Chapter 6
Vander vaguely remembered the162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL11w6zLMBm
feeling of being dragged up many stairs, carried down a hallway, and the warm162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHehKn11cf
covers of his bed. His memory of Julianna standing over him in the candlelight162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2MCO1B4Bi
as she pieced together the pieces of his skin using thread, a needle, and162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBBhtDVN5M
plenty of booze to disinfect everything. Shea guarded the door to keep anyone162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tOm5lfBMk
who she didn’t trust from entering, while letting out low whimpers as she162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wAGwwivkZ
worried for her master. He dropped into an uneasy slumber, immune to the pain162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JxtKZF1uj
that traveled through his body. The only solace he found was in dreams.
∙
A drop of water fell on162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALd6mRvgoO
Vander’s forehead. His eyes remained closed, but the weather was determined to162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9FJDKFb2n
wake him. Several more fell on his face hitting his eyes, forehead, and mouth.162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCgOmBNfYx
His eyes scrunched together before he slowly opened them. He was confused162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCshK0ic8tD
because he expected to wake up in his bed with the roof of the inn above his162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgim4umpQt2
head. But instead, he saw the cloudy morning sky surrounded by tall maple and162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1wUr6AfFA
pine trees. He was dressed in ill-fitting rags. The pants went as far down as162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xjIrVCw3f
his shins while his shirt was in tatters. He slowly rose to his feet, his stiff162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgcmay0wz9
muscles protesting from the sudden movement. It hadn’t been long since his162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlIgmyLMRF
injuries, but time moved differently here, as it did in all the realms of the162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQKpNj9bCV
Deities.
He could smell blood and sweat,162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG52rnFAvwZ
the trademark sign of his patron goddess, Unna, Lord of the Beasts and Madness.162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVy3lqojWro
There were hundreds of beasts waiting in the woods, their red eyes focused162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTreBDJoeb
solely on him. Any wrong move would send them into a frenzy and would tear him162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0q4jTGKGH
apart. It was the rule of the jungle here, you couldn’t show fear. The first162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDVdwRSINJ
time he had come here all those years ago was almost his last, but he had162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoTtmYaQBE
adapted quickly killing a creature that had mistaken him for easy prey. The162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcThbqwMBt
rest fell in line, but sometimes a creature gets a little too full of162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzWECZ2imB
themselves and must be put in their place. However, the fact that he had woken162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWrjnEPs6R
up here meant the ruler of the forest had grabbed him, no one them would go162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtyttKcqPW
against her orders.
He got to his feet then started162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L1NXuu5gD
to walk along the path laid out for him. He ignored the biting pain in his feet162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQGYhwlPoM
from sticks, stones, and dead leaves scattered around. His blood scented the162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHGzb0E5wY
ground marking him as the forests now. He knew that when he died he would wind162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmjhydk9cz
up here, the same as all the other beasts. This was the forest laying claim to162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrIIqPATzi
him for its mistress.
He walked for what seemed like162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdAy9uxGyK
hours, but he didn’t get tired, hungry, or thirsty. He just put one step in162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXBwRh3LMz
front of the other. It had started to rain, but he kept it going until the sun162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiY85BRGEF
had set in this domain and the creatures around him grew quiet. The woods162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgkLaMrA6v
became thicker, and the normal brown trees turned blood red. The sky darkened162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSq6JcTmIG
then the moon appeared illuminating the woods in a blueish glow. He heard162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY9gw7CXgv
running water coming from his left. He turned to walk into the woods towards162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvFOZWQNLF
the waterfall where he knew Unna would be. He saw a large white wolf walking in162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAziU6OkuRt
step with him. The creature was twice the size of Vander with white-blue fur162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINNua3quOd
and deep red eyes.
Ritoru, if legends were to be162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61rF2VV5C9
believed, was the first human to accept Unna’s blessing. He had lived as a162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWThEaTpEWQ
tyrant, slaying anyone who crossed his path and offered his victims life for162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqHVgavoiY
the deity. In exchange for his loyalty, she made him into this creature forever162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfyffWSnD7
to serve her and kill those unworthy. The truth was, she had prayed for his162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOJXWbwfUk
weakness and need to be stronger. Promising power beyond his wildest dreams, he162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J2gDDkCGI
accepted it without understanding the consequences. Now he was a prisoner of162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CosTVzsom
his own making waiting for the day he gets released from his own personal hell.
