Chapter 5
Bree was a very attractive woman.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsgcbA3RrX
She had long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a toned figure from her time as a24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqqAzMi30B
Blade and now serving as a Captain in the Eluvian military. Instead of her24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDZpP5mumV
regular soldier attire, she decided to wear tight brown pants, brown booties,24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWjkhZBjmw
and a white sleeveless blouse. It looked as though she took a lot of care in24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK2Euddnfw
her choice of attire as he had to try hard to ignore the feeling welling up in24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97NKMyTHnN
his chest. They weren’t together anymore.
“Oh Vander, I’ve missed you.” She24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBFttcc6IN
reached up to touch his face, but he grabbed her hand as he pulled back.
“You don’t get to do that24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybVGqalsJB
anymore.” Vander took a step back into his room. “You made your choice six24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjnG3xYNP3
months ago and I’m not one to play second fiddle to someone else.”
“Come on.” She scoffed. “You know24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dkm6bEDUe
I had no choice. My father forced me into this, I couldn’t disobey him.”
“Not even for someone you24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYhGj4XDwE
professed to love?” he snorted. “I’d have left the Blades if you asked, but you24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrNSRVi0S5
dropped me as soon as your father snapped his fingers. You never loved me Bree,24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDf9A3rJ7vm
not really.”
“Vander, that’s not fair.” He24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozT4Bf8Ejw
voice was starting to rise. “I spent a lot of time this past six months24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SkORtujlY
thinking about us. I will tell my father to end my engagement to Leon, so we24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumyyn2HiHv
could be together.” Vander’s heart pounded at the thought, but he wouldn’t allow24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsS2oOkjAg
himself to be ruled by his emotions.
“I’m sorry, but you made your24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N8N0ryopU
choice and now we both have to live with it.” He walked towards the door and24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wmYLZDVIC
held it open. “It’s time for you to leave.” She sat there in the middle of the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7odUoVtCM
floor her face flushed with rage. She clenched her fist and for a second he24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65kBt1kMut
thought she was going to swing at him. She thought better of it but made sure24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbUqQ2Izjq
to slam her shoulder into his arm as she left. She didn’t even say goodbye.
“Give me the word and I’ll rip24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBWb8f8Tfm
her throat out.” Shea snarled. Vander walked over to rub her head.
“I don’t want to give you24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ljXASEh9Q
indigestion.” He teased.
He had known Bree since their time24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUr1ynX1dc
as recruits roughly eight years ago when they were both sixteen. They had24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eHyF1lUXr
gotten close, along with the other members of their squad, but after an24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmioeGNtKl
incident during their first mission cost the lives of their training officer as24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg7yWrZCT7
well as two of their comrades, they hadn’t been the same. They had clung to24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDNoqddzTg
each other during the rougher times and grew close. They had been each other’s24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHlVbrT3Nl
first, a bond he thought would cement them together for the rest of their24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQBpMR9cF6
lives. But six months ago, that had fallen to pieces. He had done a lot of soul24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAyhNIWKWg
searching while he was in isolation with his new recruits and decided that he24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhj3er6YTWs
would keep things professional between them, nothing more, nothing less. She24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5E6E2X4iDN
had ended things with him for her father’s favorite and got engaged to Leon24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDMw7wnVsN
instead. That was something he wouldn’t readily forgive or forget.
He rubbed Shea’s head then24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA7XbcuDnK
promised to bring her back some beef from the kitchen when he returned later.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qNjl91IQX
He didn’t want to be late for his recruits first night out since joining. He24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNxz8zF8GC
left his sword behind because he doubted he would need it, then left the room.
If there was a lot of people24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuv5MboNac
before, there was even more now. People were crammed against the walls and the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPZLPdMHH3
servers were having issues making their way through everyone. A larger square24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzAwXMMotH
was opened up between the booths and musicians for more people to dance the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8MJGoUHDg
night away. Upon stepping into the floor, he saw Alexander’s head poking up24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvEM49dGMo
above the crowd. It was one of the perks of being friends with a giant. His24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ01eV4jeI
voice thundered out to order some food and drinks for his table sending a24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd59yq5Qwk
couple of the servers scrambling to fulfill his wishes. Vander snaked his way24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7JSW8XqOP
through the crowd dodging flying elbows and kicking feet to get to the table. Alex24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bNH4LFXGH
was still wearing the clothing he had on earlier, but he left his uniform top24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQBGAqphYf
at home and instead opted to wear a black leather jacket.
“About time you got here.” Alex24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TSjj2gMxY
grumbled. This man did not like large crowds, but he came out to spend time24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4SZPlr3ah
with his friend. A sacrifice that wouldn’t go unrewarded tonight. “Would me24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO9TWHJKgz
seeing Bree storming out of here have anything to do with it?”
