Love on High Seas - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Flintheart Castle's Secrets


The tournament had come to an end, but the celebrations had just begun inside the castle hall, where the contestants and everyone else that attended it were starting to enjoy themselves. When entering it, the people noticed the enormous hall had robust walls copycatting the castle’s outward structure, with tartan hanging on them. The domed ceiling looked more modern and from it, hanged several candelabras which filled the place with an almost mysterious light. The band that was playing was all wearing clothes from the 13th and 14th century, as well as playing with instruments from that time. All of that was quite medieval, if one looked at it from the right perspective.  

Everyone was just having a blast, especially Zack who had already forgotten about what he had called a humiliating defeat to his brother, by going over to the buffet. This one was separated into four main sections. On one end they had fast food dishes like hamburgers, pizzas, sandwiches, hot dogs, French fries, chicken wings and legs, spring rolls On another, they had a salad bar. They also had a hot foods bar, where they were serving roast beef, pork and lamb chops, haggis, barbecued stakes, meatloaf, among many other things- And finally, there was a section where they had some exotic or foreigner dishes like Norwegian salmon, boiled quail eggs, braised pineapple stuffed with peanuts and chestnuts, caviar, sushi, paella, Swedish meatballs, among many other dishes. There was also a bar where they were serving milk, orange, mango, papaya and pineapple juice, ice tea, champagne and of course, beer.

Losing no time, he piled up as many slices of pizza and hamburgers as he could on his plate, before taking it to the table and head back for another plate of goodies. He was already on his fifth plate, when Max decided to call his attention.

“Zack, don’t you think you this is too much just for you?”

“Well, that plate over there is for you, not me.” –he pointed it out to a plate filled with chicken wings and French fries. –“Besides, if I wait too long, everyone will get the tastiest things, and I won’t be able to try them.”

That last statement made Max roll her eyes.

“You’re speaking as if you never seen a buffet in your life.” –Max told him, clearly annoyed. –“We’ve been to bigger buffets than this one, and you never acted like that.”

“Leave him be, Max. His pride’s been hurt. If stuffing himself with food is his way to deal with that pain, then let him.” –Cody told her, as he went back to get another plate of food.

“Yeah, besides, he’s not going to eat all of this on his own, even if he wants to.” –Barbara said. –“We’ll just give him a hand when he’s not looking.” –she giggled.

Not far from their table, the adults were enjoying themselves in a casual conversation with some old golfers, who kept telling them stories about their younger years in the green,

“You see, golf itself might seem hard, but it’s actually quite simple. You just need to know what to do when the time is right.” –the oldest golfer told them.

“And when is the right time?” –Carey asked him

“Why, the right time is the right time.” –he joked about it, while Carey looked at him slightly confused with his answer. –“But perhaps it will be easier for you to understand, if I explain it to you from another perspective. For example, a putt is the simplest of all plays. The ball must simply go from here, to here.” –he said, mimicking the ball’s movement with his hands. –“Of course, amateur players all think that it’s just a matter of the wrist, but a professional golfer leaves nothing to chance. We consider all the elements like the wind velocity, the humidity, rotation of the Earth, the time of day, temperature, lay of the land, trajectory angle, longitude, latitude and a few mental calculations on the strength that must be used to play the ball.”

“That seems complicated.” –Felicia said.

“Not at all, mam, not at all.” –the youngest of the group said. –“What he’s saying might sound complicated, but it’s one of the easiest things in the world. It’s a matter of practicing. And I’m sure a pretty lady such as you would do magnificently on the green.”

“Why thank you.” –Felicia said, then turning to Carey and whispering to her –“Is it me, or is this old geezer trying to put the moves on me.”

“I don’t know, but you know how men are. They can’t resist a pretty woman.” –Carey whispered back, with both of them laughing about it.    

