by Joshua Roots
I shook my head. “Not in the slightest. A life is a life. I’d do it again without hesitation.”
“None of my kind would ever think to question our laws, even to save one of our own. Your actions are truly inspiring, Creator.”
Again with that word. “Okay, I have to hit Pause here. Why do you keep calling me ‘Creator’?”
“It’s what you are. Had the gods not blessed the great Pasiphae as they did, she would not have joined with the bull and birthed the mighty Asterion.”
“You think humans made your species?”
He leaned back in surprise. “We don’t need to think. We know. It’s in our history books, in the stories passed down from one generation to the next. We were created by the perfect union of the trinity.”
“Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman?”
Makha cocked his head.
“They’re the Holy Trinity of comic books.”
“Ah, no. I meant our trinity.” He held up three fingers, pointing to each. “Man, Beast and the gods.” He pressed his fingers to his chest. “We hold them in our hearts, honoring the great ones that saw fit to grant us life.”
“That’s a pretty awesome history.”
He smiled. “Indeed. Minotaurs are the perfect union between the three. Under the loving eyes of the gods, a creature of pure nature, the beast, joined with a creature of pure humanity, Pasiphae.”
“I only know of one human who was pure and he walked this earth well over two thousand years ago.”
He shook his head. “I meant your kind. Ones who are blessed to be more than simple mortals.”
Whoa.
“Are you saying Pasiphae was Skilled?”
“As was King Minos and his heirs. Many of your ancestors ruled during ancient times. Their power was viewed as blessings from the gods. Proof that they were destined to reign. I’m surprised you did not know that.”
“Skilled history gets a little muddled the farther back we go. A lot of knowledge was lost during the massive persecutions that followed our civil war.”
“How sad for a people to be ignorant of their history. Our past is part of what defines our clan. It should not, however, dictate our future.”
Steve huffed with annoyance.
Makha turned to him. “You don’t care to hear your own words, Heir?”
I looked between them. “You’ve had this conversation before.”
When Steve didn’t reply, Makha piped up.
“There was a time when he argued quite eloquently in favor of the clan’s destiny. He believed that our people needed to embrace the world around us instead of locking it out. The Alpha and euphors listened but ultimately ignored his pleas. But while the majority of our clan felt as the Alpha did, some of us were likeminded. The Heir and I spent many evenings here discussing possible paths for our people. I was saddened when he left, as were many of our peers.”
Steve shook his head. “Staying was pointless. Same arguments, same results.”
“Change is always possible, more so now than ever before. But it will only happen if you press the issue.”
Steve scowled.
“Last night you mentioned wanting to talk about something of mutual interest,” I said, attempting to redirect the conversation. The last thing I needed was Steve punching this guy or storming out.
The sadness in the euphor’s eyes lifted. “Indeed, Creator. I was wondering if your people would be interested in a new treaty? One that reaffirms the relationship between the Skilled and the Minotaurs.”
“What about the Normals and other paranormal species?”
Makha cocked his head. “I don’t see why they should be concerned. Your people ruled them once before. Wouldn’t they fall in line again with your demands?”
I frowned. “That’s not how politics works these days. Not for the Skilled, nor a large portion of the Normal world. We negotiate and attempt to coexist in harmony. Hence the Reformation Treaty.”
“If it means reforging a relationship with the Skilled, as you call yourselves now, then we would be willing to include the lesser species of your world and mine.”
I didn’t like the sound of that. “Lesser?”
He dipped his head. “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to offend you. The world was once a violent, unruly place with many species warring among themselves. For a time, Minotaurs and the Skilled were a united front, leading those who were incapable of leading themselves. We provided safety and stability to the barbarism that threatened to engulf everyone. In the times since going our separate ways, the various clans have once again fractured. Centaurs don’t associate with Satyrs, the Fae prefer to remain hidden in their forests, and Imp Demons care for nothing save for their precious tomes.”
Ah, Bookworms.
“Without a firm hand and strong backbone,” Makha continued, “species that are not blessed by the gods fall into disarray. It’s the nature of things. We, the beings of true harmony between divinity, nature and humanity, are destined to guide the rest of these creatures to a brighter tomorrow. While you lead with open heart and strict law, we protect your people and implement your rule. That is how it has always been. After all, it’s the reason why the Minotaurs were created.”
“I appreciate your intention,” I said, my voice neutral, “but the Reformation Treaty was designed to allow the various species to live in peace any way they choose. Granted, the main goal was fixing the relationship between Normals and the Skilled, so we kind of painted with a broad brush when we included paranormals. But even with that ambiguity, many species are beginning to see the advantage of a unified society. The Underground is a perfect example. Sure it’s filthy and dangerous, but all sorts of species have learned to live together without one ruling over the rest. It’s not pretty, but it’s working.”
Makha’s smiled slightly. “I’ve heard of this Underground but assumed the tales of cohabitation were nothing but exaggerations.”
