Chapter 6
Vander vaguely remembered the53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLSw3OcAdg
feeling of being dragged up many stairs, carried down a hallway, and the warm53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQdbmjoHxM
covers of his bed. His memory of Julianna standing over him in the candlelight53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6zm3FYWKv
as she pieced together the pieces of his skin using thread, a needle, and53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo4AL2LaWV
plenty of booze to disinfect everything. Shea guarded the door to keep anyone53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUmYsMc8ZI
who she didn’t trust from entering, while letting out low whimpers as she53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRd0pCYbzs2
worried for her master. He dropped into an uneasy slumber, immune to the pain53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx6TLTex4T
that traveled through his body. The only solace he found was in dreams.
∙
A drop of water fell on53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFasaKqANh
Vander’s forehead. His eyes remained closed, but the weather was determined to53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m9rAUlEoi
wake him. Several more fell on his face hitting his eyes, forehead, and mouth.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa295xrOXq
His eyes scrunched together before he slowly opened them. He was confused53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5dYEvmaY7
because he expected to wake up in his bed with the roof of the inn above his53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug0sAzeYlp
head. But instead, he saw the cloudy morning sky surrounded by tall maple and53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkBeqgsW0P
pine trees. He was dressed in ill-fitting rags. The pants went as far down as53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYPPHwxXkG
his shins while his shirt was in tatters. He slowly rose to his feet, his stiff53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjbvDCGNhm
muscles protesting from the sudden movement. It hadn’t been long since his53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrwNdIPlDH
injuries, but time moved differently here, as it did in all the realms of the53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6lhuciXYA
Deities.
He could smell blood and sweat,53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkRlJd4j5P
the trademark sign of his patron goddess, Unna, Lord of the Beasts and Madness.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wZj6xGj9i
There were hundreds of beasts waiting in the woods, their red eyes focused53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIyFgKEz8k
solely on him. Any wrong move would send them into a frenzy and would tear him53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLe1uXSSDc
apart. It was the rule of the jungle here, you couldn’t show fear. The first53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkkxfGA2ZN
time he had come here all those years ago was almost his last, but he had53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0hZzTogkL
adapted quickly killing a creature that had mistaken him for easy prey. The53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS2Ig6qLBm
rest fell in line, but sometimes a creature gets a little too full of53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpghvTo3i5
themselves and must be put in their place. However, the fact that he had woken53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBO0Vp2lwG
up here meant the ruler of the forest had grabbed him, no one them would go53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40PXVPavQ1
against her orders.
He got to his feet then started53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPELjVfQDIY
to walk along the path laid out for him. He ignored the biting pain in his feet53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtybzfyvJkv
from sticks, stones, and dead leaves scattered around. His blood scented the53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL39LNyX8uF
ground marking him as the forests now. He knew that when he died he would wind53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZNuHEfJIe
up here, the same as all the other beasts. This was the forest laying claim to53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXCfWNk1sL
him for its mistress.
He walked for what seemed like53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9TMShSO91
hours, but he didn’t get tired, hungry, or thirsty. He just put one step in53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SRsyhxm7A
front of the other. It had started to rain, but he kept it going until the sun53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lSzigfPEy
had set in this domain and the creatures around him grew quiet. The woods53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpXrE23dAX
became thicker, and the normal brown trees turned blood red. The sky darkened53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2ch6TyIV7
then the moon appeared illuminating the woods in a blueish glow. He heard53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx35jxIh17z
running water coming from his left. He turned to walk into the woods towards53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAazaPeEyhc
the waterfall where he knew Unna would be. He saw a large white wolf walking in53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2kzjHeJ6N
step with him. The creature was twice the size of Vander with white-blue fur53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaMgOTgVOu
and deep red eyes.
Ritoru, if legends were to be53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1ZQRXvQGj
believed, was the first human to accept Unna’s blessing. He had lived as a53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPtZYR0Y06
tyrant, slaying anyone who crossed his path and offered his victims life for53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2AhdLw3Be
the deity. In exchange for his loyalty, she made him into this creature forever53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1V0u8pPVs
to serve her and kill those unworthy. The truth was, she had prayed for his53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ok0T7oxVM
weakness and need to be stronger. Promising power beyond his wildest dreams, he53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wQS2mEJGT
accepted it without understanding the consequences. Now he was a prisoner of53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjseQ3nYnr
his own making waiting for the day he gets released from his own personal hell.
