Page 143 of The Legacy of Ophelia
I was glad I’d killed him.
“And Oudry was stationed at the entrance nearest Bodymelder Territory,” Ricordan said of the broad umber-skinned warrior whose belt was strung with jagged knives. “They’d been traveling when you all arrived.”
“They’re who told me where to find the place,” Lancaster added to our party.
So, these may be friends of Ricordan’s, but they also appeared to be chosen strategically based on their previous interactions with us. That was good. The Mindshapers were calculating, and that made me more comfortable allying with them.
“Great to meet you,” I said to Oudry.
“If you don’t mind me asking,” Sandretta said. “You have wings?” Tolek laughed, and her eyes widened. “I’m sorry, there was likely a much more tactful way to ask that, but I’ve never met anyone with wings before.”
“Don’t apologize,” I said, smiling. “I hadn’t either—well, besides Damien.” If possible, her eyes widened further at the casual mention of the Angel. “But he doesn’t count. It’s a long story, though, and truly one I am still learning the end of.”
Worry twisted through me at the acknowledgment that I didn’t have total control of the situation, but Ricordan said, “We have time,” inviting me to continue.
I told them what had happened with the emblems and how not only had the Angels been released, but Echnid had, too. How we’d hoped he was back to redeem the warriors and restore Ambrisk to its natural balance, but it appeared he was set on revenge. How he had killed a god, and we were worried how the Balance of Power would react if he slew the rest.
I left out the bits about Tolek attacking Thorn and vice versa, but he tensed beside me when I got to that point. I brushed my wing against his shoulder silently—Sandretta tracking the movement—and finished.
“We have come for an alliance with the Mindshapers. As many soldiers as you can offer, but we need something else, too.”
“Which is?” Ricordan asked.
“Wolves,” I said, nerves making my fingers itch to tie knots or scratch at something. “Echnid has a cerberus?—”
“Impossible,” Zaina breathed.
I ruffled my wings. “You’ll find we’ve stopped saying anything is impossible.” I looked back to Ricordan. “We don’t know what else Echnid will bring if this comes to a battle. A warrior horse is no match for that beast.”
The thought of Sapphire or one of my friends’ mares going against Hythana made my stomach turn.
“We were told the Mindshaper legions in Kakias’s army rode wolves into the final battle,” Tolek added, implying it was no use hiding that fact. And I was willing to bet they’d only grown stronger in the wake of the power shifts on Ambrisk.
“They did,” Oudry confirmed, arms crossed.
“Have you gathered other allies?” Ricordan asked before I could respond.
“We have. Everyone is gathering in Xenovia as it’s the only known city the god can’t enter.”
“How?” Zaina asked.
“It’s protected by Artale.”
“We’re off topic,” Oudry said. “Alliances.” They were a warrior of few words, but heavy observation.
I kept my voice as firm as possible and my stance strong. “Soulguiders, Starsearchers, Seawatchers, and Bodymelders are joining Mystique forces.”
“Bodymelders?” Oudry raised their brows, the brawny warrior impressed.
“They have sent forces our way. What they can afford to spare right now.”
“No Engrossians?”
Tolek interjected this time, “We are working closely with the prince. He is addressing problems within his own capital at the moment.”
He left it at that. Truthfully, we didn’t know when or if Barrett would be able to rally a host to our side. Both Malakai and Tolek had been exchanging letters with him since Tol returned to Xenovia, but messages in and out of Banix were slow.
“And fae?” Oudry asked, directing the question at Lancaster.
