Chapter 8
Bernard grumbled in the corner as108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTddVuixzI
he cleaned the vomit from off his shoe. Another servant had been summoned to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwA1K26HZ2
clean up the mess while Vander was given some water to drink. The rancid smell108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF2rbHdqUR
from the King’s chest hadn’t left his nose and it was making him woozy.
“What happened in here?” Peyton108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUxXqTC7Z6
asked. Topal spent some time explaining everything that the two of them had108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0veVChKjCw
discovered while Vander hugged the bucket.
“So, there were two things put108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh0SwgNnEe
together that caused this mess.” Bernard sighed. “Is there anyway to cure him?”
“Doctor.” Vander closed his mouth108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZReekrWmhO
to keep the bile from coming out. “I need you to start making the remedy for108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRh8NYb5Hb
him, please.” He wheezed. “I don’t think I can take much more of the smell.” He108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83vtoGNvrm
pulled a trash bucket closer to him just in case he needed it.
“I’ve never dealt with his kind of108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDyjdAoVyT
poison before.” Topal shook his head. “I have no idea how to fix it. You108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk9jPm7ZsQ
figured it out, do you have any notion?” Vander closed his eyes allowing the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TBHncMENl
smell to envelope him. Despite being the Deity of Beasts, Unna’s gifts came108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhM1VJI1dL
with another perk. It allowed him to work wonders with poisons and their cures,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8718PCcKt
a leftover from how close she is with her aunt, Lyshena.
“We need something to strengthen108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PugLJnOPr
and clear his lungs.” Vander’s voice sounded far away. “Take some wild108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7nyBbYjzv
cherries, horehound, and mullein, then boil a pot of boiling sea water. All the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD2QyNPI2L
King to inhale the vapors until he coughs out all the black goo covering his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjRQWl5hvN
lungs. To wake him up, you will need to soak him in a tub filled with more salt108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCcm6Qv5fu
water and lavender extract. He should recover.” Vander slumped forward then108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ80TMDjPp
jerked to the left filling the bucket with more vomit.
“Are you sure?” Bernard asked.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthIfYehBTM
“That seems like a very simple remedy for something like this.”
“It’s not simple at all.” Topal108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeomIpS8mY9
shook his head. “I never would have thought to sting these together to cure a108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlYi9eCdfh
poison. I would have looked for a cure all and likely would have flailed around108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGv7zAr4Be
while he died under my care.”
“Are you blessed by Lyshena?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxSn9XTfLS
Bernard asked. He checked over his shoe before grunting in appreciation. He108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzHNMYwOtZ
might have been a stick in the mud, but he knew how to clean up. “That’s the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai9hDKdJJZ
only way this would make sense.”
“You can’t tell anyone about108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNZWFhGt4f
this.” Vander said. He shared a knowing glance with Topal. “He doesn’t want108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQaMG6vGA2
special treatment because of who he is blessed by, I hope you will keep the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFo4yb7eCg4
secret.”
“If it helps me save Malcolm’s108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhrDcHHsmW
life, I will keep this secret to the grave.” Topal smiled. “And if Bernard108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp77GXyDqrs
doesn’t, I know how to get rid of a body.” Bernard choked on his saliva,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Rcxyd0LFB
coughing until his face turned bright red.
“That’s uncalled for.” He laughed.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcNHNRzgFb
“I can keep a secret; you don’t have to worry about me.” There was quick knock108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvG6ChENP6v
before Charles opened the door to slip back inside.
“What did you find out?” Vander108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASrQJ6tdSU
got up from the table to stand by his grandfather.
“No one has seen the taste tester108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8aXNX1l47
since the night the King fell ill.” Charles explained. “We should go down to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwZTyADBdz
the servants’ quarters and check up on him.”
“I forgot,” Bernard snapped his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1rdBocVch
fingers. “There was a third person with me to visit Malcolm, a new servant.”
“Why didn’t you mention this108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLocM4cDVO
before?” Peyton turned to the man anger rising in his voice.
“I didn’t think he was important.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuYdiNpjmj
Bernard shot back. “I just remembered I left the tea in his hands while I108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlkABFeEU4
opened the door. I didn’t think there was enough time for him to slip something108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pD1YLyVHt
into it, but, thinking back on it, he had it long enough to slip something into108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0xa7Gs00d
it. How much was needed to poison the King?”
“A small amount, any amount.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aUgkbkIPt
Vander said. “As long as it was ingested at the same time as the ocecrest, it108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX4QnUDbhu
would have done the trick.”