They walked for a little while53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeaSE2yubf
until the trees thinned out revealing a small pool that was being bathed in53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2IE0wP1rU
moonlight. There was a small rock formation above the moon with a light trickle53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqxF7NYbEC
of water cascading down into the pool creating a ripple effect. The water was53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTFw8wbQTq
crystal clear, and you could see little, tiny fishes swimming around in the53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO0LdiDOKL
depths. No matter how much he wanted to go into the crystal blue water, he53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GR3rw2Trr
couldn’t. This was Unna’s pool and going in without her permission was53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCJAUxSIVO
tantamount to suicide. So, he sat down and waited.
Within the middle of the pool53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3POGKBCpxi
large ripples began to emerge. Moments later a pale woman burst out whipping53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3K42G0Btk
her black hair over her shoulders tossing water behind her. Even though he53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuUHLkDQV2
couldn’t see her face, Unna’s nickname as a seductress wasn’t wrong. She had a53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4ebSIlM5Q
thin body, that was surprisingly filled with muscle. She was graceful and curvy53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mOeOGV2Fh
but eyed you up in the way a hunter looks at prey. Even now, sitting on the53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Eq5ffgOpO
ground, Vander was aroused and based on the coy smile she tossed at him over53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNilRBeUmh4
her shoulder, revealing long pointed canines, she noticed.
She took her time leaving the53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajfvyycGou
pool, swaying side by side as she walked towards him. Her thighs rubbed53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWGM7IiaDY
together as her breasts moved slightly with the movement. As she stepped out53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0Y6wKVkyh
from the pool, a sleeveless black dress with a low-cut neckline and a slit down53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FdKquKSEg
the left leg. Some how she looked even better with clothes on.
“You’re a naughty boy.” She53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTde1xvl5J
smiled. “You are thinking all sorts of dangerous thoughts aren’t you?”53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHz0vpaTC9
He stood up as she walked over towards him. She looked at a finger under his53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42wKDFlCkZ
chin and pulled him so close that their mouths were almost touching. “You53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFH04vYgpb
want to don’t you Vander? It’s alright, I’ll give you everything you could have53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8Bhxx4L2L
ever wanted in a woman. So, how about it?” It would be easy for him to give53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEZBvRO1e0
her all of him and many times he was tempted, but he knew what happened to53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡep9ThQRYTD
those who couldn’t resist. He wouldn’t end up like them.
“Why have you brought me here?”53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0q5EIrG5p
he asked. Sighing with frustration, Unna let him go. It was so sudden that he53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNow9HbxT9m
fell back on the ground. She towered over him then placed a bare foot on his53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXteN3nnYyG
chest. He could see her dress, so he quickly looked away.
“You’re annoying you know that.” She53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp33D9VZMg
snorted. “At first the chase was fun, but now I’m growing bored of it.”
“It’s not my fault you chosen me53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo25noXNPTt
to be your champion.” Vander snorted. She bent down over him and stuck her53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuo6oHPH1HW
fingers to his side. He let out a hiss of pain as she dug her fingers into the53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kD6giCZCn
side where Leon had cut him. Her hand was covered in blood as she brought it up53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVAA4XjhEw
to her mouth then licked her fingers clean.
“I taste poison in your blood,53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJD04cJPFLH
Vander.” She grinned.
“Poison?” he asked. “What53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPi4eQvpJ5k
kind of poison?”
“Do you know why you come here53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbYXy4ZZ6D
Vander?” she asked. She stepped off him then walked behind him. He rolled53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qFqCWZhh4
over and got to his feet as her throne appeared out of thin air. The throne was53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9oU4jsYdD
made from pure white bone. They said it was the bones of all she killed in the53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKW2GJTpEdJ
war, but it was hard to tell. They had all fused together to create the throne53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNXpp5Hz4D
and it was difficult to pull out individual pieces.
