Chapter 18
“Hey, are you alright?” Vander33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYWDC9GABP
slowly opened his eyes to see Eliza standing over him. It had only been a few33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1CU8gkysE
hours since he had fallen asleep. The sky had lightened up only slightly, but33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3ZloN9Vnk
it was still several hours until dawn. He sat up from the bench with his back33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhB9CQexzB
protesting from the sudden movement.
Once his eyes33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHN5VYgjG7
adjusted he looked back up at Eliza, who didn’t look as though she got much33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8VA61t0Em
sleep either. She was wearing a long coat that stopped just above her knees.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHz5RnLwCdM
Her hair was down, it stopped just above her hips, and she wore a pair of33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WhCqs7GRO
trousers.
“I just sometimes come out here to33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFGuq3UYm5
enjoy the surroundings.” He chuckled, but winced as his ribs protested the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl18zrpphRH
sudden movement. “It’s a lot quieter here than in the city, especially with all33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT7FUxcgvv
the Warden’s guards running the place. Why are you out here?”
“The same as you I expect.” She33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdeMTy6v6i
sat down next to him then stretched her legs out in front of her. He couldn’t33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRygmSPpAk
help admiring the firmness of them as well as their length. “I’ve been restless33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqkbRKHGiH
since I started my journey here. There is something coming, I can feel it.”
“Is there?” he couldn’t help but33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOF2RzVI2p4
chuckle. She shot him a dirty look. “Is that why you came here with Kiara?33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8HZUukxLr
Because something was coming?”
“I came here because it was my33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0CPy9CcuS
duty to protect my older sister and keep her safe.” She explained. “But now33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hWapiX6I5
that she is here, I’m not sure what to do with myself now.”
“You just got accepted into the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72wrhqEY7k
Blades,” he said. “A captain at that. You can stay close to Kiara and keep her33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaJhnsjeOS
safe. Is that what you wanted?” She33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioeO74PNRJ
nodded her head for a moment but shook it.
“This was a path that was chosen33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsb8JpepnP
for me and one I was willing to be a part of. I had been training for it since33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRrDVkq7lk
I was a little girl.” She laughed, but the joy didn’t reach her eyes. “What I33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKgsroUtFY
wanted was to marry a prince and be whisked off my feet or to travel the world33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheEikj62Ye
and meet new people. But this, fighting,” she looked down at her calloused33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9MrmD8I2z
hands with sadness. “It’s not what I want to do with my life.”
“Is this what keeps you up at33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aBuN8wCqi
night?” he asked. “Your uncertain future?”
“Isn’t that what keeps you up?”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdxA7Oi5hS
she countered. “Why you stay here in the garden in the middle of the night33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOiyd8g8ap
instead of being in your comfortable bed?”
“I grow restless at night.” Vander33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAEGodGlWu
said.
“Due to Unna?” He looked at her33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKPJxk4gjd
sharply. “You don’t really keep it a secret. Anyone with half a brain can tell33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCycmJQ4t2
you’re different. The way you move, the way you fight, it’s as if you can sense33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEd9MzAbMx
things that other people can’t.”
“Kiara told you?” she grinned at33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW8g2FJyB8
him.
“Kiara told me.” He sighed. He33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPwH8qi1bS
leaned back on the bench, so he was staring up at the sky once again.
“I never wanted this.” He33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM0NHLep7U
whispered. “I acted to save my friends and was given this power. If I could33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Dm6X2ZQ65
give it back I would. I know what happens to those who abuse her power and even33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekNE2T6h6u
now I feel it scratching inside, wanting to be let loose. If it wasn’t for Shea33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRBsDaViLq
I would have lost myself a long time ago.”
“You’ll find you can accomplish33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhOJQzuSOp
great things when you have something you want to protect Vander.” She smiled.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WQgwhQuW0
“I hope you can find someone else you want to protect, to give you that33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH3PA5dD9r
strength when you need it.”
“No one has escaped this curse33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFdnIa3Jyb
Eliza, no one.” He got up from the bench. “My grandfather, Cuvera, the King,33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDC4P8IQrS
and Alex seem to think I can, but I don’t know. It seems, unsurmountable.”
