Chapter 12
He slept soundly. No one wanted to7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLgBkwySLT
wake him so the visit by Mari Drayson went off without him. He didn’t awaken7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj84kLMvE3
until night had fallen and Shea busted into the King’s study to jump on him7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tn9jkJbdV
then proceeded to like his face until his face scrunched up and he pushed her7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6419Ui4iG
aside.
“Shea, sto-” she interrupted him7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ysyfgMiKi
by licking his mouth. He shot up to start gagging pushing the she-wolf off his7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZug6rLhxs
body. “I’ve told you to stop doing that.” He grumbled.
”And I told you to stop getting7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5PVHCH9EG
into fights when I’m not around, and here we are.” She growled into his7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WR7ITUFww
mind. “Imagine my annoyance when I got woken up by some Blades when they7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa6GEYAyRB
came to remove your stuff from the room and escorted me to the castle saying7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjfv6VQjTM
you had been attacked. Imagine my anger when they wouldn’t let me check up on7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bkPTzAe8t
you until now.”
“Did you leave anyone alive?” she7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyGoORBxjA
barked her laughter but nodded her head.
“It was difficult, but your7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsUh3Gq0GU
grandfather swore to me you were sleeping and needed your rest.” She bumped7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrI17MYfvRy
her head against his chest. He placed his head in her fur then inhaled her7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17uSbIQPAO
scent. He felt the stress and anxiety he had been feeling just melt away.
“I’m sorry for worrying you.” she7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBf9DBSQuhk
licked the side of his face accepting the apology. There was a slight knock on7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkocLw1Ky8
the door and Alexander poked his head in.
“I heard voices.” He said. “Are7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwbikeawOU
you finally awake, Vander?”
“Yep.” He slid his foot off the7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvpqSxm022
couch. Looking up at Alex he saw that his friend had worry lines etched onto7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuY77kULT4
his head while his face was filled with worry. “How long have you been standing7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy0A5Qw4aR
there?”
“Once the others told me what had7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mJy5eoqfa
happened.” He explained. “I was about to kill you when you didn’t show to the7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2owIeWmbS5
training, but when that Jilena boy told me I dropped everything to come here.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP11F1pUFim
The King told me not to disturb you, so I sat at that door making sure you7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYLfSOjXE3
rested.”
“You got anything to eat?” Alex7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB9lToVxXB
grinned. He disappeared for a second then came back with a tray of steaming hot7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsO4UBf7PSz
food.
“Once I saw Shea, I knew it was7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZscSM2lnL
only a matter of time before you awoke so I had the kitchen prepare some stew7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LuPYe64rx
and bread.” He said. “I had them make a bowl for her as well.”
“Thanks.” Shea was7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9baxiPncE7
practically salivating on the carpet. Bernard wasn’t ready for what was about7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJnKaqvVJi
to happen. The two of them tore into the food like a couple of beasts. Sauce7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPcTaRuNff
and chunks of bread flew everywhere. Alex wisely took a step back shaking his7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnkEffiVXv
head in disgust.
“Animals.” He muttered under his7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCAm6HbEiM
breath. They were done after a few minutes leaving the table a disaster. Vander7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG092FYNuy
leaned back on the couch then stifled a belch. Shea stuck her head into his7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEexerNyUIr
bowl to lick out the remaining sauce. “Once you’re finished your grandfather7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60se1crBD7
wanted me to bring you to him.”
“Did he say what it was about?”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0Hbmw9lDT
Vander asked. Alex shook his head. Rolling his eyes he got up from the couch,7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3ywqXawIj
wobbled for a second, but remained steady. “Let’s go then.”
The castle was on high alert.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe3C9JwOvE
There were more guards here than normal, most of them were regular soldiers,7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPUrFE6owi
stationed along the halls. Whenever the Wardens showed up everyone was on7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPNYKDAVXB
alert. The safety of the entire country rested on their heads, so the King7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyGpesmYg6
always took extra precautions to make sure they were safe.
