Chapter 12
He slept soundly. No one wanted to82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqf8uottz5X
wake him so the visit by Mari Drayson went off without him. He didn’t awaken82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYw6mnw71e
until night had fallen and Shea busted into the King’s study to jump on him82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvDD3XuA4Q
then proceeded to like his face until his face scrunched up and he pushed her82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBjSCFm7r3
aside.
“Shea, sto-” she interrupted him82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRpDl6Zxe4
by licking his mouth. He shot up to start gagging pushing the she-wolf off his82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36f1cQuGJP
body. “I’ve told you to stop doing that.” He grumbled.
”And I told you to stop getting82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwsH7ESAZj
into fights when I’m not around, and here we are.” She growled into his82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOo1IJca5cW
mind. “Imagine my annoyance when I got woken up by some Blades when they82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiE4zWI1Mo
came to remove your stuff from the room and escorted me to the castle saying82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxQUjtktT6
you had been attacked. Imagine my anger when they wouldn’t let me check up on82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZcpoyeiU5
you until now.”
“Did you leave anyone alive?” she82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrirWLpd6ES
barked her laughter but nodded her head.
“It was difficult, but your82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjMNh95RRG
grandfather swore to me you were sleeping and needed your rest.” She bumped82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3Fa7eSJC1
her head against his chest. He placed his head in her fur then inhaled her82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjCwA6Lg2v
scent. He felt the stress and anxiety he had been feeling just melt away.
“I’m sorry for worrying you.” she82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rx8DdJetr
licked the side of his face accepting the apology. There was a slight knock on82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngbZd9XOru
the door and Alexander poked his head in.
“I heard voices.” He said. “Are82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlih0eWL14
you finally awake, Vander?”
“Yep.” He slid his foot off the82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdd23WYpt2
couch. Looking up at Alex he saw that his friend had worry lines etched onto82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3lxETwzOn
his head while his face was filled with worry. “How long have you been standing82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkQL0JTLOf
there?”
“Once the others told me what had82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfRAYzlV9W
happened.” He explained. “I was about to kill you when you didn’t show to the82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWoVEHD6H2
training, but when that Jilena boy told me I dropped everything to come here.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLmEAGPDdF
The King told me not to disturb you, so I sat at that door making sure you82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jAG0JpdW9
rested.”
“You got anything to eat?” Alex82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHcyndJ5qb
grinned. He disappeared for a second then came back with a tray of steaming hot82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhQ4oSuLhU
food.
“Once I saw Shea, I knew it was82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ9UAd1R9i
only a matter of time before you awoke so I had the kitchen prepare some stew82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DElPYrrnD
and bread.” He said. “I had them make a bowl for her as well.”
“Thanks.” Shea was82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bYd6Y1qzr
practically salivating on the carpet. Bernard wasn’t ready for what was about82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1cVxb0QFa
to happen. The two of them tore into the food like a couple of beasts. Sauce82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPWIP5wQvC
and chunks of bread flew everywhere. Alex wisely took a step back shaking his82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1tSA9Wbkw
head in disgust.
“Animals.” He muttered under his82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpvhtnMoCH
breath. They were done after a few minutes leaving the table a disaster. Vander82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKDpZc8eWa
leaned back on the couch then stifled a belch. Shea stuck her head into his82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydOjNLpAE6
bowl to lick out the remaining sauce. “Once you’re finished your grandfather82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoZgFu5XTC
wanted me to bring you to him.”
“Did he say what it was about?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ197hJiYEU7
Vander asked. Alex shook his head. Rolling his eyes he got up from the couch,82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9A0voMnaCs
wobbled for a second, but remained steady. “Let’s go then.”
The castle was on high alert.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeirNbqUFq
There were more guards here than normal, most of them were regular soldiers,82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHy28Kuj2L
stationed along the halls. Whenever the Wardens showed up everyone was on82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRMyyHr7BP
alert. The safety of the entire country rested on their heads, so the King82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsFySWz2vd
always took extra precautions to make sure they were safe.
