Chapter 17
“Ow, ow, ow!” Vander sat in the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8bFxxYe9V
chair within the medical room while Topal placed topical ointments on his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoqUggFSI3
wounds. He had removed his shirt to allow the doctor to check him over and108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06uWUdxoAD
there were already colorful bruises gathering on his skin. Eliza, who was in108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhj4QZ6bwf
the adjoining room being attended to by Topal’s granddaughter seemed to be in108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8pfglx56i
better spirits. She was laughing the entire time with no sounds of pain.
“She did quite the number on you108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkmGIrtji1
huh?” Topal asked. Vander could see the little smirk gathering on the old man’s108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfJYnMy9mZ
face as he checked him over.
“You know I heal quickly, Topal.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscNG8A3dLj
Vander snorted. “Short of killing me, I’ll be better off sooner than she will.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkNhbZaa4G
So, I’d say we were about even.”
“Don’t forget a lot of the nobles108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdpn9r7Vmg
saw you getting your ass beat, so you better pretend like you’re injured for a108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDUFvnwhjD
while.” Topal slapped Vander’s ribs causing him to sit up hissing between108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qHfpZDp8t
clenched teeth.
“I’ll remember that.” He hissed.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq1OWeJmSn
Vander turned towards the door. He could hear two people coming down the hall108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZXntx36He
towards the room. Based on their scent and how Shea was acting nonchalantly108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZgDM3RCGQ
about it, it was Cuvera and Kiara.
Cuvera didn’t even knock, he just108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFQmaVw0kh
walked in with Kiara coming up behind him. “Damn, you look like shit.” He108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfb1xNNkp9
grinned. “But don’t you think you should put a shirt on.” he frowned. “You’re108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe2V9ZZkAI
making me look bad.”
“Nonsense.” Kiara jabbed his side.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJpxJOvOQw
“He’s the one who just got whooped by Eliza. You could have taken her easily.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSU0JupBAa
She winked at Vander when Cuvera puffed out his chest in pride.
“Damn right I could.” He said,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPDwGdIHsB
slapping her on the ass causing her to squeal then punch his arm. “Go see how108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTiIivquJH
your maid of honor is doing while I talk to Vander for a second.”
“You’re wish is my command.” She108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0KBblauCC
curtsied. Vander told her than Eliza was in the other room then pointed towards108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ7nUtrSuJ
the doorway. She walked through then closed the door behind her, so they108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTxzCem4S1
couldn’t overhear what was being said.
“Doctor, would you mind giving us108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT3VrIB4AR
the room?” Cuvera asked.
“Of course.” Topal clipped his bag108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BJjwgDp6w
shut but left the container of ointment for Vander. “Rub this on your wounds108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYew9Nf7xu
twice a day. They should clear up in a week or two.” Vander thanked the older108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWP7IXPqGL
man and watched as he closed the door.
“What is it you wanted to talk to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDM55AwdSu
me about?” Vander asked. Cuvera sighed then pulled up a seat across from108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLUlOFx7xX
Vander.
“I want you to be my best man for108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds7wep6DYC
the wedding tonight.” He said. Vander stared at his friend a little confused.
“Who else were you considering?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5U264thME9
he asked.
“No one.” Cuvera sighed. “You’ve108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHxRRNvqQb
been with me since the very beginning and despite what the nobles say, you are108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxP7GMkFqR
the closest friend I have. You are the only one I’ve wanted by my side108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdotui9dxI
tonight.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttOYUhhy1o
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgmHAQPZ4o
“Why did it take so long108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkUx04tzhP
for you to ask me?” Vander laughed, but immediately regretted it, holding his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2c5vDvC0n
side in pain. “Have you asked my grandfather to make sure it’s alright I skip108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNPHLJ0BOO
guarding duty tonight?”
“I asked him after you left.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8limpRBPi
Cuvera nodded. “He said it was fine provided you agree. My father will deal108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTMhUoMN2k
with the nobles, I just need you to say yes.”