They walked for a little while162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZC9eyLpGo
until the trees thinned out revealing a small pool that was being bathed in162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwleazmWsi
moonlight. There was a small rock formation above the moon with a light trickle162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaQ68hZF3j
of water cascading down into the pool creating a ripple effect. The water was162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBEx0ArVGu
crystal clear, and you could see little, tiny fishes swimming around in the162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyVR2n4Zl3
depths. No matter how much he wanted to go into the crystal blue water, he162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLo8p8HINii
couldn’t. This was Unna’s pool and going in without her permission was162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAtJ7ZSsUV
tantamount to suicide. So, he sat down and waited.
Within the middle of the pool162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5pY0WYf5Z
large ripples began to emerge. Moments later a pale woman burst out whipping162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OBIFUdjoz
her black hair over her shoulders tossing water behind her. Even though he162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNUR74xJRQ
couldn’t see her face, Unna’s nickname as a seductress wasn’t wrong. She had a162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybrDDQCH5S
thin body, that was surprisingly filled with muscle. She was graceful and curvy162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoaJT2bZns
but eyed you up in the way a hunter looks at prey. Even now, sitting on the162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZYRqjRlPF
ground, Vander was aroused and based on the coy smile she tossed at him over162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcMQFKduhr
her shoulder, revealing long pointed canines, she noticed.
She took her time leaving the162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBjwejbYad
pool, swaying side by side as she walked towards him. Her thighs rubbed162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mIZH7CpmL
together as her breasts moved slightly with the movement. As she stepped out162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8NFIFHw53
from the pool, a sleeveless black dress with a low-cut neckline and a slit down162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Q5dHYjthg
the left leg. Some how she looked even better with clothes on.
“You’re a naughty boy.” She162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3EFNLdcku
smiled. “You are thinking all sorts of dangerous thoughts aren’t you?”162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFxtsg7i3B
He stood up as she walked over towards him. She looked at a finger under his162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa13Vwu2ebP
chin and pulled him so close that their mouths were almost touching. “You162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5Y3uaCKiZ
want to don’t you Vander? It’s alright, I’ll give you everything you could have162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IaqQQNqoQ
ever wanted in a woman. So, how about it?” It would be easy for him to give162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH8Ce8YT6d
her all of him and many times he was tempted, but he knew what happened to162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhOXyBZe3t
those who couldn’t resist. He wouldn’t end up like them.
“Why have you brought me here?”162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xaPjEXWOr
he asked. Sighing with frustration, Unna let him go. It was so sudden that he162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdyDUCSPaZ
fell back on the ground. She towered over him then placed a bare foot on his162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt3A9mtt13
chest. He could see her dress, so he quickly looked away.
“You’re annoying you know that.” She162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeiKUwxsNv
snorted. “At first the chase was fun, but now I’m growing bored of it.”
“It’s not my fault you chosen me162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdbgwoXG4b
to be your champion.” Vander snorted. She bent down over him and stuck her162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNku6NSUFig
fingers to his side. He let out a hiss of pain as she dug her fingers into the162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXpPAujay1
side where Leon had cut him. Her hand was covered in blood as she brought it up162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6uzfQiS1L
to her mouth then licked her fingers clean.
“I taste poison in your blood,162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pz7dl0XZc
Vander.” She grinned.
“Poison?” he asked. “What162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgode9Dt0l
kind of poison?”
“Do you know why you come here162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB5BhQMU7q
Vander?” she asked. She stepped off him then walked behind him. He rolled162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd5XnK03jn
over and got to his feet as her throne appeared out of thin air. The throne was162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfIgvOjNoS
made from pure white bone. They said it was the bones of all she killed in the162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZd7psBnSr
war, but it was hard to tell. They had all fused together to create the throne162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwcNzPvGk5
and it was difficult to pull out individual pieces.
