Chapter 6
Vander vaguely remembered the18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktaaXDwXkf
feeling of being dragged up many stairs, carried down a hallway, and the warm18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLIVLYe3yk
covers of his bed. His memory of Julianna standing over him in the candlelight18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0AJq0Fqwh
as she pieced together the pieces of his skin using thread, a needle, and18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjelIMYSXag
plenty of booze to disinfect everything. Shea guarded the door to keep anyone18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbjDUe9ryj
who she didn’t trust from entering, while letting out low whimpers as she18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AFT3A63YZ
worried for her master. He dropped into an uneasy slumber, immune to the pain18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR5qVjWiXQ
that traveled through his body. The only solace he found was in dreams.
∙
A drop of water fell on18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVyoPmjO6F
Vander’s forehead. His eyes remained closed, but the weather was determined to18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBnBpFtq89
wake him. Several more fell on his face hitting his eyes, forehead, and mouth.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXf6hnv1kU
His eyes scrunched together before he slowly opened them. He was confused18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiWz3iJ6dE
because he expected to wake up in his bed with the roof of the inn above his18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBw1ZBK66s
head. But instead, he saw the cloudy morning sky surrounded by tall maple and18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbQySiIphs
pine trees. He was dressed in ill-fitting rags. The pants went as far down as18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z7OswLSNL
his shins while his shirt was in tatters. He slowly rose to his feet, his stiff18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tLYASO8fq
muscles protesting from the sudden movement. It hadn’t been long since his18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WdoiJPg8b
injuries, but time moved differently here, as it did in all the realms of the18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7mKEVHiOd
Deities.
He could smell blood and sweat,18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0Ji42GLsE
the trademark sign of his patron goddess, Unna, Lord of the Beasts and Madness.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaonubO4cyc
There were hundreds of beasts waiting in the woods, their red eyes focused18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDxanAfyFU
solely on him. Any wrong move would send them into a frenzy and would tear him18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lImcPWTML
apart. It was the rule of the jungle here, you couldn’t show fear. The first18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwkI03auV3
time he had come here all those years ago was almost his last, but he had18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLP70NMZKo
adapted quickly killing a creature that had mistaken him for easy prey. The18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aX1C4kmIY
rest fell in line, but sometimes a creature gets a little too full of18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORCg0bImrU
themselves and must be put in their place. However, the fact that he had woken18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPVZKOoIDY
up here meant the ruler of the forest had grabbed him, no one them would go18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEazsZ3oke
against her orders.
He got to his feet then started18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBSgnep2UW
to walk along the path laid out for him. He ignored the biting pain in his feet18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlpnIPslGL
from sticks, stones, and dead leaves scattered around. His blood scented the18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz0ZI1ghkS
ground marking him as the forests now. He knew that when he died he would wind18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jqmXRDI0y
up here, the same as all the other beasts. This was the forest laying claim to18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpjkpyl6rC
him for its mistress.
He walked for what seemed like18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRssFq5J22
hours, but he didn’t get tired, hungry, or thirsty. He just put one step in18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7JNjKF39L
front of the other. It had started to rain, but he kept it going until the sun18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCR61mEIOEt
had set in this domain and the creatures around him grew quiet. The woods18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vojlZNt3q
became thicker, and the normal brown trees turned blood red. The sky darkened18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5yiRXBEIT
then the moon appeared illuminating the woods in a blueish glow. He heard18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rJmj5IRtm
running water coming from his left. He turned to walk into the woods towards18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLbgO1adhr
the waterfall where he knew Unna would be. He saw a large white wolf walking in18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCnJuhzLg6
step with him. The creature was twice the size of Vander with white-blue fur18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKo68mFdsz
and deep red eyes.
Ritoru, if legends were to be18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfyfN1BBR4
believed, was the first human to accept Unna’s blessing. He had lived as a18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Cn3M4oOfN
tyrant, slaying anyone who crossed his path and offered his victims life for18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRka3XfOuNx
the deity. In exchange for his loyalty, she made him into this creature forever18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91xmQxBH9T
to serve her and kill those unworthy. The truth was, she had prayed for his18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn0sUjOBLA
weakness and need to be stronger. Promising power beyond his wildest dreams, he18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPAxQeTqkE
accepted it without understanding the consequences. Now he was a prisoner of18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTYpfbXy5b
his own making waiting for the day he gets released from his own personal hell.
