141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyWd5HBeYf
Springtime came early for those living on the outskirts of the city. It had been a mild winter which was a141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRl9gUYbpXh
rarity these days, but the citizens weren’t complaining. They still had piles141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE2AutSq7V
of firewood to save for the next year and they didn’t have to deal with their141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qLydB9iYD
livestock’s deaths. They walked to work with a happy step and a jaunty tune.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpZV1DrbUB
They skirted the forest entirely for only fools went in there. Fools and141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuga0jG8ut
Blades.
In the center of the forest, hidden from many unless you knew where to look, was a compound surrounded by141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGylOK1Ksuy
massive wooden walls blemished from years of weather damage. Before it had been141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkZ1xFTJth
a stronghold where the King’s elite soldiers and guards trained, but now it was141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBeRhKEQ71
a relic of times long past. No one had used it for five years since the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoVAs781QD
incident, but now it was once again alive with the sounds of clashing swords141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b1NUUMKqX
and unhappy trainees.
For the past six months the newest class of incoming Blades lived, learned, and trained within these walls.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh9iSYjO6S
Becoming a Blade wasn’t an easy task. Many didn’t survive the year, some died141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKkWlXtPNa
while others dropped out because it was too difficult. From there their either141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEjBI7f7gg
went back home with their heads hung low, or they joined the army and swelled141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT3VK8ggbP
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 looking141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EpSkUaXfU
at a letter that had just arrived via carrier pigeon from the city. The pigeon141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMrnuIS9mE
had flown off to rest in the hut on top of the building leaving the man to look141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ne5FFXb34
it over.
Vander, a Blade captain who oversaw141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRVk3nbQeQ
this year’s recruits, stared at the official seal of the Blades on the back of141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6NXhH2GUO
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 a141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxurYOtwFsV
year or so earlier before he left the city to come here for training. Unlike141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafa9XRWxCt
other Eluvian’s, his hair was pure white, the color of snow. His light green141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLUiPFYBPB
eyes, tired of staring at the letter, turned his head to investigate the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPpES88I6E
training grounds where his charges were training with the other Blade,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxeEp4E1hx
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 size141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4fDHgOtme
of Vander’s head. Despite his size he was very nimble and scrappy in a fight.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxz3dwrgHf
He was the perfect person to teach them how to fight using their bodies. Today,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGnpVdLzPF
despite the cool chill in the air, he wore a black tank top, black cargo pants,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8clyFvqSCQ
and military grade boots. He could hear the man shouting at them, but he141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyXe7NyE2Z
couldn’t tell what it was. Sighing, Vander turned back to the letter141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlWHgprVqy
suppressing a shiver.
Only one person could have sent this letter. His grandfather, Charles, was the only person who knew where he141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6b0YJKK39
was and had access to the seal. Whatever was in the letter, it wasn’t good.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt37zkCD9u6
Despite once being close, after the incident several years ago, they two of141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PFVb0SHKX
them had barely said a word to each other. The way his only living family141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ORIdRvi7l
member had turned his back on him stung, but he stuck around because this was141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKPn25BJ3y
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 head141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblfwLM9yQu
slightly to the right. Deciding that she was right, Vander put the letter down141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMHVoUAH3D
convincing himself that it could wait until later. He grabbed his jacket from141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bwW0o01bG
the back of the chair and walked out of the room leaving the door open long141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYvCCFpb15
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 was141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkO1Ier6W7
a status symbol that marked him as one of the Blades, Eluvia’s elite soldiers141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaaiZIf1F4
whose main job these days was to protect the royal family, the Elan’s, who141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9GcLofzJV
ruled all of Eluvia. It was teal colored with two black bands going down the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctjZzbU8mI
front and along the bottom trim. It came down all the way to his knees and141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d6X4Ihthm
there was a small slit where the hilt of his sword could poke out when he141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2Ee1nBw5r
decided to wear it. There was a red arm band attached to the left side marking141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYraKjV6nNn
his rank as Captain. His black boots crushed the blades of grass under foot as141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPKoYAgs9g
he walked towards Alex. Shea trotted off towards a tree so she could rest in141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAuSGOhbpC
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 practice141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BiROa0Zo2
their wrestling moves on one another. They were practicing pins, which wasn’t141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwIBwzgGFR
useful in fighting for one’s life, but when it came down to capturing suspects141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrE6iIU4Sv
or criminals, it would become very helpful to learn. It would also help them141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX14No4zFp
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 demeanor141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtEMePJizf
giving nothing away.
“We are lucky we have six more months to get them ready.” Alex grunted. His critical eyes gazed over the pairs141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRcHVOov0Z
with irritation. “They have come a long way since we’ve first come here, but141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkD8Pt32JM
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 and141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTMHXDtSkO
stronger than his sister, but she was quick moving. Several times she was able141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lxQoD5DX7
to take his back and get him to tap out before he could even get her in a141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYyQHYaSBy
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 dead141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XMBHxEZHa
set on becoming Blades. Chicken was younger than they would have liked as they141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7GloN6w5A
only accepted those between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, but her141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXGRU6M1rZ
determination to join coupled with the fact that her brother wouldn’t leave her141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17WVgOF6cS
behind convinced him to take a chance with her. It appears it was starting to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYd9mssrnQ
pay off.
