Chapter 12
He slept soundly. No one wanted to103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFgZK6OEYp
wake him so the visit by Mari Drayson went off without him. He didn’t awaken103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxEYOWS3Uv
until night had fallen and Shea busted into the King’s study to jump on him103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t8LCVldt5
then proceeded to like his face until his face scrunched up and he pushed her103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6odvafjz76
aside.
“Shea, sto-” she interrupted him103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY6pjxyPcN
by licking his mouth. He shot up to start gagging pushing the she-wolf off his103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj33rWJK8mo
body. “I’ve told you to stop doing that.” He grumbled.
”And I told you to stop getting103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshWGzI9pIk
into fights when I’m not around, and here we are.” She growled into his103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsvvbaQR57
mind. “Imagine my annoyance when I got woken up by some Blades when they103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVUrhYrtGk
came to remove your stuff from the room and escorted me to the castle saying103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRN8Hhe5ID1
you had been attacked. Imagine my anger when they wouldn’t let me check up on103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZDiUTUrwS
you until now.”
“Did you leave anyone alive?” she103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMHBGGFj4d
barked her laughter but nodded her head.
“It was difficult, but your103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUBn1Nw4wU
grandfather swore to me you were sleeping and needed your rest.” She bumped103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWkUV4KDhL
her head against his chest. He placed his head in her fur then inhaled her103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZemdPy4by
scent. He felt the stress and anxiety he had been feeling just melt away.
“I’m sorry for worrying you.” she103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNVQqZ1gFs
licked the side of his face accepting the apology. There was a slight knock on103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RQsar3edk
the door and Alexander poked his head in.
“I heard voices.” He said. “Are103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nal1vBHTy
you finally awake, Vander?”
“Yep.” He slid his foot off the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBreCqe2kP
couch. Looking up at Alex he saw that his friend had worry lines etched onto103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHh35co9IW
his head while his face was filled with worry. “How long have you been standing103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJzlTygE9M
there?”
“Once the others told me what had103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGPBkeXXXz
happened.” He explained. “I was about to kill you when you didn’t show to the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8f4KsHWaa
training, but when that Jilena boy told me I dropped everything to come here.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B5ey4b4bf
The King told me not to disturb you, so I sat at that door making sure you103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXown0NhCgz
rested.”
“You got anything to eat?” Alex103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mhFASTGVz
grinned. He disappeared for a second then came back with a tray of steaming hot103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxB4RhN9cz
food.
“Once I saw Shea, I knew it was103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8dRCOXdAr
only a matter of time before you awoke so I had the kitchen prepare some stew103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPek8JjFUf
and bread.” He said. “I had them make a bowl for her as well.”
“Thanks.” Shea was103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJvqZl9eAO
practically salivating on the carpet. Bernard wasn’t ready for what was about103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHZx2mmFFx
to happen. The two of them tore into the food like a couple of beasts. Sauce103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCNJNF8WHk
and chunks of bread flew everywhere. Alex wisely took a step back shaking his103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqme9pkWFqh
head in disgust.
“Animals.” He muttered under his103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZqvGchqsm
breath. They were done after a few minutes leaving the table a disaster. Vander103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB9YkB4a75
leaned back on the couch then stifled a belch. Shea stuck her head into his103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcczBsQi4oZ
bowl to lick out the remaining sauce. “Once you’re finished your grandfather103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDegazEhSeE
wanted me to bring you to him.”
“Did he say what it was about?”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD16TwDNvQ
Vander asked. Alex shook his head. Rolling his eyes he got up from the couch,103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RKfw46yjt
wobbled for a second, but remained steady. “Let’s go then.”
The castle was on high alert.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRxXk8deyH
There were more guards here than normal, most of them were regular soldiers,103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnW2pU84cHo
stationed along the halls. Whenever the Wardens showed up everyone was on103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksLDbD35r4
alert. The safety of the entire country rested on their heads, so the King103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJqRzb2meh
always took extra precautions to make sure they were safe.
