Chapter 8
Bernard grumbled in the corner as13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HsnHuywks
he cleaned the vomit from off his shoe. Another servant had been summoned to13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4cBrUBbkU
clean up the mess while Vander was given some water to drink. The rancid smell13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMthctRkoKE
from the King’s chest hadn’t left his nose and it was making him woozy.
“What happened in here?” Peyton13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbJBwAoUyV
asked. Topal spent some time explaining everything that the two of them had13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XDiofemPs
discovered while Vander hugged the bucket.
“So, there were two things put13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi95CrzHUn
together that caused this mess.” Bernard sighed. “Is there anyway to cure him?”
“Doctor.” Vander closed his mouth13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr7vLq49O0
to keep the bile from coming out. “I need you to start making the remedy for13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucqO5aXzY8
him, please.” He wheezed. “I don’t think I can take much more of the smell.” He13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI1Nl72eH3
pulled a trash bucket closer to him just in case he needed it.
“I’ve never dealt with his kind of13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPsi9oGCKk
poison before.” Topal shook his head. “I have no idea how to fix it. You13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOgF1ZXAMP
figured it out, do you have any notion?” Vander closed his eyes allowing the13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF6cG557Pa
smell to envelope him. Despite being the Deity of Beasts, Unna’s gifts came13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe8wxdnfmy
with another perk. It allowed him to work wonders with poisons and their cures,13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbR9guBnyK
a leftover from how close she is with her aunt, Lyshena.
“We need something to strengthen13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxMEQBboBP
and clear his lungs.” Vander’s voice sounded far away. “Take some wild13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9F0X39XMjp
cherries, horehound, and mullein, then boil a pot of boiling sea water. All the13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNmUXtUgLP
King to inhale the vapors until he coughs out all the black goo covering his13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDGB3bIaVC
lungs. To wake him up, you will need to soak him in a tub filled with more salt13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgTTQDswvQ
water and lavender extract. He should recover.” Vander slumped forward then13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y980AedPT
jerked to the left filling the bucket with more vomit.
“Are you sure?” Bernard asked.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc6v2YuXJw
“That seems like a very simple remedy for something like this.”
“It’s not simple at all.” Topal13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdpyzLAlht
shook his head. “I never would have thought to sting these together to cure a13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8j9UPCtz7
poison. I would have looked for a cure all and likely would have flailed around13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYKa4YQTt2
while he died under my care.”
“Are you blessed by Lyshena?”13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHUzlSYNq7
Bernard asked. He checked over his shoe before grunting in appreciation. He13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRonWRNGE9
might have been a stick in the mud, but he knew how to clean up. “That’s the13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqKivwhVEP
only way this would make sense.”
“You can’t tell anyone about13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sbaJXDqxg
this.” Vander said. He shared a knowing glance with Topal. “He doesn’t want13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzKvn7nfp6
special treatment because of who he is blessed by, I hope you will keep the13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznzhrCizMo
secret.”
“If it helps me save Malcolm’s13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyION5lNC3
life, I will keep this secret to the grave.” Topal smiled. “And if Bernard13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLwRncF8NK
doesn’t, I know how to get rid of a body.” Bernard choked on his saliva,13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj53mD9X2W
coughing until his face turned bright red.
“That’s uncalled for.” He laughed.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8nxZ5tpaF
“I can keep a secret; you don’t have to worry about me.” There was quick knock13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGKPC1KwNS
before Charles opened the door to slip back inside.
“What did you find out?” Vander13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYlIefgVaI
got up from the table to stand by his grandfather.
“No one has seen the taste tester13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalqORnfD4Y
since the night the King fell ill.” Charles explained. “We should go down to13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDQXjlLJRQ
the servants’ quarters and check up on him.”
“I forgot,” Bernard snapped his13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt4C0Y9moo
fingers. “There was a third person with me to visit Malcolm, a new servant.”
“Why didn’t you mention this13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCFOTvCZrK
before?” Peyton turned to the man anger rising in his voice.
“I didn’t think he was important.”13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzrExHceAP
Bernard shot back. “I just remembered I left the tea in his hands while I13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYtXkEtVIq
opened the door. I didn’t think there was enough time for him to slip something13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPaTT3kdzp
into it, but, thinking back on it, he had it long enough to slip something into13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44ACtvSUed
it. How much was needed to poison the King?”