They walked for a little while18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kgQzdCwGs
until the trees thinned out revealing a small pool that was being bathed in18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKD16zjeXd
moonlight. There was a small rock formation above the moon with a light trickle18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoabMTfwU6T
of water cascading down into the pool creating a ripple effect. The water was18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxFZssCPUX
crystal clear, and you could see little, tiny fishes swimming around in the18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBXQTKb8pB
depths. No matter how much he wanted to go into the crystal blue water, he18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD2ElDTA40
couldn’t. This was Unna’s pool and going in without her permission was18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrid2s4cof
tantamount to suicide. So, he sat down and waited.
Within the middle of the pool18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFelpXabWvF
large ripples began to emerge. Moments later a pale woman burst out whipping18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7PlAuBGwn
her black hair over her shoulders tossing water behind her. Even though he18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKu8vZ8i2Tk
couldn’t see her face, Unna’s nickname as a seductress wasn’t wrong. She had a18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCSVgUG7cn
thin body, that was surprisingly filled with muscle. She was graceful and curvy18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxoaF69hc3
but eyed you up in the way a hunter looks at prey. Even now, sitting on the18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO3txfmef0
ground, Vander was aroused and based on the coy smile she tossed at him over18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc8df23nvP
her shoulder, revealing long pointed canines, she noticed.
She took her time leaving the18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVW5RfWgWxw
pool, swaying side by side as she walked towards him. Her thighs rubbed18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHhgpiBzir
together as her breasts moved slightly with the movement. As she stepped out18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucVvDgYccO
from the pool, a sleeveless black dress with a low-cut neckline and a slit down18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCP0m664rb
the left leg. Some how she looked even better with clothes on.
“You’re a naughty boy.” She18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSxr2JInwC
smiled. “You are thinking all sorts of dangerous thoughts aren’t you?”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtPv5RRRGy
He stood up as she walked over towards him. She looked at a finger under his18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E0cotZpTc
chin and pulled him so close that their mouths were almost touching. “You18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bwAiO1u04
want to don’t you Vander? It’s alright, I’ll give you everything you could have18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUKMohAQJR
ever wanted in a woman. So, how about it?” It would be easy for him to give18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz66eolFH60
her all of him and many times he was tempted, but he knew what happened to18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9ZuNkhwJL
those who couldn’t resist. He wouldn’t end up like them.
“Why have you brought me here?”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM6hRH5iMz
he asked. Sighing with frustration, Unna let him go. It was so sudden that he18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSYmmhqaBg
fell back on the ground. She towered over him then placed a bare foot on his18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQyW3X2SHg
chest. He could see her dress, so he quickly looked away.
“You’re annoying you know that.” She18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IbWRHbUfB
snorted. “At first the chase was fun, but now I’m growing bored of it.”
“It’s not my fault you chosen me18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3rLqLYho7
to be your champion.” Vander snorted. She bent down over him and stuck her18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJPA2Hkrnt
fingers to his side. He let out a hiss of pain as she dug her fingers into the18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7ke0Qy0zN
side where Leon had cut him. Her hand was covered in blood as she brought it up18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjVxvybwzT
to her mouth then licked her fingers clean.
“I taste poison in your blood,18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDocVlE2P0J
Vander.” She grinned.
“Poison?” he asked. “What18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tU0kVbts6
kind of poison?”
“Do you know why you come here18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvqUdtudQ4
Vander?” she asked. She stepped off him then walked behind him. He rolled18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrTVkw12BP
over and got to his feet as her throne appeared out of thin air. The throne was18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrdse4iTc0
made from pure white bone. They said it was the bones of all she killed in the18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGERki50xb
war, but it was hard to tell. They had all fused together to create the throne18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUjccN7cBv
and it was difficult to pull out individual pieces.
