Page 23 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
“… andthatis why you’ll be overseeing the bout. We don’t want anyinterference.” There was steel in Calisto’s voice, which instantly made Julian glance up and regret that he’d missed the first part while his thoughts had wandered.
“Interferences?” he broached.
“The Blackfog spies.” His mother’s hand tapped with irritation. One finger at a time fell with a softtikas her sharp, manicured nails, painted purple, hit the breakfast table. “We haven’t found any yet, but that just makes me all the more nervous.”
Julian tilted his head. “Madame Potts didn’t say that the Blackfog spies were going to attack. She just said there were going to be fireworks.”
His mother’s eyes shot up. “The fireworks in Peldeep were from Their Royal Highness Rowen fighting the spies during an illegal assassination attempt on their person. They burned downhalfof the Emerald Palace.”
“Ah.”
“And I likebothhalves of my palace, thank you very much!”
“Morning.” Julia walked in, yawning, with a bright smile on her face. His sister was tall, just shy of six feet, and built like a knight. Her black skin was the color of the midnight sky, just like their mother’s, though she had a red undertone that burned her cheeks whenever she was angry. Or embarrassed.
Neither had their mother’s dark-red hair, but they’d both been born with the duchess’s gray eyes. Julia’s eyes even shone silver when she used her powers as the Paladin of Light. And where Julian’s locks were the same color as their father’s—a rich purple—Julia’s hair was the same straight black as their maternal grandmother. She kept it cut shoulder length.
“Still no word on the spies, then?” Julia asked, spooning some scrambled eggs and two slices of fried flying pig meat onto her plate. She grabbed a freshly baked bun and lathered markleberry spread on top.
“No,” Calisto sighed. “Which you would have known if you’d come to breakfast on time. Now that you’re finally here, I have something to show you both.” Calisto waved her hand, and a piece of paper materialized in the air in front of her. She caught it and handed it to Julian first.
MADAME POTTS
Their Royal Highness Rowen of Peldeep
Earl Oakley of Sumbria
Countess Oakley of Sumbria
Lord Geoffrey of Oakley
Commander Carsen Jules
Nera of Servalt
Joseph of Servalt
Princess Contessa la Rouche of Ildsfeld
Knight Commander Havork of Drendil
Grand Duchess Calisto von Slyke
Countess Julia von Slyke
Necromancer Chloe Watercress
Commander General Rufus Triever
General Knolith of Nilheim
Gerda the Bridge Troll
Chikli of Nilheim
Sithli of Nilheim
Milith of Nilheim
