Chapter 12
He slept soundly. No one wanted to143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hrY3mMyca
wake him so the visit by Mari Drayson went off without him. He didn’t awaken143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW4wfYtPCM
until night had fallen and Shea busted into the King’s study to jump on him143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXB6U9e3Ng5
then proceeded to like his face until his face scrunched up and he pushed her143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRZTUezP7S
aside.
“Shea, sto-” she interrupted him143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡergQGwpElu
by licking his mouth. He shot up to start gagging pushing the she-wolf off his143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7guJVo48C6
body. “I’ve told you to stop doing that.” He grumbled.
”And I told you to stop getting143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqKruWjkZV
into fights when I’m not around, and here we are.” She growled into his143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCcIfH2EoH
mind. “Imagine my annoyance when I got woken up by some Blades when they143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkgKCyp4RO
came to remove your stuff from the room and escorted me to the castle saying143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb8s5SGCCF
you had been attacked. Imagine my anger when they wouldn’t let me check up on143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIHlktmfIz
you until now.”
“Did you leave anyone alive?” she143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMssjPqxNzh
barked her laughter but nodded her head.
“It was difficult, but your143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YTkuYiqzf
grandfather swore to me you were sleeping and needed your rest.” She bumped143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yDckwxaGR
her head against his chest. He placed his head in her fur then inhaled her143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d7NFsuTnN
scent. He felt the stress and anxiety he had been feeling just melt away.
“I’m sorry for worrying you.” she143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXlMME4zQF
licked the side of his face accepting the apology. There was a slight knock on143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDXcCYzGuJ
the door and Alexander poked his head in.
“I heard voices.” He said. “Are143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvoPhx8fsq
you finally awake, Vander?”
“Yep.” He slid his foot off the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknOw3Fqanr
couch. Looking up at Alex he saw that his friend had worry lines etched onto143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEUQtpF9Js
his head while his face was filled with worry. “How long have you been standing143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L2MY1GGIF
there?”
“Once the others told me what had143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk70wM9bLHj
happened.” He explained. “I was about to kill you when you didn’t show to the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCEt4dqSgd
training, but when that Jilena boy told me I dropped everything to come here.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4ErUr6noE
The King told me not to disturb you, so I sat at that door making sure you143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3lWObSxc8
rested.”
“You got anything to eat?” Alex143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmlXd9KSL3
grinned. He disappeared for a second then came back with a tray of steaming hot143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7LFC52zjU
food.
“Once I saw Shea, I knew it was143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo6DAyp16f
only a matter of time before you awoke so I had the kitchen prepare some stew143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6YRoPPaMB
and bread.” He said. “I had them make a bowl for her as well.”
“Thanks.” Shea was143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSOqdAeHP5
practically salivating on the carpet. Bernard wasn’t ready for what was about143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ77eNElaGm
to happen. The two of them tore into the food like a couple of beasts. Sauce143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qr9bSk25g
and chunks of bread flew everywhere. Alex wisely took a step back shaking his143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbNeZ9y7AX
head in disgust.
“Animals.” He muttered under his143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEZAR60EvJ
breath. They were done after a few minutes leaving the table a disaster. Vander143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtS6ujhbzB7
leaned back on the couch then stifled a belch. Shea stuck her head into his143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNOYjSDyzF
bowl to lick out the remaining sauce. “Once you’re finished your grandfather143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MLOOob3TJ
wanted me to bring you to him.”
“Did he say what it was about?”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZzuQRhs0b
Vander asked. Alex shook his head. Rolling his eyes he got up from the couch,143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xj2FuZ9M3
wobbled for a second, but remained steady. “Let’s go then.”
The castle was on high alert.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxabYCPpyp
There were more guards here than normal, most of them were regular soldiers,143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6AWXawczk
stationed along the halls. Whenever the Wardens showed up everyone was on143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOE96Uz5NU
alert. The safety of the entire country rested on their heads, so the King143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7hOwxKuGR
always took extra precautions to make sure they were safe.
