Story so far
Sledge crashes the captured Twister into the last two firing towers, producing twin explosions that disrupt Imogen's concentration. He answers Louis's grief with the principle that survival is the only victory that matters.
On the roof, Prudence dies protecting two bear cubs, leaving them with Bonnie. Sledge expects to be overwhelmed by mantises before he can cast his escape spell and apologizes for failing.
The insects ahead of him then reveal themselves as allied changelings, opening a path for Sledge, Bonnie, and the cubs. The reprieve restores the coalition's ability to attempt its planned escape.
Appearance
A battered survivor surrounded on a collapsing castle roof with a gnome and two crying bear cubs.
Role
Sledge eliminates the turret threat and survives long enough to preserve the outside component of Escape Plan D.
Relationships
Prudence — She dies protecting the cubs beside him.
Bonnie — He keeps the gnome alive through the rooftop battle.
Louis — He destroys Louis's beloved Twister to secure survival.
Earlier in this series
Also appears in books you've already read — spoiler-safe to their endings:
Sources — 10 recorded facts, by chapter
Chapter 3
- Cretin rock-monster bodyguard given to Carl as collateral, carrier of the Zerzura spell and Donut's favorite.
Chapter 4
- Cretin left behind in the safe room, grunting and playing Frogger while the others go out.
Chapter 5
- NPC member of Donut's Royal Court who casts twin protective magic shells on Carl and Donut before their return to the street.
Chapter 10
- Cretin companion whose overriding concern is protecting his Frogger high score from Bomo.
Chapter 17
- Rock monster on the edge of murdering a severed head, immediately pacified by being handed a hairbrush.
Chapter 21
- A rock monster sitting at the counter staring into space, finally bored of Frogger.
Chapter 35
- Sledge remains protected in the guildhall while two clockwork copies execute the dangerous teleport deception.
Chapter 68
- Sledge abandons the overrun underground route and shifts half the changelings onto the Twister for an aerial tower assault.
Chapter 70
- Sledge survives the Twister's capture, lands on the castle roof with the controller, and proposes crashing the airship into the remaining defense turrets.
Chapter 71
- Sledge destroys both remaining guard towers with the Twister, loses Prudence, and survives encirclement when apparent mantises reveal themselves as changelings.