Alex stood at the door to the7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Mr3XCC0mY
Commander’s office while Vander headed inside. Charles was pouring over more7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU17snUxK3P
paperwork at his desk by lamplight. He looked so old sitting there even though7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGzSXMN9BU
he was in his middle years. Just went to show the toll being Commander took.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp9OdljOoO
Shea jumped up onto the couch then placed her head on her paw. It took a couple7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAz7SR0C8jt
of seconds for him to put down his quill and to look up at him.
“I heard you were ambushed on the7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCcL4CCJtj
street today.” The old man’s voice hitched. “Are you doing okay?”
“Fine, gramps.” Vander nodded.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvO06jPreV
“What about the man I captured?”
“In the dungeon waiting for his7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZSDakncoV
questioning.” He said. “I assume you want to do the honors?”
“It would be my pleasure.” Vander7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFFRiJpEfG
grinned. “But we need to have a talk about something.” He sat down in the chair7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yryNRiYzW
across from his grandfather. “We need to promote the recruits to trainees and7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IG9G771dW
allow them to help us around the castle. If today taught me anything we need7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0ARHbsv2l
more soldiers on the streets protecting the people than we need them in here.”
“It’s not time for them yet.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJqhwFvp5z
Charles shook his head. “They aren’t ready.”
“We don’t have the manpower,”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98Bhhroqen
Vander argued. “Even when all the Blades come back with the wardens, there7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryOxqlzq4H
still isn’t enough. Those five can really help us out.”
“Doesn’t matter if we need the7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknCb2hXKQ7
help.” The old man growled. “We have standards we must adhere to. There can be7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhotRj02B8y
no exceptions.”
“Gramps since I’ve returned a7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2HSWKlsl1
couple weeks ago, I’ve almost died twice.” Vander said. “If we had more7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5S6EptRMg
competent guards this might not have happened. If you’re that worried about it7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv99UtRfgS
I will keep training them until their time is up and stick them by the entrances.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wqmkB3Y3Z
An important position, but it wouldn’t put them in harms way.”
“I’ll have to think about it.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZUBpBM5Rw
Charles sighed. “But your idea does have merit to it.”
“Thank you,” Vander sighed. “I met7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmLEjzm3wX
with Ross last night for information on who poisoned Malcolm and he gave me a7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vQZ4lS0ke
name.”
“Yea?” Charles looked up7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY4voZhFI7
interested. “What was it?”
“Green Serpents.” Charles’ face7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vJlU6gxed
fell. He scrunched his fist on the desk then slammed his fist down on top.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0uopM0wbg
“That bastard.”
“Is there something I should know7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlJ0EzY3PS
about?” Vander frowned. “I’ve never heard of them before, but based on your7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsCDgfCcMY
reaction and the King’s, it’s something big.”
“Malcolm has his reasons for not7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ffaXUQBXA
telling you, but since you were nearly killed, I suppose to have the right to7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE6Mh5wmyg
know.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “The Green Serpents are a mercenary7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ElxoUKStF
band that goes to the highest bidder. However, it wasn’t always that way. The7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmQGYvzDe5
leader, Jogun Batiste, the King and I used to be close during the wars twenty7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXdimTuxrD
years ago.”
“What changed?” Vander folded his7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvByIRkCgO
arms over his chest. If they were now taking contracts on the King himself,7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUTqjZp8Sa
something bad must have happened.
“We found out what he did to7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHt1cavZTOY
prisoners, especially the children.” Charles’ back sagged. “He would have them7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60AfG4R0nL
fight each other to the death then, if they survived, they were tortured and7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiggg9l0r9T
corrupted into joining them. Some he sent to his loyal soldiers to be7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZJZwCqI6H
brutalized.”
“Sounds like a real charmer.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16vPZEyScn
Vander said dryly.
“We suspended all contracts with7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAUbTdlIQ4
them and threw them out of the city.” Charles sighed. “I wanted more drastic7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3W1ZMVpZ4
measures to be taken, but I was overruled. The council thought it would be7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYmAB00z4u
better to part ways amicably instead of killing or imprisoning those involved.”