“Some.” He motioned for the bigger24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80UDbS0UVv
man to slide over so he could sit down. “She told me she would end the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3HspI89C4
engagement with Leon to have me back, but I told her that I wouldn’t get back24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgZRLXMcJK
with her. She made her choice six months ago and I won’t be played for a fool24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkMns6zeJd
again.”
“You turned that down?” Forest24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8StEb9U4tn
gasped. “I would have thrown myself at her if she asked me to be with her.”
“You’d throw yourself at a bear if24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXImW49tHeB
you think you’d get lucky.” Briar snorted. Forest shoved her then she shoved24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Owqc3hfMe
him back. It would have devolved into a fight if Rooster hadn’t pulled them24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfZAcd13l0
apart.
“We’re here to have fun.” He24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSUrU85BAt
snapped. “Not get thrown out of here before we even had a drink.”
Each of them had dressed in their24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZHMaHaszr
best clothes for tonight. Most of their clothing was now a little too small24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwklWL0JRxz
since they had each packed on a ton of muscle since they left the city. He24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQypK00Uzp3
guessed that he would have to make a request to his grandfather to give them24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYNJE9MxP0
some money for new clothing. The only one that seemed to have gotten clothing24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoAGo5e51g
that still fit was Eve. Unlike the others who wore pants and a shirt, she had24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEO5xUfW52
decided to wear a long white dress and shoes. Even Chicken had decided to dress24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwfFpHBvW5
for the occasion and leave her oversized clothing at home. She wore a brown24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EOunhHDdb
buttoned shirt and a pair of tan pants. He wondered if Eve had lent the outfit24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CjtC5glGu
to her.
“Each of look very nice.” Vander24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlrA8uxX2r
nodded his approval. “Remember, tonight feel free to eat and drink as you24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DJUfpCzQ4
please, but there will still be training tomorrow as usual, and I will not go24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWhgqSOM7X
easy on you just because you are hung over.”
“Come on Forest, let’s go dance.”24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQRCzhCedq
Briar pulled on his arm, removing him from the booth. He protested fully but24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGxfmAmftH
allowed himself to be led away by her. She grabbed his arm, placed the other24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtgminTPpo
one around her waist and started leading him around the dance floor making sure24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmq7qEmb8mm
not to bump into anyone along the way. Within moments the two of them were lost24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMoJIOUACy
from sight.
“Will you dance with me Vander?”24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuULEbz9BG
Eve looked down at her lap. It took him a moment to register that she had been24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZSuIlPpjb
the one to ask him and not Chicken.
“He has two left feet.” Alex24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3YVzq7u2W
slapped him on the back. “I’m you’ll find someone to dance with you out on the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoukPFLgF5D
floor. Look,” they turned to where he was pointing and saw two young men24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloclqt1wOB
smiling at her from the other side of the Inn.
“But I want to dance with-“
“I’m sorry, Eve.” Vander forced a24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTzspKeK2X
smile. “I’m a bit worn out from our travels today, so I think I’ll sit tonight24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOFqba8NsV
out. Shall I call you over once our food is here?” Nodding angrily, she walked24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fVDRI5U9a
from the booth, grabbed both young men by their arms and pulled them onto the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdpYE7q5Ac
dance floor.
“What about the two of you?” Alex24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyym5vaV1k3
asked Rooster and Chicken.
“I think I’m just going to read.”24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2CGLzbHtP
Chicken removed a thick leather-bound book from her bag from under the table.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDeVJbHcZw
The title was called: The Life of Boris Britebyrd, The First Blade. He24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEF8AiA25S
didn’t know that she was into history, seemed as though the two of them had24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZNl15z7UP
quite a bit in common.
“I’m okay just sitting here.” He24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzEequDcu2
looked wistfully out towards the dance floor. Tracing his gaze Vander saw that24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5gHQrTjG3
he was watching Eve dance with the two men. It looked as though she was24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWEZz0JqL7
enjoying herself, but that might also have been for his benefit.
“Why don’t you ask her to dance?”24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbBnMSkezk
Vander asked.
“Because I see the way she looks24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7bWWGi1zM
at you.” Rooster grumbled. “And I can’t ever hope to compete.”
“It’s just a crush.” Vander24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofhGjKsbNV
reached over to place his hand on Rooster’s shoulder. “She will get over it.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN8m6VTH3p
Besides, no one could say no to you. You’re a wonderful kid and you won’t know24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTySfDoUHef
unless you try.”
