Chapter 6
Vander vaguely remembered the114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWhcRPb25a
feeling of being dragged up many stairs, carried down a hallway, and the warm114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCzyawleJA
covers of his bed. His memory of Julianna standing over him in the candlelight114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwGTN86oTO
as she pieced together the pieces of his skin using thread, a needle, and114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoUu5GSsUk
plenty of booze to disinfect everything. Shea guarded the door to keep anyone114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r86CqH1TW
who she didn’t trust from entering, while letting out low whimpers as she114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxyTn7kWrL
worried for her master. He dropped into an uneasy slumber, immune to the pain114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIAKRWfB9d
that traveled through his body. The only solace he found was in dreams.
∙
A drop of water fell on114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3S0hfve14s
Vander’s forehead. His eyes remained closed, but the weather was determined to114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtq1zGyDeX4
wake him. Several more fell on his face hitting his eyes, forehead, and mouth.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9EeA7NEcz
His eyes scrunched together before he slowly opened them. He was confused114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3r779AQfC
because he expected to wake up in his bed with the roof of the inn above his114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xMALOrAaQ
head. But instead, he saw the cloudy morning sky surrounded by tall maple and114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NNfIHgrzc
pine trees. He was dressed in ill-fitting rags. The pants went as far down as114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFn6L87nWFU
his shins while his shirt was in tatters. He slowly rose to his feet, his stiff114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzQagHQWwo
muscles protesting from the sudden movement. It hadn’t been long since his114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoixEbGyC7p
injuries, but time moved differently here, as it did in all the realms of the114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BKLYYcNVL
Deities.
He could smell blood and sweat,114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy10hnXjPZS
the trademark sign of his patron goddess, Unna, Lord of the Beasts and Madness.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6PLsZ2RLR
There were hundreds of beasts waiting in the woods, their red eyes focused114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCZRkiQiMV
solely on him. Any wrong move would send them into a frenzy and would tear him114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m07hrXmGq
apart. It was the rule of the jungle here, you couldn’t show fear. The first114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GjoNMP6qO
time he had come here all those years ago was almost his last, but he had114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cvTnBLIly
adapted quickly killing a creature that had mistaken him for easy prey. The114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHL05SiktpJ
rest fell in line, but sometimes a creature gets a little too full of114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn38eYfxW9
themselves and must be put in their place. However, the fact that he had woken114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8DsjaIVIm
up here meant the ruler of the forest had grabbed him, no one them would go114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjeLn8dtsu
against her orders.
He got to his feet then started114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ325KHnVVAC
to walk along the path laid out for him. He ignored the biting pain in his feet114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13Uot9qhU6
from sticks, stones, and dead leaves scattered around. His blood scented the114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPesDtd6Xjb
ground marking him as the forests now. He knew that when he died he would wind114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAylOpVZMT9
up here, the same as all the other beasts. This was the forest laying claim to114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2g3VQeWS1r
him for its mistress.
He walked for what seemed like114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQ06NQD3rT
hours, but he didn’t get tired, hungry, or thirsty. He just put one step in114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmuiAdJCvT
front of the other. It had started to rain, but he kept it going until the sun114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegRv6hKgoL
had set in this domain and the creatures around him grew quiet. The woods114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vQTl26KdJ
became thicker, and the normal brown trees turned blood red. The sky darkened114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNNqlWc2Iq
then the moon appeared illuminating the woods in a blueish glow. He heard114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLavXtyq3u1
running water coming from his left. He turned to walk into the woods towards114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNBQRcgOdu
the waterfall where he knew Unna would be. He saw a large white wolf walking in114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAo57vK7C0m
step with him. The creature was twice the size of Vander with white-blue fur114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7C5SJLsrH
and deep red eyes.
Ritoru, if legends were to be114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrWRv96Vvc
believed, was the first human to accept Unna’s blessing. He had lived as a114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XKVkADwat
tyrant, slaying anyone who crossed his path and offered his victims life for114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD9l2BxyjX
the deity. In exchange for his loyalty, she made him into this creature forever114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqS4EKOGmD
to serve her and kill those unworthy. The truth was, she had prayed for his114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfT19qoPj3
weakness and need to be stronger. Promising power beyond his wildest dreams, he114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv0MuaJTAP
accepted it without understanding the consequences. Now he was a prisoner of114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCi01Qbh3B
his own making waiting for the day he gets released from his own personal hell.
