Time [X]

Chang Chang was making sure that everyone who was still upright got out safely.

One half-giant grabbed her and asked, "When do we get our money?"

"Go to the Three Brothers Stable by the City of the Dead and wait for us there, you'll get paid. Tell the thri-kreen that I sent you, and say the word 'garojing.' " It was a word that was meant to sound like elven, but it truly meant nothing. But it signaled to Tara Lin that the fighters had truly been sent by someone from the emporium.

Once they all got out, she found Fe Hao, holding a large metal box filled with their profits from the increasingly dangerous job. "What's going on?"

Chang Chang blew out a breath. "Everything's going to hell is what's going on. Whatever Fa Mu's turned into, it's powerful enough to take on the chamberlain. Chang Chang's gone to help him."

"What?"

As soon as she'd said it, Chang Chang realized she should have kept her mouth shut.