Chapter 6
Vander vaguely remembered the19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SmJbgYSC8
feeling of being dragged up many stairs, carried down a hallway, and the warm19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjl6ncvhZY
covers of his bed. His memory of Julianna standing over him in the candlelight19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVv3ZP4jbZ
as she pieced together the pieces of his skin using thread, a needle, and19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XYebVZSzM
plenty of booze to disinfect everything. Shea guarded the door to keep anyone19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoYcTcbKTm
who she didn’t trust from entering, while letting out low whimpers as she19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOktV1xwuq
worried for her master. He dropped into an uneasy slumber, immune to the pain19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiesonvHod
that traveled through his body. The only solace he found was in dreams.
∙
A drop of water fell on19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNNqzEogc4
Vander’s forehead. His eyes remained closed, but the weather was determined to19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lmDMaRFsE
wake him. Several more fell on his face hitting his eyes, forehead, and mouth.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6Vh8j69Ig
His eyes scrunched together before he slowly opened them. He was confused19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIAjf7YGjt
because he expected to wake up in his bed with the roof of the inn above his19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokv2p9m0wj
head. But instead, he saw the cloudy morning sky surrounded by tall maple and19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYSmoHf04Q
pine trees. He was dressed in ill-fitting rags. The pants went as far down as19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcb2EJmE4c
his shins while his shirt was in tatters. He slowly rose to his feet, his stiff19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7JoUlXjqY
muscles protesting from the sudden movement. It hadn’t been long since his19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmyyFb02uv
injuries, but time moved differently here, as it did in all the realms of the19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9BKQporRc
Deities.
He could smell blood and sweat,19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hSSRcbk0Z
the trademark sign of his patron goddess, Unna, Lord of the Beasts and Madness.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMIraaKdBp
There were hundreds of beasts waiting in the woods, their red eyes focused19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62yAHb8OAV
solely on him. Any wrong move would send them into a frenzy and would tear him19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo18yJlr54q
apart. It was the rule of the jungle here, you couldn’t show fear. The first19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaPt7GTIl9
time he had come here all those years ago was almost his last, but he had19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleBg4b3oNr
adapted quickly killing a creature that had mistaken him for easy prey. The19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAeHZ21tRp
rest fell in line, but sometimes a creature gets a little too full of19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g2YFfErPR
themselves and must be put in their place. However, the fact that he had woken19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT7SgBbct6
up here meant the ruler of the forest had grabbed him, no one them would go19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdQSdTiPOQ
against her orders.
He got to his feet then started19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eI6KQVEef
to walk along the path laid out for him. He ignored the biting pain in his feet19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ309ulDz3Sp
from sticks, stones, and dead leaves scattered around. His blood scented the19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA7gTmdedR
ground marking him as the forests now. He knew that when he died he would wind19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jfhtneLpk
up here, the same as all the other beasts. This was the forest laying claim to19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkIrBhqzj9
him for its mistress.
He walked for what seemed like19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh40RTrHKsm
hours, but he didn’t get tired, hungry, or thirsty. He just put one step in19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaabZX2O0TP
front of the other. It had started to rain, but he kept it going until the sun19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoat2IdNnIl
had set in this domain and the creatures around him grew quiet. The woods19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpwvd8bCLG
became thicker, and the normal brown trees turned blood red. The sky darkened19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhIC2ym1FS
then the moon appeared illuminating the woods in a blueish glow. He heard19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9mMhHoRJk
running water coming from his left. He turned to walk into the woods towards19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZv52M7Pxd
the waterfall where he knew Unna would be. He saw a large white wolf walking in19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVjD1gLyrO
step with him. The creature was twice the size of Vander with white-blue fur19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbiJkT1fWE
and deep red eyes.
Ritoru, if legends were to be19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxjbnWko8D
believed, was the first human to accept Unna’s blessing. He had lived as a19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6Fqi0UGSZ
tyrant, slaying anyone who crossed his path and offered his victims life for19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM5WbyMDhK
the deity. In exchange for his loyalty, she made him into this creature forever19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1Cttmo4kT
to serve her and kill those unworthy. The truth was, she had prayed for his19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNs2kUs7Tad
weakness and need to be stronger. Promising power beyond his wildest dreams, he19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlBJRLVcr0
accepted it without understanding the consequences. Now he was a prisoner of19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxsruSb9sb
his own making waiting for the day he gets released from his own personal hell.
