Chapter 22
Vander watched as blood seeped out121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0IOhQimNC
of the King’s chest. However, instead of checking to see if he was alright,121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP68oA4SN4g
Vander took a few steps backwards reaching for the sword that wasn’t there.121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPnOI7irDj
Peyton took a step in, stepping over the King, to advance on Vander holding the121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGVxglzwYa
sword out in front of him.
“Give me the book.” Peyton121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBVmxJS6XL
snapped. “Don’t make me hurt you.”
“What have you done to Shea?”121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIwjpxzv8G
Vander snapped.
“I put her down for a nap.” Peyton121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCRnrhOR0t
smiled. “She should really be carefully about who she accepts snacks from.”
“You bastard.” Vander went to121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHgJYGs3h6
lunge for him, but the sword shot out catching him just under the chin.
“Tut, tut, Vander, you don’t have121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5gVHckFgp
a weapon.” The man grinned. Vander walked backwards, but Peyton followed him121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWH9Oq3ngf
until he was pushed up against the desk. “Hand me the book while I’m still121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntSdOqKKle
asking nicely.”
“No,” He wasn’t sure what the man121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTkIeQTuUa
wanted with the book, but if he was willing to kill the King for it, it must be121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZHEod2dfi
something important.
“I wanted to keep you alive, but121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAVYJVRFEd
if you choose to stand in my way I will kill you.” He swung with the sword, but121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Uj5YRL5pi
Vander ducked under the swing. He punched Peyton in the stomach, but his hand121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK53SHlhaM
hit something metallic causing him to cry out in pain. “Not even your strength121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFs088uuYDR
will get through that armor, Vander.” He swung again, but this time Vander121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zJmJEIYts
caught the hilt of the sword on his forearm then punched Peyton in the jaw. The121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OHqUHXGnf
man stumbled backwards dropping the sword.
“I don’t need my abilities to kill121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYCdFqIIKn
a coward like you.” Vander snarled. He went to punch Peyton again, but this121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5JoMKmp0u
time the old man moved out of the way. He spun around, but Peyton got his hands121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9Ax1C2aDL
on a book and clapped Vander’s cheek with it. He fell backwards, his head121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN0rzG1JOh
spinning from the blow. Peyton tackled him forcing him to the ground.
“You forget I was a soldier too.”121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowtLieKaEc
The older man laughed. “I’ve fought and killed more people than you’ve had121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4CAm2TV32
birthdays, boy.” Vander grabbed Peyton’s arms then brought his legs up to121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BhKk60LzK
launch him overhead onto the desk. The lamp shattered and glasses went flying121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNOiyfxD1H
as he rolled onto the ground. Vander decided to use the quick reprieve to check121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwzsRH61jQ
on the king.
“Malcolm,” he shouted. “Hold on.”121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCHre3SEwc
Malcolm coughed up some more blood as he looked up at Vander with warmth in his121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmBKGtWpZm
eyes,
“I’m dying, Vander.” He wheezed.121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89GFEmRzFh
His body spasmed as he talked and based on his beating heart, Vander knew he121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N0SM4K34g
didn’t have long to live. “Take the book and run, don’t let that man have it.”
“What’s so special about this121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsC3tMIwhMF
book.” He asked resisting the urge to cry.
“No time.” Malcolm coughed. “There121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEjQzNodm4
is a knife in my desk, top drawer to the left, get it and take it with you. I121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0peeg636hK
have no doubt that Peyton will frame you for my murder. Save yourself, do121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjcDzgAGSX
whatever you can to make it out alive.” Malcolm grabbed Vander’s arms to haul121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGdSmzzURl
himself up to his feet. Vander went to steady him, but Malcolm pushed him121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOecXUQEMsZ
aside. “They might hate you, but I won’t, Vander. You gave me the chance to see121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVWR4FAwSt
my son marry and I know he will make a wonderful King.”
“You crafty bastard.” Peyton got121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupMW7MaDbN
to his feet. “Give me that book.” He jumped over the desk and ran towards121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dyRGnTyRy
Vander, but Malcolm grabbed his old friend’s shoulders doing his best to hold121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBLmElHDWj
him back.
“Vander, Go!” Wasting no time,121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9QWswM8Op
Vander lunged towards the desk then opened the door. He saw the ornate knife121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bNjd5MK8M
then tucked it into his waistband. He raced to the door but turned around in121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtCNgs9Dnn
time to see Peyton stick his hand into Malcolm’s chest and rip out his heart.121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrdn4fWn0y
The ring on Peyton’s hand glowed blue as Malcolm shuddered then fell to the121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGAtYomE1W
floor. Vander heard Malcolm’s lungs release his last breath of air before121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE3Qu726WX
stilling.
