Chapter 6
Vander vaguely remembered the91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNI7neUxUD
feeling of being dragged up many stairs, carried down a hallway, and the warm91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ371YQ9WQDi
covers of his bed. His memory of Julianna standing over him in the candlelight91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7AOql78jw
as she pieced together the pieces of his skin using thread, a needle, and91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kqa1XpQq4
plenty of booze to disinfect everything. Shea guarded the door to keep anyone91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9VhGLT3u2
who she didn’t trust from entering, while letting out low whimpers as she91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoOrGmaDDT
worried for her master. He dropped into an uneasy slumber, immune to the pain91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElP7IxqWkB
that traveled through his body. The only solace he found was in dreams.
∙
A drop of water fell on91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHJ0VVv4tF
Vander’s forehead. His eyes remained closed, but the weather was determined to91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKgXDtHbcu
wake him. Several more fell on his face hitting his eyes, forehead, and mouth.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aF1kPF7bo
His eyes scrunched together before he slowly opened them. He was confused91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0LTfHld7p
because he expected to wake up in his bed with the roof of the inn above his91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5EG8shmWP
head. But instead, he saw the cloudy morning sky surrounded by tall maple and91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE74YEZbXL3
pine trees. He was dressed in ill-fitting rags. The pants went as far down as91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa5JdCLc8b
his shins while his shirt was in tatters. He slowly rose to his feet, his stiff91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQd6cKWzdGh
muscles protesting from the sudden movement. It hadn’t been long since his91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxSSDpgJWp
injuries, but time moved differently here, as it did in all the realms of the91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOCzY6J3MJ
Deities.
He could smell blood and sweat,91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pjvyUCBll
the trademark sign of his patron goddess, Unna, Lord of the Beasts and Madness.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZ1dj22lcL
There were hundreds of beasts waiting in the woods, their red eyes focused91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMjDKleStJ
solely on him. Any wrong move would send them into a frenzy and would tear him91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52FAxM4M4V
apart. It was the rule of the jungle here, you couldn’t show fear. The first91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZiKlf8xqu
time he had come here all those years ago was almost his last, but he had91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvUz4xL4kU
adapted quickly killing a creature that had mistaken him for easy prey. The91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmkhTi1aDV
rest fell in line, but sometimes a creature gets a little too full of91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfjewkhvdu
themselves and must be put in their place. However, the fact that he had woken91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6roLh2aBl
up here meant the ruler of the forest had grabbed him, no one them would go91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8qYS1jBDS
against her orders.
He got to his feet then started91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSJrZMGy4g
to walk along the path laid out for him. He ignored the biting pain in his feet91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpH7fPkCh7
from sticks, stones, and dead leaves scattered around. His blood scented the91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmeVDHprOn
ground marking him as the forests now. He knew that when he died he would wind91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qE7xcV0ge
up here, the same as all the other beasts. This was the forest laying claim to91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvNzLy4miI
him for its mistress.
He walked for what seemed like91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7y0tydeqR
hours, but he didn’t get tired, hungry, or thirsty. He just put one step in91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8Quv420eK
front of the other. It had started to rain, but he kept it going until the sun91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJK0NlU7Rm
had set in this domain and the creatures around him grew quiet. The woods91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYVV5s7782
became thicker, and the normal brown trees turned blood red. The sky darkened91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIkdoO6vuA
then the moon appeared illuminating the woods in a blueish glow. He heard91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELRQuFMCNB
running water coming from his left. He turned to walk into the woods towards91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2pgSlH1r3
the waterfall where he knew Unna would be. He saw a large white wolf walking in91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlPXre28Xb
step with him. The creature was twice the size of Vander with white-blue fur91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb5twHa0z9
and deep red eyes.
Ritoru, if legends were to be91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9sekf2K3j
believed, was the first human to accept Unna’s blessing. He had lived as a91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW73RkriH8
tyrant, slaying anyone who crossed his path and offered his victims life for91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9JJm62IEb
the deity. In exchange for his loyalty, she made him into this creature forever91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXlqxpJtOd
to serve her and kill those unworthy. The truth was, she had prayed for his91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBCw1sMUqs
weakness and need to be stronger. Promising power beyond his wildest dreams, he91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTYBGCs6IA
accepted it without understanding the consequences. Now he was a prisoner of91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3a6bRgCF1y
his own making waiting for the day he gets released from his own personal hell.