Alex stood at the door to the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUUPa3B7em
Commander’s office while Vander headed inside. Charles was pouring over more103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQw0fDrRgR
paperwork at his desk by lamplight. He looked so old sitting there even though103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PnS66ZL76
he was in his middle years. Just went to show the toll being Commander took.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENh5yt0A4b
Shea jumped up onto the couch then placed her head on her paw. It took a couple103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9czGJD88aR
of seconds for him to put down his quill and to look up at him.
“I heard you were ambushed on the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz2DIC7gtn
street today.” The old man’s voice hitched. “Are you doing okay?”
“Fine, gramps.” Vander nodded.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrdoX7Unmy
“What about the man I captured?”
“In the dungeon waiting for his103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qTyCs3vz9
questioning.” He said. “I assume you want to do the honors?”
“It would be my pleasure.” Vander103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR74H1icOD
grinned. “But we need to have a talk about something.” He sat down in the chair103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxQ9rCd0dv
across from his grandfather. “We need to promote the recruits to trainees and103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplSxRSfXHI
allow them to help us around the castle. If today taught me anything we need103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb34EdSfAz
more soldiers on the streets protecting the people than we need them in here.”
“It’s not time for them yet.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUDv2jfqzg
Charles shook his head. “They aren’t ready.”
“We don’t have the manpower,”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgJt5gsSYS
Vander argued. “Even when all the Blades come back with the wardens, there103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln9axvUMOD
still isn’t enough. Those five can really help us out.”
“Doesn’t matter if we need the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDesoxROqgx
help.” The old man growled. “We have standards we must adhere to. There can be103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zSymgMiiR
no exceptions.”
“Gramps since I’ve returned a103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHHMsKAC0K
couple weeks ago, I’ve almost died twice.” Vander said. “If we had more103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡND5qGSWPDh
competent guards this might not have happened. If you’re that worried about it103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ7hjoPIOJ
I will keep training them until their time is up and stick them by the entrances.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8xjy2rRdG
An important position, but it wouldn’t put them in harms way.”
“I’ll have to think about it.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhN78ovHR9s
Charles sighed. “But your idea does have merit to it.”
“Thank you,” Vander sighed. “I met103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc9mkYMUFR
with Ross last night for information on who poisoned Malcolm and he gave me a103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Mj3bY6u9M
name.”
“Yea?” Charles looked up103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj4xWRYlFG
interested. “What was it?”
“Green Serpents.” Charles’ face103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxi8mx0tGd
fell. He scrunched his fist on the desk then slammed his fist down on top.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s3ZG5kZcA
“That bastard.”
“Is there something I should know103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILx3ZzUsaV
about?” Vander frowned. “I’ve never heard of them before, but based on your103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuK6bcV8tF
reaction and the King’s, it’s something big.”
“Malcolm has his reasons for not103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0e6WROuhU
telling you, but since you were nearly killed, I suppose to have the right to103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LMeuIKtZP
know.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “The Green Serpents are a mercenary103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DFnXQs4aE
band that goes to the highest bidder. However, it wasn’t always that way. The103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pfMdEljpM
leader, Jogun Batiste, the King and I used to be close during the wars twenty103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A5c9S1eAT
years ago.”
“What changed?” Vander folded his103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8ZsPQnk1M
arms over his chest. If they were now taking contracts on the King himself,103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm28B3ZnAs
something bad must have happened.
“We found out what he did to103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldHKN8JruI
prisoners, especially the children.” Charles’ back sagged. “He would have them103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblNhrMjOzS
fight each other to the death then, if they survived, they were tortured and103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX3DAwNm1h
corrupted into joining them. Some he sent to his loyal soldiers to be103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWoL9KO62n
brutalized.”
“Sounds like a real charmer.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxagmWZKJK
Vander said dryly.
“We suspended all contracts with103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVohQ8GVjAl
them and threw them out of the city.” Charles sighed. “I wanted more drastic103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINxAKvqNNi
measures to be taken, but I was overruled. The council thought it would be103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPZqg3Im85
better to part ways amicably instead of killing or imprisoning those involved.”
