Chapter 6
Vander vaguely remembered the137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eSl8OMcTB
feeling of being dragged up many stairs, carried down a hallway, and the warm137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IuqSMFus6
covers of his bed. His memory of Julianna standing over him in the candlelight137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaYTDByrzt
as she pieced together the pieces of his skin using thread, a needle, and137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODWFtocTbT
plenty of booze to disinfect everything. Shea guarded the door to keep anyone137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ4v7U2CyD
who she didn’t trust from entering, while letting out low whimpers as she137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyUOYy7gh0
worried for her master. He dropped into an uneasy slumber, immune to the pain137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiWY8Yjxad
that traveled through his body. The only solace he found was in dreams.
∙
A drop of water fell on137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BF4O6GAP3
Vander’s forehead. His eyes remained closed, but the weather was determined to137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz8UYJfg69
wake him. Several more fell on his face hitting his eyes, forehead, and mouth.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXjg3fxZND
His eyes scrunched together before he slowly opened them. He was confused137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOnolsRjJd
because he expected to wake up in his bed with the roof of the inn above his137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFd0gWalkj
head. But instead, he saw the cloudy morning sky surrounded by tall maple and137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroDEpXTsqh
pine trees. He was dressed in ill-fitting rags. The pants went as far down as137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6GTIYvuEL
his shins while his shirt was in tatters. He slowly rose to his feet, his stiff137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl6cR8FalX
muscles protesting from the sudden movement. It hadn’t been long since his137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFKUQ36f8F
injuries, but time moved differently here, as it did in all the realms of the137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSSKQH830h
Deities.
He could smell blood and sweat,137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSxgeCYWVE
the trademark sign of his patron goddess, Unna, Lord of the Beasts and Madness.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoWB2Q2brg
There were hundreds of beasts waiting in the woods, their red eyes focused137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwGkWUWIpw
solely on him. Any wrong move would send them into a frenzy and would tear him137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOazrI0kIF2
apart. It was the rule of the jungle here, you couldn’t show fear. The first137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8teHHqDuUY
time he had come here all those years ago was almost his last, but he had137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22DTsHEZql
adapted quickly killing a creature that had mistaken him for easy prey. The137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQND5ja5hnD
rest fell in line, but sometimes a creature gets a little too full of137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgyUXdKYWX
themselves and must be put in their place. However, the fact that he had woken137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMP1IzuJ1V
up here meant the ruler of the forest had grabbed him, no one them would go137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmWjm8AYmH
against her orders.
He got to his feet then started137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I5xKUFcyh
to walk along the path laid out for him. He ignored the biting pain in his feet137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGwbCbF7X5
from sticks, stones, and dead leaves scattered around. His blood scented the137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkdgGINqOu
ground marking him as the forests now. He knew that when he died he would wind137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqV8N9lsBi
up here, the same as all the other beasts. This was the forest laying claim to137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMdP0jlOaj
him for its mistress.
He walked for what seemed like137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHRTeLhPrz
hours, but he didn’t get tired, hungry, or thirsty. He just put one step in137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92HcCgiCMz
front of the other. It had started to rain, but he kept it going until the sun137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiVmsPvyw0
had set in this domain and the creatures around him grew quiet. The woods137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAwzweF0cg
became thicker, and the normal brown trees turned blood red. The sky darkened137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwh3lLv76B
then the moon appeared illuminating the woods in a blueish glow. He heard137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrENRbVabPe
running water coming from his left. He turned to walk into the woods towards137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS7Jn7Hyyv
the waterfall where he knew Unna would be. He saw a large white wolf walking in137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasVo4vtGeD
step with him. The creature was twice the size of Vander with white-blue fur137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ycTCQqOVU
and deep red eyes.
Ritoru, if legends were to be137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqqS9MbV38
believed, was the first human to accept Unna’s blessing. He had lived as a137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqiiileJOs
tyrant, slaying anyone who crossed his path and offered his victims life for137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpE51YsN2Gj
the deity. In exchange for his loyalty, she made him into this creature forever137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY84Rja2E2h
to serve her and kill those unworthy. The truth was, she had prayed for his137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNZEcLw2gX
weakness and need to be stronger. Promising power beyond his wildest dreams, he137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShamKpk84D
accepted it without understanding the consequences. Now he was a prisoner of137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcqj7k84lS
his own making waiting for the day he gets released from his own personal hell.
