A Writer's World

Evan's office was just that. An office. Complete with a custom work desk, an array of filing cabinets, a large bookshelf filled with novels, and a small futon for late-night work hours and mid-day breaks during working hours. One of the few things his grandfather asked him to do was to stay out of this room. Not to say he hasn't tried to sneak a peek here and there, but the old man was very adamant about it. So much so that he carried the only pair of keys for the door. Or so he thought.

Evan looked around as he scratched his silver hair. "Now, where would it be?"

"Uh, what be? His deeds? Certificates?" Said Roland as he walked to the filing cabinet. He opened the first drawer only to find it empty, "I'm sure he keeps a copy of something somewhere." Roland said as he opened the second drawer to once again, find it empty.

Roland's eyes squinted in confusion. He quickly opened the last two drawers to find it empty as well. In fact, judging by the thick layer of dust that littered the bottom. It has been for some time. If it was used at all.

"Lewis? Where is...well, where is everything?" He walked over to the main desk and opened up the cupboards as well. Empty. He slowly rose and looked at the thick layer of dust that stained and littered the table. Almost as if it's never been cleaned. Let alone used.

"There's nothing here." Said Roland as he looked at Lewis, "Literally, nothing! This room hasn't been used at all! No paperwork, no stacks of unpaid bills…" Roland puts a hand to his forehead to wipe the sweat that dripped from his head and paused. The air was a lot more hot and humid than the polar contrast that was downstairs.

"...There's no air conditioning up here either." Roland stated as he looked around for any air vents. There wasn't one. The windows were open, yes, but he felt drenched in sweat from just 10 minutes of searching.

Roland finally centered his gaze on his Uncle, "Lewis? What did he do up here? This place is a heat trap! Any other person would have a heat stroke if they spent an hour in this room! Yet he spends hours here!"

Lewis shook his head as he looked to the far left of the room, "Not here." He grunted as he stood and walked to the bookshelf. Despite the dust-ridden office, the books that filled it seem to be mint condition. The old man smiled a bit as he glided his hands over the classics."Do you know what your grandfather's favorite book series was?"

Roland shrugged, "Despite saying otherwise, I know it's not The Hobbit." He replied as he looked over the book collection. "He told me once that he took notes from J.R.R Tolkien, but that's about it." He put a finger to a black hardcover. "He really liked The Dark Tower Series." He smiled a bit as he pulled it out, "I always found it ironic since L&K has a much lighter tone -" Click!

The novel stayed locked in place as it leaned forward. The sound of cranking gears filled the office as the bookcase slowly began to shift and move to reveal a small study. Fancily decorated with plush sheets and a more ornate looking desk. On said desk was a book. Well, it looked more like a pocket-sized journal with a scaly red hardcover. The pages were Vellan. faded Vellan and crudely cut, giving the pages an uneven look to them.

A lamp illuminated the rest of the room. Revealing the etching designs on the walls and a big chest on the other. Designs looked personally carved into the walls, most likely by Evan's own handiwork.

"There it is!" Grinned Lewis as he walked over and to the booklet. "Haven't seen this in a while." His hands traced over the rough leather to a golden lock that held it shut.

"You wanted to show me…" Roland looked over the red-scaled leather and back at his uncle, "Grandpa was working on another book? He seemed adamant on-"

"No Roland he wasn't writing again!" Growled Lewis as he shot him with a hard glare, “This is his journal, He keeps everything in here. He wanted...No not wanted, needed to show you this."

"What's in it?"

"Trust me, it's better to read then be told." Murmured Lewis as he walked over to the chest. "I know for a fact I don't have the keys to open it, but I have a key for this!" He said as he fished out an old fashioned key, and inserted it into the keyhole.

The lock clicked as the heavy lid popped open. Roland couldn't really see from behind Lewis's bulky figure, but he could hear his uncle shift through the contents with his hands before seemingly grabbing something.

