Chapter 190: Battle [1] (2/2)
”Can she do that? A demoness sovereign becoming a divine? The sheer power involved …”
”Preparations are being made in yaomo cities all throughout the Underground. Artifacts, powerful tools of arcane might, are being gathered by the faithful. The Arcane Script Sphere bears a piece of Mystra's essence and memory, and my body and mind are the union of male and female, arcane and divine. I would have been the nexus for the power the first maiden intends to channel. At least that was her intention.”
”Was?”
King Laggarma asked, gazing at Gallazza narrowly.
”All I want now is to go free, away from this city, away from Whuji, away from every living thing. I have lived as a male. I am already tainted. I will not be Arkhat's sacrifice.”
King Laggarma raised an eyebrow. ”And if you're lying? What if you're captured again? Why shouldn't we kill you to make sure Lolth's plan doesn't come to pass?”
Chang Chang spoke up.
”I believe Gallazza speaks the truth.”
”Why? Because of what you saw in her mind? She could spin lies to ensnare you too. Be careful with your compassion.”
King Laggarma stared sharply at Chang Chang.
”Not just because of what was in her thoughts. I saw it in her eyes, the same shadow I saw over Druya—and in me. I know what it's like to grieve the loss of your goddess, whether by death, betrayal, or simply never knowing her at all.”
Chang Chang replied as she met Gallazza's feverish gaze. Slowly, she continued.
”The yaomo betrays her people because she herself has been betrayed.”
The king considered Gallazza. The lines around King Laggarma's face had deepened, and he moved more slowly than he had before, but Druya was right. A new fire kindled in his eyes. He clapped his hands together and grinned.
”So be it, then. We'll have a hell of a fight, and you'll have your freedom. Dorla!” the king cried. ”Prepare the doors, and sound a call to march.”
”You're opening the doors?” Chang Chang said.
”Aye,” King Laggarma said, smiling wickedly. ”We have guests, so it's only right that we surge out the doors at full strength to meet them. With a bit of luck, we'll be able to circle around and flank the dark elf forces at the western wall. Numbers mean less when you're surrounded, trapped like rats in a tiny hole.”
”Won't you leave the city open to invasion?” Ju Feng asked.
”Looks that way, doesn't it?”
King Laggarma asked, giving a faint smile.
”Too bad we haven't got flyers poised above the city,” he waved at the stone beasts hovering overhead, ”or a thousand more dwarves hiding in the homes and temples all along the river.”
”You have more soldiers than those assembled here? But your numbers—”
Chang Chang said in bewilderment.
”The yaomo aren't the only ones able to deceive.”
King Laggarma said.
”They use dreams and illusions to make us think their numbers are overwhelming. I told every one of my warriors that if they were captured and interrogated, to say that Myria's numbers were less than a third of what they actually are. Oh, we're still outnumbered and probably outmatched, too, but we'll give them a surprise or two that might give us the edge we need to win. I'll be defending the city as well.”
The king looked at Chang Chang whose eyes widened in shock. He truly was going to reveal himself. Heavens tears, they might win the battle yet.
In the distance, a horn blared, a loud, ominous sound that drew the attention of the assembled army. The soldiers around Chang Chang raised their weapons and pounded fists once against their chests.
”It's started.The yaomo are here.”
King Laggarma said aloud. He gestured impatiently to Gallazza.
”You're with me. The rest of you know your stations. Go, be safe, and fight with the Blackhorns.”
The king said. He nodded to Chang Chang briefly. Then he was gone.
Chang Chang and Ju Feng hastily mounted the stone flyer again as one by one the doors to the city opened, and the army marched to meet the yaomo.