Chapter 12
He slept soundly. No one wanted to142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8DzFOHfol
wake him so the visit by Mari Drayson went off without him. He didn’t awaken142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox1AEqEM5p
until night had fallen and Shea busted into the King’s study to jump on him142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5hnq8LCkp
then proceeded to like his face until his face scrunched up and he pushed her142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBb6n5xv0S
aside.
“Shea, sto-” she interrupted him142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm4kR9jPgu
by licking his mouth. He shot up to start gagging pushing the she-wolf off his142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIsIEITDp9
body. “I’ve told you to stop doing that.” He grumbled.
”And I told you to stop getting142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP16grFxMXw
into fights when I’m not around, and here we are.” She growled into his142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBTTmZzTds
mind. “Imagine my annoyance when I got woken up by some Blades when they142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ha5m5U0yi
came to remove your stuff from the room and escorted me to the castle saying142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqc4jB49Eb
you had been attacked. Imagine my anger when they wouldn’t let me check up on142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIUUAKWJ9q
you until now.”
“Did you leave anyone alive?” she142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb9UjkhnSD
barked her laughter but nodded her head.
“It was difficult, but your142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYtWqXt1H8
grandfather swore to me you were sleeping and needed your rest.” She bumped142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCNL1LTSH3
her head against his chest. He placed his head in her fur then inhaled her142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioeoW8dIBF
scent. He felt the stress and anxiety he had been feeling just melt away.
“I’m sorry for worrying you.” she142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM5PsSVkVK
licked the side of his face accepting the apology. There was a slight knock on142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkglXgbyExO
the door and Alexander poked his head in.
“I heard voices.” He said. “Are142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2XLFUIjSg
you finally awake, Vander?”
“Yep.” He slid his foot off the142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyHtymupVL
couch. Looking up at Alex he saw that his friend had worry lines etched onto142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z5bQZZ2aS
his head while his face was filled with worry. “How long have you been standing142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdFoe9jh7W
there?”
“Once the others told me what had142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyBmrYNtG9
happened.” He explained. “I was about to kill you when you didn’t show to the142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbquA1iRlSz
training, but when that Jilena boy told me I dropped everything to come here.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx1tC2g989
The King told me not to disturb you, so I sat at that door making sure you142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcH9CaMKWY
rested.”
“You got anything to eat?” Alex142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLabcO2XdG
grinned. He disappeared for a second then came back with a tray of steaming hot142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALC5RSNwFi
food.
“Once I saw Shea, I knew it was142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRZ768PCs2
only a matter of time before you awoke so I had the kitchen prepare some stew142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROTLEOVCIi
and bread.” He said. “I had them make a bowl for her as well.”
“Thanks.” Shea was142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0dCW4r6FT
practically salivating on the carpet. Bernard wasn’t ready for what was about142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J0uQtO8DB
to happen. The two of them tore into the food like a couple of beasts. Sauce142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQk9xRaF2S
and chunks of bread flew everywhere. Alex wisely took a step back shaking his142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLmONhAjUl
head in disgust.
“Animals.” He muttered under his142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsnAVJ5qpv
breath. They were done after a few minutes leaving the table a disaster. Vander142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY802SCovtE
leaned back on the couch then stifled a belch. Shea stuck her head into his142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzmGJsDDJr
bowl to lick out the remaining sauce. “Once you’re finished your grandfather142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaB64ZITmj
wanted me to bring you to him.”
“Did he say what it was about?”142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj24KjaUlp
Vander asked. Alex shook his head. Rolling his eyes he got up from the couch,142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB1nPasahL
wobbled for a second, but remained steady. “Let’s go then.”
The castle was on high alert.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUK7BNmvd9
There were more guards here than normal, most of them were regular soldiers,142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWMpQlR40Z
stationed along the halls. Whenever the Wardens showed up everyone was on142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYG9I2uSVpI
alert. The safety of the entire country rested on their heads, so the King142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52z0XiHQzz
always took extra precautions to make sure they were safe.