“Do you have something for me to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjWLkXFIXT
wear?” Vander asked causing Cuvera to break out in a wide grin. “All my108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRc4f11v8W
clothing are for going out on the town or performing my duties as a Blade. I108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLJYzx7SQJ
don’t have anything you would consider,” he waved his hand around. “Appropriate108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2XmYNe2DA
for a wedding.”
“What do you take me for?” Cuvera108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpRrSjTaZe
scoffed. “Come on, this will be fun.”
Thirty minutes later Vander found108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHmToWPruJ
himself in Cuvera’s room standing on a circular stand with three mirrors108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaEEwl5dVH
surrounding him. There was an army of people coming in and out of the room with108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyV3zUQYbQ
a seamstress taking his measurements with a thin tape. She made notes on a108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBANtmScNv
piece of paper then shouted orders to her people.
“Give me the silver fabric.” Opal108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3dmu18tzi
Jayne ordered. Apparently she was of no relation to Topal, but Vander found108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDks4Cjt8rm
that hard to believe. No way multiple people be that bad at naming their108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwL9DDe1vk
children. “Yes, this will match your hair quite nicely.” She muttered to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67aplsHcEo
herself. She snapped her fingers and the helpers brought in some more fabric108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXSu5PUkg2
for her to look at ranging from blues all the way to yellows. She placed the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALhVItGmCq
silver fabric on Vander’s shoulder. She then started to place other fabrics on108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ217cFOZ31o
top until she found a dark blue she liked.
“Is it done?” Cuvera asked.
“I have all the measurements I108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrqOBALcbB
need from him as well as the colors to best match his complexion along with108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X0jbbTmvh
your outfit.” Opal mused. “I never thought I would get the chance to work on108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodf46uPNzz
you, Vander, it will take all of my power to make this work, but I daresay you108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVBMjkqg3l
will like the results.”
“Thank you.” Cuvera smiled. “Get108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2ms4dmcGy
him a few rings and a necklace as well. He doesn’t like spending money on108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdPKTFSiAM
himself, so I get to do it instead.”
“Of course.” She smiled. “I’ll108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS9MXlmbmk
send you my bill. When do you need this by?”
“Tomorrow afternoon.” He said.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0As6oit5ml
Vander looked over at him with a frown.
“I thought the wedding was108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoJU5AdLnj
tonight?” Cuvera and Opal looked at each other then burst out laughing.
“This wouldn’t all be done by108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3w7p3YkDw
tonight dear boy.” Opal wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I have two108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3698hpWuU
dresses to make and your suit. I’ll be up all night making sure everything is108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8B4cKWcYo
ready.”
“I made sure it was okay if I108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBai2NtF5u
postponed it until tomorrow.” Cuvera explained. “If anything, my father was108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CoAXwnAaL
relieved for more time, so he approved it.”
“What am I supposed to do with108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqntJenSIOR
myself now?” Vander groaned.
“Don’t know.” Cuvera shrugged. “Go108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m0Wobb6Pw
for a walk, get drunk, get your dick wet, whatever you want. I’ll see you108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXTa4QuQ2I
later.” He winked then quickly slipped out of the room.
“Jackass.” Vander muttered. He108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT6ozTy6wO
slipped on his clothing, clipped his sword to his belt, then left the room.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9A8skj6qV
Shea had been forced to sit outside so she wasn’t in the way, so she joined108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9oDTKwcTL
him.
“That seemed like fun.” She108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAwTp3M8We
said.
“Well, now we have the night off.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIT8wcEN87
He replied. “What should we do now?”
“I would like to head back if108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xryAXEyU5
you don’t mind.” She said. “I’m tired.”
“You are more than welcome to head108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkL0pCZThMb
back to the bedroom if you want.” He said. “I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Don’t forget you have to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3qYtcSczg
oversee the protection detail around the castle for tomorrow’s wedding.” She108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjKqmGyExb
said. “Perhaps you should focus on that while you have time.”
“Ah shit, I forgot about that.” He108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdGOxxy7jr
groaned. “So much has happened within the past several days that it slipped my108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC9XfrsO0M
mind.”
“Then it’s lucky that my mind is108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrg1QQbtWia
still about me.” Vander turned around to see his grandfather standing behind108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tuercsyrs
them. “How many times have I told you not to talk to Shea where others can hear108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrc2OoSsMmk
you?”
