Land of the minotaurs lh-4

by Richard A. Knaak

  Kaz had a twinge of guilt that he was partly responsible. His staying away had helped put Clan Orilg in his distant cousin's grip. The deadly politics that had developed in the empire since the influence of the Dark Queen's minions was one of the reasons why he had stayed away. Instead of achieving their status through honor and strength, too many like Dastrun had reached it through guile and deceit.

  "You're staring off into the sea, Lad. You've changed. You were always more willing to jump into the fray. What happened?"

  It should have been Kaz asking questions. He wanted to know what Ganth had been doing all these years and how he had survived at all. Yet, instead he related his own story, beginning with his battle with his ogre captain, his meeting with Huma, and the change in his life caused by the legendary knight. Delbin had heard most of it many times before, but he still listened, enraptured. Ganth was silent, save for the occasional grunt.

  When Kaz was done, his father finally unleashed a startling roar of laughter so loud it might have been heard all the way to Morthosak. "You've led a quiet life, haven't you? By the Just One's Horns, Kaz! You make me proud of you! I wish I could have seen all of that, or at least met this knight! He sounds like a warrior true, not like these puppets who now command our people."

  "Huma was the greatest warrior, man or minotaur, that I have ever known."

  Ganth ceased laughing. His eyes narrowed, and, in a more serious tone, he added, "I see. Then I truly wish I had met him. There are few such warriors these days, if I'm any judge."

  "Father, about you-"

  "Forget me for now, Kaz. I spent several years on an island with half a dozen others, the remainder of a good crew. Some of them perished there, but I and a couple of others survived… not that it seemed to matter much with your mother gone. I kept thinking about the bunch of you, though, and that kept me going. That's all you need to know., Kaz. You and the rest of our young kept me going… and now I'm glad I survived, because I can see that I was never meant to fight the final-battle at sea. There's too great a battle going on right here in Nethosak."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Didn't you wonder, Lad, how I happen to be around just when you arrived?"

  "I assumed it was by chance… but from the way you're talking, I gather it was not."

  Ganth smiled grimly, revealing a good set of strong teeth. "I learned long ago that there's little chance in the world. Sometimes I think some god, probably old Sargas himself, is still out to plague me."

  Kaz nodded, interested to find out that he and his sire thought similarly.

  "No, I wasn't there by chance. I've been watching for you for more than two weeks, ever since he was taken."

  Ganth shook his head. His horns were even longer than Kaz's, but years at sea had weathered the tips, making them rounder. "I thought I'd never see you again, and then I found out that Dastrun's bunch has known where you were for the past couple years."

  While not completely surprised to hear that the clan had been keeping track of him, Kaz felt a growing unease. If Dastrun had been monitoring his movements, it was possibly because the new patriarch was keeping a wary eye on a potential rival. He supposed that as long as he had remained at the settlement Dastrun had not cared, but if the patriarch discovered that he was now in Nethosak, things might be more precarious.

  "Should I be worried about that?"

  "Probably not. Dastrun's not going to undermine his already shaky position by acting against a clan member of your reputation, Lad. Not directly, anyway. You've made the clan proud of you even if it doesn't always admit it. In fact, you've become something of a legend to more than just Orilg."

  "I could live without that."

  "Aye, I know that feeling well." Ganth drank some wine, then tore off a piece of meat. Neither Kaz nor Delbin could keep pace with him. "I knew you'd come. One thing that hasn't changed is that you're loyal to your friends… deathly loyal sometimes. When they took him, I knew you'd be by before long. Of course, I'd have done the same thing."

  "Hecar?" Kaz forgot the food and drink. He rose and leaned forward, hopeful and anxious at the same time. "You're talking about Hecar, aren't you, Father?"

  "The same Hecar whom we both knew. Aye, Kaz. Your friend and mine. A clan member, too, though Dastrun won't help him, especially as there's no real blood relation. He's got to know about what's happened, but against the high priest and the emperor he won't do a blessed thing."

  "Where is he? Where is Hecar?"

