Chapter 8
Bernard grumbled in the corner as11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCvhmJt5AN
he cleaned the vomit from off his shoe. Another servant had been summoned to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFJ23EzC5c
clean up the mess while Vander was given some water to drink. The rancid smell11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LUjziJAR7
from the King’s chest hadn’t left his nose and it was making him woozy.
“What happened in here?” Peyton11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0IpolqzHf
asked. Topal spent some time explaining everything that the two of them had11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNhBO7pxIy
discovered while Vander hugged the bucket.
“So, there were two things put11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBVuxfTOUg
together that caused this mess.” Bernard sighed. “Is there anyway to cure him?”
“Doctor.” Vander closed his mouth11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWjqiAwxTu
to keep the bile from coming out. “I need you to start making the remedy for11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyawxIpNUEI
him, please.” He wheezed. “I don’t think I can take much more of the smell.” He11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2uWYl8aaw
pulled a trash bucket closer to him just in case he needed it.
“I’ve never dealt with his kind of11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY47CkbDqm4
poison before.” Topal shook his head. “I have no idea how to fix it. You11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7uaaeB5aH
figured it out, do you have any notion?” Vander closed his eyes allowing the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Cg8X0ku36
smell to envelope him. Despite being the Deity of Beasts, Unna’s gifts came11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsK4GI0CHkc
with another perk. It allowed him to work wonders with poisons and their cures,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NdDM8i6vy
a leftover from how close she is with her aunt, Lyshena.
“We need something to strengthen11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP57h3RLvs
and clear his lungs.” Vander’s voice sounded far away. “Take some wild11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlUA5IDwpX
cherries, horehound, and mullein, then boil a pot of boiling sea water. All the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwHnMtqW8v
King to inhale the vapors until he coughs out all the black goo covering his11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUx0KZGoOSB
lungs. To wake him up, you will need to soak him in a tub filled with more salt11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOJFFoDA6u
water and lavender extract. He should recover.” Vander slumped forward then11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAP8wuxZvNH
jerked to the left filling the bucket with more vomit.
“Are you sure?” Bernard asked.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fYd1G3Hjv
“That seems like a very simple remedy for something like this.”
“It’s not simple at all.” Topal11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2bksToDFg
shook his head. “I never would have thought to sting these together to cure a11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm1tgJFGl2
poison. I would have looked for a cure all and likely would have flailed around11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpy0caquGn
while he died under my care.”
“Are you blessed by Lyshena?”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcITbG6j2S
Bernard asked. He checked over his shoe before grunting in appreciation. He11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX94VqYIwv0
might have been a stick in the mud, but he knew how to clean up. “That’s the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXDgd3ch2f
only way this would make sense.”
“You can’t tell anyone about11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6radNeZcp8
this.” Vander said. He shared a knowing glance with Topal. “He doesn’t want11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvsb1OkeM6
special treatment because of who he is blessed by, I hope you will keep the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu4OxYosyQ
secret.”
“If it helps me save Malcolm’s11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKJJuHhrNT
life, I will keep this secret to the grave.” Topal smiled. “And if Bernard11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JtszJOulD
doesn’t, I know how to get rid of a body.” Bernard choked on his saliva,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQCXvF2jPh
coughing until his face turned bright red.
“That’s uncalled for.” He laughed.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs2xeqwQKn
“I can keep a secret; you don’t have to worry about me.” There was quick knock11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYpttRMySg
before Charles opened the door to slip back inside.
“What did you find out?” Vander11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrTOl2jGAb
got up from the table to stand by his grandfather.
“No one has seen the taste tester11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIS1qfeBkxa
since the night the King fell ill.” Charles explained. “We should go down to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0qcGuuXKc
the servants’ quarters and check up on him.”
“I forgot,” Bernard snapped his11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdTSOU1rkO
fingers. “There was a third person with me to visit Malcolm, a new servant.”
“Why didn’t you mention this11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Fwn7ySofR
before?” Peyton turned to the man anger rising in his voice.
“I didn’t think he was important.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCi40Lw6q9
Bernard shot back. “I just remembered I left the tea in his hands while I11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrCEO5ILRA
opened the door. I didn’t think there was enough time for him to slip something11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlWejLoEQZ
into it, but, thinking back on it, he had it long enough to slip something into11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLfEmJjEmC
it. How much was needed to poison the King?”
“A small amount, any amount.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ptXnDhVJH
Vander said. “As long as it was ingested at the same time as the ocecrest, it11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaLn2b9hll
would have done the trick.”
