I, Dacien

A Story by Onyx Tao

© 2011

Released under the Creative Commons

Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike License

Chapter Ten: Change

"My Lord, if you would permit me?" Xavien stood, and looked at Teodor for permission. The new Patriarch simply nodded. "Thank you, My Lord. First, allow me to be the first to congratulate you. I have looked forward to this moment from the first moment I assumed the Regency - I mean, returning this authority to its rightful place.

"The Senior Council is not in the habit of explaining itself," the ebon minotaur continued. "But it is also true that Lord Teodor's contributions and qualifications are not, perhaps, as widely known as a more traditional choice would have been, and I wish to be clear - absolutely clear - why the Council has settled on Lord Teodor. He is a bull of absolute integrity, but more than that, Lord Teodor's was Cresphontes' own suggestion." Lord Green paused. "Our world has changed.

"Some might say we have gone back to the evils of our past with these attempted assassinations, and at first that was my thought, too. But it is not so; we look at these crimes, and we hearken back to the old clan wars. But these are not those days, they are a new horror. Lord Teodor will guide us through these new times."

"Thank you," Teodor said, stepping up to the ebon minotaur. "Lord Green, you are ... I am ..." the gray minotaur stopped. "To say I am surprised is understatement. I have never sought this position, and am frankly astonished and not a little awed at the trust and confidence you," and he turned to look at the bulls on the stage, and then back to the auditorium, "all of you, my clan brothers, have given me." He took a breath.

"I am not sure why the Council did not see fit to inform me beforehand, but it is a fine joke," Teodor said. "And we surely need our sense of humor as much as we need our traditions and values. I have not thought about this as Patriarch, but I have thought about it, long and deeply. I had a number of recommendations, and now ..." Teodor smiled wanly. "Now I must take the medicine I would have prescribed myself.

"It is common knowledge, I think, that Lord Green and myself were attacked several months ago, previous to this attack on Cresphontes. Well, I say attack, but I mean assaulted. No warning was given, no respect was shown to Lord Green's dependents, there was no honor or customary decency whatsoever. Those who planned and ordered this attack deliberately eschewed honorable conduct. They murdered - assassinated - human slaves of Lord Green as well as his Master of Slave and his Master of Guards.

"At the time, I was shocked and horrified, and I admit, frightened. Somewhat for myself, but more for my clan. How can we defend ourselves when one of the most capable and honorable bulls I know, Lord Green himself, found his dependents slaughtered with no warning, and no way to defend them? We thought that perhaps those responsible might come forth, announce themselves, make demands, but I tell you there was nothing, just silence, meant, no doubt, to increase our fear and dread. What is more terrifying than the unknown? We have a foe, who strikes without warning, compassion, or honor, for reasons we do not know, and with capabilities that astound us. Clearly, they are ferocious warriors and masters of tempus if they can with impunity strike down a master such as Havel was, and the guards around Cresphontes." Teodor gazed over the audience. "Or so they would have us think!

"It is not so." Teodor waited again for silence. "It is not so. Hear me, my brothers, I tell you the truth. What they would have us think is their strength is nothing but concealed weakness. Nothing but that. They seek to use mystery to make their weakness seem like strength, but it is no more than a seeming. The so-called warriors they have expended against us are mind-burned cripples, who had their will and person reaved from them to increase their tempus skill. They are simply more victims of the dishonorable cowards who conceived and ordered this assault. And I say again, assault." Teodor leaned forward, his voice growing more intense. "They are brigands and criminals."

Teodor raised his hand. "Unusual brigands, and remarkable criminals, to be sure. But with every action, we discover more about them. We know, for example, how these ..." and Teodor paused. "Criminals, I will call them, create their mind-burned warriors. We have seen them before, they were called ninja." The new Patriarch paused to let his audience absorb the word.

"They do so by raping the minds of their own children," Teodor continued, and then had to be quiet again as an outraged murmur came from the crowd. "Yes, that is why I called these ninja victims. Those who create them are beyond despicable. No words suffice to denounce these acts and actors. None."

"Those who do these things have long done them in the dark, rightly fearing what we - and not merely Lycaili, I include all of the honorable clans when I say us - fearing, I say, our disapproval made manifest."

Teodor took a deep breath. "We will make our disapproval manifest. My brother mage, Ianthos Lord Winter travels to our fellow clans - not merely our allies, but all our fellow clans. We will add ninja - the crime of creating them - to the Truces of Xarbydis. We will ourselves renounce this ... this ... dishonor. And we will find these brigands who flaunt their dishonorable - their criminal - their despicable actions. However these vermin scuttle, no matter the rocks they crawl under, we will drag them into the light. Honor demands it. We shall accomplish it!" Teodor held up his hands.

