Chapter 5
Bree was a very attractive woman.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1y5SujSvG
She had long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a toned figure from her time as a122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSmGGbxi2g
Blade and now serving as a Captain in the Eluvian military. Instead of her122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29JWVxjo2b
regular soldier attire, she decided to wear tight brown pants, brown booties,122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCB0qO16Du
and a white sleeveless blouse. It looked as though she took a lot of care in122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWxOjQIl3X
her choice of attire as he had to try hard to ignore the feeling welling up in122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FSxHxmv73
his chest. They weren’t together anymore.
“Oh Vander, I’ve missed you.” She122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrVtWH3SOb
reached up to touch his face, but he grabbed her hand as he pulled back.
“You don’t get to do that122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrSDXSjg1N
anymore.” Vander took a step back into his room. “You made your choice six122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazsSZlbq47
months ago and I’m not one to play second fiddle to someone else.”
“Come on.” She scoffed. “You know122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjwCEO9e11
I had no choice. My father forced me into this, I couldn’t disobey him.”
“Not even for someone you122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W0ltA1gn0
professed to love?” he snorted. “I’d have left the Blades if you asked, but you122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOeL4S2SvU
dropped me as soon as your father snapped his fingers. You never loved me Bree,122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIkGtAfnC3
not really.”
“Vander, that’s not fair.” He122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eo6amAiOK
voice was starting to rise. “I spent a lot of time this past six months122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCROvJwQIa
thinking about us. I will tell my father to end my engagement to Leon, so we122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYX77LKI1o
could be together.” Vander’s heart pounded at the thought, but he wouldn’t allow122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZs92YEDOg
himself to be ruled by his emotions.
“I’m sorry, but you made your122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnh21xjicO
choice and now we both have to live with it.” He walked towards the door and122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaigzgKDAX
held it open. “It’s time for you to leave.” She sat there in the middle of the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxbrqPIXNq
floor her face flushed with rage. She clenched her fist and for a second he122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡll1SUoyG2l
thought she was going to swing at him. She thought better of it but made sure122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl3RHLoo4N
to slam her shoulder into his arm as she left. She didn’t even say goodbye.
“Give me the word and I’ll rip122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvB8ew4709
her throat out.” Shea snarled. Vander walked over to rub her head.
“I don’t want to give you122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpytqtkpfPA
indigestion.” He teased.
He had known Bree since their time122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95TTmizpgL
as recruits roughly eight years ago when they were both sixteen. They had122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfusL1aw6B
gotten close, along with the other members of their squad, but after an122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAXYJiCKFA
incident during their first mission cost the lives of their training officer as122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9Q6sdvLz0
well as two of their comrades, they hadn’t been the same. They had clung to122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehmIMqwywW
each other during the rougher times and grew close. They had been each other’s122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkqD5gNs0S
first, a bond he thought would cement them together for the rest of their122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDahFGD4UD
lives. But six months ago, that had fallen to pieces. He had done a lot of soul122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zNEwxycci
searching while he was in isolation with his new recruits and decided that he122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b7jLy3biL
would keep things professional between them, nothing more, nothing less. She122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV0Vv0roxd
had ended things with him for her father’s favorite and got engaged to Leon122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE6MSaZnhs
instead. That was something he wouldn’t readily forgive or forget.
He rubbed Shea’s head then122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IkxiPqwWE
promised to bring her back some beef from the kitchen when he returned later.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78srKMjbN3
He didn’t want to be late for his recruits first night out since joining. He122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyOkI42Ch5
left his sword behind because he doubted he would need it, then left the room.
If there was a lot of people122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9D8kcAjoj
before, there was even more now. People were crammed against the walls and the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mDBdK0qwL
servers were having issues making their way through everyone. A larger square122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfvQ8yQIz1
was opened up between the booths and musicians for more people to dance the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4oGk0WsnD
night away. Upon stepping into the floor, he saw Alexander’s head poking up122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLZo4x6IQd
above the crowd. It was one of the perks of being friends with a giant. His122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1eJyJQbmq
voice thundered out to order some food and drinks for his table sending a122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TLvokE2S5
couple of the servers scrambling to fulfill his wishes. Vander snaked his way122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXKqyCXttk
through the crowd dodging flying elbows and kicking feet to get to the table. Alex122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9NUhYHvKm
was still wearing the clothing he had on earlier, but he left his uniform top122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiKGgWGO59
at home and instead opted to wear a black leather jacket.
“About time you got here.” Alex122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaATQ2UgnL
grumbled. This man did not like large crowds, but he came out to spend time122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLqLMyxM4v
with his friend. A sacrifice that wouldn’t go unrewarded tonight. “Would me122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrR3MWentp
seeing Bree storming out of here have anything to do with it?”
