Chapter 5
Bree was a very attractive woman.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TWzt4i7pq
She had long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a toned figure from her time as a139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzejUHDdrd6
Blade and now serving as a Captain in the Eluvian military. Instead of her139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1uXXEFVz0
regular soldier attire, she decided to wear tight brown pants, brown booties,139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFw92OdJxad
and a white sleeveless blouse. It looked as though she took a lot of care in139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12D9ne1R1i
her choice of attire as he had to try hard to ignore the feeling welling up in139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y1ZPL9ppD
his chest. They weren’t together anymore.
“Oh Vander, I’ve missed you.” She139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvyaJdlVMK
reached up to touch his face, but he grabbed her hand as he pulled back.
“You don’t get to do that139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfotq3HDCz
anymore.” Vander took a step back into his room. “You made your choice six139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbblrTRhZD
months ago and I’m not one to play second fiddle to someone else.”
“Come on.” She scoffed. “You know139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgxn6TB7ey
I had no choice. My father forced me into this, I couldn’t disobey him.”
“Not even for someone you139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCHHX9FWU0
professed to love?” he snorted. “I’d have left the Blades if you asked, but you139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTbXBpzeHU
dropped me as soon as your father snapped his fingers. You never loved me Bree,139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYXqK9enwx
not really.”
“Vander, that’s not fair.” He139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9sB6Lbiy1
voice was starting to rise. “I spent a lot of time this past six months139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxAiNL3wpc
thinking about us. I will tell my father to end my engagement to Leon, so we139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgDCYXEszd
could be together.” Vander’s heart pounded at the thought, but he wouldn’t allow139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcZ5q3A4fX
himself to be ruled by his emotions.
“I’m sorry, but you made your139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIkDL8alFU
choice and now we both have to live with it.” He walked towards the door and139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0UoHaQRDz
held it open. “It’s time for you to leave.” She sat there in the middle of the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74BVYXREGf
floor her face flushed with rage. She clenched her fist and for a second he139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4IZdUGzM6
thought she was going to swing at him. She thought better of it but made sure139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiB538nQgE
to slam her shoulder into his arm as she left. She didn’t even say goodbye.
“Give me the word and I’ll rip139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6c0T1UI80u
her throat out.” Shea snarled. Vander walked over to rub her head.
“I don’t want to give you139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjs3G8Mva5
indigestion.” He teased.
He had known Bree since their time139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz5ybxjWGN
as recruits roughly eight years ago when they were both sixteen. They had139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoV6J2BFuu
gotten close, along with the other members of their squad, but after an139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeoAmdFtQQ
incident during their first mission cost the lives of their training officer as139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD787VA5OAU
well as two of their comrades, they hadn’t been the same. They had clung to139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5nCY8uauU
each other during the rougher times and grew close. They had been each other’s139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdZW2P7vEh
first, a bond he thought would cement them together for the rest of their139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF00DuM30T2
lives. But six months ago, that had fallen to pieces. He had done a lot of soul139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFg3dEJ8hs1
searching while he was in isolation with his new recruits and decided that he139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS6KHUVhvP
would keep things professional between them, nothing more, nothing less. She139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoimn9b09T
had ended things with him for her father’s favorite and got engaged to Leon139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDDexNRXph
instead. That was something he wouldn’t readily forgive or forget.
He rubbed Shea’s head then139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aZVhp64hE
promised to bring her back some beef from the kitchen when he returned later.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqPdJR7Y1n
He didn’t want to be late for his recruits first night out since joining. He139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsCk9OMzI2
left his sword behind because he doubted he would need it, then left the room.
