Chapter28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DbBwtmwvB
3
It was noon time when the small group28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqztrvTR8a
spotted the city from horseback. Their travel was relatively uneventful, aside28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfpNtcKaTO
from the constant bickering of the recruits which did little to ease Vander’s28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M409GHAwX
troubled mind. Perhaps sensing his friend’s mood, Alex spent some time28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX38Vc4qw79
lecturing the recruits on proper etiquette for when they arrived at the city28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEOUAH1P2R
which gave him some reprieve to think.
Veyar mentioned a war was coming, but28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLesSpDKG3B
she didn’t say when or the parties involved. If it scared even the Goddess of28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bz5RljtIw
the Dark, it must be something terrifying and that only left one possible28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XAEfSbXzj
person: the Darkness, but who would be foolish enough to release her from her28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61jHSrCG5X
prison? And what did the Ma’akti have to do with it? Too many things had been28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWWGueUd9A
lost in time leaving him scratching his head. There were only a couple of28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksnrFXEg05
people in the entire city who might have the answers he needed so he made a28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqEgiFLOfA
mental note to visit them whenever he had the chance.
“Are we there yet?” Chicken28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlVXRXYPNk
complained from the back of the cart.
“Almost.” Vander smiled. “If you want28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4xtEskbgr
to come up to the front, you can see the city from here.” There was a mad28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMJL22TRRP
scramble from the recruits sitting behind the cart. He heard Rooster shout in28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlRj7oz0sa
annoyance as his squad mates pushed him aside to make room for themselves. Vander28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsVJbnfo2y
closed his eyes then willed his spirit up and out. He found a suitable host28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjw396Q9DR
above them in the body of a small bird. When he opened his eyes again, he was28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiakuOsvHYw
flying high above. His wing beating to keep him aloft while his lungs pumped to28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvQCBYt9FM
keep him flying. This was his favorite way to see the city, only he and the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF52uc5LnV
birds knew what it looked like from above and that was a secret he wasn’t28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWVhz7ycFK
willing to tell.
From here he could see the three28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUANWJMKyB
rings that made up the city. All told there were half a million people living28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGlsslTiAD
here, the majority lived in the outermost ring. People living there were packed28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCubFL7LOWI
tightly together as it was the only way to fit them all in. It was separated28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLym9mfBIx
into four different districts, though you could live in any of them.
The first was the market district28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbMYVUfhHl
where people bought and sold goods from all over the country. The second was28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0sTKQKkTC
the goods district where goods were created to be sold such as the blacksmith,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6wQTRCTYj
carpenter, and many seamstresses. The third district was the religious district28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXDda2FCt5
where statues of the four deities of light were built, and people would spend28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJLnx1a7Hf
their time praying to them for help for various things going on in their lives.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnG1HNiP63X
The fourth district was the slums or, as many called it, Lower Eluvia. It’s28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUBGS0JX6p
where those who were spurned by the rest of society gathered and ruled by their28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz56ava6pc0
own ‘king’ who oversaw the day-to-day activities there. The guards no longer28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ72O3Mo2nV
patrolled there because it wasn’t worth their time, which allowed the place to28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsibWvtzAYc
fester and rot. Even from up here Vander could smell its stench.
The second ring was smaller than the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6UFtJWXd6
first and more put together. Here was where those from the noble families28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLTZg4HeFl
lived. Their land was larger as each had a sprawling estate to call their own.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuvTMqbuPp
They mostly kept to themselves, instead sending their servants into the first28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDS9NCQhQ9
ring to gather food or supplies. Sometimes they would venture out to do their28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH2yY5PStA
own shopping, but many went escorted by soldiers to protect them. A waste of28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ExJRY3Dry
manpower, but whatever it took to make them feel safe.
The third, and most impressive out of28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzoXZGjxPT
the three, was the inner most ring where the King’s castle and estate was28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn47EcUgGsU
located. This ring was sealed off on all28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GPxaOHR3q
four sides by massive metal walls and gate houses guarded by squads of Blades.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfGPM9KHj2
To get in you either had to be invited by the king, one of the Blades or a28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u9h9xM0iv
member of the council. The royal family took their safety and privacy very28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyslxVpb6C
seriously. Even their servants were thoroughly vetted before being hired. They28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhYvv9XT8c
were forced to take a vow, breaking it was punishable by death.
