Chapter 8
Bernard grumbled in the corner as27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ52kQPqdRF
he cleaned the vomit from off his shoe. Another servant had been summoned to27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJONBSUZcJh
clean up the mess while Vander was given some water to drink. The rancid smell27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVLmNuURxX
from the King’s chest hadn’t left his nose and it was making him woozy.
“What happened in here?” Peyton27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09nvsbQMox
asked. Topal spent some time explaining everything that the two of them had27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTdfpyLGHe
discovered while Vander hugged the bucket.
“So, there were two things put27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm78kjT5NKL
together that caused this mess.” Bernard sighed. “Is there anyway to cure him?”
“Doctor.” Vander closed his mouth27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmsjyH8il9
to keep the bile from coming out. “I need you to start making the remedy for27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPbxnaT7CF
him, please.” He wheezed. “I don’t think I can take much more of the smell.” He27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRGsKY42ta
pulled a trash bucket closer to him just in case he needed it.
“I’ve never dealt with his kind of27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aNt1CGEIl
poison before.” Topal shook his head. “I have no idea how to fix it. You27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5v3sZFizHx
figured it out, do you have any notion?” Vander closed his eyes allowing the27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85v76SeTRZ
smell to envelope him. Despite being the Deity of Beasts, Unna’s gifts came27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpvebf4mab
with another perk. It allowed him to work wonders with poisons and their cures,27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRArvGhgHG
a leftover from how close she is with her aunt, Lyshena.
“We need something to strengthen27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp3XMtiskf
and clear his lungs.” Vander’s voice sounded far away. “Take some wild27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3Eb4uVxc9
cherries, horehound, and mullein, then boil a pot of boiling sea water. All the27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s4lJBfTwS
King to inhale the vapors until he coughs out all the black goo covering his27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjynGL6Oet
lungs. To wake him up, you will need to soak him in a tub filled with more salt27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAYJ86772f
water and lavender extract. He should recover.” Vander slumped forward then27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKnCZKIzPs
jerked to the left filling the bucket with more vomit.
“Are you sure?” Bernard asked.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlotNxthTI
“That seems like a very simple remedy for something like this.”
“It’s not simple at all.” Topal27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSUFvoQpfB
shook his head. “I never would have thought to sting these together to cure a27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Gt0gJW3QK
poison. I would have looked for a cure all and likely would have flailed around27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAoq4l05XK
while he died under my care.”
“Are you blessed by Lyshena?”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNLNddlJ1W
Bernard asked. He checked over his shoe before grunting in appreciation. He27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JRPtpPJYl
might have been a stick in the mud, but he knew how to clean up. “That’s the27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuzSQi5bN5
only way this would make sense.”
“You can’t tell anyone about27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0RcB50KdY
this.” Vander said. He shared a knowing glance with Topal. “He doesn’t want27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7UUQP6thu
special treatment because of who he is blessed by, I hope you will keep the27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNo8kx9VwN
secret.”
“If it helps me save Malcolm’s27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtI9BGSdaA
life, I will keep this secret to the grave.” Topal smiled. “And if Bernard27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIWj3IT1Bg
doesn’t, I know how to get rid of a body.” Bernard choked on his saliva,27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDfck01xzW
coughing until his face turned bright red.
“That’s uncalled for.” He laughed.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGzU210BSa
“I can keep a secret; you don’t have to worry about me.” There was quick knock27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOi45zCYGVq
before Charles opened the door to slip back inside.
“What did you find out?” Vander27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A413AOKsx
got up from the table to stand by his grandfather.
“No one has seen the taste tester27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6J7JuzzZy
since the night the King fell ill.” Charles explained. “We should go down to27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y9Z9q40bx
the servants’ quarters and check up on him.”
“I forgot,” Bernard snapped his27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW19p5jDC5f
fingers. “There was a third person with me to visit Malcolm, a new servant.”
“Why didn’t you mention this27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHxKtUmEVn
before?” Peyton turned to the man anger rising in his voice.
“I didn’t think he was important.”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD2o7CxmDx
Bernard shot back. “I just remembered I left the tea in his hands while I27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3LpYf4f6w
opened the door. I didn’t think there was enough time for him to slip something27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zhHnCfjj1
into it, but, thinking back on it, he had it long enough to slip something into27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPIcj7Sznm
it. How much was needed to poison the King?”
“A small amount, any amount.”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGLpBOnw7n
Vander said. “As long as it was ingested at the same time as the ocecrest, it27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmakOj4HgJN
would have done the trick.”
