Page 31 of I Ran Away to Evil 2
“You might want to check out Kith Bog first,” Rufus recommended. He explained. “Since assassins lit it on fire.”
Brownie noted that Rufus neglected to point out that had happened over a month ago, and as far as she knew, the town was already rebuilt, and nobody got hurt.
Except the assassins, but who counted assassins?
Knolith took the bait and jumped to his feet. “What?! Assassinsss lit my home on fire? And you didn’t lead with that?!”
“It’s fine,” Rufus said as he sampled a small bit of fish cake. “No one died.”
“Except the assassins,” Brownie repeated her thoughts aloud, smiling.
“But who counts assassins?” Rufus chuckled. “Ah, and your house burned down.”
“Agh! Then I shall ssstop in to review my domain,thenhead to the castle.” Knolith asked after the underwater city below Lake Loria. “There isn’t any ill-begotten newsss from Plittsmouth, right?”
“It’s moved to the southeast currently.” Rufus shrugged. “And Her Eminence Feliwyn is still napping away. Barely moved during the entire ceremony.”
“Truly? You held a wedding in my domain without me? I told everyone I’d be out before the sssummer. You couldn’t havewaited?” Knolith complained, his fist clenching on his knee.
“And deny Chloe?” Rufus chuckled, clearly finding the idea ridiculous. “You can tell the necromancer yourself how she should have delayed the wedding of the king of the Dark Enchanted Forest for a mere general.”
Bronwynn knew Chloe well enough by now to know how that would go. It was a simple fact, yet Knolith seemed to take personal offense. The airaround them dropped a few degrees as the lizardkin struggled to compose himself.
“That bringsss us to the last reason I’ve requested an audience.” Knolith picked up the hot tea Brownie had refilled and downed it. Steamy breath rolled out of his mouth as hot tea met ice-cold cultivator.
Rufus just raised an eyebrow.
“I wish to test my newfound power.” The lizardkin slammed his cup onto the table. “I challenge you to a duel!”
CHAPTER 15
Civilized Members of the Dark Army
Rufus
Ever since I’d first crushed Knolith in the Winter Tourney at eighteen and claimed the title of Commander General, the lizardkin had used every excuse to challenge me.
It was usually a chore, butthis time, I was glad for the excuse.
“Alright.” I retained my calm and collected appearance as inside, I warred with the desire to punch Knolith in the face.
The lizardkin gave me a side-eye. “Just like that?”
I stood up. “You’ve been rude to my … friend, and we can settle this like civilized members of the Dark Horde.”
So what if Iusuallyfound a way out of battling every Tom, Rick, and Knolith who challenged me?
Usually, I was busy or not in the mood. The fact thateverywhereI went,someonechallenged me, especially since duels had become popular, meant I’d grown tired of it very quickly. I was the right hand to the king, and people wanted to know: Could they hold their own against the commander of the Dark Horde? The most powerful warrior in all the land?
It was exhausting.
And Knolithalwayschallenged me. Even before that. From the time I was sent to Keith as a playmate, the lizardkin had taken every opportunity to compete with me. It was hard enough being handed over like some toy, but then, I’d had to protect the future king with my lifeandput up with a very hostile young Knolith.
I thought about this as we made our way to the Thistlecrick training grounds … And the more I thought about it, the more Ireallywanted to punch Knolith in the face.
“This is just like how Henrietta and Keith started.” Bronwynn chuckled. “Though with less bimbleberry scones. Perhaps springhascome for you and Knolith.”
She was standing with me as we emerged onto the training plateau. Her flaming red hair caught the last rays of the sun.