If there was a lot of people139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxlHna1WaJ
before, there was even more now. People were crammed against the walls and the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXj2duk6eq
servers were having issues making their way through everyone. A larger square139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpkZm8iYB7
was opened up between the booths and musicians for more people to dance the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENS7q1XWFi
night away. Upon stepping into the floor, he saw Alexander’s head poking up139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7u9R7GFjG
above the crowd. It was one of the perks of being friends with a giant. His139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHovICLvRS
voice thundered out to order some food and drinks for his table sending a139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxIxg3JQBY
couple of the servers scrambling to fulfill his wishes. Vander snaked his way139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVZA89vLiG
through the crowd dodging flying elbows and kicking feet to get to the table. Alex139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVzB9efaJ9
was still wearing the clothing he had on earlier, but he left his uniform top139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrB5vnuuZX
at home and instead opted to wear a black leather jacket.
“About time you got here.” Alex139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP9TxCgGV7
grumbled. This man did not like large crowds, but he came out to spend time139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8pMEGffXt
with his friend. A sacrifice that wouldn’t go unrewarded tonight. “Would me139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHYsqW3H0k
seeing Bree storming out of here have anything to do with it?”
“Some.” He motioned for the bigger139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauhO67PjbY
man to slide over so he could sit down. “She told me she would end the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsshD8IsBiq
engagement with Leon to have me back, but I told her that I wouldn’t get back139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vy3HRZSAZ
with her. She made her choice six months ago and I won’t be played for a fool139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2atmjSJMT3
again.”
“You turned that down?” Forest139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ywdlj2QCA
gasped. “I would have thrown myself at her if she asked me to be with her.”
“You’d throw yourself at a bear if139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPZ7EWshQ9
you think you’d get lucky.” Briar snorted. Forest shoved her then she shoved139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnl5E4wvek2
him back. It would have devolved into a fight if Rooster hadn’t pulled them139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEC0iQqoPXj
apart.
“We’re here to have fun.” He139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkX8eZvTCG
snapped. “Not get thrown out of here before we even had a drink.”
Each of them had dressed in their139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeKjSCJCZ0
best clothes for tonight. Most of their clothing was now a little too small139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmblFqaRnHH
since they had each packed on a ton of muscle since they left the city. He139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NMNHGH8GX
guessed that he would have to make a request to his grandfather to give them139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QtZ186Xjq
some money for new clothing. The only one that seemed to have gotten clothing139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThgw6Gq1f4
that still fit was Eve. Unlike the others who wore pants and a shirt, she had139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHsJo400VA
decided to wear a long white dress and shoes. Even Chicken had decided to dress139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ6Z5pz0q4
for the occasion and leave her oversized clothing at home. She wore a brown139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXknYr7YnI
buttoned shirt and a pair of tan pants. He wondered if Eve had lent the outfit139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvLayJn4Vg
to her.
“Each of look very nice.” Vander139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozmzkL0uLk
nodded his approval. “Remember, tonight feel free to eat and drink as you139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuyTRYMbCd
please, but there will still be training tomorrow as usual, and I will not go139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnuZA82Eb3
easy on you just because you are hung over.”
“Come on Forest, let’s go dance.”139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53yKHOML6h
Briar pulled on his arm, removing him from the booth. He protested fully but139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdGTLK3u5r
allowed himself to be led away by her. She grabbed his arm, placed the other139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRouYD7CagS
one around her waist and started leading him around the dance floor making sure139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM72sDxXoJp
not to bump into anyone along the way. Within moments the two of them were lost139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvooFbtHzv
from sight.
“Will you dance with me Vander?”139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEwGU9mwcT
Eve looked down at her lap. It took him a moment to register that she had been139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIhKLu1ubF
the one to ask him and not Chicken.
“He has two left feet.” Alex139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts65f1mvqO
slapped him on the back. “I’m you’ll find someone to dance with you out on the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIINFLiKvFj
floor. Look,” they turned to where he was pointing and saw two young men139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IU2rc3gZf
smiling at her from the other side of the Inn.