They walked for a little while114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT2taFW6cx
until the trees thinned out revealing a small pool that was being bathed in114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s50kBB0al
moonlight. There was a small rock formation above the moon with a light trickle114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfvzJkv2Gd
of water cascading down into the pool creating a ripple effect. The water was114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGmOVdX48r
crystal clear, and you could see little, tiny fishes swimming around in the114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM1GMQbwY6
depths. No matter how much he wanted to go into the crystal blue water, he114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei91Arc2ZY
couldn’t. This was Unna’s pool and going in without her permission was114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgg3Y5H7IZ
tantamount to suicide. So, he sat down and waited.
Within the middle of the pool114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q11bW9wWm
large ripples began to emerge. Moments later a pale woman burst out whipping114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9F8Q5TvaQ
her black hair over her shoulders tossing water behind her. Even though he114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1tLn8BTzR
couldn’t see her face, Unna’s nickname as a seductress wasn’t wrong. She had a114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXF9n3AM7Y
thin body, that was surprisingly filled with muscle. She was graceful and curvy114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVRnangERn
but eyed you up in the way a hunter looks at prey. Even now, sitting on the114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcU6OIbAav
ground, Vander was aroused and based on the coy smile she tossed at him over114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScmOq4wfIb
her shoulder, revealing long pointed canines, she noticed.
She took her time leaving the114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi193gQM8ur
pool, swaying side by side as she walked towards him. Her thighs rubbed114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEgKe7k5gO
together as her breasts moved slightly with the movement. As she stepped out114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxANvFuI8X
from the pool, a sleeveless black dress with a low-cut neckline and a slit down114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDR5FL27Tx
the left leg. Some how she looked even better with clothes on.
“You’re a naughty boy.” She114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdT2cNxJhG
smiled. “You are thinking all sorts of dangerous thoughts aren’t you?”114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMbApsNOtX
He stood up as she walked over towards him. She looked at a finger under his114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfZdejc2qy
chin and pulled him so close that their mouths were almost touching. “You114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkRifkwOxI
want to don’t you Vander? It’s alright, I’ll give you everything you could have114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0k73YszON
ever wanted in a woman. So, how about it?” It would be easy for him to give114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzmauaXdFr
her all of him and many times he was tempted, but he knew what happened to114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuBw2Xn4vA
those who couldn’t resist. He wouldn’t end up like them.
“Why have you brought me here?”114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCSN5zoSuQ
he asked. Sighing with frustration, Unna let him go. It was so sudden that he114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpzTraFf3y
fell back on the ground. She towered over him then placed a bare foot on his114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Stmb5Asbp
chest. He could see her dress, so he quickly looked away.
“You’re annoying you know that.” She114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2IbQyRuzn
snorted. “At first the chase was fun, but now I’m growing bored of it.”
“It’s not my fault you chosen me114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFITmicFih
to be your champion.” Vander snorted. She bent down over him and stuck her114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi2aWha4XY
fingers to his side. He let out a hiss of pain as she dug her fingers into the114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPicERiFHhG
side where Leon had cut him. Her hand was covered in blood as she brought it up114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKm8nOX6PG
to her mouth then licked her fingers clean.
“I taste poison in your blood,114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KxFXNgolJ
Vander.” She grinned.
“Poison?” he asked. “What114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4ifSgiKvi
kind of poison?”
“Do you know why you come here114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKYyYlEg7C
Vander?” she asked. She stepped off him then walked behind him. He rolled114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLZ4TwMM4P
over and got to his feet as her throne appeared out of thin air. The throne was114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWp0jACmuu
made from pure white bone. They said it was the bones of all she killed in the114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFHSLAugFt
war, but it was hard to tell. They had all fused together to create the throne114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRERJPXy03K
and it was difficult to pull out individual pieces.
