Chapter 8
Bernard grumbled in the corner as157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEeSxKZz57
he cleaned the vomit from off his shoe. Another servant had been summoned to157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxRRm6jbZH
clean up the mess while Vander was given some water to drink. The rancid smell157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEfUWdTtuM
from the King’s chest hadn’t left his nose and it was making him woozy.
“What happened in here?” Peyton157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK42VDUw3m
asked. Topal spent some time explaining everything that the two of them had157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPw51a6Nzz
discovered while Vander hugged the bucket.
“So, there were two things put157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUENbr7PSx6
together that caused this mess.” Bernard sighed. “Is there anyway to cure him?”
“Doctor.” Vander closed his mouth157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdr3WwNnNZe
to keep the bile from coming out. “I need you to start making the remedy for157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop2v5Oaa21
him, please.” He wheezed. “I don’t think I can take much more of the smell.” He157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2UOs7oBRl
pulled a trash bucket closer to him just in case he needed it.
“I’ve never dealt with his kind of157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW0x1CJTdk
poison before.” Topal shook his head. “I have no idea how to fix it. You157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk4kiga8AG
figured it out, do you have any notion?” Vander closed his eyes allowing the157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj6o10YlMp
smell to envelope him. Despite being the Deity of Beasts, Unna’s gifts came157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEI29lkmyP
with another perk. It allowed him to work wonders with poisons and their cures,157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l0OEh9Qra
a leftover from how close she is with her aunt, Lyshena.
“We need something to strengthen157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpsalbe00A
and clear his lungs.” Vander’s voice sounded far away. “Take some wild157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡho8dlb3pOp
cherries, horehound, and mullein, then boil a pot of boiling sea water. All the157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWe4O4CfbY
King to inhale the vapors until he coughs out all the black goo covering his157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQgG8tPA4s
lungs. To wake him up, you will need to soak him in a tub filled with more salt157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmVlNDHqRf
water and lavender extract. He should recover.” Vander slumped forward then157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN0PUhUVv0
jerked to the left filling the bucket with more vomit.
“Are you sure?” Bernard asked.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6QS2Z7CzK
“That seems like a very simple remedy for something like this.”
“It’s not simple at all.” Topal157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCzdSxIGFS
shook his head. “I never would have thought to sting these together to cure a157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9ZxfT18Pb
poison. I would have looked for a cure all and likely would have flailed around157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxyVD1ZtJP
while he died under my care.”
“Are you blessed by Lyshena?”157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMaVrFnZvm
Bernard asked. He checked over his shoe before grunting in appreciation. He157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZZdT05k7k
might have been a stick in the mud, but he knew how to clean up. “That’s the157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH1hXj0uK8
only way this would make sense.”
“You can’t tell anyone about157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eu6qvMBUE
this.” Vander said. He shared a knowing glance with Topal. “He doesn’t want157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZjhhhOcjD
special treatment because of who he is blessed by, I hope you will keep the157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHjI8VhZZy
secret.”
“If it helps me save Malcolm’s157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT9GmuQlCQ
life, I will keep this secret to the grave.” Topal smiled. “And if Bernard157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fXEqZhXRO
doesn’t, I know how to get rid of a body.” Bernard choked on his saliva,157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYne9bAriq
coughing until his face turned bright red.
“That’s uncalled for.” He laughed.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPI7T6JRAG
“I can keep a secret; you don’t have to worry about me.” There was quick knock157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9pLXUs1re
before Charles opened the door to slip back inside.
“What did you find out?” Vander157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlCRsSKUdT
got up from the table to stand by his grandfather.
“No one has seen the taste tester157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn6POkZDW7
since the night the King fell ill.” Charles explained. “We should go down to157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNWcIPVHyi
the servants’ quarters and check up on him.”
“I forgot,” Bernard snapped his157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcm1qHpueg
fingers. “There was a third person with me to visit Malcolm, a new servant.”
“Why didn’t you mention this157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EscO8jhkG
before?” Peyton turned to the man anger rising in his voice.
“I didn’t think he was important.”157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw52kBIe8LJ
Bernard shot back. “I just remembered I left the tea in his hands while I157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4PTlYDE7O
opened the door. I didn’t think there was enough time for him to slip something157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9KrWlNZS4
into it, but, thinking back on it, he had it long enough to slip something into157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt5hJLNWSY
it. How much was needed to poison the King?”
“A small amount, any amount.”157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsADPrDxtU2
Vander said. “As long as it was ingested at the same time as the ocecrest, it157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMB2joiK8J
would have done the trick.”
