117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmODvo8oCD
Springtime came early for those living on the outskirts of the city. It had been a mild winter which was a117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DKuYs34tN
rarity these days, but the citizens weren’t complaining. They still had piles117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzWlzDWpzO
of firewood to save for the next year and they didn’t have to deal with their117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEgURrZhCi
livestock’s deaths. They walked to work with a happy step and a jaunty tune.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp3rQgp2wB
They skirted the forest entirely for only fools went in there. Fools and117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumqykFIyfb
Blades.
In the center of the forest, hidden from many unless you knew where to look, was a compound surrounded by117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhePPuWq2wK
massive wooden walls blemished from years of weather damage. Before it had been117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j3qKqIpjb
a stronghold where the King’s elite soldiers and guards trained, but now it was117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8NHsfbWp2
a relic of times long past. No one had used it for five years since the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFkCuKlQLU
incident, but now it was once again alive with the sounds of clashing swords117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M6ciG8kAe
and unhappy trainees.
For the past six months the newest class of incoming Blades lived, learned, and trained within these walls.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwASlMy4op9
Becoming a Blade wasn’t an easy task. Many didn’t survive the year, some died117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7iGHwu7Zd
while others dropped out because it was too difficult. From there their either117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4mb9Kl3BP
went back home with their heads hung low, or they joined the army and swelled117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmno6hwP8yt
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 looking117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgMPZO9Uqo
at a letter that had just arrived via carrier pigeon from the city. The pigeon117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSSdFH7N5P
had flown off to rest in the hut on top of the building leaving the man to look117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPvqDymewh
it over.
Vander, a Blade captain who oversaw117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDLNe5LO3N
this year’s recruits, stared at the official seal of the Blades on the back of117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZovekIOpu
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 a117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2OICy4YCx
year or so earlier before he left the city to come here for training. Unlike117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BRb2usKwY
other Eluvian’s, his hair was pure white, the color of snow. His light green117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVggIZrK1u
eyes, tired of staring at the letter, turned his head to investigate the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhci0MWIcK
training grounds where his charges were training with the other Blade,117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzB275GJGK6
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 size117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3LMvhka0U
of Vander’s head. Despite his size he was very nimble and scrappy in a fight.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPEfFrEXSY
He was the perfect person to teach them how to fight using their bodies. Today,117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyjgqbD0A5
despite the cool chill in the air, he wore a black tank top, black cargo pants,117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdAEwhI7XU
and military grade boots. He could hear the man shouting at them, but he117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMZm6A4Mtr
couldn’t tell what it was. Sighing, Vander turned back to the letter117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhCiIycPVY
suppressing a shiver.
Only one person could have sent this letter. His grandfather, Charles, was the only person who knew where he117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU22YFrHmKn
was and had access to the seal. Whatever was in the letter, it wasn’t good.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwE07w1cSix
Despite once being close, after the incident several years ago, they two of117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmAVxWOVTU
them had barely said a word to each other. The way his only living family117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVhuf3MlbI
member had turned his back on him stung, but he stuck around because this was117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKjGu7fcHZ
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 head117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu4zoJ7nPs
slightly to the right. Deciding that she was right, Vander put the letter down117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5fX7eCoj8
convincing himself that it could wait until later. He grabbed his jacket from117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxDvEsYV0A
the back of the chair and walked out of the room leaving the door open long117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyjo1ThehM
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 was117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnoUPOQS5A
a status symbol that marked him as one of the Blades, Eluvia’s elite soldiers117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCuzstTyv0
whose main job these days was to protect the royal family, the Elan’s, who117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlpqHLwFqG
ruled all of Eluvia. It was teal colored with two black bands going down the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX8BSuShRv
front and along the bottom trim. It came down all the way to his knees and117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YTZSTUJVh
there was a small slit where the hilt of his sword could poke out when he117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0drRqp9tK
decided to wear it. There was a red arm band attached to the left side marking117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEoFujjaEl
his rank as Captain. His black boots crushed the blades of grass under foot as117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sd1Vp33yu
he walked towards Alex. Shea trotted off towards a tree so she could rest in117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmdGTjsWT0
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 practice117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwy7csP9tv
their wrestling moves on one another. They were practicing pins, which wasn’t117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxuClBxSeN
useful in fighting for one’s life, but when it came down to capturing suspects117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoNlwCPBdu
or criminals, it would become very helpful to learn. It would also help them117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UdOImlOR7
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 demeanor117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ809otQABow
giving nothing away.
“We are lucky we have six more months to get them ready.” Alex grunted. His critical eyes gazed over the pairs117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZt4wgzbDR
with irritation. “They have come a long way since we’ve first come here, but117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozYLEu8ZU7
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 and117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2uhHkLsEH
stronger than his sister, but she was quick moving. Several times she was able117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphR3LH1y8s
to take his back and get him to tap out before he could even get her in a117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH1VmieQ17
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 dead117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLduliEJJ9F
set on becoming Blades. Chicken was younger than they would have liked as they117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1aTz2EPbg
only accepted those between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, but her117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0R9JZFgRYI
determination to join coupled with the fact that her brother wouldn’t leave her117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwauLt6UkMb
behind convinced him to take a chance with her. It appears it was starting to117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp5GebNR9N
pay off.
