Chapter 8
Bernard grumbled in the corner as106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5y593SI3l
he cleaned the vomit from off his shoe. Another servant had been summoned to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMb8maALeh
clean up the mess while Vander was given some water to drink. The rancid smell106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRvr6cTqRM
from the King’s chest hadn’t left his nose and it was making him woozy.
“What happened in here?” Peyton106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pgl8I6ycj
asked. Topal spent some time explaining everything that the two of them had106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWJnRaQnzS
discovered while Vander hugged the bucket.
“So, there were two things put106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwtYkvvryl
together that caused this mess.” Bernard sighed. “Is there anyway to cure him?”
“Doctor.” Vander closed his mouth106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWf3VWy8Pl
to keep the bile from coming out. “I need you to start making the remedy for106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOID04vc0LH
him, please.” He wheezed. “I don’t think I can take much more of the smell.” He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZay3KBcsn
pulled a trash bucket closer to him just in case he needed it.
“I’ve never dealt with his kind of106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Emvat3G06
poison before.” Topal shook his head. “I have no idea how to fix it. You106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO76xC8ur1o
figured it out, do you have any notion?” Vander closed his eyes allowing the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhIhJZFm7z
smell to envelope him. Despite being the Deity of Beasts, Unna’s gifts came106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NCxA89g2k
with another perk. It allowed him to work wonders with poisons and their cures,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiJO4eHMqV
a leftover from how close she is with her aunt, Lyshena.
“We need something to strengthen106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXXEWbsro5
and clear his lungs.” Vander’s voice sounded far away. “Take some wild106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi9guwprVE
cherries, horehound, and mullein, then boil a pot of boiling sea water. All the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqyipIxsdC
King to inhale the vapors until he coughs out all the black goo covering his106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCzHrfKM2P
lungs. To wake him up, you will need to soak him in a tub filled with more salt106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7sJEvdOpT
water and lavender extract. He should recover.” Vander slumped forward then106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dfInWYczD
jerked to the left filling the bucket with more vomit.
“Are you sure?” Bernard asked.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUbzjG6eYY
“That seems like a very simple remedy for something like this.”
“It’s not simple at all.” Topal106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxZSBz3Ib5
shook his head. “I never would have thought to sting these together to cure a106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlHPBhlg0q
poison. I would have looked for a cure all and likely would have flailed around106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkaCFL6OkO
while he died under my care.”
“Are you blessed by Lyshena?”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVDDCqYyST
Bernard asked. He checked over his shoe before grunting in appreciation. He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7zO0nHKGh
might have been a stick in the mud, but he knew how to clean up. “That’s the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7NMwimXic
only way this would make sense.”
“You can’t tell anyone about106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDP5J44o5j
this.” Vander said. He shared a knowing glance with Topal. “He doesn’t want106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSuqdPxqQq
special treatment because of who he is blessed by, I hope you will keep the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqFGTCfkBi
secret.”
“If it helps me save Malcolm’s106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7bDrR4A9X
life, I will keep this secret to the grave.” Topal smiled. “And if Bernard106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULjLiaOlpj
doesn’t, I know how to get rid of a body.” Bernard choked on his saliva,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM6yQPY4TU
coughing until his face turned bright red.
“That’s uncalled for.” He laughed.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iASzKTH0w
“I can keep a secret; you don’t have to worry about me.” There was quick knock106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbCPuMcKsA
before Charles opened the door to slip back inside.
“What did you find out?” Vander106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6JD0IGN50
got up from the table to stand by his grandfather.
“No one has seen the taste tester106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqSTjDOiDt
since the night the King fell ill.” Charles explained. “We should go down to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCJifLDWen
the servants’ quarters and check up on him.”
“I forgot,” Bernard snapped his106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6a9yTZWMx
fingers. “There was a third person with me to visit Malcolm, a new servant.”
“Why didn’t you mention this106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NUhL3dMgt
before?” Peyton turned to the man anger rising in his voice.
“I didn’t think he was important.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bixFRWPPW
Bernard shot back. “I just remembered I left the tea in his hands while I106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUU9TLTo8Q
opened the door. I didn’t think there was enough time for him to slip something106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDBH9ZFL5n
into it, but, thinking back on it, he had it long enough to slip something into106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqAUPj9I5l
it. How much was needed to poison the King?”
“A small amount, any amount.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDr84QQXon
Vander said. “As long as it was ingested at the same time as the ocecrest, it106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauJdgzQ7h1
would have done the trick.”
