Chapter 12
He slept soundly. No one wanted to6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwmbVzxcAG
wake him so the visit by Mari Drayson went off without him. He didn’t awaken6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssTLe9vJVl
until night had fallen and Shea busted into the King’s study to jump on him6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT28pSVBdE5
then proceeded to like his face until his face scrunched up and he pushed her6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk403fjymrm
aside.
“Shea, sto-” she interrupted him6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRmMbzKI2R
by licking his mouth. He shot up to start gagging pushing the she-wolf off his6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAWrtmjIwn
body. “I’ve told you to stop doing that.” He grumbled.
”And I told you to stop getting6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz9MMvqnIx
into fights when I’m not around, and here we are.” She growled into his6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNnCuydibL
mind. “Imagine my annoyance when I got woken up by some Blades when they6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYXfHoe9pC
came to remove your stuff from the room and escorted me to the castle saying6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJqiyjGG9F
you had been attacked. Imagine my anger when they wouldn’t let me check up on6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU8WfhxZyH
you until now.”
“Did you leave anyone alive?” she6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3NUFZkdr1
barked her laughter but nodded her head.
“It was difficult, but your6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qhXGDH7w8
grandfather swore to me you were sleeping and needed your rest.” She bumped6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡea84AYMfwq
her head against his chest. He placed his head in her fur then inhaled her6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyY9WPyxHi
scent. He felt the stress and anxiety he had been feeling just melt away.
“I’m sorry for worrying you.” she6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQU8Cfan6R
licked the side of his face accepting the apology. There was a slight knock on6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQ7ucUuoXc
the door and Alexander poked his head in.
“I heard voices.” He said. “Are6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LquOkyzah
you finally awake, Vander?”
“Yep.” He slid his foot off the6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Hb8hQrAps
couch. Looking up at Alex he saw that his friend had worry lines etched onto6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkFv7Kp9Zj
his head while his face was filled with worry. “How long have you been standing6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlpsespX0b
there?”
“Once the others told me what had6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQa2gGuE5Q
happened.” He explained. “I was about to kill you when you didn’t show to the6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkCQzygckh
training, but when that Jilena boy told me I dropped everything to come here.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJBTcvMI7l
The King told me not to disturb you, so I sat at that door making sure you6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjIyTSc5UA
rested.”
“You got anything to eat?” Alex6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmeXP1rdlN
grinned. He disappeared for a second then came back with a tray of steaming hot6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Qy7HE4AdC
food.
“Once I saw Shea, I knew it was6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH6hYXQ5y7
only a matter of time before you awoke so I had the kitchen prepare some stew6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZSzMlrkj4
and bread.” He said. “I had them make a bowl for her as well.”
“Thanks.” Shea was6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7mXmwl4ZM
practically salivating on the carpet. Bernard wasn’t ready for what was about6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfHUcExt6v
to happen. The two of them tore into the food like a couple of beasts. Sauce6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiRzIo4g5N
and chunks of bread flew everywhere. Alex wisely took a step back shaking his6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW06hTA5VU
head in disgust.
“Animals.” He muttered under his6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAIjuxtS7Y
breath. They were done after a few minutes leaving the table a disaster. Vander6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDauyPW5VvF
leaned back on the couch then stifled a belch. Shea stuck her head into his6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIDGQjpkyF
bowl to lick out the remaining sauce. “Once you’re finished your grandfather6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YzY5ZzvNK
wanted me to bring you to him.”
“Did he say what it was about?”6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hHKtKhiEA
Vander asked. Alex shook his head. Rolling his eyes he got up from the couch,6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1seif4dJkm
wobbled for a second, but remained steady. “Let’s go then.”
The castle was on high alert.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxwdh12Pkw
There were more guards here than normal, most of them were regular soldiers,6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfz9fbYU8el
stationed along the halls. Whenever the Wardens showed up everyone was on6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDktzwUnf1
alert. The safety of the entire country rested on their heads, so the King6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZdU07uwTc
always took extra precautions to make sure they were safe.
