Date: Mon, 15 Apr 2013 02:00:32 +0100 (BST) From: kelvinvictor@yahoo.com Subject: Lord Aquamaine - Chapter 10 Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events or locales is purely coincidental and no slanderous intent is implied. This is a story about a son of Duke from a fictious kingdom and the life and experiences that he has when he ends up in America. During this story we discover two fictious nations and principalities and their royal families ... These are completely the product of my imagination and bear no resemblance to anyone living or dead. I know that I hinted that Lord Aquamaine would be Part 2 of the Moonside Manor story line. However when I started writing, it took on a life of it's own and when I tried to tie the two together they would not let me and I had to do major rewrites in Lord Aquamaine as we result. There will be more of CJ and more or LJ, but they are stand alone at the monment. Currently working on a story set in 1880s in the Ridings of Yorkshire about a boy from the coal mines. This work is copyrighted and I ask that you do not copy, post or electronically download without my express permission. If you are too young to be here or it is illegal in your state then please leave; finally if you are looking for hot sex scenes then look again as you'll not find any here. Email me - Kev (UK) with your comments at ukwriter12@yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- In an effort to help you follow what is happening the characters are listed below, but in addition since Lord Aquamaine is a very rich young man other things are listed as well, such as his businesses to help you follow. Characters ----------- Lord Lancelot Jefferson Bravender VI - Lord Aquamaine Charles Edward Bravender - LJ's adopted son - Lord Lyonaisse Troy Jordan Bravender (TJ)- LJ's adopted son Jame Ross Bravender (JR)- LJ's adopted son Ezekiel DeLuca Nelson Bravender - LJ's adopted son Annabelle Margaret Bravender - LJ's adopted daughter - Lady Ravenswood Colt Nelson Vravender - LJ's adopted son - Lord Caderis Baron - LJ's Horse Anna Hemmings - Nanny Mr Jake - Master of the Prince's stables Dotty Walters - Mr Jakes wife - Main housekeeper Johan - Dotty's son - Caretaker of LJ's estates. Rupert Devereaux - LJ's Interior Designer Brodie Reid - Clothes Designer Nicole DuBois - Opera singer Josh Connors - Country Singer King David – Heir to the throne of Aquamaine. Queen Christine - Wife of King David. King Myles - King of Lizondia Prince Steven - Prince of Lizondia Governor Walt Simms - Texas rancher / Belle's husband (x Governor) Belinda Tremaine Davison - LJ's guardian (x Vice President) William Tremaine - Belle's father (retired) Arnold Tremaine - Attorney / Belle's brother Peter Tremaine - Belle's oldest son Bobby Tremaine - Belle's son Richard Tremaine - Belle's twin son Barnaby Tremaine - Belle's twin son Signor Andre De Luca - Italian Prime Minister President Masters - President of the USA Professor Phillip Masters - President Masters father and LJs mentor Professor Bryan Masters -President Masters brother and LJs tutor Dean Reynolds - Dean of university and LJs mentor Judge Reynolds - The deans brother Professor Absom - Class tutor Martin Japp - PI Maria Gonzalez - Spanish speaking - Colt's mother Lincoln Struthers - LJ's friend - Partner in law firm Colt Nelson - Cace's Pa Thomas – LJ's Major-Domo Simon – LJ's Footman - Todd's lover Mike Russo - LJ's security guard Mickael Russo - Mike's nephew Dave - LJ's security guard Gunny Wilks - LJ's security guard Todd Wilks - LJs Friend and Security guard General Wilks Coach Ord - LJ's Sensei with Dave ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Titles ------- Lord Ravenswood - 14th Duke of Ravenswood and Aeden Viscount Ravenswood Earl of Lizonby Earl of Aylsgart Baron Rooksfeld Viscount Aeden Viscount of Kingsmere Viscount of Reymire Viscount of Rooksfeld Marquess of Reymire Earl of Kirkowen Lord Mallamtap Baron of Crogdun Lord Aquamaine Duke of Rookfort Marquess of Conroy Baron of Kingsmere 17th Duke of Valkland Marquess of Reyesford Baron of Lizonby Viscount of Iddlesworth 12th Duke of Vauxland Prince Of Bowland Countess of Aylsgart Marquis of Vauxland 8th Duke of Caderis 15th Earl of Perisand 19th Marquis of Ironsea 5th Duke of Shadehaven 12th Duke of Lyonaisse 16th Marquis of Stoneacre ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Locations ---------- Chrysland (Nation) Lizondia (Neighbouring nation) Towns and areas in Chrysland ----------------------------- Lizonby Aylsgart Valtland Jusland Sifton Park - Aquamaine Aquamaine Properties ----------- Rooksfeld Manor (Near Lizonby) Aquamaine Palace (Home to the kings of Chrysland) Aquamaine House Florida Ocean Front House Oklahoma Ranch Texas Ranch (Main Home) Aquamaine Mansion - Washington DC Penrise Hall Iddlesworth Hall Ironbay Hall Stoneacre Castle Blackswale Castle All businesses controlled by "The office of the Prince" Aquamaine LLC ------------- Aquamaine Fruit and Vegetables - Florida Aquamaine Horse and Cattle Company - Oklahoma and Texas Aquamaine Wineries - Califormia and Texas Aquamaine Hotel Several Shopping Malls in differnet States Two Theme Parks Aquamaine Men (Menswear) Aquamaine Retail (departmental stores) Aquamaine Real Estate - Various Rental properties Aquamaine Dude Ranch - Montana Bravender LLC -------------------- Bravender Gallery Bravender Art Bravender, Struthers and Tremaine - Aquamaine Law Roksfeld Accounting and Auditing Co. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lord Aquamaine -------------- Chapter 10 – Life Looking back could I ever say that my life was normal? Normal for me maybe, but I think that it would have driven most people round the bend. We took to travelling the whole of the Holdings trying to learn exactly what we had and what made up our empire. Linc continued to work in the Law division which freed me to travel to the different businesses. Aquamaine now had quite a law firm and we were approached by the Tremaines as Belle was pregnant again and being in her forties she wanted to take it easy during the pregnancy. William, because of his health was retired although available on a consultancy basis, but no work. Arnold was good but he needed a base for the business and losing Belle meant that they were losing the driving force. So we merged with Tremaine and became `Bravender, Struthers and Tremaine' by name, but part of Aquamaine LLC. After negotiations we purchased the law firm and retained Arnold. With Linc and myself there were three senior attorneys, even though Bravender owned 60% with Struthers and Tremaine both taking 20% of the shares. Arnold bought with him three other lawyers who worked for Tremaine and all of his paralegals. Thus the law firm of Bravender, Struthers and Tremaine was created though people still called it Aquamaine Law. It now a force to be dealt with and we were heading several large cases that would make our name in the world of commerce. We made sure that I could travel all of the businesses and of course `Bravender, Struthers and Tremaine' became the attorneys representing Aquamaine and all of my other interests with Linc the leading attorney. `Bravender, Struthers and Tremaine' was also one of the most sought after Law Firms in America and we soon had offices in most states. Those of the Office of the Prince we ensured were approved to practice law in all states even though it meant sitting several exams in order to do so. We were also licensed and approved to appear in front of Federal courts. I was twenty five and Linc was thirty two and I loved him dearly for he had replaced the emptiness that Troy had left in my heart and I felt that Troy approved. We were best friends and always would be. He refused to take time off when Mary became pregnant with their first child, but I made sure that the last month he had with her and was there when Lincoln Jr was born. I'd lived in America for fifteen years and had wonderful friends and six fantastic children. It was during this time we received a disturbing call from Dotty asking us to visit. When we tried find out what was wrong she would say nothing, just that we needed to go over to Chrysland for a meeting with her and Johan as soon as possible. Even though she would not say much more she sounded upset. Since the kids were off school we decided to take a break at Rooksfeld Manor my childhood home. The kids had never been to Rooksfeld and fell in love with the place just like I had all those years ago. With the six kids we made the old place come to life for the first time in many, many years. It was amusing to watch them because all of the boys took off trying to count all of the rooms just like I used to do and exploring the priest holes and hidden rooms. Just like me they never managed either. I had to overcome a few ghosts as I had not been back to the old place in over fifteen years. Our toys and clothes were still there. All of my father's things had been removed, but I could still see Troy's favourite book left open on my bed. His school work still unfinished on the desk. When we left all of my things had been packed, but Troy's were still there. I lay down on his bed and wept as I remembered those last days of hell. Gunny found me several hours later. He immediately saw the problem and got the household staff to box up and preserve all of the belongings in this room. He never questioned why it had been left. He just wanted to protect me. The room was changed and soon it was totally different and ghosts had been removed. It was now just the old girl that I was born in and lived in. Charlie was in his element. I sometimes wondered just what his background was as he was nobility through and through even though he was not born to it. We all set up home in the West Wing as that was closest to the nursery and we wanted to be with Colt. While we were there we were surprised by the arrival of Prince Richard so that he could spend the summer with the children. I suspected most of all he wanted to be with Annabelle. It was that evening that we received Dotty and Johan for the meeting that they requested. What we were to learn shocked us to the core. As we welcomed them in to the manor Dotty was beside herself and could not be silenced as she was sobbing her heart out. Charlie bless his soul climbed on to Aunt Dotty's knee and just hugged her and allowed her to cry. Thomas being Thomas served her a very strong brandy and also gave one to Johan. We were sat in the lounge as we waited on Dotty being able to speak, "Oh sire I don't know what to do. I feel we will disappoint you if you know the truth." "Mother I tell you that they care for father. Be honest with them." "Exactly Johan we care for Mr Jake as if he were our own family for he has been there far more for me than my own father ever was." Aunt Dotty looked up. "Lord Aquamaine he's had a massive heart attack and will not stop to rest. He insists on working and if he is not careful will work himself into the grave. We see it every day as his strength gets less and less." Todd stood up and walked over to the children who were clearly upset by the news. "Madam Dotty, if we were to find someone to work with Johan would Mr Jake be willing to return with us to Texas as personal horse riding tutor to the Aquamaine children and household?" Dotty looked up clearly thinking. "We both love the children your Grace and would do anything for them." Charlie looked at Dotty. "Aunt Dotty we want you to remain fathers housekeeper as