“Sorry, Grandfather.” Vander108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxUmF3fl3V
muttered. Shea licked his hand before walked down the hall and disappearing108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5avkhZ6SiW
into the darkness. “She’s heading back to my room to sleep. She hasn’t been108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsH8q4fO2gg
sleeping well lately.”
“With all the wardens here, I’m108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1MjZ9AnjW
surprised anyone is sleeping.” Charles sighed. “Anyway, do you have a moment to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWZztJaJR7
chat? There are some things I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Of course.” Charles led the way108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Tiql4ZVSN
down the hall and up a flight of stairs towards his office. There were two108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDKmMKttjM
Blades standing at the door whom he dismissed with a flick of his hand. Once108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNLi7LINcM
inside, he poured both a small glass of whiskey.
“Eliza passed.” Charles answered108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3QJ9fjA2O
the unspoken question after he drained his glass and poured himself another108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKem2Bzy4Qr
one. “After the wedding we will initiate her as a Blade Captain with control of108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoVZfolRO8
her own squad.”
“Are you sure about that?” Vander108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNeXUHZfMQ
asked. “There are abound to be plenty who are going to be pissed they got108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iBmuoIq3W
passed for a promotion to someone from Bricen, even if she is qualified.”
“They are able to challenge her108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZWXlX0CNa
for the spot, but based on how she was able to take you down, I doubt the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡButFvXO1ed
others will be able to keep up with her.” He explained.
“Come on gramps,” Vander rolled108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qoTQMsuaB
his eyes. “I was holding back, and you know it.”
“An ass whooping is an ass108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWjtGBqv4Q
whooping Vander.” He laughed. “Plus, I expect she was holding back as well, and108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqXKIH3Gxt
she had just finished running the gauntlet beforehand. I think you would have108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzkSzUvacb
lost if she wasn’t exhausted.”
“You’re supposed to be on my108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknVMI4ov83
side.” He grumbled.
“I’m for whatever makes us108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSwHQ5VVDW
stronger.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “Malcolm told me about what Ross108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4gWebEC1C
had told you when you visited him. While I’m not happy you went there,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPK1GxON1p
especially without telling me, we now have an enemy to focus our efforts on. Was108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQO8rwYkC0T
there anything else he could tell you?”
“There was, but I’d have to fight108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFDv6q8Ojj
in the pits against his champions.” Vander explained. “It’s not something I’m108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaAFV3CAYx
keen on doing, but I will if I need to.”
“That might not be necessary.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfokl3zQcK
Charles was quiet for a moment. “What do you know of Draken? The man Warden108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnMkF90sZw
Valarian always keeps with her?”
“Not much.” Vander admitted. “Just108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08Xyr1gaEl
that he’s a strong fighter.”
“Not just that.” Charles got up108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKsCT1sZrm
from his desk to walk towards one of the bookshelves. He skimmed the shelves108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKdpVRdLQU
for a moment before selecting an old black book with gold trim. He flipped108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RttueLCAR
through the pages until he found the one he wanted then placed it on the table108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpQeTcTEmJ
in front of Vander. It was a picture of Aubum, the deity of mortality and108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjl3f1Hw4aJ
death. One of the children of the Darkness.
Aubum was a mysterious deity. Not108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8izis25FHJ
much was known about him even within the texts of the other deities. Before his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoDB9wFazC
arrival, humans were immortal, but Darkness had created him to rob them of the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbybxxWIEtj
one thing they coveted more than anything, their lives. It was a move to try108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3dV8jWeM7
and weaken her parents and siblings, but it backfired because humans prayed to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW4zlAVN15
the deities even more afterwards. Some believe he did it to weaken his mother,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCIcJ2kS2v
but that was the minority opinion.
Aubum was human in appearance, but108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Qn2VVUmRH
his hair was bright green while his skin was the color of death. He wore white108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Z1areG9Sr
robes with sandaled feet. His weapon of choice was a large scythe, but he used108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13Diepl3oJ
it more to walk with than as a weapon considering how old he truly was.