They walked for a little while137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzUdXDjMWj
until the trees thinned out revealing a small pool that was being bathed in137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxALcHyfHq
moonlight. There was a small rock formation above the moon with a light trickle137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPEGXxYwHd
of water cascading down into the pool creating a ripple effect. The water was137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6nrMc4ALX
crystal clear, and you could see little, tiny fishes swimming around in the137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukwW2mK9yO
depths. No matter how much he wanted to go into the crystal blue water, he137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYX8pAgZVhY
couldn’t. This was Unna’s pool and going in without her permission was137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiWnp65Oav
tantamount to suicide. So, he sat down and waited.
Within the middle of the pool137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGxfLnvV4Z
large ripples began to emerge. Moments later a pale woman burst out whipping137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxMlSdv73Y
her black hair over her shoulders tossing water behind her. Even though he137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SYUOArCXH
couldn’t see her face, Unna’s nickname as a seductress wasn’t wrong. She had a137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDsKz9bfQi
thin body, that was surprisingly filled with muscle. She was graceful and curvy137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExWV9VYBPO
but eyed you up in the way a hunter looks at prey. Even now, sitting on the137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVILsArqeB
ground, Vander was aroused and based on the coy smile she tossed at him over137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYth8QLlVLB
her shoulder, revealing long pointed canines, she noticed.
She took her time leaving the137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTWLYDti6L
pool, swaying side by side as she walked towards him. Her thighs rubbed137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElkNoR7Yn5
together as her breasts moved slightly with the movement. As she stepped out137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepNktuh1MC
from the pool, a sleeveless black dress with a low-cut neckline and a slit down137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9XlbChGFB
the left leg. Some how she looked even better with clothes on.
“You’re a naughty boy.” She137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOymQkDvYUN
smiled. “You are thinking all sorts of dangerous thoughts aren’t you?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8lwecnonG
He stood up as she walked over towards him. She looked at a finger under his137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KPJ78HAZj
chin and pulled him so close that their mouths were almost touching. “You137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VHSjcr6Rh
want to don’t you Vander? It’s alright, I’ll give you everything you could have137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXmX485h4z
ever wanted in a woman. So, how about it?” It would be easy for him to give137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O9CVdr5MM
her all of him and many times he was tempted, but he knew what happened to137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMacypdeF7
those who couldn’t resist. He wouldn’t end up like them.
“Why have you brought me here?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WMWzR7TPC
he asked. Sighing with frustration, Unna let him go. It was so sudden that he137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT09OiSTn6B
fell back on the ground. She towered over him then placed a bare foot on his137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXv17jzTWMY
chest. He could see her dress, so he quickly looked away.
“You’re annoying you know that.” She137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeWhQwZHyq
snorted. “At first the chase was fun, but now I’m growing bored of it.”
“It’s not my fault you chosen me137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfB2pM0iTL
to be your champion.” Vander snorted. She bent down over him and stuck her137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRXTNptaTO
fingers to his side. He let out a hiss of pain as she dug her fingers into the137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz8QOhupFe
side where Leon had cut him. Her hand was covered in blood as she brought it up137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjhyrmeHw2
to her mouth then licked her fingers clean.
“I taste poison in your blood,137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTedYD0SvU
Vander.” She grinned.
“Poison?” he asked. “What137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTVLfYpYvf
kind of poison?”
“Do you know why you come here137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3XCkFhUxe
Vander?” she asked. She stepped off him then walked behind him. He rolled137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfK688r0ELK
over and got to his feet as her throne appeared out of thin air. The throne was137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVi7DijWkF
made from pure white bone. They said it was the bones of all she killed in the137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11TphW185g
war, but it was hard to tell. They had all fused together to create the throne137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcSN4Wdpjs
and it was difficult to pull out individual pieces.
