Chapter 12
He slept soundly. No one wanted to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR73QXDOvjb
wake him so the visit by Mari Drayson went off without him. He didn’t awaken102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnsM1iEV3V
until night had fallen and Shea busted into the King’s study to jump on him102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRROC3zO5WJ
then proceeded to like his face until his face scrunched up and he pushed her102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3axXS2pnMj
aside.
“Shea, sto-” she interrupted him102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTzuxZbI9d
by licking his mouth. He shot up to start gagging pushing the she-wolf off his102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbmlCSndHk
body. “I’ve told you to stop doing that.” He grumbled.
”And I told you to stop getting102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM7HqgKWhD
into fights when I’m not around, and here we are.” She growled into his102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa1B0oP1Wd
mind. “Imagine my annoyance when I got woken up by some Blades when they102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPim8CJePI
came to remove your stuff from the room and escorted me to the castle saying102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4znEoTFtM
you had been attacked. Imagine my anger when they wouldn’t let me check up on102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2NeBwXgT2
you until now.”
“Did you leave anyone alive?” she102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNG3rIuavX4
barked her laughter but nodded her head.
“It was difficult, but your102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0KRrz3vdK
grandfather swore to me you were sleeping and needed your rest.” She bumped102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3h0NDdaNJ0
her head against his chest. He placed his head in her fur then inhaled her102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUSWkCGr0h
scent. He felt the stress and anxiety he had been feeling just melt away.
“I’m sorry for worrying you.” she102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji8l3XJGM0
licked the side of his face accepting the apology. There was a slight knock on102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMKPVMGyS6
the door and Alexander poked his head in.
“I heard voices.” He said. “Are102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktv8gmjDfZ
you finally awake, Vander?”
“Yep.” He slid his foot off the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQx0CNVLsj
couch. Looking up at Alex he saw that his friend had worry lines etched onto102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXdg27FRBy
his head while his face was filled with worry. “How long have you been standing102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXvLY75ulJ
there?”
“Once the others told me what had102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvskBJpHBuj
happened.” He explained. “I was about to kill you when you didn’t show to the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx8VUcY8hk
training, but when that Jilena boy told me I dropped everything to come here.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGqzGEVq9k
The King told me not to disturb you, so I sat at that door making sure you102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQGJmQwHcn
rested.”
“You got anything to eat?” Alex102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAHIqN4UHs
grinned. He disappeared for a second then came back with a tray of steaming hot102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lNHvGPDAB
food.
“Once I saw Shea, I knew it was102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rFFYL77nE
only a matter of time before you awoke so I had the kitchen prepare some stew102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo16jqn7F0v
and bread.” He said. “I had them make a bowl for her as well.”
“Thanks.” Shea was102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYszE6M9by
practically salivating on the carpet. Bernard wasn’t ready for what was about102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ryaK3dWji
to happen. The two of them tore into the food like a couple of beasts. Sauce102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX03aK1DRlz
and chunks of bread flew everywhere. Alex wisely took a step back shaking his102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHITFgmeMfT
head in disgust.
“Animals.” He muttered under his102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyryEbPRhF
breath. They were done after a few minutes leaving the table a disaster. Vander102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSahcoHp5Y
leaned back on the couch then stifled a belch. Shea stuck her head into his102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs2QCmyabX
bowl to lick out the remaining sauce. “Once you’re finished your grandfather102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCPwqODBhy
wanted me to bring you to him.”
“Did he say what it was about?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCSr2HYNvA
Vander asked. Alex shook his head. Rolling his eyes he got up from the couch,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWzUlm5IVz
wobbled for a second, but remained steady. “Let’s go then.”
The castle was on high alert.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnmNXT7IUP
There were more guards here than normal, most of them were regular soldiers,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2DEcSW7AV
stationed along the halls. Whenever the Wardens showed up everyone was on102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAad80NX36D
alert. The safety of the entire country rested on their heads, so the King102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLvWGRZSWx
always took extra precautions to make sure they were safe.
