Chapter 5
Bree was a very attractive woman.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDvFHsYDUR
She had long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a toned figure from her time as a87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEuX5Mjmr4
Blade and now serving as a Captain in the Eluvian military. Instead of her87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRWxQxJEwd
regular soldier attire, she decided to wear tight brown pants, brown booties,87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eQl0aQ94k
and a white sleeveless blouse. It looked as though she took a lot of care in87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo74i0eh41
her choice of attire as he had to try hard to ignore the feeling welling up in87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWMX2G9jRb
his chest. They weren’t together anymore.
“Oh Vander, I’ve missed you.” She87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLOKiKgQqQ
reached up to touch his face, but he grabbed her hand as he pulled back.
“You don’t get to do that87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCJt3pdLQC
anymore.” Vander took a step back into his room. “You made your choice six87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlqmjtKfrx
months ago and I’m not one to play second fiddle to someone else.”
“Come on.” She scoffed. “You know87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSM4BCSrG3K
I had no choice. My father forced me into this, I couldn’t disobey him.”
“Not even for someone you87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPi0hbnMFkl
professed to love?” he snorted. “I’d have left the Blades if you asked, but you87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuX0Euk4Xy
dropped me as soon as your father snapped his fingers. You never loved me Bree,87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6aq915huA
not really.”
“Vander, that’s not fair.” He87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1nyGEm9mB
voice was starting to rise. “I spent a lot of time this past six months87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfroL0x0I8
thinking about us. I will tell my father to end my engagement to Leon, so we87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HbXcYIXbt
could be together.” Vander’s heart pounded at the thought, but he wouldn’t allow87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9ke8XLTyI
himself to be ruled by his emotions.
“I’m sorry, but you made your87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiFmm9U8Jz
choice and now we both have to live with it.” He walked towards the door and87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a3116jcMw
held it open. “It’s time for you to leave.” She sat there in the middle of the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvDsekb79L
floor her face flushed with rage. She clenched her fist and for a second he87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMg8zOF709
thought she was going to swing at him. She thought better of it but made sure87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJiStpq48C
to slam her shoulder into his arm as she left. She didn’t even say goodbye.
“Give me the word and I’ll rip87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBgoV3NeMk
her throat out.” Shea snarled. Vander walked over to rub her head.
“I don’t want to give you87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIarV3GxS9
indigestion.” He teased.
He had known Bree since their time87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQgq20TENA
as recruits roughly eight years ago when they were both sixteen. They had87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtAslYO6iU
gotten close, along with the other members of their squad, but after an87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8B7KymYl7Z
incident during their first mission cost the lives of their training officer as87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rERFyBnGB
well as two of their comrades, they hadn’t been the same. They had clung to87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8d6kqtjav
each other during the rougher times and grew close. They had been each other’s87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgsfMS0JcG
first, a bond he thought would cement them together for the rest of their87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYitgF9FfB
lives. But six months ago, that had fallen to pieces. He had done a lot of soul87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS9zW7JZ8C
searching while he was in isolation with his new recruits and decided that he87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS1M7Mfrri
would keep things professional between them, nothing more, nothing less. She87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Dc8PqnAzQ
had ended things with him for her father’s favorite and got engaged to Leon87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPIzLQTdKU
instead. That was something he wouldn’t readily forgive or forget.
He rubbed Shea’s head then87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQB8z2grzz
promised to bring her back some beef from the kitchen when he returned later.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡys1IRIKazP
He didn’t want to be late for his recruits first night out since joining. He87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSZdLXo8Sd
left his sword behind because he doubted he would need it, then left the room.
If there was a lot of people87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5x13ArA1r
before, there was even more now. People were crammed against the walls and the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiiuk47HMN
servers were having issues making their way through everyone. A larger square87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZINWCgS4m
was opened up between the booths and musicians for more people to dance the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hPkHEX6vy
night away. Upon stepping into the floor, he saw Alexander’s head poking up87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M5J2qclgH
above the crowd. It was one of the perks of being friends with a giant. His87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPUkkNrHLn
voice thundered out to order some food and drinks for his table sending a87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7aL4G5rzL
couple of the servers scrambling to fulfill his wishes. Vander snaked his way87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTO57Okrdgx
through the crowd dodging flying elbows and kicking feet to get to the table. Alex87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oLsbQ42rI
was still wearing the clothing he had on earlier, but he left his uniform top87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMFfxQ33Lc
at home and instead opted to wear a black leather jacket.
“About time you got here.” Alex87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhqh0T3p5y
grumbled. This man did not like large crowds, but he came out to spend time87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpzRmaw63x
with his friend. A sacrifice that wouldn’t go unrewarded tonight. “Would me87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMw4oslxHB
seeing Bree storming out of here have anything to do with it?”