The center point for the ring was the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0b4Ep68ta
castle itself and no matter where you were in the city, you could see it. The28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eYfMr1zCD
castle walls were made from a special white marble found only in the northern28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKd6480Q5cf
mountains and had to be carried brick by brick hundreds of miles to the city.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiV2D4sSE9I
The marble had special properties that could only been seen during a lunar or28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A8SIVpQB1
solar eclipse, but in the form of the bird, Vander could see it whenever he28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDjiohvDrC
chose. During the solar eclipse, the marble would shine bright blue28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSJ7VHN4KF
illuminating the city in a blueish hue. During the lunar eclipse, the marble28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbxVt7uCjm
would turn orange and the city would turn yellow for a period. It was truly a28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c6EKekAl0
wonderous experience that came around one or twice in a lifetime. Up here, the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqn7wLI7dY
colors swirled together constantly making it a wonder that Vander so badly28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiA7P2TNaZ
wished he could share.
With a weary sigh, something28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uF6pzYI8d
impossible for a bird, Vander willed himself back into his body. His eyes28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IccTov1lE
slowly opened, not quite enjoying the pain as he moved his body. He had been28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS0dYzjLha
sitting there without moving for so long his body stiffened. If this wasn’t28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNMv2oCd9p
something he had practiced daily for years, he would have fallen from his28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvi1Og6MbB
horse, but he could pass this off as a quick nap.
“Did you enjoy your time above?” Shea’s voice barked in his head.
“I did.” He said. “It’s always sad28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrMVQk7Mdt
coming back down from up there. It’s just so exhilarating.”
“Don’t forget that the more you do,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GPUHRJcHI
the harder it is to return.” She growled. “Make sure you don’t lose yourself.” He28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTKcRCxpJO
let the conversation die there. It was one they had many times in the past.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRl4CmNoxH
When he was younger he had almost done exactly that, and it wasn’t an28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ346Uo4F8Wf
experience he wanted to happen again.
“Let’s go.” He tapped his horse. “I28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhbgwQgzEI
don’t want to be late.” With a crack of the reins his horse sped off towards28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFH5DKqlJ3f
the city walls. Alex cursed behind him, but within moments the rest of them28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzp215i2Gh
started following him down the road.
They were forced to slow down as28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZY2PwzUX0
there was a massive number of people trying to make their way into the city. It28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNJiu5lFKQ
wasn’t uncommon for merchants from the other villages on the city’s outskirts28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsB9NlvNXx
to get in and try and sell the goods they’ve made in the city, so backups were28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvdJ38YnN6
common. Guards had to search their carts and bags to make sure they weren’t28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3feTzZxhwt
bringing in any contraband, but sometimes they could go a little overboard.
“Let’s see if we can skip the line.”28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEtfiJW4Q0
Alex whispered to Vander. “We are on a time constraint.”
“Do it.” Vander agreed. They hated28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WTWig4PHD
showing off their status like this, but they had to get moving. It wouldn’t do28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjwgrdHPgQ
well to make the Commander wait.
“Out of the way!” Alex bellowed.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOz3t2lR7h
“Blades coming through, step aside.” It took a moment for the command to28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGosiefxF09
register, but once the villagers noticed the large warhorse and the irate Alex28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEh5s4YctbZ
sitting on top, they moved quickly. They stood off to the side with their heads28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3eSyRSYUm
bowed as the group rode past. A couple of them looked up at Vander. He heard28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhg0PvIyt3
the sharp intake of breath and the mutterings.
“Bastard.” One of them spat at him.
“Go back to the forest and die.”28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9buVQkYaa
Another snarled. Shea snarled back at them forcing them to silence, but their28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdo7Sl4kD04
glares burning in the back of his head as he rode past.
“Leave him alone!” Rooster snapped.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZqMfBw7x1
“Don’t you have anything better to do than harass someone who would lay down28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmTm4BUrKU
their lives to protect you.” His words were meant to be reassuring, but they28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLnmNZiVCP
just caused him to flinch.
“We don’t want his help.” Urged on by28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYspwHhvzVi
each other, an angry hum started traveling amongst the travelers. “He’s28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmMr0BD5Qx
nothing, but a curse upon us.”
