Chapter 5
Bree was a very attractive woman.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx6hhlEarR
She had long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a toned figure from her time as a56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqbPGrayg4
Blade and now serving as a Captain in the Eluvian military. Instead of her56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QvcNflWVL
regular soldier attire, she decided to wear tight brown pants, brown booties,56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6VTkqEqy7
and a white sleeveless blouse. It looked as though she took a lot of care in56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Tiwv0D46x
her choice of attire as he had to try hard to ignore the feeling welling up in56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnjhQhm2NJ
his chest. They weren’t together anymore.
“Oh Vander, I’ve missed you.” She56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvx7XEN1El
reached up to touch his face, but he grabbed her hand as he pulled back.
“You don’t get to do that56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIl8MAPvLpg
anymore.” Vander took a step back into his room. “You made your choice six56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oHE5BJ9Er
months ago and I’m not one to play second fiddle to someone else.”
“Come on.” She scoffed. “You know56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3dhpREs84
I had no choice. My father forced me into this, I couldn’t disobey him.”
“Not even for someone you56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6njrn0pggt
professed to love?” he snorted. “I’d have left the Blades if you asked, but you56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLrxCXDPJq
dropped me as soon as your father snapped his fingers. You never loved me Bree,56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOct182dbA2
not really.”
“Vander, that’s not fair.” He56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRsUKqjoHi
voice was starting to rise. “I spent a lot of time this past six months56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKYaO5Y77B
thinking about us. I will tell my father to end my engagement to Leon, so we56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuGAT9WFvy
could be together.” Vander’s heart pounded at the thought, but he wouldn’t allow56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6NYE0R09m
himself to be ruled by his emotions.
“I’m sorry, but you made your56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGEwwzKS0O
choice and now we both have to live with it.” He walked towards the door and56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnO6omvGpIE
held it open. “It’s time for you to leave.” She sat there in the middle of the56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVnbtoBCzh
floor her face flushed with rage. She clenched her fist and for a second he56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7ehDRPK5m
thought she was going to swing at him. She thought better of it but made sure56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIVRI0xHRc
to slam her shoulder into his arm as she left. She didn’t even say goodbye.
“Give me the word and I’ll rip56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhn7mPfxft
her throat out.” Shea snarled. Vander walked over to rub her head.
“I don’t want to give you56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0nfgINVrh
indigestion.” He teased.
He had known Bree since their time56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYDFj3PMhn
as recruits roughly eight years ago when they were both sixteen. They had56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQjYEzfcEO
gotten close, along with the other members of their squad, but after an56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGSLbFmnxl
incident during their first mission cost the lives of their training officer as56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbJpVUv2yf
well as two of their comrades, they hadn’t been the same. They had clung to56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE18LbLFUN7
each other during the rougher times and grew close. They had been each other’s56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQB3JaWEwQm
first, a bond he thought would cement them together for the rest of their56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1pLTYBWJl
lives. But six months ago, that had fallen to pieces. He had done a lot of soul56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkzcs7wxyD
searching while he was in isolation with his new recruits and decided that he56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyGatPKRSX
would keep things professional between them, nothing more, nothing less. She56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdWtIYtIhL
had ended things with him for her father’s favorite and got engaged to Leon56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj2Ng7UZWg
instead. That was something he wouldn’t readily forgive or forget.
He rubbed Shea’s head then56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTMVcGHwaf
promised to bring her back some beef from the kitchen when he returned later.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GC7iN2LEL
He didn’t want to be late for his recruits first night out since joining. He56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYJ7Gd4GLr
left his sword behind because he doubted he would need it, then left the room.
If there was a lot of people56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR4qhIeGlX
before, there was even more now. People were crammed against the walls and the56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGKH85q3ZB
servers were having issues making their way through everyone. A larger square56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWGomYF6si
was opened up between the booths and musicians for more people to dance the56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFytCGJijMm
night away. Upon stepping into the floor, he saw Alexander’s head poking up56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlONTHqWcaB
above the crowd. It was one of the perks of being friends with a giant. His56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPx3nMGQrB
voice thundered out to order some food and drinks for his table sending a56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyrkTqTKNi
couple of the servers scrambling to fulfill his wishes. Vander snaked his way56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Mx5QEdjxY
through the crowd dodging flying elbows and kicking feet to get to the table. Alex56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCNoJmKKm6
was still wearing the clothing he had on earlier, but he left his uniform top56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvsD0eOrM1
at home and instead opted to wear a black leather jacket.
“About time you got here.” Alex56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iWSG5n0bR
grumbled. This man did not like large crowds, but he came out to spend time56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gg9HHKqT6
with his friend. A sacrifice that wouldn’t go unrewarded tonight. “Would me56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2BGjkFwmr
seeing Bree storming out of here have anything to do with it?”