“A small amount, any amount.”13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVvnMKO4xZ
Vander said. “As long as it was ingested at the same time as the ocecrest, it13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyigJtmHSv
would have done the trick.”
“Do you know who it was?” Charles13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEX9R1wXRFD
asked. “The name of the servant?”
“The king likes to meet any new13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BWbF9QZQM
worker to get their story as well as their struggle.” Bernard folded his arms13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9jLAuQObQ
over his chest. “I believe his name was Nigel. He should be living in the same area13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFKYgT7O4p
as the tester who is named Ulysses. I will help Topal get the items needed to13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8JWkd5Rej
cure the King, you find the people that could be responsible for this.”
“Let’s go, Vander.” Charles went13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaadwQP2IE
to help Vander up, but he clutched the bucket and emptied the rest of his13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWRUsB7yyW
stomach contents inside.
“Get him out of here.” Bernard13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBIks5XYGs
looked quite green himself, so Charles pulled Vander outside, making sure to13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLv13wr6rr
leave the bucket in the room.
Vander was grateful for the fresh13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0h87hdUmw
air that being in the hallway brought. He leaned up against the wall breathing13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKjHZgiNDQ
its cool crisp air. Charles looked at him sadly. “I never knew how much this13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4Ze3c2nTz
curse affected you. Seeing you like this just-“
“Don’t worry about it, Gramps.” He13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6PUe6bThO
pushed off from the wall then clasped his grandfather’s shoulder. “It has more13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XdS8U2PUe
perks than drawbacks. Let’s get going.”
As he walked, the feeling of13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfO4MZGCOr
becoming himself gradually returned. Chanelling the abilities of Unna, no13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8Fl567HDE
matter how small, always took it out of him, but this was the first time he13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRewc68v4s
felt quite so rough afterwards. He was going to have to do something that would13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡku13Nj5ECJ
return the blessing she had given him, but she didn’t accept anything other13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiPHn6e1QX
than sex or a blood sacrifice. He didn’t want to bring Julianna back into this,13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdWp1f9JLg
so the only other option was to visit the pits, something he avoided as much as13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq6PG8ERHQ
possible, but if he didn’t he could lose more than just his mind by ignoring13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LR6nQnUi0
the deities’ needs. It had happened before when he was younger, and it couldn’t13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4yHMD4z0m
happen again.
Charles had told13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2ZOPybqeK
him what had been going on since the past month or so within the Kingdom. Many13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CPMGF7Obk
of the Blades had been dispatched to the Warden’s to bring them here, which was13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDacDfu71i
the main reason there were more soldiers guarding the keep recently. The soldiers13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS4S1K5k4Q
were on high alert and were making everyone uncomfortable, but they were doing13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSWlP0v8k2
their job, not willing to risk the wrath of the King if anything went wrong.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Mliequ8mR
Merchants came from all over to offer their services to the crown ranging from13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vSziQmpkU
food to decorations and, in some instances, jewelry for the eventual Queen. A13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptWcbaxK7C
lot of those were centered within the Grand Ballroom.
They arrived at13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uDXzU6AJy
the Grand Ballroom where many of the servants were stationed for the next few13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFttoD4tMfq
days as they prepared for the prince and his new bride’s arrival. It appears13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwdX47UwPE
the kingdom was spared to expense for this extravagant part as everyone of13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mYi8w8JCi
importance from all over the Kingdom was visiting, The walls on the left half13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOp6A1RnLP
were being draped in brilliant red and gold banners with Atza’s symbol, the13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBwhZQpmEm
lioness with a golden crown on her head. The right half was being draped with13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVBa6sX6xn
cool blue and white banners with Humjir’s symbol, and the Elan family crest, a13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HZfh49MHR
white dove with an olive crown on its head. The symbolic nature of the marriage13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuXzXQ8ZEp
between two rival countries wasn’t lost on anyone and they were taking great13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkL5w5E0x4Z
care not to offend either deity.
“Where should we13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsY2LLdwDQ
start?” Charles looked around the room with a troubled expression on his face. There13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qrAIMkL8O
were too many people to question as they were looking for two people, albeit13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKPBzypFQM
important, but around here, anyone could disappear if they wished it. Vander13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZJPT757s6
spotted the servant who seemed to be in charge, an older gray-haired woman13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQtyCj6aZd
holding a clipboard, quill, and bottle of ink. There were two other servants13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3HtNVfSza
standing next to her ready to carry out her orders.
