Page 124 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
“As often as I wish,” I shrugged. “Which is three to four hours a day on average. I could do more, but I usually stick to the bridges on the Great Road. That keeps me busy but not annoyingly so.”
“And how do you plan to keep doing that while you’re in the North?”
“I’ll cheat,” I stated.
He looked at me. I fiddled with my stir spoon.
“I realized during the Spring Ball … that I can just make my own bridges.” It was a system oversight, but it was true. “I can build up an ice bank, lay down a makeshift bridge, andvoilà!”
“Voilà?”
“It’s for emphasis.”
“So you can justmakesave points”—Julian’s eyes gleamed—“anywhere, any time?”
“Don’t look at me like that,” I said, waving my spoon at him.
“I have to admit, I’d like to take advantage of your power. But only if you agree.” He lifted both hands in mock surrender before resting them on his lap. It was a very nice lap. “I’m looking for a dungeon in the Northern Ice Fields, and it’s been a nightmare to locate. If we could leave a save spot to portal back to, it would save usso much time.”
I looked out the window at the setting sun. There was less than half an hour until night fell.
“I’ve a proposition for you,” I broached, turning back to Julian. “You won’t like it, and I don’t expect you to say yes … But if you did, it would have to be now. I wasn’t going to even ask, but since you’re here and we’re alone and the timing is right—”
“Gerda”—he reached a hand over the table and touched mine—“what do you need?”
Quietly, knowing I was probably making a big mistake, I said, “Your locket.”
He didn’t withdraw his hand. “Why?”
I decided to just be honest with the duke. “I have until sunset to complete a quest that requires the scepter in your locket. When I learned how important it was to you, I gave up, but …” It was the last treasure I had to find … but the accomplishment wasn’t worth risking the trust I’d built with Julian. Iknewthat. I knew it, but I said it anyway. “I don’t need it forever, mind you, only until sunset. I was going to offer to help you find your hidden dungeon in exchange, but—”
“Alright,” Julian agreed, letting go of my hand. He reached up to unhook the chain around his neck. Without another word, he dropped it into my palm and used his fingers to close mine around the locket.
“What do youmean‘alright’?” I asked, my voice catching.
He smiled. “You said you’ll give it back. So alright.”
“But I’ll have to break the glass to retrieve the scepter!” I squeezed the locket in my palm.
“I didn’t even know itwasa scepter,” Julian replied. “I’ll still have the locket when you’re done. I can carry around the scepter on my belt or in my storage, or ask mother to put it back inside the locket if need be. It’s a small price for Madame Potts to help me find the dungeon I’ve literally spent my life searching for.”
“I would’ve done it anyway. You’re escorting me, and you paid for my travel supplies—”
“I don’t mind.”
My hands were shaking. I popped the locket open, and there was the picture of young Julian and his family. The other side was only a broken piece of crystal behind a thin pane of glass.
I swallowed and asked one last time. “If you’re sure?”
“Break it.” The words were firm, and I pressed the glass with a green thumb, exuding more and more pressure until the barrier splintered.
A bright light erupted from the locket, and then a large scepter appeared overtop. It had looked like crystal, but it turned out to be shimmering mithril imbued with aura.
I hurried to catch it as it dropped, and a notification let me know this wasexactlywhat I’d been looking for.
[Quest: Season Two Treasures Found 10/10
Nova’s Celestial Pendant:An opal pendant that glows near celestials and darkens near demons. +5 Charisma with Divine.
