Chapter 8
Bernard grumbled in the corner as117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYA6URBCWK
he cleaned the vomit from off his shoe. Another servant had been summoned to117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelLpVCrVJg
clean up the mess while Vander was given some water to drink. The rancid smell117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGbMtRJqV3
from the King’s chest hadn’t left his nose and it was making him woozy.
“What happened in here?” Peyton117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNeVyMnT7Y
asked. Topal spent some time explaining everything that the two of them had117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ahnFzZ3tE
discovered while Vander hugged the bucket.
“So, there were two things put117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9P4OKFaCO
together that caused this mess.” Bernard sighed. “Is there anyway to cure him?”
“Doctor.” Vander closed his mouth117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILumioliNR
to keep the bile from coming out. “I need you to start making the remedy for117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ903ZsJ8QSy
him, please.” He wheezed. “I don’t think I can take much more of the smell.” He117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt198J90SKD
pulled a trash bucket closer to him just in case he needed it.
“I’ve never dealt with his kind of117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuwdH0Ala6
poison before.” Topal shook his head. “I have no idea how to fix it. You117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvfZT02RxO
figured it out, do you have any notion?” Vander closed his eyes allowing the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V3a9POSc3
smell to envelope him. Despite being the Deity of Beasts, Unna’s gifts came117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnlfIboNJQ
with another perk. It allowed him to work wonders with poisons and their cures,117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMspsdJdYjG
a leftover from how close she is with her aunt, Lyshena.
“We need something to strengthen117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC0johh5ZO
and clear his lungs.” Vander’s voice sounded far away. “Take some wild117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk51XjSV8G
cherries, horehound, and mullein, then boil a pot of boiling sea water. All the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTArLTg4iP
King to inhale the vapors until he coughs out all the black goo covering his117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwadpZTV9BW
lungs. To wake him up, you will need to soak him in a tub filled with more salt117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83I1csZ0rH
water and lavender extract. He should recover.” Vander slumped forward then117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnQmpZ7WPn
jerked to the left filling the bucket with more vomit.
“Are you sure?” Bernard asked.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ3LWaCjtn
“That seems like a very simple remedy for something like this.”
“It’s not simple at all.” Topal117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNiZuH2XBf
shook his head. “I never would have thought to sting these together to cure a117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eusrGZBz7
poison. I would have looked for a cure all and likely would have flailed around117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCupqsAO9R
while he died under my care.”
“Are you blessed by Lyshena?”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPq3tMH0sE
Bernard asked. He checked over his shoe before grunting in appreciation. He117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAOyt3s87E
might have been a stick in the mud, but he knew how to clean up. “That’s the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvxOPLAAeK
only way this would make sense.”
“You can’t tell anyone about117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rdVkFU5Ly
this.” Vander said. He shared a knowing glance with Topal. “He doesn’t want117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrkYcYojx9
special treatment because of who he is blessed by, I hope you will keep the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J7k73kWz5
secret.”
“If it helps me save Malcolm’s117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ152UehLpIU
life, I will keep this secret to the grave.” Topal smiled. “And if Bernard117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqi9SrSycz
doesn’t, I know how to get rid of a body.” Bernard choked on his saliva,117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcPO8SyJHk
coughing until his face turned bright red.
“That’s uncalled for.” He laughed.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4ykQHSewg
“I can keep a secret; you don’t have to worry about me.” There was quick knock117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujsul2tPlR
before Charles opened the door to slip back inside.
“What did you find out?” Vander117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzyoC4u3YD
got up from the table to stand by his grandfather.
“No one has seen the taste tester117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI8ygDR7xV
since the night the King fell ill.” Charles explained. “We should go down to117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA6GnXeyJS
the servants’ quarters and check up on him.”
“I forgot,” Bernard snapped his117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJfWwNGlHT
fingers. “There was a third person with me to visit Malcolm, a new servant.”
“Why didn’t you mention this117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFEyJe22Aa
before?” Peyton turned to the man anger rising in his voice.
“I didn’t think he was important.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6xcsxpnXK
Bernard shot back. “I just remembered I left the tea in his hands while I117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaOfPefB0j
opened the door. I didn’t think there was enough time for him to slip something117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfudICSUlH
into it, but, thinking back on it, he had it long enough to slip something into117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0wvZZIVXy
it. How much was needed to poison the King?”
“A small amount, any amount.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCwe9pXfoB
Vander said. “As long as it was ingested at the same time as the ocecrest, it117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbYpxzHjd0
would have done the trick.”
