Chapter 6
Vander vaguely remembered the17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCrMbT2tbW
feeling of being dragged up many stairs, carried down a hallway, and the warm17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk8r2IANJM
covers of his bed. His memory of Julianna standing over him in the candlelight17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiOINICJLD
as she pieced together the pieces of his skin using thread, a needle, and17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGyqcnnHUh
plenty of booze to disinfect everything. Shea guarded the door to keep anyone17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡva0BSoYa0v
who she didn’t trust from entering, while letting out low whimpers as she17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSoqmrAYvQ
worried for her master. He dropped into an uneasy slumber, immune to the pain17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiVHzuA21F
that traveled through his body. The only solace he found was in dreams.
∙
A drop of water fell on17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSbj9YC2JP
Vander’s forehead. His eyes remained closed, but the weather was determined to17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqh6vN0Ou4
wake him. Several more fell on his face hitting his eyes, forehead, and mouth.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mJOrftHFL
His eyes scrunched together before he slowly opened them. He was confused17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajX1pQIeoV
because he expected to wake up in his bed with the roof of the inn above his17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPD4QtSUxdA
head. But instead, he saw the cloudy morning sky surrounded by tall maple and17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmTDfORFSS
pine trees. He was dressed in ill-fitting rags. The pants went as far down as17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgglJOAp2G
his shins while his shirt was in tatters. He slowly rose to his feet, his stiff17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMPrhWDPPx
muscles protesting from the sudden movement. It hadn’t been long since his17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tOrWWiO9r
injuries, but time moved differently here, as it did in all the realms of the17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAmFSkDSCg
Deities.
He could smell blood and sweat,17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxk4ZZf5cue
the trademark sign of his patron goddess, Unna, Lord of the Beasts and Madness.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TTsUmMMs2
There were hundreds of beasts waiting in the woods, their red eyes focused17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1IdxI2qcf
solely on him. Any wrong move would send them into a frenzy and would tear him17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4bnmBYqED
apart. It was the rule of the jungle here, you couldn’t show fear. The first17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTAtLeJvBS
time he had come here all those years ago was almost his last, but he had17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRXBFilc9k
adapted quickly killing a creature that had mistaken him for easy prey. The17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGQthrpiIe
rest fell in line, but sometimes a creature gets a little too full of17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd077hLpep
themselves and must be put in their place. However, the fact that he had woken17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDbUJdOZn4
up here meant the ruler of the forest had grabbed him, no one them would go17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG4APPARwS
against her orders.
He got to his feet then started17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpDHsSdzh6
to walk along the path laid out for him. He ignored the biting pain in his feet17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VVm8d0cY5
from sticks, stones, and dead leaves scattered around. His blood scented the17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAksve4fsR
ground marking him as the forests now. He knew that when he died he would wind17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrKk7J7mo6
up here, the same as all the other beasts. This was the forest laying claim to17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweBBMa7xVs
him for its mistress.
He walked for what seemed like17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v2RZ0Hbqz
hours, but he didn’t get tired, hungry, or thirsty. He just put one step in17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdwiAOfgdg
front of the other. It had started to rain, but he kept it going until the sun17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlYEPwj4Fk
had set in this domain and the creatures around him grew quiet. The woods17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7hN8eqKSi
became thicker, and the normal brown trees turned blood red. The sky darkened17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3kRsMLTHp
then the moon appeared illuminating the woods in a blueish glow. He heard17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mUbtX13YS
running water coming from his left. He turned to walk into the woods towards17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ7OGffldq
the waterfall where he knew Unna would be. He saw a large white wolf walking in17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD6OQEsDUr
step with him. The creature was twice the size of Vander with white-blue fur17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCynWaK8oxT
and deep red eyes.
Ritoru, if legends were to be17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x4iJJVeKD
believed, was the first human to accept Unna’s blessing. He had lived as a17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1zskhzG7u
tyrant, slaying anyone who crossed his path and offered his victims life for17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8NuFIfOaF
the deity. In exchange for his loyalty, she made him into this creature forever17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i2DdEiJ9E
to serve her and kill those unworthy. The truth was, she had prayed for his17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhULzOW25Vb
weakness and need to be stronger. Promising power beyond his wildest dreams, he17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIXKESXWWr
accepted it without understanding the consequences. Now he was a prisoner of17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYus9iWjPci
his own making waiting for the day he gets released from his own personal hell.
