Chapter 5
Bree was a very attractive woman.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOJQCS5wg2
She had long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a toned figure from her time as a140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTGScmIM3z
Blade and now serving as a Captain in the Eluvian military. Instead of her140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcWqZMlEsE
regular soldier attire, she decided to wear tight brown pants, brown booties,140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40BbA3ibow
and a white sleeveless blouse. It looked as though she took a lot of care in140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3a1Bl3b3V
her choice of attire as he had to try hard to ignore the feeling welling up in140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBz557R28zV
his chest. They weren’t together anymore.
“Oh Vander, I’ve missed you.” She140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnosZAaUo3
reached up to touch his face, but he grabbed her hand as he pulled back.
“You don’t get to do that140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIXC79xuoU
anymore.” Vander took a step back into his room. “You made your choice six140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5bhwOCuzx
months ago and I’m not one to play second fiddle to someone else.”
“Come on.” She scoffed. “You know140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTDW6xVzUa
I had no choice. My father forced me into this, I couldn’t disobey him.”
“Not even for someone you140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYzr8AnEsZ
professed to love?” he snorted. “I’d have left the Blades if you asked, but you140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJnTk1LeIy
dropped me as soon as your father snapped his fingers. You never loved me Bree,140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCDdyvCRwR
not really.”
“Vander, that’s not fair.” He140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMzLC76oc3
voice was starting to rise. “I spent a lot of time this past six months140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEE2pXyXJIM
thinking about us. I will tell my father to end my engagement to Leon, so we140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIzNAYGkoo
could be together.” Vander’s heart pounded at the thought, but he wouldn’t allow140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQm9APVqg1
himself to be ruled by his emotions.
“I’m sorry, but you made your140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjgFqoyfIV
choice and now we both have to live with it.” He walked towards the door and140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk87NiuMyBX
held it open. “It’s time for you to leave.” She sat there in the middle of the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuuYAMtyFX
floor her face flushed with rage. She clenched her fist and for a second he140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy3AuSeswE
thought she was going to swing at him. She thought better of it but made sure140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4sFhmP6Zn
to slam her shoulder into his arm as she left. She didn’t even say goodbye.
“Give me the word and I’ll rip140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWBfruDsr4
her throat out.” Shea snarled. Vander walked over to rub her head.
“I don’t want to give you140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoIocovaVa
indigestion.” He teased.
He had known Bree since their time140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGmSbVqrz3
as recruits roughly eight years ago when they were both sixteen. They had140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3NLFgu1Ko
gotten close, along with the other members of their squad, but after an140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvP1Gax9Gu
incident during their first mission cost the lives of their training officer as140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s3Plm8nAB
well as two of their comrades, they hadn’t been the same. They had clung to140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5lkxzCWMk
each other during the rougher times and grew close. They had been each other’s140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡND2gpnk1yl
first, a bond he thought would cement them together for the rest of their140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN82FtARvc
lives. But six months ago, that had fallen to pieces. He had done a lot of soul140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXBLVTNMZn
searching while he was in isolation with his new recruits and decided that he140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9no1mEavC
would keep things professional between them, nothing more, nothing less. She140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7Dv08Z5DS
had ended things with him for her father’s favorite and got engaged to Leon140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O2EGcbS7p
instead. That was something he wouldn’t readily forgive or forget.
He rubbed Shea’s head then140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXAuiQdTfi
promised to bring her back some beef from the kitchen when he returned later.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1vRqusDjn
He didn’t want to be late for his recruits first night out since joining. He140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1o4PFpzCu
left his sword behind because he doubted he would need it, then left the room.
If there was a lot of people140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFJLIxWpar
before, there was even more now. People were crammed against the walls and the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0JzR9GHzd
servers were having issues making their way through everyone. A larger square140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76oSjJLox3
was opened up between the booths and musicians for more people to dance the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0ZOJ7JLdJ
night away. Upon stepping into the floor, he saw Alexander’s head poking up140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEXtobHH4k
above the crowd. It was one of the perks of being friends with a giant. His140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyG95h6SWn
voice thundered out to order some food and drinks for his table sending a140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ0qKm2vYS
couple of the servers scrambling to fulfill his wishes. Vander snaked his way140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrcfPNqcdC
through the crowd dodging flying elbows and kicking feet to get to the table. Alex140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnpxrggNPX
was still wearing the clothing he had on earlier, but he left his uniform top140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAujZ7WtjA
at home and instead opted to wear a black leather jacket.
“About time you got here.” Alex140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN6YW7AmFC
grumbled. This man did not like large crowds, but he came out to spend time140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFnMn14qzX
with his friend. A sacrifice that wouldn’t go unrewarded tonight. “Would me140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iWFuFNJoL
seeing Bree storming out of here have anything to do with it?”