They walked for a little while91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yrBuH431l
until the trees thinned out revealing a small pool that was being bathed in91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy18AE0KZcY
moonlight. There was a small rock formation above the moon with a light trickle91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJqgGxW4Dr
of water cascading down into the pool creating a ripple effect. The water was91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbjhpwwADe
crystal clear, and you could see little, tiny fishes swimming around in the91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvVSbQBRCt
depths. No matter how much he wanted to go into the crystal blue water, he91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTL9JhBHGJ
couldn’t. This was Unna’s pool and going in without her permission was91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZgX0wyXaW
tantamount to suicide. So, he sat down and waited.
Within the middle of the pool91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKY1OW2TCx
large ripples began to emerge. Moments later a pale woman burst out whipping91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhs6nGmRIln
her black hair over her shoulders tossing water behind her. Even though he91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEvCKIGAle
couldn’t see her face, Unna’s nickname as a seductress wasn’t wrong. She had a91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7wrUlYNEt
thin body, that was surprisingly filled with muscle. She was graceful and curvy91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JAD1ekj2X
but eyed you up in the way a hunter looks at prey. Even now, sitting on the91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpFMU0UsYF
ground, Vander was aroused and based on the coy smile she tossed at him over91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UdslenTJx
her shoulder, revealing long pointed canines, she noticed.
She took her time leaving the91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9A33R6zma
pool, swaying side by side as she walked towards him. Her thighs rubbed91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgJVE156Ni
together as her breasts moved slightly with the movement. As she stepped out91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnrtw5UXf7
from the pool, a sleeveless black dress with a low-cut neckline and a slit down91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU37NJ8Pf71
the left leg. Some how she looked even better with clothes on.
“You’re a naughty boy.” She91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUe6ruQRrm
smiled. “You are thinking all sorts of dangerous thoughts aren’t you?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY5fR9ooPn
He stood up as she walked over towards him. She looked at a finger under his91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNBH6N6EVO
chin and pulled him so close that their mouths were almost touching. “You91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVEASi0GXH
want to don’t you Vander? It’s alright, I’ll give you everything you could have91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzWXqiiSXJ
ever wanted in a woman. So, how about it?” It would be easy for him to give91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWNkKNF7av
her all of him and many times he was tempted, but he knew what happened to91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsWC424QBK
those who couldn’t resist. He wouldn’t end up like them.
“Why have you brought me here?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZALNXZTls
he asked. Sighing with frustration, Unna let him go. It was so sudden that he91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPhjDNGk4I
fell back on the ground. She towered over him then placed a bare foot on his91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS87OCNnX0k
chest. He could see her dress, so he quickly looked away.
“You’re annoying you know that.” She91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1zeVFCBv6
snorted. “At first the chase was fun, but now I’m growing bored of it.”
“It’s not my fault you chosen me91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDvTtoVQmw
to be your champion.” Vander snorted. She bent down over him and stuck her91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofP4CuB54n
fingers to his side. He let out a hiss of pain as she dug her fingers into the91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqi20MJb7ln
side where Leon had cut him. Her hand was covered in blood as she brought it up91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaaW01pqsE
to her mouth then licked her fingers clean.
“I taste poison in your blood,91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6pTTTIls2
Vander.” She grinned.
“Poison?” he asked. “What91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcD8iBq5h3
kind of poison?”
“Do you know why you come here91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURRduP6Wwe
Vander?” she asked. She stepped off him then walked behind him. He rolled91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDAVLJY4Ah
over and got to his feet as her throne appeared out of thin air. The throne was91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHkknubkmZ
made from pure white bone. They said it was the bones of all she killed in the91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7QFMz8hcJ
war, but it was hard to tell. They had all fused together to create the throne91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoihJYZzLZr
and it was difficult to pull out individual pieces.
