Chapter 6
Vander vaguely remembered the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wVqJH9tcJ
feeling of being dragged up many stairs, carried down a hallway, and the warm116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOLT1H86fn
covers of his bed. His memory of Julianna standing over him in the candlelight116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOAaDn8l5J
as she pieced together the pieces of his skin using thread, a needle, and116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiisrUl8lR
plenty of booze to disinfect everything. Shea guarded the door to keep anyone116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAxZk40d7I
who she didn’t trust from entering, while letting out low whimpers as she116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDFc3Y6BnR
worried for her master. He dropped into an uneasy slumber, immune to the pain116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLOq3s9NRP
that traveled through his body. The only solace he found was in dreams.
∙
A drop of water fell on116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkju79l01f
Vander’s forehead. His eyes remained closed, but the weather was determined to116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBYaL8QD7T
wake him. Several more fell on his face hitting his eyes, forehead, and mouth.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghfpVA0b6w
His eyes scrunched together before he slowly opened them. He was confused116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNfU2bjpCX
because he expected to wake up in his bed with the roof of the inn above his116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgrGUkvvMO
head. But instead, he saw the cloudy morning sky surrounded by tall maple and116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QpH0LPdiY
pine trees. He was dressed in ill-fitting rags. The pants went as far down as116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLuUQ2yr15
his shins while his shirt was in tatters. He slowly rose to his feet, his stiff116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3z0oXNahdP
muscles protesting from the sudden movement. It hadn’t been long since his116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UUELno0AM
injuries, but time moved differently here, as it did in all the realms of the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2rUhtAxjM
Deities.
He could smell blood and sweat,116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpieXuPB6aW
the trademark sign of his patron goddess, Unna, Lord of the Beasts and Madness.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOuDfVUrJM
There were hundreds of beasts waiting in the woods, their red eyes focused116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg9Z65RAXX
solely on him. Any wrong move would send them into a frenzy and would tear him116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJmFFgfHRB
apart. It was the rule of the jungle here, you couldn’t show fear. The first116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFfNQg5g7B
time he had come here all those years ago was almost his last, but he had116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVVG6tdVyi
adapted quickly killing a creature that had mistaken him for easy prey. The116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfSYjcx1pU
rest fell in line, but sometimes a creature gets a little too full of116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn9464hss0
themselves and must be put in their place. However, the fact that he had woken116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vdkpHQZ1K
up here meant the ruler of the forest had grabbed him, no one them would go116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaSnz3dQju
against her orders.
He got to his feet then started116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuXCuE7I8a
to walk along the path laid out for him. He ignored the biting pain in his feet116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3G2LsIqdMd
from sticks, stones, and dead leaves scattered around. His blood scented the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4TaIVPMRx
ground marking him as the forests now. He knew that when he died he would wind116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eRFQX1RqV
up here, the same as all the other beasts. This was the forest laying claim to116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWw55ffrXd
him for its mistress.
He walked for what seemed like116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfj4VWETii
hours, but he didn’t get tired, hungry, or thirsty. He just put one step in116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChGXVbEDoo
front of the other. It had started to rain, but he kept it going until the sun116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y66VaNN2v
had set in this domain and the creatures around him grew quiet. The woods116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFus3gEql6F
became thicker, and the normal brown trees turned blood red. The sky darkened116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UfnnShmTn
then the moon appeared illuminating the woods in a blueish glow. He heard116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznO8hXwRdl
running water coming from his left. He turned to walk into the woods towards116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CxPeH8YAM
the waterfall where he knew Unna would be. He saw a large white wolf walking in116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8bwjgG5r7
step with him. The creature was twice the size of Vander with white-blue fur116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jMzhfAJGl
and deep red eyes.
Ritoru, if legends were to be116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1N9mSmHxp
believed, was the first human to accept Unna’s blessing. He had lived as a116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AFVnJc5Sd
tyrant, slaying anyone who crossed his path and offered his victims life for116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1ahVOX7oE
the deity. In exchange for his loyalty, she made him into this creature forever116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZi15dcYUX
to serve her and kill those unworthy. The truth was, she had prayed for his116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTR0XMudgS
weakness and need to be stronger. Promising power beyond his wildest dreams, he116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbneedOmdZ
accepted it without understanding the consequences. Now he was a prisoner of116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sJBi9cLqd
his own making waiting for the day he gets released from his own personal hell.