“I assume you will tell me.” He114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2K3lb1js4
said.
“You come here when you need114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0Es9zV2GS
something from me.” She explained. “It doesn’t have to be a conscious114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlZpLCde8E
need; it can be a subconscious need. Whether it be to get healed, needing some114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJOzbDECiW
answers to a question, or getting your rocks off. It’s always something and I’m114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPV4giob1Xg
getting tired of it.”
“What is it I can do for you114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILH4He8QgR
then?”
“Give in to your demons.” She114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kGgp8oSQr
laughed. ”Give in just once and I will heal you.”
“If I give in, I’ll end up closer114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabUZ7TbK9P
to becoming one of your slaves.” He growled. “I will not go down that114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5VCvQNa4f
path, no matter what.”
“You don’t have a choice, Vander.”114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ovsQTKt2C
She got up from her throne and grabbed him by the neck. She lifted him off114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zr0IrTIXw
the ground and brought him close to her. “Once you said yes to me, your114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VYSL0VU0z
future was already written. You are mine.” She dropped him gasping and114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtR3LMIqjM
wheezing to the ground. “However, you still have a role to play, one of114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdVfeAQvRZ
which my grandmother has already told you about, so I cannot let you die here.”
She snapped114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpWNF08agD
her fingers and a searing pain erupted from his side. He thrashed and screamed114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN77KdKWzc
as the flame coursed through him. His body began to twitch and squirm as his114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiQJ3YYf5e
blood began to boil. As quickly as it started, it ended. He lay on the ground114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOg1nIi9kF
breathing heavily as steam rose from him.
“Remember Vander,114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTThlhbNGmh
you are promised to me and no other. Go. Fulfill your role, now begone.” She114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0Hv6Bji2L
waved her hand. His body flew backwards, out of the woods, then slammed back114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz9BPboPN7
into his own body. “I will be waiting.” Her voice echoed in his head. He114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCTibIWh9Y
opened his eyes.
∙
There was a large114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN4r4hh7zc
weight pushing down into his chest. His vision was still foggy, likely from114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiIg6hMkwU
both passing out and the poison that had infected him. There was a warm white114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaetG70fl5G
presence there. He slowly reached out his hand to rub Shea’s head. She bolted114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZTc9XIvWD
straight up and began licking his face in earnest. She jumped up and down114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFwbhj7qpI
happily barely missing Vander’s body with each step.
“I’m so happy114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntbXos9HpS
you are awake.” she barked. “I was so worried about you.”
“What’s all that114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIRBgV18OA
racket?” Vander looked over to see Julianna staring groggily at the bed from114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7lr6U9zXw
his desk chair. A blanket had been dragged out from the closet and placed over114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKZoU7zBMa
here. She stared at him for a moment, bewilderment on her face, before she114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfG7tomQp9D
jumped up and ran towards him. He didn’t have time to admire her wearing the114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5wM3026tY
sheer night gown before she launched herself at him.
“You’re awake,114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTJJMF563R
I’m so happy.” He felt tears splash on his face as she sobbed into him. He114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUMaL2qr2I
placed his hand on the top of her head.
“It wasn’t that114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOfdh7LDK9
bad of a wound.” He chuckled. “I’m not sure why you’re so worried about me.”
“You idiot.” She114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJPWNe8CqJ
growled. “You have been out for about a day. For awhile you got very feverish,114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NPPMqtT6S
and your breathing became shallow. I would have brought a doctor in to take114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj36YbjzRxR
care of you, but Shea stopped me.”
“I smelled114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8gXuE6FxC
poison in your blood.” Shea said. “If you’ll let me, I’ll rip that boy114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBTU2ipVCe
apart for trying to kill you.”
“Leon seemed to114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AhkzVhWkn
have poisoned his weapon sometime before running me through.” Vander explained.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnqkMWqs9b
“If it was anyone else, they likely would have died.” Vander went to get up114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcPrLxaoMy
from the bed, but Julianna pushed him back down.
