150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BRBcBxgQO
Springtime came early for those living on the outskirts of the city. It had been a mild winter which was a150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkRK18XBKY
rarity these days, but the citizens weren’t complaining. They still had piles150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rpA0GCoQR
of firewood to save for the next year and they didn’t have to deal with their150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mVSR7lrmX
livestock’s deaths. They walked to work with a happy step and a jaunty tune.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcQVzGEEbG
They skirted the forest entirely for only fools went in there. Fools and150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7DtbOO3wW
Blades.
In the center of the forest, hidden from many unless you knew where to look, was a compound surrounded by150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02HeLIBkur
massive wooden walls blemished from years of weather damage. Before it had been150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Gqvi1Yb90
a stronghold where the King’s elite soldiers and guards trained, but now it was150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxe49jGRx0
a relic of times long past. No one had used it for five years since the150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz81WSTIU23
incident, but now it was once again alive with the sounds of clashing swords150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuKWtJMiH7
and unhappy trainees.
For the past six months the newest class of incoming Blades lived, learned, and trained within these walls.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdnxARP0kL
Becoming a Blade wasn’t an easy task. Many didn’t survive the year, some died150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBUIAofi3U
while others dropped out because it was too difficult. From there their either150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtCRgHfbOH
went back home with their heads hung low, or they joined the army and swelled150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLneTvlxVIZ
the ranks of the worlds greatest military might.
Inside the singleton building, all the way in the room closest to the training ground, a man sat at his desk looking150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlIkXWUbZj
at a letter that had just arrived via carrier pigeon from the city. The pigeon150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC14I9Ruxbt
had flown off to rest in the hut on top of the building leaving the man to look150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJMRJq4Mdx
it over.
Vander, a Blade captain who oversaw150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJq9YwbjTMk
this year’s recruits, stared at the official seal of the Blades on the back of150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF5XeFHss5
the letter. It was addressed to him.
Vander was in his twenty-fifth year of life and his eighth year as a Blade. He had been promoted to Captain a150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78MEEtT8s7
year or so earlier before he left the city to come here for training. Unlike150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WLCPHQH6L
other Eluvian’s, his hair was pure white, the color of snow. His light green150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzNPfpWUZH
eyes, tired of staring at the letter, turned his head to investigate the150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RnWYJfC0m
training grounds where his charges were training with the other Blade,150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDmHcPvQAM
Alexander, who instructed them in hand-to-hand combat.
Alexander was a giant of a man standing well over six feet tall. His shoulders were broad, his arms the size150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyij0Rp3d7
of Vander’s head. Despite his size he was very nimble and scrappy in a fight.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdHPBUCi0M
He was the perfect person to teach them how to fight using their bodies. Today,150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKbvMIoAdP
despite the cool chill in the air, he wore a black tank top, black cargo pants,150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZMTW5CWoE
and military grade boots. He could hear the man shouting at them, but he150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl9piHGo75
couldn’t tell what it was. Sighing, Vander turned back to the letter150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor1WnX0tNF
suppressing a shiver.
Only one person could have sent this letter. His grandfather, Charles, was the only person who knew where he150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdAGhq6kz1
was and had access to the seal. Whatever was in the letter, it wasn’t good.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujrqhD7vlQ
Despite once being close, after the incident several years ago, they two of150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEKpquqGEx
them had barely said a word to each other. The way his only living family150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEB6EZEGTE
member had turned his back on him stung, but he stuck around because this was150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExRVz2OEcH
the only life he knew.
He turned to look at his bed where a massive white wolf stared at him with concern in her eyes. Shea tilted her head150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhm1RO8FS0
slightly to the right. Deciding that she was right, Vander put the letter down150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvZYHuhv3n
convincing himself that it could wait until later. He grabbed his jacket from150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTToREzqz4M
the back of the chair and walked out of the room leaving the door open long150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfiswnc8m0
enough for Shea to snake her way through the opening.