“Alright, but later.” He sighed.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkxZQmga6t
He became quiet up then proceeded to stare out the window until the food24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5oLBTvYwB
arrived. The server placed down a basket full of bread, a bowl of hearty stew24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jzj8nwofI
for each of them along with a tankard of beer and many glasses. Vander asked24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp0bYuGMXu
her to bring him some Dwarven Whiskey as well. She came back a couple of24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJnta0mqW3
minutes later with several shot glasses and the bottle.
Rooster and Chicken wasted no time24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtmKkrnUg7
and started digging into their food. They never let food grow cold or go to24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUGthLEwJd
waste. A pair of bottomless pits which stemmed from their time homeless and24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRoVoS1BlL
never getting enough to eat. Forest and Briar came after a few minutes. Briar24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTSb29Ss0k
was grinning ear to ear while Forest slumped into the booth breathing heavily24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07dUniaK6B
and sweating profusely from his brow. Briar helped prop him up before starting24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdbK9snosH
to eat. Eve was the last one to make it back to the table. She was out of24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyY4BVTUvu
breath, her face flushed with exhaustion. She sat down next to Chicken not24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6qbNMH8Ly
looking up at Vander as she started to eat.
As the music thrummed into his24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEwNSEcgPx
head, he started feeling ill. Loud noises and people sitting so close to him24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZHTL6US4v
wasn’t something he enjoyed. His senses were being assaulted and he needed some24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPueZXHQmcw
air, but first he wanted to make sure the recruits were taken care of.
“Congratulations on making it24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OtvCJJk3Q
through your first six months of training.” Vander said. “Alex and I couldn’t24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX42Nr0y98
be prouder of all the progress you made since we started and while things might24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6VOTAQ9qp
not get easier from here on out, I know you all make fantastic Blades. So, eat,24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubtZmRLV4c
drink, and party to your hearts content.” Four of the five of them cheered.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIR0pjeQSd
Vander poured them each a shot and they all tossed it back at once. “Will you24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39o8a5SVbl
make sure they get home alright?”
“Of course,” Alex looked24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVsHTVa6GR
concerned. “Is everything alright with you?”
“Too much noise for me to handle.”24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcZV0fIKPj
Vander explained. “I just need to step outside for a few minutes okay?”
“Alright, just take it easy.” Alex24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RTgoXw3Fi
said with a slight frown. Vander excused himself from the table. He went24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYdnIwccda
through the kitchen then out the back door into the cool night beyond.
Nighttime in the city was24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxznTtGW29
different from the forest. Out there the sky was clear you could count the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8V4pvnd5Q
stars or try too at least. Humjir’s light shone everywhere even in the darkest24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk921rX4HY0
corner. The animals made sounds of course as the night hunters prowled the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTQ3Gdvy5f
ground and sky, but there was a rhythm to it. There were times he and Shea24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmTawdj2lo
would stay out under a large tree listening to the animals as they relaxed from24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRm0RzQzIPf
the day’s activities. Often enough Alex would come out to wake them out because24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkEvDu3rT3
they had fallen asleep in the grass. Here, there was nothing soothing about it.
Humjir couldn’t be seen from the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Y7xZRpmpk
city aside from the highest tower in the King’s estate. You could only see a24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rhbvEcH5T
couple of stars, but even then their lights were muted. Then came the sounds24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5vmbXfvGh
from humans, not animals, that showed how rotten the city truly was. The sick24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN7Sz2PwWt
could be heard coughing all night long as the homeless shuffled along looking24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5zbQuQsvc
for a place to stay, any place that would take them. The hungry wails of24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYnJyBwt23
children often fell on deaf ears because everyone else was too busy partying24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeo3RnKNHhH
the night away. He couldn’t help but wonder how many people inside the inn24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLQFJyB4DO
right now children at home starving had while they were drinking the night24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WeeinixXr
away. Both he and Shea were of one mind that they would be happier living in the woods away from all these people, but24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Okhrk0qNK
duty called and neither of them wanted to turn their backs on their friends.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVBYMuyBvX
Perhaps, one day, they would be able to retire somewhere far from here.
He was so lost in thought that he24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3r4UQV5jc
failed to notice the door opening behind him. “You should really be more24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGs7p7WfPN
careful out here.” Julianna said. He wasn’t one to startle easily, but he leapt24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8XbMqexVn
from his boots once she spoke.
“Don’t scare me like that.” He24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hW45jDdZM
growled. She wrapped her arm through his and pulled him to his side.
“Don’t be a pansy.” She giggled.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk3hluzlqX
He could smell the slight tang of booze on her breath. Her face was flushed24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM835wiheBM
bright red, and she was breathing heavily. The strap of her dress hung loosely24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlD9nS5Qws0
on her shoulder, so he reached over to pull it back up for her.
