Page 89 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
Julian coughed into his hand to hide his laugh. Their Royal Highness swept around the room to stand between Wizard Lorthar and Master Thomas, facing the troll. “Then whatdidyou discuss?”
“I was merely pointing out”—Gerda nodded at the royal—“that if you haven’t died already, then you aren’t living a second death, and even if youhadsurvived the molten ash vane, you would be living your secondlife. Simple, but these things usually are.”
“And the Void?” Wizard Lorthar repeated. He didn’t seem too concerned, but persisted anyway.
The troll waved at the door in the wall. “Have you considered that Guild Mistress Alice is a Void mage? Why isn’t it just saying that she’ll need to use her Void powers to complete a task?”
“Why do you lie?” Wizard Lorthar’s voice took on an edge that was not previously there.
Gerda sighed. “Because I’m self-centered, and it might also be about me. I’ve died already, and I’m on a quest that can unlock a Void-based skill. But ifthat’sthe case, I would be pleased to finish the task and ‘tie ends or end in Void.’”
Wizard Lorthar didn’t withdraw his intent. “One final question;whyshould we listen to a random bridge troll on the inner workings of Fate andnotthe chosen of Fate herself?”
That same bridge troll stood her ground admirably. “There is another reason Fate gave that message to her chosen—but you won’t like it.”
Lorthar’s lips pulled into a thin smile. “Tell me.”
“Because Fate doesn’t care about you or me or her chosen. All she cares about is a goodstory.” Gerda stood up suddenly, and Julian stepped up beside her. She met the eyes of everyone in the circle except his own. Oddly, that didn’t bother him; it was as if she assumed he was on her side and felt no need to defend herself to him.
She continued. “Fate told Alice exactly what she needed to hear to put her on a path to peaceordestruction. Either she’d continue working with the new story, or she’d become a new villain we could focus on—and Fate’s always loved a good villainess trope.”
Gerda lifted her hand to Julian, who instinctively took it.
“That is my final word on the matter. You may summon me if you have any more questions”—she curtsied to the room—“but I reallydohave to be on my way.”
“Thank you, Miss Gerda.” Wizard Lorthar nodded his approved dismissal.
“Wait.” Master Thomas also stood. “You really aren’t arresting her?She’s Madame Potts.”
“I don’t see how that has anything to do with anything, Thomas,” Witch Agatha rebuked.
The mage turned red in the face as he declared, “She has brokenmultipleinternational laws: operating the Crystal Cast without a permit, inciting civil unrest, defamation of royal personage, slander against the state, cross-border oracle espionage without a license—”
“And she’s saved us all,” Julian cut in as the troll stared up at him in appreciation.
“Don’t mind him.” Wizard Lorthar waved at the pair before turning a dark eye on the mage. “You two go on while we have a word with Master Thomas. But don’t leave before the council meeting—we’ll have to make time for a proper trial with each of the kingdoms.”
Their Royal Highness reached out and rested a not-so-friendly hand on the young mage’s shoulder, forcing him back into his chair. “Sit down, Thomas. I have a fewquestionsfor you.”
Julian nodded at the council members before leaving with Gerda still on his arm.
When they were alone in the hallway, she sighed. “If I have to stay until after the meeting … does this mean you can’t take me north?”
“If you aren’t detained indefinitely, I don’t see why not.” Julian didn’t know why, but the idea of her traveling north alone irked him. “I can wait.”
“Thank you.”
Julian wondered where she was going next, at the risk of angering members of the council to leave before they dismissed her.
He asked as much.
“To my rooms—or a bathhouse, if you have one.” She lifted one of her long braids. “I need to wash my hair.”
CHAPTER 51
A Saintess Who Forgives Everyone Else
Gerda