“Do you know who it was?” Charles117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd8hX6Bp2Q
asked. “The name of the servant?”
“The king likes to meet any new117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKG8KvqdT9
worker to get their story as well as their struggle.” Bernard folded his arms117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCrOWSXGfg
over his chest. “I believe his name was Nigel. He should be living in the same area117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWEwOCt72P
as the tester who is named Ulysses. I will help Topal get the items needed to117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFGw3zN5F0
cure the King, you find the people that could be responsible for this.”
“Let’s go, Vander.” Charles went117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vMCiUiNPo
to help Vander up, but he clutched the bucket and emptied the rest of his117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r6YedOAfT
stomach contents inside.
“Get him out of here.” Bernard117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ubzfE9VaN
looked quite green himself, so Charles pulled Vander outside, making sure to117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeotaz26c9
leave the bucket in the room.
Vander was grateful for the fresh117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGEtk8aMDr
air that being in the hallway brought. He leaned up against the wall breathing117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCLdplZ1Gu
its cool crisp air. Charles looked at him sadly. “I never knew how much this117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBatnZx0Ku0
curse affected you. Seeing you like this just-“
“Don’t worry about it, Gramps.” He117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnE1J3JL2m
pushed off from the wall then clasped his grandfather’s shoulder. “It has more117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamiJBjT71b
perks than drawbacks. Let’s get going.”
As he walked, the feeling of117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4mKxyIKfv
becoming himself gradually returned. Chanelling the abilities of Unna, no117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgYRvBL6rW
matter how small, always took it out of him, but this was the first time he117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNZhMpzSaB
felt quite so rough afterwards. He was going to have to do something that would117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMljqcdZCC
return the blessing she had given him, but she didn’t accept anything other117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvfiGYUIfP
than sex or a blood sacrifice. He didn’t want to bring Julianna back into this,117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWJ4SDQCsb
so the only other option was to visit the pits, something he avoided as much as117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebA1MklLAB
possible, but if he didn’t he could lose more than just his mind by ignoring117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNEuwm9FxY
the deities’ needs. It had happened before when he was younger, and it couldn’t117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv8ZVLtlfw
happen again.
Charles had told117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2rJYzD58w
him what had been going on since the past month or so within the Kingdom. Many117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnefFf4MVG
of the Blades had been dispatched to the Warden’s to bring them here, which was117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc4LO3nPkN
the main reason there were more soldiers guarding the keep recently. The soldiers117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPCiKJRLNH
were on high alert and were making everyone uncomfortable, but they were doing117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB5vyNJxHi
their job, not willing to risk the wrath of the King if anything went wrong.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oQet5FnMs
Merchants came from all over to offer their services to the crown ranging from117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssosbpjYkT
food to decorations and, in some instances, jewelry for the eventual Queen. A117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0wp4g6e5y
lot of those were centered within the Grand Ballroom.
They arrived at117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVX9mDzHLK
the Grand Ballroom where many of the servants were stationed for the next few117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIF2KH3haM
days as they prepared for the prince and his new bride’s arrival. It appears117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcxEktZikp
the kingdom was spared to expense for this extravagant part as everyone of117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBLn3ID03p
importance from all over the Kingdom was visiting, The walls on the left half117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcxqzugQGt
were being draped in brilliant red and gold banners with Atza’s symbol, the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVLvmjOWUS
lioness with a golden crown on her head. The right half was being draped with117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6ng1yC6nb
cool blue and white banners with Humjir’s symbol, and the Elan family crest, a117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzo4zY11G3
white dove with an olive crown on its head. The symbolic nature of the marriage117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnChfYIUL6q
between two rival countries wasn’t lost on anyone and they were taking great117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSWlU7tyEM
care not to offend either deity.
“Where should we117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrXaA44mfO
start?” Charles looked around the room with a troubled expression on his face. There117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCty06DzK6T
were too many people to question as they were looking for two people, albeit117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbkLszHU6b
important, but around here, anyone could disappear if they wished it. Vander117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqsqo1ESFr
spotted the servant who seemed to be in charge, an older gray-haired woman117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqnuN8Y9Aa
holding a clipboard, quill, and bottle of ink. There were two other servants117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVbFHDUJ45
standing next to her ready to carry out her orders.
“We start with117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuhVrBQoxn
her.” Vander nodded towards his grandfather.