“Do you know who it was?” Charles11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLo7CewxLL
asked. “The name of the servant?”
“The king likes to meet any new11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrk2hQ8yiq7
worker to get their story as well as their struggle.” Bernard folded his arms11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YeE8bGUbw
over his chest. “I believe his name was Nigel. He should be living in the same area11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUWxB4kV2T
as the tester who is named Ulysses. I will help Topal get the items needed to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxXEpmHy0e
cure the King, you find the people that could be responsible for this.”
“Let’s go, Vander.” Charles went11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k8Nw8nNWu
to help Vander up, but he clutched the bucket and emptied the rest of his11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNTodLv5EF
stomach contents inside.
“Get him out of here.” Bernard11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazO5WP57JW
looked quite green himself, so Charles pulled Vander outside, making sure to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3othwcTKZp
leave the bucket in the room.
Vander was grateful for the fresh11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVjAGcmIOI
air that being in the hallway brought. He leaned up against the wall breathing11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJY1Twbych
its cool crisp air. Charles looked at him sadly. “I never knew how much this11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8QPqpfFlJ
curse affected you. Seeing you like this just-“
“Don’t worry about it, Gramps.” He11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq2Bo33sjb
pushed off from the wall then clasped his grandfather’s shoulder. “It has more11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoA4ErVa0l
perks than drawbacks. Let’s get going.”
As he walked, the feeling of11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLGQhSyxUd
becoming himself gradually returned. Chanelling the abilities of Unna, no11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmTbaDleO3
matter how small, always took it out of him, but this was the first time he11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMKPIHKXLY
felt quite so rough afterwards. He was going to have to do something that would11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiTjeUMa1H
return the blessing she had given him, but she didn’t accept anything other11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKxyhioOkC
than sex or a blood sacrifice. He didn’t want to bring Julianna back into this,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4H0macg7Z
so the only other option was to visit the pits, something he avoided as much as11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X5YzAaN5G
possible, but if he didn’t he could lose more than just his mind by ignoring11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy6ewndvjl
the deities’ needs. It had happened before when he was younger, and it couldn’t11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLBfYyFHPV
happen again.
Charles had told11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKlAQX8zNS
him what had been going on since the past month or so within the Kingdom. Many11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRwZDM8lmg
of the Blades had been dispatched to the Warden’s to bring them here, which was11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ634PGI8wwj
the main reason there were more soldiers guarding the keep recently. The soldiers11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgrRUCRNi1
were on high alert and were making everyone uncomfortable, but they were doing11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsCuhMuwyu
their job, not willing to risk the wrath of the King if anything went wrong.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPUP2K6bZa
Merchants came from all over to offer their services to the crown ranging from11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WFZ72O4F4
food to decorations and, in some instances, jewelry for the eventual Queen. A11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8XcbGLKmk
lot of those were centered within the Grand Ballroom.
They arrived at11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjNAgGV6m5
the Grand Ballroom where many of the servants were stationed for the next few11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2nT0AbiKt
days as they prepared for the prince and his new bride’s arrival. It appears11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygMSaQQTxc
the kingdom was spared to expense for this extravagant part as everyone of11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCDN9ZkgRw
importance from all over the Kingdom was visiting, The walls on the left half11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7slUpkM2v
were being draped in brilliant red and gold banners with Atza’s symbol, the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQUMNeOVKR
lioness with a golden crown on her head. The right half was being draped with11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR494DGMDY
cool blue and white banners with Humjir’s symbol, and the Elan family crest, a11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PqAdxBTwm
white dove with an olive crown on its head. The symbolic nature of the marriage11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHeJvCY7xM
between two rival countries wasn’t lost on anyone and they were taking great11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0W72T2RLA
care not to offend either deity.
“Where should we11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyn9tcIk2L
start?” Charles looked around the room with a troubled expression on his face. There11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q5aOG2riD
were too many people to question as they were looking for two people, albeit11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwgKUqBQJS
important, but around here, anyone could disappear if they wished it. Vander11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO1x4L9cvM
spotted the servant who seemed to be in charge, an older gray-haired woman11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCmoI7Ijkc
holding a clipboard, quill, and bottle of ink. There were two other servants11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMXw4EqGYt
standing next to her ready to carry out her orders.
“We start with11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgno7IJa2a
her.” Vander nodded towards his grandfather.
