“Back, men!” Knox shouted. This time the Yadoshans yielded, widening the distance between them and the terrible beast, which climbed out of the bowels of the earth. The indar was a tar-soaked abomination, and the ground underneath it sizzled as its foul-smelling secretions spread across the soil, burning the land with every drip. It was a monster with feathers and wings, if feathers and wings could be carved from stone. I knew that, like the azi, it could fly, though its heavy body ensured its flight was limited. And like the savul, its weapon of choice was poison secreted in heavy sacs underneath its limbs, serving as both projectile and armor.

“Keep away!” General Lode snapped. “Archers only! The rest, retreat and protect the king! Deathseekers, keep it busy!”

The azi and the indar circled each other. Kalen focused on channeling Shield runes in the air, and I added my strength to his as I burrowed the rest of myself into the azi’s movements. The indar’s mind was a swamp of putrid, undecipherable emotions, all of them hungry and sluggish, but I could detect the faintest human presence, nestled deep within the bog.

Druj. Who else could possess such skill? But while Aenah and Usij were quick to confront me head-on, using their force to barrel into my mind, overwhelm me, and take control of the azi, Druj’s thoughts slid away whenever I drew too close, evading my prodding with ease, much to my mounting frustration. The azi was the first to attack, all three heads lashing forward. The indar was quick, despite its bulk, and evaded the attempts. Like its possessor, it was content to move out of the way rather than attack, though its poisonous sweat still presented a danger. The azi growled as some of the poison spattered its skin. Pain flashed through our shared link.

“Hold on,” Kalen said through gritted teeth, and I felt him expand the Shield. I watched with amazement as his runes crept over the azi and covered it, a makeshift armor forged from spells.

Kalen was taking power from our Heartshare, I realized—and through me, the azi’s strength. I had linked with other asha before, but they had never been able to share the azi’s strength. I heard the fighting resume behind us; the other Deathseekers had banded together, attacking the indar with their own volley of spells and runes, though they distracted more than maimed. Some of the braver Odalian archers sent arrows bouncing off its hide, but the Yadoshans, more keen on inflicting genuine injuries, were busy sinking their swords into every Drychta they could reach.