“Some.” He motioned for the bigger87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkJzQmDfV5
man to slide over so he could sit down. “She told me she would end the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3u54mqELq
engagement with Leon to have me back, but I told her that I wouldn’t get back87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp5jz238jO
with her. She made her choice six months ago and I won’t be played for a fool87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i71SeUJcY
again.”
“You turned that down?” Forest87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyDcZu2nFh
gasped. “I would have thrown myself at her if she asked me to be with her.”
“You’d throw yourself at a bear if87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPb9lfqoKFd
you think you’d get lucky.” Briar snorted. Forest shoved her then she shoved87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2hx6UPOLn
him back. It would have devolved into a fight if Rooster hadn’t pulled them87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAV8w6IjvU
apart.
“We’re here to have fun.” He87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYjsnOYaSv
snapped. “Not get thrown out of here before we even had a drink.”
Each of them had dressed in their87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aLfkL2C92
best clothes for tonight. Most of their clothing was now a little too small87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCY0OjGh94
since they had each packed on a ton of muscle since they left the city. He87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpjMdYGw9z
guessed that he would have to make a request to his grandfather to give them87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKOGTXG0dZ
some money for new clothing. The only one that seemed to have gotten clothing87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8v5lu4bMd
that still fit was Eve. Unlike the others who wore pants and a shirt, she had87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7sEe9JgzT
decided to wear a long white dress and shoes. Even Chicken had decided to dress87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG4TiSxBLq
for the occasion and leave her oversized clothing at home. She wore a brown87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiCkfKDx5r
buttoned shirt and a pair of tan pants. He wondered if Eve had lent the outfit87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt6njBniNM
to her.
“Each of look very nice.” Vander87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCXGF5nUKi
nodded his approval. “Remember, tonight feel free to eat and drink as you87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJB7istltzP
please, but there will still be training tomorrow as usual, and I will not go87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXMXxa1WTx
easy on you just because you are hung over.”
“Come on Forest, let’s go dance.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNM6ijFlJz
Briar pulled on his arm, removing him from the booth. He protested fully but87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OWCpLb8Uv
allowed himself to be led away by her. She grabbed his arm, placed the other87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNdtNIfMiA
one around her waist and started leading him around the dance floor making sure87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzcg8kjRWs
not to bump into anyone along the way. Within moments the two of them were lost87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyLmsLoVNv
from sight.
“Will you dance with me Vander?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U7z6c6dMB
Eve looked down at her lap. It took him a moment to register that she had been87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIW0PzDShc
the one to ask him and not Chicken.
“He has two left feet.” Alex87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxusJOn2Bw
slapped him on the back. “I’m you’ll find someone to dance with you out on the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NNtVeNjbr
floor. Look,” they turned to where he was pointing and saw two young men87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pcMeUyTmJ
smiling at her from the other side of the Inn.
“But I want to dance with-“
“I’m sorry, Eve.” Vander forced a87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g6ghuI2az
smile. “I’m a bit worn out from our travels today, so I think I’ll sit tonight87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQlIxvifd1
out. Shall I call you over once our food is here?” Nodding angrily, she walked87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu234sm816
from the booth, grabbed both young men by their arms and pulled them onto the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xU9V0NVcg
dance floor.
“What about the two of you?” Alex87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX1xwnI3IT
asked Rooster and Chicken.
“I think I’m just going to read.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqRTrdKK2O
Chicken removed a thick leather-bound book from her bag from under the table.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9qxHhMrue
The title was called: The Life of Boris Britebyrd, The First Blade. He87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFdm48iZ8y
didn’t know that she was into history, seemed as though the two of them had87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNdXR7LVm9
quite a bit in common.
“I’m okay just sitting here.” He87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGFpWGUZBE
looked wistfully out towards the dance floor. Tracing his gaze Vander saw that87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJKOBHAtOH
he was watching Eve dance with the two men. It looked as though she was87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1OEUw9FEd
enjoying herself, but that might also have been for his benefit.
“Why don’t you ask her to dance?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0Q9ySBJyC
Vander asked.
“Because I see the way she looks87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvyuDtBrYu
at you.” Rooster grumbled. “And I can’t ever hope to compete.”
“It’s just a crush.” Vander87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Nrirm5ml6
reached over to place his hand on Rooster’s shoulder. “She will get over it.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalA6LTsff1
Besides, no one could say no to you. You’re a wonderful kid and you won’t know87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZQTDDho4S
unless you try.”
