CHAPTER 47 The Flat of the Blade Across My Throat

Henrietta

After a lovely cup of rasp-elder berry tea, I said farewell to my bridge troll friend and set out west for the Gren's Keep turn off.

I wasn't in a rush, as there were still a few days before I was needed back at the castle … and even then, I wasn't really needed. I ignored that train of thought and sauntered up the road at a casual pace.

I tried not to look at the crossroad that wasn't a perfect crossroad because it was still off by one stone on either side of the path. That was a foolish thing to do, because I may have tripped, and barely had time to catch myself.

My Dexterity was high enough that my flailing save looked more like an elegant sway, but it was still awkward to just flail about while walking.

I glared down at the path; I was very sure that rock hadn't been there a moment ago …

If the path found my glare insulting or amusing, I couldn't tell. In either case, it chose not to speak to me.

A voice coughed in front of me. "Excuse me, miss."

Or maybe it did? I looked up and found five armored elves riding unicorns in front of me. My cheeks went red, and I moved to one side of the road.

The elf at the front of the group nodded. He was very proper and had a look about him that said anything and everything disappointed. He was riding the unicorn bareback, and gently patted the creature as he asked me, "Have you seen a young girl on the Great Road?"

I assumed he meant an elf girl, and I had seen one earlier. "I saw a girl reading a book back toward the king's castle. She had brown hair and was wearing a circlet—"

"Thank the gods." The prim elf visibly relaxed, and his companions did the same. He turned to the rider just behind him on the left and said, "She'll probably beat us back to the Hollow. What say you, Hazel?"

"Let's make haste," Hazel replied. Then she said to the unicorn she was riding, "Brightstar, I'm sorry you had to take us all this way."

Her unicorn tossed its head, and Hazel smiled. "You're right. Thank you."

I could have activated my [Social] skill, but I didn't want to intrude. The group seemed very worried for the missing girl. I hesitated to call her young myself, as she looked about my age. Still, it wasn't nice to presume.

They rode off up the path, and I continued on my way to Gren's Keep. I was a little worried that I hadn't mentioned that I'd seen her yesterday, but hopefully, that wouldn't make too much of a difference.

It made a difference.

I ran into the elf girl with brown hair and a circlet on her head not an hour later. She was reading a new book. It was purple, and this time, I was close enough to make out the title: Gradient Flora of Green Oak by Olen.

If I remembered correctly, Green Oak was the dungeon outside the elven city in Nilheim.

"Greetings!" I hailed the elf maiden as she approached, her nose deep in the book.

She didn't look up.

"Excuse me!" I tried again, but to no avail. Finally, as she was about to pass me, I reached out a hand to gently tap her on the shoulder.

I was suddenly on my back on the road staring up at the sky. I'd managed to get a finger onto the flat of the blade before it landed threateningly against my throat, but otherwise, I'd been completely taken by her surprise attack.

The elf looked as surprised as I felt. She was straddling me with the open book in one hand and her dagger in the other.

"Oh my gods!" The elf turned beet red as she jumped off me and flicked her book closed. She hopped twice on one foot as she stuck her knife back into a boot sheath and continued. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to throw you, Princess. Please forgive me!"

"That's fine." I laughed it off and stood back up myself, dusting off my clothes.

This was just another reminder that my perks and skills meant nothing if they weren't activated. I checked to make sure nothing had fallen out of my pockets before turning back to the elf.

She looked like she was about to cry, and I quickly waved away her fears. "It's alright! I'm fine! It's my fault for not blocking. And for trying to touch you. But I did call out twice."

The elf looked even more mortified and hid her face behind her book. Her ears peaked out on either side, a darker green from blushing. "I'm so sorry."

"I'm actually impressed. That was a wonderful throw!" I told her. I wasn't lying; it was a very good throw. I didn't usually get thrown, so I was doubly impressed. Abilities only took you so far, and she who reacted faster lived. It was my fault for not expecting danger at all times; my tutors would have been mortified.

I was tempted to use [Sword Aura] to try and get a sense of her level, but that would have been rude if she was strong enough to notice the skill.

"Really?" She looked at me over her book, hopeful.

"Really, really," I assured. "So, um, should we introduce ourselves?"

It wasn't the most graceful way of asking for someone's name, but I wasn't very graceful today. And I was tired of calling her "elf girl" in my head.

She took a deep breath and bowed so low her hair flopped forward and her circlet shifted slightly off-center. "I'm Lady Amaryllis Elm of Green Oak Hollow, but please call me Amy, Princess."

I hadn't misheard that first time. She did know who I was.

"It's nice to meet you, Lady Amy."

"Eeeek!" Amy made a squealing noise before collecting herself. "I'm sorry, Princess. I'm just such a huge fan."

"What?" I could only imagine what news had made it to the secluded elven home in the Dark Enchanted Forest. Maybe I didn't want to know; all this gossip about me was getting bad for my heart.

"Of your work!" Lady Amy's eyes lit up. "You defeated the Depths of Despair Dungeon when you were fourteen. And you soloed Dungeon Valley Crest by the time you were sixteen! Sixteen! It took me a decade of training to solo Green Oak Dungeon, and it's a lower-level dungeon! I just can't believe it's really you! Can I ask you some questions? Do you have time? I can walk with you back to Gren's Keep if that's where you're going? I won't be a bother, I promise. Did you know that when you defeated the phoenix of level fourteen in Dungeon Valley Crest, my father won the auction on some of its feathers? We also collected a blue scale from the ice dragon you killed. It's the dagger … in my boot."

Amy trailed off again after that long-winded ramble.

I could see why an adult elf would consider her still a young girl. And why he probably considered me a young girl, too. With that in mind …

"Alright," I said. "But first, you should know that there's a group of elves looking for you. They're riding unicorns down the path in that direction." I pointed.

Lady Amy visibly panicked. She gripped her book to her chest and whispered, "Oh no!"