“Why you-“
“Rooster, that’s enough.” He turned28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWswajq96Df
back to face the recruits. “Keep your eyes facing forward and ignore them.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LciWWFPvW
Don’t stoop to their level.”
“But-“ The glare from Vander dried28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOqMNb2V6k
his response in his throat. Without another word, Vander kept his head high28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tGSAfVyvg
despite the glares from the gathered travelers.
When they came upon the gate leading28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA2xabuNco
into the eastern district, there were four guards stationed there. Two of them28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKbR5TnFiu
held lancers pointed to the sky while the other two wore their swords at their28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjX8JKBTA9
hips. One had three metal bars attacking his cape that marked him as the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWamXFi95PZ
garrison Captain in charge of the gate. The captain walked over to them with a28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLRZyKTexJ
smile that didn’t reach his eyes. The other guards tightened their grips on28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeMNCEQjU3
their lances. Vander looked up at the ramparts to see several archers with28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUYuSlHYaW
their bows raised, an arrow pressed to the string, but not pulled back. It was28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWMuDxsMQc
a warning.
“Do you normally give Blades such a28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxyaAwGSpx
warm welcome, Captain?” Vander asked. He kept his hands on the cantle, but28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrdXhsvVI6
Shea’s hackled were raised at the danger they currently found themselves in.
“No, but most of them aren’t28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOls9Upvcgb
inflicted with your brand of sickness.” He grinned. “Think of it as a28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGReLACLwe
precaution for our safety and the safety of all of our guests.”
“That’s kind of you.” Vander resisted28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpfnxXXLdZ
their urge to roll his eyes. “But if your theatrics are done, we need to be on28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQk8D7haaO1
our way.”
“Certainly.” He stepped aside. “We28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdr2drRhL0
can’t keep the Blades waiting, now can we?” Vander eyed the man, but once he28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb75otwT4F
was certain that he wouldn’t try and stop them, he gave the signal for them to28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6cO29eEvr
continue forward. The guards protecting the gate stepped aside, but each of28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OIH3m0YJ6
them had the look of a killer just waiting for their chance to strike. Shea28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYKDCiibbn
snarled at them causing one to recoil which brought a small smile to his face. Once28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ370fb1vc8T
they were clear, the guards started issuing orders to the villagers again.
Alex let out a loud sigh of relief.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6OZu2bCzI
“I almost thought they were going to keep us from entering.” He rubbed the back28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPXezuXhd4
of his head. “What is the council thinking letting them get away with open28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymvd2L4gTw
hostility towards us?”
“Towards me.” Vander corrected. “It’s28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6VysUKq7P
part of the reason I left the city in the first place. The Generals rumors are28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzHdAvUwNJ
quite nasty, and I didn’t want them to be a part of it.”
“After what he pulled, he should be28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4ElspCGti
the one in trouble, not you.”
“He had every right to do what he28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAU5ImenU1
did.” Vander sighed. “Bree’s his daughter. Now, I don’t want to talk about this28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQNIWUJMlZ
any longer. Let’s get a move on.”
The eastern gate spit them out right28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd5yCq653o
into the heart of the market district in the first ring. It was busy here; a28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JYuH4cYXv
sea of people blocked the roads as they stopped to look at the stalls tucked to28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl1xHd6D7A
the side of the roads or entered buildings to do some shopping on the inside.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrF8kto8KN
City guards patrolled the streets in groups of four, appearing regal and28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLFWP91Co3
helping those who needed it.
Being here always overwhelmed Shea.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciYAPHwRpK
She jumped up into the back of the cart and hid underneath the blankets and28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMhrglzJVe
bags they had brought with them. They maneuvered through the crowds with28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiMkOduZrX
relative ease. People didn’t really look past the horses and drawn cart, but on28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdXJs6J40g
the off chance they did, they just saw the uniform of a Blade and promptly28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYUimMp5PW
moved aside. It was one of the perks of wearing the uniform.