“Do you know who it was?” Charles108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWn5o0X7bE
asked. “The name of the servant?”
“The king likes to meet any new108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq1fMAhIrS
worker to get their story as well as their struggle.” Bernard folded his arms108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMCyqZE2zN
over his chest. “I believe his name was Nigel. He should be living in the same area108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yVxORPK1o
as the tester who is named Ulysses. I will help Topal get the items needed to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoOl5VmnFS
cure the King, you find the people that could be responsible for this.”
“Let’s go, Vander.” Charles went108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALYgH3joMm
to help Vander up, but he clutched the bucket and emptied the rest of his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzvu8I5Mpb
stomach contents inside.
“Get him out of here.” Bernard108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaNVfyg7A0
looked quite green himself, so Charles pulled Vander outside, making sure to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uQy8Kffex
leave the bucket in the room.
Vander was grateful for the fresh108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnCrpuAenN
air that being in the hallway brought. He leaned up against the wall breathing108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QnDmtzs5I
its cool crisp air. Charles looked at him sadly. “I never knew how much this108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ahPzufpKQ
curse affected you. Seeing you like this just-“
“Don’t worry about it, Gramps.” He108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYe5shRcXd
pushed off from the wall then clasped his grandfather’s shoulder. “It has more108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29EHrqHWzq
perks than drawbacks. Let’s get going.”
As he walked, the feeling of108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIC61w2uu6C
becoming himself gradually returned. Chanelling the abilities of Unna, no108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsC7T8dYwF
matter how small, always took it out of him, but this was the first time he108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hEymblAAB
felt quite so rough afterwards. He was going to have to do something that would108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Hvori4wJo
return the blessing she had given him, but she didn’t accept anything other108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMUqoSPdYI
than sex or a blood sacrifice. He didn’t want to bring Julianna back into this,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySRJLR6Nqv
so the only other option was to visit the pits, something he avoided as much as108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOales0chB
possible, but if he didn’t he could lose more than just his mind by ignoring108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bB6kZtYA0
the deities’ needs. It had happened before when he was younger, and it couldn’t108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4OCMUhSwy
happen again.
Charles had told108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWNnbpVENx
him what had been going on since the past month or so within the Kingdom. Many108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz1n3HYgZP
of the Blades had been dispatched to the Warden’s to bring them here, which was108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4Dmi8bIEY
the main reason there were more soldiers guarding the keep recently. The soldiers108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlqsYi7oOr
were on high alert and were making everyone uncomfortable, but they were doing108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9GkJb0Kgu
their job, not willing to risk the wrath of the King if anything went wrong.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ND3HUSuaw
Merchants came from all over to offer their services to the crown ranging from108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznFkEyrMRs
food to decorations and, in some instances, jewelry for the eventual Queen. A108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTtIduhRoq
lot of those were centered within the Grand Ballroom.
They arrived at108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5OYiMZTp2
the Grand Ballroom where many of the servants were stationed for the next few108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPht5Erbm3b
days as they prepared for the prince and his new bride’s arrival. It appears108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhphGutFIb
the kingdom was spared to expense for this extravagant part as everyone of108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG2urx0uQp
importance from all over the Kingdom was visiting, The walls on the left half108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyOVk6leTn
were being draped in brilliant red and gold banners with Atza’s symbol, the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfac3zWNFD8
lioness with a golden crown on her head. The right half was being draped with108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeRXCFaQEU
cool blue and white banners with Humjir’s symbol, and the Elan family crest, a108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79vlT4NHaK
white dove with an olive crown on its head. The symbolic nature of the marriage108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpTGWOkDgj
between two rival countries wasn’t lost on anyone and they were taking great108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5Q3kGeMTq
care not to offend either deity.
“Where should we108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmcGOaPgIF
start?” Charles looked around the room with a troubled expression on his face. There108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbznEextYwV
were too many people to question as they were looking for two people, albeit108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqraorwEf0
important, but around here, anyone could disappear if they wished it. Vander108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36KIt4aGzw
spotted the servant who seemed to be in charge, an older gray-haired woman108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nptEPhdKu
holding a clipboard, quill, and bottle of ink. There were two other servants108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbiT5ambn7
standing next to her ready to carry out her orders.
“We start with108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHrHUn30v2
her.” Vander nodded towards his grandfather.
