Chapter 18
“Hey, are you alright?” Vander103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhzn5sLnYF
slowly opened his eyes to see Eliza standing over him. It had only been a few103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuNQwTR9jG
hours since he had fallen asleep. The sky had lightened up only slightly, but103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenWs1HrGHD
it was still several hours until dawn. He sat up from the bench with his back103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpcHcGmzqG
protesting from the sudden movement.
Once his eyes103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qLm7G7Tum
adjusted he looked back up at Eliza, who didn’t look as though she got much103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jNtvF8dB7
sleep either. She was wearing a long coat that stopped just above her knees.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSLLl8Gvhk
Her hair was down, it stopped just above her hips, and she wore a pair of103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OzA4gYLdW
trousers.
“I just sometimes come out here to103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr9Ng59YAg
enjoy the surroundings.” He chuckled, but winced as his ribs protested the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyrMBhR4q9
sudden movement. “It’s a lot quieter here than in the city, especially with all103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhKPfIZ9QV
the Warden’s guards running the place. Why are you out here?”
“The same as you I expect.” She103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDOVoUHJ77
sat down next to him then stretched her legs out in front of her. He couldn’t103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ0yWmgFGF
help admiring the firmness of them as well as their length. “I’ve been restless103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9Ex68Q6Os
since I started my journey here. There is something coming, I can feel it.”
“Is there?” he couldn’t help but103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbco1Ywntqy
chuckle. She shot him a dirty look. “Is that why you came here with Kiara?103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiXpMkfb5P
Because something was coming?”
“I came here because it was my103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAx0eUK0vU
duty to protect my older sister and keep her safe.” She explained. “But now103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4hc68ytSc
that she is here, I’m not sure what to do with myself now.”
“You just got accepted into the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZycTsxkpn
Blades,” he said. “A captain at that. You can stay close to Kiara and keep her103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDVGrY3dHB
safe. Is that what you wanted?” She103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NcAfVjCFw
nodded her head for a moment but shook it.
“This was a path that was chosen103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55pvAXGsfX
for me and one I was willing to be a part of. I had been training for it since103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS9mw6pGhm
I was a little girl.” She laughed, but the joy didn’t reach her eyes. “What I103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5tvIaChRG
wanted was to marry a prince and be whisked off my feet or to travel the world103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLqqYbEaxF
and meet new people. But this, fighting,” she looked down at her calloused103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQK3xyEduDt
hands with sadness. “It’s not what I want to do with my life.”
“Is this what keeps you up at103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGFmo5ydNF
night?” he asked. “Your uncertain future?”
“Isn’t that what keeps you up?”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gWZYlaQB5
she countered. “Why you stay here in the garden in the middle of the night103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziFVlLq34V
instead of being in your comfortable bed?”
“I grow restless at night.” Vander103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4NWWHRpVY
said.
“Due to Unna?” He looked at her103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWoHBIm88P
sharply. “You don’t really keep it a secret. Anyone with half a brain can tell103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSktfnTZqx0
you’re different. The way you move, the way you fight, it’s as if you can sense103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWvMdTLKPa
things that other people can’t.”
“Kiara told you?” she grinned at103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddiTCP3Xzy
him.
“Kiara told me.” He sighed. He103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz5i7mg7bK
leaned back on the bench, so he was staring up at the sky once again.
“I never wanted this.” He103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjJ4eNlrx0
whispered. “I acted to save my friends and was given this power. If I could103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vuqkiRqQN
give it back I would. I know what happens to those who abuse her power and even103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IjSKyX3qr
now I feel it scratching inside, wanting to be let loose. If it wasn’t for Shea103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRdb8zW5bj
I would have lost myself a long time ago.”
“You’ll find you can accomplish103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2TfueA81T
great things when you have something you want to protect Vander.” She smiled.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgcIJn9cLP
“I hope you can find someone else you want to protect, to give you that103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwXOahfVi8
strength when you need it.”
“No one has escaped this curse103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9A7Hd66sQ9
Eliza, no one.” He got up from the bench. “My grandfather, Cuvera, the King,103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYKU4KEzDE
and Alex seem to think I can, but I don’t know. It seems, unsurmountable.”
