Chapter 12
He slept soundly. No one wanted to136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxSmH6933r
wake him so the visit by Mari Drayson went off without him. He didn’t awaken136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwqjeZX4Nu
until night had fallen and Shea busted into the King’s study to jump on him136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMJiQW3veG
then proceeded to like his face until his face scrunched up and he pushed her136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivmxvhR37l
aside.
“Shea, sto-” she interrupted him136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2CP8pbxgm
by licking his mouth. He shot up to start gagging pushing the she-wolf off his136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡep32AiyGx8
body. “I’ve told you to stop doing that.” He grumbled.
”And I told you to stop getting136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTaPf6dAmG
into fights when I’m not around, and here we are.” She growled into his136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6knz4mPYKU
mind. “Imagine my annoyance when I got woken up by some Blades when they136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNWWF7lNGo
came to remove your stuff from the room and escorted me to the castle saying136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGTQxrPFWz
you had been attacked. Imagine my anger when they wouldn’t let me check up on136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5NvZTuoI7
you until now.”
“Did you leave anyone alive?” she136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC8wubeHer
barked her laughter but nodded her head.
“It was difficult, but your136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQAxlkvNJH
grandfather swore to me you were sleeping and needed your rest.” She bumped136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYFDD7OrCC
her head against his chest. He placed his head in her fur then inhaled her136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡas1GJR6Rdw
scent. He felt the stress and anxiety he had been feeling just melt away.
“I’m sorry for worrying you.” she136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR46wUXE8pZ
licked the side of his face accepting the apology. There was a slight knock on136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ET4H0QCQT
the door and Alexander poked his head in.
“I heard voices.” He said. “Are136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuFDHE6i04
you finally awake, Vander?”
“Yep.” He slid his foot off the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU0Z0AU7y0
couch. Looking up at Alex he saw that his friend had worry lines etched onto136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2fJV5motz
his head while his face was filled with worry. “How long have you been standing136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALSjMt3nr6
there?”
“Once the others told me what had136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIr3WVockb
happened.” He explained. “I was about to kill you when you didn’t show to the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fdQioujkY
training, but when that Jilena boy told me I dropped everything to come here.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BPIeozrDs
The King told me not to disturb you, so I sat at that door making sure you136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleNlfnRwQX
rested.”
“You got anything to eat?” Alex136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsIv2gN5Mq
grinned. He disappeared for a second then came back with a tray of steaming hot136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJdpiiTric
food.
“Once I saw Shea, I knew it was136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxFd6lSNpn
only a matter of time before you awoke so I had the kitchen prepare some stew136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxg2Jc3qEa
and bread.” He said. “I had them make a bowl for her as well.”
“Thanks.” Shea was136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPE39gbRCS
practically salivating on the carpet. Bernard wasn’t ready for what was about136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9u8AO5a4c
to happen. The two of them tore into the food like a couple of beasts. Sauce136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3xgXYX2Du
and chunks of bread flew everywhere. Alex wisely took a step back shaking his136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz436pZmCT2
head in disgust.
“Animals.” He muttered under his136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjN0mM9frW
breath. They were done after a few minutes leaving the table a disaster. Vander136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3a6mhzppa8
leaned back on the couch then stifled a belch. Shea stuck her head into his136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMZ0eudcEx
bowl to lick out the remaining sauce. “Once you’re finished your grandfather136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL3FMceciH
wanted me to bring you to him.”
“Did he say what it was about?”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXGmHA9iRy
Vander asked. Alex shook his head. Rolling his eyes he got up from the couch,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZk2ryjtCb
wobbled for a second, but remained steady. “Let’s go then.”
The castle was on high alert.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLzQi3CRMY
There were more guards here than normal, most of them were regular soldiers,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzBjuhOAAa
stationed along the halls. Whenever the Wardens showed up everyone was on136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOP5tzaaP5J
alert. The safety of the entire country rested on their heads, so the King136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIN3021srd
always took extra precautions to make sure they were safe.