“I assume you will tell me.” He91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HxwM7iPTn
said.
“You come here when you need91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo6SyJb6zz
something from me.” She explained. “It doesn’t have to be a conscious91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxpNl0O3qG
need; it can be a subconscious need. Whether it be to get healed, needing some91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGATtVZrwZ
answers to a question, or getting your rocks off. It’s always something and I’m91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqwCxNwmol
getting tired of it.”
“What is it I can do for you91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DpYkGt3Sk
then?”
“Give in to your demons.” She91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbBa4aryCy
laughed. ”Give in just once and I will heal you.”
“If I give in, I’ll end up closer91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Dm6IejSNw
to becoming one of your slaves.” He growled. “I will not go down that91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem6lCWa3Nq
path, no matter what.”
“You don’t have a choice, Vander.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dt6sdaYJa
She got up from her throne and grabbed him by the neck. She lifted him off91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJscmhqWjD
the ground and brought him close to her. “Once you said yes to me, your91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡma8Hesa8iu
future was already written. You are mine.” She dropped him gasping and91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gyv2KjzVV
wheezing to the ground. “However, you still have a role to play, one of91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk03R688FY
which my grandmother has already told you about, so I cannot let you die here.”
She snapped91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGjbGiwUuE
her fingers and a searing pain erupted from his side. He thrashed and screamed91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgCkbyfTCd
as the flame coursed through him. His body began to twitch and squirm as his91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU3UzPKgxP
blood began to boil. As quickly as it started, it ended. He lay on the ground91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK44p0bvhV
breathing heavily as steam rose from him.
“Remember Vander,91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV416NWZHeA
you are promised to me and no other. Go. Fulfill your role, now begone.” She91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uFjNy3fSY
waved her hand. His body flew backwards, out of the woods, then slammed back91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnxfjpX26g
into his own body. “I will be waiting.” Her voice echoed in his head. He91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLFcc40yyd
opened his eyes.
∙
There was a large91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NbMnBLNkH
weight pushing down into his chest. His vision was still foggy, likely from91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQS0IMGVQvd
both passing out and the poison that had infected him. There was a warm white91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWiOf6DOyo
presence there. He slowly reached out his hand to rub Shea’s head. She bolted91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Iqmkd8CIz
straight up and began licking his face in earnest. She jumped up and down91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIT4dLL9rx
happily barely missing Vander’s body with each step.
“I’m so happy91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgc8mGKfuFd
you are awake.” she barked. “I was so worried about you.”
“What’s all that91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6d2z9tuFz
racket?” Vander looked over to see Julianna staring groggily at the bed from91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQdfCw31kE
his desk chair. A blanket had been dragged out from the closet and placed over91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUGqpQMYpS
here. She stared at him for a moment, bewilderment on her face, before she91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2mGlH7ljJ
jumped up and ran towards him. He didn’t have time to admire her wearing the91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWl96NgXGt
sheer night gown before she launched herself at him.
“You’re awake,91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0ENWf24W6
I’m so happy.” He felt tears splash on his face as she sobbed into him. He91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXF5ePUaGX
placed his hand on the top of her head.
“It wasn’t that91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV842WlCe1p
bad of a wound.” He chuckled. “I’m not sure why you’re so worried about me.”
“You idiot.” She91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXhHAcxmqD
growled. “You have been out for about a day. For awhile you got very feverish,91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqu5pcfADW
and your breathing became shallow. I would have brought a doctor in to take91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppHHxZVAmO
care of you, but Shea stopped me.”
“I smelled91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wh788NM5y
poison in your blood.” Shea said. “If you’ll let me, I’ll rip that boy91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7HtEHyFRv
apart for trying to kill you.”
“Leon seemed to91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDl5Gq2tdOB
have poisoned his weapon sometime before running me through.” Vander explained.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpglthomJdq
“If it was anyone else, they likely would have died.” Vander went to get up91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB6DkeDMzZ
from the bed, but Julianna pushed him back down.