“Some.” He motioned for the bigger140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFF7CbfBUz
man to slide over so he could sit down. “She told me she would end the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mb59yz68I
engagement with Leon to have me back, but I told her that I wouldn’t get back140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N0eJBVreN
with her. She made her choice six months ago and I won’t be played for a fool140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3Jycq52IZ
again.”
“You turned that down?” Forest140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLj5VWDh4N
gasped. “I would have thrown myself at her if she asked me to be with her.”
“You’d throw yourself at a bear if140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehsGf9XOyn
you think you’d get lucky.” Briar snorted. Forest shoved her then she shoved140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQNihQEyM1
him back. It would have devolved into a fight if Rooster hadn’t pulled them140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdy4hejQNt
apart.
“We’re here to have fun.” He140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xw9d4iVzZ
snapped. “Not get thrown out of here before we even had a drink.”
Each of them had dressed in their140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SlMMbtWoe
best clothes for tonight. Most of their clothing was now a little too small140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlLL5rnmoz
since they had each packed on a ton of muscle since they left the city. He140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp5lTt5Dmd
guessed that he would have to make a request to his grandfather to give them140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJiZrMBp9U
some money for new clothing. The only one that seemed to have gotten clothing140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUpoyDHdIS
that still fit was Eve. Unlike the others who wore pants and a shirt, she had140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcywbrp7wlC
decided to wear a long white dress and shoes. Even Chicken had decided to dress140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDtab4Gu6z
for the occasion and leave her oversized clothing at home. She wore a brown140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tHrSlyMsS
buttoned shirt and a pair of tan pants. He wondered if Eve had lent the outfit140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkzRI685sW
to her.
“Each of look very nice.” Vander140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDAmSObkCd
nodded his approval. “Remember, tonight feel free to eat and drink as you140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzijcMCV0m5
please, but there will still be training tomorrow as usual, and I will not go140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhrsYrB4fH
easy on you just because you are hung over.”
“Come on Forest, let’s go dance.”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cJgMuSqzl
Briar pulled on his arm, removing him from the booth. He protested fully but140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ4jHROVo0
allowed himself to be led away by her. She grabbed his arm, placed the other140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ftsIX0y1u
one around her waist and started leading him around the dance floor making sure140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiQqHyzaPU
not to bump into anyone along the way. Within moments the two of them were lost140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH0ICAVGe5
from sight.
“Will you dance with me Vander?”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOhCjZ48k1
Eve looked down at her lap. It took him a moment to register that she had been140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlgXkcfWLg
the one to ask him and not Chicken.
“He has two left feet.” Alex140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgtyFBUPd8
slapped him on the back. “I’m you’ll find someone to dance with you out on the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooV2S5LThr
floor. Look,” they turned to where he was pointing and saw two young men140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaA7ZgjA2B
smiling at her from the other side of the Inn.
“But I want to dance with-“
“I’m sorry, Eve.” Vander forced a140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcIAEIJyIJ
smile. “I’m a bit worn out from our travels today, so I think I’ll sit tonight140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zogGxwCW4
out. Shall I call you over once our food is here?” Nodding angrily, she walked140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4EIwHXI63
from the booth, grabbed both young men by their arms and pulled them onto the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H60NTpz0a
dance floor.
“What about the two of you?” Alex140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtU1B2XbY7
asked Rooster and Chicken.
“I think I’m just going to read.”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnD7bY8NgB
Chicken removed a thick leather-bound book from her bag from under the table.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxFTWt9J6Z
The title was called: The Life of Boris Britebyrd, The First Blade. He140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvzGVeVL3V
didn’t know that she was into history, seemed as though the two of them had140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjGxc5eOqB
quite a bit in common.
“I’m okay just sitting here.” He140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiS4Fzp6hC
looked wistfully out towards the dance floor. Tracing his gaze Vander saw that140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6Agjj1oA5
he was watching Eve dance with the two men. It looked as though she was140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMxgwdXZmt
enjoying herself, but that might also have been for his benefit.
“Why don’t you ask her to dance?”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5pivK2Vir
Vander asked.
“Because I see the way she looks140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nkOikDH6t
at you.” Rooster grumbled. “And I can’t ever hope to compete.”
“It’s just a crush.” Vander140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjAe7LWoqs
reached over to place his hand on Rooster’s shoulder. “She will get over it.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBAfjHuSQz
Besides, no one could say no to you. You’re a wonderful kid and you won’t know140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjv2KbKH68
unless you try.”
