Chapter 12
He slept soundly. No one wanted to140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWqj3HHMca
wake him so the visit by Mari Drayson went off without him. He didn’t awaken140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVIzd8e4AV
until night had fallen and Shea busted into the King’s study to jump on him140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl8jRKhDAG
then proceeded to like his face until his face scrunched up and he pushed her140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2ROndQMe6
aside.
“Shea, sto-” she interrupted him140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQULp48l6ts
by licking his mouth. He shot up to start gagging pushing the she-wolf off his140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3giYIFUO7h
body. “I’ve told you to stop doing that.” He grumbled.
”And I told you to stop getting140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyyKPeQEmn
into fights when I’m not around, and here we are.” She growled into his140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfkdX9gq8d
mind. “Imagine my annoyance when I got woken up by some Blades when they140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYGqgLlxfu
came to remove your stuff from the room and escorted me to the castle saying140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRXAyHjZMe
you had been attacked. Imagine my anger when they wouldn’t let me check up on140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIMouiDsSQ
you until now.”
“Did you leave anyone alive?” she140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hjWDlkiId
barked her laughter but nodded her head.
“It was difficult, but your140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNZmcBo2v2
grandfather swore to me you were sleeping and needed your rest.” She bumped140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iQIVpLgwb
her head against his chest. He placed his head in her fur then inhaled her140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm2azhHf3Q
scent. He felt the stress and anxiety he had been feeling just melt away.
“I’m sorry for worrying you.” she140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkNpESf0Aa
licked the side of his face accepting the apology. There was a slight knock on140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj64w46wxO
the door and Alexander poked his head in.
“I heard voices.” He said. “Are140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyeFmREyMm
you finally awake, Vander?”
“Yep.” He slid his foot off the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcwRSVoBBF
couch. Looking up at Alex he saw that his friend had worry lines etched onto140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGpe0eF9BN
his head while his face was filled with worry. “How long have you been standing140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMwPC60VIA
there?”
“Once the others told me what had140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOzjNP1xUp
happened.” He explained. “I was about to kill you when you didn’t show to the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bbM8acEYA
training, but when that Jilena boy told me I dropped everything to come here.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCDTCnK52s
The King told me not to disturb you, so I sat at that door making sure you140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh11RAib6Z1
rested.”
“You got anything to eat?” Alex140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjWNmothxH
grinned. He disappeared for a second then came back with a tray of steaming hot140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkECts0z46J
food.
“Once I saw Shea, I knew it was140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpyQoNXH0y
only a matter of time before you awoke so I had the kitchen prepare some stew140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ycR88ZpaX
and bread.” He said. “I had them make a bowl for her as well.”
“Thanks.” Shea was140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8275yoOUIt
practically salivating on the carpet. Bernard wasn’t ready for what was about140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyO2nv70mw1
to happen. The two of them tore into the food like a couple of beasts. Sauce140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbczUQ1emE
and chunks of bread flew everywhere. Alex wisely took a step back shaking his140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFfAJtKczr
head in disgust.
“Animals.” He muttered under his140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLK2tC19GNr
breath. They were done after a few minutes leaving the table a disaster. Vander140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBj3wEGqLL
leaned back on the couch then stifled a belch. Shea stuck her head into his140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqAY7pKwtK
bowl to lick out the remaining sauce. “Once you’re finished your grandfather140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRMUnUKXgq
wanted me to bring you to him.”
“Did he say what it was about?”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvCX9J5f21
Vander asked. Alex shook his head. Rolling his eyes he got up from the couch,140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspLjYKrXTd
wobbled for a second, but remained steady. “Let’s go then.”
The castle was on high alert.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcEXMP9TVS
There were more guards here than normal, most of them were regular soldiers,140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEzDMy3SDy
stationed along the halls. Whenever the Wardens showed up everyone was on140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Q1PRcXnUT
alert. The safety of the entire country rested on their heads, so the King140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQFAA63z28
always took extra precautions to make sure they were safe.