everyone knows you, but that would includes the properties in America as well and you will have an assistant. We have always assumed Thomas would do it, but really it is not his remit. Miss Dotty would you be our housekeeper and organise father's households. They will report to you and you will work with Thomas and me." Dotty was in tears, Annabelle looked up and added "Papa Jake will be the Keeper of the Prince's stables and will manage the horses that we have and which ones we allow to breed. Baron's lineage is very carefully monitored, but is highly sought after. Do not worry even though his is old, Baron will help. You will meet him." I spoke next, "Johan has Mr Jake trained you in what he does? Or do you know of anyone that we can hire to replace him?" "Sir, I would be privileged to look after your properties. I have a gamekeeper's team that will carry on with just my leadership. I also have someone that can step into my immediate duties. Pa has people working for him who will continue. All I'll have to do is co-ordinate functions. If you think that I can do it I would love to. I need to promote two people so that they are the ones reporting directly to me, but have the day to day running responsibilities." "Then it is agreed, we just now have to persuade Papa Jake" said Zeke. "No you don't my young lord!" We all turned around and there stood Mr Jake. "I am a stubborn old bugger when I want to be, but one too many chest pains today and I thought I was a goner. I tell you young uns, I am not leaving that woman yet; took me too long to find her. I'll return to Texas. I'll semi retire as long as I have Dotty at my side and Johan is left in charge." It was agreed and we also decided to stay at Rooksfeld for the summer. We insisted Papa Jake as the kids called him retire and hand everything over to Johan over the next few weeks. The only appointment that I had over the summer was the production of another set of CDs so I attended the recording studio in Aquamaine. That meant that I was away from the kids for just over a week. Papa Jake and Todd were with them so I knew that they were well cared for. This time I was creating a duet album and that is where I met Josh Connors for the first time. He became a lifelong friend and we often created joint albums together. You could say that we were piggybacking off each other's popularity. Josh was an up and coming country star and like me had started in music as a second career. He'd been in the marines for twelve years or more and was in his early thirties. He had kept his buzz cut and his famous trademark was always appearing in different camouflage clothes or dressed in his uniforms. This made him the dream of the all of the people out there and usually it was a wet dream as he was that good looking and so unassuming. Charles involved the family in visiting the properties that we had not seen in many years. When I returned at the end of the week he looked ill. I was worried immediately, but having been through everything with Cace I recognised familiar signs now. "Charlie something is wrong. What's happened while I was away?" "LJ we do not have a clue what happened out there. One day he was fine and the next he was like this." Gunny was really worried and Mr Jake and Dotty had never left Charlie's side. Charlie was in tears, I was beside myself as I did not know what to think. I sat on the edge of his bed and he just flew in to my arms. "I saw him daddy. I saw him. I remember when I was young and you saved me, there was this man who organised everything and killed my mom. I was only two, but it is as if it was only yesterday. Daddy I can't say anymore as you'll be upset." I just held on to him and with Dotty comforted him. "We will not let anyone hurt you, but you have to tell us what has happened." "I think that I was born here or my father was. When we were at Stoneacre Castle there was this picture of a man and a boy with a baby. Daddy it was like I was looking in a mirror. I don't understand it Aunty Dotty. I am so confused. There was also a family living there, but the castle was open to the public. It was odd." "Okay well let's get some information and then we will try to piece everything together. If you did go missing from there then there should have been a piece in the local newspaper when you were kidnapped." So it was that we spent the next day in Kingsmere looking through all of the papers from around the time Charlie was two. After about thirty minutes Ezekiel struck gold, but it was dating back to when I was young and my grandmother was still alive. "Kora Smith nanny to Lady Arrabella Bravender and Lord Lyonaisse was found strangled by the side of the road today. Her young charge Christian Lyonaisse was nowhere to be found ..." The article continued that she had been the nurse maid for Lady Margaret Lyonaisse. Margaret was the teenage ward of my grandmother who had been involved with the groundskeeper at Stoneacre Castle. When she became pregnant her father and brother visited a family friend to keep her shame private. Once the baby was born Kora became his nanny. The family stayed with Grandmother. Soon after the birth Kora was taking him for an afternoon walk and was attacked. We continued reading "Lord Edward Lyonaisse, uncle of Christian is thought to have tried to fight off the attackers and paid the ultimate price. His body was found with that of Kora." We sat stunned by the revelations we were reading. That means that Charlie's father had been kidnapped and raised by an imposter. Twenty two years later the same thing happened to him. Charlie said that he couldn't remember a father, but could remember a mother's figure that was always cold and heartless. If we could prove that Charlie's father was the baby