“I still have one wish that you103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVbKmNnKKO
need to grant.” Eliza placed her hand on Vander’s shoulder. “Come with me.” Confused103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrSSp4AocC
as to where she was taking him, he followed.
The two of them left the garden103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygvMg8CFAZ
heading back inside of the castle. He thought that she was going to take him to103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuXDZ2UVPa
her room, but instead she led him down towards the castle training room103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTh8J0hhdk
reserved for the Captains, though no one used it much anymore except the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ma7c0Hxdd
commander when he sparred with Malcolm or Cuvera. Vander came here sometimes103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4oCEPnS2H
when he was being given lessons, but it had been a long time.
“Why have we come down here?” he103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNykzov94N
asked. She ignored him. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail then removed103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡho73H7iJYo
her jacket tossing it on the floor in the corner. She began to stretch while103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh2MUlEDBH
Vander just stared at her dumbfounded. Realizing he wasn’t going to get the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMGGebB6Id
answer he needed from her, he shrugged off his jacket and began to stretch as103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVxasRmAsA
well. Either she was going to fight him or fuck him, either way he wanted to be103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfI3mEg0yp
prepared.
“Do you know that Bricen is the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fI5MUpD4o
only country, outside of Eluvia, who had a Ma’akti?” she asked a couple of103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPr9GZBeOC
minutes later. She was touching the tips of her toes when she looked up at him.
“I did.” Vander nodded. “I always103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHT9MgUfa9
thought it was the King, but you were all very tight lipped about it.”
“Well, it’s not my father.” Eliza103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbecu7GuZJ
laughed. “The blessings of Azta doesn’t go through the men of the line, it goes103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInqJmTKaRf
through the women, and it’s known to skip a couple of generations.”
“What does this have to do with103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKtE0gT0oM
me?” Vander asked. Eliza got to her feet and motioned for Vander to do the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJStJdVsxxE
same. He got up warily, keeping his eye on her as she moved around the small103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUawmj2r0zx
room.
Suddenly her hand combusted and103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFte2KSrasY
she swung a flaming fist towards his face. Vander ducked in surprise, the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRTWXLnvjv
flames singing part of his cheek. He was so startled he fell on the ground and103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn69u9h8flo
started quickly backing away. She smirked sinisterly at him as she walked103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡago9zZMQMh
closer to him. She held her hand up towards the ceiling, but it didn’t look as103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1LHIh9NjK
though she was in any sort of pain.
“You’re the Ma’akti Azta’un?” he103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7d1yIGgfi
stammered out. “How are you doing that? Isn’t that painful?”
“When I was younger and didn’t103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYadNSh0wAA
know how to control it, sure.” She shrugged. “But I have had time to accept my103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPelWEnXTSe
lot in life and made this apart of me. You must learn to do the same.”
“It’s not the same though.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVsnnjgwDo
Vander’s voice hardened. “Do you know how many of my predecessors slaughtered103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlMgT9PElr
their friends? Their family?” He got up from his position on the floor. “Their103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3FE0Nx7Wy
blood was on their hands, and it took many more lives until they were put103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGH7CJY5fN
down.”
“You cannot live in fear your103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHWIALYodV
entire life.” Eliza snapped. “You must embrace who you are, embrace the beast103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHmIF8sVbq
inside. That’s the only way you can move forward.”
“No.” he snarled. “That’s final.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD73nyXD3S
He moved to leave, but Eliza placed her other hand on his shoulder. He brought103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5oOsWtNqC
his elbow back to shrug her off, but accidentally caught her in the face. She103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK22BUtPxa
stumbled backwards, but before he could apologize, she swept his legs out from103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGDc3xazE5
under him making him land on his back. She was on him while he was trying to103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACbzK6hUV7
stand up. She grabbed him by the collar then pushed him against the wall. He103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡET8YJDIWM9
rebounded off and went for a punch which she easily ducked underneath. Then she103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLyXI8Ba1t
drove her fist into his stomach.
She waited around while he dry103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8WKrtC1ni
heaved on the floor. “Why are you doing this?” he gasped.
“Before Kiara was going to come103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4Sfg62xJT
here, I was actually going to take her place as princess.” Eliza walked around103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSr059Q4nm
him. “The night before, Azta came to me. She told me that someone was going to103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdHrOy6dWQ
need me here, one given the Curse of the Beasts. That he would need my help to103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoEIvzZRhf
realize his true power.”