“Some.” He motioned for the bigger56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjedpLBS9n
man to slide over so he could sit down. “She told me she would end the56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3IPkA7ztD
engagement with Leon to have me back, but I told her that I wouldn’t get back56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkmTV03R2e
with her. She made her choice six months ago and I won’t be played for a fool56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1LEUheOs7
again.”
“You turned that down?” Forest56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ij7ZKF2Y4
gasped. “I would have thrown myself at her if she asked me to be with her.”
“You’d throw yourself at a bear if56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxIcRXAmlz
you think you’d get lucky.” Briar snorted. Forest shoved her then she shoved56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRt5zz6IrU
him back. It would have devolved into a fight if Rooster hadn’t pulled them56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczlDhRLPJG
apart.
“We’re here to have fun.” He56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVRX5FMbus
snapped. “Not get thrown out of here before we even had a drink.”
Each of them had dressed in their56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGb0pRwntcI
best clothes for tonight. Most of their clothing was now a little too small56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXP1rXL66A
since they had each packed on a ton of muscle since they left the city. He56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg0whjiXoR
guessed that he would have to make a request to his grandfather to give them56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDrVzMB0gB
some money for new clothing. The only one that seemed to have gotten clothing56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsNwhPPAv0
that still fit was Eve. Unlike the others who wore pants and a shirt, she had56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES9leD6k4D
decided to wear a long white dress and shoes. Even Chicken had decided to dress56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mc01OhkmB
for the occasion and leave her oversized clothing at home. She wore a brown56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsCBZ2mro9
buttoned shirt and a pair of tan pants. He wondered if Eve had lent the outfit56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgPlHDARss
to her.
“Each of look very nice.” Vander56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxDaIR4KQf
nodded his approval. “Remember, tonight feel free to eat and drink as you56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbT3j4Asoj
please, but there will still be training tomorrow as usual, and I will not go56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNM8NFkgkt
easy on you just because you are hung over.”
“Come on Forest, let’s go dance.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwZ9RLfvcM
Briar pulled on his arm, removing him from the booth. He protested fully but56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkpRhZLmLv
allowed himself to be led away by her. She grabbed his arm, placed the other56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIFalj2pSE
one around her waist and started leading him around the dance floor making sure56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAjeFJmyxG
not to bump into anyone along the way. Within moments the two of them were lost56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMDS5AHUqy
from sight.
“Will you dance with me Vander?”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOV8nReYPi
Eve looked down at her lap. It took him a moment to register that she had been56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSuiBN3sP2
the one to ask him and not Chicken.
“He has two left feet.” Alex56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72QwblYgez
slapped him on the back. “I’m you’ll find someone to dance with you out on the56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqBUKFOoB4
floor. Look,” they turned to where he was pointing and saw two young men56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu10f9Eb70
smiling at her from the other side of the Inn.
“But I want to dance with-“
“I’m sorry, Eve.” Vander forced a56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOMkTNalYi
smile. “I’m a bit worn out from our travels today, so I think I’ll sit tonight56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuv1mRRdaQm
out. Shall I call you over once our food is here?” Nodding angrily, she walked56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQEe5aAJl9
from the booth, grabbed both young men by their arms and pulled them onto the56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkyBW0ajh5
dance floor.
“What about the two of you?” Alex56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSZl70Y9FU
asked Rooster and Chicken.
“I think I’m just going to read.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmqlbkbBYy
Chicken removed a thick leather-bound book from her bag from under the table.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIPpbX1ycP
The title was called: The Life of Boris Britebyrd, The First Blade. He56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27PXmGePZN
didn’t know that she was into history, seemed as though the two of them had56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DMBYVRcqi
quite a bit in common.
“I’m okay just sitting here.” He56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUSbJtyN3L
looked wistfully out towards the dance floor. Tracing his gaze Vander saw that56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvwXHdiolH
he was watching Eve dance with the two men. It looked as though she was56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONKTliRu5t
enjoying herself, but that might also have been for his benefit.
“Why don’t you ask her to dance?”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfgZNY6RDJ
Vander asked.
“Because I see the way she looks56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdJVPbI232
at you.” Rooster grumbled. “And I can’t ever hope to compete.”
“It’s just a crush.” Vander56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJlYd8zUpc
reached over to place his hand on Rooster’s shoulder. “She will get over it.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFADi5Gnma
Besides, no one could say no to you. You’re a wonderful kid and you won’t know56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznCtwMGGpM
unless you try.”