“With Beatrice?”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRkNJBdabO
Charles frowned. “She is Bernard’s right hand and his sister. If anyone knew117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqZNlo7olN
where those two are, it would be here. Let’s go talk to her.” The two of them117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTNbcRBZFi
walked over as she started yelling orders:
“Make sure those117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUNs8Xq6CN
banners are crease free,” she snapped. “I won’t have this place looking unkept117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfubXkUaph
for when the prince and princess arrive.” She turned around to see two female117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4naYOTl5h
servants leaning up against the wall whispering to each other. “You two, if you117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxMBDMsAIU
are done for the day you can go home, and I’ll dock your pay!”
“Sorry ma’am.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnMdcUNYF6
They curtsied then went back to folding their napkins.
“As for you two.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX2XwCA7OE
She didn’t even turn around to greet them. “What can I do for the Blades this117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EUynessgt
morning? As you can see I am quite busy so make this quick.”
“We are looking117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREBRDl4RRQ
for two servants and we are wondering if you have seen them around?” She looked117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZ5DoUNvn3
up at Vander from under her wire rimmed glasses.
“I’ve seen many117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5sF9dcVVt
servants, be more specific.” She demanded.
“Nigel and117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZzj8wwgqX
Ulysses.” She clicked her tongue, but then quickly scribbled a note then handed117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV7FI0tvN0
it over to the servant next to her. “Bring this to the baker quickly. I forgot117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvmHnCJlNU
she needed our order.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabecULCnQa
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1ZEUeevRD
“Yes117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbcbeqTPL0
ma’am.” The servant bowed then scurried away.
“I haven’t seen117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQcsk7Yf2a
Ulysses for a couple of weeks, something about being sick.” She explained. “I117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtcM966RWa
sent for the doctor, but there was nothing he could do for him. As for Nigel,117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKf6q2dSzP
he should be in the kitchen helping the cooks. Why?”
“Thank you.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz5f4zjhMW
Vander and Charles ran towards the door that would lead downstairs and towards117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4YSFbtl5o
the kitchen leaving a confused Beatrice standing behind them.
“Blades.” she117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeo989dnGW
muttered. She looked around to see more of her servants standing around, so she117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qAiFnMVXS
walked over towards them.
“Do you think117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCEt3DYFXk
Ulysses is dead?” Charles asked once he knew they were out of ear shot.
“He might not117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tFc9Iw00k
have had enough of the poison to render him comatose, but he could still get117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOZbFELlRQ
deathly ill from it.” Vander explained. “But let’s find Nigel first since he is117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcFl6TBvgb
the one we suspect of the poison.”
“How do you want117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRlQyyPrB5
to handle this?”
“You go in and117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXiTmR9tiL
talk to him.” Vander said. “He should be a little intimidated of you and if117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2crghImItl
cornered, he will likely try to run. I will be there to keep him from escaping.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T6eAmhCvl
There is no telling what he might do, so be on your guard.”
“I know how to117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JCFkt6mnk
handle myself.” Charles scoffed. “You just worry about yourself.”
The two of them117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRaM12PfD2
made their way down towards the kitchens which you had to pass through to get117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SdhqPtVQF
to the servants’ quarters. There were other ways of getting there, but this was117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwloIBxEWG
the most direct way from the King’s quarters. Despite the castle being large,117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsENei407B
based on the sheer number of servants required, it wasn’t feasible to give them117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoCLCeFcUH
their own room. Often there would be two or sometimes three servants per room117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQgFUGc1Wa
segregated based on gender, thought nighttime activities between them wasn’t117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51s3PF231F
uncommon.
As they made117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkw4Z0uJx1
their way into the kitchen, the head chef, known because of her oversized hat,117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAc2LinIRy
was looking down at a piece of parchment with a quill in her hands. The others117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88OonsVccu
were bustling around her trying not to draw attention to themselves as they117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHWvDIAwRj
worked. It looked as though they were preparing for lunch as several of them117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWwlloqGd0
were chopping up raw pieces of meat on the counter while others were collecting117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLot2vQpWJ
vegetables to go into a stew. The two of them walked straight through, not even117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPzKJizm27
bothering to greet the chef as they made their way towards the servant’s area.