He put the jacket on to protect himself against the cool springtime air as he left the building. The jacket was150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15uvMCUtUK
a status symbol that marked him as one of the Blades, Eluvia’s elite soldiers150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3agPh3u066
whose main job these days was to protect the royal family, the Elan’s, who150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP6GLw9TpA
ruled all of Eluvia. It was teal colored with two black bands going down the150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTkFFSeAZ7
front and along the bottom trim. It came down all the way to his knees and150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0okadEEcT
there was a small slit where the hilt of his sword could poke out when he150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4hKXCkBjX
decided to wear it. There was a red arm band attached to the left side marking150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9yBvRDACF
his rank as Captain. His black boots crushed the blades of grass under foot as150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhefayIycxM
he walked towards Alex. Shea trotted off towards a tree so she could rest in150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaaMmSDCyg
the shade as her master did his duties.
Alex acknowledged him with a slight nod of his head, but he soon turned back to watch the trainees practice150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ4MOaJmlz
their wrestling moves on one another. They were practicing pins, which wasn’t150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiwEieXO7x
useful in fighting for one’s life, but when it came down to capturing suspects150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjX59enJcd
or criminals, it would become very helpful to learn. It would also help them150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QpBtXZHav
use muscle groups they didn’t normally use it their training.
“How’s everything coming?” Vander asked. He stood with his hands held behind his back, his eyes or demeanor150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhAzEnJzGe
giving nothing away.
“We are lucky we have six more months to get them ready.” Alex grunted. His critical eyes gazed over the pairs150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNvwFu8zTi
with irritation. “They have come a long way since we’ve first come here, but150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSymoVPgDI
their progress is still slower than I would like.”
Vander watched as the siblings Rooster and Chicken squared off against each other. Rooster was bigger and150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡful8u4Af0m
stronger than his sister, but she was quick moving. Several times she was able150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkrdWPs60k
to take his back and get him to tap out before he could even get her in a150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29aeYORKtP
headlock where his size would have the advantage.
He wasn’t quite sure where the two of them had come from before making their way to Eluvia, but they were both dead150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsz0WvCUIV
set on becoming Blades. Chicken was younger than they would have liked as they150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ070h3fZvDe
only accepted those between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, but her150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48MzRC3ulN
determination to join coupled with the fact that her brother wouldn’t leave her150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LoL6asAm4
behind convinced him to take a chance with her. It appears it was starting to150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Yj7bnBLNj
pay off.
“Alright,” Vander shouted. “That’s enough. You can rest for now.” Upon hearing his voice, the five of them relaxed150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSadrcJ9PN
and slumped to the ground. Rooster lay down facing the sky. He was breathing150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIugwsytpC
heavily, and his face was a bright red, likely from both exhaustion and150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58pHkDdn6t
embarrassment. His orange hair was plastered to his face clung there with150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2bANc7Og6
sweat. His sister’s hair was a lighter shade of orange, but more freckles150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHlV8af8vr
dotted her face that his. She clapped him on the shoulder when she sat next to150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hKJXRlXfd
him.
The other three also sat down, but they kept their gaze focused on him. Eve, the defacto leader of the group, sat150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIlXAl7r9J
in front of them with her steel gray eyes locked on his. She was breathing150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9rWmdrqs6
lightly after her practice as if she could have gone on for hours more while150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr5RBzwjCX
the rest could barely stand. Her dark black hair was tied back in a ponytail.
Briar and Forest, he was unsure if they were siblings or not, sat next to each other their faces unreadable. They150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSuC54aRUw
were both clearly exhausted, they had been paired up with Eve after all, but150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1NIw4EYNv
their eyes hungered for more. Briar, the female, had light brown hair and brown150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrx5HBqBFT
eyes. She was a stand your ground kind of fighter. She didn’t care who she was150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKH05QAn2j
up against, she would throw hands with anyone who looked at her funny.
Forest was her opposite. He wore his blonde hair sheared short; his blue eyes always looked for a way to take his150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5GF0HKaFS
opponent off guard. He wasn’t above throwing dirty shots or tossing dirt at150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8MNSmoYS4
your face. He did whatever it took to win, even if many believed his tactics150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXp45gp0ib
were disgraceful.
Each of them wore black pants and a black tank top. They were given jackets, not as nice as full Blades, but150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Y8LPo9Mau
functional. They had to earn the privilege of wearing them which would only150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFPONbCmbo
happen once they proved themselves worth. In the meantime, their jackets were150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKQ6BYGiBF
shit brown with green arm bands on the left arm marking their status as150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpT2jssoJR0
recruits. Instead of swords, they were given lumps of iron that were the same150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sHSyDPKbs
length and shape, but twice as heavy. They would earn the swords once they150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIl9B0w2DD
became full Blades.