“Some.” He motioned for the bigger122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ88iZARuS7
man to slide over so he could sit down. “She told me she would end the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkKyH6eDiY
engagement with Leon to have me back, but I told her that I wouldn’t get back122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfGxhr1fzn
with her. She made her choice six months ago and I won’t be played for a fool122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukmttYmBXK
again.”
“You turned that down?” Forest122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwAUP8EG3Y
gasped. “I would have thrown myself at her if she asked me to be with her.”
“You’d throw yourself at a bear if122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa9v8vxeUo
you think you’d get lucky.” Briar snorted. Forest shoved her then she shoved122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7tCE0zeq9
him back. It would have devolved into a fight if Rooster hadn’t pulled them122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT3sNdGlFB
apart.
“We’re here to have fun.” He122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNfmAZXFgM
snapped. “Not get thrown out of here before we even had a drink.”
Each of them had dressed in their122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdDQkxff69
best clothes for tonight. Most of their clothing was now a little too small122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9PUriw5Dk
since they had each packed on a ton of muscle since they left the city. He122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvHTbcfqNd
guessed that he would have to make a request to his grandfather to give them122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9pWCxwJmL
some money for new clothing. The only one that seemed to have gotten clothing122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FqnXGFVsi
that still fit was Eve. Unlike the others who wore pants and a shirt, she had122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUyfHvkZBE
decided to wear a long white dress and shoes. Even Chicken had decided to dress122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9JIjWnVwK
for the occasion and leave her oversized clothing at home. She wore a brown122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2byqPZXaeG
buttoned shirt and a pair of tan pants. He wondered if Eve had lent the outfit122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ797QFYV0MB
to her.
“Each of look very nice.” Vander122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbH9fC6EKc
nodded his approval. “Remember, tonight feel free to eat and drink as you122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzO0AhzScw
please, but there will still be training tomorrow as usual, and I will not go122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAdalR9r8B
easy on you just because you are hung over.”
“Come on Forest, let’s go dance.”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrd2pkJgfA
Briar pulled on his arm, removing him from the booth. He protested fully but122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcjwakt5kq
allowed himself to be led away by her. She grabbed his arm, placed the other122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1s8vsxQ4m
one around her waist and started leading him around the dance floor making sure122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wMCDmyMk8
not to bump into anyone along the way. Within moments the two of them were lost122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiNwemlmhN
from sight.
“Will you dance with me Vander?”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRIaumJ3sg
Eve looked down at her lap. It took him a moment to register that she had been122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzoWa6nSOm
the one to ask him and not Chicken.
“He has two left feet.” Alex122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR3lR6QMMZ
slapped him on the back. “I’m you’ll find someone to dance with you out on the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeq1cjVvGs
floor. Look,” they turned to where he was pointing and saw two young men122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmympG4cqs
smiling at her from the other side of the Inn.
“But I want to dance with-“
“I’m sorry, Eve.” Vander forced a122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MiRTELltj
smile. “I’m a bit worn out from our travels today, so I think I’ll sit tonight122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFYwSiP2WE
out. Shall I call you over once our food is here?” Nodding angrily, she walked122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5n3ogISTIe
from the booth, grabbed both young men by their arms and pulled them onto the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9ZLabxaBm
dance floor.
“What about the two of you?” Alex122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSEpyZZSMD
asked Rooster and Chicken.
“I think I’m just going to read.”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlThWk34mVX
Chicken removed a thick leather-bound book from her bag from under the table.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluvYU8pPuq
The title was called: The Life of Boris Britebyrd, The First Blade. He122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeeVtPgWtP
didn’t know that she was into history, seemed as though the two of them had122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGLak2fmYo
quite a bit in common.
“I’m okay just sitting here.” He122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2WNDZpqMl
looked wistfully out towards the dance floor. Tracing his gaze Vander saw that122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5guISr4KP
he was watching Eve dance with the two men. It looked as though she was122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW6pR2UUyG
enjoying herself, but that might also have been for his benefit.
“Why don’t you ask her to dance?”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDtEidcLOP
Vander asked.
“Because I see the way she looks122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ARuOADZsW
at you.” Rooster grumbled. “And I can’t ever hope to compete.”
“It’s just a crush.” Vander122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4GufussdJ
reached over to place his hand on Rooster’s shoulder. “She will get over it.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMvrjK1RVr
Besides, no one could say no to you. You’re a wonderful kid and you won’t know122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4kHFh5XX9
unless you try.”
