Alistair stood there, shock written all over his expression. The locket had changed into a key with short thorn like edges.
He grabbed it from the bed, his gaze scanning through the piece. He fished out his uncle's letter from the cupboard beside his bed lamp. His eyes scanning for any clue.
Just the same words, his mother's gift, mountain of regards….he paused, his gaze fixed on the word.
Mountain of regards …mountain..Mountain of regards.
Mount ten Aufrigad? His eyes widened, a bewildered look laced on his face. It was a clue but to what?
Mount ten Aufrigad was a new book shore reserved exclusively for rich bookworms who were willing to spend a fortune for money. Even as a writer, he wasn't rich enough to afford such a place nor acquire the knowledge that condensed within.
A smile slowly crept to his face as an idea flashed before him. He already bought his pass several weeks ago, it was time to reclaim it.
He grabbed onto the gold rimmed key, stuffed it in his pocket and stormed out of the door. The apartment he rented was hidden out of plain sight. Cheap, lowly and unkempt but that was the lot he could afford.
The cradled space made his face wrinkle in unease. He was yet to write a good book that could get him free women and a week of good life.
He bumped into someone along the way, an emptiness enveloping him. He raised his eyebrows. Well, welcome to England.
" Watch were you are going" the man said, not bothering to turn to look at him.
Alistair smirked, he wasn't new to England. Petty tricks doesn't work on him.
He immediately grabbed onto the man, turning him around by his coat, grabbing his tie in brute force and forcing him to kneel.
The man gasped, his face flushed red with fear.
Alistair outstretched his hand, amusement laced on his face. " What you have stolen please" he demanded, his neck crooked to the side.
The man's eyes darted from Alistair to his pocket as he immediately fished out the gold rimmed key he had stolen. " Here" he said, returning the key, his hands trembling.
Allistair smiled snatched the key and mouthed a thank you. He let the old man go and watched him scamper off in the speed of light.
He Flicked his tongue, running his hand against his hair in frustration. The key had changed again, this time it was back to being a locket.
He let out and exasperated sigh, whatever this was, it's engines seems to have a trigger that makes it change at will.
He slid it back into his pocket, keeping his hands in place. He asn't going to take any chances.
He walked few blocks and came upon a huge door. It was made of mangrove wood, a thick ply wood serving as a decorator at its edges coupled with silver patterns.
The smell of mangrove and metal invaded his nostrils, dark, luxury and edgy.
A rippling sense of unease overwhelmed him, his back stiff as he stood in place. He turned around almost immediately. It was pitch black, a perfect time for a massacre.
"Too quiet"he whispered, his brows gathered. Once it turned quiet in England, it meant one thing, you are being followed.
He smiled softly, held onto the iron bar and banged it against the door.
A muffled yelp erupted from within accompanied with a slight frustrated groan.
Allistair grinned, he was in there! Great, that was goodnews.
The door was slightly opened, a beautiful black haired woman perked through, her chest bare of clothing.
" A writer?" She asked, more like a demeaning statement. " What? Want to write nudity?" She asked, her voice cracking with disdain.
He forced a smile, writers like him who wrote fantasy were not really appreciated. They were deemed crazy for imagining the impossible. Finding love was awfully difficult in this case.
" I wish to see Kieran stone, the merchant" he said, his blood running cold as he felt a piercing gaze on his back.
He swallowed, fixed his gaze on the woman who hesitated for a bit before opening the door. He stumbled inside and immediately pressed the door close, sliding the two bolts in place.
" What …what is he doing here?" A familiar voice rang out.
Allistair froze, a faint ache tugging at his heart. He turned around only to be met with the surprised gaze of a woman.
Lila Blackwell, the painter.
His heart sank, she laid stack naked under Kieran's embrace. Her milky body flushed from earlier entanglement. She had a long dark hair with a piercing blue eyes. The one thing that attracted him to her.
He swallowed, the bitter taste of jealousy curling at his tongue.
" Miss Lila, you are here" he said, his eyes watery yet cold.
Kieran paused, slid off the bed, his naked frame glaring directly at Allistair.
" Jesus, cover that shit up" Allistair said, looking away instantly.
Kieran grinned, his dark hair curled backwards, pricks of sweat smeared on his skin . He waved his hands at the two ladies, " let's continue later" he said dismissively draping a robe around his body.
Lila slid off the couch, covering her body with a blanket and want upstairs.
The other lady followed behind her after winking at Kieran who flashed her a sweet smile in return.
Allistair swallowed as he watched Lila's frame. A bitter smile spreading across his lips. To think that she has rejected him on the grounds of chastity.
" You like the blue eyed" Kieran's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
" Unfortunately, only rich people get to have a taste" he replied with a slight, forced smile.
" C'mon, I can tell you are dying inside. No need for fake smiles"
" I don't feel a thing" he dropped, his gaze fixed on the wine bottle just an arms length away from the couch which he leaned on.
" You owe me" he added, not giving Kieran a chance to reply.
Kieran smiled faintly, his brows slightly raised as he poured a glass of red wine for Allistair, " I remember, it was about time you came" he said, handing the glass to him.
Allistair's gaze fell on the glass, hesitant but curious. Such an expensive wine should be tasted by him.
" I need your help getting into Ten Aufrigad" he dropped, taking a slight sip. His eyes widening at the sweetened liquor.
Kieran paused, his brows slightly furrowed, " why?"
Allistair's glass hung mid-air, his gaze landing on Kieran, " because I saved you from getting duped by Tyron's men" he deadpanned, his voice distant and detached.
" Don't take out your love problems on me" Kieran dropped, his expression darkened.
Allistair exhaled sharply, "I …"
The door was harshly banged, interrupting him.
Kieran frowned, " don't tell me you brought visitors?"
Allistair flashed him a guilty smile and Kieran exhaled sharply, shaking his head.
" Are you really ….just a writer?
"
Allistair's lips twitched, no! Here, in this city, everyone was a born fighter. One wrong move and you are out!