Alex stood at the door to the142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByVGG3sBbG
Commander’s office while Vander headed inside. Charles was pouring over more142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7L964f5PlR
paperwork at his desk by lamplight. He looked so old sitting there even though142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZyLzuJxVq
he was in his middle years. Just went to show the toll being Commander took.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LyvNO64QN
Shea jumped up onto the couch then placed her head on her paw. It took a couple142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6YXzsQx2R
of seconds for him to put down his quill and to look up at him.
“I heard you were ambushed on the142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuaEUOl6z8
street today.” The old man’s voice hitched. “Are you doing okay?”
“Fine, gramps.” Vander nodded.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgelh2QRCoZ
“What about the man I captured?”
“In the dungeon waiting for his142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3MeByGfmz
questioning.” He said. “I assume you want to do the honors?”
“It would be my pleasure.” Vander142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9S8FLLBaHT
grinned. “But we need to have a talk about something.” He sat down in the chair142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XICYF8fwM
across from his grandfather. “We need to promote the recruits to trainees and142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo9BBZ58pn
allow them to help us around the castle. If today taught me anything we need142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9X678qvH1
more soldiers on the streets protecting the people than we need them in here.”
“It’s not time for them yet.”142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRi3YEmxh7p
Charles shook his head. “They aren’t ready.”
“We don’t have the manpower,”142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrOoBcZ5LB
Vander argued. “Even when all the Blades come back with the wardens, there142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dMyeLhR1v
still isn’t enough. Those five can really help us out.”
“Doesn’t matter if we need the142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznn7K3p1ia
help.” The old man growled. “We have standards we must adhere to. There can be142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqpjGZCmfW
no exceptions.”
“Gramps since I’ve returned a142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsduSQVt1R
couple weeks ago, I’ve almost died twice.” Vander said. “If we had more142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9SFhx9bBY
competent guards this might not have happened. If you’re that worried about it142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT3yby7Dm4
I will keep training them until their time is up and stick them by the entrances.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpTdQKT7ho
An important position, but it wouldn’t put them in harms way.”
“I’ll have to think about it.”142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9CcIjv0dN
Charles sighed. “But your idea does have merit to it.”
“Thank you,” Vander sighed. “I met142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sgylTqq8X
with Ross last night for information on who poisoned Malcolm and he gave me a142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuqEiWgPfs
name.”
“Yea?” Charles looked up142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt696goDKa
interested. “What was it?”
“Green Serpents.” Charles’ face142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEZbJtPl0d
fell. He scrunched his fist on the desk then slammed his fist down on top.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4YwsdteAx
“That bastard.”
“Is there something I should know142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqCWfbvWrE
about?” Vander frowned. “I’ve never heard of them before, but based on your142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlimIgejsRF
reaction and the King’s, it’s something big.”
“Malcolm has his reasons for not142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8vfvXbZAq
telling you, but since you were nearly killed, I suppose to have the right to142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgte8UODNiN
know.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “The Green Serpents are a mercenary142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfjmLKX1fx
band that goes to the highest bidder. However, it wasn’t always that way. The142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5soNkyex1
leader, Jogun Batiste, the King and I used to be close during the wars twenty142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LMyrT4yAp
years ago.”
“What changed?” Vander folded his142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LBcqH5KEE
arms over his chest. If they were now taking contracts on the King himself,142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3mX6zKOOB
something bad must have happened.
“We found out what he did to142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIg3jWZ6lQ
prisoners, especially the children.” Charles’ back sagged. “He would have them142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfXPgZpjpK
fight each other to the death then, if they survived, they were tortured and142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpD8nfBCDb
corrupted into joining them. Some he sent to his loyal soldiers to be142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsUvzIoRpQ
brutalized.”
“Sounds like a real charmer.”142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa17zFwtVF5
Vander said dryly.
“We suspended all contracts with142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL40EEZiF6
them and threw them out of the city.” Charles sighed. “I wanted more drastic142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnDlobZ96A
measures to be taken, but I was overruled. The council thought it would be142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjchVLiBHfL
better to part ways amicably instead of killing or imprisoning those involved.”