Alex stood at the door to the6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANdjbzvbMN
Commander’s office while Vander headed inside. Charles was pouring over more6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgz4eW0l4k
paperwork at his desk by lamplight. He looked so old sitting there even though6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EvQ8CVck6
he was in his middle years. Just went to show the toll being Commander took.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQLIdCI7TS
Shea jumped up onto the couch then placed her head on her paw. It took a couple6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE7yic1SLa
of seconds for him to put down his quill and to look up at him.
“I heard you were ambushed on the6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURmLl76cq7
street today.” The old man’s voice hitched. “Are you doing okay?”
“Fine, gramps.” Vander nodded.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj669JFqXX9
“What about the man I captured?”
“In the dungeon waiting for his6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUiNsvplXM
questioning.” He said. “I assume you want to do the honors?”
“It would be my pleasure.” Vander6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzhoj1il1h
grinned. “But we need to have a talk about something.” He sat down in the chair6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFlYob8Iou
across from his grandfather. “We need to promote the recruits to trainees and6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG08HUqN6U4
allow them to help us around the castle. If today taught me anything we need6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafhtx9cJqW
more soldiers on the streets protecting the people than we need them in here.”
“It’s not time for them yet.”6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TCdOzEAXC
Charles shook his head. “They aren’t ready.”
“We don’t have the manpower,”6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z27yj1i6n
Vander argued. “Even when all the Blades come back with the wardens, there6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR75Si3LrU
still isn’t enough. Those five can really help us out.”
“Doesn’t matter if we need the6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxVmj12Q65
help.” The old man growled. “We have standards we must adhere to. There can be6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIGJD3UXVY
no exceptions.”
“Gramps since I’ve returned a6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopqaMPHp2G
couple weeks ago, I’ve almost died twice.” Vander said. “If we had more6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtKJGYyRlW
competent guards this might not have happened. If you’re that worried about it6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPoDkmbT9C
I will keep training them until their time is up and stick them by the entrances.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHoyK4Hgk5
An important position, but it wouldn’t put them in harms way.”
“I’ll have to think about it.”6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMovD6EsjUB
Charles sighed. “But your idea does have merit to it.”
“Thank you,” Vander sighed. “I met6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAz2iim6OX
with Ross last night for information on who poisoned Malcolm and he gave me a6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJqTvgCYno
name.”
“Yea?” Charles looked up6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeVYrocgWH
interested. “What was it?”
“Green Serpents.” Charles’ face6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBP2QYDuze
fell. He scrunched his fist on the desk then slammed his fist down on top.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT79RePLEl
“That bastard.”
“Is there something I should know6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9bkjVR9hs
about?” Vander frowned. “I’ve never heard of them before, but based on your6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Wji3s0Kyv
reaction and the King’s, it’s something big.”
“Malcolm has his reasons for not6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3uIg665ak
telling you, but since you were nearly killed, I suppose to have the right to6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZj69p9WCv
know.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “The Green Serpents are a mercenary6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8ANJnP5CC
band that goes to the highest bidder. However, it wasn’t always that way. The6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPK1bi43trW
leader, Jogun Batiste, the King and I used to be close during the wars twenty6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDvMrVHR97
years ago.”
“What changed?” Vander folded his6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggY3teMFV5
arms over his chest. If they were now taking contracts on the King himself,6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rqlJBFpol
something bad must have happened.
“We found out what he did to6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3AkuBgIGN
prisoners, especially the children.” Charles’ back sagged. “He would have them6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv29heTqTtG
fight each other to the death then, if they survived, they were tortured and6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQEqaXhmA7
corrupted into joining them. Some he sent to his loyal soldiers to be6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj59kOoZdB9
brutalized.”
“Sounds like a real charmer.”6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb907sBn9cB
Vander said dryly.
“We suspended all contracts with6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu66MzRuWFW
them and threw them out of the city.” Charles sighed. “I wanted more drastic6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBr7TfUab0
measures to be taken, but I was overruled. The council thought it would be6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUF81nUYYv
better to part ways amicably instead of killing or imprisoning those involved.”
“And now they are back trying to6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb7FmTAsz2
get revenge?” Vander shook his head. “Something is adding up. They are going6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVHBFymM9F
through a lot of trouble for revenge. I think there might be more to this,6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliyJoiPXS1
especially since I had nothing to do with twenty years ago.”