“With Beatrice?”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIB8f01rnd
Charles frowned. “She is Bernard’s right hand and his sister. If anyone knew11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZrKRO198L
where those two are, it would be here. Let’s go talk to her.” The two of them11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNfsDqglDG
walked over as she started yelling orders:
“Make sure those11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40kMzfgDBX
banners are crease free,” she snapped. “I won’t have this place looking unkept11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXZ3oQP14n
for when the prince and princess arrive.” She turned around to see two female11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHc7CwRwE6
servants leaning up against the wall whispering to each other. “You two, if you11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXVsBJR1YJ
are done for the day you can go home, and I’ll dock your pay!”
“Sorry ma’am.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wG8ZBGQWs
They curtsied then went back to folding their napkins.
“As for you two.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUTTaJoq0l
She didn’t even turn around to greet them. “What can I do for the Blades this11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvAofyjNad
morning? As you can see I am quite busy so make this quick.”
“We are looking11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfktqwNHum
for two servants and we are wondering if you have seen them around?” She looked11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfNS6l2Tp2
up at Vander from under her wire rimmed glasses.
“I’ve seen many11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGpoKL4zlx
servants, be more specific.” She demanded.
“Nigel and11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVevUDCgks
Ulysses.” She clicked her tongue, but then quickly scribbled a note then handed11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2TEWRlVtX
it over to the servant next to her. “Bring this to the baker quickly. I forgot11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QHFEmFg1j
she needed our order.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcNH0jrkBR
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2FMQTdwJV
“Yes11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0R05AwW0dj
ma’am.” The servant bowed then scurried away.
“I haven’t seen11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lun7YkpA1
Ulysses for a couple of weeks, something about being sick.” She explained. “I11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpWJVhZcpU
sent for the doctor, but there was nothing he could do for him. As for Nigel,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxJVicgdze
he should be in the kitchen helping the cooks. Why?”
“Thank you.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNr7X8NR8f
Vander and Charles ran towards the door that would lead downstairs and towards11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtO3BqrYFlD
the kitchen leaving a confused Beatrice standing behind them.
“Blades.” she11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f5FWLJ21C
muttered. She looked around to see more of her servants standing around, so she11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOp7vwEuXa
walked over towards them.
“Do you think11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju4P4hf6ac
Ulysses is dead?” Charles asked once he knew they were out of ear shot.
“He might not11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDmWNlSEJv
have had enough of the poison to render him comatose, but he could still get11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUipYsDcv6
deathly ill from it.” Vander explained. “But let’s find Nigel first since he is11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNv1gcfBcr
the one we suspect of the poison.”
“How do you want11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc8ccR7BwP
to handle this?”
“You go in and11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDf05MepX7
talk to him.” Vander said. “He should be a little intimidated of you and if11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIXocDEom0
cornered, he will likely try to run. I will be there to keep him from escaping.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjMdtHlBkI
There is no telling what he might do, so be on your guard.”
“I know how to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxc3KrX0uR
handle myself.” Charles scoffed. “You just worry about yourself.”
The two of them11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXbqGjHmxL
made their way down towards the kitchens which you had to pass through to get11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOtoiig9mG
to the servants’ quarters. There were other ways of getting there, but this was11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdXlP84Nbp
the most direct way from the King’s quarters. Despite the castle being large,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsscDVT70U
based on the sheer number of servants required, it wasn’t feasible to give them11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwjcxNWqiX
their own room. Often there would be two or sometimes three servants per room11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwbMDAqUUR
segregated based on gender, thought nighttime activities between them wasn’t11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbIC1UUJbF
uncommon.
As they made11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVivztUuP9
their way into the kitchen, the head chef, known because of her oversized hat,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53SnXraJtE
was looking down at a piece of parchment with a quill in her hands. The others11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtjWpJsh2U
were bustling around her trying not to draw attention to themselves as they11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdRGZpdvsT
worked. It looked as though they were preparing for lunch as several of them11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoH8NhMHCR
were chopping up raw pieces of meat on the counter while others were collecting11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKh0klqugV
vegetables to go into a stew. The two of them walked straight through, not even11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPODJZje5Sx
bothering to greet the chef as they made their way towards the servant’s area.