“And now they are back trying to142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJpJbvlhlZ
get revenge?” Vander shook his head. “Something is adding up. They are going142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4wQddopT3
through a lot of trouble for revenge. I think there might be more to this,142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6NlaEKsfR
especially since I had nothing to do with twenty years ago.”
“And it would make sense to go142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpc4m9EEkj
after me, someone who was involved, and protects Malcolm.” Charles turned142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoruo8Q8zrn
around and walked back to the desk. “Why are you being targeted? Any ideas?”
“A couple.” Vander hesitated. “My142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeHvtZAwsZ
first thought was that it was because I got involved with Nigel, but I don’t142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbL39f4GWV
think that’s the reason.”
“Vander.” Charles said carefully.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSr3H2V5yuW
“What’s going on?” Vander took a deep sigh then told his grandfather about the142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUs3SsC0d4
dreams he had been having.
It started with Veyar the day142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxftsLMQhKV
before he left for the city along with her warning to keep his identity hidden.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOzX33dxcC
He left out the part of her being trapped in the stormy vortex, he didn’t want142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBr9T6pmag
to give the impression that the Deities were fighting each other, not that142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx8mYh0Qsy
anyone would believe him. Then he told him about the dream with Unna about142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUU8qQOU2IO
fulfilling his role. Lastly he told him about his most recent dream about142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnkh3sZGt5
Imitae being chained up to a wall and reiterating the same thing his wife had142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH8e0f6Ps4
told him.
“So, you think they went after you142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqCNgEM5nb
because they know you are the Ma’akti Unnatun?” Charles asked. “How could they142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapIp9viShg
know? Not many people do, even less could figure it out.”
“Gramps I communicate with a142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y2Za0jDVr
Shadow Beast,” Vander laughed. “She might look like a wolf, but either way it’s142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShhg7Nh7mx
not a common occurrence to walk around with her. It might be nothing, but all142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZmXuZ6M13
of these dreams these murder attempts, something is going down.”
“I already moved your stuff here142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjFh8ExlE0
to your old room.” Charles said. “I will have guards on you at all times to142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TujwZEyJw
make sure you stay safe.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGavveX7n8m
gramps.” Vander sighed. “Put the guards you were going to put on me and put142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6rFzXXAUo
them on the King or Warden Drayson. I don’t need protection.”
“Then I will put Alex on it, he142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBMBQei5S0
seems to be the only one who can wrangle you.” Charles sat back down. “What142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ooq71C8Ek
else did Ross tell you?” Vander looked at him confused. “I’ve known you since142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5HPb7W4SD
you were a boy, Vander. You think I couldn’t tell you were hiding something142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb7TVznU6c
from me?” Vander sighed deeply.
“He told me that he could find the142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrbSmnUhtI
Serpents for us, the problem is I would have to fight for him.” Vander142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ospvZ9ZTh
explained. “In the pits.” Charles lowered his head and sighed.
“Do you think he has a way to get142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRljfBn4QOe
that information?”
“Yes,” Vander nodded. “But that’s142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJO64NWPEH
not a place I want to fight in. We can handle the information gathering142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbuuXUENeG
ourselves. I’m certain of it.”
“With our resources stretched thin142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vRvXvyo3c
I doubt we will have the time, but now that we know who they are, we should142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXZqVruHDt
have better luck finding them.” Charles said. He opened his mouth, but there142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOhOJwD9nq
was a knock at the door. “Come in!”
Alex poked his head inside.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvf5qCsdY6d
“Commander, Vander, Anna Drayson is here to talk to you.”
“Send her in.” Charles and Vander142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYp7MlkwLVI
got up from their seats to greet the young woman and heir to the Eastern142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2uVj9HyS9
Warden.
Anna Drayson was only a couple142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSgAjfBKXd
years younger than Vander, but an accomplished soldier. She wore the native142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyyWykCe8w
uniform in an ocean climate: a leather cuirass, a short skirt, leather shin142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQL3r37O9R
guards, boots, and arm guards. Strapped to their waist they usually held a142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDMgZLYvor
short sword, but for now it was empty. They wore helmets with a blue stripe on142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRGpQvf08Q
top to show their devotion to the sea. However, this was only their ceremonial142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFeuUAaJp8
uniform, in actual battle they wore iron for better protection.
