Chapter 27
If you’ve never33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBjDTt7Rod
been inside the mind of a raven, you were missing out. They are one of the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hfoDJaUHQ
smartest birds in the world capable of remembering faces and understanding a33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8btP9BM8b3
semblance of human speech. However, when Vander was inside, he understood33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyya6SizRR
everything around him, knew what the bird knew, and could get into places he33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RF9OFhYlE
otherwise couldn’t. The only issue was if the consciousness of the creature he33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yw7cakeEQ
was inhabiting decided to fight back, he could be forcibly shoved back into his33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHADcmkr6H
own body or, in a worst-case scenario, he could be lost forever. However it was33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPHnGEIXsw
a risk he needed to take and so far, the raven wasn’t fighting him though he33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzO823gJU1
was angry. Vander had to promise him some food before he would finally settle33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ds66DDhEi
down.
Vander flapped33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktPoPZx8Qc
his wings then jumped from the rooftop. He caught an air current to glid over33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX6GNrTVvc
the heads of the gathered soldiers trying to keep the crowds back away from the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdx9wYwq5v
crime scene. Some of them had taken their spears butts to the citizens to get33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJZ5yfYlX4
them to stay away, but that made some of them angry. It took one of the Blades33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb2fwk9bOL
to come over to calm the crowd down before they calmed down enough, but they33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU8JFmMsXS
were still near the edge peering through just to see what was going on.
He found a perch33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxQB2EnaTx
on top of the house that would enable him to see his surroundings but also33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadQVypVtJY
listen to what was being said inside. He hopped forward, grabbing hold of the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgg2NYJmcv7
siding with his talons, and peered over the edge looking into the house via the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4deROsd1d
window above the door. If anyone looked above, they would have seen just his33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gC2iP1WJG
head and beady little eyes, but the occupants were too distracted by the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tD4OUt9vt
carnage he had left behind.
The blood had33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqh7z3RiI9
dried overnight, but the people inside walked over it as if it was. There was a33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsNPGRQcoT
medic inside making sure the bodies were dead. It wasn’t Topal, but one of his33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUV1hNa5aQ
students that Vander didn’t recognize. He was carefully checking the bodies33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUc1AFJiSy
then would nod to one of the soldiers who would then grab a buddy and together33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQHJUvjGVF
the two of them would bring one of the bodies outside. Then they would bring a33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTVpa7PmL6
tarp to place over the dead to hide them from the crowd. It happened six times33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTpBww7RZc
in total. Vander had to double take because he was sure that seven of them been33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ1SH7uTBW
killed, but after double counting then peering back inside, there was indeed33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt0WmFjPip
only six bodies. He would have to investigate that later.
He heard some of33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZfcPtkNNr
the guards talking inside. “What a waste of life.” One muttered to themselves.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQrNIQu0U6
“What do you think happened here?”
“We don’t get33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lZ0GJFBJI
paid to ask questions.” That other snorted. But he looked around nervously33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM7a1JgWD1
before whispering to his friend. “I bet it was that traitorous Blade that did33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrslRTw0kT
this.” The other guard looked warily at his friend.
“How do you33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7RUdNr0xU
figure?”
“One of these33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFJjD8HoI6
people had their throat completely ripped out.” The other explained. “That’s33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZOMnB5ZOC
not possible without a lot of strength. I’ve only ever seen animals do that and33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifnqIMefMs
I don’t think a bear came into down, slaughtered six people, then left never to33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOl8HnyXBz
be seen again.”
“I guess that33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42pI6ESEhz
makes sense.” The second guard didn’t sound convinced, however. “But why would33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAj26AMIrOt
he come here to kill these people? It makes no sense.”
“Like killing the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XAmzi9zB3
King made sense?” the first guard spat. “The sooner we find this guy, the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KcCMclwew
sooner we can bury him. Bastard deserves to hang for what he did.” Unknown to33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwSd4ZPE1G
all involved, they failed to notice a squad of Blades coming up behind them.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0xr24VR13
Vander looked up to see Alexander coming with a few Blades Vander didn’t33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG5T4tpgvl
recognize. They were likely from one of the squads that came with the Warden’s.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXWBSsZ5TZ
He couldn’t help but wonder where the recruits went.