Alex stood at the door to the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXWk6tWVQM
Commander’s office while Vander headed inside. Charles was pouring over more143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6x1UliIUW
paperwork at his desk by lamplight. He looked so old sitting there even though143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rn04nc236
he was in his middle years. Just went to show the toll being Commander took.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfs9mQWv0xH
Shea jumped up onto the couch then placed her head on her paw. It took a couple143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe2YsVVZ3D
of seconds for him to put down his quill and to look up at him.
“I heard you were ambushed on the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZBkmSFx1K
street today.” The old man’s voice hitched. “Are you doing okay?”
“Fine, gramps.” Vander nodded.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTq6q33Suy8
“What about the man I captured?”
“In the dungeon waiting for his143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNmxoZOksF
questioning.” He said. “I assume you want to do the honors?”
“It would be my pleasure.” Vander143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1tWvN8kln
grinned. “But we need to have a talk about something.” He sat down in the chair143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqycPxaftm
across from his grandfather. “We need to promote the recruits to trainees and143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAtYtzDOTk
allow them to help us around the castle. If today taught me anything we need143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEdYQ65rHN
more soldiers on the streets protecting the people than we need them in here.”
“It’s not time for them yet.”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWHq0NLTKr
Charles shook his head. “They aren’t ready.”
“We don’t have the manpower,”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtXMHxfb6M
Vander argued. “Even when all the Blades come back with the wardens, there143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fCtvMVXsn
still isn’t enough. Those five can really help us out.”
“Doesn’t matter if we need the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ0rYwtjCE
help.” The old man growled. “We have standards we must adhere to. There can be143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdsid2y7Lp
no exceptions.”
“Gramps since I’ve returned a143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTM0aR0P9jr
couple weeks ago, I’ve almost died twice.” Vander said. “If we had more143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzSv3VSXb6
competent guards this might not have happened. If you’re that worried about it143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MDXNxJA2C
I will keep training them until their time is up and stick them by the entrances.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnVLPJ44S4
An important position, but it wouldn’t put them in harms way.”
“I’ll have to think about it.”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWNEmkgoHe
Charles sighed. “But your idea does have merit to it.”
“Thank you,” Vander sighed. “I met143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI9KAYqMCR
with Ross last night for information on who poisoned Malcolm and he gave me a143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp8cgpvpcS
name.”
“Yea?” Charles looked up143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTLQbXkxkD
interested. “What was it?”
“Green Serpents.” Charles’ face143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINwNKZf3VQ
fell. He scrunched his fist on the desk then slammed his fist down on top.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz9ctxiqcO
“That bastard.”
“Is there something I should know143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI9zPG19rB
about?” Vander frowned. “I’ve never heard of them before, but based on your143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSW7Oqqs0eS
reaction and the King’s, it’s something big.”
“Malcolm has his reasons for not143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuFJ9TyNgN
telling you, but since you were nearly killed, I suppose to have the right to143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxJbV0RVNm
know.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “The Green Serpents are a mercenary143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1Be8fxhPn
band that goes to the highest bidder. However, it wasn’t always that way. The143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVQlykZldY
leader, Jogun Batiste, the King and I used to be close during the wars twenty143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3Liu9SzCq
years ago.”
“What changed?” Vander folded his143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3K4Q9L6Bo
arms over his chest. If they were now taking contracts on the King himself,143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ86zc7NObw
something bad must have happened.
“We found out what he did to143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhLtQVPRDE
prisoners, especially the children.” Charles’ back sagged. “He would have them143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUmLbPBCm8
fight each other to the death then, if they survived, they were tortured and143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK81AswTl7
corrupted into joining them. Some he sent to his loyal soldiers to be143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZzMzuUIDz
brutalized.”
“Sounds like a real charmer.”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL9JMHTKdJ
Vander said dryly.
“We suspended all contracts with143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmczlc5XZPQ
them and threw them out of the city.” Charles sighed. “I wanted more drastic143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjKtFP7QgF
measures to be taken, but I was overruled. The council thought it would be143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbmTYwkYtx
better to part ways amicably instead of killing or imprisoning those involved.”
