Chapter 5
Bree was a very attractive woman.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPK3DHhncz
She had long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a toned figure from her time as a106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud39JjKjWJ
Blade and now serving as a Captain in the Eluvian military. Instead of her106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAnZPOMuLD
regular soldier attire, she decided to wear tight brown pants, brown booties,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWmMamo1Wq
and a white sleeveless blouse. It looked as though she took a lot of care in106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZPe0Arm1R
her choice of attire as he had to try hard to ignore the feeling welling up in106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrqn2rf829
his chest. They weren’t together anymore.
“Oh Vander, I’ve missed you.” She106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡal1uDIQsk8
reached up to touch his face, but he grabbed her hand as he pulled back.
“You don’t get to do that106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPFRUbHtXi
anymore.” Vander took a step back into his room. “You made your choice six106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0urXRPRaA
months ago and I’m not one to play second fiddle to someone else.”
“Come on.” She scoffed. “You know106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MBc5UvkN9
I had no choice. My father forced me into this, I couldn’t disobey him.”
“Not even for someone you106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBFIBg7xoB
professed to love?” he snorted. “I’d have left the Blades if you asked, but you106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYcrOLMako
dropped me as soon as your father snapped his fingers. You never loved me Bree,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0EuvlP4Be
not really.”
“Vander, that’s not fair.” He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh3KRUWeN6
voice was starting to rise. “I spent a lot of time this past six months106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLv5xrUwG8Z
thinking about us. I will tell my father to end my engagement to Leon, so we106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4mLiDq98j
could be together.” Vander’s heart pounded at the thought, but he wouldn’t allow106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Nhog9diw0
himself to be ruled by his emotions.
“I’m sorry, but you made your106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr68czQxk6
choice and now we both have to live with it.” He walked towards the door and106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeio14ZL9EC
held it open. “It’s time for you to leave.” She sat there in the middle of the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1EPIVWbXv
floor her face flushed with rage. She clenched her fist and for a second he106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmL0bLSOMd
thought she was going to swing at him. She thought better of it but made sure106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v0u0EG0dg
to slam her shoulder into his arm as she left. She didn’t even say goodbye.
“Give me the word and I’ll rip106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV64VMOz5kl
her throat out.” Shea snarled. Vander walked over to rub her head.
“I don’t want to give you106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA1D3e5ctW
indigestion.” He teased.
He had known Bree since their time106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWWcgMy4XR
as recruits roughly eight years ago when they were both sixteen. They had106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUCg7Wnhjk
gotten close, along with the other members of their squad, but after an106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgGSqtw4Bi
incident during their first mission cost the lives of their training officer as106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wQsCHsKjR
well as two of their comrades, they hadn’t been the same. They had clung to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9tUYOxehI
each other during the rougher times and grew close. They had been each other’s106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEN8PUJLa6
first, a bond he thought would cement them together for the rest of their106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVhSaVyhos
lives. But six months ago, that had fallen to pieces. He had done a lot of soul106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnybFi8FDlG
searching while he was in isolation with his new recruits and decided that he106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo9FB4l2nM
would keep things professional between them, nothing more, nothing less. She106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Gvx94223K
had ended things with him for her father’s favorite and got engaged to Leon106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ul6j7GIvf
instead. That was something he wouldn’t readily forgive or forget.
He rubbed Shea’s head then106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GGff1bdmy
promised to bring her back some beef from the kitchen when he returned later.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtJ1b1UeeE
He didn’t want to be late for his recruits first night out since joining. He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcJ2ovMolS
left his sword behind because he doubted he would need it, then left the room.
If there was a lot of people106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MdP2b1H3D
before, there was even more now. People were crammed against the walls and the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0CHIyiQMs
servers were having issues making their way through everyone. A larger square106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWPX8kYf09
was opened up between the booths and musicians for more people to dance the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaB1zA01U4
night away. Upon stepping into the floor, he saw Alexander’s head poking up106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPEv6gWL9m
above the crowd. It was one of the perks of being friends with a giant. His106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OUwd62pol
voice thundered out to order some food and drinks for his table sending a106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Oao9Z2ZY1
couple of the servers scrambling to fulfill his wishes. Vander snaked his way106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGMq7HmnB7
through the crowd dodging flying elbows and kicking feet to get to the table. Alex106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ6KAvEWMk
was still wearing the clothing he had on earlier, but he left his uniform top106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD0TWdVneC
at home and instead opted to wear a black leather jacket.
“About time you got here.” Alex106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwE2Jhb0Sn
grumbled. This man did not like large crowds, but he came out to spend time106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDN8KFH6YyC
with his friend. A sacrifice that wouldn’t go unrewarded tonight. “Would me106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8XwmGpv7f
seeing Bree storming out of here have anything to do with it?”