“Cross my heart and hope to die.”
Makha cocked his head.
“It means I’m telling the truth.”
“I see. Perhaps I’ll visit this place someday, if for no other reason than to see for myself how the lesser beings get along.”
“You absolutely should check it out. The human world, too. Normals and the Skilled are slowly learning to exist together. It was bumpy for a long time, but you’d be surprised how accepting folks are these days. Even Steve here has found a place among my people.”
Makha grew skeptical. “I heard he was attacked by your kind.”
“That’s also true,” I admitted. “But every society has fanatics. People unwilling to accept change who, instead, do their best to destroy it. Despite that small minority, Steve’s been able to get a job, join a gym, go on dates.”
The euphor huffed with shock. “Romance with a Creator?”
“Some are pretty damn attractive,” Steve said.
“Have you found your Ariadne?”
Steve cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably. “Not yet. Maybe someday.”
“I pray the gods grant you that, Heir,” Makha replied. Then to me, “Thank you for your time, Creator. I’m glad that the Skilled are so willing to accept change. And while I understand your reluctance to create a new treaty with my people, I’m heartened to know that you are, in fact, open to the concept of fostering a bond between us.”
I grinned. “My generation is the last one that existed in a time before the Reformation Treaty. The world was completely different when I was born. Less tolerant, more paranoid. With any luck, my kids will grow up thinking paranormal creatures walking around in the mall is the standard. We are, after all, at the dawn of a new age.”
He smiled. “Indeed.” He paused in thought, then leaned forward. “I fully appreciate your stance on the current treaty. I hope you
realize my intentions were not to betray the relationship between our kind, but rather to strengthen the bond that has faded over time.”
“There’s nothing wrong with wanting to make life better for you people,” I said. “I’ve been struggling with the Delwinn Council for years on the exact same matter. Sometimes you just have to rattle the cages to get what you want.”
“On that I heartily agree. I believe that there’s a way for our societies to live as one, we simply need to work together to find the right answer.”
Makha willing to work with us? Screw trying to take this guy down a peg, we were going to get him on board with Europa.
Someone hand me a mic so I can drop it. I did a little victory dance in my mind. Externally, I bowed my head. “I look forward to it.”
He placed a hand over his heart. “You have showed me great honor with your openness and your words. I wish to repay your kindness if you are willing.”
“Absolutely.”
Makha smiled. “Since you were denied recognition earlier, I wonder if you would, instead, care to participate in the Minotaur tradition of a Great Hunt. Doing so allows me, as euphor, to extend uiothetos to you.”
Red flags went off in the back of my mind. “It’s tempting, but seeing as how the Alpha didn’t seem too keen on it, I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.”
Specifically Europa’s.
“Caution is wise,” Makha replied, “but I can promise that this is nothing official. It’s merely a way for me to symbolically grant you the honor you were denied earlier. Think of it as nothing more than one of the clan’s leaders extending his hand in friendship.”
I glanced at Steve, who nodded ever so slightly.
“I suppose a little trek into the woods might not be too bad,” I said.
“Excellent.” Makha grunted and his overly protective guard appeared immediately. The euphor whispered into his ear, then the Minotaur exited the room quickly.
Makha rose. “Melifinous will begin the preparations. I shall meet you at the perimeter of the village in a quarter of an hour.”
Steve and I stood as well, but I paused. “You mean tonight?”
“Of course.”
“It’s already late.”
A spark glinted in his eye. “All the better.”
The idea of traipsing into the cold and dark suddenly didn’t seem so rosy, but I’d made my bed.
“Well then, sounds like fun,” I struggled to keep the sarcasm from my voice.
“It will be glorious,” Makha said as another pair of guards appeared to escort us out. “Oh, and Creator,” he added, “make sure to bring your weapons. The creatures we’ll be hunting are much more dangerous in the moonlight.”
Chapter 12
Hunting the Hunters
“Deeper into the heart of the Labyrinth Theseus traveled. But while he knew not what lay ahead, the string reminded him of what lay behind.”
—The Legend of Ariadne
We moved through the woods like wraiths, slipping silently between the trees.
At least, that was what the Minotaurs were doing. I, however, was struggling to keep up, huffing and cursing as our little band of hunters delved deeper into the forest outside the village. While I hated stomping though the thick snow, at least it muffled our footsteps as we headed toward our destination.
What that was exactly, I had no clue. Makha and a small contingent of his chosen warriors didn’t share the details with me or Steve. We’d waited for nearly ten minutes by the village perimeter before the merry band of heavily armed Minotaurs, led by Makha and Melifinous, appeared and ordered us to follow them.
We’d been tromping through the forest ever since.
“This is quite an honor,” Steve said in a low voice as we pushed through a wall of brush. “Hunting parties are reserved for only the highest-ranking clansmen.”
“So Makha likes me?” I asked, breathing heavy.
“More than I would have guessed.”
“What’s that mean?”