“And now they are back trying to143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xF5zP3GLj
get revenge?” Vander shook his head. “Something is adding up. They are going143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNxFwLhXAj
through a lot of trouble for revenge. I think there might be more to this,143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyA3hfrNHv
especially since I had nothing to do with twenty years ago.”
“And it would make sense to go143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Su9Ogr5SK
after me, someone who was involved, and protects Malcolm.” Charles turned143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld3iKL1RFN
around and walked back to the desk. “Why are you being targeted? Any ideas?”
“A couple.” Vander hesitated. “My143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJd5ObwbfH
first thought was that it was because I got involved with Nigel, but I don’t143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8klU9KdDV
think that’s the reason.”
“Vander.” Charles said carefully.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBet0q0nwQN
“What’s going on?” Vander took a deep sigh then told his grandfather about the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEwZYqx6B8
dreams he had been having.
It started with Veyar the day143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SiQssqteY
before he left for the city along with her warning to keep his identity hidden.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT6kRFMlwc
He left out the part of her being trapped in the stormy vortex, he didn’t want143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonJOizAmqe
to give the impression that the Deities were fighting each other, not that143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ossKVGeaB
anyone would believe him. Then he told him about the dream with Unna about143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUDy5kj0iy
fulfilling his role. Lastly he told him about his most recent dream about143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9n0sZbjdl
Imitae being chained up to a wall and reiterating the same thing his wife had143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlgOktci1w
told him.
“So, you think they went after you143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pDQmxVCPS
because they know you are the Ma’akti Unnatun?” Charles asked. “How could they143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgzebgiYSN
know? Not many people do, even less could figure it out.”
“Gramps I communicate with a143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kXwI50Dky
Shadow Beast,” Vander laughed. “She might look like a wolf, but either way it’s143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8Vqdap1UR
not a common occurrence to walk around with her. It might be nothing, but all143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhWIFGsKJP
of these dreams these murder attempts, something is going down.”
“I already moved your stuff here143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpT3CaMwVNz
to your old room.” Charles said. “I will have guards on you at all times to143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUjtOsreLm
make sure you stay safe.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J9bS5nvec
gramps.” Vander sighed. “Put the guards you were going to put on me and put143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2WIj9X3JB
them on the King or Warden Drayson. I don’t need protection.”
“Then I will put Alex on it, he143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91AiQSI9vL
seems to be the only one who can wrangle you.” Charles sat back down. “What143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM5nnkMXkj
else did Ross tell you?” Vander looked at him confused. “I’ve known you since143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBjiKj5aGF
you were a boy, Vander. You think I couldn’t tell you were hiding something143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxT9bnQb9Y
from me?” Vander sighed deeply.
“He told me that he could find the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1dO0F8iZk
Serpents for us, the problem is I would have to fight for him.” Vander143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWzGTRAmcK
explained. “In the pits.” Charles lowered his head and sighed.
“Do you think he has a way to get143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4CBuIzvzt
that information?”
“Yes,” Vander nodded. “But that’s143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56jswx2zJ2
not a place I want to fight in. We can handle the information gathering143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza1ajoYk9I
ourselves. I’m certain of it.”
“With our resources stretched thin143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE55tNE8n0u
I doubt we will have the time, but now that we know who they are, we should143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rkUCnrCjY
have better luck finding them.” Charles said. He opened his mouth, but there143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquHppdRvj1
was a knock at the door. “Come in!”
Alex poked his head inside.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHUHGj4FL5
“Commander, Vander, Anna Drayson is here to talk to you.”
“Send her in.” Charles and Vander143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52nVwdq9f6
got up from their seats to greet the young woman and heir to the Eastern143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXBcJpQ2xE
Warden.
Anna Drayson was only a couple143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IxcehwJCr
years younger than Vander, but an accomplished soldier. She wore the native143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFEoqbIM9K
uniform in an ocean climate: a leather cuirass, a short skirt, leather shin143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhXuIcNeoY
guards, boots, and arm guards. Strapped to their waist they usually held a143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUvmzNh9sY
short sword, but for now it was empty. They wore helmets with a blue stripe on143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHiHn25wSH
top to show their devotion to the sea. However, this was only their ceremonial143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk0AlrTMoD
uniform, in actual battle they wore iron for better protection.
