Chapter 5
Bree was a very attractive woman.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5rB6XNc5R
She had long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a toned figure from her time as a22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCpGaNY7yC
Blade and now serving as a Captain in the Eluvian military. Instead of her22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJzmtJjF7Q
regular soldier attire, she decided to wear tight brown pants, brown booties,22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTQm8RZUzf
and a white sleeveless blouse. It looked as though she took a lot of care in22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W4XRXFpWb
her choice of attire as he had to try hard to ignore the feeling welling up in22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5haC8vbYhv
his chest. They weren’t together anymore.
“Oh Vander, I’ve missed you.” She22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxhuzTjThv
reached up to touch his face, but he grabbed her hand as he pulled back.
“You don’t get to do that22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSTbVu7oNr
anymore.” Vander took a step back into his room. “You made your choice six22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1x5SpXpiI0
months ago and I’m not one to play second fiddle to someone else.”
“Come on.” She scoffed. “You know22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmJyjEQ5AA
I had no choice. My father forced me into this, I couldn’t disobey him.”
“Not even for someone you22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC7GeBhqR1
professed to love?” he snorted. “I’d have left the Blades if you asked, but you22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblan6PPmYA
dropped me as soon as your father snapped his fingers. You never loved me Bree,22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFAlXhL2mT
not really.”
“Vander, that’s not fair.” He22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4Md5cgSjl
voice was starting to rise. “I spent a lot of time this past six months22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMwn9NGFDM
thinking about us. I will tell my father to end my engagement to Leon, so we22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqZ1s5McQB
could be together.” Vander’s heart pounded at the thought, but he wouldn’t allow22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn1TcMei2H
himself to be ruled by his emotions.
“I’m sorry, but you made your22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIJ27WBT0o
choice and now we both have to live with it.” He walked towards the door and22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG4OCxVFhK
held it open. “It’s time for you to leave.” She sat there in the middle of the22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0Aq8UxBec
floor her face flushed with rage. She clenched her fist and for a second he22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPARxiytJ8M
thought she was going to swing at him. She thought better of it but made sure22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOBGiLNiI1
to slam her shoulder into his arm as she left. She didn’t even say goodbye.
“Give me the word and I’ll rip22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCKM56YNha
her throat out.” Shea snarled. Vander walked over to rub her head.
“I don’t want to give you22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvNLAzUga7
indigestion.” He teased.
He had known Bree since their time22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrxkOMvIXB
as recruits roughly eight years ago when they were both sixteen. They had22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7APZyjHR8W
gotten close, along with the other members of their squad, but after an22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsSP6FyET5
incident during their first mission cost the lives of their training officer as22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsytwSx2gs
well as two of their comrades, they hadn’t been the same. They had clung to22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlyeEAv17n
each other during the rougher times and grew close. They had been each other’s22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LPVoYA3R1
first, a bond he thought would cement them together for the rest of their22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsuxIqhWt9
lives. But six months ago, that had fallen to pieces. He had done a lot of soul22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznWQr7SjJq
searching while he was in isolation with his new recruits and decided that he22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6asIpBlovK
would keep things professional between them, nothing more, nothing less. She22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMk7pRhPnW
had ended things with him for her father’s favorite and got engaged to Leon22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvG9cvwI8Y
instead. That was something he wouldn’t readily forgive or forget.
He rubbed Shea’s head then22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOvyp6n7CO
promised to bring her back some beef from the kitchen when he returned later.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvvsY1yXbW
He didn’t want to be late for his recruits first night out since joining. He22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncHhcyuzGu
left his sword behind because he doubted he would need it, then left the room.
If there was a lot of people22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH3ELgWx0r
before, there was even more now. People were crammed against the walls and the22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3XYaXv5CJ
servers were having issues making their way through everyone. A larger square22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVyoYS4Ype
was opened up between the booths and musicians for more people to dance the22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZa3oDEm7Q
night away. Upon stepping into the floor, he saw Alexander’s head poking up22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Hdz8f7MNx
above the crowd. It was one of the perks of being friends with a giant. His22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEy7k8Mn5x
voice thundered out to order some food and drinks for his table sending a22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCVZYbrbpf
couple of the servers scrambling to fulfill his wishes. Vander snaked his way22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH3lqjTKoy
through the crowd dodging flying elbows and kicking feet to get to the table. Alex22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNM5t8vefRD
was still wearing the clothing he had on earlier, but he left his uniform top22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Mwykdzr9V
at home and instead opted to wear a black leather jacket.
