Chapter 17
“Ow, ow, ow!” Vander sat in the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTmmSmHPbo
chair within the medical room while Topal placed topical ointments on his143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWPOZeEC10
wounds. He had removed his shirt to allow the doctor to check him over and143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyae0PNpZg
there were already colorful bruises gathering on his skin. Eliza, who was in143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGtiWUujpK
the adjoining room being attended to by Topal’s granddaughter seemed to be in143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7syhmvPMP
better spirits. She was laughing the entire time with no sounds of pain.
“She did quite the number on you143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYprg5iom7
huh?” Topal asked. Vander could see the little smirk gathering on the old man’s143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xar5j1UzT
face as he checked him over.
“You know I heal quickly, Topal.”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmf505EGdXg
Vander snorted. “Short of killing me, I’ll be better off sooner than she will.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YpKVp3aYf
So, I’d say we were about even.”
“Don’t forget a lot of the nobles143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQhNI2UbEu
saw you getting your ass beat, so you better pretend like you’re injured for a143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vBP90jBO6
while.” Topal slapped Vander’s ribs causing him to sit up hissing between143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMLnFxsPZ9
clenched teeth.
“I’ll remember that.” He hissed.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtiN1vi4AS
Vander turned towards the door. He could hear two people coming down the hall143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzLu4gdE3z
towards the room. Based on their scent and how Shea was acting nonchalantly143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LjhS2M7cQ
about it, it was Cuvera and Kiara.
Cuvera didn’t even knock, he just143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKn617ZgwU
walked in with Kiara coming up behind him. “Damn, you look like shit.” He143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyRFNemYbI
grinned. “But don’t you think you should put a shirt on.” he frowned. “You’re143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcEHCiqmDy
making me look bad.”
“Nonsense.” Kiara jabbed his side.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPs1dp49Sd
“He’s the one who just got whooped by Eliza. You could have taken her easily.”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bPDusRqjp
She winked at Vander when Cuvera puffed out his chest in pride.
“Damn right I could.” He said,143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4wkWWtxIZ
slapping her on the ass causing her to squeal then punch his arm. “Go see how143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzziboDSrG
your maid of honor is doing while I talk to Vander for a second.”
“You’re wish is my command.” She143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKgnIbNUeB
curtsied. Vander told her than Eliza was in the other room then pointed towards143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipzbZOxuZ6
the doorway. She walked through then closed the door behind her, so they143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEEb4mwVty
couldn’t overhear what was being said.
“Doctor, would you mind giving us143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXDps8Jbkp
the room?” Cuvera asked.
“Of course.” Topal clipped his bag143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuonkj2z6aD
shut but left the container of ointment for Vander. “Rub this on your wounds143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ltEC0dfgz
twice a day. They should clear up in a week or two.” Vander thanked the older143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYLWz54AI3
man and watched as he closed the door.
“What is it you wanted to talk to143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwVW53TsFi
me about?” Vander asked. Cuvera sighed then pulled up a seat across from143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S14bRKe7z
Vander.
“I want you to be my best man for143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugX3CC2Eaz
the wedding tonight.” He said. Vander stared at his friend a little confused.
“Who else were you considering?”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPND5UkSZ1
he asked.
“No one.” Cuvera sighed. “You’ve143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQxTH1ALI0
been with me since the very beginning and despite what the nobles say, you are143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdnUUWM2Lj
the closest friend I have. You are the only one I’ve wanted by my side143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJYqfc68tU
tonight.”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBsApxIrQN
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f2xmG0V9j
“Why did it take so long143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs73Li4mS4e
for you to ask me?” Vander laughed, but immediately regretted it, holding his143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE8NuxiODx
side in pain. “Have you asked my grandfather to make sure it’s alright I skip143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBscFY25Dr
guarding duty tonight?”
“I asked him after you left.”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTTjbXada4
Cuvera nodded. “He said it was fine provided you agree. My father will deal143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13G3TmBFRs
with the nobles, I just need you to say yes.”