They made their way towards the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kErRRdqyf
middle ring which was protected by another gate. These walls were also manned28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqWpLlfBaO
by soldiers, but this was a special assignment only given to those who either28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsYoKi4vhw
have favors with the nobles or are children of noble families. As such they28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqmKNT65Mr
have a certain air of arrogance in them and many true soldiers think they don’t28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMiSrd7GFO
belong in their ranks, but it’s hard to do anything about it. Today the gates28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJTJSWkb1t
were closed, and the soldiers were leaning up against them, inside, smoking a28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkqEvFuxSU
sig and chatting. The small group stood there waiting for any acknowledgement,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrePrb1iQwA
but they were ignored while the others chatted.
“Excuse me.” Vander said after a few28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJULapERljO
minutes. “Why are you standing around? Open the gate and let us pass.” One28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIfnsoFppa
soldier looked at him for a moment before going back to what he was doing.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHRbwpwIt0
Vander gripped the reins tightly, but Alex, sensing his friend’s irritation,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroO0fbmMCy
took matters into his own hands. He got off the horse and strode up towards the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJidcgOVuXi
gate.
“Is there a problem here?” Alex28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrZzRBwiss
asked. “We have a meeting with the Commander, so finish whatever this is and28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Qp2lbpJTp
let us in.”
“We don’t take orders from you dog.”28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJyXrnYcHz
One of the guards laughed. He flicked the ashes from his smoke towards Alex,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLByHzAQxg
but it just disappeared on the wind. “Now fuck off and let us finish our28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9Mj5GBLNk
break.”
“I think not.” Alex grabbed the man’s28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzQTzzLefp
hand through the portcullis and crushed the sig along with a couple fingers.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEh08yGnu8
The man screamed, falling to his knees. “Your job is to open the gate, close28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTbzy7tw95
the gate, and protect the gate, none of which you are doing now. Open it, while28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4x8Wblcsf
I’m still asking nicely.” The others went for their swords, but a voice boomed28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi8NWgHdEs
from the walls above them:
“What are you doing?” Vander looked28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRH7wXVWjn
up, squinting as the sun blinded him.
“I’m not sure who is talking, but I28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoy8xJEHj4w
am Vander Captain of the Blades, and the guards down here are keeping us from28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhxEF4CJUm
entering the third ring.” He replied.
“Any proof you are who you say you28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2SDjvqJ0E
are?” the voice asked.
“Is the white hair not enough?” The28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT7nSSebQn
man was silent. Sighing, Vander looked back at the cart. “Shea, if you’d28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffPe5vLIML
please.”
“Certainly.” The she-wolf popped her head up from28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡormwSP665L
under the bags and stared at the voice.
“Good enough?” Vander asked.
“Good enough.” The man sighed. “You28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVA1wyfpcx
lot, open the gate this moment and let them through.” They scrambled to do as28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdOsd33hBr
their leader ordered, the man Alex crushed was released. He whimpered staring28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Aqb4RJiPW
at his mangled hand as she shuffled away. Two of them got on each side where28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU8U1iEoQ8
the wheels to open the gate were and began cranking. Slowly and surely the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4qw6KMmel
portcullis began to rise.
As Vander issued the orders for them28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIA7rfWfqR
to continue, the man who talked to them was walking down the stairs. He was a28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IDdha2BIj
young man, platinum blonde hair with gray eyes. That combination made him a28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYo4j6rnsm
Jilena, the look was native only to their family.
“You might want to make sure they are28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRQKPRAgea
doing their job properly.” Vander stopped to chat with the younger man. Looking28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKyjtHqyqK
back over his shoulder Vander saw that the guards were standing at attention28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpR8xwdj4b
with their spears raised, except for the one who angered Alex. “They were28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8Z2wtqBzt
goofing off near the entrance and wouldn’t let us through.”
“Apologies.” The young Captain bowed28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg9msqqZTB
his head. “My name is Jeffery Jilena, and I oversee this gate. Please allow me28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNp0ff2yTo
to deal with my men and their lack of awareness.”
“Are you new to this post, Captain?”28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKywSeU67dS
Vander saw the bars adorning the young man’s shoulder. A kid these young28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw6oyHz8F6
shouldn’t oversee the castle’s defenses, but his mother must have pulled some28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMe4AFyiZT
strings.
“Only started a few months ago.”28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWw32KrrHH
Jeffery blushed. “I’m learning fairly quickly.”