They walked for a little while19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUDOMRltWl
until the trees thinned out revealing a small pool that was being bathed in19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmLAXFVhOm
moonlight. There was a small rock formation above the moon with a light trickle19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31rHLhtGBl
of water cascading down into the pool creating a ripple effect. The water was19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Eu5vnORrq
crystal clear, and you could see little, tiny fishes swimming around in the19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTXqaTjaNJ
depths. No matter how much he wanted to go into the crystal blue water, he19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU879RJVxPJ
couldn’t. This was Unna’s pool and going in without her permission was19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuyHdQFODl
tantamount to suicide. So, he sat down and waited.
Within the middle of the pool19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHUqfmRnq6
large ripples began to emerge. Moments later a pale woman burst out whipping19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmaJrP61Iu
her black hair over her shoulders tossing water behind her. Even though he19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfTGv22Skq
couldn’t see her face, Unna’s nickname as a seductress wasn’t wrong. She had a19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtunMgYVxL6
thin body, that was surprisingly filled with muscle. She was graceful and curvy19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkq0RNU7O0n
but eyed you up in the way a hunter looks at prey. Even now, sitting on the19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1CvBnDbzA
ground, Vander was aroused and based on the coy smile she tossed at him over19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1k9Nx4riVx
her shoulder, revealing long pointed canines, she noticed.
She took her time leaving the19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSa0szDSBw
pool, swaying side by side as she walked towards him. Her thighs rubbed19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9g5ISp41T
together as her breasts moved slightly with the movement. As she stepped out19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKKlsWAFWI
from the pool, a sleeveless black dress with a low-cut neckline and a slit down19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ferrFJjBk
the left leg. Some how she looked even better with clothes on.
“You’re a naughty boy.” She19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkzkFGQd0D
smiled. “You are thinking all sorts of dangerous thoughts aren’t you?”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMmuqLMhS7
He stood up as she walked over towards him. She looked at a finger under his19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVLdaO5QvX
chin and pulled him so close that their mouths were almost touching. “You19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOem3m0BIiS
want to don’t you Vander? It’s alright, I’ll give you everything you could have19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzk1OC35sh
ever wanted in a woman. So, how about it?” It would be easy for him to give19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNAF8lo4o7
her all of him and many times he was tempted, but he knew what happened to19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XwKL2fp1t
those who couldn’t resist. He wouldn’t end up like them.
“Why have you brought me here?”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwA83ezZvhJ
he asked. Sighing with frustration, Unna let him go. It was so sudden that he19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbCYCAIYgR
fell back on the ground. She towered over him then placed a bare foot on his19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqjXtMCHf5
chest. He could see her dress, so he quickly looked away.
“You’re annoying you know that.” She19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgQjMg3JhE
snorted. “At first the chase was fun, but now I’m growing bored of it.”
“It’s not my fault you chosen me19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq0foSx2iR
to be your champion.” Vander snorted. She bent down over him and stuck her19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpmWWmIwpo
fingers to his side. He let out a hiss of pain as she dug her fingers into the19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl2YSGRQO7
side where Leon had cut him. Her hand was covered in blood as she brought it up19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrvM8oR0Ri
to her mouth then licked her fingers clean.
“I taste poison in your blood,19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUU8ZvqZmHw
Vander.” She grinned.
“Poison?” he asked. “What19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm3RRxLjBw
kind of poison?”
“Do you know why you come here19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdX2LoIdp9
Vander?” she asked. She stepped off him then walked behind him. He rolled19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PQ7HGoUqo
over and got to his feet as her throne appeared out of thin air. The throne was19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWweeyN97H
made from pure white bone. They said it was the bones of all she killed in the19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCvVIKPSut
war, but it was hard to tell. They had all fused together to create the throne19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HJ1FRHXtD
and it was difficult to pull out individual pieces.