Alex stood at the door to the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7YIicnPUd
Commander’s office while Vander headed inside. Charles was pouring over more140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7lR89u64z
paperwork at his desk by lamplight. He looked so old sitting there even though140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0o3EqqCzt
he was in his middle years. Just went to show the toll being Commander took.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC7N7ndG2s
Shea jumped up onto the couch then placed her head on her paw. It took a couple140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWavsxtnRs
of seconds for him to put down his quill and to look up at him.
“I heard you were ambushed on the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatUo0UpWPx
street today.” The old man’s voice hitched. “Are you doing okay?”
“Fine, gramps.” Vander nodded.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEwbqipA64
“What about the man I captured?”
“In the dungeon waiting for his140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7eRSaHKQ5
questioning.” He said. “I assume you want to do the honors?”
“It would be my pleasure.” Vander140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4Msr6ZphD
grinned. “But we need to have a talk about something.” He sat down in the chair140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61JBXaBTb7
across from his grandfather. “We need to promote the recruits to trainees and140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5VTT4AtYY
allow them to help us around the castle. If today taught me anything we need140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt1uR2MUeu
more soldiers on the streets protecting the people than we need them in here.”
“It’s not time for them yet.”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWslvumGoGz
Charles shook his head. “They aren’t ready.”
“We don’t have the manpower,”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJZQo8j9SV
Vander argued. “Even when all the Blades come back with the wardens, there140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB6E1x5Vcb
still isn’t enough. Those five can really help us out.”
“Doesn’t matter if we need the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDwyjfmhhj
help.” The old man growled. “We have standards we must adhere to. There can be140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmu2MseVKK
no exceptions.”
“Gramps since I’ve returned a140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7OHECtiYt
couple weeks ago, I’ve almost died twice.” Vander said. “If we had more140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5iOntBKss
competent guards this might not have happened. If you’re that worried about it140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj6jx6zQCj
I will keep training them until their time is up and stick them by the entrances.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnola9rm0oh
An important position, but it wouldn’t put them in harms way.”
“I’ll have to think about it.”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBdNhv4t1K
Charles sighed. “But your idea does have merit to it.”
“Thank you,” Vander sighed. “I met140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82XZjeAr8u
with Ross last night for information on who poisoned Malcolm and he gave me a140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dLAugegvd
name.”
“Yea?” Charles looked up140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqWTqgE9KT
interested. “What was it?”
“Green Serpents.” Charles’ face140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDvW12qSa7
fell. He scrunched his fist on the desk then slammed his fist down on top.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNnHFMAeFH
“That bastard.”
“Is there something I should know140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50wAFWxgVy
about?” Vander frowned. “I’ve never heard of them before, but based on your140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzZd3guann
reaction and the King’s, it’s something big.”
“Malcolm has his reasons for not140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmgXGViPAA
telling you, but since you were nearly killed, I suppose to have the right to140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrnryp0d59
know.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “The Green Serpents are a mercenary140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu9qhutVOB
band that goes to the highest bidder. However, it wasn’t always that way. The140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh09kqUnSx
leader, Jogun Batiste, the King and I used to be close during the wars twenty140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7D7byor5Pu
years ago.”
“What changed?” Vander folded his140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhu9WMzSsSh
arms over his chest. If they were now taking contracts on the King himself,140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42cqhWr4L6
something bad must have happened.
“We found out what he did to140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy81YcohBTV
prisoners, especially the children.” Charles’ back sagged. “He would have them140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoTcSlXKwj
fight each other to the death then, if they survived, they were tortured and140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SLmpURPIm
corrupted into joining them. Some he sent to his loyal soldiers to be140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fYSjUWlq6
brutalized.”
“Sounds like a real charmer.”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKnM6s2koN
Vander said dryly.
“We suspended all contracts with140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJw9IgOhPG
them and threw them out of the city.” Charles sighed. “I wanted more drastic140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeA30NFO0V
measures to be taken, but I was overruled. The council thought it would be140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfym4zHms0
better to part ways amicably instead of killing or imprisoning those involved.”
