Chapter 6
Vander vaguely remembered the110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeJSYNKnlQ
feeling of being dragged up many stairs, carried down a hallway, and the warm110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74t2q9ociN
covers of his bed. His memory of Julianna standing over him in the candlelight110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0Olx0Sq25
as she pieced together the pieces of his skin using thread, a needle, and110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfn7pARBpSW
plenty of booze to disinfect everything. Shea guarded the door to keep anyone110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ724VMTiEYI
who she didn’t trust from entering, while letting out low whimpers as she110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6SKYTNNbU
worried for her master. He dropped into an uneasy slumber, immune to the pain110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkydAe5bX3
that traveled through his body. The only solace he found was in dreams.
∙
A drop of water fell on110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8MfZb9qtI
Vander’s forehead. His eyes remained closed, but the weather was determined to110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16EBefybTV
wake him. Several more fell on his face hitting his eyes, forehead, and mouth.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikANaILnRR
His eyes scrunched together before he slowly opened them. He was confused110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9NlKBVBZz
because he expected to wake up in his bed with the roof of the inn above his110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZV476lYz6F
head. But instead, he saw the cloudy morning sky surrounded by tall maple and110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8lJDOBC7E
pine trees. He was dressed in ill-fitting rags. The pants went as far down as110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABdAPOAXS3
his shins while his shirt was in tatters. He slowly rose to his feet, his stiff110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHMFpcigqW
muscles protesting from the sudden movement. It hadn’t been long since his110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctuQjS9Gp0
injuries, but time moved differently here, as it did in all the realms of the110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXav1SrNNw
Deities.
He could smell blood and sweat,110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5uWwURXf2
the trademark sign of his patron goddess, Unna, Lord of the Beasts and Madness.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OepqPURMc
There were hundreds of beasts waiting in the woods, their red eyes focused110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOyuLtgtOS
solely on him. Any wrong move would send them into a frenzy and would tear him110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXwg5UyrW2
apart. It was the rule of the jungle here, you couldn’t show fear. The first110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCZBOQWYt1
time he had come here all those years ago was almost his last, but he had110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsDy6wnHbY
adapted quickly killing a creature that had mistaken him for easy prey. The110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tvszwoCla
rest fell in line, but sometimes a creature gets a little too full of110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCftBHxgsN3
themselves and must be put in their place. However, the fact that he had woken110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jH31MwRMO
up here meant the ruler of the forest had grabbed him, no one them would go110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszpqkX14wH
against her orders.
He got to his feet then started110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIdKHLZNts
to walk along the path laid out for him. He ignored the biting pain in his feet110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwtKnVtVKN
from sticks, stones, and dead leaves scattered around. His blood scented the110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEeEGKKIRv
ground marking him as the forests now. He knew that when he died he would wind110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zhXzPSjBM
up here, the same as all the other beasts. This was the forest laying claim to110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEl3Z84DAn
him for its mistress.
He walked for what seemed like110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZOAEiY0oT
hours, but he didn’t get tired, hungry, or thirsty. He just put one step in110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4B3lyntjs
front of the other. It had started to rain, but he kept it going until the sun110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUhBQ3veH4
had set in this domain and the creatures around him grew quiet. The woods110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPn2xNdsmkx
became thicker, and the normal brown trees turned blood red. The sky darkened110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMM2qfg9kP
then the moon appeared illuminating the woods in a blueish glow. He heard110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzR06rQLc8
running water coming from his left. He turned to walk into the woods towards110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhcbq7Vld6
the waterfall where he knew Unna would be. He saw a large white wolf walking in110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNE57Wxrbj
step with him. The creature was twice the size of Vander with white-blue fur110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7l8u2UfaM
and deep red eyes.
Ritoru, if legends were to be110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHwnKDWpkM
believed, was the first human to accept Unna’s blessing. He had lived as a110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CqzMUScyf
tyrant, slaying anyone who crossed his path and offered his victims life for110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dTR2NO8tA
the deity. In exchange for his loyalty, she made him into this creature forever110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg36Dl4YFcn
to serve her and kill those unworthy. The truth was, she had prayed for his110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJmBz1NVyi
weakness and need to be stronger. Promising power beyond his wildest dreams, he110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6poVLaN1An
accepted it without understanding the consequences. Now he was a prisoner of110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNu2dXNtCo
his own making waiting for the day he gets released from his own personal hell.
