellent, and she is on her way as we speak?”

“I should fink so sir.”

“Good, here.” From the darkness in front of him came a hand holding out two small pouches of coins. The hand was overtly draped in all manner of gold and silver jewellery. The slender fingers were well cared for but noticeably rough. “One for yourself, the other for your friend.” Alox clasped the pouches in his large hands.

“Friend sir?”

“The one keeping you in the loop, so to speak. I know you are just the messenger. Goodnight Alox. Keep me informed.” And with that he was gone. Alox grumbled to himself. A messenger he may be but his job was an important one. His ‘friend’ could not even give his master his message in person. Alox wondered briefly what the guy’s problem was. He didn’t even know his name- he didn’t mind this so much. One less name to keep forgetting. He opened the pouches and half emptied one into the other. In his opinion sneaking into the palace late at night was far more risky than acquiring gossip. He was being generous only taking half. His nameless friend would just have to deal with it.

Inside the palace walls it was almost as dark as outside. The Queen held her hand out for her love to kiss. She could just about see his face in the dim light. She smiled coquettishly as she felt his lips gently kiss her hand. He never failed to give her butterflies.

“The plan is under way my love. Cartaisey shall not be a problem.”

“It is as we hoped then?”

“He is unable to make the trip.” He felt her hand become rigid in his soft grasp. “He is unwell my dear heart. It seems he shall not be a problem to anyone much longer.” She sighed and he pulled her into a passionate embrace. When they eventually pulled apart she spoke quietly;

“We are just waiting on the girl then?”

“Yes, and she will arrive soon.”