“Some.” He motioned for the bigger106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHnItFToHW
man to slide over so he could sit down. “She told me she would end the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTT6YyjME3
engagement with Leon to have me back, but I told her that I wouldn’t get back106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaWqFdmhw4
with her. She made her choice six months ago and I won’t be played for a fool106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcuDnA7U7b
again.”
“You turned that down?” Forest106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DcoCdFsse
gasped. “I would have thrown myself at her if she asked me to be with her.”
“You’d throw yourself at a bear if106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9yD3YTQip
you think you’d get lucky.” Briar snorted. Forest shoved her then she shoved106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FHE6LYf78
him back. It would have devolved into a fight if Rooster hadn’t pulled them106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEdmSerxld
apart.
“We’re here to have fun.” He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8J55eE21Y
snapped. “Not get thrown out of here before we even had a drink.”
Each of them had dressed in their106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa09S9guPXs
best clothes for tonight. Most of their clothing was now a little too small106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHAG1A21CX
since they had each packed on a ton of muscle since they left the city. He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyfd9Ywjsf
guessed that he would have to make a request to his grandfather to give them106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4egaMT4Jz
some money for new clothing. The only one that seemed to have gotten clothing106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi3wDoM0Tb
that still fit was Eve. Unlike the others who wore pants and a shirt, she had106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBxeGtecq8
decided to wear a long white dress and shoes. Even Chicken had decided to dress106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qFBJkR0wU
for the occasion and leave her oversized clothing at home. She wore a brown106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUz4Et1ZbA
buttoned shirt and a pair of tan pants. He wondered if Eve had lent the outfit106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqNKTb4Hb4
to her.
“Each of look very nice.” Vander106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlLDNVuzmV
nodded his approval. “Remember, tonight feel free to eat and drink as you106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePQ56viuNb
please, but there will still be training tomorrow as usual, and I will not go106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyMcNDlR5j
easy on you just because you are hung over.”
“Come on Forest, let’s go dance.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsuvEd0DKH
Briar pulled on his arm, removing him from the booth. He protested fully but106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM3GaFXeqv
allowed himself to be led away by her. She grabbed his arm, placed the other106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfjbWygI47
one around her waist and started leading him around the dance floor making sure106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUiTLplAhc
not to bump into anyone along the way. Within moments the two of them were lost106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8YeMw6Xe8
from sight.
“Will you dance with me Vander?”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIkwXVcD3Z
Eve looked down at her lap. It took him a moment to register that she had been106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7TQ3w4CPi
the one to ask him and not Chicken.
“He has two left feet.” Alex106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoe9gkQ1uh
slapped him on the back. “I’m you’ll find someone to dance with you out on the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4UTy88RmI
floor. Look,” they turned to where he was pointing and saw two young men106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRsFBbjPvZ
smiling at her from the other side of the Inn.
“But I want to dance with-“
“I’m sorry, Eve.” Vander forced a106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImletdpVN9
smile. “I’m a bit worn out from our travels today, so I think I’ll sit tonight106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZjn4TPRlX
out. Shall I call you over once our food is here?” Nodding angrily, she walked106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbb75TaF68o
from the booth, grabbed both young men by their arms and pulled them onto the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn78usJvwW
dance floor.
“What about the two of you?” Alex106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxUzk6LI1D
asked Rooster and Chicken.
“I think I’m just going to read.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXihHctBLM
Chicken removed a thick leather-bound book from her bag from under the table.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRU0MCUUtc
The title was called: The Life of Boris Britebyrd, The First Blade. He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIQefJP1Dz
didn’t know that she was into history, seemed as though the two of them had106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirenKc2vlV
quite a bit in common.
“I’m okay just sitting here.” He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwCuMh5PN0
looked wistfully out towards the dance floor. Tracing his gaze Vander saw that106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYI9xcKaHv
he was watching Eve dance with the two men. It looked as though she was106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWNfa1HGWx
enjoying herself, but that might also have been for his benefit.
“Why don’t you ask her to dance?”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBjWHUs6TR
Vander asked.
“Because I see the way she looks106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpzvYuokDO
at you.” Rooster grumbled. “And I can’t ever hope to compete.”
“It’s just a crush.” Vander106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo5GAcp2y2
reached over to place his hand on Rooster’s shoulder. “She will get over it.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh8lkpYwKh
Besides, no one could say no to you. You’re a wonderful kid and you won’t know106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP71LIPYbax
unless you try.”