“Do you know who it was?” Charles27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwu8N9SWJt
asked. “The name of the servant?”
“The king likes to meet any new27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa6RKICGke
worker to get their story as well as their struggle.” Bernard folded his arms27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdRewaSxTt
over his chest. “I believe his name was Nigel. He should be living in the same area27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOJ9QyhoPT
as the tester who is named Ulysses. I will help Topal get the items needed to27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpUVlkX9uu
cure the King, you find the people that could be responsible for this.”
“Let’s go, Vander.” Charles went27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYaIQver5b
to help Vander up, but he clutched the bucket and emptied the rest of his27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLECfBrvqQs
stomach contents inside.
“Get him out of here.” Bernard27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld8sC4O4cx
looked quite green himself, so Charles pulled Vander outside, making sure to27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDxvCMvCEd
leave the bucket in the room.
Vander was grateful for the fresh27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgW0wH9MYO
air that being in the hallway brought. He leaned up against the wall breathing27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPWXASEuNi
its cool crisp air. Charles looked at him sadly. “I never knew how much this27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWeX1kypG3
curse affected you. Seeing you like this just-“
“Don’t worry about it, Gramps.” He27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOOUA3eNbq
pushed off from the wall then clasped his grandfather’s shoulder. “It has more27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWl0V2hoRd
perks than drawbacks. Let’s get going.”
As he walked, the feeling of27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQHDvVsUxQ
becoming himself gradually returned. Chanelling the abilities of Unna, no27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX031mPppHw
matter how small, always took it out of him, but this was the first time he27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5b0Kjtjnw
felt quite so rough afterwards. He was going to have to do something that would27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJkk3HE9As
return the blessing she had given him, but she didn’t accept anything other27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR3fzAVHLZ
than sex or a blood sacrifice. He didn’t want to bring Julianna back into this,27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKe0O4TKOg
so the only other option was to visit the pits, something he avoided as much as27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODjkyuaaBy
possible, but if he didn’t he could lose more than just his mind by ignoring27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f6DSNRaiQ
the deities’ needs. It had happened before when he was younger, and it couldn’t27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcus63qJkRS
happen again.
Charles had told27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHrLFvkoDm
him what had been going on since the past month or so within the Kingdom. Many27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVOQuGCpjt
of the Blades had been dispatched to the Warden’s to bring them here, which was27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddkM48zDUw
the main reason there were more soldiers guarding the keep recently. The soldiers27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvc70cOW0i
were on high alert and were making everyone uncomfortable, but they were doing27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ctFchrUcn
their job, not willing to risk the wrath of the King if anything went wrong.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nHu18SvKO
Merchants came from all over to offer their services to the crown ranging from27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w6Nmo4e2U
food to decorations and, in some instances, jewelry for the eventual Queen. A27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tuOZ9i4Lu
lot of those were centered within the Grand Ballroom.
They arrived at27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eyXnVhjvs
the Grand Ballroom where many of the servants were stationed for the next few27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5mLpAAKfZ
days as they prepared for the prince and his new bride’s arrival. It appears27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J5OnjmWkw
the kingdom was spared to expense for this extravagant part as everyone of27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMAYaW6ygY
importance from all over the Kingdom was visiting, The walls on the left half27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPo2t8hnej
were being draped in brilliant red and gold banners with Atza’s symbol, the27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKOfvLGTME
lioness with a golden crown on her head. The right half was being draped with27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg51MSMiuQK
cool blue and white banners with Humjir’s symbol, and the Elan family crest, a27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAGph8tBTk
white dove with an olive crown on its head. The symbolic nature of the marriage27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFCKIf3Ev2
between two rival countries wasn’t lost on anyone and they were taking great27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL41F5qHx8U
care not to offend either deity.
“Where should we27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMMe6wySgb
start?” Charles looked around the room with a troubled expression on his face. There27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39X9HsJH6p
were too many people to question as they were looking for two people, albeit27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwml0M2fV9
important, but around here, anyone could disappear if they wished it. Vander27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9Hfct1Dr8
spotted the servant who seemed to be in charge, an older gray-haired woman27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDNfcJuuJu
holding a clipboard, quill, and bottle of ink. There were two other servants27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYzV9oehUA
standing next to her ready to carry out her orders.
“We start with27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwfAa3g91S
her.” Vander nodded towards his grandfather.