“With Beatrice?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuhdqRFU8q
Charles frowned. “She is Bernard’s right hand and his sister. If anyone knew108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTed78ydrI
where those two are, it would be here. Let’s go talk to her.” The two of them108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Vosuc1KCZ
walked over as she started yelling orders:
“Make sure those108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2GVutIDoA
banners are crease free,” she snapped. “I won’t have this place looking unkept108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A3PLowpM4
for when the prince and princess arrive.” She turned around to see two female108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeLn7kl2Qy
servants leaning up against the wall whispering to each other. “You two, if you108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaJlI8aSS8
are done for the day you can go home, and I’ll dock your pay!”
“Sorry ma’am.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSaK8lWYWJ
They curtsied then went back to folding their napkins.
“As for you two.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VZ7SCdAZI
She didn’t even turn around to greet them. “What can I do for the Blades this108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SVJbgbnYk
morning? As you can see I am quite busy so make this quick.”
“We are looking108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvGMJcf37s
for two servants and we are wondering if you have seen them around?” She looked108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtICaqx1St
up at Vander from under her wire rimmed glasses.
“I’ve seen many108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi9OUolABh
servants, be more specific.” She demanded.
“Nigel and108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5FqRMWmZe
Ulysses.” She clicked her tongue, but then quickly scribbled a note then handed108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiU2VmJNza
it over to the servant next to her. “Bring this to the baker quickly. I forgot108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdikzKzeYrD
she needed our order.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwSlLGcDUv
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZN1W3QvBi0
“Yes108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxExbs8cQV
ma’am.” The servant bowed then scurried away.
“I haven’t seen108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomQynSU3dJ
Ulysses for a couple of weeks, something about being sick.” She explained. “I108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89cHEn1zGe
sent for the doctor, but there was nothing he could do for him. As for Nigel,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDpruF5682
he should be in the kitchen helping the cooks. Why?”
“Thank you.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6g9qz9kU4
Vander and Charles ran towards the door that would lead downstairs and towards108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIStfdCyTt
the kitchen leaving a confused Beatrice standing behind them.
“Blades.” she108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRFw3CiBjW
muttered. She looked around to see more of her servants standing around, so she108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W9hqOEV5c
walked over towards them.
“Do you think108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3cBcQndz6
Ulysses is dead?” Charles asked once he knew they were out of ear shot.
“He might not108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9F8r759Hm
have had enough of the poison to render him comatose, but he could still get108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tLAg0UNpl
deathly ill from it.” Vander explained. “But let’s find Nigel first since he is108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJkxIQAwio
the one we suspect of the poison.”
“How do you want108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAMtQCUU0m
to handle this?”
“You go in and108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9JNGylTLc
talk to him.” Vander said. “He should be a little intimidated of you and if108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc5lismh5K
cornered, he will likely try to run. I will be there to keep him from escaping.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyUDtxy1Kz
There is no telling what he might do, so be on your guard.”
“I know how to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI4R9vqZjG
handle myself.” Charles scoffed. “You just worry about yourself.”
The two of them108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNos5TdfNog
made their way down towards the kitchens which you had to pass through to get108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kg8jpKMjY
to the servants’ quarters. There were other ways of getting there, but this was108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQdjzGOhmR
the most direct way from the King’s quarters. Despite the castle being large,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSjZa5JD4h
based on the sheer number of servants required, it wasn’t feasible to give them108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbPG2ExZcZ
their own room. Often there would be two or sometimes three servants per room108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNss9KhlK4
segregated based on gender, thought nighttime activities between them wasn’t108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXIK6ctI7u
uncommon.
As they made108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70ibkBTCPD
their way into the kitchen, the head chef, known because of her oversized hat,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaK1S1A1T9
was looking down at a piece of parchment with a quill in her hands. The others108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA4QjE7pKP
were bustling around her trying not to draw attention to themselves as they108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6SrB8rO9T
worked. It looked as though they were preparing for lunch as several of them108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDakUdLT7t2
were chopping up raw pieces of meat on the counter while others were collecting108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WzKyPkMIA
vegetables to go into a stew. The two of them walked straight through, not even108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IMvp63mV6
bothering to greet the chef as they made their way towards the servant’s area.