Alex stood at the door to the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ567GVOKavx
Commander’s office while Vander headed inside. Charles was pouring over more102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R8fHEvgKx
paperwork at his desk by lamplight. He looked so old sitting there even though102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy6Ds6eHym
he was in his middle years. Just went to show the toll being Commander took.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EIhllr2JM
Shea jumped up onto the couch then placed her head on her paw. It took a couple102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEkK4cuvsk
of seconds for him to put down his quill and to look up at him.
“I heard you were ambushed on the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiKGAnWPrh
street today.” The old man’s voice hitched. “Are you doing okay?”
“Fine, gramps.” Vander nodded.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrpBJ1MysR
“What about the man I captured?”
“In the dungeon waiting for his102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOqaFwmOK8
questioning.” He said. “I assume you want to do the honors?”
“It would be my pleasure.” Vander102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaNUVmcjgL
grinned. “But we need to have a talk about something.” He sat down in the chair102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrXucyaWty
across from his grandfather. “We need to promote the recruits to trainees and102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38CgR1Ial2
allow them to help us around the castle. If today taught me anything we need102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuLWHPkHs6
more soldiers on the streets protecting the people than we need them in here.”
“It’s not time for them yet.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyz3yrXSjY
Charles shook his head. “They aren’t ready.”
“We don’t have the manpower,”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxizjd7xdH
Vander argued. “Even when all the Blades come back with the wardens, there102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdTbKFgsKh
still isn’t enough. Those five can really help us out.”
“Doesn’t matter if we need the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNJ3mmJwJo
help.” The old man growled. “We have standards we must adhere to. There can be102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBCYZKpMoW
no exceptions.”
“Gramps since I’ve returned a102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxc41GThwr
couple weeks ago, I’ve almost died twice.” Vander said. “If we had more102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoEe5hP1Rw
competent guards this might not have happened. If you’re that worried about it102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOa0g1mIb6
I will keep training them until their time is up and stick them by the entrances.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6CvYbailb
An important position, but it wouldn’t put them in harms way.”
“I’ll have to think about it.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjalQNIuDhr
Charles sighed. “But your idea does have merit to it.”
“Thank you,” Vander sighed. “I met102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qG3XteS1r
with Ross last night for information on who poisoned Malcolm and he gave me a102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNRTR1Pt0r
name.”
“Yea?” Charles looked up102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4MZz0nSdk
interested. “What was it?”
“Green Serpents.” Charles’ face102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQOU4NyiQt
fell. He scrunched his fist on the desk then slammed his fist down on top.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxIpci5uBi
“That bastard.”
“Is there something I should know102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p5MvU1sFG
about?” Vander frowned. “I’ve never heard of them before, but based on your102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQMjWvcrFh
reaction and the King’s, it’s something big.”
“Malcolm has his reasons for not102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYmHqwDJ1u
telling you, but since you were nearly killed, I suppose to have the right to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgjEFbMeF6
know.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “The Green Serpents are a mercenary102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NubINMTDR
band that goes to the highest bidder. However, it wasn’t always that way. The102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJr8AH9CMK
leader, Jogun Batiste, the King and I used to be close during the wars twenty102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdi28UbW48
years ago.”
“What changed?” Vander folded his102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuifAMZVY3
arms over his chest. If they were now taking contracts on the King himself,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3ZZs7u35A
something bad must have happened.
“We found out what he did to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDlC7bcy3j
prisoners, especially the children.” Charles’ back sagged. “He would have them102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSltfPxv39t
fight each other to the death then, if they survived, they were tortured and102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DSCM41T53
corrupted into joining them. Some he sent to his loyal soldiers to be102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YRnzLZXkU
brutalized.”
“Sounds like a real charmer.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoW7SJNSCa
Vander said dryly.
“We suspended all contracts with102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJdvBlxKyw
them and threw them out of the city.” Charles sighed. “I wanted more drastic102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkDZLVEpsM
measures to be taken, but I was overruled. The council thought it would be102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCPVOfa20g
better to part ways amicably instead of killing or imprisoning those involved.”
