Page 68 of Ogres Don't Play

I bathed in a small curtained area of the kitchen that the sword bearers had prepared, while Rook sang and his ogres drummed. When Rich’s voice joined Rook’s, I sat up and lost my train of thought. His voice with Rook’s was the most interesting,complicated thing. Rich made the monotonous chanting into something truly magical.

Charity thumped me on the head. “Focus.”

I nodded and got back to lambs lying down with lions. Eventually, I felt the strength flow into me while my mind settled into the calm paths of peace and acceptance. Everything would go according to God’s will. There was purpose in my mission, and I would accomplish my purpose.

Once I achieved the right state of mind, the water wasn’t cold, and I didn’t have any fear or doubt, just calm reassurance. I’d missed this part of being in HOST’s.

When I was dressed in the while padded underlayer, I wasn’t surprised when Charity opened the bottom drawer in the cask and pulled out my old armor. It was simply as it should be, and I would accept it with gratitude. I’d be surprised later when I wasn’t focusing my mind and will.

The singing cut off as Faith began strapping on my greaves. The absence of Rook’s voice, strength, and will, was a shock, but he’d been singing for ages. Finally, my armor was on, and then Charity secured her visor and opened the lid, revealing the most terrifying sword I’d ever wanted to wield.

My heart rate increased for a few beats before I refocused my mind on the task at hand. I had duty and purpose. Great evil must be defeated. I placed my hand over the handle and slowly spread my fingers, readying myself to touch the glittering jewel.

It hit my palm, knocking me back, and sending my arm swinging in an arc that would have decapitated some angels if they didn’t duck. I stared at the sword in my hand, at its tip so high above me, and the long, gleaming length of the beautiful work of death.

“We will defeat her,” I said.

A burst of light ran down its edge from tip to grip, warmth from the blade spreading through me while the heavenly gold rippled its agreement.

There wasn’t anything better than going into battle armed with a heavenly sword, unless it’s a heavenly sword and a battle harp that literally took my breath away. I’d been behind the curtain with the sword bearers all night and almost all day when they pulled it open and I was faced with the most glorious battle harp that I’d ever seen. I just stared at it, then glanced at Hero, who seemed to wink at me.

Rook wasn’t there, of course not, because I couldn’t get distracted from my duty and resolve. This harp was made for duty and resolve, but she was also ridiculously beautiful. And enormous. Could I even lift the thing?

When I walked towards the harp, I saw my own reflection in the window behind the harp, looking like a serious lion. It was disconcerting. Well, I wasn’t ever officially discharged. I hadn’t worn this armor since the last time I fought for the HARPs, when I killed so many to save my squad. It had been meant to be nothing more than a drill on challenging terrain, so the rest of the army wasn’t anywhere close when the opposition rose up literally out of nothing, and would have killed everyone…

“Hero allowed you to hold her, so you’re worthy,” Faith said in her quiet voice at my elbow. She had excellent tone. I’d tried to recruit her to sing with me and her sister, who had been a harp back when I’d been in them.

“I know.”

She laughed even as Hero got alarmingly hot in my hand. It didn’t approve of lies, even when you weren’t aware that’s what they were until after you said them. “Then why are you looking at yourself like that? I never got the chance to thank you for what you did that day. We would have lost Virtue if you hadn’t?—”

“No need to thank me.” I took a steady breath and held onto the peace and resolve. I hated remembering that day. I’d saved them, but no one looked at me the same afterwards. “I did my duty.”

“You did more than your duty. Whatever magic you used, it hurt you almost as much as the other?—”

“It wasn’t the magic as much as their souls. I relived their death, their pain, their suffering until my dad put them to rest.”

“Their souls?” Her eyes widened behind her helmet, so I got a good look at the whites in them. “How…”

“Focus,” Charity said, stepping between us. “Time for war.”

I nodded at her because I was ready. One way or another, I was going to seize the day.

They carried the harp for me, leading the way to the enormous white assault vehicle driven by Rich. Gavriel opened the back door so we could all climb inside. We stood in the back without speaking, Hero safely sheathed on my back, her weight and warmth a great comfort to me.

Gavriel offered me some heavenly bread, and I took it, eating quickly while Rich drove like a crazy person. It didn’t matter. We all held our ground, standing in the back like we were real angels.

“It will be a battle of endurance,” Gavriel said eventually.

I nodded, but I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t be distracted by anything right now, and I still had feelings about the whole thing with him.

“Let’s go,” Charity said the second Rich stopped the truck.

She jumped out the back and then turned to take one end of the harp as Hope took the other. I followed them out, and Gavriel and Richard fell in behind me, giving it the feel of a parade.

As we walked towards the stadium, the crowd parted for us, their stares and hushed whispers bringing back old times. I’dalmost forgotten what it was like to be so separate from everyone else as I walked with the angels.

Nothing would be the same after this. I’d go from being the mad music master with some angel blood to a soldier of the HOSTs. Hopefully it didn’t come out who my dad was, or I’d never hear the end of it. Of course, that wouldn’t be a problem if I died.

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