“Sorry for the intrusion.” Her142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPi9RbZUO9g
voice was melodic. She removed her helmet and a cascade of silver blonde hair142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCP0aXujosc
fell past her shoulders. Her brown eyes held onto Vander’s for a moment before142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpZlha0GEe
flickering to his grandfather. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“No Anna, we were just finishing142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8MrFewMbM
up.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “What can I do for you?”
“My grandmother requested Captain142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Zzy9ygFFJ
Vander’s presence and asked that I escort him to her.” Vander and Charles142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7m3kuvHYN
exchanged glances.
“I haven’t talked to her since I142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwkYQBSMwU
was a small child.” Vander frowned. “What could she want to talk to me about?”142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDshKl9j1X
Anna just shrugged her shoulders. Sighing he got up from the chair. “Seems I’ve142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFbYmR3jyw
been doing more talking than just about anything else recently.”
“We can change that if you want.”142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhseUxv7Q7B
Anna grinned. “I’ve been wanting to fight you for years, wolfling.”
“I told you to stop calling me142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJQjRpf2gg
that.” Vander snapped. He wrapped his elbow around her neck, forcing her to142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRf5VoJwB6
bend, then rubbed his knuckles through her hair.
“Ow, ow, ow.” She rammed her elbow142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SxPwI4wHN
into her stomach causing him to bend over. They broke apart and squared up,142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWnUxa94mK
fists raised in front of them.
“Not in the office, Vander.”142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbXG8IisCG
Charles snarled. “Get going the two of you, before you break something.”
“Yes sir.” Anna bowed. Vander142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1ow17s33S
whistled causing Shea to wake up rather abruptly. She growled her annoyance,142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuTXZY0Ij3
but upon seeing Anna she jumped down off the couch and ran over to her. “Hello,142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UZ43vqpwN
Shea.” She cooed. “How are you?” She responded by jumping up and licking her142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqW9AhjPd1
face.
“Come on you two.” Vander said.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAhBL3KPvk
“You can get reacquainted on the way. Let’s go.”
Anna chatted with Shea while she142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiXcIRaQCT
led the way towards Drayson’s accommodations. Since she lived in a villa on the142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFl1oJ0Whs
ocean, the apartment she stayed in was on the eastern most side and higher up142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeiyLlWx6v
than the others. They enjoyed the cool over there and that tower was the142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRvbAnwfwJ
coolest area in the entire castle. Which, of course, meant climbing up hundreds142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yCyxsObNv
of stairs.
The stairs were guarded by two142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpy2M4BWZu
Blades and two of Drayson’s own guards. They nodded their heads in difference142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLwU3GtgiV
to the heir, but blocked Vander from going farther. The two blades went to step142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtINVDkuLVi
up, but Vander waved them back. He unclipped his sword and held it out to the142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcHnrj2Zmo
guards. They took it then stepped back ushering them to the stairs. As Anna142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVR73Qvc5F
walked past, the Blades returned her sword to her. With Anna leading, they142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7KA5QDkbO
walked their way up the stairs.
He was out of breath by the time142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05CSW57TIp
they reached the top, but for Anna this seemed to be a light workout. Shea also142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeF3iwKzVj
seemed to be enjoying herself because she tossed a lop-sided grin back towards142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0WfuHuKl4
Vander. He made a mental note to withhold steak from her for the next week.
The apartment they were in could142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrICUT7y4v
have doubled as a massive house in the first ring. There were four massive142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2NNoTNA32
suits, three bathrooms and plenty of walking-around space. The servants did a142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvfXQEuLL3
good job decorating as the entire room was painted blue. The reflections from142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW51TFUGS4U
the paint gave the room a blueish hue, it felt as though he was underwater.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmcRN2t4IE
Sitting in the middle of the floor, on top of some blue pillows, sat an older142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9t6Qhbp0I
woman wearing a long blue robe. There was a long pipe in her long slender142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFUtjnpJqQ
fingers. Her blue-green eyes looked up as they entered, a slight smile142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL733etuqnw
flickered on her face.
