Chapter 27
If you’ve never31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna2VQheWrI
been inside the mind of a raven, you were missing out. They are one of the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlloCbPkgae
smartest birds in the world capable of remembering faces and understanding a31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETgNRTKCLS
semblance of human speech. However, when Vander was inside, he understood31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT92ir7xzYU
everything around him, knew what the bird knew, and could get into places he31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb94Ryv4VUn
otherwise couldn’t. The only issue was if the consciousness of the creature he31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneU87TNlcP
was inhabiting decided to fight back, he could be forcibly shoved back into his31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DJG57Y1tZ
own body or, in a worst-case scenario, he could be lost forever. However it was31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66p231FaJN
a risk he needed to take and so far, the raven wasn’t fighting him though he31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpHb1rUC4U
was angry. Vander had to promise him some food before he would finally settle31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJjyHPmnaP
down.
Vander flapped31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PXzmMYcGl
his wings then jumped from the rooftop. He caught an air current to glid over31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhdzRhstM9
the heads of the gathered soldiers trying to keep the crowds back away from the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGwJbNZicU
crime scene. Some of them had taken their spears butts to the citizens to get31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hCkAmWqUC
them to stay away, but that made some of them angry. It took one of the Blades31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbhJpiRXZM
to come over to calm the crowd down before they calmed down enough, but they31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHoJiCapyY
were still near the edge peering through just to see what was going on.
He found a perch31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4w06OrXog
on top of the house that would enable him to see his surroundings but also31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGpOZJr7nR
listen to what was being said inside. He hopped forward, grabbing hold of the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bGy4jAain
siding with his talons, and peered over the edge looking into the house via the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ey8BzHh76
window above the door. If anyone looked above, they would have seen just his31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9ieyOenR9
head and beady little eyes, but the occupants were too distracted by the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsB5k3O5xL
carnage he had left behind.
The blood had31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyxgC3um7e
dried overnight, but the people inside walked over it as if it was. There was a31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoSiiq41mc
medic inside making sure the bodies were dead. It wasn’t Topal, but one of his31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9Sw3mVrd2
students that Vander didn’t recognize. He was carefully checking the bodies31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFjhkCz8Lo
then would nod to one of the soldiers who would then grab a buddy and together31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcgisoI5xU
the two of them would bring one of the bodies outside. Then they would bring a31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXk8vJ9Ho2
tarp to place over the dead to hide them from the crowd. It happened six times31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpjyfI6DsL
in total. Vander had to double take because he was sure that seven of them been31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjhiwPrcH3
killed, but after double counting then peering back inside, there was indeed31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXhJR3W3bf
only six bodies. He would have to investigate that later.
He heard some of31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd3spP0e0E
the guards talking inside. “What a waste of life.” One muttered to themselves.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngdvGEbqIT
“What do you think happened here?”
“We don’t get31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dP7lfPNSB
paid to ask questions.” That other snorted. But he looked around nervously31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOiCVtlG7U
before whispering to his friend. “I bet it was that traitorous Blade that did31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wbnUxvcwD
this.” The other guard looked warily at his friend.
“How do you31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6O0v4LiVA
figure?”
“One of these31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOm3mOaHLb9
people had their throat completely ripped out.” The other explained. “That’s31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wZ325FwUU
not possible without a lot of strength. I’ve only ever seen animals do that and31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq48ZTOTZ31
I don’t think a bear came into down, slaughtered six people, then left never to31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2h9LtpXKv
be seen again.”
“I guess that31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgWT9aHAjZ
makes sense.” The second guard didn’t sound convinced, however. “But why would31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaXqTrSMMr
he come here to kill these people? It makes no sense.”
“Like killing the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw97Z540ADb
King made sense?” the first guard spat. “The sooner we find this guy, the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvMN898tdo
sooner we can bury him. Bastard deserves to hang for what he did.” Unknown to31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRuPOMSlO3
all involved, they failed to notice a squad of Blades coming up behind them.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwanx4i7VP4
Vander looked up to see Alexander coming with a few Blades Vander didn’t31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YO82kWI7J
recognize. They were likely from one of the squads that came with the Warden’s.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFzePosBTd
He couldn’t help but wonder where the recruits went.
Alex looked like31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1zSzVFNKI
shit. His eyes were sunken in, and he had allowed his beard to grow long and31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8gQq5GllR
thick. His clothes were unkept, despite Blade regulation, but his eyes were31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rsJeMzD6o
still sharp. He had come in at the tail end of the guard’s conversation, so he31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoV24xmY17
let himself be known by growling right behind them.
“If you two have31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk67WkJ0LP
time to gossip, you have time to stand investigate the house.” He spoke.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR0oMgw05L
Normally his size and demeanor were enough to get most men to do what he31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvqzoTwavL
wanted, but that didn’t seem to work here.
