Chapter 22
Vander watched as blood seeped out78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyXBjP0aUm
of the King’s chest. However, instead of checking to see if he was alright,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2QsE1Otpe
Vander took a few steps backwards reaching for the sword that wasn’t there.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvnctNbCPn
Peyton took a step in, stepping over the King, to advance on Vander holding the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9DwuSHOWb
sword out in front of him.
“Give me the book.” Peyton78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAER30Vx8hO
snapped. “Don’t make me hurt you.”
“What have you done to Shea?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfpHC4pyrl
Vander snapped.
“I put her down for a nap.” Peyton78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9In10P0lb
smiled. “She should really be carefully about who she accepts snacks from.”
“You bastard.” Vander went to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiCEKVdUjB
lunge for him, but the sword shot out catching him just under the chin.
“Tut, tut, Vander, you don’t have78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6LWW9qmnC
a weapon.” The man grinned. Vander walked backwards, but Peyton followed him78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnO1mPHoAcM
until he was pushed up against the desk. “Hand me the book while I’m still78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr4KGTSvyV
asking nicely.”
“No,” He wasn’t sure what the man78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8MHoOVzqY
wanted with the book, but if he was willing to kill the King for it, it must be78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqWTJmgAng
something important.
“I wanted to keep you alive, but78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnE65YueUa
if you choose to stand in my way I will kill you.” He swung with the sword, but78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch7DEAVspa
Vander ducked under the swing. He punched Peyton in the stomach, but his hand78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXQfpHbQ9x
hit something metallic causing him to cry out in pain. “Not even your strength78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMNUlkEBX5
will get through that armor, Vander.” He swung again, but this time Vander78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Rbzy4smKZ
caught the hilt of the sword on his forearm then punched Peyton in the jaw. The78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0Ek5wTdHp
man stumbled backwards dropping the sword.
“I don’t need my abilities to kill78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb0C0amebo
a coward like you.” Vander snarled. He went to punch Peyton again, but this78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKzUxB0jWR
time the old man moved out of the way. He spun around, but Peyton got his hands78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCuPV91twa
on a book and clapped Vander’s cheek with it. He fell backwards, his head78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9vCVugL6L
spinning from the blow. Peyton tackled him forcing him to the ground.
“You forget I was a soldier too.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4kj1dDATA
The older man laughed. “I’ve fought and killed more people than you’ve had78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Cj4OUxk7S
birthdays, boy.” Vander grabbed Peyton’s arms then brought his legs up to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nfkClPEam
launch him overhead onto the desk. The lamp shattered and glasses went flying78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCFWFNOAzx
as he rolled onto the ground. Vander decided to use the quick reprieve to check78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWppR1HVmC
on the king.
“Malcolm,” he shouted. “Hold on.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarG5dqdcf5
Malcolm coughed up some more blood as he looked up at Vander with warmth in his78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ya6452mpc
eyes,
“I’m dying, Vander.” He wheezed.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxbyFjhB8v
His body spasmed as he talked and based on his beating heart, Vander knew he78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyQ8hK5JzD
didn’t have long to live. “Take the book and run, don’t let that man have it.”
“What’s so special about this78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAQ1V0MOBF
book.” He asked resisting the urge to cry.
“No time.” Malcolm coughed. “There78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB50mPd4WSI
is a knife in my desk, top drawer to the left, get it and take it with you. I78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ520RbiLHfx
have no doubt that Peyton will frame you for my murder. Save yourself, do78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsrYb09Z2H
whatever you can to make it out alive.” Malcolm grabbed Vander’s arms to haul78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvPRgslGiN
himself up to his feet. Vander went to steady him, but Malcolm pushed him78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPEsEwHBLC
aside. “They might hate you, but I won’t, Vander. You gave me the chance to see78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCkEUog4Rw
my son marry and I know he will make a wonderful King.”
“You crafty bastard.” Peyton got78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpizHvFgeoI
to his feet. “Give me that book.” He jumped over the desk and ran towards78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnzdcZuVKk
Vander, but Malcolm grabbed his old friend’s shoulders doing his best to hold78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWTwVZ8y9H
him back.
“Vander, Go!” Wasting no time,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroRQmxUgc1
Vander lunged towards the desk then opened the door. He saw the ornate knife78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJ5rTggTnN
then tucked it into his waistband. He raced to the door but turned around in78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVLDH78k5V
time to see Peyton stick his hand into Malcolm’s chest and rip out his heart.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvxQoMiyPB
The ring on Peyton’s hand glowed blue as Malcolm shuddered then fell to the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrReODXQxvn
floor. Vander heard Malcolm’s lungs release his last breath of air before78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ggUzng3Xn
stilling.