“And now they are back trying to140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n19BoYeOB
get revenge?” Vander shook his head. “Something is adding up. They are going140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ySnYQTkrX
through a lot of trouble for revenge. I think there might be more to this,140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaJAm1ovqg
especially since I had nothing to do with twenty years ago.”
“And it would make sense to go140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpvM5I0Rl0
after me, someone who was involved, and protects Malcolm.” Charles turned140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1L4OBofxJ
around and walked back to the desk. “Why are you being targeted? Any ideas?”
“A couple.” Vander hesitated. “My140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqQ5ri0FiH
first thought was that it was because I got involved with Nigel, but I don’t140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFYkS9TwCd
think that’s the reason.”
“Vander.” Charles said carefully.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSBnR9bZfD
“What’s going on?” Vander took a deep sigh then told his grandfather about the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudH7JOdY2g
dreams he had been having.
It started with Veyar the day140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzK9ydILRx
before he left for the city along with her warning to keep his identity hidden.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2ngSajyDC
He left out the part of her being trapped in the stormy vortex, he didn’t want140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaN4HxG42y
to give the impression that the Deities were fighting each other, not that140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyLM5uXeWu
anyone would believe him. Then he told him about the dream with Unna about140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD6U1KOoD9
fulfilling his role. Lastly he told him about his most recent dream about140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbxxLEAqbx
Imitae being chained up to a wall and reiterating the same thing his wife had140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqhTBoDiuj
told him.
“So, you think they went after you140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRlFFAk8nC
because they know you are the Ma’akti Unnatun?” Charles asked. “How could they140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmpiLEZX0m
know? Not many people do, even less could figure it out.”
“Gramps I communicate with a140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwSSuxOisQ
Shadow Beast,” Vander laughed. “She might look like a wolf, but either way it’s140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8KPedYTLC
not a common occurrence to walk around with her. It might be nothing, but all140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDKVh0nyLe
of these dreams these murder attempts, something is going down.”
“I already moved your stuff here140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebF95xnEhd
to your old room.” Charles said. “I will have guards on you at all times to140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpQRKgs8ND
make sure you stay safe.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4LvgSEZI5
gramps.” Vander sighed. “Put the guards you were going to put on me and put140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAAZdiCoIu
them on the King or Warden Drayson. I don’t need protection.”
“Then I will put Alex on it, he140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SabXAGUco
seems to be the only one who can wrangle you.” Charles sat back down. “What140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcijcOEoUWt
else did Ross tell you?” Vander looked at him confused. “I’ve known you since140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHI2j3Dc4OU
you were a boy, Vander. You think I couldn’t tell you were hiding something140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BkWGkpx4f
from me?” Vander sighed deeply.
“He told me that he could find the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy4J1mYk4v
Serpents for us, the problem is I would have to fight for him.” Vander140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUu3QjlfeN
explained. “In the pits.” Charles lowered his head and sighed.
“Do you think he has a way to get140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fX2y9NdlU
that information?”
“Yes,” Vander nodded. “But that’s140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgsQM7ZbZr
not a place I want to fight in. We can handle the information gathering140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFO0JmGo9w
ourselves. I’m certain of it.”
“With our resources stretched thin140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDNXxhcKr3
I doubt we will have the time, but now that we know who they are, we should140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD2xWjywVm
have better luck finding them.” Charles said. He opened his mouth, but there140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfszt75s3M
was a knock at the door. “Come in!”
Alex poked his head inside.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJckH2hYY27
“Commander, Vander, Anna Drayson is here to talk to you.”
“Send her in.” Charles and Vander140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0dFcNNX3n
got up from their seats to greet the young woman and heir to the Eastern140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVamlamBeN
Warden.
Anna Drayson was only a couple140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbIHYFy1sa
years younger than Vander, but an accomplished soldier. She wore the native140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡne4R3Q711k
uniform in an ocean climate: a leather cuirass, a short skirt, leather shin140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIimd3bIK8
guards, boots, and arm guards. Strapped to their waist they usually held a140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJmHvI93da
short sword, but for now it was empty. They wore helmets with a blue stripe on140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6E52ddWg8b
top to show their devotion to the sea. However, this was only their ceremonial140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWpDIcYml1
uniform, in actual battle they wore iron for better protection.