"WAIT" he yelled. "My brothers, please. I have two more things to say. The first is that we have learned something about these brigands. They call themselves Scylla, although we do not yet know if that is mockery of a once-honorable clan, or whether they themselves are the remnant dregs.

"AND!

"I believe I mentioned unpleasant medicine, but it is just and right I say this here and now. It may be - I hope, as any honorable bull may hope - that honor is not dead in these so-called Scyllans. To any Scyllan who is not complicit in the immediate crimes against Lycaili, that is, did not order these attacks, I offer an amnesty."

Teodor waited again until the crowd was quiet. "My brothers, there may yet be honorable bulls there. I would - I will - offer any honorable bull of Scylla a way to retrieve his honor. There will be justice, I swear it, but I also swear that for any bull who wishes to lift himself out of the cesspool of Scylla, there will be mercy." Teodor waved down the crowd. "I will tell you - I will make known - everything I can about these malefactors. I will release a proclamation of amnesty. There is much to do, and ... time is almost as much our enemy in this as these Scyllan brigands.

"I wish to say one thing. I said I was astonished, and I am. But I am grateful beyond what I can say to have this opportunity to serve Lycaili, and I pledge to you to my utmost effort." Teodor paused. "I know I will have yours," he finished. The gray minotaur smiled briefly at the crowd. "I believe Lord Green is serving as our Master of Ceremonies for this, so I will allow him to complete his duties."

"Thank you, My Lord," Lord Green said. "Although we are essentially done. If, My Lord, you would dismiss us?"

"Then I declare this gathering over," Teodor said firmly, and then, more quietly to Lord Green, "Although I should like a word with the Senior Council; they are all here and I trust they will find it quite convenient."

"There is a chamber below, My Lord," Lord Green said.

"Excellent," said Teodor. "No doubt it has served similar functions in the past. I'm sure it will do nicely."

Zebra found himself swept along with the guards and shivered; a moment later, Benelaus wrapped a silver-threaded blanket around him, and carried him down a set of stairs hewn roughly into the stone, and then into another chamber, still rough with toolmarks from the implements used to carve it. A number of boulders had been leveled off, and clumped together in the center of the room, served as a table. Stools stood at the sides of the chambers, sturdy enough for minotaurs, cushioned with thin leather.

"Who knew?" Teodor said, gazing around the room. "General Zachiah, you are senior, I believe?"

"It depends, My Lord," a huge gleaming white minotaur said. "If this is a council of Generals, then I am. If it is, instead, a general Council, then ... Lord Green, as our previous Regent, would be senior."

"Ah. Since you are all Generals, then a meeting of Generals it shall be," Teodor said. "I should like your opinions on the matter of amnesty that I mentioned above."

Teodor glanced around the silent room, and after a moment, asked, "No thoughts?"

"My Lord," Zachiah said after a moment, "you have already announced it."

"I did. It seemed a good moment," Teodor said. "I should have liked to discuss it with you first, but somehow the opportunity did not present itself."

"We felt that every additional person who knew that we'd selected you would be a security risk, Lord Teodor," a large ebon said.

"And I am sure you were right, General," Teodor paused, "Runstan. But ever since I heard that Cresphontes was slain, I wanted nothing more than a way to strike at these ..." Teodor paused. "Brigands. The ceremony seemed like a perfect time."

"Strike back?" Zebra did not catch the speaker, but the incredulous tone in his voice made the human huddle deeper into the blanket against Benelaus.

"Of course," Teodor said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "These brigands depend on secrecy and fear. Exposure is their greatest enemy, and I have just shown that I - we - will root them out for what they have done. Make no mistake, I mean to destroy these Scyllans. And I need a formal offer of amnesty, and that is what I want to discuss. General Zachiah, I know you are an accomplished judiciator. Can you suggest two or three colleagues to draw up a formal offer?"

"Myself, General Ur, and ... Warlord Daniel, Lord Teodor."

"Not you, General Zachiah, I am sorry, but I cannot spare you to that task."

"Warlord Teovance, then."

"My cousin?" asked Teodor, sounding surprised.

"Yes, Lord Teodor."

"I had thought my uncle ..."

"Your cousin would be my choice, My Lord."

Teodor nodded. "Very well. General Ur?"

"My Lord?" asked a different white minotaur.

"Will you see to this matter?"

"Of course."

"I should like a draft at the earliest opportunity."