“Do you know who it was?” Charles106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPYFbP9icv
asked. “The name of the servant?”
“The king likes to meet any new106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4J0BDIyXo
worker to get their story as well as their struggle.” Bernard folded his arms106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdSHEwx3Ux
over his chest. “I believe his name was Nigel. He should be living in the same area106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpTYW9Ea6b
as the tester who is named Ulysses. I will help Topal get the items needed to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXrWuDuRRs
cure the King, you find the people that could be responsible for this.”
“Let’s go, Vander.” Charles went106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mdWg7SkPb
to help Vander up, but he clutched the bucket and emptied the rest of his106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkxJdduo3z
stomach contents inside.
“Get him out of here.” Bernard106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4X49R2qM4b
looked quite green himself, so Charles pulled Vander outside, making sure to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOw6UqhXWI
leave the bucket in the room.
Vander was grateful for the fresh106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJAJA8qMW3
air that being in the hallway brought. He leaned up against the wall breathing106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlYiL0e8Vr
its cool crisp air. Charles looked at him sadly. “I never knew how much this106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAZ9VI3OCa
curse affected you. Seeing you like this just-“
“Don’t worry about it, Gramps.” He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMu8kJDosG
pushed off from the wall then clasped his grandfather’s shoulder. “It has more106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbufjn71Acp
perks than drawbacks. Let’s get going.”
As he walked, the feeling of106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07h5fZfFmt
becoming himself gradually returned. Chanelling the abilities of Unna, no106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9BzbK1KdA
matter how small, always took it out of him, but this was the first time he106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiK6WlT9DA
felt quite so rough afterwards. He was going to have to do something that would106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHytmXdOAu
return the blessing she had given him, but she didn’t accept anything other106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJlZL8AQhK
than sex or a blood sacrifice. He didn’t want to bring Julianna back into this,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblVnYNv3VC
so the only other option was to visit the pits, something he avoided as much as106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o3sKwLG55
possible, but if he didn’t he could lose more than just his mind by ignoring106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqPfEfl7m6
the deities’ needs. It had happened before when he was younger, and it couldn’t106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDJC6wIS1m
happen again.
Charles had told106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwXo64ONZ7
him what had been going on since the past month or so within the Kingdom. Many106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1b8pzGnQ9
of the Blades had been dispatched to the Warden’s to bring them here, which was106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss0bImKa9R
the main reason there were more soldiers guarding the keep recently. The soldiers106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wuIqEpCBJ
were on high alert and were making everyone uncomfortable, but they were doing106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXiDrdjxzL
their job, not willing to risk the wrath of the King if anything went wrong.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXeHuI4NH0
Merchants came from all over to offer their services to the crown ranging from106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEa2gYiW1gO
food to decorations and, in some instances, jewelry for the eventual Queen. A106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIrFKIyKg9
lot of those were centered within the Grand Ballroom.
They arrived at106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6ZUE1QQlL
the Grand Ballroom where many of the servants were stationed for the next few106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRj9QBcxZ8
days as they prepared for the prince and his new bride’s arrival. It appears106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUHgRUdn8N
the kingdom was spared to expense for this extravagant part as everyone of106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6JzWjxzoT
importance from all over the Kingdom was visiting, The walls on the left half106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yaKon4aI4
were being draped in brilliant red and gold banners with Atza’s symbol, the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSAj9NIjN6
lioness with a golden crown on her head. The right half was being draped with106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXgiKrlfHx
cool blue and white banners with Humjir’s symbol, and the Elan family crest, a106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcNo5XZhQR
white dove with an olive crown on its head. The symbolic nature of the marriage106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y3VsnnFOp
between two rival countries wasn’t lost on anyone and they were taking great106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmV98tudb0
care not to offend either deity.
“Where should we106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCy0yZTVqx3
start?” Charles looked around the room with a troubled expression on his face. There106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tT9NARh9S
were too many people to question as they were looking for two people, albeit106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxThVZrZcc
important, but around here, anyone could disappear if they wished it. Vander106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87jEJ5mQ2V
spotted the servant who seemed to be in charge, an older gray-haired woman106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1mbaiwp6u
holding a clipboard, quill, and bottle of ink. There were two other servants106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjFYHAkAuQ
standing next to her ready to carry out her orders.
“We start with106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxjLWQ3Obc
her.” Vander nodded towards his grandfather.