“And now they are back trying to7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKoPZucIRj
get revenge?” Vander shook his head. “Something is adding up. They are going7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSP6Kyc2ERC
through a lot of trouble for revenge. I think there might be more to this,7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eEUWCvKjw
especially since I had nothing to do with twenty years ago.”
“And it would make sense to go7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIKLgnXkFp
after me, someone who was involved, and protects Malcolm.” Charles turned7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLktpguhImN
around and walked back to the desk. “Why are you being targeted? Any ideas?”
“A couple.” Vander hesitated. “My7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HknH3vSOV
first thought was that it was because I got involved with Nigel, but I don’t7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokex94rwoS
think that’s the reason.”
“Vander.” Charles said carefully.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeB6gfA3q7
“What’s going on?” Vander took a deep sigh then told his grandfather about the7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcaHy363EE
dreams he had been having.
It started with Veyar the day7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRV8l5m6lx
before he left for the city along with her warning to keep his identity hidden.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1tlbfg5Eo
He left out the part of her being trapped in the stormy vortex, he didn’t want7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbISkwsmbY
to give the impression that the Deities were fighting each other, not that7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlUZ7VqxFE
anyone would believe him. Then he told him about the dream with Unna about7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ429vkLbqJ
fulfilling his role. Lastly he told him about his most recent dream about7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRGvogRkIm
Imitae being chained up to a wall and reiterating the same thing his wife had7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4WK9IsLgE
told him.
“So, you think they went after you7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYV4SdRDiC
because they know you are the Ma’akti Unnatun?” Charles asked. “How could they7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSV7C4Q2pp
know? Not many people do, even less could figure it out.”
“Gramps I communicate with a7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXvSVgHzzJ
Shadow Beast,” Vander laughed. “She might look like a wolf, but either way it’s7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uawhbaNWz
not a common occurrence to walk around with her. It might be nothing, but all7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMhMldok9D
of these dreams these murder attempts, something is going down.”
“I already moved your stuff here7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBchl0v56Nk
to your old room.” Charles said. “I will have guards on you at all times to7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9G1ZqVqEp
make sure you stay safe.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt1mDk0d7D
gramps.” Vander sighed. “Put the guards you were going to put on me and put7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkBvXJzyyZ
them on the King or Warden Drayson. I don’t need protection.”
“Then I will put Alex on it, he7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVid7mzr5P
seems to be the only one who can wrangle you.” Charles sat back down. “What7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyL0eLUgx2X
else did Ross tell you?” Vander looked at him confused. “I’ve known you since7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7YlwPBBG2
you were a boy, Vander. You think I couldn’t tell you were hiding something7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQAC4Jg20p
from me?” Vander sighed deeply.
“He told me that he could find the7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fCxG6MdwC
Serpents for us, the problem is I would have to fight for him.” Vander7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YOt28SKqN
explained. “In the pits.” Charles lowered his head and sighed.
“Do you think he has a way to get7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADZLWBnoZb
that information?”
“Yes,” Vander nodded. “But that’s7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwaBziPXnM
not a place I want to fight in. We can handle the information gathering7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG931rrX8df
ourselves. I’m certain of it.”
“With our resources stretched thin7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWRdO8vznM
I doubt we will have the time, but now that we know who they are, we should7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlBBg4h1zJ
have better luck finding them.” Charles said. He opened his mouth, but there7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCnICcJdnp
was a knock at the door. “Come in!”
Alex poked his head inside.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDKE0VeXCW
“Commander, Vander, Anna Drayson is here to talk to you.”
“Send her in.” Charles and Vander7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE29pRGqlAT
got up from their seats to greet the young woman and heir to the Eastern7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzNApccf2R
Warden.
Anna Drayson was only a couple7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LNRtFtPnT
years younger than Vander, but an accomplished soldier. She wore the native7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7yNrmAjv3
uniform in an ocean climate: a leather cuirass, a short skirt, leather shin7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJjXGWQVk5
guards, boots, and arm guards. Strapped to their waist they usually held a7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9YoEEcVoG
short sword, but for now it was empty. They wore helmets with a blue stripe on7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4YgnwZ6aN
top to show their devotion to the sea. However, this was only their ceremonial7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM1pdIV6Vk
uniform, in actual battle they wore iron for better protection.