"Excuse me, Lord Teodor," General Osaze broke in. "Since I am serving as your pro forma Master of Guard ..."

"I confirm you to the position," Teodor interrupted.

"Thank you, My Lord. But Warlord Benelaus is neither a General, nor a member of our clan, and I cannot imagine these affairs concern him."

The unwelcome attention of every minotaur in the room suddenly seemed to crash in on Zebra, who just stared out at them.

"I believe," Teodor said slowly, "that my Master of Slave is occupied with his business. And if these matters are not his affair, then I trust he will not concern himself with them. Unless anyone suggests that the Warrior is unworthy of the trust I have reposed in him?"

"I do not suggest that," General Osaze said. "I suggest only that the closer we hold our council, the better."

"All the senior Generals of Lycaili are here," Teodor said. "That does not strike me as close. And my Master of Slave will need to have some sense of greater policy, if only to better comport himself to it."

"Lord Teodor," Benelaus said. "I do not need to remain, I merely ..."

"It is my wish that Zebra remain, and therefore, that you remain," Teodor said. "I will ask you plainly, Warrior Benelaus. You agreed to serve my House and Clan when I was Lord Fog. Will you continue to do now that I am Lord Teodor?"

"I will, My Lord, contingent on those exceptions I made originally."

Teodor's muzzle twisted into a grin. "The matter is settled; the security implications of an Ourouboros member of my household need no longer concern you, General Osaze."

The golden minotaur bowed. "So it be, My Lord, and I had no great concern, but the matter had to be addressed."

"It is addressed," Teodor said. "Thank you. Moving on, I have no doubt that there are any number of important and urgent matters that require my immediate attention. General Zachiah, I should like to appoint you my Master of ..." and the gray minotaur paused. "I'm not sure what the right word is. Clan, perhaps. At the moment, I am sure you have a much better idea than I of what and where I should be and attend. I wish you to take control of all these thousand matters, and winnow the things that need me from everything else, although all those other matters must make their way to the right bull."

"The term you seek, Lord Teodor, is simply Secretary, and I would be honored. It is a position that has fallen into disuse."

"Then let us revive it," Teodor said. "My Generals. I do not pretend I have the administrative skills to run Lycaili; I will lean heavily on you - all of you - for that. I imagine in the immediate future I will be understanding our current policies, and so I wish you to hold to those existing policies. It may be those can be improved, and if so, I wish to hear about it. Make yourself known to my Secretary, and we will have a discussion as soon as the matter may be most profitably handled. I confirm those of you who held positions under Cresphontes, and I will seek to meet with you personally, again as soon as time permits, and you will hear from General Zachiah, soon, I trust."

"Lord Teodor, all of us held positions under Cresphontes," General Zachiah said. "And more besides. You could, if you wished, simply confirm all who held official positions for the time being."

"Certainly," said Teodor. "I believe that is in your compass? A declaration?"

"Yes, Lord Teodor."

"Good. Is there any other business that bellows with urgency?" Teodor asked. "I have had a long night, and ... a sharp morning, I may say, and I need some time to gather my thoughts, poor scattered things."

"Ambassador Plenipotentiary Corrigan," said Lord Green, speaking up for the first time, "of Ungoliant. He petitions for an audience daily. He and I have spoken, and he offers a contingent acceptance of the codicil against ninja - if we agree that all existing ninja are to be destroyed. I suspect he may have more matters of substance to discuss as well, that he would not broach to a mere regent."

"Be that as it may," Teodor said, "if he do not say he have them, then we need not assume he do. Still, the matter of ninja is urgent, and important, and perhaps I could see him this evening, perhaps over dinner."

"Nikohorus will also demand time," Lord Green said.

"Yes," Teodor said, with a sigh. "Are there other ambassadors?"

"Two. Ur of Ancalagon, and Excellent Morian, of Venris," said another ebon. "Both claim pressing business, and have petitioned for your attention."

"Did they mention their business?"

"Not so much as a hint, Lord Teodor."

"Then," said Teodor, turning to General Zachiah, "I would say the specific takes precedence over the vague."

"I understand," Zachiah answered. "Lord Corrigan shall be first, followed by the Lord of Bones. Tertiary General Ur and the Excellent Morian can wait until tomorrow."

"That sounds right," said Teodor. "Is there further concerns? No? Then, I have one further announcement. It is not a matter for discussion, here or anywhere. It is not to leave this room. I regret that I must place Xavien under house arrest, at the house of his choice, either in maze or at his estate, although ... I would welcome his presence at the Patriarch's residency."

"Lord Teodor!" one of the Generals said, angrily.