Alex stood at the door to the82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLHvmXZ2Nu
Commander’s office while Vander headed inside. Charles was pouring over more82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNhIoXv3PQ
paperwork at his desk by lamplight. He looked so old sitting there even though82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEmiN5K9oV
he was in his middle years. Just went to show the toll being Commander took.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLCm0sFUE4
Shea jumped up onto the couch then placed her head on her paw. It took a couple82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLveQsdpVr
of seconds for him to put down his quill and to look up at him.
“I heard you were ambushed on the82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvZWrEwycE
street today.” The old man’s voice hitched. “Are you doing okay?”
“Fine, gramps.” Vander nodded.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxPingiuat
“What about the man I captured?”
“In the dungeon waiting for his82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR1bvoofDE
questioning.” He said. “I assume you want to do the honors?”
“It would be my pleasure.” Vander82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYCzOPjaZJ
grinned. “But we need to have a talk about something.” He sat down in the chair82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjGi9wQH5w
across from his grandfather. “We need to promote the recruits to trainees and82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IHtMQP6av
allow them to help us around the castle. If today taught me anything we need82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDdvFyoZt2
more soldiers on the streets protecting the people than we need them in here.”
“It’s not time for them yet.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtWjl7E6UU
Charles shook his head. “They aren’t ready.”
“We don’t have the manpower,”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FBoh7II4k
Vander argued. “Even when all the Blades come back with the wardens, there82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZNQ7iBQvQ
still isn’t enough. Those five can really help us out.”
“Doesn’t matter if we need the82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKx8BdpZ1a
help.” The old man growled. “We have standards we must adhere to. There can be82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYVuCvfygt
no exceptions.”
“Gramps since I’ve returned a82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGGu53mQKR
couple weeks ago, I’ve almost died twice.” Vander said. “If we had more82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFemXhE0nE
competent guards this might not have happened. If you’re that worried about it82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1FlsFEikI
I will keep training them until their time is up and stick them by the entrances.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xsuaa2QLZ
An important position, but it wouldn’t put them in harms way.”
“I’ll have to think about it.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedcSf1azZL
Charles sighed. “But your idea does have merit to it.”
“Thank you,” Vander sighed. “I met82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHP5othwVk
with Ross last night for information on who poisoned Malcolm and he gave me a82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOhpQSZblY
name.”
“Yea?” Charles looked up82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBe6qnxphQU
interested. “What was it?”
“Green Serpents.” Charles’ face82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcneAkl1WUP
fell. He scrunched his fist on the desk then slammed his fist down on top.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh493JIJhd
“That bastard.”
“Is there something I should know82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7av0LO3UH8
about?” Vander frowned. “I’ve never heard of them before, but based on your82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLH6va8YTGH
reaction and the King’s, it’s something big.”
“Malcolm has his reasons for not82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW3iJpZ5sy
telling you, but since you were nearly killed, I suppose to have the right to82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutU0HX5Ad8
know.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “The Green Serpents are a mercenary82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35TT9SpXmw
band that goes to the highest bidder. However, it wasn’t always that way. The82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTdLbwMINu
leader, Jogun Batiste, the King and I used to be close during the wars twenty82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SW9PybooP
years ago.”
“What changed?” Vander folded his82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOcdoLkf58
arms over his chest. If they were now taking contracts on the King himself,82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqtYGbHvv9
something bad must have happened.
“We found out what he did to82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnC6MXc4tj
prisoners, especially the children.” Charles’ back sagged. “He would have them82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlitKXIGmRP
fight each other to the death then, if they survived, they were tortured and82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0CL5A7Arv
corrupted into joining them. Some he sent to his loyal soldiers to be82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OVttEnRXU
brutalized.”
“Sounds like a real charmer.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRf12nEbdm
Vander said dryly.
“We suspended all contracts with82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsjEdrwujH
them and threw them out of the city.” Charles sighed. “I wanted more drastic82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeludK6YAU
measures to be taken, but I was overruled. The council thought it would be82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1FRK2dv4U
better to part ways amicably instead of killing or imprisoning those involved.”