“With Beatrice?”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXfvteNdt2
Charles frowned. “She is Bernard’s right hand and his sister. If anyone knew27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgO5fRD9GO
where those two are, it would be here. Let’s go talk to her.” The two of them27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0T7FdmWtd
walked over as she started yelling orders:
“Make sure those27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxbLzYtWfw
banners are crease free,” she snapped. “I won’t have this place looking unkept27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPihC3nzVbU
for when the prince and princess arrive.” She turned around to see two female27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP13fb7V6ID
servants leaning up against the wall whispering to each other. “You two, if you27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjrJBEDeUS
are done for the day you can go home, and I’ll dock your pay!”
“Sorry ma’am.”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3xMsUS30X
They curtsied then went back to folding their napkins.
“As for you two.”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIqz0IfjLV
She didn’t even turn around to greet them. “What can I do for the Blades this27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02aeXya8Dv
morning? As you can see I am quite busy so make this quick.”
“We are looking27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOoAIC3imj
for two servants and we are wondering if you have seen them around?” She looked27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlA4X8KwkHI
up at Vander from under her wire rimmed glasses.
“I’ve seen many27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCCQvAywsJ
servants, be more specific.” She demanded.
“Nigel and27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkkgUOmzvm
Ulysses.” She clicked her tongue, but then quickly scribbled a note then handed27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jO3nSOcb2
it over to the servant next to her. “Bring this to the baker quickly. I forgot27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWSBeSFIlu
she needed our order.”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM0wB1Hpyc
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtIctJqkG2
“Yes27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCx7z1atI5
ma’am.” The servant bowed then scurried away.
“I haven’t seen27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKkAcbXwoV
Ulysses for a couple of weeks, something about being sick.” She explained. “I27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cs0SrCDoz
sent for the doctor, but there was nothing he could do for him. As for Nigel,27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr5P4ZiskJ
he should be in the kitchen helping the cooks. Why?”
“Thank you.”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yuerjs15j
Vander and Charles ran towards the door that would lead downstairs and towards27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnj4nDk1E4
the kitchen leaving a confused Beatrice standing behind them.
“Blades.” she27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDvB2hr0Mr
muttered. She looked around to see more of her servants standing around, so she27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IDQWWuNFS
walked over towards them.
“Do you think27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8byYoGFtV
Ulysses is dead?” Charles asked once he knew they were out of ear shot.
“He might not27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrEnSW8HLm
have had enough of the poison to render him comatose, but he could still get27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwfJI7XtwC
deathly ill from it.” Vander explained. “But let’s find Nigel first since he is27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO6FBxSiSu
the one we suspect of the poison.”
“How do you want27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76ITH0HcSU
to handle this?”
“You go in and27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9NZqRoxpN
talk to him.” Vander said. “He should be a little intimidated of you and if27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6va0vvEn9
cornered, he will likely try to run. I will be there to keep him from escaping.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eHlceiigT
There is no telling what he might do, so be on your guard.”
“I know how to27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2feBGQNDU
handle myself.” Charles scoffed. “You just worry about yourself.”
The two of them27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZHhLi0Zc6
made their way down towards the kitchens which you had to pass through to get27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAJN2QJaHl
to the servants’ quarters. There were other ways of getting there, but this was27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJulp4h7NbZ
the most direct way from the King’s quarters. Despite the castle being large,27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiHwy6KKY1
based on the sheer number of servants required, it wasn’t feasible to give them27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBmeepxIFc
their own room. Often there would be two or sometimes three servants per room27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfff1CHe5Xf
segregated based on gender, thought nighttime activities between them wasn’t27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXtHyJ6eJ7
uncommon.
As they made27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufyi5spZDC
their way into the kitchen, the head chef, known because of her oversized hat,27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuL0YKkXhD
was looking down at a piece of parchment with a quill in her hands. The others27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxy1z3vHXW2
were bustling around her trying not to draw attention to themselves as they27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlg3oK5EdC7
worked. It looked as though they were preparing for lunch as several of them27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4KT3e97Hl
were chopping up raw pieces of meat on the counter while others were collecting27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFYN5PmR2Y
vegetables to go into a stew. The two of them walked straight through, not even27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemSfdbNeDp
bothering to greet the chef as they made their way towards the servant’s area.
