33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYl6W55425
Springtime came early for those living on the outskirts of the city. It had been a mild winter which was a33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ipoN7cLyQ
rarity these days, but the citizens weren’t complaining. They still had piles33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1WcL24xYl
of firewood to save for the next year and they didn’t have to deal with their33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLzYVGZjRk
livestock’s deaths. They walked to work with a happy step and a jaunty tune.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4l5Of3Utwm
They skirted the forest entirely for only fools went in there. Fools and33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsXktizonH
Blades.
In the center of the forest, hidden from many unless you knew where to look, was a compound surrounded by33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfAJNeUwFJ
massive wooden walls blemished from years of weather damage. Before it had been33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy81Pm1sJO
a stronghold where the King’s elite soldiers and guards trained, but now it was33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJn231FY5k
a relic of times long past. No one had used it for five years since the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgEYmTpABn
incident, but now it was once again alive with the sounds of clashing swords33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpODe0IzQ1T
and unhappy trainees.
For the past six months the newest class of incoming Blades lived, learned, and trained within these walls.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMdeMx87kP
Becoming a Blade wasn’t an easy task. Many didn’t survive the year, some died33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznwE2Lc4Hh
while others dropped out because it was too difficult. From there their either33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrYLDt6Gsq
went back home with their heads hung low, or they joined the army and swelled33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo2tseQk7U
the ranks of the worlds greatest military might.
Inside the singleton building, all the way in the room closest to the training ground, a man sat at his desk looking33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3PUGBVMwa
at a letter that had just arrived via carrier pigeon from the city. The pigeon33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzTa5PMPpf
had flown off to rest in the hut on top of the building leaving the man to look33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Zxbu9Kv3u
it over.
Vander, a Blade captain who oversaw33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mqd9mLg6S
this year’s recruits, stared at the official seal of the Blades on the back of33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE16hNshZkU
the letter. It was addressed to him.
Vander was in his twenty-fifth year of life and his eighth year as a Blade. He had been promoted to Captain a33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuDUGBof3f
year or so earlier before he left the city to come here for training. Unlike33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73N2s1MyXh
other Eluvian’s, his hair was pure white, the color of snow. His light green33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0dmpeOlvx
eyes, tired of staring at the letter, turned his head to investigate the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2ke9ptqhk
training grounds where his charges were training with the other Blade,33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERzQBm3ZoY
Alexander, who instructed them in hand-to-hand combat.
Alexander was a giant of a man standing well over six feet tall. His shoulders were broad, his arms the size33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ446sIQ6GlE
of Vander’s head. Despite his size he was very nimble and scrappy in a fight.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjonWvJnh9C
He was the perfect person to teach them how to fight using their bodies. Today,33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9DNosbb4A
despite the cool chill in the air, he wore a black tank top, black cargo pants,33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqY8RsZ708
and military grade boots. He could hear the man shouting at them, but he33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5KrgtGA0h
couldn’t tell what it was. Sighing, Vander turned back to the letter33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXRqTv6IJd
suppressing a shiver.
Only one person could have sent this letter. His grandfather, Charles, was the only person who knew where he33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9mGNXuXQY
was and had access to the seal. Whatever was in the letter, it wasn’t good.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLYWflPmDh
Despite once being close, after the incident several years ago, they two of33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyVywehe8l
them had barely said a word to each other. The way his only living family33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaykna5TyK
member had turned his back on him stung, but he stuck around because this was33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡad4bfk0AWK
the only life he knew.
He turned to look at his bed where a massive white wolf stared at him with concern in her eyes. Shea tilted her head33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkUWBjAHoD
slightly to the right. Deciding that she was right, Vander put the letter down33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoR1AoOzqt
convincing himself that it could wait until later. He grabbed his jacket from33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGF5CMpwiiL
the back of the chair and walked out of the room leaving the door open long33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvbEWTpjez
enough for Shea to snake her way through the opening.