“Do you know who it was?” Charles157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeyUxoHAO6
asked. “The name of the servant?”
“The king likes to meet any new157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQokUc6LaaK
worker to get their story as well as their struggle.” Bernard folded his arms157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSv4z15RRI
over his chest. “I believe his name was Nigel. He should be living in the same area157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVIiAjBMab
as the tester who is named Ulysses. I will help Topal get the items needed to157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDTDGBabnv
cure the King, you find the people that could be responsible for this.”
“Let’s go, Vander.” Charles went157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZaMAQfqI1
to help Vander up, but he clutched the bucket and emptied the rest of his157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpInCNU14J8
stomach contents inside.
“Get him out of here.” Bernard157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ382fTe5OkD
looked quite green himself, so Charles pulled Vander outside, making sure to157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAyhhn45wT
leave the bucket in the room.
Vander was grateful for the fresh157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrj0rFY0cN
air that being in the hallway brought. He leaned up against the wall breathing157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5wZO645El
its cool crisp air. Charles looked at him sadly. “I never knew how much this157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPBvyMASfI
curse affected you. Seeing you like this just-“
“Don’t worry about it, Gramps.” He157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRvRB8OJQL
pushed off from the wall then clasped his grandfather’s shoulder. “It has more157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIh4HdVzCh
perks than drawbacks. Let’s get going.”
As he walked, the feeling of157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LAgU7L3yY
becoming himself gradually returned. Chanelling the abilities of Unna, no157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xxIheRMYv
matter how small, always took it out of him, but this was the first time he157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2etb5Twuxa
felt quite so rough afterwards. He was going to have to do something that would157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NrNczocq2
return the blessing she had given him, but she didn’t accept anything other157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmuitPiqj4
than sex or a blood sacrifice. He didn’t want to bring Julianna back into this,157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlf5WE8C8Z
so the only other option was to visit the pits, something he avoided as much as157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUDiCb584m
possible, but if he didn’t he could lose more than just his mind by ignoring157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ltkQ5YuY7
the deities’ needs. It had happened before when he was younger, and it couldn’t157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlpnrEke4L
happen again.
Charles had told157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz65GjX8EfG
him what had been going on since the past month or so within the Kingdom. Many157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2mLikHSnc
of the Blades had been dispatched to the Warden’s to bring them here, which was157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcnmTXQUgx
the main reason there were more soldiers guarding the keep recently. The soldiers157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMci9nppC22
were on high alert and were making everyone uncomfortable, but they were doing157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUEOXk7CtM
their job, not willing to risk the wrath of the King if anything went wrong.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsev0cOJnL8
Merchants came from all over to offer their services to the crown ranging from157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyArmQB2CI
food to decorations and, in some instances, jewelry for the eventual Queen. A157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXSF3oRlbE
lot of those were centered within the Grand Ballroom.
They arrived at157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1tgF3eJxh
the Grand Ballroom where many of the servants were stationed for the next few157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOrq14H3PV
days as they prepared for the prince and his new bride’s arrival. It appears157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD87VBiI38
the kingdom was spared to expense for this extravagant part as everyone of157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN5TxT1uTI
importance from all over the Kingdom was visiting, The walls on the left half157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FQvn7z75a
were being draped in brilliant red and gold banners with Atza’s symbol, the157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPJcBZCQf0
lioness with a golden crown on her head. The right half was being draped with157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyKatukyYU
cool blue and white banners with Humjir’s symbol, and the Elan family crest, a157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGttDqQvSh7
white dove with an olive crown on its head. The symbolic nature of the marriage157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1pe6H8N6f
between two rival countries wasn’t lost on anyone and they were taking great157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoss5gJMI6
care not to offend either deity.
“Where should we157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIVhfn4oBu
start?” Charles looked around the room with a troubled expression on his face. There157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNq7g4ObAw
were too many people to question as they were looking for two people, albeit157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyiWcZRDLl
important, but around here, anyone could disappear if they wished it. Vander157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifZ304CNRt
spotted the servant who seemed to be in charge, an older gray-haired woman157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VAVneHzjY
holding a clipboard, quill, and bottle of ink. There were two other servants157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4ROEJWkIb
standing next to her ready to carry out her orders.
“We start with157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7c9QbpyFq
her.” Vander nodded towards his grandfather.