"No," broke in Lord Green. "The Patriarch has the right of the matter, and I am only grateful for the undeserved discretion he is showing me." The huge minotaur raised his hands. "He is very right. Please. I am sure he will discuss it further when he is ready for the matter."

Teodor sighed, looking over the upset faces. "I am sorry. Perhaps I have bungled this; I will say that there is no question as to his Regency, and the matter is far from clear, but I confine him out of an abundance of caution, nothing more. Gentles, I dismiss you to your business."

"I feel as if I were somewhat high-handed," Teodor said to General Zachiah as they made their way to the residence.

"Confining Lord Green was a serious step," Zachiah agreed. "It's your privilege, of course, but he's ..."

"No, not that," said Teodor. "Asking you to be my secretary like that; it hardly offered you the chance to refuse."

"Oh," said the General. "It's a privilege, Lord Teodor."

"I'm glad to hear it. I would have done it regardless, though. I need you, General. I am not prepared for this position, and I need someone who understands the details side of it."

"I know, Lord Teodor, and I'm pleased to hear you admit it," Zachiah said quietly. "It was no small point in our meetings."

"Is that so?" said Teodor. "I must admit ... it seems unreal to me at this point. That's the ... real reason I want some time; I feel like ... I don't know. I feel like I've stepped out of my life, somehow, and at any moment I might wake from a dream." He snorted. "A very strange dream, I might add, verging on nightmare."

"When I heard that Cresphontes was murdered, My Lord, I thought it was a nightmare as well," Zachiah said. "One from which I wish I could wake, too."

"And ... we will be working together, closely, General. Might you simply call me Teodor? Perhaps? If only in private?"

"In private, My Lord? I regret that ... there will be very little of in private for you from today on."

"I suppose," Teodor said glumly, "that you are right."

"How should I handle your family, My Lord?"

"My ... I don't understand."

"If they come to see you, My Lord?"

Teodor looked blankly at him for a moment. "My father ... Teomas? He never leaves his orchards. I don't think any of the others have ever come by, well, except Teovan. And ... I suppose I see your point. The answer is, I do wish to see them, in my shreds of private time. If they come on clan matters, then ... treat them as anyone else. And, come to think of it, I do want to see Chelm and Dacien at the very earliest moment possible. And Sasha. You know they are ..."

"On pilgrimage, yes," Zachiah said.

"And that reminds me," Teodor said. "I'm sure we have a clean copy of the Truces of Xarbydis somewhere. Can you have someone dig it up for me, out of the archives?"

"Of course, My Lord."

"It's too much to hope, I suppose, that you're familiar with it."

"I fear so, My Lord. Do you have a question about it?"

Teodor nodded. "I do. I know, of course, what is clearly forbidden, but I am wondering what the gray areas are, if you follow my meaning."

"I do. But surely the best course is to avoid them?"

"That may well be the best course," agreed Teodor affably.

"Should I cause Xavien to be guarded?"

"Should ... I think not," Teodor said. "If he offers his parole, that will be suffice, and I have no doubt he will."

"Parole, yes, but ..."

"I wish him to remain on house arrest, wherever he chooses to serve that sentence, for the time being. His parole will be sufficient, and his own guard may continue to protect him," Teodor said. "Is my intent clear?"

"I think so," General Zachiah said. "But ... if I may ask, for what ..."

"Please do not ask, General," Teodor said. "Is it not enough that Xavien accepts the terms?"

"With all due respect to you and to him, no. General Xavien, Mage and Regent is a great bull, and many of the council will see this as offensive. Without some clear explanation, all they see is Teodor imprisoning his rival Xavien."

"Ah," said Teodor. "Well, in that case, they may apply to Xavien himself for justification. And I hope I may free him very shortly, indeed. Does that help?"

"Some," said General Zachiah.

"May I offer my own congratulations, and those of my Master on your ascension?" asked Ambassador Corrigan, bowing in front of the chair Teodor had selected.

"Yes, of course," said Teodor. "Won't you be seated?"

Ambassador Corrigan seemed taken aback for a moment, and then bowed again. "That famous Lycaili egalitarianism in action."

"I suppose," Teodor said. "Perhaps I just don't want to crick my neck staring up at you."

"I believe that's generally the reason for a dias."

"Do you think so? I thought it was to cause stumbling in the unwary, and speed up the succession," said Teodor. "Nevertheless, Lord Ambassador, won't you be seated?"

"Of course," said Corrigan, sitting down. "I suspect you already know what I have to say."

"Some of it. You want existing ninja put down, in addition to a codicil against them, is that not so?"