“I assume you will tell me.” He19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiX6Ng8ZdB
said.
“You come here when you need19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCIipNQ0tD
something from me.” She explained. “It doesn’t have to be a conscious19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ByN9mFyyC
need; it can be a subconscious need. Whether it be to get healed, needing some19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFmJPQRa4F
answers to a question, or getting your rocks off. It’s always something and I’m19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtq3sHvX3t
getting tired of it.”
“What is it I can do for you19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEnqDjVJCN
then?”
“Give in to your demons.” She19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS73sGBEdY6
laughed. ”Give in just once and I will heal you.”
“If I give in, I’ll end up closer19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMY1dGnj4Et
to becoming one of your slaves.” He growled. “I will not go down that19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqI2jidID3
path, no matter what.”
“You don’t have a choice, Vander.”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVJBI1PbEF
She got up from her throne and grabbed him by the neck. She lifted him off19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eW6QJ33Wv
the ground and brought him close to her. “Once you said yes to me, your19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjmcXIVIHh
future was already written. You are mine.” She dropped him gasping and19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbPiVA984t
wheezing to the ground. “However, you still have a role to play, one of19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEfy6kt1zW
which my grandmother has already told you about, so I cannot let you die here.”
She snapped19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCyLJWU1Pl
her fingers and a searing pain erupted from his side. He thrashed and screamed19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBjveVVMKf
as the flame coursed through him. His body began to twitch and squirm as his19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyXRGfjBlS
blood began to boil. As quickly as it started, it ended. He lay on the ground19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMK6FxG7OQh
breathing heavily as steam rose from him.
“Remember Vander,19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxiNmWfN3A
you are promised to me and no other. Go. Fulfill your role, now begone.” She19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt32hSiLDR8
waved her hand. His body flew backwards, out of the woods, then slammed back19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfnfLlQlZp
into his own body. “I will be waiting.” Her voice echoed in his head. He19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOMVJxbZwQ
opened his eyes.
∙
There was a large19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuC2jecBAc
weight pushing down into his chest. His vision was still foggy, likely from19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRljlMViptl
both passing out and the poison that had infected him. There was a warm white19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGollKoJXq5
presence there. He slowly reached out his hand to rub Shea’s head. She bolted19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0caU2aXaj1
straight up and began licking his face in earnest. She jumped up and down19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUdUzj1UpH
happily barely missing Vander’s body with each step.
“I’m so happy19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8fClC1o5O
you are awake.” she barked. “I was so worried about you.”
“What’s all that19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMyVDNMQbk
racket?” Vander looked over to see Julianna staring groggily at the bed from19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNRRY1b17O
his desk chair. A blanket had been dragged out from the closet and placed over19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRHSHcEoJy
here. She stared at him for a moment, bewilderment on her face, before she19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahLdgYZwHj
jumped up and ran towards him. He didn’t have time to admire her wearing the19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQA6ZsuwFAk
sheer night gown before she launched herself at him.
“You’re awake,19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsCsMBfCQE
I’m so happy.” He felt tears splash on his face as she sobbed into him. He19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYwhQ4R1dL
placed his hand on the top of her head.
“It wasn’t that19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstLFo4dKlD
bad of a wound.” He chuckled. “I’m not sure why you’re so worried about me.”
“You idiot.” She19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIo6ygxaOX6
growled. “You have been out for about a day. For awhile you got very feverish,19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7NBlqURZI
and your breathing became shallow. I would have brought a doctor in to take19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeTn4ErQRf
care of you, but Shea stopped me.”
“I smelled19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPehRtXHkO
poison in your blood.” Shea said. “If you’ll let me, I’ll rip that boy19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQOEf0A7it
apart for trying to kill you.”
“Leon seemed to19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSLo8xEEac
have poisoned his weapon sometime before running me through.” Vander explained.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGH2MMegyi
“If it was anyone else, they likely would have died.” Vander went to get up19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CsImP1P0k
from the bed, but Julianna pushed him back down.