  "Sit yourself down, Lad. You're squirming around like a dragon shark about to dine after a bloody sea battle. Not as patient as I thought, though I can't blame you, really. Just give me a chance. You won't be going anywhere tonight, anyway. Not there, at least."

  Kaz forced himself to calm down. "Where is he, Father?"

  "They've got him in the circus, Lad, tried and convicted as a criminal."

  "The circus?" Kaz knew what that meant. As a criminal, Hecar would be given an opportunity to redeem his lost honor by facing impossible odds. He would fight to the death… his death. The odds against him would always be too great, but that was how it worked. If he died bravely, he redeemed not only himself, but the clan he had shamed. "I've got to get him out of there before it's too late."

  "Before you do that, let me say something. He's fought three combats already, Kaz. Think about it. Three."

  "Three-? That's impossible!" Hecar was good, but not that good. Not under such conditions as the circus would have imposed.

  "Three fights that a good warrior like Hecar could win, as difficult as the odds were." Ganth scratched his chin as he eyed his son. "If I was a suspicious sort, Lad, I'd think they were giving him a fair chance of surviving. Put him in danger, but danger he can handle. That's not how it works. They're supposed to give him impossible odds so he can die heroically. Makes me think they really want him to live for some reason."

  "What purpose would that serve?"

  "Just a thought," Ganth replied, shrugging.

  "We have to get him out of there, Father." Kaz paused, "I have to get him out of there."

  "Hecar's my friend, too, Kaz, not to mention a former crew member of mine. I don't take kindly to my lads being mistreated, not by the enemy or the emperor, which is almost the same thing these days. We'll get him out." Ganth yawned. "But a good battle plan was never forged by slumbering fools. We should get some rest. Hecar's not scheduled to fight again just yet. I've got some friends who know about these things, in case you're wondering. We can figure out what to do tomorrow."

  Kaz agreed, despite the urge within him to go charging into the circus and kill everyone who stood in the way of rescuing Helati's sibling. "Tomorrow, then."

  "You'll stay here. I can find room for you and the… Delbin here. It'll be safer than anywhere else, and it will save us time."

  "My things are at an inn."

  "Yes. Can't you leave 'em, Lad?"

  "Most, but not my horse. It won't take long. I'll be back soon." Kaz made to rise.

  "I'll send someone."

  "The horse won't like that." Only those whom Kaz introduced properly to the horse could get near the fierce steed without risk. Delbin was one of the few he could recall who had not had difficulty becoming acquainted with the massive Solamnic war-horse. "I'll have to do it."

  "I'm going, too!" announced the kender, who had, up to this point, maintained yet another remarkable interlude of silence.

  "No, you're staying here. Your kind isn't cared for much. I'll stay with you."

  "I'm going with Kaz!" The kender folded his arms, eyeing his companion.

  Kaz looked into those eyes and knew that, if he left the kender here, Delbin would somehow follow him just as he had in the mountains. "I'll take him with me, Father. If I don't, I can promise you he'll find a way to slip away. Better I keep him under my wing for now."

  His companion smiled. Ganth grunted, but held his protest. After a moment's consideration, he finally said, "Then I might as well go with you and help. Besides
, we've still got a few things to talk about. You know, they'll be watching Hecar more than the other prisoners, if only for what he did."

  "What was that? What do they claim he did?"

  The elder minotaur looked startled. "Didn't I tell you? Hecar's supposed to have killed a cleric… one of the high priest's staff, yet!"

  Chapter 7

  The High Priest

  Ganth's words echoed through Kaz's head as they made their way back to The Bloody Axe. Hecar had killed a ranking priest? That hardly sounded like Helati's brother. Hecar was no murderous fool, forsaking all sense of honor to strike down one of the state clerics. True, Hecar had little love for them, but even he would not have attacked one without strong cause.

  Ganth insisted there was evidence of the incident. Kaz assumed his mate's brother had acted in self-defense. For some reason, they must have set on Hecar and tried to take him into custody. He had been warned about such happenings. Hecar might have resisted, knowing that his arrest was false, and in the struggle with the guard accidentally killed the cleric.