They walked for a little while17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyEJv7797C
until the trees thinned out revealing a small pool that was being bathed in17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTGvtN1qeM
moonlight. There was a small rock formation above the moon with a light trickle17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHUX4oPwym
of water cascading down into the pool creating a ripple effect. The water was17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2u4xnTeNqk
crystal clear, and you could see little, tiny fishes swimming around in the17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7LgrqeGk4
depths. No matter how much he wanted to go into the crystal blue water, he17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTpviJq4t9
couldn’t. This was Unna’s pool and going in without her permission was17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQGMGmRQRN
tantamount to suicide. So, he sat down and waited.
Within the middle of the pool17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtCqxhh9Q3
large ripples began to emerge. Moments later a pale woman burst out whipping17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7jOOneii1
her black hair over her shoulders tossing water behind her. Even though he17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdcwy28FNK
couldn’t see her face, Unna’s nickname as a seductress wasn’t wrong. She had a17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLMhb2StiY
thin body, that was surprisingly filled with muscle. She was graceful and curvy17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEz29k8z9A
but eyed you up in the way a hunter looks at prey. Even now, sitting on the17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEvfJePlUI
ground, Vander was aroused and based on the coy smile she tossed at him over17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU6blHChk2
her shoulder, revealing long pointed canines, she noticed.
She took her time leaving the17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMoULYYwtn
pool, swaying side by side as she walked towards him. Her thighs rubbed17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB2xHoe3Y2
together as her breasts moved slightly with the movement. As she stepped out17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12QeygHRU0
from the pool, a sleeveless black dress with a low-cut neckline and a slit down17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m0J00V0oN
the left leg. Some how she looked even better with clothes on.
“You’re a naughty boy.” She17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsTnliaAzN
smiled. “You are thinking all sorts of dangerous thoughts aren’t you?”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZsym5Lh5p
He stood up as she walked over towards him. She looked at a finger under his17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwTOSa0D3i
chin and pulled him so close that their mouths were almost touching. “You17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ013Pdxi2bs
want to don’t you Vander? It’s alright, I’ll give you everything you could have17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnkwpDP1JT
ever wanted in a woman. So, how about it?” It would be easy for him to give17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKTGeJ9lGE
her all of him and many times he was tempted, but he knew what happened to17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj99PVJQ5tM
those who couldn’t resist. He wouldn’t end up like them.
“Why have you brought me here?”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEd5E7x6oob
he asked. Sighing with frustration, Unna let him go. It was so sudden that he17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Tlz9X2yzr
fell back on the ground. She towered over him then placed a bare foot on his17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9K0ZM2pwcu
chest. He could see her dress, so he quickly looked away.
“You’re annoying you know that.” She17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEDpZ9EgJb
snorted. “At first the chase was fun, but now I’m growing bored of it.”
“It’s not my fault you chosen me17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwYPbvpK3R
to be your champion.” Vander snorted. She bent down over him and stuck her17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnXtjmm4xo
fingers to his side. He let out a hiss of pain as she dug her fingers into the17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GYbsi6WTL
side where Leon had cut him. Her hand was covered in blood as she brought it up17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG8225KL1E
to her mouth then licked her fingers clean.
“I taste poison in your blood,17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgzlOZ1Nib
Vander.” She grinned.
“Poison?” he asked. “What17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewzoZILvrM
kind of poison?”
“Do you know why you come here17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOiofKkMx6
Vander?” she asked. She stepped off him then walked behind him. He rolled17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiUmkOZatr
over and got to his feet as her throne appeared out of thin air. The throne was17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzLbTMDkij
made from pure white bone. They said it was the bones of all she killed in the17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEzvZQce0M
war, but it was hard to tell. They had all fused together to create the throne17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNkNe4l6hU
and it was difficult to pull out individual pieces.