He put the jacket on to protect himself against the cool springtime air as he left the building. The jacket was33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYb7NIXLhI
a status symbol that marked him as one of the Blades, Eluvia’s elite soldiers33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wpIyNnu6m
whose main job these days was to protect the royal family, the Elan’s, who33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXHM5torNY
ruled all of Eluvia. It was teal colored with two black bands going down the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1kpqztGX0
front and along the bottom trim. It came down all the way to his knees and33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzg7wKu3Cs
there was a small slit where the hilt of his sword could poke out when he33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOKCpAZErr
decided to wear it. There was a red arm band attached to the left side marking33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIQjOohnFj
his rank as Captain. His black boots crushed the blades of grass under foot as33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe583658TA
he walked towards Alex. Shea trotted off towards a tree so she could rest in33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz6L934E0n
the shade as her master did his duties.
Alex acknowledged him with a slight nod of his head, but he soon turned back to watch the trainees practice33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnOChS2gA0
their wrestling moves on one another. They were practicing pins, which wasn’t33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkcZxv4z00
useful in fighting for one’s life, but when it came down to capturing suspects33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOnGw6nSlK
or criminals, it would become very helpful to learn. It would also help them33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK5jlokYqK
use muscle groups they didn’t normally use it their training.
“How’s everything coming?” Vander asked. He stood with his hands held behind his back, his eyes or demeanor33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib32UOxPpa
giving nothing away.
“We are lucky we have six more months to get them ready.” Alex grunted. His critical eyes gazed over the pairs33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTFOa2vxXT
with irritation. “They have come a long way since we’ve first come here, but33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKYT7zJGap
their progress is still slower than I would like.”
Vander watched as the siblings Rooster and Chicken squared off against each other. Rooster was bigger and33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeltrTfLHrY
stronger than his sister, but she was quick moving. Several times she was able33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeANs2J4ATu
to take his back and get him to tap out before he could even get her in a33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqX8CubwHz
headlock where his size would have the advantage.
He wasn’t quite sure where the two of them had come from before making their way to Eluvia, but they were both dead33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkMAKYCMkL
set on becoming Blades. Chicken was younger than they would have liked as they33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxuWmTE9xn
only accepted those between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, but her33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMSuloLqok
determination to join coupled with the fact that her brother wouldn’t leave her33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0TGz4aJnF
behind convinced him to take a chance with her. It appears it was starting to33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3evQcsnf4Z
pay off.
“Alright,” Vander shouted. “That’s enough. You can rest for now.” Upon hearing his voice, the five of them relaxed33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqcMFnj2tE
and slumped to the ground. Rooster lay down facing the sky. He was breathing33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMpNZriXk7
heavily, and his face was a bright red, likely from both exhaustion and33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHByxqfBI3Q
embarrassment. His orange hair was plastered to his face clung there with33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56HWOLYNQs
sweat. His sister’s hair was a lighter shade of orange, but more freckles33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Za3xZ2liO
dotted her face that his. She clapped him on the shoulder when she sat next to33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiup1KOoX3
him.
The other three also sat down, but they kept their gaze focused on him. Eve, the defacto leader of the group, sat33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrelWR0yJyT
in front of them with her steel gray eyes locked on his. She was breathing33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAp2O1nlpUD
lightly after her practice as if she could have gone on for hours more while33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEmm2iKBIM
the rest could barely stand. Her dark black hair was tied back in a ponytail.
Briar and Forest, he was unsure if they were siblings or not, sat next to each other their faces unreadable. They33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2YOFV03zi
were both clearly exhausted, they had been paired up with Eve after all, but33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gfUxkzD0U
their eyes hungered for more. Briar, the female, had light brown hair and brown33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcLcapTZ3G
eyes. She was a stand your ground kind of fighter. She didn’t care who she was33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryhmekpJqF
up against, she would throw hands with anyone who looked at her funny.
Forest was her opposite. He wore his blonde hair sheared short; his blue eyes always looked for a way to take his33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu15tofS1D4
opponent off guard. He wasn’t above throwing dirty shots or tossing dirt at33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7oa1PcdL1
your face. He did whatever it took to win, even if many believed his tactics33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAOjRATv4O
were disgraceful.
Each of them wore black pants and a black tank top. They were given jackets, not as nice as full Blades, but33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDGTK4Uh1m
functional. They had to earn the privilege of wearing them which would only33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYMgiTOkta
happen once they proved themselves worth. In the meantime, their jackets were33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjM5PBPqQI
shit brown with green arm bands on the left arm marking their status as33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DVY7wtvPz
recruits. Instead of swords, they were given lumps of iron that were the same33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4Q75Gre3k
length and shape, but twice as heavy. They would earn the swords once they33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhDOSxRxsq
became full Blades.
