Page 102 of I Ran Away to Evil 2
“OVERLY CAUTIOUS!” the elf immediately screeched. “Youdare—”
Rufus shoved the gag back into the elf’s mouth, having stopped just shy of freeing the earl.
“No, no, it’s fine!” Brownie urged her travel companion. “Release the elf.”
CHAPTER 61
Are You Going to Tell Him?
Rufus
Every bone in my body was telling me to toss the earl down the slope behind us. His level looked to be midtwenties … He would survive.
And he might think twice about yelling atmybard … But that way lay violence and bad choices, and I wasn’t an impulsive youth. I’d never really been an impulsive youth. No, those emotions had only come about after I’d grown a love for music. And an unhealthy adoration of the beautiful Minstrel Bronwynn that I was now letting get out of hand.
“Alright,” I agreed, choosing to extend my claw to slice the last rope that held the elf captive.
Earl Oakley reached up with his newly freed hand and grabbed the gag, tossing it to the floor. He turned on me with his full height, which was to say as tall as my collarbone, and yelled, “NOW, SEE HERE—”
“Lord Oakley,” Bronwynn cut in. “Do you have any plans now that we’ve saved you from certain permadeath?”
The earl puffed up his chest and looked down at the half giantess. “You will all return me to my entourage this instant.”
Bronwynn, with a patience that left me impressed, asked, “And where is your entourage?”
The earl wasn’t paying attention to her.
“My gold-threaded trim! My buttons!” After his declaration that we would escort him, he’d begun fussing over the state of his dress; the fine leather boots were scuffed, his emerald-green hose torn, and his gold-embroidered black doublet was missing a few emerald buttons.
Earl Oakley was growing more and more pale from his personal inspection. I could tell he wasn’t having a good day, so I granted him leniency when the elfwaved a hand at her and snapped, “What? Oh. We were attacked near the border of Peldeep by that disgusting hag—”
I flexed my claws right in front of his nose, startling the elf into silence. “I would speak more politely about such a lovely old woman.” She was also a member of the fan club, though she must have a disguise, since I’d never seen her at a show. I only knew that oneMorgawas on the list of crystal holders getting routine Minstrel Bronwynn updates.
“So youwerein league with the ogre!” Earl Oakley spat, touting nonsense. “I’m not a fool! You won’t receive a copper from me. Now, return me to my carriage at once, cretins!”
I stared down at the delusional elf and then over at Bronwynn, who was focusing on her character sheet.
Slake spoke before I could. “[Silence].”
The elf tried to shout words at the grimalcat—not the best idea, since grimalcats enjoyed a great love for vengeance. No sound left Earl Oakley’s mouth, and the elf got red in the face with his growing anger. After shaking a fist at the grimalcat, he stormed up the path.
“You didn’t need to do that,” Bronwynn said.
I interjected on behalf of the grimalcat. “Actually, it was probably for the best.”
We resumed walking as I continued. “It’s not my job to rehabilitate him to become a functioning member of society, so instead, I’m going to see him out of our hair as fast as possible. Where’s Donna?”
We had reached the road. A road that was missing one wagon and horse.
“I’ve sent her back to follow behind us,” the minstrel explained.
I stared at her. “Why?”
“Becausethat”—she waved at the still fuming elf. He looked like he wanted to have them all drawn and quartered—“wouldn’t last five minutes with my horse.”
“I see, yes.” She was absolutely correct. “So I guess we should start walking.”
The earl stamped his foot, but without words, we all ignored him. He was not happy, but after we left him raging on the road all alone, he ran to catch up.