“With Beatrice?”157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbJxLWM0CR
Charles frowned. “She is Bernard’s right hand and his sister. If anyone knew157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAPulJhaja
where those two are, it would be here. Let’s go talk to her.” The two of them157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8sgdp4odb
walked over as she started yelling orders:
“Make sure those157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJx0IfnvqZ
banners are crease free,” she snapped. “I won’t have this place looking unkept157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU2nJ4pj9H
for when the prince and princess arrive.” She turned around to see two female157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRl23LnOM2
servants leaning up against the wall whispering to each other. “You two, if you157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutfzYBYwEF
are done for the day you can go home, and I’ll dock your pay!”
“Sorry ma’am.”157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXWpyNteqW
They curtsied then went back to folding their napkins.
“As for you two.”157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdisCdlHZE
She didn’t even turn around to greet them. “What can I do for the Blades this157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8biZ3Ggm4P
morning? As you can see I am quite busy so make this quick.”
“We are looking157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEoEHRJg7e
for two servants and we are wondering if you have seen them around?” She looked157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkBymLdgGw
up at Vander from under her wire rimmed glasses.
“I’ve seen many157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2iNmfdMrX
servants, be more specific.” She demanded.
“Nigel and157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyI9EgGPQYt
Ulysses.” She clicked her tongue, but then quickly scribbled a note then handed157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WJI76JgFa
it over to the servant next to her. “Bring this to the baker quickly. I forgot157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpsDNJKVHS
she needed our order.”157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYkGulrshu
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bmqdIVY00
“Yes157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYg5wDRCU3
ma’am.” The servant bowed then scurried away.
“I haven’t seen157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJsZu2wtME
Ulysses for a couple of weeks, something about being sick.” She explained. “I157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIGSt1CY2q
sent for the doctor, but there was nothing he could do for him. As for Nigel,157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PEq11Imrd
he should be in the kitchen helping the cooks. Why?”
“Thank you.”157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUFphFMsI8
Vander and Charles ran towards the door that would lead downstairs and towards157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt7xoaUSMG
the kitchen leaving a confused Beatrice standing behind them.
“Blades.” she157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlWsDAVUgU
muttered. She looked around to see more of her servants standing around, so she157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gniq0JVjy
walked over towards them.
“Do you think157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HggE6sg6F
Ulysses is dead?” Charles asked once he knew they were out of ear shot.
“He might not157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8v9v2bWRco
have had enough of the poison to render him comatose, but he could still get157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL7gV2hfh7
deathly ill from it.” Vander explained. “But let’s find Nigel first since he is157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxat4uXniHl
the one we suspect of the poison.”
“How do you want157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOGZ0DouBL
to handle this?”
“You go in and157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmTu4LPm0n
talk to him.” Vander said. “He should be a little intimidated of you and if157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuqyE6RcOW
cornered, he will likely try to run. I will be there to keep him from escaping.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxr2J1fZtUt
There is no telling what he might do, so be on your guard.”
“I know how to157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISeOeSenVd
handle myself.” Charles scoffed. “You just worry about yourself.”
The two of them157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1Wa7erOq3
made their way down towards the kitchens which you had to pass through to get157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4Tze1IgKS
to the servants’ quarters. There were other ways of getting there, but this was157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwgSDEiBku
the most direct way from the King’s quarters. Despite the castle being large,157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC59VtWaaKI
based on the sheer number of servants required, it wasn’t feasible to give them157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6icyzhk5SL
their own room. Often there would be two or sometimes three servants per room157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqThh3aqpr1
segregated based on gender, thought nighttime activities between them wasn’t157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZBN2iMOfq
uncommon.
As they made157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKtaug3wnr
their way into the kitchen, the head chef, known because of her oversized hat,157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NBNRuTsCr
was looking down at a piece of parchment with a quill in her hands. The others157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDQ504VqHp
were bustling around her trying not to draw attention to themselves as they157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqo7wVYt2g
worked. It looked as though they were preparing for lunch as several of them157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UlpDeFey8
were chopping up raw pieces of meat on the counter while others were collecting157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcxKr3OrQT
vegetables to go into a stew. The two of them walked straight through, not even157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ279mKSUfZS
bothering to greet the chef as they made their way towards the servant’s area.
