Page 69 of I Ran Away to Evil 2
“And that’s all?” Jack pressed. I noted that he was gripping his cup very tight … It would be amazing if the vessel broke. I could only hope.
“That’s all.”
There was a newfound strained silence in the room. Jack downed the rest of his cup and placed it on the side table.
And then there was a knock on the door. The waitress came in and offered to refill our tea from the teapots. Everyone agreed, and the waitress left again.
Jack regained some of his earlier composure. He blew on his now third cup of tea. “So you have no idea if Sumbria or Servalt had anything to do with Duke Francis’s assassination attempt?”
She shrugged. “Drendil is almost entirely human. I would have noticed if a bunch of elves were running around. I think I might have even been the only nonhuman there.”
“I see.”
At that point, Pjori tapped his small booklet with his parchment pen. “Thank you, Minstrel Bronwynn; you’ve been an incredible help to our investigation.”
“You’re welcome.” She bobbed a nod over her own tea where she had her cup nestled in both hands in front of her. She turned to stare at me. “If that is all, should we finish and get going to the Assassin’s Guild?”
“Hold on,” I said. “What do you mean,we?”
CHAPTER 40
The Bad Side of the Pixie Prim
Brownie
Watching Rufus get flustered was surprisingly enjoyable, and Brownie happily explained to the beastman why she had decided to go with him.
“You don’t need me in the guild with you. You need me on standby when the boss betrays your meeting and tries to take advantage of you.” Brownie waved at Jack. “He’s already said you shouldn’t go and it’s a trap. Besides, I can look for our runaway slave trader if they show up at the Guild.”
Rufus was glaring daggers at Jack. When his golden eyes caught hers, she paused.
“If you follow me,” he said, staring at her so intently that she felt the hair rise at the nape of her neck. His voice was low. “You will be needlessly put in harm’s way.”
“I don’t think they will care if I hang around outside …” She trailed off.
Rufus stood up and put his tea aside. He sounded like it was pulling teeth to get the words out of him. “I am not going to stop you from doing what you think is best. But I am a delegate from the kingdom of Nilheim, with all the power and security that allows me. I am also over level fifty.”
He didn’t say that she was none of these things, but Brownie felt the weight of his words nonetheless. She hesitated.
Then Pjori cut in. “Have neither of youbeento the Assassin’s Guild?”
“Shh!” Jack was sipping his tea, amusement written clearly on his face. “Don’t tell them.”
The two turned on Pjori. The storm kelpie coughed. “The Assassin’s Guild is the building next door.”
“What?” Rufus crossed his arms, still the only one standing at this point. Brownie thought about joining him in a show of solidarity against Jack … but she hadn’t finished her dessert.
“That’s why we chose to make the Wistful Cup our base of operations,” Jack explained. “One eye on the enemy. And if Miss Brownie is staying here, then she’ll have ample opportunity to notice any familiar faces on the street.”
“I am scheduled to meet with a representative of the Assassin’s Guild outside the Artful Acorn in one hour’s time.” Rufus looked between Jack and Brownie.
“That is two doors down, past the guild,” Jack informed helpfully.
Brownie took a bite of tart. The cherries were simmered in sugar beforehand, and the entire treat was a slowly savored delight. If only a handsome beastman weren’t staring at her while she ate that tart. There were so many crumbs.
“I’m leaving now,” Rufus told her, and she hurriedly took another bite.
Brownie had barely finished, but she stood up and brushed off her outfit. “Then I guess I’ll wander upstairs to keep watch? How long do you think it should take?”
