Chapter 8
Bernard grumbled in the corner as12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Cr2YOLnCA
he cleaned the vomit from off his shoe. Another servant had been summoned to12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhpLoTDrKL
clean up the mess while Vander was given some water to drink. The rancid smell12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LjcFx9QPC
from the King’s chest hadn’t left his nose and it was making him woozy.
“What happened in here?” Peyton12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6whKUPRDXX
asked. Topal spent some time explaining everything that the two of them had12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHExibcUay1
discovered while Vander hugged the bucket.
“So, there were two things put12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4MwYFFAok
together that caused this mess.” Bernard sighed. “Is there anyway to cure him?”
“Doctor.” Vander closed his mouth12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKXoTh01GE
to keep the bile from coming out. “I need you to start making the remedy for12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHFaSurdBe
him, please.” He wheezed. “I don’t think I can take much more of the smell.” He12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1LCojKRNO
pulled a trash bucket closer to him just in case he needed it.
“I’ve never dealt with his kind of12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82loywje2v
poison before.” Topal shook his head. “I have no idea how to fix it. You12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK4wJkOfVE
figured it out, do you have any notion?” Vander closed his eyes allowing the12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhwBPHcxou
smell to envelope him. Despite being the Deity of Beasts, Unna’s gifts came12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHym0d0txM
with another perk. It allowed him to work wonders with poisons and their cures,12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVq5ascYPm4
a leftover from how close she is with her aunt, Lyshena.
“We need something to strengthen12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfYJv8efov
and clear his lungs.” Vander’s voice sounded far away. “Take some wild12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH76h7MN74G
cherries, horehound, and mullein, then boil a pot of boiling sea water. All the12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0CYrluDrI
King to inhale the vapors until he coughs out all the black goo covering his12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIoYReGJoA
lungs. To wake him up, you will need to soak him in a tub filled with more salt12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOicn4wNpec
water and lavender extract. He should recover.” Vander slumped forward then12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksegVdFS2I
jerked to the left filling the bucket with more vomit.
“Are you sure?” Bernard asked.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnobT2wxTJ
“That seems like a very simple remedy for something like this.”
“It’s not simple at all.” Topal12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlx4DoICKjV
shook his head. “I never would have thought to sting these together to cure a12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO5MMijMeq
poison. I would have looked for a cure all and likely would have flailed around12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJo02V8Z70
while he died under my care.”
“Are you blessed by Lyshena?”12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8IRk8AbvU
Bernard asked. He checked over his shoe before grunting in appreciation. He12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFXxSRp5Hj
might have been a stick in the mud, but he knew how to clean up. “That’s the12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqh8TWfqAr
only way this would make sense.”
“You can’t tell anyone about12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33Sdl2xbRp
this.” Vander said. He shared a knowing glance with Topal. “He doesn’t want12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oEJen699q
special treatment because of who he is blessed by, I hope you will keep the12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRNI78QCJ5
secret.”
“If it helps me save Malcolm’s12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42XLUALzRZ
life, I will keep this secret to the grave.” Topal smiled. “And if Bernard12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4Nnrr8Lru
doesn’t, I know how to get rid of a body.” Bernard choked on his saliva,12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLscvpltFQk
coughing until his face turned bright red.
“That’s uncalled for.” He laughed.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72AFqCgOIs
“I can keep a secret; you don’t have to worry about me.” There was quick knock12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCjuQapGl1
before Charles opened the door to slip back inside.
“What did you find out?” Vander12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6BrCrZ0nE
got up from the table to stand by his grandfather.
“No one has seen the taste tester12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViitji7zqM
since the night the King fell ill.” Charles explained. “We should go down to12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiFChSj6CI
the servants’ quarters and check up on him.”
“I forgot,” Bernard snapped his12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RB4E35apy
fingers. “There was a third person with me to visit Malcolm, a new servant.”
“Why didn’t you mention this12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAXeOfit5P
before?” Peyton turned to the man anger rising in his voice.
“I didn’t think he was important.”12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi32ldByf30
Bernard shot back. “I just remembered I left the tea in his hands while I12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PC319Ap6F
opened the door. I didn’t think there was enough time for him to slip something12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6VworqDJO
into it, but, thinking back on it, he had it long enough to slip something into12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX3M6jDesG
it. How much was needed to poison the King?”