The party had been going for two hours, when the music suddenly died and the sound of trumpets was heard, announcing the arrival of someone important to the party. That someone was a slim, yet short woman, Dame Emilia Flintheart. When entering the great hall, she was wearing a female version of the ever famous traditional Scottish costume, the kilt bearing the colours of her clan’s tartan. On her left hand she was holding a peculiar staff. This one had a metallic tip which echoed every time it touched the floor, but its most distinctive feature was its top. The top was a silver metallic sphere with a magnificent blue and white cross embedded in it, St. Andrew’s cross; Still, Emilia Flintheart was the kind of woman that did not need any fancy clothes to look imposing. Even if she was not very tall, her figure brimmed with authority. She appeared to be a woman of her late 60’s or early 70’s, although you would only assume this because of her white short hair. If it was not for her hair, one would say she was in her early 50’s. Her face looked almost as if it had been chiselled, and the very few wrinkles she had hardly revealed her true age. Still, her most distinct feature was her eyes; she had the eyes of a person who had seen the best and the worst of mankind during her lifetime, and that clearly reflected not only one her eyes, but also her face, a most austere, yet compassionate face.      

Climbing on to the stage, she was then handled a microphone by one of the stage assistants. Clearing her voice she then said:

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I take it that you’re enjoying the festivities.” –she began, what was going to be quite the speech. –“And that is good. That would be the wish of my late husband, as it is mine. Now, those of you who know me know that I’m not the biggest fan of golf; my late husband was the one who played it and lived for it. You could say he spent more time in the green than inside this castle. But even so, like him I recognise its importance and the way it helped to promote the Scottish culture all over the world. That is why he created this tournament as a way to show that golf is for everyone and should be played by people of every age, and today we’ve all seen that happening. And I’m sure that if my late husband was still with us he would agree with me that once more this tournament showed exactly that. And now, let us proceed with the festivities, for let’s be honest, nobody likes to hear an old hag like me talking, when there are other things that are so much more interesting to do. Enjoy yourselves.” –Dame Flintheart said, as everyone in the great hall applauded her speech.    

After that short yet beautiful speech, the party went on without any sort of trouble, with everyone socializing. Unfortunately, even the best parties always have their fair share of more explosive and unexpected episodes, and the most unexpected and rather unpleasant episode of that evening was to happen with London and Maddie.

The girls were all having fun on the dance floor, dancing the waltz, along with several other couples, when one of the servants with a tray of champagne glasses accidently bumped into London and spilled the tray’s content on top of an old gentleman who was seated on a nearby table, smoking a cigar, soaking him wet. When this happened, the servant immediately apologised for the misshapen, but the man was not mad just at him, he was at London. Jumping out of his chair, he practically shoved the servant aside and then made his way to where the girls we’re still dancing, and had not even noticed what happened.  

“Hey, you two!!!” –he shouted as he aggressively grabbed London by the arm.

“Ouch! Hey what gives?! What was that for?!” –London shouted, as she tried to force him to let go of her.

“Do you American scum have any idea of what you just did?!” –the man shouted. –“Thanks to you, that idiot over there spilled champagne all over me! Because of you, my great-great-grandfather’s kilt is ruined!” –he kept shouting, as he gripped her upper arm even tighter.

“Sorry, but that’s not an excuse to grab me like that!” –the heiress shouted at him.  

“Take your paws away from my girlfriend, you brute!!!” –Maddie shouted at him, forcing him to let go of her. She then, rubbed London’s sore arm. –“It was an accident, and besides, why are you blaming us if he was the one who spilled the drinks on you?!”

The yells and shouts alerted the remaining Tipton gang, as well as their parents, who quickly joined them, trying to figure out what was going on.

“Look, if it’s about the cleaning bill, I’ll be happy to send it to be clean up.” –London told him, upset about the way the man’s reaction to that incident.

“No, it’s not just about that! You Americans carpet munchers are defiling this party with your presence. Its bad enough they let you play in the same green as everyone else, but letting everyone know what you do when you’re alone, that is utterly disgusting!”

“What do you mean by that?! We were dancing like everyone else! What’s so disgusting about that, you bastard?!!!” –Maddie shot at him, already with her nerves and patience being tested.

“Listen, mister, you better watch your tongue or you’re gonna regret it!” –Anastasia yelled at him.

“Now, calm down, there’s no reason for any of this! –Felicia tried to calm her daughter down.”

“She’s right. We’re all civilized people here. There’s no need for that kind of language to be used.” –Stephen said, trying to calm down everyone.