"That is my Master's wish, yes."

Teodor nodded. "I understand. Were you at the ceremony this afternoon?"

"I was."

"Then you know I consider those unfortunate ninja to be victims in their own right, and putting them to death would be to compound the crime."

"I ... do not disagree," Corrigan said carefully. "My Master feels, and not without good reason, it is a practical matter, however. Ninja ought to have been covered by the Truces, that they were not is an oversight and he wishes to correct that oversight, and set things as if they had not been."

"Then, in return for putting all ninja to death, your Master proposes to return Lord Green's dead humans and Master of Slave? Along with Cresphontes, his guard, and that poor lens of Lord Green's?" asked Teodor. "Since, if there were no ninja, they would, presumably, still be alive."

Corrigan smiled tightly, and shook his head. "That is outside any power."

"Well, it's certainly outside mine," Teodor said. "Or, I admit, any I know of. But I think it is just as pointless to make a doomed attempt to return things to the way they were. It cannot be, it can never be. And I see no reason to murder children, simply because they have been traumatized by rape. It seems an unfortunate thing, Lord Ambassador."

"They are not children."

"They are not children," repeated Teodor. "Well, perhaps they are not, but their mental capacity, if the one I have access to is any guide, they are as thoroughly damaged as any minotaur slave has ever been. I will not grant them adult status, because they cannot function by themselves. What, then, should I call them if not children?"

"Assassins," Corrigan said. "You may call them assassins."

"That is a role they are assigned, nothing more, and is the thinnest slice of their identity. And until a ninja is called upon to act so, inaccurate."

"Assassins-in-training, then."

"I'm sure you can slice a fish paper-thin, and call that translucent sheet salmon."

"I might call it dinner," Corrigan suggested it lightly.

"And be just as deceptive," Teodor responded. "No. I understand your Master's concern, and I agree it is a just and well-founded concern, but your suggestion burns down a forest to remove a tree. Suppose ... suppose instead that all surviving ninja are restrained? Mentally, from offering anyone violence?"

"Mindbending, you mean, so that they pose no threat."

Teodor nodded. "It is a terrible thing, but it is less terrible, I think, than what your Master proposes. And I could live with myself, condoning such a thing, afterwards. I do not think I could ever forgive a massacre."

"It is ..." and Ambassador Corrigan paused. "Significantly beyond my instructions, but I will present it to my Master."

"And what do you think, Ambassador?"

"I think Lycaili has a reputation for going out of its way to be merciful. I do not know that reputation is to your benefit."

"Is that so? Think on that reputation, Ambassador," said Teodor lightly. "And consider that this morning I used it as a weapon."

Corrigan froze, and then considered. "I ... I had not seen it in that light," he said.

Teodor nodded. "Lycail said, 'I destroy my enemy when I make him my friend.'"

"Mercy as a weapon," said Corrigan. "It will surprise them, I have no doubt."

"I expect what passes for their leadership will be enraged," Teodor said. "And I expect they will attack again. Perhaps me, perhaps elsewhere, but it doesn't matter."

"You ... want them to attack?"

"Secrecy is a great defense, Ambassador, but it is thin, and once ripped, gone. Every attack shreds their secrecy that much more, and I do not think they can bear much more exposure."

"I see," said Ambassador Corrigan, again. "I will relay your words to my Master."

"Then add this, for I wish to be plainly understood," Teodor said. "I will not consent to mass murder. I set aside the foulness of the deed, and merely note that such a threat - for it can be nothing more than a threat, an arrogant boast of what would happen, had we the power to do it - which we do not. Worse, it would undermine the campaign I began against these brigands today. Is that clear enough speaking to give your Master?"

"It is," Corrigan said. "I shall relay it precisely." The Ambassador chuckled. "I think my Master will find the Lycaili means of waging war ... different."

"Perhaps it will be reckoned an improvement," Teodor said.

"Perhaps it will, Lord Teodor," Corrigan said. "If I may take my leave?"

"Yes, and please convey my personal greetings to your Master, and my thanks for his embassy."

"I shall, Lord Teodor."

"A pleasant journey, then, Ambassador Corrigan," Teodor said. "General Zachiah, would you show in my next appointment?"

Zebra looked up as Teodor came in, trailing two unfamiliar guards. Benelaus set the book he was reading from down, and looked at the mage curiously. "My Lord?"

"Benelaus," sighed Teodor in acknowledgment. "I was always in awe of Cresphontes, he seemed so ... remarkably balanced, I think. But I have had today what I know beyond any question would have been a light, almost empty day by his standards, and it has worn me raw. I am now in amazement at his stamina, as much as awe for his wisdom. I feel like some midget parading in the robes of a giant."

