Arc 5: Chapter 21: The Path Forward
How does one properly respond to learning they are talking to a man who’d taught the greatest villain of the age everything he knows?
I didn’t know. So I kept quiet, letting the knowledge settle itself into my mind, coming to terms with it before I did or said anything foolish. Shocking perhaps, but I can occasionally have some tact.
Hendry did not have my self control. He shot to his feet, his hand reaching for the sword belted at his hip.
“Stop!” I barked. Hendry froze, his shaken expression turning to me in surprise.
“But…” The young knight glanced fearfully at the vampire. “He just said—”
“I know what he just said." I kept my eyes fixed on the Count, even as I addressed Hendry. “Sit down.”
Emma had remained calm, at least. She looked more interested than shocked. Catrin was looking around at everyone in confusion. Her knowledge extended to a lower class of villain, not nightmares who tore down kingdoms.
Reynard was the evil wizard who killed off half the elves, I thought. A gross oversimplification, but I had no time for more expositing.
Catrin’s eyes widened in understanding. “Ahh,” she said aloud.
Karog’s gaze was fixed on Laertes. I couldn’t tell what he thought, or if he’d already known any of this.
The Count had watched Hendry reach for his weapon, though he seemed more amused than anything and hadn’t budged from his seat so much as an inch.