“You’re still19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ilew24GYt
wounded, you should rest and let me get the soldiers to bring Leon in.” Vander19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6m4TDR0SP
grabbed her hand causing her to flinch. Sighing, he lifted his shirt to show19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PknKtNaMX
her that the stitches had disappeared, and the wound had closed. Shocked, she19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ia4aLwzwZ
gingerly traced her fingers tips over the fresh scar, but he didn’t wince once19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a0t3QlSbU
from discomfort or pain. “How?” she whispered.
“Part of my19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDscptOFURB
curse.” He picked her up quickly causing her to let out a small squeak of19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aVo6Jff64
surprise. He flipped her around, so she was where he was just lying. They19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBrfP0Yvvk
stared at each other for a second before Vander broke eye contact and got up19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7akXyCEEh
from the bed.
“Curse?” she19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvELVqSE8Qb
asked. “What curse?”
“There’s no way19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVU6Owh3G0
you haven’t heard the rumors.” Vander chuckled to himself as he walked into the19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcfK3uB6PJ
bathroom.
“Of course I19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZwn8ioUZg
heard the rumors.” She said. He heard her feet hit the ground then followed him19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgBu629daI
into the bathroom. He let the water run for a while before removing his clothes19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLMGA1sqGS
and dropping them in a pile. “You have no shame huh?” He looked over his19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtT4LLOn5W
shoulder to see her eyeing him up and down with a mischievous gleam in her19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJC3lWzkU6
eyes.
“The rumors, for19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEMcjUFUaK
the most part, are true, Julianna.” He said. “No good would come from getting19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6JktGyqy4
too involved with me.”
“I’m not looking19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnntO0cC6j
for anything serious.” She shrugged off her night gown. “I have an inn to run,19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7otfoNZvm
but I think some thanks is an order and besides,” she looked below his waist.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF6zOQCwVB
“I think you might like to blow off some steam as well.”
“Can’t really19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQyd42gaDD
argue with that logic.” He shrugged. He stepped aside then held out his hand to19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BWcJV23mD
help her into the tub.
She embraced him,19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSx9kRRjKKc
placing her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her face. He wrapped19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5C3sXWPvda
his arms around her waist and planted his lips onto hers. Their tongues flicked19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLCdusPwbz
against one another as she opened her mouth inviting him deeper inside. Suddenly19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS5N2wmS1l
the lust he felt while being near Unna surfaced and he allowed himself to give19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivAWJ2ccmV
into his base desires. At first Julianna was surprised, but after a moment she19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfkqVApim5
met him thrust for thrust. Their bodies mingled together as the haze overtook19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGN5QJRVV2
them, allowing their instincts to take over.
It was morning19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQySSHpK02k
before Vander woke. Julianna had already gone, the spot on the bed still warm19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbH0PvQsvDO
from where she had fallen asleep next to him. His body ached and he spotted19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MB1ZieOF1
several new scratches that he would have to do his best to hide lest his19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAw7gqAPJj
grandfather see them. He quickly pulled on his shirt, pants, and boots. Before19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cGOlRkhGq
he left he put on his jacket then grabbed his sword from the closet.
The bar had been19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSF1lT1fK49
tidied up since last night’s shit show. The tables were back to where they had19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCdsxFgpyl
been and there were no signs of the fight at all, not even the blood that fell19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36nraJVWVD
from Leon’s arm or Vander’s side. Julianna was behind the bar cleaning dishes. When19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOabY7FA3U
she heard him enter the bottom floor, she looked up, gave him a small smile,19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPAPiQTTDN
then went back to her work. He debated about getting something to eat, but he19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrpW74IW4o
was already late to see his grandfather, so he decided to skip a warm meal and19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVc8v1IMXT
settle for something on the way.
The streets of19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOckd07ZMp
Eluvia were quiet this early in the morning. The sun hadn’t yet peaked over the19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOaAtyQLrd
horizon, so the streets were still dark, but gradually lightening. The furnace19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7xzYBCFUi
was on at the bakery a couple of streets over, so he knocked on the window and19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqJgX55k8C
waved one of the workers over. A sweaty man unlocked the door then poked his19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlpK71Mc7D
head out.
