Chapter 6
Vander vaguely remembered the124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLQbcJv7YY
feeling of being dragged up many stairs, carried down a hallway, and the warm124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKnhPtSevm
covers of his bed. His memory of Julianna standing over him in the candlelight124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jnOKC4rW8
as she pieced together the pieces of his skin using thread, a needle, and124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE3qfJC5hg
plenty of booze to disinfect everything. Shea guarded the door to keep anyone124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHVgsyQfVW
who she didn’t trust from entering, while letting out low whimpers as she124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEnc01wt3L
worried for her master. He dropped into an uneasy slumber, immune to the pain124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPQLS2i6PQ
that traveled through his body. The only solace he found was in dreams.
∙
A drop of water fell on124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPKiYgna5k
Vander’s forehead. His eyes remained closed, but the weather was determined to124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0aeaen6ZF
wake him. Several more fell on his face hitting his eyes, forehead, and mouth.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9G3KhONJg
His eyes scrunched together before he slowly opened them. He was confused124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yxaG1Bpoo
because he expected to wake up in his bed with the roof of the inn above his124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9Fo5xaCEW
head. But instead, he saw the cloudy morning sky surrounded by tall maple and124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToqW03XTvt
pine trees. He was dressed in ill-fitting rags. The pants went as far down as124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDk1QUo7Qo
his shins while his shirt was in tatters. He slowly rose to his feet, his stiff124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrh8U7oGwC
muscles protesting from the sudden movement. It hadn’t been long since his124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce6urQKvvi
injuries, but time moved differently here, as it did in all the realms of the124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncizRmxNpp
Deities.
He could smell blood and sweat,124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQtOtsiLbd
the trademark sign of his patron goddess, Unna, Lord of the Beasts and Madness.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4584h1LyC
There were hundreds of beasts waiting in the woods, their red eyes focused124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv82rW2KpGl
solely on him. Any wrong move would send them into a frenzy and would tear him124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nzwsH9Izg
apart. It was the rule of the jungle here, you couldn’t show fear. The first124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ78vBa7Rb
time he had come here all those years ago was almost his last, but he had124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkTFciX2w3
adapted quickly killing a creature that had mistaken him for easy prey. The124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7XYZFJT7O
rest fell in line, but sometimes a creature gets a little too full of124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwaIHWRbcZ
themselves and must be put in their place. However, the fact that he had woken124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx83UPnWgN
up here meant the ruler of the forest had grabbed him, no one them would go124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCxCirl71f
against her orders.
He got to his feet then started124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvZ32WFdcO
to walk along the path laid out for him. He ignored the biting pain in his feet124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQN8IfMexB4
from sticks, stones, and dead leaves scattered around. His blood scented the124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG06FJn3Rro
ground marking him as the forests now. He knew that when he died he would wind124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVvt1llUeO
up here, the same as all the other beasts. This was the forest laying claim to124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3moIJiD7s
him for its mistress.
He walked for what seemed like124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHLHf32YPT
hours, but he didn’t get tired, hungry, or thirsty. He just put one step in124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNozij4goo
front of the other. It had started to rain, but he kept it going until the sun124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn2o6JAYI2
had set in this domain and the creatures around him grew quiet. The woods124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfrW1x6v0L
became thicker, and the normal brown trees turned blood red. The sky darkened124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqyl9NBR4V
then the moon appeared illuminating the woods in a blueish glow. He heard124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulKb82eCMg
running water coming from his left. He turned to walk into the woods towards124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zd4WvGxfC
the waterfall where he knew Unna would be. He saw a large white wolf walking in124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNwCOXRNRC
step with him. The creature was twice the size of Vander with white-blue fur124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWliXnxBD3
and deep red eyes.
Ritoru, if legends were to be124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZBMk6bW7p
believed, was the first human to accept Unna’s blessing. He had lived as a124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslSiAVJfvw
tyrant, slaying anyone who crossed his path and offered his victims life for124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo5A1puKt2
the deity. In exchange for his loyalty, she made him into this creature forever124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbx3qchFsy
to serve her and kill those unworthy. The truth was, she had prayed for his124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MXmqHNXAV
weakness and need to be stronger. Promising power beyond his wildest dreams, he124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2EaC7FfRx
accepted it without understanding the consequences. Now he was a prisoner of124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWOneB6dvo
his own making waiting for the day he gets released from his own personal hell.