“Alright, but later.” He sighed.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOrX8xM49w
He became quiet up then proceeded to stare out the window until the food106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwOEjgKTx7
arrived. The server placed down a basket full of bread, a bowl of hearty stew106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBPPhcnd9f
for each of them along with a tankard of beer and many glasses. Vander asked106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5QjrkG81p
her to bring him some Dwarven Whiskey as well. She came back a couple of106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWGFKvqZkC
minutes later with several shot glasses and the bottle.
Rooster and Chicken wasted no time106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3huFP0JnYO
and started digging into their food. They never let food grow cold or go to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiejqtB5Tg
waste. A pair of bottomless pits which stemmed from their time homeless and106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShdHcZg2Uy
never getting enough to eat. Forest and Briar came after a few minutes. Briar106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FuCeYUb6L
was grinning ear to ear while Forest slumped into the booth breathing heavily106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CHXsC6zZ7
and sweating profusely from his brow. Briar helped prop him up before starting106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFTtsUhlWC
to eat. Eve was the last one to make it back to the table. She was out of106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeevAWO5lr
breath, her face flushed with exhaustion. She sat down next to Chicken not106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QIzRJPVwv
looking up at Vander as she started to eat.
As the music thrummed into his106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIoNhtIqLT
head, he started feeling ill. Loud noises and people sitting so close to him106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6cnUuPyXj
wasn’t something he enjoyed. His senses were being assaulted and he needed some106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbeXFCyUhb
air, but first he wanted to make sure the recruits were taken care of.
“Congratulations on making it106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9u21LKPcF
through your first six months of training.” Vander said. “Alex and I couldn’t106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhWVXluYed
be prouder of all the progress you made since we started and while things might106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1ba5T0hRe
not get easier from here on out, I know you all make fantastic Blades. So, eat,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2i4Z7l5E2
drink, and party to your hearts content.” Four of the five of them cheered.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0xmVs1zwP
Vander poured them each a shot and they all tossed it back at once. “Will you106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnYt3ipiDd
make sure they get home alright?”
“Of course,” Alex looked106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyHpH7bFNM
concerned. “Is everything alright with you?”
“Too much noise for me to handle.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zqIvY8geU
Vander explained. “I just need to step outside for a few minutes okay?”
“Alright, just take it easy.” Alex106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnAC0h1L4x
said with a slight frown. Vander excused himself from the table. He went106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77Y9nCdN0m
through the kitchen then out the back door into the cool night beyond.
Nighttime in the city was106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEWkPtt3Fo
different from the forest. Out there the sky was clear you could count the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhW1rpNSOm
stars or try too at least. Humjir’s light shone everywhere even in the darkest106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEV8Enjc3m
corner. The animals made sounds of course as the night hunters prowled the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SG2fVG7HW
ground and sky, but there was a rhythm to it. There were times he and Shea106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoteV6mNF0
would stay out under a large tree listening to the animals as they relaxed from106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS9FzuSK3o
the day’s activities. Often enough Alex would come out to wake them out because106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIETeAcygT1
they had fallen asleep in the grass. Here, there was nothing soothing about it.
Humjir couldn’t be seen from the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYm74H1kmMY
city aside from the highest tower in the King’s estate. You could only see a106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuWyMPwWqn
couple of stars, but even then their lights were muted. Then came the sounds106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodHA55WgKF
from humans, not animals, that showed how rotten the city truly was. The sick106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvK4m9EdCMv
could be heard coughing all night long as the homeless shuffled along looking106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RUsPAk3nR
for a place to stay, any place that would take them. The hungry wails of106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY3XWLpVkv
children often fell on deaf ears because everyone else was too busy partying106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjep475xgL
the night away. He couldn’t help but wonder how many people inside the inn106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j81hLhNCZ
right now children at home starving had while they were drinking the night106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQGzjqclZb
away. Both he and Shea were of one mind that they would be happier living in the woods away from all these people, but106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilm8P5Wc3h
duty called and neither of them wanted to turn their backs on their friends.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcGQadsbZ9
Perhaps, one day, they would be able to retire somewhere far from here.
He was so lost in thought that he106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5m7MrZ2j9f
failed to notice the door opening behind him. “You should really be more106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8s8FfJWWx
careful out here.” Julianna said. He wasn’t one to startle easily, but he leapt106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxxeBH7UDb
from his boots once she spoke.
“Don’t scare me like that.” He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3trQ6qf7Vb
growled. She wrapped her arm through his and pulled him to his side.
“Don’t be a pansy.” She giggled.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaad2uZVvm1
He could smell the slight tang of booze on her breath. Her face was flushed106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNozTRIRWYd
bright red, and she was breathing heavily. The strap of her dress hung loosely106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoMoXNkbkX
on her shoulder, so he reached over to pull it back up for her.