“About time you got here.” Alex22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7E0gRPtDB
grumbled. This man did not like large crowds, but he came out to spend time22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SLRadcKIy
with his friend. A sacrifice that wouldn’t go unrewarded tonight. “Would me22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xwJMVDt6p
seeing Bree storming out of here have anything to do with it?”
“Some.” He motioned for the bigger22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsqqDJOuzI
man to slide over so he could sit down. “She told me she would end the22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxhz6g8anr
engagement with Leon to have me back, but I told her that I wouldn’t get back22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7vg0fI3oO
with her. She made her choice six months ago and I won’t be played for a fool22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G4SAekgxe
again.”
“You turned that down?” Forest22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XNXbbkRya
gasped. “I would have thrown myself at her if she asked me to be with her.”
“You’d throw yourself at a bear if22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTX3FrIb7xl
you think you’d get lucky.” Briar snorted. Forest shoved her then she shoved22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxTkWb9jxZ
him back. It would have devolved into a fight if Rooster hadn’t pulled them22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfqy8c2g7n
apart.
“We’re here to have fun.” He22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF19X1haT2
snapped. “Not get thrown out of here before we even had a drink.”
Each of them had dressed in their22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYpf0cBNik
best clothes for tonight. Most of their clothing was now a little too small22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7ekhT4e9E
since they had each packed on a ton of muscle since they left the city. He22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CmczYDz6l
guessed that he would have to make a request to his grandfather to give them22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7cj7KqR4p
some money for new clothing. The only one that seemed to have gotten clothing22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6O92qlaxy
that still fit was Eve. Unlike the others who wore pants and a shirt, she had22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjc7AJQ0yM
decided to wear a long white dress and shoes. Even Chicken had decided to dress22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4btu5XUwJ1
for the occasion and leave her oversized clothing at home. She wore a brown22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpw5a3DYozK
buttoned shirt and a pair of tan pants. He wondered if Eve had lent the outfit22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdIXp6ePXo
to her.
“Each of look very nice.” Vander22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OvWqtmBzu
nodded his approval. “Remember, tonight feel free to eat and drink as you22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedOmq1iDfN
please, but there will still be training tomorrow as usual, and I will not go22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzsFQL2Fnz
easy on you just because you are hung over.”
“Come on Forest, let’s go dance.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC3412glJ0
Briar pulled on his arm, removing him from the booth. He protested fully but22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpwjlmbObP
allowed himself to be led away by her. She grabbed his arm, placed the other22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7929VYTnA
one around her waist and started leading him around the dance floor making sure22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7O2OccOWA
not to bump into anyone along the way. Within moments the two of them were lost22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNFLb83YVj
from sight.
“Will you dance with me Vander?”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36O9mDunY0
Eve looked down at her lap. It took him a moment to register that she had been22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDwGvX1Trq
the one to ask him and not Chicken.
“He has two left feet.” Alex22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpehkBy8db
slapped him on the back. “I’m you’ll find someone to dance with you out on the22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yI67AuGA3
floor. Look,” they turned to where he was pointing and saw two young men22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqz56xvegMt
smiling at her from the other side of the Inn.
“But I want to dance with-“
“I’m sorry, Eve.” Vander forced a22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPgcJWzJCy
smile. “I’m a bit worn out from our travels today, so I think I’ll sit tonight22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEZepb8DfC
out. Shall I call you over once our food is here?” Nodding angrily, she walked22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s0e6LGNid
from the booth, grabbed both young men by their arms and pulled them onto the22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOclCRncokO
dance floor.
“What about the two of you?” Alex22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbE6ajJkno
asked Rooster and Chicken.
“I think I’m just going to read.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3ERYIB0DR
Chicken removed a thick leather-bound book from her bag from under the table.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgijsVczso
The title was called: The Life of Boris Britebyrd, The First Blade. He22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlBxQoxubT
didn’t know that she was into history, seemed as though the two of them had22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTkASI2Vtr
quite a bit in common.
“I’m okay just sitting here.” He22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWun3Ls46P
looked wistfully out towards the dance floor. Tracing his gaze Vander saw that22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWOATHtcgI
he was watching Eve dance with the two men. It looked as though she was22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DRlyLPc29
enjoying herself, but that might also have been for his benefit.
“Why don’t you ask her to dance?”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjQMZ8Gi7l
Vander asked.
“Because I see the way she looks22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLCcLMmUK8
at you.” Rooster grumbled. “And I can’t ever hope to compete.”
“It’s just a crush.” Vander22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMl61Lutfc
reached over to place his hand on Rooster’s shoulder. “She will get over it.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF58rM5vfFm
Besides, no one could say no to you. You’re a wonderful kid and you won’t know22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyQFSedSHO
unless you try.”