“And now they are back trying to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsbYnwFAcB
get revenge?” Vander shook his head. “Something is adding up. They are going102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVejjQZGoOZ
through a lot of trouble for revenge. I think there might be more to this,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02hVdqn6l7
especially since I had nothing to do with twenty years ago.”
“And it would make sense to go102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u7BZyfI75
after me, someone who was involved, and protects Malcolm.” Charles turned102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfKmy68ALi
around and walked back to the desk. “Why are you being targeted? Any ideas?”
“A couple.” Vander hesitated. “My102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG5W9vageg
first thought was that it was because I got involved with Nigel, but I don’t102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAmR6BG5aE
think that’s the reason.”
“Vander.” Charles said carefully.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJUcxq3HRW
“What’s going on?” Vander took a deep sigh then told his grandfather about the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWPt0vLGHp
dreams he had been having.
It started with Veyar the day102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28Fg3AAqqF
before he left for the city along with her warning to keep his identity hidden.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl741dFbMIR
He left out the part of her being trapped in the stormy vortex, he didn’t want102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdaO8qLTDH
to give the impression that the Deities were fighting each other, not that102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4APEzI0KQu
anyone would believe him. Then he told him about the dream with Unna about102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5jw0EHoti
fulfilling his role. Lastly he told him about his most recent dream about102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAy2dxVBYc
Imitae being chained up to a wall and reiterating the same thing his wife had102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqaMmbOWGy
told him.
“So, you think they went after you102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06rUvUSAgB
because they know you are the Ma’akti Unnatun?” Charles asked. “How could they102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QWwoSOsA5
know? Not many people do, even less could figure it out.”
“Gramps I communicate with a102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHj4FuhyLCS
Shadow Beast,” Vander laughed. “She might look like a wolf, but either way it’s102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyE01nUJsH
not a common occurrence to walk around with her. It might be nothing, but all102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILhwoaRZur
of these dreams these murder attempts, something is going down.”
“I already moved your stuff here102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwROqOhvBs
to your old room.” Charles said. “I will have guards on you at all times to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSqMkySBYU
make sure you stay safe.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCYCcr7WO6
gramps.” Vander sighed. “Put the guards you were going to put on me and put102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3uXcHlFGg
them on the King or Warden Drayson. I don’t need protection.”
“Then I will put Alex on it, he102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6CEW99lzz
seems to be the only one who can wrangle you.” Charles sat back down. “What102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHoOQJgA69
else did Ross tell you?” Vander looked at him confused. “I’ve known you since102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsG67hafD0M
you were a boy, Vander. You think I couldn’t tell you were hiding something102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWueaJuHEjL
from me?” Vander sighed deeply.
“He told me that he could find the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p8nRobCMg
Serpents for us, the problem is I would have to fight for him.” Vander102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyh0ItGNo0
explained. “In the pits.” Charles lowered his head and sighed.
“Do you think he has a way to get102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFZWAoMxUI
that information?”
“Yes,” Vander nodded. “But that’s102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqqJezc2fi
not a place I want to fight in. We can handle the information gathering102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVzgqM8fL4
ourselves. I’m certain of it.”
“With our resources stretched thin102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tPS2rbN1R
I doubt we will have the time, but now that we know who they are, we should102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuemqgDLT5
have better luck finding them.” Charles said. He opened his mouth, but there102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIp7LQdHwx
was a knock at the door. “Come in!”
Alex poked his head inside.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK13xZbRMIP
“Commander, Vander, Anna Drayson is here to talk to you.”
“Send her in.” Charles and Vander102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IFgOkOLPP
got up from their seats to greet the young woman and heir to the Eastern102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVl20ALxMr
Warden.
Anna Drayson was only a couple102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4Nx7FpB83
years younger than Vander, but an accomplished soldier. She wore the native102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSbjGtsjrs
uniform in an ocean climate: a leather cuirass, a short skirt, leather shin102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvw1qNps2GK
guards, boots, and arm guards. Strapped to their waist they usually held a102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQBGoRKA4d
short sword, but for now it was empty. They wore helmets with a blue stripe on102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8TVCXXio3
top to show their devotion to the sea. However, this was only their ceremonial102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcOqA2SzBJ
uniform, in actual battle they wore iron for better protection.
