152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60csoBpmFf
Springtime came early for those living on the outskirts of the city. It had been a mild winter which was a152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipJvPWPHBn
rarity these days, but the citizens weren’t complaining. They still had piles152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42CYyx70Ao
of firewood to save for the next year and they didn’t have to deal with their152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87V4MYPd7g
livestock’s deaths. They walked to work with a happy step and a jaunty tune.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomkqcd3Ctw
They skirted the forest entirely for only fools went in there. Fools and152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4Jq040tms
Blades.
In the center of the forest, hidden from many unless you knew where to look, was a compound surrounded by152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTjarOdZT7
massive wooden walls blemished from years of weather damage. Before it had been152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH4zdeFu2w
a stronghold where the King’s elite soldiers and guards trained, but now it was152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETJWnWxBad
a relic of times long past. No one had used it for five years since the152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYZ9iP5wEo
incident, but now it was once again alive with the sounds of clashing swords152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsU0uOttH6
and unhappy trainees.
For the past six months the newest class of incoming Blades lived, learned, and trained within these walls.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqw5yc5waX
Becoming a Blade wasn’t an easy task. Many didn’t survive the year, some died152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfTRnImnja
while others dropped out because it was too difficult. From there their either152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyKVWAuINo
went back home with their heads hung low, or they joined the army and swelled152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lvoXbG4E8
the ranks of the worlds greatest military might.
Inside the singleton building, all the way in the room closest to the training ground, a man sat at his desk looking152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiekFliV8T
at a letter that had just arrived via carrier pigeon from the city. The pigeon152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbRBLY4Vmu
had flown off to rest in the hut on top of the building leaving the man to look152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtsVrjpyOh
it over.
Vander, a Blade captain who oversaw152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWl02dCO9Wy
this year’s recruits, stared at the official seal of the Blades on the back of152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn275ie7Q3Q
the letter. It was addressed to him.
Vander was in his twenty-fifth year of life and his eighth year as a Blade. He had been promoted to Captain a152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qPuwM9NvJ
year or so earlier before he left the city to come here for training. Unlike152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fcYgrFeQg
other Eluvian’s, his hair was pure white, the color of snow. His light green152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4l0V3tzvsQ
eyes, tired of staring at the letter, turned his head to investigate the152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjR0vhM6si
training grounds where his charges were training with the other Blade,152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF056kj2ITH
Alexander, who instructed them in hand-to-hand combat.
Alexander was a giant of a man standing well over six feet tall. His shoulders were broad, his arms the size152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwSpXMGcz6
of Vander’s head. Despite his size he was very nimble and scrappy in a fight.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuaqjJoY0E
He was the perfect person to teach them how to fight using their bodies. Today,152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXoQax9VJt
despite the cool chill in the air, he wore a black tank top, black cargo pants,152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Lu26CAXQN
and military grade boots. He could hear the man shouting at them, but he152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffakcqZYbg
couldn’t tell what it was. Sighing, Vander turned back to the letter152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VOaSPKPnt
suppressing a shiver.
Only one person could have sent this letter. His grandfather, Charles, was the only person who knew where he152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaKKnCzgSk
was and had access to the seal. Whatever was in the letter, it wasn’t good.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqxFYnyNAf
Despite once being close, after the incident several years ago, they two of152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Lvtp2JepG
them had barely said a word to each other. The way his only living family152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKxxMdzxq3
member had turned his back on him stung, but he stuck around because this was152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMdw3mj4sR
the only life he knew.
He turned to look at his bed where a massive white wolf stared at him with concern in her eyes. Shea tilted her head152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoJWTQRjNe
slightly to the right. Deciding that she was right, Vander put the letter down152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61ROZdzzpM
convincing himself that it could wait until later. He grabbed his jacket from152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNoSuPQEka
the back of the chair and walked out of the room leaving the door open long152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMuqIVSl20
enough for Shea to snake her way through the opening.