“At this point in time you are the halfway mark of your training.” Vander waited for their cheers to die down33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmOKsOS0t6
before continuing. “However, Alex is not happy with your progress. What should33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyG5a4Bwh0
we do to see if he is right?” Chicken and Forest hung their heads, but Eve33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7Uu9XIVNI
fired back with an answer.
“How about we fight him?” she suggested. “All we’ve done is fight each other while he sits on the sidelines33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiADn03wGb
judging us. Let us prove ourselves.” The others perked up at the idea. While he33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqTnPX8uS7
didn’t show it, Vander was happy with her proposal.
“What do you think?” He turned towards his friend. If Alex was surprised, he didn’t show it. It was how their group33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KSTtgxfZH
decided to prove to their mentor they were ready. They were beaten quickly, but33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoigW82QzM
if anything, that made their passions burn hotter. It was a good lesson for33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQRDW25bll
them, and it would be a good lesson for these recruits as well.
“I’m down, but don’t come crying to me when you lose.” Alex growled.
“I have a better idea though.” Vander removed his jacket before handing it to Alex. “How about the five of you fight33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPsLmn5TJf
me? I want to see how much you all have improved.”
“Do we get something if we win?” Briar asked. “Otherwise, it won’t be fun for us. I’d rather get beaten up trying to33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYK3gJbMPS
get something than nothing at all.”
“Do the rest of you agree?” They all looked at each other then nodded their heads. Vander thought for a moment33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYUQDPfotw
before an idea popped into his head. “How about this: If anyone one of you33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuISnBrztbs
manage to beat me, I will treat you to dinner when we get back to the city,33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSejgZ2NVgE
which will include drinks.”
“Aw yeah!” They got their feet and cheered. The food in Eluvia was much better than the food they had out here.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp19kKBquu
The fact they wouldn’t have to pay was just a bonus.
“Settle down!” Vander shouted over them. “If you want a wager, there must be something in it for me as well. If I beat you, you will go33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHbFyIMWqw
for a run in the forest with twenty pounds added to your packs.”
“Anything but that.” Rooster groaned.
“Come on,” Vander grinned. “Out of all the things I could ask you to do, a run through the woods is small by33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkf0EKu5IY
comparison.” The muttered to each other before finally relenting. The hope of a33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXtkDOuG0n
solid meal on top of booze was enough for them to agree to the wager. What they33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKU7PUHwub
didn’t know was that Vander was going to treat them anyway, but it wouldn’t be33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0jGnCPbBc
good to tell them that now.
“Mind if I go first?” Rooster got up from his spot on the ground and went to stand in front of his mentor.
“What would you like to fight with?” Vander asked. “Swords, knives, fists? Take your pick, whatever you want.”
“Swords please.” Vander nodded to Alex who walked towards the fence where their weapons were hanging up. They didn’t33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzWuesasAH
use normal weapons while sparring. Instead, they used weighted steal. The33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0uoW2dIBS
approximate dimensions were the same, but the weight was doubled, and the edges33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41Zf6lRFPN
were blunt. This way there would be no real injuries during practice, but they33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUR9vE3msm
could still build muscle and train how to use them.
Alex handed one of the swords to Vander before crossing the field to hand the second to Rooster. He stood in33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGQ7LN6Gbz
between them, off on the side, and raised his hand. “Begin!” He shouted.
Rooster being the plucky little kid he was, launched himself forward swinging the lump of metal aiming for Vander’s33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRRgraLo8l
face. Vander brought his own weapons up, the clanging in his ear caused him to33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XSNyGf0UY
go deaf for a second. Using the kid’s momentum, Vander tripped him as he went33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMaPqeGOwr
past and cuffed him upside the head. Angrily, he righted himself and swung for33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN55OzOd7ah
Vander’s ribs. He blocked the strike again using more force than was necessary.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7Du8BfBL9
While Rooster was off balance, Vander tapped him three times: once on the arm,33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuKJGYPoGw
once on the leg and once in the ribs. Rooster dropped to one knee his face33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhYMbcQFRb
flushed with anger.