“A small amount, any amount.”12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5Z5ARcwhR
Vander said. “As long as it was ingested at the same time as the ocecrest, it12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiqy59dEzD
would have done the trick.”
“Do you know who it was?” Charles12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubFBpQ7zNj
asked. “The name of the servant?”
“The king likes to meet any new12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp8Qpp5D70
worker to get their story as well as their struggle.” Bernard folded his arms12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Xa33vZLpN
over his chest. “I believe his name was Nigel. He should be living in the same area12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4sTQqdvlr
as the tester who is named Ulysses. I will help Topal get the items needed to12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGZlNvzlJr
cure the King, you find the people that could be responsible for this.”
“Let’s go, Vander.” Charles went12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJHZbV05Ng
to help Vander up, but he clutched the bucket and emptied the rest of his12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNhC8kwfjJ
stomach contents inside.
“Get him out of here.” Bernard12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyAA5ie2wZ
looked quite green himself, so Charles pulled Vander outside, making sure to12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhPm2575Uj
leave the bucket in the room.
Vander was grateful for the fresh12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVxY8upyqV
air that being in the hallway brought. He leaned up against the wall breathing12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAQUmmfBWM
its cool crisp air. Charles looked at him sadly. “I never knew how much this12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7L3fNxKDz
curse affected you. Seeing you like this just-“
“Don’t worry about it, Gramps.” He12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSMhMu34nD
pushed off from the wall then clasped his grandfather’s shoulder. “It has more12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrdpb0pos5
perks than drawbacks. Let’s get going.”
As he walked, the feeling of12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UvrN0m4Da
becoming himself gradually returned. Chanelling the abilities of Unna, no12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS2C2nHJdp
matter how small, always took it out of him, but this was the first time he12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVjhlmBMXT
felt quite so rough afterwards. He was going to have to do something that would12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUUQQvu61M
return the blessing she had given him, but she didn’t accept anything other12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTScCOYcIAw
than sex or a blood sacrifice. He didn’t want to bring Julianna back into this,12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH0yb044QT
so the only other option was to visit the pits, something he avoided as much as12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡep97TPSfK0
possible, but if he didn’t he could lose more than just his mind by ignoring12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYd9F7QksD3
the deities’ needs. It had happened before when he was younger, and it couldn’t12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJiS75x5kc
happen again.
Charles had told12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQZo9lLaRG
him what had been going on since the past month or so within the Kingdom. Many12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DAsbsC1bG
of the Blades had been dispatched to the Warden’s to bring them here, which was12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzipEiygppU
the main reason there were more soldiers guarding the keep recently. The soldiers12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1sugQ1jlY
were on high alert and were making everyone uncomfortable, but they were doing12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMuR1jCABj
their job, not willing to risk the wrath of the King if anything went wrong.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBHiEJS8va
Merchants came from all over to offer their services to the crown ranging from12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0UZemo5Yd
food to decorations and, in some instances, jewelry for the eventual Queen. A12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgR2BnCxYC
lot of those were centered within the Grand Ballroom.
They arrived at12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktZdaH1dB3
the Grand Ballroom where many of the servants were stationed for the next few12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLycmTsgoBQ
days as they prepared for the prince and his new bride’s arrival. It appears12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsBOxvnGQY
the kingdom was spared to expense for this extravagant part as everyone of12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkptdjyzqx
importance from all over the Kingdom was visiting, The walls on the left half12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXvsbq3aP1
were being draped in brilliant red and gold banners with Atza’s symbol, the12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kpTxvZjKY
lioness with a golden crown on her head. The right half was being draped with12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHN7Iwk2T7
cool blue and white banners with Humjir’s symbol, and the Elan family crest, a12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvjfCmawgj
white dove with an olive crown on its head. The symbolic nature of the marriage12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0XP2mTQla
between two rival countries wasn’t lost on anyone and they were taking great12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13cOntmEv3
care not to offend either deity.
“Where should we12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCazOlKkEs
start?” Charles looked around the room with a troubled expression on his face. There12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEklnDRxw2A
were too many people to question as they were looking for two people, albeit12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUG6uU51FL
important, but around here, anyone could disappear if they wished it. Vander12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NxicLV2xv
spotted the servant who seemed to be in charge, an older gray-haired woman12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC8KJdzz96
holding a clipboard, quill, and bottle of ink. There were two other servants12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IfuMV0DkX
standing next to her ready to carry out her orders.
