Land of the minotaurs

A still groggy Kaz leaned forward and bowled into Angrus, who lost his grip on Delbin. Unfortunately, Kaz's charge was not as overpowering as he had hoped. Angrus, his hands freed, grabbed hold of him and held him tight, keeping Kaz's horns away. At the same time, the other two minotaurs seized Kaz by the arms.

'No tricks this time!' growled Angrus. 'Just strength… my strength!'

He punched Kaz again. Kaz tried to roll with the blow, but it was not possible. The blow left him almost bereft of his senses.

'You shouldn't have done that, lads!' announced a new voice, one that was strangely familiar to Kaz even in his present state.

The minotaur holding his left arm suddenly released his grip. Kaz pulled himself together and took full advantage of his partial freedom, spinning and punching Angrus's companion under the jaw. The minotaur went flying backward, landing hard on his back.

The newcomer was battling the third minotaur behind him, but Kaz had no time to even glance at his rescuer. He faced Angrus, who seemed just slightly less confident now. 'A minotaur fights with honor and skill, Angrus. You've got neither. You've got brute strength and no honor at all. I wasn't responsible for your cheating. You're no warrior, Angrus. You're a disgrace to our people.'

Angrus threw himself on Kaz. The power behind his attack gave him a momentary advantage. Kaz, however, used a maneuver that Huma had once shown him, slipping free of his adversary's grip. He then caught Angrus under the chin with his knuckles. Angrus grunted and stumbled back a step or two.

Kaz did not let up. He struck again, this time in the stomach, then swung again at Angrus's chin.

Angrus crumpled as easily as he had those many years before.

Behind Kaz, another body hit the street. He turned and saw the last of the trio lying on his side, groaning. The other minotaur towered over his fallen foe, but his back was turned, making it impossible for Kaz to identify his savior.

'You did it, Kaz!' The kender gave him a quick hug of congratulations. 'I thought they had you until he came along, but all you needed was a little help. And I was the first to pitch in.'

'Thank you for trying to defend me, Delbin,' Kaz said, interrupting before the kender could begin a much too lengthy rendition of the struggle. 'You should've run off, though. They would've killed you. You understand that?'

The kender quieted. 'Yes, Kaz.'

'Now that's something I'd never thought I'd have heard from you, Lad. Not as wild and proud as you once were.'

Again the voice was familiar, but Kaz could not place it. He looked up and studied the face of the minotaur who had rescued him. It was older than his by many years. He could see that years at sea had weather-worn his features, though his eyes were still lively. In his prime the older minotaur would have had the form of a champion, and Kaz could only hope he would look as strong should he be fortunate enough to live to such an age.

'I thought it was you, Lad, but I could scarcely believe my luck. Have I changed so much you don't recognize me? I suppose a few years lost at sea did make some changes.'

Lost at sea? Now that he looked closer at his rescuer, the features looked really familiar. If he removed several of the lines on the face, darkened the fur, which was partially gray by now, and managed to straighten the back a little…

'Paladine's sword!'

'Not a name I'd go shouting, Lad,' warned the other. 'The sons of Sargas don't take kindly to competition. They don't even like putting up with Kiri-Jolith… something they still seem to blame on me.'

It was impossible for Kaz to believe that the figure before him was still alive. Few ever escaped the raging sea, but if anyone could have… 'Father?'

'That's exactly what your brothers and sisters said, in the same tone yet.' The older minotaur cracked a smile. 'Aye, Ganth's back. The sea goddess hasn't got me just yet.' The smile faded as he added, 'But she took your mother willingly enough.'

'Father?' Kaz repeated, unable to think of any other word to say.

'And I'll still be your father if you say it a third time, Lad. Now snap to and come with me. You and I have a few things to talk about, including a mutual friend who's in a lot of trouble for reasons I don't like to bandy about.'

Delbin peered around Kaz, for the first time drawing the older minotaur's attention. 'He's the one who was watching you before, Kaz!'

The graying mariner shook his head. 'And we'll have to do something about this little one. By the beard of Kiri-Jolith, Son, you always found the most troublesome companions, you did.' He took Kaz by the arm. 'Come with me. I know as good a hiding place as any.'

Still quite numb at the sudden reunion with his father, who wasn't dead after all, Kaz allowed the elder minotaur to guide him away. Ganth led them from the area, winding through the streets of Nethosak with a determination that finally stirred Kaz from his stupor. This was indeed his father, the famed mariner and explorer. Older, yes, and with a slight limp, but not much off his prime. Somehow he had survived Gladiator's destruction.

Except… only Ganth had returned, not Kyri as well.

'Here we are.' Kaz's father brought them before a small dwelling. It was one of Clan Orilg's holdings, if the markings were to be credited. Orilg, being one of the major houses, had influence in all parts of the empire, but especially in the major cities of Nethosak and Morthosak. The major houses had holdings in various city sectors, places where business was transacted and members of the clan could retire when matters demanded.

We're more like humans than we think, Kaz mused, thanks to the years under the warlords' rule. The humans had impressed their values and interests on their slave-soldiers. Now, the drive for influence and profit was almost as great as the drive for war.

Two minotaurs flanked the entrance. Kaz recognized neither, but as young as the two warriors appeared, it was possible he had known them as children.

Neither said a word as Ganth and the others entered, though one warrior glanced skeptically at Delbin. Kaz and the kender were led through a short corridor to an antechamber.

'You're in need of some food, aren't you, lads?' When Kaz nodded, Ganth smiled and led them in a different direction. 'Then it's the kitchen for us.'

Kaz found himself smiling also. At times Ganth had been even less inclined to the ways of their people than he was. During the long years of enslavement to Crynus and the ogres, he had dared to protest the way his children were more or less taken from their parents so that they could be 'properly' trained by approved minotaurs. For two years after, Gladiator had been sent on a deadly voyage. Another time, Ganth and his crew had actually been stripped of their vessel and put into ranks marching westward during the second great campaign toward Solamnia. Somehow, Ganth had persevered and recovered Gladiator again, only to be sent on another mission of great danger.

Now Gladiator was lost, along with Kyri, his mate.

'Dastrun gave me this 'prestigious' post when they brought me and three other survivors back two years ago.' Ganth snorted as he led the pair to a simple bench and table. 'Should be something left to eat here.' He banged his fist on the table. Moments later a young female, lithe and tawny, stepped out. Ganth did not wait for her to speak. 'Give me whatever you can rustle up, lass, then you can go back to listening behind the door.'

She gave him a disdainful look, but obeyed his commands. Her eyes lingered on the kender as she worked, and it was not until she vanished through the doorway again that Kaz felt comfortable.

'Dastrun's patriarch of the clan now,' Ganth commented as he tore apart a piece of dry bread. 'Master Hestrith died a year ago, but Dastrun was running things before that, I've heard. When Hestrith passed away, the emperor stepped in and said that, due to the course our people were taking, it was necessary for him to appoint a patriarch with the vitality and dedication needed to help see that course to the end. The high priest and the circle sanctioned the appointment, and that was that.'

'The emperor chose Dastrun? As our new patriarch?' As with the emperor, the patriarch of the clan-who could also be a matriarch should a female achieve the position- was chosen by rite of combat. A council of elders in the clan usually approved any such match. Emperors had never dared interfere with such important clan matters.