Page 64 of I Ran Away to Evil
“I’m going back.” A beautiful siren with long curled hair and delicately shaped purple fingernails stood at attention in front of his desk. “And I’ll expect apropermilitary order to arrive by week’s end. There isn’t much time left to prepare.”
“Goodbye, Patina.”
“And you should seriously consider the fact that you are marrying someone you don’t even know that well! And I haven’t met her yet.”
“If I marry her, you can meet her at the wedding,” Keith countered. “Or maybe she’ll be by during the war. Who knows.”
“Really?” Patina resisted the urge to pout, and Keith commended her self-control. She really was growing up. “I think something’s wrong with you, Cousin. You aren’t usually this … distracted?”
“I’m fine,” he countered.
“Sure you are,” Patina replied sarcastically. “Or maybe you’ve been cursed.”
“I’m just busy with being king,” Keith said. She was right, though … maybe he wasn’t just pining pathetically for Henrietta to come back. Maybe this wasn’t the honeymoon phase that Rufus had warned him about. Maybe hewascursed.
He could always check with his spells … Asking Chloe would be faster, but the necromancer would laugh herself silly if he broached the topic now.
“In all seriousness,” he changed the subject, “you probably will see Henrietta during the battle. Also, could you figure out a way to prevent anything from disturbing Feliwyn?”
As much as he teased, Patina was a strong and capable military leader. Her skills were invaluable—and putting the army to sleep really was a stroke of genius.
“I’lltry.”
They both shared a look. Feliwynhatedbeing woken up from her nap. It would be a disaster if they disturbed her. Maybe Keith would write to theDrendil army letting them know what any loud combat or errant missiles around his godmother would end with.
He pulled out a quill and jotted down a quick letter he’d been putting off since Gimtak delivered his mail that morning.
Dear Knight Commander Havork,
As per our last missive, I am not available to forward any messages to Princess Henrietta from the Drendil Court. However, I can assure you that she is well. Perhaps you should ask yourself who is really a danger to her safety? I had thought you would already know the answer.
Should Simon decide to continue his plans, I’m sure you will see her again soon. In that line of thought, please consider a cease-fire due south of Lake Loria … Her Eminence Feliwyn is still resting beside the waters, and I would hate for anything to wake her.
My necromancer can’t [Resurrect] ashes.
Signed,
Keith Monfort of Nilheim, King of the Dark Enchanted Forest
Keith summoned Gimtak to handle delivering the letter, then leaned back in his chair.
Honestly, it might not be that bad if Drendildidwake up his godmother. She was an absolute grouch when she was awoken, yes, but that wouldn’t be directed athim. And, once she had finished raining down terror and fire and destruction … she would be inexcellentform to meet Henrietta.
Speaking of Henrietta, he should take a break soon to see how everything was faring with the dwarves.
CHAPTER 41
One Dwarfess Held a Whip
Henrietta
A veritable symphony of screeching griffins descended upon us.
Nolin immediately activated his [Control: Size] skill and charged into battle. The aged dwarf, Chancellor Grimly, I presumed, had run over and was gripping his hair on both sides of his head as he wailed, “Not again!”
My first instinct was to draw my sword, but that would require dropping theveryimportantcrate of eggs. Instead, I stood there awkwardly debating what to do as seven winged monsters attacked the now very upset outpost of some twenty dwarves.
For their part, the dwarven guards were impressive. They brought out forged-steel netting and all manner of excellently crafted weapons to stave off the monsters.
