Chapter 22
Vander watched as blood seeped out30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuJ5miRwj9
of the King’s chest. However, instead of checking to see if he was alright,30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhozQNSDF7a
Vander took a few steps backwards reaching for the sword that wasn’t there.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PCnEdITDy
Peyton took a step in, stepping over the King, to advance on Vander holding the30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkev2UBEgRE
sword out in front of him.
“Give me the book.” Peyton30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEcciFhDYi
snapped. “Don’t make me hurt you.”
“What have you done to Shea?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3OkB589rk
Vander snapped.
“I put her down for a nap.” Peyton30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2KxkEHRd5
smiled. “She should really be carefully about who she accepts snacks from.”
“You bastard.” Vander went to30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrVrHFcZOD
lunge for him, but the sword shot out catching him just under the chin.
“Tut, tut, Vander, you don’t have30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaH2ZRgu4K4
a weapon.” The man grinned. Vander walked backwards, but Peyton followed him30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx3Ph2pD35
until he was pushed up against the desk. “Hand me the book while I’m still30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVBZgPbOGv
asking nicely.”
“No,” He wasn’t sure what the man30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08kvNBTAbi
wanted with the book, but if he was willing to kill the King for it, it must be30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOrpL7jpel
something important.
“I wanted to keep you alive, but30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dANzfo3qa
if you choose to stand in my way I will kill you.” He swung with the sword, but30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrk3cbqgAVb
Vander ducked under the swing. He punched Peyton in the stomach, but his hand30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQ4JFcWfjs
hit something metallic causing him to cry out in pain. “Not even your strength30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4EVDwlnIE
will get through that armor, Vander.” He swung again, but this time Vander30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lCCHJA8lS
caught the hilt of the sword on his forearm then punched Peyton in the jaw. The30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRd8UXtYgT
man stumbled backwards dropping the sword.
“I don’t need my abilities to kill30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBavLmWtKK
a coward like you.” Vander snarled. He went to punch Peyton again, but this30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tQYKnnEDz
time the old man moved out of the way. He spun around, but Peyton got his hands30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3pUlHScbg
on a book and clapped Vander’s cheek with it. He fell backwards, his head30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucqiITy9vU
spinning from the blow. Peyton tackled him forcing him to the ground.
“You forget I was a soldier too.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrd8gqjZrI
The older man laughed. “I’ve fought and killed more people than you’ve had30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkatJuNlJw
birthdays, boy.” Vander grabbed Peyton’s arms then brought his legs up to30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJcv6Zk4Xa
launch him overhead onto the desk. The lamp shattered and glasses went flying30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWtfnsOiVZ
as he rolled onto the ground. Vander decided to use the quick reprieve to check30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmXfItu2f2
on the king.
“Malcolm,” he shouted. “Hold on.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHshIFeGxt
Malcolm coughed up some more blood as he looked up at Vander with warmth in his30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSTWRpWnGV
eyes,
“I’m dying, Vander.” He wheezed.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdCS2DyRkp
His body spasmed as he talked and based on his beating heart, Vander knew he30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh96jAVPV5
didn’t have long to live. “Take the book and run, don’t let that man have it.”
“What’s so special about this30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0KDj97GgO
book.” He asked resisting the urge to cry.
“No time.” Malcolm coughed. “There30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZYb5wAR0T
is a knife in my desk, top drawer to the left, get it and take it with you. I30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqPVIiJF8v
have no doubt that Peyton will frame you for my murder. Save yourself, do30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrYuARjIRG
whatever you can to make it out alive.” Malcolm grabbed Vander’s arms to haul30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn2Y6gUStM
himself up to his feet. Vander went to steady him, but Malcolm pushed him30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAOHwDHvWy
aside. “They might hate you, but I won’t, Vander. You gave me the chance to see30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhiSUh3JFJ
my son marry and I know he will make a wonderful King.”
“You crafty bastard.” Peyton got30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7K1WOgmkq
to his feet. “Give me that book.” He jumped over the desk and ran towards30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr0Uh4z7Br
Vander, but Malcolm grabbed his old friend’s shoulders doing his best to hold30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYtYaeSUhH
him back.
“Vander, Go!” Wasting no time,30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVdw6wuFk8
Vander lunged towards the desk then opened the door. He saw the ornate knife30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSZtjv6pbV
then tucked it into his waistband. He raced to the door but turned around in30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDcbkNlfbY
time to see Peyton stick his hand into Malcolm’s chest and rip out his heart.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiRTTgPmR1
The ring on Peyton’s hand glowed blue as Malcolm shuddered then fell to the30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0EFRwWZTI
floor. Vander heard Malcolm’s lungs release his last breath of air before30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sBQmtrxYa
stilling.
