Chapter 22
Vander watched as blood seeped out84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEg6HM0E9ni
of the King’s chest. However, instead of checking to see if he was alright,84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4MzxiHw0d
Vander took a few steps backwards reaching for the sword that wasn’t there.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUBFWrviI0
Peyton took a step in, stepping over the King, to advance on Vander holding the84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfrcmpls3R
sword out in front of him.
“Give me the book.” Peyton84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgj6NZMngT
snapped. “Don’t make me hurt you.”
“What have you done to Shea?”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpmKTFwrN1
Vander snapped.
“I put her down for a nap.” Peyton84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDdsRWmNqX
smiled. “She should really be carefully about who she accepts snacks from.”
“You bastard.” Vander went to84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1HTHKrDin
lunge for him, but the sword shot out catching him just under the chin.
“Tut, tut, Vander, you don’t have84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRmGhaeBve
a weapon.” The man grinned. Vander walked backwards, but Peyton followed him84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Cz7ffVb7z
until he was pushed up against the desk. “Hand me the book while I’m still84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9O09UloiC
asking nicely.”
“No,” He wasn’t sure what the man84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkME3MX99hP
wanted with the book, but if he was willing to kill the King for it, it must be84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3Y9O41ak2
something important.
“I wanted to keep you alive, but84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXso9CkjvPk
if you choose to stand in my way I will kill you.” He swung with the sword, but84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79bjmvNQFd
Vander ducked under the swing. He punched Peyton in the stomach, but his hand84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLHa6rwggf
hit something metallic causing him to cry out in pain. “Not even your strength84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavLwXXdNch
will get through that armor, Vander.” He swung again, but this time Vander84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKiMrc0TjN
caught the hilt of the sword on his forearm then punched Peyton in the jaw. The84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKX67yypQ8
man stumbled backwards dropping the sword.
“I don’t need my abilities to kill84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdI9hmxuqc
a coward like you.” Vander snarled. He went to punch Peyton again, but this84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpWQmpW73A
time the old man moved out of the way. He spun around, but Peyton got his hands84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnns4qu1Aie
on a book and clapped Vander’s cheek with it. He fell backwards, his head84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5mRFFcXy4
spinning from the blow. Peyton tackled him forcing him to the ground.
“You forget I was a soldier too.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u63DSCFu2
The older man laughed. “I’ve fought and killed more people than you’ve had84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7dqwQBqBh
birthdays, boy.” Vander grabbed Peyton’s arms then brought his legs up to84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXrEJIjjeC
launch him overhead onto the desk. The lamp shattered and glasses went flying84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooSYG0i8J0
as he rolled onto the ground. Vander decided to use the quick reprieve to check84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zMwE4ioHC
on the king.
“Malcolm,” he shouted. “Hold on.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKtkiPClNR
Malcolm coughed up some more blood as he looked up at Vander with warmth in his84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYTbKGWP42
eyes,
“I’m dying, Vander.” He wheezed.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcfWMQc0vJ
His body spasmed as he talked and based on his beating heart, Vander knew he84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8YUGsYC9a
didn’t have long to live. “Take the book and run, don’t let that man have it.”
“What’s so special about this84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZIzMbdnO1
book.” He asked resisting the urge to cry.
“No time.” Malcolm coughed. “There84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfAW1bu9b2
is a knife in my desk, top drawer to the left, get it and take it with you. I84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTHIYHBMEO
have no doubt that Peyton will frame you for my murder. Save yourself, do84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bK4dCjqFC
whatever you can to make it out alive.” Malcolm grabbed Vander’s arms to haul84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3nDyl0FbA
himself up to his feet. Vander went to steady him, but Malcolm pushed him84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDlvFlUepS
aside. “They might hate you, but I won’t, Vander. You gave me the chance to see84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4neehzq1Av
my son marry and I know he will make a wonderful King.”
“You crafty bastard.” Peyton got84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdNhoQ7Iir
to his feet. “Give me that book.” He jumped over the desk and ran towards84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjePwB9hr14
Vander, but Malcolm grabbed his old friend’s shoulders doing his best to hold84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFuEk4qsIq
him back.
“Vander, Go!” Wasting no time,84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwZXMqAD9s
Vander lunged towards the desk then opened the door. He saw the ornate knife84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA1WLIYLyD
then tucked it into his waistband. He raced to the door but turned around in84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ615gkczGRp
time to see Peyton stick his hand into Malcolm’s chest and rip out his heart.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn3E2K5H4D
The ring on Peyton’s hand glowed blue as Malcolm shuddered then fell to the84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEYGLlz0Aa
floor. Vander heard Malcolm’s lungs release his last breath of air before84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5NqK4g4jm
stilling.
