"That even Sargas points out the importance of honor to our kind. So I ask, has the clan of Orilg forsaken honor? Have we forsaken the most important of the teachings? If Orilg cannot survive without compromising its honor, should the clan even continue to exist? Are we worthy of those who came before us, not just Orilg, but Bestet the One-armed, who fought the elves even after one limb had been sliced clean off by a magical sword? Or Tariki? She sailed her burning vessel into the enemy after commanding the remnants of her crew to abandon it! Two enemy ships caught fire and more scattered before they could finish sinking her. Just two examples of what Orilg has produced." Ganth looked at his own son. "And whatever you might think of Kaz, this one has led a few momentous victories that our ancestors would have been proud of."
Dastrun might be patriarch of the clan, but he was isolated in his opinions. Ganth's words touched the very fiber of every minotaur gathered there. Even Fliara nodded.
"Ganth speaks truth!"
"It's a matter of our honor! We cannot abandon Kazi-ganthi!"
"What of the emperor? What of the high priest?"
"What of them? This is for the honor of the clan!"
Words went back and forth as the elders debated. Ganth nodded confidently to his son. Now it seemed that Polik's influence was as weak as his claim to the throne.
Seeing his support crumble, Dastrun abruptly acted. Standing, he called for order. At first no one heeded him, then Dastrun seized a staff and began to pound on the floor. "Give me order! I command it!"
He still carried enough sway that the others lowered their dissenting voices. Dastrun looked around, seeking sympathetic faces. Kaz doubted he found many. He almost felt sorry for the patriarch.
Drawing himself up, the robed figure spoke. "Points have been made by the esteemed Ganthirogani. His words touched us all, I'm sure." There was assent at this, but no one interrupted. Dastrun took a deep breath and tried to sound imperious. "Long have I labored over the very same issues that he's touched on, trying to weigh what is right and what is most honorable." Now there was renewed muttering. The patriarch quickly went on. "Sargas preaches to us about the utmost importance of honor. It is the cornerstone of our lives. Who are we to argue against the will of the Great Horned One? Was it not he who deemed our ancestors worthy? But wasn't it also their dedication and their sense of honor that made them worthy in the first place?"
"The old boy can still talk when it's to save his hide," Kaz's father whispered to him.
"I've considered further," Dastrun continued, "and I must agree. We would shame the memories of our ancestors if we did not act to preserve a son of Orilg. This will not be simple. I must therefore ask that all of you take a hand in this. The guard will no doubt come to the clan house before long." He turned his gaze to the pair standing before him. "The sooner you are ready to leave, the better. It will be difficult but still possible to help you through the southern gates without anyone noticing. A handful of volunteers will take you to the mountains. From there you may journey anywhere you desire, just as long as you do not return."
"That's preposterous!" called an older female. "What sort of solution is that to the problems confronting Kaziganthi, Dastrun?"
"Do you have a better one… any of you?"
None of the other elders did. It was one thing to spirit Kaz and his father away and out of sight of the emperor and Jopfer, but it was another to allow them to stay and openly defy Polik, the priesthood, and the Supreme Circle. Once Kaz was away, the clan could claim no knowledge.
Not that it really mattered. Kaz had no intention of leaving without rescuing Delbin, who was imprisoned only because he had been too loyal. "You don't have to worry about me at all, none of you. Let me go and I absolve the clan of all obligations. I've got only one objective now, and if I happen to survive, I'll be leaving here. If I don't survive, you're welcome to condemn me for my dishonorable ways. I could care less at this point."
Ganth stood closer to his son. "The same goes for me."
Fliara gasped, actually raising a hand in feeble protest. Ganth turned and gave her a smile. She closed her mouth and again pretended indifference. Ganth's smile grew broader.
"Exactly what are you saying, Kaz?" asked the female elder. "Are you suggesting we take no action? Simply let you go without knowing what's to befall you?"
"Oh, I could tell you what I've got planned, but you wouldn't want to hear about it, trust me."