“Alright, but later.” He sighed.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcKR5dFgeL
He became quiet up then proceeded to stare out the window until the food56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHz25rdR0A
arrived. The server placed down a basket full of bread, a bowl of hearty stew56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhAXxL5TwW
for each of them along with a tankard of beer and many glasses. Vander asked56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBNXGAb1ES
her to bring him some Dwarven Whiskey as well. She came back a couple of56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY55IxUPtB
minutes later with several shot glasses and the bottle.
Rooster and Chicken wasted no time56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiArcdtGNp
and started digging into their food. They never let food grow cold or go to56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIdKYJ9PcY
waste. A pair of bottomless pits which stemmed from their time homeless and56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUgc8qXUJ6
never getting enough to eat. Forest and Briar came after a few minutes. Briar56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlvZ0yK8Cs
was grinning ear to ear while Forest slumped into the booth breathing heavily56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7mx8Mws4x
and sweating profusely from his brow. Briar helped prop him up before starting56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FRYUwuPXy
to eat. Eve was the last one to make it back to the table. She was out of56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aWVTrgyBa
breath, her face flushed with exhaustion. She sat down next to Chicken not56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ4Nc3HvqG
looking up at Vander as she started to eat.
As the music thrummed into his56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvQw9rK1Nw
head, he started feeling ill. Loud noises and people sitting so close to him56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MwaCAoiom
wasn’t something he enjoyed. His senses were being assaulted and he needed some56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0gNviZFL8
air, but first he wanted to make sure the recruits were taken care of.
“Congratulations on making it56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyq9yzsXH4
through your first six months of training.” Vander said. “Alex and I couldn’t56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HH9JEe9bF
be prouder of all the progress you made since we started and while things might56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8VPesd6dC
not get easier from here on out, I know you all make fantastic Blades. So, eat,56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnO9VgmGRb
drink, and party to your hearts content.” Four of the five of them cheered.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7qUVddBW0
Vander poured them each a shot and they all tossed it back at once. “Will you56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF91T22UI2m
make sure they get home alright?”
“Of course,” Alex looked56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXdyB8LLF5
concerned. “Is everything alright with you?”
“Too much noise for me to handle.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHMiAsXqPV
Vander explained. “I just need to step outside for a few minutes okay?”
“Alright, just take it easy.” Alex56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pRK42gLlx
said with a slight frown. Vander excused himself from the table. He went56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2nNpLYio6
through the kitchen then out the back door into the cool night beyond.
Nighttime in the city was56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3HblFr9Sk
different from the forest. Out there the sky was clear you could count the56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHhxir33bA
stars or try too at least. Humjir’s light shone everywhere even in the darkest56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsESJOlQhZ
corner. The animals made sounds of course as the night hunters prowled the56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvYwuj7gMK
ground and sky, but there was a rhythm to it. There were times he and Shea56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavqN4R1w6X
would stay out under a large tree listening to the animals as they relaxed from56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnusqMhtj7
the day’s activities. Often enough Alex would come out to wake them out because56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qAj47RaDE
they had fallen asleep in the grass. Here, there was nothing soothing about it.
Humjir couldn’t be seen from the56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0NWLOO3y3
city aside from the highest tower in the King’s estate. You could only see a56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvwrQcULNr
couple of stars, but even then their lights were muted. Then came the sounds56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFg5MAuEaJ7
from humans, not animals, that showed how rotten the city truly was. The sick56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA7hCpnOhV
could be heard coughing all night long as the homeless shuffled along looking56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrb5nZWExt
for a place to stay, any place that would take them. The hungry wails of56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7Ru620s6R
children often fell on deaf ears because everyone else was too busy partying56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUlxZoaS9a
the night away. He couldn’t help but wonder how many people inside the inn56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAx0RP5r1dY
right now children at home starving had while they were drinking the night56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxMClGpWOn
away. Both he and Shea were of one mind that they would be happier living in the woods away from all these people, but56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNtg2Nlb5a
duty called and neither of them wanted to turn their backs on their friends.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSalngyvIm
Perhaps, one day, they would be able to retire somewhere far from here.
He was so lost in thought that he56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdzr423kXJ
failed to notice the door opening behind him. “You should really be more56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgLaMWoj03
careful out here.” Julianna said. He wasn’t one to startle easily, but he leapt56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObsXk1y3o6
from his boots once she spoke.
“Don’t scare me like that.” He56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfxAx1IIVd
growled. She wrapped her arm through his and pulled him to his side.
“Don’t be a pansy.” She giggled.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1xvkrm5AS
He could smell the slight tang of booze on her breath. Her face was flushed56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNcxxDW3Z4
bright red, and she was breathing heavily. The strap of her dress hung loosely56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1CRL7wrzh
on her shoulder, so he reached over to pull it back up for her.