“You needed a drink to come out106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SfKxwWgwN
here and greet me?” he teased. “I thought you were braver than that.”
“Oh please.” She rolled her eyes.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89It1K9Hng
“This wasn’t for you. Some of my patrons like me enough to buy me something to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CHYIe4zS2
drink and dance with me. I just came out here for a breather.” The two of them106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbwJ7Gcb5I
stood there in silence leaning up against the side of the building. Julianna106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJes4G9qqo7
placed her head on his shoulder, but she remained stony faced and still.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1Inutk8gk
“Vander.” She said after a few minutes.
“Yes?” he asked.
“Did you get the closure you106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GENWkdqEl
needed with Bree tonight?” He looked down at her. There was a wistful look on106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6j7cwFujbU
her face as she looked straight ahead.
“Heh.” He laughed. “I was106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7zEKmB3IL
wondering how she made it past you. You let her in didn’t you?”
“Guilty.” She spoke softly. “If106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcCBOliTKN
you were going to take her back, I was going to throw you out of the Inn. Once106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuVAIzoacC
she stormed off pissed as hell, I knew you made the right choice.”
“You’re always looking out for me,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcaKiDxVAq
thank you.” he bumped her shoulder lightly with his. She smiled up at him with106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PbjskKOZz
a slight blush on her face. The two of them sat out there for a little bit106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpBrx0H6n6
without speaking. The quiet night air helped him soothe any aches he may have106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurmeoWQGk4
had plus her company was a welcome boon. He knew that she didn’t harbor any106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCInOftlDD
feelings for him, neither him for her, but their friendship would stretch for106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6bEaX2YTb
years to come, he could feel.
A sudden shout along with the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6dAjbOx2m
breaking of glass broke the serene quiet air. Julianna turned too him with a106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsTagWxXp5
concerned look. “What the hell was that?” she asked.
“I don’t know.” He frowned. “But106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfvcM4Xpu9
stay here, let me go look.”
“It’s my Inn.” She snorted. “I106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwA7V3j7TT
won’t be waiting outside like some helpless damsel. Let’s go.” Shaking his head106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EgVD1DXYT
as she rushed past him, he hurried behind.
As soon as she walked through the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlaeOjmH7x
door, he pushed her head down as a glass mug hit the wall next to them106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQ9vZTMpOk
shattering upon impact. Shards of glass rained down over them, but they slid106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOqIiXOuNA
right off his sleeve. Thankfully there was no liquid inside.
“Bring that white-haired bastard106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGoUkL6eLI
out here this instant.” Someone shouted. Vander recognized the voice as Leon’s,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLByHqQw1I7
so he must have been talking about him.
“Fucking Bree.” Vander pushed past106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRo4fsIeO8d
Julianna through the kitchen and into the main Inn. Right in front of the door,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk1MsLtk4j
flanking both sides keeping anyone from either entering or leaving were four106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGa3fJDnTD
Blades, in uniform, with their hands on the hilts of their swords. Standing in106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOahDMWCcV
front of them was Leon with his sword out pointing to the ground. Vander met106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjNYYShXFc
Alex’s eye. He was standing in front of the table blocking the recruits from106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBM8l2sOfd
being spotted by the pissed off Captain. Their eyes met. Alex shook his head106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5nJGpwUJp
and motioned for Vander to leave out the back, but he was going to leave these106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVmI6tGHyI
people here to take Leon’s wrath. As a captain he had a duty to uphold the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzPSaeumLJ
standard of the Blades, so he pushed his way through the crowd to stand in106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLGbnNjEBo
front of Leon.
“What are you doing?” His voice106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWWweJWyJ1
boomed. He made no attempt to hide the annoyance in his voice. “Is this how a106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH3zNGezo2
captain of the Blades is supposed to act? Drawing your weapon in a business and106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpReQ2h5AZl
trying to intimidate everyone here? What’s the matter with you?”
“There you are you bastard!” Leon106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrs1oKSdQW
raised his sword pointing it at his chest. “Why was Bree here? What did the two106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoBPY0fOih
of you do?”
“Is that what this is about?”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMF4OsEaK0
Vander scoffed. “Nothing happened, I sent her home, end of discussion. Now it’s106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8UO7hmlmF
your turn to get going before I report this to the Commander.”
“And you expect me to believe106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHo8GcakAM8
that?” Leon laughed. “You were gone for six months and the day you come back106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVhJgmkmHM
she comes to visit you? You’re full of shit.”