She was about to differ with him when Dastrun quickly interjected, "No. We wouldn't. You can spare us such incriminating details. You wish us to do nothing then? No matter what happens, the clan is not required to defend you, or your actions?"
Kaz surveyed the assembled elders. "I never intended to draw Orilg into my activities. I came only to claim a friend, another member of this august clan, who was missing. Now I find I have to go claim another friend, an innocent who doesn't deserve what's happening to him. Clan Orilg may wash its hands clean of me. I swear this by Orilg himself and all my ancestors."
"What do you plan to do?" the female elder asked.
"It doesn't matter," the patriarch said curtly. Then Dastrun cleared his throat. "Very well, Kaziganthi. By your own words shall this be decided. The clan will do nothing to hinder you, but neither will it assist your mad- your activities."
There were voices of protest, but Kaz himself signaled for silence.
The patriarch nodded. "No word shall be given to the guard concerning your whereabouts. That holds true for your father and your friend, too. You'll be taken to a place where you may hide until dark." Dastrun gave the pair a magnanimous expression. "Then you are on your own, just as you've requested. Should you be captured or killed, we will abide by your decision and make no claim for you."
"You are very gracious," Ganth said with more than a little sarcasm.
Ignoring him, Dastrun faced the elders. "Is there anyone here who'll dispute the agreement made between myself as clan leader and this renegade warrior?"
No one could dispute the decision since Kaz himself had made the proposition. No one, that is, except one young warrior. "Patriarch, I must ask that I be included with these two. I make that request through blood rights."
Both Kaz and his father looked with astonishment at Fliara.
"Lass, think what you're saying! This is our doing and ours alone!"
She raised her chin in a manner reminiscent of both her brother and her father. "I will do no less than my own kin. I am as honor-bound as either of you."
"Talk sense to her, Kaz!"
"Listen to our father, Fliara. If I could, I'd make even him stay, but he's already involved and there's no way to extricate him from this. You don't have to follow us. If we survive… and I say 'if… we will never return to this land again."
"I have already considered that." She straightened. "I stand firm on my request."
"And your request is granted," Dastrun announced before anyone could volunteer an opinion. "Your spirit is a credit to the clan."
"The same clan that'll now ignore her if she falls prisoner to the guard!" Ganth quietly growled. "Do something, Kaz! I'm bereft of any ideas. What's got into that girl?"
"Evidently she's one of yours after all, Father."
Fliara moved to join them, keeping her eyes on the patriarch. Dastrun looked around as if to see if anyone else was going to defect. When he saw that was not the case, he peered down at the trio. "By will of the clan, I commend you and send you on your way. Your path diverges from ours now, but your duty to honor remains strong. Oaths have been sworn and must be upheld."
"Don't put him in a terrible bind with the emperor is what he's saying," whispered Ganth. He snorted. "And he talks of honor and duty."
Dastrun raised a hand, pointing at the door. "Go now. May Sargas and the spirit of Orilg guide you. I deem this audience at an end."
That was it. The assembled elders rose and began to depart. Clan Orilg had always been known for its efficiency and order.
"Come with me,"
Fliara said. Ganth hesitated, still glaring at the patriarch, but Kaz shook his head and steered his father toward the entrance.
Kaz, while not happy, was at least relieved. The clan would leave him alone for now. Its intervention would have been more hindrance than help, especially with Dastrun in command.
"Why'd you do it, lass?" Ganth was asking Fliara. "You needn't have concerned yourself with our folly. It's not been your way, ever."
Kaz's sister looked from father to brother, then shifted her gaze ahead again. "No, it's not. You didn't recognize me at all, did you, Kaz?"
The question caught him by surprise. He looked at his younger sister. Up close, he could see some family resemblance, but, it was true, she was virtually a stranger to him.
"No, I didn't recognize you. It's been years, though."
"But you didn't know me."
"I just said that."
Fliara looked at both of them. "That's my reason."