“Alright, but later.” He sighed.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTR64q7wcT
He became quiet up then proceeded to stare out the window until the food140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu40syFe8eV
arrived. The server placed down a basket full of bread, a bowl of hearty stew140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNAlm54gCx
for each of them along with a tankard of beer and many glasses. Vander asked140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zU7s9UphK
her to bring him some Dwarven Whiskey as well. She came back a couple of140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7ltl52b53
minutes later with several shot glasses and the bottle.
Rooster and Chicken wasted no time140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5kQZDU9TE
and started digging into their food. They never let food grow cold or go to140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp7wGRpG46
waste. A pair of bottomless pits which stemmed from their time homeless and140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7dTwnePtD
never getting enough to eat. Forest and Briar came after a few minutes. Briar140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DtV89COLm
was grinning ear to ear while Forest slumped into the booth breathing heavily140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkg9bvPW50g
and sweating profusely from his brow. Briar helped prop him up before starting140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7Y4FGmcOm
to eat. Eve was the last one to make it back to the table. She was out of140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv1xvLDQHm
breath, her face flushed with exhaustion. She sat down next to Chicken not140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZN2t2WJenv
looking up at Vander as she started to eat.
As the music thrummed into his140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtF6VngcM2E
head, he started feeling ill. Loud noises and people sitting so close to him140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaiFbvFpL5
wasn’t something he enjoyed. His senses were being assaulted and he needed some140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMTNuEvydq
air, but first he wanted to make sure the recruits were taken care of.
“Congratulations on making it140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0WcWrfQNl
through your first six months of training.” Vander said. “Alex and I couldn’t140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuupZInmytz
be prouder of all the progress you made since we started and while things might140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ow5f9qER0
not get easier from here on out, I know you all make fantastic Blades. So, eat,140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4ZGbbttim
drink, and party to your hearts content.” Four of the five of them cheered.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeJqbXhKQB
Vander poured them each a shot and they all tossed it back at once. “Will you140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18npiqymZY
make sure they get home alright?”
“Of course,” Alex looked140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjy4WsS0Y9
concerned. “Is everything alright with you?”
“Too much noise for me to handle.”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoUdgAr2KG
Vander explained. “I just need to step outside for a few minutes okay?”
“Alright, just take it easy.” Alex140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwYXFr0Mbe
said with a slight frown. Vander excused himself from the table. He went140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7YwiqeVak
through the kitchen then out the back door into the cool night beyond.
Nighttime in the city was140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ALhlR1zJU
different from the forest. Out there the sky was clear you could count the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDXX2ydEjV
stars or try too at least. Humjir’s light shone everywhere even in the darkest140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I5DPr8KgQ
corner. The animals made sounds of course as the night hunters prowled the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jqGeuCv1W
ground and sky, but there was a rhythm to it. There were times he and Shea140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdCcpJks0U
would stay out under a large tree listening to the animals as they relaxed from140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyGZBYuLiS
the day’s activities. Often enough Alex would come out to wake them out because140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYgMd3fNuN
they had fallen asleep in the grass. Here, there was nothing soothing about it.
Humjir couldn’t be seen from the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnI6HBPqt26
city aside from the highest tower in the King’s estate. You could only see a140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36cQuiADgd
couple of stars, but even then their lights were muted. Then came the sounds140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3SBipWw1j
from humans, not animals, that showed how rotten the city truly was. The sick140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYufk6LrCZR
could be heard coughing all night long as the homeless shuffled along looking140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy8IUYgZK6
for a place to stay, any place that would take them. The hungry wails of140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8BpF4l922
children often fell on deaf ears because everyone else was too busy partying140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwckQPKoIe
the night away. He couldn’t help but wonder how many people inside the inn140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNJTLzTyUd
right now children at home starving had while they were drinking the night140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvx88zPSUV
away. Both he and Shea were of one mind that they would be happier living in the woods away from all these people, but140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJumRFVzSYi
duty called and neither of them wanted to turn their backs on their friends.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7pPW1yaJl
Perhaps, one day, they would be able to retire somewhere far from here.
He was so lost in thought that he140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz3aNyik5X
failed to notice the door opening behind him. “You should really be more140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03DIFgYJDG
careful out here.” Julianna said. He wasn’t one to startle easily, but he leapt140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQA0ngvIdwD
from his boots once she spoke.
“Don’t scare me like that.” He140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthXbiP6wit
growled. She wrapped her arm through his and pulled him to his side.
“Don’t be a pansy.” She giggled.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7y8SxOfVDf
He could smell the slight tang of booze on her breath. Her face was flushed140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSkcrTJ89l
bright red, and she was breathing heavily. The strap of her dress hung loosely140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8jNg2p8e1
on her shoulder, so he reached over to pull it back up for her.
