Chapter 22
Vander watched as blood seeped out109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAJKytL0HL
of the King’s chest. However, instead of checking to see if he was alright,109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3zrzSUkzX
Vander took a few steps backwards reaching for the sword that wasn’t there.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX7AiR8w8c
Peyton took a step in, stepping over the King, to advance on Vander holding the109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMg8mUiCTvg
sword out in front of him.
“Give me the book.” Peyton109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvaqZqmDhr
snapped. “Don’t make me hurt you.”
“What have you done to Shea?”109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddUxpR50rj
Vander snapped.
“I put her down for a nap.” Peyton109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJk6ETu0F0
smiled. “She should really be carefully about who she accepts snacks from.”
“You bastard.” Vander went to109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptwm40OFuI
lunge for him, but the sword shot out catching him just under the chin.
“Tut, tut, Vander, you don’t have109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFJ4De7vLW
a weapon.” The man grinned. Vander walked backwards, but Peyton followed him109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVPj6SAb7V
until he was pushed up against the desk. “Hand me the book while I’m still109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJgo6UQmnR
asking nicely.”
“No,” He wasn’t sure what the man109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeXi2mISLV
wanted with the book, but if he was willing to kill the King for it, it must be109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtWbrpwj0A
something important.
“I wanted to keep you alive, but109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUHqgdEmvh
if you choose to stand in my way I will kill you.” He swung with the sword, but109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IT0dWvUSo
Vander ducked under the swing. He punched Peyton in the stomach, but his hand109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZC92zzRmUG
hit something metallic causing him to cry out in pain. “Not even your strength109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1ORKrfc8s
will get through that armor, Vander.” He swung again, but this time Vander109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6tJ46n0Mc
caught the hilt of the sword on his forearm then punched Peyton in the jaw. The109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2Z0aMPQLH
man stumbled backwards dropping the sword.
“I don’t need my abilities to kill109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWA66uVvMN
a coward like you.” Vander snarled. He went to punch Peyton again, but this109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1koG2ebNU1
time the old man moved out of the way. He spun around, but Peyton got his hands109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgusijs3jum
on a book and clapped Vander’s cheek with it. He fell backwards, his head109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UrmhzGlwt
spinning from the blow. Peyton tackled him forcing him to the ground.
“You forget I was a soldier too.”109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFRrhk94Gq
The older man laughed. “I’ve fought and killed more people than you’ve had109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7HGa6LuQU
birthdays, boy.” Vander grabbed Peyton’s arms then brought his legs up to109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkm5M1NN2f
launch him overhead onto the desk. The lamp shattered and glasses went flying109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eRYMsEcsO
as he rolled onto the ground. Vander decided to use the quick reprieve to check109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0Q4agB5HL
on the king.
“Malcolm,” he shouted. “Hold on.”109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHtvgG5HNm
Malcolm coughed up some more blood as he looked up at Vander with warmth in his109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD65IQ0KIly
eyes,
“I’m dying, Vander.” He wheezed.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVhyBfEjP1
His body spasmed as he talked and based on his beating heart, Vander knew he109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvpDmbN36Z
didn’t have long to live. “Take the book and run, don’t let that man have it.”
“What’s so special about this109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYy9yDGRUsX
book.” He asked resisting the urge to cry.
“No time.” Malcolm coughed. “There109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RkoEgy6qM
is a knife in my desk, top drawer to the left, get it and take it with you. I109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEtJaTIHvp
have no doubt that Peyton will frame you for my murder. Save yourself, do109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknQTAUqVPD
whatever you can to make it out alive.” Malcolm grabbed Vander’s arms to haul109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClIzEIN7gX
himself up to his feet. Vander went to steady him, but Malcolm pushed him109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKpwkXOV9e
aside. “They might hate you, but I won’t, Vander. You gave me the chance to see109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0hMO8pqlo
my son marry and I know he will make a wonderful King.”
“You crafty bastard.” Peyton got109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGgqp5m5P3
to his feet. “Give me that book.” He jumped over the desk and ran towards109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTazhg2MA5g
Vander, but Malcolm grabbed his old friend’s shoulders doing his best to hold109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRusPIYP3Pq
him back.
“Vander, Go!” Wasting no time,109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2rJVqXAod
Vander lunged towards the desk then opened the door. He saw the ornate knife109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hkyifjqPu
then tucked it into his waistband. He raced to the door but turned around in109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcpKG71eIP
time to see Peyton stick his hand into Malcolm’s chest and rip out his heart.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI9yNVFZlP
The ring on Peyton’s hand glowed blue as Malcolm shuddered then fell to the109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAlpeqk9Aw
floor. Vander heard Malcolm’s lungs release his last breath of air before109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswtX5vK6aJ
stilling.