“Sorry, we aren’t19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEfkxkPaHK
open yet.” He wiped his forehead.
“I just need a19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qD884Pn8e
small roll,” Vander reached into his pocket to remove a silver coin. “Would you19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OmIbPNpHe
mind?” The man looked from the coin to Vander then back to the coin.
“Sure, we can19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4y0uK6Tkn
spare a roll for you.” He ducked back inside, making sure to lock the door just19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjkQQlvtQ9
in case Vander tried anything funny. He came a moment later with a hot roll19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24WsVdI5n8
wrapped up in paper. “Here you go.” He held out the roll and the two of them19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVFHipvDII
made the trade. It was hot to the touch, it must have just come from the oven,19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYGZ9NFFBD
but Vander didn’t mind. He happily handed over the coin and went on his way.
The guards let19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTrf8YHBPy
him pass without issues, though some of them gave him a pitying look which was19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8vNpwhDWu
a little confusing, but he paid no mind. Bernard was waiting for him at the19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR5lIzEh28
bottom of the steps leading into the castle with his head bowed.
“Good to see you19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllMZg2vD8K
Vander.” Bernard said.
“It hasn’t been19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat0UZh5ZEE
long since I was here.” Vander said. “Why are you being so polite?” Bernard19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUFzbkhIjr
straightened up making sure to fix his tie which had become crooked.
“When you didn’t19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJVTpVlDVO
show up yesterday we feared the worst.” Bernard explained. “Leon explained that19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFdG3w1iPe
you had attacked him and were wounded when he defended himself. Your19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9M1a8CS1W
grandfather was besides himself and Leon’s father wanted to hunt you down and19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0JRMM5POv
make you pay, but Peyton managed to calm him down.”
“Of course, that19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ018IvaqJjT
little bastard would lie about something like that.” Vander clenched his hands.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5YuJskXFP
“Where is my grandfather? Can I see him?”
“He’s up in his19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VHxFwbwoE
office.” Bernard said. “I’m here to bring you to him, but I should warn you.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2ORUndBMm
Leon and his father are up there right now as well. Apparently they heard word19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKRbXNdKrb
you were coming and decided to wait. I am to take your sword please.” He held19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp3s12uB29
out his hand.
“Am I in trouble?” Vander unbuckled his sword and19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yD1AhrHCk
handed it over to the King’s servant.
“Possibly, it19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0XcSpSDdf
really just depends how convincing you are.” Bernard slung the sword over his19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCJ26sCW4h
shoulder then escorted Vander inside.
Along the hall19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbpk8z9kvU
leading towards his grandfather’s room, there were Blades lined up against one19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSAb2c4q0W
wall and soldiers against the other. The air was tense as the soldiers did19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKTnptTX5k
their best to goad the Blades into attacking them, but it never worked. They19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dfmHOWfcQ
fell silent as the two of them walked past, but several soldiers reached for19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoYJwPCFaA
their weapons as some form of veiled threat against him. The door to his19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGx0uppFnlO
grandfather’s office was flanked by another Captain, Leyta, an older Blade19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfjvJs48Ye
several classes ahead of Vander. Jefferey Jilena was standing next to her on19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpYS9NFtgR
the other side of the door.
“Captain.” Leyta19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7guqVP64n
nodded. “He’s waiting for you inside.” She opened the door then stepped back.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85L8F5P4B7
Vander’s heart hammered in his chest as he stepped through.
“You’re a dead19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78RLZIDArr
man Vander.” Leon said smugly. He was sitting in the chair across from Charles19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQdbJ84gc3
with the arm Shea had bitten in a sling. But Vander ignored him to stare at the19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17meD9Pdrm
man who was standing by the window with his arms crossed behind his back.
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“Before we start19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KoLKVNmnj
your removal from the Blades, perhaps you can enlighten us as to why you had19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiup4MChcbK
your bitch of a dog injure my son.” Viggo Visc, the third most powerful man in19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmyMV8q9Ns
the country, turned around to face Vander. “Depending on your answer, her life19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKjSfV2UqA
will be forfeit.”