“There’s nothing civilized about having two women liking each other! Their kind should be gassed up just like they did with the Jews in Auschwitz!!! Hitler had the right idea, and if it was up to me, they would be but the first ones on a long line of filth that should be exterminated for the sake of humanity!!!”

Hearing that remark, Zack just wanted to punch that old geezer in the face, but London was quicker than him. Not liking where that conversation was going, she slapped the man as hard as she could on the face, leaving him shocked and almost speechless. She was feeling repulsed and disgusted by what he had just said, and only regretted to have slapped him, instead of punching him on the face or kicking him in between the legs.

“OUR KIND?! OUR KIND?! OUR KIND?!!!! Listen, buddy, I don’t care who you are, but you better take back what you just said, or I will...”

“YOU’LL WHAT, HUH?!” –he said. That last remark of London had left him seeing red.  

“I’LL MAKE YOUR LIFE INTO A LIVING HELL! I’LL HIRE AN ARMY OF LAWYERS THAT WILL SUE YOU FOR EVERY PENNY YOU GOT, AND MAKE AN EXAMPLE OUT OF YOU TO EVERYONE WHO DARES TO MOCK, RIDICULE, INSULT, ABUSE, OFFEND OR HURT A GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL OR TRANSSEXUAL PERSON, YOU FUCKING RACIST PIG!!!” –London yelled at him; the hate and disgust she was feeling about him heard on every syllable.

“ENOUGH!!!!!!!!” –a yell was heard, a woman’s yell.

Upon hearing that yell, everyone stopped talking and the music stopped. An uncomfortable veil of silence fell down upon the room, leaving everyone without knowing what to do or say next. The people nearest to that commotion all stepped away, creating a path to the woman who yelled, Dame Flintheart. Approaching them, her footsteps echoed the now silent hall.  
     
“That is quite enough!” –she said, looking at the two arguing parties.  

“I absolutely agree, madam. These two...”

“I meant that for you, MacEwan!” –she yelled at him.

“B-But your ladyship, what happened was...” –he stuttered.

“I saw what happened, and as I see it, none of the young ladies had any direct fault on it.” –Dame Flintheart said with a stern, yet calm voice. –“And I don’t see it why you should use that kind of language towards my guests.”

“But they insulted me, your ladyship!”

“BY DOING WHAT?! By calling you a racist pig, which is the very thing you are?!” –she asked him, by giving him a glare that could have easily melted an iceberg. And before he could reply, she went on: “May I remind you that you are a guest in my house, and as such, you will either behave yourself according to it, or leave! Now, apologize to these young ladies, this instant.”

“B.But...”

“YOU WILL APOLOGIZE TO THEM, IMMEDIATELY, OR I’LL BE FORCED TO CALL SECURITY AND ORDER THEM TO EXPEL YOU OUT OF MY PROPERTY.” –she told him sternly. The truth was that she was as repulsed by the man’s action as the girls and the remaining Tipton gang, and only wanted a good excuse to kick him out of the party. –“DON’T TEST ME, HAROLD MACEWAN, BECAUSE YOU KNOW DARN WELL THAT I’LL DO WHAT I SAY!”

Gulping hard and feeling more insulted and vexed than ever, he practically gnarled before saying:

“I’m sorry, but I cannot in good conscience apologize to them, because I do not regret a single word I said to them.” –He said –“No need to call security, madam, I know the way out.”

And with that he began to walk away, pushing everyone in front of him to the side, as he kept mumbling something to himself. Whatever he was mumbling about, it was not something pretty.

“Well, now that he is gone, I think the party can continue.” –she said, signalling the band, who resumed playing. Approaching London and Maddie, she smiled and asked. –“Are you two alright?”

“Yes, madam, we are.” –Maddie said, as she kept rubbing London’s sore arm. –“Forgive us for what happened. It wasn’t our intention to cause all this.”

“You have nothing to apologize for, my dear.” –she told them. –“I would have dealt with him the same way you two did. It is I who should ask you for your forgiveness for any kind of trouble he might have caused you.”

“It is quite alright. We’re used to these situations.” –London replied sincerely.