“Sorry for the intrusion.” Her102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0SCUY4JqX
voice was melodic. She removed her helmet and a cascade of silver blonde hair102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjNOURw8Bo
fell past her shoulders. Her brown eyes held onto Vander’s for a moment before102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHovGoFLOVM
flickering to his grandfather. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“No Anna, we were just finishing102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgy0hg0Yk9
up.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “What can I do for you?”
“My grandmother requested Captain102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pnvjahF6T
Vander’s presence and asked that I escort him to her.” Vander and Charles102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIxN9vohWt
exchanged glances.
“I haven’t talked to her since I102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJb1SgFSEm
was a small child.” Vander frowned. “What could she want to talk to me about?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡof4bdKswMD
Anna just shrugged her shoulders. Sighing he got up from the chair. “Seems I’ve102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o1IgY2uC6
been doing more talking than just about anything else recently.”
“We can change that if you want.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcc0845fV4
Anna grinned. “I’ve been wanting to fight you for years, wolfling.”
“I told you to stop calling me102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0FOMSLZuD
that.” Vander snapped. He wrapped his elbow around her neck, forcing her to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXwZlVFpaT
bend, then rubbed his knuckles through her hair.
“Ow, ow, ow.” She rammed her elbow102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtnqPCjeLD
into her stomach causing him to bend over. They broke apart and squared up,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14GEDjc78f
fists raised in front of them.
“Not in the office, Vander.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOzFku5l4R
Charles snarled. “Get going the two of you, before you break something.”
“Yes sir.” Anna bowed. Vander102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4asP0KYuI
whistled causing Shea to wake up rather abruptly. She growled her annoyance,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNlPX8pumw
but upon seeing Anna she jumped down off the couch and ran over to her. “Hello,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPw4gPZ0HY
Shea.” She cooed. “How are you?” She responded by jumping up and licking her102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEssm5Gl1o
face.
“Come on you two.” Vander said.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3P7CnA5wM
“You can get reacquainted on the way. Let’s go.”
Anna chatted with Shea while she102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zqfV9QVCA
led the way towards Drayson’s accommodations. Since she lived in a villa on the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0FXE7prpt
ocean, the apartment she stayed in was on the eastern most side and higher up102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtY6eLWLad
than the others. They enjoyed the cool over there and that tower was the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSS97kev6F
coolest area in the entire castle. Which, of course, meant climbing up hundreds102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3Jf10D4B6
of stairs.
The stairs were guarded by two102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4XOAl1cIl
Blades and two of Drayson’s own guards. They nodded their heads in difference102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAhb3vPrHl
to the heir, but blocked Vander from going farther. The two blades went to step102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySgQGnc5ZO
up, but Vander waved them back. He unclipped his sword and held it out to the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlFflEysMH
guards. They took it then stepped back ushering them to the stairs. As Anna102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNuN4a1xgA
walked past, the Blades returned her sword to her. With Anna leading, they102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCsPbn4viv
walked their way up the stairs.
He was out of breath by the time102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqyoqDs8df
they reached the top, but for Anna this seemed to be a light workout. Shea also102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmQeybYc9k
seemed to be enjoying herself because she tossed a lop-sided grin back towards102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdcDZJLG2o
Vander. He made a mental note to withhold steak from her for the next week.
The apartment they were in could102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkPxOmMTjh
have doubled as a massive house in the first ring. There were four massive102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfs96JZaG1f
suits, three bathrooms and plenty of walking-around space. The servants did a102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1qZ1n4KC8
good job decorating as the entire room was painted blue. The reflections from102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPtmqHMcjM
the paint gave the room a blueish hue, it felt as though he was underwater.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9YxyiP6fc
Sitting in the middle of the floor, on top of some blue pillows, sat an older102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDYArpTpfQ
woman wearing a long blue robe. There was a long pipe in her long slender102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvqCqvAsmg
fingers. Her blue-green eyes looked up as they entered, a slight smile102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUuGveOQCZ
flickered on her face.