“If we hadn’t come by, would you have28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOolpIYFFJ
done anything about these soldiers standing here slacking off?” Jeffery opened28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdHz9Ze3z2
his mouth, but thought better than to lie, then shook his head.
“It’s important for a commanding28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbdgmib5ig
officer to instill discipline on top of being well liked by everyone.” Vander28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOoshlNwo5
explained. “They must learn that you can be kind yet strict to enforce the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQXKk4Gym7
rules.”
“I understand.” Jeffery sighed. “I28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjvoCrxyLS
promise I will do better.”
“Write them up, dock them half days28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnHLfpaMhv
pay.” Vander said. “Then take them out for a drink after. Do what needs to be28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljeAv5o2vD
done, just don’t be a dick after. If it happens again, make it full day’s pay,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISswi0dAa6
and send them to the horse stalls to give the servants a rest.”
“I will keep your advice in mind.”28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRXFEoXcNg
Jeffery bowed again. “I’ll see you again soon.”
The small group rode up the path to28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3EdZrdiC4
the castle until they reached a fork in the road. The road went straight28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeTYPtNyUo
towards the King’s home while the left path went towards the Blades compound28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBNNpcTmxT
where all the recruits and many others stayed. It was more cost-effective than28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XWYA1DPJi
having a house in the city and they were closer to the castle in case they were28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUCfEI01yh
needed.
However, there were plenty who had28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbutmimrglE
their own homes and families. Unless there was a big event happening, they were28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l91N26QFT
all on a rotating schedule so they could spend time with their loved ones.
“Alex takes them to the compound and28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcFKKes0hu
show them their rooms.” Vander ordered. “I will go up to the castle and see why28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYvtALUWXF
the Commander has asked for us.”
“Should we unpack?” Alex asked. “Or28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVoiTm6NQ4
are we going to be headed back out to the forest?”
“Provided he has nothing for us,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZSyT16ePr
training will proceed as normal.” There was a collective groan coming from the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrErPuz3VX7
recruits. “Give them the rest of today off and make sure they are given the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSNKn3sHQR
meal I promised them.” He reached into his pocket to remove a small bag of gold28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsu0tkSU6G
which he tossed to his friends. “Just don’t drink too much or you will regret28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExhWExR5XZ
it tomorrow.” He warned.
“I thought they could only get a meal28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdVZyEZg0D
on you if you lost.” Alex grinned. “Did I miss something, or did you get your28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw88O5ptaIz
ass kicked?”
“I was going to give it to them as28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81mhhkZDU6
long as they tried their best.” He explained. “They deserve it.”
“Yes!” Rooster thrust his fist into28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLvksBpUVs
the air. “I’m going to get smashed tonight and maybe find a girl to soothe me.”
“They only one soothing you will be28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJy1wRTwae
your hand.” Eve laughed. “Come on, last one changed has to do a hundred28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR53mWTuJJo
pushups.” Before waiting for anyone to challenge it, she jumped off the cart28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF1WKZjABr
and raced down the road.
“Shit!” The others scrambled to28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixW4GSCPBj
follow suit leaving a very confused Shea and an empty horse drawn cart.
“I changed my mind.” Vander rolled28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmMuJKdmPs
his eyes. “Make them brush the horses down then bring them for food and drinks.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XkYIBgOW5
Meet at my place in a few hours.”
“Understood.” Alex clicked his tongue28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2dRbkpbgq
and trotted down the road with the horses pulling the cart following behind28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54pA2HAB4K
him. Shea jumped down and went to stand by Vander’s. Without a word, his horse28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLw2KYUUS6
started walking down the road that would take them towards the keep.
Even though there was only a King and28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulYoptULjD
the prince living in the castle, there were dozens of servants hired to make28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpBX2aXLdE
sure everything was pristine and immaculately taken care of. There were a few28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBSFHUl0vy
who were tending to the bushes in the garden pulling out weeds and watering the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fllOEkCG4
flowers. Despite the heat, they were all dressed in black and white the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd2fALnQeB
standard dress for people in their positions. Despite the work, the King made28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyXj0YRRs7
sure everyone was taken care of and wanted for nothing. He was also very28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWnZw2RtNN
graceful for giving them time off to spend with their families.