“And now they are back trying to103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYEfitLCaw
get revenge?” Vander shook his head. “Something is adding up. They are going103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAFal6qvNz
through a lot of trouble for revenge. I think there might be more to this,103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb3nJj2fUu
especially since I had nothing to do with twenty years ago.”
“And it would make sense to go103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHosCP6vep
after me, someone who was involved, and protects Malcolm.” Charles turned103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpYqlEu61A
around and walked back to the desk. “Why are you being targeted? Any ideas?”
“A couple.” Vander hesitated. “My103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E0SYHXloj
first thought was that it was because I got involved with Nigel, but I don’t103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLwdSBAFjm
think that’s the reason.”
“Vander.” Charles said carefully.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyB70Xtn2C
“What’s going on?” Vander took a deep sigh then told his grandfather about the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgFhrvMW69
dreams he had been having.
It started with Veyar the day103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVt0v5JWUx
before he left for the city along with her warning to keep his identity hidden.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzVewCSBUy
He left out the part of her being trapped in the stormy vortex, he didn’t want103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUJbIJwVTw
to give the impression that the Deities were fighting each other, not that103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgC0zjW4Gm
anyone would believe him. Then he told him about the dream with Unna about103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzLYvsV5SF
fulfilling his role. Lastly he told him about his most recent dream about103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNq8MaMHK3
Imitae being chained up to a wall and reiterating the same thing his wife had103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzikuq9Q6f
told him.
“So, you think they went after you103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9tKlc2rya
because they know you are the Ma’akti Unnatun?” Charles asked. “How could they103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡph8jLtcSlb
know? Not many people do, even less could figure it out.”
“Gramps I communicate with a103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbFpDWSmjr
Shadow Beast,” Vander laughed. “She might look like a wolf, but either way it’s103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03YoBJ9Q7e
not a common occurrence to walk around with her. It might be nothing, but all103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbWgkvQYwx
of these dreams these murder attempts, something is going down.”
“I already moved your stuff here103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLxYKuOp3J
to your old room.” Charles said. “I will have guards on you at all times to103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mrggIQ57p
make sure you stay safe.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6xLpjjaDv
gramps.” Vander sighed. “Put the guards you were going to put on me and put103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtFJv2eXDi
them on the King or Warden Drayson. I don’t need protection.”
“Then I will put Alex on it, he103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjopf6Bmuy
seems to be the only one who can wrangle you.” Charles sat back down. “What103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimeE2mEtFl
else did Ross tell you?” Vander looked at him confused. “I’ve known you since103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn0CZT6BkO
you were a boy, Vander. You think I couldn’t tell you were hiding something103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzJearWa9F
from me?” Vander sighed deeply.
“He told me that he could find the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM34NUUfCs2
Serpents for us, the problem is I would have to fight for him.” Vander103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZGW95YUcx
explained. “In the pits.” Charles lowered his head and sighed.
“Do you think he has a way to get103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOkq7yGULq
that information?”
“Yes,” Vander nodded. “But that’s103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRMLX61MoF
not a place I want to fight in. We can handle the information gathering103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXGabMP1qe
ourselves. I’m certain of it.”
“With our resources stretched thin103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuuGbdqPQ7
I doubt we will have the time, but now that we know who they are, we should103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSiktLTJek
have better luck finding them.” Charles said. He opened his mouth, but there103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1GeCxXuGk
was a knock at the door. “Come in!”
Alex poked his head inside.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOyS84UUFL
“Commander, Vander, Anna Drayson is here to talk to you.”
“Send her in.” Charles and Vander103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2NnxWN22g
got up from their seats to greet the young woman and heir to the Eastern103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkMvA8wccz
Warden.
Anna Drayson was only a couple103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVyZufbF2F
years younger than Vander, but an accomplished soldier. She wore the native103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisPUKQdMu7
uniform in an ocean climate: a leather cuirass, a short skirt, leather shin103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xVz7f6qo3
guards, boots, and arm guards. Strapped to their waist they usually held a103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQd5h8GW3uK
short sword, but for now it was empty. They wore helmets with a blue stripe on103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie9tZEJA3u
top to show their devotion to the sea. However, this was only their ceremonial103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLpsWO4jJ4
uniform, in actual battle they wore iron for better protection.