“And it would make sense to go6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGHqFdpGf4
after me, someone who was involved, and protects Malcolm.” Charles turned6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkVi3yU88N
around and walked back to the desk. “Why are you being targeted? Any ideas?”
“A couple.” Vander hesitated. “My6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi74whkDTP
first thought was that it was because I got involved with Nigel, but I don’t6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLIDGBON1v
think that’s the reason.”
“Vander.” Charles said carefully.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5Z3Es7ejT
“What’s going on?” Vander took a deep sigh then told his grandfather about the6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAXETZWZJr
dreams he had been having.
It started with Veyar the day6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyK7bniID4W
before he left for the city along with her warning to keep his identity hidden.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ6RCWaqIh
He left out the part of her being trapped in the stormy vortex, he didn’t want6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZad30TyCl3
to give the impression that the Deities were fighting each other, not that6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUMd19PxTJ
anyone would believe him. Then he told him about the dream with Unna about6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1WJcyk8Dz
fulfilling his role. Lastly he told him about his most recent dream about6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe1gQSHKqC
Imitae being chained up to a wall and reiterating the same thing his wife had6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gFhsa8Hho
told him.
“So, you think they went after you6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnU8JE5fmn
because they know you are the Ma’akti Unnatun?” Charles asked. “How could they6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeekYewTMt
know? Not many people do, even less could figure it out.”
“Gramps I communicate with a6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkdrK7T1zn
Shadow Beast,” Vander laughed. “She might look like a wolf, but either way it’s6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBIZnnKhTY
not a common occurrence to walk around with her. It might be nothing, but all6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LRWXB0B4V
of these dreams these murder attempts, something is going down.”
“I already moved your stuff here6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WJgutlvn6
to your old room.” Charles said. “I will have guards on you at all times to6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X0wn7XuKQ
make sure you stay safe.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJWPlmHnB4
gramps.” Vander sighed. “Put the guards you were going to put on me and put6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwFAl5j2MD
them on the King or Warden Drayson. I don’t need protection.”
“Then I will put Alex on it, he6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPQm263uom
seems to be the only one who can wrangle you.” Charles sat back down. “What6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSv2XglRQL
else did Ross tell you?” Vander looked at him confused. “I’ve known you since6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Irp8hwL3u
you were a boy, Vander. You think I couldn’t tell you were hiding something6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbAJ6MoxGh
from me?” Vander sighed deeply.
“He told me that he could find the6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWhDtSuqgr
Serpents for us, the problem is I would have to fight for him.” Vander6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12u8rBLRci
explained. “In the pits.” Charles lowered his head and sighed.
“Do you think he has a way to get6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN2j1Hpelm
that information?”
“Yes,” Vander nodded. “But that’s6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKncyswxkL
not a place I want to fight in. We can handle the information gathering6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhqUqTJbWL
ourselves. I’m certain of it.”
“With our resources stretched thin6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtacidZQByh
I doubt we will have the time, but now that we know who they are, we should6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1irkGzt78
have better luck finding them.” Charles said. He opened his mouth, but there6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOTpbXBhNP
was a knock at the door. “Come in!”
Alex poked his head inside.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r9zskpjqY
“Commander, Vander, Anna Drayson is here to talk to you.”
“Send her in.” Charles and Vander6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7urhmzhVcC
got up from their seats to greet the young woman and heir to the Eastern6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZLYSu3e8p
Warden.
Anna Drayson was only a couple6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVKKr0IwTg
years younger than Vander, but an accomplished soldier. She wore the native6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB1nqyDOdi
uniform in an ocean climate: a leather cuirass, a short skirt, leather shin6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkhlEQ9xOz
guards, boots, and arm guards. Strapped to their waist they usually held a6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GiZjFroBr
short sword, but for now it was empty. They wore helmets with a blue stripe on6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ2jOoolOr
top to show their devotion to the sea. However, this was only their ceremonial6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cnPeXsSEc
uniform, in actual battle they wore iron for better protection.
“Sorry for the intrusion.” Her6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmsZ4gp6Sn
voice was melodic. She removed her helmet and a cascade of silver blonde hair6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t3JvJtmmA
fell past her shoulders. Her brown eyes held onto Vander’s for a moment before6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFmrqdSq2Z
flickering to his grandfather. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“No Anna, we were just finishing6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ym7fYmUxM
up.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “What can I do for you?”