They walked for a little while110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIj4YvOMKm
until the trees thinned out revealing a small pool that was being bathed in110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgQFtUv9YL
moonlight. There was a small rock formation above the moon with a light trickle110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeDLVNIceZ
of water cascading down into the pool creating a ripple effect. The water was110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJr7nBm5Ys
crystal clear, and you could see little, tiny fishes swimming around in the110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDRIuKIQ6q
depths. No matter how much he wanted to go into the crystal blue water, he110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxUOeOGKAK
couldn’t. This was Unna’s pool and going in without her permission was110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNgA2IyMnh
tantamount to suicide. So, he sat down and waited.
Within the middle of the pool110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kX77Qjwc6
large ripples began to emerge. Moments later a pale woman burst out whipping110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx5Xidybgf
her black hair over her shoulders tossing water behind her. Even though he110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhAnGzHufV
couldn’t see her face, Unna’s nickname as a seductress wasn’t wrong. She had a110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJJIaGolVN
thin body, that was surprisingly filled with muscle. She was graceful and curvy110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8ysC6aDrJ
but eyed you up in the way a hunter looks at prey. Even now, sitting on the110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPvIcc1iRW
ground, Vander was aroused and based on the coy smile she tossed at him over110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K6ajXkgU1
her shoulder, revealing long pointed canines, she noticed.
She took her time leaving the110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tug1uCK93
pool, swaying side by side as she walked towards him. Her thighs rubbed110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbsLUsZOCd
together as her breasts moved slightly with the movement. As she stepped out110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR34fbpYANr
from the pool, a sleeveless black dress with a low-cut neckline and a slit down110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUD7ohe6lAm
the left leg. Some how she looked even better with clothes on.
“You’re a naughty boy.” She110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTUE4jkGpq
smiled. “You are thinking all sorts of dangerous thoughts aren’t you?”110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkYV8ucE2n
He stood up as she walked over towards him. She looked at a finger under his110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlwIwjZzr4
chin and pulled him so close that their mouths were almost touching. “You110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6C0yuqCOJ
want to don’t you Vander? It’s alright, I’ll give you everything you could have110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo0oybVMAE
ever wanted in a woman. So, how about it?” It would be easy for him to give110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGyse3zVbI
her all of him and many times he was tempted, but he knew what happened to110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X2PduakZy
those who couldn’t resist. He wouldn’t end up like them.
“Why have you brought me here?”110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmlEY2XToD
he asked. Sighing with frustration, Unna let him go. It was so sudden that he110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKZEy1mQ2i
fell back on the ground. She towered over him then placed a bare foot on his110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo0hqocVPj
chest. He could see her dress, so he quickly looked away.
“You’re annoying you know that.” She110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Nj2dnX1tv
snorted. “At first the chase was fun, but now I’m growing bored of it.”
“It’s not my fault you chosen me110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyfGJRau4v
to be your champion.” Vander snorted. She bent down over him and stuck her110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXr5GbsJjy
fingers to his side. He let out a hiss of pain as she dug her fingers into the110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ3vUpSbfQ
side where Leon had cut him. Her hand was covered in blood as she brought it up110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBzAEXdBSB
to her mouth then licked her fingers clean.
“I taste poison in your blood,110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfBVJReAxD
Vander.” She grinned.
“Poison?” he asked. “What110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrsSZWB3sq
kind of poison?”
“Do you know why you come here110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdkKL3G91r
Vander?” she asked. She stepped off him then walked behind him. He rolled110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP4duizqsZ
over and got to his feet as her throne appeared out of thin air. The throne was110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hVA4toIjK
made from pure white bone. They said it was the bones of all she killed in the110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgAixJmlje
war, but it was hard to tell. They had all fused together to create the throne110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfA4nmetFc
and it was difficult to pull out individual pieces.