that was kidnapped then that would make him Lord Lyonaisse. For some reason there as part of the Stoneacre display at the library was the journal of my Grandmother. I approached the librarian and they let me read it. The other kids pulled closer to us and Annabelle and Richard took the journal. "April 22nd... That little brat from the village came to the house today to collect his payment for keeping quiet about our affair. When we refused to pay he told us that we would be sorry and that they would be in touch. No one knows what he's talking about. We can only wait and wonder. I fear for the children's safety." JR stepped forward and took the diary and skimmed the next few pages, "May 5th... The household is devastated by what has happened. When the news came about Teddy and Kora my wonderful Michael could not cope with the news and had a massive heart attack. Try as I may we were unable to save him. Their joint funerals were held today and I think my heart has been broken several times over. Margaret was able to get through the funerals, but with the loss of her child and being so young I fear the worst." TJ took the diary and turned the pages. "May 30th... I returned from the funeral of my beloved Margaret. I have now buried everyone that is dear to me save two and they are my beautiful LJ and Troy." With tears in his eyes he looked up at me, "I yearn to see them, but with their father hating me so, I fear that I will never see them again. I buried my daughter today though the world knew her as Lady Lyonaisse. "Because of my son, her father raised her as my son would have ... It matters not ... I am sorry LJ and Troy I wish you could have known them. I fear now that I do not have long." TJ looked at me and smiled, "I would love to travel back to Rooksfeld and my little darlings LJ and Troy. With Their father hating me as he does that's impossible so I will live and bear my loneliness, but will make sure that my darling boys inherit all that I have." I was sobbing now as I realised my grandmother had never forgotten us. Charlie had fallen to the ground and curled in to a foetal position as he understood everything. TJ stepped forward. "Mr Thomas we need a doctor to test Charlie to find out if his DNA is the same as fathers. That will verify he is related to father and also verify Grandmother's journal." With Charlie's tests coming back as a positive match to Lady Arrabella Bravender the state released all of the properties and lands of Lord Lyonaisse, Duke of Lyonaisse and Ironbay - Master of Ironbay Hall ... Marquess of Stoneacre, Master of Stoneacre Castle. I remembered visiting that castle when we were very young with Father and Grandmother. I loved that place it was so beautiful and we were so happy. With the release of his inheritance my Charlie also became Lord Charles Edward Lyonaisse 12th Duke of Lyonaisse, Duke of Ironbay and 16th Marquess of Stoneacre. He was Master of Stoneacre Castle and Ironbay Hall. As Charles was the oldest Bravender son he was to become a power in his own lifetime, but what he did next shocked me. "Daddy now that I am Lord Lyonaisse I will always be your son, but I think that the Bravender titles instead of coming to me should now go to my brothers TJ, JR and Zeke. Colt is looked after with his titles already, but I think the Bravender titles need to go to them." We were staying with King David and Queen Christine and David simply said, "So be it. From this day forward the line of inheritance shall fall as follows..." He paused. "Eldest son, Charles Edward has his own heraldry and titles from this day forward shall be known as Lord Lyonaisse. It is he who will ascend to the title of Prince of Bowland." David continued, "Lance, please correct me if I miss anything ... Second Son who is the oldest Bravender. Lord Troy Jordan Bravender; TJ shall inherit Lord Ravenswood - Duke of Ravenswood and Aeden, Marquess of Lizonby and thus be Baron Lizonby. With all of the assorted properties and shall be known as Lord Aquamaine when the title pass." He looked at JR, "Third son Lord James Ross Bravender, JR shall inherit Duke of Kingsmere, Marquess of Conroy and Rooksfeld, Earl of Aylsgart and Baron Crogdun. With all of the associated properties and shall when the titles pass be called Lord Conroy. David now looked at Ezekiel, "Fourth son and Lord Ezekiel DeLuca Nelson Bravender, Zeke shall inherit 2nd Earl of Iddlesworth and 6th Marquess of Penrise as was his father's title. Also he shall be Lord Mallamtap - Duke of Kirkowen and Marquess of Reymire. With all of the associated properties and shall when the titles pass be known as Lord Kirkowen. Finally David took Colt into his arms and continued, "Fifth son Lord Colt Nelson Bravender shall be Duke of Caderis, Vauxland and Rookfort, Duke of Shadehaven and Marquess of Ironbay and finally Earl of Perisand. With all of the associated properties and shall be known from this day forward as Lord Caderis. His titles have already passed to him and he unites two nations in one." I looked at David and smiled, "Nope I think you have summed it up nicely." We all laughed. He looked at me, "Actually as TJ shall be known as Lord Aquamaine the title of Lord Ravenswood will be unused. So even though TJ shall be the Duke of Ravenswood we bestow the lifetime peerage on Lady Annabelle and she shall from this day be known as Lady Ravenswood of Aquamaine." We still did not know what Charles father had gone through when he was kidnapped and never would. Nor in deed did we know what he meant by THEY would be in touch. Who had done this to my grandmother? I was worried. I had the feeling that Charles' hard mother was like that as she was always on guard, worrying about who THEY were and that THEY would catch up with her. It