Land of the Minotaurs

by Richard A. Knaak

  Kaz snorted, then added, “Of course.”

  “But such tales grow in credence the more they are repeated. You’ve done more to disrupt the course of destiny here than the years under the rule of the Dark Lady’s warlords.”

  “I’ve already heard such words from the high priest, Dastrun. Unless you have an original point, you can forego the rest of your speech.”

  “Same arrogant little Kaz,” snarled one of the other elders. “Never did know his proper place.”

  Kaz gave the elder a look. “I thought that was one of the driving forces behind our people, the fact that we have dared strive to improve ourselves and achieve greater heights.… Of course, that was in the old days.”

  The elder muttered something about insolence, but there were many others who nodded agreement with Kaz. It was then he saw Dastrun’s predicament. Kaz’s father had mentioned that Dastrun’s position was not a secure one; he was the emperor’s designate, not the clan favorite. Perhaps things might have been different had he gained his position by the old ways, but now no one would ever completely trust his wisdom. He ruled because Polik said he should rule.

  A puppet pulling the strings of a puppet, thought Kaz. He suspected that all the strings, be they attached to the emperor, various patriarchs, the military, even the circle, led back to Jopfer.

  “Very well,” the patriarch grumbled. “When you were sent to the circus, there was some question as to the fairness of your sentence, but Orilg is not influential enough to change the commands of either the emperor or the state priesthood. It was hoped you would fight honorably and prove that any crimes you might or might not have committed were of no consequence. You would have been kept on the rolls of honor, forever a symbol of Orilg greatness.”

  “How flattering.”

  “Of course, you couldn’t bring yourself to do what was best, could you? I was in the crowd when the chaos began. I left immediately, of course, but left word to keep track of you.” The elder minotaur’s tone indicated that he suspected the chaos was part of a plan to engineer Kaz’s escape. “The warriors of the clan did their best to see that you were brought here rather than be recaptured.”

  “You seem to have forgotten my father and Hecar, who also are clan members.”

  Dastrun looked at the other elders. A narrow-muzzled female that Kaz thought might be an older cousin of his nodded. The patriarch turned back to Kaz. “There are others watching for them. Fliara and her group were ordered to watch for you. It’s you that causes the most concern to the clan.”

  Kaz glanced sideways at his sister. She stood stiff and emotionless, a fine example of the sort of warrior that was being reared in the homeland these days. Did she even care about her father? Granted, much of her early upbringing was owed to the teaching prescribed by Warlord Crynus and his ilk, but the years since Kaz’s departure had not improved Fliara.

  “It is fairly certain now that we will request an amnesty for your father. He will even be given a chance to crew his own vessel again despite his past carelessness.” A few elders muttered at the choice of words. Dastrun pretended not to notice them. “Hecar may join him as well.”

  They would be virtually exiled on the high seas. It would not be the first time the unruly were cast out in such a way. More often than not, they did not return, falling overboard during storms or wasting away, through no choice of their own, on some lonely island.

  “And me? The high priest has already offered me a chance to rejoin the cause, to help take us further down the path of ruin.” Kaz’s words ought to have been considered sacrilegious, but instead he received little more than a weary stare from Dastrun and concerned expressions from the others. Even Fliara was looking at him oddly. “My apologies. I meant the emperor, of course. I wouldn’t dare suggest that he followed the priesthood’s commands and not the other way around.”

  It took the patriarch a while to collect himself enough to continue. “I’ve been petitioned by some within the clan to act on your behalf. There is a chance to save you, and it’s a path I suggest you accept. It’s believed that the emperor will permit it. There is a ship, an explorer under the banner of Orilg, sailing to the continent east of here.”

  “Another continent?” Now and then, there were rumors of another continent, and, despite his reluctance, Kaz’s curiosity was piqued.

  Observing Kaz’s reaction, Dastrun pressed on. “Yes, another continent. An opportunity to expand even further. We’ve already made some inroads there, Boy. The few inhabitants discovered there so far have been … of no consequence. However, we’ve explored only a little into the interior. There’s room for adventure and opportunity.”

  Sail to the other land and become one of those who pioneered the way for the rest of the people. It was exciting, an offer Kaz would have accepted gladly under other circumstances. But several concerns held him back. One was that he could never leave Helati and the children behind. Another was that he knew, despite whatever Dastrun and the others believed, that Polik and Jopfer would not agree to the offer … or they would send Kaz off, only to have him suffer an ‘accident’ once he was far from home.

  Kaz wondered if Dastrun himself made the offer in good faith or was aware of what would likely happen.