As soon as the157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGVh6Dt0sq
saw the first door, Vander knew they had hit a roadblock. The doors weren’t157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ae69yayrX
labeled or named. They had no way of knowing which room belonged to Nigel or157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbox9wZf23w
Ulysses. Charles stood there frowning; how did they not know the quarters were157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0K2OIWAIp
like this? It was a major blunder, but perhaps not all was lost. Vander tried157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgssTKg0W5
each door to see if it was locked. Servants weren’t allowed to lock their doors157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOXmYxQf38
if they were needed, but he figured if one of them needed to hide something,157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV97oN09484
they wouldn’t leave the door open for all to see. It was a huge gamble, but by157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eZnqd6gL7
the time he got to the last door, it paid off. It was locked and he could smell157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf9y2Mbad6
something rip coming from inside.
“Watch the157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl42UjqDTUf
kitchen for me.” Vander whispered to his grandfather. Charles nodded his head157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZLupKDyhi
then used his frame to block the view. Testing the door one more time just to157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspYhrr2fQI
make sure it was locked; Vander shoulder checked the door several times until157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tig7gy7b4
he heard the latch break. Rubbing his aching shoulder, he kicked the remainder157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgpFXrRgiX
open until it was hanging sideways. That’s when the full weight of rotting157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMN86L77BM
human hit him so hard he puked for the fourth time today. Charles heard him and157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NsUaVqJMU
came racing over.
“What in the name157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacOTkX72pe
of Humjir is this?” Lying on one of the beds was a servant, Vander’s guess was157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87nLunFDUR
Ulysses, who didn’t fare as well ingesting the poison because no one was157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nKwQYY4Pt
looking for him. His body had swelled up in death and his face was deep purple.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0bAlphg8b
He was shirtless showing off a physique that wasn’t normal for the serving157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69FV9sQJog
class with scars crisscrossing his body. There still appeared to be evidence157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIlTVxCGrM
that someone was still living in this room despite the stench due to the empty157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx92XjkWZH7
plate with food that had molded, and clothing rumpled in the corner. How anyone157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95fjqp0Dfq
could live like this was beyond him.
“Vander go get157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLU1Klitwv
someone to seal off this room before you puke over anything else.” Charles157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTYdgbV3jd
ordered. Thankfully for being allowed to leave he did as he was asked. Some of157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDele5ukco
the servants who were on break were crowding the hallway curious to see what157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8ACfpU6dF
was going on.
“Clear out of the157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VxeqKvA99
way.” Vander shouted. “Someone grab Blades who are walking around and tell them157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwsZPKOGcT
to come here.” When no one moved, he was forced to use his authority. “Now!” He157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU258UCUtUW
screamed. They scattered to do as they were ordered, but one stayed behind. He157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJdU56NsHM
was a tall man, muscular, with brown hair and green eyes. Upon seeing Vander,157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjjsqG5Pb5
he froze.
“What are you157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMY8QEd08a
doing down there?” he asked.
“Are you Nigel?”
“What’s it to157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxyYZHIKQx
you?” he asked.
“As Captain of157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5h0wki4aP
the Blades I am detaining you as a suspect in the murder of Ulysse’s.” he said.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mGGmkMixi
“Stay right there.” As a surprise to no one, Nigel bolted back the way he came.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdq6MCJXm2M
Cursing to himself, Vander vaulted over the counter to give chase leaving a very157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMu8ZoP4Y0
irate chef picking up her paper covered in ink.
Nigel was fast.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw0Wx72jWy
He raced through the halls, ducking into doorways, and changing directions like157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XcB8h62Xe
some intimately familiar with the castle layout. It was one of the times Vander157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypD5k1f3Qt
wished he had brought Shea with him despite the risk, but for now he was on his157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2HeisaA7R
own. He knew that he was faster, but all of today’s activities were beginning157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUpH9djo1l
to take its toll on him. He was feeling weak and sluggish, but he didn’t dare157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjvdncHxKv
let Nigel get away, not when he held such vital clues. But no one knew the157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVuf5zavGl
castle better than he did, so once he recognized where Nigel was going, the157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucNlJ5J6D8
gardens, Vander took a left up a flight of stairs. It leads to a balcony with157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjeGRkWLfW
open space which would give him the opportunity he needed. Once he saw that he157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SYk8jAeoy
and Nigel were neck and neck, he willed his body forward, borrowing some energy157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpNyyGal7a
from Unna, then launched himself off the balcony and down towards Nigel.
The two of them157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3aIQJJ7Qe
collided and Vander was sent flying into the garden itself landing on a bush.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jdUfx9FKZ
If it had been the ground he would have been in trouble, but the worst he’d157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOMHiFHiaj
have now was a couple of bruises on his back. He got to his feet then placed157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6VXhEHJbd
his hand on the hilt of his sword. Nigel was groaning out in pain, slowly157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkcdy5XIZN
trying to get to his, but the hit he had just taken must have taken all the157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnrUIQtFcL
fight out of him.