“Alright, but later.” He sighed.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TbLaVNe11
He became quiet up then proceeded to stare out the window until the food122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN27yuVjlwK
arrived. The server placed down a basket full of bread, a bowl of hearty stew122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YRySL2tts
for each of them along with a tankard of beer and many glasses. Vander asked122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnIadplnKA
her to bring him some Dwarven Whiskey as well. She came back a couple of122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4aZ84Gm1l
minutes later with several shot glasses and the bottle.
Rooster and Chicken wasted no time122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWR8kl7Sxo
and started digging into their food. They never let food grow cold or go to122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmmaiMHLd4
waste. A pair of bottomless pits which stemmed from their time homeless and122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu8ks5I9gY
never getting enough to eat. Forest and Briar came after a few minutes. Briar122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JKmAyXjZs
was grinning ear to ear while Forest slumped into the booth breathing heavily122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hp87SzQrt
and sweating profusely from his brow. Briar helped prop him up before starting122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMDCA0PiNp
to eat. Eve was the last one to make it back to the table. She was out of122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwJwkBkHpL
breath, her face flushed with exhaustion. She sat down next to Chicken not122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8DPjEFG0s
looking up at Vander as she started to eat.
As the music thrummed into his122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGAW7OSGUJ
head, he started feeling ill. Loud noises and people sitting so close to him122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OqZbiCbjk
wasn’t something he enjoyed. His senses were being assaulted and he needed some122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzda480UcCU
air, but first he wanted to make sure the recruits were taken care of.
“Congratulations on making it122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bA8LkjzyA
through your first six months of training.” Vander said. “Alex and I couldn’t122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfI7FlphZ3i
be prouder of all the progress you made since we started and while things might122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQS1Uf8FBc
not get easier from here on out, I know you all make fantastic Blades. So, eat,122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD7w1gsWeI
drink, and party to your hearts content.” Four of the five of them cheered.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLWQC7CW8s
Vander poured them each a shot and they all tossed it back at once. “Will you122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtXRMWT0ZM
make sure they get home alright?”
“Of course,” Alex looked122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4p5U3bWNJ8
concerned. “Is everything alright with you?”
“Too much noise for me to handle.”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC1J8muGMa
Vander explained. “I just need to step outside for a few minutes okay?”
“Alright, just take it easy.” Alex122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz6ecDLPgJ
said with a slight frown. Vander excused himself from the table. He went122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw3MhURNg1
through the kitchen then out the back door into the cool night beyond.
Nighttime in the city was122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jiMIRf9kA
different from the forest. Out there the sky was clear you could count the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjljvaqb3vW
stars or try too at least. Humjir’s light shone everywhere even in the darkest122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OkJCp1FLc
corner. The animals made sounds of course as the night hunters prowled the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8a4CXUcd8i
ground and sky, but there was a rhythm to it. There were times he and Shea122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PgS88w1Sl
would stay out under a large tree listening to the animals as they relaxed from122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOolsRNf8Kb
the day’s activities. Often enough Alex would come out to wake them out because122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYCd3JEM4Y
they had fallen asleep in the grass. Here, there was nothing soothing about it.
Humjir couldn’t be seen from the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sYRZ305ic
city aside from the highest tower in the King’s estate. You could only see a122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPWMNrrRiT
couple of stars, but even then their lights were muted. Then came the sounds122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6E7Bz3DGg
from humans, not animals, that showed how rotten the city truly was. The sick122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHN2gtp8pG
could be heard coughing all night long as the homeless shuffled along looking122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmqZDBLKw1
for a place to stay, any place that would take them. The hungry wails of122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwO8oKJI70
children often fell on deaf ears because everyone else was too busy partying122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMVUEa5yCN
the night away. He couldn’t help but wonder how many people inside the inn122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63hyOIxhJt
right now children at home starving had while they were drinking the night122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiQ9g5mjEZ
away. Both he and Shea were of one mind that they would be happier living in the woods away from all these people, but122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJl1rWGp3l
duty called and neither of them wanted to turn their backs on their friends.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfuRmnvRUC
Perhaps, one day, they would be able to retire somewhere far from here.
He was so lost in thought that he122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0TWEDqCBB
failed to notice the door opening behind him. “You should really be more122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkJqeZXYye
careful out here.” Julianna said. He wasn’t one to startle easily, but he leapt122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtLoIMNQEy
from his boots once she spoke.
“Don’t scare me like that.” He122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ726SGSsmEl
growled. She wrapped her arm through his and pulled him to his side.