“Just because you’re used to, doesn’t mean you should like it, London.” –Cody told her.

“He really had no reason to have said the atrocities he did to you two.” –Max agreed.

“Your friends are right.” –Dame Flintheart said. –“He should have not told you what he did, and I feel partly responsible for what happened. I can still see you’re a little disturbed, which is why I extend you the invitation to come with me to a more private location, where you can calm down and relax for a little.”

“Thank you, but we don’t want to impose ourselves.” –London told her

“No, no, I must insist. It’s the very least I can do, after the way you were treated by that most unpleasant individual.” –she tenderly smiled at them.

“Well, if you insist, we accept it, your ladyship.” –Maddie smiled.            

-------------------

Excusing themselves, they followed Dame Flintheart. Following her, she took them to the library where they would continue their conversation. Entering it, they all felt the opulence this conveyed to those who entered in it. The room had two floors and the bookcases were filled with books of all sorts, some of them were quite old and fragile, while others looked brand new. The imposing fireplace burned steadily, filling the room with the scent of burning wood, oak wood to be more precise. The ceiling was decorated with vivid hunting pictures and adorned with numerous crests of all the families that belonged to the Flintheart clan. On the floor there was an enormous Arabian carpet, like the ones people usually saw on the city of Istanbul, Turkey, lying before the fireplace and placed on it were four majestic chairs of red Corinthian leather, two red sofas and a table, where a beautifully black and white ivory chess board, decorated with gold and silver trimming, rested without anyone to play it. This last one caught the eye of London, who made the mental note to get one even more beautiful and give it to Maddie for Christmas.

“Please, take a seat.” –she said, as London and Maddie sat on one of the sofas.

Behind the two sets of sofas there was a desk that had numerous objects on it;  a golden metallic globe, a box of ancient pens, and a couple of books piled high and a little dusty, probably because no one had picked them up and read them for quite a while. Right next to the Earth’s globe, a magnificent piece of wood and black iron that had the continents sculpted in a manner that looked almost real there was also a mini-bar with three crystal bottles filled with various beverages. Reaching for it, Dame Flintheart grabbed a glass and poured herself a drink.

“Like I said before, I must congratulate you on the way you both dealt with that unfortunate situation back there.” –Dame Flintheart said.

“Thank you, madam.” –London said.

“And at the same time, I must apologize for what happened.” –the old woman sighed.

“Oh, no, it’s we who should apologize for what happened.” –Maddie said, truthfully.

“And why should you do such a thing?” –Dame Flintheart said, as she sat on the opposite sofa. –“That old Harold MacEwan is a philistine with a tongue worthy of rattlesnake, and a soul and heart of a swine. For years I’ve wanted to give him the boot, and thanks to you girls, I’ve finally done it.” –she said, sipping her drink. –“He believes that because others are not like him that they should be locked away or worse. I don’t know why he was invited in the first place. But let’s not talk about him anymore, let’s talk about you two. Like I said before, I admire your guts, and I would like to know you a little more.

-----------------------------

As the talk with Dame Flintheart continued, at the party, the rest of the gang did their best to forget what happened and enjoy the rest of the evening. But this was easier said than done for some of them, mainly Zack and Cody, but mostly Zack After that scene, the twin was so pissed with what he had seen that he had lost his appétit and decided to go for a walk outside, hoping for his mood to improve a little. Max felt that she should accompany him, but decided not to. He was furious about what had happened, but mostly, he was furious with himself, because he could not do a thing to protect his best girl friend.  

The first thing he noticed when opening the doors to go outside was that the temperature, it was practically freezing outside. That and the fact the party was happening inside explained why there was almost nobody outside. The only people that he noticed were a pair of waiters taking a smoking break, a young couple flirting with each other, and a couple of security guards followed by German shepherds patrolling the grounds. He kept walking, kicking off the grass beneath his feet, until he reached a bench. Without realizing it, he ended up in a viewpoint. From there you could see the loch, with the Moon reflected on it. Sating on the bench, he took a deep breath and then expelled the air from his lungs, pretending he was a dragon. Ever since he was a little kid he loved doing that, it gave him the feeling that he was an unstoppable magical creature.