“Are you telling me that Draken is108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCzfqHiZnp
the Ma’akti of Aubum?” Vander asked. “I thought he stayed out of human affairs108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n5WktTH9c
until their death?”
“It’s something passed down since108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXrq5V2BT8
the Valarian line started.” Charles explained. “Out of everyone in the council,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISSufnJIyI
only the King and I know who he truly is.” There was a slight gust of wind that108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TJ9uGoxoP
wafted around the apartment as the smell of decay appeared in Vander’s nose. In108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WcalfDZuJ
one deft movement, Vander jumped from his seat and drew his sword pointing it108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQLVyQohM6
at one of the darkened corners.
“Good.” A voice hissed from the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhCmVVHACb
shadows. Two bright yellow eyes appeared as a man stepped out from the shadows,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFBExSTlme
but they clung to him as if trying not to let him go. Now that Vander’s eyes108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZuQBo0ISx
could adjust, he realized the man had dark green, scaley skin, and large108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyV947cXgn
canines that jutted past his top lip. He was wearing a long-mottled cape which108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeABtLcrjq
allowed him to blend with the shadows along with leather armor protecting his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKTRTeIcmn
chest. He wore a series of knives on his belt, likely his preferred weapon of108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoIp8powhE
choice.
“Draken, you came.” Charles bowed108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCva1lQlce
his head respectfully. “Would you like a drink?”
“No thanksssss, Commander.” He108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjoLW9Lz6V
hissed. “But why have you asked my missssstressss for me? I wasssss hoping to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjLxTRfL04
enjoy my ssssstay?”
“Can you stop hissing?” Charles108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIR9FvwZVW
asked. “I know you do it just to make people piss their pants, but you don’t108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkWrWFnuf4
have to do it here.”
“Sorry.” Draken laughed. It108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vUV2vsX8w
sounded raspy like he had been smoking for decades, it was likely his throat108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBus0Icox30
wasn’t used to normal speak. “It’s a habit at this point.”
“How did you get in here?” Vander108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnlz6VlVo7
asked.
“Do you expose your secrets to any108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkGIkeDckH
who asked Unna’tun Ma’akti?” Vander stared at him surprised. “Only those with108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfOr9Kf7FE
her abilities can sense me when I’m cloaked considering we are cousins of a108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UTy99Cxdu
sort.”
“I guess that makes sense.” Vander108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE2cWJPg2W
shrugged his shoulder. “This is something I would kill to keep secret if you108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiwJQqRfGh
catch my meaning.”
“Don’t worry.” Draken smiled. “I108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9u1N6AnsMj
won’t tell anyone anything. This is a secret that should stay in the shadows108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y15UCeYRR
with as few as possible. None of us wish for our secrets to be exposed,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7PJ9T1jN7
especially not those in power.”
“Only a select few will know of108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rVGbL2oJQ
this.” Charles explained. “We have sworn on the book of Humjir to keep the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrAPpVNmpZ
identities a secret. If anyone breaks that vow, they will die.”
“I trust you.” Vander sighed. “But108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FYCAOjpEt
onto the question, why is he here?”
“Because I have a job for him.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWod6FYrV7z
Charles explained. “We have someone in our dungeons who knows the location of108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8rjrWF9Oq
whoever tried to kill our King. I want you to pry the information out of my any108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh47Cti4zug
means necessary then track down whoever sent him here. When you find them, I108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcatnqlL7m
want to know about it.”
“And who will protect my Warden108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdI12kMad0
while I do this?” Draken asked.
“We will have our best protecting108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuv9iqXJod6
her.” Charles assured him. “Captain Alexander will take three others to help108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzaqMLeFlU
protect her.”
“Do you trust him?”
“With my life.” Vander answered.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGkBASbBZw
“We’ve been through a lot together. We will protect her with his life if need108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGsLLP8eYX
be.”
“Then very well.” Draken bowed his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSqo1pNHoD
head. “Should I make daily reports?”
“No, only report when you finish.”
“Understood.” With that Draken108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTcBcGe7xI
slunk back into the shadows then disappeared. Vander didn’t speak until he was108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2WTKtoz0L
sure that the man was gone.