As he reached the white steps leading28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tfTGjGuLL
inside, there were two Blades standing alongside the King’s advisor, Peyton28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDuRoKDkaC
Cranton, and the man in charge of managing the estate for the King: Bernard.
Peyton was about twenty years older28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNvYZXRzUW
than Vander. His family had served many generations of Kings, and it was28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqLn8q3xcG
expected that his own son would follow in his father’s footsteps. He had light28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8YMewslxw
brown hair that was growing white along the sides, green eyes, and a goatee on28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeTHuw1wQ3
his face. He wore small wire rimmed glasses and walked with an air of28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8z6kcFpYM
well-earned authority. He wore a red robe with a black furred collar. There was28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UWZVdQFpO
the King’s seal pinned to his chest marking his status.
Bernard was a different story. He28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PhI4g4Gfz
rose to his position because he was very good at his job, though he would soon28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE5dUKV9FA
be training a successor. He was pushing seventy and almost ready to retire. He28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡol7pKRx2Aq
had long white hair which was tied back into a ponytail with kind gray eyes. He28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpegOML8VtK
wore a black suit with a red stripe going down the front which marked his28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTPkg82C5Q
status. He was well respected around the castle, more so than even the Blades28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp6JXJvfqm
Commander.
“Welcome back, Vander.” Peyton’s face28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoDQFbuJDi
was serious which wasn’t like the older man.
Vander dismounted and handed the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKVPP3glA2
reins over to Bernard who took it with a slight bow of the head.
“I didn’t expect both of you to come28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaMCAX9E8y
and greet me.” Vander shook Peyton and Bernard’s hand. “What’s the occasions?”
“It’s best we wait for the Commander28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYw6oVvdoOI
to tell you.” Peyton stepped to the side and motioned for Vander to go ahead of28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJcatRMprm
him. “Shea is welcome to come too.” That startled Vander. Typically, the wolf28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqQ4l991Tb
wasn’t allowed anywhere near the castle. She was always forced to wait outside.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSP6fVqqIbg
Something bad must have happened for them to allow her in.
Vander was brought into the castle.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBsl3pdl7b
As he walked behind Peyton, the servants stopped what they were doing to bow28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQjgLQdQL0
before resuming their duties. They were cleaning the carpets and beating the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfroWUgU993
curtains to remove all the dust and debris. There were many carrying various28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSd7XxxOkq
pieces of furniture up and down stairs. They must be getting ready for the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjL50wEMX9
prince’s return with his soon-to-be bride.
They walked past a hallway that held28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t2kGbODfc
all the portraits of all the King’s from previous generations, all the way back28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarCnLnB1H4
to the mad-king, Evan, the one who almost caused a civil war before he was28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDZahi3Zmf
murdered by his own General. The General’s son would later become the first28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieZTLvumzr
Blade Commander.
“I expect your grandfather didn’t say28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnECuXZ4nq
anything in his letter.” Peyton asked once they got to the third floor where28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56cTJMGAci
Blade Commander carried out his duties.
“No, he didn’t.” Vander said. “He28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8EE2CB6hb
just told me to get back here as quickly as possible.”
“It’s probably for the best.” Peyton28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6aNyJycP4
sighed. “There is a chance our enemies could have intercepted the letter, and28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBpDBGb8eg
everything would be for naught.”
“Enemies?” Vander stopped in his28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0xjXYegu6
tracks. “I thought we were at peace?”
“Peace never lasts Vander, not when28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsZCU3WSoF
there are people who want power and will stop at nothing to achieve it.” They28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGQ5tSG8LS
paused in front of a massive ornate door. “I will leave you here for now. You28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBAxnk1MXu
grandfather will explain everything.” He clapped Vander’s back. “It’s good to28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMFX9gORqv
have your here.” He gave a soft squeeze before turning around and heading back28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9mBIswjhM
down the hall.
Vander reached out to open the door,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyVATnv7hM
but his hand began to shake as soon as he touched the doorknob. He closed his28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbHmWVOkYf
eyes then took a deep breath. Shea brushed up against his leg giving him the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xMIFRP6DF
strength he needed to knock.
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“Enter.” A loud voice boomed. Vander28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLsfrwhmMj
gripped the doorknob, twisted, and pushed. Then he stepped inside.