“You needed a drink to come out24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9SHq7tNap
here and greet me?” he teased. “I thought you were braver than that.”
“Oh please.” She rolled her eyes.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuun34BmU8A
“This wasn’t for you. Some of my patrons like me enough to buy me something to24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjLa5I75I1
drink and dance with me. I just came out here for a breather.” The two of them24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgDdXIHFgc
stood there in silence leaning up against the side of the building. Julianna24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4rMbmbMVL
placed her head on his shoulder, but she remained stony faced and still.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L2OEUKNO7
“Vander.” She said after a few minutes.
“Yes?” he asked.
“Did you get the closure you24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT0h0dVsGn
needed with Bree tonight?” He looked down at her. There was a wistful look on24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3qm1V8PnR
her face as she looked straight ahead.
“Heh.” He laughed. “I was24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOpdllDtZu
wondering how she made it past you. You let her in didn’t you?”
“Guilty.” She spoke softly. “If24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURg6uKD5DO
you were going to take her back, I was going to throw you out of the Inn. Once24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADCDVYsssI
she stormed off pissed as hell, I knew you made the right choice.”
“You’re always looking out for me,24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE06sDMAC4k
thank you.” he bumped her shoulder lightly with his. She smiled up at him with24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAFgr6uCki
a slight blush on her face. The two of them sat out there for a little bit24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBUkv2kVJE
without speaking. The quiet night air helped him soothe any aches he may have24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJqRNVLFvw
had plus her company was a welcome boon. He knew that she didn’t harbor any24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdiXEbgk8C
feelings for him, neither him for her, but their friendship would stretch for24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyz8zjQrc0
years to come, he could feel.
A sudden shout along with the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS89awZqZF4
breaking of glass broke the serene quiet air. Julianna turned too him with a24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZxHFgdFZX
concerned look. “What the hell was that?” she asked.
“I don’t know.” He frowned. “But24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvalNJpQzX
stay here, let me go look.”
“It’s my Inn.” She snorted. “I24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkbGrTZ3Gm
won’t be waiting outside like some helpless damsel. Let’s go.” Shaking his head24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlDqLqZg9Z
as she rushed past him, he hurried behind.
As soon as she walked through the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEUi2GQJ8m
door, he pushed her head down as a glass mug hit the wall next to them24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CAYxxpDo5
shattering upon impact. Shards of glass rained down over them, but they slid24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7l5pvnfKo
right off his sleeve. Thankfully there was no liquid inside.
“Bring that white-haired bastard24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS73QAQyQm
out here this instant.” Someone shouted. Vander recognized the voice as Leon’s,24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvhizoWGvu
so he must have been talking about him.
“Fucking Bree.” Vander pushed past24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf9iN24rKP
Julianna through the kitchen and into the main Inn. Right in front of the door,24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcmyYQ8qHh
flanking both sides keeping anyone from either entering or leaving were four24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VQ2V59eRb
Blades, in uniform, with their hands on the hilts of their swords. Standing in24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vC8OUpQk3
front of them was Leon with his sword out pointing to the ground. Vander met24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFprzp4cvP2
Alex’s eye. He was standing in front of the table blocking the recruits from24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1joUyhsWYX
being spotted by the pissed off Captain. Their eyes met. Alex shook his head24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQPbWm4sxk
and motioned for Vander to leave out the back, but he was going to leave these24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8vzdMKONx
people here to take Leon’s wrath. As a captain he had a duty to uphold the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk9OvmFBq5
standard of the Blades, so he pushed his way through the crowd to stand in24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1GwjMbFIu
front of Leon.
“What are you doing?” His voice24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgLzaf0iNJ
boomed. He made no attempt to hide the annoyance in his voice. “Is this how a24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2uKa2CYqo
captain of the Blades is supposed to act? Drawing your weapon in a business and24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXbpy53FB9
trying to intimidate everyone here? What’s the matter with you?”
“There you are you bastard!” Leon24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRGBIYqEzt
raised his sword pointing it at his chest. “Why was Bree here? What did the two24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuP9oDSdri
of you do?”
“Is that what this is about?”24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttQllD0mCv
Vander scoffed. “Nothing happened, I sent her home, end of discussion. Now it’s24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGoYEMYMG6
your turn to get going before I report this to the Commander.”
“And you expect me to believe24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mWT74eTHJ
that?” Leon laughed. “You were gone for six months and the day you come back24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGVkXjmF6R
she comes to visit you? You’re full of shit.”