“I assume you will tell me.” He110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcSNheDHcr
said.
“You come here when you need110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUKj2xkg6R
something from me.” She explained. “It doesn’t have to be a conscious110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JmAJoxSKZ
need; it can be a subconscious need. Whether it be to get healed, needing some110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTPRGXkkCI
answers to a question, or getting your rocks off. It’s always something and I’m110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8djsNctwA
getting tired of it.”
“What is it I can do for you110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa2cm9q9Nl
then?”
“Give in to your demons.” She110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKq6C7vZ7B
laughed. ”Give in just once and I will heal you.”
“If I give in, I’ll end up closer110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI8yRWNToj
to becoming one of your slaves.” He growled. “I will not go down that110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJx4ortlEK
path, no matter what.”
“You don’t have a choice, Vander.”110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl3EUuxw5G
She got up from her throne and grabbed him by the neck. She lifted him off110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLDNwmJNgA
the ground and brought him close to her. “Once you said yes to me, your110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskS4poIDiB
future was already written. You are mine.” She dropped him gasping and110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmN5KZyqxxo
wheezing to the ground. “However, you still have a role to play, one of110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2W4m0Y71a
which my grandmother has already told you about, so I cannot let you die here.”
She snapped110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOwaQwSAaX
her fingers and a searing pain erupted from his side. He thrashed and screamed110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJT4EyMLgR
as the flame coursed through him. His body began to twitch and squirm as his110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4b4cVC3bR
blood began to boil. As quickly as it started, it ended. He lay on the ground110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWudpHXsUoW
breathing heavily as steam rose from him.
“Remember Vander,110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡky5vzss1q7
you are promised to me and no other. Go. Fulfill your role, now begone.” She110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHkjvfCIWB
waved her hand. His body flew backwards, out of the woods, then slammed back110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb681gdBNe
into his own body. “I will be waiting.” Her voice echoed in his head. He110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZsT00Mio0
opened his eyes.
∙
There was a large110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCvNSDMPBu
weight pushing down into his chest. His vision was still foggy, likely from110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCxrmI6BqA
both passing out and the poison that had infected him. There was a warm white110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrojhOx9sd
presence there. He slowly reached out his hand to rub Shea’s head. She bolted110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmK1FLDdjD
straight up and began licking his face in earnest. She jumped up and down110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tB1Lwt4Cw
happily barely missing Vander’s body with each step.
“I’m so happy110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKqegNBmpF
you are awake.” she barked. “I was so worried about you.”
“What’s all that110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9pOpPG0c2
racket?” Vander looked over to see Julianna staring groggily at the bed from110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqB5oAuycO
his desk chair. A blanket had been dragged out from the closet and placed over110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WZbeOKgeW
here. She stared at him for a moment, bewilderment on her face, before she110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RZZxcEyou
jumped up and ran towards him. He didn’t have time to admire her wearing the110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tboPx9Bmq
sheer night gown before she launched herself at him.
“You’re awake,110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ShEFXHMT8
I’m so happy.” He felt tears splash on his face as she sobbed into him. He110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uNdUCR4C5
placed his hand on the top of her head.
“It wasn’t that110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzUy3M4D0L
bad of a wound.” He chuckled. “I’m not sure why you’re so worried about me.”
“You idiot.” She110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqA910fyyL
growled. “You have been out for about a day. For awhile you got very feverish,110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfjw5GtBnC
and your breathing became shallow. I would have brought a doctor in to take110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3siKOPIic
care of you, but Shea stopped me.”
“I smelled110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOtUVFCjV9
poison in your blood.” Shea said. “If you’ll let me, I’ll rip that boy110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtIAbOa7hN
apart for trying to kill you.”
“Leon seemed to110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7zCCnLRMh
have poisoned his weapon sometime before running me through.” Vander explained.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4Jmnx0QeE
“If it was anyone else, they likely would have died.” Vander went to get up110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAc3WAHV6C
from the bed, but Julianna pushed him back down.
