Prologue.

I grunt as I sit up in bed, my body feels hurt all over because of the training from yesterday. Annoyed beyond belief my hand crashes down on the blaring alarm that already looks like a car has driven over it. Seeing the time I feel like falling over and going back to sleep, but I know Frederich, the butler won’t allow it. As if on cue big double doors to my room opens.

“Good morning Master Macedon.” I squint at Frederich with one eye.

“Morning Frederich, how many times have I told you to just call me Klaus?” He opens the curtains with a flourish, which causes me to squint even more. Looking satisfied he turns to me; he rubs his white gloved hands together. The round spectacles on his face along with the slicked back black hair does not fit the image of his humongous frame.

“Master Macedon, as I have been telling you since you were able to talk. It will not change no matter how many times you ask.” Saying this he makes his way outside and returns pushing a tray with nothing but fruit, some milk and the dreaded “healthy cocktail” as he calls it.

He sees my face cringe up in disgust when I see it. “This will keep you strong and vitalized.” I snort at him.

“You have been saying that since I can remember…. It still tastes terrible; I can already see my life flash before my eyes.” He lets out a chuckle, but I know if I don’t drink it I’ll be force fed!

After eating my breakfast and drinking the shake from hell while almost gagging with every swallow. I get dressed in my training clothes. Which consist of a tank top and a pair of PT shorts. I brush my teeth and quickly run my hands through my dishevelled black hair before making my way towards the three flights of stairs on the west side of the manner. The hallways are big enough to allow a Hummer H1 to drive around in them. All along the wall are paintings of fairy tale creatures ranging from fairies to demons.

As I go, I trace my hands down the ornately decorated hand railing, on it is what looks like runes inscribed; it had always fascinated me for two reasons. One, I can read it although I don’t know what it means and two it gives me a feeling of safety. Finally reaching the bottom I turn left and make my way over the cold marble floor. In the centre of the huge hall is a statue of a man holding a flaming sword above his head his foot is placed on a horned beast in an incredibly cheesy heroic stance. “Good morning Captain Morgan.” I point at the statue.

I tare my gaze away from it, smiling as I remember how it used to give me nightmares when I was younger. I look in the direction of the East wing, its quiet as usual. Father has not been home in three years… A feeling of loneliness grips my heart, but I push it aside. The memories I have with the old man can be counted on one hand.

I take another set of stairs down into the basement or what is supposed to be the basement. A familiar sight comes into view. The gym is huge complete with a pool and training equipment. On the side of the wall hangs an assortment of weapons ranging from shorts words all the way to kunai the deadly assortment ends with ranging from 9mm to M5 machine guns. The bigger stuff is hidden away in a secret room.

“It’s about time Master Macedon, you are already two minutes late.” Frederich is standing in the middle of the padded floor, which fills my heart with dread. His muscled and scarred body is clearly on display with the clothes he has on. Knowing this is going to hurt. I bow before I put my foot on the mat.

Frederich bows back and like a flipped switch the ever present smile disappears and turns serious. He throws me a pair of gloves and a head guard. My heart races the way it always does as I put them on. I know it’s going to hurt yet I still look forward to the day I put the big Butler on his ass!

Frederick puts on his own pair of very thick gloves and beckons for me to come. “It’s on!”

My legs propel me forward as my eyes assess his stance. “His guard is low.” I suddenly bend my knees as if I want to slide, it causes him to go lower. My hands shoot up hooking behind his head and I thrust my knee up with all my strength while forcing his head down to meet it. *PAh!*

My knee meets gloves! My knee impacts again and again with my arms keeping his head in the lock. He suddenly pulls back just as I am about to knee, pulling me off balance. His leg sweeps mine that’s still planted on the ground and I flip over hitting it hard.

I roll away just in time to miss his stomping foot. He smiles at me kindly as he takes up a stance that wrestlers use. “Shit, that’s cheating!” I switch my style as well from Muay Thai to Jiu-Jitsu. I can see the change makes Frederich a bit more cautious. After all he is the one that taught me to use soft against hard!

He stays low and dives in targeting my left leg. I step back and grab his wrist wrenching it forward in the same direction he dove. The force pulls him of balance! Excited at the thought of a possible win I pull his hand back putting my other hand on his shoulder to lock the joint as he face plants into the mat….

I drop down on him with my knee on his kidney and get rewarded with a painful grunt all the while wrenching the arm with all my strength. “If he gets loose I am dead!”

“Give up old man I have-“ his shoulder suddenly gives way and before I know it he has my arm in a straight lock. My muscles, bones and sinew protest against being twisted this much. Before it breaks I tap out.