“You bastard.” Vander spat. Peyton78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9q86PpDgt
grinned then shouted:
“Help, the King has been killed,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i1mT6WeQI
someone help me!” Wasting no time, Vander ran out the door and down the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7UKL18ac5
hallway. He saw Shea slumped over on the ground barely breathing. Without78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmXvRcLQV3
skipping a beat, he scooped her up and held the knife out in front of him. Peyton78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT23czlV6Ky
was close on his heels shouting the entire time.
Knowing he didn’t have time to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwALKbxvsgz
explain, he bowled over the Blades coming towards him then came towards the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnv7welTUL
stairs. Without skipping a beat, he jumped onto the banister then slid all the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjSRkfHDQv
way down. He landed in the ballroom as Peyton ran to the rail.
“Stop him!” Peyton shouted. “He78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCY6f3G0pI
just killed the King!” Pandemonium erupted as nobles tried to get away as78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvStMRymmcr
soldiers from all over rushed towards Vander. It was proving quite a challenge78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaZ6E68d6z
to carry Shea while fending them off so he did the one thing he sword he would78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemYtaaBqsj
never do. He prayed to Unna. Moments later he felt power welling up in him. As78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUB6JJ7zlUq
everyone came towards him, it seemed as though time was standing still. He78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGvdJ0DWB5
rushed through, doing his best not to hurt any of them, as he ran towards the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOO0Td56YdJ
door. A voice rang out over the crowd that caused him to momentarily stop in78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCW8hw2RZR
his tracks.
“Vander!” He turned around to see78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2paITUu5J
Cuvera staring at him with a look of disbelief on his face. He looked up at78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xplqKqKre
Peyton who mimed slitting his throat and the warning was received loud and78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZr1WpXaDTU
clear. If he said anything, anyone he loved would be next. Vander said nothing78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YMWtJ0f3T
as he turned around and headed outside.
A light drizzle had started to78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ue31Qziba
fall during the nighttime making his flight a little more dangerous, but with78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUV3kLpJyS7
his abilities heightened he soon outpaced the soldiers chasing him. However, he78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8sMTXBzTF
wouldn’t be safe until he made it to the city and disappeared entirely. No78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bJRpgACZ9
matter where he went in the city there would be trouble, so there was only one78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLghc5rX0p
place he could go.
As he reached the third gate, a78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD8U0j8vHu
captain was standing there. Jeffery Jilena had taken the post so those under78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVPWfxDazo
his command could enjoy the wedding. He must not have heard what went on78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEZ2VBDdAh
because he was standing there confused.
“Vander?” He asked. “Where are you78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GDkXLhwUr
going and why is Shea over your shoulder.”
“You need to let me pass.” Vander78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmydttYwZ3s
gasped. “Someone has killed Malcolm, and they are going to blame me for it. I78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVaWNTh4nz
need to escape so I can clear my name and find all those responsible.”
“The King is dead?” Peyton gasped.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei5IDu0OHm
“How do you know?”
“I was there.” Vander said78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJAG2fhPOR
guiltily. “I couldn’t save him.”
“Who killed him then?” Jeffery78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2QfQ3qq7L
challenged. “Tell me.”
“I can’t.” Vander shook his head.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPjRl0QSS1
“If I don’t, he will kill me, and all of this would be for nothing.”
“Then you must go, but I must make78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvpcW5AJWD
this look good.” Jeffery drew his sword.
“You believe me?” Vander was78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihNCV0xmbB
shocked.
“You saved the King before.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQtvYgT0uZ
Jeffery said. “You wouldn’t just kill him now; you would have just let him die78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXZNtRLxfq
before. Plus, everyone tells me how nice and honorable you are. I don’t think78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pniuKglhy
those who truly know you would think you capable of something like this.” The78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPbYT2aqBq
sounds of soldiers grew closer. They were running out of time.
“I am sorry I have to do this.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlhlilOlPn
Vander said. Jeffery held his sword by his side.
“Just hurry up.” He smiled. “Bring78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgvLnt2J8c
justice to our King.” Vander nodded then rushed forward, knocking him78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa6j20n8qP
unconscious with a single punch to the jaw. When he fell to the ground, Vander78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMQt24CooJ
was already climbing up to the battlements. He looked back as the soldiers came78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhf2EMe4iP
to check on the captain. Once he was sure he was fine, he jumped down then78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4JnplSnLF
slipped into the night.
The streets were quiet as he snuck78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU9hRlQhyp
through the alleys. Come morning everyone in the city will be looking for him,78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6asXhtCvXG
but for now, he was safe. He ran all the way to the lower district right to the78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4NtEU9ys8
Orange Fox. He knocked frantically on the door until Left showed up.
“What ya want?” he asked gruffly.
“Let me in.” Vander said, looking78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqOnbc8uXQ
around nervously.
“Why?” Left’s eyes narrowed.
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“Auxilium postulo.” 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOispQTyLzT
Vander said. Left’s eyes widened then he opened the door. Vander took78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINMJQWaSnA
one more look out to the street then stepped inside. The door closed firmly78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2w2rlrbnMH
shut behind him.
