Page 142 of I Ran Away to Evil
“All of the bridges?” That was news to him. “… Does my drawbridge count?”
“Ah! Well …” The troll hesitated, telling Keith all he needed to know.
“Your self-report as a part of section 3(f) of the Domain Influence section of your tax forms should have included which bridges you have domain over.” Keith crossed his arms. On the other side of the bridge, soldiers were returning at perk-assisted speeds.
Gerda sighed. “That’s correct. I haven’t reported it because, well, I was worried about the attention. The teleport point at the castle is very useful.”
“I’ll have my office send you the fine and the appropriate paperwork.”
“I get to keep them?” The troll seemed genuinely surprised.
“Maybe notallof them, and certainly not my—”
“Oh!” Henrietta interrupted. “That means I don’t have to go for an hour-long run to reach your place anymore!”
Keith’s mouth snapped shut, and he gave a strained smile. “We’ll talk.”
“Maybe we should be paying attention to our enemy,” Patina reminded everyone. “It looks like they’ve finished discussing.”
Sir Havork was marching back their way with a vengeance.
CHAPTER 85
Let’s Hear the Riddle!
Henrietta
I wondered for just a moment if we’d gone too far, taking Drendil’s supplies.
Imayhave been a bit angry that they were marching on my new home. I alsomighthave gone a touch overboard having fun playing with—I mean,organizingthe automaton army.
With the majority of their forces stuck in the forest, there was almost nothing stopping Keith’s [Construct: Small] automata from overrunning Drendil. He had full control of their economic import and export lines, and was capable of destroying the kingdom from the inside out. I shivered, thinking just how much we—I mean, Drendil had underestimated Nilheim.
I had never realized how protected Drendil was from the rest of the continent. Because it was only accessible by water and the forest, they’d never really focused on their land army. After all, the forest was just “a misbegotten collection of ragtag monsters.” The pitiful forces my father had sent into the Dark Enchanted Forest were the outcasts of the bigger, stronger naval fleet.
To be fair, few skilled soldiers could be spared when leviathans, pirates, water drakes, and the odd school of killer tadpoles hit the coastline on a semiregular basis. Which was why I had spent so much time up north in the Depths of Despair Dungeon. Where better to train to protect Drendil than in an ocean-themed tower dungeon?
On the route here, Keith had told me that he’d sent constructs to hide under wagons, in the bushes, and out of sight. I couldn’t be sure how much the forest itself had been attacking the scouts, but whosoever it didn’t pick off would’ve been taken care of by his automatons.
“Henri. I’m returning to Drendil as promised. Give us back the supplies,” SirHavork ordered. He’d come right up to the bridge and crossed his arms, staring down at me.
“I’m afraid I can’t do that, Knight Commander.” I reverted back to his official title. “You can tell my father thank you for the dowry.”
The knight looked stricken, actually taking a full step back. “Wait, you—?”
“I’m joking.” I wasn’t joking, but I cut him off anyway. “Now pack your army and march home, or I’ll be forced to send them home in wagons.”
And this time, I’d have theautomatapull the wagons. I had a Spring Ball to get ready for! What was I going to wear? Rinrin had mentioned dresses a few weeks ago … I wondered if Keith would like to wear matching outfits?
Slow down, I told myself. We weren’t even engaged yet.Yet.
“I did leave you the jerky,” Keith reminded him. “And your elementalists should have water. You’ll be home in no time.”
Havork looked me over, and I could see the moment he gave up written on his face.
“Alright. I was sent to deliver a message to the princess and to fight for her freedom … and you’ve heard the message.”
“I have.”
