Page 119 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
“First step is to make sure the horse isn’t going to walk out from under you.” Julian lifted the reins. “I’ll hold her for you this time. Then, you make sure Berry-Berry’s legs are all firmly on the ground and stable. Stand by her shoulder—Yes, like that. Now, you hook the ball of your foot in the stirrup and pull yourself up. Make sure to account for the extra height of the saddle and settle in the seat slowly once you’re up. Got it?”
“Sure.” After her foot was in the stirrup, she hopped awkwardly three times before getting a good grip and pulling herself up.
“Perfect,” he told her. “Now, hold the reins like so.”
Jeffry made a choking noise. The half elf was staring at Julian like he’d grown an extra head.
“You get used to it.” Sir Tully also swung into his saddle and urged his horse forward, coming up beside Jeffry. “Just pretend you don’t see anything, and Visha won’t hit you.”
“She only hits you, Tully,” Sir Pram said, matter-of-factly.
“Line up,” Visha ordered, leading her horse to stand beside Sir Jeffry. Pram and Tully were in the rear. “We’re on duty here until we reach the Northern Fortress, so look alive, people!”
Julian mounted his own horse, still holding Berry-Berry’s lead, and led her to the front. “Do you have your identification ready, Miss Gerda?”
“I do.” She nodded, turning to Sir Jeffry. “Now, what was it you were saying about expenses?”
Julian stared at his friend. Hard.
“Nothing, Miss Gerda. It’s all t-taken care of.” The words pained Jeffry to say, but he managed.
“Now, now.” The troll shook her head and smiled. “I’m happy to pay for my trip.”
“Let’s talk about this once we are free of the city,” Julian cut in. He clicked his tongue twice and nudged his horse forward. Gerda’s mount followed on the lead, the rest following after. “We’ll have plenty of time on the road.”
It was later than he’d wished to leave, but they should still make it to Borrow Grove by nightfall.
Behind him, Sir Tully whispered to Sir Pram in a clear voice, “Do you think Miss Gerda is going to give up before we reach the border, or after?”
“I don’t think she’ll give up at all,” Sir Pram replied, not bothering to whisper. Gerda pretended not to hear, though one long ear twitched.
Sir Tully smiled. “Bet.”
Before Julian could chastise the paladin, Visha turned to face Tully. Whatever he saw on the elf woman’s face made him shrivel in his saddle. He exaggerated closing his lips, sucking them into a thin line, and then looked away, cowed.
They were approaching the palace gates, where the first checkpoint was, when Gerda looked around and asked, “So … where is Sir John?”
CHAPTER 67
I Could Listen to Julian Give Orders All Day
Gerda
It turned out John was bidding his family goodbye and would meet us on the road outside the city.
We were able to join the rogue in good time, despite how busy it was. The regular gate was crowded with festivalgoers who’d gotten in line to leave after the closing ceremonies. Traveling with Julian meant we were able to exit without waiting in line, and crossing with the duke meant that no one asked too many questions.
Not that I had anything to hide anymore.
“So,” Sir Tully barely waited until we were five minutes from the front gate before he asked, “did you foresee any trouble on the road today?”
“No,” I replied, not even attempting to look back, as I was still getting used to riding Berry-Berry. She was a very good horse. I added, “But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen.”
Behind me, Sir Jeffry mumbled to Visha, “What am I missing?”
“Miss Gerda is Madame Potts,” Visha explained dryly.
“WHAT?” The fact that he’d somehow managed to go without hearing the news already was astonishing in and of itself. “Since when?”