"I assure you, My Lord, that none of us see it that way," Benelaus said after a moment. "You are new to these duties, and, if I may speak without offense, lack the skills or practice a warlord or general would have with those skills."

"I promise you, Benelaus, I will never take offense at civil words and truth, and that goes doubly for truths that suspect I may be overlooking. I had hoped to co-opt General Zachiah's skills in that, but ... perhaps I am not using him as well as I might."

"Undoubtedly you are not, My Lord. The General will hold back, and see where you need assistance and then move to offer it. I doubt you will settle into a comfortable working relationship instantly; no one would do so."

"Now, that is surely truth ..." Teodor said softly. "Yes. That makes sense. I must explain myself better to him." The minotaur let out a snort of laughter. "I am not accustomed to explaining myself to others. From time to time, I would explain matters to someone, but never myself. I was a mage, I lived essentially alone, and I had no need of anyone's understanding. I daresay I will be a challenge to even the good General."

"And, My Lord, if I may make bold, I was speaking to General Osaze, and he informed me that the mere presence of others causes you distress. That the pleasant company of the symphony, for example, or even a small dance, was trying to not merely your patience but to your magics, as well. I do not know that I understood him exactly - I am sure I did not understand the matter at all - but if there is some truth to it, and I do not imagine General Osaze would mislead me, then that must have bearing, as well."

"Well, there is truth to that, and I suppose you should understand it," Teodor said with a sigh. "I am a mage of water and air, change and thought, yes?"

"So I understand."

"I am more a mage of feelings than thought. Lord Doze can pluck the thoughts out of someone's mind at a thousand paces; should he wish to." Teodor paused. "He does not, of course. It would be an intolerable intrusion, I speak merely to his capability, not proclivity."

"I understand," said Benelaus.

"Well, I cannot. I can project my thoughts into another's mind," like so, and the final two words formed in Benelaus's mind. "But I cannot pick them out. Unless I am touching someone, I cannot identify a source, and even then, I do not understand the thoughts, just the intent behind them. Howsoever schooled the voice, I can tell an angry good morning from an aggrieved one, and from one that is sincere. But I can tell them because I feel the intent along with the words, and my ears, not my magic, distinguishes the person. Does all this make sense?"

"I think so, I understand, I think, more of what General Osaze was telling me."

"Well and good. To the point, then. These intents and wishes pound at me, even through defenses. Those defenses help, for it is better to take a blow against a shield than one's body, but there is impact all the same, and it is unceasing, and it is, I admit, tiring." Teodor looked alarmed, for a moment. "Indeed, I can feel the chagrin, from all of you, and I presume it is that you regret the imposition of your moods on me, but it is not so. All of you are calm, your moods mild, and a small group like this, four minotaur and our Zebra, is restful. Do not concern yourself on my account, I beg you." Teodor looked around at the doubtful expressions. "The proof is simple, friends. I could just as easily spend the evening alone in my rooms as be here, could I not? Please, please, be at ease on the matter."

"Your logic is compelling, My Lord," said Benelaus after a moment.

"It is just that, in the various interviews and conversations and disputes, passions run high, and that, I assure you, wears just as the calm here restores." Teodor grimaced. "I fear I will be settling a great many ..."

A sharp knock on the door was followed almost immediately by the door opening, and the huge ebon form of Lord Green stood there. "May I enter?"

"Xavien! Please do!"

"Thank you, Lord Teodor," said the ebon minotaur politely.

"Teodor, please."

"Then I thank you again, Teodor," Xavien rumbled. "I must ask you to arrest me more often. I cannot tell you how restorative I have found the day."

"I feared you would be bored," Teodor said.

"Not a bit. Cresphonte's - yours, forgive me, your library here has some remarkable volumes, and I will admit to listening in on your audiences." Xavien grinned. "The more interesting ones. I liked the way you dealt with Corrigan."

"I had imagined those were private," said Teodor, after a moment.

"With all of those assistants, guards, and functionaries?" asked Xavien. "Private? Did you really?"

"I suppose not," admitted Teodor with a grimace. "I am glad to have furnished you with some amusement."

"Ah, I am not seeking to quarrel, Teodor, and here I find myself halfway to provoking one. I beg your forgiveness."

"Yes, certainly, but I never recall your backing down from a disagreement before."