He was so into it, he failed to notice the approaching footsteps of his brother, who followed him to see if he was alright. In his hands he was holding a huge sundae with three kinds of toppings, melted chocolate, caramel sprinkles and cherries, not to mention whipped cream. Only when he touched his brother’s shoulder, did he realize he was not alone.

“You skipped your dessert.” –Cody told him.  

“I lost my appetite. Besides, isn’t it a little too cold for ice cream?” –Zack pointed it out.

“A little, but you’re used to eating entire tubs of ice cream during winter, so I know you can handle this bad boy here.” –Cody said, as he sat next to his brother and handed him a spoon. –“Come on, I know you want to try it, so dig in.”

“You do realize that sharing this ice cream with you looks kinda gay don’t you?” –Zack laughed, making Cody roll his eyes.

“Only you and that twisted mind of yours, would even remember that.” –Cody told him, as he took a bite of the sundae. –“We’re brothers, not boyfriends.”

“That doesn’t mean anything. Have you ever read Supernatural fan fiction? I have, and Max is obsessed with some of the stories where Dean and Sam end up falling in love with each other. Can you believe that?” –Zack laughed,

“And you’re thinking that just because people have written those stories where two fictional characters, who happen to be brothers, fall in love with each other, that the fact of us being here sharing this sundae means that we’re gay?” –Cody chuckled. –“Sometimes I wished I would understand how your brain works, and how did you reached such a crazy and ridiculous idea.”

“Don’t blame me, blame society and my girlfriend for making me hear her read all those stories out loud.” –Zack told him, as he scooped another bite of ice cream. –“Don’t tell me Barbara doesn’t force you to read silly fan fiction?”

“Not really, she and I like to debate things like ancient cultures, or if the dinosaurs were actually warm-blooded or cold-blooded animals, that sort of thing.”

“You’re telling me that you spend all your time with her discussing science and History? Don’t you do any smooching?”

“Of course we do, but that’s not what we’re talking about here.”

“Can’t you just act like a kid your age that’s in love with a girl, instead of acting like you’re Tolkien or Hawkins who spent their lives discussing things that no one else cared? –Zack asked.

Hearing this, Cody started laughing like crazy.

“Now that... (laughs)... is one of the reasons... (laughs)... I put up with you. You always know... (laughs)... what to say... (laughs)... Even if it’s the dumbest thing in the world.” –he kept laughing.

“And I thought it was because of my good looks.” –Zack shot at his twin brother.

“We both have the same face, remember? I don’t need you around to know how good looking I am, I just need to look at myself in the mirror.” –Cody shot back at Zack, proving he also knew how to play that game.    

“See?! That’s what I mean! You need to be a little more spontaneous, like me. I bet your girlfriend would actually thank you for that.” –Zack told him.

“And maybe your girlfriend would also thank you if you started to behave a little bit more seriously, on the proper occasions of course.” –Cody advised him.

“Maybe... I’ll think about it.” –Zack sighed.

“You really needed a laugh, after what happened back there, didn’t you?”

“Hell yeah... you don’t even imagine what I wanted to do to that bastard. I swear, I was ready to jump on him and punch his saggy old face until all his teeth were broken.” –Zack sighed. –“Only London was quicker than me. And I have to say, I loved seeing her slap him on the face. Still, I think she should have also kicked him in the nuts... I would have done that, for what he called them.”

“Don’t sweat over it. We both know that you’re willing to protect the two of them from just about anyone who says bad things about them. But they’re older than us and they know what they’re up against. You don’t need to impress anyone, bro, especially not Maddie. She knows you’ll always be there for her and London.”

“What makes you think I was trying to impress her?”

“Oh, come on, you’re my twin, I know you like I know myself.” –Cody chuckled. –“But maybe I chose the wrong expression. You were not trying to impress her, but instead, protecting her. Ever since you met her, you’ve been trying to impress her, and that evolved into a protective instinct. It’s in you, and that’s not a bad thing, after all, you said it yourself once that you consider her and London as sisters from another mother, so it’s only natural.” –he said.

“Maybe, you’re right.” –Zack sighed in acceptance. –“But don’t say a word about this to anyone. I’ve got a reputation to keep.”