“Sorry for the intrusion.” Her7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VmZ8po2ZH
voice was melodic. She removed her helmet and a cascade of silver blonde hair7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9p3JnsZ2W
fell past her shoulders. Her brown eyes held onto Vander’s for a moment before7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gXMpZ1YIv
flickering to his grandfather. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“No Anna, we were just finishing7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAv7okDyY5X
up.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “What can I do for you?”
“My grandmother requested Captain7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fZjKJrhCK
Vander’s presence and asked that I escort him to her.” Vander and Charles7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKjSMj2KCN
exchanged glances.
“I haven’t talked to her since I7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFFI00gdHd
was a small child.” Vander frowned. “What could she want to talk to me about?”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUf8unIhd0
Anna just shrugged her shoulders. Sighing he got up from the chair. “Seems I’ve7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnT6rknGYWe
been doing more talking than just about anything else recently.”
“We can change that if you want.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknb3u9sl0R
Anna grinned. “I’ve been wanting to fight you for years, wolfling.”
“I told you to stop calling me7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13sTKq4AIJ
that.” Vander snapped. He wrapped his elbow around her neck, forcing her to7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u1bGXUF2h
bend, then rubbed his knuckles through her hair.
“Ow, ow, ow.” She rammed her elbow7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTatWde4I2L
into her stomach causing him to bend over. They broke apart and squared up,7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrbmxkq3xI
fists raised in front of them.
“Not in the office, Vander.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToDRWgl7Mn
Charles snarled. “Get going the two of you, before you break something.”
“Yes sir.” Anna bowed. Vander7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6usTrIlyJk
whistled causing Shea to wake up rather abruptly. She growled her annoyance,7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV12S1ffg4
but upon seeing Anna she jumped down off the couch and ran over to her. “Hello,7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqKWbhO4zj
Shea.” She cooed. “How are you?” She responded by jumping up and licking her7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4p8PZUECm
face.
“Come on you two.” Vander said.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMkhTTEtzI
“You can get reacquainted on the way. Let’s go.”
Anna chatted with Shea while she7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LsZxjQ9Sr
led the way towards Drayson’s accommodations. Since she lived in a villa on the7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9kSJ8o5dj
ocean, the apartment she stayed in was on the eastern most side and higher up7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpDixNjp9W
than the others. They enjoyed the cool over there and that tower was the7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7c8AhP4bT
coolest area in the entire castle. Which, of course, meant climbing up hundreds7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7JZr4ZW9J
of stairs.
The stairs were guarded by two7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLC8xS21VU
Blades and two of Drayson’s own guards. They nodded their heads in difference7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy0lQUGbKA
to the heir, but blocked Vander from going farther. The two blades went to step7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlOAWoeo2u
up, but Vander waved them back. He unclipped his sword and held it out to the7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEDzCmjNgL
guards. They took it then stepped back ushering them to the stairs. As Anna7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjkXhJuvhO
walked past, the Blades returned her sword to her. With Anna leading, they7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cJHhswRIN
walked their way up the stairs.
He was out of breath by the time7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eqJp5uAju
they reached the top, but for Anna this seemed to be a light workout. Shea also7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwOLXVT16p
seemed to be enjoying herself because she tossed a lop-sided grin back towards7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYJ9Dsgpvt
Vander. He made a mental note to withhold steak from her for the next week.
The apartment they were in could7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1ehU0hior
have doubled as a massive house in the first ring. There were four massive7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gn2FVFwjY
suits, three bathrooms and plenty of walking-around space. The servants did a7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0y7XwcGwPs
good job decorating as the entire room was painted blue. The reflections from7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsSNfLoHih
the paint gave the room a blueish hue, it felt as though he was underwater.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkmY5ijlmi
Sitting in the middle of the floor, on top of some blue pillows, sat an older7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgpmrlDiK3
woman wearing a long blue robe. There was a long pipe in her long slender7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EZbN5jAEU
fingers. Her blue-green eyes looked up as they entered, a slight smile7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQhvAFlD6P
flickered on her face.