“We start with12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVr24C3E7S
her.” Vander nodded towards his grandfather.
“With Beatrice?”12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMH5nl2a6t
Charles frowned. “She is Bernard’s right hand and his sister. If anyone knew12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxP9kJhPO6
where those two are, it would be here. Let’s go talk to her.” The two of them12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv3NWYL0ZS
walked over as she started yelling orders:
“Make sure those12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7ds7pBPof
banners are crease free,” she snapped. “I won’t have this place looking unkept12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOVI4xn1Vy
for when the prince and princess arrive.” She turned around to see two female12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ291FCUrCzk
servants leaning up against the wall whispering to each other. “You two, if you12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCe9rSgyAt
are done for the day you can go home, and I’ll dock your pay!”
“Sorry ma’am.”12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstLdri1iMB
They curtsied then went back to folding their napkins.
“As for you two.”12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLfqRfyECf
She didn’t even turn around to greet them. “What can I do for the Blades this12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOzcXT0wgk
morning? As you can see I am quite busy so make this quick.”
“We are looking12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOe6mfbk6N
for two servants and we are wondering if you have seen them around?” She looked12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18faeAi2Xi
up at Vander from under her wire rimmed glasses.
“I’ve seen many12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6rgUXcmpr
servants, be more specific.” She demanded.
“Nigel and12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu26eU8qsY
Ulysses.” She clicked her tongue, but then quickly scribbled a note then handed12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1L3IwY5Tf
it over to the servant next to her. “Bring this to the baker quickly. I forgot12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cbXKdDtt5
she needed our order.”12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaELuyRgLM
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHO6Y5jbR2
“Yes12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriLHJmmHax
ma’am.” The servant bowed then scurried away.
“I haven’t seen12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHzYsDyZrl
Ulysses for a couple of weeks, something about being sick.” She explained. “I12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4SWdSob09
sent for the doctor, but there was nothing he could do for him. As for Nigel,12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Fj781x3ls
he should be in the kitchen helping the cooks. Why?”
“Thank you.”12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevIQdm9QHA
Vander and Charles ran towards the door that would lead downstairs and towards12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKeMfDeZEx
the kitchen leaving a confused Beatrice standing behind them.
“Blades.” she12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIZ0SxMIuV
muttered. She looked around to see more of her servants standing around, so she12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaGRR9k5UN
walked over towards them.
“Do you think12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIi8bHSnGW
Ulysses is dead?” Charles asked once he knew they were out of ear shot.
“He might not12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXDohghtsv
have had enough of the poison to render him comatose, but he could still get12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bpd0iq9PR
deathly ill from it.” Vander explained. “But let’s find Nigel first since he is12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlJY0XiDGe
the one we suspect of the poison.”
“How do you want12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKTX2D43J9
to handle this?”
“You go in and12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RRvyj7Trk
talk to him.” Vander said. “He should be a little intimidated of you and if12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHviaCFisl
cornered, he will likely try to run. I will be there to keep him from escaping.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVt9qUYpuV
There is no telling what he might do, so be on your guard.”
“I know how to12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoi1Tnd6ngE
handle myself.” Charles scoffed. “You just worry about yourself.”
The two of them12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlatootRiYx
made their way down towards the kitchens which you had to pass through to get12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4tmfNxsie
to the servants’ quarters. There were other ways of getting there, but this was12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKgZRpNKcv
the most direct way from the King’s quarters. Despite the castle being large,12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfeO7jbnJ9
based on the sheer number of servants required, it wasn’t feasible to give them12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBG1wds0mU
their own room. Often there would be two or sometimes three servants per room12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9qpOBARx1
segregated based on gender, thought nighttime activities between them wasn’t12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLG9LUzK79
uncommon.
As they made12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIz5BulbgKB
their way into the kitchen, the head chef, known because of her oversized hat,12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAIALKinGP
was looking down at a piece of parchment with a quill in her hands. The others12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7aQKOzknr
were bustling around her trying not to draw attention to themselves as they12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwboc8e7Hl
worked. It looked as though they were preparing for lunch as several of them12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFzREdlLSx
were chopping up raw pieces of meat on the counter while others were collecting12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6eIaX0nOz
vegetables to go into a stew. The two of them walked straight through, not even12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2y0c5nBQm
bothering to greet the chef as they made their way towards the servant’s area.