She would say no more. Kaz looked to his father for clarification, but Ganth merely shrugged. He understood no better than his son.
They came to the chamber where Hecar waited. Helati's brother was pleased to see them. He had been expecting the worst. "They wouldn't let me move from this chamber," Hecar told them. "There were guards at the door."
"Dastrun's thorough, I'll give him that," Ganth noted.
"What happened in there, Kaz? Are we to be returned to the circus for the emperor's amusement?"
"No, Hecar, we're being allowed to go on our way. In return, we won't involve the clan in our doings and it'll pretend it knew nothing of our whereabouts."
"Very kind. Hmmph. Better than I'd have expected of old Dastrun. Who's this? Someone to see us out into the street?"
"I'm coming with you, Hecariverani."
Hecar peered at her. "Hey, I know you."
"It's my daughter, Fliara. You saw her a couple of times when Kyri brought her around."
"That little-" He ceased when he saw her bristle. Fliara was every inch a warrior, sleek and muscled. There was nothing diminutive about her now. "She's turned into a fine fighter, I can see now, a credit to you and your mate, Ganth."
Ganth chuckled. "Well and quickly spoken, Hecar. She's every bit as headstrong as the rest, which is why she's one of us now. The foolish female just abandoned the clan to help us."
"Better to follow you than the clan these days," Hecar returned. "I learned that a long time ago." He thrust out a hand to Fliara. "You're welcome to join, only you might change your mind. Your brother and father have a habit of getting into the worst of situations."
"And whose fault was it this time?" Kaz pointed out.
"What is it with Jopfer?" Ganth asked his daughter, wisely changing the subject. "Why did he choose to go from the service of the circle to the state priesthood… and how was he selected to replace the former high priest? I've never heard of someone other than a cleric rising to that position."
"It was abrupt," Fliara answered. "The old cleric was still going strong, but then one day he suddenly announced he was searching for a successor." Her eyes narrowed. Kaz and Hecar were listening intently. "The priesthood had been adamant about supporting the warlords, and their position was weaker after the war because of it. I think the old high priest decided to quit. The circle was different. There were a lot of new members. Jopfer was one of the new generation, one with vitality, and he didn't have any connection to the Dark Queen's minions. That was important to gain people's trust. He grew very, popular very quickly."
"I'm beginning to smell a deal between interested parties," Ganth grumbled.
Kaz agreed. "Looks like either the circle offered Jopfer as a replacement or the high priest preferred him as a way of keeping the sons of Sargas from falling further from grace in the eyes of the people." He shook his head. "Nothing sounds quite right. We must be missing something. Even if the clerics had lost their standing, why accept a minion of the circle as their master?"
"Jopfer's no minion of the circle," Kaz's sister offered. "In fact, they seem afraid of him now. He took to the role of high priest as if born to it. He's not only brought the state priesthood to the forefront again, but eclipsed his predecessor."
"Things make even less sense, then."
They were interrupted by the sounds of armed warriors behind them. Some of the group who had accompanied Fliara at the circus waited just beyond the chamber. One of them stepped forward and curtly pointed.
"I think, my children, that we're being asked to leave this place."
The warrior in the lead responded, "The patriarch has found a house where you'll be safe until tonight. He feels you should go there as soon as possible. We've been sent to escort you."
"What then?" asked Hecar.
"I'm going after Delbin. He freed us in the circus. It's because of me he's here in the first place, and I owe it to the kender to get him out."
"Get him out of where? Who's got him? The guard?"
"No, I'd say the high priest." When he saw Fliara start, Kaz reassured her, "You owe no obligation to us. I'd even make Father stay behind if I thought I could convince him to do so."
She gave him a look that was reminiscent of one Kaz himself had been known to give people in certain situations. "And you think I could do any less?"
Ganth sighed. "What sort of children did I raise?"
"The high priest," Hecar mumbled. "We'll be assaulting the temple itself…"
"Probably. I can't think of anywhere else they would keep him. There are supposed to be cells below the main building."