“You’re still91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OdJRowK8h
wounded, you should rest and let me get the soldiers to bring Leon in.” Vander91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJFVnbMGG1
grabbed her hand causing her to flinch. Sighing, he lifted his shirt to show91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTN0wMZenw
her that the stitches had disappeared, and the wound had closed. Shocked, she91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj37jE7JfE
gingerly traced her fingers tips over the fresh scar, but he didn’t wince once91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeh14LGbkA
from discomfort or pain. “How?” she whispered.
“Part of my91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgMMUuMY4x
curse.” He picked her up quickly causing her to let out a small squeak of91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0McNgbMCI
surprise. He flipped her around, so she was where he was just lying. They91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc6cRoiv0c
stared at each other for a second before Vander broke eye contact and got up91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBOzxhHIXT
from the bed.
“Curse?” she91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRviFalIJr
asked. “What curse?”
“There’s no way91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0CIkiaCPV
you haven’t heard the rumors.” Vander chuckled to himself as he walked into the91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZ3deh22sw
bathroom.
“Of course I91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXUCJLUWgk
heard the rumors.” She said. He heard her feet hit the ground then followed him91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrrNdbPC9v
into the bathroom. He let the water run for a while before removing his clothes91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfQe2hnIiD
and dropping them in a pile. “You have no shame huh?” He looked over his91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfcXi15WdY
shoulder to see her eyeing him up and down with a mischievous gleam in her91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLUpxBBrfE
eyes.
“The rumors, for91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kgpg4XK5z
the most part, are true, Julianna.” He said. “No good would come from getting91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYuhG9rQLF
too involved with me.”
“I’m not looking91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXkFkCw6HP
for anything serious.” She shrugged off her night gown. “I have an inn to run,91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQXTUVMvdy
but I think some thanks is an order and besides,” she looked below his waist.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphMSYMbLfd
“I think you might like to blow off some steam as well.”
“Can’t really91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ThgPmiG5C
argue with that logic.” He shrugged. He stepped aside then held out his hand to91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkJaJJkFLS
help her into the tub.
She embraced him,91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVI4pitVO5u
placing her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her face. He wrapped91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiVdCIL4CQ
his arms around her waist and planted his lips onto hers. Their tongues flicked91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWmCsIVQmY
against one another as she opened her mouth inviting him deeper inside. Suddenly91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb7iSFZsMp
the lust he felt while being near Unna surfaced and he allowed himself to give91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImgKLZgedm
into his base desires. At first Julianna was surprised, but after a moment she91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0pThtWStw
met him thrust for thrust. Their bodies mingled together as the haze overtook91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUQfKNI0pV
them, allowing their instincts to take over.
It was morning91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTItwc54MfL
before Vander woke. Julianna had already gone, the spot on the bed still warm91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFS4BaC8ln
from where she had fallen asleep next to him. His body ached and he spotted91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj39OXeiweQ
several new scratches that he would have to do his best to hide lest his91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBFuNYwRSk
grandfather see them. He quickly pulled on his shirt, pants, and boots. Before91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAM0TX80fM
he left he put on his jacket then grabbed his sword from the closet.
The bar had been91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVpK35UxsS
tidied up since last night’s shit show. The tables were back to where they had91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77DSHlNBlF
been and there were no signs of the fight at all, not even the blood that fell91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOk4bEbuZvH
from Leon’s arm or Vander’s side. Julianna was behind the bar cleaning dishes. When91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qEMGxt4ki
she heard him enter the bottom floor, she looked up, gave him a small smile,91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXdvE2nWMv
then went back to her work. He debated about getting something to eat, but he91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z7nfrXGfu
was already late to see his grandfather, so he decided to skip a warm meal and91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4TOTa80D6
settle for something on the way.
The streets of91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIynInFBJD
Eluvia were quiet this early in the morning. The sun hadn’t yet peaked over the91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97xhBPcbwZ
horizon, so the streets were still dark, but gradually lightening. The furnace91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcCPgoZVzm
was on at the bakery a couple of streets over, so he knocked on the window and91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRum7rrhQ1
waved one of the workers over. A sweaty man unlocked the door then poked his91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj2ZQKOgii
head out.