Alex looked like33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIdpYEhGPi
shit. His eyes were sunken in, and he had allowed his beard to grow long and33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSUjdlpjM0
thick. His clothes were unkept, despite Blade regulation, but his eyes were33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IF9lt5kqi
still sharp. He had come in at the tail end of the guard’s conversation, so he33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69dIjnxI6m
let himself be known by growling right behind them.
“If you two have33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPKkwCCc0Q
time to gossip, you have time to stand investigate the house.” He spoke.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhmwbyY1lT
Normally his size and demeanor were enough to get most men to do what he33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YkJSfceAn
wanted, but that didn’t seem to work here.
“You’re not in33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBp6SHU8IZ
charge of us, Blade.” The first guard hissed. The way he said it made Vander33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMJdflzazO
angry. It appears he wasn’t the only one as the Blades with Alex went for their33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCitXV44I3
swords. They stayed their hand once Alex motioned for them to stop. “We don’t33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucTIAVKe8A
take orders from those who let the King die.”
“You’ll take33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBDeDvc9ri
orders from me whether you like it or not.” Alex’s voice was calm, but he was33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr6FKuoIU9
seconds away from violently lashing out. Vander could tell based on how he33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmVWJTMWWb
clenched his hand. “Until the King decrees otherwise you will help us find33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiEJpZR66n
Vander and bring him in.”
“Our General says33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxWhmP86BG
otherwise.” The second guard said. “We are only here as per our duty, but after33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX3SDq6l0y
the bodies are taken out, you’re on your own.”
“Coward.” One of33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTlAnryH0c
the Blade’s spat. At that insult, the two guards drew their weapons as did the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzEPcwAG79
guards who were supposed to be keeping the crowd back.
“That wasn’t very33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4ZtkINkZK
smart of you.” The first guard growled. “You’re surrounded and outnumbered.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClHOiw9bAQ
What’s another dead Blade in the grand scheme of things?”
“Enough of this.”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXknxxEkI1
Alex’s voice bellowed out. He turned towards the Blade who let his emotions get33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9rFn6wH4p
the better of him. “Apologize so we can get on with our days.”
“But…” Alex’s33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwtLxu0NRP
glare dried the excuse in the poor man’s throat. He lowered his head, but not33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7hAJsJjjU
his eyes, and muttered a quick apology. Knowing better than to start a scene,33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7vS8dznjE
the guard accepted it, but kept his eyes firmly rooted on Alex as he sheathed33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKwxz71Emf
his Blade.
“You have minutes33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhjNS7USlW
to get what you need the clear out.” The guard said. “This is our33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lEvP3kflX
investigation, not yours.”
“I understand, we33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0POOC4C8qO
will be quick.” Nodding to the others, they dispersed. Some of them headed33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBkMNgFBct
inside to look around while two of them checked the dead bodies. Alex stayed33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivbxeiOgT5
outside surveying the crowd. Suddenly Vander was very happy that he had picked33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8uLN03EtO
the raven to take over instead of going into the crowd himself. He knew that no33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NuSxNHCWr
matter the disguise, Alex would be able to tell who he was.
One of the Blades33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgyQmzFnwZ
outside called over to Alex. He quicky rushed over. Vander could catch some33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXV2iy4B9pE
words of that passed between the two of them. They commented about one of them33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5w1NULtfK
having their throat ripped out, which Alex admitted was likely Vander’s doing.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ehEizfXQy
However, the intriguing part was when the two of them discovered snake tattoos33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqTXVf1EfG
on all their arms. Alex nodded to himself before stepping away calling the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRu56gPWCA
guards back to take the bodies away. He then went inside to see what the others33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ssB1rFJBI
may or may not have found.