“Do you have something for me to143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdf8DTBrrH
wear?” Vander asked causing Cuvera to break out in a wide grin. “All my143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfTTJbtVri
clothing are for going out on the town or performing my duties as a Blade. I143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERpDi0TT7I
don’t have anything you would consider,” he waved his hand around. “Appropriate143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UXGCs6gym
for a wedding.”
“What do you take me for?” Cuvera143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaJ7I4rar3
scoffed. “Come on, this will be fun.”
Thirty minutes later Vander found143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfI6bFgO2Fp
himself in Cuvera’s room standing on a circular stand with three mirrors143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonVAKC9OCF
surrounding him. There was an army of people coming in and out of the room with143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lMcEyNe6I
a seamstress taking his measurements with a thin tape. She made notes on a143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1xR7nQBMT
piece of paper then shouted orders to her people.
“Give me the silver fabric.” Opal143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFDzTvkDUv
Jayne ordered. Apparently she was of no relation to Topal, but Vander found143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWtn9ijBpS
that hard to believe. No way multiple people be that bad at naming their143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdXkpTbAXR
children. “Yes, this will match your hair quite nicely.” She muttered to143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxgS2XJha9
herself. She snapped her fingers and the helpers brought in some more fabric143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Y695Qwg3Y
for her to look at ranging from blues all the way to yellows. She placed the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMPEU8QkSf
silver fabric on Vander’s shoulder. She then started to place other fabrics on143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgnVZsGfB7
top until she found a dark blue she liked.
“Is it done?” Cuvera asked.
“I have all the measurements I143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EAflfeJKZ
need from him as well as the colors to best match his complexion along with143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5FOX8j1r1
your outfit.” Opal mused. “I never thought I would get the chance to work on143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV9foeVu9a
you, Vander, it will take all of my power to make this work, but I daresay you143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc35Pk8f59E
will like the results.”
“Thank you.” Cuvera smiled. “Get143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6VHh8CvO7
him a few rings and a necklace as well. He doesn’t like spending money on143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU50bWc0bex
himself, so I get to do it instead.”
“Of course.” She smiled. “I’ll143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNKqICPyuV
send you my bill. When do you need this by?”
“Tomorrow afternoon.” He said.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRO5Vs3J4J
Vander looked over at him with a frown.
“I thought the wedding was143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXL1VCbdzN
tonight?” Cuvera and Opal looked at each other then burst out laughing.
“This wouldn’t all be done by143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiunBIjqLnf
tonight dear boy.” Opal wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I have two143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGbjQwV4ut
dresses to make and your suit. I’ll be up all night making sure everything is143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t5JZeLefn
ready.”
“I made sure it was okay if I143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQXyRNE7AQ
postponed it until tomorrow.” Cuvera explained. “If anything, my father was143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3CG2fRBg7
relieved for more time, so he approved it.”
“What am I supposed to do with143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewTIzepCAr
myself now?” Vander groaned.
“Don’t know.” Cuvera shrugged. “Go143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50TNksvaW1
for a walk, get drunk, get your dick wet, whatever you want. I’ll see you143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjDbgap5KV
later.” He winked then quickly slipped out of the room.
“Jackass.” Vander muttered. He143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WtZcnEjnO
slipped on his clothing, clipped his sword to his belt, then left the room.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0bvIBHhEm
Shea had been forced to sit outside so she wasn’t in the way, so she joined143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vJnWL5jBT
him.
“That seemed like fun.” She143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZLUP4UrdA
said.
“Well, now we have the night off.”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtw2nmOgIb
He replied. “What should we do now?”
“I would like to head back if143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LPbKVvkcj
you don’t mind.” She said. “I’m tired.”
“You are more than welcome to head143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpxLmWi4Ep
back to the bedroom if you want.” He said. “I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Don’t forget you have to143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE98G8IMY3I
oversee the protection detail around the castle for tomorrow’s wedding.” She143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzKR04P0Ny
said. “Perhaps you should focus on that while you have time.”
“Ah shit, I forgot about that.” He143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eEBA8UmAz
groaned. “So much has happened within the past several days that it slipped my143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AudylOht4
mind.”