“I still have one wish that you33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVu1joRUtb
need to grant.” Eliza placed her hand on Vander’s shoulder. “Come with me.” Confused33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9E3BoBF5p
as to where she was taking him, he followed.
The two of them left the garden33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVRPynoBfO
heading back inside of the castle. He thought that she was going to take him to33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5zEiwGaWq
her room, but instead she led him down towards the castle training room33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFj82ygNxN
reserved for the Captains, though no one used it much anymore except the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGWoLvJOTv
commander when he sparred with Malcolm or Cuvera. Vander came here sometimes33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6P18sDl1L
when he was being given lessons, but it had been a long time.
“Why have we come down here?” he33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79nUkkvSln
asked. She ignored him. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail then removed33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExapAB1vhU
her jacket tossing it on the floor in the corner. She began to stretch while33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqnGBeZBGF
Vander just stared at her dumbfounded. Realizing he wasn’t going to get the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbHDRtUG69
answer he needed from her, he shrugged off his jacket and began to stretch as33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVin6SQVCe
well. Either she was going to fight him or fuck him, either way he wanted to be33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYFyDFk8yF
prepared.
“Do you know that Bricen is the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvqVsG68nv
only country, outside of Eluvia, who had a Ma’akti?” she asked a couple of33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9NoEjeR8N
minutes later. She was touching the tips of her toes when she looked up at him.
“I did.” Vander nodded. “I always33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PolOTsMiS
thought it was the King, but you were all very tight lipped about it.”
“Well, it’s not my father.” Eliza33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7v83I70yB
laughed. “The blessings of Azta doesn’t go through the men of the line, it goes33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDWGAwC9Eh
through the women, and it’s known to skip a couple of generations.”
“What does this have to do with33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO4A4ynkR0
me?” Vander asked. Eliza got to her feet and motioned for Vander to do the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0wRkyvAvZ
same. He got up warily, keeping his eye on her as she moved around the small33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFesNZpezV
room.
Suddenly her hand combusted and33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeSMDLfV1q
she swung a flaming fist towards his face. Vander ducked in surprise, the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8eaJWktXn
flames singing part of his cheek. He was so startled he fell on the ground and33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLOlSZHo5N
started quickly backing away. She smirked sinisterly at him as she walked33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iYmuXTZPv
closer to him. She held her hand up towards the ceiling, but it didn’t look as33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbaE8hBCFD
though she was in any sort of pain.
“You’re the Ma’akti Azta’un?” he33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ4GNOkzSW
stammered out. “How are you doing that? Isn’t that painful?”
“When I was younger and didn’t33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowN7jCfyXs
know how to control it, sure.” She shrugged. “But I have had time to accept my33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwahYc0GMYU
lot in life and made this apart of me. You must learn to do the same.”
“It’s not the same though.”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgCWi4RofL
Vander’s voice hardened. “Do you know how many of my predecessors slaughtered33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXWwqEJcED
their friends? Their family?” He got up from his position on the floor. “Their33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwz4wzGH6U
blood was on their hands, and it took many more lives until they were put33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0QRoAqUxZ
down.”
“You cannot live in fear your33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVCQ82YzxC
entire life.” Eliza snapped. “You must embrace who you are, embrace the beast33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisFffkyixS
inside. That’s the only way you can move forward.”
“No.” he snarled. “That’s final.”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcAEGZgCm4
He moved to leave, but Eliza placed her other hand on his shoulder. He brought33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZWahB69yw
his elbow back to shrug her off, but accidentally caught her in the face. She33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE19hf99d86
stumbled backwards, but before he could apologize, she swept his legs out from33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0a6jAqOUDg
under him making him land on his back. She was on him while he was trying to33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U8THFlaAr
stand up. She grabbed him by the collar then pushed him against the wall. He33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPphphUilk
rebounded off and went for a punch which she easily ducked underneath. Then she33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjIvdTIB6T
drove her fist into his stomach.
She waited around while he dry33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTHoVL0vQQ
heaved on the floor. “Why are you doing this?” he gasped.
“Before Kiara was going to come33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUwVKHmGwK
here, I was actually going to take her place as princess.” Eliza walked around33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh856e4iLEO
him. “The night before, Azta came to me. She told me that someone was going to33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXow1GRVZ5z
need me here, one given the Curse of the Beasts. That he would need my help to33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1Bwf46tfB
realize his true power.”