As soon as the27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJf2cn2HYg
saw the first door, Vander knew they had hit a roadblock. The doors weren’t27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBfci8eSZc
labeled or named. They had no way of knowing which room belonged to Nigel or27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKDtxVjr7w
Ulysses. Charles stood there frowning; how did they not know the quarters were27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR1Sx7fl42
like this? It was a major blunder, but perhaps not all was lost. Vander tried27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqN5D5EVgf
each door to see if it was locked. Servants weren’t allowed to lock their doors27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkH36420FR
if they were needed, but he figured if one of them needed to hide something,27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lbPsiJNEv
they wouldn’t leave the door open for all to see. It was a huge gamble, but by27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgLMoUwN3A
the time he got to the last door, it paid off. It was locked and he could smell27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2wuNBSQli
something rip coming from inside.
“Watch the27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGmhe7Xbmk
kitchen for me.” Vander whispered to his grandfather. Charles nodded his head27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL78Gs58F3
then used his frame to block the view. Testing the door one more time just to27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMgF3i42JZ
make sure it was locked; Vander shoulder checked the door several times until27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnECOMAdpdK
he heard the latch break. Rubbing his aching shoulder, he kicked the remainder27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJo2qV1JRc6
open until it was hanging sideways. That’s when the full weight of rotting27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBvj8zXM8V
human hit him so hard he puked for the fourth time today. Charles heard him and27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK0pxmSo6L
came racing over.
“What in the name27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBwqKEpcmM
of Humjir is this?” Lying on one of the beds was a servant, Vander’s guess was27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIamlhOFeR
Ulysses, who didn’t fare as well ingesting the poison because no one was27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNPt6TEIHF
looking for him. His body had swelled up in death and his face was deep purple.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiv5FCfUC9
He was shirtless showing off a physique that wasn’t normal for the serving27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf63t7ejLHe
class with scars crisscrossing his body. There still appeared to be evidence27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61FILuQYJu
that someone was still living in this room despite the stench due to the empty27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6iDeGZoMe
plate with food that had molded, and clothing rumpled in the corner. How anyone27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76hRPstn5U
could live like this was beyond him.
“Vander go get27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC4GfCPM21
someone to seal off this room before you puke over anything else.” Charles27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIxsTfnJ4d
ordered. Thankfully for being allowed to leave he did as he was asked. Some of27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV8jf5QLye
the servants who were on break were crowding the hallway curious to see what27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeffXIDjjO
was going on.
“Clear out of the27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAncxNlugb
way.” Vander shouted. “Someone grab Blades who are walking around and tell them27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCltzs35FXq
to come here.” When no one moved, he was forced to use his authority. “Now!” He27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhVAzJOfnU
screamed. They scattered to do as they were ordered, but one stayed behind. He27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjHdI35Jeh
was a tall man, muscular, with brown hair and green eyes. Upon seeing Vander,27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ367i2fh4u2
he froze.
“What are you27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRpGpsUxlc
doing down there?” he asked.
“Are you Nigel?”
“What’s it to27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5G4MIAR5jP
you?” he asked.
“As Captain of27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3xf6BnOYv
the Blades I am detaining you as a suspect in the murder of Ulysse’s.” he said.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGns1cAi957
“Stay right there.” As a surprise to no one, Nigel bolted back the way he came.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy8AtdDKUI
Cursing to himself, Vander vaulted over the counter to give chase leaving a very27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2udk9hCdOW
irate chef picking up her paper covered in ink.
Nigel was fast.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIKgVPmCpR
He raced through the halls, ducking into doorways, and changing directions like27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaE6q5ukKJ
some intimately familiar with the castle layout. It was one of the times Vander27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuUbT76Svm
wished he had brought Shea with him despite the risk, but for now he was on his27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3JGT1Nka9
own. He knew that he was faster, but all of today’s activities were beginning27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvylru8aqQ3
to take its toll on him. He was feeling weak and sluggish, but he didn’t dare27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThdTEmdfPa
let Nigel get away, not when he held such vital clues. But no one knew the27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc4i5PPd2C
castle better than he did, so once he recognized where Nigel was going, the27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHjIEDxvF5
gardens, Vander took a left up a flight of stairs. It leads to a balcony with27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaAwEhTcF5
open space which would give him the opportunity he needed. Once he saw that he27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvmeKAe8Vm
and Nigel were neck and neck, he willed his body forward, borrowing some energy27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lkTTdDvyl
from Unna, then launched himself off the balcony and down towards Nigel.
The two of them27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfGcbd8Y3N
collided and Vander was sent flying into the garden itself landing on a bush.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cVruO7gpT
If it had been the ground he would have been in trouble, but the worst he’d27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2VvbxWqde
have now was a couple of bruises on his back. He got to his feet then placed27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYlFVXKYRf
his hand on the hilt of his sword. Nigel was groaning out in pain, slowly27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpTfkizK8X
trying to get to his, but the hit he had just taken must have taken all the27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Wi5Smq5Zh
fight out of him.
