Chapter 8
Bernard grumbled in the corner as41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI27lqqZIa
he cleaned the vomit from off his shoe. Another servant had been summoned to41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wNHbQTW5B
clean up the mess while Vander was given some water to drink. The rancid smell41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ70k2GQ8AV
from the King’s chest hadn’t left his nose and it was making him woozy.
“What happened in here?” Peyton41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAnHuSWLX4
asked. Topal spent some time explaining everything that the two of them had41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0O9icS2Ws
discovered while Vander hugged the bucket.
“So, there were two things put41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHDelx48Q8
together that caused this mess.” Bernard sighed. “Is there anyway to cure him?”
“Doctor.” Vander closed his mouth41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23BB4hHbwl
to keep the bile from coming out. “I need you to start making the remedy for41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwzxPMZFQq
him, please.” He wheezed. “I don’t think I can take much more of the smell.” He41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofKmd34UMu
pulled a trash bucket closer to him just in case he needed it.
“I’ve never dealt with his kind of41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo254n7iofw
poison before.” Topal shook his head. “I have no idea how to fix it. You41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUo8qUrCH6
figured it out, do you have any notion?” Vander closed his eyes allowing the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnz297H5IU
smell to envelope him. Despite being the Deity of Beasts, Unna’s gifts came41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UfLPDoUmN
with another perk. It allowed him to work wonders with poisons and their cures,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MulLuT1xH
a leftover from how close she is with her aunt, Lyshena.
“We need something to strengthen41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A0jHkoFId
and clear his lungs.” Vander’s voice sounded far away. “Take some wild41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnHEOB9RsP
cherries, horehound, and mullein, then boil a pot of boiling sea water. All the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiFw2TfX2t
King to inhale the vapors until he coughs out all the black goo covering his41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo9nRp11hb
lungs. To wake him up, you will need to soak him in a tub filled with more salt41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11siEnzkz0
water and lavender extract. He should recover.” Vander slumped forward then41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2XWm5O9MA
jerked to the left filling the bucket with more vomit.
“Are you sure?” Bernard asked.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhxxnptB41
“That seems like a very simple remedy for something like this.”
“It’s not simple at all.” Topal41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhkh8x3sxF
shook his head. “I never would have thought to sting these together to cure a41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd69yytyYe
poison. I would have looked for a cure all and likely would have flailed around41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKaSWzhHWU
while he died under my care.”
“Are you blessed by Lyshena?”41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XM6HypPW5
Bernard asked. He checked over his shoe before grunting in appreciation. He41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkG4W20uOT7
might have been a stick in the mud, but he knew how to clean up. “That’s the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FuZRCDZyk
only way this would make sense.”
“You can’t tell anyone about41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcwLs8VjQr
this.” Vander said. He shared a knowing glance with Topal. “He doesn’t want41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgLBqmeiY6
special treatment because of who he is blessed by, I hope you will keep the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVgBZPLEcv
secret.”
“If it helps me save Malcolm’s41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfZ3oE8JGu
life, I will keep this secret to the grave.” Topal smiled. “And if Bernard41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob5osJwKgs
doesn’t, I know how to get rid of a body.” Bernard choked on his saliva,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZM4gewDDvT
coughing until his face turned bright red.
“That’s uncalled for.” He laughed.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdptrpS12my
“I can keep a secret; you don’t have to worry about me.” There was quick knock41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwKXlphsxu
before Charles opened the door to slip back inside.
“What did you find out?” Vander41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL4N47KGng
got up from the table to stand by his grandfather.
“No one has seen the taste tester41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWVPw49ZaD
since the night the King fell ill.” Charles explained. “We should go down to41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeudeHMSu6T
the servants’ quarters and check up on him.”
“I forgot,” Bernard snapped his41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQLFK89H4E
fingers. “There was a third person with me to visit Malcolm, a new servant.”
“Why didn’t you mention this41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuEjzhqisp
before?” Peyton turned to the man anger rising in his voice.
“I didn’t think he was important.”41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrozHnVAEVU
Bernard shot back. “I just remembered I left the tea in his hands while I41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCztclvknH
opened the door. I didn’t think there was enough time for him to slip something41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz39z7cx1Z
into it, but, thinking back on it, he had it long enough to slip something into41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EvWZIW9Ya
it. How much was needed to poison the King?”
“A small amount, any amount.”41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjBrOHNoLY
Vander said. “As long as it was ingested at the same time as the ocecrest, it41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOMGM0O0MP
would have done the trick.”