“You bastard.” Vander spat. Peyton30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRANL77YfP
grinned then shouted:
“Help, the King has been killed,30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOn0kcjMAA
someone help me!” Wasting no time, Vander ran out the door and down the30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoT6nPqY9d
hallway. He saw Shea slumped over on the ground barely breathing. Without30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67EkCFVxtV
skipping a beat, he scooped her up and held the knife out in front of him. Peyton30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBtaWa11rp
was close on his heels shouting the entire time.
Knowing he didn’t have time to30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZWkVb1OP9
explain, he bowled over the Blades coming towards him then came towards the30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLDiC63cho
stairs. Without skipping a beat, he jumped onto the banister then slid all the30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqBqNVGAgM
way down. He landed in the ballroom as Peyton ran to the rail.
“Stop him!” Peyton shouted. “He30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94KFt00tOC
just killed the King!” Pandemonium erupted as nobles tried to get away as30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VvLUnqiA3
soldiers from all over rushed towards Vander. It was proving quite a challenge30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoQheBze2e
to carry Shea while fending them off so he did the one thing he sword he would30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRMQsOGJzm
never do. He prayed to Unna. Moments later he felt power welling up in him. As30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP9dYIJl6S
everyone came towards him, it seemed as though time was standing still. He30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3ZpNTs8oA
rushed through, doing his best not to hurt any of them, as he ran towards the30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogDI6uAHwQ
door. A voice rang out over the crowd that caused him to momentarily stop in30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x85S2Xkgw
his tracks.
“Vander!” He turned around to see30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt76t9bH2V
Cuvera staring at him with a look of disbelief on his face. He looked up at30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfc1a3FJaOO
Peyton who mimed slitting his throat and the warning was received loud and30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiksoxcUy23
clear. If he said anything, anyone he loved would be next. Vander said nothing30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCN2pcDB5F
as he turned around and headed outside.
A light drizzle had started to30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstreU9FYmY
fall during the nighttime making his flight a little more dangerous, but with30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GVwCg7c9g
his abilities heightened he soon outpaced the soldiers chasing him. However, he30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfzAKSy4i3
wouldn’t be safe until he made it to the city and disappeared entirely. No30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VznWCRRH2
matter where he went in the city there would be trouble, so there was only one30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNNC7RvOmR
place he could go.
As he reached the third gate, a30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvwxeDw5Ko
captain was standing there. Jeffery Jilena had taken the post so those under30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4aXFx3uVT
his command could enjoy the wedding. He must not have heard what went on30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3MaPLFzXr
because he was standing there confused.
“Vander?” He asked. “Where are you30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbZ7Sub2B3
going and why is Shea over your shoulder.”
“You need to let me pass.” Vander30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqTOLj1MSt
gasped. “Someone has killed Malcolm, and they are going to blame me for it. I30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jUo81rFtg
need to escape so I can clear my name and find all those responsible.”
“The King is dead?” Peyton gasped.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXMuupSy0V
“How do you know?”
“I was there.” Vander said30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2j86bJ3oV
guiltily. “I couldn’t save him.”
“Who killed him then?” Jeffery30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHGTM06pgU
challenged. “Tell me.”
“I can’t.” Vander shook his head.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6xbhZmHvl
“If I don’t, he will kill me, and all of this would be for nothing.”
“Then you must go, but I must make30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdKPaaHzrm
this look good.” Jeffery drew his sword.
“You believe me?” Vander was30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2kYUKqK2x
shocked.
“You saved the King before.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcadU0sxKZt
Jeffery said. “You wouldn’t just kill him now; you would have just let him die30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHffg8xbv6
before. Plus, everyone tells me how nice and honorable you are. I don’t think30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡionLBJBMoG
those who truly know you would think you capable of something like this.” The30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwaJJbh3Cj
sounds of soldiers grew closer. They were running out of time.
“I am sorry I have to do this.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzxBkfP8E6
Vander said. Jeffery held his sword by his side.
“Just hurry up.” He smiled. “Bring30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa39Uk2nbv
justice to our King.” Vander nodded then rushed forward, knocking him30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPxlCGE6q4
unconscious with a single punch to the jaw. When he fell to the ground, Vander30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFA19vj0zz
was already climbing up to the battlements. He looked back as the soldiers came30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0dQ4KikZ1
to check on the captain. Once he was sure he was fine, he jumped down then30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqWTTnrHcs
slipped into the night.
The streets were quiet as he snuck30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72pPamQQND
through the alleys. Come morning everyone in the city will be looking for him,30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJE1aECO6t
but for now, he was safe. He ran all the way to the lower district right to the30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69bCZDWbfD
Orange Fox. He knocked frantically on the door until Left showed up.
“What ya want?” he asked gruffly.
“Let me in.” Vander said, looking30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvbmNU1eKc
around nervously.
“Why?” Left’s eyes narrowed.
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“Auxilium postulo.” 30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR2cssvz1m
Vander said. Left’s eyes widened then he opened the door. Vander took30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOi2Stw2GAJ
one more look out to the street then stepped inside. The door closed firmly30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfKL9oxYv2
shut behind him.