“Sorry for the intrusion.” Her103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sE3V8Fbq1
voice was melodic. She removed her helmet and a cascade of silver blonde hair103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8aZjs5YQI
fell past her shoulders. Her brown eyes held onto Vander’s for a moment before103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoJdxGxuP9
flickering to his grandfather. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“No Anna, we were just finishing103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZxceXSD3c
up.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “What can I do for you?”
“My grandmother requested Captain103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiFTwYJtMP
Vander’s presence and asked that I escort him to her.” Vander and Charles103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkgRGAr3Bo
exchanged glances.
“I haven’t talked to her since I103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjkSMLtd1r
was a small child.” Vander frowned. “What could she want to talk to me about?”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zlJ4ajEt6
Anna just shrugged her shoulders. Sighing he got up from the chair. “Seems I’ve103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHMDnjfsrk
been doing more talking than just about anything else recently.”
“We can change that if you want.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE3DRTPZyo
Anna grinned. “I’ve been wanting to fight you for years, wolfling.”
“I told you to stop calling me103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsUV5VvSnC
that.” Vander snapped. He wrapped his elbow around her neck, forcing her to103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUXtxWrC9E
bend, then rubbed his knuckles through her hair.
“Ow, ow, ow.” She rammed her elbow103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sqN10uOru
into her stomach causing him to bend over. They broke apart and squared up,103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrbZmQ5maW
fists raised in front of them.
“Not in the office, Vander.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsO24I8tS3D
Charles snarled. “Get going the two of you, before you break something.”
“Yes sir.” Anna bowed. Vander103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSCegtEpdG
whistled causing Shea to wake up rather abruptly. She growled her annoyance,103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5B9jGk3doC
but upon seeing Anna she jumped down off the couch and ran over to her. “Hello,103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckfBtHD8WY
Shea.” She cooed. “How are you?” She responded by jumping up and licking her103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6OFBwaMrW
face.
“Come on you two.” Vander said.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE1S3kt6Nk
“You can get reacquainted on the way. Let’s go.”
Anna chatted with Shea while she103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgYjZewztx
led the way towards Drayson’s accommodations. Since she lived in a villa on the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOChSOHjExn
ocean, the apartment she stayed in was on the eastern most side and higher up103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JZBwJNdl7
than the others. They enjoyed the cool over there and that tower was the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCWOR0EqaF
coolest area in the entire castle. Which, of course, meant climbing up hundreds103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9ypgDfbUo
of stairs.
The stairs were guarded by two103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cCmTiRfVc
Blades and two of Drayson’s own guards. They nodded their heads in difference103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR2gQK7MpA
to the heir, but blocked Vander from going farther. The two blades went to step103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VgwfTn9Gt
up, but Vander waved them back. He unclipped his sword and held it out to the103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGsLHhRtQ9
guards. They took it then stepped back ushering them to the stairs. As Anna103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyDzeRjBg9
walked past, the Blades returned her sword to her. With Anna leading, they103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOtfsXgDVL
walked their way up the stairs.
He was out of breath by the time103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19b8EQFLhA
they reached the top, but for Anna this seemed to be a light workout. Shea also103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0DPSP9F3J
seemed to be enjoying herself because she tossed a lop-sided grin back towards103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtu45hMgxg
Vander. He made a mental note to withhold steak from her for the next week.
The apartment they were in could103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLVwPbPl9V
have doubled as a massive house in the first ring. There were four massive103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JIufqFyGm
suits, three bathrooms and plenty of walking-around space. The servants did a103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgvhdkteun
good job decorating as the entire room was painted blue. The reflections from103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfS5te1ajk
the paint gave the room a blueish hue, it felt as though he was underwater.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOnjHFJql1
Sitting in the middle of the floor, on top of some blue pillows, sat an older103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaORdzo5dq
woman wearing a long blue robe. There was a long pipe in her long slender103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFN8HEUdWK
fingers. Her blue-green eyes looked up as they entered, a slight smile103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKQmzPIbZw
flickered on her face.