“Alright, but later.” He sighed.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHz29BlMDN
He became quiet up then proceeded to stare out the window until the food87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYwKx8AsP7
arrived. The server placed down a basket full of bread, a bowl of hearty stew87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYuZqQUHCq
for each of them along with a tankard of beer and many glasses. Vander asked87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzghzTMd2RU
her to bring him some Dwarven Whiskey as well. She came back a couple of87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKaki75MOg
minutes later with several shot glasses and the bottle.
Rooster and Chicken wasted no time87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOlJRa6t4M
and started digging into their food. They never let food grow cold or go to87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEoH9HjlRz
waste. A pair of bottomless pits which stemmed from their time homeless and87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9HYUhtAtF
never getting enough to eat. Forest and Briar came after a few minutes. Briar87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPKaD5L3cS
was grinning ear to ear while Forest slumped into the booth breathing heavily87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSj4ZHHc1r
and sweating profusely from his brow. Briar helped prop him up before starting87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8qJjgm41O
to eat. Eve was the last one to make it back to the table. She was out of87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTCbAwTqrn
breath, her face flushed with exhaustion. She sat down next to Chicken not87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4xb97lD2x
looking up at Vander as she started to eat.
As the music thrummed into his87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iysWYlTKD
head, he started feeling ill. Loud noises and people sitting so close to him87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjSh2k8HIu
wasn’t something he enjoyed. His senses were being assaulted and he needed some87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuGNQpKU9s
air, but first he wanted to make sure the recruits were taken care of.
“Congratulations on making it87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGyuoY5h3W
through your first six months of training.” Vander said. “Alex and I couldn’t87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WrbPKdtmT
be prouder of all the progress you made since we started and while things might87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEyc65hxxg
not get easier from here on out, I know you all make fantastic Blades. So, eat,87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4Lwp1UGbD
drink, and party to your hearts content.” Four of the five of them cheered.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhq8A2S5ibT
Vander poured them each a shot and they all tossed it back at once. “Will you87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FUqFRx7rQ
make sure they get home alright?”
“Of course,” Alex looked87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhFdMazXz8
concerned. “Is everything alright with you?”
“Too much noise for me to handle.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfWowmSNAH
Vander explained. “I just need to step outside for a few minutes okay?”
“Alright, just take it easy.” Alex87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWc0ml0cpb
said with a slight frown. Vander excused himself from the table. He went87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6zttgRml1
through the kitchen then out the back door into the cool night beyond.
Nighttime in the city was87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMwH4vJnwe
different from the forest. Out there the sky was clear you could count the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigxUrLmxXf
stars or try too at least. Humjir’s light shone everywhere even in the darkest87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JohNcOzH5
corner. The animals made sounds of course as the night hunters prowled the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDjlA1MRJO
ground and sky, but there was a rhythm to it. There were times he and Shea87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCWRrHDYWX
would stay out under a large tree listening to the animals as they relaxed from87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJbmEU54N2
the day’s activities. Often enough Alex would come out to wake them out because87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNM6OZgLTg
they had fallen asleep in the grass. Here, there was nothing soothing about it.
Humjir couldn’t be seen from the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueraazxlPu
city aside from the highest tower in the King’s estate. You could only see a87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHer3ahNTk9
couple of stars, but even then their lights were muted. Then came the sounds87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ306fGgG7Bi
from humans, not animals, that showed how rotten the city truly was. The sick87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEmbBfZR3L
could be heard coughing all night long as the homeless shuffled along looking87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0b3WZvjZeT
for a place to stay, any place that would take them. The hungry wails of87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOjOMpGZ5x
children often fell on deaf ears because everyone else was too busy partying87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK4Us2hAlr
the night away. He couldn’t help but wonder how many people inside the inn87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNJJflEg2g
right now children at home starving had while they were drinking the night87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8amwpq4mO
away. Both he and Shea were of one mind that they would be happier living in the woods away from all these people, but87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NXyLNRRAY
duty called and neither of them wanted to turn their backs on their friends.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDGh05xJh2
Perhaps, one day, they would be able to retire somewhere far from here.
He was so lost in thought that he87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcTLN9CKDe
failed to notice the door opening behind him. “You should really be more87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeFCBBHtXd
careful out here.” Julianna said. He wasn’t one to startle easily, but he leapt87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodGtAVsWvT
from his boots once she spoke.
“Don’t scare me like that.” He87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVFUhQ8Jel
growled. She wrapped her arm through his and pulled him to his side.
“Don’t be a pansy.” She giggled.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2mABp0hzo
He could smell the slight tang of booze on her breath. Her face was flushed87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFyJuwMnF4
bright red, and she was breathing heavily. The strap of her dress hung loosely87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Jl62xPYHf
on her shoulder, so he reached over to pull it back up for her.