Steve shoved a large branch aside. “It means that Minotaurs don’t open their homes to each other, much less humans. And they sure as hell don’t offer a spot on a hunting raid unless you’re family or someone influential.”
“He wants something from me.”
“Perhaps. Or he may just want to kill you.”
My stomach tightened. “Not making me feel good about this.”
“Sorry, but it’s the truth. Many rival clansmen have vanished during these raids and few have ever been recovered.”
“Oh, well that is so much more comforting.”
Steve chuckled.
“You’re messing with me, aren’t you?”
“A little. Minotaurs have been killed on these ventures, but Makha seems genuine. I’ve known him my entire life and trust me, this is huge. You’ve garnered favor with him, and he sounds willing to work with us.”
“Does that mean working with the Alpha as well?”
“Honestly, I don’t know, but I’m hopeful. He’s always been concerned about our future. So is Europa, for that matter. If we can get the two of them to realize the Reformation Treaty can give them what they both want, it might go a long way toward convincing them to become partners instead of adversaries.”
“I’d much prefer negotiations over all-out warfare.”
“Me too, bud.”
The conversation lagged as breathing became a chore. The woods were no barrel of monkeys and the cold burned my lungs. The moon shone almost as brightly as daylight, but the shadows were still deep and the footing treacherous. I tripped countless times, swearing like an angry sailor.
The only upside to this frustrating exercise was that my shoulder finally felt as good as new. There had been no stiffness when I tested a few swings of my sword, which was comforting. If the hunt turned violent, at least I wouldn’t be at a disadvantage because of my injury.
We ran for a long while, pushing deeper into the mountainous terrain. And the farther we traveled from the Minotaur camp, the less comfortable I was with the situation. Maneuvering through strange woods in the middle of the freezing night, even with someone like Steve who I trusted with my life, wasn’t high on my List-O’-Awesome.
Then again, this little venture proved how much Makha had taken a shine to me. If running around with him meant I could convince him to sit down at the table with Europa, maybe we could fix the rift between them as well as the one between us. Man, that’d be such a win.
The more I thought on the matter, the more the whole situation seemed to boil down to poor communication. Makha and Europa were opposite sides of the same coin. Each wanted to help their people, but they just had different philosophies on how to do it. I sensed that each was willing to move beyond whatever tension seemed to exist between them, but it required them to actually talk. And listen.
Maybe it was time to broach that with them.
I had no clue how the Minotaurs would react to such a proposal. Humans tended to suck when it came to setting aside differences, so it might take a little more ego-stroking to convince both parties that communication was good, plotting murder bad.
I was so caught up in my political theories that I rammed full-bore into Steve when he hit the brakes. I bounced off, nearly falling onto my butt, but he caught me.
“Get your head out of the clouds, dude.”
“Creator, Heir, over here,” Makha called in a low voice to our right. We moved around a small row of trees.
“I am glad to see you survived,” he said as we met up with the group. Each warrior was armed to the teeth. Makha carried the bejeweled sword from his murder room.
I swallowed, wondering what in the hell Steve and I had agreed to. “So, what are we hunting?” Please be something without claws.
“Intruders,” Makha replied evenly.
I frowned. That was not what I was expecting. “Someone entered your land?”
“Our perimeter is probed by various creatures on occasion. I received word from one of my scouts that it happened again earlier today. Finding them will be half the challenge.” He grinned wide. “Removing them the other.”
Returning to the warmth and safety of my bed sounded better and better with every new development on this stupid adventure.
“Okay,” I said. “What do we do?”
“Normally a Great Hunt is conducted together, however we may benefit from splitting into several teams. Heir, if you’ll honor me by leading the first team, I’ll take the Creator and one of my guards.”
I gave a thumbs-up.
“Works for us,” Steve answered.
“Excellent. If you’ll be so kind as to inspect the meadows around Triton Lake, we’ll check the crags to their west. If you find something, send a scout to our location. I’ll do the same. Otherwise, we’ll meet at the lake when the moon is at its apex.”
“Got it.” Steve motioned for his team of Minotaurs to follow. They vanished into the darkness a second later.
“This way, Creator,” Makha said, and bolted deeper into the woods. I huffed and stumbled while the euphor weaved through the trees with practiced ease. His movements were fluid and graceful, which made me fear and respect him as a warrior even more.
Eventually we wound our way to a series of large snow-covered mounds the size of small houses. Not surprising, my Skill sensed nothing but emptiness in the dark rocky crevices.
“Search there,” Makha ordered, pointing his guard to our right. The Minotaur saluted, then carefully began his investigation of the massive structures. I followed the euphor as he moved in the opposite direction.
“If my scouts are correct, these intruders will gravitate either to the water or this area for safety.”
“You’ve dealt with them before?”
“Indeed.” He poked the massive broadsword into a crevice. The tip clanked against stone. “Some creatures use the unique...capabilities of our land as a sanctuary. These woods protect them from certain predators.”