“Alright,” Vander shouted. “That’s enough. You can rest for now.” Upon hearing his voice, the five of them relaxed141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdGvStptIQ
and slumped to the ground. Rooster lay down facing the sky. He was breathing141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnWitMM311
heavily, and his face was a bright red, likely from both exhaustion and141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw18QMCCW7
embarrassment. His orange hair was plastered to his face clung there with141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3Gv1v2ltt
sweat. His sister’s hair was a lighter shade of orange, but more freckles141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCTlzFNDaM
dotted her face that his. She clapped him on the shoulder when she sat next to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKoPokoLaV
him.
The other three also sat down, but they kept their gaze focused on him. Eve, the defacto leader of the group, sat141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl64Bh4PRma
in front of them with her steel gray eyes locked on his. She was breathing141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxZUTPpYwj
lightly after her practice as if she could have gone on for hours more while141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexNkDQxeWb
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. They141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhr2xG5bWG
were both clearly exhausted, they had been paired up with Eve after all, but141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth62BDJXMf
their eyes hungered for more. Briar, the female, had light brown hair and brown141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq5NUwjJ5y
eyes. She was a stand your ground kind of fighter. She didn’t care who she was141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7ttylStin
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 his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYodFYb0e3
opponent off guard. He wasn’t above throwing dirty shots or tossing dirt at141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSq3VnJxZVV
your face. He did whatever it took to win, even if many believed his tactics141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FUPPpvanK
were disgraceful.
Each of them wore black pants and a black tank top. They were given jackets, not as nice as full Blades, but141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxqcnbuVcB
functional. They had to earn the privilege of wearing them which would only141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWafNCFk6F
happen once they proved themselves worth. In the meantime, their jackets were141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTqBoHjNU3
shit brown with green arm bands on the left arm marking their status as141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHik4pEKzYS
recruits. Instead of swords, they were given lumps of iron that were the same141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVUujPX1UK
length and shape, but twice as heavy. They would earn the swords once they141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLcXfsYXvJ
became full Blades.
“At this point in time you are the halfway mark of your training.” Vander waited for their cheers to die down141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVCA2b68LZ
before continuing. “However, Alex is not happy with your progress. What should141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3miZoohL2m
we do to see if he is right?” Chicken and Forest hung their heads, but Eve141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJf8EL140i
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 sidelines141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiWOMEnWaN
judging us. Let us prove ourselves.” The others perked up at the idea. While he141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqoeN31H8N
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 group141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAGe5v0i9K
decided to prove to their mentor they were ready. They were beaten quickly, but141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3X8qGjkV3
if anything, that made their passions burn hotter. It was a good lesson for141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0R4qqBlfSM
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 fight141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoMzP8sdUo
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 to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42ECLVySOm
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 moment141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPgoFzqPgK
before an idea popped into his head. “How about this: If anyone one of you141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlL78mE2umK
manage to beat me, I will treat you to dinner when we get back to the city,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5idEJ46z6
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRUJvuKXvV
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 go141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsQKgZciFs
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 by141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEi11n6vP9
comparison.” The muttered to each other before finally relenting. The hope of a141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzuQYxQuHu
solid meal on top of booze was enough for them to agree to the wager. What they141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIr1bTN6Qg
didn’t know was that Vander was going to treat them anyway, but it wouldn’t be141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlOrI8GDCN
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’t141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbj8LWp77dP
use normal weapons while sparring. Instead, they used weighted steal. The141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0FQulU4XZ
approximate dimensions were the same, but the weight was doubled, and the edges141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSL4IV2959
were blunt. This way there would be no real injuries during practice, but they141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLqKrpjwnF
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 in141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUC6h93tmvX
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’s141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlrMFoFzBz
face. Vander brought his own weapons up, the clanging in his ear caused him to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpe3J7fRsr
go deaf for a second. Using the kid’s momentum, Vander tripped him as he went141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNMnpomVNg
past and cuffed him upside the head. Angrily, he righted himself and swung for141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmMZXnxSXJ
Vander’s ribs. He blocked the strike again using more force than was necessary.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrSf844X4X
While Rooster was off balance, Vander tapped him three times: once on the arm,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXduK585io5
once on the leg and once in the ribs. Rooster dropped to one knee his face141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7y49INgNS
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 which141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUclJj79jL
the young man took after a couple seconds. “With a little more practice, you’ll141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHeixbXbRp
make a good swordsman. Now grab your weights and sit with the others.” Grumbling,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyLjtwYYZM
he stalked over to where the weights were, grabbed a couple, and went back to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6KUcOxfl9
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 of141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5zy3jfIP4
books and paper. They could always use more administrators within the Blades,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NVqm3sIfO