“You’re still114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLa5oFX2YL
wounded, you should rest and let me get the soldiers to bring Leon in.” Vander114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bV79oLty4
grabbed her hand causing her to flinch. Sighing, he lifted his shirt to show114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2MXxO3srj
her that the stitches had disappeared, and the wound had closed. Shocked, she114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBuNOYYs0N
gingerly traced her fingers tips over the fresh scar, but he didn’t wince once114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz2eFk8laj
from discomfort or pain. “How?” she whispered.
“Part of my114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoKY7QFaem
curse.” He picked her up quickly causing her to let out a small squeak of114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQwrosuBFy
surprise. He flipped her around, so she was where he was just lying. They114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v09xRf728
stared at each other for a second before Vander broke eye contact and got up114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbwMphrx6J
from the bed.
“Curse?” she114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5Fzs8fFmx
asked. “What curse?”
“There’s no way114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2mcLK9soJ
you haven’t heard the rumors.” Vander chuckled to himself as he walked into the114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwTfrg6a0Q
bathroom.
“Of course I114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSNDUygSVW
heard the rumors.” She said. He heard her feet hit the ground then followed him114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBulXXX2B8s
into the bathroom. He let the water run for a while before removing his clothes114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL14lo4CKF7
and dropping them in a pile. “You have no shame huh?” He looked over his114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHtvlDeta6
shoulder to see her eyeing him up and down with a mischievous gleam in her114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4ZwOl6CxN
eyes.
“The rumors, for114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqSHofBcR2
the most part, are true, Julianna.” He said. “No good would come from getting114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2tgSVSiAr
too involved with me.”
“I’m not looking114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh8KXpvlbX
for anything serious.” She shrugged off her night gown. “I have an inn to run,114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjEgS6y9J2
but I think some thanks is an order and besides,” she looked below his waist.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcRNgkxvbV
“I think you might like to blow off some steam as well.”
“Can’t really114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6YpXzPFJ8
argue with that logic.” He shrugged. He stepped aside then held out his hand to114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwtiiIgJZe
help her into the tub.
She embraced him,114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkr757aTCbM
placing her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her face. He wrapped114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbOtz68cTN
his arms around her waist and planted his lips onto hers. Their tongues flicked114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaTaUsqzu1
against one another as she opened her mouth inviting him deeper inside. Suddenly114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfZYZmfqnf
the lust he felt while being near Unna surfaced and he allowed himself to give114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPsn3sHuPq
into his base desires. At first Julianna was surprised, but after a moment she114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVxebiFFTP
met him thrust for thrust. Their bodies mingled together as the haze overtook114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbstWlGdOE6
them, allowing their instincts to take over.
It was morning114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIcg2ydWIO
before Vander woke. Julianna had already gone, the spot on the bed still warm114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3nHO6Jh21
from where she had fallen asleep next to him. His body ached and he spotted114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHBU6oTJnp
several new scratches that he would have to do his best to hide lest his114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVfR0RVMxa
grandfather see them. He quickly pulled on his shirt, pants, and boots. Before114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBZZLM2ma1
he left he put on his jacket then grabbed his sword from the closet.
The bar had been114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fApm4Vjnm
tidied up since last night’s shit show. The tables were back to where they had114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsLs0AjP7Y
been and there were no signs of the fight at all, not even the blood that fell114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLcGSPcxJG
from Leon’s arm or Vander’s side. Julianna was behind the bar cleaning dishes. When114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc4cYA33eW
she heard him enter the bottom floor, she looked up, gave him a small smile,114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7foSjDfLV
then went back to her work. He debated about getting something to eat, but he114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ytW7OgIqh
was already late to see his grandfather, so he decided to skip a warm meal and114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszkB9qZ8QS
settle for something on the way.
The streets of114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyVgmw8cIa
Eluvia were quiet this early in the morning. The sun hadn’t yet peaked over the114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBEXMVoIbF
horizon, so the streets were still dark, but gradually lightening. The furnace114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiAFd3qCmO
was on at the bakery a couple of streets over, so he knocked on the window and114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jQIkQ8mOh
waved one of the workers over. A sweaty man unlocked the door then poked his114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkvO9Aplkm
head out.
