Page 130 of I Ran Away to Evil
“My mother wouldlovethat.”
Brownie’s eyes swept over everyone at the table and finally landed on me. I’d been enjoying watching the conversation and eating my duck.
I patted my lips clean and gave her a winning smile. “Looks like you’ll be playing every evening for the rest of your stay, so we’d better have a fun sleepover tonight. I’ve never had anything like this before, so we’ll make it extra special! I’ve already asked the lizardkin maids to prepare a relaxing massage, and I’ve sent up the rest of my baking to snack on while we chat.”
“That sounds wonderful.” Brownie sighed. The minstrel’s eyes swept over everyone at the table and then all of a sudden, her demeanor changed. She stood up, and I felt Keith tense beside me. “Alright, I’ve seen enough.”
There was a strange confusion that settled over the dinner table as everyone stared at Minstrel Bronwynn. She stared back.
“I’m convinced.” She looked at me.
I replied, “Convinced of what?”
“That you aren’t a bunch of bloodthirsty demons who’ve captured our princess and plan on destroying Drendil,” Brownie said. Julia coughed, laughing into her hand. Chloe shrugged, and Keith relaxed beside me.
Rufus was the first to reply. Hastily at that. “You can be reassured, Minstrel Bronwynn. Henrietta is better off without Drendil, and none of us have the time or care to conquer it.”
“He’s right, Brownie.” I pulled her sleeve gently. “The only thing we’ve been planning is defense.”
“Which iswhy,” Brownie stated, “I’m here to tell you that Drendil is launching a surprise attack.”
Everyone at the table stood up. Keith demanded, “When?”
“They’ve already crossed the border.”
CHAPTER 78
I Guess There’s No Time for a Manicure
Keith
“They are attacking from the east.” Bronwynn told everyone at the table.
Keith’s thoughts raced, immediately moving armies in his mind’s eye. “From Servalt?” he asked, frowning. “The king and I have a treaty.”
Bronwynn shrugged. “One of their merchant guilds smuggled a hundred Drendil soldiers on ships they sailed up the coast. Soldiers all with Assassin-class skills. They have already entered the forest, since the automata were thin along the border crossing. They’re waiting for Knight Commander Havork to give the signal.” She glanced at Henrietta. “They’ll be launching a pincer attack as early as tomorrow, after the regular army marches here from the south.”
“I guess there’s no time for a manicure, then?” Ria joked.
“How do you know this?” Chloe demanded. She stood up and placed one hand on Julia’s shoulder for support. “How do we know you’re not here to deceive us?”
Before Bronwynn could say anything, Rufus cut in, “Minstrel Bronwynn is speaking the truth.”
Nobody argued that. Rufus had an incredibly useful skill that allowed him to discern lies; another reason why he was Keith’s right-hand general.
“Does it really matter?” Keith added. “Any one of us could crush the assassins or the army.”
“He has a point, love.” Julia reached up and squeezed Chloe’s hand. “Drendil had Sir Havork and the Heroine of Justice as their only level sixty adventurers. And now Henrietta is on our side.”
“We were letting the Dark Army fight because they really wanted to, and we were hoping to keep down the bloodshed with strategic battle plans allowing Drendil time to retrieve the fallen,” Ria piped up beside Keith. “Though I’m not sure that’ll be possible with a group of assassins.”
“The assassins were masquerading as a merchant caravan when they crossed the border. I only came here to check if the rumors were true.” Bronwynn shot a look between Ria and Keith, then she sat back down. “And I’m happy I did.”
Keith’s voice was low when he said, “Thank you, Minstrel Bronwynn, for letting us know.”
Chloe let out a huff, but since she was the only one left standing, she promptly sat down as well. She crossed her arms and pouted. “Ifit is as Minstrel Bronwynn reports, then one of us will have to head out to defend the eastern wood.”
“Why not the General of the East?” Ria asked. “I thought there were generals for each part of the forest, and Rufus guarding the castle?”