“With Beatrice?”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOsG9GPeIq
Charles frowned. “She is Bernard’s right hand and his sister. If anyone knew106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKbTHMy3qq
where those two are, it would be here. Let’s go talk to her.” The two of them106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIN7kjvFHK
walked over as she started yelling orders:
“Make sure those106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAX0xdi3Fd
banners are crease free,” she snapped. “I won’t have this place looking unkept106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4cSaliXaC
for when the prince and princess arrive.” She turned around to see two female106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx2xo8mQAt
servants leaning up against the wall whispering to each other. “You two, if you106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8ESRHMABp
are done for the day you can go home, and I’ll dock your pay!”
“Sorry ma’am.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0zDvEHCoS
They curtsied then went back to folding their napkins.
“As for you two.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99NUkkYLUx
She didn’t even turn around to greet them. “What can I do for the Blades this106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY5JRVH7qI
morning? As you can see I am quite busy so make this quick.”
“We are looking106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5uzeyPQRC
for two servants and we are wondering if you have seen them around?” She looked106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8q0y9eQn9
up at Vander from under her wire rimmed glasses.
“I’ve seen many106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4PkcsE2pO
servants, be more specific.” She demanded.
“Nigel and106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNU47PBFc7U
Ulysses.” She clicked her tongue, but then quickly scribbled a note then handed106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGLQ6H8Mvc
it over to the servant next to her. “Bring this to the baker quickly. I forgot106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPcfOst5Tw
she needed our order.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdFCko9aj2
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2eUx59qQt
“Yes106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz1QnaLrH3
ma’am.” The servant bowed then scurried away.
“I haven’t seen106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn7hm3WCU4
Ulysses for a couple of weeks, something about being sick.” She explained. “I106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CzFXUeAvZ
sent for the doctor, but there was nothing he could do for him. As for Nigel,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfRGG19w8g
he should be in the kitchen helping the cooks. Why?”
“Thank you.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSszDZ3Msbz
Vander and Charles ran towards the door that would lead downstairs and towards106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUyXrO66mn
the kitchen leaving a confused Beatrice standing behind them.
“Blades.” she106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YuNpOh7ra
muttered. She looked around to see more of her servants standing around, so she106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tOnFzFjLg
walked over towards them.
“Do you think106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMoFmIAVvz
Ulysses is dead?” Charles asked once he knew they were out of ear shot.
“He might not106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0wiRgBAtz
have had enough of the poison to render him comatose, but he could still get106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSNl5bgfsN
deathly ill from it.” Vander explained. “But let’s find Nigel first since he is106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMYMWmuT4A
the one we suspect of the poison.”
“How do you want106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiR1vXaQEs
to handle this?”
“You go in and106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yuZZN26wS
talk to him.” Vander said. “He should be a little intimidated of you and if106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1FVZvdKJt
cornered, he will likely try to run. I will be there to keep him from escaping.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DWidOP6Na
There is no telling what he might do, so be on your guard.”
“I know how to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWripFUQTy
handle myself.” Charles scoffed. “You just worry about yourself.”
The two of them106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNI2LZdJXl
made their way down towards the kitchens which you had to pass through to get106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLemMopKHoN
to the servants’ quarters. There were other ways of getting there, but this was106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlErihKcRF
the most direct way from the King’s quarters. Despite the castle being large,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDmj91OPWA
based on the sheer number of servants required, it wasn’t feasible to give them106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLnFF90N9h
their own room. Often there would be two or sometimes three servants per room106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYF163B9Qi
segregated based on gender, thought nighttime activities between them wasn’t106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9UfEpwJjv
uncommon.
As they made106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxooJmMODMR
their way into the kitchen, the head chef, known because of her oversized hat,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHFx0gA6XF
was looking down at a piece of parchment with a quill in her hands. The others106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcKcCh0tfD
were bustling around her trying not to draw attention to themselves as they106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFI3IxKzZj
worked. It looked as though they were preparing for lunch as several of them106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nBkvKSDO2
were chopping up raw pieces of meat on the counter while others were collecting106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeheBPpUtMq
vegetables to go into a stew. The two of them walked straight through, not even106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBzWTfECJT
bothering to greet the chef as they made their way towards the servant’s area.