He put the jacket on to protect himself against the cool springtime air as he left the building. The jacket was152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb73C4JjyC
a status symbol that marked him as one of the Blades, Eluvia’s elite soldiers152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1s1xO4HHO
whose main job these days was to protect the royal family, the Elan’s, who152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyYeDZxdXC
ruled all of Eluvia. It was teal colored with two black bands going down the152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnjfW901JX
front and along the bottom trim. It came down all the way to his knees and152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7JdKrn8xf
there was a small slit where the hilt of his sword could poke out when he152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2LnEkZDgR
decided to wear it. There was a red arm band attached to the left side marking152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ApMOTELXN
his rank as Captain. His black boots crushed the blades of grass under foot as152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bHVOXDvTS
he walked towards Alex. Shea trotted off towards a tree so she could rest in152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zEfw0RxIT
the shade as her master did his duties.
Alex acknowledged him with a slight nod of his head, but he soon turned back to watch the trainees practice152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzzYNPVRUw
their wrestling moves on one another. They were practicing pins, which wasn’t152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCn7Jemgni
useful in fighting for one’s life, but when it came down to capturing suspects152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrk6YJKIfU
or criminals, it would become very helpful to learn. It would also help them152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY3an7VWPD
use muscle groups they didn’t normally use it their training.
“How’s everything coming?” Vander asked. He stood with his hands held behind his back, his eyes or demeanor152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD5eYzpJe0
giving nothing away.
“We are lucky we have six more months to get them ready.” Alex grunted. His critical eyes gazed over the pairs152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxLeLWtmq0
with irritation. “They have come a long way since we’ve first come here, but152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLgksRKxRs
their progress is still slower than I would like.”
Vander watched as the siblings Rooster and Chicken squared off against each other. Rooster was bigger and152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjc3DEchFB
stronger than his sister, but she was quick moving. Several times she was able152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVqPLjTyZT
to take his back and get him to tap out before he could even get her in a152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5mLVVoJIL
headlock where his size would have the advantage.
He wasn’t quite sure where the two of them had come from before making their way to Eluvia, but they were both dead152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wLyQgdfGx
set on becoming Blades. Chicken was younger than they would have liked as they152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfvRoPyyHG
only accepted those between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, but her152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtP81Af3aCy
determination to join coupled with the fact that her brother wouldn’t leave her152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD29NHra84
behind convinced him to take a chance with her. It appears it was starting to152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfo2Ys6iXZ
pay off.
“Alright,” Vander shouted. “That’s enough. You can rest for now.” Upon hearing his voice, the five of them relaxed152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d1igUZjrc
and slumped to the ground. Rooster lay down facing the sky. He was breathing152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4urGzMuz3
heavily, and his face was a bright red, likely from both exhaustion and152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxgSXE1ZDg
embarrassment. His orange hair was plastered to his face clung there with152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBI5pKehug
sweat. His sister’s hair was a lighter shade of orange, but more freckles152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIX50rWbTz
dotted her face that his. She clapped him on the shoulder when she sat next to152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qRlTwAh9U
him.
The other three also sat down, but they kept their gaze focused on him. Eve, the defacto leader of the group, sat152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5xEmC1NKR
in front of them with her steel gray eyes locked on his. She was breathing152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A2TqdE2g1
lightly after her practice as if she could have gone on for hours more while152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOcuculhEZ
the rest could barely stand. Her dark black hair was tied back in a ponytail.
Briar and Forest, he was unsure if they were siblings or not, sat next to each other their faces unreadable. They152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeu2NLTtL8
were both clearly exhausted, they had been paired up with Eve after all, but152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o8d3N7Jx3
their eyes hungered for more. Briar, the female, had light brown hair and brown152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFX7MP9t8y
eyes. She was a stand your ground kind of fighter. She didn’t care who she was152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC6qnsJOcr
up against, she would throw hands with anyone who looked at her funny.
Forest was her opposite. He wore his blonde hair sheared short; his blue eyes always looked for a way to take his152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU63cWMawh5
opponent off guard. He wasn’t above throwing dirty shots or tossing dirt at152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUGZeCLS6j
your face. He did whatever it took to win, even if many believed his tactics152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV1mnzqiQd
were disgraceful.