They walked for a little while124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdljKnpDIJN
until the trees thinned out revealing a small pool that was being bathed in124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZAaaguXGt
moonlight. There was a small rock formation above the moon with a light trickle124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbd0qQVaVB
of water cascading down into the pool creating a ripple effect. The water was124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc7J7z5bdF
crystal clear, and you could see little, tiny fishes swimming around in the124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAJi970YK8
depths. No matter how much he wanted to go into the crystal blue water, he124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKPIefPKwf
couldn’t. This was Unna’s pool and going in without her permission was124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetMA5X52ZP
tantamount to suicide. So, he sat down and waited.
Within the middle of the pool124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxhpyPYrjJ
large ripples began to emerge. Moments later a pale woman burst out whipping124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwtfURRxSE
her black hair over her shoulders tossing water behind her. Even though he124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHKGsY7vsr
couldn’t see her face, Unna’s nickname as a seductress wasn’t wrong. She had a124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrG5K6k4eoG
thin body, that was surprisingly filled with muscle. She was graceful and curvy124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrLCvTtgsl
but eyed you up in the way a hunter looks at prey. Even now, sitting on the124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyb98BD9NQw
ground, Vander was aroused and based on the coy smile she tossed at him over124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec3FSQ4kSi
her shoulder, revealing long pointed canines, she noticed.
She took her time leaving the124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8obukf198
pool, swaying side by side as she walked towards him. Her thighs rubbed124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixDwhDofp1
together as her breasts moved slightly with the movement. As she stepped out124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbB2KJCeoy
from the pool, a sleeveless black dress with a low-cut neckline and a slit down124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV6Zy1iZll
the left leg. Some how she looked even better with clothes on.
“You’re a naughty boy.” She124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2fLOzu6TI
smiled. “You are thinking all sorts of dangerous thoughts aren’t you?”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYaTXShNkJ
He stood up as she walked over towards him. She looked at a finger under his124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFotH7YvJVN
chin and pulled him so close that their mouths were almost touching. “You124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHuu2Wqlyr
want to don’t you Vander? It’s alright, I’ll give you everything you could have124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbYL4zyGMj
ever wanted in a woman. So, how about it?” It would be easy for him to give124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCS6Wry2xH
her all of him and many times he was tempted, but he knew what happened to124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBMRBWtCd4
those who couldn’t resist. He wouldn’t end up like them.
“Why have you brought me here?”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFAGVJ6MPT
he asked. Sighing with frustration, Unna let him go. It was so sudden that he124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmoM2ZI8ec
fell back on the ground. She towered over him then placed a bare foot on his124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafvsepFVl7
chest. He could see her dress, so he quickly looked away.
“You’re annoying you know that.” She124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb1HPHlcwr
snorted. “At first the chase was fun, but now I’m growing bored of it.”
“It’s not my fault you chosen me124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi1LZh30As
to be your champion.” Vander snorted. She bent down over him and stuck her124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6551tBh9hu
fingers to his side. He let out a hiss of pain as she dug her fingers into the124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRVBh5HF8r
side where Leon had cut him. Her hand was covered in blood as she brought it up124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ917oTfsHf2
to her mouth then licked her fingers clean.
“I taste poison in your blood,124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DDxqn8145
Vander.” She grinned.
“Poison?” he asked. “What124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5wJVOcOfy
kind of poison?”
“Do you know why you come here124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFRx5Ip5be
Vander?” she asked. She stepped off him then walked behind him. He rolled124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdDElpHBqI
over and got to his feet as her throne appeared out of thin air. The throne was124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EunVAZ4jm
made from pure white bone. They said it was the bones of all she killed in the124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMhPlFHTd5
war, but it was hard to tell. They had all fused together to create the throne124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySZGO1f3b0
and it was difficult to pull out individual pieces.