“Alright, I’ll157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQV0UrU7o6
come with you.” he gasped. Vander hauled him to his feet.
“Why did you have157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbHtoePi2Y
to make this more difficult for yourself?” Vander asked.
“Because they157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sm5MPrf4Q
will kill me if I talk.” Nigel groaned. Vander shoved him up against the wall.
“Who will?”
“You don’t know157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3V3hJk5iV
them.” Nigel grabbed his arm. “They will kill everyone I love, and they are in157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ltQqF1HuU
places of power you could only dream of.” His eyes widened as he stared at157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdwfROUAQW
someone standing behind them. “No.” Vander turned around, but something whizzed157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDoQXP97hT
right past his face. He felt something wet hit the side of his face. He turned157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo8lhk1HDr
around to see Nigel gurgling blood with two knives embedded in his throat. His157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqCPFJP9C4
eyes grew wide as he mouthed the words: Run. He slumped to the ground dead.
“That wasn’t157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmITy7o1T3A
smart.” Vander turned to face the assassin. They were wearing all black and157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wHZffGFiX
their faces were covered. They held two more knives in their hands along with a157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JSTFr6Odd
sword strapped to their backs. “Now you’re going to have to answer the157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v38sibwae
questions meant for him.” They tilted their heads but gripped the knives157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JNqWXGEXY
tightly. He made the first move. He drew157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfB1jwv5bl
his sword as he charged them. The assassin just brought their knives up to157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLzLhzYVm0
deflect the shot. Their leg shot out hitting Vander in the knuckles causing him157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYCbcmhyAJ
to yell out in pain then drop his sword.
He didn’t let157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTq2WsZ3wC
that stop him. He grabbed their wrist to keep one of the knives away from his157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoS5gy49of
body. Using his strength, he squeezed the wrist until they were forced to let157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5oxC2X4R8
the knife go, then he brought his shoulder into their chest and threw them over157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XbyOvfdbw
his back and onto the ground. However, their feet landed squarely protecting157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknAAEqtjWN
them from hitting the cobblestone. In his surprise, Vander didn’t react quick157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTYZaKWRRa
enough when they flipped over him then wrapped their legs around his neck then157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7kEAY3qgx
began raining elbows on top of his head. He brought his arms up to deflect157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq63hl4wEV
before deciding to charge into the wall. The assassin didn’t let up even as he157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc1npoNzIZ
jumped off the wall and landed on the ground. He heard the crack of their back157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8lfbWo09w
as they landed, and their legs eased up their assault. Vander coughed and157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv43f31DZXb
wheezed as he massaged his throat to breathe.
“Enough of this.”157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHEYr8Zlnj
The assassin groaned, but steadily made their way to their feet. They had a157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMqOY9rI1A
soft voice, almost feminine, which confused him. He remembered the voice, but157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4h0mwxGk6
he couldn’t tell from where. They drew the sword from their back and held it in157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9nRYsdgAJ
Vander’s face. “I was supposed to leave you, but you’ve pissed me off enough.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZyfHkLY7C
Die.” They lunged at him, but they left an opening for Vander to roll to the157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRl2VyQOC1
side to grab his sword. He brought it up just in time to deflect the strike the157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeN1tAYrPQl
assassin aimed at him. He punched their ribs causing them to stumble sideways.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbnAtUgcWu
He then swept out their legs causing them to again fall on their back.
Two blurs sped157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lhVhA01ym
out from their hand, and he was barely quick enough to dodge. He could smell157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97u8MUWdND
the poison emanating from them and he knew those weren’t something he wanted to157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOk6a7A6iv
get hit by. They got to their feet, but he could tell that they had been157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTKftwtplE
injured.
“Come with me.”157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2qo2WVDTl
He said. “I can protect you.”
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“I don’t need157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDlNqhhTa3
your protection, Blade.” They hissed. “Eluvia has taken everything from me and157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd3NDSNeDD
soon, we will take everything from you.” The removed a small capsule from their157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5A3PevrFe
pocket and smashed it on the ground. Black smoke erupted from inside causing157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kQ3ZlZY24
Vander to violently cough and fall to his knees. He tried to run out of the157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEF9QLZJic
smoke, but his legs were leaden. The last thing he saw before passing out was157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3Ew45lIqC
the assassin jumped into the garden and disappearing from the sight.
