Chapter 22
Vander watched as blood seeped out82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3dcrc8144
of the King’s chest. However, instead of checking to see if he was alright,82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRmeYgQPjS
Vander took a few steps backwards reaching for the sword that wasn’t there.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyhsW1ZfNp
Peyton took a step in, stepping over the King, to advance on Vander holding the82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpMNqkGxlp
sword out in front of him.
“Give me the book.” Peyton82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ0G4wX7Ab
snapped. “Don’t make me hurt you.”
“What have you done to Shea?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPBGFIWdKL
Vander snapped.
“I put her down for a nap.” Peyton82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAHkWnnLaK
smiled. “She should really be carefully about who she accepts snacks from.”
“You bastard.” Vander went to82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTUlTYjJ81
lunge for him, but the sword shot out catching him just under the chin.
“Tut, tut, Vander, you don’t have82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7C2F3jnVi
a weapon.” The man grinned. Vander walked backwards, but Peyton followed him82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPo8DNbgZiH
until he was pushed up against the desk. “Hand me the book while I’m still82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV35CnTNae
asking nicely.”
“No,” He wasn’t sure what the man82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pVldMuoDh
wanted with the book, but if he was willing to kill the King for it, it must be82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhCjYZE7IT
something important.
“I wanted to keep you alive, but82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg48O1ds3a
if you choose to stand in my way I will kill you.” He swung with the sword, but82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKKyUiqlpE
Vander ducked under the swing. He punched Peyton in the stomach, but his hand82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFjn6Q6kPv
hit something metallic causing him to cry out in pain. “Not even your strength82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡot2G3PMQJf
will get through that armor, Vander.” He swung again, but this time Vander82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsFpDoBFFV
caught the hilt of the sword on his forearm then punched Peyton in the jaw. The82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFGXxI8XrE
man stumbled backwards dropping the sword.
“I don’t need my abilities to kill82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdWTHwDgPe
a coward like you.” Vander snarled. He went to punch Peyton again, but this82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNWlwomGGH
time the old man moved out of the way. He spun around, but Peyton got his hands82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB91JvdCw2g
on a book and clapped Vander’s cheek with it. He fell backwards, his head82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFszjmKvwTH
spinning from the blow. Peyton tackled him forcing him to the ground.
“You forget I was a soldier too.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDZxvqyDDT
The older man laughed. “I’ve fought and killed more people than you’ve had82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycvnm7k7nJ
birthdays, boy.” Vander grabbed Peyton’s arms then brought his legs up to82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTsXtav2HX
launch him overhead onto the desk. The lamp shattered and glasses went flying82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKKdkAiYg0
as he rolled onto the ground. Vander decided to use the quick reprieve to check82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVio5ucZaq
on the king.
“Malcolm,” he shouted. “Hold on.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05B6NvHCsP
Malcolm coughed up some more blood as he looked up at Vander with warmth in his82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV19Py9SyGF
eyes,
“I’m dying, Vander.” He wheezed.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIizMNV49Y
His body spasmed as he talked and based on his beating heart, Vander knew he82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrH7wI0eXc
didn’t have long to live. “Take the book and run, don’t let that man have it.”
“What’s so special about this82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nZbPgNX9k
book.” He asked resisting the urge to cry.
“No time.” Malcolm coughed. “There82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIaM0WOGiR
is a knife in my desk, top drawer to the left, get it and take it with you. I82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHp7mTrmSk
have no doubt that Peyton will frame you for my murder. Save yourself, do82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlbj1ilKdt
whatever you can to make it out alive.” Malcolm grabbed Vander’s arms to haul82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1GXzxuIi5
himself up to his feet. Vander went to steady him, but Malcolm pushed him82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAN2XYb646
aside. “They might hate you, but I won’t, Vander. You gave me the chance to see82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx37XTFGaA
my son marry and I know he will make a wonderful King.”
“You crafty bastard.” Peyton got82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNkH1pQ8rc
to his feet. “Give me that book.” He jumped over the desk and ran towards82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmbUQwezvx
Vander, but Malcolm grabbed his old friend’s shoulders doing his best to hold82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb5E3ymFno
him back.
“Vander, Go!” Wasting no time,82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6BT0hI1wA
Vander lunged towards the desk then opened the door. He saw the ornate knife82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH90fUh15Z
then tucked it into his waistband. He raced to the door but turned around in82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRUF8vWLi7
time to see Peyton stick his hand into Malcolm’s chest and rip out his heart.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ws97cHrBZ
The ring on Peyton’s hand glowed blue as Malcolm shuddered then fell to the82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfV2s6T1b7
floor. Vander heard Malcolm’s lungs release his last breath of air before82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqirB0WyKF
stilling.