turned out that our fears were unfounded as THEY had caught up with her and that was how we found Charles. At that time the story was that all children had been killed so all of the children's identities were safe. So it was that we moved, for the rest of the summer, to Stoneacre Castle and Charles was our host. We were all totally in awe with its magnificence. Stately does not give sufficient glory to what we saw. Even the grounds were beautiful and were still well kept. Johan stepped in with the grounds and Dotty and Thomas stepped in with the staff. We found that people claiming to be the Dukes relatives had moved into the Castle and no one had thought to question their right. The only thing that they had not managed to do was unlock all of his accounts and strong boxes that Charlie had as the rightful heir. As we arrived the staff met us at the door, but we could tell that there was a problem. Charlie stepped forward, "Good afternoon all I am Lord Lyonaisse, son of the Prince of Bowland. I sense problems. If you value your positions someone step forward to speak. I suggest the head of the house. Mr Ridley I assume you are the butler." "I am sir, but it is not for me to speak ill of your relatives who are now in residence." "Relatives..? Duke of Lyonaisse had no living relative. Hence his title was dormant until Charlie's birthright was able to be proved. Pray tell who these relatives are that we missed?" King David asked. Ridley replied, "Lady Isobel Stoneacre and her son Lord Stoneacre. They are in the library as we speak." David looked at Ridley, "Lord and Lady Stoneacre? Really...? Arrest the lot of them! The family name was not Stoneacre and if they were family they would know!" Charlie looked at the staff. "How long have you all been here?" Ridley looked, "We came with her ladyship." "Well if you had all done your homework you would know that the family name is not Stoneacre. Sheriff, arrest them." The sheriff's men took every one of the staff away in handcuffs. The High Sheriff and King David were with us as we walked in with their men armed ready for trouble. As we reached the library the doors were open and clearly a band of usurpers were seated in the room. Charlie stepped forward, "As acknowledged Master of Stoneacre may I ask who you are?" The dowager stood. "If you must know I am Lady Isobel Stoneacre and this is my son. Who are you, for we are the masters of this dukedom." Charlie was on a roll, "May I ask then what is your family name madam? For according to the annuls of history Stoneacre never became the Dukes family name." "Mother you said that this would be easy and we could walk right in." "Be quiet you stupid boy." She looked at Charlie and picked up her bag off her knee. Todd acted quickly and held his gun out and took her bag. As he reached in he pulled a gun and handed it to Mike. Then pulled her purse and looked through it. "Isobel Evadny Jacobs. Now care to tell us who you really are?" The Sheriff looked up and stated, "The mother of the brat that was blackmailing your grandmother and my divorced wife." "Evening little cock..! Oops sorry was it a secret and you wonder why I left you! Yes my poor Jamie, he's gone now. Why should he have the castle? We have lived on this land for years why shouldn't we take something back." Charlie looked at her, "Obsession seems to be a poison in modern life. Father's Papa was murdered by his obsessive family and now there's you. Just because someone else has what you want, life does not work like that mother Jacobs. You will leave and leave now and are quite welcome to live on our land, but not in our properties. Is that understood?" The son held up a rifle and simply said, "Tut tut... That is not the way to treat mummy." Todd had seen what could happen and had subtly moved to the wall out of eyes view and gently moved forward inch by inch. He stepped forward at that moment and clicked his trigger, "Put it down sonny and put it down now. Blood and brains will not match the upholstery." "Where are the staff when you need them?" Isobel asked. The sheriff replied, "Arrested just like you dear. Now move it!" "Never!" With that she pulled a small gun from her bosom. Realising all was lost, shot her son and then put it to her head and shot herself. Maybe it was me, but I could not see where they were coming from with their claim. No one had any nobility, but because the little brat had obsessed while he was blackmailing they assumed that would allow them to have access to the inheritance. So started the first of many family holidays that we would have at Stoneacre Castle, Charlie adopted it as his base whenever he was in Chrysland. It was on the shoreline so we purchased a large yacht and hired a captain so that we could sail whenever we wanted to. The captain agreed to run the vessel as a charter ship for holiday makers working closely with Johan. Sailing became quite a favourite with the family and we all learnt to water ski that year. It was on one of these trips that we were pulling Charlie behind us as he skied and suddenly he became very animated so we slowed down and soon understood what he was wanting. There on the shore of an enclosed cove was the body of a young boy that had been beaten to within an inch of his life. Gunny was soon on the phone to the High Sherriff and he was on his way. As we reached the beach Anna ran forward and checked for a pulse. It was faint but it was there. She suddenly started mouth to mouth to try to get a response from him and shortly after he was coughing up seawater. As the boy came to he looked at Charlie and said, "Sire you are in danger here. Please leave. They want you dead." "They have all been arrested so do not worry son" answered Charlie. "No Lord Lyonaisse you do