Chapter 22
Vander watched as blood seeped out86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7Wdi3D0h6
of the King’s chest. However, instead of checking to see if he was alright,86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PbvEO88BE
Vander took a few steps backwards reaching for the sword that wasn’t there.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D13ZLtsNv
Peyton took a step in, stepping over the King, to advance on Vander holding the86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXaqO3pIob
sword out in front of him.
“Give me the book.” Peyton86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74PZxC0BqG
snapped. “Don’t make me hurt you.”
“What have you done to Shea?”86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NAmeCbCNg
Vander snapped.
“I put her down for a nap.” Peyton86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWdAY3xjyF
smiled. “She should really be carefully about who she accepts snacks from.”
“You bastard.” Vander went to86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X8jynQdro
lunge for him, but the sword shot out catching him just under the chin.
“Tut, tut, Vander, you don’t have86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYsyWiWFWF
a weapon.” The man grinned. Vander walked backwards, but Peyton followed him86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyVL8fmfW0
until he was pushed up against the desk. “Hand me the book while I’m still86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4Dow2HMGU
asking nicely.”
“No,” He wasn’t sure what the man86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMTeUWMaTS
wanted with the book, but if he was willing to kill the King for it, it must be86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTDCTDXHDk
something important.
“I wanted to keep you alive, but86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnVoQMxM1I
if you choose to stand in my way I will kill you.” He swung with the sword, but86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqkiD3gW9O
Vander ducked under the swing. He punched Peyton in the stomach, but his hand86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmtkrkcw4L
hit something metallic causing him to cry out in pain. “Not even your strength86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzPrMq3sgy
will get through that armor, Vander.” He swung again, but this time Vander86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWPBSgcWJm
caught the hilt of the sword on his forearm then punched Peyton in the jaw. The86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6JzqBeQaj
man stumbled backwards dropping the sword.
“I don’t need my abilities to kill86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoOKDxTQ88
a coward like you.” Vander snarled. He went to punch Peyton again, but this86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ6tNzcoct
time the old man moved out of the way. He spun around, but Peyton got his hands86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1znE1lHhTT
on a book and clapped Vander’s cheek with it. He fell backwards, his head86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WGHEFdudf
spinning from the blow. Peyton tackled him forcing him to the ground.
“You forget I was a soldier too.”86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5tQEMPLvf
The older man laughed. “I’ve fought and killed more people than you’ve had86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVHyDdzjVt
birthdays, boy.” Vander grabbed Peyton’s arms then brought his legs up to86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyDfoZOLm4
launch him overhead onto the desk. The lamp shattered and glasses went flying86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr0lZ69EUN
as he rolled onto the ground. Vander decided to use the quick reprieve to check86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dlOVa7ujz
on the king.
“Malcolm,” he shouted. “Hold on.”86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CA6WOEach
Malcolm coughed up some more blood as he looked up at Vander with warmth in his86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYJYGCNytX
eyes,
“I’m dying, Vander.” He wheezed.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjB8nQoMMDR
His body spasmed as he talked and based on his beating heart, Vander knew he86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisTiZmMcWL
didn’t have long to live. “Take the book and run, don’t let that man have it.”
“What’s so special about this86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pNYM179ef
book.” He asked resisting the urge to cry.
“No time.” Malcolm coughed. “There86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7E6qQ20Zb
is a knife in my desk, top drawer to the left, get it and take it with you. I86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd5grNSUot
have no doubt that Peyton will frame you for my murder. Save yourself, do86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsuXYdoPdu
whatever you can to make it out alive.” Malcolm grabbed Vander’s arms to haul86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hKUbB66VI
himself up to his feet. Vander went to steady him, but Malcolm pushed him86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCz4R8SEGW
aside. “They might hate you, but I won’t, Vander. You gave me the chance to see86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcKSGCeD8O
my son marry and I know he will make a wonderful King.”
“You crafty bastard.” Peyton got86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPLI0P4eWg
to his feet. “Give me that book.” He jumped over the desk and ran towards86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pFwvTm2ok
Vander, but Malcolm grabbed his old friend’s shoulders doing his best to hold86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmpX3LER0W
him back.
“Vander, Go!” Wasting no time,86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIySPa2Gxr
Vander lunged towards the desk then opened the door. He saw the ornate knife86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85XTDEJkFZ
then tucked it into his waistband. He raced to the door but turned around in86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgppZpp81Ix
time to see Peyton stick his hand into Malcolm’s chest and rip out his heart.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy3HhLgPdM
The ring on Peyton’s hand glowed blue as Malcolm shuddered then fell to the86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbqE5QI65A
floor. Vander heard Malcolm’s lungs release his last breath of air before86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CHglDWKJo
stilling.