“You’re not in31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCxVUEzjNE
charge of us, Blade.” The first guard hissed. The way he said it made Vander31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxiVmcCwYq
angry. It appears he wasn’t the only one as the Blades with Alex went for their31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZspJ4eq8pJ
swords. They stayed their hand once Alex motioned for them to stop. “We don’t31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eCVSEk9Ed
take orders from those who let the King die.”
“You’ll take31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwbVfrMlmt
orders from me whether you like it or not.” Alex’s voice was calm, but he was31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugkN3FxfFR
seconds away from violently lashing out. Vander could tell based on how he31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ffSZMx04T
clenched his hand. “Until the King decrees otherwise you will help us find31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLXJYZwb3N
Vander and bring him in.”
“Our General says31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJzW9hTQOu
otherwise.” The second guard said. “We are only here as per our duty, but after31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSheozaEZ0
the bodies are taken out, you’re on your own.”
“Coward.” One of31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwKXxTMgQY
the Blade’s spat. At that insult, the two guards drew their weapons as did the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2HVXB7Jau
guards who were supposed to be keeping the crowd back.
“That wasn’t very31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnYPQ1SHLc
smart of you.” The first guard growled. “You’re surrounded and outnumbered.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrdI3xHK5I
What’s another dead Blade in the grand scheme of things?”
“Enough of this.”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxcRZOZC5O
Alex’s voice bellowed out. He turned towards the Blade who let his emotions get31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3ZkS1I2FM
the better of him. “Apologize so we can get on with our days.”
“But…” Alex’s31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua8vskNyGP
glare dried the excuse in the poor man’s throat. He lowered his head, but not31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfJIW7QbNs
his eyes, and muttered a quick apology. Knowing better than to start a scene,31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3gWqr9SWg
the guard accepted it, but kept his eyes firmly rooted on Alex as he sheathed31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKL6RVxF7w
his Blade.
“You have minutes31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8Ax9f8YLU
to get what you need the clear out.” The guard said. “This is our31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFsbohFIDg
investigation, not yours.”
“I understand, we31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjDlgABShy
will be quick.” Nodding to the others, they dispersed. Some of them headed31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAUMloXNSb
inside to look around while two of them checked the dead bodies. Alex stayed31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUwCvE4Pco
outside surveying the crowd. Suddenly Vander was very happy that he had picked31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio8lWZjMR8
the raven to take over instead of going into the crowd himself. He knew that no31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YvdFtZ0rr
matter the disguise, Alex would be able to tell who he was.
One of the Blades31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvplqEHxTmE
outside called over to Alex. He quicky rushed over. Vander could catch some31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2y5yk4oVA
words of that passed between the two of them. They commented about one of them31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd7bQyMffV
having their throat ripped out, which Alex admitted was likely Vander’s doing.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr402bp89xd
However, the intriguing part was when the two of them discovered snake tattoos31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKoK5xw4B5
on all their arms. Alex nodded to himself before stepping away calling the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgiN946KzA
guards back to take the bodies away. He then went inside to see what the others31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WvBhBoc4V
may or may not have found.
Vander couldn’t31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXbEVz2sFS
really tell what was being said inside. They were talking low to one another31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TJAhLSYnR
while looking at a scroll that they discovered shoved inside the table. Vander31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UEuHrOuz0
shifted slightly to get a better view. It looked like a map of the city, but it31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3DQqBIRLn
wasn’t anything that he recognized. He would need to get his talons on that31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNZwFSqZNe
scroll, but there was nothing he could do about it now. He would have to try to31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSLQAMdGic
take it from his friend at some point in time. Vander heard a squawk coming31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvV4qnublrc
from behind him. He turned around to see a large, angry raven flapping behind31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2vy7naZXm
him. He was instantly filled with fear from the raven he was inhabiting. He31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj25FZYJfm
guessed the two of them had an issue before which caused the raven, he31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGC1u7l6nl
inhabited to flee afraid.
As the other31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlV1O8bILa
raven attacked, Vander pushed himself out of the body and back into his own.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9HNyJ482O
The sudden jolt to being back in a human being, on the ground, caused him to31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4BYBjNhwl
violently throw himself over so he could vomit onto the cobblestone instead of31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO9QobpnJC
onto his clothing. He looked up to see the two birds entwined in a death grip31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPVa8XxIZ3
violently stabbing and clawing at each other. The smaller one he had been apart31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TK0p5cwY6
from was losing, but his pride didn’t allow him to quit. He had to do31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTXbWoQrty
something, so he grabbed a rock.