“Alright,” Vander shouted. “That’s enough. You can rest for now.” Upon hearing his voice, the five of them relaxed117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSM2vLzyuy
and slumped to the ground. Rooster lay down facing the sky. He was breathing117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kEz0YCbEL
heavily, and his face was a bright red, likely from both exhaustion and117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNI34YIszLV
embarrassment. His orange hair was plastered to his face clung there with117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHxgGSdw3E
sweat. His sister’s hair was a lighter shade of orange, but more freckles117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1PRE4aLFE
dotted her face that his. She clapped him on the shoulder when she sat next to117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22H6QnMRvt
him.
The other three also sat down, but they kept their gaze focused on him. Eve, the defacto leader of the group, sat117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQvJ3Edhn9
in front of them with her steel gray eyes locked on his. She was breathing117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcPCQhKi4O
lightly after her practice as if she could have gone on for hours more while117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxQbcsGCPx
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. They117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kF5O2N5l4
were both clearly exhausted, they had been paired up with Eve after all, but117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlJvjgDa2L
their eyes hungered for more. Briar, the female, had light brown hair and brown117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoiweayKdI
eyes. She was a stand your ground kind of fighter. She didn’t care who she was117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQmfkdXySc
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 his117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg0qnESg8A
opponent off guard. He wasn’t above throwing dirty shots or tossing dirt at117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwG4OeUreT
your face. He did whatever it took to win, even if many believed his tactics117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmyO2NsXOx
were disgraceful.
Each of them wore black pants and a black tank top. They were given jackets, not as nice as full Blades, but117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqNNwjoHIy
functional. They had to earn the privilege of wearing them which would only117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBiTaDrGLK
happen once they proved themselves worth. In the meantime, their jackets were117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDbFk0327L
shit brown with green arm bands on the left arm marking their status as117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm6fVJqnnx
recruits. Instead of swords, they were given lumps of iron that were the same117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanN8XVQh4r
length and shape, but twice as heavy. They would earn the swords once they117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjRaFXbvSU
became full Blades.
“At this point in time you are the halfway mark of your training.” Vander waited for their cheers to die down117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYWJkerm6S
before continuing. “However, Alex is not happy with your progress. What should117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ6z0NyHIP
we do to see if he is right?” Chicken and Forest hung their heads, but Eve117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0Y8hAhFvR
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 sidelines117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoFDOVa34W
judging us. Let us prove ourselves.” The others perked up at the idea. While he117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxCipyUptd
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 group117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPELFptv2J
decided to prove to their mentor they were ready. They were beaten quickly, but117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyNzMxVKHC
if anything, that made their passions burn hotter. It was a good lesson for117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZsfSMqKHm
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 fight117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ2oS6qBG8
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 to117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RpSydFala
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 moment117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81m1ZjIDu3
before an idea popped into his head. “How about this: If anyone one of you117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMWwiWinEo
manage to beat me, I will treat you to dinner when we get back to the city,117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT26Xd8jtS9
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.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTActW5KNso
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 go117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI5wbDkM27
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 by117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukFgVINQAG
comparison.” The muttered to each other before finally relenting. The hope of a117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzkjf1AVhU
solid meal on top of booze was enough for them to agree to the wager. What they117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZtd512R34
didn’t know was that Vander was going to treat them anyway, but it wouldn’t be117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Wcf6dYGLy
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’t117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKfPsIavtu
use normal weapons while sparring. Instead, they used weighted steal. The117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtQ5QSQO8O
approximate dimensions were the same, but the weight was doubled, and the edges117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccyqYBLqVr
were blunt. This way there would be no real injuries during practice, but they117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4We4KvrLHF
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 in117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP2C5FVRmy
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’s117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XD2A8oKdF
face. Vander brought his own weapons up, the clanging in his ear caused him to117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiJWmyEhdy
go deaf for a second. Using the kid’s momentum, Vander tripped him as he went117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEKPYJF2BU
past and cuffed him upside the head. Angrily, he righted himself and swung for117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XCJQGSg2L
Vander’s ribs. He blocked the strike again using more force than was necessary.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9KO9n0Xdq
While Rooster was off balance, Vander tapped him three times: once on the arm,117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDH20v2fDv
once on the leg and once in the ribs. Rooster dropped to one knee his face117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEQ4AmCfqx
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 which117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5axdUMf0T6
the young man took after a couple seconds. “With a little more practice, you’ll117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvf1D063sIF
make a good swordsman. Now grab your weights and sit with the others.” Grumbling,117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dBoP2gFfS
he stalked over to where the weights were, grabbed a couple, and went back to117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroBuu5yluV
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 of117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQKRSqEhh4
books and paper. They could always use more administrators within the Blades,117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhjyixJLv8