“I assume you will tell me.” He124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQbcLtnAXO
said.
“You come here when you need124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl1t7Ehwkx
something from me.” She explained. “It doesn’t have to be a conscious124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd4yMuDFj7
need; it can be a subconscious need. Whether it be to get healed, needing some124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFgrTEFB1Z
answers to a question, or getting your rocks off. It’s always something and I’m124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ2ilsupfk
getting tired of it.”
“What is it I can do for you124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51sebHV5CK
then?”
“Give in to your demons.” She124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AXcnuJnxL
laughed. ”Give in just once and I will heal you.”
“If I give in, I’ll end up closer124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdqUpIOtrn
to becoming one of your slaves.” He growled. “I will not go down that124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6hLEzB6RD
path, no matter what.”
“You don’t have a choice, Vander.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudxL4bPE3o
She got up from her throne and grabbed him by the neck. She lifted him off124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXezqXuZ1jm
the ground and brought him close to her. “Once you said yes to me, your124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ335Ss8rl1n
future was already written. You are mine.” She dropped him gasping and124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbcie0f7xj
wheezing to the ground. “However, you still have a role to play, one of124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XdK9oPyBM
which my grandmother has already told you about, so I cannot let you die here.”
She snapped124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RSJQhmmeg
her fingers and a searing pain erupted from his side. He thrashed and screamed124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37cWP1OTM6
as the flame coursed through him. His body began to twitch and squirm as his124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A9btq154S
blood began to boil. As quickly as it started, it ended. He lay on the ground124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkVLhaEkVR
breathing heavily as steam rose from him.
“Remember Vander,124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2lyyKTxbJ
you are promised to me and no other. Go. Fulfill your role, now begone.” She124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADMjsJ5kNW
waved her hand. His body flew backwards, out of the woods, then slammed back124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVAsGn41eS
into his own body. “I will be waiting.” Her voice echoed in his head. He124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0LczQytEN
opened his eyes.
∙
There was a large124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UPwxNwKyb
weight pushing down into his chest. His vision was still foggy, likely from124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Aqo3eERIn
both passing out and the poison that had infected him. There was a warm white124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYp5pVkzS7
presence there. He slowly reached out his hand to rub Shea’s head. She bolted124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfyH62Dqst
straight up and began licking his face in earnest. She jumped up and down124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuvTm2VI0j
happily barely missing Vander’s body with each step.
“I’m so happy124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNuuut6jkX
you are awake.” she barked. “I was so worried about you.”
“What’s all that124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoJ9qaRfiU
racket?” Vander looked over to see Julianna staring groggily at the bed from124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXili8nsk9b
his desk chair. A blanket had been dragged out from the closet and placed over124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMUok5XhQ7
here. She stared at him for a moment, bewilderment on her face, before she124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFFCgOsfia
jumped up and ran towards him. He didn’t have time to admire her wearing the124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLW2Y2R090p
sheer night gown before she launched herself at him.
“You’re awake,124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTloqJ8ES6y
I’m so happy.” He felt tears splash on his face as she sobbed into him. He124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEueMHzfrBD
placed his hand on the top of her head.
“It wasn’t that124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKAUPyaZqA
bad of a wound.” He chuckled. “I’m not sure why you’re so worried about me.”
“You idiot.” She124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJeX8VVZml
growled. “You have been out for about a day. For awhile you got very feverish,124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZABHBuTYZk
and your breathing became shallow. I would have brought a doctor in to take124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHjLD7gByz
care of you, but Shea stopped me.”
“I smelled124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu7M1DWM6Q
poison in your blood.” Shea said. “If you’ll let me, I’ll rip that boy124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaDnz5zBta
apart for trying to kill you.”
“Leon seemed to124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAkpfzyFqX
have poisoned his weapon sometime before running me through.” Vander explained.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhw6Ee0EOk
“If it was anyone else, they likely would have died.” Vander went to get up124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRm4MaZN5U
from the bed, but Julianna pushed him back down.