“Sorry, we aren’t91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz9Sdundqb
open yet.” He wiped his forehead.
“I just need a91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw8rPeiEuw
small roll,” Vander reached into his pocket to remove a silver coin. “Would you91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRjr1gyEVr
mind?” The man looked from the coin to Vander then back to the coin.
“Sure, we can91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozVKDBjvXB
spare a roll for you.” He ducked back inside, making sure to lock the door just91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGr9psuNyj5
in case Vander tried anything funny. He came a moment later with a hot roll91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR4rLyHxyI
wrapped up in paper. “Here you go.” He held out the roll and the two of them91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EcgRAXJ25
made the trade. It was hot to the touch, it must have just come from the oven,91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzC4wf118a
but Vander didn’t mind. He happily handed over the coin and went on his way.
The guards let91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lZHK4rnOc
him pass without issues, though some of them gave him a pitying look which was91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU8GdxpvqY
a little confusing, but he paid no mind. Bernard was waiting for him at the91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCLmMAXYNS
bottom of the steps leading into the castle with his head bowed.
“Good to see you91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdlG1W2wb8
Vander.” Bernard said.
“It hasn’t been91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFAs7fhJDA
long since I was here.” Vander said. “Why are you being so polite?” Bernard91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdpmvjmJj6
straightened up making sure to fix his tie which had become crooked.
“When you didn’t91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpicDw4o0M
show up yesterday we feared the worst.” Bernard explained. “Leon explained that91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4hctMqLzf
you had attacked him and were wounded when he defended himself. Your91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAediLozxh
grandfather was besides himself and Leon’s father wanted to hunt you down and91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx5ZnNgQ5J
make you pay, but Peyton managed to calm him down.”
“Of course, that91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQxENEGJ2c
little bastard would lie about something like that.” Vander clenched his hands.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts7TOuale5
“Where is my grandfather? Can I see him?”
“He’s up in his91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIw0GRZhMl
office.” Bernard said. “I’m here to bring you to him, but I should warn you.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5sDMc034K
Leon and his father are up there right now as well. Apparently they heard word91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMldGSwvoeY
you were coming and decided to wait. I am to take your sword please.” He held91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWKz0GvLJr
out his hand.
“Am I in trouble?” Vander unbuckled his sword and91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFZ4zNyLSo
handed it over to the King’s servant.
“Possibly, it91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iPPtbsaM4
really just depends how convincing you are.” Bernard slung the sword over his91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmQxhmLZQb
shoulder then escorted Vander inside.
Along the hall91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQClqcdJ46B
leading towards his grandfather’s room, there were Blades lined up against one91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmSp9sWgQV
wall and soldiers against the other. The air was tense as the soldiers did91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9csQOXmR4
their best to goad the Blades into attacking them, but it never worked. They91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SONLwRHmn
fell silent as the two of them walked past, but several soldiers reached for91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1p0g4Ly43
their weapons as some form of veiled threat against him. The door to his91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL83qYEKB82
grandfather’s office was flanked by another Captain, Leyta, an older Blade91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRfhYQZh14
several classes ahead of Vander. Jefferey Jilena was standing next to her on91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUgvn6vMSE
the other side of the door.
“Captain.” Leyta91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzuSXAzOfu
nodded. “He’s waiting for you inside.” She opened the door then stepped back.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPt90HBkiZI
Vander’s heart hammered in his chest as he stepped through.
“You’re a dead91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTcLdVXQkD
man Vander.” Leon said smugly. He was sitting in the chair across from Charles91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqEP1w8Lwk
with the arm Shea had bitten in a sling. But Vander ignored him to stare at the91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOixul1k9HC
man who was standing by the window with his arms crossed behind his back.
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“Before we start91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyeJqs5PsC
your removal from the Blades, perhaps you can enlighten us as to why you had91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPfe1bWdoh
your bitch of a dog injure my son.” Viggo Visc, the third most powerful man in91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yNUTx9myN
the country, turned around to face Vander. “Depending on your answer, her life91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblLbdoe0YM
will be forfeit.”