“Swings are wide, and you rush in when you should be a little more cautious.” Vander said. He held out his hand which33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDdRWT1kwe
the young man took after a couple seconds. “With a little more practice, you’ll33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrrZY2oNkX
make a good swordsman. Now grab your weights and sit with the others.” Grumbling,33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2UaXX255T
he stalked over to where the weights were, grabbed a couple, and went back to33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9vY6XIaTx
his spot on the ground.
Chicken shook her head which didn’t really surprise him. She wasn’t much of a fighter preferring the safety of33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyDeoyWgTe
books and paper. They could always use more administrators within the Blades,33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRbNM3QGa1
but she still had to learn to defend herself. She walked over to grab her own33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvU7B3X8KV3
weights and sat down next to her brother.
“Do you mind if we come at you together?” Briar and Forest asked. That was surprise to him as he didn’t think33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ni39XucRh
the two of them ever got along, at least not while he was paying attention.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGcLChWPek
Perhaps they would surprise him so he would allow it this time.
“What weapons would you like to use?” The two of them looked at each other before nodding.
“Bare hands.” A surprise, but not an unwelcome one. Vander stripped off his jacket and tossed it to Alexander. The33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFl6VRSWKc
cool breeze felt good on his bare arms. He stretched a little bit while keeping33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKu4vXMC43
an eye on his two challengers. If they were nervous, they did their best not to33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAAodvRYbT
show it. However, he could see their fists clenching in anticipation. He stood33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ITrdiOXrZ
at attention then smiled.
“Whenever you’re ready.” Forest and Briar raced off in opposite directions trying to get him in a pincer movement. While he was focused on one, the other could take his back and grapple him before he had a chance to defend himself. So, he did what anyone in his position would do, he struck first. He went after Forest because he was the strongest of the two. He must not have expected the attacked because he barely had time to defending himself from the punch Vander threw at him. Forest blocked directing the strike away, but it clipped his ear. He stumbled sideways clutching the side of his head. Vander grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him in front as Briar came in with own punch. She collided with Forest and knocked him to the ground.
“I’m so sorry.” Briar gasped. She held her hand to her mouth as she watched Forest struggle to his feet.
“You shouldn’t take your eyes off your opponent.” Vander whispered in her ear. She spun around to hit him but was too33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqlW3vmXs4
slow. He punched in the stomach causing her to double over in pain. Then he33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26SRl0zsJA
finished her with a punch to the jaw knocking her to the ground.
“Briar!” Forest struggled to his feet. Vander kicked him in the ribs knocking him back down.
“If they two of you are going to be worried about each other during a fight, you leave yourselves open.” Vander33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqpWteRF6d
explained. “Trust the person watching your back or you’ll both just get in each33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJSaUKJvHd
other’s way. Next time come at me one at a time so I can gauge your true33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mL4LzyibQ
skills. Now get your weights and join the others.” Forest and Briar helped each33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEKqIYI2Oq
other over to the rack before collapsing on the ground. The injuries they33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprI0hkwKUO
sustained would last a few days. It would be a painful lesson for them.
“This makes it my turn.” Eve got up from the ground and brushed off her pants. She walked over to the rack then33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCT6qb5zhc
picked out two daggers to use. The daggers were her go-to weapon of choice.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPzH3mRQkO
There wasn’t a day that passed where she didn’t practice with them. She twirled33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JHsEIHgkl
them around in between her fingers and clasped one in an over handgrip and the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qUe0JmTwn
other in an underhand grip.
“Would you like me to use daggers as well?” Vander asked.
“Use whatever makes you comfortable.” She shrugged. He rolled his shoulders and motioned for her to come at him. She33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9sSENXmhs
didn’t hesitate to rise to the challenge.
The fight was quick and brutal. She was quick with the slashes, but as they were lumps of metal, they didn’t really33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPkJzsPxi7
draw too much blood, but even if they were, the cuts would have been shallow at33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyWxZATAKE
best. The best way to deal with someone using daggers to fight is by guiding33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Bb1yCjSDv
their weapons away from the body using a towel or anything to keep the edge33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhBf5I18Tm
away. Daggers, like fists, were an intimate way to try and kill someone.