  “A tempting offer,” Kaz finally commented, still pondering. Whatever happened to him, Kaz refused to let others assuage their guilt by sending him somewhere far away where his fate could not be tied to them and their tainted sense of honor. “But you might as well turn me back over to the circus if that’s the best you can do.”

  “Don’t be a fool, Kaziganthi!” warned Dastrun. He rose from his chair. “We offer you a chance not only to maintain your own honor, but to increase your standing! At the very least, the honor of the clan should mean something to—”

  “You’re the fool, Dastrun, if you expect us to believe that honor is still of such import that we’re willing to sacrifice one of our own like this!”

  Kaz and the others looked to the source of the voice. Somehow, Ganth had found his way from the circus and slipped into the audience chamber. There was no sign of Hecar, but at least Kaz’s father was safe.

  “You are not a part of this meeting, Ganth!” snarled the patriarch. “You’ll leave now!”

  “Ganthirogani has as much right to speak as any of us!” pointed out an elder. “More than some, even.”

  The consensus of the majority of the elders was the same. Dastrun might be patriarch, but even he could not argue against certain precedents. One of the foundations of clan life was that each minotaur was allowed to voice his opinion, and those who achieved the age and status of Kaz’s father were entitled to speak during matters of council. The race considered itself the most democratic of all the peoples of Ansalon.

  “Aye, it’s good to see that some haven’t forgotten that.” Ganth marched forward until he stood next to Kaz. He glanced briefly at his daughter, who looked away in what might have been embarrassment, then at his son. In a low voice, he told Kaz, “I can say only that Hecar waits outside. More’ll have to wait until we get you out of this.”

  To the others, Ganth addressed these words, “I’ve missed a few years among my kin and clan, I’ll be the first to admit, but there are some things that shouldn’t have changed completely in that time. We’re minotaurs, the greatest race ever to walk Krynn, greater than the ancient ogres from whom we’re descended. Only dragons could be considered superior, and they’ve left this world to us now.”

  Kaz watched as his father appealed to the vanity of the race. To him, the words were almost a jest, but to the others, who had never lived outside their small world, they were true and monumental.

  “What’s happened now, though?” the older minotaur asked, giving a theatrical performance that Kaz would not have expected his mariner father capable of delivering, but he had the crowd. “We’ve become willing to set aside our personal honor, to set aside the clan and our esteemed ancestors, including great Orilg, who once fought a dozen ogres to save his c
hildren. Our ancestors watch us now, Dastrun, and what do they see? That’s the question you should all ask yourselves. Are we being true to our ancestors? Are we being true to the honor of Orilg?”

  He had most of them agreeing with him, except for Dastrun, of course. The patriarch snorted; then, seating himself again, he countered, “Pretty words, Ganth, but they say nothing. Are we to presume you speak for our ancestors, most especially great Orilg? More to the point, have you forgotten that we also belong to a larger family? We’re the children of Sargas! Even Orilg would give Sargas his due.” He shook his head and looked at Ganth as if Kaz’s father was a dim-witted child. “The high priest teaches us that sometimes there must be sacrifice for the greater good. That is what we must all remember, even you and your son.”

  “I know what the Great Horned One’s like, Dastrun, which is why I’ve chosen Kiri-Jolith to be my lord … or is such a choice now also forbidden?”

  “Ah, yes.” Dastrun nodded. “You met them both, didn’t you?” He chuckled. “Quite a yarn that was.”

  The old mariner drew himself up to his full height. He still had the presence to impress most around him. Kaz was proud of his father. “Aye, I’ve met them both. Whether you choose to believe that or simply toss it aside as a sea tale, you’d do well to remember one thing: It’s honor we’ve been brought up to believe in more than anything else, even more than our so-called destiny. It’s honor that’s at the core of our kind, even more than among the humans of the Solamnic knighthood. ‘Honor is our blood and our blood is honor.’ Recall that? Orilg liked to quote it. It’s carved on the outside and inside of the circus and every minor arena throughout the land. It’s carved high in the walls of the palace and the headquarters of the Supreme Circle.” Ganth crossed his arms and looked up. “Why, it’s even carved up there.”

  Many others looked up, nodding. Even Dastrun could not help glancing in the direction that his rival had indicated.

  “Of course,” added Ganth, looking at the other minotaurs, “I know it can even be found in the temple itself, of all places. The home of Sargas, they say.” He stared at the patriarch. “And you know why it’s especially interesting that it’s there, Dastrun? Because it’s supposed to be a direct quote from your Great Horned One himself. He’s supposed to have spoken the words to Istvanius, the first high priest, who we all know was a paragon of virtue and truth. Therefore, the words must be true.”

  “Your point?” Dastrun demanded. The patriarch seemed to have shrunken in size by a third.

  “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 Kaziganthi!”

  “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 h
imself 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?”