As soon as the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96Fp0XAiMs
saw the first door, Vander knew they had hit a roadblock. The doors weren’t11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkSp9uqJVd
labeled or named. They had no way of knowing which room belonged to Nigel or11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjKruInlbq
Ulysses. Charles stood there frowning; how did they not know the quarters were11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AmDEvYYlR
like this? It was a major blunder, but perhaps not all was lost. Vander tried11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRzq7baVNl
each door to see if it was locked. Servants weren’t allowed to lock their doors11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8uc47rk8A
if they were needed, but he figured if one of them needed to hide something,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGwo5tb2oO
they wouldn’t leave the door open for all to see. It was a huge gamble, but by11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBwnvBq2JQ
the time he got to the last door, it paid off. It was locked and he could smell11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOnX8t9THv
something rip coming from inside.
“Watch the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLr3bd9p28
kitchen for me.” Vander whispered to his grandfather. Charles nodded his head11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hixzdyfK4
then used his frame to block the view. Testing the door one more time just to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtIhQ95mvV
make sure it was locked; Vander shoulder checked the door several times until11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F3ZkPqlMo
he heard the latch break. Rubbing his aching shoulder, he kicked the remainder11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5QCbHOH6L
open until it was hanging sideways. That’s when the full weight of rotting11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXURD0E5AL
human hit him so hard he puked for the fourth time today. Charles heard him and11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoowUOOI8O
came racing over.
“What in the name11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DRlhYnvDY
of Humjir is this?” Lying on one of the beds was a servant, Vander’s guess was11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHZNac9Exk
Ulysses, who didn’t fare as well ingesting the poison because no one was11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPf52DVh9LA
looking for him. His body had swelled up in death and his face was deep purple.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oYkpjehjo
He was shirtless showing off a physique that wasn’t normal for the serving11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRGATz8nPK
class with scars crisscrossing his body. There still appeared to be evidence11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOsZrLZDBc
that someone was still living in this room despite the stench due to the empty11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXheCLdEYY8
plate with food that had molded, and clothing rumpled in the corner. How anyone11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXzDx2gNrR
could live like this was beyond him.
“Vander go get11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwUOqE3YIm
someone to seal off this room before you puke over anything else.” Charles11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEvFGmPZv0
ordered. Thankfully for being allowed to leave he did as he was asked. Some of11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhrTGPGvwN
the servants who were on break were crowding the hallway curious to see what11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn8AnxQBA2
was going on.
“Clear out of the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaHror2bPJ
way.” Vander shouted. “Someone grab Blades who are walking around and tell them11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHilJQ78C0
to come here.” When no one moved, he was forced to use his authority. “Now!” He11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJedSrrDPrA
screamed. They scattered to do as they were ordered, but one stayed behind. He11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBoRPAb9Cp
was a tall man, muscular, with brown hair and green eyes. Upon seeing Vander,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSkZvZRlTj
he froze.
“What are you11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKUJXrTfR6
doing down there?” he asked.
“Are you Nigel?”
“What’s it to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoycnOx7JKT
you?” he asked.
“As Captain of11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwST3L9Dp0A
the Blades I am detaining you as a suspect in the murder of Ulysse’s.” he said.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmlwAKrJyr
“Stay right there.” As a surprise to no one, Nigel bolted back the way he came.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4glEDZsEKP
Cursing to himself, Vander vaulted over the counter to give chase leaving a very11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nuqmG5gkr
irate chef picking up her paper covered in ink.
Nigel was fast.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTm600hVn2
He raced through the halls, ducking into doorways, and changing directions like11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQnPJq0RLn
some intimately familiar with the castle layout. It was one of the times Vander11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOHc32Qr5B
wished he had brought Shea with him despite the risk, but for now he was on his11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mMzHcGfe2
own. He knew that he was faster, but all of today’s activities were beginning11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIIWSzR9Dt
to take its toll on him. He was feeling weak and sluggish, but he didn’t dare11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ6eKGknxW
let Nigel get away, not when he held such vital clues. But no one knew the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG5gaC2YQf
castle better than he did, so once he recognized where Nigel was going, the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEcfBpDqMD
gardens, Vander took a left up a flight of stairs. It leads to a balcony with11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LCINDIQeF
open space which would give him the opportunity he needed. Once he saw that he11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjPYzL9RRh
and Nigel were neck and neck, he willed his body forward, borrowing some energy11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgeUg2T2jQ
from Unna, then launched himself off the balcony and down towards Nigel.
The two of them11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmEfSGNJyg
collided and Vander was sent flying into the garden itself landing on a bush.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ2kJ217Pj
If it had been the ground he would have been in trouble, but the worst he’d11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWAPHDmS6Z
have now was a couple of bruises on his back. He got to his feet then placed11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJjSkrzjoD
his hand on the hilt of his sword. Nigel was groaning out in pain, slowly11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBY2Eri9rS
trying to get to his, but the hit he had just taken must have taken all the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgEnTQra9y
fight out of him.