“Sorry, we aren’t114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07S7Pj03ln
open yet.” He wiped his forehead.
“I just need a114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkvHupnH2g
small roll,” Vander reached into his pocket to remove a silver coin. “Would you114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFedHFtvBFx
mind?” The man looked from the coin to Vander then back to the coin.
“Sure, we can114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4MyH9IcrK
spare a roll for you.” He ducked back inside, making sure to lock the door just114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAOONYeL4V
in case Vander tried anything funny. He came a moment later with a hot roll114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlhdr8SroW
wrapped up in paper. “Here you go.” He held out the roll and the two of them114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFWnq6oTaj
made the trade. It was hot to the touch, it must have just come from the oven,114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpckLlbkFB
but Vander didn’t mind. He happily handed over the coin and went on his way.
The guards let114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM305ARMgUk
him pass without issues, though some of them gave him a pitying look which was114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eos2aWV9y
a little confusing, but he paid no mind. Bernard was waiting for him at the114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5e1REZxgaR
bottom of the steps leading into the castle with his head bowed.
“Good to see you114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYLsstYfS1
Vander.” Bernard said.
“It hasn’t been114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Uj1D0vwuc
long since I was here.” Vander said. “Why are you being so polite?” Bernard114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1BeJDs45x
straightened up making sure to fix his tie which had become crooked.
“When you didn’t114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBQ2IiSlZZ
show up yesterday we feared the worst.” Bernard explained. “Leon explained that114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYy7CyA9S2
you had attacked him and were wounded when he defended himself. Your114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCQwa0KxNa
grandfather was besides himself and Leon’s father wanted to hunt you down and114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxZTC0UkU5
make you pay, but Peyton managed to calm him down.”
“Of course, that114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsI0lb4iz0o
little bastard would lie about something like that.” Vander clenched his hands.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgBVx2q1u6
“Where is my grandfather? Can I see him?”
“He’s up in his114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmT9qKu8rR
office.” Bernard said. “I’m here to bring you to him, but I should warn you.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtT8zQtT8t
Leon and his father are up there right now as well. Apparently they heard word114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCAJ0TXFfs
you were coming and decided to wait. I am to take your sword please.” He held114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVj5yS3kQMj
out his hand.
“Am I in trouble?” Vander unbuckled his sword and114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fJYIhBM1g
handed it over to the King’s servant.
“Possibly, it114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVqhwBj6xC
really just depends how convincing you are.” Bernard slung the sword over his114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD662naLyvi
shoulder then escorted Vander inside.
Along the hall114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigGnjInlQh
leading towards his grandfather’s room, there were Blades lined up against one114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeO9ehmcVY
wall and soldiers against the other. The air was tense as the soldiers did114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHZ89nRVfo
their best to goad the Blades into attacking them, but it never worked. They114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeuTlnQTuQ
fell silent as the two of them walked past, but several soldiers reached for114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHvo0CEAU1
their weapons as some form of veiled threat against him. The door to his114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06udatvC1w
grandfather’s office was flanked by another Captain, Leyta, an older Blade114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNZDZLXq8N
several classes ahead of Vander. Jefferey Jilena was standing next to her on114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuauP8GF1sE
the other side of the door.
“Captain.” Leyta114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0VqcktoQ6
nodded. “He’s waiting for you inside.” She opened the door then stepped back.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNXHJSqyLm
Vander’s heart hammered in his chest as he stepped through.
“You’re a dead114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvUFskAx2r
man Vander.” Leon said smugly. He was sitting in the chair across from Charles114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2ebyF60kt
with the arm Shea had bitten in a sling. But Vander ignored him to stare at the114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv86ciW72Kn
man who was standing by the window with his arms crossed behind his back.
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“Before we start114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPgb0YPMjQ
your removal from the Blades, perhaps you can enlighten us as to why you had114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbphZvwSCHm
your bitch of a dog injure my son.” Viggo Visc, the third most powerful man in114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqXozxrntx
the country, turned around to face Vander. “Depending on your answer, her life114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWxCUvHSOW
will be forfeit.”