“You needed a drink to come out140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyssyI5Ai3d
here and greet me?” he teased. “I thought you were braver than that.”
“Oh please.” She rolled her eyes.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdf56irXN1
“This wasn’t for you. Some of my patrons like me enough to buy me something to140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAZJPDRi58
drink and dance with me. I just came out here for a breather.” The two of them140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVJaNzK1lK
stood there in silence leaning up against the side of the building. Julianna140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvUtQeC41y
placed her head on his shoulder, but she remained stony faced and still.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM6E3UFjjx
“Vander.” She said after a few minutes.
“Yes?” he asked.
“Did you get the closure you140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXdXQUdXgF
needed with Bree tonight?” He looked down at her. There was a wistful look on140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0HYuIa7op
her face as she looked straight ahead.
“Heh.” He laughed. “I was140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArCyiYdUEG
wondering how she made it past you. You let her in didn’t you?”
“Guilty.” She spoke softly. “If140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtjH08oYIk
you were going to take her back, I was going to throw you out of the Inn. Once140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGprp1h7CH
she stormed off pissed as hell, I knew you made the right choice.”
“You’re always looking out for me,140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgD6ONIkHX
thank you.” he bumped her shoulder lightly with his. She smiled up at him with140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rgZcYOSRC
a slight blush on her face. The two of them sat out there for a little bit140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kaSulA8TY
without speaking. The quiet night air helped him soothe any aches he may have140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzte9ATVDAB
had plus her company was a welcome boon. He knew that she didn’t harbor any140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqwKOqvu0a
feelings for him, neither him for her, but their friendship would stretch for140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP3PQq7yjl
years to come, he could feel.
A sudden shout along with the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq6tCbewXf
breaking of glass broke the serene quiet air. Julianna turned too him with a140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs0CniXU0n
concerned look. “What the hell was that?” she asked.
“I don’t know.” He frowned. “But140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrI0vH3oCu
stay here, let me go look.”
“It’s my Inn.” She snorted. “I140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyPLRXyTp9
won’t be waiting outside like some helpless damsel. Let’s go.” Shaking his head140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdnUfokHlF
as she rushed past him, he hurried behind.
As soon as she walked through the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvt5TKOJDj
door, he pushed her head down as a glass mug hit the wall next to them140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqePwSbc13
shattering upon impact. Shards of glass rained down over them, but they slid140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTa5lBzVbS
right off his sleeve. Thankfully there was no liquid inside.
“Bring that white-haired bastard140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7UodVZRen
out here this instant.” Someone shouted. Vander recognized the voice as Leon’s,140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKUc6QESk8
so he must have been talking about him.
“Fucking Bree.” Vander pushed past140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dZ1KYpLvO
Julianna through the kitchen and into the main Inn. Right in front of the door,140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUBScrFuUC
flanking both sides keeping anyone from either entering or leaving were four140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZgavVV6Ex
Blades, in uniform, with their hands on the hilts of their swords. Standing in140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMgtX4GiOz
front of them was Leon with his sword out pointing to the ground. Vander met140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyhPwJomeg
Alex’s eye. He was standing in front of the table blocking the recruits from140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuUfZ8z2jA
being spotted by the pissed off Captain. Their eyes met. Alex shook his head140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXgab3rLCG
and motioned for Vander to leave out the back, but he was going to leave these140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnABXoJIP5
people here to take Leon’s wrath. As a captain he had a duty to uphold the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEHVRn33jN
standard of the Blades, so he pushed his way through the crowd to stand in140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedtcTwTmBq
front of Leon.
“What are you doing?” His voice140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcN83J3mbI
boomed. He made no attempt to hide the annoyance in his voice. “Is this how a140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKlSgzJNWY
captain of the Blades is supposed to act? Drawing your weapon in a business and140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UJeHcav5e
trying to intimidate everyone here? What’s the matter with you?”
“There you are you bastard!” Leon140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE4swI9sQk
raised his sword pointing it at his chest. “Why was Bree here? What did the two140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTxer84VDP
of you do?”
“Is that what this is about?”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3ZCeKwojc
Vander scoffed. “Nothing happened, I sent her home, end of discussion. Now it’s140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDbieJJThB
your turn to get going before I report this to the Commander.”
“And you expect me to believe140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdkXPBWDqU
that?” Leon laughed. “You were gone for six months and the day you come back140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74wbXj9MzK
she comes to visit you? You’re full of shit.”
