Page 113 of I Ran Away to Evil
Henrietta looked back at Keith. “It’ll be slower to walk back with Lady Amy.”
“They have unicorn mounts,” he replied, reaching out and holding her hand up to kiss the palm. “Perhaps you can get the story of how that’s possible. Goldenhoof’s herd is notoriously proud.”
She chuckled. “I’ll ask.”
“I just have a few things to wrap up here; I’ll catch up eventually,” Keith assured her. He let her go, and she ran out to catch up with the others.
[You have 00:00:22 until Death byMana Burn. You may expend Hit Points to stay awake.]
Keith collapsed, catching himself on the chair. He reached into his storage and popped a mid-grade mana potion, barely drinking it in time.
[You have 00:03:10 until Death byMana Burn.]
He sighed and lifted the bottom of the tent flap, letting a large construct raven hop inside pulling a bag of potion bottles behind.
“Perfect timing, Hubert. Let’s see if we can’t postpone this bothersome unconsciousness until this evening.”
CHAPTER 67
King’s Hold
Henrietta
I sensed Hubert joining Keith in the tent but didn’t think much of it.
Lady Amy was beside herself, babbling about how much this changed everything, and how she’d like to come visit the castle on her days off if I was free for lunch. I didn’t mind; she made for excitable company, and I was happy to have more friends. Maybe I could visit the Hollow, and she could show me around.
In the back of my mind, I felt a touch of irritation from Jacqueline. I slapped my forehead, realizing I’d left my blade behind. “I’ll be right back!”
I lifted the tent flap, peeking my head inside. “Sorry, I forgot—Keith?!”
The Dark Lord was half collapsed on the floor with his body draped over the seat of a chair, Hubert clinging to the back. Potions spilled out on his lap, and he clutched an open mana potion in his hand.
Keith was startled by my appearance and actually looked … guilty?
“Ria, I can explain.” He sounded guilty too. He didn’t continue but threw back the potion as fast as he could. His hands were literally shaking, and when he was finished, he tried to put the bottle down but dropped it at the last second.
He glowed as the potion took effect and a bit of color returned to his pale face. For the first time since I woke up, I took the time to reallylookat him, and I kicked myself for assuming an all-powerful Arcane Sage would never overdo things.
“Here, let me help.” This wasn’t my first time seeing a mage who had reached their limits. Instead of rushing, I carefully stepped forward and knelt down beside him. I picked up the used bottle, recapped it, and put it aside properly. I grabbed another one, opened it and brought it to his lips. “How much mana do you have left?”
He stared at me with a mix of emotions. Embarrassment and frustration and exhaustion were the easiest to identify. Slowly, he opened his mouth and let me pour the contents inside.
Another glow, but no response to my question. He was already looking much better, but his hands were still shaking. I prepared each bottle thereafter and handed them over one at a time so he could drink them himself.
I debated feeding him the rest myself but thought better of it; he still hadn’t answered my question.
He went throughtenhigh-rank mana potions and a couple mid rank he pulled from his dimensional storage. Even after downing all of them, Keith still looked the worse for wear. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, and a small frown creased his brow.
Mana headaches were bad, but this—
“You have [Mana Burn], don’t you?” I asked, no longer waiting for him to explain. A hint of anger made its way into my voice.
He flinched at that, but then looked down. “Yes.”
“How much mana do you have right now?”
“Around nine hundred …”