“My true power is death and33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdDNpyC0jy
slaughter.” He wobbled to his feet, but his eyes were focused on her. “Nothing33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8kpUD9hVL
can change that.”
“Even if it’s the ones you loved33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyrkJ9JMfm
being threatened?” He growled his response, so she held her hands up in front33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOmK1QybXP
of her. “Eventually you will have to make a choice, Vander. Accept who you are33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0HOAV0Ruo
or those you love and everyone around them will die because you didn’t.”
“Does this have to do with Veyar’s33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4E7VRKlmk
prophecy?” he asked. She looked at him confused then shrugged her shoulders.
“I don’t speak to Veyar, only33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmslputXfx9
Azta, and only when she wants me to.” She explained. “If Veyar talked to you,33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR6vOnKQRb
it’s for your ears only. What did she tell you?”
“About the freeing of the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE1fzrBj6l
Darkness.” He said. Eliza’s face grew pale.
“Let’s just hope that doesn’t come33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjDiKqCnZw
to pass.” She said. “They need a lot more than a few of our powers to make it33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciEVPhOXB2
happen. If something like that was going to happen, the deities would be up in33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7b1JBS7yE
arms. Let’s just focus on this for now.”
“There is no this.” Vander dusted33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e7bC0Drsl
himself off. “I’m out of here.”
“This was my wish, Vander.”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv84ou54pp
Eliza’s voice stopped him dead in his tracks. “Or do you go against your word?”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDQgq2CkW4
His shoulder’s slumped as he turned back to face her.
“I will make you regret this.” He33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rAy50pWkA
sighed. “I still have my wish as well.”
“Do your worst.” She squared up.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55eatPij5s
“This time, please fight back.”
“I cannot control the strength I33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM92okWee0
possess.” He warned. “If you get hurt, Kiara will have my head.”
“Don’t worry about hurting me.”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEE8HZMnit
She grinned. “Worry about yourself.”
She ignited her fist and charged33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLzC13xAl1
him. Vander closed his eyes and for the first time in a long time he removed33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FKLvlOAm9
the barriers he erected in place to protect himself and others. He opened his33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WhAHSEpjN
eyes and saw the fist mere centimeters from his face, but it was slowed. He33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUviVl0Ilt
could see her fingernails, each of them crackling with the flames of the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2BI3M8Y0Y
goddess. He could hear her muscles tense, smell the sweat building up on her33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVghtiqHgTH
body, and taste the ashes in the air. He slid out of the way and counterpunched33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNa1iGXhehA
hitting her in the stomach. She was sent flying backwards into the wall.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKdeISrPLw
Instead of bouncing off it, she ended up a couple of inches embedded inside. As33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5CcJAt12e
quickly as he released them, Vander re-erected the barriers.
“Are you alright?” he asked. Eliza33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkCbBstcBU
pulled herself from the wall grinning. She brushed off the dust from her33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSafrJmtf5
clothing stepping onto the broken bricks.
“Damn you do pack a punch.” She33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevnBnKXsAr
laughed. “If I hadn’t protected myself using the divinity I had stored, I would33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt4rIiplXD
have broken a few ribs.”
“That’s a neat trick.” He frowned.
“That’s just one of the few things33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqpiGaF2XO
you can learn if you accept who you are.” She explained. “Until then, I’ll keep33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3uzF8x6vr
beating your ass. Are you ready?”
“No, but you won’t leave me along33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuib0eXn38j
until I am.” He got into his fighting stance. “Let’s just get this over with,33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPqWxbklpk
we have a wedding tomorrow.”
∙
Vander was sore when he woke up33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzlvjKY7YJ
the next morning. Eliza kept him down there for hours trying to goad him into33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIibzw9o3o
using the powers gifted to him by Unna, but he refused. If that punch was33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHiesvPvUE
anything close to what he could do, he could wreak untold havoc if he succumbed.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1Mih1LSrI
He couldn’t, he wouldn’t let that happen. Eventually she had gotten tired and33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4d19YwAUV
dismissed them for the night, however he knew that she would keep bringing him33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk66aWjh0Vk
down there until she was satisfied. Shea hadn’t even woken up when he arrived33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM44yEXRshP
back, but let her annoyance known when he flopped down on top of her. She33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSOgz6bsxI
bounced on top of him several times before slamming her head into his side. She33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9MyUtLiNd
emulated Eliza by kicking him in the side before eventually going back to33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriU3RwiBE3
sleep.