“At this point in time you are the halfway mark of your training.” Vander waited for their cheers to die down150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP64SvMilv8
before continuing. “However, Alex is not happy with your progress. What should150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQhCSgNdQC
we do to see if he is right?” Chicken and Forest hung their heads, but Eve150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL45r93M6x2
fired back with an answer.
“How about we fight him?” she suggested. “All we’ve done is fight each other while he sits on the sidelines150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgs131ttYJ
judging us. Let us prove ourselves.” The others perked up at the idea. While he150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqqFwv3fvb
didn’t show it, Vander was happy with her proposal.
“What do you think?” He turned towards his friend. If Alex was surprised, he didn’t show it. It was how their group150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMNHOMiOJ3
decided to prove to their mentor they were ready. They were beaten quickly, but150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOnbpepyFE
if anything, that made their passions burn hotter. It was a good lesson for150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Rkq41S0yh
them, and it would be a good lesson for these recruits as well.
“I’m down, but don’t come crying to me when you lose.” Alex growled.
“I have a better idea though.” Vander removed his jacket before handing it to Alex. “How about the five of you fight150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLynCjVDnN
me? I want to see how much you all have improved.”
“Do we get something if we win?” Briar asked. “Otherwise, it won’t be fun for us. I’d rather get beaten up trying to150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfR4dqPhht
get something than nothing at all.”
“Do the rest of you agree?” They all looked at each other then nodded their heads. Vander thought for a moment150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhMOF6kpUw
before an idea popped into his head. “How about this: If anyone one of you150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTbQM6GYE1
manage to beat me, I will treat you to dinner when we get back to the city,150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5tA0a9fcU
which will include drinks.”
“Aw yeah!” They got their feet and cheered. The food in Eluvia was much better than the food they had out here.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wzFPWoS4b
The fact they wouldn’t have to pay was just a bonus.
“Settle down!” Vander shouted over them. “If you want a wager, there must be something in it for me as well. If I beat you, you will go150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLO5G7Xf2H2
for a run in the forest with twenty pounds added to your packs.”
“Anything but that.” Rooster groaned.
“Come on,” Vander grinned. “Out of all the things I could ask you to do, a run through the woods is small by150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaIEeUXTxK
comparison.” The muttered to each other before finally relenting. The hope of a150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YGhRNAyWA
solid meal on top of booze was enough for them to agree to the wager. What they150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdF9f8cMqHi
didn’t know was that Vander was going to treat them anyway, but it wouldn’t be150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW0ACs58rj
good to tell them that now.
“Mind if I go first?” Rooster got up from his spot on the ground and went to stand in front of his mentor.
“What would you like to fight with?” Vander asked. “Swords, knives, fists? Take your pick, whatever you want.”
“Swords please.” Vander nodded to Alex who walked towards the fence where their weapons were hanging up. They didn’t150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEPEJxTP9b
use normal weapons while sparring. Instead, they used weighted steal. The150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp2Sp9uX0x
approximate dimensions were the same, but the weight was doubled, and the edges150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVxUEK6l5F
were blunt. This way there would be no real injuries during practice, but they150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8ZaO0Wvd5
could still build muscle and train how to use them.
Alex handed one of the swords to Vander before crossing the field to hand the second to Rooster. He stood in150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdArfvfWif
between them, off on the side, and raised his hand. “Begin!” He shouted.
Rooster being the plucky little kid he was, launched himself forward swinging the lump of metal aiming for Vander’s150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdGL9pVQuA
face. Vander brought his own weapons up, the clanging in his ear caused him to150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tIbGhcr9p
go deaf for a second. Using the kid’s momentum, Vander tripped him as he went150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJyYmCpIKe
past and cuffed him upside the head. Angrily, he righted himself and swung for150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04HdZ0CrJP
Vander’s ribs. He blocked the strike again using more force than was necessary.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjg7SjFvNw
While Rooster was off balance, Vander tapped him three times: once on the arm,150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVlJQXfoFN
once on the leg and once in the ribs. Rooster dropped to one knee his face150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vn32ybIFN
flushed with anger.