“Alright, but later.” He sighed.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yiPuEjUqS
He became quiet up then proceeded to stare out the window until the food22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdz3VWBZw0P
arrived. The server placed down a basket full of bread, a bowl of hearty stew22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGpz4jPhCO
for each of them along with a tankard of beer and many glasses. Vander asked22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEz6kIyqRn
her to bring him some Dwarven Whiskey as well. She came back a couple of22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizeuywlVM1
minutes later with several shot glasses and the bottle.
Rooster and Chicken wasted no time22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUKEeEAJB8
and started digging into their food. They never let food grow cold or go to22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5WGHu295Z
waste. A pair of bottomless pits which stemmed from their time homeless and22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbq0b23Rypl
never getting enough to eat. Forest and Briar came after a few minutes. Briar22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV36Aal3tcd
was grinning ear to ear while Forest slumped into the booth breathing heavily22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3fdVKIcGJ
and sweating profusely from his brow. Briar helped prop him up before starting22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLmWTNUNIY
to eat. Eve was the last one to make it back to the table. She was out of22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7MFjxCHW3
breath, her face flushed with exhaustion. She sat down next to Chicken not22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW9pjPb5ua
looking up at Vander as she started to eat.
As the music thrummed into his22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5eWJEALP4
head, he started feeling ill. Loud noises and people sitting so close to him22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAasZAuiaU
wasn’t something he enjoyed. His senses were being assaulted and he needed some22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GO8tLfHNP
air, but first he wanted to make sure the recruits were taken care of.
“Congratulations on making it22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4Lk9ER5l3
through your first six months of training.” Vander said. “Alex and I couldn’t22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4wv1igZoS
be prouder of all the progress you made since we started and while things might22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTH02T7Wfn
not get easier from here on out, I know you all make fantastic Blades. So, eat,22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36BTYeCQcm
drink, and party to your hearts content.” Four of the five of them cheered.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU4xlucOSY
Vander poured them each a shot and they all tossed it back at once. “Will you22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwhOXBxu5q
make sure they get home alright?”
“Of course,” Alex looked22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5NuIMmVxX
concerned. “Is everything alright with you?”
“Too much noise for me to handle.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GAbrLNVOu
Vander explained. “I just need to step outside for a few minutes okay?”
“Alright, just take it easy.” Alex22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyafUYpsWjg
said with a slight frown. Vander excused himself from the table. He went22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNXj76Tygd
through the kitchen then out the back door into the cool night beyond.
Nighttime in the city was22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPhZpNWmI1
different from the forest. Out there the sky was clear you could count the22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWQ1ZCBcHF
stars or try too at least. Humjir’s light shone everywhere even in the darkest22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7T9HOsR13
corner. The animals made sounds of course as the night hunters prowled the22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ1W04XBZE
ground and sky, but there was a rhythm to it. There were times he and Shea22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauiH9ZITCz
would stay out under a large tree listening to the animals as they relaxed from22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZN3I2dctUw
the day’s activities. Often enough Alex would come out to wake them out because22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEMkL331NU
they had fallen asleep in the grass. Here, there was nothing soothing about it.
Humjir couldn’t be seen from the22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANs6C4T6L0
city aside from the highest tower in the King’s estate. You could only see a22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtkJ3WPIUV
couple of stars, but even then their lights were muted. Then came the sounds22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxGqCHl6xD
from humans, not animals, that showed how rotten the city truly was. The sick22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWLO2RN1za
could be heard coughing all night long as the homeless shuffled along looking22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9MOkt4az2
for a place to stay, any place that would take them. The hungry wails of22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD2OKFj0td
children often fell on deaf ears because everyone else was too busy partying22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Uo9xJm7fM
the night away. He couldn’t help but wonder how many people inside the inn22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo3Zbj0AN8
right now children at home starving had while they were drinking the night22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7rGG94bok
away. Both he and Shea were of one mind that they would be happier living in the woods away from all these people, but22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBAJYgBveY
duty called and neither of them wanted to turn their backs on their friends.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7LNzr0cpr
Perhaps, one day, they would be able to retire somewhere far from here.
He was so lost in thought that he22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIAMsmUw17
failed to notice the door opening behind him. “You should really be more22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBUFZbgKdC
careful out here.” Julianna said. He wasn’t one to startle easily, but he leapt22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy76tHipQY6
from his boots once she spoke.
“Don’t scare me like that.” He22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LcGIVBPxN
growled. She wrapped her arm through his and pulled him to his side.
“Don’t be a pansy.” She giggled.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IzIrASTvk
He could smell the slight tang of booze on her breath. Her face was flushed22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRywyvnSmRV
bright red, and she was breathing heavily. The strap of her dress hung loosely22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUlWVBYTU8
on her shoulder, so he reached over to pull it back up for her.