“It’s true.” Julianna pushed her106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgX3khCDwG
way through to stand by Vander. “I let her in, and she left five minutes later106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq9MfxwhSG
crying. I suggest you take it up with her and get out of my inn.”
“Now you have your new bitch106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMqCbcIjlp
covering for you?” Leon snapped. “Take this punk outside, we will settle this106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcs27ETDAN
like men.” The four Blades guarding the door moved forward towards the crowd.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByusHZKpkY
Alex pushed past to stand by Vander causing the four of them to pause mid-step.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkID6NzeRx
“Alex, stay out of this, this doesn’t concern you.”
“It concerns us all when you use106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5SkTxx5j6
your power for your own ends.” Alex snapped back. “You came to a private106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOiYjVONFq
establishment, threatened citizens, and are threatening a comrade, one that,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HVUevAEvd
until recently, outranked you. This is an abuse of power especially settling a106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKrwXKB178
private affair.”
“You think that matters to me?”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKpraGKlw5
Leon asked. “When my honor is on the line? Do what I ask or I swear I will use106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRLBqu058S
everything in my power to crush you.” Vander stepped out until they were face106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12kEq87vZU
to face.
“Is that a threat Leon?” Leon106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ99gcyGVSQ
responded by pushing Vander backwards then bringing his sword up underneath his106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQt2O56LuD
chin.
“No this is a- ahhhhhh!” Shea106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fz5bjg7V0
leapt out from nowhere and bit down on Leon’s sword arm. Vander could hear the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Fl7QdgKOX
bones crunching in his arm as she screamed out in pain. He dropped his sword106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d45j40hEa
then tried to wrench her mouth off his arm. Blood sprayed as everyone started106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZifRTcS9y5
screaming. Vander saw Leon’s goons rushing towards her, so he rushed forward blocking106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCuyAQJApS
their path.
“Shea, release him.”
“But-“ her voice echoed106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVwesvOZYD
back.
“NOW!” She released him, but106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeOifWpkrg
jumped out of reach and bared her teeth. With blood dripping down his arm, he106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gbinmSXN1
slowly got to his feet. His face was red with rage.
“Your mutt will pay for that.” He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvZYUg1gXt
whispered. “You will all pay for standing in my way.” He grabbed his sword,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5xT9i7JHI
spun around, and thrust at Vander. Because he was facing away from Leon, Vander106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwnGTUrIeL
couldn’t anticipate the move. However, in his rage, he missed anything vital,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYdXJ6I6X0
but he still carved a deep gash into Vander’s side. He fell to the ground106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrx2YVcu4y
holding the wound as blood seeped through his fingers.
“Damn it.” Vander groaned. “What106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvNk3PIAza
the hell is the matter with you?”
“You’ve looked down on me for too106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvVRZq9cFc
long.” Leon spat. “Now it’s time you tasted defeat.” Leon lifted his sword106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5zp3T1PtF
again, but Alex got there first. His fist collided with Leon’s face sending him106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxMFGCrUO2
sprawling onto the ground.
“You crossed a line and not even106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9xRH5CvSc
your father will get you out of it.” He snapped. “You four, get him out of here106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOWezEOKGj
before you find yourselves thrown onto the streets and not even Viggo Visc’s106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWFLPxh3rX
influence will keep you safe.”
“This isn’t over.” Leon growled as106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWmRGFef23
his four lackies picked him up off the ground and dragged him out. “You better106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gzle5xfqa
find yourself a new job, Alex. I’m coming for your ass.” Vander heard rushed106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxDTq0gvZU
footsteps coming towards him. Julianna placed a towel over his hand to help106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY9qQjpliF
staunch the bleeding.
“Let me see.” She whispered. He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRikwkcKpug
winced with pain as he carefully moved his hand. “It’s deep but didn’t hit106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQ5ZgANgvL
anything vital. We are going to have to stitch you up.”
“Fine.” Vander allowed himself to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxPTFqvyYq
be lifted to his feet. “Alex, will you make sure the kids get back safely?”
“We should get you to a doctor.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q7SHQP2tK
Alex said, but Vander shook his head.
“I’ll be fine.” He gasped. “Pay106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJav6aJNm2x
for everyone’s meal as an apology for Leon’s outburst. There should be enough106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22XKJCZtk5
money to cover it in my room. We will also pay for the damages here.”
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“I understand.” He said. Alex106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLufvjTFYIy
began to shout, but Vander’s eyes started to close. The blood loss was more106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDg781Thxr
than he thought as he had difficulty staying awake. The last thing he saw was106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReWcUMTld4
Shea leading the way upstairs towards the room.
