Page 133 of I Ran Away to Evil
“I’m sure we can finish things up before dinner,” I said, eating the last of my breakfast. Keith was right behind me. I made a fist and cracked my knuckles unbecomingly. “My [Sword Aura] skill should have them hunted down in no time.”
“That reminds me.” Keith’s eyes glazed over as he pulled up his character sheet and notification tab. He concentrated long and hard until I suddenly had a system prompt.
Quest Offered
Hunt down and stop the Assassins who’ve breached the Eastern Border. [0/108]
Reward: 1080 EXP
I accepted the quest. Bronwynn was happily eating her food, but Rufus looked like he’d also gotten a prompt. He choked on his tea when he read it, and I had to wonder what quest Keith had sent his way.
It would be rude to ask, so instead I said, “I’m almost ready to head out. Is there anything you need, Keith?”
“I need to stop taking my wings off in weird places,” the Dark Lord joked. I blushed a bit. I suppose Imighthold some responsibility, as I’d forgotten to grab his wings when I’d carried him off to bed. The Pounce Protectorate were going to drop them off as they did their rounds, but that might be a few more days yet.
“A leisurely stroll up the Great Road then? Or a cart pulled by alligator-dogs?” I offered. I thanked my luck that I had never seen a normal horse in the Dark Enchanted Forest. On that note, I should tell Keith about my allergy when we were alone.
I was about to suggest carrying him the whole way when Gimtak materialized in the room with us. A small popping sound and a slight wave of air hit everyone around as the imp suddenly took up space flying over the kitchen table.
“Your Viciousness!” The imp was in a panic. “Your Viciousness, your golems have set off the alarm!”
“Report!” Keith stood up, the full weight of his office suddenly bearing down on us as hebecamethe Dark Lord.
“Drendil’s army is marching from the south,” Gimtak announced. Keith and I shared a look. The early attack was as Brownie had warned. We were not expecting Gimtak to continue, however. “And there’s word from Kith Bog, my liege. It’s onfire.”
CHAPTER 80
Desperate Times Call for a Desperate Dark Lord
Keith
There were three lines of defense between Gerda’s bridge and the castle, and no added difficulty from an early attack. They were ready if someone attacked today, tomorrow, or any day between now and when Keith felt he could disband the units stationed there.
As such, Henrietta and Keith left for the lizardkin village with Sithli, who’d run into the room seconds later in a full panic as news spread around the castle.
It only took them a few minutes to reach Kith Bog thanks to Gimtak’s [Portal] skill.
It wasn’t something Keith used very often, as the portal was Gimtak shaped and it came up to just above his knees. But desperate times called for a desperate Dark Lord crawling in front of Henrietta. Through the portal. To Kith Bog.
Keith arrived first, appearing beside the bog-beast stables. The golem that usually lived half sunken in the mud and grass there was the one who had set off alarms back at the palace.
It was not where he had left it.
The floating wooden plank streets were too damp to burn properly, but a few houses were ablaze, their thatch roofs alight and smoke billowing. Keith first ensured there were no enemies nearby.
Henrietta appeared next and stood beside him, her gaze sweeping over the village.
Sithli bolted for his home on the other side of the village.
As planned, Gimtak teleported back to the castle. They were expecting a pincer attack from Drendil’s army, and Gimtak could keep them updated.
There were a few lizardkin using perks to spray water, and others carrying buckets in a line. Many had sunk into the bog with the golem to protect themand were watching with bright eyes from afar. The golem stood with them, a giant protector for those who needed it.
“My [Sword Aura] says there aren’t any enemies nearby,” Henrietta told him, grinding her teeth. “We can focus on putting out the fires.”
Her [Quick Step] activated, and she was off. As he prepared water-based spells, Henrietta took her sword and cut a wave that arched over a house, putting out most of the flames.
“By the Great Wyrm Who Gifts Water to the World, [Rainfall].” Keith raised both arms and channeled mana into his spell.
