Chapter 22
Vander watched as blood seeped out16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpC0hHYJr4
of the King’s chest. However, instead of checking to see if he was alright,16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIToINAnqA3
Vander took a few steps backwards reaching for the sword that wasn’t there.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnSZb2rxVD
Peyton took a step in, stepping over the King, to advance on Vander holding the16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl84jYWLwf
sword out in front of him.
“Give me the book.” Peyton16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEDOZWWfpu
snapped. “Don’t make me hurt you.”
“What have you done to Shea?”16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMp3KLLeMl
Vander snapped.
“I put her down for a nap.” Peyton16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNQ4lbJkqt
smiled. “She should really be carefully about who she accepts snacks from.”
“You bastard.” Vander went to16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lRWXTEfYZ
lunge for him, but the sword shot out catching him just under the chin.
“Tut, tut, Vander, you don’t have16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2LlET6aFx
a weapon.” The man grinned. Vander walked backwards, but Peyton followed him16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGoTKsHnpE
until he was pushed up against the desk. “Hand me the book while I’m still16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRHvF4BshE
asking nicely.”
“No,” He wasn’t sure what the man16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvH74VtlIG
wanted with the book, but if he was willing to kill the King for it, it must be16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LOmG1OlLV
something important.
“I wanted to keep you alive, but16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiH0nzfmFY
if you choose to stand in my way I will kill you.” He swung with the sword, but16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RgonNMb3p
Vander ducked under the swing. He punched Peyton in the stomach, but his hand16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31ACxk3lyj
hit something metallic causing him to cry out in pain. “Not even your strength16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmz2ffraoA
will get through that armor, Vander.” He swung again, but this time Vander16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXNVFMpNmZ
caught the hilt of the sword on his forearm then punched Peyton in the jaw. The16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67Cau40CRN
man stumbled backwards dropping the sword.
“I don’t need my abilities to kill16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡil6wKnQjsB
a coward like you.” Vander snarled. He went to punch Peyton again, but this16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PHaj7PQzH
time the old man moved out of the way. He spun around, but Peyton got his hands16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzes4sLJURQ
on a book and clapped Vander’s cheek with it. He fell backwards, his head16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f3Rj9J45Q
spinning from the blow. Peyton tackled him forcing him to the ground.
“You forget I was a soldier too.”16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOphcdDTd9k
The older man laughed. “I’ve fought and killed more people than you’ve had16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuDTAWs2m9
birthdays, boy.” Vander grabbed Peyton’s arms then brought his legs up to16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDcdiqFyP2
launch him overhead onto the desk. The lamp shattered and glasses went flying16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpZNXxSB9u
as he rolled onto the ground. Vander decided to use the quick reprieve to check16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IU8NEezBx
on the king.
“Malcolm,” he shouted. “Hold on.”16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1X95af2wq
Malcolm coughed up some more blood as he looked up at Vander with warmth in his16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvlLgAKR17
eyes,
“I’m dying, Vander.” He wheezed.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7vx2n0aog
His body spasmed as he talked and based on his beating heart, Vander knew he16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0locnKbZ3
didn’t have long to live. “Take the book and run, don’t let that man have it.”
“What’s so special about this16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6RhKZS3Ep
book.” He asked resisting the urge to cry.
“No time.” Malcolm coughed. “There16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnrfWH6SY6
is a knife in my desk, top drawer to the left, get it and take it with you. I16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2sY1BIC0n
have no doubt that Peyton will frame you for my murder. Save yourself, do16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe207DY2iYP
whatever you can to make it out alive.” Malcolm grabbed Vander’s arms to haul16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtehajL8QT1
himself up to his feet. Vander went to steady him, but Malcolm pushed him16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbydu51fvm
aside. “They might hate you, but I won’t, Vander. You gave me the chance to see16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvdLLtO4Zb
my son marry and I know he will make a wonderful King.”
“You crafty bastard.” Peyton got16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAOJXCXoCj
to his feet. “Give me that book.” He jumped over the desk and ran towards16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNat6Vdpzn
Vander, but Malcolm grabbed his old friend’s shoulders doing his best to hold16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcabhcbOJXx
him back.
“Vander, Go!” Wasting no time,16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaW0w0r7tG
Vander lunged towards the desk then opened the door. He saw the ornate knife16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMSa1jL17G
then tucked it into his waistband. He raced to the door but turned around in16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5VCDCEY9B
time to see Peyton stick his hand into Malcolm’s chest and rip out his heart.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m0snXLcz4
The ring on Peyton’s hand glowed blue as Malcolm shuddered then fell to the16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXdJLWC9Mt
floor. Vander heard Malcolm’s lungs release his last breath of air before16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVoSGtBg2m
stilling.