“I assume you will tell me.” He18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6MEnIIyzP
said.
“You come here when you need18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxIADQky4r
something from me.” She explained. “It doesn’t have to be a conscious18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbzX1VgMnI
need; it can be a subconscious need. Whether it be to get healed, needing some18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5W9n44ApZ
answers to a question, or getting your rocks off. It’s always something and I’m18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nAyVUEggT
getting tired of it.”
“What is it I can do for you18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo4tgQN3rR
then?”
“Give in to your demons.” She18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTmmjVMrot
laughed. ”Give in just once and I will heal you.”
“If I give in, I’ll end up closer18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpghO06agmz
to becoming one of your slaves.” He growled. “I will not go down that18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxwENujrit
path, no matter what.”
“You don’t have a choice, Vander.”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUi7FxDL8q
She got up from her throne and grabbed him by the neck. She lifted him off18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8YPfq0ilR
the ground and brought him close to her. “Once you said yes to me, your18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b2JL2MHjQ
future was already written. You are mine.” She dropped him gasping and18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kyQyQivCp
wheezing to the ground. “However, you still have a role to play, one of18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqMUrat4fy
which my grandmother has already told you about, so I cannot let you die here.”
She snapped18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s7q8SfBNE
her fingers and a searing pain erupted from his side. He thrashed and screamed18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxigH51mB8
as the flame coursed through him. His body began to twitch and squirm as his18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFuCgMm83b
blood began to boil. As quickly as it started, it ended. He lay on the ground18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH95uiI8wj
breathing heavily as steam rose from him.
“Remember Vander,18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BK7B10et4
you are promised to me and no other. Go. Fulfill your role, now begone.” She18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDS1OGpzjKW
waved her hand. His body flew backwards, out of the woods, then slammed back18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRQAQdVszh
into his own body. “I will be waiting.” Her voice echoed in his head. He18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNx1Cg2SD7
opened his eyes.
∙
There was a large18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII9NMYblsv
weight pushing down into his chest. His vision was still foggy, likely from18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRQURon6gO
both passing out and the poison that had infected him. There was a warm white18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkithn3qPU
presence there. He slowly reached out his hand to rub Shea’s head. She bolted18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71Yw007ypD
straight up and began licking his face in earnest. She jumped up and down18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eWvA8zMfu
happily barely missing Vander’s body with each step.
“I’m so happy18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYhankmGJ4
you are awake.” she barked. “I was so worried about you.”
“What’s all that18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdCICrTqpI
racket?” Vander looked over to see Julianna staring groggily at the bed from18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrMaLkC2WY
his desk chair. A blanket had been dragged out from the closet and placed over18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3rjXNNLa4
here. She stared at him for a moment, bewilderment on her face, before she18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6FsQZ5XBc
jumped up and ran towards him. He didn’t have time to admire her wearing the18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwmcAn9nFN
sheer night gown before she launched herself at him.
“You’re awake,18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7QVywZfA5
I’m so happy.” He felt tears splash on his face as she sobbed into him. He18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3Rt4tvoni
placed his hand on the top of her head.
“It wasn’t that18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDKzTOSNGd
bad of a wound.” He chuckled. “I’m not sure why you’re so worried about me.”
“You idiot.” She18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡar9wlK2P8l
growled. “You have been out for about a day. For awhile you got very feverish,18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj3svoDnVW
and your breathing became shallow. I would have brought a doctor in to take18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7fnHR1T0I
care of you, but Shea stopped me.”
“I smelled18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJKcqdkqd7
poison in your blood.” Shea said. “If you’ll let me, I’ll rip that boy18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZQf6hGkpO
apart for trying to kill you.”
“Leon seemed to18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQY8yScYAr
have poisoned his weapon sometime before running me through.” Vander explained.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcqu3DvmML
“If it was anyone else, they likely would have died.” Vander went to get up18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPbV1I4awT
from the bed, but Julianna pushed him back down.