“I assume you will tell me.” He53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UQFNMl8qk
said.
“You come here when you need53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UjKg4YS09
something from me.” She explained. “It doesn’t have to be a conscious53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Zn9vtIH9A
need; it can be a subconscious need. Whether it be to get healed, needing some53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmu0MJ4nvt0
answers to a question, or getting your rocks off. It’s always something and I’m53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTINxMsxka
getting tired of it.”
“What is it I can do for you53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsK1Jwokr0l
then?”
“Give in to your demons.” She53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhf6g58Pbi
laughed. ”Give in just once and I will heal you.”
“If I give in, I’ll end up closer53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZYu4rr5gR
to becoming one of your slaves.” He growled. “I will not go down that53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPG3QdAMWb
path, no matter what.”
“You don’t have a choice, Vander.”53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4nfxMX4nD
She got up from her throne and grabbed him by the neck. She lifted him off53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKptdiTajw
the ground and brought him close to her. “Once you said yes to me, your53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNxUukatkw
future was already written. You are mine.” She dropped him gasping and53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDT5ottawQ
wheezing to the ground. “However, you still have a role to play, one of53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAga12NRNY
which my grandmother has already told you about, so I cannot let you die here.”
She snapped53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1WKh54Vu7
her fingers and a searing pain erupted from his side. He thrashed and screamed53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYzL4rpHGi
as the flame coursed through him. His body began to twitch and squirm as his53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5zJ7xBHv8
blood began to boil. As quickly as it started, it ended. He lay on the ground53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPYI3UeBpK
breathing heavily as steam rose from him.
“Remember Vander,53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkRrrFWKiH
you are promised to me and no other. Go. Fulfill your role, now begone.” She53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9LaiqKBXK
waved her hand. His body flew backwards, out of the woods, then slammed back53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rsyIkqNbm
into his own body. “I will be waiting.” Her voice echoed in his head. He53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9a6l2bJ8PI
opened his eyes.
∙
There was a large53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPE8ljaarY
weight pushing down into his chest. His vision was still foggy, likely from53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a5kjYziSY
both passing out and the poison that had infected him. There was a warm white53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr3yeDSWQd
presence there. He slowly reached out his hand to rub Shea’s head. She bolted53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7AbHcnx5P
straight up and began licking his face in earnest. She jumped up and down53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7KO7bFSUM
happily barely missing Vander’s body with each step.
“I’m so happy53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oJGl9TKyC
you are awake.” she barked. “I was so worried about you.”
“What’s all that53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcl1yTP6sW
racket?” Vander looked over to see Julianna staring groggily at the bed from53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc7qAlZFWy
his desk chair. A blanket had been dragged out from the closet and placed over53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefoE9j5YVU
here. She stared at him for a moment, bewilderment on her face, before she53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW7TO7KZS5
jumped up and ran towards him. He didn’t have time to admire her wearing the53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGJgUnP2NG
sheer night gown before she launched herself at him.
“You’re awake,53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkcheOOTjj
I’m so happy.” He felt tears splash on his face as she sobbed into him. He53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxQfCgKDTJ
placed his hand on the top of her head.
“It wasn’t that53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYRysP2efh
bad of a wound.” He chuckled. “I’m not sure why you’re so worried about me.”
“You idiot.” She53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgvAHLCtZN
growled. “You have been out for about a day. For awhile you got very feverish,53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp1OuCQPxl
and your breathing became shallow. I would have brought a doctor in to take53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZPpATCrZU
care of you, but Shea stopped me.”
“I smelled53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwv2JVBQdZ
poison in your blood.” Shea said. “If you’ll let me, I’ll rip that boy53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXOtDu8aiK
apart for trying to kill you.”
“Leon seemed to53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXwf0zskWF
have poisoned his weapon sometime before running me through.” Vander explained.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCOAUmaopJ
“If it was anyone else, they likely would have died.” Vander went to get up53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZy9JMbvMxI
from the bed, but Julianna pushed him back down.