“I assume you will tell me.” He17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7QLVcRC1O
said.
“You come here when you need17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Pb67A0zty
something from me.” She explained. “It doesn’t have to be a conscious17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTDnGs915S
need; it can be a subconscious need. Whether it be to get healed, needing some17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiZUyBLhoT
answers to a question, or getting your rocks off. It’s always something and I’m17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpubEclwb6C
getting tired of it.”
“What is it I can do for you17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyqVoY9PIx
then?”
“Give in to your demons.” She17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpYzDlw2Z4
laughed. ”Give in just once and I will heal you.”
“If I give in, I’ll end up closer17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjkjxGVAkH
to becoming one of your slaves.” He growled. “I will not go down that17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLO0bCFxAE
path, no matter what.”
“You don’t have a choice, Vander.”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMNBfJqyYg
She got up from her throne and grabbed him by the neck. She lifted him off17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbFOyKBWtl
the ground and brought him close to her. “Once you said yes to me, your17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NhOvRoCCU
future was already written. You are mine.” She dropped him gasping and17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS6ApILwI7
wheezing to the ground. “However, you still have a role to play, one of17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkqcDaRI0i
which my grandmother has already told you about, so I cannot let you die here.”
She snapped17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu8neGhWYK
her fingers and a searing pain erupted from his side. He thrashed and screamed17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRrjnSyFD0
as the flame coursed through him. His body began to twitch and squirm as his17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ybc3J3PrM
blood began to boil. As quickly as it started, it ended. He lay on the ground17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp33apEzqBR
breathing heavily as steam rose from him.
“Remember Vander,17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFkGLBs2HO
you are promised to me and no other. Go. Fulfill your role, now begone.” She17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEh5vWgOrn
waved her hand. His body flew backwards, out of the woods, then slammed back17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro9CiZrUJ9
into his own body. “I will be waiting.” Her voice echoed in his head. He17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡON4JEqqgDB
opened his eyes.
∙
There was a large17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6O9QmKSzB
weight pushing down into his chest. His vision was still foggy, likely from17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7XOw1DUCF
both passing out and the poison that had infected him. There was a warm white17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhWlDOQoff
presence there. He slowly reached out his hand to rub Shea’s head. She bolted17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGTmeXzU5F
straight up and began licking his face in earnest. She jumped up and down17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwIY1lK76N
happily barely missing Vander’s body with each step.
“I’m so happy17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Uqj8qoi9f
you are awake.” she barked. “I was so worried about you.”
“What’s all that17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3yCrI8r3F
racket?” Vander looked over to see Julianna staring groggily at the bed from17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKTE1ijgaI
his desk chair. A blanket had been dragged out from the closet and placed over17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawPwW4cThm
here. She stared at him for a moment, bewilderment on her face, before she17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJ61kTypqX
jumped up and ran towards him. He didn’t have time to admire her wearing the17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVXYyyjXvJ
sheer night gown before she launched herself at him.
“You’re awake,17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtMPNJbFr1
I’m so happy.” He felt tears splash on his face as she sobbed into him. He17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzTW53ztas
placed his hand on the top of her head.
“It wasn’t that17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNM0rwMshN
bad of a wound.” He chuckled. “I’m not sure why you’re so worried about me.”
“You idiot.” She17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQvjRhiYaz
growled. “You have been out for about a day. For awhile you got very feverish,17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnHwJSsKkH
and your breathing became shallow. I would have brought a doctor in to take17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSsPVXGS24
care of you, but Shea stopped me.”
“I smelled17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7Gs2Y3LZx
poison in your blood.” Shea said. “If you’ll let me, I’ll rip that boy17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62fA07abjP
apart for trying to kill you.”
“Leon seemed to17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6fosaj1j4
have poisoned his weapon sometime before running me through.” Vander explained.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcELAxwh0Uu
“If it was anyone else, they likely would have died.” Vander went to get up17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu7WNQIV2y
from the bed, but Julianna pushed him back down.