“Do you know who it was?” Charles41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV2oohD5Es
asked. “The name of the servant?”
“The king likes to meet any new41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJuxNf4Xcd
worker to get their story as well as their struggle.” Bernard folded his arms41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgGGQaZNBH
over his chest. “I believe his name was Nigel. He should be living in the same area41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8oiOwnotk
as the tester who is named Ulysses. I will help Topal get the items needed to41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxuj58loKZ
cure the King, you find the people that could be responsible for this.”
“Let’s go, Vander.” Charles went41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXQqliiIdC
to help Vander up, but he clutched the bucket and emptied the rest of his41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDpiIisLxc
stomach contents inside.
“Get him out of here.” Bernard41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzafcO0CZM
looked quite green himself, so Charles pulled Vander outside, making sure to41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj5a42ZNvq
leave the bucket in the room.
Vander was grateful for the fresh41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDTSXNfrLm
air that being in the hallway brought. He leaned up against the wall breathing41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyriPBdyP7
its cool crisp air. Charles looked at him sadly. “I never knew how much this41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzMoY7DF0m
curse affected you. Seeing you like this just-“
“Don’t worry about it, Gramps.” He41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZ05tmfZ20
pushed off from the wall then clasped his grandfather’s shoulder. “It has more41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmCvrfvxBa
perks than drawbacks. Let’s get going.”
As he walked, the feeling of41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xlDqAJOVc
becoming himself gradually returned. Chanelling the abilities of Unna, no41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBpxxkjxZk
matter how small, always took it out of him, but this was the first time he41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPHnRMnSLZ
felt quite so rough afterwards. He was going to have to do something that would41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkyf5OdFR9
return the blessing she had given him, but she didn’t accept anything other41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gbrADoU8H
than sex or a blood sacrifice. He didn’t want to bring Julianna back into this,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYImIGh7A0x
so the only other option was to visit the pits, something he avoided as much as41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrPOIzUjWV
possible, but if he didn’t he could lose more than just his mind by ignoring41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBu7ZW7Dla
the deities’ needs. It had happened before when he was younger, and it couldn’t41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje4dBPuWtv
happen again.
Charles had told41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16Hk6fzi5S
him what had been going on since the past month or so within the Kingdom. Many41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgk9xthJFK
of the Blades had been dispatched to the Warden’s to bring them here, which was41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qj4cyU1V0
the main reason there were more soldiers guarding the keep recently. The soldiers41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0ng5KAzCW
were on high alert and were making everyone uncomfortable, but they were doing41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFnanfhSpe
their job, not willing to risk the wrath of the King if anything went wrong.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWprD5jrkq
Merchants came from all over to offer their services to the crown ranging from41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UJP7jaOC7
food to decorations and, in some instances, jewelry for the eventual Queen. A41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgksjrQC66E
lot of those were centered within the Grand Ballroom.
They arrived at41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn7biOcSKO
the Grand Ballroom where many of the servants were stationed for the next few41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ywy9FnDdZ
days as they prepared for the prince and his new bride’s arrival. It appears41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE5aKBrq9A
the kingdom was spared to expense for this extravagant part as everyone of41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv3PwIfKgy
importance from all over the Kingdom was visiting, The walls on the left half41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBa1aCJrU9
were being draped in brilliant red and gold banners with Atza’s symbol, the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaV7gD5cd7
lioness with a golden crown on her head. The right half was being draped with41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxakH24MTH
cool blue and white banners with Humjir’s symbol, and the Elan family crest, a41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExiRQMgLE2
white dove with an olive crown on its head. The symbolic nature of the marriage41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78oYkLG2LN
between two rival countries wasn’t lost on anyone and they were taking great41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSfQ48ay6Z
care not to offend either deity.
“Where should we41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJCaNm3h4C
start?” Charles looked around the room with a troubled expression on his face. There41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUsta2P7jj
were too many people to question as they were looking for two people, albeit41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdmyi46I9h
important, but around here, anyone could disappear if they wished it. Vander41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl54fBlGXNX
spotted the servant who seemed to be in charge, an older gray-haired woman41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tzt7zhB00
holding a clipboard, quill, and bottle of ink. There were two other servants41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GyhD8Kw7X
standing next to her ready to carry out her orders.
“We start with41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2KOV30rON
her.” Vander nodded towards his grandfather.