He popped out31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUhpLBhR2i
from behind his hiding spot then launched the rock at the bigger bird. With a31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomDUOiGEYt
cry, the big raven fell to the ground stunned, possibly dead. The sudden rock31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1ogFnyDiJ
being thrown combined with the dropped bird causing some members of the crowd31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeo9FZpaQQd
to turn towards him. Some were confused, but a couple recognized him.
“It’s the King31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtHWyd6aNR
killer!” one of them shouted, pointing at him. Some of the guards began31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tJBGkXQSX
shouting to pass, but the crowd pushed forward.
“Someone grab31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyuk3MHklk
him!” Two citizens lunged forward, but Vander jumped backwards. He grabbed a31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnV3GiUHCH
box then threw it at someone who had broken through hitting them right in the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRO7RxUinuI
face. Vander backed up towards the wall then jumped up, grabbing the top with31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmej4dHIwB
his hand to haul himself over. Before he disappeared, he locked eyes with Alex31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJzoIoAKso
before disappearing.
He heard shouting31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN89XB1Qh1
coming from behind him, but he wasted no time running back towards the gate31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEiP2HSEDT
which would lead him into Lower Eluvia. He just had to make it there before he31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDfoTVYG5W
was caught then everything would be okay. What he didn’t realize though was31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2qRQE1YVQ
that the road he was running down intersected with the road that mob was coming31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSMpTB3qFb
down. He heard them running towards him, which caused him to run as fast as he31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQd1fDlAXKs
could. Tragically he ended up running into another group of guards who had31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgC4T38qwy
heard the commotion.
“Well look who we31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6643QFhzWu
have here?” One of them grinned. A metal fist came flying towards Vander’s31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek2uirJTSS
face. It hit his jaw sending waves of pain throughout his mouth, likely31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywNO2GNyZW
knocking a couple of teeth loose. He fell to the ground, but scrambled31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZeAAwoJGj
backwards as the guards drew their swords.
“Did you know31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVmtzbESaJ
there is a bounty on your head?” one asked with an evil glint in his eyes. “The31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4AwQn2FL3
Jilena family has offered quite the reward for your head.” Vander looked at the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHdV0gKpWI
group confused. He didn’t know why the Jilena family cared so much about the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBHB2T3nO4
king’s murder that they would go against Cuvera’s wishes. He didn’t have to31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6BELf4yBi
wonder long as the guards were apparently quite chatty.
“They are blaming31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDsqdAdbRI
you for the death of their youngest son.” Vander’s blood ran cold. Jeffery was31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4ZrB32JNB
dead? But he had let him go, there was no reason for him to be killed.
“I had no reason31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ9RNdJ9KK
to kill him.” Vander argued.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPj6PW8mWo
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO35uxoom5
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9mh9SxzP0
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphwfTClpJd
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqN5H8yquUN
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx315nDGlDB
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xsa26E5RJ
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk25ykDjSP
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKEh5BLcFk
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYdUhNFwih
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABXmnxM4NB
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJbomw09nc
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsCSydCLMg
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oF0TXakvS
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqd2atCFg1
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvvPeGexMg
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3XjQ22xx5
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHha2lESOz
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZaSJq59au
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYBbc5bL0r
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2zX3oZb4c
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXtpsFMGg2
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BtOFMR1Cg
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppI374ZVq0
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AtUBDIDS2
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdyi0igc0S
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFN4VnC4aN
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNSRtbHQng
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVwm7jkkQG
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXxEc0ONac
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsETcIfPuZ
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29N4goFn3V
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXxrC1ULCd
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPDw13VvDI
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWdd8VgjTg
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6Ac6Lxwoj
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lE7x4syb7
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk2S1qpt9i
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLWlsZ4nQz
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6LHP4cwTC
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglz7vDRepC
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0rxgU3k3f
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJpqVxYJ9w
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40DAdys5SI
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16hNCkMMeo
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyKmrARpEd
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGZ7Qytpoi
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJ22Z72xMZ
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf0FTLlgjc
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2VHiFM0w3
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bf0HrnXqK
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXoYstaO2Z
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIvXaPH9Nb
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiOuU5MVaj
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYd7mQA9jsy
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNCCKEdHfs
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj4btXraf5
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63gOuYykAL
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8PA5WJoUV
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhevZZQgqV1
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oxzyOdmzx
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFBRqlGZO0
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7pjAboWRS
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6uDKD51ki
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P0XpuPIXb
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iMFy8PZHw
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpawL2KpWJT
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbl55KgOdE
“Rumor has it31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXN2jsPkZT
that he tried to stop you, so you ran him through.” The guard shrugged. “Makes31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSWxLbu3Lh
no difference to me. With the money we will finally be able to retire in31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBo4NpXRxiN
peace.” Vander scooted backwards as the guards lunged towards him with their31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIzK7RriLq
swords readied to skewer him.
