While that was true, and Farley and I were surprisingly friendly, considering he was a poltergeist, I didn’t trust him. He still liked to pull pranks, and while he’d given up on trying to get me, his friends hadn’t.
And they had many possible victims in this encampment if they unleashed some of their wrath. Usually, it was best to ignore poltergeists until they grew bored and left, but Farley and I had interacted enough over the years that it was impossible to pretend I didn’t know him.
He rubbed his chin as he studied the archers. I doubted he felt it as his hand kept going through him, but it must be a habit left over from his living days.
“How about we turn this round of archery into a competition,” Farley suggested.
A cheer ran through the crowd. As drinks were raised, alcohol sloshed out of tankards, and the excitement in the air became almost palpable.
It could be fun to hold a competition, but… “Why are you suggesting such a thing?” I asked Farley.
He shrugged his blobby shoulders the best he could as his red eyes glittered with amusement. “We’re bored. Entertain us.”
I lifted an eyebrow at his command and the flippant way he waved his hand. I questioned his reasoning but couldn’t see the harm in adding some fun competition to the night.
So, with Ryker and Tucker’s help, we organized all those who offered to participate into a row of archers. They all stood on their marks as they lifted their bows and fired.
The competition progressed swiftly, and in the end, a man with dark brown hair bowed to the crowd after he took the title. The crowd cheered, and his competitors slapped him on the shoulder before going to get drinks.
I smiled as I watched them all laughing and talking. They had a tough life in these woods, but they’d found a home and family beneath the trees. One day, most likely soon, I’d join them here.
“What about you, Lery? Aren’t you going to compete?” Farley inquired. “Maybe you could take on the general over there. He’s supposedly one of the best.”
Ryker scowled as Farley thrust a finger at him.
“Oh yes, we know who you are, Scourge,” Farley said.
“What are you doing, Farley?” I inquired.
“I think they should all see.”
“See what?”
“How good you are.”
“Farley—”
“I think he’s right,” Ryker said, looking astonished to agree with a poltergeist. “Theyshouldsee. Besides, I’m in the mood to get my ass kicked tonight.”
Farley chuckled while the other poltergeists looked doubtful. None of them had said a word since arriving, but the ravenous gleam in their eyes as they watched everything made me nervous.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Ellery
“There has to be another sucker,”Farley pitched his voice louder as he turned in a circle. “I’ve been telling my friends that Ellery’sthebest, and they’re here to see it.”
While most paid attention to him, some had tuned out his words.
“Is this establishment full of eunuchs?” Farley demanded, drawing the attention of the rest of the encampment. “Someone else has to join Ellery and Mr. Lordy Lord in this competition.”
The poltergeists tittered while a murmur ran through the crowd. “Farley,” I said in a low warning while Ryker scowled.
If he could, I had no doubt Ryker would have choked every last breath out of Farley. The poltergeist was oblivious to Ryker as he remained focused on the crowd.
“What about you?” he challenged the recent winner.
Some amsirah slapped the man on the back as they encouraged him to step forward, but he shook his head and lifted his tankard. “I will remain a champion!”