As Eve stabbed down with a dagger, Vander brought his arm up to block the strike. At the same time, she stabbed up33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtomvh33Cas
with the second trying to get him in the stomach. He grabbed her wrist with his33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVc8vUXJ7G
second hand. As the two of them struggled, she brought her knee up to try and33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hoKdKye1T
weaken him, but he blocked with his leg. The impact jarred him, but not enough33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04KbwygV4X
to weaken his grasp. He snaked his hand around her wrist and squeezed. He33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqacLVP0HY
twisted her arms together until she screamed and dropped both weapons. She33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqbQtzcRMv
brought her head back then slammed it into Vander’s face.
He felt his nose crunch under the blood. He stumbled backwards clutching his hand over his gushing nose. Between33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4tBZbLi7m
the tears, he saw Eve scoop up her daggers and charge at him. He reached for33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkftc6oNNpN
his sword, but it wasn’t there. He had forgotten he didn’t take it with him33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEDRLJxC4C
when he left his room. With a cry off annoyance, he bent down and grabbed Eve33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuJXwONNDr
around the waist knocking the air from her lungs. Using the weight of his body,33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWGVbw3DHR
he slammed her down onto the ground. The daggers flew from her grasp. He33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6YrsTcnYv
grabbed both wrists then pinned them above her head. She thrashed on the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTF4Wy3adH
ground, but he was heavier and stronger than she was.
“I yield.” She gasped. Vander got up off her and took the handkerchief Alex offered him to staunch his bleeding33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaiAVRVzOf
nose.
“Clean yourself off and get to your run.” His voice sounded bubbly due to holding his nose, but the recruits knew33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLLH3VoEUz
not to disobey him. He watched as they got to their feet and within a few33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgQ3T8TEPh
minutes they were gone.
“She almost had you.” Alex grabbed Vander’s shoulder. “Are you alright.” He wiped his nose then shot a wad of33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQY2oeFx6V
blood out onto the grass.
“I’m lucky I have more experience with these kinds of fights.” He explained. “In a few more years she would have33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYZ6iqTHVO
caused me problems.”
“We good crop, but I’m worried about them. Rooster is strong, but is worried about his sister, Chicken doesn’t care33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZDdqjg6k6
about fighting and Forest and Briar are more worried about each other than33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofNXcaxm96
fighting.” Alex explained. “It’s a mess.”
“Eve is the strongest of the group, but I’ve seen the way she looks at them. Seems she thinks they are dead weight.33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29ZPhcUOiD
We need to bring them together.” Vander sighed. “We can come up with something33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFp4VQtDyzs
later, I need to wash up and get the blood off my face.” He turned towards the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY6gUyAncj
slumbering wolf. He let out a low whistle. A few seconds later she sleepily33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJu6ZLvL2f
perked her head up. “Watch them.” She gave him a toothy yawn but rolled to her33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmWFHpM7tc
feet before trotting after the recruits.
“I’ll get lunch ready.” The two of them went their separate ways.
After Vander washed his face and changed his clothes, he sat down in his chair willing himself to relax. In the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xN3mStWeK
short time they had been here the group had become closer, but to their33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLWtjBOeFw
detriment. They couldn’t get out of each other’s way long enough to improve. He33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFEowhSY6R
would have to do something to fix that. As he sat there pondering, he heard the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmK3CmEgf6A
recruits coming back from their run and collapsing on the ground. Shea pushed33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMHcpWxZYh
open the door then jumped onto the bed to curl up and go to sleep.
As he sat watching her, he remembered the letter from his grandfather that had come earlier. Grabbed his knife, he33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQB3VbdBukt
cut open the top and pulled out the letter. He recognized the writing instantly33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkP6tqjYTl
as his grandfathers. It read:
Vander,
I need you and Alexander back in the city33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidssLMS7LQ
within the next couple of days. I know you have another six months left in the33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvsQ8pfw1I
woods, but it cannot be helped. I can’t explain everything to you in this33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxESD6xILAl
letter, but I promise we will sit down and talk when you arrive back. Please33Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3ogWoZELD
trust me on this, come back.
-Your grandfather, Charles
P.S. This is a Red Alert.
Once he read the Red Alert, he knew that it was an emergency. Only a couple of things would warrant his grandfather putting that in a letter recalling him and none of it was good. The rest of the letter didn’t matter to him. He crumbled it up and slipped it into his pocket. He rushed outside to call the others to him.
They would have to leave tomorrow.
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