They walked for a little while116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJmo7oA7Jp
until the trees thinned out revealing a small pool that was being bathed in116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3M6TKTBK3
moonlight. There was a small rock formation above the moon with a light trickle116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3I6q93DPT
of water cascading down into the pool creating a ripple effect. The water was116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ei1UZvZ22
crystal clear, and you could see little, tiny fishes swimming around in the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCOg1W3iDW
depths. No matter how much he wanted to go into the crystal blue water, he116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ca6EFxFy7
couldn’t. This was Unna’s pool and going in without her permission was116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0brMoqamM
tantamount to suicide. So, he sat down and waited.
Within the middle of the pool116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzHfcDMNpb
large ripples began to emerge. Moments later a pale woman burst out whipping116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokz3ny3Ank
her black hair over her shoulders tossing water behind her. Even though he116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4MdB4cdZT
couldn’t see her face, Unna’s nickname as a seductress wasn’t wrong. She had a116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLYBA3eCFC
thin body, that was surprisingly filled with muscle. She was graceful and curvy116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TPpKadROh
but eyed you up in the way a hunter looks at prey. Even now, sitting on the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9dc615nJ9
ground, Vander was aroused and based on the coy smile she tossed at him over116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZAQ4Ry79Y
her shoulder, revealing long pointed canines, she noticed.
She took her time leaving the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTC5OseGLXb
pool, swaying side by side as she walked towards him. Her thighs rubbed116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SvosHQVUr
together as her breasts moved slightly with the movement. As she stepped out116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgErAsKjSB
from the pool, a sleeveless black dress with a low-cut neckline and a slit down116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqcJTzAC5k
the left leg. Some how she looked even better with clothes on.
“You’re a naughty boy.” She116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9LEFhuiDC
smiled. “You are thinking all sorts of dangerous thoughts aren’t you?”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO86jg4hA1
He stood up as she walked over towards him. She looked at a finger under his116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ut2jAZUvE
chin and pulled him so close that their mouths were almost touching. “You116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4HFQolh2r
want to don’t you Vander? It’s alright, I’ll give you everything you could have116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvXLfiCnx3
ever wanted in a woman. So, how about it?” It would be easy for him to give116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn2ejowtK8
her all of him and many times he was tempted, but he knew what happened to116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VxmojMYvZ
those who couldn’t resist. He wouldn’t end up like them.
“Why have you brought me here?”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYniVhc38pR
he asked. Sighing with frustration, Unna let him go. It was so sudden that he116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7VLq2oS6T
fell back on the ground. She towered over him then placed a bare foot on his116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwbFO2yc8A
chest. He could see her dress, so he quickly looked away.
“You’re annoying you know that.” She116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5FlBOqBdI
snorted. “At first the chase was fun, but now I’m growing bored of it.”
“It’s not my fault you chosen me116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyYgqMzKAG
to be your champion.” Vander snorted. She bent down over him and stuck her116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZsU2VZEWF
fingers to his side. He let out a hiss of pain as she dug her fingers into the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0T0M5vrW1
side where Leon had cut him. Her hand was covered in blood as she brought it up116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSi5qhLQQy
to her mouth then licked her fingers clean.
“I taste poison in your blood,116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NDUCF1I0k
Vander.” She grinned.
“Poison?” he asked. “What116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2B6SowoZFB
kind of poison?”
“Do you know why you come here116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQk2SfqILKi
Vander?” she asked. She stepped off him then walked behind him. He rolled116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JHzFKoXnv
over and got to his feet as her throne appeared out of thin air. The throne was116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzEtshgQqj
made from pure white bone. They said it was the bones of all she killed in the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTexldI11mv
war, but it was hard to tell. They had all fused together to create the throne116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83twv4o7aS
and it was difficult to pull out individual pieces.