“But I want to dance with-“
“I’m sorry, Eve.” Vander forced a139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AtC9Jxzjz
smile. “I’m a bit worn out from our travels today, so I think I’ll sit tonight139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3oL5qpUXJ
out. Shall I call you over once our food is here?” Nodding angrily, she walked139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSskrazSWl
from the booth, grabbed both young men by their arms and pulled them onto the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVbaBrcbNN
dance floor.
“What about the two of you?” Alex139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFNcWgodAH
asked Rooster and Chicken.
“I think I’m just going to read.”139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkYd6qPgxF
Chicken removed a thick leather-bound book from her bag from under the table.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEcBUjBEJi
The title was called: The Life of Boris Britebyrd, The First Blade. He139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezP16OroHd
didn’t know that she was into history, seemed as though the two of them had139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBTw9J6nOe
quite a bit in common.
“I’m okay just sitting here.” He139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHo6baszm5
looked wistfully out towards the dance floor. Tracing his gaze Vander saw that139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEdf5KPoO5
he was watching Eve dance with the two men. It looked as though she was139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOPrN9O7Bq
enjoying herself, but that might also have been for his benefit.
“Why don’t you ask her to dance?”139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00zrmX1Q5M
Vander asked.
“Because I see the way she looks139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJSeSZUBGm
at you.” Rooster grumbled. “And I can’t ever hope to compete.”
“It’s just a crush.” Vander139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmImKOB5DwP
reached over to place his hand on Rooster’s shoulder. “She will get over it.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFeemNxcAo
Besides, no one could say no to you. You’re a wonderful kid and you won’t know139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC3xRp4m8U
unless you try.”
“Alright, but later.” He sighed.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51PmXpNzJW
He became quiet up then proceeded to stare out the window until the food139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NcWTdIOMx
arrived. The server placed down a basket full of bread, a bowl of hearty stew139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjEhKqU4yE
for each of them along with a tankard of beer and many glasses. Vander asked139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxqjU47P8t
her to bring him some Dwarven Whiskey as well. She came back a couple of139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbJ3cYgm1c
minutes later with several shot glasses and the bottle.
Rooster and Chicken wasted no time139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWYruZtiDC
and started digging into their food. They never let food grow cold or go to139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfwa8Z4KRi
waste. A pair of bottomless pits which stemmed from their time homeless and139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE1Fx5pDFF
never getting enough to eat. Forest and Briar came after a few minutes. Briar139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2V2Lm4C1I
was grinning ear to ear while Forest slumped into the booth breathing heavily139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvBblSwg1v
and sweating profusely from his brow. Briar helped prop him up before starting139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpraKzC54en
to eat. Eve was the last one to make it back to the table. She was out of139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoMa0P1g1b
breath, her face flushed with exhaustion. She sat down next to Chicken not139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJDCmxEPAR
looking up at Vander as she started to eat.
As the music thrummed into his139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkdxCVxunK
head, he started feeling ill. Loud noises and people sitting so close to him139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtygGBWrK4Z
wasn’t something he enjoyed. His senses were being assaulted and he needed some139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtqpoOZnIn
air, but first he wanted to make sure the recruits were taken care of.
“Congratulations on making it139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn5G4EZBM9
through your first six months of training.” Vander said. “Alex and I couldn’t139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRcIpN70pW
be prouder of all the progress you made since we started and while things might139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9Zd8JDX4T
not get easier from here on out, I know you all make fantastic Blades. So, eat,139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHgLz55pQQ
drink, and party to your hearts content.” Four of the five of them cheered.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixniLvx0Z8
Vander poured them each a shot and they all tossed it back at once. “Will you139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLQAChp5j1
make sure they get home alright?”
“Of course,” Alex looked139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGrbrWsEM8
concerned. “Is everything alright with you?”
“Too much noise for me to handle.”139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PEgdxFX9c
Vander explained. “I just need to step outside for a few minutes okay?”