“Swings are wide, and you rush in when you should be a little more cautious.” Vander said. He held out his hand which150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRuVymefY9
the young man took after a couple seconds. “With a little more practice, you’ll150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYFV6gP4X1
make a good swordsman. Now grab your weights and sit with the others.” Grumbling,150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpFQrrUWh4
he stalked over to where the weights were, grabbed a couple, and went back to150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5dzD3k4ea
his spot on the ground.
Chicken shook her head which didn’t really surprise him. She wasn’t much of a fighter preferring the safety of150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH7AYGdkJM
books and paper. They could always use more administrators within the Blades,150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF5tj5fbah
but she still had to learn to defend herself. She walked over to grab her own150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdID0pp7dn
weights and sat down next to her brother.
“Do you mind if we come at you together?” Briar and Forest asked. That was surprise to him as he didn’t think150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyl9NWXSSo
the two of them ever got along, at least not while he was paying attention.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi21WD8XL1v
Perhaps they would surprise him so he would allow it this time.
“What weapons would you like to use?” The two of them looked at each other before nodding.
“Bare hands.” A surprise, but not an unwelcome one. Vander stripped off his jacket and tossed it to Alexander. The150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbgI6OjamD
cool breeze felt good on his bare arms. He stretched a little bit while keeping150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUKX4moBi3
an eye on his two challengers. If they were nervous, they did their best not to150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqC80HhoUt
show it. However, he could see their fists clenching in anticipation. He stood150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2YOpPw4aM
at attention then smiled.
“Whenever you’re ready.” Forest and Briar raced off in opposite directions trying to get him in a pincer movement. While he was focused on one, the other could take his back and grapple him before he had a chance to defend himself. So, he did what anyone in his position would do, he struck first. He went after Forest because he was the strongest of the two. He must not have expected the attacked because he barely had time to defending himself from the punch Vander threw at him. Forest blocked directing the strike away, but it clipped his ear. He stumbled sideways clutching the side of his head. Vander grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him in front as Briar came in with own punch. She collided with Forest and knocked him to the ground.
“I’m so sorry.” Briar gasped. She held her hand to her mouth as she watched Forest struggle to his feet.
“You shouldn’t take your eyes off your opponent.” Vander whispered in her ear. She spun around to hit him but was too150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC41HuPFj8d
slow. He punched in the stomach causing her to double over in pain. Then he150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7drcCgi59z
finished her with a punch to the jaw knocking her to the ground.
“Briar!” Forest struggled to his feet. Vander kicked him in the ribs knocking him back down.
“If they two of you are going to be worried about each other during a fight, you leave yourselves open.” Vander150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrAhIc8p7J
explained. “Trust the person watching your back or you’ll both just get in each150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8Bup2bwjt
other’s way. Next time come at me one at a time so I can gauge your true150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jt1rHq79Y
skills. Now get your weights and join the others.” Forest and Briar helped each150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA37RCrYxU
other over to the rack before collapsing on the ground. The injuries they150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdaQWTDCny
sustained would last a few days. It would be a painful lesson for them.
“This makes it my turn.” Eve got up from the ground and brushed off her pants. She walked over to the rack then150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TLLraIsAN
picked out two daggers to use. The daggers were her go-to weapon of choice.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9rX0DxxyB
There wasn’t a day that passed where she didn’t practice with them. She twirled150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnofqLY3Om
them around in between her fingers and clasped one in an over handgrip and the150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvhLNwBw7y
other in an underhand grip.
“Would you like me to use daggers as well?” Vander asked.
“Use whatever makes you comfortable.” She shrugged. He rolled his shoulders and motioned for her to come at him. She150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5iyVol2OW
didn’t hesitate to rise to the challenge.
The fight was quick and brutal. She was quick with the slashes, but as they were lumps of metal, they didn’t really150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtC0N26iBNF
draw too much blood, but even if they were, the cuts would have been shallow at150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFl1rkSf4U
best. The best way to deal with someone using daggers to fight is by guiding150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ158uODlA0h
their weapons away from the body using a towel or anything to keep the edge150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmZnIGEkrf
away. Daggers, like fists, were an intimate way to try and kill someone.