“Alright, I’ll27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbGdD6OhBs
come with you.” he gasped. Vander hauled him to his feet.
“Why did you have27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMktoddY0G
to make this more difficult for yourself?” Vander asked.
“Because they27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliJ8huhyrs
will kill me if I talk.” Nigel groaned. Vander shoved him up against the wall.
“Who will?”
“You don’t know27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUCk1Nyswj
them.” Nigel grabbed his arm. “They will kill everyone I love, and they are in27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0NU5RuBht
places of power you could only dream of.” His eyes widened as he stared at27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFmCUVG68s
someone standing behind them. “No.” Vander turned around, but something whizzed27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfB6kQuWMaP
right past his face. He felt something wet hit the side of his face. He turned27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39lOU11btg
around to see Nigel gurgling blood with two knives embedded in his throat. His27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bqHUGe1pU
eyes grew wide as he mouthed the words: Run. He slumped to the ground dead.
“That wasn’t27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXHVTWYBg8
smart.” Vander turned to face the assassin. They were wearing all black and27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3vIgsENzW
their faces were covered. They held two more knives in their hands along with a27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNuBkaAamb
sword strapped to their backs. “Now you’re going to have to answer the27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdN31oqmn5
questions meant for him.” They tilted their heads but gripped the knives27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdvdbubBY1
tightly. He made the first move. He drew27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3UOwhOAw6
his sword as he charged them. The assassin just brought their knives up to27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY8QmEXZZp
deflect the shot. Their leg shot out hitting Vander in the knuckles causing him27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRCheOpAdf
to yell out in pain then drop his sword.
He didn’t let27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIwLY4g9M0
that stop him. He grabbed their wrist to keep one of the knives away from his27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GoHmiXwUM
body. Using his strength, he squeezed the wrist until they were forced to let27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aCrh6FIGc
the knife go, then he brought his shoulder into their chest and threw them over27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCkvUtacDo
his back and onto the ground. However, their feet landed squarely protecting27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9w8POfZyD3
them from hitting the cobblestone. In his surprise, Vander didn’t react quick27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5QR7qK8MY
enough when they flipped over him then wrapped their legs around his neck then27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2Gg9bqkWy
began raining elbows on top of his head. He brought his arms up to deflect27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lQMVhWGwp
before deciding to charge into the wall. The assassin didn’t let up even as he27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWkGK6bJu1
jumped off the wall and landed on the ground. He heard the crack of their back27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp7ZZ5PZMm
as they landed, and their legs eased up their assault. Vander coughed and27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXu1UVXF7L
wheezed as he massaged his throat to breathe.
“Enough of this.”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGDnGQO1PV
The assassin groaned, but steadily made their way to their feet. They had a27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh1hIKuW8Q
soft voice, almost feminine, which confused him. He remembered the voice, but27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOHYyvLSch
he couldn’t tell from where. They drew the sword from their back and held it in27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N7JAaoJbs
Vander’s face. “I was supposed to leave you, but you’ve pissed me off enough.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4A1JsYYWL
Die.” They lunged at him, but they left an opening for Vander to roll to the27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IrD0YAHcT
side to grab his sword. He brought it up just in time to deflect the strike the27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA9rQdd313
assassin aimed at him. He punched their ribs causing them to stumble sideways.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOay6F0MLI
He then swept out their legs causing them to again fall on their back.
Two blurs sped27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGEkkAVbQO
out from their hand, and he was barely quick enough to dodge. He could smell27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHtB1wbWDk
the poison emanating from them and he knew those weren’t something he wanted to27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCecu08mnz
get hit by. They got to their feet, but he could tell that they had been27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqMZXbiMSu
injured.
“Come with me.”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOjB3cZIR9
He said. “I can protect you.”
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“I don’t need27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqnwcAOMIJ
your protection, Blade.” They hissed. “Eluvia has taken everything from me and27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnjVwiOF97
soon, we will take everything from you.” The removed a small capsule from their27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyIZe6M8Gz
pocket and smashed it on the ground. Black smoke erupted from inside causing27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbXsPgc8JN
Vander to violently cough and fall to his knees. He tried to run out of the27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT265unBtR
smoke, but his legs were leaden. The last thing he saw before passing out was27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KpcPHnE0z
the assassin jumped into the garden and disappearing from the sight.
