Many others looked up, nodding. Even Dastrun could not help glancing in the direction that his rival had indicated.

"Of course," added Ganth, looking at the other minotaurs, "I know it can even be found in the temple itself, of all places. The home of Sargas, they say." He stared at the patriarch. "And you know why it's especially interesting that it's there, Dastrun? Because it's supposed to be a direct quote from your Great Horned One himself. He's supposed to have spoken the words to Istvanius, the first high priest, who we all know was a paragon of virtue and truth. Therefore, the words must be true."

"Your point?" Dastrun demanded. The patriarch seemed to have shrunken in size by a third.

"That even Sargas points out the importance of honor to our kind. So I ask, has the clan of Orilg forsaken honor? Have we forsaken the most important of the teachings? If Orilg cannot survive without compromising its honor, should the clan even continue to exist? Are we worthy of those who came before us, not just Orilg, but Bestet the One-armed, who fought the elves even after one limb had been sliced clean off by a magical sword? Or Tariki? She sailed her burning vessel into the enemy after commanding the remnants of her crew to abandon it! Two enemy ships caught fire and more scattered before they could finish sinking her. Just two examples of what Orilg has produced." Ganth looked at his own son. "And whatever you might think of Kaz, this one has led a few momentous victories that our ancestors would have been proud of."

Dastrun might be patriarch of the clan, but he was isolated in his opinions. Ganth's words touched the very fiber of every minotaur gathered there. Even Fliara nodded.

"Ganth speaks truth!"

"It's a matter of our honor! We cannot abandon Kazi-ganthi!"

"What of the emperor? What of the high priest?"

"What of them? This is for the honor of the clan!"

Words went back and forth as the elders debated. Ganth nodded confidently to his son. Now it seemed that Polik's influence was as weak as his claim to the throne.

Seeing his support crumble, Dastrun abruptly acted. Standing, he called for order. At first no one heeded him, then Dastrun seized a staff and began to pound on the floor. "Give me order! I command it!"

He still carried enough sway that the others lowered their dissenting voices. Dastrun looked around, seeking sympathetic faces. Kaz doubted he found many. He almost felt sorry for the patriarch.

Drawing himself up, the robed figure spoke. "Points have been made by the esteemed Ganthirogani. His words touched us all, I'm sure." There was assent at this, but no one interrupted. Dastrun took a deep breath and tried to sound imperious. "Long have I labored over the very same issues that he's touched on, trying to weigh what is right and what is most honorable." Now there was renewed muttering. The patriarch quickly went on. "Sargas preaches to us about the utmost importance of honor. It is the cornerstone of our lives. Who are we to argue against the will of the Great Horned One? Was it not he who deemed our ancestors worthy? But wasn't it also their dedication and their sense of honor that made them worthy in the first place?"

"The old boy can still talk when it's to save his hide," Kaz's father whispered to him.

"I've considered further," Dastrun continued, "and I must agree. We would shame the memories of our ancestors if we did not act to preserve a son of Orilg. This will not be simple. I must therefore ask that all of you take a hand in this. The guard will no doubt come to the clan house before long." He turned his gaze to the pair standing before him. "The sooner you are ready to leave, the better. It will be difficult but still possible to help you through the southern gates without anyone noticing. A handful of volunteers will take you to the mountains. From there you may journey anywhere you desire, just as long as you do not return."

"That's preposterous!" called an older female. "What sort of solution is that to the problems confronting Kaziganthi, Dastrun?"

"Do you have a better one… any of you?"

None of the other elders did. It was one thing to spirit Kaz and his father away and out of sight of the emperor and Jopfer, but it was another to allow them to stay and openly defy Polik, the priesthood, and the Supreme Circle. Once Kaz was away, the clan could claim no knowledge.

Not that it really mattered. Kaz had no intention of leaving without rescuing Delbin, who was imprisoned only because he had been too loyal. "You don't have to worry about me at all, none of you. Let me go and I absolve the clan of all obligations. I've got only one objective now, and if I happen to survive, I'll be leaving here. If I don't survive, you're welcome to condemn me for my dishonorable ways. I could care less at this point."

Ganth stood closer to his son. "The same goes for me."

Fliara gasped, actually raising a hand in feeble protest. Ganth turned and gave her a smile. She closed her mouth and again pretended indifference. Ganth's smile grew broader.

"Exactly what are you saying, Kaz?" asked the female elder. "Are you suggesting we take no action? Simply let you go without knowing what's to befall you?"

"Oh, I could tell you what I've got planned, but you wouldn't want to hear about it, trust me."

She was about to differ with him when Dastrun quickly interjected, "No. We wouldn't. You can spare us such incriminating details. You wish us to do nothing then? No matter what happens, the clan is not required to defend you, or your actions?"

Kaz surveyed the assembled elders. "I never intended to draw Orilg into my activities. I came only to claim a friend, another member of this august clan, who was missing. Now I find I have to go claim another friend, an innocent who doesn't deserve what's happening to him. Clan Orilg may wash its hands clean of me. I swear this by Orilg himself and all my ancestors."

"What do you plan to do?" the female elder asked.

"It doesn't matter," the patriarch said curtly. Then Dastrun cleared his throat. "Very well, Kaziganthi. By your own words shall this be decided. The clan will do nothing to hinder you, but neither will it assist your mad- your activities."

There were voices of protest, but Kaz himself signaled for silence.

The patriarch nodded. "No word shall be given to the guard concerning your whereabouts. That holds true for your father and your friend, too. You'll be taken to a place where you may hide until dark." Dastrun gave the pair a magnanimous expression. "Then you are on your own, just as you've requested. Should you be captured or killed, we will abide by your decision and make no claim for you."

"You are very gracious," Ganth said with more than a little sarcasm.

Ignoring him, Dastrun faced the elders. "Is there anyone here who'll dispute the agreement made between myself as clan leader and this renegade warrior?"

No one could dispute the decision since Kaz himself had made the proposition. No one, that is, except one young warrior. "Patriarch, I must ask that I be included with these two. I make that request through blood rights."

Both Kaz and his father looked with astonishment at Fliara.

"Lass, think what you're saying! This is our doing and ours alone!"

She raised her chin in a manner reminiscent of both her brother and her father. "I will do no less than my own kin. I am as honor-bound as either of you."

"Talk sense to her, Kaz!"

"Listen to our father, Fliara. If I could, I'd make even him stay, but he's already involved and there's no way to extricate him from this. You don't have to follow us. If we survive… and I say 'if… we will never return to this land again."

"I have already considered that." She straightened. "I stand firm on my request."

"And your request is granted," Dastrun announced before anyone could volunteer an opinion. "Your spirit is a credit to the clan."