“Sorry for the intrusion.” Her143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxT66rdzSj
voice was melodic. She removed her helmet and a cascade of silver blonde hair143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgRmfjQDvt
fell past her shoulders. Her brown eyes held onto Vander’s for a moment before143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUe7t4rCwAF
flickering to his grandfather. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“No Anna, we were just finishing143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkl06uxqo6
up.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “What can I do for you?”
“My grandmother requested Captain143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB9cRYYWWG
Vander’s presence and asked that I escort him to her.” Vander and Charles143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5KKsI04wH
exchanged glances.
“I haven’t talked to her since I143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJlEOfNZJp
was a small child.” Vander frowned. “What could she want to talk to me about?”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2ARHF03od
Anna just shrugged her shoulders. Sighing he got up from the chair. “Seems I’ve143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZLwWu5OCq
been doing more talking than just about anything else recently.”
“We can change that if you want.”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGLiiEaBCn
Anna grinned. “I’ve been wanting to fight you for years, wolfling.”
“I told you to stop calling me143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjsugKxyJm
that.” Vander snapped. He wrapped his elbow around her neck, forcing her to143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocvq5oySSh
bend, then rubbed his knuckles through her hair.
“Ow, ow, ow.” She rammed her elbow143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7Vjza4eXJ
into her stomach causing him to bend over. They broke apart and squared up,143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1PbP6yO8T
fists raised in front of them.
“Not in the office, Vander.”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrovc14WbU
Charles snarled. “Get going the two of you, before you break something.”
“Yes sir.” Anna bowed. Vander143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrWAdd0uEr
whistled causing Shea to wake up rather abruptly. She growled her annoyance,143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNf5l7uJLN
but upon seeing Anna she jumped down off the couch and ran over to her. “Hello,143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74BMSkFlfV
Shea.” She cooed. “How are you?” She responded by jumping up and licking her143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX7CxQJj3K
face.
“Come on you two.” Vander said.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡela9gVPKot
“You can get reacquainted on the way. Let’s go.”
Anna chatted with Shea while she143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO87m0imbJl
led the way towards Drayson’s accommodations. Since she lived in a villa on the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryFH7PYjNI
ocean, the apartment she stayed in was on the eastern most side and higher up143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKTpdrDGZG
than the others. They enjoyed the cool over there and that tower was the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZKonFYHUx
coolest area in the entire castle. Which, of course, meant climbing up hundreds143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWurbC0eOWc
of stairs.
The stairs were guarded by two143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHwzIWD70s
Blades and two of Drayson’s own guards. They nodded their heads in difference143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQHferM0qu
to the heir, but blocked Vander from going farther. The two blades went to step143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggTngPqc8R
up, but Vander waved them back. He unclipped his sword and held it out to the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHqt45h9Cj
guards. They took it then stepped back ushering them to the stairs. As Anna143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxilvrhMzO
walked past, the Blades returned her sword to her. With Anna leading, they143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tjvGWCaGd
walked their way up the stairs.
He was out of breath by the time143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAjz4e8yCH
they reached the top, but for Anna this seemed to be a light workout. Shea also143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq27ajcc2NY
seemed to be enjoying herself because she tossed a lop-sided grin back towards143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUJDW4cc9R
Vander. He made a mental note to withhold steak from her for the next week.
The apartment they were in could143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahpgqbRM6R
have doubled as a massive house in the first ring. There were four massive143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8QobWK1k7
suits, three bathrooms and plenty of walking-around space. The servants did a143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VMAuIzjZh
good job decorating as the entire room was painted blue. The reflections from143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCJE6jmZUU
the paint gave the room a blueish hue, it felt as though he was underwater.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiY5pKqcAH
Sitting in the middle of the floor, on top of some blue pillows, sat an older143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwj09d2o0OI
woman wearing a long blue robe. There was a long pipe in her long slender143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoRxePGhBM
fingers. Her blue-green eyes looked up as they entered, a slight smile143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx0dRw90Zi
flickered on her face.