“My true power is death and103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaz2vEaghE
slaughter.” He wobbled to his feet, but his eyes were focused on her. “Nothing103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9KpaAgjDy
can change that.”
“Even if it’s the ones you loved103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK7hTbivwO
being threatened?” He growled his response, so she held her hands up in front103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YI59owSIZ
of her. “Eventually you will have to make a choice, Vander. Accept who you are103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3x2LS4sMMl
or those you love and everyone around them will die because you didn’t.”
“Does this have to do with Veyar’s103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAKJ2qQnw0
prophecy?” he asked. She looked at him confused then shrugged her shoulders.
“I don’t speak to Veyar, only103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1QRDPctRd
Azta, and only when she wants me to.” She explained. “If Veyar talked to you,103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FlB3IqbiB
it’s for your ears only. What did she tell you?”
“About the freeing of the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcfMWCJZk9
Darkness.” He said. Eliza’s face grew pale.
“Let’s just hope that doesn’t come103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQXhvRDDRD
to pass.” She said. “They need a lot more than a few of our powers to make it103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENgVbJLcM7
happen. If something like that was going to happen, the deities would be up in103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAUEufcuzx
arms. Let’s just focus on this for now.”
“There is no this.” Vander dusted103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxwHl4MhIH
himself off. “I’m out of here.”
“This was my wish, Vander.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDVd2iKrp0
Eliza’s voice stopped him dead in his tracks. “Or do you go against your word?”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97nIQqts0b
His shoulder’s slumped as he turned back to face her.
“I will make you regret this.” He103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffIMV0cdho
sighed. “I still have my wish as well.”
“Do your worst.” She squared up.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwe9AJ5I1K
“This time, please fight back.”
“I cannot control the strength I103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx0NXjN9Mu
possess.” He warned. “If you get hurt, Kiara will have my head.”
“Don’t worry about hurting me.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA39OjOm4ty
She grinned. “Worry about yourself.”
She ignited her fist and charged103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhuluUNkEa
him. Vander closed his eyes and for the first time in a long time he removed103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDKkz7zpju
the barriers he erected in place to protect himself and others. He opened his103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡng3GybGzTi
eyes and saw the fist mere centimeters from his face, but it was slowed. He103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBsOPpJQyg
could see her fingernails, each of them crackling with the flames of the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALq9eSSGJ8
goddess. He could hear her muscles tense, smell the sweat building up on her103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1yhKr4drZ
body, and taste the ashes in the air. He slid out of the way and counterpunched103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3moHhCl7qb
hitting her in the stomach. She was sent flying backwards into the wall.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleCdGuq3A1
Instead of bouncing off it, she ended up a couple of inches embedded inside. As103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1EoK94TnL
quickly as he released them, Vander re-erected the barriers.
“Are you alright?” he asked. Eliza103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFKzCvCJ7v
pulled herself from the wall grinning. She brushed off the dust from her103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr1OYwZpDB
clothing stepping onto the broken bricks.
“Damn you do pack a punch.” She103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyogEThbCQE
laughed. “If I hadn’t protected myself using the divinity I had stored, I would103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqKXLR4odG
have broken a few ribs.”
“That’s a neat trick.” He frowned.
“That’s just one of the few things103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3qowxvQ3s
you can learn if you accept who you are.” She explained. “Until then, I’ll keep103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSDGStXM0A
beating your ass. Are you ready?”
“No, but you won’t leave me along103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIEwSatgut
until I am.” He got into his fighting stance. “Let’s just get this over with,103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWonqJIUuP
we have a wedding tomorrow.”
∙
Vander was sore when he woke up103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruuaHhydwj
the next morning. Eliza kept him down there for hours trying to goad him into103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pdeRkICPu
using the powers gifted to him by Unna, but he refused. If that punch was103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XwSFRrjlv
anything close to what he could do, he could wreak untold havoc if he succumbed.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSVE6ImlMD
He couldn’t, he wouldn’t let that happen. Eventually she had gotten tired and103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGL0N1oTDbi
dismissed them for the night, however he knew that she would keep bringing him103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFNwuxrcAw
down there until she was satisfied. Shea hadn’t even woken up when he arrived103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbeUUT8TpO
back, but let her annoyance known when he flopped down on top of her. She103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFrlzVTfSq
bounced on top of him several times before slamming her head into his side. She103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz33gc1VYs
emulated Eliza by kicking him in the side before eventually going back to103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFDlyZlWZA
sleep.