He slunk out of bed towards the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTPrv6H4Mz
bathroom. It was still early morning, but even from up here he could hear the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcc3Tlb6zY
buzzing of servants running around getting everything ready for this afternoon.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQOb27n568
This was going to be a long day and he had to make sure the guards were in33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFGMZ7sknG
their places and alert just in case anything happened. With all the Wardens,33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PCa0g6zdB
nobles, the prince, princess and the King all in one place it was a prime33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKkqoj2En7
target for anyone looking to cripple the country. He wouldn’t leave anything to33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5X3FlR5Qd
chance, not after the king’s poisoning. He had to make sure all his bases were33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZEBjOugJg
covered because if anything happened it would be his ass on the line, no one33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FaepBxypY
else’s.
He showered quickly, but when he33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMLIGwvK2e
came out there was a package sitting on the bed with a written note on it. He33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff6moLMM1Q
recognized Cuvera’s handwriting. The note told him that it was from Madame33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUngjnn5F9F
Topal, which meant it was his attire for the wedding. He had a choice to wear33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gHZn952NY
it now and face ridicule from his comrades, or rush getting changed later and33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiF6SPs9Wh
risk being late. Sighing, he removed the clothing from the box and put it on.
Topal had gotten his measurements33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS1aSCSZkW
precisely. Nothing bulged when he put on his clothing nor did anything hang33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYWmrPcEfA
loose off his frame. The pants were tailored to the perfect height and somehow33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkphMGnpqo8
she had gotten the measurements for his feet as there was a new pair of boots33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRgzocBN3d
also in the box. Both were black and the shirt he put on was a deep blue the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eQlDtcubb
color of the Elan family crest. The frock jacket he received was entirely blue33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5c0Mx5ryi
aside from the spiral pattern around the buttons and over the chest: that was33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHSGNudEsA
the color of his hair. He had to admit, he looked good in the outfit, but it33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT6qVxO9JI
was a little too fancy for his taste. Thankfully Topal was considerate enough33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CM934t6Iw
to add a sword belt to his outfit so he wouldn’t feel quite as exposed without33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjCVHnCUPh
his sword close by.
“What do you think?” he turned33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWeis5SpPi
around to face Shea. She looked up at him with a tilt of her head.
“Very dignified.” She33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX3TYNW132
barked. “Eliza will be very happy.”
“Why does it matter if she is?”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGpa98L7ub
Vander asked her. “This is for me to look like Cuvera’s best man, not for33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42hF8emVCX
Eliza.”
“Don’t act like you weren’t33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpkbH8MasT
covered in her scent.” Shea rolled her eyes. “I could smell the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKGofw9znu
attraction between the two of you. Don’t lie to me Vander.”
“Okay, so what though?” Vander33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOmk8404hD
clipped on his sword. “She’s just helping me because of a vision she received,33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGvvKPhQWc
no other reason. I know you want me to be happy, Shea, but these kinds of33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDQWMVihAJ
things take time. I’m not ready.”
“You’re just afraid of being33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyYsKTxoBt
hurt again.” She said accusingly. “Bree made her choice and Julianna is33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau0I6qeokT
busy running her business.” Her voice softened. “It hurts me to see you33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RhqhG6c0A
so unhappy.” He took a deep breath to control his anger.
“I know, I know.” He sat down on33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2NX7LfEI7
the bed. She placed her head in his lap while he stroked her ear. “When this33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HEXUO78a9
mess with the Serpents is done, we will take a vacation away from here. Maybe33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl04BNzEEZ
go to the shore and play at the beach, just the two of us.” Her tail thumped on33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh4pA7zwxV
the bed in excitement.
“I’d like that.” She said.
“Now, let’s go prepare for the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjnlhOLHdr
wedding.”
Vander and Shea slipped from the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvqhZMRgUJ
room and headed towards the ballroom where his Blades would be waiting.