“And now they are back trying to82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1Q4sQPQo3
get revenge?” Vander shook his head. “Something is adding up. They are going82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfOVh3g2EU
through a lot of trouble for revenge. I think there might be more to this,82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZR4GD0pJY
especially since I had nothing to do with twenty years ago.”
“And it would make sense to go82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5viZzWPql
after me, someone who was involved, and protects Malcolm.” Charles turned82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKdIcBsPSf
around and walked back to the desk. “Why are you being targeted? Any ideas?”
“A couple.” Vander hesitated. “My82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLxGgQKE43
first thought was that it was because I got involved with Nigel, but I don’t82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m21VX95C8
think that’s the reason.”
“Vander.” Charles said carefully.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSko04OGNi
“What’s going on?” Vander took a deep sigh then told his grandfather about the82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vE26LMC3S
dreams he had been having.
It started with Veyar the day82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut9c3mx5TT
before he left for the city along with her warning to keep his identity hidden.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLA4ZjkP0Q
He left out the part of her being trapped in the stormy vortex, he didn’t want82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKzbFN7pvG
to give the impression that the Deities were fighting each other, not that82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGgvVRBdd4
anyone would believe him. Then he told him about the dream with Unna about82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNk6cvkO13
fulfilling his role. Lastly he told him about his most recent dream about82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygxNA9Jg44
Imitae being chained up to a wall and reiterating the same thing his wife had82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yuV7MRASq
told him.
“So, you think they went after you82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfHjkwjBie
because they know you are the Ma’akti Unnatun?” Charles asked. “How could they82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR1P2MQDju
know? Not many people do, even less could figure it out.”
“Gramps I communicate with a82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JX3tDtJuX
Shadow Beast,” Vander laughed. “She might look like a wolf, but either way it’s82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI0jPaeWUa
not a common occurrence to walk around with her. It might be nothing, but all82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0d9c6Ogz9
of these dreams these murder attempts, something is going down.”
“I already moved your stuff here82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJ28Rs83zB
to your old room.” Charles said. “I will have guards on you at all times to82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGqDtqCofQ
make sure you stay safe.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiK9svKTn7
gramps.” Vander sighed. “Put the guards you were going to put on me and put82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmB7WcuCLDk
them on the King or Warden Drayson. I don’t need protection.”
“Then I will put Alex on it, he82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZipWcljuI
seems to be the only one who can wrangle you.” Charles sat back down. “What82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygj6DNJbgC
else did Ross tell you?” Vander looked at him confused. “I’ve known you since82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctx9ZAAZtR
you were a boy, Vander. You think I couldn’t tell you were hiding something82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AFJB16h0w
from me?” Vander sighed deeply.
“He told me that he could find the82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabLrDkzjYl
Serpents for us, the problem is I would have to fight for him.” Vander82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSayIHMToC
explained. “In the pits.” Charles lowered his head and sighed.
“Do you think he has a way to get82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tQrKPCKMz
that information?”
“Yes,” Vander nodded. “But that’s82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolUGDwmAk7
not a place I want to fight in. We can handle the information gathering82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyFm0PeHIP
ourselves. I’m certain of it.”
“With our resources stretched thin82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpblLr5zFu
I doubt we will have the time, but now that we know who they are, we should82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiEskZh0eJ
have better luck finding them.” Charles said. He opened his mouth, but there82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbNPC87kBF
was a knock at the door. “Come in!”
Alex poked his head inside.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiAKVfMZr9
“Commander, Vander, Anna Drayson is here to talk to you.”
“Send her in.” Charles and Vander82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPgoRWnJnz
got up from their seats to greet the young woman and heir to the Eastern82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XvMCLYB2C
Warden.
Anna Drayson was only a couple82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjHIFDKoyD
years younger than Vander, but an accomplished soldier. She wore the native82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHDDpHxtEn
uniform in an ocean climate: a leather cuirass, a short skirt, leather shin82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfI4IQ1mJxj
guards, boots, and arm guards. Strapped to their waist they usually held a82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAQirRPD4J
short sword, but for now it was empty. They wore helmets with a blue stripe on82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Klekktwha
top to show their devotion to the sea. However, this was only their ceremonial82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02um0trjRv
uniform, in actual battle they wore iron for better protection.
