Meanwhile

Queen Amerdelle strode into the chamber. She gave Gregor a disdainful look.

“Is he ready?”

A man with a shaved head and a robe kneeled before the queen.

“The external mind is receptive—your majesty.”

“Good, but make sure I can seize control should I need to.”

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“All you need to do is chant these words,” the bald man said as he handed Queen Amerdelle a piece of parchment.

“Walk me through this again.”

“When the moons align in some thirty minutes, the external mind known as Gregor will merge with Lord Aldoor. Only you will be able to reverse the transference.”

“Excellent. We will need all of our wits if we are to defeat the Grand Magi.”

“Indeed, the outworlder known as Shonda craves JetaGirl’s powers. She is corrupt enough to accept the bargain.”

A skinny man with matted black and gray hair entered the chamber. He wore rags that gave him the look of a peasant.

“The alignment is to commence in one quarter of an hour.”

“Excellent, have my—twin prepare the outsider,” the queen said.