CHAPTER 78 That’s The One Oscar Bit

CHAPTER 78

That’s The One Oscar Bit

Brownie

Brownie was born and raised with a large family, so she was used to the loud, boisterous cacophony of giants, trolls, foxfolk, and humans all talking over each other during dinner. Rufus, she knew, was not , and she felt that he handled the onslaught of questions admirably.

“What? No!” Cousin Terra, a human Courtier, gasped, hiding her smile behind a colorful fan.

Uncle Tobias, a storm giant and her sixth uncle, asked, “How long has this been going on?”

“That’s the one Oscar bit,” Jasmine, a human Arcane Assassin, explained to her fox husband, Cousin Luke. She wasn’t trying to be quiet about it, either.

“I’m surprised she landed someone so—” Cousin Terra’s husband, the puma beastman Mark, began to mutter. He didn’t finish his sentence before his human mother-in-law, Aunty Martha, jabbed him in the side.

Brownie’s father headed off most of the inquiries while escorting her beastman to the seat beside her. “He’s only just arrived, so don’t overcrowd the man,” Linden ordered. Instead of taking his usual seat beside her mother, he sat beside Rufus so the two of them were defended on both sides by her parents.

It was strangely comforting, and Brownie was reminded for the hundredth time why she loved her family. Even if they made her want to tear her hair out sometimes.

A deep voice quietly carried over the din of noise around the table. “ If you have good intentions for our niece, then I’m happy to welcome you to our table, Commander Rufus.” Everyone stilled as Uncle Derek spoke from the head of the table. He was the eldest, in his fifties, and sat with Aunty Sue, a foxfolk. Aunty Sue was the quiet type, but her thin eyes were lifted in amusement even as her husband masked threats in a greeting .

“I assure you that I only have the best of intentions for Bronwynn.” Rufus bowed at the waist as low as he might to someone a rank above him, showing her uncle a great deal of respect.

“We shall see.” Uncle Derek nodded in acknowledgement. He faced the gathering then, and announced, “Now that everyone is here, let’s eat.”

Brownie reached out with her sticks and plopped a small glazed duck breast onto her plate, then added some long broccoli and wild rice. Rufus hesitated but selected from a tray of steamed buns and some sauteed mushrooms. She passed the ladle to him, and he scooped some of the rice onto his plate as well.

The table was long and rectangular, and repeat dishes were prepared to serve every four people down the line. Since her father was the seventh son, he was seated at the end. That meant they weren’t surrounded by curious family members, just sandwiched.

“How long have you known our Brownie?” Her Uncle Tobias asked over his own plate of steamed buns. He was the forever-single-and-happy-about-it uncle who spoiled his nieces and nephews, including Brownie.

Rufus answered, “I’ve been to her concerts long before we officially met.”

“And then my best friend got married to his best friend,” Brownie explained, “so we saw a lot of each other in and around the Dark Enchanted Forest, even before he joined me on my trip to Servalt.”

“Servalt is not the safest place right now, so I’m happy you had someone traveling with you,” Lucy the troll pipped up, and Cousin Andreas nodded in agreement with his wife. He was the son of Brownie’s fifth uncle, Ulric, who was on shift that evening guarding their home.

Cousin Andreas asked, “And how were your encounters? Nothing too arduous?”

Brownie shrugged. “Same old, same old; though we did need to save a Sumbrian elf that I was tempted to let get eaten.”

“You wouldn’t be the first,” her mother muttered darkly beside Brownie. She stabbed one of her sticks into her bun to let out some of the steam. “Uncle Bruce and Benji have told me horror stories. I’m surprised at how few hits have been taken out on the Sumbrian court royals currently visiting.”

“It explains the Sumbrian rebels’ requests, though.” Her mother sighed. “They’ve ordered twice their normal amount of poisons recently. And put out a hit on at least five royals. I don’t know how they could suddenly afford it; they must have a new sponsor.”

Her father shook his head. “I think our locals are just waiting until negotiations are settled, the wedding is done, and the lot are on their way back home. Who’s to say that we won’t have a sudden increase in contracts next week?”

“I’m planning on it, actually,” Cousin Terra said from slightly further up the table. She was the daughter of Brownie’s human third uncle, Graham, who wasn’t present. They were in charge of managing the family’s business and administration side, and it was nice to know they were preparing.

“Terra, any chance you have some crushed pearls I could steal?” Brownie pleaded to her favorite cousin, hands linked in front of her heart.

Terra fanned her face in mock haughtiness. “I guess this kind and generous miss can spare a bottle or two … For a song!”

“I’ll swing by after dinner!” Brownie beamed, then she turned back to Cousin Andreas. “Aside from that, it’s been the usual bandits and troll riddles. Though we did come across some Blackfog spies in Servalt.”

She didn’t mention they were, in fact, attacking Rufus, or that she was just there for the ride.

“You know, I’ve seen a lot more of them around recently.” Uncle Tobias crossed his arms. “We’ve even had some delivered to the guild with a batch of assassins from Nilheim. Speaking of.” The giant turned his attention to Rufus. “ Must you send us so many Servalt operatives? I’m in charge of handling trade with the Assassin’s Guild, and it’s time-consuming.”

“I’ll be meeting with Guild Master Derek soon to discuss that very topic,” Rufus said. “I’m sure we can come to some solution.”

“Commander General Rufus.” There was another pause in the conversation as Uncle Derek spoke. Between her uncles and aunts and their children and their children’s children, there were fourteen people at the table, even with some of her family absent. It was noticeable when everyone stopped to listen to the head of the family.

“Yes?” Rufus replied.

“As you are staying in my home, why don’t we move up the meeting to tomorrow after we break our fast?” her uncle offered.

Rufus nodded. “Alright, if it’s not too much trouble to organize the paperwork here instead of the Assembly?”

“No trouble at all.”

Brownie placed her hand on Rufus’s paw. “That’s perfect. Once you’re done with Uncle, we can go to the festival together. And you can come to my show!”

Rufus stiffened noticeably under her touch, but his demeanor never faltered, and she wondered if he was just distracted by her hand on his, or if there was something she was missing.

“Ah, yes.” He smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “I did hope to catch at least one of your concerts.”

Brownie didn’t know why … but that feeling of unease slowly settled in her gut again. The same one she’d had before she learned that Rufus was following her around on orders.

No one else seemed to catch it, but she knew. She knew, and all night, she wondered.