“You bastard.” Vander spat. Peyton84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDNq2ItKoF
grinned then shouted:
“Help, the King has been killed,84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S2sZFnXJS
someone help me!” Wasting no time, Vander ran out the door and down the84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxWIW5Beyj
hallway. He saw Shea slumped over on the ground barely breathing. Without84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJT1cooFXQ
skipping a beat, he scooped her up and held the knife out in front of him. Peyton84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMZXDDjYSw
was close on his heels shouting the entire time.
Knowing he didn’t have time to84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1gMa01dXD
explain, he bowled over the Blades coming towards him then came towards the84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEC1A7GmWvX
stairs. Without skipping a beat, he jumped onto the banister then slid all the84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegFEEziq7I
way down. He landed in the ballroom as Peyton ran to the rail.
“Stop him!” Peyton shouted. “He84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEg2x45OrxB
just killed the King!” Pandemonium erupted as nobles tried to get away as84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipoNTKY5g8
soldiers from all over rushed towards Vander. It was proving quite a challenge84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWLk9MOLeq
to carry Shea while fending them off so he did the one thing he sword he would84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GgCpjIbZ5
never do. He prayed to Unna. Moments later he felt power welling up in him. As84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOHm4s6oMK
everyone came towards him, it seemed as though time was standing still. He84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxYdD6bwGO
rushed through, doing his best not to hurt any of them, as he ran towards the84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrDYq7jYbA
door. A voice rang out over the crowd that caused him to momentarily stop in84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo62jLHvapo
his tracks.
“Vander!” He turned around to see84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLujfXqPpfm
Cuvera staring at him with a look of disbelief on his face. He looked up at84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztEd0YAVx9
Peyton who mimed slitting his throat and the warning was received loud and84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB9Dt2A0Pm
clear. If he said anything, anyone he loved would be next. Vander said nothing84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLzNsWNi1Y
as he turned around and headed outside.
A light drizzle had started to84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFf3BDqkXc
fall during the nighttime making his flight a little more dangerous, but with84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfgKEBrsny
his abilities heightened he soon outpaced the soldiers chasing him. However, he84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cQXR6O0UU
wouldn’t be safe until he made it to the city and disappeared entirely. No84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYtxpM3qgJ
matter where he went in the city there would be trouble, so there was only one84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOER7ptLv3K
place he could go.
As he reached the third gate, a84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DuOpsnCAc
captain was standing there. Jeffery Jilena had taken the post so those under84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6Yksj11eZ
his command could enjoy the wedding. He must not have heard what went on84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9bKDMu4qZ
because he was standing there confused.
“Vander?” He asked. “Where are you84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Mg2mz9DDA
going and why is Shea over your shoulder.”
“You need to let me pass.” Vander84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHgskl1k9u
gasped. “Someone has killed Malcolm, and they are going to blame me for it. I84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAU8gGrfzi
need to escape so I can clear my name and find all those responsible.”
“The King is dead?” Peyton gasped.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGmQA0Monw
“How do you know?”
“I was there.” Vander said84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYeLDVfkPv
guiltily. “I couldn’t save him.”
“Who killed him then?” Jeffery84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtb243LVrp
challenged. “Tell me.”
“I can’t.” Vander shook his head.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIcPhFpdqZ
“If I don’t, he will kill me, and all of this would be for nothing.”
“Then you must go, but I must make84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkN4Ifufwi
this look good.” Jeffery drew his sword.
“You believe me?” Vander was84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzdf8BWAiO
shocked.
“You saved the King before.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCxZSIy4a1
Jeffery said. “You wouldn’t just kill him now; you would have just let him die84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRg32omcXf
before. Plus, everyone tells me how nice and honorable you are. I don’t think84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tqNgOHbYA
those who truly know you would think you capable of something like this.” The84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88xOqXXfzh
sounds of soldiers grew closer. They were running out of time.
“I am sorry I have to do this.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hpcA3QZ4Z
Vander said. Jeffery held his sword by his side.
“Just hurry up.” He smiled. “Bring84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZohspNI7VP
justice to our King.” Vander nodded then rushed forward, knocking him84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssj4Gt3rV0
unconscious with a single punch to the jaw. When he fell to the ground, Vander84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh2eW5iETv
was already climbing up to the battlements. He looked back as the soldiers came84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX43jvJX0Q
to check on the captain. Once he was sure he was fine, he jumped down then84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xaCxXaXYV
slipped into the night.
The streets were quiet as he snuck84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc74CRxLuR
through the alleys. Come morning everyone in the city will be looking for him,84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzyyX5fBPU
but for now, he was safe. He ran all the way to the lower district right to the84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMW2qYVDeP
Orange Fox. He knocked frantically on the door until Left showed up.
“What ya want?” he asked gruffly.
“Let me in.” Vander said, looking84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4cxLG8cXu
around nervously.
“Why?” Left’s eyes narrowed.
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“Auxilium postulo.” 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORB7DkMvZ1
Vander said. Left’s eyes widened then he opened the door. Vander took84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb54wuducbx
one more look out to the street then stepped inside. The door closed firmly84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvzNPwa4lQ
shut behind him.