As soon as the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7uT0TDDNC
saw the first door, Vander knew they had hit a roadblock. The doors weren’t117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdEFD3naGG
labeled or named. They had no way of knowing which room belonged to Nigel or117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rUBaET2Rj
Ulysses. Charles stood there frowning; how did they not know the quarters were117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4YEHukS1d
like this? It was a major blunder, but perhaps not all was lost. Vander tried117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZIGF4vrIN
each door to see if it was locked. Servants weren’t allowed to lock their doors117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZi6NWQ1P6z
if they were needed, but he figured if one of them needed to hide something,117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv16XIjmUC4
they wouldn’t leave the door open for all to see. It was a huge gamble, but by117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmMDBQf2Wv
the time he got to the last door, it paid off. It was locked and he could smell117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePxhzZ0MHa
something rip coming from inside.
“Watch the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H4itlmaLU
kitchen for me.” Vander whispered to his grandfather. Charles nodded his head117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z937pCqc6
then used his frame to block the view. Testing the door one more time just to117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEA072eu7s
make sure it was locked; Vander shoulder checked the door several times until117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0dQVPSqcK
he heard the latch break. Rubbing his aching shoulder, he kicked the remainder117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbfj5GVKv5
open until it was hanging sideways. That’s when the full weight of rotting117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKO7W3oVBn
human hit him so hard he puked for the fourth time today. Charles heard him and117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8jAELKpZa
came racing over.
“What in the name117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5idNHng26
of Humjir is this?” Lying on one of the beds was a servant, Vander’s guess was117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRD2Ca2inX
Ulysses, who didn’t fare as well ingesting the poison because no one was117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZT92o1QA89
looking for him. His body had swelled up in death and his face was deep purple.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoJQ4LJ2Tc
He was shirtless showing off a physique that wasn’t normal for the serving117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7ZxFxpXK6
class with scars crisscrossing his body. There still appeared to be evidence117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFJbyWQ8Ez
that someone was still living in this room despite the stench due to the empty117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2s93Ik6Gk
plate with food that had molded, and clothing rumpled in the corner. How anyone117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfYzliCjbB
could live like this was beyond him.
“Vander go get117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNeY4wJ82S
someone to seal off this room before you puke over anything else.” Charles117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU8dt3er0g
ordered. Thankfully for being allowed to leave he did as he was asked. Some of117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevbsMShp8O
the servants who were on break were crowding the hallway curious to see what117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fIBbWA1OU
was going on.
“Clear out of the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhB99qLVPDR
way.” Vander shouted. “Someone grab Blades who are walking around and tell them117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw8EOrNEqw
to come here.” When no one moved, he was forced to use his authority. “Now!” He117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnrKHxDEH2
screamed. They scattered to do as they were ordered, but one stayed behind. He117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQwQR85pzg
was a tall man, muscular, with brown hair and green eyes. Upon seeing Vander,117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxW3ZDvKHM
he froze.
“What are you117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIiZ7JxJnK
doing down there?” he asked.
“Are you Nigel?”
“What’s it to117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXa7RZVOjs
you?” he asked.
“As Captain of117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJAwE1uv1P
the Blades I am detaining you as a suspect in the murder of Ulysse’s.” he said.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0RTWFIuAt
“Stay right there.” As a surprise to no one, Nigel bolted back the way he came.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxJBBjHLHl
Cursing to himself, Vander vaulted over the counter to give chase leaving a very117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYpxwS9FG8
irate chef picking up her paper covered in ink.
Nigel was fast.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHAHOWtkYJ
He raced through the halls, ducking into doorways, and changing directions like117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPNyaOIZvP
some intimately familiar with the castle layout. It was one of the times Vander117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡou3MrSRzIt
wished he had brought Shea with him despite the risk, but for now he was on his117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9WEs5TG4m
own. He knew that he was faster, but all of today’s activities were beginning117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrD9iXj3yP
to take its toll on him. He was feeling weak and sluggish, but he didn’t dare117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfeZqWn9MX
let Nigel get away, not when he held such vital clues. But no one knew the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3VXxciDFw
castle better than he did, so once he recognized where Nigel was going, the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4UkUPmVKZ
gardens, Vander took a left up a flight of stairs. It leads to a balcony with117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVt6RSQcLo
open space which would give him the opportunity he needed. Once he saw that he117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jG1iOy5Zc
and Nigel were neck and neck, he willed his body forward, borrowing some energy117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4GmBSsiA2
from Unna, then launched himself off the balcony and down towards Nigel.
The two of them117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgm01YCfAQ
collided and Vander was sent flying into the garden itself landing on a bush.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNpRcXwdAb
If it had been the ground he would have been in trouble, but the worst he’d117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT43O9f9JP
have now was a couple of bruises on his back. He got to his feet then placed117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6HwUbocjo
his hand on the hilt of his sword. Nigel was groaning out in pain, slowly117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa72jVeQh7P
trying to get to his, but the hit he had just taken must have taken all the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5QfASh1eO
fight out of him.
