Chapter 22
Vander watched as blood seeped out75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xpvtwG8MT
of the King’s chest. However, instead of checking to see if he was alright,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqOnonBd7A
Vander took a few steps backwards reaching for the sword that wasn’t there.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQF985oD7Z
Peyton took a step in, stepping over the King, to advance on Vander holding the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mOYmadMc9
sword out in front of him.
“Give me the book.” Peyton75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8K0r0cwdP
snapped. “Don’t make me hurt you.”
“What have you done to Shea?”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Sd4JvvtDN
Vander snapped.
“I put her down for a nap.” Peyton75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuwgJu8tPT
smiled. “She should really be carefully about who she accepts snacks from.”
“You bastard.” Vander went to75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiJyRYeXxf
lunge for him, but the sword shot out catching him just under the chin.
“Tut, tut, Vander, you don’t have75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FfgEndzrF
a weapon.” The man grinned. Vander walked backwards, but Peyton followed him75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzeS3I43Xi
until he was pushed up against the desk. “Hand me the book while I’m still75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Py39h8G7A
asking nicely.”
“No,” He wasn’t sure what the man75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45gRmgA6nj
wanted with the book, but if he was willing to kill the King for it, it must be75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBp2TOxdm8
something important.
“I wanted to keep you alive, but75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3SHAhBe9G
if you choose to stand in my way I will kill you.” He swung with the sword, but75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQM8cjyn9Q
Vander ducked under the swing. He punched Peyton in the stomach, but his hand75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4SFstpjMm
hit something metallic causing him to cry out in pain. “Not even your strength75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIbJRPrwon
will get through that armor, Vander.” He swung again, but this time Vander75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NQee2vGOv
caught the hilt of the sword on his forearm then punched Peyton in the jaw. The75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuVw0EqMcR
man stumbled backwards dropping the sword.
“I don’t need my abilities to kill75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrhTfiMypH
a coward like you.” Vander snarled. He went to punch Peyton again, but this75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOVwOQgNfm
time the old man moved out of the way. He spun around, but Peyton got his hands75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uiaxkiN8B
on a book and clapped Vander’s cheek with it. He fell backwards, his head75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipjhNsd27Q
spinning from the blow. Peyton tackled him forcing him to the ground.
“You forget I was a soldier too.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPOVpYkH1p
The older man laughed. “I’ve fought and killed more people than you’ve had75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDjdk6AzKr
birthdays, boy.” Vander grabbed Peyton’s arms then brought his legs up to75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2n2Sbk5KNv
launch him overhead onto the desk. The lamp shattered and glasses went flying75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGGnIEd9Ka
as he rolled onto the ground. Vander decided to use the quick reprieve to check75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK7czCfElQ
on the king.
“Malcolm,” he shouted. “Hold on.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0aOyqeyJQ
Malcolm coughed up some more blood as he looked up at Vander with warmth in his75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FLytblRgm
eyes,
“I’m dying, Vander.” He wheezed.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWyrNsCGom
His body spasmed as he talked and based on his beating heart, Vander knew he75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6b2ulN4Vg
didn’t have long to live. “Take the book and run, don’t let that man have it.”
“What’s so special about this75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjX3ZnF4P4
book.” He asked resisting the urge to cry.
“No time.” Malcolm coughed. “There75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DXKqWOP4T
is a knife in my desk, top drawer to the left, get it and take it with you. I75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhULUzNzZI
have no doubt that Peyton will frame you for my murder. Save yourself, do75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa67GkHSxxv
whatever you can to make it out alive.” Malcolm grabbed Vander’s arms to haul75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvPsmqIgLX
himself up to his feet. Vander went to steady him, but Malcolm pushed him75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2tjnuItL2
aside. “They might hate you, but I won’t, Vander. You gave me the chance to see75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZutYq5Anrb
my son marry and I know he will make a wonderful King.”
“You crafty bastard.” Peyton got75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKta3uqfqxZ
to his feet. “Give me that book.” He jumped over the desk and ran towards75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7883VK5owm
Vander, but Malcolm grabbed his old friend’s shoulders doing his best to hold75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH2pXKaooq
him back.
“Vander, Go!” Wasting no time,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAkNhXLIGa
Vander lunged towards the desk then opened the door. He saw the ornate knife75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwh933HdTie
then tucked it into his waistband. He raced to the door but turned around in75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BXHmiwjh5
time to see Peyton stick his hand into Malcolm’s chest and rip out his heart.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRVVdbM95i
The ring on Peyton’s hand glowed blue as Malcolm shuddered then fell to the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5oFgCR4mq
floor. Vander heard Malcolm’s lungs release his last breath of air before75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN67pyLCBH
stilling.