As soon as the12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopQUrLVAPX
saw the first door, Vander knew they had hit a roadblock. The doors weren’t12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYGIMOQ9gK
labeled or named. They had no way of knowing which room belonged to Nigel or12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDswwQVFYs
Ulysses. Charles stood there frowning; how did they not know the quarters were12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDQzEm6HeJ
like this? It was a major blunder, but perhaps not all was lost. Vander tried12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7N0s4CoVm
each door to see if it was locked. Servants weren’t allowed to lock their doors12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2yFaVBNy2
if they were needed, but he figured if one of them needed to hide something,12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xqAngDVdg
they wouldn’t leave the door open for all to see. It was a huge gamble, but by12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kdzcOtYSp
the time he got to the last door, it paid off. It was locked and he could smell12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaA4TCPHa6
something rip coming from inside.
“Watch the12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyxNFN075r
kitchen for me.” Vander whispered to his grandfather. Charles nodded his head12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSrTtmdh7o
then used his frame to block the view. Testing the door one more time just to12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlihK3gxwok
make sure it was locked; Vander shoulder checked the door several times until12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjB3ItWxill
he heard the latch break. Rubbing his aching shoulder, he kicked the remainder12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDo1afdekb
open until it was hanging sideways. That’s when the full weight of rotting12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfILt42iAed
human hit him so hard he puked for the fourth time today. Charles heard him and12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZAvNKdJjV
came racing over.
“What in the name12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqhf13dS67
of Humjir is this?” Lying on one of the beds was a servant, Vander’s guess was12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHpCRi0xRg
Ulysses, who didn’t fare as well ingesting the poison because no one was12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkWESLZ37W
looking for him. His body had swelled up in death and his face was deep purple.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7x9gkJhJn
He was shirtless showing off a physique that wasn’t normal for the serving12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPfowObPnx
class with scars crisscrossing his body. There still appeared to be evidence12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHmE9HwLTt
that someone was still living in this room despite the stench due to the empty12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oxnCsA0RM
plate with food that had molded, and clothing rumpled in the corner. How anyone12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dqgxmeLVX
could live like this was beyond him.
“Vander go get12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1tvjaNoNv
someone to seal off this room before you puke over anything else.” Charles12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESS1TFq9fm
ordered. Thankfully for being allowed to leave he did as he was asked. Some of12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNrgXwCOfP
the servants who were on break were crowding the hallway curious to see what12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4TEbXkP7V
was going on.
“Clear out of the12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAVSYyXKSp
way.” Vander shouted. “Someone grab Blades who are walking around and tell them12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JvEpRlLlG
to come here.” When no one moved, he was forced to use his authority. “Now!” He12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowFWQlLxPN
screamed. They scattered to do as they were ordered, but one stayed behind. He12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfq4SOiemEo
was a tall man, muscular, with brown hair and green eyes. Upon seeing Vander,12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZxrg7mf14
he froze.
“What are you12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2eWenqRwn
doing down there?” he asked.
“Are you Nigel?”
“What’s it to12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMQNLXIuJz
you?” he asked.
“As Captain of12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3MKUY7wOR
the Blades I am detaining you as a suspect in the murder of Ulysse’s.” he said.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9PoABzpX3
“Stay right there.” As a surprise to no one, Nigel bolted back the way he came.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKe8gDXLgL
Cursing to himself, Vander vaulted over the counter to give chase leaving a very12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQh2NdmXH6C
irate chef picking up her paper covered in ink.
Nigel was fast.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHUtNIAFam
He raced through the halls, ducking into doorways, and changing directions like12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrj71WrYwv
some intimately familiar with the castle layout. It was one of the times Vander12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGas9ChdBk
wished he had brought Shea with him despite the risk, but for now he was on his12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqybpfJqhV7
own. He knew that he was faster, but all of today’s activities were beginning12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0a1Nh4cmyL
to take its toll on him. He was feeling weak and sluggish, but he didn’t dare12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk3wegthUe
let Nigel get away, not when he held such vital clues. But no one knew the12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg17S9Ojpmh
castle better than he did, so once he recognized where Nigel was going, the12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVyk3AEce8
gardens, Vander took a left up a flight of stairs. It leads to a balcony with12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF8nIbiGnm
open space which would give him the opportunity he needed. Once he saw that he12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMO4m5UPJO
and Nigel were neck and neck, he willed his body forward, borrowing some energy12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BSfecbzKe
from Unna, then launched himself off the balcony and down towards Nigel.
