Arcadia’s Ignoble Knight, Vol. 2

  The Sorceress of Ashtown Part II

  Brandon Varnell

  Illustrated by

  Claparo Sans

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Arcadia’s Ignoble Knight, Vol. 2

  Copyright © 2022 Brandon Varnell & Kitsune Incorporated

  Illustration Copyright © 2022 Claparosans

  All rights reserved.

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  ISBN: 978-0-997802-81-8 (paperback)

  978-0-998994-21-5 (eBook)

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  Dedication

  This page is made in dedication to my amazing patrons. Without them, my characters would never get lewded by so many wonderful artists:

  Aaron Harris; Abraham Madsen; Adam; Alarinnise; Alex Burt; Armando Pastrana; Aaron Cortrighr; Austin; Brendan Smiley; Bruce Johnson; Bryce McClay; ByzFan; Casey G. May; Catcrazy9; Chase Corso; Charles Dorfeuille; Chett Nialo; Christopher Gross; Cody Woodard; CosmicOrange; Daniel Glasson; David Bell; Edward Grindle; Edward Lamar Stephenson; Edward P Warmouth; Eric Bailey; Feitochan; Forrest Hansen; Forrest Hansen; G___Sweet; Grant; Green and Magenta Beast; IronKing; Jacob Flores; Jared B; Jason Wilcox; Jeremy Schultz; Jessy Torres; John Patton; Jordan McDonald; Joseph Snyder; Joshua Hasbell; Manny G; Mark Frabotta; Mason; Matthew Wallace; Max A Kramer; Michael Erwin; Michael Moneymaker; Mike Dennehy; Minocho; MrRedSkill; Nathan S; Norodim; Nyxterrynne; Phoenixblue; Philip Hedgepeth; Rafael; Randgofire23; Raymond T; Red Phoenix; Reent Dopychai; Repooc Ilahsram; Richard Garret; Rob Hammel; Robert Shofner; Rooser45; Roy Cales; Samuel Donaldson; Sean Gray; Seismic Wolf; Smudi Corp; Tanner Lovelace; Thomas Jackson; Thomas Lindsay; Thomas Oconnell; ToraLinkley; Travis Cox; Vincent Frosceno; William Crew; Wizard4Hire; XY172; Zach Miller; Zach Strickland; Zak Whiteaker; Zenn Barger

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Interlude

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Interlude II

  Interlude III

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Interlude IV

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Interlude V

  Interlude VI

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Interlude VII

  Chapter 18

  Interlude VIII

  Epilogue

  Thank you for reading!

  Afterword

  Sneak Peak

  Manga Page 1

  Manga Page 2

  Manga Page 3

  Manga Page 4

  Manga Page 5

  Hey, did you know?

  Brandon’s LNs

  American Kitsune

  WIEDERGEBURT

  MMG

  Catgirl Doctor

  Incubus

  A Most Unlikely Hero

  Arcadia’s Knight

  Journey of a Betrayed Hero

  Rift

  Executioner

  Follow me!

  Prologue

  Ashtown was a busy place. The streets had dozens, maybe even hundreds of MAFTs traveling throughout them, and the walkways were filled with pedestrian traffic. There were a lot of different people out that day. Factory workers were enjoying their time off, mothers were spending the day with their children, not to mention the children themselves. They ran through the streets, playing games of tag while worried mothers chased after them, telling them to not run off.

  The street that Caspian strolled down looked like a shopping district transplanted directly from Casadina. There had to be at least a dozen stores that sold all kinds of clothing―mostly women's clothing, he noticed. A shop sign over here said, “Madam Malix: Finest Clothier,” while another sign over there had the words “Trending Fashions” in big, bold print.

  Caspian was surprised. The Dystian province specialized in mining and refining precious gems and metal, so they didn't have much in the way of fabrics and had to rely heavily on exports. How come there were so many clothing stores?

  It must have had something to do with Ashtown's overseer. Erica was vain and prissy and enjoyed the finer things in life, from what he'd seen. Undoubtedly, she also enjoyed the latest fashions. Even now, the dress she wore, which looked like sin wrapped in red velvet, appeared to be the latest and most fashionable outfit on the current market. He could easily imagine her having several clothing boutiques built just so she could shop for the next little black dress.

  “How did I get myself roped into this situation?”

  Caspian resisted the temptation to cover his eyes with his bandana. When he had first imagined what it would be like to be a Sorceress’s Knight, he had pictured himself traveling to far-off lands, fighting great battles, and being the partner to a woman of extraordinary talent and incredible compassion. He had pictured himself being with Elincia.

  He had not expected to be shopping for clothing with a woman who defined the term narcissist.

  Life is intent on shattering my illusions, it seems.