Alex stood at the door to the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXwPwUrQlQ
Commander’s office while Vander headed inside. Charles was pouring over more136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxJUEQo6Es
paperwork at his desk by lamplight. He looked so old sitting there even though136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUYzhnOcue
he was in his middle years. Just went to show the toll being Commander took.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIAPKTKISn
Shea jumped up onto the couch then placed her head on her paw. It took a couple136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe9e706qP9
of seconds for him to put down his quill and to look up at him.
“I heard you were ambushed on the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsV3I4O7WH
street today.” The old man’s voice hitched. “Are you doing okay?”
“Fine, gramps.” Vander nodded.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqaUW8ha6B
“What about the man I captured?”
“In the dungeon waiting for his136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVJiA3AnpV
questioning.” He said. “I assume you want to do the honors?”
“It would be my pleasure.” Vander136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZmSdmWh2A
grinned. “But we need to have a talk about something.” He sat down in the chair136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKijoJaB1W
across from his grandfather. “We need to promote the recruits to trainees and136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9ZEVNFCs2
allow them to help us around the castle. If today taught me anything we need136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyaAqeAw6I
more soldiers on the streets protecting the people than we need them in here.”
“It’s not time for them yet.”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IsDfb911q
Charles shook his head. “They aren’t ready.”
“We don’t have the manpower,”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiV3XmLf6a
Vander argued. “Even when all the Blades come back with the wardens, there136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JRTyUs4rz
still isn’t enough. Those five can really help us out.”
“Doesn’t matter if we need the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzELYKfMqwf
help.” The old man growled. “We have standards we must adhere to. There can be136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZro0v0yMK
no exceptions.”
“Gramps since I’ve returned a136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxGfqhFzKa
couple weeks ago, I’ve almost died twice.” Vander said. “If we had more136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrsnJhgaWQ
competent guards this might not have happened. If you’re that worried about it136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ32MQgahPC
I will keep training them until their time is up and stick them by the entrances.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0catTSevr
An important position, but it wouldn’t put them in harms way.”
“I’ll have to think about it.”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzD1yZh2El
Charles sighed. “But your idea does have merit to it.”
“Thank you,” Vander sighed. “I met136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HNvly8bkQ
with Ross last night for information on who poisoned Malcolm and he gave me a136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqRhIt6xRL
name.”
“Yea?” Charles looked up136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oHbwRNjY2
interested. “What was it?”
“Green Serpents.” Charles’ face136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUy9uud0G1x
fell. He scrunched his fist on the desk then slammed his fist down on top.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0GOWC4T8g
“That bastard.”
“Is there something I should know136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLCgaSL5p5
about?” Vander frowned. “I’ve never heard of them before, but based on your136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQVn7yaX4H
reaction and the King’s, it’s something big.”
“Malcolm has his reasons for not136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEqrUqypBy
telling you, but since you were nearly killed, I suppose to have the right to136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1hwek36tX
know.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “The Green Serpents are a mercenary136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnXVEx8mCl
band that goes to the highest bidder. However, it wasn’t always that way. The136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvebJNftNW
leader, Jogun Batiste, the King and I used to be close during the wars twenty136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxFImjwmGF
years ago.”
“What changed?” Vander folded his136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLPmDiNr2w
arms over his chest. If they were now taking contracts on the King himself,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKzqtalJOX
something bad must have happened.
“We found out what he did to136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ77IYe9Cz
prisoners, especially the children.” Charles’ back sagged. “He would have them136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhzltLAe5V
fight each other to the death then, if they survived, they were tortured and136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yl0aCy8BH
corrupted into joining them. Some he sent to his loyal soldiers to be136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6LsFOlYkM
brutalized.”
“Sounds like a real charmer.”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lA9nTObPo
Vander said dryly.
“We suspended all contracts with136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozACuwo4WB
them and threw them out of the city.” Charles sighed. “I wanted more drastic136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0S2s79tWF
measures to be taken, but I was overruled. The council thought it would be136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmVMSJNmtk
better to part ways amicably instead of killing or imprisoning those involved.”