“I assume you will tell me.” He137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDA5TJ4LSG
said.
“You come here when you need137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iv63Zwnk9
something from me.” She explained. “It doesn’t have to be a conscious137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXE0ZNCvDI
need; it can be a subconscious need. Whether it be to get healed, needing some137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPRBxlfWcY
answers to a question, or getting your rocks off. It’s always something and I’m137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYe1ycfkTr
getting tired of it.”
“What is it I can do for you137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCrpnIkUXY
then?”
“Give in to your demons.” She137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjKn4ynkm2
laughed. ”Give in just once and I will heal you.”
“If I give in, I’ll end up closer137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGyNTqH3fH
to becoming one of your slaves.” He growled. “I will not go down that137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXc5s4x0Ld
path, no matter what.”
“You don’t have a choice, Vander.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVznpFYSwsO
She got up from her throne and grabbed him by the neck. She lifted him off137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1obEYOiKZ
the ground and brought him close to her. “Once you said yes to me, your137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqzMr40PZu
future was already written. You are mine.” She dropped him gasping and137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSkWMZJyZS
wheezing to the ground. “However, you still have a role to play, one of137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfp6CldRYnO
which my grandmother has already told you about, so I cannot let you die here.”
She snapped137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡad7WQPq1kO
her fingers and a searing pain erupted from his side. He thrashed and screamed137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdpGgXEowl
as the flame coursed through him. His body began to twitch and squirm as his137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnY7O261fi
blood began to boil. As quickly as it started, it ended. He lay on the ground137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7NTSh3gmg
breathing heavily as steam rose from him.
“Remember Vander,137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7w796oXzg
you are promised to me and no other. Go. Fulfill your role, now begone.” She137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu2xwyVf3P
waved her hand. His body flew backwards, out of the woods, then slammed back137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pM85Sihyd
into his own body. “I will be waiting.” Her voice echoed in his head. He137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFDgIe53Zx
opened his eyes.
∙
There was a large137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvPUqk55uT
weight pushing down into his chest. His vision was still foggy, likely from137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTIjP0tKBa
both passing out and the poison that had infected him. There was a warm white137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNarEJLrE4h
presence there. He slowly reached out his hand to rub Shea’s head. She bolted137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs1jUCF32k
straight up and began licking his face in earnest. She jumped up and down137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKMpl9qxxJ
happily barely missing Vander’s body with each step.
“I’m so happy137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SQ1hTfN8z
you are awake.” she barked. “I was so worried about you.”
“What’s all that137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VEaMBVeYf
racket?” Vander looked over to see Julianna staring groggily at the bed from137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9FgIIZP0q
his desk chair. A blanket had been dragged out from the closet and placed over137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUTYJu6Alr
here. She stared at him for a moment, bewilderment on her face, before she137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwjMtWODw2
jumped up and ran towards him. He didn’t have time to admire her wearing the137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKSiMop5MK
sheer night gown before she launched herself at him.
“You’re awake,137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS8jGuU1TR
I’m so happy.” He felt tears splash on his face as she sobbed into him. He137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXcaE9H6jl
placed his hand on the top of her head.
“It wasn’t that137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwU03XCoWD
bad of a wound.” He chuckled. “I’m not sure why you’re so worried about me.”
“You idiot.” She137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah1wSuh9AM
growled. “You have been out for about a day. For awhile you got very feverish,137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTS6WdHedf
and your breathing became shallow. I would have brought a doctor in to take137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguisEcjqoZ
care of you, but Shea stopped me.”
“I smelled137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2s29W86Gx
poison in your blood.” Shea said. “If you’ll let me, I’ll rip that boy137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh64u2qGTD
apart for trying to kill you.”
“Leon seemed to137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnogHlCSrAB
have poisoned his weapon sometime before running me through.” Vander explained.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NSFyjzGcH
“If it was anyone else, they likely would have died.” Vander went to get up137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQupJlGkgsd
from the bed, but Julianna pushed him back down.