“You bastard.” Vander spat. Peyton121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzn45PH7pV
grinned then shouted:
“Help, the King has been killed,121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm8JL30kOR
someone help me!” Wasting no time, Vander ran out the door and down the121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFuWUUiMSv
hallway. He saw Shea slumped over on the ground barely breathing. Without121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnhH14y488
skipping a beat, he scooped her up and held the knife out in front of him. Peyton121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYe2d0Yyj7
was close on his heels shouting the entire time.
Knowing he didn’t have time to121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEhdHYNc1X
explain, he bowled over the Blades coming towards him then came towards the121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7IL7D5bOb
stairs. Without skipping a beat, he jumped onto the banister then slid all the121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqzEAHYh2d
way down. He landed in the ballroom as Peyton ran to the rail.
“Stop him!” Peyton shouted. “He121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXM7MvSYa7
just killed the King!” Pandemonium erupted as nobles tried to get away as121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm00nc1jp0
soldiers from all over rushed towards Vander. It was proving quite a challenge121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLsWkkhFQ9
to carry Shea while fending them off so he did the one thing he sword he would121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSyFA0Nj9t
never do. He prayed to Unna. Moments later he felt power welling up in him. As121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR1BpRpRvd
everyone came towards him, it seemed as though time was standing still. He121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjS9zq6Z9vE
rushed through, doing his best not to hurt any of them, as he ran towards the121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyTPsm1LyA
door. A voice rang out over the crowd that caused him to momentarily stop in121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbokiKnR6P
his tracks.
“Vander!” He turned around to see121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuDgACLHI7
Cuvera staring at him with a look of disbelief on his face. He looked up at121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTo4cVjs66
Peyton who mimed slitting his throat and the warning was received loud and121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbOCCKPGJq
clear. If he said anything, anyone he loved would be next. Vander said nothing121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d3fEWLHds
as he turned around and headed outside.
A light drizzle had started to121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuZ7eo4G6i
fall during the nighttime making his flight a little more dangerous, but with121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OpAYRUMSi
his abilities heightened he soon outpaced the soldiers chasing him. However, he121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6J2nfL1ei
wouldn’t be safe until he made it to the city and disappeared entirely. No121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq03mU8RlvI
matter where he went in the city there would be trouble, so there was only one121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUcFDQ43ui
place he could go.
As he reached the third gate, a121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeDtUl8znx
captain was standing there. Jeffery Jilena had taken the post so those under121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJqqtURURh
his command could enjoy the wedding. He must not have heard what went on121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcOWaHwmMK
because he was standing there confused.
“Vander?” He asked. “Where are you121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv9Z2fX88G
going and why is Shea over your shoulder.”
“You need to let me pass.” Vander121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYZNoBGACw
gasped. “Someone has killed Malcolm, and they are going to blame me for it. I121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXQH9liZnh
need to escape so I can clear my name and find all those responsible.”
“The King is dead?” Peyton gasped.121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMkRl9jowZ
“How do you know?”
“I was there.” Vander said121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVypmNmTk8
guiltily. “I couldn’t save him.”
“Who killed him then?” Jeffery121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuuVrASuOy
challenged. “Tell me.”
“I can’t.” Vander shook his head.121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVI5pnn99iy
“If I don’t, he will kill me, and all of this would be for nothing.”
“Then you must go, but I must make121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkcqWtZ2Z6
this look good.” Jeffery drew his sword.
“You believe me?” Vander was121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfaPnnMJcS
shocked.
“You saved the King before.”121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRu1aEMWrS
Jeffery said. “You wouldn’t just kill him now; you would have just let him die121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mCkfNwz8x
before. Plus, everyone tells me how nice and honorable you are. I don’t think121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIECmErbKL
those who truly know you would think you capable of something like this.” The121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN5sODccXx
sounds of soldiers grew closer. They were running out of time.
“I am sorry I have to do this.”121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM93PdyA9p
Vander said. Jeffery held his sword by his side.
“Just hurry up.” He smiled. “Bring121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk3drZBwGQ
justice to our King.” Vander nodded then rushed forward, knocking him121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziolIooKvy
unconscious with a single punch to the jaw. When he fell to the ground, Vander121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmaIsWQw4A
was already climbing up to the battlements. He looked back as the soldiers came121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeX83JdOtV
to check on the captain. Once he was sure he was fine, he jumped down then121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFndD2jb5wu
slipped into the night.
The streets were quiet as he snuck121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45TUyczcpb
through the alleys. Come morning everyone in the city will be looking for him,121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL84AJg5Ii9
but for now, he was safe. He ran all the way to the lower district right to the121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEnPJAvT15
Orange Fox. He knocked frantically on the door until Left showed up.
“What ya want?” he asked gruffly.
“Let me in.” Vander said, looking121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75XeaEIbJI
around nervously.
“Why?” Left’s eyes narrowed.
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“Auxilium postulo.” 121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2Ap53x3F0
Vander said. Left’s eyes widened then he opened the door. Vander took121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucfvJ75Hxt
one more look out to the street then stepped inside. The door closed firmly121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw1whRKTjY
shut behind him.