“Don’t be a pansy.” She giggled.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxx3QFf2W7
He could smell the slight tang of booze on her breath. Her face was flushed122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUcI2LzAwc
bright red, and she was breathing heavily. The strap of her dress hung loosely122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsq6k26Vm4
on her shoulder, so he reached over to pull it back up for her.
“You needed a drink to come out122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBaonmuvwv
here and greet me?” he teased. “I thought you were braver than that.”
“Oh please.” She rolled her eyes.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vrJXCVloA
“This wasn’t for you. Some of my patrons like me enough to buy me something to122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNGQCVUOtE
drink and dance with me. I just came out here for a breather.” The two of them122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuTQVpZv35
stood there in silence leaning up against the side of the building. Julianna122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMyP5ZszMA
placed her head on his shoulder, but she remained stony faced and still.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGRn8Ip4s7
“Vander.” She said after a few minutes.
“Yes?” he asked.
“Did you get the closure you122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR8ElkGzES
needed with Bree tonight?” He looked down at her. There was a wistful look on122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE31w2gcyK
her face as she looked straight ahead.
“Heh.” He laughed. “I was122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iOkcuaJyA
wondering how she made it past you. You let her in didn’t you?”
“Guilty.” She spoke softly. “If122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaH2EuIhoxb
you were going to take her back, I was going to throw you out of the Inn. Once122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyvzrAZINU
she stormed off pissed as hell, I knew you made the right choice.”
“You’re always looking out for me,122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwGU28NA0a
thank you.” he bumped her shoulder lightly with his. She smiled up at him with122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpv51dV8B5y
a slight blush on her face. The two of them sat out there for a little bit122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPIZjBK90x
without speaking. The quiet night air helped him soothe any aches he may have122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vGO1GgsQ2
had plus her company was a welcome boon. He knew that she didn’t harbor any122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqZjVk73NB
feelings for him, neither him for her, but their friendship would stretch for122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnanWLj3uS
years to come, he could feel.
A sudden shout along with the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wp0t0M1jo
breaking of glass broke the serene quiet air. Julianna turned too him with a122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIp39GrWT9
concerned look. “What the hell was that?” she asked.
“I don’t know.” He frowned. “But122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFpHMaDh2j
stay here, let me go look.”
“It’s my Inn.” She snorted. “I122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D1xWh9Etk
won’t be waiting outside like some helpless damsel. Let’s go.” Shaking his head122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQOjfkRw23
as she rushed past him, he hurried behind.
As soon as she walked through the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0d2B9FJYt
door, he pushed her head down as a glass mug hit the wall next to them122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsliJRxkUM5
shattering upon impact. Shards of glass rained down over them, but they slid122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFSur4D5al
right off his sleeve. Thankfully there was no liquid inside.
“Bring that white-haired bastard122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJfsRrMSW4
out here this instant.” Someone shouted. Vander recognized the voice as Leon’s,122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGc84jZMMs
so he must have been talking about him.
“Fucking Bree.” Vander pushed past122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWUFlTvYpp
Julianna through the kitchen and into the main Inn. Right in front of the door,122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXMUjt82Kz
flanking both sides keeping anyone from either entering or leaving were four122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXR7ayL2Md
Blades, in uniform, with their hands on the hilts of their swords. Standing in122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsQCP4pMeQ
front of them was Leon with his sword out pointing to the ground. Vander met122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL54AtYTJRH
Alex’s eye. He was standing in front of the table blocking the recruits from122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQLpg0RpOa
being spotted by the pissed off Captain. Their eyes met. Alex shook his head122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCppzF0t41f
and motioned for Vander to leave out the back, but he was going to leave these122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4BMkYPDxk
people here to take Leon’s wrath. As a captain he had a duty to uphold the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ9vd3GmUj
standard of the Blades, so he pushed his way through the crowd to stand in122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAttDbdZtE
front of Leon.
“What are you doing?” His voice122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5ruRPzU9R
boomed. He made no attempt to hide the annoyance in his voice. “Is this how a122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhiRaUXpYP
captain of the Blades is supposed to act? Drawing your weapon in a business and122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FLWMvLwhu
trying to intimidate everyone here? What’s the matter with you?”
“There you are you bastard!” Leon122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0oeweCJie
raised his sword pointing it at his chest. “Why was Bree here? What did the two122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BfcOoN7LY
of you do?”
“Is that what this is about?”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySFCcGnl9N
Vander scoffed. “Nothing happened, I sent her home, end of discussion. Now it’s122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9DG7VIqD1
your turn to get going before I report this to the Commander.”
“And you expect me to believe122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5Q42BWp36
that?” Leon laughed. “You were gone for six months and the day you come back122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd0poPzUQO
she comes to visit you? You’re full of shit.”