“Then it’s lucky that my mind is143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6N3OFG3BV
still about me.” Vander turned around to see his grandfather standing behind143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouu0VY4kmi
them. “How many times have I told you not to talk to Shea where others can hear143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevqXMTpAuy
you?”
“Sorry, Grandfather.” Vander143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsKgs8G3na
muttered. Shea licked his hand before walked down the hall and disappearing143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUojEOTxar
into the darkness. “She’s heading back to my room to sleep. She hasn’t been143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP6VqVld1R
sleeping well lately.”
“With all the wardens here, I’m143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOeXfDACDn
surprised anyone is sleeping.” Charles sighed. “Anyway, do you have a moment to143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6wyUcQiIS
chat? There are some things I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Of course.” Charles led the way143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XUQCD361q
down the hall and up a flight of stairs towards his office. There were two143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIGyq32PPE
Blades standing at the door whom he dismissed with a flick of his hand. Once143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NKewwW6YO
inside, he poured both a small glass of whiskey.
“Eliza passed.” Charles answered143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4JW2DDFR4
the unspoken question after he drained his glass and poured himself another143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFvgpNySSs
one. “After the wedding we will initiate her as a Blade Captain with control of143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sjdzWVGJG
her own squad.”
“Are you sure about that?” Vander143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuIX6FCiA1
asked. “There are abound to be plenty who are going to be pissed they got143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjsL04sRdz
passed for a promotion to someone from Bricen, even if she is qualified.”
“They are able to challenge her143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5njgr5zXw
for the spot, but based on how she was able to take you down, I doubt the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDG5rmrS37
others will be able to keep up with her.” He explained.
“Come on gramps,” Vander rolled143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai2DV7kJw5
his eyes. “I was holding back, and you know it.”
“An ass whooping is an ass143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYZQJkdIzi
whooping Vander.” He laughed. “Plus, I expect she was holding back as well, and143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXMqaqV6gM
she had just finished running the gauntlet beforehand. I think you would have143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSxKUFzf7t
lost if she wasn’t exhausted.”
“You’re supposed to be on my143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcqbmpBXm4
side.” He grumbled.
“I’m for whatever makes us143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRB7zmmuQA
stronger.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “Malcolm told me about what Ross143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpuOBItFML
had told you when you visited him. While I’m not happy you went there,143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUNOGtkE4L
especially without telling me, we now have an enemy to focus our efforts on. Was143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqnLu77wUw
there anything else he could tell you?”
“There was, but I’d have to fight143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTck9swPfi
in the pits against his champions.” Vander explained. “It’s not something I’m143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rRCvSJAu9
keen on doing, but I will if I need to.”
“That might not be necessary.”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc73WmKClB
Charles was quiet for a moment. “What do you know of Draken? The man Warden143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBvVfaD5W8
Valarian always keeps with her?”
“Not much.” Vander admitted. “Just143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR8Jlci2Sp
that he’s a strong fighter.”
“Not just that.” Charles got up143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2KK9dzZq6
from his desk to walk towards one of the bookshelves. He skimmed the shelves143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8HhJ7VQvE
for a moment before selecting an old black book with gold trim. He flipped143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKvlsRb5qr
through the pages until he found the one he wanted then placed it on the table143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOImAC94xtj
in front of Vander. It was a picture of Aubum, the deity of mortality and143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPQuUIm1HY
death. One of the children of the Darkness.
Aubum was a mysterious deity. Not143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcNJYXM5XF
much was known about him even within the texts of the other deities. Before his143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwONC8wtbRc
arrival, humans were immortal, but Darkness had created him to rob them of the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdrV3ByVcY
one thing they coveted more than anything, their lives. It was a move to try143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURV5zQPs4y
and weaken her parents and siblings, but it backfired because humans prayed to143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sBqW8js4S
the deities even more afterwards. Some believe he did it to weaken his mother,143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXor0WMT3l
but that was the minority opinion.
Aubum was human in appearance, but143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkCuuRzZu8
his hair was bright green while his skin was the color of death. He wore white143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfRgWrtorc
robes with sandaled feet. His weapon of choice was a large scythe, but he used143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA95grXwDo
it more to walk with than as a weapon considering how old he truly was.