“You’re still137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjRgFEWa2r
wounded, you should rest and let me get the soldiers to bring Leon in.” Vander137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVFAnq3905
grabbed her hand causing her to flinch. Sighing, he lifted his shirt to show137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKQGuoLs2Q
her that the stitches had disappeared, and the wound had closed. Shocked, she137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6c6EHjmL5
gingerly traced her fingers tips over the fresh scar, but he didn’t wince once137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX30gEMXxv0
from discomfort or pain. “How?” she whispered.
“Part of my137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZhV6Rhczj
curse.” He picked her up quickly causing her to let out a small squeak of137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrPeM7yIrG
surprise. He flipped her around, so she was where he was just lying. They137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOpgBsy1GX
stared at each other for a second before Vander broke eye contact and got up137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOll8M82rU
from the bed.
“Curse?” she137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGvFSojEHK
asked. “What curse?”
“There’s no way137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoQuBQwNYP
you haven’t heard the rumors.” Vander chuckled to himself as he walked into the137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9Ik36NHbk
bathroom.
“Of course I137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYcRnO1jCx
heard the rumors.” She said. He heard her feet hit the ground then followed him137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpHZ145ORW
into the bathroom. He let the water run for a while before removing his clothes137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9w6JJE0RWY
and dropping them in a pile. “You have no shame huh?” He looked over his137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTW5OcbX3R
shoulder to see her eyeing him up and down with a mischievous gleam in her137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxtypfNUFh
eyes.
“The rumors, for137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOyhXFVEHT
the most part, are true, Julianna.” He said. “No good would come from getting137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgSZg3T6BL
too involved with me.”
“I’m not looking137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3OBbpPTgs
for anything serious.” She shrugged off her night gown. “I have an inn to run,137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEk0CBrnIa
but I think some thanks is an order and besides,” she looked below his waist.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueEWfRxKzS
“I think you might like to blow off some steam as well.”
“Can’t really137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidA4hRoCUX
argue with that logic.” He shrugged. He stepped aside then held out his hand to137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENF4CKFJDJ
help her into the tub.
She embraced him,137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBLN1wpasi
placing her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her face. He wrapped137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdqScfbMPZ
his arms around her waist and planted his lips onto hers. Their tongues flicked137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MBm3dYTRG
against one another as she opened her mouth inviting him deeper inside. Suddenly137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6vQrtxPt6
the lust he felt while being near Unna surfaced and he allowed himself to give137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoI7RUqYnX
into his base desires. At first Julianna was surprised, but after a moment she137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVowsk9xrf4
met him thrust for thrust. Their bodies mingled together as the haze overtook137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFac7TR9RZ
them, allowing their instincts to take over.
It was morning137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLMvyyqG1w
before Vander woke. Julianna had already gone, the spot on the bed still warm137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R3H9zNceP
from where she had fallen asleep next to him. His body ached and he spotted137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67XgGZcDCq
several new scratches that he would have to do his best to hide lest his137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qidxmablj
grandfather see them. He quickly pulled on his shirt, pants, and boots. Before137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39o3XE9PX1
he left he put on his jacket then grabbed his sword from the closet.
The bar had been137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCGDGGICGi
tidied up since last night’s shit show. The tables were back to where they had137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsVqjGnHNc
been and there were no signs of the fight at all, not even the blood that fell137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4BEo3pfeo
from Leon’s arm or Vander’s side. Julianna was behind the bar cleaning dishes. When137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30xxWfB6cO
she heard him enter the bottom floor, she looked up, gave him a small smile,137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMY3YDMszkH
then went back to her work. He debated about getting something to eat, but he137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyr6IGQ7Ff
was already late to see his grandfather, so he decided to skip a warm meal and137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwLGdDcBUc
settle for something on the way.
The streets of137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4Eb8SbhPt
Eluvia were quiet this early in the morning. The sun hadn’t yet peaked over the137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLDz1S0ksN
horizon, so the streets were still dark, but gradually lightening. The furnace137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYhHSJFyL8
was on at the bakery a couple of streets over, so he knocked on the window and137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxgelrAppG
waved one of the workers over. A sweaty man unlocked the door then poked his137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrhWPt665M
head out.