“I assume you will tell me.” He162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNomRSmP0xI
said.
“You come here when you need162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC7qkiBtDY
something from me.” She explained. “It doesn’t have to be a conscious162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOGIwcVdSC
need; it can be a subconscious need. Whether it be to get healed, needing some162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5W9bWyhBD
answers to a question, or getting your rocks off. It’s always something and I’m162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNMleCOhv9
getting tired of it.”
“What is it I can do for you162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qu7D19gvU
then?”
“Give in to your demons.” She162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ877gsajFsx
laughed. ”Give in just once and I will heal you.”
“If I give in, I’ll end up closer162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfGuuToSjX
to becoming one of your slaves.” He growled. “I will not go down that162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA163u6AOA7
path, no matter what.”
“You don’t have a choice, Vander.”162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt6S9yeu5m
She got up from her throne and grabbed him by the neck. She lifted him off162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAKWdeWyUS
the ground and brought him close to her. “Once you said yes to me, your162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYJA1ronnC
future was already written. You are mine.” She dropped him gasping and162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZKbVmPGgl
wheezing to the ground. “However, you still have a role to play, one of162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBo4rI3lqK
which my grandmother has already told you about, so I cannot let you die here.”
She snapped162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHxeQE94ha
her fingers and a searing pain erupted from his side. He thrashed and screamed162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe73MMLnn4B
as the flame coursed through him. His body began to twitch and squirm as his162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA9zuSWlYQ
blood began to boil. As quickly as it started, it ended. He lay on the ground162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3xy26vTl7
breathing heavily as steam rose from him.
“Remember Vander,162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyZ9EMLRS3
you are promised to me and no other. Go. Fulfill your role, now begone.” She162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWz13zmnGz
waved her hand. His body flew backwards, out of the woods, then slammed back162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1DO0dFzlR
into his own body. “I will be waiting.” Her voice echoed in his head. He162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOIJdfnHW3
opened his eyes.
∙
There was a large162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmJU48g4M6
weight pushing down into his chest. His vision was still foggy, likely from162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhNQNqCNID
both passing out and the poison that had infected him. There was a warm white162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey7rBInCyT
presence there. He slowly reached out his hand to rub Shea’s head. She bolted162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBT99COZAU
straight up and began licking his face in earnest. She jumped up and down162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlbeitQH6M
happily barely missing Vander’s body with each step.
“I’m so happy162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkziFL8ciSP
you are awake.” she barked. “I was so worried about you.”
“What’s all that162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxvmrCPQQb
racket?” Vander looked over to see Julianna staring groggily at the bed from162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Da5AhLoGu
his desk chair. A blanket had been dragged out from the closet and placed over162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1crQdJTU7
here. She stared at him for a moment, bewilderment on her face, before she162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ug4U9MvIt
jumped up and ran towards him. He didn’t have time to admire her wearing the162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKu91eo34s6
sheer night gown before she launched herself at him.
“You’re awake,162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuv1C8JTlj5
I’m so happy.” He felt tears splash on his face as she sobbed into him. He162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeenRx7LNP
placed his hand on the top of her head.
“It wasn’t that162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTn3dUdu6e
bad of a wound.” He chuckled. “I’m not sure why you’re so worried about me.”
“You idiot.” She162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqe7RK5qo7
growled. “You have been out for about a day. For awhile you got very feverish,162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7BcTanncv
and your breathing became shallow. I would have brought a doctor in to take162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sikJqphoS
care of you, but Shea stopped me.”
“I smelled162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTVwfpUa0r
poison in your blood.” Shea said. “If you’ll let me, I’ll rip that boy162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbf9uPVgovR
apart for trying to kill you.”
“Leon seemed to162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcSU48soNS
have poisoned his weapon sometime before running me through.” Vander explained.162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY1qq5jM7Z
“If it was anyone else, they likely would have died.” Vander went to get up162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBlWT7EYGX
from the bed, but Julianna pushed him back down.