“It’s true.” Julianna pushed her24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKi4VILLofn
way through to stand by Vander. “I let her in, and she left five minutes later24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZo7a1epOU
crying. I suggest you take it up with her and get out of my inn.”
“Now you have your new bitch24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pLqxiMN24
covering for you?” Leon snapped. “Take this punk outside, we will settle this24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0af9vGp9I
like men.” The four Blades guarding the door moved forward towards the crowd.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd84GfnRxo
Alex pushed past to stand by Vander causing the four of them to pause mid-step.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcevfFrtX3v
“Alex, stay out of this, this doesn’t concern you.”
“It concerns us all when you use24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RMGZaaAGj
your power for your own ends.” Alex snapped back. “You came to a private24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTI2ZsteE3
establishment, threatened citizens, and are threatening a comrade, one that,24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gplZNI0ii
until recently, outranked you. This is an abuse of power especially settling a24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfydLp1KAi
private affair.”
“You think that matters to me?”24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHGMEODx7l
Leon asked. “When my honor is on the line? Do what I ask or I swear I will use24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQiwjFoCng
everything in my power to crush you.” Vander stepped out until they were face24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DtdNtjbyF
to face.
“Is that a threat Leon?” Leon24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0TASDqddm
responded by pushing Vander backwards then bringing his sword up underneath his24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPXfnCnvHH
chin.
“No this is a- ahhhhhh!” Shea24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZkQawkdxA
leapt out from nowhere and bit down on Leon’s sword arm. Vander could hear the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVhq85DXsE
bones crunching in his arm as she screamed out in pain. He dropped his sword24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ECJ76fi7B
then tried to wrench her mouth off his arm. Blood sprayed as everyone started24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEkGpoVlPo
screaming. Vander saw Leon’s goons rushing towards her, so he rushed forward blocking24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJEpGMsxWn
their path.
“Shea, release him.”
“But-“ her voice echoed24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQQ1CdyyAQ
back.
“NOW!” She released him, but24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI5gHIf4fi
jumped out of reach and bared her teeth. With blood dripping down his arm, he24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYMd3x7RqJ
slowly got to his feet. His face was red with rage.
“Your mutt will pay for that.” He24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2D4CoeSwET
whispered. “You will all pay for standing in my way.” He grabbed his sword,24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarPT7jij2B
spun around, and thrust at Vander. Because he was facing away from Leon, Vander24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkAhOMv5SN
couldn’t anticipate the move. However, in his rage, he missed anything vital,24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5LABhznJ5
but he still carved a deep gash into Vander’s side. He fell to the ground24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqChGyamX2
holding the wound as blood seeped through his fingers.
“Damn it.” Vander groaned. “What24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3StXO9StXK
the hell is the matter with you?”
“You’ve looked down on me for too24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQfSQUtIrD
long.” Leon spat. “Now it’s time you tasted defeat.” Leon lifted his sword24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNil3xkBR4C
again, but Alex got there first. His fist collided with Leon’s face sending him24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmFZttpztC
sprawling onto the ground.
“You crossed a line and not even24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KINnGp3Pc
your father will get you out of it.” He snapped. “You four, get him out of here24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmoYInAY0M
before you find yourselves thrown onto the streets and not even Viggo Visc’s24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvhycJhn1d
influence will keep you safe.”
“This isn’t over.” Leon growled as24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXiehpmm4W
his four lackies picked him up off the ground and dragged him out. “You better24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRf5PsoJZWD
find yourself a new job, Alex. I’m coming for your ass.” Vander heard rushed24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTrhflBHO7
footsteps coming towards him. Julianna placed a towel over his hand to help24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfLneVmOxw
staunch the bleeding.
“Let me see.” She whispered. He24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlQo6PqBIY
winced with pain as he carefully moved his hand. “It’s deep but didn’t hit24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALZEbTWO7J
anything vital. We are going to have to stitch you up.”
“Fine.” Vander allowed himself to24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFlUuZ1Gyp
be lifted to his feet. “Alex, will you make sure the kids get back safely?”
“We should get you to a doctor.”24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqDGLl95Je
Alex said, but Vander shook his head.
“I’ll be fine.” He gasped. “Pay24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivqr2A0K0Z
for everyone’s meal as an apology for Leon’s outburst. There should be enough24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWibAhit1C
money to cover it in my room. We will also pay for the damages here.”
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“I understand.” He said. Alex24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9GAZscc7g
began to shout, but Vander’s eyes started to close. The blood loss was more24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8PRPllwaZ
than he thought as he had difficulty staying awake. The last thing he saw was24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqTrcdfl39
Shea leading the way upstairs towards the room.