not understand. They were using your Castle as a shipping station for the trafficking of kids like me. White slavery seems to be just the tip of the iceberg. It was a paedophile ring for male prostitution. I pity the boys that were captured for I would rather die. I managed to escape and jumped overboard. I thought I would die as it was so far out at sea. I didn't care. Anything was better than being sold into god knows what." I looked at him, "Son what about your family?" He suddenly became very aware of who he was with, "Oh my ... Lord Aquamaine! You have to leave they could come back any time. They will be searching for me." Sure enough there were bullets hitting the sand. We tried to pull everyone back, but the bullets kept on coming. Mike suddenly shouted, "Everyone down!" The kids were running everywhere. Todd shouted "Hit the deck, hands on head now!" with that they all landed flat on the sand holding their heads. Todd had been practicing emergency drills with the kids so that they knew what they had to do if anything happened. Todd tried to cover them so that they were safe. Mike and Dave returned fire, but it was no good as they could not gain an advantage point and their weapons were not powerful. Anna covered the boy so that he was safe, but I knew my people were in danger if things did not change. I had curled up around Colt so that he was protected. I pulled the panic button from my pocket and hit it three times which meant help needed NOW. King David had given us all one of these for when we were in Chrysland years ago. Within no time there was a helicopter above returning fire and the Kings fleet surrounding the boat. As the situation was made safe the King came on shore and hugged me. He had tears running down his face. "My god we thought that we had lost you." He just hugged me. Suddenly Annabelle screamed, "Daddy! Oh God daddy Zeke's been shot. He won't wake up. Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Gunny spun on his heals running over to Zeke. He had been the only one that had refused to leave the side of the boy. He had been shot twice, once in the side and once in the shoulder. A grieving Gunny stood up holding my very lifeless son and walked sobbing to the King, "Sire we have to go and go now. Please help or he'll die." Gunny simply sobbed and held him to himself. Gunny, Todd and the Boy were on the helicopter with Zeke and we were all on the Kings own speedboat. Our captain agreed to return our boat and everything back to the mooring near the castle. We didn't wait; we were off as we had to get to the Aquamaine Hospital. I was determined that we would not lose Zeke. The King was in radio contact with the chopper all of the way. In the helicopter it was touch and go for Zeke as he had been shot quite badly and Todd had to use all of his medical training from the marine's to keep him alive. As they rushed into the emergency room it was empty. There was no one to be seen. Gunny shouted, "Hello! Is there anyone there?" Still no one answered so he left Todd and took off at a jog to look in all of the rooms that were around the ward. No-one... He ran upstairs and shouted for help still no one and all of the wards were empty. Just then he saw offices and as he approached the door he heard, "Listen I tell you no one will come in here. They never do. We are getting all of the grants for extending the service and yet we have no staff. We let them go remember. It's time to celebrate and we'll be gone before anyone knows." Sat at the desk were three administrative looking men. The door said "Chief of Staff". He ran back to the ground floor and called me "LJ we have a problem there's no one in the hospital and I have just heard three men in admin bragging about pocketing everything. I don't know what to do as Zeke is weak and getting weaker." "Gunny we're almost there. David's on the phone to the royal doctor and he'll attend as soon as he can get there. Christine and Zorina are on their way. We also have the High Sheriff, he's calling all of the available officers to get there as soon as possible. I'll call Belle and Ian Masters and see if they can pull any strings. Just keep Zeke alive. For God sake keep my baby boy alive." Linc was the next one I spoke to and he took over calling everyone for me and he and Mary were on their way. The children were all in shock and Mike and Dave were with them. Anna had colt and we were all headed to my boy. Just then an elderly looking lady walked into the reception. "My god I knew something like this would happen. Something just told me to come out tonight to see if all was well... We'll talk, but let me make some calls to the casualty staff." With that she was on the phone and called in all of the casualty staff. "No one go upstairs. That's where they are." Soon people started arriving and one of the first was a young man called Rob. He took one look at Zeke and his injuries. Then he looked at the boy and his injuries. "Kathy we'll take the little one with the gun shots first. You'll have to assist." He turned and looked at Gunny and Todd, "Do either of you have medical training? We cannot wait for others to arrive." Todd stepped forward, "Not much sir, but I assisted medics on the front lines when I was a marine." Dr Rob looked at him, "That will have to do. Go and scrub up in theatre two." Doctor Rob, Kathy and Todd left with Zeke and left Gunny waiting for others to arrive. The next one was the royal doctor who walked in and looked at the boy. "Sir, someone called Doctor Robert Timms has taken my friends son who was shot into theatre." Doctor Allisom looked at Gunny, "Stay here and greet everyone as they arrive. Do not let them upstairs. If nurses arrive send them to one of the theatres to assist." "Doctor