They just could not understand why others never seemed to see it that way.
Their captors dragged Kaz and Ganth to the temple, where the high priest awaited them. Inside, the acolytes were very attentive. One of them guided the party through the temple. He led Scurn and the others to two great doors. There, two more acolytes opened the doors, then stepped away. Scurn paused at the entrance, giving Kaz a moment to study the place in detail. The artwork did not concern him at all. What he wanted was some way out should the opportunity arise.
His eyes drifted to the carvings. Most, especially the faces of Sargas, were familiar to him, since copies appeared on structures throughout the empire, but the dragon was something uncommon. It was startlingly real. It unnerved him almost as much as the thought of facing the high priest.
"Your party may enter, Captain Scurn."
The voice echoed throughout the nearly black chamber and caused the hair on the back of Kaz's head to stiffen. Like all minotaurs, he had been raised with a healthy respect for the high priest. But, just standing there, he felt an unreasoning terror. This is nonsense, he told himself.
The cleric's as mortal as anyone else here. An axe in the hand will cleave him in two just as easily as it would Scum.
Nonetheless, it was all he could do to keep from quavering when they pulled him forward.
Torches suddenly blazed, revealing not only the immense chamber, but the dais ahead of the party. Seated at the desk atop the dais was the high priest, who stared down at them.
Studious features were half-shadowed by the cleric's hood. Kaz had met this particular minotaur before, but he could not recall when. Was his past out to destroy him? It seemed that everyone he had ever met was turning up in his life again, wanting to dispose of him.
Scurn led the prisoners up to the dais. Kaz was pleased to note that his captors seemed nervous, too. Everyone was afraid of this high priest.
The high priest leaned forward, studying the two prisoners. His eyes raked Kaz, then Ganth, almost as if he intended to dine on their corpses. The hooded figure studied them for a moment or two longer, then turned his burning gaze on Scum.
"There was a kender, too, was there not? Where is he?"
Steadying himself, Scurn replied, "The guard is still out hunting him, Holiness. He escaped in the confusion when these two resisted."
"A kender, a lowly kender, escaped a squadron of the guard? Are you becoming that incompetent? The kender should have been the least difficult of the three."
"We weren't expecting this one," protested Scurn as he pointed at Ganth. "We were told to watch for Kaz, not the old one."
"And who is he?"
"I am Ganthirogani de-Orilg," announced Kaz's father, standing proudly. "I'm a loyal son of the empire, which is more than I can say for these bits of flotsam. You should know me-"
"You will not speak again unless spoken to," intoned the high priest, cutting off Ganth. He leaned back and studied Kaz again. "Kaziganthi of the clan Orilg, we have watched your activities for some time. Your reputation is both a credit and a shame to the minotaur race. You have fought bravely against great foes, but you reject the destiny of your people. You act as an independent when you must play your part in the great plan. Your place is here, working for the future that is to be ours, but you rebel, fomenting discord among your own kind. Because of your past, you could be forgiven, but now you return to the empire, attempting to increase your power at a time when all minotaurs are needed for the grand conquest."
"That's ridiculous!" snapped Kaz, surprising himself.
The high priest ignored his effrontery. "What you have achieved is admittedly admirable in many ways, but it cannot be allowed to go on, I'm afraid. For the sake of the future, a settlement such as yours cannot be tolerated. The minotaur race cannot be divided so. We must be one strong axe arm ready to cleave all foes in our path. No minotaur can be allowed to act alone."
"I always thought we prided ourselves on our fairness," Kaz returned, more defiant than fearful now that he had heard the high priest's exalted words. "We are the race where anyone may become emperor, where males and females are equal, and where honor is individual."
The high priest visibly checked his anger. Putting on a smile as false as his words, the hooded figure shook his head. "This is a time of sacrifice, my son. In the name of the Great Horned One, we must put aside some of our freedoms so that we can sooner claim the world for him. The time is ripe. The unity of the race is now paramount, greater than the personal desires of one rebellious minotaur. You should understand that."
"I understand much."
"Do you?" The high priest shifted. "I make you an offer, Kaziganthi. Talent such as yours should not be wasted. There is room for you in the empire, but only in service to the empire. What you have achieved in the wilderness could be put to good use here. Commanders who compel such respect and loyalty from warriors are always invaluable to the cause. You could be the greatest commander since Mesonus, who led the attack against the elves even though he and his warriors were outnumbered three to one!"
"Mesonus lost that battle, however glorious it's been proclaimed since," Ganth returned, snorting.
"You will be still, Ganthirogani. Think of it, Kaziganthi. Legions at your command. You are respected by humans. You can be feared by them in the same way. You understand their tactics better than any of our present officers. Your service to your people could lead to the throne itself before long, you know."
"I've no desire to sit on that piece of abused marble."
"Consider carefully. This offer is not made lightly."
Kaz snorted. "That's no offer. That's a threat. I want nothing to do with your coming debacle."
At a slight nod from the cleric, Scurn abruptly turned on Kaz and slapped him with the back of his hand, causing his head to rock to the side.
The high priest eyed him quietly for some time, then glanced at Scurn. "Captain, the criminal Kaziganthi is guilty of endangering the integrity of the state. He has become the focus of dissension and has undermined the authority of the emperor himself. The patriarch of Clan Orilg has already agreed that there is a debt of honor here so great that it can only be judged in the circus."
"What's that?" Ganth snarled. "Even he wouldn't agree to such nonsense! You can't mean that! What could have gotten into you, Jo-"
A member of the guard struck Kaz's father. Ganth clamped his bleeding mouth shut, but continued to glare at the high priest.
Despite what had happened to his sire, Kaz remained silent. He listened carefully to what the cleric said.
"They will be brought to the circus, there to face a chosen adversary against whom they will be allowed to regain some portion of the honor they have squandered."
"Yes, Holiness." Scurn looked at his former opponent with some satisfaction. "You heard. Come with us willingly or be dragged, Kaz."
Kaz smiled slowly, allowing both the high priest and Scurn to digest the smile. "Let's go, then."
His attitude disconcerted not only Scurn, but, much to his satisfaction, even the high priest. The cleric was quick to recover, however, "Remember, my sons, you will be fighting to recover your lost honor. Dwell on that thought."
And at the same time, remember we're not supposed to survive, honor or not, Kaz thought. He snorted at the hypocrisy.
"Come on," growled the captain.
"One more thing, Kaziganthi," called the hooded figure. "It is always possible for you to avoid this sentence if you see the error of your ways. Not simply you, but also those close to you."