“You bastard.” Vander spat. Peyton86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZO5zQuGmK
grinned then shouted:
“Help, the King has been killed,86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G1ZOENinW
someone help me!” Wasting no time, Vander ran out the door and down the86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwtNviQy30
hallway. He saw Shea slumped over on the ground barely breathing. Without86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlmP2zIQmE
skipping a beat, he scooped her up and held the knife out in front of him. Peyton86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqLrR3jhqU
was close on his heels shouting the entire time.
Knowing he didn’t have time to86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uZZlxGDUu
explain, he bowled over the Blades coming towards him then came towards the86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltO26Ze3Jd
stairs. Without skipping a beat, he jumped onto the banister then slid all the86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTKXQpP3ho
way down. He landed in the ballroom as Peyton ran to the rail.
“Stop him!” Peyton shouted. “He86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFayCZc006U
just killed the King!” Pandemonium erupted as nobles tried to get away as86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvulNVlICtP
soldiers from all over rushed towards Vander. It was proving quite a challenge86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSHjLFr4K8
to carry Shea while fending them off so he did the one thing he sword he would86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyPEH3mEFN
never do. He prayed to Unna. Moments later he felt power welling up in him. As86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrk8FKQALK
everyone came towards him, it seemed as though time was standing still. He86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHROK2xEed
rushed through, doing his best not to hurt any of them, as he ran towards the86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLavwqtCfZL
door. A voice rang out over the crowd that caused him to momentarily stop in86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvadAqsutcI
his tracks.
“Vander!” He turned around to see86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXm2OlD3Hx
Cuvera staring at him with a look of disbelief on his face. He looked up at86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w0taWiYgi
Peyton who mimed slitting his throat and the warning was received loud and86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTAzrNSI28
clear. If he said anything, anyone he loved would be next. Vander said nothing86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ005azXo2VR
as he turned around and headed outside.
A light drizzle had started to86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6ZnIWxOrY
fall during the nighttime making his flight a little more dangerous, but with86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWZW26bxfp
his abilities heightened he soon outpaced the soldiers chasing him. However, he86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiC5FIF1Aw
wouldn’t be safe until he made it to the city and disappeared entirely. No86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl4pFVjcua
matter where he went in the city there would be trouble, so there was only one86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzrudfOjdL
place he could go.
As he reached the third gate, a86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOakCtatE8i
captain was standing there. Jeffery Jilena had taken the post so those under86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAkqymcXcW
his command could enjoy the wedding. He must not have heard what went on86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwjZoNVDGH
because he was standing there confused.
“Vander?” He asked. “Where are you86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJkGa8o4qq
going and why is Shea over your shoulder.”
“You need to let me pass.” Vander86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgN7U0ohUD
gasped. “Someone has killed Malcolm, and they are going to blame me for it. I86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbtTJHoen2
need to escape so I can clear my name and find all those responsible.”
“The King is dead?” Peyton gasped.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeitTvRYUDn
“How do you know?”
“I was there.” Vander said86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAbKrpizKx
guiltily. “I couldn’t save him.”
“Who killed him then?” Jeffery86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFo4kKcfzGx
challenged. “Tell me.”
“I can’t.” Vander shook his head.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCt4i6cA7Y
“If I don’t, he will kill me, and all of this would be for nothing.”
“Then you must go, but I must make86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ002eCofonG
this look good.” Jeffery drew his sword.
“You believe me?” Vander was86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLgSozjR3E
shocked.
“You saved the King before.”86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX13N86aIKh
Jeffery said. “You wouldn’t just kill him now; you would have just let him die86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABUMhYNqgJ
before. Plus, everyone tells me how nice and honorable you are. I don’t think86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI5KyyEN4C
those who truly know you would think you capable of something like this.” The86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfKiDnQkFt
sounds of soldiers grew closer. They were running out of time.
“I am sorry I have to do this.”86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfToCNQryKh
Vander said. Jeffery held his sword by his side.
“Just hurry up.” He smiled. “Bring86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUoMwWr0Nw
justice to our King.” Vander nodded then rushed forward, knocking him86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrp5QIPA3O
unconscious with a single punch to the jaw. When he fell to the ground, Vander86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zvkL2mAXv
was already climbing up to the battlements. He looked back as the soldiers came86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOPYh8yT1n
to check on the captain. Once he was sure he was fine, he jumped down then86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JqqeLCyeJ
slipped into the night.
The streets were quiet as he snuck86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFersHEBaJ
through the alleys. Come morning everyone in the city will be looking for him,86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT24wwIy74
but for now, he was safe. He ran all the way to the lower district right to the86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFrU1l5WHo
Orange Fox. He knocked frantically on the door until Left showed up.
“What ya want?” he asked gruffly.
“Let me in.” Vander said, looking86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvUPCglNPb
around nervously.
“Why?” Left’s eyes narrowed.
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“Auxilium postulo.” 86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d2Ij8DheT
Vander said. Left’s eyes widened then he opened the door. Vander took86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe7Fx3Ng91
one more look out to the street then stepped inside. The door closed firmly86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdfvLDiGeb
shut behind him.