“That was something.” He said.
“He’s always been like that, but108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8GoTgNc9K
he gives results and that’s what matters.”
“Will the guards walk in on108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZpEvICldj
anything?” Vander asked.
“I gave the guards the night off.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEw0cAINx8m
Charles sat back down in his chair. “No one will hear the man’s screams. I want108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdvLeY4l7x
to get this done as quickly as possible.”
“Cuvera and I questioned him108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgiBRu7xIn
before, and he swore that they had nothing to do with the King’s poisoning.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45nce7kVdQ
Vander explained.
“You know better than to trust108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8Z5tTjJqI
someone like that Vander, unless you doubt Ross’ word?”
“Ross always has some hidden108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6Df0zH0g7
agenda, but he wouldn’t lie to me.” Vander frowned. “It could be his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqZGC1FkHM
information is wrong.”
“We will see what happens once108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGilXSvAXh
Draken finishes his investigation.” Charles tossed back his whiskey. “His108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtud4zi8bnC
methods are cruel, but we need that now. Any moment we waste is another chance108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5MRDIN70n
they must kill Malcolm.”
“I agree with you.” Vander also108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRFUPujyek
drank the burning liquid which caused him to grimace. He hated the taste, but108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YZfYlkabw
it did relax him. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore gramps.”
“What should we talk about then?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2CdW3Mjwz
Charles grinned. “Would you like to talk about your attraction to Eliza?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66CkRAUIW4
Vander choked on his drink.
“What?” He sputtered. “I don’t108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNy8ewDoawr
like her!”
“So that mild bit of flirting108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugUegeynjW
while you fought this morning was nothing?” Charles asked. “I might be old, but108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZBVplflyD
I’m not dead yet and neither are you. You’d be a fool not to be interested in108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW78HQfdTsc
her.”
“Come on, I barely know her.” He108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4AcWX4FmP
protested. “Besides, she can find someone better.”
“I know Bree dumping you hurt, but108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoyRgmOu90
you can’t close yourself off forever.” His grandfather sighed. “It’s time you108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkFo70wlz3
found someone to settle down with. I’d like to have great-grand children before108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvVYgOmbdB
I die.”
“I’m only twenty, gramps.” Vander108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFkoShqDA5
sighed. “We have plenty of time.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Charles108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fH78Tf8BD
mused. However, he got a sad look in his eyes that Vander couldn’t quite figure108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGz4DQtRK9
out.”
“Is everything alright?” he asked.
“Yes, yes.” Charles waved him off.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQlo135PGa
“I just think she will be a good match for you as well, Vander. Give it some108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HzESRfFlr
thought, but ultimately, it’s up to you.”
“Thank you.” Vander sipped the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5Pm3VXRoa
drink. “It is alright if I sleep? I’ve had a long day.”
“Of course.” Charles smiled. “I108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡci7uxqtOCd
will see you tomorrow.” Vander walked over to the other side of the desk and108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihAjWiynIS
kissed his grandfather on the top of his head. With a small wave he left the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy34wpRy2m0
room.
He decided to take the long way108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLrLT9Of5x
back to his room opting to take a walk along the outer corridor towards the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK23QopsRjb
other gardens. The gardens behind the castle were filled with various bushes108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHhHINdYht
and flower gardens ranging from roses to daffodils. There were pathways that108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGpzLBBPL0
weaved around each garden bed and benches were people sat while they enjoyed108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAuF2TeCVv
themselves. Here nobles were allowed to visit, but with the wedding tomorrow,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjixGzV2J7r
many were resting.
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The full moon was high in the sky108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdHboOlvRK
when Vander sat down on a secluded bench in a corner garden. Despite the chaos108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BXyLlYQVk
that was his life and Unna’s gifts constantly clawing at him, he enjoyed the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86xC0doKt0
quiet serenity that this spot offered him. It was one of the few places he108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe6dj5zw3V
could feel at ease and not have to worry about anyone else. He lay down on the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCR09MmxcGz
bench to stare up at the moon before closing his eyes to rest.