“Grandmother.” Anna got down on143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxrelziyy2
one knee and bowed her head respectfully. Shea trotted over to the older lady143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUEmvQe4Wf
then plopped her head down in her lap.
“Remove your boots Vander, then143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlecKTYCUav
come sit.” Mari said, her voice only slightly louder than a whisper. “Anna, you143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQDRa78KS6
may join us if you wish.”
“I think I should wash up from my143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡke7q0GyA1n
trip.” Anna got up from the floor. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJQYr7tnhR
proper bath and I feel as though the entire city could smell me.”
“I didn’t want to say anything143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPAhjlCc0g
before because I didn’t want to draw attention to it, but-” a wet shoe slapped143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mZ8AVVhtv
him in the face. He gagged from the smell, but before he could throw it back he143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaF00PKduz
heard a door slam shut.
“You shouldn’t treat her like143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyLYSPHCJV
that.” Mari said sternly with a hint of amusement in her voice. “She still has143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc1CHm8HR4
a thing for you even after all these years.”
“It wouldn’t work between us,”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNy58bA7Zq
Vander sighed. “She knows that, and I know that. She can’t leave your villa143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrMsiB0Nci
like I can’t leave the city. We are just from different worlds.”
“Is that what kept you and Bree143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VZZjsAWZp
Valarian from getting farther?” Vander tried to contain his anger with the way143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb25926Hkg
this conversation was going.
“I don’t want to talk about her.”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYQWBp3Bdd
He growled. She blew a puff of smoke at him causing him to cough.
“You’ve been through a lot since143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9xFpyO0wm
I’ve last seen you.” she said. “You’ve aged. It’s in your eyes.”
“It’s been a rough couple week.”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2HpMzkxur
Vander leaned backwards to stare up at the ceiling. “Been attacked a couple of143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvf6tAAE37a
times, got some not so veiled threats, and have been poisoned. Things aren’t143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgpj7Tp70m
looking well.”
“You need to take some time to143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YfkFYJi9i
relax Vander.” Mari blew out some more smoke. “Things are only going to get143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLKGkQqwG5
more difficult for you.” Drayson inhaled more smoke, but she held on to it143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBwSBBZbOe
longer than she should have. She looked up at Vander, but her eyes were deep143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnvDgi8OHb
black this time, all trace of Mari was gone.
“Veyar,” Vander sighed.
“Ma’akti Unnatun.”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bdJlSPPie
Mari’s voice turned deeper, but still slightly feminine. “How good to see143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvsov7k1qn
you again.”
“What is this about?” Vander143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1h22E89Wk
frowned. “I got your message the first time, as well as your husbands. I don’t143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPcsNtraYm
think there is anything else I need.”
“There is someone coming who is143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw25iXXHeD
blessed with my daughter’s powers.” Veyar smiled. “She will be of great143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDWdkJ9yq4
help to you in this fight. Treat her well. You have a long road ahead of you,143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U6wV1JbLD
hold on to your allies, they will be your best asset.”
“How will I know who my ally is?”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuGMzSi2E4
he asked.
“You’ll know her when you see143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFTfRlzLDT
her.” Veyar said. “It will take some time for you to gain her trust, but143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQwNnE62Nh
once you have it you will have an ally for life.”
“I don’t like people being played143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLq47bLmBF
into helping me, Veyar.” Vander said. “Either she will do it of her own will or143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDKaxThFpj
not at all.”
“This has been written for a143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTwMucl7JP
long time Vander.” She said. “This was ordained long before my children143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6U45iysDi
were born. This battle will shape the world for good, or worst. With that,143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO1YVdzvuL
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.” Mari143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1MndKiuaq
smiled, but she looked tired. “Once I go it will pass down to Anna. Will you143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH64Z8nXyFy
help me to bed? I’m suddenly very tired.” Vander got up from the ground and143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUv5ToSdHh
picked the older woman up in his arms. She pointed to her room and he carried143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUdxxw1wha
her to her bed.