“You’re still124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv8P5BYG2I
wounded, you should rest and let me get the soldiers to bring Leon in.” Vander124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoqZuMiBHx
grabbed her hand causing her to flinch. Sighing, he lifted his shirt to show124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdN2eGhMTm
her that the stitches had disappeared, and the wound had closed. Shocked, she124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eCX7MdbiI
gingerly traced her fingers tips over the fresh scar, but he didn’t wince once124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPWdp7bLFn
from discomfort or pain. “How?” she whispered.
“Part of my124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQo6FOgZSY
curse.” He picked her up quickly causing her to let out a small squeak of124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqQ7dWd9AR
surprise. He flipped her around, so she was where he was just lying. They124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JFGpCfPEd
stared at each other for a second before Vander broke eye contact and got up124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡButiHB1yS0
from the bed.
“Curse?” she124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub70fM9omu
asked. “What curse?”
“There’s no way124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi05KmDg31I
you haven’t heard the rumors.” Vander chuckled to himself as he walked into the124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMBNK45T4S
bathroom.
“Of course I124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Mgr48fFDw
heard the rumors.” She said. He heard her feet hit the ground then followed him124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIgAP0aeJd
into the bathroom. He let the water run for a while before removing his clothes124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa4nLsTCEH
and dropping them in a pile. “You have no shame huh?” He looked over his124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpnW4PyVcQ
shoulder to see her eyeing him up and down with a mischievous gleam in her124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVOx2IemAd
eyes.
“The rumors, for124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1t668CFfr
the most part, are true, Julianna.” He said. “No good would come from getting124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGUCkT5Klj
too involved with me.”
“I’m not looking124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksD8Aw7m17
for anything serious.” She shrugged off her night gown. “I have an inn to run,124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6m0capS5L
but I think some thanks is an order and besides,” she looked below his waist.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqqYxzlbPO
“I think you might like to blow off some steam as well.”
“Can’t really124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0WnNK5fSx
argue with that logic.” He shrugged. He stepped aside then held out his hand to124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplK03iPD0q
help her into the tub.
She embraced him,124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLoqRokHNM
placing her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her face. He wrapped124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxtL2gFbQN
his arms around her waist and planted his lips onto hers. Their tongues flicked124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxmZBkx2mN
against one another as she opened her mouth inviting him deeper inside. Suddenly124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0A2YX4bsB
the lust he felt while being near Unna surfaced and he allowed himself to give124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FhPNjI6W1
into his base desires. At first Julianna was surprised, but after a moment she124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZZhDDCUfl
met him thrust for thrust. Their bodies mingled together as the haze overtook124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aW9rfh0QU
them, allowing their instincts to take over.
It was morning124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X4g3xEjjG
before Vander woke. Julianna had already gone, the spot on the bed still warm124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsztZxbND1N
from where she had fallen asleep next to him. His body ached and he spotted124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd7sTXMURA
several new scratches that he would have to do his best to hide lest his124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtIdISVjLw
grandfather see them. He quickly pulled on his shirt, pants, and boots. Before124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtJZzxLULP
he left he put on his jacket then grabbed his sword from the closet.
The bar had been124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4dHSOEeQm
tidied up since last night’s shit show. The tables were back to where they had124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYueQ1vXoue
been and there were no signs of the fight at all, not even the blood that fell124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs7CgUvDuE
from Leon’s arm or Vander’s side. Julianna was behind the bar cleaning dishes. When124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6KxzPspUl
she heard him enter the bottom floor, she looked up, gave him a small smile,124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrGvp2k84S
then went back to her work. He debated about getting something to eat, but he124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGYd5ZptzO
was already late to see his grandfather, so he decided to skip a warm meal and124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdGpnZdlZc
settle for something on the way.
The streets of124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84ifzl5OB8
Eluvia were quiet this early in the morning. The sun hadn’t yet peaked over the124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8YO9RoWrc
horizon, so the streets were still dark, but gradually lightening. The furnace124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkQplcRadO
was on at the bakery a couple of streets over, so he knocked on the window and124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbaD1qyejU
waved one of the workers over. A sweaty man unlocked the door then poked his124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOKgp1s8zq
head out.