“You’re still162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAaeyH5sN6
wounded, you should rest and let me get the soldiers to bring Leon in.” Vander162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmq25FPnUlC
grabbed her hand causing her to flinch. Sighing, he lifted his shirt to show162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxT06suX49
her that the stitches had disappeared, and the wound had closed. Shocked, she162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFkkHZdYzj
gingerly traced her fingers tips over the fresh scar, but he didn’t wince once162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkns9N3H3U
from discomfort or pain. “How?” she whispered.
“Part of my162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAbJzGHGjh
curse.” He picked her up quickly causing her to let out a small squeak of162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFibSDel6Oz
surprise. He flipped her around, so she was where he was just lying. They162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBB0VNznsg
stared at each other for a second before Vander broke eye contact and got up162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj3vkehN5I
from the bed.
“Curse?” she162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJM3P5YPDs
asked. “What curse?”
“There’s no way162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFOxV3se7H
you haven’t heard the rumors.” Vander chuckled to himself as he walked into the162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqvpRuGDt3
bathroom.
“Of course I162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCwYQQ9BSm
heard the rumors.” She said. He heard her feet hit the ground then followed him162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFmeyHvE6Q
into the bathroom. He let the water run for a while before removing his clothes162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEULTMtslAR
and dropping them in a pile. “You have no shame huh?” He looked over his162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaVZQOsBvZ
shoulder to see her eyeing him up and down with a mischievous gleam in her162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3uFQ4Ii4l
eyes.
“The rumors, for162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOi70opzw9
the most part, are true, Julianna.” He said. “No good would come from getting162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewwp8AwrK4
too involved with me.”
“I’m not looking162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqc70WVyUh7
for anything serious.” She shrugged off her night gown. “I have an inn to run,162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Lub9cwO5I
but I think some thanks is an order and besides,” she looked below his waist.162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LHlWA2E1C
“I think you might like to blow off some steam as well.”
“Can’t really162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1Uy832yEz
argue with that logic.” He shrugged. He stepped aside then held out his hand to162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8OJXHqyEX
help her into the tub.
She embraced him,162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh5pir2uUn
placing her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her face. He wrapped162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlpk2Fv5NF
his arms around her waist and planted his lips onto hers. Their tongues flicked162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSG5fDfw1B4
against one another as she opened her mouth inviting him deeper inside. Suddenly162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc4qJdfBEF
the lust he felt while being near Unna surfaced and he allowed himself to give162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsbBX5ElRG
into his base desires. At first Julianna was surprised, but after a moment she162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxDYe3KqGJ
met him thrust for thrust. Their bodies mingled together as the haze overtook162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w4txa2Kfu
them, allowing their instincts to take over.
It was morning162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuSrjLLFPc
before Vander woke. Julianna had already gone, the spot on the bed still warm162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSTnKpvi6g
from where she had fallen asleep next to him. His body ached and he spotted162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYrjHLQWrP
several new scratches that he would have to do his best to hide lest his162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN52Gnita0U
grandfather see them. He quickly pulled on his shirt, pants, and boots. Before162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3yMdwq1g7
he left he put on his jacket then grabbed his sword from the closet.
The bar had been162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2y4y5BlwV
tidied up since last night’s shit show. The tables were back to where they had162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaco62LAmea
been and there were no signs of the fight at all, not even the blood that fell162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Uffsdonvw
from Leon’s arm or Vander’s side. Julianna was behind the bar cleaning dishes. When162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNkXUO5WPz
she heard him enter the bottom floor, she looked up, gave him a small smile,162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBxOWzxKbR
then went back to her work. He debated about getting something to eat, but he162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGotHROy0m
was already late to see his grandfather, so he decided to skip a warm meal and162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXimgEDO0J
settle for something on the way.
The streets of162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNC87rjlmM
Eluvia were quiet this early in the morning. The sun hadn’t yet peaked over the162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL7qPj0VW0
horizon, so the streets were still dark, but gradually lightening. The furnace162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8MdsVPPwe
was on at the bakery a couple of streets over, so he knocked on the window and162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLqYNbwWPl
waved one of the workers over. A sweaty man unlocked the door then poked his162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtj9SNrgewn
head out.