“Sorry, we aren’t137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVXeiAKAjP
open yet.” He wiped his forehead.
“I just need a137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKNbuJjeh6
small roll,” Vander reached into his pocket to remove a silver coin. “Would you137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN24peKxer
mind?” The man looked from the coin to Vander then back to the coin.
“Sure, we can137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8WmHF9xUV
spare a roll for you.” He ducked back inside, making sure to lock the door just137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qSKBMhJ3Z
in case Vander tried anything funny. He came a moment later with a hot roll137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uOhQW5wBe
wrapped up in paper. “Here you go.” He held out the roll and the two of them137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5G1lzy73a
made the trade. It was hot to the touch, it must have just come from the oven,137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS6EzWZINh
but Vander didn’t mind. He happily handed over the coin and went on his way.
The guards let137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxIkVuyOBZ
him pass without issues, though some of them gave him a pitying look which was137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBC9fTJoxi
a little confusing, but he paid no mind. Bernard was waiting for him at the137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbB2STEFwm
bottom of the steps leading into the castle with his head bowed.
“Good to see you137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnpD28kZXj
Vander.” Bernard said.
“It hasn’t been137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuI3yoYlOKw
long since I was here.” Vander said. “Why are you being so polite?” Bernard137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0wwTQeqlr
straightened up making sure to fix his tie which had become crooked.
“When you didn’t137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHVr0BuKic
show up yesterday we feared the worst.” Bernard explained. “Leon explained that137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhvys4zPnu
you had attacked him and were wounded when he defended himself. Your137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbJjXeEhjj
grandfather was besides himself and Leon’s father wanted to hunt you down and137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZXASMKEjH
make you pay, but Peyton managed to calm him down.”
“Of course, that137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIuDxt4iVt
little bastard would lie about something like that.” Vander clenched his hands.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgMkC0YmR7
“Where is my grandfather? Can I see him?”
“He’s up in his137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhYlhAP7Qn
office.” Bernard said. “I’m here to bring you to him, but I should warn you.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTttKD1EohB
Leon and his father are up there right now as well. Apparently they heard word137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysvUieNClF
you were coming and decided to wait. I am to take your sword please.” He held137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡll6Dn112mU
out his hand.
“Am I in trouble?” Vander unbuckled his sword and137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi8yrFCX1d
handed it over to the King’s servant.
“Possibly, it137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSza0lBuUFy
really just depends how convincing you are.” Bernard slung the sword over his137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0YNih3FFf
shoulder then escorted Vander inside.
Along the hall137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmhoFA6RXH
leading towards his grandfather’s room, there were Blades lined up against one137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQgtZCNEYb
wall and soldiers against the other. The air was tense as the soldiers did137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor2JvBnLQv
their best to goad the Blades into attacking them, but it never worked. They137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4jBUsvjUN
fell silent as the two of them walked past, but several soldiers reached for137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE33sEeujx
their weapons as some form of veiled threat against him. The door to his137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4w6tcw6SY
grandfather’s office was flanked by another Captain, Leyta, an older Blade137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAQn1o5fMT
several classes ahead of Vander. Jefferey Jilena was standing next to her on137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfYTbUS0YF
the other side of the door.
“Captain.” Leyta137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5fC5CLWvn
nodded. “He’s waiting for you inside.” She opened the door then stepped back.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv3qY1T4tw
Vander’s heart hammered in his chest as he stepped through.
“You’re a dead137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgxpM3vMVc
man Vander.” Leon said smugly. He was sitting in the chair across from Charles137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHpUSz134T
with the arm Shea had bitten in a sling. But Vander ignored him to stare at the137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYADVLC8Dl
man who was standing by the window with his arms crossed behind his back.
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“Before we start137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa43CgFAkSK
your removal from the Blades, perhaps you can enlighten us as to why you had137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hvV6wbdKn
your bitch of a dog injure my son.” Viggo Visc, the third most powerful man in137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkP9mfNyBS
the country, turned around to face Vander. “Depending on your answer, her life137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z8q95mW4H
will be forfeit.”