“And now they are back trying to136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8qN1i6fM8
get revenge?” Vander shook his head. “Something is adding up. They are going136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWX25yxqE0
through a lot of trouble for revenge. I think there might be more to this,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjVMC8yeyj
especially since I had nothing to do with twenty years ago.”
“And it would make sense to go136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7nc8GgLsP
after me, someone who was involved, and protects Malcolm.” Charles turned136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosaOFYCrRU
around and walked back to the desk. “Why are you being targeted? Any ideas?”
“A couple.” Vander hesitated. “My136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH1AIufABD
first thought was that it was because I got involved with Nigel, but I don’t136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnsABrto36
think that’s the reason.”
“Vander.” Charles said carefully.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSujkEeIWyH
“What’s going on?” Vander took a deep sigh then told his grandfather about the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro9WBo205Q
dreams he had been having.
It started with Veyar the day136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkk170jXBX8
before he left for the city along with her warning to keep his identity hidden.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRb1xLqsic
He left out the part of her being trapped in the stormy vortex, he didn’t want136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0dPXI9zsY
to give the impression that the Deities were fighting each other, not that136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm73k4hWNV
anyone would believe him. Then he told him about the dream with Unna about136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoxzW7wPR9
fulfilling his role. Lastly he told him about his most recent dream about136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRKOLn3ndK
Imitae being chained up to a wall and reiterating the same thing his wife had136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6ekIeUIMF
told him.
“So, you think they went after you136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLeM5fJT12
because they know you are the Ma’akti Unnatun?” Charles asked. “How could they136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ta2uMGYUH
know? Not many people do, even less could figure it out.”
“Gramps I communicate with a136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ0DsdU6D8
Shadow Beast,” Vander laughed. “She might look like a wolf, but either way it’s136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK47cFo6iDE
not a common occurrence to walk around with her. It might be nothing, but all136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3Rt7FotrL
of these dreams these murder attempts, something is going down.”
“I already moved your stuff here136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoCS3ihuTm
to your old room.” Charles said. “I will have guards on you at all times to136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2D8Xey7MTC
make sure you stay safe.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9R6MHqf9b
gramps.” Vander sighed. “Put the guards you were going to put on me and put136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbSFTWExU7
them on the King or Warden Drayson. I don’t need protection.”
“Then I will put Alex on it, he136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrPMKgLaFh
seems to be the only one who can wrangle you.” Charles sat back down. “What136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWp0OKl7Zn
else did Ross tell you?” Vander looked at him confused. “I’ve known you since136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOudk2BDAeD
you were a boy, Vander. You think I couldn’t tell you were hiding something136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXixUQb3u8
from me?” Vander sighed deeply.
“He told me that he could find the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZDM8j4au4
Serpents for us, the problem is I would have to fight for him.” Vander136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOa4J9fvEU
explained. “In the pits.” Charles lowered his head and sighed.
“Do you think he has a way to get136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXyitBb2pL
that information?”
“Yes,” Vander nodded. “But that’s136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBkPUoN7Ml
not a place I want to fight in. We can handle the information gathering136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnQY4wOfut
ourselves. I’m certain of it.”
“With our resources stretched thin136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdIGowWBRn
I doubt we will have the time, but now that we know who they are, we should136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPYLARt4MC
have better luck finding them.” Charles said. He opened his mouth, but there136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrgF2DfY7n
was a knock at the door. “Come in!”
Alex poked his head inside.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6Sz6WMECa
“Commander, Vander, Anna Drayson is here to talk to you.”
“Send her in.” Charles and Vander136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIszMYYRz3r
got up from their seats to greet the young woman and heir to the Eastern136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg1DExUk0c
Warden.
Anna Drayson was only a couple136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBjszHxzeA
years younger than Vander, but an accomplished soldier. She wore the native136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjb7M5kyns
uniform in an ocean climate: a leather cuirass, a short skirt, leather shin136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5oX4rsVz5
guards, boots, and arm guards. Strapped to their waist they usually held a136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqjf6rO2nB
short sword, but for now it was empty. They wore helmets with a blue stripe on136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXENtaygJFh
top to show their devotion to the sea. However, this was only their ceremonial136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuGz7RZeLe
uniform, in actual battle they wore iron for better protection.