He slunk out of bed towards the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAQf40ZnFN
bathroom. It was still early morning, but even from up here he could hear the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVd97eKvM4j
buzzing of servants running around getting everything ready for this afternoon.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bDx4tEmOq
This was going to be a long day and he had to make sure the guards were in103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnTb4DTqIQ
their places and alert just in case anything happened. With all the Wardens,103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2nmypIQbJ
nobles, the prince, princess and the King all in one place it was a prime103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20q0EfLr3h
target for anyone looking to cripple the country. He wouldn’t leave anything to103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74G32UrTll
chance, not after the king’s poisoning. He had to make sure all his bases were103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUJSDzy7lE
covered because if anything happened it would be his ass on the line, no one103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBdYxm7Vsr
else’s.
He showered quickly, but when he103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL4mBa3Eb6
came out there was a package sitting on the bed with a written note on it. He103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hsEcxKwmV
recognized Cuvera’s handwriting. The note told him that it was from Madame103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIxXRHqiEV
Topal, which meant it was his attire for the wedding. He had a choice to wear103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjtUDWgz5P
it now and face ridicule from his comrades, or rush getting changed later and103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS8yv1Wk2L
risk being late. Sighing, he removed the clothing from the box and put it on.
Topal had gotten his measurements103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT46mPxz3es
precisely. Nothing bulged when he put on his clothing nor did anything hang103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2ago1X6OJ
loose off his frame. The pants were tailored to the perfect height and somehow103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uH3mYUcSc
she had gotten the measurements for his feet as there was a new pair of boots103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nMNvE6jxO
also in the box. Both were black and the shirt he put on was a deep blue the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXmo7B2gB0
color of the Elan family crest. The frock jacket he received was entirely blue103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hknCoRE38
aside from the spiral pattern around the buttons and over the chest: that was103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeABB1QZsI
the color of his hair. He had to admit, he looked good in the outfit, but it103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK03P2xotR
was a little too fancy for his taste. Thankfully Topal was considerate enough103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYw3ggcyvc
to add a sword belt to his outfit so he wouldn’t feel quite as exposed without103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ729mJ0yBfG
his sword close by.
“What do you think?” he turned103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwYQHAImuV
around to face Shea. She looked up at him with a tilt of her head.
“Very dignified.” She103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsYnSk43YC
barked. “Eliza will be very happy.”
“Why does it matter if she is?”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXWbVCN459
Vander asked her. “This is for me to look like Cuvera’s best man, not for103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuh5fWdAEm
Eliza.”
“Don’t act like you weren’t103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Yg0woxwky
covered in her scent.” Shea rolled her eyes. “I could smell the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqXadspzt3
attraction between the two of you. Don’t lie to me Vander.”
“Okay, so what though?” Vander103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQbmZeblMc
clipped on his sword. “She’s just helping me because of a vision she received,103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRYbjnxh8X
no other reason. I know you want me to be happy, Shea, but these kinds of103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqTw8EB5hO
things take time. I’m not ready.”
“You’re just afraid of being103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBs4QWPIFJ
hurt again.” She said accusingly. “Bree made her choice and Julianna is103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfYUSY6eUS
busy running her business.” Her voice softened. “It hurts me to see you103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnWMChSZKr
so unhappy.” He took a deep breath to control his anger.
“I know, I know.” He sat down on103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBcdRe09iI
the bed. She placed her head in his lap while he stroked her ear. “When this103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqLcdkadEA
mess with the Serpents is done, we will take a vacation away from here. Maybe103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRx9HVtwR14
go to the shore and play at the beach, just the two of us.” Her tail thumped on103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiklFByA4s
the bed in excitement.
“I’d like that.” She said.
“Now, let’s go prepare for the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcyKbzZGv3
wedding.”
Vander and Shea slipped from the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYL328EjNwf
room and headed towards the ballroom where his Blades would be waiting.