“Sorry for the intrusion.” Her140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vV7ux99zx
voice was melodic. She removed her helmet and a cascade of silver blonde hair140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhfIopyttz
fell past her shoulders. Her brown eyes held onto Vander’s for a moment before140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZqUQhwFpL
flickering to his grandfather. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“No Anna, we were just finishing140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2qwWXzaHo
up.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “What can I do for you?”
“My grandmother requested Captain140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPOXW0KZrt
Vander’s presence and asked that I escort him to her.” Vander and Charles140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirC9tWyrvk
exchanged glances.
“I haven’t talked to her since I140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAhirY0h5l
was a small child.” Vander frowned. “What could she want to talk to me about?”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g7jyjUtEV
Anna just shrugged her shoulders. Sighing he got up from the chair. “Seems I’ve140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wWOpraH8q
been doing more talking than just about anything else recently.”
“We can change that if you want.”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60L5Q7Kv5F
Anna grinned. “I’ve been wanting to fight you for years, wolfling.”
“I told you to stop calling me140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8pqPc6LCo
that.” Vander snapped. He wrapped his elbow around her neck, forcing her to140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSkg5VUB2P
bend, then rubbed his knuckles through her hair.
“Ow, ow, ow.” She rammed her elbow140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLwAUcPWOC
into her stomach causing him to bend over. They broke apart and squared up,140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGmG3t2usz
fists raised in front of them.
“Not in the office, Vander.”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6eDVQakpP
Charles snarled. “Get going the two of you, before you break something.”
“Yes sir.” Anna bowed. Vander140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX56ZSuL7U
whistled causing Shea to wake up rather abruptly. She growled her annoyance,140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAnz98eLih
but upon seeing Anna she jumped down off the couch and ran over to her. “Hello,140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qVOkGVjgP
Shea.” She cooed. “How are you?” She responded by jumping up and licking her140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOINTkdFzf
face.
“Come on you two.” Vander said.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3m8h2p4H4i
“You can get reacquainted on the way. Let’s go.”
Anna chatted with Shea while she140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwJI1sD0nC
led the way towards Drayson’s accommodations. Since she lived in a villa on the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRD4Py5NAw
ocean, the apartment she stayed in was on the eastern most side and higher up140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCmuW78ksq
than the others. They enjoyed the cool over there and that tower was the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFrHu1w5Wi
coolest area in the entire castle. Which, of course, meant climbing up hundreds140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxbTLgrAHa
of stairs.
The stairs were guarded by two140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAq4uJEc1y
Blades and two of Drayson’s own guards. They nodded their heads in difference140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzG3RmpwLZ
to the heir, but blocked Vander from going farther. The two blades went to step140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPILfkbPIc2
up, but Vander waved them back. He unclipped his sword and held it out to the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGksJb9YpMH
guards. They took it then stepped back ushering them to the stairs. As Anna140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3rdD2QjZp
walked past, the Blades returned her sword to her. With Anna leading, they140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVWEcHFU5z
walked their way up the stairs.
He was out of breath by the time140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLkDcd46fy
they reached the top, but for Anna this seemed to be a light workout. Shea also140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWTunXqJIH
seemed to be enjoying herself because she tossed a lop-sided grin back towards140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr42gNfFTYJ
Vander. He made a mental note to withhold steak from her for the next week.
The apartment they were in could140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe9UI6lOZY
have doubled as a massive house in the first ring. There were four massive140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pDZAPga0M
suits, three bathrooms and plenty of walking-around space. The servants did a140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmn3Ee0m8V
good job decorating as the entire room was painted blue. The reflections from140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VQ1AIuVWI
the paint gave the room a blueish hue, it felt as though he was underwater.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3vhUdSi19
Sitting in the middle of the floor, on top of some blue pillows, sat an older140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNI4h9NJs4s
woman wearing a long blue robe. There was a long pipe in her long slender140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRJqOAYEYB
fingers. Her blue-green eyes looked up as they entered, a slight smile140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4BOD3UrfI
flickered on her face.