but she still had to learn to defend herself. She walked over to grab her own117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqbq8HRZPj
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 think117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubGyllYCXC
the two of them ever got along, at least not while he was paying attention.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOG4oSxYH0k
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. The117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNC77M9CIPq
cool breeze felt good on his bare arms. He stretched a little bit while keeping117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM5ytXwzPz
an eye on his two challengers. If they were nervous, they did their best not to117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokwrou7oTW
show it. However, he could see their fists clenching in anticipation. He stood117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIm6yF6wNC
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 too117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmQ8bJgZgI
slow. He punched in the stomach causing her to double over in pain. Then he117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlvGkQjDlp
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.” Vander117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05AoFbXMJX
explained. “Trust the person watching your back or you’ll both just get in each117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp10cMXWrib
other’s way. Next time come at me one at a time so I can gauge your true117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32Ja3tjoSt
skills. Now get your weights and join the others.” Forest and Briar helped each117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRb2ddli0ra
other over to the rack before collapsing on the ground. The injuries they117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwqQ12l7s9
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 then117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz72lnpoKAy
picked out two daggers to use. The daggers were her go-to weapon of choice.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTd5LNIttx
There wasn’t a day that passed where she didn’t practice with them. She twirled117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIVIgjpETR
them around in between her fingers and clasped one in an over handgrip and the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp79PdsjSXU
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. She117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGnyC7Hujt
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 really117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxDVO9S8ka
draw too much blood, but even if they were, the cuts would have been shallow at117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnT1Rw20AQ
best. The best way to deal with someone using daggers to fight is by guiding117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq00JnbQHGd
their weapons away from the body using a towel or anything to keep the edge117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaus8p2re8g
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 up117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayB6EJPWRU
with the second trying to get him in the stomach. He grabbed her wrist with his117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkmWESWvfz
second hand. As the two of them struggled, she brought her knee up to try and117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig52dadaqz
weaken him, but he blocked with his leg. The impact jarred him, but not enough117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVCR0rVSWi
to weaken his grasp. He snaked his hand around her wrist and squeezed. He117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkkGtZtGg5
twisted her arms together until she screamed and dropped both weapons. She117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSTQU4Jdui
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. Between117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBABMuZDqy
the tears, he saw Eve scoop up her daggers and charge at him. He reached for117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHwPMPPLqe
his sword, but it wasn’t there. He had forgotten he didn’t take it with him117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrUg3eJwhz
when he left his room. With a cry off annoyance, he bent down and grabbed Eve117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO1JjLg075
around the waist knocking the air from her lungs. Using the weight of his body,117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rRvCBKAkk
he slammed her down onto the ground. The daggers flew from her grasp. He117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZDEkifHvH
grabbed both wrists then pinned them above her head. She thrashed on the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TzJhPSeDO
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 bleeding117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnlFmtphgy
nose.
“Clean yourself off and get to your run.” His voice sounded bubbly due to holding his nose, but the recruits knew117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHLWAmMxPE
not to disobey him. He watched as they got to their feet and within a few117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fobGtkXLF
minutes they were gone.
“She almost had you.” Alex grabbed Vander’s shoulder. “Are you alright.” He wiped his nose then shot a wad of117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvX4rwD0yK
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 have117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXl020LPvtJ
caused me problems.”
“We good crop, but I’m worried about them. Rooster is strong, but is worried about his sister, Chicken doesn’t care117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKyDNzq5BU
about fighting and Forest and Briar are more worried about each other than117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FJ4lkNcfJ
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.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzQL4kMhhH
We need to bring them together.” Vander sighed. “We can come up with something117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvzpCqdc9V
later, I need to wash up and get the blood off my face.” He turned towards the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSmlmcTglQ
slumbering wolf. He let out a low whistle. A few seconds later she sleepily117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJl5hVse1MA
perked her head up. “Watch them.” She gave him a toothy yawn but rolled to her117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6g9h1FKyw
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 the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDEHrZ0MZS
short time they had been here the group had become closer, but to their117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xIGNRC7at
detriment. They couldn’t get out of each other’s way long enough to improve. He117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fOWAf9UfL
would have to do something to fix that. As he sat there pondering, he heard the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNHvgXNT3b
recruits coming back from their run and collapsing on the ground. Shea pushed117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj0xRoOXEn
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, he117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QYIptURRm
cut open the top and pulled out the letter. He recognized the writing instantly117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNSg1u88Jp
as his grandfathers. It read:
Vander,
I need you and Alexander back in the city117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEItgAAGql
within the next couple of days. I know you have another six months left in the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxgLOx406D
woods, but it cannot be helped. I can’t explain everything to you in this117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡan5Su7gEgW
letter, but I promise we will sit down and talk when you arrive back. Please117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDKzbB5RmD
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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