Allisom! I am here and willing to help sir." It was an orderly. "Good man Ken you will have to do. Theatre one, get the boy there and prepped ready for theatre." "Yes sir." By now other nurses and staff had arrived and all were milling around the ground floor. As the doors opened King David and I walked through the doors with the High Sherriff. "Right does anyone know what is happening here?" The King asked clearly angry that this could be going on in his city and he did not know. All of the staff kept quiet and it was a cleaner that stepped forward. "Sire, about a month ago new people took over as hospital administrators. They seemed nice and all seemed well until about a week ago when they received a large grant from Aquamaine LLC America for an extension. Apparently it was several million and they have been embezzling it ever since." I looked at everyone, "You all knew and did nothing? Not even report it to the police?" "Lord Aquamaine, it was the sheriff's Ex wife leading it. Then when they heard that she had been killed they just went ballistic" replied the cleaner. I looked at the sheriff, "Can we trust you? Or are you involved as well as your wife?" He looked at me ashamed, "This had nothing to do with me Your Grace. Men secure the second floor and close off every exit. Lord Aquamaine, Lord Lyonaisse care to follow me into the lion's den?" At that Charlie and all of the royal guards followed. We insisted that he King stayed behind and not risk getting into the line of fire. Charlie insisted taking the lead and acting innocent as if he were just looking for help. He knocked on the door and without waiting wandered in, "I wonder if you can help me. My mummy is down stairs in labour she really needs help. We can't find a doctor. Can you help us?" The men looked around and all of them were so daft that no one recognised a now very famous Lord Lyonaisse. "Sorry son this hospital's closed due to extension work. You'll have to go to your own doctor." "Ok well speak to my Sheriff!" At that the sheriff walked into the office, "Well, well Maxwell Walker as we live and breathe, running a hospital. Tell me how is the lumber yard doing? Care to tell me why all the staff were sacked by a timber merchant? While you're about it why the extension funds have been stolen and why you were heard talking about raking off the funds that are coming in?" At that, all of the guards entered the room and all of the men were arrested. The problem was though not before they set of an alarm or detonator type object. "What the hell was that?" asked the Sheriff. Maxwell smirked, "Collateral... A bomb has been set for seven minutes and will explode. There is nothing we can do to stop it. It was ordered." Who ordered it? Without hesitation Mike took the gun from the Sheriff. Opened it and took a few bullets out. "My friend's son is down there with another young man in surgery. You are going to tell us where the bomb is or your nuts will get blown off. Just to make it fun for everyone we'll play Russian Roulette with your bollocks." With that he stepped up to the Maxwell and held the gun to the front of his trousers. "Now there are three bullets in this gun and three empty spaces. Where is the bomb? You have five and then I shoot." No answer, "One ... Two ... Three ..." "You wouldn't dare, we have rights." CLICK "Wrong answer, but you were lucky. Only two more chances and animals like you have no rights. Where's the bomb?" As he said it he spun the barrel of the gun and held it up to the man's cock a second time. "You have five to answer same as last time. Where is the bomb?" No answer, but a lot of sweat coming from their foreheads. "One ... Two ... Three ... Four ... Five." CLICK. At that I think one of the men actually released all of his bodily functions as the place started to stink. "Oh lucky again, but this time we do not spin, on to the next man. Where is the bomb? One ... Two ..." God another one released everything ... the room stank. He was interrupted, "It's in the prep room in theatre room two. You have five minutes left." Mike dropped the gun and ran. He ran so fast that he got to the bomb before anyone else. He was not going to let this kill his Zeke. The guards and army were chasing after him, but by the time they got to the theatre he had locked the door to the theatre and the entry door. To make sure that the impact was as limited as possible he barricaded the theatre door. Now there was just the bomb and him. Not many people knew, but he had studied things like this when he was young and his security training. Now with every breath that he had he had to protect LJ and the family. Outside the operating theatre the army were hopping mad. Smoke was escaping out of their ears. They had to be the ones to do this. It was impossible for a mere civilian to know what to do. The general would have burst the door open except Dave refused to let anyone near the room as his man was looking after my boys and it was his man's life that was on the line. Dave just looked at me with pleading in his eyes. He had tears rolling down his face and there was no way he could take Mike away from the danger. He knew that he could very well die because of this. The King stepped in, "General Peters step down it is in the trained hands of the House of Aquamaine." "Yes sir, but your father would never have let this happen." "My father was the man that seduced Lord Aquamaine's partner and nearly destroyed his family. You will step down NOW sir! Oh and for your interest he would have been the first to run and hide." The general shook his head and walked away. "Yes Sir." News of the bomb had gotten to the reception and children were incensed that something like this could affect their family and baby