Aside from Kaz, there was another reason why the minotaurs flocked to the circus in even greater numbers than usual. That reason was the rumored announcement. No one knew just what that announcement was supposed to concern, but it was to take place immediately after the emperor's expected victory, and the majority opinion was that the day of destiny had finally arrived. Everyone knew that the fleet was ready to set sail. The armies had been training near the mountains and were, by this point, ready for battle. The work still continued on ships and weaponry, but the might of the minotaurs was ready to be let loose. So the general populace was ready to believe.
Some wondered if the race had sufficiently recovered from its years of war and bondage, but they kept their thoughts to themselves. The emperor, with the high priest's blessing, insisted that the minotaur race was ready. The Supreme Circle, while a little less enthusiastic, affirmed its confidence in the people.
At the moment, the elite legions were marching in hill dress uniform around the floor of the circus. Armor gleamed in the sun as hundreds of minotaurs marched in perfect unison. Each unit carried high its standard, emblems depicting creatures of strength. There were those of the Bear Legion, the Lion, the Hawk, and, favored of the temple, the Dragon. The order of appearance was based on the battle records of each of these units, with Dragon inevitably first, but all were considered stalwarts of the cause. Horns blared as each unit passed the boxes where the rulership of the twin kingdoms sat. Cheers went up from the different sections when individual commanders paraded past. It was a glorious day for ceremony.
Polik contemplated all this as he prepared for the imperial combat. Everything was going as Jopfer had said it would. Oh, to be sure, there were those in the audience who resented his reign and protested the efforts he and the high priest had put into the new campaign, but their only choice was to join the war or be dishonored in the eyes of their fellows. The high priest had been exceptionally successful in his determination to undermine all resistance. Minotaurs were encouraged by the temple to inform on naysayers. The number of spies employed by the temple and the circle-not to mention his own private corps-had quadrupled in the past few months.
One of his aides entered the chamber. 'Emperor, a cleric seeks permission for a private audience with you.'
It was about time, the graying minotaur thought. The combat was only minutes away. He had begun to wonder 'Send him in.' To his servants, he said, 'You are all dismissed. Do not return until you are summoned.'
They knew the routine almost as well as he did. Polik did not care what they thought. Their livelihoods depended on his whims.
A robed figure, who might or might not have been the same cleric who had come the last time Polik had fought, entered the room moments later. They all looked the same to Polik-tall, narrow fellows with little humor. The cleric gave the emperor a cursory bow, then remained silent until the aide had departed.
'Well? Is it done?'
'Your challenger has received the blessing of the temple, as is proscribed by law. He has drunk the ritual goblet of wine and even now awaits the summons to the. field.'
That was it, then. The cleric had given the fool the carefully drugged wine. The temple was adept at creating mixtures that did their work and later left no trace. In fact, someone drinking the same wine only half an hour later would feel no effects. His challenger would not even be affected until about the time he stood on the ten-foot-high, ten-yard-wide wooden platform and it began to rotate under the power of a dozen or
That was all the advantage Polik needed. Sometimes he felt he could have defeated a challenger undrugged. The clerics, however, had the process down to perfection and did not like any tampering. Jopfer was very much like his two predecessors, so much so that Polik, who also had collaborated with these two, sometimes felt as if he were dealing with the same cleric who had first crowned him emperor.
'And Kaz?' he finally asked. 'What about Kaz?'
'At this time, he and his companions are being rounded up for their journey to the circus.'
'They should've been dealt with before my combat. My combat should be the culmination of events.'
The cleric's expression did not change. 'His Holiness has decided they should be used as examples after the grand crusade is announced. Their deaths will be used to remind other heretics what it means to defy the destiny of our race.'
Polik scratched his jaw. 'Suppose so. Would've done it different, myself.' He shrugged. 'That's it, then. Time for the duel.'
'Sargas be with you, Emperor Polik.'
'Yes, yes…' The emperor turned away, seeking his helmet. As ruler of the empire,
The robed figure gave Polik a brief look of contempt, but the emperor's back was to him. With a final, even more cursory bow, he departed. Almost immediately, the servants and the aide returned. 'Are we ready to begin, Emperor?'
'Just help me find my helmet. I know it was here a moment ago.'
Sighing silently, the aide forced back the thoughts that sprang to mind-thoughts that, were they known, could have got him tossed into the arena alongside the rebel Kaz-and started to search for his master's missing helm.
Infernus sat in the booth set aside for him and his aides, four lesser clerics flanking him. He was clad in the most elegant robes of the high priest, gold trim and diamond sparkles making him glitter in the sunlight. It was all the dragon could do to suppress his eagerness and satisfaction, but he had to maintain the mask of quiet confidence, especially now.
Back in the temple, the hatchling, Tiberia, would be watching all of this. Infernus had decided it would be good for the young one's education to see just how well her captor's plans were progressing. The spell would give Ty a view of what went on in the arena based on the red dragon's own perspective. The young one would see everything, including the death of her would-be champion, through Infernus's eyes. It was a clever spell.
The day of destiny is upon us, Infernus thought, allowing himself a satisfied smile that brought shivers to the one cleric who happened to glance his way. My day…
They're coining, Kaz thought, fidgeting. They're coming, and the cursed gray human still hasn't given me any kind of sign! The day before had passed without any clue as to what Kaz was supposed to do to free himself and the others. He had expected some clue from the mage before this moment; after all, the human had more or less promised. From what little he could recall of Huma's experiences with the gray man, nothing indicated that the figure was a liar or a trickster. Still, he was beginning to wonder.
Ty, Hecar, Delbin, Fliara… their lives all depended on Kaz. He could not let them down, even if it turned out that the gray mage had let Kaz down. When the guards came for him, he would find some way to win.
Paladine watch over me… and Helati and the children, just in case.
'It's time.'
The voice startled him, especially when Kaz realized whose voice it was.
'It's about time you got here, mage.'
'It is all a matter of balance, Kaz,' responded the gray figure standing near the minotaur. 'I can act only when it is time. Too much interference, and things might be tilted even further out of balance. We would not want that, trust me.'
Kaz shifted. 'Someday, I hope to have a conversation with you that makes some sense. Meanwhile…' He shook the chains that held him. 'Are you going to free me now?'
'This is the time for everything to come together, Kaz. This is when the potential to rebalance the scales is at its zenith.'
With the last word, the minotaur's chains-empty, but still locked-suddenly clattered against the wall. Kaz looked at his free hands, then at the manacles. There were some advantages to being a mage.
'What happens now?' he asked as he tested his arms and legs.
'The path is open to you.' The door swung open just enough to allow Kaz out. 'The rest is up to you.'
'What about the others? I can't just leave them.'
'I will watch over them as best I can. The kender knows what I plan and will do his part. If it encourages you further, I will tell you that a certain stubborn catalyst has made her mind known in Nethosak despite my