“I assume you will tell me.” He116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZaYU8oijk
said.
“You come here when you need116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiTK5vowVS
something from me.” She explained. “It doesn’t have to be a conscious116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJmD2sPEZo
need; it can be a subconscious need. Whether it be to get healed, needing some116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhGXATG7hc
answers to a question, or getting your rocks off. It’s always something and I’m116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdQT02hj1B
getting tired of it.”
“What is it I can do for you116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHzAr4r1aD
then?”
“Give in to your demons.” She116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrCun1qqRb
laughed. ”Give in just once and I will heal you.”
“If I give in, I’ll end up closer116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWsl8aslff
to becoming one of your slaves.” He growled. “I will not go down that116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJa6As60rp
path, no matter what.”
“You don’t have a choice, Vander.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheH8NUxy1f
She got up from her throne and grabbed him by the neck. She lifted him off116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qJNgP0vcE
the ground and brought him close to her. “Once you said yes to me, your116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwTqQ3HTxo
future was already written. You are mine.” She dropped him gasping and116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsieYunxpmJ
wheezing to the ground. “However, you still have a role to play, one of116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKadBWMkjO
which my grandmother has already told you about, so I cannot let you die here.”
She snapped116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iHGfsIHZu
her fingers and a searing pain erupted from his side. He thrashed and screamed116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW1FlfF0I9
as the flame coursed through him. His body began to twitch and squirm as his116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx1N3J2wee
blood began to boil. As quickly as it started, it ended. He lay on the ground116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusd6xbGGYn
breathing heavily as steam rose from him.
“Remember Vander,116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIRc1N4RRV
you are promised to me and no other. Go. Fulfill your role, now begone.” She116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLMgI6v4tK
waved her hand. His body flew backwards, out of the woods, then slammed back116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nZqmmXg6u
into his own body. “I will be waiting.” Her voice echoed in his head. He116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrj32tnrqe
opened his eyes.
∙
There was a large116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJE9RjqtXj
weight pushing down into his chest. His vision was still foggy, likely from116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhARmRPCD50
both passing out and the poison that had infected him. There was a warm white116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnrI3QNqsh
presence there. He slowly reached out his hand to rub Shea’s head. She bolted116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTQWadJITY
straight up and began licking his face in earnest. She jumped up and down116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGi1YsWuEjD
happily barely missing Vander’s body with each step.
“I’m so happy116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxRbhV4Pyc
you are awake.” she barked. “I was so worried about you.”
“What’s all that116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Er2iZ6Xfi
racket?” Vander looked over to see Julianna staring groggily at the bed from116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ba8Rl78YA
his desk chair. A blanket had been dragged out from the closet and placed over116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQT0rzVqTy6
here. She stared at him for a moment, bewilderment on her face, before she116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf6y9n9dUr
jumped up and ran towards him. He didn’t have time to admire her wearing the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHZM3PHRJV
sheer night gown before she launched herself at him.
“You’re awake,116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7w9Otnm5be
I’m so happy.” He felt tears splash on his face as she sobbed into him. He116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU3KcQeou8
placed his hand on the top of her head.
“It wasn’t that116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrqC6SobGD
bad of a wound.” He chuckled. “I’m not sure why you’re so worried about me.”
“You idiot.” She116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoSH6cOK6h
growled. “You have been out for about a day. For awhile you got very feverish,116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSeCorVER8
and your breathing became shallow. I would have brought a doctor in to take116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTqTgxxXKN
care of you, but Shea stopped me.”
“I smelled116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oKqaNO9wl
poison in your blood.” Shea said. “If you’ll let me, I’ll rip that boy116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC4oypqhPG
apart for trying to kill you.”
“Leon seemed to116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI0lGqCXX1
have poisoned his weapon sometime before running me through.” Vander explained.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcEgb8s4x9
“If it was anyone else, they likely would have died.” Vander went to get up116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEetRF8YvL
from the bed, but Julianna pushed him back down.