"We have enough differences, I think, that we need not invent more," Xavien said after a moment. "And although I am sure you will say and even believe that you wish to be treated no differently now than you were twenty-fours past, it is still true that you are my Lord and Master, and I would fault myself if I were to add, rather than ease, your considerable burdens. I know them well, and I know they were less tiring to me who am used to such a schedule."

"I ... yes, well," said Teodor. "Then I shall simply thank you, for the friendship you offer."

Xavien gave a shoulder-shaking shrug. "I recall your submitting instantly when you learned I was tasked Regent."

"That was ..." started Teodor.

"Exactly," said Xavien. "Exactly." The ebon minotaur twisted his muzzle into a grin. "Perhaps you should simply accept that I am right, however alien the feeling."

"Indeed I should, and I do so," said Teodor. "Thank you. But I am here in a private capacity, so ..."

"Ah, I did wish to bring up a single piece of business."

"Yes?"

"Have you given any thought to ... the matter which keeps me here?"

"Yes, much." Teodor paused for a minute.

"Thank you," Xavien said. "That will have to do."

"And I have a small piece of business for you, as well," Teodor said. "If you find yourself with the leisure to pursue it."

"I do," said Xavien. "What is it?"

"It is something of a mystery," Teodor said. "Trand - now Lord Run - was unable to unravel it, and I admit that I am every bit as perplexed. Your skills combine both of ours, and run deeper as well, so I thought I should see if it might pique your interest."

"My interest is piqued. Say on."

"My son Chelm acquired and trained a feral for his wrestling society. You're familiar with it?"

"I have spent several enjoyable evenings at those events, so yes, I am."

"Then you will recognize his star wrestler, Zebra."

"I do. In fact, I did."

"But you did not wonder that I was keeping him?"

"I ... no, he's away, and as I recall he was very protective of his wrestler; I shouldn't wonder that he left him in your keeping. Should I wonder?"

"Well, yes. There are a few details, such as Chelm's giving him to Dacien about six months ago, and I believe he was in the process of training a new wrestler."

"I was unaware, but is seems a generous gift."

"It was to keep Zebra with me, without, I think, actually giving him to me," Teodor said. "Zebra has an unusual ..." Teodor's voice trailed off, and he waved his hand at Zebra.

The ebon minotaur advanced on Zebra, who looked up at him uncertainly, and laid just the tips of his fingers on Zebra's chest. It did not take him long to say, "The blood disorder?"

Teodor nodded. "It is straightforward to correct it, but ... it is merely a symptom, and returns. It has been present for years, and has gotten progressively worse. Neither Trand nor myself were able to find a cause. Is your interest piqued?"

"Yes. I will need to inspect him, however."

"He's ... well," said Teodor. "Leaving Chelm after so long was disorienting for him. You recall Benelaus, do you not?"

"Yes."

"Zebra has been under him for some time now, and ... I don't wish to change that. You will find Zebra as well-behaved as even you might wish, but I would like Benelaus to stay with him to provide continuity," said Teodor. "He seems to take change and disruption poorly."

"Yes, certainly," said Xavien. "Although if that is so, you seem like an odd choice of master for him."

Teodor nodded. "My magic stabilizes him, and Chelm decided that was ..."

"I understand," Xavien said. "Will tomorrow morning be soon enough?"

"Yes. I am anxious, but there is no immediate problem."

"There is one little thing ..."

"Yes?"

"I will need to strip off the warding you've slathered him with." Xavien looked apologetic. "It looks like several weeks of effort, but ..."

Teodor nodded. "After all the effort Chelm went through, not to mention the discomfort of the needles Zebra underwent, it just seemed shameful to let such beautiful decorations fade." Teodor paused, and stared at Zebra admiringly. "He is lovely, isn't he?"

"Very," Xavien said.

"He misses Chelm," Teodor said, oblivious to or ignoring Zebra's sudden flush. "And I know Chelm misses him. I am hoping, if you are successful, that when Chelm returns ..."

"They should be back in eight days," Xavien said. "That should be sufficient time for me to unpuzzle the matter."

Teodor smiled. "Well, at least that's one thing that should go right."

"... Attacked, My ... Lord Teodor," Milos said. "Three of theirs are are dead, and a number of Mage Dacien's guard where injured. Chelm, Ciro, Hector, Jai, Ruggero, Tam, I mean, Tammand, Vidar, and Wyatth. Lord Doze himself was injured. But ... they took Dacien, Lord Teodor, and two others - Bryant and Kant." The brown minotaur paused. "I regret to say that a number of Brothers were injured, rescuing us."

"Taken?" said Teodor. "You saw this?"

"No, My Lord. None of us saw them; but those three were missing when we regrouped."

"Tell me what happened."