“You needed a drink to come out22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS3olxlhcs
here and greet me?” he teased. “I thought you were braver than that.”
“Oh please.” She rolled her eyes.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ211BfhEsnV
“This wasn’t for you. Some of my patrons like me enough to buy me something to22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AhzGgeLrD
drink and dance with me. I just came out here for a breather.” The two of them22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBlcUbQ7hR
stood there in silence leaning up against the side of the building. Julianna22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8p3Vpkts6
placed her head on his shoulder, but she remained stony faced and still.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17DLtNcJeZ
“Vander.” She said after a few minutes.
“Yes?” he asked.
“Did you get the closure you22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKCmEpFyF0
needed with Bree tonight?” He looked down at her. There was a wistful look on22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleyr5RZT9J
her face as she looked straight ahead.
“Heh.” He laughed. “I was22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpZy1Hj6v4
wondering how she made it past you. You let her in didn’t you?”
“Guilty.” She spoke softly. “If22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgNuWfWc4W
you were going to take her back, I was going to throw you out of the Inn. Once22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogBXSzM8vO
she stormed off pissed as hell, I knew you made the right choice.”
“You’re always looking out for me,22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEoIqT6dvC
thank you.” he bumped her shoulder lightly with his. She smiled up at him with22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0Tb6DZPIq
a slight blush on her face. The two of them sat out there for a little bit22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZg53dMrWY
without speaking. The quiet night air helped him soothe any aches he may have22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTrjZmT4MF
had plus her company was a welcome boon. He knew that she didn’t harbor any22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpGomC3SW3
feelings for him, neither him for her, but their friendship would stretch for22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36Lqgafgg8
years to come, he could feel.
A sudden shout along with the22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnatwzCVd7
breaking of glass broke the serene quiet air. Julianna turned too him with a22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSof9HJ3Mg8
concerned look. “What the hell was that?” she asked.
“I don’t know.” He frowned. “But22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiniBc5w20
stay here, let me go look.”
“It’s my Inn.” She snorted. “I22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xnxKxi9vS
won’t be waiting outside like some helpless damsel. Let’s go.” Shaking his head22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75lbOnDUqW
as she rushed past him, he hurried behind.
As soon as she walked through the22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhkWSkbDz3
door, he pushed her head down as a glass mug hit the wall next to them22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvsWONsYuh
shattering upon impact. Shards of glass rained down over them, but they slid22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFX0J3Usd7
right off his sleeve. Thankfully there was no liquid inside.
“Bring that white-haired bastard22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuTlTxivrv
out here this instant.” Someone shouted. Vander recognized the voice as Leon’s,22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvUYniMRlC
so he must have been talking about him.
“Fucking Bree.” Vander pushed past22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkR92KKATD
Julianna through the kitchen and into the main Inn. Right in front of the door,22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PB59lTEwq
flanking both sides keeping anyone from either entering or leaving were four22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1yQmBVd4f
Blades, in uniform, with their hands on the hilts of their swords. Standing in22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbWGhGSaq8
front of them was Leon with his sword out pointing to the ground. Vander met22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfPU9ZQCBH
Alex’s eye. He was standing in front of the table blocking the recruits from22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4GWqf7pfD
being spotted by the pissed off Captain. Their eyes met. Alex shook his head22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJkjgjbVpv
and motioned for Vander to leave out the back, but he was going to leave these22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCBAqMd5qQ
people here to take Leon’s wrath. As a captain he had a duty to uphold the22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlulHaK4jD
standard of the Blades, so he pushed his way through the crowd to stand in22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTVCIzhHVy
front of Leon.
“What are you doing?” His voice22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymhv8oAPvJ
boomed. He made no attempt to hide the annoyance in his voice. “Is this how a22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7kAwth59D
captain of the Blades is supposed to act? Drawing your weapon in a business and22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0H9yUH2bm
trying to intimidate everyone here? What’s the matter with you?”
“There you are you bastard!” Leon22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrXLJY6v0S
raised his sword pointing it at his chest. “Why was Bree here? What did the two22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPezeIXXWn
of you do?”
“Is that what this is about?”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipm7uoG0zv
Vander scoffed. “Nothing happened, I sent her home, end of discussion. Now it’s22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aLDoFgbXr
your turn to get going before I report this to the Commander.”
“And you expect me to believe22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jCxBe2IxI
that?” Leon laughed. “You were gone for six months and the day you come back22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcgvo4QDnO
she comes to visit you? You’re full of shit.”