The two of them12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU8d3eIehK
collided and Vander was sent flying into the garden itself landing on a bush.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zXtrcMfxu
If it had been the ground he would have been in trouble, but the worst he’d12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaJIU6EvvQ
have now was a couple of bruises on his back. He got to his feet then placed12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaJ4tfXx0w
his hand on the hilt of his sword. Nigel was groaning out in pain, slowly12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskTIh6yfsI
trying to get to his, but the hit he had just taken must have taken all the12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bxCRlAlho
fight out of him.
“Alright, I’ll12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2sv5P69De
come with you.” he gasped. Vander hauled him to his feet.
“Why did you have12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAMjUP2ENd
to make this more difficult for yourself?” Vander asked.
“Because they12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rhw3dxIZF
will kill me if I talk.” Nigel groaned. Vander shoved him up against the wall.
“Who will?”
“You don’t know12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfYXmEFAJX
them.” Nigel grabbed his arm. “They will kill everyone I love, and they are in12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUA8TT8c7M
places of power you could only dream of.” His eyes widened as he stared at12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkBNIyTfrF
someone standing behind them. “No.” Vander turned around, but something whizzed12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnvjeUGNRh
right past his face. He felt something wet hit the side of his face. He turned12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a0GlKavqc
around to see Nigel gurgling blood with two knives embedded in his throat. His12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa63gt7vkL6
eyes grew wide as he mouthed the words: Run. He slumped to the ground dead.
“That wasn’t12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IoxZsMIT2
smart.” Vander turned to face the assassin. They were wearing all black and12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwyVkfNN1h
their faces were covered. They held two more knives in their hands along with a12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVVdGbN9Le
sword strapped to their backs. “Now you’re going to have to answer the12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJdrslBwOG
questions meant for him.” They tilted their heads but gripped the knives12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tg2zb2dap
tightly. He made the first move. He drew12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFwDUoStq8
his sword as he charged them. The assassin just brought their knives up to12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioVT8h3Wiu
deflect the shot. Their leg shot out hitting Vander in the knuckles causing him12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5sLgWHiMB
to yell out in pain then drop his sword.
He didn’t let12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxpd7Icd8N
that stop him. He grabbed their wrist to keep one of the knives away from his12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnFTqEwNkO
body. Using his strength, he squeezed the wrist until they were forced to let12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfvj3CL3zY
the knife go, then he brought his shoulder into their chest and threw them over12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzpheDfAVs
his back and onto the ground. However, their feet landed squarely protecting12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6PnVhTm2o
them from hitting the cobblestone. In his surprise, Vander didn’t react quick12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SOUI1s8Yi
enough when they flipped over him then wrapped their legs around his neck then12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRaSZpCXdN
began raining elbows on top of his head. He brought his arms up to deflect12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ByI4bXO1p
before deciding to charge into the wall. The assassin didn’t let up even as he12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1Uj9OUoCO
jumped off the wall and landed on the ground. He heard the crack of their back12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tRzaKx9Rl
as they landed, and their legs eased up their assault. Vander coughed and12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3QetfZIMd
wheezed as he massaged his throat to breathe.
“Enough of this.”12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsbafhg1Q6
The assassin groaned, but steadily made their way to their feet. They had a12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdpwNtc9FS
soft voice, almost feminine, which confused him. He remembered the voice, but12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGPkoepDXT
he couldn’t tell from where. They drew the sword from their back and held it in12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QIpQ9ivry
Vander’s face. “I was supposed to leave you, but you’ve pissed me off enough.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjus84kWzp
Die.” They lunged at him, but they left an opening for Vander to roll to the12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCJ5xccLYT
side to grab his sword. He brought it up just in time to deflect the strike the12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5Vr8Pi0Bs
assassin aimed at him. He punched their ribs causing them to stumble sideways.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjbIdWkRyO
He then swept out their legs causing them to again fall on their back.
Two blurs sped12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziTOpjV1NV
out from their hand, and he was barely quick enough to dodge. He could smell12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiouvLUnZ76
the poison emanating from them and he knew those weren’t something he wanted to12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZZkrdOeSa
get hit by. They got to their feet, but he could tell that they had been12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9duGZz7Ho
injured.