Each of them wore black pants and a black tank top. They were given jackets, not as nice as full Blades, but152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlR3HZh7ajl
functional. They had to earn the privilege of wearing them which would only152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPdb0OP52h
happen once they proved themselves worth. In the meantime, their jackets were152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TODPOXFCQ
shit brown with green arm bands on the left arm marking their status as152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoFEBTh5uz
recruits. Instead of swords, they were given lumps of iron that were the same152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVE0TJjRCa
length and shape, but twice as heavy. They would earn the swords once they152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9oZDxeCQZ
became full Blades.
“At this point in time you are the halfway mark of your training.” Vander waited for their cheers to die down152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56zG94ZL9S
before continuing. “However, Alex is not happy with your progress. What should152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOHMSjWR8Y
we do to see if he is right?” Chicken and Forest hung their heads, but Eve152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw2CO2huZN
fired back with an answer.
“How about we fight him?” she suggested. “All we’ve done is fight each other while he sits on the sidelines152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UQdGpoAxj
judging us. Let us prove ourselves.” The others perked up at the idea. While he152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJ9WfJqPhB
didn’t show it, Vander was happy with her proposal.
“What do you think?” He turned towards his friend. If Alex was surprised, he didn’t show it. It was how their group152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVvflX34IP
decided to prove to their mentor they were ready. They were beaten quickly, but152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNK00WnCyx
if anything, that made their passions burn hotter. It was a good lesson for152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9l8BR9X27
them, and it would be a good lesson for these recruits as well.
“I’m down, but don’t come crying to me when you lose.” Alex growled.
“I have a better idea though.” Vander removed his jacket before handing it to Alex. “How about the five of you fight152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjijerfT9d
me? I want to see how much you all have improved.”
“Do we get something if we win?” Briar asked. “Otherwise, it won’t be fun for us. I’d rather get beaten up trying to152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3pXuDJGDp
get something than nothing at all.”
“Do the rest of you agree?” They all looked at each other then nodded their heads. Vander thought for a moment152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDLH5LsWgs
before an idea popped into his head. “How about this: If anyone one of you152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqWtUrghRr
manage to beat me, I will treat you to dinner when we get back to the city,152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqTlwzLp1U
which will include drinks.”
“Aw yeah!” They got their feet and cheered. The food in Eluvia was much better than the food they had out here.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitm6FyUITp
The fact they wouldn’t have to pay was just a bonus.
“Settle down!” Vander shouted over them. “If you want a wager, there must be something in it for me as well. If I beat you, you will go152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKM3ZsoiO7
for a run in the forest with twenty pounds added to your packs.”
“Anything but that.” Rooster groaned.
“Come on,” Vander grinned. “Out of all the things I could ask you to do, a run through the woods is small by152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uRCTRHc30
comparison.” The muttered to each other before finally relenting. The hope of a152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AUKyewynT
solid meal on top of booze was enough for them to agree to the wager. What they152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIV3a9Rjkw
didn’t know was that Vander was going to treat them anyway, but it wouldn’t be152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdKo9F8ukG
good to tell them that now.
“Mind if I go first?” Rooster got up from his spot on the ground and went to stand in front of his mentor.
“What would you like to fight with?” Vander asked. “Swords, knives, fists? Take your pick, whatever you want.”
“Swords please.” Vander nodded to Alex who walked towards the fence where their weapons were hanging up. They didn’t152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCigVbScj0
use normal weapons while sparring. Instead, they used weighted steal. The152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW3CDSPUpy
approximate dimensions were the same, but the weight was doubled, and the edges152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG1dcgqcVV
were blunt. This way there would be no real injuries during practice, but they152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQZHGOOoQ7
could still build muscle and train how to use them.
Alex handed one of the swords to Vander before crossing the field to hand the second to Rooster. He stood in152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ztWqr1GxT
between them, off on the side, and raised his hand. “Begin!” He shouted.
Rooster being the plucky little kid he was, launched himself forward swinging the lump of metal aiming for Vander’s152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPneT8H0ReA
face. Vander brought his own weapons up, the clanging in his ear caused him to152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlch2hYG6Pp
go deaf for a second. Using the kid’s momentum, Vander tripped him as he went152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vYGz2Oura
past and cuffed him upside the head. Angrily, he righted himself and swung for152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebSuYKN1Vh
Vander’s ribs. He blocked the strike again using more force than was necessary.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuvQd3rPpl
While Rooster was off balance, Vander tapped him three times: once on the arm,152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuVssoW2tl
once on the leg and once in the ribs. Rooster dropped to one knee his face152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43LSZxTMH0
flushed with anger.