Vander couldn’t33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL8tiKHsDj
really tell what was being said inside. They were talking low to one another33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6ASrOCmQC
while looking at a scroll that they discovered shoved inside the table. Vander33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQQ3IqPYaq
shifted slightly to get a better view. It looked like a map of the city, but it33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooZs9lnCNr
wasn’t anything that he recognized. He would need to get his talons on that33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJftnLgqCYC
scroll, but there was nothing he could do about it now. He would have to try to33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNjAyZoNaY
take it from his friend at some point in time. Vander heard a squawk coming33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnZ0NkykIi
from behind him. He turned around to see a large, angry raven flapping behind33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLON0e0Uoo
him. He was instantly filled with fear from the raven he was inhabiting. He33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ2FSNAVav
guessed the two of them had an issue before which caused the raven, he33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsrAoaLNy9
inhabited to flee afraid.
As the other33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ20XduATh
raven attacked, Vander pushed himself out of the body and back into his own.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYgIgaZ2df
The sudden jolt to being back in a human being, on the ground, caused him to33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEasqTKBnT
violently throw himself over so he could vomit onto the cobblestone instead of33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnWvzybJVc
onto his clothing. He looked up to see the two birds entwined in a death grip33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpO6XEOBjm
violently stabbing and clawing at each other. The smaller one he had been apart33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAuxh4Xf3K
from was losing, but his pride didn’t allow him to quit. He had to do33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvk89w34ec
something, so he grabbed a rock.
He popped out33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡia4Vnizxdl
from behind his hiding spot then launched the rock at the bigger bird. With a33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIL7gefuUgT
cry, the big raven fell to the ground stunned, possibly dead. The sudden rock33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFF89FFqwt
being thrown combined with the dropped bird causing some members of the crowd33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTFiQrOcWu
to turn towards him. Some were confused, but a couple recognized him.
“It’s the King33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQMVgQ5lNI
killer!” one of them shouted, pointing at him. Some of the guards began33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoJ1BrkvCR
shouting to pass, but the crowd pushed forward.
“Someone grab33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkufpAeAPCr
him!” Two citizens lunged forward, but Vander jumped backwards. He grabbed a33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LDexotB8I
box then threw it at someone who had broken through hitting them right in the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOv0pQ5v2i
face. Vander backed up towards the wall then jumped up, grabbing the top with33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QXlfaQuWm
his hand to haul himself over. Before he disappeared, he locked eyes with Alex33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDp3iJRgk4
before disappearing.
He heard shouting33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoSp9XeRDC
coming from behind him, but he wasted no time running back towards the gate33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J4UQfYcMY
which would lead him into Lower Eluvia. He just had to make it there before he33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw0x4tahiY
was caught then everything would be okay. What he didn’t realize though was33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzcLf3y22G
that the road he was running down intersected with the road that mob was coming33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxN3Dk58YS
down. He heard them running towards him, which caused him to run as fast as he33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jTql4uUQi
could. Tragically he ended up running into another group of guards who had33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq1sdjW1OG
heard the commotion.
“Well look who we33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2nzgs8e1R
have here?” One of them grinned. A metal fist came flying towards Vander’s33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl9mDw0YYQ
face. It hit his jaw sending waves of pain throughout his mouth, likely33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh5qBvtZjx
knocking a couple of teeth loose. He fell to the ground, but scrambled33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpK1h0OAiI
backwards as the guards drew their swords.
“Did you know33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56fyU6MAj8
there is a bounty on your head?” one asked with an evil glint in his eyes. “The33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGG2HvdFV2
Jilena family has offered quite the reward for your head.” Vander looked at the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPtSnNYSx4
group confused. He didn’t know why the Jilena family cared so much about the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgc7dcSdDC
king’s murder that they would go against Cuvera’s wishes. He didn’t have to33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCdSBvL51h
wonder long as the guards were apparently quite chatty.
“They are blaming33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNFNIkL33A
you for the death of their youngest son.” Vander’s blood ran cold. Jeffery was33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jIxLVzf7R
dead? But he had let him go, there was no reason for him to be killed.
“I had no reason33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHwNXJiwbO
to kill him.” Vander argued.
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“Rumor has it33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sWoqc9vhq
that he tried to stop you, so you ran him through.” The guard shrugged. “Makes33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuPaTexzVi
no difference to me. With the money we will finally be able to retire in33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa9mlHMf6e
peace.” Vander scooted backwards as the guards lunged towards him with their33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCn1SVEzIOW
swords readied to skewer him.