“My grandmother requested Captain6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxPHTAvhe8
Vander’s presence and asked that I escort him to her.” Vander and Charles6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADMN61A4g9
exchanged glances.
“I haven’t talked to her since I6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFjCtHowbb
was a small child.” Vander frowned. “What could she want to talk to me about?”6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgddEqXJOxg
Anna just shrugged her shoulders. Sighing he got up from the chair. “Seems I’ve6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9uxc8nKTz
been doing more talking than just about anything else recently.”
“We can change that if you want.”6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDJBo3VmzO
Anna grinned. “I’ve been wanting to fight you for years, wolfling.”
“I told you to stop calling me6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovnAHqNwWQ
that.” Vander snapped. He wrapped his elbow around her neck, forcing her to6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLLwqMmCuq
bend, then rubbed his knuckles through her hair.
“Ow, ow, ow.” She rammed her elbow6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc5LrKuN6o
into her stomach causing him to bend over. They broke apart and squared up,6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7acIS6vdL
fists raised in front of them.
“Not in the office, Vander.”6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFTGXmiKW2
Charles snarled. “Get going the two of you, before you break something.”
“Yes sir.” Anna bowed. Vander6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUOXmDWbib
whistled causing Shea to wake up rather abruptly. She growled her annoyance,6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI6O5VgelX
but upon seeing Anna she jumped down off the couch and ran over to her. “Hello,6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHIGgF99Rm
Shea.” She cooed. “How are you?” She responded by jumping up and licking her6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUacJwimuza
face.
“Come on you two.” Vander said.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM2msWniAp
“You can get reacquainted on the way. Let’s go.”
Anna chatted with Shea while she6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef4o9aRxEb
led the way towards Drayson’s accommodations. Since she lived in a villa on the6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZzptzEI5f
ocean, the apartment she stayed in was on the eastern most side and higher up6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWI9YZ8vbs8
than the others. They enjoyed the cool over there and that tower was the6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n0o7fnRWb
coolest area in the entire castle. Which, of course, meant climbing up hundreds6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8tUVSoXCn
of stairs.
The stairs were guarded by two6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4k3cvNvg8
Blades and two of Drayson’s own guards. They nodded their heads in difference6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPP7Dtq3P5
to the heir, but blocked Vander from going farther. The two blades went to step6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHwdYTRyDG
up, but Vander waved them back. He unclipped his sword and held it out to the6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMb1VCK2FSq
guards. They took it then stepped back ushering them to the stairs. As Anna6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BoiIBrMJX
walked past, the Blades returned her sword to her. With Anna leading, they6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lIGyxPzKB
walked their way up the stairs.
He was out of breath by the time6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi84yYcPbDm
they reached the top, but for Anna this seemed to be a light workout. Shea also6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MVQK5sS4Q
seemed to be enjoying herself because she tossed a lop-sided grin back towards6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCkDcS1IsF
Vander. He made a mental note to withhold steak from her for the next week.
The apartment they were in could6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73aOIC91sR
have doubled as a massive house in the first ring. There were four massive6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywSBgTdQEW
suits, three bathrooms and plenty of walking-around space. The servants did a6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarnL89C2wN
good job decorating as the entire room was painted blue. The reflections from6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX62t6bzfc
the paint gave the room a blueish hue, it felt as though he was underwater.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBFqt41qAW
Sitting in the middle of the floor, on top of some blue pillows, sat an older6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpMfR9s2Pi
woman wearing a long blue robe. There was a long pipe in her long slender6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZACg6YHWX
fingers. Her blue-green eyes looked up as they entered, a slight smile6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOllvgD7g7
flickered on her face.
“Grandmother.” Anna got down on6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQXJF0hbqs
one knee and bowed her head respectfully. Shea trotted over to the older lady6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI7ETxa8d9
then plopped her head down in her lap.
“Remove your boots Vander, then6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADTKqyD23M
come sit.” Mari said, her voice only slightly louder than a whisper. “Anna, you6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8TKgW1tyJ
may join us if you wish.”