“Are you telling me that Draken is143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyedesAe5Z
the Ma’akti of Aubum?” Vander asked. “I thought he stayed out of human affairs143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUJ4IgW3qd
until their death?”
“It’s something passed down since143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7grzd7Tpmi
the Valarian line started.” Charles explained. “Out of everyone in the council,143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs04vXsBpY
only the King and I know who he truly is.” There was a slight gust of wind that143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa0Ef6PNEJ
wafted around the apartment as the smell of decay appeared in Vander’s nose. In143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmEX800gEK
one deft movement, Vander jumped from his seat and drew his sword pointing it143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUe5sp8BbB
at one of the darkened corners.
“Good.” A voice hissed from the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxEGQV478z
shadows. Two bright yellow eyes appeared as a man stepped out from the shadows,143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIhRWKFMyA
but they clung to him as if trying not to let him go. Now that Vander’s eyes143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHOL0yKbe1
could adjust, he realized the man had dark green, scaley skin, and large143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvXWy26g7m
canines that jutted past his top lip. He was wearing a long-mottled cape which143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG1mZtctao
allowed him to blend with the shadows along with leather armor protecting his143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSaKyC3Hjk
chest. He wore a series of knives on his belt, likely his preferred weapon of143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwvHDqa6mK
choice.
“Draken, you came.” Charles bowed143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI75mWzEKQ
his head respectfully. “Would you like a drink?”
“No thanksssss, Commander.” He143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEVdBUlt5g
hissed. “But why have you asked my missssstressss for me? I wasssss hoping to143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkbTPq0ZyX
enjoy my ssssstay?”
“Can you stop hissing?” Charles143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7B5eigb7v
asked. “I know you do it just to make people piss their pants, but you don’t143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CIFzCA22M
have to do it here.”
“Sorry.” Draken laughed. It143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQko817a6AZ
sounded raspy like he had been smoking for decades, it was likely his throat143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxSNUnYmW6
wasn’t used to normal speak. “It’s a habit at this point.”
“How did you get in here?” Vander143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggm4ZkAE36
asked.
“Do you expose your secrets to any143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpa46XIq1k
who asked Unna’tun Ma’akti?” Vander stared at him surprised. “Only those with143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYlR3PrRq0
her abilities can sense me when I’m cloaked considering we are cousins of a143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjS65xR08O
sort.”
“I guess that makes sense.” Vander143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPutBSmdy5H
shrugged his shoulder. “This is something I would kill to keep secret if you143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8o5kdlaVO3
catch my meaning.”
“Don’t worry.” Draken smiled. “I143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrRKiyXvcy
won’t tell anyone anything. This is a secret that should stay in the shadows143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJJYmOWAZ3
with as few as possible. None of us wish for our secrets to be exposed,143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBygcufbD5V
especially not those in power.”
“Only a select few will know of143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wrUE74pHE
this.” Charles explained. “We have sworn on the book of Humjir to keep the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqqCkchZhd
identities a secret. If anyone breaks that vow, they will die.”
“I trust you.” Vander sighed. “But143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QD4rLLVfU
onto the question, why is he here?”
“Because I have a job for him.”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FHNPAuTKG
Charles explained. “We have someone in our dungeons who knows the location of143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnalkdPDYZ
whoever tried to kill our King. I want you to pry the information out of my any143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYdxwTzD79
means necessary then track down whoever sent him here. When you find them, I143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iXnCOcYXY
want to know about it.”
“And who will protect my Warden143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZkCH0ldVl
while I do this?” Draken asked.
“We will have our best protecting143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTLsFQ2gbZ
her.” Charles assured him. “Captain Alexander will take three others to help143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGlPpgYjDb
protect her.”
“Do you trust him?”
“With my life.” Vander answered.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu7UUYXMJY
“We’ve been through a lot together. We will protect her with his life if need143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2QgHoAG4u
be.”
“Then very well.” Draken bowed his143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3yIEGnM1O
head. “Should I make daily reports?”
“No, only report when you finish.”
“Understood.” With that Draken143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjceR7mfvVY
slunk back into the shadows then disappeared. Vander didn’t speak until he was143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1z1CqXENO7
sure that the man was gone.