“Sorry, we aren’t124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAphHxEOdzK
open yet.” He wiped his forehead.
“I just need a124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAkI0SoZXl
small roll,” Vander reached into his pocket to remove a silver coin. “Would you124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FUgr9BX4R
mind?” The man looked from the coin to Vander then back to the coin.
“Sure, we can124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPuNlROm06
spare a roll for you.” He ducked back inside, making sure to lock the door just124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqPy0izY34
in case Vander tried anything funny. He came a moment later with a hot roll124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn3w9u5qDd
wrapped up in paper. “Here you go.” He held out the roll and the two of them124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjrdl5GwSp
made the trade. It was hot to the touch, it must have just come from the oven,124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEvKC1FXVt
but Vander didn’t mind. He happily handed over the coin and went on his way.
The guards let124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIUYaVYPJV
him pass without issues, though some of them gave him a pitying look which was124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXskmniiKb
a little confusing, but he paid no mind. Bernard was waiting for him at the124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWW1pNlCsY
bottom of the steps leading into the castle with his head bowed.
“Good to see you124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1DjVpINbD
Vander.” Bernard said.
“It hasn’t been124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4Yt9pHO19
long since I was here.” Vander said. “Why are you being so polite?” Bernard124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVb5XAGuzT
straightened up making sure to fix his tie which had become crooked.
“When you didn’t124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WszzlHmNW
show up yesterday we feared the worst.” Bernard explained. “Leon explained that124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9R7hfVraJ
you had attacked him and were wounded when he defended himself. Your124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorOasVhYw4
grandfather was besides himself and Leon’s father wanted to hunt you down and124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuScPF7T24d
make you pay, but Peyton managed to calm him down.”
“Of course, that124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoxz97TdrJ
little bastard would lie about something like that.” Vander clenched his hands.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK9dQ35dpa
“Where is my grandfather? Can I see him?”
“He’s up in his124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7fkTSyo43
office.” Bernard said. “I’m here to bring you to him, but I should warn you.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMzJJjUsGJ
Leon and his father are up there right now as well. Apparently they heard word124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rXLQpya2O
you were coming and decided to wait. I am to take your sword please.” He held124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKxTtMqBHR
out his hand.
“Am I in trouble?” Vander unbuckled his sword and124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlClkOtUU0j
handed it over to the King’s servant.
“Possibly, it124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdj37szgXC
really just depends how convincing you are.” Bernard slung the sword over his124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMl12eu2D1
shoulder then escorted Vander inside.
Along the hall124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8mVcC7DPH
leading towards his grandfather’s room, there were Blades lined up against one124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM022QXt1wR
wall and soldiers against the other. The air was tense as the soldiers did124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDdR2Tx7dy
their best to goad the Blades into attacking them, but it never worked. They124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuLAAfzCp9
fell silent as the two of them walked past, but several soldiers reached for124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7g1Cwp60Y
their weapons as some form of veiled threat against him. The door to his124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKHK4WWPD8
grandfather’s office was flanked by another Captain, Leyta, an older Blade124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10rSjPDv6H
several classes ahead of Vander. Jefferey Jilena was standing next to her on124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX31qLzakOu
the other side of the door.
“Captain.” Leyta124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4JJHo8Cum
nodded. “He’s waiting for you inside.” She opened the door then stepped back.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX0PUVSexI
Vander’s heart hammered in his chest as he stepped through.
“You’re a dead124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn5QVilrIH
man Vander.” Leon said smugly. He was sitting in the chair across from Charles124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGVbahNcbv
with the arm Shea had bitten in a sling. But Vander ignored him to stare at the124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfGn3KGwTy
man who was standing by the window with his arms crossed behind his back.
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“Before we start124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBmxqRWX3V
your removal from the Blades, perhaps you can enlighten us as to why you had124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKIz7WeOIi
your bitch of a dog injure my son.” Viggo Visc, the third most powerful man in124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtFd9C9djF
the country, turned around to face Vander. “Depending on your answer, her life124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRC6tr0ZoH
will be forfeit.”