“Swings are wide, and you rush in when you should be a little more cautious.” Vander said. He held out his hand which152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpWkBC54lN
the young man took after a couple seconds. “With a little more practice, you’ll152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Kx5Jf7e1u
make a good swordsman. Now grab your weights and sit with the others.” Grumbling,152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xz9YPLqGi
he stalked over to where the weights were, grabbed a couple, and went back to152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxlsNnwkr8
his spot on the ground.
Chicken shook her head which didn’t really surprise him. She wasn’t much of a fighter preferring the safety of152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5Ir1kQ4Mr
books and paper. They could always use more administrators within the Blades,152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LDRElZd0h
but she still had to learn to defend herself. She walked over to grab her own152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gybspXcGy
weights and sat down next to her brother.
“Do you mind if we come at you together?” Briar and Forest asked. That was surprise to him as he didn’t think152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTNvULeVMN
the two of them ever got along, at least not while he was paying attention.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXS0M9hAEd
Perhaps they would surprise him so he would allow it this time.
“What weapons would you like to use?” The two of them looked at each other before nodding.
“Bare hands.” A surprise, but not an unwelcome one. Vander stripped off his jacket and tossed it to Alexander. The152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDqxukVxOp
cool breeze felt good on his bare arms. He stretched a little bit while keeping152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqEop36BqF
an eye on his two challengers. If they were nervous, they did their best not to152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce3Z5EDgOb
show it. However, he could see their fists clenching in anticipation. He stood152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDCLKiOaYu
at attention then smiled.
“Whenever you’re ready.” Forest and Briar raced off in opposite directions trying to get him in a pincer movement. While he was focused on one, the other could take his back and grapple him before he had a chance to defend himself. So, he did what anyone in his position would do, he struck first. He went after Forest because he was the strongest of the two. He must not have expected the attacked because he barely had time to defending himself from the punch Vander threw at him. Forest blocked directing the strike away, but it clipped his ear. He stumbled sideways clutching the side of his head. Vander grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him in front as Briar came in with own punch. She collided with Forest and knocked him to the ground.
“I’m so sorry.” Briar gasped. She held her hand to her mouth as she watched Forest struggle to his feet.
“You shouldn’t take your eyes off your opponent.” Vander whispered in her ear. She spun around to hit him but was too152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h1V0eBZmE
slow. He punched in the stomach causing her to double over in pain. Then he152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo91ql4uufT
finished her with a punch to the jaw knocking her to the ground.
“Briar!” Forest struggled to his feet. Vander kicked him in the ribs knocking him back down.
“If they two of you are going to be worried about each other during a fight, you leave yourselves open.” Vander152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DamMYIJTu
explained. “Trust the person watching your back or you’ll both just get in each152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzitg3DNnw
other’s way. Next time come at me one at a time so I can gauge your true152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyXsbjNFjZ
skills. Now get your weights and join the others.” Forest and Briar helped each152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyoaAStKq0
other over to the rack before collapsing on the ground. The injuries they152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVIIkfxYdA
sustained would last a few days. It would be a painful lesson for them.
“This makes it my turn.” Eve got up from the ground and brushed off her pants. She walked over to the rack then152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wr9VCgDq2
picked out two daggers to use. The daggers were her go-to weapon of choice.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSH1YIXgZn
There wasn’t a day that passed where she didn’t practice with them. She twirled152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3gGhMtgXX
them around in between her fingers and clasped one in an over handgrip and the152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLysUKl5Lxl
other in an underhand grip.
“Would you like me to use daggers as well?” Vander asked.
“Use whatever makes you comfortable.” She shrugged. He rolled his shoulders and motioned for her to come at him. She152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLZrTPhCV8
didn’t hesitate to rise to the challenge.