“You bastard.” Vander spat. Peyton75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHicD0xg4Ic
grinned then shouted:
“Help, the King has been killed,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOcmlXK2fx
someone help me!” Wasting no time, Vander ran out the door and down the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOPwhjy18J
hallway. He saw Shea slumped over on the ground barely breathing. Without75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4MH2xiiCN
skipping a beat, he scooped her up and held the knife out in front of him. Peyton75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmWyVg1kc9
was close on his heels shouting the entire time.
Knowing he didn’t have time to75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQBWxlFDC7
explain, he bowled over the Blades coming towards him then came towards the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0dLlnJ6Vk
stairs. Without skipping a beat, he jumped onto the banister then slid all the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEplsy21WQv
way down. He landed in the ballroom as Peyton ran to the rail.
“Stop him!” Peyton shouted. “He75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLafKt8hi47
just killed the King!” Pandemonium erupted as nobles tried to get away as75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76YPQHWVAc
soldiers from all over rushed towards Vander. It was proving quite a challenge75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0mIVg9i6c
to carry Shea while fending them off so he did the one thing he sword he would75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT690XecXVD
never do. He prayed to Unna. Moments later he felt power welling up in him. As75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NndBsI5TL
everyone came towards him, it seemed as though time was standing still. He75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZufmEVr0a5
rushed through, doing his best not to hurt any of them, as he ran towards the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEAOu084ZG
door. A voice rang out over the crowd that caused him to momentarily stop in75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwqLdCF2Mb
his tracks.
“Vander!” He turned around to see75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovxOKaOElu
Cuvera staring at him with a look of disbelief on his face. He looked up at75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaGVK1prDy
Peyton who mimed slitting his throat and the warning was received loud and75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ326BXuWMU9
clear. If he said anything, anyone he loved would be next. Vander said nothing75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB76eJ26xx5
as he turned around and headed outside.
A light drizzle had started to75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGv7oKkKOF
fall during the nighttime making his flight a little more dangerous, but with75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQoKIVHJ5x
his abilities heightened he soon outpaced the soldiers chasing him. However, he75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CldA9xFqc
wouldn’t be safe until he made it to the city and disappeared entirely. No75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkZeRuvcQg
matter where he went in the city there would be trouble, so there was only one75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd2JiI1w5o
place he could go.
As he reached the third gate, a75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwx0tgOGmZ
captain was standing there. Jeffery Jilena had taken the post so those under75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UtjqC1Yh3
his command could enjoy the wedding. He must not have heard what went on75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtsdwmKtka
because he was standing there confused.
“Vander?” He asked. “Where are you75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzXF5YFcZ5
going and why is Shea over your shoulder.”
“You need to let me pass.” Vander75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdBdCNnYNn
gasped. “Someone has killed Malcolm, and they are going to blame me for it. I75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ARG1fcNqy
need to escape so I can clear my name and find all those responsible.”
“The King is dead?” Peyton gasped.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFXhoHoi3O
“How do you know?”
“I was there.” Vander said75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdVCNoiTjo
guiltily. “I couldn’t save him.”
“Who killed him then?” Jeffery75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnpgHxktdT
challenged. “Tell me.”
“I can’t.” Vander shook his head.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufUMbEBoyx
“If I don’t, he will kill me, and all of this would be for nothing.”
“Then you must go, but I must make75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhFGWKYf5V
this look good.” Jeffery drew his sword.
“You believe me?” Vander was75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlvJpxFPPp
shocked.
“You saved the King before.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAuX0LuzyX
Jeffery said. “You wouldn’t just kill him now; you would have just let him die75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8FRbbmh5a
before. Plus, everyone tells me how nice and honorable you are. I don’t think75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYAcs1EdKY
those who truly know you would think you capable of something like this.” The75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFkH505Qfq
sounds of soldiers grew closer. They were running out of time.
“I am sorry I have to do this.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aXIOsXW6T
Vander said. Jeffery held his sword by his side.
“Just hurry up.” He smiled. “Bring75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLr0F3O8ZG
justice to our King.” Vander nodded then rushed forward, knocking him75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0ZcBrU2HF
unconscious with a single punch to the jaw. When he fell to the ground, Vander75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYVQDSSYv6
was already climbing up to the battlements. He looked back as the soldiers came75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7PUNVtotQ
to check on the captain. Once he was sure he was fine, he jumped down then75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MwDmqoIFv
slipped into the night.
The streets were quiet as he snuck75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SJxRjjq4m
through the alleys. Come morning everyone in the city will be looking for him,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsDLONghyo
but for now, he was safe. He ran all the way to the lower district right to the75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ec54kPZrn
Orange Fox. He knocked frantically on the door until Left showed up.
“What ya want?” he asked gruffly.
“Let me in.” Vander said, looking75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSTMY64PS1
around nervously.
“Why?” Left’s eyes narrowed.
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“Auxilium postulo.” 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCHy97TKoN
Vander said. Left’s eyes widened then he opened the door. Vander took75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzUsi8K1xX
one more look out to the street then stepped inside. The door closed firmly75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ2DAc52sN
shut behind him.