“With Beatrice?”41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogsuGdPDY9
Charles frowned. “She is Bernard’s right hand and his sister. If anyone knew41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuRptZOdN9
where those two are, it would be here. Let’s go talk to her.” The two of them41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJkRNdzgCw
walked over as she started yelling orders:
“Make sure those41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkHaJf95my
banners are crease free,” she snapped. “I won’t have this place looking unkept41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQh1SjvS6y
for when the prince and princess arrive.” She turned around to see two female41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0QlsaWszE
servants leaning up against the wall whispering to each other. “You two, if you41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzQxDFXHKJ
are done for the day you can go home, and I’ll dock your pay!”
“Sorry ma’am.”41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0iUdP1ktK
They curtsied then went back to folding their napkins.
“As for you two.”41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxvXtJCIWn
She didn’t even turn around to greet them. “What can I do for the Blades this41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hJPoeJwnI
morning? As you can see I am quite busy so make this quick.”
“We are looking41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0Q66S9NLI
for two servants and we are wondering if you have seen them around?” She looked41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTnQQmuHnX
up at Vander from under her wire rimmed glasses.
“I’ve seen many41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xUL7Uk11e
servants, be more specific.” She demanded.
“Nigel and41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQySTLcrvc7
Ulysses.” She clicked her tongue, but then quickly scribbled a note then handed41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42AcbSFzly
it over to the servant next to her. “Bring this to the baker quickly. I forgot41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iRCqwOiXa
she needed our order.”41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwvZ2dCTK8
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡso6ai2w0Yi
“Yes41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrG9H8nsQ8f
ma’am.” The servant bowed then scurried away.
“I haven’t seen41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdUQBwrMg4
Ulysses for a couple of weeks, something about being sick.” She explained. “I41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwL5mQUXVwY
sent for the doctor, but there was nothing he could do for him. As for Nigel,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUZnMaT1e2
he should be in the kitchen helping the cooks. Why?”
“Thank you.”41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61bvkRgt1A
Vander and Charles ran towards the door that would lead downstairs and towards41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW0vgAwCaR
the kitchen leaving a confused Beatrice standing behind them.
“Blades.” she41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vf6IZODSZ
muttered. She looked around to see more of her servants standing around, so she41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkokBD7zIH
walked over towards them.
“Do you think41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpg42YWh6dE
Ulysses is dead?” Charles asked once he knew they were out of ear shot.
“He might not41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYOBMxNvAR
have had enough of the poison to render him comatose, but he could still get41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oTAuY0Ny7
deathly ill from it.” Vander explained. “But let’s find Nigel first since he is41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsstdKeowcE
the one we suspect of the poison.”
“How do you want41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLvHODoVJM
to handle this?”
“You go in and41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5qWHw1NCv
talk to him.” Vander said. “He should be a little intimidated of you and if41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6lOhhpWSK
cornered, he will likely try to run. I will be there to keep him from escaping.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ2LZ2JQ8n
There is no telling what he might do, so be on your guard.”
“I know how to41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoivAnt7tqJ
handle myself.” Charles scoffed. “You just worry about yourself.”
The two of them41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSfcJGkXjI
made their way down towards the kitchens which you had to pass through to get41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGR2OXN1RG
to the servants’ quarters. There were other ways of getting there, but this was41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDEtvNofkC
the most direct way from the King’s quarters. Despite the castle being large,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBrCvzqp7I
based on the sheer number of servants required, it wasn’t feasible to give them41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0w6xCA7rAO
their own room. Often there would be two or sometimes three servants per room41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjm2s0mHJW
segregated based on gender, thought nighttime activities between them wasn’t41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVFisirNMV
uncommon.
As they made41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCj2ZO3UYnN
their way into the kitchen, the head chef, known because of her oversized hat,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfwd97gAnz
was looking down at a piece of parchment with a quill in her hands. The others41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3n1cKTLa7
were bustling around her trying not to draw attention to themselves as they41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjeXJbg7EW
worked. It looked as though they were preparing for lunch as several of them41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWerINWtPc
were chopping up raw pieces of meat on the counter while others were collecting41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFJYiLZVZf
vegetables to go into a stew. The two of them walked straight through, not even41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKO3IY0H5u
bothering to greet the chef as they made their way towards the servant’s area.
