“Also, you are now covered in mud,” Ragvald added. He leaned in even closer, as though imparting a great secret. “In my experience, outlander women find thatveryattractive.”
Conleth risked a glance at Paige. Alas, she did not seem to be appreciating the view. In fact, she wasn’t even looking at him. Her fists clenched at her sides as she glared daggers at Ragvald.
Archie, in contrast, could not have been grinning any wider. Catching his eye, the boy gave him a sarcastic thumbs up.
“You see?” Ragvald beamed at him. “Everything is going to plan.”
“Again!” Ragvald roared.
“I can’t look!” Hetta pressed her face into Rufus’s shoulder. “Someone tell me when it’s over.”
“He has to give up now, right?” Finley said anxiously. “I mean, he must know he can’t win.”
“It’s Conleth,” Estelle pointed out. “I don’t think he knowshowto give up.”
Sure enough, Conleth pushed mud-streaked hair back from his face. Giving Ragvald a look that should have vaporized the wyrm shifter on the spot, he headed for his end of the rope once more.
“Uncle Conleth!” Leaving the rest of them behind, Beth dashed into the makeshift arena. She seized her uncle’s arm. “Please, just stop.”
“Unfortunately, I’ve never been much good at that.” Gently shaking her off, he stooped to pick up the rope again. “Besides, there are desserts at stake.”
“I don’t care about the desserts! Uncle Conleth, this is pointless. He’s just going to keep smashing you into the mud!”
“Probably. But it’s not over until someone surrenders. I don’t intend it to be me.” Glancing sideways, he added under his breath, “And at least I’m making someone happy.”
“Go, Conleth!” Archie crowed, dancing on the spot. “Don’t give up now! We’re all counting on you!”
“Don’t worry, Beth.” Conleth flashed her a reassuring smile as he braced his feet. “You know me. I always have a plan.”
“What did he say?” Estelle asked as Beth rejoined the rest of the pack.
Beth spread her hands helplessly. “He says he has a plan.”
“No offense, Beth,” Nancy said, following Conleth’s progress through the air. “But your uncle’s plans are kinda weird.”
Finley winced as mud splattered yet again. “I’m not sure Conleth really does have a plan.”
“He needs our help,” Beth announced. “We have to do something.”
“Yeah, but what?” Nancy asked. “If we charge out there to lend a hand, we’re just gonna get tossed in the mud too. I mean, fun as that sounds, I don’t see how it’s going to help.”
“You have a very strange idea of fun,” Ignatius muttered. “And also, just for the record, under no circumstances am I touching that rope. My ancestors would die of shame.”
Estelle rolled her eyes. “Ig, they’re ancestors. By definition, they’re already dead.”
“They’d come back to life to kill me, andthendie of shame,” Ignatius retorted. “Besides, these are Gucci jeans.”
Hetta shrank back against Rufus. “I’m not going out there either.”
“It wouldn’t make any difference, anyway,” Finley said. “All of us put together aren’t strong enough to defeat Ragvald, even if he doesn’t shift.”
“We need a distraction,” Estelle decided. “Nancy, go jump on something.”
“We’re in a field,” Nancy pointed out. “The highest point is Ragvald.”
“I’ve got an idea.” Beth turned, starting to push through the crowd. “Cover for me!”
“Huh?” Estelle said, but Beth was already pushing through the crowd.