As Eve stabbed down with a dagger, Vander brought his arm up to block the strike. At the same time, she stabbed up150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4DA0n53Oh
with the second trying to get him in the stomach. He grabbed her wrist with his150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAbcoJxNva
second hand. As the two of them struggled, she brought her knee up to try and150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gwqetfFw5
weaken him, but he blocked with his leg. The impact jarred him, but not enough150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1qxpNoE5A
to weaken his grasp. He snaked his hand around her wrist and squeezed. He150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaizJKUffnE
twisted her arms together until she screamed and dropped both weapons. She150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDABvEz32T5
brought her head back then slammed it into Vander’s face.
He felt his nose crunch under the blood. He stumbled backwards clutching his hand over his gushing nose. Between150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER3CGMLGux
the tears, he saw Eve scoop up her daggers and charge at him. He reached for150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Y9GebKMvz
his sword, but it wasn’t there. He had forgotten he didn’t take it with him150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGpEHjfLeZ
when he left his room. With a cry off annoyance, he bent down and grabbed Eve150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2bWbxQvly
around the waist knocking the air from her lungs. Using the weight of his body,150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBnKc0p7S1
he slammed her down onto the ground. The daggers flew from her grasp. He150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bJhfXGa9W
grabbed both wrists then pinned them above her head. She thrashed on the150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tEgQrNVQ9
ground, but he was heavier and stronger than she was.
“I yield.” She gasped. Vander got up off her and took the handkerchief Alex offered him to staunch his bleeding150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFSczHUw2Z
nose.
“Clean yourself off and get to your run.” His voice sounded bubbly due to holding his nose, but the recruits knew150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXnWJ4JUDJ
not to disobey him. He watched as they got to their feet and within a few150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2h1iMcUt9
minutes they were gone.
“She almost had you.” Alex grabbed Vander’s shoulder. “Are you alright.” He wiped his nose then shot a wad of150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTguL3hxJA
blood out onto the grass.
“I’m lucky I have more experience with these kinds of fights.” He explained. “In a few more years she would have150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHQ3LqRzp4
caused me problems.”
“We good crop, but I’m worried about them. Rooster is strong, but is worried about his sister, Chicken doesn’t care150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmz328rv9lq
about fighting and Forest and Briar are more worried about each other than150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBEk7ZBs2r
fighting.” Alex explained. “It’s a mess.”
“Eve is the strongest of the group, but I’ve seen the way she looks at them. Seems she thinks they are dead weight.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5yywl3JPP
We need to bring them together.” Vander sighed. “We can come up with something150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvrMSKJIXu
later, I need to wash up and get the blood off my face.” He turned towards the150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI3O9buJ4v
slumbering wolf. He let out a low whistle. A few seconds later she sleepily150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryRPDuavFO
perked her head up. “Watch them.” She gave him a toothy yawn but rolled to her150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EYlSxxnuG
feet before trotting after the recruits.
“I’ll get lunch ready.” The two of them went their separate ways.
After Vander washed his face and changed his clothes, he sat down in his chair willing himself to relax. In the150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSKYBrHdqE
short time they had been here the group had become closer, but to their150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RM4phsL9D
detriment. They couldn’t get out of each other’s way long enough to improve. He150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zr0FyZA4P
would have to do something to fix that. As he sat there pondering, he heard the150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oQstoKHjg
recruits coming back from their run and collapsing on the ground. Shea pushed150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVJZJ2F1qj
open the door then jumped onto the bed to curl up and go to sleep.
As he sat watching her, he remembered the letter from his grandfather that had come earlier. Grabbed his knife, he150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOg2SEnXik
cut open the top and pulled out the letter. He recognized the writing instantly150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMfruvxLhn
as his grandfathers. It read:
Vander,
I need you and Alexander back in the city150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVs9PSBvtU
within the next couple of days. I know you have another six months left in the150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxv85qskna
woods, but it cannot be helped. I can’t explain everything to you in this150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOMS1CbM5J
letter, but I promise we will sit down and talk when you arrive back. Please150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfphYjYPLR
trust me on this, come back.
-Your grandfather, Charles
P.S. This is a Red Alert.
Once he read the Red Alert, he knew that it was an emergency. Only a couple of things would warrant his grandfather putting that in a letter recalling him and none of it was good. The rest of the letter didn’t matter to him. He crumbled it up and slipped it into his pocket. He rushed outside to call the others to him.
They would have to leave tomorrow.
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