Page 136 of I Ran Away to Evil
Keith dropped the assassin he was holding. The man grunted as he hit the ground next to his fellows. “Still! How are so many assassins getting into mykingdom? I don’t see anything that’s letting you bypass my golems’ spells! You should have activatedsomethingwhen you snuck into Nilheim.” It was obvious Keith was tired of his well-crafted peace being disturbed. “And why would you light Kith Bog on fire—”
“I mean, it’s an easy target,” I pointed out. “And on the way.”
“—and while being so terribly organized at that,” Keith finished, frowning. “Unless …”
“Distraction tactic?” I offered. “But why?”
“They wanted more of us out of the castle?” Keith reasoned. “To thin out our defensive ranks?”
“To help the Drendil army or assassins get at me?” I speculated.
“Or both.” Keith sighed.
I stared at the assassins, many of which were struggling against their bonds. A few were stealthily trying to pick the locks on their manacles. Keith seemed unconcerned.
“What did you use to catch them?” I asked, intrigued.
“Something they won’t be able to break free of: Veralyn’s Enchanted Restraint Manacles. They’re based off the ones used to hold Sir George during his trials. They are a work of art, if I do say so myself. I couldn’t break free with my magic, and I don’t think even you could break them with your Strength stat.”
I eyed the manacles closer. “I’d love to try! You should lock me in them sometime!”
Keith choked on air.
Just then, backup arrived, a golem three times the size of its master walking out of the woods. It was reptilian in nature, as were many of his larger constructs, but its base shape was humanoid. Behind it, a platoon of some thirty lizardkin and naga soldiers marched or slithered up the road from the direction of the castle.
“Lieutenant Franni Bertand reporting for duty, Your Viciousnesss.” A lizardkin woman with purple-tipped scales and short red hair stepped forward. “What are your ordersss?”
Keith tossed a set of keys at the woman. “Gather up those who can be put back together again, wake them up, and send them to the Assassination Embassy in Peldeep. These”—he waved over the awake and alive few—“can go to Gloria Welns in Servalt.”
“Is that—” Henrietta started but didn’t finish. Keith turned his attention her way, waiting for her to continue. She took a deep breath. “Is that wise? Sending them to Servalt?”
“Servalt does have many problems, corruption being one of them. But Gloria isn’t someone who would break a treaty. I’ll be sending someone to have a talk with her when this is all said and done. In the meantime, she’ll be pleased withmy gift.” Keith waved at the assassins. “Any she doesn’t keep will be used to barter back those who I’ve sent to Peldeep. And hopefully distract both guilds long enough to keep them out of trouble.”
“Yes, Your Viciousnesss. Right away, Your Viciousnesss.” Lieutenant Bertand carefully stuck the key in her pocket and turned to her soldiers, barking orders.
Keith faced Henrietta. “I think it’s time to see what damage Drendil’s army has managed to inflict on our forces.”
Ria smiled a slow, sinister smile, adorable on her delightful person. “And if my plan worked.”
CHAPTER 82
She’d Magically Befriended All the Minions
Keith
Keith and Henrietta made it back to the castle in good time. They’d expected to find a flurry of activity … but instead, they found soldiers kicking their feet outside the walls and milling about on the road.
Everyone stood straighter and tried to appear at the ready when Keith passed by, but all in all, everyone looked bored.
It wasn’t much better inside.
“No new reports yet,” Rufus told Keith. The beastman general was standing in the castle courtyard cooling his heels.
“No fighting? What’s happening with the defense? Drendil should have attacked around the same time I left. Fill me in from there,” Keith prompted.
Rufus shook his head. “I meant there isn’t anything new to report since you left.”
Henrietta broke in. “Then what is the Drendil army doing? Are they just waiting to attack?”