“Grandmother.” Anna got down on7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jlg6npGxB
one knee and bowed her head respectfully. Shea trotted over to the older lady7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF7wb6vYmT
then plopped her head down in her lap.
“Remove your boots Vander, then7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBkJQc7GtE
come sit.” Mari said, her voice only slightly louder than a whisper. “Anna, you7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKHCZU3N5m
may join us if you wish.”
“I think I should wash up from my7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfKIHelyyv
trip.” Anna got up from the floor. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18pk4QVVVw
proper bath and I feel as though the entire city could smell me.”
“I didn’t want to say anything7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FOO0Kf0PF
before because I didn’t want to draw attention to it, but-” a wet shoe slapped7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeM1eRsPnE
him in the face. He gagged from the smell, but before he could throw it back he7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxOMLBYjnR
heard a door slam shut.
“You shouldn’t treat her like7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv57WFkevM
that.” Mari said sternly with a hint of amusement in her voice. “She still has7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3DUp6nm7j
a thing for you even after all these years.”
“It wouldn’t work between us,”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bAfLCEqG2
Vander sighed. “She knows that, and I know that. She can’t leave your villa7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvRDUZc2j2
like I can’t leave the city. We are just from different worlds.”
“Is that what kept you and Bree7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffmWZilaau
Valarian from getting farther?” Vander tried to contain his anger with the way7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkExLpminao
this conversation was going.
“I don’t want to talk about her.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGpmC0Y83u
He growled. She blew a puff of smoke at him causing him to cough.
“You’ve been through a lot since7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG31Zneba5
I’ve last seen you.” she said. “You’ve aged. It’s in your eyes.”
“It’s been a rough couple week.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZz2Xafq92
Vander leaned backwards to stare up at the ceiling. “Been attacked a couple of7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPtLAkNHto
times, got some not so veiled threats, and have been poisoned. Things aren’t7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYChuiBbZu
looking well.”
“You need to take some time to7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJecWDpMXRZ
relax Vander.” Mari blew out some more smoke. “Things are only going to get7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDNBnu7OrJ
more difficult for you.” Drayson inhaled more smoke, but she held on to it7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLnldX13oM
longer than she should have. She looked up at Vander, but her eyes were deep7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdNtCcueAn
black this time, all trace of Mari was gone.
“Veyar,” Vander sighed.
“Ma’akti Unnatun.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzm00ZY3oRk
Mari’s voice turned deeper, but still slightly feminine. “How good to see7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGp1UzZwUa
you again.”
“What is this about?” Vander7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchF9ux1v4B
frowned. “I got your message the first time, as well as your husbands. I don’t7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqctSVoOMHf
think there is anything else I need.”
“There is someone coming who is7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNdZSoZCco
blessed with my daughter’s powers.” Veyar smiled. “She will be of great7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6DFrqbUb1
help to you in this fight. Treat her well. You have a long road ahead of you,7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpZrAk6QCc
hold on to your allies, they will be your best asset.”
“How will I know who my ally is?”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTlxg9ofsm
he asked.
“You’ll know her when you see7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIhkg6TN8b
her.” Veyar said. “It will take some time for you to gain her trust, but7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTNY48UOau
once you have it you will have an ally for life.”
“I don’t like people being played7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPXQvqVihH
into helping me, Veyar.” Vander said. “Either she will do it of her own will or7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHWV8dp1vC
not at all.”
“This has been written for a7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHqJ8Fn8do
long time Vander.” She said. “This was ordained long before my children7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1F450PQxq
were born. This battle will shape the world for good, or worst. With that,7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRi0RbBkvv
Veyar’s eyes closed and a moment later Mari was awakened.
“How long?” Vander asked her.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS0VqI94Ao
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“Since I was a child.” Mari7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3DtS3DrIu
smiled, but she looked tired. “Once I go it will pass down to Anna. Will you7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WldDxBAOK
help me to bed? I’m suddenly very tired.” Vander got up from the ground and7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7nLKrsF3q
picked the older woman up in his arms. She pointed to her room and he carried7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmKDR7qOPJ
her to her bed.