“Alright, just take it easy.” Alex139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIYmSM7O10
said with a slight frown. Vander excused himself from the table. He went139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuM2oIsPBo
through the kitchen then out the back door into the cool night beyond.
Nighttime in the city was139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ362Zs8dRuB
different from the forest. Out there the sky was clear you could count the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6NKwgSRgs
stars or try too at least. Humjir’s light shone everywhere even in the darkest139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6pqtqEKv1
corner. The animals made sounds of course as the night hunters prowled the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6MaId82fc
ground and sky, but there was a rhythm to it. There were times he and Shea139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJabHEeEGj
would stay out under a large tree listening to the animals as they relaxed from139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj2Tk5IXNE
the day’s activities. Often enough Alex would come out to wake them out because139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTSyHy3nBZ
they had fallen asleep in the grass. Here, there was nothing soothing about it.
Humjir couldn’t be seen from the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcPmjiGKNW
city aside from the highest tower in the King’s estate. You could only see a139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0YpJBEhOW
couple of stars, but even then their lights were muted. Then came the sounds139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZOfi3q4Rm
from humans, not animals, that showed how rotten the city truly was. The sick139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt9kQM8LX5
could be heard coughing all night long as the homeless shuffled along looking139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUfYU2hByo
for a place to stay, any place that would take them. The hungry wails of139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0clLzJgPN
children often fell on deaf ears because everyone else was too busy partying139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3b3Rdg8eEO
the night away. He couldn’t help but wonder how many people inside the inn139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRBdzluwTw
right now children at home starving had while they were drinking the night139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93YP3z6fVD
away. Both he and Shea were of one mind that they would be happier living in the woods away from all these people, but139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0vu5L4yEh
duty called and neither of them wanted to turn their backs on their friends.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygUk4KbaxB
Perhaps, one day, they would be able to retire somewhere far from here.
He was so lost in thought that he139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDG3heiIfM
failed to notice the door opening behind him. “You should really be more139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QL4NNQ9yw
careful out here.” Julianna said. He wasn’t one to startle easily, but he leapt139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNCmzzN1z7
from his boots once she spoke.
“Don’t scare me like that.” He139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGi5Ej6EnJS
growled. She wrapped her arm through his and pulled him to his side.
“Don’t be a pansy.” She giggled.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAEVPArkzV
He could smell the slight tang of booze on her breath. Her face was flushed139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0b3fzjf6wE
bright red, and she was breathing heavily. The strap of her dress hung loosely139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp4f9bLpGc
on her shoulder, so he reached over to pull it back up for her.
“You needed a drink to come out139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nC1VyTsR9
here and greet me?” he teased. “I thought you were braver than that.”
“Oh please.” She rolled her eyes.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuiebwTz4S
“This wasn’t for you. Some of my patrons like me enough to buy me something to139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6uvxRO1Fh
drink and dance with me. I just came out here for a breather.” The two of them139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1Hj46sutg
stood there in silence leaning up against the side of the building. Julianna139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Gz07xgoPL
placed her head on his shoulder, but she remained stony faced and still.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybzUJy1vtQ
“Vander.” She said after a few minutes.
“Yes?” he asked.
“Did you get the closure you139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVSmVBEZ3T
needed with Bree tonight?” He looked down at her. There was a wistful look on139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKI9P4OOTq
her face as she looked straight ahead.
“Heh.” He laughed. “I was139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw57Y3lAceQ
wondering how she made it past you. You let her in didn’t you?”
“Guilty.” She spoke softly. “If139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ytYhLYvoI
you were going to take her back, I was going to throw you out of the Inn. Once139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgX8tbxJ9kB
she stormed off pissed as hell, I knew you made the right choice.”
“You’re always looking out for me,139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2628WwZbnM
thank you.” he bumped her shoulder lightly with his. She smiled up at him with139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOZFKo6AdU
a slight blush on her face. The two of them sat out there for a little bit139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50fAHchiNl
without speaking. The quiet night air helped him soothe any aches he may have139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuv3kYSRpu
had plus her company was a welcome boon. He knew that she didn’t harbor any139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AZVzB428M
feelings for him, neither him for her, but their friendship would stretch for139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXULxtrebe
years to come, he could feel.