The conversation went on for what looked like hours, even if only a few minutes went by really. It was so rare for the Martin twins to have that kind of honest conversation between them, even if they spent most of their time together. Some would even say that it was a once in a life time thing, like watching a total solar eclipse or the migration of the Monarch Butterflies.  

“You know what I just remembered? We should’ve brought the mini-subs to explore the loch and find the creature. Don’t ask me how we would have brought them, but knowing London like we do, she would have make is happen, somehow.” –Zack chuckled. –“She always finds a way, always.”

“You’re right; she always finds a way to.” –Cody asserted.

“Good evening, laddies!” –he voice was heard.

Turning their heads around, the twins immediately recognized the figure that was approaching them, Rufus. Smiling, they both waved him back.

“I didn’t know you had come.” –Zack said.

“A’ve been around here for a while nou. In all these years, A’ve never missed a party given by the Flinthearts.” –Rufus told them. –“A see that even ye cannot escape the enchantment of the loch, like me.”

“I do believe you’re right, Mr. Macleod. This loch seems to have a kind of power that attracts people to it.” –Cody said.  

“Ah, A take it someone has told ye about the stories regarding the Flintheart clan to the creature, aye?” –Rufus asked them.

“Yeah, we have. Caitlin told us about it.” –Zack said.

“But did the young lass told ye about the fact that people believe that the creature’s lair is located beneath this castle and that the entrance to it is hidden somewhere in the castle.”

“What? For real?!” –Zack exclaimed.

“According to one of the legends, aye.” –Rufus asserted with his head.

“Well, what are we waiting for?! Come on!” –Zack exclaimed pulled his brother by the arm and dragged him back to the castle. –“Thanks for telling us that! Believe me when I say that tonight we’re going to find that creature and prove its existence!” –he kept saying, absolutely mesmerized by the possibility of finding the monster.  

“Zack, stop!” –Cody asked him, as his brother kept pulling him by the arm.

“No time for small talk, Cody! We’ve got to find that secret passage to the Loch Ness monster’s lair!” –Zack kept talking. As they both walked back to the castle, Rufus MacLeod just smiled.  
 
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Meanwhile, back in the library, London and Maddie continued their talk with their hostess, who was revealing herself to be quite the character. They were surprised, to say the least, with her view of the world and other subjects. They had expected her to be quite severe regarding themes like lesbianism, homosexuality and such, but instead, Emilia Flintheart revealed herself to be quite proactive regarding those movements.

“I do believe that a woman should never, ever in their life, depend on a man. Men believe themselves to be the stronger sex, while we women are regarded by them as the weaker sex, but let me tell you something.” –she said, as she sipped her drink. –“Women are the ones who gave birth. There’s not greater joy and physical pain than that one, and that’s a pain that men will never understand, because the pain from the act of giving birth is the equivalent to having all the bones in your body broken several times at the same time. Now, you two are too young to know this, but I’ve had seven children, and I know what I’m talking about. Men are sissies... they break an arm or a leg, and they feel like the world is coming to an end, but not us.”

“That is quite profound, your ladyship.” –Maddie said.

“Thank you, dear. I may have been raised in an almost Victorian way, but I’ve inherited what some would say is a very particular trait of the women from my clan, and that is the habit of saying what we really feel about a particular subject.” –she admitted. Looking at them, she noticed that London looked a little spaced out. –“Dear, are you okay?” –she asked the heiress

“Oh, I’m sorry, your ladyship.” –she apologized. –“I was just admiring your library. It’s really beautiful.”

“Why, thank you. I take much pride in it. While my late husband spent his free time practicing and perfecting his golf game, I on the other hand spent mine furbishing this library, by collecting every book I felt a proper library should have.” –she said. As she talked, the girls noticed her eyes glimmering with enthusiasm. They could see she really loved that place and every book it contained. –“That’s one of the main reasons why I’ve acquired several first editions of the same book. But please, feel free to check it for yourself.”

“Thank you.” –London said, as she grabbed Maddie by the hand and got up. –“Come on, Maddie. I know you’re also eager to check it out.” –she whispered the last part.