  “I don’t see how you could possibly complain about this.” Erica’s eyes glowed with devious delight as if seeing him annoyed gave her great pleasure. “You’re getting to spend time with the most beautiful woman in the entire world. You have been blessed with an impossibly unique opportunity. Men everywhere would kill to have a chance at being with me.”

  “Men everywhere haven’t been introduced to your sterling personality.”

  “Hmph! There is no need to be rude.”

  Caspian wanted to run a hand over his face. This was not how he’d pictured this mission going. Then again, he had been expecting a simple courier mission, not one where he became the temporary replacement Knight for a Sorceress. A part of him believed he should have been happy about this. How many academy students could say they had protected a Sorceress? But no. He was not happy. He was anything but happy.

  His unhappiness had nothing to do with the way Erica kept teasing him.

  Really.

  “I know how to make you a little less grumpy.” Caspian stiffened as a pair of slender arms wrapped around his right arm. A body carefully pressed into his side, causing his face to feel like it was spontaneously combusting.

  “W-w-w-what in the Spirits’ name do you think you’re doing?!” Caspian screamed, jerking his arm out of her grip. His actions caused Erica to frown at him.

  “You really are quite jumpy, aren’t you?”

  “That’s because you keep doing strange things to me!”

  “Could it be that young Caspie has never been with a woman before?” Smiling again, Erica placed two fingers against her crimson Cupid’s Bow lips. Caspian tried not to gulp. “Fu fu fu, that is just too cute.”

  “I'm not cute,” Caspian mumbled, trying to ignore the way Erica was giggling at him. “And don't call me Caspie! That's not my name!”

  “Fu fu fu. Very well, then. Now come along. We have much to get do.”

  “H-hey! Wai―just wait a second! Where are you taking me!”

  “What?” Erica’s grin made Caspian’s heart leap into his throat. He didn’t think he had ever seen something more sinful. “You didn't expect me to just do some window shopping, did you? I never go to the shopping district without getting at least one dress.”

  “They just entered the store.” A voice cut through Dranor’s mind, sounding out and echoing inside of his skull. He recognized it. How could he not? He was bound to the woman that voice belonged to.

  “I know.”

  Dranor carefully observed the pair as they walked into a clothing boutique of some kind. He couldn't help but wrinkle his nose in disgust. Truly, the vanity of Sorceresses was an ugly sight to behold.

  He was lying down on his stomach, on top of a building located on the other side of the street, leaning ever so slightly over the edge, so he could continue his job of spying on the pair. Although, he didn't know what good that would do now, since he could no longer see them. He briefly conside
red the merits of moving to street level so he could observe them through a window… but no. That would make the subtle magics woven around him useless.

  Thanks to his mate’s nature magic, his body had taken on the same coloration of the building, allowing him to blend in with it. While the spell was not perfect, and any sudden movement would cause a discoloration that people could easily spot if they looked up, it was still sufficient to fool most eyes. He doubted even that Sorceress would be able to spot him from this distance.

  “What should we do?”

  His wife stood on another building in the vicinity. He didn’t know which one. It was better that way. Safer. If one of them was caught, there was a small chance for the other to escape.

  “For now? Nothing. We don’t want to attack out in the open like this. Any disturbance, especially a fight of that magnitude, will cause the civilians to panic, and the chances of those two being able to escape during the chaos are too great. If that happens, all of our plans will be for naught.”

  “So we’re simply going to spy on them?”

  “For now.”

  His mate went silent, and Dranor once more focused fully on the pair shopping at the clothing store, his lips curling as though he had smelled something acrid.

  He really did hate Sorceresses.

  Chapter 1

  Despite Caspian’s protests, Erica managed to drag him into one of the many shops lining the street. Having never shopped for clothes before (all of the clothes he owned at the academy had been provided by the academy), he was surprised by just how large the store’s interior was. It looked much bigger on the inside than it did on the outside. Lining the walls and interspersed throughout the store were shelves and racks filled with many different types of clothing, all of which were for women.

  Erica dragged him over to one particular section that seemed to contain nothing but fashionable―not to mention expensive―dresses.

  “Which one do you think would look better on me?” she asked, holding up a dress in each hand.

  The one in her left hand was a light blue evening gown that showcased a strapless top with a high slit running up the left side of the dress. The gown shimmered and sparkled as Erica moved it about, making Caspian realize the entire outfit was adorned with thousands of small gemstones. The other dress was a red silk blend fitted fishtail gown. Its plunging neckline told Caspian that, if Erica decided to wear it, she would be exposing far more of her cleavage than he had ever seen before.

  Both were extravagant, and both looked like they cost more money than Caspian would have in his lifetime.