“You’re still116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLJKC20KNw
wounded, you should rest and let me get the soldiers to bring Leon in.” Vander116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrsoSyGfVO
grabbed her hand causing her to flinch. Sighing, he lifted his shirt to show116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKd2rwAmKvd
her that the stitches had disappeared, and the wound had closed. Shocked, she116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSAcIy2fCz
gingerly traced her fingers tips over the fresh scar, but he didn’t wince once116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu85KQRTdh
from discomfort or pain. “How?” she whispered.
“Part of my116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBBypLNiEj
curse.” He picked her up quickly causing her to let out a small squeak of116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡserYloP1hr
surprise. He flipped her around, so she was where he was just lying. They116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1BLX4XgWd
stared at each other for a second before Vander broke eye contact and got up116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZu3Je8MQv
from the bed.
“Curse?” she116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgefLBAddq
asked. “What curse?”
“There’s no way116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TH4PomgGL
you haven’t heard the rumors.” Vander chuckled to himself as he walked into the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi9azcrvnX
bathroom.
“Of course I116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcOk0XHgAM
heard the rumors.” She said. He heard her feet hit the ground then followed him116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSz28kxGpgM
into the bathroom. He let the water run for a while before removing his clothes116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXnWuSPkgf
and dropping them in a pile. “You have no shame huh?” He looked over his116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYXyW4sFoR
shoulder to see her eyeing him up and down with a mischievous gleam in her116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvB7TwWydlb
eyes.
“The rumors, for116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Dk35S3fUz
the most part, are true, Julianna.” He said. “No good would come from getting116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMZYreM5nV
too involved with me.”
“I’m not looking116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4ghk203sK
for anything serious.” She shrugged off her night gown. “I have an inn to run,116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoFyU64Lm1
but I think some thanks is an order and besides,” she looked below his waist.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPD37QOK8D
“I think you might like to blow off some steam as well.”
“Can’t really116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVIfjE2sfg
argue with that logic.” He shrugged. He stepped aside then held out his hand to116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcFtU10EKb
help her into the tub.
She embraced him,116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VuArPHurO
placing her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her face. He wrapped116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvifVvYF7xe
his arms around her waist and planted his lips onto hers. Their tongues flicked116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcRWYtpBY6
against one another as she opened her mouth inviting him deeper inside. Suddenly116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuubUobowf
the lust he felt while being near Unna surfaced and he allowed himself to give116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZJJZLaaUl
into his base desires. At first Julianna was surprised, but after a moment she116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0ANexAPmx
met him thrust for thrust. Their bodies mingled together as the haze overtook116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwmoEVWedQ
them, allowing their instincts to take over.
It was morning116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfYn6HnXdC
before Vander woke. Julianna had already gone, the spot on the bed still warm116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO50muJTrKL
from where she had fallen asleep next to him. His body ached and he spotted116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYZP0RMCSH
several new scratches that he would have to do his best to hide lest his116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaIdTWOc9B
grandfather see them. He quickly pulled on his shirt, pants, and boots. Before116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqyzSd1l8k
he left he put on his jacket then grabbed his sword from the closet.
The bar had been116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5qnQiDCxG
tidied up since last night’s shit show. The tables were back to where they had116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VMSb1QGY9
been and there were no signs of the fight at all, not even the blood that fell116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKTJVpGUjp
from Leon’s arm or Vander’s side. Julianna was behind the bar cleaning dishes. When116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZS9poMdAe
she heard him enter the bottom floor, she looked up, gave him a small smile,116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD9Cvnn62w
then went back to her work. He debated about getting something to eat, but he116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPbu6QtK5g
was already late to see his grandfather, so he decided to skip a warm meal and116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx3NMIT1rG
settle for something on the way.
The streets of116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHWdBePFm5
Eluvia were quiet this early in the morning. The sun hadn’t yet peaked over the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnlqyFxMUx
horizon, so the streets were still dark, but gradually lightening. The furnace116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU8WPOklK1
was on at the bakery a couple of streets over, so he knocked on the window and116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5KX5a3YS5
waved one of the workers over. A sweaty man unlocked the door then poked his116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCTVtAJIHW
head out.
