Land of the minotaurs

'Listen! The gods don't have to have their way! They-'

Ty slipped out of his grip. Her stance was unsteady, but she refused help from the minotaur. She gazed at both Kaz and the gray man. 'I know I don't have a choice, really, Kaz. I have to leave.' Ty steadied herself. 'I don't want another war like the one you've talked about, Kaz. It sounds awful. Fighting Infernus showed me how terrible another war would be.'

'Do you mean that?' It still seemed unfair to Kaz, but the female sounded determined.

'I do. If I stay much longer, another dragon will awake. I couldn't face that. Too many people would get hurt or die, including maybe you and Delbin.'

'The decision is made, then,' announced the gray man. His expression softened. 'For what it is worth, Tiberia, I regret it must be so. You deserve to live as you desire. I can say only that you shall at least join your sire and your siblings where you are going.'

Ty brightened. 'I'll see them?'

'I promise.' The gray mage smiled. 'Then you all shall have a pleasant sleep.'

Sleep was one thing Ty definitely needed. The female required time for her injuries to heal. She closed her eyes, then asked, 'Is it far? I don't think I can fly far.'

'You will not need to fly.' Raising his staff, the gray man looked behind him. A hole appeared, a hole that glowed brightly from within. 'We will walk. It is not so far that way.' He extended his free hand to the transformed dragon. 'If you are ready, we should leave very soon.'

Ty turned to Kaz. 'Could-could you say good-bye to Delbin for me? I wish there were more time, but… I don't want another dragon like Infernus coming.'

'I'll say good-bye to Delbin for you.'

She leapt forward, wrapping her arms around the minotaur. Kaz froze, then slowly hugged Ty back. 'I won't forget you, Kaz! Thank you for everything.'

Kaz lifted her chin, meeting Ty's eyes. 'You are an honorable warrior, Tiberia, and a good lass, as my father would have said.'

Ty lowered her gaze. 'I'm sorry about Ganth, Kaz. If it hadn't been for me-'

'Don't think that. Infernus was responsible. Ganth would thank you. You avenged not only him and my mother, but all those minotaurs who died so that Infernus could mold us to his and the Dark Queen's damnable vision.'

From behind Ty, the gray man called, 'Tiberia. It must be soon. Already there is stirring.'

Breaking away, the young human dragon joined the mage. Ty looked back at Kaz and smiled.

'Paladine watch over you, Ty,' the minotaur called.

'Thank you again, Kaz… I'll think of you.'

'And I you.'

'You have my gratitude, too, Kaz,' added the gray figure, somewhat sadly. 'And my apologies for what I had to do. Know that your father… and mother… watch over you.'

'I understand… and thank you, mage.'

With that, the pair walked into the hole. As they entered, Ty waved one last time. The hole vanished as she lowered her hand.

It was over, just like that. Kaz felt cheated. The female had hardly time to recover and enjoy some peace with her newfound friends. She had hardly time to see the world. Then again, as a dragon, she might someday see a world that existed long after Kaz was gone.

'Kaz!' There was no mistaking Delbin's voice. 'Kaz! Is Ty all right? Where is she? I thought she was over here, but-'

'Take a breath, Delbin,' said Hecar.

Kaz turned to face his friends and family. Hecar stood there with Delbin and Kaz's brother and sister. They were not alone, either. There was an entire contingent of minotaurs, not all of them from the clan of Orilg. One group in particular simultaneously interested and worried him. They were members of the Supreme Circle. There also was a handful of clerics.

'I'll tell you about Ty later, Delbin,' he said, warily watching the others close in on him. 'I promise.'

The circle paid little mind to Kaz's friends and relations, barging through the gathering without comment. Kaz looked them over and saw that all eight members were there, their identities marked by the clasps of their cloaks. Three he recognized personally, but the others not at all.

'Hail, Kaziganthi de-Orilg!' called a scarred warrior with gray fur on top and one eye covered with a patch. His name was Athus, and Kaz recalled him from the war. Athus had never struck him as someone who would bow to the high priest's dictates, but it was difficult to say how the old warrior had changed over the years.

'Hail, Athus.' Kaz surveyed the gathering. 'Come to personally arrest me this time?'

'His Holiness-' began one cleric.

'There is your high priest.' Athus pointed at the red dragon's huge form. 'We all heard the voice. We all know that voice and that tone even if the form is different. Am I right, Kaziganthi?'

'You are.'

'It is a He!' The same cleric pushed forward. 'When the high priest comes-'

Kaz snorted. 'You should begin thinking more about which of you is going to be the new high priest, rather than wasting time on empty protests. Jopfer, as you knew him anyway, is dead. That leaves a vacancy that must be filled, don't you think?'

The cleric shut up. Kaz watched with amusement as the robed figures began to eye one another. These were some of the red dragon's highest-ranking servants. Any one of them could claim the right of succession. There would be some duels before the week was out, which did not sadden Kaz in the least.

Athus also seemed to enjoy the clerics' sudden realization. He finally shook his head, responding to Kaz's earlier question. 'No, Kaziganthi, we've not come to arrest you. Far from it. If anything, I think the majority of us are quite pleased to see you.'

That was exactly as he had feared. Kaz remained quiet, waiting.

'Emperor Polik is dead.' A trace of a smile again escaped Athus. 'Definitely dead. As his challenger died before him, there is a void that must be filled, a void even more important than that which the priesthood faces.' The graying minotaur ignored dark looks from more than one cleric. 'I think we've all seen and heard enough today to know who exemplifies what we most seek in an emperor. Honor, bravery, determination to face all odds in the course of one's duty, and, of course, the cunning and strength needed to attain victory in combat.'

'Listen all around you, Kaziganthi,' spoke one of the other members, a shorter, wider minotaur with one crooked horn and, for one of their kind, what would be called a flat snout. 'They are still chanting your name. They want you, Kaziganthi! We want you!'

Athus nodded. 'We salute you, Emperor Kaziganthi, slayer of dragons and champion of the people!'

The clansmen of Orilg who stood nearby cheered, especially Kaz's siblings. But Hecar seemed less enthusiastic. He was proud of his sister's mate, but he knew Kaz better than the rest. He was probably the only one here who truly knew what Kaz thought of becoming emperor.

Kaz faced the circle and the clerics. He could not deny feeling pride that he had been so chosen. It was the greatest accolade his people could have given him.

'I prefer Kaz as a name,' he responded, standing as tall as he could. His body wanted to lie down and sleep for a month, but he did not listen to it, not yet. 'And I prefer to decline your offer. I'm not the kind of emperor you want, and I never will be. You'll have to fight that out among yourselves.'

As soon as he was finished speaking, Kaz walked past the stunned and gaping minotaur leaders, joined his family and friends, and headed for the circus's nearest exit.

Chapter 19

The Future

Kaz could not help but admire Nethosak as the ship carrying him and the others departed for the south. His