“You’re still17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmo4EhACjCQ
wounded, you should rest and let me get the soldiers to bring Leon in.” Vander17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCQnqvzJLK
grabbed her hand causing her to flinch. Sighing, he lifted his shirt to show17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW53rQ4HgKk
her that the stitches had disappeared, and the wound had closed. Shocked, she17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMNJ4w6Fcj
gingerly traced her fingers tips over the fresh scar, but he didn’t wince once17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdqE2XoXNb
from discomfort or pain. “How?” she whispered.
“Part of my17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlKYDCOaQN
curse.” He picked her up quickly causing her to let out a small squeak of17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZWObBmYXn
surprise. He flipped her around, so she was where he was just lying. They17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbttrBSVVCB
stared at each other for a second before Vander broke eye contact and got up17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlFvt03AST
from the bed.
“Curse?” she17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKioxyvlQr
asked. “What curse?”
“There’s no way17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3d2I8k4MX
you haven’t heard the rumors.” Vander chuckled to himself as he walked into the17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPsm24k8Cz
bathroom.
“Of course I17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvCZNqzEhL
heard the rumors.” She said. He heard her feet hit the ground then followed him17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlkAeHuZzy
into the bathroom. He let the water run for a while before removing his clothes17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS8cAiSoN9
and dropping them in a pile. “You have no shame huh?” He looked over his17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLoyu8iQ1v
shoulder to see her eyeing him up and down with a mischievous gleam in her17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXqRghIyQ2
eyes.
“The rumors, for17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusTx2Y45RQ
the most part, are true, Julianna.” He said. “No good would come from getting17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD01AWzseS9
too involved with me.”
“I’m not looking17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pKh9HjyAz
for anything serious.” She shrugged off her night gown. “I have an inn to run,17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpej7WdhdU8
but I think some thanks is an order and besides,” she looked below his waist.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBztXJcrCqh
“I think you might like to blow off some steam as well.”
“Can’t really17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGaicKcsya
argue with that logic.” He shrugged. He stepped aside then held out his hand to17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVWEU8eUNp
help her into the tub.
She embraced him,17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbRmg5xT6n
placing her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her face. He wrapped17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4R8zi9Ol5
his arms around her waist and planted his lips onto hers. Their tongues flicked17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBHnrzzHGR
against one another as she opened her mouth inviting him deeper inside. Suddenly17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRid3OuYkXX
the lust he felt while being near Unna surfaced and he allowed himself to give17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPYGo803wC
into his base desires. At first Julianna was surprised, but after a moment she17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHr8ZrLp7w
met him thrust for thrust. Their bodies mingled together as the haze overtook17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0ygjJl90k
them, allowing their instincts to take over.
It was morning17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdb1TxsPac
before Vander woke. Julianna had already gone, the spot on the bed still warm17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDnZNT0Eho
from where she had fallen asleep next to him. His body ached and he spotted17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriNJAH1sUE
several new scratches that he would have to do his best to hide lest his17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LAszSZ7px
grandfather see them. He quickly pulled on his shirt, pants, and boots. Before17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmzl3SxZ01
he left he put on his jacket then grabbed his sword from the closet.
The bar had been17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVRQHomk4h
tidied up since last night’s shit show. The tables were back to where they had17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxvZvtjOX0
been and there were no signs of the fight at all, not even the blood that fell17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxNM2yVijI
from Leon’s arm or Vander’s side. Julianna was behind the bar cleaning dishes. When17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDUHxLK5xn
she heard him enter the bottom floor, she looked up, gave him a small smile,17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3OMegNw44
then went back to her work. He debated about getting something to eat, but he17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRSzFrgnLo
was already late to see his grandfather, so he decided to skip a warm meal and17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiItjizIp7
settle for something on the way.
The streets of17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZ7ZObGI4c
Eluvia were quiet this early in the morning. The sun hadn’t yet peaked over the17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUB887lNuu
horizon, so the streets were still dark, but gradually lightening. The furnace17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIECGvAdQIa
was on at the bakery a couple of streets over, so he knocked on the window and17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHi3a0wZ1G
waved one of the workers over. A sweaty man unlocked the door then poked his17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoIDvoYIl6
head out.