“You needed a drink to come out56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyorPV4lrdp
here and greet me?” he teased. “I thought you were braver than that.”
“Oh please.” She rolled her eyes.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPTHeZ67U9
“This wasn’t for you. Some of my patrons like me enough to buy me something to56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37gnrd8C0C
drink and dance with me. I just came out here for a breather.” The two of them56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CG7qp222V
stood there in silence leaning up against the side of the building. Julianna56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2M6JMjyy5o
placed her head on his shoulder, but she remained stony faced and still.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGuWbBdnz8
“Vander.” She said after a few minutes.
“Yes?” he asked.
“Did you get the closure you56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupLlUJIBOd
needed with Bree tonight?” He looked down at her. There was a wistful look on56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAKTRoIgho
her face as she looked straight ahead.
“Heh.” He laughed. “I was56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3c3CwdUag
wondering how she made it past you. You let her in didn’t you?”
“Guilty.” She spoke softly. “If56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqo2Tl1iJN
you were going to take her back, I was going to throw you out of the Inn. Once56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6H7tCWelQ
she stormed off pissed as hell, I knew you made the right choice.”
“You’re always looking out for me,56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dK3DBcNFS
thank you.” he bumped her shoulder lightly with his. She smiled up at him with56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYXxi8Ly0R
a slight blush on her face. The two of them sat out there for a little bit56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm6kWNDeSv
without speaking. The quiet night air helped him soothe any aches he may have56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyLQcvlQOd
had plus her company was a welcome boon. He knew that she didn’t harbor any56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVe4g7XLgz
feelings for him, neither him for her, but their friendship would stretch for56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡez0xhEE0Js
years to come, he could feel.
A sudden shout along with the56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEUoOZwlki
breaking of glass broke the serene quiet air. Julianna turned too him with a56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzPxCWzCrG
concerned look. “What the hell was that?” she asked.
“I don’t know.” He frowned. “But56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMLC2kMgRi
stay here, let me go look.”
“It’s my Inn.” She snorted. “I56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutMvGgxLQa
won’t be waiting outside like some helpless damsel. Let’s go.” Shaking his head56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNW2fpnh2J
as she rushed past him, he hurried behind.
As soon as she walked through the56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSIxj4zkVM
door, he pushed her head down as a glass mug hit the wall next to them56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb9f0hKWRI
shattering upon impact. Shards of glass rained down over them, but they slid56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBa4Ql2wJz
right off his sleeve. Thankfully there was no liquid inside.
“Bring that white-haired bastard56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfEfKgQaeN
out here this instant.” Someone shouted. Vander recognized the voice as Leon’s,56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAx0sDpuHCr
so he must have been talking about him.
“Fucking Bree.” Vander pushed past56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jwbJQwFEV
Julianna through the kitchen and into the main Inn. Right in front of the door,56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFp0TAPxvcp
flanking both sides keeping anyone from either entering or leaving were four56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabXS1dRn65
Blades, in uniform, with their hands on the hilts of their swords. Standing in56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPuDAK7mBx
front of them was Leon with his sword out pointing to the ground. Vander met56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPpyAqfYP4
Alex’s eye. He was standing in front of the table blocking the recruits from56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqr8fMiwSa
being spotted by the pissed off Captain. Their eyes met. Alex shook his head56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tY5rnbcob
and motioned for Vander to leave out the back, but he was going to leave these56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuGtBDMOio
people here to take Leon’s wrath. As a captain he had a duty to uphold the56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNuKRQlICz
standard of the Blades, so he pushed his way through the crowd to stand in56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqULOK7WEw
front of Leon.
“What are you doing?” His voice56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhWMLHC2E7
boomed. He made no attempt to hide the annoyance in his voice. “Is this how a56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49JyXlnTs4
captain of the Blades is supposed to act? Drawing your weapon in a business and56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV23QzNnNkw
trying to intimidate everyone here? What’s the matter with you?”
“There you are you bastard!” Leon56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRrqIFVdHg
raised his sword pointing it at his chest. “Why was Bree here? What did the two56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfrfshQaTz
of you do?”
“Is that what this is about?”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdkD1V4i79
Vander scoffed. “Nothing happened, I sent her home, end of discussion. Now it’s56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvJSyoOJTB
your turn to get going before I report this to the Commander.”
“And you expect me to believe56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Qo5uV9MO3
that?” Leon laughed. “You were gone for six months and the day you come back56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1i0q2MmTL
she comes to visit you? You’re full of shit.”