With the others103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ixxaBE4mc
returning from their mission to escort the Warden’s to the city, all fifty of103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakXyUUudee
them were in attendance. They were all dressed in their uniforms talking103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhWy3mw6SD
amongst one another, but as soon as he entered the room, they snapped smartly103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbNtBY54kI
to attention. He marched past them with Shea following behind. He stood on top103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69jKaFZInA
of the stage where the throne had been removed to make room for the pillars103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOau3978n0
that were draped in red and blue fabric. The ten Captains stood behind Charles103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UmTUyB07r
with their hands behind their back. Alex bowed his head at Vander, but Leon103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaVb7r4dVj
ignored him altogether. He looked around for Eliza, but she wasn’t there. She103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ro8wK0KZ3
was likely helping Kiara with her wedding preparations.
“You’re late.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsI1ouycoc5
Charles growled.
“Sorry,” Vander103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX0IWrLIBI
bowed his head. “I had a late night.”
“Get in line.” As103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnirzrKLhy
soon as walked next to his grandfather, the old man whispered: “You look nice.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7BZNj8ybA
Vander smiled to himself as he stood next to Alex. Shea sat down next to him.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3g4N6rRBP
Charles straightened his back before speaking to the others: “As you know, the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2nDR9aYF8
wedding of Cuvera and Kiara is later this afternoon. As such we have one duty,103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BPJ3yuikn
protect the castle grounds from intruders, and keep the King, his family and103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fcdJsOAbO
the Warden’s safe. The guards will protect the walls while we protect the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdey28a8KPm
castle. I want everyone to be on their best behavior and aware of your103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKndS0rCfu
surroundings. I will pass it off to Vander for specifics.”
“Thank you.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n9UGsgsp9
Vander stepped up. This was his chance to prove himself as a capable leader and103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1SmZdGmUD
he wasn’t going to let it go to waste. He saw Rooster, Chicken, Forest, Briar,103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFU7TH91i3
and Eve standing at the back. Their new uniforms and weapons were looking shiny103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUo5cdK22dE
and new, and they looked nervous. He would have to give them something103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xyj2mBX10
important, but also easy. He didn’t want to give them too much responsibility103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwxTYbeV5t
for their first official mission.
“Tonight is a103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhT6YjKoUlr
very special night and it’s our job to make sure that everything goes103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvbwnlpCki
smoothly.” He said. “Listen to your Captains, keep your eyes peeled and your103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnW6xNHlPT
wits about you. If something seems wrong, listen to your instincts. I’d rather103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O85MStc10
apologize because you were wrong than do nothing and have this place crash down103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zpENAk4mM
around us. Now, for your posts.”
He gave103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxXXbphKtL
Alexander’s squad, the new trainees, the task of guarding the door. It would103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIooV5nXlp6
involve checking invitations, making sure none of the guards brought weapons,103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c7FoNDkSA
and the people who were there had been invited. It would test them to stand103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64bCil0kZc
their group against uppity nobles who believed they were above the law and103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Wvu0WjlwH
making sure they could do their job properly.
He made sure103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WkW9fHVQl
Leon’s squad was paired with someone who would keep an eye on them. They would103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wQOhzKMB1
oversee patrolling the upstairs, checking rooms and windows for any potential103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbYTH5nz2f
hazards. There would be four squads alternating to make sure no one got tired.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVCAF1LrZX
One squad would be walking around the ballroom during the party to escort drunk103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcQUJ63kWf
revelers to rooms that have been set aside for them. There would be some squads103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ0sApjSPT
stationed in the kitchens and along the delivery tunnels. He made sure no103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDk9PtHe6J
routes were left unprotected. If there were any gaps he would be the last line103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuzQpP8Bl1
of defense. Shea would keep her eyes on the king and prince the entire night.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypa8x4TYP9
She would warn him if there was anything suspicious going on.
He gave one last103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkug42xhJUG
warning to the troops. “The people who attacked the king and nearly ended his103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaUyoSKOHk
life, as well as my own, are crafty and skilled.” He said. “Keep your eyes on103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzi5BBl22ZG
each other and watch each other’s back. No one goes anywhere alone. Am I103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFFMrxTz36
understood?”
“Yes sir!” The103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonrhaeVSOQ
Blades saluted.
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“Let’s get to it103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTqy4AI2nd
then.” Vander saluted back.