“Sorry for the intrusion.” Her82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYQjEuit95
voice was melodic. She removed her helmet and a cascade of silver blonde hair82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq8xNwB94y
fell past her shoulders. Her brown eyes held onto Vander’s for a moment before82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7HcDvXura
flickering to his grandfather. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“No Anna, we were just finishing82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhsrGGzThG
up.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “What can I do for you?”
“My grandmother requested Captain82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTuU9NRF7c
Vander’s presence and asked that I escort him to her.” Vander and Charles82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0BfVzAe8z
exchanged glances.
“I haven’t talked to her since I82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB2fobPJgT
was a small child.” Vander frowned. “What could she want to talk to me about?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YGKaOC0Pv
Anna just shrugged her shoulders. Sighing he got up from the chair. “Seems I’ve82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlhRBiLMYC
been doing more talking than just about anything else recently.”
“We can change that if you want.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiveXpdF2F
Anna grinned. “I’ve been wanting to fight you for years, wolfling.”
“I told you to stop calling me82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BGCm71Opz
that.” Vander snapped. He wrapped his elbow around her neck, forcing her to82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvXDqpN94C
bend, then rubbed his knuckles through her hair.
“Ow, ow, ow.” She rammed her elbow82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc6m1nBHpY
into her stomach causing him to bend over. They broke apart and squared up,82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmGuDFASPJ
fists raised in front of them.
“Not in the office, Vander.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS2GlhsGD4
Charles snarled. “Get going the two of you, before you break something.”
“Yes sir.” Anna bowed. Vander82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrxspGGkSh
whistled causing Shea to wake up rather abruptly. She growled her annoyance,82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7jhq7ClPc
but upon seeing Anna she jumped down off the couch and ran over to her. “Hello,82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVJSUeKN00
Shea.” She cooed. “How are you?” She responded by jumping up and licking her82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7GAdOy6bJ
face.
“Come on you two.” Vander said.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZwhCnyuxm
“You can get reacquainted on the way. Let’s go.”
Anna chatted with Shea while she82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefdOfFWYLb
led the way towards Drayson’s accommodations. Since she lived in a villa on the82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNTEDRW6Y8
ocean, the apartment she stayed in was on the eastern most side and higher up82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhNqi8UZAu
than the others. They enjoyed the cool over there and that tower was the82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqdvIKkzAM
coolest area in the entire castle. Which, of course, meant climbing up hundreds82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEARkNZ2j9Y
of stairs.
The stairs were guarded by two82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuscatuWES
Blades and two of Drayson’s own guards. They nodded their heads in difference82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ025iN28Url
to the heir, but blocked Vander from going farther. The two blades went to step82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4fsWYEDDF
up, but Vander waved them back. He unclipped his sword and held it out to the82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBKXLfbbFG
guards. They took it then stepped back ushering them to the stairs. As Anna82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHyTr9nwV9
walked past, the Blades returned her sword to her. With Anna leading, they82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATXTNc8LYZ
walked their way up the stairs.
He was out of breath by the time82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS7xqWU6ah
they reached the top, but for Anna this seemed to be a light workout. Shea also82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Y5R45JR6C
seemed to be enjoying herself because she tossed a lop-sided grin back towards82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KXaiILt6R
Vander. He made a mental note to withhold steak from her for the next week.
The apartment they were in could82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPBCkkr0fh
have doubled as a massive house in the first ring. There were four massive82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpdnq4FUav
suits, three bathrooms and plenty of walking-around space. The servants did a82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQD2zYNZ7kD
good job decorating as the entire room was painted blue. The reflections from82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkoIsHHalL
the paint gave the room a blueish hue, it felt as though he was underwater.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTix4pS34C
Sitting in the middle of the floor, on top of some blue pillows, sat an older82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHNwC5Rjca
woman wearing a long blue robe. There was a long pipe in her long slender82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0sxJr3UGP
fingers. Her blue-green eyes looked up as they entered, a slight smile82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujkW1iRGFj
flickered on her face.