brother. Charlie went to leave the reception towards the operating theatres and the police tried to restrain him and keep everyone together. He spun round to the police man just as the King had grabbed the policeman's arm. "Release that child now and let him go to his family." "Yes sir." "Believe me you would not want to upset Lord Lyonaisse or his brothers as they are all trained in martial arts to defend themselves." As this was happening Mike was in the room with the bomb. There he stood and just looked at the time that he had. The man upstairs was wrong according to the bomb he still had five minutes. He had to think fast, but he had to be sure. It looked open once he had found it so he doubted that they had much experience doing something like this. Then he looked at the connections and realised that it was a simple case of cutting two wires, but they had to be done at the same time or it would explode. He looked up and the through the circular window he could see Zeke fighting for his life. He found two scissor type things that he knew would cut the wires and took a deep breath to calm his nerves. At that moment he heard "I believe in you Mike sweetheart." There was Dave with tears rolling down his face. It strengthened him to know that he had support. It was simple to his mind on the count of three. One, Two, Three... CUT. The clock stopped. He turned and as he took a sigh of relief he was horrified to hear the clock start...Four minutes and counting. This time he managed to view the back and under the clock and there was a back up selection. This time more complicated, but he had to act and act quickly. He managed to trace the wires as there was a puzzle of them, but only two were real. He felt this was it and he knew that he would not survive this, so he text Dave telling him that he loved him with all his heart. Dave just wept as he could do nothing but watch. They had made me and Charlie move away just in case, but neither heaven nor hell could move Dave he just glared at them. Minutes seemed to last for hours and when we heard nothing from the room we knew that he had been successful. Dave raced to the door and saw Mike unconscious on the floor. "I don't care how you do it, but get me to him and get me to him now!" If the guards had not been there Dave would have taken the door off with his bare hands. The guards took the door four at a time and soon it burst open. The bomb was dead and the army had it removed quickly and left Dave, Charlie and me in with Mike. I couldn't hear a heart beat or see him breathing. Dave screamed, "Fucking hell! Get a doctor in here ... Mike's not breathing." Charlie held Dave who was sobbing now as I started CPU and breathed into Mike's mouth, then hit his chest and started the pumping action. As I was doing that the house doctor arrived and took over. With him he had a defibrillator and a nurse charged it up. Suddenly we heard "Clear!" and the paddles were placed on to Mike's chest. As quickly as it started it was over. I found a pulse and the doctor was able to treat him for electric shock. As the army intelligence came back into the room they confirmed that the bomb had been linked to the electric circuit and when Mike made the bomb safe by cutting the final wires it sent a massive charge of electricity through his body and shocked his heart. Blackswale was becoming the prison of choice, because a bomb is a terrorist attack the men were sent to Blackswale castle and tried for treason. I felt sorry for them as they had been led by someone who was such a coward that she killed herself. I still wondered who THEY were and if it were them that ordered this bomb. Try as I might and no matter who I asked, or who I talked to I could find no information about them and they sank into the background once again. Little did I know that had I continued to ask my own life was in danger. Summers never last long and we were soon on our way back to life in America. We were still living in Texas on the ranch and the kids loved life. They had settled in to school and like me were quick to pick things up. Even though they wanted to move Charlie and TJ up to a different class because it meant that they would be leaving the others behind they waited until they could all move up at once. I took control of the boards once again as President and Linc took control of the Law firm. We were now representing all major cases for children that had been abused and thrown away by their parents. These cases were taken on a pro bono basis one that if we won then the parents had to pay the fees and also pay a living allowance to the child until they were of age. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- That's all for now folks ... Chapter 11 - Life gets back to normal and the kids get down to business, but we soon have to say goodbye you a loved one. The character list has been reduced by those that do not appear again... If you enjoy reading the stories on nifty consider donating to the site to help with costs - http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html I would like to thank all of those that have written to me to say how much they are enjoying the story. Many of you have already read my other story Moonside Manor (that one is in Beginnings as well). Continue to let me know what you think it really helps to inspire me ... Write me with your feedback and comments at ukwriter12@yahoo.com ... For those of you that do contact me I will always try to reply. If there are any editors out there let me know. I have reviewed it, but a second pair of eyes never hurts. A little about myself ... I'm Kev, from the UK and born in Yorkshire... Ancestors were miners. Me I'm and accountant. I have always loved writing and hope you enjoy...Let me know!!