Page 43 of I Ran Away to Evil 2
She was still on edge when we crossed the border of the Dark Enchanted Forest and into Servalt. The tree line thinned out, and gentle green fields stretched toward a small town close to the border. Our last stop before arriving at the party tomorrow morning.
The minstrel was frowning. “I wassurewe’d meet someone in the forest …”
I didn’t know what to say. We’d made great time, and had plenty of opportunities to find an inn, settle in, and grab dinner.
“Maybe whoever was going to approach us saw me and decided otherwise?” I offered.
“I traveled with the Heroine of Justice once. Our boat was attacked by Elder Greg the Kraken, the Dancing Blade pirates, and we rescued a shipwrecked prince of Peldeep,” Bronwynn explained. “I was expecting to meet atleasta talking squirrel!”
“Maybe there’ll be a bar fight here before we go to bed?” I looked around the peaceful dining area, grasping at straws, hoping to find something to make her feel better. “Or someone will try and steal Donna tomorrow morning?”
She actually brightened up at that. “You’re probably right. Let’s wait and see.”
There wasn’t anything else I could do, so I bought her a drink and enjoyed listening to more of her adventures while she explained to me some of the different kinds of “encounters” she’d faced on her past adventures. Even as I enjoyed the tales, a small feeling of discomfort crept into my heart. My favorite musician on the continent was out there getting kidnapped or stranded every other adventure. She could use a bodyguard.
I pushed down the sudden, strong, all-consuming desire to be that bodyguard.
There was a perfectly comfy dungeon with a daybed, lurid romance novels, and a full wine cellar waiting for me back home. And an important job.
Somebody had to keep King Keith alive. Although, hedidnow have a high level, competent wife …
Was my job even necessary anymore?
Sigh.
As I was lying in the small bed at the inn that evening, I realized something important about Bronwynn’s third encounter.
Bronwynn had said she’d meet someone with ulterior motives, nefarious intent, or something equally unsavory.
I slapped a paw pad against my face.
Shehadalready faced three encounters on this journey.
CHAPTER 22
You!
Brownie
It took a while for Brownie to get to sleep, worrying that her final encounter might happen that evening. But it didn’t. She had an uneventful night and woke up to a beautiful but windy June morning.
She was nervous all the way to Heatherfeld, the castle village ruled by Duke Wyldon of Servalt.
They’d arrived a day earlier than she’d anticipated, but instead of finding room at an inn and waiting until the morrow, Rufus had convinced her to join him at the castle.
“It will be fine,” he assured her as they rode up to the front gate of the estate.
“You know I’m the entertainment, right?” Brownie reminded him. “I’m supposed to use the side door.”
“So? I’m the commander general of the Dark Lord’s armies, and you are my guest.” Rufus jumped down and offered her his paw. “Shall we?”
“Alright.” Brownie couldn’t resist the urge to hold those squishy paw pads and accepted his escort, jumping down beside him. The beanies were just as soft as she’d imagined.
She reminded herself to focus on therestof the beastman holding her hand.
Two castle attendants hurried out to greet them. One took Donna’s reins and led the mare off to the stables while Brownie sent her horse a small plea to behave herself. The other attendant accepted Rufus’s letter of invite and led them inside.
“Please wait here while I inform the duke of your arrival,” the woman said, bowing them into a comfortable sitting room off the castle entry. She was midsize for an elf, with pointed ears and a greenish tinge to her otherwise pale skin. Her hair was honey brown in a tight bun with some strays. “I’ll have the kitchen prepare a light refreshment.”
