Page 122 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
Her odd choice of words struck him, but it could be a troll thing. “It’s good.” Julian took another sip then set his mug down on the table. “Gerda.”
“Yes?” she asked, looking up from appreciating her own sip of tea.
“I have something I would like to tell you,” Julian broached.
“Okay?” Her relaxed expression stiffened, and she sounded unsure.
“I …” Julian stared at the troll, enjoying a peaceful cup of tea in her cozy cottage in the Dark Enchanted Forest.
What could he tell her? That he liked her? That he wanted to kiss her? That he couldn’t stop thinking about her night and day to the point that it was driving him to distraction?
He knew he wanted something … but what?
“I never heard your full escort request.” Julian leaned back in his chair.
He wasn’t a coward; he was just taking time to find the right words. It wasn’t fair or polite to express interest in someone if he didn’t know his own mind.
Gerda let out a breath. “Ah. Well, I’m on a quest to the Ice Fields. I was hoping you could bring me as far north as you’re able, and then I’ll take it from there.”
“Alone?” Julian frowned. The Northern Ice Fields were home to untold monsters, and not the friendly kind who would invite her in for tea. “I have a quest,” she replied, as if that settled it, “to find a bridge. It’s about as north as you can go, so I don’t expect you to escort me the whole way, just as far as you can.”
He could’ve told her it was a fool’s errand, a death wish … but instead, he replied, “I’ll take you the whole way.”
Gerda’s brows knit together, and she looked like she might protest, but then, her head turned to look at a notification tab. Her eyes darted as she read. “Oh, I should probably get this. Are you alright if I leave you here for a bit or—”
“I’ll wait.”
“Okay. One second.”
She vanished.
Suddenly, there was the long, distorted shadow of a troll on the field of wildflowers in the kitchen window.
Julian kicked himself.
CHAPTER 69
Survive Season Three
Gerda
It wasn’t every day that I dropped half of my stolen dungeon wealth in a single morning, but that wasn’t the only reason I was itching to properly toll my bridges again.
It was a constant nagging on the periphery of my mind. I controlleda lotof bridges, and they all let me know in vivid distraction when someone was crossing unimpeded. This notification, however, was special. And timely.
“To save your king, you’ve gone through strife.
What would you give me for his life?”
The unicorns rarely used the road, keeping to the deeper parts of the forest in enchanted glades by crystal river streams. All the stuff of fluffy fantasy novels.
The exception to that rule stood in front of me; Brightstar, a unicorn prince. Two other unicorns I didn’t know, but recognized from Carter’s oracle, stood behind the prince.
“Bridge troll,” he neighed, walking forward until he was at the edge of my domain. My [World Player] ability translated his words to me. “I was told that you are Madame Potts—”
“That is not the answer to my riddle, prince,” I scolded, crossing my arms in front of me.
“Of course. Thank you.” He shook his head and chuffed. “I would offer this.”