“I think I should wash up from my6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Gk5pIM7Hn
trip.” Anna got up from the floor. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkpo4o0cu8
proper bath and I feel as though the entire city could smell me.”
“I didn’t want to say anything6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ327Lr4uEBp
before because I didn’t want to draw attention to it, but-” a wet shoe slapped6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iWtRcl9Bd
him in the face. He gagged from the smell, but before he could throw it back he6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki6QanhtME
heard a door slam shut.
“You shouldn’t treat her like6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzjX0WTgpB
that.” Mari said sternly with a hint of amusement in her voice. “She still has6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFMHCK2yHN
a thing for you even after all these years.”
“It wouldn’t work between us,”6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhCaKoHgoQ
Vander sighed. “She knows that, and I know that. She can’t leave your villa6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0sl3epOcM
like I can’t leave the city. We are just from different worlds.”
“Is that what kept you and Bree6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIi59OR28B
Valarian from getting farther?” Vander tried to contain his anger with the way6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8Jqk8BeZh
this conversation was going.
“I don’t want to talk about her.”6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTkLGgUpw4
He growled. She blew a puff of smoke at him causing him to cough.
“You’ve been through a lot since6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68m10lh5hG
I’ve last seen you.” she said. “You’ve aged. It’s in your eyes.”
“It’s been a rough couple week.”6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyQIebiN93
Vander leaned backwards to stare up at the ceiling. “Been attacked a couple of6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R4l2n8jBN
times, got some not so veiled threats, and have been poisoned. Things aren’t6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5Lkiwy2ZD
looking well.”
“You need to take some time to6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfLNuNFz27
relax Vander.” Mari blew out some more smoke. “Things are only going to get6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqQ9neSLQ2
more difficult for you.” Drayson inhaled more smoke, but she held on to it6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGToItsvGD
longer than she should have. She looked up at Vander, but her eyes were deep6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrvQ0vras4
black this time, all trace of Mari was gone.
“Veyar,” Vander sighed.
“Ma’akti Unnatun.”6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ923lidprnj
Mari’s voice turned deeper, but still slightly feminine. “How good to see6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpHnuzRcsU
you again.”
“What is this about?” Vander6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeqVC42mPi
frowned. “I got your message the first time, as well as your husbands. I don’t6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpChzIiFdcD
think there is anything else I need.”
“There is someone coming who is6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2inJJqSz5S
blessed with my daughter’s powers.” Veyar smiled. “She will be of great6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKB00uYzR0
help to you in this fight. Treat her well. You have a long road ahead of you,6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbS224BE2bw
hold on to your allies, they will be your best asset.”
“How will I know who my ally is?”6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXA4XTFNiKl
he asked.
“You’ll know her when you see6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pXh7cdSLj
her.” Veyar said. “It will take some time for you to gain her trust, but6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFVpTzaQGy
once you have it you will have an ally for life.”
“I don’t like people being played6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLb6KUedqTF
into helping me, Veyar.” Vander said. “Either she will do it of her own will or6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX7NCY4ftN
not at all.”
“This has been written for a6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmom6QMtKag
long time Vander.” She said. “This was ordained long before my children6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl7J2HodX7
were born. This battle will shape the world for good, or worst. With that,6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2nu68o6tI
Veyar’s eyes closed and a moment later Mari was awakened.