“Grandmother.” Anna got down on82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wuK2AfwEb
one knee and bowed her head respectfully. Shea trotted over to the older lady82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDStNF4lQtu
then plopped her head down in her lap.
“Remove your boots Vander, then82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYUrl6TXVh
come sit.” Mari said, her voice only slightly louder than a whisper. “Anna, you82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Zh5jHkKKJ
may join us if you wish.”
“I think I should wash up from my82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgsj7dtCR3
trip.” Anna got up from the floor. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK8INydkGM
proper bath and I feel as though the entire city could smell me.”
“I didn’t want to say anything82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWht9RGRGRk
before because I didn’t want to draw attention to it, but-” a wet shoe slapped82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA60jCNmr6r
him in the face. He gagged from the smell, but before he could throw it back he82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLhtCI14kj
heard a door slam shut.
“You shouldn’t treat her like82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZP9A5C2l1
that.” Mari said sternly with a hint of amusement in her voice. “She still has82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgHpZok0Gn
a thing for you even after all these years.”
“It wouldn’t work between us,”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QccDHyruG
Vander sighed. “She knows that, and I know that. She can’t leave your villa82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j9P6OW9RU
like I can’t leave the city. We are just from different worlds.”
“Is that what kept you and Bree82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HeTs304wt
Valarian from getting farther?” Vander tried to contain his anger with the way82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKdkS63Osw
this conversation was going.
“I don’t want to talk about her.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmAoHJgpzR
He growled. She blew a puff of smoke at him causing him to cough.
“You’ve been through a lot since82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqwMU7yVxE
I’ve last seen you.” she said. “You’ve aged. It’s in your eyes.”
“It’s been a rough couple week.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ43Z5b88xa
Vander leaned backwards to stare up at the ceiling. “Been attacked a couple of82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECMZaJ4XCw
times, got some not so veiled threats, and have been poisoned. Things aren’t82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52L3IBDdVb
looking well.”
“You need to take some time to82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nM8SrMxXq
relax Vander.” Mari blew out some more smoke. “Things are only going to get82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l053aFfNf
more difficult for you.” Drayson inhaled more smoke, but she held on to it82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRymhJyeV3r
longer than she should have. She looked up at Vander, but her eyes were deep82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEJZKGd7HA
black this time, all trace of Mari was gone.
“Veyar,” Vander sighed.
“Ma’akti Unnatun.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMc1X8WOa1
Mari’s voice turned deeper, but still slightly feminine. “How good to see82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlRU9ZNk1t
you again.”
“What is this about?” Vander82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMnVWvUrfn
frowned. “I got your message the first time, as well as your husbands. I don’t82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpQrBfGMpv
think there is anything else I need.”
“There is someone coming who is82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRUQ2tXch2
blessed with my daughter’s powers.” Veyar smiled. “She will be of great82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPQgA0Olas
help to you in this fight. Treat her well. You have a long road ahead of you,82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k1iijcGLm
hold on to your allies, they will be your best asset.”
“How will I know who my ally is?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBI6FrRp29
he asked.
“You’ll know her when you see82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCgYdIM5tg
her.” Veyar said. “It will take some time for you to gain her trust, but82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQF6rqGerC
once you have it you will have an ally for life.”
“I don’t like people being played82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddeQQ6QPJr
into helping me, Veyar.” Vander said. “Either she will do it of her own will or82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgvPrFA14L
not at all.”
“This has been written for a82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69KA4Jjqha
long time Vander.” She said. “This was ordained long before my children82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJR2KjytyIR
were born. This battle will shape the world for good, or worst. With that,82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1Wm2cQLGn
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.” Mari82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxuDmrZ76W
smiled, but she looked tired. “Once I go it will pass down to Anna. Will you82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDdVeELpIN
help me to bed? I’m suddenly very tired.” Vander got up from the ground and82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4Kfd5BPpp
picked the older woman up in his arms. She pointed to her room and he carried82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziV8uyCWcF
her to her bed.