“You’re still53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKEjVC2aqQ
wounded, you should rest and let me get the soldiers to bring Leon in.” Vander53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSFzzJKbpU
grabbed her hand causing her to flinch. Sighing, he lifted his shirt to show53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU2nf0xQa4
her that the stitches had disappeared, and the wound had closed. Shocked, she53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg77Je4tiM
gingerly traced her fingers tips over the fresh scar, but he didn’t wince once53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMFdiELQyh
from discomfort or pain. “How?” she whispered.
“Part of my53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmkwqK07rV
curse.” He picked her up quickly causing her to let out a small squeak of53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXHLvlGqIY
surprise. He flipped her around, so she was where he was just lying. They53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX6UJQNHLh
stared at each other for a second before Vander broke eye contact and got up53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zZq7BygIz
from the bed.
“Curse?” she53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHTHLMIaBe
asked. “What curse?”
“There’s no way53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUdBE7Zy9m
you haven’t heard the rumors.” Vander chuckled to himself as he walked into the53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsUfrW8yyZ
bathroom.
“Of course I53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lzvdF4uiH
heard the rumors.” She said. He heard her feet hit the ground then followed him53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHgEqHOsN3
into the bathroom. He let the water run for a while before removing his clothes53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUnwhnRKG2
and dropping them in a pile. “You have no shame huh?” He looked over his53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpZprv5iCV
shoulder to see her eyeing him up and down with a mischievous gleam in her53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oL9hATr0T
eyes.
“The rumors, for53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIEqJn6Kb2
the most part, are true, Julianna.” He said. “No good would come from getting53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTuvHRrGKQ
too involved with me.”
“I’m not looking53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5orL3rtyE
for anything serious.” She shrugged off her night gown. “I have an inn to run,53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO7nlPv1CA
but I think some thanks is an order and besides,” she looked below his waist.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypzaYHKGgM
“I think you might like to blow off some steam as well.”
“Can’t really53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdK5HKuNw2
argue with that logic.” He shrugged. He stepped aside then held out his hand to53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDwf4JG7CG
help her into the tub.
She embraced him,53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYo3uf03Smu
placing her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her face. He wrapped53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHgyziDRjP
his arms around her waist and planted his lips onto hers. Their tongues flicked53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlF5M80VaK1
against one another as she opened her mouth inviting him deeper inside. Suddenly53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVFPX5BqxT
the lust he felt while being near Unna surfaced and he allowed himself to give53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhYsmFzEkY
into his base desires. At first Julianna was surprised, but after a moment she53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oGdA2hvvz
met him thrust for thrust. Their bodies mingled together as the haze overtook53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa0IXDwJDZ
them, allowing their instincts to take over.
It was morning53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuTRN8zD1B
before Vander woke. Julianna had already gone, the spot on the bed still warm53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e7OSnGBav
from where she had fallen asleep next to him. His body ached and he spotted53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxJdZfFH9Q
several new scratches that he would have to do his best to hide lest his53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6xqziJVlz
grandfather see them. He quickly pulled on his shirt, pants, and boots. Before53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SSHfzb2u1
he left he put on his jacket then grabbed his sword from the closet.
The bar had been53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I6s8wNJhh
tidied up since last night’s shit show. The tables were back to where they had53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNho3cONjpi
been and there were no signs of the fight at all, not even the blood that fell53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1BpRFoOuG
from Leon’s arm or Vander’s side. Julianna was behind the bar cleaning dishes. When53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinNropOFYd
she heard him enter the bottom floor, she looked up, gave him a small smile,53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G4pjY9Rhn
then went back to her work. He debated about getting something to eat, but he53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcDW4OZPVn
was already late to see his grandfather, so he decided to skip a warm meal and53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4C2lmG4iX
settle for something on the way.
The streets of53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5BeJiuVfR
Eluvia were quiet this early in the morning. The sun hadn’t yet peaked over the53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8gheGz9fg
horizon, so the streets were still dark, but gradually lightening. The furnace53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fu7923fAR
was on at the bakery a couple of streets over, so he knocked on the window and53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtX2yQysASG
waved one of the workers over. A sweaty man unlocked the door then poked his53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J3QVvvY65
head out.