As soon as the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO20lPScxBd
saw the first door, Vander knew they had hit a roadblock. The doors weren’t41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf0zVcVdzK
labeled or named. They had no way of knowing which room belonged to Nigel or41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHzwp8ITWm
Ulysses. Charles stood there frowning; how did they not know the quarters were41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUcUSqFlji
like this? It was a major blunder, but perhaps not all was lost. Vander tried41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvcSg6Z6Oe
each door to see if it was locked. Servants weren’t allowed to lock their doors41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HCW2UyvHu
if they were needed, but he figured if one of them needed to hide something,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm9Q7ZfucT
they wouldn’t leave the door open for all to see. It was a huge gamble, but by41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WaWdK4Tub
the time he got to the last door, it paid off. It was locked and he could smell41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMrSmjYsQR
something rip coming from inside.
“Watch the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIPjqusj6P
kitchen for me.” Vander whispered to his grandfather. Charles nodded his head41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDXdNr74lr
then used his frame to block the view. Testing the door one more time just to41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXQl7cJUCu
make sure it was locked; Vander shoulder checked the door several times until41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCIJEIXtxs
he heard the latch break. Rubbing his aching shoulder, he kicked the remainder41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3ylpj5Qcf
open until it was hanging sideways. That’s when the full weight of rotting41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2gH8qDPoh
human hit him so hard he puked for the fourth time today. Charles heard him and41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64ch6rB2DM
came racing over.
“What in the name41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vXfnOjedq
of Humjir is this?” Lying on one of the beds was a servant, Vander’s guess was41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMfQRgw9i6
Ulysses, who didn’t fare as well ingesting the poison because no one was41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSM9CGPX1ta
looking for him. His body had swelled up in death and his face was deep purple.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5gKLZca1p
He was shirtless showing off a physique that wasn’t normal for the serving41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYzEA9cQwC
class with scars crisscrossing his body. There still appeared to be evidence41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF7rT0B4js
that someone was still living in this room despite the stench due to the empty41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyPkMa5m22
plate with food that had molded, and clothing rumpled in the corner. How anyone41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz4wOo2r58
could live like this was beyond him.
“Vander go get41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIsdjl8Ude
someone to seal off this room before you puke over anything else.” Charles41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRjpdsgCOJ
ordered. Thankfully for being allowed to leave he did as he was asked. Some of41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBijmyCkSo
the servants who were on break were crowding the hallway curious to see what41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtU6FSdGQ3
was going on.
“Clear out of the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe4wT12fOY
way.” Vander shouted. “Someone grab Blades who are walking around and tell them41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUYKTV9Eyv
to come here.” When no one moved, he was forced to use his authority. “Now!” He41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0PCLOuMNS
screamed. They scattered to do as they were ordered, but one stayed behind. He41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G7oCuZmaa
was a tall man, muscular, with brown hair and green eyes. Upon seeing Vander,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyQNMOoNwB
he froze.
“What are you41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPocHh5YeM4
doing down there?” he asked.
“Are you Nigel?”
“What’s it to41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g43fiECd0
you?” he asked.
“As Captain of41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDc00hbRClF
the Blades I am detaining you as a suspect in the murder of Ulysse’s.” he said.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8x95MhMYB
“Stay right there.” As a surprise to no one, Nigel bolted back the way he came.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDBovQ7NhI
Cursing to himself, Vander vaulted over the counter to give chase leaving a very41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcr9C4LjEQ
irate chef picking up her paper covered in ink.
Nigel was fast.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tanlaePST
He raced through the halls, ducking into doorways, and changing directions like41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcZmCnAbAL
some intimately familiar with the castle layout. It was one of the times Vander41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOiIdgwY0I
wished he had brought Shea with him despite the risk, but for now he was on his41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPtkYIlmHx
own. He knew that he was faster, but all of today’s activities were beginning41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOszLX49SvF
to take its toll on him. He was feeling weak and sluggish, but he didn’t dare41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUkZFgTGdl
let Nigel get away, not when he held such vital clues. But no one knew the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpidsxIoeXG
castle better than he did, so once he recognized where Nigel was going, the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0LOQLP026
gardens, Vander took a left up a flight of stairs. It leads to a balcony with41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wMGt903O4
open space which would give him the opportunity he needed. Once he saw that he41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH1DB4wq6v
and Nigel were neck and neck, he willed his body forward, borrowing some energy41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0oPs0NDmu
from Unna, then launched himself off the balcony and down towards Nigel.
The two of them41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX7snZmrU9
collided and Vander was sent flying into the garden itself landing on a bush.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCled2E3gSq
If it had been the ground he would have been in trouble, but the worst he’d41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5qMpjLckM
have now was a couple of bruises on his back. He got to his feet then placed41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmongYCXaEE
his hand on the hilt of his sword. Nigel was groaning out in pain, slowly41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy6MhAscK5
trying to get to his, but the hit he had just taken must have taken all the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoQ8EJ7g9g
fight out of him.
