Page 26 of I Ran Away to Evil 2
Later, after the show, I was dragged off to spend the rest of the evening talking about the bard. Her history, her likes, her songs. I regretted only finding her music tonight. Years of concerts and shows I could have attended.
For the rest of my week stay, I bought my way into her concerts. I got front-row seats.
The group knew her schedule, and I painstakingly planned to be at all of her major concerts going forward. I wrote her letters. I sent her gifts. I got to know the other members, and we became good friends. It was a lot of work to keep a fan club running; paperwork, missives, newsletters, etc. I was very good at all of those things, and my responsibilities rapidly grew. And after a few months, I was theleaderof her fan club. Frida and Ross laughed at me when I gave a passionate speech and accepted the position.
The president was in charge of telling everyone the bard’s schedule over the club’s Cast system, running events, and keeping everyone up to date. The hard work had all been worth it when Bronwynn accepted a request to perform at a dinner party in Sumbria.
I took my job as president very seriously. I rented a tavern, inspected the food, and handmade a gift basket for Bard Bronwynn, complete with chocolate, baked goods, and a spatial ring full of flowers.
It was perfect.
And then it all burned down.
CHAPTER 12
Have You Considered Running Off to Be a Baker?
Brownie
Knolith followed Brownie through the mountain pass. She knew the lizardkin could’ve taken himself there much quicker than following her relaxed walk, and wondered why he bothered.
He interrupted her thoughts with a rude, “Soyouare the new queen’s best friend, hm?”
“Of course,” Bronwynn stressed. She knew her worth.
He considered that.
He could doubt her all he wanted, she thought, but what she’d said was true.
In fact, she’d been friends with Henrietta before she knew the girl was a princess, when they were both still naive children.
Many Years Ago
“That waswonderful.”
Bronwynn the Bard looked up from playing her lyre harp at the town fountain. A little girl wearing maid clothes stood there, hands clasped together and eyes bright.
“Thank you. I’m Bronwynn.” The compliment made Bronwynn blush. She loved playing, and every happy face was a boost to her bardic heart.
“I’m Hen-Henrietta,” the girl stuttered.
She had the fluffiest brown hair and softest brown eyes—hard to distinguish from the crowd. Her hands were marked with callouses from weapon use, and her posture was perfect. Bronwynn assumed she was more than just a maid; perhaps a noble lady’s guard or spy?
Bronwynn would know; she’d probably met more spies than any other twelve-year-old in Drendil.
The girl looked younger than ten, but since Bronwynn was a half giantess who eclipsed even some human adults … well, it was hard to tell.
“Like the princess? Nice.” Bronwynn nodded, shoving a short curly lock behind her ear. Her hair was dark brown with reddish tips that always magically colored themselves every morning no matter if she cut off the ends or not. “Do you have any requests?”
The maid’s smile faltered. “I don’t get to listen to a lot of music … What do you like?”
“If you have the time, I can play youallof the most popular songs right now!” This was her chance to shine, and Bronwynn jumped to her feet in excitement, placing her foot on the fountain and strumming her instrument with a strong opening chord.
Then Bronwynn paused, realizing she might have let her enthusiasm for performing get the better of her. Most of the people who stopped here didn’t have the time to listen to more than one song. And everyone got nervous when they witnessed the full height and bulk of the bard as she loomed over them.
Her momentary anxiety washed away as the maid beamed up at her. “That would be great! I have a few hours before I need to find my way back.”
The two enjoyed an afternoon of music, and that was the start of a very important friendship—for both of them.
