Page 138 of I Ran Away to Evil
“No.”
Keith glared at his necromancer. “The land is entirely under the control of the Hollow Tree. We both know that,” he said.
“But there are treants and other plant creatures with free will who are a part of the forest,” Chloe argued. “The rivers and lakes aren’t controlled, and the Pixie Prim have their own gardens that use spatial magic to keep their flowers free of its influence.”
“Yes, butthat bush”—Keith pointed at an elderberry bush on the side of the road; it wriggled a bit at his attention—“is a part of the whole forest. Every plant and rock is connected to the Hollow Tree.” He pointed at the ground below them. “The only thing stopping the Dark Enchanted Forest from ripping the earth out from below our feet and killing us all is courtesy and energy expense.”
“My point still stands.” Chloe pointed at her own chest. “I’mnot connected to the Hollow Tree, andI’ma part of this kingdom. And just because the ground is listening doesn’t mean it’s not true.”
A stone popped up and leaned against Chloe’s shoe. Keith was surprised; the Dark Enchanted Forest wasn’t often willing to be a part of the conversation. Chloe wasalsosurprised. The woman gave Keith a huge self-satisfied grin.
“See!” She pointed at the stone, which promptly lay flat again. “It agrees! Ha! Itoldyou.”
Keith rubbed the bridge of his nose out of habit, his glasses lifting askew for a moment. “I think it’s time we moved on.”
Ria was staring between the bush and the stone, her face deep in thought.
She was still thinking when he flew them to the next line of defense. The middle line was led by a troop of naga. They were bored and distracting themselves by doing practice bouts. Henrietta was welcomed, but despite the many requests, managed to leave without getting pulled into a fight.
When they reached the first line of defense, Patina was waiting to greet them. Keith had the satisfaction of seeing the selkie’s jaw drop when he landed with Ria still in his arms.
She got herself together in an instant, standing at attention. “Your Viciousness.”
“Lieutenant Patina.”
“Henrietta,” Henrietta added, introducing herself. “I take it the army still hasn’t arrived?”
Patina looked the princess up and down, twice. Then she turned to Keith. “They haven’t. But we know where they are. You’ll have to see it to believe it.”
Keith sighed; he hoped that Henrietta could win over his cousin as fast as she’d magically befriended all the other minions in his army. “Show me.”
CHAPTER 83
How Rude
Henrietta
I didn’t know what I was expecting to find when we walked south, but Gerda standing on a bridge braiding her long—Wow! I hadn’t realized it wasthatlong—hair into a collection of plaits on her head wasnotit. She was almost finished, but had a few parted sections left.
I was surprised no one had noticed us as we came into view; I’d certainly noticed them.
“It’s a dragon!”
“We’ve alreadysaiddragon. It has to be an armordillo.”
“Why would you think it’s an armordillo? That’s the dumbest idea yet.”
“It could be a trick. What if it’s a specifickindof dragon?”
“Well, I don’t wanna be sent flying like the last guy, so you’d all better figure it out soon.”
Keith was walking right beside me, which meant I heard him quietly murmur, “Fascinating.”
It wasn’t exactly the same as when I’d answered riddles in the past; this time, magic positively radiated everywhere. Even I could feel it.
On the other side of the bridge, I spied a pop-up canvas shade, its flaps pulled open.
Inside, Sir Havork sat silently listening to the leaders of each division, one hand over his eyes, deep in thought. Knights I’d trained with, adventuring parties I recognized, and mercenaries I’d never met all milled about. The army stretched behind them down the road. Those within view looked tired, injured, or bored.