“Sorry for the intrusion.” Her136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QjVIvSyaf
voice was melodic. She removed her helmet and a cascade of silver blonde hair136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkrmHlrH3F
fell past her shoulders. Her brown eyes held onto Vander’s for a moment before136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WQuZFLzlv
flickering to his grandfather. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“No Anna, we were just finishing136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS6PMc1Mc0
up.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “What can I do for you?”
“My grandmother requested Captain136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlN7wKOIOX
Vander’s presence and asked that I escort him to her.” Vander and Charles136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZqPwd92SB
exchanged glances.
“I haven’t talked to her since I136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsgD2FgWmh
was a small child.” Vander frowned. “What could she want to talk to me about?”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dIKUgAEkv
Anna just shrugged her shoulders. Sighing he got up from the chair. “Seems I’ve136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQNe4I9okc
been doing more talking than just about anything else recently.”
“We can change that if you want.”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Mx8SpfdH7
Anna grinned. “I’ve been wanting to fight you for years, wolfling.”
“I told you to stop calling me136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pXwG7CA7y
that.” Vander snapped. He wrapped his elbow around her neck, forcing her to136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtcyzZpmI4
bend, then rubbed his knuckles through her hair.
“Ow, ow, ow.” She rammed her elbow136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNrMigqad5
into her stomach causing him to bend over. They broke apart and squared up,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9COsocf12C
fists raised in front of them.
“Not in the office, Vander.”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCiE7pXtOU
Charles snarled. “Get going the two of you, before you break something.”
“Yes sir.” Anna bowed. Vander136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGx6tfqI3uG
whistled causing Shea to wake up rather abruptly. She growled her annoyance,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefR0TBqtSP
but upon seeing Anna she jumped down off the couch and ran over to her. “Hello,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIP7LGbgHA
Shea.” She cooed. “How are you?” She responded by jumping up and licking her136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡComWjMPcwp
face.
“Come on you two.” Vander said.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wgPWqMomJ
“You can get reacquainted on the way. Let’s go.”
Anna chatted with Shea while she136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNPmiwcas0
led the way towards Drayson’s accommodations. Since she lived in a villa on the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS35uPmx0v
ocean, the apartment she stayed in was on the eastern most side and higher up136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf9RmPNXoD
than the others. They enjoyed the cool over there and that tower was the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0Pp7siMoB
coolest area in the entire castle. Which, of course, meant climbing up hundreds136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N5TvzMzD5
of stairs.
The stairs were guarded by two136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqswmNcrNF
Blades and two of Drayson’s own guards. They nodded their heads in difference136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc54YCMqRwa
to the heir, but blocked Vander from going farther. The two blades went to step136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ160PFPYDbI
up, but Vander waved them back. He unclipped his sword and held it out to the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoVX79ZyLf
guards. They took it then stepped back ushering them to the stairs. As Anna136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeVTJFegNz
walked past, the Blades returned her sword to her. With Anna leading, they136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfmMYf0GPe
walked their way up the stairs.
He was out of breath by the time136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJucVQQfa4U
they reached the top, but for Anna this seemed to be a light workout. Shea also136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp69VgpWmJ6
seemed to be enjoying herself because she tossed a lop-sided grin back towards136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20MVQywq6y
Vander. He made a mental note to withhold steak from her for the next week.
The apartment they were in could136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJjGXMdXbp
have doubled as a massive house in the first ring. There were four massive136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAkKaFYVqq
suits, three bathrooms and plenty of walking-around space. The servants did a136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmB7UGeADH
good job decorating as the entire room was painted blue. The reflections from136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVpb09M5EY
the paint gave the room a blueish hue, it felt as though he was underwater.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQp9kPwEGX
Sitting in the middle of the floor, on top of some blue pillows, sat an older136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz83IhOELk0
woman wearing a long blue robe. There was a long pipe in her long slender136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZRAuqXFnp
fingers. Her blue-green eyes looked up as they entered, a slight smile136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dGTs2GRXf
flickered on her face.
