It would be so simple, so masterfully done… and even if there was an element of danger to it, the kender saw that only as added excitement flavoring this new, grand adventure.

"Don't you worry, Kaz," he whispered into the dark, eyes shining in anticipation. "I'm coming to save you!"

"I am disappointed in you, Captain Scurn."

Scurn shivered as he faced the high priest with the news that the blasted kender was still at large. Scurn was no coward and, despite his exalted position, the high priest was more a scholarly type than a great warrior. In single combat the soldier was certain he could easily defeat the figure looking down on him. Of course, that was an opinion he would never dare voice to others.

The high priest was not alone. Acolytes lined the path to the dais, strong sons of Sargas, who Scurn knew would willingly throw themselves at him unarmed if their master so commanded. They stared straight ahead, but the captain knew very well they watched his every move.

"Holiness, the guard is still looking. It's only a kender, anyway. A mischief-maker, nothing more! My commander-"

"Has nothing to do with this, Captain. You presented yourself to my subordinates as someone striving to rise in rank and who saw, wisely, that such a path must be harmonious with my goals. You have benefitted from my goodwill, but in return you have not given what I required of you." The high priest leaned forward angrily. "I want the kender found. This creature is loyal to Kaziganthi. Not only might he cause unnecessary and politically embarrassing trouble in some kenderish attempt to redeem his comrade, but it has occurred to me that he of all of them might be used against the prisoner. This Kaziganthi sees himself as something of a champion to the small, I think. Therefore, I want him found. He cannot have escaped the city. The gates are too closely guarded. Find him. Do you understand that, or shall I endeavor to find out if any of your men can do better?"

"No, Your Holiness. I'll find the little vermin. I will."

Leaning back, the high priest regained his composure. "You had better." He waved a hand, dismissing the subject. "You will be pleased to know that on the morrow the criminals will face separate challenges that shall give them a chance to recover the honor of their clan… and shall put an end to at least one of them if Kaziganthi does not cooperate."

"Tomorrow?" Scurn was unable to hide his surprise. The leader of the temple worked in swift fashion. "Which one?"

"That is undecided, but I believe it will be the one called Hecar. His usefulness is at an end, but as the brother of Kaziganthi's mate, his death will have a profound impact. It may be enough."

"That's good news, Holiness."

"It will not be such good news if you find yourself joining them, Captain. I still desire the kender. If necessary, I will have Kaz's family and friends executed one by one until he sees the error of his judgment." The high priest steepled his fingers and sighed. "The fate of the cause outweighs the regret I feel for being forced to such dire actions. Kaziganthi is a symbol to many, Captain, a symbol that can still be wielded for the greater glory of the minotaur race… but only if he can be turned."

Scurn got the hint. "I'll double the number of soldiers involved in the search. By tomorrow, we'll have the kender… though why the creature is important to Kaz, I'll never understand."

"You do not need to understand. That is my concern. Simply find this valuable little creature. And do so very soon, lest you share the fate of the criminals in the field."

The captain swallowed. Then, realizing he had just, been dismissed, Scurn bowed and quickly retreated from the chamber.

When he was gone, the high priest looked down on his subordinates. As one they turned their gazes to him, respect and fear combined in their eyes.

"What word from our own?"

The acolyte nearest his left side replied, "They find nothing so far, Holiness. No sign has been seen of the kender."

"He has certainly not taken himself from Nethosak through magical means. I think I would have been able to sense that." The high priest allowed himself a slight look of frustration. "Not that I would expect magic of a kender."

An acolyte across from the first spoke. "Holiness, there have been rumors."

"Rumors of what?"

"That a kender has been sighted in the streets. These rumors have not been verified. No trace of any such creature has been discovered-"

"But it is not the type of sighting to arise without substance." He rubbed his jaw in contemplation. "I wonder… yes… the kender would probably do that. If he's as loyal as reported, general mischief would be less likely. It's more possible he will seek to emulate his brave friend. This is good. We shall let the kender wander about."

"Master?" asked the second acolyte, not understanding.

"If the guard and our own cannot find the kender, perhaps the kender will reveal his whereabouts to us." The high priest actually smiled. "A determined kender will generally find what it seeks, and this particular one, I think, seeks his minotaur comrade. I will have notices put up, reminding all that the criminals of the state will be sent into the circus on the morrow."

"But how will this help us find the kender, Holiness?" asked the first acolyte.

The high priest grew visibly annoyed. "The kender has proven through his determination that he cares about his companion, the great minotaur warrior. He will, in his own way, seek to free the minotaur. We must see to it that he is encouraged to investigate the circus just in case he does not understand they are being held there. A way must even be left open for him, the better to trap the insipid creature. The guards at the circus must be forewarned. You, Merriq, for being so inquisitive, have volunteered to lead a group of our own people in searching the circus from top to bottom, after which you will coordinate the successful capture of this pack rat."

Merriq bowed and asked no further questions, realizing he had already pushed his luck.

The high priest rose and leaned over his desk. "I think perhaps that some of you have grown lax in your work and, perhaps, your faith. We have been entrusted from time immemorial with the heavy task of keeping the vision strong, of preaching to the masses the dream of destiny set down by Sargas when he took a few worthy ogres and transformed them into the first minotaurs. The Supreme Circle is the arm, making certain the empire functions on a physical level. The emperor is the heart, the symbol of perfection that all strive for in battle. We, however, are the soul, and that is the most important of the three. If the people lose faith in their destiny, we have failed. The arm will grow weak and the heart will cease to beat. That is why you must all be strong, determined in your tasks and belief. There can be no room for the weak."

The acolytes nodded, but remained silent.

Stepping around the desk, the high priest raised his hands high in supplication to the sky. "We stand as warriors in the circus of the soul. We must triumph, or our entire race will fall into the degeneration that befell the ogres. Merriq, you will begin the litany."

The senior acolyte bowed, then, clearing his throat, began, "We have been enslaved, but have always thrown off our shackles…"

Around him, the others repeated his words. All closed their eyes and, imitating the high priest, raised their hands skyward.

The figure on the dais lowered his hands and watched those below, satisfied that there would be no hesitation, no matter what commands he gave them. They were dedicated to the dream, though they did not know he had altered that dream. They would do anything in the name of Sargas, but in reality it was he they worshipped. He was their god, even if they did not realize it.