“We start with13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCXQZt031t
her.” Vander nodded towards his grandfather.
“With Beatrice?”13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7rSWkLRiG
Charles frowned. “She is Bernard’s right hand and his sister. If anyone knew13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRbACVP4Wk
where those two are, it would be here. Let’s go talk to her.” The two of them13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6HLWnNdr8
walked over as she started yelling orders:
“Make sure those13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSXbNz4XDg
banners are crease free,” she snapped. “I won’t have this place looking unkept13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8yOHPnddJ
for when the prince and princess arrive.” She turned around to see two female13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EH4x7pMRI
servants leaning up against the wall whispering to each other. “You two, if you13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQBOhSVMYs
are done for the day you can go home, and I’ll dock your pay!”
“Sorry ma’am.”13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIy4HsvKjyn
They curtsied then went back to folding their napkins.
“As for you two.”13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGa04fUj9Y0
She didn’t even turn around to greet them. “What can I do for the Blades this13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn55PIOda8k
morning? As you can see I am quite busy so make this quick.”
“We are looking13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BR1xvipTj
for two servants and we are wondering if you have seen them around?” She looked13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqBxSOcSPt
up at Vander from under her wire rimmed glasses.
“I’ve seen many13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmfMZRP3FQ
servants, be more specific.” She demanded.
“Nigel and13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN0FuLK3Zj
Ulysses.” She clicked her tongue, but then quickly scribbled a note then handed13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnifUYhEWKX
it over to the servant next to her. “Bring this to the baker quickly. I forgot13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfRDNeWkNb
she needed our order.”13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrQKjd72UY
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthVuYLI4rr
“Yes13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09dLipSHXu
ma’am.” The servant bowed then scurried away.
“I haven’t seen13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXJhJQcV78
Ulysses for a couple of weeks, something about being sick.” She explained. “I13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90O9v6ZQk3
sent for the doctor, but there was nothing he could do for him. As for Nigel,13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VQWtOlaVv
he should be in the kitchen helping the cooks. Why?”
“Thank you.”13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqtrBeWabb
Vander and Charles ran towards the door that would lead downstairs and towards13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5ZYUL3woK
the kitchen leaving a confused Beatrice standing behind them.
“Blades.” she13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeMC78ZraD
muttered. She looked around to see more of her servants standing around, so she13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1bNztZFAZ
walked over towards them.
“Do you think13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85GTmiYuji
Ulysses is dead?” Charles asked once he knew they were out of ear shot.
“He might not13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRZpxpI2fN
have had enough of the poison to render him comatose, but he could still get13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEZIpSWftf
deathly ill from it.” Vander explained. “But let’s find Nigel first since he is13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4E8hUjZfE
the one we suspect of the poison.”
“How do you want13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87609C3o48
to handle this?”
“You go in and13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBa7tHwKRll
talk to him.” Vander said. “He should be a little intimidated of you and if13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK2kbryqt4
cornered, he will likely try to run. I will be there to keep him from escaping.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEftScroLYV
There is no telling what he might do, so be on your guard.”
“I know how to13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2I6twfGCT
handle myself.” Charles scoffed. “You just worry about yourself.”
The two of them13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyeywlvDOc
made their way down towards the kitchens which you had to pass through to get13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pQ7UBAIlZ
to the servants’ quarters. There were other ways of getting there, but this was13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamAVQqcZen
the most direct way from the King’s quarters. Despite the castle being large,13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB76UaLw60
based on the sheer number of servants required, it wasn’t feasible to give them13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUJPsCyTBw
their own room. Often there would be two or sometimes three servants per room13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZpuPANxmM
segregated based on gender, thought nighttime activities between them wasn’t13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDBe05uA3S
uncommon.
As they made13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHfddnkbpV
their way into the kitchen, the head chef, known because of her oversized hat,13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiYeVKhmYx
was looking down at a piece of parchment with a quill in her hands. The others13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahkR6Ls1cU
were bustling around her trying not to draw attention to themselves as they13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoeo2K1ze1
worked. It looked as though they were preparing for lunch as several of them13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd0Anz1psT
were chopping up raw pieces of meat on the counter while others were collecting13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4OYrGrDMI
vegetables to go into a stew. The two of them walked straight through, not even13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3m2C9zuAh
bothering to greet the chef as they made their way towards the servant’s area.