A sudden shout along with the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWU4b5kqgT
breaking of glass broke the serene quiet air. Julianna turned too him with a139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhq6XS9Cnx
concerned look. “What the hell was that?” she asked.
“I don’t know.” He frowned. “But139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ymy2oqYzs
stay here, let me go look.”
“It’s my Inn.” She snorted. “I139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMMOqM63ae
won’t be waiting outside like some helpless damsel. Let’s go.” Shaking his head139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5zOPLzKmy
as she rushed past him, he hurried behind.
As soon as she walked through the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIutMoSyQfR
door, he pushed her head down as a glass mug hit the wall next to them139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMmvmsW0Zp
shattering upon impact. Shards of glass rained down over them, but they slid139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxwcyamA75
right off his sleeve. Thankfully there was no liquid inside.
“Bring that white-haired bastard139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBr22A9hDw
out here this instant.” Someone shouted. Vander recognized the voice as Leon’s,139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFlzD8BVED
so he must have been talking about him.
“Fucking Bree.” Vander pushed past139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uPU1S8HNS
Julianna through the kitchen and into the main Inn. Right in front of the door,139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs92JWfMJx3
flanking both sides keeping anyone from either entering or leaving were four139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9RjYnjMdQ
Blades, in uniform, with their hands on the hilts of their swords. Standing in139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2NzNX6H62
front of them was Leon with his sword out pointing to the ground. Vander met139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SrACzZL0q
Alex’s eye. He was standing in front of the table blocking the recruits from139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUy6ODKmhB
being spotted by the pissed off Captain. Their eyes met. Alex shook his head139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkFkNdIT5m
and motioned for Vander to leave out the back, but he was going to leave these139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKyEdOKzt5
people here to take Leon’s wrath. As a captain he had a duty to uphold the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnZDzFddta
standard of the Blades, so he pushed his way through the crowd to stand in139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFkBZx3on5
front of Leon.
“What are you doing?” His voice139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAejgzwJujL
boomed. He made no attempt to hide the annoyance in his voice. “Is this how a139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbMiu5KlBR
captain of the Blades is supposed to act? Drawing your weapon in a business and139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKEmpkmFkw
trying to intimidate everyone here? What’s the matter with you?”
“There you are you bastard!” Leon139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQ72iHiPH4
raised his sword pointing it at his chest. “Why was Bree here? What did the two139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLehUbZDmz
of you do?”
“Is that what this is about?”139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnX630F3MOO
Vander scoffed. “Nothing happened, I sent her home, end of discussion. Now it’s139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPo0uJexRU
your turn to get going before I report this to the Commander.”
“And you expect me to believe139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrQNxdj1Eu
that?” Leon laughed. “You were gone for six months and the day you come back139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uNrnQC4ss
she comes to visit you? You’re full of shit.”
“It’s true.” Julianna pushed her139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhZG6RA4UT
way through to stand by Vander. “I let her in, and she left five minutes later139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c4Zkjpopx
crying. I suggest you take it up with her and get out of my inn.”
“Now you have your new bitch139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fj2jUfZw2
covering for you?” Leon snapped. “Take this punk outside, we will settle this139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxF8kCoWEo
like men.” The four Blades guarding the door moved forward towards the crowd.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6HqAQZuOK
Alex pushed past to stand by Vander causing the four of them to pause mid-step.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgwdugsIrA
“Alex, stay out of this, this doesn’t concern you.”
“It concerns us all when you use139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8x8iBJXwaR
your power for your own ends.” Alex snapped back. “You came to a private139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckNx8YEejx
establishment, threatened citizens, and are threatening a comrade, one that,139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhjW9zveiU
until recently, outranked you. This is an abuse of power especially settling a139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00Kg5cqPyY
private affair.”
