Page 48 of I Ran Away to Evil 2
Brownie was more surprised that Donna had gotten caught. She resisted the urge to glare at her horse or send pokes through their bond, giving up on wasting the energy. It wasn’t the first time, and it wouldn’t be the last.
“As you say, miss, there’s no trouble at all.” There was a subtle edge to Mister Ling’s words that broached no argument. The other stable hands, who’d quietly stayed back until now, jumped to action with seamless efficiency at his next words. “We’ll clean up here and take care of your horse properly. Jimmie.”
The young stable hand’s head snapped up from where he’d been gaping at the health potion. “Ah, yes?”
“Take the evening off and heal up,” Mister Ling ordered. “I want you in proper form for the guests tomorrow. Laurence can fill you in on the schedule tomorrow morning. You’re to work with him.”
“Yes, Mister Ling—”
“Found you!”
Brownie looked up at the pinched frown of the tea attendant. The woman looked about as happy as she sounded.
Which was to say, not at all.
CHAPTER 25
My Bard
Rufus
As one of the more powerful people on the continent, I’d been a representative of Nilheim at Continental Councils hosted around the, well,continent. I’d stayed at inns, palaces, and even the Mages Tower. And I’d never experienced so much adventure as I had in just a few days travel with Minstrel Bronwynn.
People did not look at me the way a simple attendant—no disrespect to the profession intended—was looking at my bard.
Cough. My favorite bard.
“Does this mean our rooms are ready?” I demanded, stepping out from behind Donna. I gave the horse one final scratch behind the ear before handing her reins off to a ready stable hand.
“Ah, yes, Commander General.” The attendant took a small step back, and I made the effort to relax my face. Baring one’s teeth was never good form, so I slipped into a partial smile as I walked over to Bronwynn and offered my arm. “Shall we?”
“Alright.” The minstrel took it, amusement crinkling her eyes. She cast a wary eye at her horse, holding it for a few seconds, and then turned back to me. “Let’s get settled in.”
As we approached the attendant in the castle doorway, I told her, “I will keep my things in the wagon for now.”
Everything in my bag was for traveling, and anything important was in my storage ring.
“I just need everything that is red,” Bronwynn said. “I can come get my things after we’ve settled in.”
“You can’t settle in without your things,” I told her, then ordered the staff present, “See that someone delivers Minstrel Bronwynn’s red luggage to her room. Now, lead on.”
“Right this way.” The woman bowed. I worried that the antagonism would continue, so I thought deeply as we were led to a small room on the first floor to drop off Bronwynn. It was obviously a servant’s quarters, but the minstrel was pleased, and it looked clean and serviceable.
I resisted the urge to offer to switch rooms with whichever they gave me. Bronwynn had been hired for this event, and if she wanted to sleep somewhere fancier, she was her own person and would say so. Her room also overlooked the stables, and that was perfect if Donna needed aid.
Besides, her window had a perfectly safe landing spot below it.
I asked if she would like to have dinner with me that evening, but Bronwynn surprised me with a rejection, following it up with how she was going to practice until the morrow. As such, I left her to her own devices and followed the attendant to my own rooms on the second floor.
We were en route when I decided that it was an opportune time to ask the woman my questions directly. The straightforward approach was usually the correct approach.
And it was my favorite.
“Miss, is there something I should know about my companion? I’ve been sent to guard her, but was not given much detail on Minstrel Bronwynn.” The words gave her the chance to explain, and showed my eagerness for her opinion.
“My name is Claire.” She stopped on the way up the stairs and looked down at me, uncertain. Making up her mind, she continued. “You might not know, Commander, but common bards are a very untrustworthy lot!”
“Truly?” I held back an eye roll. That was like saying all assassins were killers. Or all rogues were thieves.