“You’re still18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdHr2azznK
wounded, you should rest and let me get the soldiers to bring Leon in.” Vander18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC7uvR4AE8
grabbed her hand causing her to flinch. Sighing, he lifted his shirt to show18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAEGbyj3P1
her that the stitches had disappeared, and the wound had closed. Shocked, she18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8E9KhvVMK6
gingerly traced her fingers tips over the fresh scar, but he didn’t wince once18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtliSKRVl2b
from discomfort or pain. “How?” she whispered.
“Part of my18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4zcNjrCYL
curse.” He picked her up quickly causing her to let out a small squeak of18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeY54gyQsIU
surprise. He flipped her around, so she was where he was just lying. They18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ672XLBEnMS
stared at each other for a second before Vander broke eye contact and got up18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIjUzzSnnp
from the bed.
“Curse?” she18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgeQ2GQMKK
asked. “What curse?”
“There’s no way18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRWhekH3fq
you haven’t heard the rumors.” Vander chuckled to himself as he walked into the18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ630MM39Lys
bathroom.
“Of course I18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZzIGmy4DO
heard the rumors.” She said. He heard her feet hit the ground then followed him18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLwTlb8B1A
into the bathroom. He let the water run for a while before removing his clothes18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuloBrxgRE
and dropping them in a pile. “You have no shame huh?” He looked over his18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzdnTo87dB
shoulder to see her eyeing him up and down with a mischievous gleam in her18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9wxYSxwoh
eyes.
“The rumors, for18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOTjdgEpTb
the most part, are true, Julianna.” He said. “No good would come from getting18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUilGd1gHxi
too involved with me.”
“I’m not looking18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rI4HHCOWl
for anything serious.” She shrugged off her night gown. “I have an inn to run,18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4OxvbxDZX
but I think some thanks is an order and besides,” she looked below his waist.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rfZ7LbrU3
“I think you might like to blow off some steam as well.”
“Can’t really18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoGzuUaTqZ
argue with that logic.” He shrugged. He stepped aside then held out his hand to18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ5gj9Pn4L
help her into the tub.
She embraced him,18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XGR4vLADv
placing her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her face. He wrapped18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATCEAGNzHj
his arms around her waist and planted his lips onto hers. Their tongues flicked18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJZtZ2Py67
against one another as she opened her mouth inviting him deeper inside. Suddenly18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZKDs5FnYb
the lust he felt while being near Unna surfaced and he allowed himself to give18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejGfdWwHi2
into his base desires. At first Julianna was surprised, but after a moment she18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34fNAwV3aL
met him thrust for thrust. Their bodies mingled together as the haze overtook18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7lBKe00Ee
them, allowing their instincts to take over.
It was morning18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHR4WqkzBD
before Vander woke. Julianna had already gone, the spot on the bed still warm18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuRzDI3s8O
from where she had fallen asleep next to him. His body ached and he spotted18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FQrmIYfr7
several new scratches that he would have to do his best to hide lest his18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgPYKEU7Il
grandfather see them. He quickly pulled on his shirt, pants, and boots. Before18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc7rKAHRV2
he left he put on his jacket then grabbed his sword from the closet.
The bar had been18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIHUNabVwO
tidied up since last night’s shit show. The tables were back to where they had18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1RzgPu9hb
been and there were no signs of the fight at all, not even the blood that fell18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1UdJcFK8S
from Leon’s arm or Vander’s side. Julianna was behind the bar cleaning dishes. When18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6fzgzUExL
she heard him enter the bottom floor, she looked up, gave him a small smile,18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ap7IWwMhp
then went back to her work. He debated about getting something to eat, but he18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsvGuH25td
was already late to see his grandfather, so he decided to skip a warm meal and18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXviihW1rL
settle for something on the way.
The streets of18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGZOIBKPZ2
Eluvia were quiet this early in the morning. The sun hadn’t yet peaked over the18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8kL7OTwZw
horizon, so the streets were still dark, but gradually lightening. The furnace18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnU10Y5rD4
was on at the bakery a couple of streets over, so he knocked on the window and18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxn954qQzp
waved one of the workers over. A sweaty man unlocked the door then poked his18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjnD9aYeOX
head out.