"The temple…" Helati's brother grunted. "All right, then. How do you expect to gain entrance to that place? We can't just walk in, can we?"
Kaz lowered his voice, making certain that the warriors impatiently waiting by the door could not hear him. "No but there is someone else who can."
"And who's this? A cleric?"
Kaz turned away from him without answering, and said to the guards, "We expect our weapons back before we go."
Honor's Face and the other weapons were brought forth. The leader said, "We'll give them back to you at the safe house."
"That'll do." Kaz looked at the others. Hecar was still waiting for an answer. Kaz smiled grimly. "You haven't figured out who has the key to the temple? I'll give you a guess. He's not a cleric."
"Lad, you're not talking about-"
Kaz nodded to them. "Yes, Captain Scurn. He is no doubt looking for us even now. I think we should help him find us."
Chapter 12
A Traitor in the Midst
Helati looked the children over one more time before settling down. She could not sleep, not just yet, so she spent the time in quiet contemplation of what she and Kaz had expected to do with their lives over the next few years. They wished for more children and had intended to expand their dwelling accordingly. However, the growth of the settlement was going to force them to rearrange some of their plans. Like it or not, Kaz was going to have clan responsibilities.
Helati was not so put out by that. If anyone deserved such an honor, it was her mate. Had he not fought well in the war, faced mages and monsters, and earned the praise of other races, the last the hardest thing for any minotaur to attain? Clan Kaziganthi had a good ring to it, though it would no doubt be shortened to Kaz, as her mate expected.
Her reverie was disrupted by a slight sound, a movement outside. It might have been only an animal, but Helati doubted that. Like Kaz, she had come to sense the difference between various intruders. This seemed more the two-footed kind.
Easing the dagger from her belt sheath, Helati pinpointed the location. Even in her home she always wore a blade, a notion Kaz had introduced to her, for which she was glad. Her other weapons were nearby, but the sound was close to where the children slept. The dagger would be better.
The sound was repeated. A footfall, all right. She poised herself, ready to strike.
"Mistress Helati?" whispered a female voice.
Many of the minotaurs had started
calling her by a number of titles such as "lady," "matriarch," and "mistress." Like Kaz, she preferred simply being called by her name, but the others would not hear of it.
"Come in slowly," she called, "with both hands visible."
The other obeyed. A moment later, a female called Keeli entered. Helati recalled her as the mate of Zurgas. The pair had been busy since their recent arrival, already having located a place to build their dwelling. "Forgive me for disturbing you at this time, but I wanted not to be noticed."
Helati lowered the dagger, but did not put it away. "And why is that, Keeli?"
The other female looked around, making certain they were alone. "I had something to tell you, but I was afraid others might be around, others who might be the wrong ones."
"Including your mate?"
"Zurgas knows, but since this is my knowledge, he agreed that it was up to me to tell you. He waits back at our campsite."
Helati did not know whether she was supposed to feel more secure knowing that or not. She was not certain she could trust the newcomer. "Perhaps if you explained what knowledge it is you have…"
Keeli cleared her throat. Her gaze fixed on Helati's suspicious eyes. "I am of the clan of Sumarr. It's not a large clan, but it has links to others. Through those links, I gained a position working as a low-level subordinate for a member of the Supreme Circle. At the time, I was proud of the honor. My work involved seeing to it that his dictates were followed by the State Guard. That was how I met my mate. He occupied a similar position for another member of the circle. We had cause to meet often, though we kept our interest in one another quiet for some time."
"Understandable." Members of the circle were terribly rivalrous and, as such, leery of interaction between their subordinates. "What does this have to do with me?"
Keeli looked down. "I am sorry. Let me move on. Months later, Zurgas and I came to the understanding that we could not love one another and still work for our masters. For our own good, we resigned to seek our futures elsewhere, perhaps in sailing. If either of us remained as a servant to a circle member, the other might be suspected of betraying secrets. You understand what I mean?"
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