Page 49 of I Ran Away to Evil 2
Who was going to open a lock if you lost the key? Who better to run customs checks and find fraud than a Rogue class with a high Perception and a mastery at finding hidden compartments?
Who better to track lost children in the Dark Enchanted Forest or solo monsters, or put up banners along rooftops during festivals than an Assassin class?
“The duke is usually very picky about whom he hires, and only qualified royal musicians have been brought in on previous special occasions.” Claire continued up the stairs until we arrived on the landing.
The second floor hosted many portraits of the duke’s family.I admired the art that consumed every spare inch of the walls in front of me. It was eclectic, with many different branches arranged neatly for inspection. He even had a preela cousin, the long furry ears with little black tufts matching the other aspen coloring of the duke’s family.
I turned from inspecting the paintings and asked, “But Minstrel Bronwynn is an acclaimed international minstrel; does that not make her on par with a royal musician?”
“A traveling bard is a traveling bard, and known to steal the silverware or”—Claire shook her head, her hands gripping together in front of her stomach as she leaned forward slightly—“your heart!”
Of course, anyone whoheardthe minstrel would have their heart stolen by her music, but I didn’t think that was what she meant.
“The wild and untamable roaming bard is known forwooing,” she said quietly, as if it were a great secret.
“I see,” was all I could ground out before I took a deep breath. This couldn’t be good for my blood pressure. “You are saying thatMinstrel Bronwynnis known for this? You have been told stories? Personally?”
“Well, no. But she’s abard.”
The sentiment was ridiculous and so offensive that I stood affixed while the woman simply raised her eyebrows as if inviting me toagree.
It occurred to me that I had the entire rest of the day free … I wondered if Duke Wyldon had a dungeon? Somewhere with a locked door to unpack a lot of toxic baggage. With a comfortable couch.
“Miss Claire,” I began, deciding that getting all of that ready was too much of a hassle. There were two sure-fireball ways to convince someone to change their world view, however: by making them think they’d thought of the idea themselves, or … the hard way.
“I am confused. Minstrel Bronwynn is an acclaimed andcreditedmusician who is internationally famous. She has performed forroyalty, and is highly spoken of among the well-to-do. Her songs are sung by adventurers and kings, and you are saying she is loose because of her musical title? Without any proof?” It took every nerve in my body to keep a light tone in my voice. Incredulous, not angry.
The attendant’s pointed ears turned red, and she must have realized the error of her ways because she took a step back, startled. “No! I’ve just heard—”
“I’m also curious why you would speak against the wishes of His Grace,” I stated calmly. I took a step forward and bent down to look at her more closely. My tail twitched, but she wasn’t paying attention to my tail. Her wide eyes held mine. “Openly criticizing his choice of performer when hepersonallyrequested her for her professional caliber.”
“That’s not it! I only—”
“I understand.” I dropped my voice into a soft lull and stood up straight again, bobbing my head in acknowledgement. “It must have been a mistake when you repeated vicious gossip. You wouldneverspeak ill of your master’s guest.”
“Of-of course not!” She grabbed the rope I threw at her and looked relieved.
I smiled a too-wide smile. “Which is why I’m sure you’ll be thefirstto tell everyone how exciting it is to have a famous bard like Minstrel Bronwynn here. You wouldn’t want toembarrassDuke Wyldon.”
“As you say, Commander General.” She nodded vigorously, and I left her still sweating outside my guest suite.
Hopefully, that would be the end of that.
CHAPTER 26
If You Counted Not Getting Caught As Behaving
Brownie
The day dawned clear and bright and perfect. Bronwynn refused to acknowledge it and rolled over to go back to sleep.
When shedidwake, the sun was warm, the wind was cool, and breakfast was romancing lunch. She didn’t worry about missing either, grabbing a honey oat bar with dried bimbleberries and almonds from her ring. Then she whiled away an hour thinking about the afternoon to come.
It was a surprise how much time she could waste just thinking about lyrics or practicing on her instrument. Her cousins used to tease her about it, though it turned out it wasn’t awastewhen it let her achieve her dream.
“Time to show them why I’m aMinstrel.” She smiled and picked out one of her favorite dresses, designed for exactly this type of event. It was a darker red bordering on black, with tiny glittering garnets sewn into the fabric. It clung to her waist and smoothed her curves as it accentuated her figure. She wore soft black tights and heeled boots that gave her even more height.
She’d have to remember to duck at the servants’ door. Remembering to duck was a lifelong struggle.