“Sorry, we aren’t17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3puWHrhc1
open yet.” He wiped his forehead.
“I just need a17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ3TmTkQQY
small roll,” Vander reached into his pocket to remove a silver coin. “Would you17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoqi3IcYpI
mind?” The man looked from the coin to Vander then back to the coin.
“Sure, we can17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ergZvonan
spare a roll for you.” He ducked back inside, making sure to lock the door just17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqBo9Y0ArP
in case Vander tried anything funny. He came a moment later with a hot roll17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQQ43tMvtP
wrapped up in paper. “Here you go.” He held out the roll and the two of them17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJV9RrAwdc
made the trade. It was hot to the touch, it must have just come from the oven,17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICvdn5Mkbt
but Vander didn’t mind. He happily handed over the coin and went on his way.
The guards let17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJivA5PEXh6
him pass without issues, though some of them gave him a pitying look which was17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzfsW6WbmD
a little confusing, but he paid no mind. Bernard was waiting for him at the17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFsYVDCUwv
bottom of the steps leading into the castle with his head bowed.
“Good to see you17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mlF2t7F54
Vander.” Bernard said.
“It hasn’t been17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsRxFnxTnj
long since I was here.” Vander said. “Why are you being so polite?” Bernard17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HMZrnaBkN
straightened up making sure to fix his tie which had become crooked.
“When you didn’t17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOXUUy7SYH
show up yesterday we feared the worst.” Bernard explained. “Leon explained that17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLNkWrHqss
you had attacked him and were wounded when he defended himself. Your17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgSi9KN8Mq
grandfather was besides himself and Leon’s father wanted to hunt you down and17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWi5vuQXW6
make you pay, but Peyton managed to calm him down.”
“Of course, that17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKLv9KYOWU
little bastard would lie about something like that.” Vander clenched his hands.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd6G9LBrHr
“Where is my grandfather? Can I see him?”
“He’s up in his17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qioV7b6iA
office.” Bernard said. “I’m here to bring you to him, but I should warn you.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLivcZq655m
Leon and his father are up there right now as well. Apparently they heard word17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqnYQkxQOX
you were coming and decided to wait. I am to take your sword please.” He held17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BOKtZG0DQ
out his hand.
“Am I in trouble?” Vander unbuckled his sword and17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRgMbU5zHG
handed it over to the King’s servant.
“Possibly, it17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQRUJbhkkk
really just depends how convincing you are.” Bernard slung the sword over his17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jaD1nCNsa
shoulder then escorted Vander inside.
Along the hall17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhi6dBDH7eM
leading towards his grandfather’s room, there were Blades lined up against one17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabCzCKQ7eK
wall and soldiers against the other. The air was tense as the soldiers did17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHtuQkREZj
their best to goad the Blades into attacking them, but it never worked. They17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnM1TYSFRc
fell silent as the two of them walked past, but several soldiers reached for17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjusY1vlg2K
their weapons as some form of veiled threat against him. The door to his17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuFkcjHI9r
grandfather’s office was flanked by another Captain, Leyta, an older Blade17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aw1xo2ar5
several classes ahead of Vander. Jefferey Jilena was standing next to her on17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioX490SEmM
the other side of the door.
“Captain.” Leyta17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvaWoNO2xp
nodded. “He’s waiting for you inside.” She opened the door then stepped back.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oSxPdNPf4
Vander’s heart hammered in his chest as he stepped through.
“You’re a dead17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqLbRaXHHZ
man Vander.” Leon said smugly. He was sitting in the chair across from Charles17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6uyVf8t0i
with the arm Shea had bitten in a sling. But Vander ignored him to stare at the17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyneWYySunh
man who was standing by the window with his arms crossed behind his back.
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“Before we start17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujAPDfCCyt
your removal from the Blades, perhaps you can enlighten us as to why you had17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZliMKEkpE
your bitch of a dog injure my son.” Viggo Visc, the third most powerful man in17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP0QZqFM4g
the country, turned around to face Vander. “Depending on your answer, her life17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRdZXcsHRg
will be forfeit.”