“You needed a drink to come out87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9J7DSX5W1
here and greet me?” he teased. “I thought you were braver than that.”
“Oh please.” She rolled her eyes.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21NatC4Hqn
“This wasn’t for you. Some of my patrons like me enough to buy me something to87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwsrMt4w5f
drink and dance with me. I just came out here for a breather.” The two of them87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsxMRNi6BN
stood there in silence leaning up against the side of the building. Julianna87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVicN8WMlzh
placed her head on his shoulder, but she remained stony faced and still.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMeG6Jzp70
“Vander.” She said after a few minutes.
“Yes?” he asked.
“Did you get the closure you87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN9xiwqm7k
needed with Bree tonight?” He looked down at her. There was a wistful look on87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxP22lk7CS
her face as she looked straight ahead.
“Heh.” He laughed. “I was87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzRIqiz1Ts
wondering how she made it past you. You let her in didn’t you?”
“Guilty.” She spoke softly. “If87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS5ACkkAFq
you were going to take her back, I was going to throw you out of the Inn. Once87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuAHBpT1fV
she stormed off pissed as hell, I knew you made the right choice.”
“You’re always looking out for me,87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhouHzW2jqe
thank you.” he bumped her shoulder lightly with his. She smiled up at him with87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLaIjcfUyk
a slight blush on her face. The two of them sat out there for a little bit87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBc7LLAAZo
without speaking. The quiet night air helped him soothe any aches he may have87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9atLRPJeX
had plus her company was a welcome boon. He knew that she didn’t harbor any87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtzDH6Gqw8
feelings for him, neither him for her, but their friendship would stretch for87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7Ltl0zz6P
years to come, he could feel.
A sudden shout along with the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V232VxIqh
breaking of glass broke the serene quiet air. Julianna turned too him with a87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡan4wCUF9Iv
concerned look. “What the hell was that?” she asked.
“I don’t know.” He frowned. “But87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11H32kskjw
stay here, let me go look.”
“It’s my Inn.” She snorted. “I87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPrggfcqw9
won’t be waiting outside like some helpless damsel. Let’s go.” Shaking his head87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmmHgEcVLF
as she rushed past him, he hurried behind.
As soon as she walked through the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH2jgzEVhF
door, he pushed her head down as a glass mug hit the wall next to them87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUGh7FduHD
shattering upon impact. Shards of glass rained down over them, but they slid87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kZrNWrVAD
right off his sleeve. Thankfully there was no liquid inside.
“Bring that white-haired bastard87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomCiyNe7J0
out here this instant.” Someone shouted. Vander recognized the voice as Leon’s,87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1NqFPLpm0
so he must have been talking about him.
“Fucking Bree.” Vander pushed past87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQSPtnmijh
Julianna through the kitchen and into the main Inn. Right in front of the door,87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YWkQABPZT
flanking both sides keeping anyone from either entering or leaving were four87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMIeiPUSGv
Blades, in uniform, with their hands on the hilts of their swords. Standing in87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvF6pe8tvKy
front of them was Leon with his sword out pointing to the ground. Vander met87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hYWuLAjKB
Alex’s eye. He was standing in front of the table blocking the recruits from87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHaj9tgdru
being spotted by the pissed off Captain. Their eyes met. Alex shook his head87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiQPeJoZWH
and motioned for Vander to leave out the back, but he was going to leave these87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeCDG4VS5p
people here to take Leon’s wrath. As a captain he had a duty to uphold the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz0tWr47dC
standard of the Blades, so he pushed his way through the crowd to stand in87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiX88Lv0RO
front of Leon.
“What are you doing?” His voice87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3YQNjk3DF
boomed. He made no attempt to hide the annoyance in his voice. “Is this how a87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08XoxernfS
captain of the Blades is supposed to act? Drawing your weapon in a business and87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA0QBjTtav
trying to intimidate everyone here? What’s the matter with you?”
“There you are you bastard!” Leon87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMAp9zSnVk
raised his sword pointing it at his chest. “Why was Bree here? What did the two87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPfcxAwPaA
of you do?”
“Is that what this is about?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5f0X0GYf7
Vander scoffed. “Nothing happened, I sent her home, end of discussion. Now it’s87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnaaeVeSeo
your turn to get going before I report this to the Commander.”
“And you expect me to believe87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeTmgilGQm
that?” Leon laughed. “You were gone for six months and the day you come back87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72PjpobpbS
she comes to visit you? You’re full of shit.”