“Grandmother.” Anna got down on140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaVUYWPjPX
one knee and bowed her head respectfully. Shea trotted over to the older lady140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPcKBHYOpi
then plopped her head down in her lap.
“Remove your boots Vander, then140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoNBCX5GEx
come sit.” Mari said, her voice only slightly louder than a whisper. “Anna, you140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOzIIZDuQr
may join us if you wish.”
“I think I should wash up from my140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iPUfnxxY7
trip.” Anna got up from the floor. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMQDHwWoFl
proper bath and I feel as though the entire city could smell me.”
“I didn’t want to say anything140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjATj3jGx6R
before because I didn’t want to draw attention to it, but-” a wet shoe slapped140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqQNgyqlH8
him in the face. He gagged from the smell, but before he could throw it back he140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskvrvPi8hw
heard a door slam shut.
“You shouldn’t treat her like140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnl1liqeoZ
that.” Mari said sternly with a hint of amusement in her voice. “She still has140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmE0O3zErx
a thing for you even after all these years.”
“It wouldn’t work between us,”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlb4BRjhhp
Vander sighed. “She knows that, and I know that. She can’t leave your villa140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY0ndKOINb
like I can’t leave the city. We are just from different worlds.”
“Is that what kept you and Bree140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1U8bwwe52
Valarian from getting farther?” Vander tried to contain his anger with the way140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmepTWOjYit
this conversation was going.
“I don’t want to talk about her.”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHAmclWTXS
He growled. She blew a puff of smoke at him causing him to cough.
“You’ve been through a lot since140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0sIeBrm1W
I’ve last seen you.” she said. “You’ve aged. It’s in your eyes.”
“It’s been a rough couple week.”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyYOgvXFsP
Vander leaned backwards to stare up at the ceiling. “Been attacked a couple of140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVf2rDBUFp
times, got some not so veiled threats, and have been poisoned. Things aren’t140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ulLfJgLPS
looking well.”
“You need to take some time to140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYM1vQ9Mej
relax Vander.” Mari blew out some more smoke. “Things are only going to get140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA69eXUgrkj
more difficult for you.” Drayson inhaled more smoke, but she held on to it140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OaAOGzoQd
longer than she should have. She looked up at Vander, but her eyes were deep140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9iwRwIGUc
black this time, all trace of Mari was gone.
“Veyar,” Vander sighed.
“Ma’akti Unnatun.”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhteaYyJ2nl
Mari’s voice turned deeper, but still slightly feminine. “How good to see140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHakssZ3Qlr
you again.”
“What is this about?” Vander140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhstQsUp3G
frowned. “I got your message the first time, as well as your husbands. I don’t140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmifTjn3aHN
think there is anything else I need.”
“There is someone coming who is140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8t0ti8PK6
blessed with my daughter’s powers.” Veyar smiled. “She will be of great140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuTiO9YM9S
help to you in this fight. Treat her well. You have a long road ahead of you,140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBa3H8OD9f
hold on to your allies, they will be your best asset.”
“How will I know who my ally is?”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYX5zOBcOU6
he asked.
“You’ll know her when you see140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0ImP7tcAO
her.” Veyar said. “It will take some time for you to gain her trust, but140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5YQbkNQlY
once you have it you will have an ally for life.”
“I don’t like people being played140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6nJipyrrR
into helping me, Veyar.” Vander said. “Either she will do it of her own will or140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BSeC6Mgrg
not at all.”
“This has been written for a140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1gDZGSpAh
long time Vander.” She said. “This was ordained long before my children140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7FQtBAVhm
were born. This battle will shape the world for good, or worst. With that,140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRLgyGF7Uy
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.” Mari140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGww77Wo4g
smiled, but she looked tired. “Once I go it will pass down to Anna. Will you140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtvBLKdgjO
help me to bed? I’m suddenly very tired.” Vander got up from the ground and140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKYtz62iDC
picked the older woman up in his arms. She pointed to her room and he carried140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vC2RdtbW7
her to her bed.