“It’s true.” Julianna pushed her122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65aWU8VAMp
way through to stand by Vander. “I let her in, and she left five minutes later122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr00JzkMDf
crying. I suggest you take it up with her and get out of my inn.”
“Now you have your new bitch122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbT49rErwJ
covering for you?” Leon snapped. “Take this punk outside, we will settle this122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeGH6YFpJB
like men.” The four Blades guarding the door moved forward towards the crowd.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSgWLiDkzM
Alex pushed past to stand by Vander causing the four of them to pause mid-step.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FwWiaeUBJ
“Alex, stay out of this, this doesn’t concern you.”
“It concerns us all when you use122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjgWgiwblU
your power for your own ends.” Alex snapped back. “You came to a private122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE1J3lDkaZ
establishment, threatened citizens, and are threatening a comrade, one that,122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv879fY573
until recently, outranked you. This is an abuse of power especially settling a122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1NpYUfCeO
private affair.”
“You think that matters to me?”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbChORW6IVI
Leon asked. “When my honor is on the line? Do what I ask or I swear I will use122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag62XraHm6
everything in my power to crush you.” Vander stepped out until they were face122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADbckGbbIp
to face.
“Is that a threat Leon?” Leon122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJANvSKS9p
responded by pushing Vander backwards then bringing his sword up underneath his122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3Szq0ZOie
chin.
“No this is a- ahhhhhh!” Shea122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoFWNZqd7M
leapt out from nowhere and bit down on Leon’s sword arm. Vander could hear the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreJWi8dHwG
bones crunching in his arm as she screamed out in pain. He dropped his sword122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zG1cifZzl
then tried to wrench her mouth off his arm. Blood sprayed as everyone started122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl2nJtUD6y
screaming. Vander saw Leon’s goons rushing towards her, so he rushed forward blocking122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNsOKclf5g
their path.
“Shea, release him.”
“But-“ her voice echoed122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInySsY4EUr
back.
“NOW!” She released him, but122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqXqnAQLpo
jumped out of reach and bared her teeth. With blood dripping down his arm, he122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdn1eZaJnj
slowly got to his feet. His face was red with rage.
“Your mutt will pay for that.” He122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvT9J1wpSC
whispered. “You will all pay for standing in my way.” He grabbed his sword,122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH57GNUxai
spun around, and thrust at Vander. Because he was facing away from Leon, Vander122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCeb1rzr5K
couldn’t anticipate the move. However, in his rage, he missed anything vital,122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j6kKsSx65
but he still carved a deep gash into Vander’s side. He fell to the ground122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQRvVGTU41
holding the wound as blood seeped through his fingers.
“Damn it.” Vander groaned. “What122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwixiL2xsj3
the hell is the matter with you?”
“You’ve looked down on me for too122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWDEQtzWuV
long.” Leon spat. “Now it’s time you tasted defeat.” Leon lifted his sword122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9wGTgvwyh
again, but Alex got there first. His fist collided with Leon’s face sending him122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mErSnRVBW
sprawling onto the ground.
“You crossed a line and not even122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡll6h50qfw9
your father will get you out of it.” He snapped. “You four, get him out of here122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguCS7bertx
before you find yourselves thrown onto the streets and not even Viggo Visc’s122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShrCxuco5t
influence will keep you safe.”
“This isn’t over.” Leon growled as122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNBeObUg6w
his four lackies picked him up off the ground and dragged him out. “You better122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyXO8pAijv
find yourself a new job, Alex. I’m coming for your ass.” Vander heard rushed122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfoMicI9By
footsteps coming towards him. Julianna placed a towel over his hand to help122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWqTBY0NT0
staunch the bleeding.
“Let me see.” She whispered. He122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp30203CWzr
winced with pain as he carefully moved his hand. “It’s deep but didn’t hit122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj0eAChduC
anything vital. We are going to have to stitch you up.”
“Fine.” Vander allowed himself to122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22AR4iTzeG
be lifted to his feet. “Alex, will you make sure the kids get back safely?”
“We should get you to a doctor.”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0mTmmZ2LP
Alex said, but Vander shook his head.
“I’ll be fine.” He gasped. “Pay122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQ45sZCrKA
for everyone’s meal as an apology for Leon’s outburst. There should be enough122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81p1jWqMLY
money to cover it in my room. We will also pay for the damages here.”
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“I understand.” He said. Alex122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmT2yiQEFr
began to shout, but Vander’s eyes started to close. The blood loss was more122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq0gg7koKV
than he thought as he had difficulty staying awake. The last thing he saw was122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ4yNQPnPx
Shea leading the way upstairs towards the room.