“Sorry, we aren’t53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX6jnQq7mj
open yet.” He wiped his forehead.
“I just need a53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRkY6Uyi48
small roll,” Vander reached into his pocket to remove a silver coin. “Would you53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHeskbX3bU
mind?” The man looked from the coin to Vander then back to the coin.
“Sure, we can53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhyk6SGaso
spare a roll for you.” He ducked back inside, making sure to lock the door just53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqLWdfAnQw
in case Vander tried anything funny. He came a moment later with a hot roll53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTHt3yCmzH
wrapped up in paper. “Here you go.” He held out the roll and the two of them53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5G3qVD4l0e
made the trade. It was hot to the touch, it must have just come from the oven,53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptXjX0ZIba
but Vander didn’t mind. He happily handed over the coin and went on his way.
The guards let53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b5mUIFS7w
him pass without issues, though some of them gave him a pitying look which was53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeS2IHhE7K0
a little confusing, but he paid no mind. Bernard was waiting for him at the53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpVxyZMw4p
bottom of the steps leading into the castle with his head bowed.
“Good to see you53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz3dhjQbz1
Vander.” Bernard said.
“It hasn’t been53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKrajN8Hcz
long since I was here.” Vander said. “Why are you being so polite?” Bernard53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjPOzRkJvj
straightened up making sure to fix his tie which had become crooked.
“When you didn’t53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCAqv2nkWS
show up yesterday we feared the worst.” Bernard explained. “Leon explained that53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXUy9eQkhh
you had attacked him and were wounded when he defended himself. Your53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mvOywDCTJ
grandfather was besides himself and Leon’s father wanted to hunt you down and53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWlVcPCI2a
make you pay, but Peyton managed to calm him down.”
“Of course, that53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaBeltwj7F
little bastard would lie about something like that.” Vander clenched his hands.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbRyBu8Anz
“Where is my grandfather? Can I see him?”
“He’s up in his53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkglrZZfszV
office.” Bernard said. “I’m here to bring you to him, but I should warn you.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqc6ERoDJ7
Leon and his father are up there right now as well. Apparently they heard word53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFUHyrxEcs
you were coming and decided to wait. I am to take your sword please.” He held53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9iir9f6Ec
out his hand.
“Am I in trouble?” Vander unbuckled his sword and53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5ti2rGsnF
handed it over to the King’s servant.
“Possibly, it53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51a59dvYJi
really just depends how convincing you are.” Bernard slung the sword over his53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjBbDcpko0
shoulder then escorted Vander inside.
Along the hall53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68AjTy8Ke5
leading towards his grandfather’s room, there were Blades lined up against one53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREzzXHwarQ
wall and soldiers against the other. The air was tense as the soldiers did53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmJJe5bNu7
their best to goad the Blades into attacking them, but it never worked. They53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L26PkY9RF
fell silent as the two of them walked past, but several soldiers reached for53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h0W55qgFG
their weapons as some form of veiled threat against him. The door to his53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmvsWEmKjx
grandfather’s office was flanked by another Captain, Leyta, an older Blade53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKlQxSvWZu
several classes ahead of Vander. Jefferey Jilena was standing next to her on53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW1jgZvPga
the other side of the door.
“Captain.” Leyta53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0Wo3A4xFz
nodded. “He’s waiting for you inside.” She opened the door then stepped back.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIx80HnLAv
Vander’s heart hammered in his chest as he stepped through.
“You’re a dead53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEoE3MqYMS
man Vander.” Leon said smugly. He was sitting in the chair across from Charles53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIygdbaqy4R
with the arm Shea had bitten in a sling. But Vander ignored him to stare at the53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGtkySoec9
man who was standing by the window with his arms crossed behind his back.
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“Before we start53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b4eHObc2j
your removal from the Blades, perhaps you can enlighten us as to why you had53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ315ug7tOL5
your bitch of a dog injure my son.” Viggo Visc, the third most powerful man in53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCshdNj4ccl
the country, turned around to face Vander. “Depending on your answer, her life53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RVyWpipey
will be forfeit.”
