CHAPTER 87 Scape-Cat

CHAPTER 87

Scape-Cat

Rufus

I admit it; I considered running … but that was futile. So I said the first thing that came to mind. “Hello, everyone.”

“Really?” Frida turned a quizzical eye on the pixie. “How could you tell ?”

Ross pointed. “Those are Fergus’s clothes, and who else has such pretty golden eyes and hair? How could you not tell?”

The heavy weight of anxiety I’d been battling moments before felt like nothing compared to the gaping hole I was sinking into as Ross nodded knowingly after revealing my deepest darkest secret.

“Fergus?” Bronwynn herself turned to me and stared. She squinted, searching for something—and finding it. “You’re that Fergus?”

Sometimes, there are moments that live down as the most horrible, no good, absolutely dreadful moments in a lifetime. This was that moment. I should have told Bronwynn this morning. I should have told her yesterday. I should have cut Ross off and confessed right then and there …

But no. A pink pixie had beaten me to it.

At least Donna looked impressed. She was eyeing me with newfound respect.

With a sigh that let go of a year’s worth of secrecy, I poofed into my folk form, one hand waving. “Surprise?”

I was slightly shorter than Bronwynn in this form, since I was standing on my heel instead of my canine toe pads. I had a military frame, muscular like a troll, but with light-brown skin like a human. I wouldn’t be mistaken for one of the lithe elves, but my ears were pointy. My eyes were still the same. I could barely pass for a human if someone wasn’t looking closely.

“Wait!” A catkin from Gren’s Keep named Nelly pointed her finger at me. “If Fergus is also Commander General Rufus … does that mean the leader was dating Minstrel Brownie? And didn’t tell us! ”

I’d told them that Commander General Rufus was traveling with their minstrel … and I’d left out that Commander General Rufus was me . If a sharp gaze could cut, I would have been sliced to ribbons as everyone except Frida and Ross glared daggers at me. The latter just looked a bit disappointed and shell-shocked. Even Nicole, the shy selkie from Plittsmouth, had popped her razor-sharp claws while hiding in the back. I was surprised she wasn’t hiding in her room until the show; she was usually that anxious about crowds.

“If it helps,” I confessed, “I didn’t tell Minstrel Bronwynn either?”

It didn’t help. Bronwynn dropped my hand, and the feeling of loss left me wondering if I was ever going to be able to breathe freely again. The grip on my chest made it hard to draw anything more than a shallow breath …

And all the while, my cursed [Natural Poise] was keeping me from falling apart at the seams.

One of the fans at the back of the group, a naga named Lance, whispered to the preela girl beside him, “I hope we get a cool song out of this.”

I searched Bronwynn’s eyes, and there was something in them that gave me hope. She wasn’t angry or sad or frustrated … She was considering .

Finally, she opened her mouth. “Meow.”

And there was Slake, arriving at the least opportune moment . His black body wound its way through the group, and then the grimalcat leaped onto my shoulder, settling himself in. “Rufus, I’ve just come from the palace. Their Royal Highness has summoned you.”

“What?” I didn’t ask how the grimalcat could also recognize me. He was a grimalcat; it could be as easy as recognizing my vest or recognizing the taste of my soul. Grimalcat lore was still questioning if the beasts ate souls.

Slake lay down comfortably on my shoulder and licked one paw delicately. “Since Their Royal Highness is worried about the excitement around Bastian’s wedding and everyone is already here, the meeting has been called early.”

Bronwynn was still looking at me, considering, when she said words that crushed my heart and ate away at my own soul. “You should go.”

The fan group was quiet, staring between their idol, myself, and a grimalcat . It was probably the grimalcat that truly prevented them from hauling me off in an angry mob for questioning.

“Bronwynn—” Her name was on my lips even as she shook her head, rejecting anything I might have to say.

“You need to go and do your quest,” she decided. “We can talk later.” A strange look passed over her face. She glanced between me and the fan club and back. “You’ll know where to find me. ”

I stood there as she waved politely to everyone and pulled Donna to the stable around back, leaving me standing rooted to the spot like a dejected treant. The entire situation had gotten out of hand.

“Frida, Ross …” I started, trying to salvage what little calm I’d left. “I wanted to tell you in person. I’m sorry you had to find out like this.”

The fae woman tilted her head, and the vines draping from her antlers swayed delicately through the air. The faint sound of wind chimes accompanied her head tilt. “You speak the truth, so I will think on this matter.”

“Thank you.” I reached up and pet Slake. The grimalcat allowed it. “Well, everyone … maybe I’ll see you at Minstrel Bronwynn’s performance tonight—assuming she doesn’t have me barred.”

“She didn’t outright dump you!” Nelly the catkin tried to cheer me up.

Lance added, “And she’s still talking to you, even if it’s to dump you later.”

“Lance.” The preela shook her head.

“I’ll hand over my crystal tonight if everyone wants to pick a new leader.” I sighed, slouching forward as much as my [Natural Poise] allowed.

There was a quiet as the group processed what I’d said. For a mob on the verge of ripping me to shreds mere minutes ago, they were surprisingly calm about the entire affair, though Ross fluttered about with his arms crossed and a frown on his face.

The little pixie said, “Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why are you stepping down as the leader?” he asked. He touched down on Frida’s shoulder again and promptly sat down. There were murmurs among the group that reflected the same confusion.

“Because …” I paused. There were so many reasons, and yet none of them came readily to voice. The hidden identity, courting Bronwynn, or simply that the group had lost faith in me should have been enough.

“ Are you dating Minstrel Bronwynn?” Nelly asked, her sleek brown ears twitching. She was in a purple dress with a serviceable apron with both hands on her hips demanding an answer.

“I am, was? I am courting the half giantess.” What our relationship was going to look like by tomorrow might change … but as of right now, that still remained to be seen.

“So,” the catkin reasoned, “you will have firsthand knowledge of what she likes, all of her shows, what her favorite foods are, and what she’s doing? All the time?”

“I mean … yes? Again, assuming she doesn’t leave me.”

There was a satisfactory agreement among those present that came about incredibly fast. Frida was the one who nodded deeply and said, “Then it is good that you keep the crystal. ”

“But … it’s Minstrel Bronwynn . Why aren’t we all dragging me into a dark alley for a special talk?” I finished petting Slake, who was still my assumed scape-cat.

“Because you’re our leader!” Ross shook his head. “You’re one of us. Of course you fell in love with Minstrel Brownie. I’m just envious that she likes you back.”

“If the leader’s courting her, then he can give us updates more often!” Nelly smiled viciously and caged her hands in delight.

“Our minstrel deserves at least a level fifty member of the Continental Council.” The preela nodded. I wondered if she was Gisele of North Sumbria? She was another fan I’d spoken to only over Crystal Cast.

“But—”

“No buts.” Ross pointed a finger at Slake. There was a hint of fear and respect in the pixie’s voice when he said, “Now go do what the grimalcat wants, or we might all find ourselves in a dark alley.”

I twisted my head to get a good look at Slake, who was smiling fiercely at the fan club.

“That would be wise.” Slake’s tail whipped once. “I do not wish to be late.”

The walk to the palace wasn’t far, but it felt like an eternity as I walked away from the Bea’s Bed & Breakfast.