With the others33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXnS0zsEYE
returning from their mission to escort the Warden’s to the city, all fifty of33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMd5m0RT6R
them were in attendance. They were all dressed in their uniforms talking33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGxiAKSiPM
amongst one another, but as soon as he entered the room, they snapped smartly33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx7n4PILAl
to attention. He marched past them with Shea following behind. He stood on top33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9LPMM8zIR
of the stage where the throne had been removed to make room for the pillars33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZOFRj8EP0
that were draped in red and blue fabric. The ten Captains stood behind Charles33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlWI3w2Kje
with their hands behind their back. Alex bowed his head at Vander, but Leon33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdYXF0Fjtn
ignored him altogether. He looked around for Eliza, but she wasn’t there. She33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAruiCLRXYg
was likely helping Kiara with her wedding preparations.
“You’re late.”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxYU6h0MeK
Charles growled.
“Sorry,” Vander33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriXJjGplAB
bowed his head. “I had a late night.”
“Get in line.” As33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRPUOJnUgj
soon as walked next to his grandfather, the old man whispered: “You look nice.”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH9Qc0mmpp
Vander smiled to himself as he stood next to Alex. Shea sat down next to him.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrLjvVfMJX
Charles straightened his back before speaking to the others: “As you know, the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRnfvqt8Lm
wedding of Cuvera and Kiara is later this afternoon. As such we have one duty,33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RnVcDFaQI
protect the castle grounds from intruders, and keep the King, his family and33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05m9IBT0Ry
the Warden’s safe. The guards will protect the walls while we protect the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAmv0RE6uQ
castle. I want everyone to be on their best behavior and aware of your33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZlIXlI95w
surroundings. I will pass it off to Vander for specifics.”
“Thank you.”33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzDcCkyBSK
Vander stepped up. This was his chance to prove himself as a capable leader and33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwUoQqLgZh
he wasn’t going to let it go to waste. He saw Rooster, Chicken, Forest, Briar,33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydlpr5LVZN
and Eve standing at the back. Their new uniforms and weapons were looking shiny33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln6PCIOQdj
and new, and they looked nervous. He would have to give them something33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8HwQCBVf5
important, but also easy. He didn’t want to give them too much responsibility33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO3d2pmZBL
for their first official mission.
“Tonight is a33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO7ezVEFj4
very special night and it’s our job to make sure that everything goes33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqZ41m77JO
smoothly.” He said. “Listen to your Captains, keep your eyes peeled and your33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmwnjq0buH
wits about you. If something seems wrong, listen to your instincts. I’d rather33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXn4jnTEaR
apologize because you were wrong than do nothing and have this place crash down33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK85T3vzXi
around us. Now, for your posts.”
He gave33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmYYYGDz5A
Alexander’s squad, the new trainees, the task of guarding the door. It would33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj3cjFSai8
involve checking invitations, making sure none of the guards brought weapons,33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZduSHkgnI
and the people who were there had been invited. It would test them to stand33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdNDPGz3Bk
their group against uppity nobles who believed they were above the law and33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpXLxPnWxh
making sure they could do their job properly.
He made sure33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqBNOoDNaT
Leon’s squad was paired with someone who would keep an eye on them. They would33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97KxHQ0ZqU
oversee patrolling the upstairs, checking rooms and windows for any potential33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s5GpWU6BG
hazards. There would be four squads alternating to make sure no one got tired.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pU4GsIwKm
One squad would be walking around the ballroom during the party to escort drunk33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxgihVBV4a
revelers to rooms that have been set aside for them. There would be some squads33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt7dDoMVOK
stationed in the kitchens and along the delivery tunnels. He made sure no33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgx7egx2fB
routes were left unprotected. If there were any gaps he would be the last line33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zAQWC4zQr
of defense. Shea would keep her eyes on the king and prince the entire night.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKwOImT0tp
She would warn him if there was anything suspicious going on.
He gave one last33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0jV3HnimD
warning to the troops. “The people who attacked the king and nearly ended his33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FVYoScuYh
life, as well as my own, are crafty and skilled.” He said. “Keep your eyes on33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1kIG5cjA3
each other and watch each other’s back. No one goes anywhere alone. Am I33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8nI1yAhJC
understood?”
“Yes sir!” The33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlJtfe6B7e
Blades saluted.
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“Let’s get to it33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiSxGXTKTE
then.” Vander saluted back.