As soon as the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcvoXWTrxT
saw the first door, Vander knew they had hit a roadblock. The doors weren’t106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlwg3giB40
labeled or named. They had no way of knowing which room belonged to Nigel or106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv9GRiGqbH
Ulysses. Charles stood there frowning; how did they not know the quarters were106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2YU8Sb1R2
like this? It was a major blunder, but perhaps not all was lost. Vander tried106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU2HUODHAH
each door to see if it was locked. Servants weren’t allowed to lock their doors106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NBYkA30rj
if they were needed, but he figured if one of them needed to hide something,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbcS77b4O4
they wouldn’t leave the door open for all to see. It was a huge gamble, but by106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yyDdDCREZ
the time he got to the last door, it paid off. It was locked and he could smell106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl4lJFPeC3
something rip coming from inside.
“Watch the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7obbySCt8
kitchen for me.” Vander whispered to his grandfather. Charles nodded his head106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wR7344jwo
then used his frame to block the view. Testing the door one more time just to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAILaCj18b
make sure it was locked; Vander shoulder checked the door several times until106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36HO6n1hCG
he heard the latch break. Rubbing his aching shoulder, he kicked the remainder106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRUvlrwLXQ
open until it was hanging sideways. That’s when the full weight of rotting106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEt79efHt7o
human hit him so hard he puked for the fourth time today. Charles heard him and106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tX7vGE5sR
came racing over.
“What in the name106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GvBcZKrWd
of Humjir is this?” Lying on one of the beds was a servant, Vander’s guess was106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ5lSJ6uX4
Ulysses, who didn’t fare as well ingesting the poison because no one was106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnNUGqwUtQ
looking for him. His body had swelled up in death and his face was deep purple.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZ7RlAl6gP
He was shirtless showing off a physique that wasn’t normal for the serving106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcthCrJuKRV
class with scars crisscrossing his body. There still appeared to be evidence106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV3zyWG2MJ
that someone was still living in this room despite the stench due to the empty106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeN6P1SWe5
plate with food that had molded, and clothing rumpled in the corner. How anyone106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmpgoypLVv
could live like this was beyond him.
“Vander go get106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cYLyf6Fiz
someone to seal off this room before you puke over anything else.” Charles106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQwIERw944
ordered. Thankfully for being allowed to leave he did as he was asked. Some of106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFv8u5vwk5
the servants who were on break were crowding the hallway curious to see what106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnAMfZUHxZ
was going on.
“Clear out of the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLBDEM9r8S
way.” Vander shouted. “Someone grab Blades who are walking around and tell them106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeeVTQs6Ny
to come here.” When no one moved, he was forced to use his authority. “Now!” He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFbj6eNAdL
screamed. They scattered to do as they were ordered, but one stayed behind. He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z5lw14cvp
was a tall man, muscular, with brown hair and green eyes. Upon seeing Vander,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yNpWcPbsO
he froze.
“What are you106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPgpbacpzZ
doing down there?” he asked.
“Are you Nigel?”
“What’s it to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukrAysZrmb
you?” he asked.
“As Captain of106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8raGHRNSO
the Blades I am detaining you as a suspect in the murder of Ulysse’s.” he said.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndgcGOZ1w4
“Stay right there.” As a surprise to no one, Nigel bolted back the way he came.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ131JQFKhx0
Cursing to himself, Vander vaulted over the counter to give chase leaving a very106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmCn0gP3YL
irate chef picking up her paper covered in ink.
Nigel was fast.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnaoZG42zt
He raced through the halls, ducking into doorways, and changing directions like106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrs0W7IXTL
some intimately familiar with the castle layout. It was one of the times Vander106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA9ImueKtf
wished he had brought Shea with him despite the risk, but for now he was on his106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDo7DxrEvp
own. He knew that he was faster, but all of today’s activities were beginning106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9xWkslxVF
to take its toll on him. He was feeling weak and sluggish, but he didn’t dare106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH22lwCmRqS
let Nigel get away, not when he held such vital clues. But no one knew the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhNzKr485m
castle better than he did, so once he recognized where Nigel was going, the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOcSqELATw
gardens, Vander took a left up a flight of stairs. It leads to a balcony with106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd3rJDoOpc
open space which would give him the opportunity he needed. Once he saw that he106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXJvaVo9ry
and Nigel were neck and neck, he willed his body forward, borrowing some energy106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKrA5Zn2Zr
from Unna, then launched himself off the balcony and down towards Nigel.
The two of them106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yn7NQl8N8
collided and Vander was sent flying into the garden itself landing on a bush.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjge2dPKew
If it had been the ground he would have been in trouble, but the worst he’d106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2PNBnXpBU
have now was a couple of bruises on his back. He got to his feet then placed106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT08bP4ztLv
his hand on the hilt of his sword. Nigel was groaning out in pain, slowly106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXxbrApBms
trying to get to his, but the hit he had just taken must have taken all the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnetDhpbrbN
fight out of him.