  “Why are you asking me?” Caspian asked. “You think I know anything about fashion? I wear the same uniform almost every single day. By the Spirits, even the clothes I wore on that train were picked out for me by the headmaster.”

  “So the headmaster picks out your clothes?” Erica giggled. “That’s kind of pathetic, don’t you think?”

  Caspian twitched at the insult. “It’s not like I have any choice. I don't have any money to go shopping for my own clothes. Bite me!”

  “I would love to, but unfortunately, I’m currently with my loyal but bedridden Derek,” Erica lamented, even going so far as to put a hand to her head and act like she was ready to faint from depression. She recovered quickly, however, showing that it was just an act. “’Twould be a shame if I betrayed my loyal Knight’s trust and fidelity like that.” Her lips twitched into an exotic smile, made all the more bewitching by her single visible eye. “But, after my poor Derek kicks the bucket, I'll be more than happy to bite you all you want. Who knows? Perhaps I shall even let you bite me back.”

  Caspian sputtered incoherently for several seconds. “W-w-what the heck makes you think I’m going to bite you?!” He paused, but only to catch his breath. “And it was a figure of speech! Don’t take me so literally.”

  “So which one do you like better?”

  “Would you stop ignoring me?!”

  When Erica just gave him a blank look, Caspian’s shoulders slumped. He looked away from the Sorceress, trying to hide the new color suffusing his face. This woman really was the worst.

  “The red one,” he mumbled, his gaze flickering over to her, only to look away again. “You look better in red.” Why was she looking at him with those succubus eyes (or would that be eye?) of hers? Couldn’t she see that her stare made him uncomfortable?

  Then again, maybe that was the reason. He'd heard rumors about Erica de Angelo long before they had met on that train. At the time, he had not believed them, thinking them to be just what they were called, rumors. Now, though… now he knew that pretty much every rumor he had ever heard was true.

  “I do, don’t I?” Erica’s smile was so obnoxiously cheerful that it made Caspian’s right eye twitch. “In that case, I’ll add this one to the pile, then. Now, let’s see what other clothes we can find.”

  Caspian groaned as he was dragged off again.

  What must I do for this day to end?

  There were few things that Caspian hated more than waiting around—and waiting around in a women’s clothing store was quickly becoming one of those things. You stood stock still for what felt like hours, looking like a fool, while the person you waited on took their sweet time doing whatever it was they were doing.

  It was even worse when you were the only person waiting because then all of the people passing by would point and stare. Some would even laugh as if taking pleasure in your plight. It didn’t help that most of the people giggling at him were of the female variety.

  Don’t those ladies have anything better to do than giggle at me like pre-pubescent children?

  Caspian scowled at several of the women tittering about, pointing and giggling at him. When they saw that he was looking at them, they squealed girlishly and looked away before giggling some more. Behind him, the rustling of fabric continued to sound like a death knell to his pride.

  He grunted. “Are you almost done in there?”

  “Patience, Caspie. Good things come to those who wait.”

  “I’ve been waiting here for hours. And it’s Caspian! Stop calling me Caspie!”

  “You’ve been waiting there for five minutes,” Erica chided him from behind the curtain. She sounded indisputably condescending while she spoke. “A few more minutes won’t hurt.”

  This woman is really getting on my nerves.

  “Whatever.”

  Crossing his arms over his chest, Caspian leaned back against the small support post he was standing by. His index finger tapped a steady rhythm on his left forearm while he waited. Every so often, he would look at the clock to his left and, upon seeing how little time had passed―a few seconds at most―he would proceed to glare at it as if doing so would make the hands move faster.

  “Caspie.”

  “It’s Caspian. And what?”

  “I need some help. Could you come in here for a second?”

  “I-in here―you want me to enter the changing room?”

  “Yes.” Caspian could almost feel the eye-roll in her voice. “Now get in here.”

  Before Caspian could give voice to any more protests, a hand shot out from behind the curtain, grabbed a handful of his shirt, and yanked him inside so quickly he doubted anyone else had noticed it happen.

  Caspian rubbed his now sore neck, which he was sure would have a rash tomorrow. He looked at Erica, tossing her a fierce glare―or at least he did, until he saw what she was wearing.

  Then his jaw dropped.

  Erica had chosen to wear the red fishtail dress, the fabric of which conformed to her body in ways that would send any man into a delirious state of lust and passion. What made the outfit even more enticing was that it was not fully on. The back was still undone, allowing him to see the silky, unblemished skin of her shoulder blades and the small of her back. He could even see the top cleft of her butt.

  Dark raven hair whipped about her face as Erica turned her head to look at him. The smile curling her lips told him that she knew exactly what he was staring at. Caspian tried to look away, he really did, but something had frozen him in place. He found himself incapable of even turning his head.

  “Would you mind lacing this up for me?”