“Alright, I’ll117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7djuEaxh7r
come with you.” he gasped. Vander hauled him to his feet.
“Why did you have117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjREpioOwem
to make this more difficult for yourself?” Vander asked.
“Because they117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xiPexrFtC
will kill me if I talk.” Nigel groaned. Vander shoved him up against the wall.
“Who will?”
“You don’t know117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboRrZRSm0a
them.” Nigel grabbed his arm. “They will kill everyone I love, and they are in117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamsX8MUi5C
places of power you could only dream of.” His eyes widened as he stared at117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uxbkzkCbe
someone standing behind them. “No.” Vander turned around, but something whizzed117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcAKKUambU
right past his face. He felt something wet hit the side of his face. He turned117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotkdMPLT6s
around to see Nigel gurgling blood with two knives embedded in his throat. His117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAAgU1ps1t
eyes grew wide as he mouthed the words: Run. He slumped to the ground dead.
“That wasn’t117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1exsg1Vfg
smart.” Vander turned to face the assassin. They were wearing all black and117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyby0nscUT
their faces were covered. They held two more knives in their hands along with a117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrDtIXVUCs
sword strapped to their backs. “Now you’re going to have to answer the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIzqrNpgog
questions meant for him.” They tilted their heads but gripped the knives117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJaqht1gJB
tightly. He made the first move. He drew117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFQEpO7ynx
his sword as he charged them. The assassin just brought their knives up to117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygLrmS2008
deflect the shot. Their leg shot out hitting Vander in the knuckles causing him117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡly6hZ8cmK4
to yell out in pain then drop his sword.
He didn’t let117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrExYcM8gQ
that stop him. He grabbed their wrist to keep one of the knives away from his117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUk8z25uOYn
body. Using his strength, he squeezed the wrist until they were forced to let117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYOvCFXUGa
the knife go, then he brought his shoulder into their chest and threw them over117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXOXKHKlhz
his back and onto the ground. However, their feet landed squarely protecting117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1faLokYRwi
them from hitting the cobblestone. In his surprise, Vander didn’t react quick117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6g27rqaui
enough when they flipped over him then wrapped their legs around his neck then117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoIbUeOpVD
began raining elbows on top of his head. He brought his arms up to deflect117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP783V8s6r
before deciding to charge into the wall. The assassin didn’t let up even as he117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgfjSN6CZM
jumped off the wall and landed on the ground. He heard the crack of their back117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07QpFem47u
as they landed, and their legs eased up their assault. Vander coughed and117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HDYAb1y3Y
wheezed as he massaged his throat to breathe.
“Enough of this.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPFe4JxfEn
The assassin groaned, but steadily made their way to their feet. They had a117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmqNFCAWiI
soft voice, almost feminine, which confused him. He remembered the voice, but117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhknaOUI4M
he couldn’t tell from where. They drew the sword from their back and held it in117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypBhNUgLNW
Vander’s face. “I was supposed to leave you, but you’ve pissed me off enough.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKDNEADaxi
Die.” They lunged at him, but they left an opening for Vander to roll to the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7YeqYCxWM
side to grab his sword. He brought it up just in time to deflect the strike the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor2nQiLXK7
assassin aimed at him. He punched their ribs causing them to stumble sideways.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGVKnKLT4c
He then swept out their legs causing them to again fall on their back.
Two blurs sped117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIp04Z1QUd
out from their hand, and he was barely quick enough to dodge. He could smell117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xw27MMJAr
the poison emanating from them and he knew those weren’t something he wanted to117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs81jzYGsqn
get hit by. They got to their feet, but he could tell that they had been117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdH10tqcRP
injured.
“Come with me.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCiXGWnYkz
He said. “I can protect you.”
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“I don’t need117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEe0jwvsQRV
your protection, Blade.” They hissed. “Eluvia has taken everything from me and117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCXg9uSqeM
soon, we will take everything from you.” The removed a small capsule from their117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhqBKm1xTG
pocket and smashed it on the ground. Black smoke erupted from inside causing117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRYcr6Qap5
Vander to violently cough and fall to his knees. He tried to run out of the117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wUby4MhTM
smoke, but his legs were leaden. The last thing he saw before passing out was117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI0mFaTjvQ
the assassin jumped into the garden and disappearing from the sight.
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