  That made some sense, but did nothing to ease Kaz's anxiety. A prisoner who was accused of such a monstrous crime would be heavily guarded. The high priest would want to make a prime example of Hecar… which made the fact that Hecar was still alive all the more puzzling.

  Not for the first time did Kaz feel like an absolute stranger in the land that had given birth to him. Nothing made sense anymore.

  Things had at least partially quieted in the neighborhood near The Bloody Axe. That suited Kaz; the less who noted his presence, the better. He was hoping he could get away before the nosy innkeeper spotted him.

  "Do you have things up in your room?" asked Ganth.

  "Yes, and it'll make for less curiosity if I take everything. If I leave some things, they'll wonder what I'm up to. Someone might start asking questions."

  "Then let me clear out your room while you take care of your mount. Just tell me where to find the stuff. I'll leave a few coins for the proprietor so he doesn't bark about your sudden departure."

  Kaz gave Ganth directions, then he and Delbin headed to the stable. It would take his father only a few minutes to return with his things, so Kaz needed to hurry. He hoped there would be no one in the stable. The less talk, though, the better.

  It was hard to see in the darkened stable, causing Kaz to momentarily flounder around. Delbin immediately pointed out the animal. Once again the minotaur was impressed with the kender's keen eyesight.

  "Help me with the saddle, Delbin. It'll be quicker if both of us pitch in."

  "Okay, Kaz."

  They completed their work in short order despite the dim light. Ganth had not yet returned, so Kaz decided to take the horse outside. He had just maneuvered the horse round when a voice near the entrance called out, "Hold right there!"

  "It's all right. This is my mount. I can easily prove that."

  Only after he had spoken did he notice there was more than one shadowy form blocking his path. The owner of the voice was now flanked by two others, and at least one of them carried a glittering blade.

  "Kaziganthi de-Orilg, you will surrender yourself and your companion to us in the name of the emperor, the circle, and the Holy Orders of the Stars."

  The State Guard. Kaz snorted, wondering how the guardsmen had tracked him so swiftly and, more important, why they wanted him in the first place. He had done nothing wrong… but then, he doubted Hecar had, either.

  "There must be some mistake. Why would you want me to surrender? I've done nothing to merit your attention."

  "You will surrender now," insisted the leader. "Throw the magic axe to the ground and step away from it. Do it now."

  They were determined to arrest him. No amount of protest would deter them. Interesting that they knew about the axe and its abilities. Few minotaurs in the homeland knew. It could be no coincidence; the same power that had sent the hunters in the woods had also dispatched these guards… but who was it? The circle? The priesthood? The emperor himself?

  Hecar had killed a high-ranking cleric. That couldn't be a coincidence either. The priesthood must lie at the heart of the conspiracy.

  The warriors began to stalk toward him, swords raised. Kaz took hold of his axe and confronted his dark adversaries.

  "Put down your weapon," commanded the leader, a little uncertain.

  "I've done nothing wrong. I'm certainly no danger to our people. Why do you want me?"

  The guard leader did not answer. Behind the trio Kaz saw two more figures. Here in the crowded stable, Honor's Face would be limited. The stalls, the posts, and the horses would confine his abilities. Kaz didn't mind risking his own life, but there was also Delbin's to consider.

  "The kender is of no consequence to you. Leave him be," Kaz demanded.

  They ignored him. A sixth figure appeared some distance behind. The odds mounted against him.

  Raising his free hand, the guard leader signaled the others. The figure in back suddenly let out a loud cry and charged into the others from behind.

  Taken by surprise, most of the guards were pushed aside. Weapons went flying. One warrior managed to charge Kaz, who met him axe to blade. The close quarters prevented Kaz from making full use of his weapon, but Honor's Face still presented a respectable threat.

  "Away with you!" roared Ganth, his tall figure looming over the pack of warriors trying to regroup. Ganth pulled one up and struck him in the jaw, sending the minotaur falling to the earthen floor.