“You’re still110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoSfei6M7H
wounded, you should rest and let me get the soldiers to bring Leon in.” Vander110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeB34ka0K1
grabbed her hand causing her to flinch. Sighing, he lifted his shirt to show110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TjlMSEx7e
her that the stitches had disappeared, and the wound had closed. Shocked, she110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQaDXZk7YM
gingerly traced her fingers tips over the fresh scar, but he didn’t wince once110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDhagRrxUq
from discomfort or pain. “How?” she whispered.
“Part of my110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPZAQ5CFto
curse.” He picked her up quickly causing her to let out a small squeak of110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp0GoRSMgA
surprise. He flipped her around, so she was where he was just lying. They110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIIwwKzSpa
stared at each other for a second before Vander broke eye contact and got up110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtcil6Gs6j
from the bed.
“Curse?” she110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZS2KrdJ0a
asked. “What curse?”
“There’s no way110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy84dDdhp6U
you haven’t heard the rumors.” Vander chuckled to himself as he walked into the110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7PdLAuv6F
bathroom.
“Of course I110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1P3yoyUe67
heard the rumors.” She said. He heard her feet hit the ground then followed him110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FlF1Lzd5Q
into the bathroom. He let the water run for a while before removing his clothes110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb0souMTSS
and dropping them in a pile. “You have no shame huh?” He looked over his110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQKtpCt0pF
shoulder to see her eyeing him up and down with a mischievous gleam in her110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDydL2joGs3
eyes.
“The rumors, for110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvOiXT5Mdq
the most part, are true, Julianna.” He said. “No good would come from getting110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqes93Qwkzm
too involved with me.”
“I’m not looking110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv4X2kxXA0
for anything serious.” She shrugged off her night gown. “I have an inn to run,110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBybvWExTwj
but I think some thanks is an order and besides,” she looked below his waist.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O6tLE37Tz
“I think you might like to blow off some steam as well.”
“Can’t really110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbP0YM90AF
argue with that logic.” He shrugged. He stepped aside then held out his hand to110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOKsK2xQFo
help her into the tub.
She embraced him,110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPsE1wmpAE
placing her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her face. He wrapped110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa5eXjubsu
his arms around her waist and planted his lips onto hers. Their tongues flicked110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCI2gmWKRO
against one another as she opened her mouth inviting him deeper inside. Suddenly110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCag2ePLQM
the lust he felt while being near Unna surfaced and he allowed himself to give110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9yQ0PeJbe
into his base desires. At first Julianna was surprised, but after a moment she110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O1U3ava6F
met him thrust for thrust. Their bodies mingled together as the haze overtook110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZJqR2Tame
them, allowing their instincts to take over.
It was morning110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeU3DzCFan
before Vander woke. Julianna had already gone, the spot on the bed still warm110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI66NmY5qCK
from where she had fallen asleep next to him. His body ached and he spotted110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5ey1kjxFV
several new scratches that he would have to do his best to hide lest his110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuTS5IWVTf
grandfather see them. He quickly pulled on his shirt, pants, and boots. Before110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2ZYwQKl3j
he left he put on his jacket then grabbed his sword from the closet.
The bar had been110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6OZ5ZRVi8
tidied up since last night’s shit show. The tables were back to where they had110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5sJlVxWge
been and there were no signs of the fight at all, not even the blood that fell110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYUWAPIXxF
from Leon’s arm or Vander’s side. Julianna was behind the bar cleaning dishes. When110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap4LdZbwQc
she heard him enter the bottom floor, she looked up, gave him a small smile,110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8x0vETAKqo
then went back to her work. He debated about getting something to eat, but he110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTxmS9GW3k
was already late to see his grandfather, so he decided to skip a warm meal and110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokj5CSiJ9B
settle for something on the way.
The streets of110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrdRoto8fQ
Eluvia were quiet this early in the morning. The sun hadn’t yet peaked over the110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80JTVKg8Z8
horizon, so the streets were still dark, but gradually lightening. The furnace110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLx7OYVYz5i
was on at the bakery a couple of streets over, so he knocked on the window and110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzlUwcW8fF
waved one of the workers over. A sweaty man unlocked the door then poked his110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmFCHcVTwe
head out.
