Page 46 of I Ran Away to Evil
Ria whistled. “Impressive.”
“My plan was to mix them between the troops. Have the larger golems distract any powerful foes while buffed by Rufus’s enhancements, then send in the midsize creations to take down basic ground soldiers. Most of the smaller constructs need my concentration to utilize, so I’ll scatter them along the border where my elven scouts can’t reach.”
“Can I make another suggestion?” Ria grinned at the mice, bringing her fingers together in a look that would bemuchmore menacing if she weren’t such a cinnamon bun.
He would have to use that motion himself in the future. “Of course.”
“How much do you know about battlefield logistics?”
CHAPTER 29
How Do You Audit Someone for Fun?
Henrietta
I reviewed the list of mice constructs Keith had given me. They were the smallest creatures in his army, and I had such wonderful plans for them. There were also a few moles that I’d decided to include in the mission.
After a quick explanation, Keith had readily agreed to send them where I wanted. Now, they all lay in wait beside the three small clearings between Drendil and the castle. One group was very close to the border, and the others were this side of Gerda’s bridge.
With the help of one of Keith’s raven constructs, I’d sent a letter off to my troll friend. It let her know where she could station and fight, or the best route for retreat. I didn’t know her skills, and I didn’t want to assume she was a fighterjustbecause she was a troll.
“When do you think Father will attack?” I asked Keith. We had repaired to his office and were ignoring the work on his desk to review the battle plans.
“He did say he was going to wait until St. Veralyn’s Day for word of your death,” Keith reminded me, then he sighed. “But we shouldn’t assume anything. He might strike early to catch us off guard.”
“Or just because I stopped responding to his letters,” I said before raising an eyebrow at the Dark Lord. “He is still sending letters?”
“Less than before.” Keith shrugged. “I think he’s finally accepted that you aren’t replying, and now he’s just addressing letters to you with an extra postscript for me.” He flexed his fingers. “They are very therapeutic.”
“How so?” I was curious how my parents’ letters could inspire anything positive.
Keith chuckled. “I enjoy setting them on fire.”
“Ah, I see.” That did sound nice. “Now, as I was saying, we should make sure we have a grasp of the army’s movement path.”
Keith said, “If they follow the road, it will take them two days to march here. There isn’t a village anywhere close by, so they’ll be forced to sleep in the open.”
We stood over a large map of the Dark Enchanted Forest. The forest sometimes moved around a bit, but everything attached to the roads stayed consistent, and the woods usually left monster lairs, lakes, and hills in the same area. Magical flower fields and ancient elm trees moved … but who knew if that was the forest or the flora itself.
“So one day to reach Gerda’s bridge, and then another day to us?”
“Once they cross the bridge, they can march straight here or head east to Kith Bog. Though we might add half a day just to get over the troll bridge. It’s designed for wagons crossing single file, which will slow them down a fair bit.”
“What stops them from crossing the river directly?” I asked. I was going to do just that if Gerda turned me away.
“The water around a troll bridge is enchanted,” Keith explained. “Anyone who crosses through it will end up back on the side they started.”
“Really?”
“Yes, it’s troll magic. The bridge troll—Gerda, was it? She’ll presumably stay in her troll house while they pass. Even if Gerdadoesleave, the magic won’t dissipate for at least a month. The bridge will simply continue to ask whichever riddle was used last to anyone crossing.”
“So that puts a potential three days between when they enter the forest and when they reach us?” That would be plenty of time to strike.
“I think your plan is brilliant even without the added time from the bridge.” Keith smiled at me, and I felt my face heat up at the straightforward praise.
“If it works”—I nodded—“we will have broken their spirits long before we get the chance to break their bones.”
Keith and I rolled up the map and cleared the table, getting ready for his evening paperwork, which I’d offered to help with even though it was technically my day off.