“Alright, I’ll106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSTTgJ6HMt
come with you.” he gasped. Vander hauled him to his feet.
“Why did you have106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vuuhdDEJf
to make this more difficult for yourself?” Vander asked.
“Because they106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurYgnPEiat
will kill me if I talk.” Nigel groaned. Vander shoved him up against the wall.
“Who will?”
“You don’t know106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzh2E9knIA5
them.” Nigel grabbed his arm. “They will kill everyone I love, and they are in106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QTqqozIf8
places of power you could only dream of.” His eyes widened as he stared at106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb2TcZ41R0
someone standing behind them. “No.” Vander turned around, but something whizzed106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SEQuAVkfr
right past his face. He felt something wet hit the side of his face. He turned106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL3DQ8AVyW
around to see Nigel gurgling blood with two knives embedded in his throat. His106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgGM6sRQlW
eyes grew wide as he mouthed the words: Run. He slumped to the ground dead.
“That wasn’t106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf7z7aNq6U
smart.” Vander turned to face the assassin. They were wearing all black and106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz2InHqZy7
their faces were covered. They held two more knives in their hands along with a106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FJeWYBivf
sword strapped to their backs. “Now you’re going to have to answer the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9VAD2hIt6
questions meant for him.” They tilted their heads but gripped the knives106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nwLLkXz3f
tightly. He made the first move. He drew106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjTTKxDpP8
his sword as he charged them. The assassin just brought their knives up to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r2E2gikV5
deflect the shot. Their leg shot out hitting Vander in the knuckles causing him106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaQ3ChSmSy
to yell out in pain then drop his sword.
He didn’t let106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxmwZeraTn
that stop him. He grabbed their wrist to keep one of the knives away from his106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9ZW8Sd7ih
body. Using his strength, he squeezed the wrist until they were forced to let106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xloJ6jyMQ
the knife go, then he brought his shoulder into their chest and threw them over106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLdx31YnWR
his back and onto the ground. However, their feet landed squarely protecting106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbPe4meP8h
them from hitting the cobblestone. In his surprise, Vander didn’t react quick106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6khoQNw7It
enough when they flipped over him then wrapped their legs around his neck then106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxSBVinFkD
began raining elbows on top of his head. He brought his arms up to deflect106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxfxYdSonj
before deciding to charge into the wall. The assassin didn’t let up even as he106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqu53M94Fp
jumped off the wall and landed on the ground. He heard the crack of their back106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pIG4a8Z9l
as they landed, and their legs eased up their assault. Vander coughed and106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkuY1dLY7i
wheezed as he massaged his throat to breathe.
“Enough of this.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HrPEnSLxT
The assassin groaned, but steadily made their way to their feet. They had a106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw30NDs0bP9
soft voice, almost feminine, which confused him. He remembered the voice, but106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4ZF2Sf0hl
he couldn’t tell from where. They drew the sword from their back and held it in106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNugYR35jQ
Vander’s face. “I was supposed to leave you, but you’ve pissed me off enough.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi6AlYsciH
Die.” They lunged at him, but they left an opening for Vander to roll to the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS4uz8MtlP
side to grab his sword. He brought it up just in time to deflect the strike the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAVI9bYR8g
assassin aimed at him. He punched their ribs causing them to stumble sideways.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaTEeKa1y3
He then swept out their legs causing them to again fall on their back.
Two blurs sped106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQuKw6dKV7
out from their hand, and he was barely quick enough to dodge. He could smell106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mtqq8z3H7
the poison emanating from them and he knew those weren’t something he wanted to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkHoHmVn8V
get hit by. They got to their feet, but he could tell that they had been106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbY4oYOSzs
injured.
“Come with me.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzR17OnPTv
He said. “I can protect you.”
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“I don’t need106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBWKAEI1ju
your protection, Blade.” They hissed. “Eluvia has taken everything from me and106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy35AwPuKHC
soon, we will take everything from you.” The removed a small capsule from their106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJdqt3HUXP
pocket and smashed it on the ground. Black smoke erupted from inside causing106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUZVhcBRh2
Vander to violently cough and fall to his knees. He tried to run out of the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRqug1PwJr
smoke, but his legs were leaden. The last thing he saw before passing out was106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe440reJGGa
the assassin jumped into the garden and disappearing from the sight.