As soon as the13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIqSsOEV6a
saw the first door, Vander knew they had hit a roadblock. The doors weren’t13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNtpku6Viu
labeled or named. They had no way of knowing which room belonged to Nigel or13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVJhYedcdl
Ulysses. Charles stood there frowning; how did they not know the quarters were13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHlbegHpem
like this? It was a major blunder, but perhaps not all was lost. Vander tried13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb98GzsE4GO
each door to see if it was locked. Servants weren’t allowed to lock their doors13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7brAU31MN
if they were needed, but he figured if one of them needed to hide something,13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DzeNsM0ZV
they wouldn’t leave the door open for all to see. It was a huge gamble, but by13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAhDY7yNj7
the time he got to the last door, it paid off. It was locked and he could smell13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KNcr6dp9W
something rip coming from inside.
“Watch the13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMEVcoFEzz
kitchen for me.” Vander whispered to his grandfather. Charles nodded his head13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6AR1A9Idq
then used his frame to block the view. Testing the door one more time just to13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIocSNogS5G
make sure it was locked; Vander shoulder checked the door several times until13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUS0q656DU
he heard the latch break. Rubbing his aching shoulder, he kicked the remainder13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWYS2t8QRI
open until it was hanging sideways. That’s when the full weight of rotting13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgFv1DPRVW
human hit him so hard he puked for the fourth time today. Charles heard him and13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAl36OIO5W
came racing over.
“What in the name13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEZmEveK5o
of Humjir is this?” Lying on one of the beds was a servant, Vander’s guess was13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfdRVKNra8
Ulysses, who didn’t fare as well ingesting the poison because no one was13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv51QIpAN7i
looking for him. His body had swelled up in death and his face was deep purple.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGUHK9fRv2
He was shirtless showing off a physique that wasn’t normal for the serving13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNi0rpxYWX
class with scars crisscrossing his body. There still appeared to be evidence13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63ZZ5ZCxlr
that someone was still living in this room despite the stench due to the empty13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XFxghcz2I
plate with food that had molded, and clothing rumpled in the corner. How anyone13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzgcCKVXdj
could live like this was beyond him.
“Vander go get13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8bGSmaYM0
someone to seal off this room before you puke over anything else.” Charles13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznZDTH2CbU
ordered. Thankfully for being allowed to leave he did as he was asked. Some of13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsLniOad6k
the servants who were on break were crowding the hallway curious to see what13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdTC3EqvFR
was going on.
“Clear out of the13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafMT4wdsJq
way.” Vander shouted. “Someone grab Blades who are walking around and tell them13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzvPVFUZtJ
to come here.” When no one moved, he was forced to use his authority. “Now!” He13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQamJZ9sgk
screamed. They scattered to do as they were ordered, but one stayed behind. He13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCflE5SFEZe
was a tall man, muscular, with brown hair and green eyes. Upon seeing Vander,13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ5Vveik2T
he froze.
“What are you13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8oCpAgD9K
doing down there?” he asked.
“Are you Nigel?”
“What’s it to13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzedA8iLWn
you?” he asked.
“As Captain of13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJA3yF9Fv3
the Blades I am detaining you as a suspect in the murder of Ulysse’s.” he said.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfcpfBo7AQ
“Stay right there.” As a surprise to no one, Nigel bolted back the way he came.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNvt1RBp6S
Cursing to himself, Vander vaulted over the counter to give chase leaving a very13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelr5L07cDe
irate chef picking up her paper covered in ink.
Nigel was fast.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OJoFmQqn2
He raced through the halls, ducking into doorways, and changing directions like13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTGbvlVMMV
some intimately familiar with the castle layout. It was one of the times Vander13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSkyPRf2om
wished he had brought Shea with him despite the risk, but for now he was on his13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03JQ8YBzyW
own. He knew that he was faster, but all of today’s activities were beginning13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrg0YJfckDs
to take its toll on him. He was feeling weak and sluggish, but he didn’t dare13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvB6J9r0ez
let Nigel get away, not when he held such vital clues. But no one knew the13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0KHrL04OF
castle better than he did, so once he recognized where Nigel was going, the13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LcikGuTgc
gardens, Vander took a left up a flight of stairs. It leads to a balcony with13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULA7QSXPop
open space which would give him the opportunity he needed. Once he saw that he13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUG8sH1C4SB
and Nigel were neck and neck, he willed his body forward, borrowing some energy13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqukPtfJLq
from Unna, then launched himself off the balcony and down towards Nigel.