"Forgot how fucking cluttered this thing is, gonna have to take stuff out." He stops for a moment to look at Roland, "I trust you'll be mature about this and not yell." He turned back to the chest and reached in deep. Deeper than the chest should allow, let alone the ground underneath it, as he pulled something out.

Lewis gave the bronze handle a firm grip as the fat slab of metal seemed to endlessly flow from the chest. It had to be at least five inches wide and three inches thick. The length, however, is what made the air catch in Roland's throat as the tip finally emerged, showing the eight-foot blade in its full glory. This was a greatsword. The kind you see on display at Renaissance fairs, but twice the authenticity. Or at least the abusive father of one.

"Haven't seen this beauty in years." Sighed Lewis as a smile spread across his weathered face. The sword had to be a good eighty to ninety pounds, yet he held it as if it was a paperweight, "Monolith and I go way back. One of Stollen's best works I must admit."

"Stollen? Is he an...an old friend of yours?" Said Roland as his eyes traveled up and down the killing steel.

"That he is. Haven't seen him in years however." The smile faded slightly as he set the monster blade down and continued to siphon through the seemingly bottomless chest. Periodically pulling out fat sapphire bags that jingled when they hit the floor.

"So uh Lewis? What with chest besides pouches filled with-"

"Something that has a lot of value, but is of little use and can't be used," stated Lewis as he pulled out an old fashioned flask from the container. He gritted his teeth as he finally seemed to hit the bottom, "It's not here..." Lewis balled his fist and bashed it to the ground, "Damn it!"

Roland stepped over the plush sapphire bags as he kneeled next to Lewis, "I mean if it's not there, could it be somewhere else? "

"It has to be here!" Shouted Lewis, "Everything else is! So it should be here as well!"

Roland thought for a moment as he stood and shoved his hands in his pockets, "A chest seems to be a strange place to hide a key. You can't think of anywhere else he'd put it?

"No! He'd… He'd put it somewhere only those he knows and trust could get to it. So if it's not here it can't be-" Lewis seemed to freeze mid-thought before his grizzly features morphed into a frown. "I know where it is."

"You do? Where-" a loud thump echoed in the room as they both turned to see Luna sprawled on the floor, seemingly tripped on one of the sapphire pouches that cluttered the floor, "Fuck." She growled under her breath

Lewis stood as he walked to his daughter, "Luna. What are you doing up here?" His voice was low, more a whisper then words

Luna seemingly shrunk a bit, Lewis never put his hands on her, but they have both seen him angry. "I uh, just came up to let you know Virri's here with her dad. I was hoping you'd want to meet them?" Said said, a bit of sheepishness in her tone. Roland didn't ignore how her eyes danced over the secret room. Her curiosity notably rising, "What is this place?"

"Nothing important." Said Lewis as he stepped over the mess he made, giving his daughter a reassuring smile, "Just had to get something from Evan's old things, but come. Let's go meet this mystery girl I've heard so much about."

Lewis seemed to push both of them out of the secret study as they all walked down the stairs. Roland took notice that Luna seemed happy. Which is a rare occurrence. Most likely due to her dad's interest in seeing her new "friend"

"I...I think you're going to like her," she said as she walks downstairs, "She's sorta shy but really sweet. Her dad's pretty cool as well. He does financing and private projects for some big names in the economic circle."

Lewis smiled as they all finally reached the bottom. his eyes still on Luna, "I'm sure she's really special. Can't wait to meet her, and her father."

"Great!" She pointed to a man in a vest in the newspaper isle drinking coffee with a younger woman, "Virri! Mr.Weils! Here he is!"

The man turned to face them, brown-silver hair slicked under a fedora and a hint of a five O clock shadow on a youthful demeanor. A visible but thin scar trailed between his lips and the left side of his face. It gave you the impression that someone stuck a blade in his mouth and relieved him of a portion of his cheek, but he seemed unfazed by the minor disfigurement. He smiled as he tipped his fedora to Lewis. "Ah, Adrian. It's been a long while since we set eyes upon each other. How have you been?"

Though Roland didn't quite understand it. He swore he felt his uncle's blood run cold.