“Sorry, we aren’t18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA5DvPPWYD
open yet.” He wiped his forehead.
“I just need a18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSMCSDBFqy
small roll,” Vander reached into his pocket to remove a silver coin. “Would you18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwp1ivSBIj
mind?” The man looked from the coin to Vander then back to the coin.
“Sure, we can18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsLzZK6Vyt
spare a roll for you.” He ducked back inside, making sure to lock the door just18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMBOGIObD1
in case Vander tried anything funny. He came a moment later with a hot roll18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4PdenKJO5
wrapped up in paper. “Here you go.” He held out the roll and the two of them18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mqnbRjzLG
made the trade. It was hot to the touch, it must have just come from the oven,18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM4EZEGjM8
but Vander didn’t mind. He happily handed over the coin and went on his way.
The guards let18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJzHJLYnzq
him pass without issues, though some of them gave him a pitying look which was18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNHJ4MzeNF
a little confusing, but he paid no mind. Bernard was waiting for him at the18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARZpG0IO99
bottom of the steps leading into the castle with his head bowed.
“Good to see you18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUdpg71lyW
Vander.” Bernard said.
“It hasn’t been18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbSiLUULOy
long since I was here.” Vander said. “Why are you being so polite?” Bernard18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFKKmHkbDN
straightened up making sure to fix his tie which had become crooked.
“When you didn’t18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0s93c1qxr
show up yesterday we feared the worst.” Bernard explained. “Leon explained that18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FilnPmPmG
you had attacked him and were wounded when he defended himself. Your18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cXEOzqPb9
grandfather was besides himself and Leon’s father wanted to hunt you down and18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMTjAT2Hj7
make you pay, but Peyton managed to calm him down.”
“Of course, that18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKsFJYNMdK
little bastard would lie about something like that.” Vander clenched his hands.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyrnPXusvF
“Where is my grandfather? Can I see him?”
“He’s up in his18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXAU1soCO0
office.” Bernard said. “I’m here to bring you to him, but I should warn you.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XbY92Wby1
Leon and his father are up there right now as well. Apparently they heard word18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbITOnWi2aL
you were coming and decided to wait. I am to take your sword please.” He held18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMqkDRyDLC
out his hand.
“Am I in trouble?” Vander unbuckled his sword and18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEl9UCHBrRj
handed it over to the King’s servant.
“Possibly, it18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPX0M6SVNT
really just depends how convincing you are.” Bernard slung the sword over his18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBojt21GpB5
shoulder then escorted Vander inside.
Along the hall18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmMZ11GZXQ
leading towards his grandfather’s room, there were Blades lined up against one18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09Ee15Rcvt
wall and soldiers against the other. The air was tense as the soldiers did18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZrhJ41YwC
their best to goad the Blades into attacking them, but it never worked. They18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjFRTlBMQs
fell silent as the two of them walked past, but several soldiers reached for18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqPDFrVO2D
their weapons as some form of veiled threat against him. The door to his18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lLzGUct01
grandfather’s office was flanked by another Captain, Leyta, an older Blade18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHGdB9QmnN
several classes ahead of Vander. Jefferey Jilena was standing next to her on18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBDRk4vjyJ
the other side of the door.
“Captain.” Leyta18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen669NXC8o
nodded. “He’s waiting for you inside.” She opened the door then stepped back.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH5MV3iMmM
Vander’s heart hammered in his chest as he stepped through.
“You’re a dead18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOCeUkiX8E
man Vander.” Leon said smugly. He was sitting in the chair across from Charles18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A1VZBgHl5
with the arm Shea had bitten in a sling. But Vander ignored him to stare at the18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Arl7o4PjX
man who was standing by the window with his arms crossed behind his back.
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“Before we start18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q46XdqTWZ
your removal from the Blades, perhaps you can enlighten us as to why you had18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsaOgE4fAn
your bitch of a dog injure my son.” Viggo Visc, the third most powerful man in18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33oNejMNnj
the country, turned around to face Vander. “Depending on your answer, her life18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT7KcsiWM2
will be forfeit.”