The two of them13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBBbjKYzTW
collided and Vander was sent flying into the garden itself landing on a bush.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OTVM3AHsf
If it had been the ground he would have been in trouble, but the worst he’d13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDedBrvVvj
have now was a couple of bruises on his back. He got to his feet then placed13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9y4EXAgQ8O
his hand on the hilt of his sword. Nigel was groaning out in pain, slowly13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWFz2BptV6
trying to get to his, but the hit he had just taken must have taken all the13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAGQcDEPNm
fight out of him.
“Alright, I’ll13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8lwUBCiL9
come with you.” he gasped. Vander hauled him to his feet.
“Why did you have13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5Nf7y4Fhn
to make this more difficult for yourself?” Vander asked.
“Because they13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPub3wPy0Rz
will kill me if I talk.” Nigel groaned. Vander shoved him up against the wall.
“Who will?”
“You don’t know13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoOme69bQu
them.” Nigel grabbed his arm. “They will kill everyone I love, and they are in13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh1gIpfyQq
places of power you could only dream of.” His eyes widened as he stared at13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0JjJb98vJ
someone standing behind them. “No.” Vander turned around, but something whizzed13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5InkSjAe8
right past his face. He felt something wet hit the side of his face. He turned13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxjFvubH9q
around to see Nigel gurgling blood with two knives embedded in his throat. His13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSdy8e4iba
eyes grew wide as he mouthed the words: Run. He slumped to the ground dead.
“That wasn’t13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiwgLMy9tu
smart.” Vander turned to face the assassin. They were wearing all black and13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkMLabuKLR
their faces were covered. They held two more knives in their hands along with a13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujJvuZJVed
sword strapped to their backs. “Now you’re going to have to answer the13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZRSVa5LTJ
questions meant for him.” They tilted their heads but gripped the knives13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgZOES1o5N
tightly. He made the first move. He drew13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1MxlZAFQb
his sword as he charged them. The assassin just brought their knives up to13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiiLiiPj6V
deflect the shot. Their leg shot out hitting Vander in the knuckles causing him13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdTV3mOwsT
to yell out in pain then drop his sword.
He didn’t let13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIugK15P6K8
that stop him. He grabbed their wrist to keep one of the knives away from his13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrj16HwUyA
body. Using his strength, he squeezed the wrist until they were forced to let13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wTm7s3rhe
the knife go, then he brought his shoulder into their chest and threw them over13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtl8zkixF1
his back and onto the ground. However, their feet landed squarely protecting13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5K2YATeLv
them from hitting the cobblestone. In his surprise, Vander didn’t react quick13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptukqurB8o
enough when they flipped over him then wrapped their legs around his neck then13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXZcsMclnV
began raining elbows on top of his head. He brought his arms up to deflect13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d2gDgJHKF
before deciding to charge into the wall. The assassin didn’t let up even as he13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqErT1ye2ww
jumped off the wall and landed on the ground. He heard the crack of their back13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTGrurJJ7r
as they landed, and their legs eased up their assault. Vander coughed and13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2wxMrLRNg
wheezed as he massaged his throat to breathe.
“Enough of this.”13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsotfUxKEm
The assassin groaned, but steadily made their way to their feet. They had a13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K4tmogKcu
soft voice, almost feminine, which confused him. He remembered the voice, but13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8lqBHBjaM
he couldn’t tell from where. They drew the sword from their back and held it in13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW7IXyFBLW
Vander’s face. “I was supposed to leave you, but you’ve pissed me off enough.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhqlud14xV
Die.” They lunged at him, but they left an opening for Vander to roll to the13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHxVfacnsX
side to grab his sword. He brought it up just in time to deflect the strike the13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJS83mmgxa
assassin aimed at him. He punched their ribs causing them to stumble sideways.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4pZ5Jum3y
He then swept out their legs causing them to again fall on their back.
Two blurs sped13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJPzJpsWD4
out from their hand, and he was barely quick enough to dodge. He could smell13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO1DjkA9Yx
the poison emanating from them and he knew those weren’t something he wanted to13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrLSuzqgR7
get hit by. They got to their feet, but he could tell that they had been13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiebaTmMqi
injured.