“Alright, I’ll11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyhvcADeJY
come with you.” he gasped. Vander hauled him to his feet.
“Why did you have11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr4n0tcFBr
to make this more difficult for yourself?” Vander asked.
“Because they11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8s6WqN4sb
will kill me if I talk.” Nigel groaned. Vander shoved him up against the wall.
“Who will?”
“You don’t know11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi2HoiFXYx
them.” Nigel grabbed his arm. “They will kill everyone I love, and they are in11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1V1FfQ72R
places of power you could only dream of.” His eyes widened as he stared at11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFlTo7hByp
someone standing behind them. “No.” Vander turned around, but something whizzed11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqjeUNeUDv
right past his face. He felt something wet hit the side of his face. He turned11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXOh8njhw9
around to see Nigel gurgling blood with two knives embedded in his throat. His11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RyWbycMrV
eyes grew wide as he mouthed the words: Run. He slumped to the ground dead.
“That wasn’t11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVkcSgDY61
smart.” Vander turned to face the assassin. They were wearing all black and11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9kYGoCElG
their faces were covered. They held two more knives in their hands along with a11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6TYGSckK7
sword strapped to their backs. “Now you’re going to have to answer the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdjg72B3PN
questions meant for him.” They tilted their heads but gripped the knives11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1skQsjawO1
tightly. He made the first move. He drew11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggg8P7IsLJ
his sword as he charged them. The assassin just brought their knives up to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG67igEbMqJ
deflect the shot. Their leg shot out hitting Vander in the knuckles causing him11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Rpu4CPPsm
to yell out in pain then drop his sword.
He didn’t let11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSQJyWmYSW
that stop him. He grabbed their wrist to keep one of the knives away from his11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbrV1w2iae
body. Using his strength, he squeezed the wrist until they were forced to let11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud1HyAKy5o
the knife go, then he brought his shoulder into their chest and threw them over11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC34Sljh7Yi
his back and onto the ground. However, their feet landed squarely protecting11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnG6AoQqGwV
them from hitting the cobblestone. In his surprise, Vander didn’t react quick11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68HoW3qv6x
enough when they flipped over him then wrapped their legs around his neck then11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeqG3F0Paa
began raining elbows on top of his head. He brought his arms up to deflect11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTfoXoM18u
before deciding to charge into the wall. The assassin didn’t let up even as he11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xGzJMh7TD
jumped off the wall and landed on the ground. He heard the crack of their back11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaCkQCClA8
as they landed, and their legs eased up their assault. Vander coughed and11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy8sOnn6lr
wheezed as he massaged his throat to breathe.
“Enough of this.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ804eXSKtLn
The assassin groaned, but steadily made their way to their feet. They had a11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5di5Bfavd9
soft voice, almost feminine, which confused him. He remembered the voice, but11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvK0l0gCQw
he couldn’t tell from where. They drew the sword from their back and held it in11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2iifQZn13
Vander’s face. “I was supposed to leave you, but you’ve pissed me off enough.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuAYR9xryT
Die.” They lunged at him, but they left an opening for Vander to roll to the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmWJpwZy5F
side to grab his sword. He brought it up just in time to deflect the strike the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6eSNxbshH
assassin aimed at him. He punched their ribs causing them to stumble sideways.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ROiewPfjC
He then swept out their legs causing them to again fall on their back.
Two blurs sped11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U6hJVZS0t
out from their hand, and he was barely quick enough to dodge. He could smell11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdueyGXvwKS
the poison emanating from them and he knew those weren’t something he wanted to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL9MNfN86U
get hit by. They got to their feet, but he could tell that they had been11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnoFHYQQqp
injured.
“Come with me.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JblfHuFJU
He said. “I can protect you.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdg83oPWV8
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“I don’t need11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxopZMG73mG
your protection, Blade.” They hissed. “Eluvia has taken everything from me and11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwl4tdGapR
soon, we will take everything from you.” The removed a small capsule from their11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO4QnpaxVq
pocket and smashed it on the ground. Black smoke erupted from inside causing11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq60QjXcPuC
Vander to violently cough and fall to his knees. He tried to run out of the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENhAxsenfw
smoke, but his legs were leaden. The last thing he saw before passing out was11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAbSRQ4MZ6
the assassin jumped into the garden and disappearing from the sight.