“That was something.” He said.
“He’s always been like that, but143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnnY1xncxv
he gives results and that’s what matters.”
“Will the guards walk in on143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEFB7AIlPh
anything?” Vander asked.
“I gave the guards the night off.”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkNIzliwWe
Charles sat back down in his chair. “No one will hear the man’s screams. I want143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvR7vUsuWha
to get this done as quickly as possible.”
“Cuvera and I questioned him143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxg1yAlQwn
before, and he swore that they had nothing to do with the King’s poisoning.”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiDnMXIrDS
Vander explained.
“You know better than to trust143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdmKClhMs9
someone like that Vander, unless you doubt Ross’ word?”
“Ross always has some hidden143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mjxu0Lasv
agenda, but he wouldn’t lie to me.” Vander frowned. “It could be his143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0bkV7f487
information is wrong.”
“We will see what happens once143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhs9kdpnPi
Draken finishes his investigation.” Charles tossed back his whiskey. “His143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnpGo3pdbS
methods are cruel, but we need that now. Any moment we waste is another chance143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2MC3NMp5u
they must kill Malcolm.”
“I agree with you.” Vander also143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCWp2Z4FQZ
drank the burning liquid which caused him to grimace. He hated the taste, but143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyvGt4zaTF
it did relax him. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore gramps.”
“What should we talk about then?”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3g7OmxhhLX
Charles grinned. “Would you like to talk about your attraction to Eliza?”143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dJVQLuvSW
Vander choked on his drink.
“What?” He sputtered. “I don’t143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEM05hhcdN
like her!”
“So that mild bit of flirting143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQvtAFGsLw
while you fought this morning was nothing?” Charles asked. “I might be old, but143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7sGi3F6Ka
I’m not dead yet and neither are you. You’d be a fool not to be interested in143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjbY38WGW4
her.”
“Come on, I barely know her.” He143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3aM1ShEnW
protested. “Besides, she can find someone better.”
“I know Bree dumping you hurt, but143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP8Req042B
you can’t close yourself off forever.” His grandfather sighed. “It’s time you143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZRUtWM04M
found someone to settle down with. I’d like to have great-grand children before143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qSLJdxCCp
I die.”
“I’m only twenty, gramps.” Vander143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5slwgICQY
sighed. “We have plenty of time.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Charles143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvg1bsHZDR
mused. However, he got a sad look in his eyes that Vander couldn’t quite figure143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHkGj8PORb
out.”
“Is everything alright?” he asked.
“Yes, yes.” Charles waved him off.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27WIj15Ipk
“I just think she will be a good match for you as well, Vander. Give it some143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfYKd0ZhsY
thought, but ultimately, it’s up to you.”
“Thank you.” Vander sipped the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cn0tvWXwZ
drink. “It is alright if I sleep? I’ve had a long day.”
“Of course.” Charles smiled. “I143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ570GQadoE4
will see you tomorrow.” Vander walked over to the other side of the desk and143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLK5VncmvOX
kissed his grandfather on the top of his head. With a small wave he left the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33ml7CJXxF
room.
He decided to take the long way143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRfdYpic0z
back to his room opting to take a walk along the outer corridor towards the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyNf9Z3Ulh
other gardens. The gardens behind the castle were filled with various bushes143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkOsoDPBQB
and flower gardens ranging from roses to daffodils. There were pathways that143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj1Y68VqP7
weaved around each garden bed and benches were people sat while they enjoyed143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGBQfu1Kl2
themselves. Here nobles were allowed to visit, but with the wedding tomorrow,143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMUK9lw3PS
many were resting.
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The full moon was high in the sky143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxNsxqyQMN
when Vander sat down on a secluded bench in a corner garden. Despite the chaos143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbKIth1gIk
that was his life and Unna’s gifts constantly clawing at him, he enjoyed the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqDHTVSYZd
quiet serenity that this spot offered him. It was one of the few places he143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgMZxI2iiO
could feel at ease and not have to worry about anyone else. He lay down on the143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpSQ9x5Jev
bench to stare up at the moon before closing his eyes to rest.
