Page 140 of I Ran Away to Evil 2
Readiness: 90%
Reserves: 14958
Troops: 8279
Elites: 8/10
Total Defense: 89%
I paused for a second, realizing there was one more elite than I remembered there being.
Myself, General Knolith of the East, General Quinton of the West, General Derilla of the North, Chloe the Necromancer (who was supposed to be the General of the South but outright refused to let anyone call her that. Ever.), Lieutenant Patina of Plittsmouth, Puma of Gren’s Keep … The king and queen didn’t count, so who could’ve joined the army in the last month over level forty? Did I not notice a level up—Ah.
The bridge troll.
I had the titles Commander and General, both of which afforded me access to Dark Horde intel, including a map of the troop placements and any active battles. I could use my Commander points to issue orders to any member of the army, which I did now, reallocating experience points for job quest completion and paying out an advance travel fund to the teams.
When I finished, I found my three breakfast companions watching politely.
“If I can’t have the poisoner come to me,” I said confidently. “Then I can bring the army of the Dark Enchanted Forest tothem.”
I took a deep sip of my tea and almost spit it out when Marigold said, “Are you sure you haven’t fallen in love yet? ’Cause you’d better jump on this one quickly, sweetheart.”
CHAPTER 84
How They’d Met
Brownie
“Mother!”
Brownie was a grown woman, but even that was going a bit far. She stood up and pulled Rufus to his feet with barely enough time for him to put down his cup safely.
“We’re going to head out now. See you next time I’m in town!” The half giantess all but dragged Rufus from the room while her parents shared a knowing look and bid their quick goodbyes. There was usually a round of hugs, but not this time. This time, she was making a well-considered, hasty retreat.
Rufus let her pull him along, which gave her courage. It wasn’t far to their rooms, and she stopped outside his door.
“Are you ready to go?” he asked, an amused smile on his face. She nodded, thrusting a thumb over her shoulder at her own room a few doors down. “I just left my instrument on my bed. Everything else is packed … As long asyou’resure you’re finished with my uncle?”
“Unless Slake wants to come back tomorrow. But the guild master was more … transparent than I thought. Areyousure you don’t want to spend tonight with the family?”
“Absolutely.” Brownie squeezed his hand. “I thought we could … you know. Stay at an inn tonight? Closer to the palace. Together?”
Rufus dropped her hand, and it crushed her confidence. She fumbled to save her request by adding, “You know, since the palace is on the other side of the river…”
She realized then that Rufus had taken his hand and covered his mouth. His eyes were closed.
His tail gave it away before his reply.
“Do you want to … pet me?” His breathing was ragged, and when his golden eyes found hers, she was lost for a second. They were usually bright and smiling when he looked at her, but as his eyebrows lowered and his eyes narrowed, his gaze turned dark and passionate.
She felt it all the way to her toes.
Instead of answering aloud, she nodded, strangely too embarrassed to speak.
He reached out and gripped her hand again, and for a second time, he lifted it to his lips. He smiled as he kissed her hand, and it brought back a bit of his natural playfulness. “Then you’ll be happy to know I’m already ready to go now.”
Brownie nodded, again, and wondered if she was going to be able to resistherselfwhen petting Rufus that evening. Then again, he was a higher level and could probably fend her off with a stick when she crossed the line.