The fight was quick and brutal. She was quick with the slashes, but as they were lumps of metal, they didn’t really152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGjJ853VNo
draw too much blood, but even if they were, the cuts would have been shallow at152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡticjpfgFuW
best. The best way to deal with someone using daggers to fight is by guiding152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtArTywnyew
their weapons away from the body using a towel or anything to keep the edge152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLkT4Ika39
away. Daggers, like fists, were an intimate way to try and kill someone.
As Eve stabbed down with a dagger, Vander brought his arm up to block the strike. At the same time, she stabbed up152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6TZEURKyu
with the second trying to get him in the stomach. He grabbed her wrist with his152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndSUAYsYX7
second hand. As the two of them struggled, she brought her knee up to try and152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhiXCJLYOv
weaken him, but he blocked with his leg. The impact jarred him, but not enough152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7rh4lC7iH
to weaken his grasp. He snaked his hand around her wrist and squeezed. He152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkJGLK1S0g
twisted her arms together until she screamed and dropped both weapons. She152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYOcvxNbpM
brought her head back then slammed it into Vander’s face.
He felt his nose crunch under the blood. He stumbled backwards clutching his hand over his gushing nose. Between152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T9GCxCr8u
the tears, he saw Eve scoop up her daggers and charge at him. He reached for152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiCxTUB8kh
his sword, but it wasn’t there. He had forgotten he didn’t take it with him152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQGJOiQ0mV
when he left his room. With a cry off annoyance, he bent down and grabbed Eve152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0NqaPaHxQ
around the waist knocking the air from her lungs. Using the weight of his body,152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwjCmS4lQU
he slammed her down onto the ground. The daggers flew from her grasp. He152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJcpKOwE3j
grabbed both wrists then pinned them above her head. She thrashed on the152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLGT3gggzt
ground, but he was heavier and stronger than she was.
“I yield.” She gasped. Vander got up off her and took the handkerchief Alex offered him to staunch his bleeding152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hK2TWOwGd
nose.
“Clean yourself off and get to your run.” His voice sounded bubbly due to holding his nose, but the recruits knew152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ykg41wt7n
not to disobey him. He watched as they got to their feet and within a few152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEhz4iG6LZ
minutes they were gone.
“She almost had you.” Alex grabbed Vander’s shoulder. “Are you alright.” He wiped his nose then shot a wad of152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtTNS5OTAe
blood out onto the grass.
“I’m lucky I have more experience with these kinds of fights.” He explained. “In a few more years she would have152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BJzNDP8oY
caused me problems.”
“We good crop, but I’m worried about them. Rooster is strong, but is worried about his sister, Chicken doesn’t care152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFpOajhNN7
about fighting and Forest and Briar are more worried about each other than152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX25oPa9eX6
fighting.” Alex explained. “It’s a mess.”
“Eve is the strongest of the group, but I’ve seen the way she looks at them. Seems she thinks they are dead weight.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIi0fuyLX3
We need to bring them together.” Vander sighed. “We can come up with something152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKPCi5Dn8o
later, I need to wash up and get the blood off my face.” He turned towards the152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRWGsRxo9c
slumbering wolf. He let out a low whistle. A few seconds later she sleepily152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4gvY0eO5c
perked her head up. “Watch them.” She gave him a toothy yawn but rolled to her152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUzB70CyzF
feet before trotting after the recruits.
“I’ll get lunch ready.” The two of them went their separate ways.
After Vander washed his face and changed his clothes, he sat down in his chair willing himself to relax. In the152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1n3JeFKMz
short time they had been here the group had become closer, but to their152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4POGHvS6t
detriment. They couldn’t get out of each other’s way long enough to improve. He152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoubkbjSUMu
would have to do something to fix that. As he sat there pondering, he heard the152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rKzcm4fP8
recruits coming back from their run and collapsing on the ground. Shea pushed152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKsVZYlpKP
open the door then jumped onto the bed to curl up and go to sleep.
As he sat watching her, he remembered the letter from his grandfather that had come earlier. Grabbed his knife, he152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFG4dVrCiw
cut open the top and pulled out the letter. He recognized the writing instantly152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPGCw8DMy8
as his grandfathers. It read:
Vander,
I need you and Alexander back in the city152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9X3hkzrba
within the next couple of days. I know you have another six months left in the152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fZ3fRCBOk
woods, but it cannot be helped. I can’t explain everything to you in this152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfxHN8X5ov
letter, but I promise we will sit down and talk when you arrive back. Please152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj4RQ78BrJ
trust me on this, come back.