“Sorry, we aren’t116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx78zUMOeu5
open yet.” He wiped his forehead.
“I just need a116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4q95yCfGT
small roll,” Vander reached into his pocket to remove a silver coin. “Would you116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpxtemU2Qb
mind?” The man looked from the coin to Vander then back to the coin.
“Sure, we can116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBo1y8xLbR
spare a roll for you.” He ducked back inside, making sure to lock the door just116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEC2rr5SmW
in case Vander tried anything funny. He came a moment later with a hot roll116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSMyISKYFK
wrapped up in paper. “Here you go.” He held out the roll and the two of them116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UuXWxtu3d
made the trade. It was hot to the touch, it must have just come from the oven,116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8lAevVXxO
but Vander didn’t mind. He happily handed over the coin and went on his way.
The guards let116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0YDHzbUrL
him pass without issues, though some of them gave him a pitying look which was116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfyCc0fYWI
a little confusing, but he paid no mind. Bernard was waiting for him at the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcm1XeksOG
bottom of the steps leading into the castle with his head bowed.
“Good to see you116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYPyEomWd4
Vander.” Bernard said.
“It hasn’t been116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI3uGBJxqY
long since I was here.” Vander said. “Why are you being so polite?” Bernard116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQgUe05TZH
straightened up making sure to fix his tie which had become crooked.
“When you didn’t116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3aX3t0fJv
show up yesterday we feared the worst.” Bernard explained. “Leon explained that116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktXKf8jL1Z
you had attacked him and were wounded when he defended himself. Your116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYWsFhiZEe
grandfather was besides himself and Leon’s father wanted to hunt you down and116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSYmRLh9f6
make you pay, but Peyton managed to calm him down.”
“Of course, that116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulbNlnqyvf
little bastard would lie about something like that.” Vander clenched his hands.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP0f9SPiT1
“Where is my grandfather? Can I see him?”
“He’s up in his116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYX2YIfbIZ
office.” Bernard said. “I’m here to bring you to him, but I should warn you.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6GCl6QniM
Leon and his father are up there right now as well. Apparently they heard word116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOE9sbpGqM
you were coming and decided to wait. I am to take your sword please.” He held116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7fYlp0sJJ
out his hand.
“Am I in trouble?” Vander unbuckled his sword and116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0YNhfTisd
handed it over to the King’s servant.
“Possibly, it116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir2eFtnAYn
really just depends how convincing you are.” Bernard slung the sword over his116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmISppSEkd
shoulder then escorted Vander inside.
Along the hall116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIVEOqvGDU
leading towards his grandfather’s room, there were Blades lined up against one116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIScGH8g8U
wall and soldiers against the other. The air was tense as the soldiers did116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGje81pFsto
their best to goad the Blades into attacking them, but it never worked. They116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4W3WwHbg5
fell silent as the two of them walked past, but several soldiers reached for116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8gXSoZPnM
their weapons as some form of veiled threat against him. The door to his116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEsUwkV63j
grandfather’s office was flanked by another Captain, Leyta, an older Blade116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j2UhFn5i3
several classes ahead of Vander. Jefferey Jilena was standing next to her on116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvdakh8URJ
the other side of the door.
“Captain.” Leyta116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsccFgQ2Hsb
nodded. “He’s waiting for you inside.” She opened the door then stepped back.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgWSoZXqyI
Vander’s heart hammered in his chest as he stepped through.
“You’re a dead116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl2JeEzAjX
man Vander.” Leon said smugly. He was sitting in the chair across from Charles116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNhanT6iXX
with the arm Shea had bitten in a sling. But Vander ignored him to stare at the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uyatuoseN
man who was standing by the window with his arms crossed behind his back.
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“Before we start116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5VwIFKkj8
your removal from the Blades, perhaps you can enlighten us as to why you had116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQPNPkIq5M
your bitch of a dog injure my son.” Viggo Visc, the third most powerful man in116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai7cuqNrW6
the country, turned around to face Vander. “Depending on your answer, her life116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx0sYV0DT7
will be forfeit.”