He gets up and smiles at me. I grumble something at him which only broadens the smile. “All you have Master Mecadon is your foot in your mouth. Never become complacent in a fight, or it will be the end of you.” The last words he says makes my skin crawl.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Who exactly will I be fighting against, I am not allowed to do any sports or take part in any activities.” The Butler grunts, he knows where I want to take this damn conversation.

“As I have said before your family has many enemies.” I shake my head at the well-known reply, arguing won’t help so I just take up a new stance intending to beat my frustration into his face.

Two hours later and sore all over. I check myself in the mirror to make sure my ty is straight. Wearing a tie is like second nature to me now. “A great heir to the Mecadon can't step foot out of the manor without being presentable.” My mocking voice draws the butler’s attention, but he says nothing.

“Frederich, I think I am going to take the bike today.” Frederich frowns. “Your father said-

I interrupt as soon as he starts to protest. “My father said, when I am eighteen I can drive whatever vehicle I want.” Saying that stops Frederich from uttering another word, I can see the dissatisfaction clearly on his face.

“Master, I do not like you driving on that thing I am very dissatisfied.” I snort at him.

“My foot still hurts from that ankle lock you had me in, so your dissatisfaction gives me great pleasure.” His frown deepens. “Fine, fine if I promise not to take off and leave you behind like last time will that satisfy you?” The frown lessens. “Frederich is such an easy guy to understand.”

We make our way to the garage which is a separate building altogether. Inside are a total of sixty three cars, some vintage and others the latest sports models. I ignore them and head to my section of the garage. My three beloved angels are there to greet me. I walk to the first and trail my finger down her beautiful curves as I walk past. The bike is a pure white with streaks of red. On the side is a name proudly on display.

I read it allowed “Agusta.” I make my way past her to my favourite. It is matt grey while the rims are a blood red. My heart beats in my ears. “Ducati 1199 Superleggera, how I have missed you!” Frederich clears his throat behind me.

“Master if you continue fraternizing with the bikes-

“How dare you hurt her feelings, these are not bikes…. They are my girls.” The last part I whisper lovingly. He frowns at me interrupting him but says nothing. The last one is still under her blanket. I have not touched her yet. A prototype sent from my dad for my eighteenth birthday. I feel guilty for neglecting her, but I want to be able to take responsibility when I take her out for the first time. My heart races and my cheeks go red as I think about it.

I make my way to the biking gear hanging against the wall. I am not stupid enough to ride without it. I choose my red helmet with a grey stripe through the middle. Matching leathers are hung up next to each helmet. I make my way toward the safe where we store our keys. As soon as I take the key out of the safe and get within five meters of the bike, it starts automatically.

I hang the key that looks nothing like one around my neck and tuck it inside my jacket. It’s basically a small black square that reads my thumb print before starting the bike.

I drive up the ramp and make my way outside while revelling in the sweet sound she makes. My enjoyment only lasts until I see Frederich. He looks like a big gorilla sitting on a hog that’s going to collapse at any moment. His voice crackles through my helmet. “I made preparations so you can’t pull another stunt.”

I sit there staring at him. My mind tries to put a smug face behind the dark visor but fails miserably. “I have never seen him make a face other than smile or “Dissatisfied”. I think to myself. “Let’s just go.”

We make our way along a long winding path. My girl purrs with glee as I open her up. The clocks say 220km on the digital clocks and I look behind me to find Frederich sticking to me like we are taking a jog in the park. I swear in frustration and go faster. The bike responds as I move my wrist immediately.

I gear up to sixth something I rarely do and speed down the straight the bike and I becoming a blur! I know this road by heart and just as I crest the hill I start to slow down in preparation for the sharp turn ahead. I lean down and the knee guard scrapes against the road! My heart pounding in my ears I open up again with nothing but a long road ahead of me. She wants to lift her front wheel, but I manage to keep her down.

“Come on baby, come on!” I look behind me and laugh Frederich is only now cresting the hill. But by the sound of it he has a bigger cc than I have so he will catch me on the straights. Not far ahead are a bunch of curves in the road, I can lose him there!

That’s when it happens. The world seems to slow down to stop along with my heart. My ears start to ring as my brain only registers one thing…. Danger! I push down with my right foot causing the bike’s back wheel to come to a sliding stop. Frederich is there in an instant. “What’s wrong?” I can’t breathe it’s too hard. My voice does not work causing me to make horrid croaking sounds as I try to talk. All the hair on my body feels like it’s being electrified and standing on end!

My vision becomes blurry. “Frederich….. Danger.” Are the last words I get out before everything goes black….