“Alright, I’ll41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKmDUsDD4H
come with you.” he gasped. Vander hauled him to his feet.
“Why did you have41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoNAOThGEk
to make this more difficult for yourself?” Vander asked.
“Because they41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCdJmXjVxD
will kill me if I talk.” Nigel groaned. Vander shoved him up against the wall.
“Who will?”
“You don’t know41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZUgkNKy9v
them.” Nigel grabbed his arm. “They will kill everyone I love, and they are in41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2uLuyje0H
places of power you could only dream of.” His eyes widened as he stared at41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6OkeL5J5T
someone standing behind them. “No.” Vander turned around, but something whizzed41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHfJPNqDw2
right past his face. He felt something wet hit the side of his face. He turned41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnoaY2gkZN
around to see Nigel gurgling blood with two knives embedded in his throat. His41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdjZ9hpIKA
eyes grew wide as he mouthed the words: Run. He slumped to the ground dead.
“That wasn’t41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn3LDbKlQF
smart.” Vander turned to face the assassin. They were wearing all black and41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHSUAfpzxs
their faces were covered. They held two more knives in their hands along with a41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslqKcGDhLG
sword strapped to their backs. “Now you’re going to have to answer the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMklJ1BGU7L
questions meant for him.” They tilted their heads but gripped the knives41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhQi1A2fnr
tightly. He made the first move. He drew41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuWnOtf6Mt
his sword as he charged them. The assassin just brought their knives up to41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU1hOZ1Rgi
deflect the shot. Their leg shot out hitting Vander in the knuckles causing him41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYoddKXe9j
to yell out in pain then drop his sword.
He didn’t let41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31IEfEqp6w
that stop him. He grabbed their wrist to keep one of the knives away from his41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UEoa1tTgx
body. Using his strength, he squeezed the wrist until they were forced to let41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z2hATEs3X
the knife go, then he brought his shoulder into their chest and threw them over41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kdtXqANly
his back and onto the ground. However, their feet landed squarely protecting41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSqREOpnef
them from hitting the cobblestone. In his surprise, Vander didn’t react quick41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvs5iULUHwg
enough when they flipped over him then wrapped their legs around his neck then41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVr3ImmNPf
began raining elbows on top of his head. He brought his arms up to deflect41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfIzGiqdJJ
before deciding to charge into the wall. The assassin didn’t let up even as he41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWf9OMBPJ7
jumped off the wall and landed on the ground. He heard the crack of their back41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVkN7NnJEW
as they landed, and their legs eased up their assault. Vander coughed and41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnyuG0m9T9
wheezed as he massaged his throat to breathe.
“Enough of this.”41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec5zLOaWxg
The assassin groaned, but steadily made their way to their feet. They had a41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25W0ojNIyP
soft voice, almost feminine, which confused him. He remembered the voice, but41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Rf2zsubGt
he couldn’t tell from where. They drew the sword from their back and held it in41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLEOOoPt0c
Vander’s face. “I was supposed to leave you, but you’ve pissed me off enough.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhudhTq8i5D
Die.” They lunged at him, but they left an opening for Vander to roll to the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqDbEMz7Am
side to grab his sword. He brought it up just in time to deflect the strike the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIDGN32luA
assassin aimed at him. He punched their ribs causing them to stumble sideways.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnf8YyU48V
He then swept out their legs causing them to again fall on their back.
Two blurs sped41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmluWhZ1B5s
out from their hand, and he was barely quick enough to dodge. He could smell41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2xC8Ku83t
the poison emanating from them and he knew those weren’t something he wanted to41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3Hx1Mb6iS
get hit by. They got to their feet, but he could tell that they had been41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqUPjgv3B5
injured.
“Come with me.”41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJySIa3BhqU
He said. “I can protect you.”
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“I don’t need41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPYUVYLU2N
your protection, Blade.” They hissed. “Eluvia has taken everything from me and41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqpAaOx7CJ
soon, we will take everything from you.” The removed a small capsule from their41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLo6hx5QAf
pocket and smashed it on the ground. Black smoke erupted from inside causing41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAWgdaabtI
Vander to violently cough and fall to his knees. He tried to run out of the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJATXiZY0XD
smoke, but his legs were leaden. The last thing he saw before passing out was41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kXXXChhpH
the assassin jumped into the garden and disappearing from the sight.