“It’s true.” Julianna pushed her56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyU8l3NUhX
way through to stand by Vander. “I let her in, and she left five minutes later56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eFvPA3813
crying. I suggest you take it up with her and get out of my inn.”
“Now you have your new bitch56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IkVNpXIpc
covering for you?” Leon snapped. “Take this punk outside, we will settle this56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu31AvDHXBK
like men.” The four Blades guarding the door moved forward towards the crowd.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfMdofjdPr
Alex pushed past to stand by Vander causing the four of them to pause mid-step.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJJpFLgxhU
“Alex, stay out of this, this doesn’t concern you.”
“It concerns us all when you use56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmklxodL9v
your power for your own ends.” Alex snapped back. “You came to a private56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRIGBwkNNJ
establishment, threatened citizens, and are threatening a comrade, one that,56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIWrPKNJRl
until recently, outranked you. This is an abuse of power especially settling a56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJaeITv2Df
private affair.”
“You think that matters to me?”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ2T5QitMO
Leon asked. “When my honor is on the line? Do what I ask or I swear I will use56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSUK9aRazC
everything in my power to crush you.” Vander stepped out until they were face56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykUbFdShUv
to face.
“Is that a threat Leon?” Leon56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmoCoas7Mh
responded by pushing Vander backwards then bringing his sword up underneath his56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0dC6GoeGu
chin.
“No this is a- ahhhhhh!” Shea56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mCBVgBWGg
leapt out from nowhere and bit down on Leon’s sword arm. Vander could hear the56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFELjFLKYIR
bones crunching in his arm as she screamed out in pain. He dropped his sword56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDuokYAaXA
then tried to wrench her mouth off his arm. Blood sprayed as everyone started56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNh1FX56MnO
screaming. Vander saw Leon’s goons rushing towards her, so he rushed forward blocking56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaC3qDjerzn
their path.
“Shea, release him.”
“But-“ her voice echoed56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4Rk4XMbcY
back.
“NOW!” She released him, but56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtI5z2A40tR
jumped out of reach and bared her teeth. With blood dripping down his arm, he56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp25Gx5av3
slowly got to his feet. His face was red with rage.
“Your mutt will pay for that.” He56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfV4D49BiY
whispered. “You will all pay for standing in my way.” He grabbed his sword,56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWTVTeGblx
spun around, and thrust at Vander. Because he was facing away from Leon, Vander56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBNFDO35aQ
couldn’t anticipate the move. However, in his rage, he missed anything vital,56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vqqaFb1fA
but he still carved a deep gash into Vander’s side. He fell to the ground56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3NsmZ0eot
holding the wound as blood seeped through his fingers.
“Damn it.” Vander groaned. “What56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTGcqIerR2
the hell is the matter with you?”
“You’ve looked down on me for too56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcWab1ydL4
long.” Leon spat. “Now it’s time you tasted defeat.” Leon lifted his sword56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6nqPTNhXD
again, but Alex got there first. His fist collided with Leon’s face sending him56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNZgJQaCak
sprawling onto the ground.
“You crossed a line and not even56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2rDvRycub
your father will get you out of it.” He snapped. “You four, get him out of here56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TPTcqxTYI
before you find yourselves thrown onto the streets and not even Viggo Visc’s56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpZd6TXZzY
influence will keep you safe.”
“This isn’t over.” Leon growled as56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRts7KIuDRf
his four lackies picked him up off the ground and dragged him out. “You better56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6eoDS2lmd
find yourself a new job, Alex. I’m coming for your ass.” Vander heard rushed56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1yhcbthAN
footsteps coming towards him. Julianna placed a towel over his hand to help56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpt9bsBdJK
staunch the bleeding.
“Let me see.” She whispered. He56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEy9Eyb95K
winced with pain as he carefully moved his hand. “It’s deep but didn’t hit56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FOWG5RDIi
anything vital. We are going to have to stitch you up.”
“Fine.” Vander allowed himself to56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPMWxvGdua
be lifted to his feet. “Alex, will you make sure the kids get back safely?”
“We should get you to a doctor.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4Y6JVQNp0
Alex said, but Vander shook his head.
“I’ll be fine.” He gasped. “Pay56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxKvD2Lzub
for everyone’s meal as an apology for Leon’s outburst. There should be enough56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07WPO6tIAB
money to cover it in my room. We will also pay for the damages here.”
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“I understand.” He said. Alex56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbSrA6MOZ7
began to shout, but Vander’s eyes started to close. The blood loss was more56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM20f60umH
than he thought as he had difficulty staying awake. The last thing he saw was56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRZyBtLrqa
Shea leading the way upstairs towards the room.