As soon as the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqaeQz4S9y
saw the first door, Vander knew they had hit a roadblock. The doors weren’t108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVrWi7scnG
labeled or named. They had no way of knowing which room belonged to Nigel or108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GsFnmpm8v
Ulysses. Charles stood there frowning; how did they not know the quarters were108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkvNwi6WiI
like this? It was a major blunder, but perhaps not all was lost. Vander tried108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHSsLDL9JY
each door to see if it was locked. Servants weren’t allowed to lock their doors108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda7PVlrAsJ
if they were needed, but he figured if one of them needed to hide something,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmSb1w3A73
they wouldn’t leave the door open for all to see. It was a huge gamble, but by108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhVTJSAMSd
the time he got to the last door, it paid off. It was locked and he could smell108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7rQB0t6xs
something rip coming from inside.
“Watch the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqXluoWszV
kitchen for me.” Vander whispered to his grandfather. Charles nodded his head108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qWD84gLGF
then used his frame to block the view. Testing the door one more time just to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO4QsgLHgS
make sure it was locked; Vander shoulder checked the door several times until108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCIlvcP2YG
he heard the latch break. Rubbing his aching shoulder, he kicked the remainder108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSDVEXF4la
open until it was hanging sideways. That’s when the full weight of rotting108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y1q3R3w3c
human hit him so hard he puked for the fourth time today. Charles heard him and108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj377S21gt
came racing over.
“What in the name108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV72OfV1YKB
of Humjir is this?” Lying on one of the beds was a servant, Vander’s guess was108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfHktq724W
Ulysses, who didn’t fare as well ingesting the poison because no one was108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruGUw2wnol
looking for him. His body had swelled up in death and his face was deep purple.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyr2v6hkXw
He was shirtless showing off a physique that wasn’t normal for the serving108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04uDRPNXLD
class with scars crisscrossing his body. There still appeared to be evidence108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvR8rdYDO0
that someone was still living in this room despite the stench due to the empty108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ll3fqbrRL
plate with food that had molded, and clothing rumpled in the corner. How anyone108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuKPdK1l0e
could live like this was beyond him.
“Vander go get108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDoUtvDiQd
someone to seal off this room before you puke over anything else.” Charles108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU8Djdb6el
ordered. Thankfully for being allowed to leave he did as he was asked. Some of108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeaMc44zmx
the servants who were on break were crowding the hallway curious to see what108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8CoskMSTn
was going on.
“Clear out of the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxSfcVLrSA
way.” Vander shouted. “Someone grab Blades who are walking around and tell them108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0g1cN4sTQ
to come here.” When no one moved, he was forced to use his authority. “Now!” He108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBcyUoJ9R1
screamed. They scattered to do as they were ordered, but one stayed behind. He108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNisExwV67
was a tall man, muscular, with brown hair and green eyes. Upon seeing Vander,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrryljkzWA
he froze.
“What are you108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ9cxkTjEo
doing down there?” he asked.
“Are you Nigel?”
“What’s it to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaLuG1Um38
you?” he asked.
“As Captain of108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eUB1nXv81
the Blades I am detaining you as a suspect in the murder of Ulysse’s.” he said.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgm3nd8nLQ
“Stay right there.” As a surprise to no one, Nigel bolted back the way he came.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYgX0yuyJE
Cursing to himself, Vander vaulted over the counter to give chase leaving a very108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEasL1tDJy
irate chef picking up her paper covered in ink.
Nigel was fast.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF9QyLU5ug
He raced through the halls, ducking into doorways, and changing directions like108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6ZZVS6D1z
some intimately familiar with the castle layout. It was one of the times Vander108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9EpeAWWws
wished he had brought Shea with him despite the risk, but for now he was on his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybw7lyZqnz
own. He knew that he was faster, but all of today’s activities were beginning108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajqjjW4DYz
to take its toll on him. He was feeling weak and sluggish, but he didn’t dare108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY6WYj4oMs
let Nigel get away, not when he held such vital clues. But no one knew the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uAYbjaCrQ
castle better than he did, so once he recognized where Nigel was going, the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5tPwRlBBa
gardens, Vander took a left up a flight of stairs. It leads to a balcony with108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bnq1RoIFq
open space which would give him the opportunity he needed. Once he saw that he108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEqc9YoIT6
and Nigel were neck and neck, he willed his body forward, borrowing some energy108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3aiuFLvgo
from Unna, then launched himself off the balcony and down towards Nigel.
The two of them108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpvyDJeJ2i
collided and Vander was sent flying into the garden itself landing on a bush.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cr9oLEURk
If it had been the ground he would have been in trouble, but the worst he’d108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUofsLVsuab
have now was a couple of bruises on his back. He got to his feet then placed108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu8oLDqHDk
his hand on the hilt of his sword. Nigel was groaning out in pain, slowly108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz2xB0q2R2
trying to get to his, but the hit he had just taken must have taken all the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbVO2AG9zU
fight out of him.