“Grandmother.” Anna got down on136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSDYIoSE3X
one knee and bowed her head respectfully. Shea trotted over to the older lady136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsU4MMOpxXT
then plopped her head down in her lap.
“Remove your boots Vander, then136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PqaFCpCAm
come sit.” Mari said, her voice only slightly louder than a whisper. “Anna, you136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqYaaUbpnN
may join us if you wish.”
“I think I should wash up from my136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZhZEw4aux
trip.” Anna got up from the floor. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVimNHBfE4e
proper bath and I feel as though the entire city could smell me.”
“I didn’t want to say anything136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCEo1efEX7
before because I didn’t want to draw attention to it, but-” a wet shoe slapped136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iUhRgNppO
him in the face. He gagged from the smell, but before he could throw it back he136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWrWXlbSy2
heard a door slam shut.
“You shouldn’t treat her like136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMKslwp3ST
that.” Mari said sternly with a hint of amusement in her voice. “She still has136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7TZFiWDg6
a thing for you even after all these years.”
“It wouldn’t work between us,”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09FpjmhelT
Vander sighed. “She knows that, and I know that. She can’t leave your villa136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiQ4APMoyI
like I can’t leave the city. We are just from different worlds.”
“Is that what kept you and Bree136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HirlvrLsZ
Valarian from getting farther?” Vander tried to contain his anger with the way136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SZ5fH7GF2
this conversation was going.
“I don’t want to talk about her.”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGso86YRuW0
He growled. She blew a puff of smoke at him causing him to cough.
“You’ve been through a lot since136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8dOGcoAlp
I’ve last seen you.” she said. “You’ve aged. It’s in your eyes.”
“It’s been a rough couple week.”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXphsaSOL2
Vander leaned backwards to stare up at the ceiling. “Been attacked a couple of136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrubdPkuMc0
times, got some not so veiled threats, and have been poisoned. Things aren’t136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbebAURx5WL
looking well.”
“You need to take some time to136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEtVpK5weO
relax Vander.” Mari blew out some more smoke. “Things are only going to get136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡranoNzfOxM
more difficult for you.” Drayson inhaled more smoke, but she held on to it136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWVdgkEmUU
longer than she should have. She looked up at Vander, but her eyes were deep136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22EGEK3O0V
black this time, all trace of Mari was gone.
“Veyar,” Vander sighed.
“Ma’akti Unnatun.”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArIApIYkqV
Mari’s voice turned deeper, but still slightly feminine. “How good to see136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKIrmmZufT
you again.”
“What is this about?” Vander136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1k4T7ealRs
frowned. “I got your message the first time, as well as your husbands. I don’t136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUvA6AIaFG
think there is anything else I need.”
“There is someone coming who is136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxbkp5j35E
blessed with my daughter’s powers.” Veyar smiled. “She will be of great136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDASPMGsI9G
help to you in this fight. Treat her well. You have a long road ahead of you,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQSQh3yUdv
hold on to your allies, they will be your best asset.”
“How will I know who my ally is?”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9956v6dDqA
he asked.
“You’ll know her when you see136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItsIgfuT6X
her.” Veyar said. “It will take some time for you to gain her trust, but136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFjmgs9SMZ
once you have it you will have an ally for life.”
“I don’t like people being played136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRFEtwDmXc
into helping me, Veyar.” Vander said. “Either she will do it of her own will or136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS59LZduLc2
not at all.”
“This has been written for a136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaviUUDP9P2
long time Vander.” She said. “This was ordained long before my children136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6zY8FI2eE
were born. This battle will shape the world for good, or worst. With that,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSP7VYP5sC
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.” Mari136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYABJweswG
smiled, but she looked tired. “Once I go it will pass down to Anna. Will you136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZXNfzCbWA
help me to bed? I’m suddenly very tired.” Vander got up from the ground and136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVZZ7n30F2
picked the older woman up in his arms. She pointed to her room and he carried136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aiXsrs5Py
her to her bed.
