Chapter 71: Unknown Territory

                                    

                                          
As we tugged clothes over our wet bodies, Isalio relayed more information to me in a breathless stream.
"The Morgabeast is starting to block me again now, but I saw inside its mind for a second, and it was just outside the Forest of Lost Beasts, and some of the beasts were"—he sucked in a breath—"already listening, already leaving the Forest, going to attack a nearby village."
"Which village?"
He paused in the middle of tying his pants, gazing at one of the cave walls as though seeing far beyond it. "I don't know. It was thinking about a big village with many Guardians, maybe ones who already turned against Borgal. And there's a fortress."  
I blew an exhale. "That has to be Torglasa, Fraschkit's home village. How many beasts are escaping?"
"A few dozen, I'd say."
"How soon will they reach Torglasa?"
"Not sure; I don't know where the village is."
"Did the beasts leave the forest already?"
"Yes, I—I think so."
"So they'll be there in less than an hour. But the Morgabeast isn't joining them?"
"No. I can't see inside its mind anymore, but I think it's still in the forest, still recruiting more beasts."
"If we get above ground, can you stop it?"
"This far away, I think it has better control than I do." He dragged a hand through his hair. "If I try to do something from here, I would just be showing it how much I know."
"So what should we do?" we both asked in unison.
His eyes widened at being asked. I wanted him to answer that question himself because he knew more than I did and had more experience leading—but he had only ever led as the High Prince, and I knew he was still struggling to define his role outside of that, much less lead the people he had once fought against.
Lacking time to persuade him of his own ability to decide, I weighed my other options. If we went to Torglasa right now, Isalio and I could fight back the beasts there...but that might give the Morgabeast time to seize control of the whole forest. However, if the beasts took Torglasa by surprise, they might slaughter everyone there. 
"I'll find Fraschkit," I said. "She can choose a team to fight back the beasts in Torglasa while you and I go to the forest to stop the Morgbabeast."
He drew a deep breath. "Even if we can survive the rest of the forest, how will we find the Center Stone?"
"The Morgabest is already sharing its mind with you. You'll be able to feel where it came from—or at least feel where it doesn't want us to go."
I hardly believed myself, and even if my words were true, I certainly didn't like the risks posed. But I didn't have any better ideas.
He gave a slow nod. "I don't like it, but I'll try."
"If you think I'm wrong, you can tell me."
"I have no idea if you're right or wrong. I just know this really wasn't how I wanted this bath to end."
Despite the fear gripping me, I breathed a laugh. "Yeah, me neither. Once we defeat the Morgabeast, I'll make it up to you."
His eyes flickered with interest, but his response sounded ironic—and a little sad. "Yeah. You'd better."
***
Somehow, we succeeded in persuading everyone of Isalio's vision. An hour later, we had gathered weapons and divided duties. Before leaving, the other Guardians and I struck our battle stance, ducking our heads, splaying our fingers toward the ground, and tapping our feet. Here at the Mantle, we were deep enough underground that the pulse easily guided our movements, always a small movement followed by a stronger one. Ba-dump, ba-dump, ba-dump.