“Grandmother.” Anna got down on103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7oPtdwtrc
one knee and bowed her head respectfully. Shea trotted over to the older lady103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhsrGiEds7
then plopped her head down in her lap.
“Remove your boots Vander, then103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuxoXbsS7K
come sit.” Mari said, her voice only slightly louder than a whisper. “Anna, you103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXymEO6SHTF
may join us if you wish.”
“I think I should wash up from my103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFnjHtcx5D
trip.” Anna got up from the floor. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwIpNZkEcU
proper bath and I feel as though the entire city could smell me.”
“I didn’t want to say anything103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHzaN1oEUb
before because I didn’t want to draw attention to it, but-” a wet shoe slapped103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5yg2etwjL
him in the face. He gagged from the smell, but before he could throw it back he103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXLE7NrzkK
heard a door slam shut.
“You shouldn’t treat her like103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxa4DcGv11
that.” Mari said sternly with a hint of amusement in her voice. “She still has103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqSmGz2XAo
a thing for you even after all these years.”
“It wouldn’t work between us,”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgNKqEW4Aq
Vander sighed. “She knows that, and I know that. She can’t leave your villa103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE69xzRhPgz
like I can’t leave the city. We are just from different worlds.”
“Is that what kept you and Bree103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjdEIfKCJ8
Valarian from getting farther?” Vander tried to contain his anger with the way103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxdg66FSyk
this conversation was going.
“I don’t want to talk about her.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhR0QeLypl
He growled. She blew a puff of smoke at him causing him to cough.
“You’ve been through a lot since103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpJNse3v9O
I’ve last seen you.” she said. “You’ve aged. It’s in your eyes.”
“It’s been a rough couple week.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQm1LQttho
Vander leaned backwards to stare up at the ceiling. “Been attacked a couple of103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEllyR8eYYm
times, got some not so veiled threats, and have been poisoned. Things aren’t103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcoDT3f5Kw
looking well.”
“You need to take some time to103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mFGXn65EN
relax Vander.” Mari blew out some more smoke. “Things are only going to get103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡithsPwRlz2
more difficult for you.” Drayson inhaled more smoke, but she held on to it103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2EgP7qO93
longer than she should have. She looked up at Vander, but her eyes were deep103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJV9S4RcdH
black this time, all trace of Mari was gone.
“Veyar,” Vander sighed.
“Ma’akti Unnatun.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK3S4TIkcV
Mari’s voice turned deeper, but still slightly feminine. “How good to see103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB7LcOk9z1
you again.”
“What is this about?” Vander103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1cnZ0Jm2o
frowned. “I got your message the first time, as well as your husbands. I don’t103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1xZpuBGVb
think there is anything else I need.”
“There is someone coming who is103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBznMRoJ6G9
blessed with my daughter’s powers.” Veyar smiled. “She will be of great103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtycHWGyoPR
help to you in this fight. Treat her well. You have a long road ahead of you,103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5I8WdcuyR
hold on to your allies, they will be your best asset.”
“How will I know who my ally is?”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtDhGhT3ie
he asked.
“You’ll know her when you see103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tPNNIUzVv
her.” Veyar said. “It will take some time for you to gain her trust, but103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K9u4Qelqu
once you have it you will have an ally for life.”
“I don’t like people being played103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb89vuXevz
into helping me, Veyar.” Vander said. “Either she will do it of her own will or103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMi8ZIMLfH
not at all.”
“This has been written for a103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHdMvf1rfP
long time Vander.” She said. “This was ordained long before my children103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1goc9IRvJ1
were born. This battle will shape the world for good, or worst. With that,103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmyxI9d0Db
Veyar’s eyes closed and a moment later Mari was awakened.
“How long?” Vander asked her.
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“Since I was a child.” Mari103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1br5FrL8Ix
smiled, but she looked tired. “Once I go it will pass down to Anna. Will you103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCcqKY5KBz
help me to bed? I’m suddenly very tired.” Vander got up from the ground and103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqcgAKgNK1
picked the older woman up in his arms. She pointed to her room and he carried103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgajAjgzHvI
her to her bed.