“How long?” Vander asked her.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdcwCOPeXO
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTpgUUKK9T
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGAfD95aJi
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKavy2AABw7
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0TbgyTgik
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaLvBRV51G
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpOxr3LmsR
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeSEdEstYc
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQnMeabgvG
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg54LL0TME
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywkSR3ohp6
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKWoOcTO7V
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71gyodS2mQ
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOzew63WR4
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tWROtevXf
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5jov1hja1
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZplxRiQaI
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwkYvwMFqQ
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOPWHD8yOw
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ywLe0PBlw
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAIZLgmL4z
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OemwuuW8n
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HdRCxtd3l
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZoXD9fseG
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqvROlQ95y
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC2h7FH5Vy
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK2MR3fTdq
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkapbv0Uky
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wKb4A9nw2
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6qfEMGIec
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0Dg87ZtsS
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvPg81hPdX
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpZm8tz8WR
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLnEpiuDEj
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvH3hWdeWxd
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrQFUxBeWL
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksmYhoJFFZ
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwNv2CViv7
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvmxkvHOHM
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGzeZ2rC0N
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPaenVzdcW
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDoMoM0c6y
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSIH71BSHM
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcP0ME5TRo
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ400DMjOglU
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFHRYv0tgl
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19P8QBqbyX
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9AaaIrwpb
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1V9uQseLU
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpGhr4syYB
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhh6z781Vs
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NCoiIIRps
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa04lIjGxxc
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoduZP4Jh5C
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswkD87qBQO
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kDf1magzK
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oNSOFSZUU
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRTcEPg3s9
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuTDxz9BuU
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2oxshZqyA
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mGVPjwvF4
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFaKT3fVuF
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WEHHjAY0p
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXzxbrGaRf
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyQ2SQ62Kg
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbINUPHwEH
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0Pj0Tyc5a
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9Mk0PczfT
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv79Glu4Mjt
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpU0xGsnK3
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekkoh9FoeF
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rNR4hIBIX
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2lVFIu3cN
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1vb02i4q5
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oBOWw6qIz
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jExMwtlzn
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0LdGUxUMj
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0tS9EzpvG
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ669vfueidf
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcEmjTFghX
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRlfSIZdxb
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJONpLSamvm
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaw6y7vcuUE
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOKwHLc8MA
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCAsLOY9RU
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxulN1cznS
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETyastPztg
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha5T8ceVgl
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXsH322EyC
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxUFIT9edo
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdEfYiLPDC
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCrhUe5WbL
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX878Rbm4Gb
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DSKOymCvI
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK7B2CA2PJ
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOlSUc08Ah
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dXZmZ6NiQ
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeh4M6Jsdr
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhHZOlOmVA
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrLWF8ScpU
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtaDEryQ2z
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNwxm6EwCA
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPJBP3Btsd
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUz9EuRT8O
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtiJgkppiw
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0HJhDnCUH
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVjnYcrTuC
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡue7Rke8kBL
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ785XnqfITh
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OoGrflDsr
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHg3J2ykbTl
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5k5O7qnZW
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaghymZepF
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZJfotjTiO
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWFIobECIB
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Uf2fJiLkQ
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWmMIdL7Nj
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPzRrrtbM7
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5UEL62XQW
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wgkQ1bPf2
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJXBFKmnfV
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb39JssRZO
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunuqOUmZR2
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHHpORHRrt
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMu6TZt6lmA
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE6X1FKBiJ
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYKF5a1G6z
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO2KlD3VOS
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBKjHLJaUN
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetoIWC2Dte
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACRoUEKkas
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClem40wElR
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfb6UlN0TV
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd3BC34ur1
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuiwZ9V6AR
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqE4mMoNdp
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgFYqeffcn
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZLoPI18bn
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBlr2213hR
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtJRzxoscz
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMkBn3n6sn
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiWuJVokCH
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cqTEaXyd5
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FagIxg5h8
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZq414AGyzv
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO07SUY6XVc
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1IBsiz3o2
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqk0zvNfsK
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZFfYFOBr2
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsoQXlFsvm
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnN4mnQK6E
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLVpY2Mpfp
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyYWfGXFoX
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvHCwTsZrf
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0gAsykayt
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgClvpZ9B2k
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EWshLNupk
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8TjvXMI04
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4D8uTwVCF
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLHzauuk6X
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBDOJf1h0t
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjmLk3U89k
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIGbHFgQek
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs0RSZ2Tnk
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNJFSLj1To
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ztZJdNi7V
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nqtJjyqhk
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhswnHTqrtM
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4tauZo42h
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VdBDCX1Yh
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjWdk7JNGQ
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9CSzaaOV6
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQhnSoAdvM
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvDgVh2Mmi
“Since I was a child.” Mari6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldOXpkWPNU
smiled, but she looked tired. “Once I go it will pass down to Anna. Will you6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVs2SrFXde
help me to bed? I’m suddenly very tired.” Vander got up from the ground and6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdHz9MEbRa
picked the older woman up in his arms. She pointed to her room and he carried6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEDNdSFQ2e
her to her bed.