“Grandmother.” Anna got down on102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmGlidMzXZ
one knee and bowed her head respectfully. Shea trotted over to the older lady102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeooRwbM4gv
then plopped her head down in her lap.
“Remove your boots Vander, then102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2WanNthsF
come sit.” Mari said, her voice only slightly louder than a whisper. “Anna, you102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjX8rYYNGV
may join us if you wish.”
“I think I should wash up from my102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0CEvM2Nuj
trip.” Anna got up from the floor. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE5lnfMZYg
proper bath and I feel as though the entire city could smell me.”
“I didn’t want to say anything102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdk2y9RRZAj
before because I didn’t want to draw attention to it, but-” a wet shoe slapped102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vD56p3R6O
him in the face. He gagged from the smell, but before he could throw it back he102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7va8HaCeIZ
heard a door slam shut.
“You shouldn’t treat her like102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7lqiczt3s
that.” Mari said sternly with a hint of amusement in her voice. “She still has102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzqvYuYepi
a thing for you even after all these years.”
“It wouldn’t work between us,”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1ULEP890G
Vander sighed. “She knows that, and I know that. She can’t leave your villa102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsw6qaqm7u
like I can’t leave the city. We are just from different worlds.”
“Is that what kept you and Bree102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqNbHkCIDu
Valarian from getting farther?” Vander tried to contain his anger with the way102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8Ay5fDpHT
this conversation was going.
“I don’t want to talk about her.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10qrQG492k
He growled. She blew a puff of smoke at him causing him to cough.
“You’ve been through a lot since102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0TOjo7ziw
I’ve last seen you.” she said. “You’ve aged. It’s in your eyes.”
“It’s been a rough couple week.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCj1M6E7C2
Vander leaned backwards to stare up at the ceiling. “Been attacked a couple of102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBuYJRJcc9
times, got some not so veiled threats, and have been poisoned. Things aren’t102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwgAxOW6nE
looking well.”
“You need to take some time to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrt3HomWaZ
relax Vander.” Mari blew out some more smoke. “Things are only going to get102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J8ZfmZSBP
more difficult for you.” Drayson inhaled more smoke, but she held on to it102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbOw1ZMI4l
longer than she should have. She looked up at Vander, but her eyes were deep102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWPGftYf2k
black this time, all trace of Mari was gone.
“Veyar,” Vander sighed.
“Ma’akti Unnatun.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCcTqXmVG9
Mari’s voice turned deeper, but still slightly feminine. “How good to see102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlgOK00tIT
you again.”
“What is this about?” Vander102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfvvbe4rpz
frowned. “I got your message the first time, as well as your husbands. I don’t102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76ROPgPTyF
think there is anything else I need.”
“There is someone coming who is102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRf3PPJB31t
blessed with my daughter’s powers.” Veyar smiled. “She will be of great102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgsji7hqA2
help to you in this fight. Treat her well. You have a long road ahead of you,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXivBVr3DI
hold on to your allies, they will be your best asset.”
“How will I know who my ally is?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeZm5fHdpp
he asked.
“You’ll know her when you see102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOytP5Auxs
her.” Veyar said. “It will take some time for you to gain her trust, but102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJHCHU034q
once you have it you will have an ally for life.”
“I don’t like people being played102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDcI5ah866
into helping me, Veyar.” Vander said. “Either she will do it of her own will or102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUIehm8U7v
not at all.”
“This has been written for a102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfghtI62gj4
long time Vander.” She said. “This was ordained long before my children102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUTp9NNwjo
were born. This battle will shape the world for good, or worst. With that,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVv0yTfny2
Veyar’s eyes closed and a moment later Mari was awakened.
“How long?” Vander asked her.
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“Since I was a child.” Mari102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9CIxKy55c
smiled, but she looked tired. “Once I go it will pass down to Anna. Will you102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokPDU1acJe
help me to bed? I’m suddenly very tired.” Vander got up from the ground and102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJaHoNUJfg
picked the older woman up in his arms. She pointed to her room and he carried102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0acAjnbbj
her to her bed.