“Grandmother.” Anna got down on142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerV0OQ2Lyg
one knee and bowed her head respectfully. Shea trotted over to the older lady142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsak5aJMJo
then plopped her head down in her lap.
“Remove your boots Vander, then142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW8bLQtZav
come sit.” Mari said, her voice only slightly louder than a whisper. “Anna, you142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUcBgFf3ku
may join us if you wish.”
“I think I should wash up from my142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzt9bvMhHFw
trip.” Anna got up from the floor. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfcEM1JUHr
proper bath and I feel as though the entire city could smell me.”
“I didn’t want to say anything142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gCvlV8SqI
before because I didn’t want to draw attention to it, but-” a wet shoe slapped142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyaDCEflHU
him in the face. He gagged from the smell, but before he could throw it back he142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2th6nYhM4k
heard a door slam shut.
“You shouldn’t treat her like142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUoN9zVZdU
that.” Mari said sternly with a hint of amusement in her voice. “She still has142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3jGwFC0Gz
a thing for you even after all these years.”
“It wouldn’t work between us,”142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImcjoUZySn
Vander sighed. “She knows that, and I know that. She can’t leave your villa142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb593HBPRie
like I can’t leave the city. We are just from different worlds.”
“Is that what kept you and Bree142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOV5dgmB7M
Valarian from getting farther?” Vander tried to contain his anger with the way142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGQqhAgBWn
this conversation was going.
“I don’t want to talk about her.”142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBfAADbcV0
He growled. She blew a puff of smoke at him causing him to cough.
“You’ve been through a lot since142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sXh1TceDH
I’ve last seen you.” she said. “You’ve aged. It’s in your eyes.”
“It’s been a rough couple week.”142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvXshFGfZS
Vander leaned backwards to stare up at the ceiling. “Been attacked a couple of142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNf7Y20Uwt
times, got some not so veiled threats, and have been poisoned. Things aren’t142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgL3vmQO9K
looking well.”
“You need to take some time to142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lvATC4eR0
relax Vander.” Mari blew out some more smoke. “Things are only going to get142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqTSK6DsY9
more difficult for you.” Drayson inhaled more smoke, but she held on to it142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcTII86Tqw
longer than she should have. She looked up at Vander, but her eyes were deep142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubxMbnklpU
black this time, all trace of Mari was gone.
“Veyar,” Vander sighed.
“Ma’akti Unnatun.”142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZIcWCBK1J
Mari’s voice turned deeper, but still slightly feminine. “How good to see142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcq4ys4afb
you again.”
“What is this about?” Vander142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLWRbXJRZa
frowned. “I got your message the first time, as well as your husbands. I don’t142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQixvSRQl2
think there is anything else I need.”
“There is someone coming who is142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRadK3StkR
blessed with my daughter’s powers.” Veyar smiled. “She will be of great142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf2agT8mIV
help to you in this fight. Treat her well. You have a long road ahead of you,142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTzvbBTJNG
hold on to your allies, they will be your best asset.”
“How will I know who my ally is?”142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXWxF6gEnp
he asked.
“You’ll know her when you see142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOh2CfMwTf
her.” Veyar said. “It will take some time for you to gain her trust, but142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAF5iG2F9C
once you have it you will have an ally for life.”
“I don’t like people being played142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcezoPqbumM
into helping me, Veyar.” Vander said. “Either she will do it of her own will or142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiBpFgvUN4
not at all.”
“This has been written for a142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YimCzEl2D
long time Vander.” She said. “This was ordained long before my children142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJwgW9LuhD
were born. This battle will shape the world for good, or worst. With that,142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTZHPZODJn
Veyar’s eyes closed and a moment later Mari was awakened.
“How long?” Vander asked her.
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“Since I was a child.” Mari142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaed0miRwc
smiled, but she looked tired. “Once I go it will pass down to Anna. Will you142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPuyVmOaz1
help me to bed? I’m suddenly very tired.” Vander got up from the ground and142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzhvrgdKqd
picked the older woman up in his arms. She pointed to her room and he carried142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKSG9KII19
her to her bed.