“It’s true.” Julianna pushed her87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSztYQyhbz
way through to stand by Vander. “I let her in, and she left five minutes later87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXf1PMkNTyu
crying. I suggest you take it up with her and get out of my inn.”
“Now you have your new bitch87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMMoMKV0fl
covering for you?” Leon snapped. “Take this punk outside, we will settle this87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMtTFptP0T
like men.” The four Blades guarding the door moved forward towards the crowd.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV50GAdzlW
Alex pushed past to stand by Vander causing the four of them to pause mid-step.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpYugGDm7E
“Alex, stay out of this, this doesn’t concern you.”
“It concerns us all when you use87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H3qu0eIT6
your power for your own ends.” Alex snapped back. “You came to a private87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TVr0ZPc34
establishment, threatened citizens, and are threatening a comrade, one that,87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6Bt9bhuJ7
until recently, outranked you. This is an abuse of power especially settling a87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73NWw9wVww
private affair.”
“You think that matters to me?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwunM0yUbjT
Leon asked. “When my honor is on the line? Do what I ask or I swear I will use87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw7aBZyuTe
everything in my power to crush you.” Vander stepped out until they were face87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zAUZY0gFs
to face.
“Is that a threat Leon?” Leon87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzcolkAFPS
responded by pushing Vander backwards then bringing his sword up underneath his87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wEYuBJs6Q
chin.
“No this is a- ahhhhhh!” Shea87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo1i7DAYyW
leapt out from nowhere and bit down on Leon’s sword arm. Vander could hear the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjsuIW0ZpS
bones crunching in his arm as she screamed out in pain. He dropped his sword87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4VBBQWq8w
then tried to wrench her mouth off his arm. Blood sprayed as everyone started87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn28lxt7gwE
screaming. Vander saw Leon’s goons rushing towards her, so he rushed forward blocking87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIP1xwbAhK5
their path.
“Shea, release him.”
“But-“ her voice echoed87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuGqbnqhNs
back.
“NOW!” She released him, but87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgqIrRwTEh
jumped out of reach and bared her teeth. With blood dripping down his arm, he87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhgRRUL1bd
slowly got to his feet. His face was red with rage.
“Your mutt will pay for that.” He87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PGTJsnmcc
whispered. “You will all pay for standing in my way.” He grabbed his sword,87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcKylho80b
spun around, and thrust at Vander. Because he was facing away from Leon, Vander87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkcO8GKdyn
couldn’t anticipate the move. However, in his rage, he missed anything vital,87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr7x1G1w68
but he still carved a deep gash into Vander’s side. He fell to the ground87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafE6yHTUp3
holding the wound as blood seeped through his fingers.
“Damn it.” Vander groaned. “What87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFgErf3vCU
the hell is the matter with you?”
“You’ve looked down on me for too87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJp72ICZe3
long.” Leon spat. “Now it’s time you tasted defeat.” Leon lifted his sword87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnU2kX0t9q
again, but Alex got there first. His fist collided with Leon’s face sending him87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmS4RGCSze
sprawling onto the ground.
“You crossed a line and not even87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ERtWWxKtk
your father will get you out of it.” He snapped. “You four, get him out of here87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQIJiLkquM
before you find yourselves thrown onto the streets and not even Viggo Visc’s87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Iqx2utmXJ
influence will keep you safe.”
“This isn’t over.” Leon growled as87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aEwPSYNMt
his four lackies picked him up off the ground and dragged him out. “You better87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMbzpbGrJk
find yourself a new job, Alex. I’m coming for your ass.” Vander heard rushed87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1jKp0aXj5
footsteps coming towards him. Julianna placed a towel over his hand to help87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHT4j7kuL3
staunch the bleeding.
“Let me see.” She whispered. He87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LotiLBmW0
winced with pain as he carefully moved his hand. “It’s deep but didn’t hit87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY60Xj2nApM
anything vital. We are going to have to stitch you up.”
“Fine.” Vander allowed himself to87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhgeF7G3Wt
be lifted to his feet. “Alex, will you make sure the kids get back safely?”
“We should get you to a doctor.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2socxccaq6
Alex said, but Vander shook his head.
“I’ll be fine.” He gasped. “Pay87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbhy2WtlB2
for everyone’s meal as an apology for Leon’s outburst. There should be enough87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3ARIiILn5
money to cover it in my room. We will also pay for the damages here.”
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“I understand.” He said. Alex87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmVET8naCP
began to shout, but Vander’s eyes started to close. The blood loss was more87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp17y9yu5px
than he thought as he had difficulty staying awake. The last thing he saw was87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrHqrghGzX
Shea leading the way upstairs towards the room.