“It’s true.” Julianna pushed her140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhvjImcavO
way through to stand by Vander. “I let her in, and she left five minutes later140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOuoVmay38
crying. I suggest you take it up with her and get out of my inn.”
“Now you have your new bitch140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBnX8RUXxi
covering for you?” Leon snapped. “Take this punk outside, we will settle this140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8vTB74GCp
like men.” The four Blades guarding the door moved forward towards the crowd.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWaGYo3K5s
Alex pushed past to stand by Vander causing the four of them to pause mid-step.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V3YdvHaTR
“Alex, stay out of this, this doesn’t concern you.”
“It concerns us all when you use140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BM3bTjVCL
your power for your own ends.” Alex snapped back. “You came to a private140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg67XfQdNNw
establishment, threatened citizens, and are threatening a comrade, one that,140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyHfEKTtER
until recently, outranked you. This is an abuse of power especially settling a140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfhNL1hEua
private affair.”
“You think that matters to me?”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLeYdsg4DS
Leon asked. “When my honor is on the line? Do what I ask or I swear I will use140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrff692uXq
everything in my power to crush you.” Vander stepped out until they were face140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnf9W0y3uq
to face.
“Is that a threat Leon?” Leon140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT44IcId8gX
responded by pushing Vander backwards then bringing his sword up underneath his140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW65o0slGwZ
chin.
“No this is a- ahhhhhh!” Shea140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzR0Gi1YkN
leapt out from nowhere and bit down on Leon’s sword arm. Vander could hear the140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxNZk5z7ef
bones crunching in his arm as she screamed out in pain. He dropped his sword140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJZsJToJPS
then tried to wrench her mouth off his arm. Blood sprayed as everyone started140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO7i0aNB9T
screaming. Vander saw Leon’s goons rushing towards her, so he rushed forward blocking140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyn1mb4UJ4
their path.
“Shea, release him.”
“But-“ her voice echoed140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdA91aJpfRT
back.
“NOW!” She released him, but140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMSlOBtlr5
jumped out of reach and bared her teeth. With blood dripping down his arm, he140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3ZmCVhRbi
slowly got to his feet. His face was red with rage.
“Your mutt will pay for that.” He140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNr0PM2pJk
whispered. “You will all pay for standing in my way.” He grabbed his sword,140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYJbqamxQs
spun around, and thrust at Vander. Because he was facing away from Leon, Vander140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihDQM9UPry
couldn’t anticipate the move. However, in his rage, he missed anything vital,140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTZ5BrCyKp
but he still carved a deep gash into Vander’s side. He fell to the ground140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s6Mq5Gl5U
holding the wound as blood seeped through his fingers.
“Damn it.” Vander groaned. “What140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabk6lEqGNN
the hell is the matter with you?”
“You’ve looked down on me for too140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudMIWvmggM
long.” Leon spat. “Now it’s time you tasted defeat.” Leon lifted his sword140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgagpDbc8B
again, but Alex got there first. His fist collided with Leon’s face sending him140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoy20wuEJ8Y
sprawling onto the ground.
“You crossed a line and not even140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aclEf7Ny7
your father will get you out of it.” He snapped. “You four, get him out of here140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAVI4crqax
before you find yourselves thrown onto the streets and not even Viggo Visc’s140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVThkkacmSt
influence will keep you safe.”
“This isn’t over.” Leon growled as140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYKcKKod0P
his four lackies picked him up off the ground and dragged him out. “You better140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2vgtriOZl
find yourself a new job, Alex. I’m coming for your ass.” Vander heard rushed140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSflKVkfdcI
footsteps coming towards him. Julianna placed a towel over his hand to help140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI36UGZ7rzP
staunch the bleeding.
“Let me see.” She whispered. He140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFfKNbAAXR
winced with pain as he carefully moved his hand. “It’s deep but didn’t hit140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXbI4J2lAq
anything vital. We are going to have to stitch you up.”
“Fine.” Vander allowed himself to140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zuf3kQRpt
be lifted to his feet. “Alex, will you make sure the kids get back safely?”
“We should get you to a doctor.”140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5llCU0WulF
Alex said, but Vander shook his head.
“I’ll be fine.” He gasped. “Pay140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBksh3UEBIJ
for everyone’s meal as an apology for Leon’s outburst. There should be enough140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV959pjwh5Y
money to cover it in my room. We will also pay for the damages here.”
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“I understand.” He said. Alex140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfgpQaqCyv
began to shout, but Vander’s eyes started to close. The blood loss was more140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56p0UFDuGu
than he thought as he had difficulty staying awake. The last thing he saw was140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Md4WKs72K
Shea leading the way upstairs towards the room.
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