“I’m afraid I cannot stay and keep you company, but I must return to the party. Feel free to stay here for as long as you want.”

“Thank you, but we’ll try to be quiet brief, your ladyship. Our friends are probably wondering what’s taking us so long to go back.” –Maddie said.

“I understand. But if you change your mind, stay for as long as you want to.”

The girls were telling the truth when they said they were going to be quick, but each book they saw on the shelves was even better than the previous one. The girls were both mesmerized by the amount of valuable books there, without any kind of protection that prevent one from reaching it and read it. Passing the fingers by the bookshelves they quickly found a book that interested them both. In its back, one would read “Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift. The book was quite ancient, probably from the end of the 19th century given its state of conservation, and the quality of the binding. Running their fingers by it, they felt sort of a jolt that sent shivers up their necks.

“Whoa, that you felt that too?” –Maddie asked London, as she kept caressing the book’s binding.

“I did.” –London exclaimed, with a big smile on her face. –“It felt sorta like a mind orgasm... or something of the kind. It felt good.”

“I had a teacher in middle school that once told me that if this happened when we touched a book, than it meant that was really good.” –Maddie chuckled. –“What do you say we read a little excerpt?”

“I say we do it.” –London smiled at her. –“I’ll start it.” –she said, as she gently opened the book, not to damage it. –“My father had a small estate in Nottinghamshire: I was the third of five sons. He sent me to Emanuel College in Cambridge at fourteen years old, where I resided three years, and applied myself close to my studies; but the charge of maintaining me, although I had a very scanty allowance, being too great for a narrow fortune, I was bound apprentice to Mr. James Bates, an eminent surgeon in London, with whom I continued four years. My father now and then sending me small sums of money, I laid them out in learning navigation, and other parts of the mathematics, useful to those who intend to travel, as I always believed it would be, some time or other, my fortune to do. When I left Mr. Bates, I went down to my father: where, by the assistance of him and my uncle John, and some other relations, I got forty pounds, and a promise of thirty pounds a year to maintain me at Leyden: there I studied physic two years and seven months, knowing it would be useful in long voyages.”

“Soon after my return from Leyden, I was recommended by my good master, Mr. Bates, to be surgeon to the Swallow, Captain Abraham Pannel, commander; with whom I continued three years and a half, making a voyage or two into the Levant, and some other parts.  When I came back I resolved to settle in London; to which Mr. Bates, my master, encouraged me, and by him I was recommended to several patients.  I took part of a small house in the Old Jewry; and being advised to alter my condition, I married Mrs. Mary Burton, second daughter to Mr. Edmund Burton, hosier, in Newgate-street, with whom I received four hundred pounds for a portion.” –Maddie went on.    
 
The girls read a couple more random paragraphs, getting all jolted about the story in the book. Maddie had already seen a couple of adaptations of the book before, but she had never had the opportunity to read it. As for London, she neither did one nor the other. She was finding it interesting, to say the least. One more book she would have to read from cover to cover.

“We better put it back where it was, or otherwise we won’t be able to let it go until we finish it.” –Maddie said.

“You’re right...” –London sighed. –“Once we get back to the ship, we’re going to buy it and we’re going to read it in one night, okay?” –she said, as she placed the book back where it was. Placing it on its place she noticed something that should not be there in the first place, given the history of the Flintheart clan and Dame Emilia Flintheart opinion regarding it... a book about the Loch Ness monster. –“Hold on, what is this?”

“What it is what, London?”

“This, Maddie.” –she pointed out the book in question. –“Don’t you think it’s a little strange for this book to be here, given what Caitlin told us about the clan and what    

“I’ll admit it’s a little strange, but where are you going with that?”

“Well, what if it’s actually a switch that opens a hidden passageway? I read that these old castles are filled with them.” –London answered.

“Oh, London, you’ve also been reading too many detective novels, or watching too many detective films.” –Maddie chuckled after hearing London’s answer. –“Why would you even ponder such a thing?”

“Well, for once why would you have a book about something that you don’t want to even hear about? Plus, this is the only book whose cover and binding looks brand new in this shelf, and it doesn’t seem to have any dust, while the others are a little dusty.” –London said, as she examined the book in question up-close. –“And what do you know? Take a look at this... it’s not even a real book.”