“Sorry, we aren’t162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0xzqhWn81
open yet.” He wiped his forehead.
“I just need a162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKO5PjcbKK
small roll,” Vander reached into his pocket to remove a silver coin. “Would you162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9m7Fb4Kf3r
mind?” The man looked from the coin to Vander then back to the coin.
“Sure, we can162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV4NhYjWUv
spare a roll for you.” He ducked back inside, making sure to lock the door just162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFzDbNpYn1
in case Vander tried anything funny. He came a moment later with a hot roll162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAe0KDp54U8
wrapped up in paper. “Here you go.” He held out the roll and the two of them162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVP2BdlUuW
made the trade. It was hot to the touch, it must have just come from the oven,162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC1RNNyE20
but Vander didn’t mind. He happily handed over the coin and went on his way.
The guards let162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iCjOaSgdo
him pass without issues, though some of them gave him a pitying look which was162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRXVXf7kkm
a little confusing, but he paid no mind. Bernard was waiting for him at the162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0JUhs4tCf
bottom of the steps leading into the castle with his head bowed.
“Good to see you162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6WnyHr6tL
Vander.” Bernard said.
“It hasn’t been162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SkgLjzKjx
long since I was here.” Vander said. “Why are you being so polite?” Bernard162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGQ5nbMJt3
straightened up making sure to fix his tie which had become crooked.
“When you didn’t162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS4Yt5Sybr
show up yesterday we feared the worst.” Bernard explained. “Leon explained that162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDKXH7RLtu
you had attacked him and were wounded when he defended himself. Your162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82r1VPbK0L
grandfather was besides himself and Leon’s father wanted to hunt you down and162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN4adBUzK9
make you pay, but Peyton managed to calm him down.”
“Of course, that162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPPr9p78Cb
little bastard would lie about something like that.” Vander clenched his hands.162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGQ2Ax9C2S
“Where is my grandfather? Can I see him?”
“He’s up in his162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx84K2mwkFZ
office.” Bernard said. “I’m here to bring you to him, but I should warn you.162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl15YlKgdY
Leon and his father are up there right now as well. Apparently they heard word162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjISJuST9Cq
you were coming and decided to wait. I am to take your sword please.” He held162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZcWCEraRp
out his hand.
“Am I in trouble?” Vander unbuckled his sword and162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bQAPHyfCt
handed it over to the King’s servant.
“Possibly, it162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxnzpB9xsJ
really just depends how convincing you are.” Bernard slung the sword over his162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5R0gnbWWsG
shoulder then escorted Vander inside.
Along the hall162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJdmutZJiV
leading towards his grandfather’s room, there were Blades lined up against one162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRW3FJ1cUx
wall and soldiers against the other. The air was tense as the soldiers did162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNqozpjSkn
their best to goad the Blades into attacking them, but it never worked. They162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyhc0Qnbh0
fell silent as the two of them walked past, but several soldiers reached for162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWztaPppid
their weapons as some form of veiled threat against him. The door to his162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqKEsvZLoW
grandfather’s office was flanked by another Captain, Leyta, an older Blade162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsJiLJrX9x
several classes ahead of Vander. Jefferey Jilena was standing next to her on162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURksjiPCwl
the other side of the door.
“Captain.” Leyta162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwjcEAA3We
nodded. “He’s waiting for you inside.” She opened the door then stepped back.162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhXWYurvnl
Vander’s heart hammered in his chest as he stepped through.
“You’re a dead162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp3BzXzyT3
man Vander.” Leon said smugly. He was sitting in the chair across from Charles162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc4akDu2ij
with the arm Shea had bitten in a sling. But Vander ignored him to stare at the162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKmlfcG46Y
man who was standing by the window with his arms crossed behind his back.
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“Before we start162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArsGx0rywN
your removal from the Blades, perhaps you can enlighten us as to why you had162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2LFXsUleB
your bitch of a dog injure my son.” Viggo Visc, the third most powerful man in162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiiZekyaJA
the country, turned around to face Vander. “Depending on your answer, her life162Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAJiOfEEBC
will be forfeit.”
