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A an orange force burst from behind the fallen Aasimari troops, taking the orc mid-charge, thrashing him from side to side, then throwing him against a wall.

It took Alaric a moment to understand what he saw. It was Cadfael, his feyhound, but bigger than a horse. Its hackles were raised and its blade-sized teeth were bared in a snarl. Alaric placed a hand on it haunch; the dog turned, its face melting to affection for a moment, before it returned to guarding its master.

"I thought I had left you at the camp," the king said without a hint of regret that the dog had disobeyed.

Turning to Dredin, who was picking himself up, he said, "We have delayed long enough. Shall we continue what you have already run away from?"

The boy and his dog fell upon the orc, a whirlwind of fur and feathers, sword and fang.

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As one the army began to glow, emitting a warm light that illuminated their surroundings. While one alone could only produce a torch-like circle of radiance, the army of Aasimari glowed like the morning sun.

To the unseen gods above it might look as if the essence of light and darkness had manifested and were warring against each other.

As the swordwings fell upon the Aasimari, the soldiers stood their ground, aided by the feyhounds that peppered the army. Only a few of the beasts grew in size and terror at first, but as the things of flesh and blade continued the attack, more feyhounds found the power that Gadabout had placed in them long ago. They protected their masters to the death.

Yet even with the unlooked for aid of the feyhounds, the army could not withstand the winged steel of these creatures and they began to give ground.

((Note, the light is another Aasimari racial power -- see the wikia for details if you are interested -- and the feyhound ability to grow in size was noted back in post# 4005. They were always intended at paragon-level mounts... which might help, but certainly can't stand up again epic level monsters))

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Gadabout circled Tzu, hoping that the god-child might let slip an emotion to reveal his guilt, but none was forthcoming. He hadn't really expected one would; Tzu was far too skilled at keeping things hidden.

"Tell me, lord of secrets, what happened? For if there are any here who knows where Lucis went and who holds her, it is you."

-----

Above the battle, the other half of Gadabout seemed distracted. "I must beg your pardon, Eckral, Alec..."

The god stepped between the planes to Sigil, and from there back, walking to where Tzu'misel might be found.

Alaric willingly took the Orc's thrust, grimmacing as the magical blade pierced bone and flesh. In turn, his own sword took out Dredin's other eye.

With a growl, Cadfael bit and pulled on the orc off of Alaric, teeth sinking deep into the creature's skin.

Even as the blade was removed from his body, the wound seemed to heal as the king could still feel divine wrath coursing through his body.

-----

Gadabout bowed to Tzu'misel before speaking. "I believe that your son has captured your daughter. As I am leery of any upset in the balance that you have achived, it seems prudent to address the matter. However, I have no authority or power to pierce his viel of secrets and I was wondering if you might be so willing to aid the investigation.

-----

Against the undeniable foe, the Aasimari retreated from the field, grudgingly leaving behind fallen friends and foe. Luckily they had already been dispursed from the city, making it easier to withdraw from battle and flee.

Alaric shook his head. "You had your chance to die before, but you ran like a coward. Now, dishonor is all that is left. Surrender and serve me as your rightful king."

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"Actually," Gadabout said to Tzu, "He is already looking into the matter. But such is not my preferred method of resolution."

Alaric let the dagger hit his chest; it slid between the metal and cut his flesh. His eyes never left Dredin, never blinked. He reached up and removed the blade, tossing it aside. With a flick of his wrist, he cut off the orc's right arm, just above the elbow.

"Surrender and serve me as your rightful king."

-----

It was almost a sight to make one laugh; the orcs had willingly bottle-necked themselves by staying in the tunnels until the Aasimari were already in retreat. Once the army fought its way to the entrances, five could hold off fifty.

The greater danger was in the delay this caused; the swordwings were relentless.

Calmly, Alaric drew his knife, grabbed the orc, and cut out his tongue. Tossing both aside, he repeated, "Surrender and serve me as your rightful king."

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The Aasimari began to pile the corpses ontop of each other, forming fortifications out of the dead. Even against the Swordwings, they faired better.

Through the darkness, the sun began to descend the mountain of the sky.