  Two minotaurs faced Kaz's father. Another warrior joined the one already dueling Kaz. Against both of them he was hard pressed, unable as he was to fully employ his axe.

  Beyond his attackers he could hear swordplay. Ganth laughed and said something, but to Kaz the words were unintelligible.

  One of his adversaries suddenly shouted in pain and hopped away. Something brushed Kaz's leg. Delbin, he realized. The kender had something long and sharp in his hands. Kaz identified the shape as a pitchfork the stable hands must have left behind. A brave, loyal companion as always, Kaz thought. It inspired him to fight that much harder.

  Thanks to Delbin's diverting action, he was able to press forward. Ganth, too, looked to be pushing his pair back.

  A shout came from outside. The entrance to the stable was filled with more armed figures, one of which barked out commands. Reinforcements had arrived to help the beleaguered soldiers.

  There was no hope of Kaz and his father escaping now, but there was a slim chance at least one could be saved. "Delbin! Get out of here! Run and hide! The southern gate's only a short distance from here!"

  "But, Kaz-!"

  "Do it! I'll keep them occupied! Do it for me!"

  The kender had more of a chance on his own. The small figure was clever and agile. "Go!" Kaz shouted again.

  Delbin dropped the pitchfork and obeyed, not even looking back. The minotaur fighting Kaz turned and tried to seize him, but Kaz thrust and caught him in the side with the upper edge of the axe blade. Grunting, his adversary slumped to his knees, hands covering his wounds.

  Angry shouts informed him that Ganth was now under assault. Suddenly Kaz himself had three more warriors pressing him. He was backed into the stall. As he was pushed back near his horse, the animal reared up and, whinnying, struck out at the nearest member of the guard. The unsuspecting warrior was flung backward by the blow, but almost immediately two others moved to take his place.

  Again the horse kicked out. Although he missed this time, the stallion prevented anyone from reaching his master. The reprieve was a temporary one at best, but Kaz was grateful to the loyal animal.

  "Get back!" commanded a new voice.

  Kaz's opponents retreated. Someone brought a torch into the structure. Kaz found himself facing a minotaur with a scarred visage. It was another familiar face, not Angrus, but a more intelligent opponent.

  "Surrender now, criminal."

  He was all too familiar, but Kaz was more immediately concerned with the bound figure fou
r members of the guard were dragging forward. It was Ganth, still struggling. He was bleeding from minor wounds on one arm and his chest. There was also a patch of blood on his face, but it did not appear to be his own.

  "Surrender, Kaz, or I may be forced to execute this old one here and now."

  Something in the voice made him remember. "Scum!"

  "Captain Scurn of the State Guard, Kaziganthi de-Orilg." The way Scurn pronounced the clan name made it seem a vile curse. "And you'll surrender now. Understand?"

  To emphasize the point, one of Scum's men brought the tip of his sword up against Ganth's throat. Kaz's father snorted in contempt. "No honor in the guard anymore, Lad?"

  Scurn pretended not to hear him. "What's it to be, Kaz?"

  Lowering his axe, Kaz stepped forward. "All right. I yield to you."

  "Bind him."

  As two of his warriors seized Kaz, Scurn looked around. "Who has the blasted kender?" When he received no response, he grew angry. Scum's eyes took on a reddish glow. In the flickering light of the torch, his eyes looked wild. "Fools! You let a kender sneak away into the city? Search the area at once!"

  Nearly half the patrol immediately departed the stables in search of Delbin. Two others began prodding the corners and the piles of hay in the possibility that the wily little fellow was hiding.

  "Lose something?" Ganth asked with a touch of mockery.

  "Not as much as you'll lose, Old One, after His Holiness is finished dealing with you." He indicated Kaz. "Harboring a fugitive is a criminal offense."

  "Now what would the high priest fear from my little boy? What danger could he be?"

  "That's not for you to know." As Scurn replied, however, Kaz noted his brief look of annoyance. Evidently, Scurn, too, would have liked an answer to that question. He obviously was not important enough to have earned the right, though, and for someone like Scurn, that fact had to be bothering him.