but she still had to learn to defend herself. She walked over to grab her own141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5oFk8CDfN
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 think141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIK3A8wl6n
the two of them ever got along, at least not while he was paying attention.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTSEWhWV80
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. The141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbqYKzDFLz
cool breeze felt good on his bare arms. He stretched a little bit while keeping141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh3INM14aG
an eye on his two challengers. If they were nervous, they did their best not to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK9fjbd9dm
show it. However, he could see their fists clenching in anticipation. He stood141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqIVcAzOCd
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 too141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xLcMt0qsY
slow. He punched in the stomach causing her to double over in pain. Then he141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GZrMHfqFv
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.” Vander141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2goqfEO7yM
explained. “Trust the person watching your back or you’ll both just get in each141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Y7MyfUx8s
other’s way. Next time come at me one at a time so I can gauge your true141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4DgCR09kx
skills. Now get your weights and join the others.” Forest and Briar helped each141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4U5W4KdeG
other over to the rack before collapsing on the ground. The injuries they141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEuz2x08qG
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 then141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMRwzJ6Tst
picked out two daggers to use. The daggers were her go-to weapon of choice.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkV2tmAaIt
There wasn’t a day that passed where she didn’t practice with them. She twirled141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevcUqs9xNc
them around in between her fingers and clasped one in an over handgrip and the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV2SZn71cz
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. She141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N3e9qys0V
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 really141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPZuN8OCZv
draw too much blood, but even if they were, the cuts would have been shallow at141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdxvJGQyf8
best. The best way to deal with someone using daggers to fight is by guiding141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIz9klNN8v
their weapons away from the body using a towel or anything to keep the edge141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHTABU5mXq
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 up141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvASnvP9t4
with the second trying to get him in the stomach. He grabbed her wrist with his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTumSqmbuWc
second hand. As the two of them struggled, she brought her knee up to try and141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyvKaaG3Yw
weaken him, but he blocked with his leg. The impact jarred him, but not enough141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApB5ulntsI
to weaken his grasp. He snaked his hand around her wrist and squeezed. He141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx04dC0sVZx
twisted her arms together until she screamed and dropped both weapons. She141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzGGOpzNF7
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. Between141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5FQzkviqi
the tears, he saw Eve scoop up her daggers and charge at him. He reached for141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GnyfjgIa1
his sword, but it wasn’t there. He had forgotten he didn’t take it with him141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPMdCL28Gl
when he left his room. With a cry off annoyance, he bent down and grabbed Eve141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G2KyMrm3B
around the waist knocking the air from her lungs. Using the weight of his body,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnXXOzfn9H
he slammed her down onto the ground. The daggers flew from her grasp. He141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoj0lkVAuFa
grabbed both wrists then pinned them above her head. She thrashed on the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETkAprMSsF
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 bleeding141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YLAUCq4lt
nose.
“Clean yourself off and get to your run.” His voice sounded bubbly due to holding his nose, but the recruits knew141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTocRHqkBE
not to disobey him. He watched as they got to their feet and within a few141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRl1EI3UdP2
minutes they were gone.
“She almost had you.” Alex grabbed Vander’s shoulder. “Are you alright.” He wiped his nose then shot a wad of141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3203i9JQqc
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 have141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFioFuswJK
caused me problems.”
“We good crop, but I’m worried about them. Rooster is strong, but is worried about his sister, Chicken doesn’t care141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pPynLpCYY
about fighting and Forest and Briar are more worried about each other than141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSII643XcQ
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3Guwg84Cb
We need to bring them together.” Vander sighed. “We can come up with something141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIICO1yXuf
later, I need to wash up and get the blood off my face.” He turned towards the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMUBJvvDHs
slumbering wolf. He let out a low whistle. A few seconds later she sleepily141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCAVf64bLn
perked her head up. “Watch them.” She gave him a toothy yawn but rolled to her141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gZhjE69AD
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 the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3HvpcLU0B
short time they had been here the group had become closer, but to their141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGfl5rZ9Ga
detriment. They couldn’t get out of each other’s way long enough to improve. He141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhCEpAj0ai
would have to do something to fix that. As he sat there pondering, he heard the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P6uNAb448
recruits coming back from their run and collapsing on the ground. Shea pushed141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubsYNmZH1B
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, he141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OtKaHdfxN
cut open the top and pulled out the letter. He recognized the writing instantly141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuLKEkuD9w
as his grandfathers. It read:
Vander,
I need you and Alexander back in the city141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVccDvcfchF
within the next couple of days. I know you have another six months left in the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2V0NpDBcl
woods, but it cannot be helped. I can’t explain everything to you in this141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrFbeSydZC
letter, but I promise we will sit down and talk when you arrive back. Please141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4n4k3LNa3
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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