Chapter 183: Life Or Death? [2] (1/2)

They emerged from the garden together and crossed the walkway back to the central plaza. Chang Chang's mouth dropped open when she saw the size of the crowd that had gathered. The cavern was completely full, the crowd spilling over onto the surrounding bridges over the river. They packed into any open space, waiting to get a glimpse of Ongara and Arngam.

And the king, Ju Feng realized. King Laggarma stood on the raised dais with the weapons master, Druya, Abron, Orban, and a group of dwarves that Ju Feng didn't recognize. They must have been Arngam's family.

”This is more than just a wedding.”

Chang Chang said, echoing Ju Feng's thoughts.

”The city gathers to hear the king speak on the night before the battle.”

”What will he say?”

Ju Feng wondered.

”Whatever it is, we won't hear it. We won't get near the center of the cavern.”

Chang Chang replied. She looked up at the surrounding buildings. One of the shops near the temple had a stone lip running around it about fifteen feet off the ground. She led him through the crowd until they stood beneath the lip.

”I have an idea,”

She said. She stepped closer to Ju Feng and put her arm around his waist. She plucked a talisman from her bag of holding and murmured the words of the spell.

”Hold on.”

The magical power of the talisman took hold, and they levitated above the crowd. Ju Feng grunted in surprise. He had forgotten there were talisman that could work this way. His thinking was in accord with the world of xultivtion where they could float with their energy.

”This wasn't what I had in mind.”

”Why not? You're not afraid of heights, are you?”

Chang Chang said teasingly. She raised an eyebrow when he didn't respond.

”Heavens tears, you aren't really, are you? What kind of cultivator are you?”

”No.”

Ju Feng said tersely as they halted before the stone lip. He hoisted himself onto the edge and helped Chang Chang up beside him.

”Shall we go a little higher? It'd give us a wonderful view down into the cavern.”

”This edge is very narrow. I'm not sure the crowd would react in time to catch you if you fell.”

”I'm a blood. I'll rise again.”

”You'll simply enter reincarnation.”

”Huh?”

”Just joking, Chang. You look beautiful by the way.”

”Pffft.”

Chang Chang replied as she wrinkled her nose. Across the cavern, Ongara and Arngam had stepped up onto the dais whivh caught Chang Chang attention.

”Titan's torso. She's beautiful.”

Dressed in the suit of armor her beloved had made for her, Ongara looked every inch the warrior queen as she stood before her king and bowed. Her long mahogany locks had been meticulously plaited. On her head rested a magical helmet. Three obsidian horns curled from the top and sides. In her hands, she carried God's Carver.

King Laggarma stepped forward and raised his hands as the couple came together. A roar erupted from the crowd, and Ingara raised the war axe above her head for all to see. Red light glowed from deep within the carved runes on the axe, a ruby flame like the heart of the forge.

”The heart of the blood dwarves.”

Chang Chang murmured.

”What did you say?”

Sitting slightly behind her, Ju Feng leaned over Chang Chang's shoulder and wrapped his arms around her waist.

”The war axe, the armor—there's so much more here than a wedding.”

”They know what's at stake.”

Arngam stepped forward, and Ongara held out the axe to the king. King Laggarma took it and held the blade upright. Ongara lifted her hand to the axe and pressed her finger against the naked blade. They were too far away to see the blood that welled up from the wound, and Ongara's gaze never left Arngam's as she raised her finger to her lips. Arngam stepped forward and opened his own wound on the blade, brought it to his lips, then stepped forward and took Ongara's hand.

The king spoke then for the first time.

”I stand as witness to this union between Ongara Yellowhorn and Arngam of the Boneshield clan. His shield is hers, and her blade strengthens him. May weapon and shield never be sundered. May their family thrive, and may Mystra's blessings be upon them.”

Blood from their wounds on their lips, Ongara and Arngam kissed. Before they parted, the axe passed from Ongara's hands to her husband's, and he raised it above their heads, shaking it in triumph. The crowd erupted in cheers and raucous shouts.

Ju Feng's arms tightened around her, and Chang Chang leaned back against him. Tears blurred her vision as Ongara embraced her husband again and planted another kiss on the blonde dwarf's lips. The cavernous, lonely city filled with the sounds of joy and new beginnings, and for that instant, Myria was full of life and vigor. Time pealed back, and Chang Chang imagined the city as it was at the height of its glory.

Did the dwarves feel it too? Did it give them hope? Chang Chang's gaze strayed across the cavern, seeking the king. In this moment, more than any other, he had the chance to rally his people for the battle ahead. He was gone. Sometime between the king's declaration and the kiss, king Laggarma must have slipped away. Neither the crowd, nor Ongara and Arngam seemed to notice his absence. Chang Chang sought Druya in the crowd and found her standing beside Abron. Even from this distance, Chang Chang saw their troubled expressions.