“You think that matters to me?”139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOYg3YoAGW
Leon asked. “When my honor is on the line? Do what I ask or I swear I will use139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNdCf7djx1
everything in my power to crush you.” Vander stepped out until they were face139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4VKz40mg3
to face.
“Is that a threat Leon?” Leon139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6Et8Z86wm
responded by pushing Vander backwards then bringing his sword up underneath his139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmrPdqXyY6
chin.
“No this is a- ahhhhhh!” Shea139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS9CbZdYCX
leapt out from nowhere and bit down on Leon’s sword arm. Vander could hear the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7uwyuMQ5O
bones crunching in his arm as she screamed out in pain. He dropped his sword139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRoZueYHOa
then tried to wrench her mouth off his arm. Blood sprayed as everyone started139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv9GgwdwYC
screaming. Vander saw Leon’s goons rushing towards her, so he rushed forward blocking139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBbE5JfgHF
their path.
“Shea, release him.”
“But-“ her voice echoed139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiqxDGm6D8
back.
“NOW!” She released him, but139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMdbVLLD1a
jumped out of reach and bared her teeth. With blood dripping down his arm, he139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYANVqeCEW
slowly got to his feet. His face was red with rage.
“Your mutt will pay for that.” He139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeJ0s1FOf6
whispered. “You will all pay for standing in my way.” He grabbed his sword,139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEpeESrqMX
spun around, and thrust at Vander. Because he was facing away from Leon, Vander139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUomvci4Lz
couldn’t anticipate the move. However, in his rage, he missed anything vital,139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAvbZs5b1L
but he still carved a deep gash into Vander’s side. He fell to the ground139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMekEs1oPKG
holding the wound as blood seeped through his fingers.
“Damn it.” Vander groaned. “What139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoY6q0i8fum
the hell is the matter with you?”
“You’ve looked down on me for too139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOD3ZkbIUg
long.” Leon spat. “Now it’s time you tasted defeat.” Leon lifted his sword139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTyteStUi5
again, but Alex got there first. His fist collided with Leon’s face sending him139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EyuGw6rqv
sprawling onto the ground.
“You crossed a line and not even139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcehpbC1A77
your father will get you out of it.” He snapped. “You four, get him out of here139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p5Zjfc61l
before you find yourselves thrown onto the streets and not even Viggo Visc’s139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dNQvNTynM
influence will keep you safe.”
“This isn’t over.” Leon growled as139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncdmxKX7Uy
his four lackies picked him up off the ground and dragged him out. “You better139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iwV4roV0N
find yourself a new job, Alex. I’m coming for your ass.” Vander heard rushed139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWWQ87wR2Y
footsteps coming towards him. Julianna placed a towel over his hand to help139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNmqnUEKLL
staunch the bleeding.
“Let me see.” She whispered. He139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4YttoLmPw
winced with pain as he carefully moved his hand. “It’s deep but didn’t hit139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmXLzWhGVQ
anything vital. We are going to have to stitch you up.”
“Fine.” Vander allowed himself to139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2LTVxT7wS
be lifted to his feet. “Alex, will you make sure the kids get back safely?”
“We should get you to a doctor.”139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMux7DSGfu
Alex said, but Vander shook his head.
“I’ll be fine.” He gasped. “Pay139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQXw2NFjs1
for everyone’s meal as an apology for Leon’s outburst. There should be enough139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vXJOq9XL3
money to cover it in my room. We will also pay for the damages here.”
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“I understand.” He said. Alex139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SRT5P7b7m
began to shout, but Vander’s eyes started to close. The blood loss was more139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqLwl0EqRW
than he thought as he had difficulty staying awake. The last thing he saw was139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAglO9jCkN0
Shea leading the way upstairs towards the room.
然後按「加至主畫面」