“Come with me.”12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiPWzmxNdz
He said. “I can protect you.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yFpo0pbAz
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2WlXQInei
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5l8FLeXMD
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7idN62oMjO
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmES1QA3fv
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64pXrTVINR
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFp4X3A2aqk
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g5CaTgr2z
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN2aStPWet
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9BPVf00ZL
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA3ceNcO3F
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXLTfnTe7A
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVjJwPDuEo
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGeF3JzTMY
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFP0XO8CVG
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCxa1mAO51
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0n6SEmxB7t
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX7SHfRrzp
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWY6k1lKRBA
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rOtzwRlpz
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyJNS3HC4D
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Dl2ywmvgg
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhe4YUdHwv
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IfovmvBZh
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kaabWiyth
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoufN6JrGH
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxvvaPOxyU
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pFWJR47pw
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVApDijQRE
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4fLrgenf5
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdjFRBtE54
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpTlDoADti
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6KYTueIYR
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYRdAAmpwk
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIIovV4G25
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgIt0rv4Yp
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrzfX6LWNR
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PGDvea4HA
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnmFLbYXmd
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1jd3xSZkU
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8nfqaMDag
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94GbfWCCz3
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQ3t6cDA9X
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tCq3BHfW7
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMe60PZyVu
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9W3GPIpHk
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDUAOwbgMQ
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqISA82cGQ
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ036kzBD1gE
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkloKCmMRC
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbYfok6NAa
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfC9WK8qzM
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKjbUvRrsO
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhmUV6g7lU
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXt6MFfp8p
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N4y5aNJDN
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYwTdLjt38
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyfDIw9YgB
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3tF9um7UH
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ6Bu5rmfX
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTZif6jRC7
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5iMdSVKDH
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdq1KLbf4t
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUr3RukNzX
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6NnCEt1p3
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRzSfSBZM7
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL1mEnnrIR
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoLYUeRfT5
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaFABohBKi
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNm9INJePE
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sj2TNqdLU
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYeAmXK4cI
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTDfCO6ibM
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8UxTHmDh5
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWoDXoMPHv
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZKffMcjNi
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2BJkqldYH
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZUH0xjquD
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFnBY5iPH9
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFWBua43CJ
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06STmBYLn3
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VMhBveHrt
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3NdsmlGpZ
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ8YgIeQHP
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnuifZ5NAY
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHUD7kPogh
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWXTYekeUk
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8MRlHH9KE
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFOs8pG7Oz
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtQLKv5v2w
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiHbpy6HuW
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqPpIkRatJ
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSwkXZ0bim
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sF0sVJN76
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAze5RS7Ba
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLibhcoMLhj
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao7P67GI47
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6KPTmfqyz
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8AtIlRBok
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZTnOLBSSp
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYnevMxDYw
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4woab1nC9
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdL1k2N0eiA
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJAFOsYMgY
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vmQlcajm7
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8355i8ig3
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHa5TgH20am
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUXSmC4vDG
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxzdVKIX4l
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hyY9Q6qn7
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMKdGDVg4M
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxtpd2yLXa
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK19otoi0wk
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhFzJBOG1K
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJAoDcgx8i
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtszxAe67Ud
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUUgv6e1qt
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BhvJw6zja
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyMUey0nI8
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxGgqFT6vN
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwzr3iZpK8
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9s31RjgFd
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsoWAxdoan
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpNIbsfbNb
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztiQFSu3gH
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6RXTHt5B8
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX0iDEjjw4
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS37Lo34fDI
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26vTJEuaNb
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2sB3TXfNM
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGwGkxBrhA
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoAfXk1R6C
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT47RLtA8mW
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDdTyQrbQb
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzIpU5b5xl
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkQ7Vd2qOk
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe8EwtOUdA
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHo5xGQ9sFM
“I don’t need12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvrQ6BKNie
your protection, Blade.” They hissed. “Eluvia has taken everything from me and12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9SZp984Q2
soon, we will take everything from you.” The removed a small capsule from their12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPrSv0b5FN
pocket and smashed it on the ground. Black smoke erupted from inside causing12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7yNxUmwyg
Vander to violently cough and fall to his knees. He tried to run out of the12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGY9LaEcoEj
smoke, but his legs were leaden. The last thing he saw before passing out was12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9hI4hE5ii
the assassin jumped into the garden and disappearing from the sight.
