Assistant to the Villain, #3
Accomplice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 7
Overview
King Benedict arrives with a small Valiant Guard and bombards Massacre Manor. Trystan counters with detonating pumpkins but discovers most are missing, hinting at ongoing sabotage. During the standoff, Trystan’s uncontrolled magic kills a knight. Benedict offers the full Rennedawn prophecy in exchange for Nura Sage, escalating the stakes.
Summary
King Benedict’s “knock” becomes a catapult assault on Massacre Manor. Trystan responds with his own catapult, launching detonating pumpkins to intercept the stones. Keeley reports most pumpkin munitions are missing, pointing to internal theft or sabotage. Benedict appears with only six Valiant Guards, raising suspicion of a trap.
Evie Sage insists on observing as Trystan’s apprentice despite his orders to stay back. When Benedict mocks him, Trystan’s volatile magic surges after Sage brushes his arm, accidentally striking a knight’s kill spot and killing him. The loss rattles Trystan, underscoring his precarious control when Sage is near.
As the barrage continues, Tatianna reports Fluffy can’t assist due to a cold, limiting defenses further. Sage corrals Lyssa inside to avoid stray fire, while Trystan demands Benedict state his terms.
Benedict proposes a deal: he will reveal the entirety of Rennedawn’s prophecy. In exchange, he demands Nura Sage. The demand shocks Trystan’s group and reframes the siege from brute force to high-stakes negotiation centered on Nura.
Who Appears
- TrystanThe Villain; commands defenses with detonating pumpkins, discovers munitions missing, and accidentally kills a knight when his magic surges.
- Evie SageApprentice; insists on observing the siege, steadies operations, and orders Lyssa to safety despite Trystan’s protests.
- King BenedictAntagonist; besieges the manor with a small guard and offers the full prophecy if given Nura Sage.
- KeeleyCaptain of the Malevolent Guard; coordinates the catapult and reports that most pumpkin munitions have vanished.
- LyssaYoung observer; tries to watch the ‘villain things’ until Evie forces her inside for safety.
- TatiannaAlly; reports that Fluffy cannot assist with fire-breathing due to a cold.
- Nura SageTarget of Benedict’s demand; her surrender is the price for the full Rennedawn prophecy.