“You bastard.” Vander spat. Peyton16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgXoOSWO6u
grinned then shouted:
“Help, the King has been killed,16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz9qO6xUUB
someone help me!” Wasting no time, Vander ran out the door and down the16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEgqlFsLZl
hallway. He saw Shea slumped over on the ground barely breathing. Without16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbIJu5tnde
skipping a beat, he scooped her up and held the knife out in front of him. Peyton16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNd0rCTty0
was close on his heels shouting the entire time.
Knowing he didn’t have time to16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkil8bFjJA9
explain, he bowled over the Blades coming towards him then came towards the16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9BjH7Mw2t
stairs. Without skipping a beat, he jumped onto the banister then slid all the16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m0vuJPpr2
way down. He landed in the ballroom as Peyton ran to the rail.
“Stop him!” Peyton shouted. “He16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6OWouxLDD
just killed the King!” Pandemonium erupted as nobles tried to get away as16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVCH1t6mus
soldiers from all over rushed towards Vander. It was proving quite a challenge16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgf7B8pA1u9
to carry Shea while fending them off so he did the one thing he sword he would16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiT08l7r0fZ
never do. He prayed to Unna. Moments later he felt power welling up in him. As16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOSnNvdsVg
everyone came towards him, it seemed as though time was standing still. He16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsawWwUPtfU
rushed through, doing his best not to hurt any of them, as he ran towards the16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtKuN4LSXg
door. A voice rang out over the crowd that caused him to momentarily stop in16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8R0Ns1PiDM
his tracks.
“Vander!” He turned around to see16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDs3JwJwqy
Cuvera staring at him with a look of disbelief on his face. He looked up at16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9kzPKeXJ6
Peyton who mimed slitting his throat and the warning was received loud and16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfkswNAhxy
clear. If he said anything, anyone he loved would be next. Vander said nothing16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PzIbx4xr2
as he turned around and headed outside.
A light drizzle had started to16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQZZebms90
fall during the nighttime making his flight a little more dangerous, but with16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99oxYUJz75
his abilities heightened he soon outpaced the soldiers chasing him. However, he16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2jTVcSCua
wouldn’t be safe until he made it to the city and disappeared entirely. No16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CjVs14Rfb
matter where he went in the city there would be trouble, so there was only one16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09bZOVS7jn
place he could go.
As he reached the third gate, a16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2FpAQRxki
captain was standing there. Jeffery Jilena had taken the post so those under16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lp625cUbE
his command could enjoy the wedding. He must not have heard what went on16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxKpNXCEYh
because he was standing there confused.
“Vander?” He asked. “Where are you16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cVWKK73bj
going and why is Shea over your shoulder.”
“You need to let me pass.” Vander16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cjPCvd9in
gasped. “Someone has killed Malcolm, and they are going to blame me for it. I16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUnREwaIGO
need to escape so I can clear my name and find all those responsible.”
“The King is dead?” Peyton gasped.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bYpKkUwC9
“How do you know?”
“I was there.” Vander said16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolp8dMunTc
guiltily. “I couldn’t save him.”
“Who killed him then?” Jeffery16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIouUH6ptq
challenged. “Tell me.”
“I can’t.” Vander shook his head.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz8ZSvVswH
“If I don’t, he will kill me, and all of this would be for nothing.”
“Then you must go, but I must make16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLKq80n6LE
this look good.” Jeffery drew his sword.
“You believe me?” Vander was16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDZ3N9QtVk
shocked.
“You saved the King before.”16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlUJ2KOYMe
Jeffery said. “You wouldn’t just kill him now; you would have just let him die16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RNJQMxLb6
before. Plus, everyone tells me how nice and honorable you are. I don’t think16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzt4CF5yLxt
those who truly know you would think you capable of something like this.” The16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBJ5kAFwPe
sounds of soldiers grew closer. They were running out of time.
“I am sorry I have to do this.”16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhlv0IfZlA
Vander said. Jeffery held his sword by his side.
“Just hurry up.” He smiled. “Bring16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvjkAeBDgG
justice to our King.” Vander nodded then rushed forward, knocking him16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuRZu3BZ1Z
unconscious with a single punch to the jaw. When he fell to the ground, Vander16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQgafR4ptM
was already climbing up to the battlements. He looked back as the soldiers came16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDq7Z9oi0LA
to check on the captain. Once he was sure he was fine, he jumped down then16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYS06Rgxoq
slipped into the night.
The streets were quiet as he snuck16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaR71tWK3f
through the alleys. Come morning everyone in the city will be looking for him,16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqKN9Q9I71
but for now, he was safe. He ran all the way to the lower district right to the16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgewYHY9Pj1
Orange Fox. He knocked frantically on the door until Left showed up.
“What ya want?” he asked gruffly.
“Let me in.” Vander said, looking16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtUVzBnNmo
around nervously.
“Why?” Left’s eyes narrowed.
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“Auxilium postulo.” 16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOo20uQA4Kd
Vander said. Left’s eyes widened then he opened the door. Vander took16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsVspHN5Y8
one more look out to the street then stepped inside. The door closed firmly16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HV6ohcpAD
shut behind him.