“It’s true.” Julianna pushed her22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVok9Hu5fI
way through to stand by Vander. “I let her in, and she left five minutes later22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrKQG9dMwn
crying. I suggest you take it up with her and get out of my inn.”
“Now you have your new bitch22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xPIb2ixHF
covering for you?” Leon snapped. “Take this punk outside, we will settle this22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbi43cRICk
like men.” The four Blades guarding the door moved forward towards the crowd.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujAmFLe5xw
Alex pushed past to stand by Vander causing the four of them to pause mid-step.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZVmvcc94H
“Alex, stay out of this, this doesn’t concern you.”
“It concerns us all when you use22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOABNRUk5I
your power for your own ends.” Alex snapped back. “You came to a private22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7XxbbFXcz
establishment, threatened citizens, and are threatening a comrade, one that,22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fzRNjnwX5
until recently, outranked you. This is an abuse of power especially settling a22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡou7WHs2l7N
private affair.”
“You think that matters to me?”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31t09vSpsT
Leon asked. “When my honor is on the line? Do what I ask or I swear I will use22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILIISTD630
everything in my power to crush you.” Vander stepped out until they were face22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIIyNMMyeB
to face.
“Is that a threat Leon?” Leon22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVY4wnxZVy
responded by pushing Vander backwards then bringing his sword up underneath his22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvNpwzH0oJ
chin.
“No this is a- ahhhhhh!” Shea22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXKy6Algyt
leapt out from nowhere and bit down on Leon’s sword arm. Vander could hear the22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YawV7HXgz
bones crunching in his arm as she screamed out in pain. He dropped his sword22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSvZuabGK1
then tried to wrench her mouth off his arm. Blood sprayed as everyone started22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlNhrLfVOa
screaming. Vander saw Leon’s goons rushing towards her, so he rushed forward blocking22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGgRJlrEUS
their path.
“Shea, release him.”
“But-“ her voice echoed22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VjNI3GdYs
back.
“NOW!” She released him, but22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafJQ747sD3
jumped out of reach and bared her teeth. With blood dripping down his arm, he22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiAigAqcR0
slowly got to his feet. His face was red with rage.
“Your mutt will pay for that.” He22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LRk0jZ9Qf
whispered. “You will all pay for standing in my way.” He grabbed his sword,22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGYNHS50UZ
spun around, and thrust at Vander. Because he was facing away from Leon, Vander22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhHY5oWCUo
couldn’t anticipate the move. However, in his rage, he missed anything vital,22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh1gys1QYw
but he still carved a deep gash into Vander’s side. He fell to the ground22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ywpuAH1Ed
holding the wound as blood seeped through his fingers.
“Damn it.” Vander groaned. “What22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlomJyeDDW
the hell is the matter with you?”
“You’ve looked down on me for too22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeNhFsdXGH
long.” Leon spat. “Now it’s time you tasted defeat.” Leon lifted his sword22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcS7pWk9px
again, but Alex got there first. His fist collided with Leon’s face sending him22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UEldE7zst
sprawling onto the ground.
“You crossed a line and not even22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mBm5pwi52
your father will get you out of it.” He snapped. “You four, get him out of here22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvD7dWTrjt
before you find yourselves thrown onto the streets and not even Viggo Visc’s22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwfWn5weKa
influence will keep you safe.”
“This isn’t over.” Leon growled as22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpCZtU6Qca
his four lackies picked him up off the ground and dragged him out. “You better22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1CUbN0JqH
find yourself a new job, Alex. I’m coming for your ass.” Vander heard rushed22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsql0O9XlmP
footsteps coming towards him. Julianna placed a towel over his hand to help22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4yxxlXCll
staunch the bleeding.
“Let me see.” She whispered. He22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccLnGyRTM6
winced with pain as he carefully moved his hand. “It’s deep but didn’t hit22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrvNsghpdg
anything vital. We are going to have to stitch you up.”
“Fine.” Vander allowed himself to22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UXIgWi7Uz
be lifted to his feet. “Alex, will you make sure the kids get back safely?”
“We should get you to a doctor.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvAquR23ig
Alex said, but Vander shook his head.
“I’ll be fine.” He gasped. “Pay22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxqXCvdsG9
for everyone’s meal as an apology for Leon’s outburst. There should be enough22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAk5TVgC5W7
money to cover it in my room. We will also pay for the damages here.”
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“I understand.” He said. Alex22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9HUoCpT2O
began to shout, but Vander’s eyes started to close. The blood loss was more22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntovEIclFV
than he thought as he had difficulty staying awake. The last thing he saw was22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uFOt2HC2r
Shea leading the way upstairs towards the room.
