Page 3869

Before continuing, Caster took another pause, either for dramatic effect or simply because he was considering what next to say. “With her leading the way, they began to strike back at those who had been subjugating them for generations. They even learned to cross the sea, both to the north and to the east, where they took the fight to the heartlands of their oppressors. And they conquered them. Absorbed them into their growing horde.”

‘Hence the “Reputation” part of her moniker,’ said Garovel.

“Indeed. You are familiar with the tales of her, no doubt. Perhaps that explanation was unnecessary, but my point was that she built them up from nothing. Granted them a way out of their misery. To my mind, that was not an abuse of power on her part, but perhaps to the Void, it was. Perhaps he thought that she ultimately created more misery than she averted. Unfortunately, these things--like the Void’s mind--are unknowable.”

Hmm. That was a lot to chew on. Hector decided to consult Garovel. ‘What do you think?’

‘You know I have little love for the Lyzakks,’ the reaper said privately. ‘And there’s good reason for that. They were barbaric monsters, even by the low moral standards of the Second Age. If the tales of Azai really are true like this guy is saying they are, then that means she’s to blame for... all of that. Countless millions, slaughtered and enslaved.’

Well, shit.

Garovel didn’t bother keeping his next words to himself. ‘You say these things are unknowable, but is that truly so? The amount of suffering that was spread by the Lyzakki sword was almost unfathomable. If she was real and not just a mythical figurehead used for political gain by religious leaders, then it is difficult for me to imagine how her intervention could possibly be considered a “net positive,” no matter how creative you want to be with your interpretation of events.’

“Ah, but much of the suffering you are referring to actually happened after the Void rent us all asunder. You see? With her no longer there to guide them, what did this barbaric horde do? It went wild. Of course it did. And I do not know if Azai can rightly be faulted for that--and even if she can be, then the Void deserves just as much admonishment, in my estimation.”