Puzzled, Maddie crouched next to London and also examined the tome in question. To her surprise, she found out that her girlfriend was right, the book was not really a book, but instead a block of wood shaped like a book, which had been disguised to look like one.

“O-kay, now I’m really starting to wonder if you’re right about what you’re saying.” –Maddie said, turning to face London. –“But, is it really a switch? And if so, how do you suppose it works? Opening it can’t be easy, or otherwise someone unfamiliar with it could activate it by accident, right?”

“I don’t know. But hidden passageways and rooms should be easy to access, if needed. Moseby once told me my dad’s office in New York has a panic room, which can be accessed by pushing a statue that’s on top of his desk, so maybe it will be the same principle; we push it.” –London said.

Gulping, Maddie pondered it for a couple of moments, before asserting it with her head. Pushing it, the book did not move an inch. But then, it occurred to her that instead of pushing it, maybe they should pull it. Once more, she placed her hand over it, and this time she pulled. As soon as she began pulling it, a noise was heard. And this noise was a most peculiar noise, a mechanical noise, like the kind one hears when clogs begin to move. Then, a few seconds later, another sound was heard, forcing the two girls to turn around their heads. To their amazement and surprise, the fireplace began to slide right, revealing a dark hole on the wall. Climbing down from where they were, they approached the mysterious hole. Looking inside, they saw that the hole was actually the entrance to a tunnel that went down.

“London, I’ll never, ever again doubt you. Would you look at this?” –Maddie said, as she examined the tunnel’s entrance, still excited by their discovery. –“I just hope nobody heard it when the fireplace slid out of its place.” –she practically whispered, fearing what might happen if someone had heard it.  

“I don’t think they have with the party going on.” –London said, resting her. –“What do you say we see where this tunnel goes? It has to go somewhere; after all, it’s got a staircase. Shall we investigate it?”

“Hold your ponies, Princess. I think we’re going to need help for this one.” –Maddie declared. –“I’m going to text the others so they can see this. Besides, there’s safety in numbers.” –she said, as she picked her cell phone and texted them a message.

-----------------------------------------

While this happened, Zack and Cody were searching for the hidden entrance to Nessie’s lair, which was likely to not even exist in the first place, as Cody kept pointing out to his brother. They’d been able to give the slip to a couple of security guards that were guarding the doors to the part of the castle where they were searching. Years of evading Marion Moseby’s preying eyes had paid off, with them now being able to sneak in to most places that were guarded.

After hearing Rufus telling them about that hidden entrance, Zack had made his mission to find it until the end of the night, despite all of Cody’s warnings of that being a wild goose chase.

“I keep telling you, this is just one big wild goose chase.”

“And I keep telling ya that it isn’t! Why can’t you just accept that Rufus might be right about this?” –he asked him, as he inspected the hallway’s walls, in search of a hidden switch or something else that would trigger a hidden passage’s entrance.

“Because he’s a snake oil salesman, Zack! And like him, there are a dozen or more around these parts, telling tales of the Loch Ness monster.” –he rattled. –“I never said this in front of him or any of you, but the guy’s a

“Then why are you here with me?”

“Because you’re my brother and because I don’t want you to get into trouble if you get caught.” –Cody told him, as he put his hands over his brother’s shoulders and looked him in the eyes. –“Look, stop for a second and answer me truthfully. If there was a hidden passage that would really take you to Nessie’s hidden lair, don’t you think people would have found it centuries ago?”

“Well.... maybe, but then again, what if they found it and then decided to hide it from everybody else? Have you thought about that hypothesis?” –Zack asked his brother.

“Well I... hold on, I got a text.” –Cody said, as he checked his cell phone.

“So did I... it’s from Maddie.” –Zack said  

“Mine too... it says: “Big discovery. Come to the library now. But don’t say anything to anyone else.” –“Cody read out loud.

“Maybe they found what we’ve been looking for!” –Zack exclaimed.

“Highly doubt it... but we won’t know until we get there.” –Cody said. –“Now, all we have to do is find our way to the library.”