“Sorry, we aren’t110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei77LUuaEP
open yet.” He wiped his forehead.
“I just need a110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmRTVCXOsm
small roll,” Vander reached into his pocket to remove a silver coin. “Would you110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCllosRdr8U
mind?” The man looked from the coin to Vander then back to the coin.
“Sure, we can110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZifAYXmHVP
spare a roll for you.” He ducked back inside, making sure to lock the door just110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRQuaYtvd4
in case Vander tried anything funny. He came a moment later with a hot roll110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tMC2qMPMI
wrapped up in paper. “Here you go.” He held out the roll and the two of them110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV9bi951o3
made the trade. It was hot to the touch, it must have just come from the oven,110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOhFGPl3s8
but Vander didn’t mind. He happily handed over the coin and went on his way.
The guards let110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73Z4FUVMAE
him pass without issues, though some of them gave him a pitying look which was110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BElyGoTO9
a little confusing, but he paid no mind. Bernard was waiting for him at the110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWGuDOSkRs
bottom of the steps leading into the castle with his head bowed.
“Good to see you110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqAKEmgmYf
Vander.” Bernard said.
“It hasn’t been110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRqdV9tUxq
long since I was here.” Vander said. “Why are you being so polite?” Bernard110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0gguuR70e
straightened up making sure to fix his tie which had become crooked.
“When you didn’t110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBlEvpO3pg
show up yesterday we feared the worst.” Bernard explained. “Leon explained that110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8RAw82vTi
you had attacked him and were wounded when he defended himself. Your110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo56LyhMPnf
grandfather was besides himself and Leon’s father wanted to hunt you down and110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH7LnnAofg
make you pay, but Peyton managed to calm him down.”
“Of course, that110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAnYPECoRm
little bastard would lie about something like that.” Vander clenched his hands.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSjwLS4QYN
“Where is my grandfather? Can I see him?”
“He’s up in his110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKNub6Xxi1
office.” Bernard said. “I’m here to bring you to him, but I should warn you.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukzfJVENAV
Leon and his father are up there right now as well. Apparently they heard word110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei9PCmdI1B
you were coming and decided to wait. I am to take your sword please.” He held110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSvxTFlHn2
out his hand.
“Am I in trouble?” Vander unbuckled his sword and110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNC2ah7TF4b
handed it over to the King’s servant.
“Possibly, it110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9K8xTuGeXp
really just depends how convincing you are.” Bernard slung the sword over his110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDT6RJxoh6w
shoulder then escorted Vander inside.
Along the hall110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPdxz5KZCT
leading towards his grandfather’s room, there were Blades lined up against one110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqlSdD2U3b
wall and soldiers against the other. The air was tense as the soldiers did110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck6JwTAWUF
their best to goad the Blades into attacking them, but it never worked. They110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yzNkyb2FW
fell silent as the two of them walked past, but several soldiers reached for110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppaFRkGziD
their weapons as some form of veiled threat against him. The door to his110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaominHEsjG
grandfather’s office was flanked by another Captain, Leyta, an older Blade110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYSMTLgSLR
several classes ahead of Vander. Jefferey Jilena was standing next to her on110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSUsAL3vat
the other side of the door.
“Captain.” Leyta110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6gLbAVB4g
nodded. “He’s waiting for you inside.” She opened the door then stepped back.110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0pp6VZnhu
Vander’s heart hammered in his chest as he stepped through.
“You’re a dead110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxblHEjU2vN
man Vander.” Leon said smugly. He was sitting in the chair across from Charles110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9CaW7x1cR
with the arm Shea had bitten in a sling. But Vander ignored him to stare at the110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzf65gN2mU
man who was standing by the window with his arms crossed behind his back.
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“Before we start110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecqV5ePB1f
your removal from the Blades, perhaps you can enlighten us as to why you had110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixQx4G0wHJ
your bitch of a dog injure my son.” Viggo Visc, the third most powerful man in110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2j977Pmy3
the country, turned around to face Vander. “Depending on your answer, her life110Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztOjF24VOd
will be forfeit.”