“You bastard.” Vander spat. Peyton109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPW4PgSvcJ
grinned then shouted:
“Help, the King has been killed,109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRa3to6iqSV
someone help me!” Wasting no time, Vander ran out the door and down the109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf161s13pIm
hallway. He saw Shea slumped over on the ground barely breathing. Without109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvvx317cpk
skipping a beat, he scooped her up and held the knife out in front of him. Peyton109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1OIcm9FTA
was close on his heels shouting the entire time.
Knowing he didn’t have time to109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqyDz9yAb0
explain, he bowled over the Blades coming towards him then came towards the109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSlioNqJMZ
stairs. Without skipping a beat, he jumped onto the banister then slid all the109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSKkUZJ1Af
way down. He landed in the ballroom as Peyton ran to the rail.
“Stop him!” Peyton shouted. “He109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDa51UvqLm
just killed the King!” Pandemonium erupted as nobles tried to get away as109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyehsvz4pDn
soldiers from all over rushed towards Vander. It was proving quite a challenge109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJ2OlSB3uU
to carry Shea while fending them off so he did the one thing he sword he would109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHPGxIKUpZ
never do. He prayed to Unna. Moments later he felt power welling up in him. As109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFITK05b7Ee
everyone came towards him, it seemed as though time was standing still. He109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCtm6o7qqQ
rushed through, doing his best not to hurt any of them, as he ran towards the109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6QJ2EGhzO
door. A voice rang out over the crowd that caused him to momentarily stop in109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWR6Mysc0uU
his tracks.
“Vander!” He turned around to see109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05QbtLPIOZ
Cuvera staring at him with a look of disbelief on his face. He looked up at109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZdDzp0TgP
Peyton who mimed slitting his throat and the warning was received loud and109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpDgW7KlAB
clear. If he said anything, anyone he loved would be next. Vander said nothing109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FclQIXDlY
as he turned around and headed outside.
A light drizzle had started to109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd9ouoFHOf
fall during the nighttime making his flight a little more dangerous, but with109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbX8HoSXOO
his abilities heightened he soon outpaced the soldiers chasing him. However, he109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XsA4xbsaG
wouldn’t be safe until he made it to the city and disappeared entirely. No109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEKRf3S3yZ
matter where he went in the city there would be trouble, so there was only one109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm3qIapq86
place he could go.
As he reached the third gate, a109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOPMljcYsv
captain was standing there. Jeffery Jilena had taken the post so those under109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6dU7e52oD
his command could enjoy the wedding. He must not have heard what went on109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6LXCAchsq
because he was standing there confused.
“Vander?” He asked. “Where are you109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmafUKNve6
going and why is Shea over your shoulder.”
“You need to let me pass.” Vander109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVydHvGAhN8
gasped. “Someone has killed Malcolm, and they are going to blame me for it. I109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8IistnMcA
need to escape so I can clear my name and find all those responsible.”
“The King is dead?” Peyton gasped.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpcqGUVMNB
“How do you know?”
“I was there.” Vander said109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMA1xfdCnw
guiltily. “I couldn’t save him.”
“Who killed him then?” Jeffery109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl7IyGhA4v
challenged. “Tell me.”
“I can’t.” Vander shook his head.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tbRbLs7gc
“If I don’t, he will kill me, and all of this would be for nothing.”
“Then you must go, but I must make109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FfrBCr5Cu
this look good.” Jeffery drew his sword.
“You believe me?” Vander was109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5WgPZVv0i
shocked.
“You saved the King before.”109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQPI1RZCiT
Jeffery said. “You wouldn’t just kill him now; you would have just let him die109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDM1eVsAWf
before. Plus, everyone tells me how nice and honorable you are. I don’t think109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uA2OCxhn2
those who truly know you would think you capable of something like this.” The109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT89hHmxlr
sounds of soldiers grew closer. They were running out of time.
“I am sorry I have to do this.”109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1Xd8ReVAP
Vander said. Jeffery held his sword by his side.
“Just hurry up.” He smiled. “Bring109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTsydVad9F
justice to our King.” Vander nodded then rushed forward, knocking him109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7bTBHZMMD
unconscious with a single punch to the jaw. When he fell to the ground, Vander109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRIXxDfmgS
was already climbing up to the battlements. He looked back as the soldiers came109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4GrQtWjau
to check on the captain. Once he was sure he was fine, he jumped down then109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezwJZJyyqa
slipped into the night.
The streets were quiet as he snuck109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9eE8CvDxr
through the alleys. Come morning everyone in the city will be looking for him,109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVOrI0PNd1
but for now, he was safe. He ran all the way to the lower district right to the109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpjQATqQEp
Orange Fox. He knocked frantically on the door until Left showed up.
“What ya want?” he asked gruffly.
“Let me in.” Vander said, looking109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Pwh3RCqBR
around nervously.
“Why?” Left’s eyes narrowed.
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“Auxilium postulo.” 109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qz4wp0vwc
Vander said. Left’s eyes widened then he opened the door. Vander took109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9HpLxCUJQ
one more look out to the street then stepped inside. The door closed firmly109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIQLYkYW8c
shut behind him.