“Come with me.”13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBxoGkkHhq
He said. “I can protect you.”
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv0ixkt4Ck
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjh1OfGh9Sc
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6lQRxc3B2
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl8LgbxsAG
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLNwmCCZw8
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaknhWPDiw
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKfxEjjhNe
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2mDSTYI5x
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcO4Dggx66L
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDvI9TFgCZ
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiFNqKNhqO
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGflxSXecb
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxixmD8fTSu
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMahFoSV9H
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERwXNbCUYn
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwryAhxibT
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68alWZAcZ3
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOus9pUGF6w
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMsVQNIMBD
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzKmc8MV6n
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIx9WoITOe
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc8bkPpDLw
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPZ7lC63gK
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgO6cIujWY
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSk8OhBUUm
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nUkfxP6eH
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyaVIsxB7d
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj1qJraCb6
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5fidyCrWN
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqB3GTTWDH
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYm6XwOiNL
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgZduSwL2C
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3BWD7oyUt
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eKm74jOYC
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ0OMcyp58
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcDwjebxMf
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dbbrKPz1A
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUfVYnLujS
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lsMdvA6J3
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPoZT2EETm
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5g4EyAHYo
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLkwFLChEn
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthc6UsE9xs
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4W0hMnxZj
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfccetYUhqv
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVy6fmJoLtG
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTQvPUmDmx
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYME0Dmc09o
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon45WYM1K9
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOgSqj7WJg
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18CRxDkOj8
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJE1GRaoLJ
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInQRKWiMad
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WHqiyKo0g
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbDztUHfjK
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJEAVCIvZP
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeBkTgdv8J
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYWenRHKNn
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUmgcmeao8
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoiNJtWPRy
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SdJJO50GO
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMfmHVOBo1
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5F1G1VA9l
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe3ThPCga4
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6TPeycuRg
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jgf8OQJcz
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eV60gY0Du
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCTuIIypTF
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O4G7OrcTl
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEB0FVwTLPz
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyz1jtVAHB
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9O2obuqRx
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dKcqGEtgA
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLuqB6xl7z
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHy72Q0E2h
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp3DSW2Ltx
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ojpXV3dxp
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWoBk3LyeO
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Awhygl826
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBF7OMRXPX
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIu8j1SxTX
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWRSvXxXGE
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pmrnGecec
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgb6mn6G3g
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq5iq0BRfL
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwFIMo6g0l
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZwt2ySI7H
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IbsjSgawX
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef1tDtfmFw
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWR3WDIpCQF
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdX17F9ksK
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj29OZKnSXQ
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxaaL1DY6B
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5VYOBvbtw
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu4gWZ2peu
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjagXZ2fqX
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuooBEmWMPX
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0eSLg3L5j
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9L0tpTH7Ho
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCzFVTBcTK
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDR9ymoAMDW
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sht0KXNU1
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNPUdOsreF
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14nHaRVJQL
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut2EaeieWY
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4By64wTrw
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiVDc08Qae
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjNZKQKCcL
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrTbUYEOlj
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBFV84H6vR
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSC3ZCsPM3
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ1JFGgt9Z
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69vOEHEzm7
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKplt8LqOu
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxD43L9FXJ
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkn63WWL6C
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf6kV1f5oS
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQgRLdtPYg
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIORilGf5vO
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP9RsF1Ook
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzqjENQIZT
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzv5ByS7EL
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44st7oViUo
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSXLWqRmsR
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE3BTivdyl
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68P7VM1am0
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMxyLUrKFF
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcVyM2rsyj
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoOwVaHzIN
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP3gDNW0IG
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1SqH4QF7v
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGGx72O3FI
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKZjGljyG2
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsFBjEsmBI
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GwIalvlxp
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQSp9OBF8A
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQcOMMuaaU
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC3NeLHUIe
“I don’t need13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11xsBJDmCY
your protection, Blade.” They hissed. “Eluvia has taken everything from me and13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNu3LLkxXTi
soon, we will take everything from you.” The removed a small capsule from their13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuGO1HfoJ3
pocket and smashed it on the ground. Black smoke erupted from inside causing13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcWCz9wueR
Vander to violently cough and fall to his knees. He tried to run out of the13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHHyupQkJf
smoke, but his legs were leaden. The last thing he saw before passing out was13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5w9VZ1jeA
the assassin jumped into the garden and disappearing from the sight.
