CHAPTER 14 Did Spring Finally Come to the Dark Enchanted Forest?

CHAPTER 14

Did Spring Finally Come to the Dark Enchanted Forest?

Brownie

Bronwynn recognized that Rufus was a very strong, capable, and charismatic individual. She knew he was quick to smile and easy to read, with a tail that got away from him. He was sweet and fluffy, but nothing more than her best friend’s husband’s friend.

She knew that.

Which was why she hadn’t expected to feel a flush when the man had growled “ If he hurt her —” and then burst out of a room in nothing but a housecoat.

For the first time since she’d met the man, Brownie was made aware of him.

She didn’t know what to make of that, so she decided to ignore it.

It was time to get ready and go enjoy listening in on the Dark Enchanted Forest gossip between two of the kingdom’s leaders! She put on a pair of black tights and an extra-long tunic that fell to her thighs. She’d forgone her red shoulder bag for a simple belt pouch and dagger.

Brownie grabbed her instrument bag and slung it over her shoulder. It was time to go.

“Minstrel.” A young naga woman waited in the hallway, tail coiled and wringing her hands. She had long pink hair and deep blue eyes. “I am Janet Melusine, heir of Clan Melusine. May I escort you to the lounge?”

“Is that where Rufus is?”

“Clan Lamia is escorting him there now.” The snake woman looked at the floor. “I do not know if they’ve arrived yet.”

Bronwynn sighed. It wasn’t a problem being alone with Knolith; he just treated her like a servant.

“Ah! Bard! You are back,” were the first words that greeted Bronwynn as she came into the private meeting room. “Have you not brought me Commander Rufusss?” General Knolith relaxed on a collection of pillows, seated at a low table laden with traditional hot spring delicacies. The lizardkin happily ate a red bean mochi ball and savored the flavor.

“He is on his way,” Brownie replied, wondering if he’d be insulted if she just sat down at his table and joined him; she’d never felt this hesitation back at the castle. She considered her next move.

Then Rufus walked in.

General Knolith slowly stood to his feet and shook out his robe sleeves to hang perfectly in front of him as he gave Rufus a stiff nod. The lizardkin’s eyes were fierce and ablaze with hunger. Brownie couldn’t tell if Rufus was the object of his touted revenge … or if Knolith might be interested in the beastman for other reasons.

“General Knolith,” Rufus returned the greeting then turned to Bronwynn. “I see you’ve met the esteemed Minstrel Bronwynn. Shall we take a seat?”

Brownie smiled and plopped down on the floor. She chose a nice red cushion with embroidered white coy fish and settled in.

“Wait.” Knolith remained standing. “I have asked for this meeting to learn about our kingdom’sss internal affairsss. This woman is not in a position to sit with us, no matter who her friendsss are.”

“You are incorrect.” Rufus poured Brownie a cup of tea, who nodded in thanks while adding a splash of milk and honey. “Minstrel Bronwynn might not be a leader in the Dark Lord’s army, but she already knows everything I am about to tell you. Besides, I’ve heard that you attacked her unprovoked. I would warn you now that any such insult will not be allowed to happen again. ”

Both Brownie and the lizardkin’s eyebrows rose at that. Rufus coughed. “She is the queen’s best friend, after all.”

“That’s why I asked you to see me.” Knolith crossed his arms. He probably meant to seem imposing, but Bronwynn was tall enough that she wasn’t particularly intimidated. Even from a sitting position. “ That Keith is married ?!”

“Sit down, and we’ll tell you what happened.” Rufus waved at Knolith’s floor cushion before refilling the lizardkin’s cup. “It’s actually the reason Minstrel Bronwynn is here. She knows more about the finer details than me, I assume.”

The two faced her, and Bronwynn’s cheek twitched; she pulled out her lyre and gave it a strum. “Song first, I guess. Then some explanation.”

By the time she finished “The Dark Lord’s Lady,” Knolith was gaping incredulously. Rufus then explained how Drendil had declared war on the Dark Enchanted Forest, but the army had been stopped at a bridge troll crossing—courtesy of Gerda the Bridge Troll—and how Henrietta and Keith had sent them packing.

Then she explained the kidnapping and slave trading attempt by a noble in Servalt at the Spring Ball, and how Princess Henrietta had saved Dark Lord Keith’s life with the help of her friends. Finally, Brownie recounted the marriage proposal, which she’d heard from Henrietta in great detail, and explained that Chloe the Necromancer had given up her wedding so that the Dark Lord wouldn’t outright elope.

“Chloe’s engaged too?!” Knolith slapped a hand to his forehead. “What? Did ssspring finally come to the Dark Enchanted Forest? Where is my ssstrong and ferocious mate?!”

“Technically,” Rufus quipped, “it is spring.”

“For at least two weeks,” Bronwynn added. Though she only did so because General Knolith looked annoyed. She helped herself to a Lady Green tea mochi.

The lizardkin turned on Rufus. “What about you ? Are you sssuddenly in love and getting married as well?”

Rufus stiffened and slowly lowered his tea, his voice rough. “I’m not getting married anytime soon. Besides, even if I did find a partner, Chloe and Julia are next. She would kill me if I ran off and got married.”

“Alright. I think I understand well enough.” Knolith frowned. “I guesss I’d better head to the castle to ssswear fealty.”

“You might want to check out Kith Bog first,” Rufus recommended. He explained. “Since assassins lit it on fire.”

Brownie noted that Rufus neglected to point out that had happened over a month ago, and as far as she knew, the town was already rebuilt, and nobody got hurt.

Except the assassins, but who counted assassins?

Knolith took the bait and jumped to his feet. “What?! Assassinsss lit my home on fire? And you didn’t lead with that?!”

“It’s fine,” Rufus said as he sampled a small bit of fish cake. “No one died.”

“Except the assassins,” Brownie repeated her thoughts aloud, smiling.

“But who counts assassins?” Rufus chuckled. “Ah, and your house burned down.”

“Agh! Then I shall ssstop in to review my domain, then head to the castle.” Knolith asked after the underwater city below Lake Loria. “There isn’t any ill-begotten newsss from Plittsmouth, right?”

“It’s moved to the southeast currently.” Rufus shrugged. “And Her Eminence Feliwyn is still napping away. Barely moved during the entire ceremony.”

“Truly? You held a wedding in my domain without me? I told everyone I’d be out before the sssummer. You couldn’t have waited ?” Knolith complained, his fist clenching on his knee.

“And deny Chloe?” Rufus chuckled, clearly finding the idea ridiculous. “You can tell the necromancer yourself how she should have delayed the wedding of the king of the Dark Enchanted Forest for a mere general.”

Bronwynn knew Chloe well enough by now to know how that would go. It was a simple fact, yet Knolith seemed to take personal offense. The air around them dropped a few degrees as the lizardkin struggled to compose himself.

“That bringsss us to the last reason I’ve requested an audience.” Knolith picked up the hot tea Brownie had refilled and downed it. Steamy breath rolled out of his mouth as hot tea met ice-cold cultivator.

Rufus just raised an eyebrow.

“I wish to test my newfound power.” The lizardkin slammed his cup onto the table. “I challenge you to a duel!”