-Your grandfather, Charles
P.S. This is a Red Alert.
Once he read the Red Alert, he knew that it was an emergency. Only a couple of things would warrant his grandfather putting that in a letter recalling him and none of it was good. The rest of the letter didn’t matter to him. He crumbled it up and slipped it into his pocket. He rushed outside to call the others to him.
They would have to leave tomorrow.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIRPZJ5bjO
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJFZBEZDoq
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBqMb0S9OY
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtFLDDcpW5
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW6vpJNkJB
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwU4Dts4Gzd
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAWPrvFbLS
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MKh2ALdx1
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYPUA1drFH
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakdm1pPkWC
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9XgdLe0OG
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcYHRsXcWw
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnYersvfQF
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS63H7FSDwa
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p7IalS6HS
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgfPD391Mq
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhTLlGJZM8
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHNq0VmULQ
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsESXFTU1pW
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvbMnjaVxN
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpatSIVWuk
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VbDYsYQae
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5Gl35e58z
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnS6xSlrJ1
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYucAQrCw6
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nkm4zs1P0
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSb2i7VY5Cn
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjuUwnw8BJ
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLasKWAAJK
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDeZHLjogw
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHMOp5jpSR
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBIjJL6yyM
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR6HVbdNF3
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eMng5clPe
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gbR6lSkCQ
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbx5HgVNFjq
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChEdZ05GEy
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZvhMPc31K
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz8uHJN2dl
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccRMioZUj4
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8CG426AGf
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI6BUYi7EI
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMAP66csYr
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRCz07KHrW
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO0k56pqYU
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8YIrImwcd
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdvS13aMgM
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKPGtTBYSY
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVnMm20Ijf
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ140YVeIre0
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QrvWR8orc
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRyYKaAbey
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhEXdR4wCV
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDha0opinV
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN824t8eem
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBObGIRG7F
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5GAqie73z
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDtfqP1zBy
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRwtAh7HXU
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLfW1igrmO
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5LMufCPUb
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnX9o1qjvh
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaYzXXKwtk
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDXVP1Esuu
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ooCIySoBZ
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GmILuL4ki
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hkG2y4jtr
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF8viyFucA
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0Go61fHIB
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqHiY3IFFq
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrqw1rZtbc
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtfyWPEVVp
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL93SGHisQ2
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDU9hMOGkA
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh0TCOfPtB
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0pGkvJsEQ
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjgjW9ZB2K
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhy2JUDBun
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ8moANcpr
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicV8r1ZoYU
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyBfre9g4k
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡummp11GvIC
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4c0Ldi25U5
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aXJImq5xg
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xstBIiNYR
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKGxdLl3jt
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShnrZqMaHF
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlSYWECAE8
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQ4rDPAD3H
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRQ0HLhd0k
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0ILJqk4bv
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzseeCOvQvM
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVONrRDAtd
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXa8FPWE0P
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNDYcY9R9W
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lMBR0IlK9
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZhrc1hpdd
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VmksCIrh3
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZwjwlTcTb
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ22ZOkQEmM
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25edFzLPn9
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXr91GvESq
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhql7jFu9Lo
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEZzk36STo
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6y6yWatum1
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzQlFJXefW
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Tz9cTP4QK
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCIpfXMeRM
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1UnpEZmKb
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUW0wlvPC4
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFif6ciS6BT
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dXVYuOzn7
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81Kp6ug6bS
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJa4UongOk
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFZOOeCrhS
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VYHN2TZLq
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PLSJ7MNS4
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItkf9T1gS2
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesouOgMEaO
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUxEU4dn86
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEgxF9oLed
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapWLBrXckU
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79IqG6Cc8w
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVwWY0zwbW
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJXd7165MM
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcqzPnK2UU
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLuoFlbFP2
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtVITUCyrc
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVAKNIkzb7
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdqa9iYkwH
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ4mIG6dNk
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePI26Sifwe