“Alright, I’ll108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiFn1NZ5tX
come with you.” he gasped. Vander hauled him to his feet.
“Why did you have108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Fg5y2zbB6
to make this more difficult for yourself?” Vander asked.
“Because they108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4tWQW0qTc
will kill me if I talk.” Nigel groaned. Vander shoved him up against the wall.
“Who will?”
“You don’t know108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyN0C9g24ww
them.” Nigel grabbed his arm. “They will kill everyone I love, and they are in108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1LhlOqQfE
places of power you could only dream of.” His eyes widened as he stared at108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvhiFQG1hI
someone standing behind them. “No.” Vander turned around, but something whizzed108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWLX66VOfM
right past his face. He felt something wet hit the side of his face. He turned108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO6mA1FbK5
around to see Nigel gurgling blood with two knives embedded in his throat. His108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPc6FcyAwq
eyes grew wide as he mouthed the words: Run. He slumped to the ground dead.
“That wasn’t108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtDM3azKQ5
smart.” Vander turned to face the assassin. They were wearing all black and108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRv2HTFQxEx
their faces were covered. They held two more knives in their hands along with a108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBXkvUiKF8
sword strapped to their backs. “Now you’re going to have to answer the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUeqgW8XXk
questions meant for him.” They tilted their heads but gripped the knives108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZukZgS7iy
tightly. He made the first move. He drew108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nXezigEWj
his sword as he charged them. The assassin just brought their knives up to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPu7qAmTAmG
deflect the shot. Their leg shot out hitting Vander in the knuckles causing him108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QVMlMHH1F
to yell out in pain then drop his sword.
He didn’t let108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYz366DiV9G
that stop him. He grabbed their wrist to keep one of the knives away from his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpMGWf4rEM
body. Using his strength, he squeezed the wrist until they were forced to let108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwNpYi6To7
the knife go, then he brought his shoulder into their chest and threw them over108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDcPyBUEha
his back and onto the ground. However, their feet landed squarely protecting108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9Js4Ir15c
them from hitting the cobblestone. In his surprise, Vander didn’t react quick108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwkaDo3dtV
enough when they flipped over him then wrapped their legs around his neck then108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVZiVhR2zh
began raining elbows on top of his head. He brought his arms up to deflect108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnBl61vqUT
before deciding to charge into the wall. The assassin didn’t let up even as he108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4KfJ6DTzT
jumped off the wall and landed on the ground. He heard the crack of their back108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPhttwABDD
as they landed, and their legs eased up their assault. Vander coughed and108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh08F5MvAk
wheezed as he massaged his throat to breathe.
“Enough of this.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNSyfAQEFU
The assassin groaned, but steadily made their way to their feet. They had a108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPwpdMIIhs
soft voice, almost feminine, which confused him. He remembered the voice, but108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr91XTkN01
he couldn’t tell from where. They drew the sword from their back and held it in108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxHkX0Z07w
Vander’s face. “I was supposed to leave you, but you’ve pissed me off enough.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmMXMbsV2L
Die.” They lunged at him, but they left an opening for Vander to roll to the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNYBinJWWU
side to grab his sword. He brought it up just in time to deflect the strike the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Nr63Tm8HJ
assassin aimed at him. He punched their ribs causing them to stumble sideways.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9cOdAPcsx
He then swept out their legs causing them to again fall on their back.
Two blurs sped108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKshiH8dfM
out from their hand, and he was barely quick enough to dodge. He could smell108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4mL6vqvb7
the poison emanating from them and he knew those weren’t something he wanted to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjHCPnoo9g
get hit by. They got to their feet, but he could tell that they had been108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg78wtTWd9E
injured.
“Come with me.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpsTTmSoh4
He said. “I can protect you.”
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“I don’t need108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrUE3SfcEq
your protection, Blade.” They hissed. “Eluvia has taken everything from me and108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9YmsImyBb
soon, we will take everything from you.” The removed a small capsule from their108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Am47DbBCg
pocket and smashed it on the ground. Black smoke erupted from inside causing108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2i5Bh4UBh
Vander to violently cough and fall to his knees. He tried to run out of the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ72EMjVUz8
smoke, but his legs were leaden. The last thing he saw before passing out was108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFYcAZ5BfM
the assassin jumped into the garden and disappearing from the sight.
