Assistant to the Villain, #2
Apprentice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 1
Overview
An unnamed knight deceives King Benedict by reporting Evie Sage dead while concealing hatred and fear beneath obedience. Benedict reveals a larger political scheme: he intends to use Evie’s supposed corpse to vilify The Villain before Rennedawn’s nobles and strengthen his own rule.
The chapter expands the stakes beyond Evie’s fate by tying Benedict’s plans to Rennedawn’s fading magic, Nura Sage’s missing letters, and the Sage family’s possible powers. Its final reveal suggests Benedict has The Villain in his possession, turning the conflict toward captivity, propaganda, and a dangerous search for magical resources.
Summary
An unnamed knight enters King Benedict’s study and reports that “Evie Sage is dead.” The knight hides hatred for the king while Benedict reacts with false sympathy, claiming Evie was corrupted by The Villain and that death is a merciful end for someone touched by darkness.
Benedict asks after Sir Nathan, who had stayed with the knight to complete the mission. The knight corrects Benedict’s mistaken name and reports that Sir Nathan is dead, then lies that Otto Warsen became bloodthirsty and killed him before the knight dispatched Warsen. Benedict shows little concern and approves the removal of loose ends.
When Benedict asks to see Evie’s body, the knight lies again, saying healers need time to repair her wounds and make her presentable. Benedict accepts the delay but insists Evie be ready for an “unmasking” at week’s end, when he plans to expose The Villain before the kingdom’s nobles.
Benedict explains that displaying Evie as the perfect victim will strengthen Rennedawn’s hatred of The Villain. He connects the plan to Rennedawn’s Story, a legendary origin tale about the kingdom’s fading magic, suggesting he believes its enchanted rhyme may matter to Rennedawn’s survival and dominance among magical kingdoms.
Benedict then orders the knight to retrieve Nura Sage’s letters from the Sage family home by the end of the day. He reveals that he hoped the older Sage girl might have inherited Nura’s powers, but Griffin’s efforts found her useless while alive. When the knight asks about the younger Sage girl, Benedict dismisses her as effectively dead, taken by The Villain’s horde.
The knight asks about the guvres and the venom Benedict needs. Benedict responds that he already has the man who can help with that, chilling the knight because the king means The Villain.
Who Appears
- The knightUnnamed royal knight who lies to Benedict while hiding fear, hatred, and divided loyalties.
- King BenedictRennedawn’s ruler; plots to exploit Evie’s supposed death and pursue magical power.
- Evie SageReported dead by the knight; Benedict wants her body used as anti-Villain propaganda.
- The VillainBlamed for Evie’s corruption and implied to be Benedict’s captive resource.
- Nura SageEvie’s missing mother; her letters become Benedict’s next target.
- Otto WarsenDead accomplice whose fate the knight lies about to satisfy Benedict.
- Sir NathanDead knight whose death is reported as part of the cover story.
- GriffinMentioned as having tested the older Sage girl for inherited powers.