“You bastard.” Vander spat. Peyton82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lJMBLCijb
grinned then shouted:
“Help, the King has been killed,82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9kQj9w3fV
someone help me!” Wasting no time, Vander ran out the door and down the82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5wHMahhOQ
hallway. He saw Shea slumped over on the ground barely breathing. Without82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeJt9OFtda
skipping a beat, he scooped her up and held the knife out in front of him. Peyton82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgOUW2HxwL
was close on his heels shouting the entire time.
Knowing he didn’t have time to82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDi409yjpp
explain, he bowled over the Blades coming towards him then came towards the82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodQ21VAvor
stairs. Without skipping a beat, he jumped onto the banister then slid all the82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro9A3Db68z
way down. He landed in the ballroom as Peyton ran to the rail.
“Stop him!” Peyton shouted. “He82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvNAbEc3DE
just killed the King!” Pandemonium erupted as nobles tried to get away as82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzxgSD0k5M
soldiers from all over rushed towards Vander. It was proving quite a challenge82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyimk4F3R87
to carry Shea while fending them off so he did the one thing he sword he would82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8EVrmBEMG
never do. He prayed to Unna. Moments later he felt power welling up in him. As82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3crQOjbAR
everyone came towards him, it seemed as though time was standing still. He82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eEnUkpieY
rushed through, doing his best not to hurt any of them, as he ran towards the82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uYzIfwYqZ
door. A voice rang out over the crowd that caused him to momentarily stop in82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QfATs1aEy
his tracks.
“Vander!” He turned around to see82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV08qVyTFy7
Cuvera staring at him with a look of disbelief on his face. He looked up at82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxda9w8Xwk
Peyton who mimed slitting his throat and the warning was received loud and82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHqFqkMhcz
clear. If he said anything, anyone he loved would be next. Vander said nothing82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU30sFYeb0Q
as he turned around and headed outside.
A light drizzle had started to82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKlUlENPez
fall during the nighttime making his flight a little more dangerous, but with82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWVVSViMty
his abilities heightened he soon outpaced the soldiers chasing him. However, he82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewVaT6mfMp
wouldn’t be safe until he made it to the city and disappeared entirely. No82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfhsecwI8J
matter where he went in the city there would be trouble, so there was only one82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNxCHc8mhw
place he could go.
As he reached the third gate, a82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBGzMdduVL
captain was standing there. Jeffery Jilena had taken the post so those under82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz5FmWczgZ
his command could enjoy the wedding. He must not have heard what went on82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihfLJK2cc5
because he was standing there confused.
“Vander?” He asked. “Where are you82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALsgZT8mUS
going and why is Shea over your shoulder.”
“You need to let me pass.” Vander82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouGMNDBH6Y
gasped. “Someone has killed Malcolm, and they are going to blame me for it. I82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡri03VlgH17
need to escape so I can clear my name and find all those responsible.”
“The King is dead?” Peyton gasped.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6howue58Br
“How do you know?”
“I was there.” Vander said82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnuB404z8I
guiltily. “I couldn’t save him.”
“Who killed him then?” Jeffery82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaAL3Irakp
challenged. “Tell me.”
“I can’t.” Vander shook his head.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfh0lnaj29
“If I don’t, he will kill me, and all of this would be for nothing.”
“Then you must go, but I must make82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU8drP5e1v
this look good.” Jeffery drew his sword.
“You believe me?” Vander was82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOkC269cgZ
shocked.
“You saved the King before.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffidoBFLql
Jeffery said. “You wouldn’t just kill him now; you would have just let him die82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucNep1aCt8
before. Plus, everyone tells me how nice and honorable you are. I don’t think82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg7hd6AioN
those who truly know you would think you capable of something like this.” The82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm8JNJFpc8
sounds of soldiers grew closer. They were running out of time.
“I am sorry I have to do this.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5TUgoukz9
Vander said. Jeffery held his sword by his side.
“Just hurry up.” He smiled. “Bring82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhU9Ae0BNX
justice to our King.” Vander nodded then rushed forward, knocking him82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudwbyfWXU4
unconscious with a single punch to the jaw. When he fell to the ground, Vander82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJRjw05uRc
was already climbing up to the battlements. He looked back as the soldiers came82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMPgqC9glF
to check on the captain. Once he was sure he was fine, he jumped down then82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt61Bjh4V5R
slipped into the night.
The streets were quiet as he snuck82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHDDJU9IwK
through the alleys. Come morning everyone in the city will be looking for him,82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHulEhhq4TW
but for now, he was safe. He ran all the way to the lower district right to the82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtv2rYIsEV
Orange Fox. He knocked frantically on the door until Left showed up.
“What ya want?” he asked gruffly.
“Let me in.” Vander said, looking82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HWgduhw7V
around nervously.
“Why?” Left’s eyes narrowed.
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“Auxilium postulo.” 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRAbSXYXAp
Vander said. Left’s eyes widened then he opened the door. Vander took82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChqlSmlrW7
one more look out to the street then stepped inside. The door closed firmly82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaBEgC1x3K
shut behind him.