"My Lord. We had completed the pilgrimage, and were returning to the House of the Lost, and we were ambushed there, at the border between Xarbydis and the House. It is a confined border, scarcely larger ..."

"I know it," Teodor said. "Amid the lavender fields. Yes. In sight of the House, though."

"They had a mage, My Lord, who, as we emerged, one by one, placed us into coma, and dragged the body away, and so most of the guard were disabled. I ... was caught, myself, Lord Teodor. I can only report what I was told, by Lord Doze and Hector. When Chelm went through, they did not catch him so easily. He was either too fast, or resistant to the magic."

"What does Chelm report?"

"He ... when I left, he lay badly injured. Lord Doze is no healer, My Lord, and Lord Doze dispatched me with the command to return and report to Lord Cresphontes." Milos looked concerned. "If I may have a private ..."

"Yes," and Teodor nodded. "We are private."

"My Lord, I think I carry a report for Lord Cresphonte's ears alone, something to be retrieved by a word or trigger. I have carried such in the past. But without the right key, that report cannot be had."

"Is that so," said Teodor, looking alarmed. "I have no such keys, I fear, so your message must go unheard."

"You are a mind-mage, My Lord, and I would ..."

Teodor shook his head. "Sasha is more skilled than I in these arts, and I will not risk you, Milos, or myself. Whatever Lord Doze wished to keep secret must remain so until he returns, or unless some other person has been vouchsafed these keys, and comes forward to place them in my hands."

"As you say, My Lord."

"And we are no longer private, Master Milos. Please, continue your narrative."

"Chelm fought, and his defense bought moments for Bryant and Hector to counter-attack. It is, as you know, impossible to target someone with such magics when they are in tempus."

"So we believe," Teodor said. "I presume it was so?"

"It was. Mage Dacien stepped out, but he was caught in the magic, and then Lord Doze emerged, and was able to counter the enemy mage. He was even able to lift the coma from a number of our guard before he was injured. At that point, of course, the encounter shifted back to their favor - I was the first he wakened, and I can tell you, My Lord, that Chelm is terrible in battle, easily as fearsome as those ... ninja, I suppose, who attacked us."

"Their tempus skills are extraordinary, it is so."

"I did not find it so, My Lord, although of course you will want to wait for Chelm and Hector's reports. They are grandmasters, where I am but a master, and they were alert through more of the battle than I, but, My Lord, I did not note any unusual skill from these ninja. Their raw speed - the first and principal advantage of tempus, certainly, was extraordinary. But I saw no unusual attacks or mastery."

"Interesting," interposed Xavien. "I ..." the ebon minotaur paused. "Yes, it was just so when they attacked Cresphontes. They were faster than I, by a good margin, but they did nothing skillful beyond lurk. Although they lurked so well that I did not feel them, nor any of Cresphonte's guard."

"I would have said that was impossible, Lord Green. I cannot imagine how it was done. Time is time, and lurking leaves traces. I may not have the raw speed to be a grandmaster, but I am skilled, and I would never have considered what you report as possible." Milos paused. "Lord Green ..."

"Xavien, for the time being," the ebon minotaur corrected calmly. "My titles are in abeyance for ..."

"... as short a time as possible," Teodor said. "Please, Master Milos, continue."

"Well, My Lord, I would not question Lor ... Xavien's report. I know he holds no formal title, but we, those of us who do hold formal title, consider him most skilled. So if he reports it, it must have been so."

"Yes," said Xavien, sounding nettled. "I assure you all of us were testing for lurkers and other distortions of time."

"My Master is Sasha Lord Doze Lycaili," Milos said. "And he is skilled in crafting illusions and twisting perceptions, My Lord ... and Xavien. And there was an air-mage arrayed against us. I say again, although I believe your report ... it describes something I do not think can happen."

"You think we were ..."

"Lord Doze has often said it is simpler to cloak small things that are difficult to percieve. How simple, then, to simply provide an illusion of temporal stillness?"

"But I was wearing an amulet to ward myself against such things!" said Xavien. "I do not say you are wrong ..."

"The amulet you have, and the one Cresphontes wore, was designed with a specific function," Teodor said. "To prevent anyone from meddling with your mind without your knowing. It blocks mindbending. It does not block the subtler forms of illusion. Indeed, it could not, without ..." and Teodor broke off. "Technical matters, that are of interest to Sasha and myself. Suffice it to say, what Milos suggests is possible, but it assumes two mages."

"Or one mage, and a device," said Xavien. "Could not such an effect of stillness be placed in a device?"

"Maybe," said Teodor dubiously. "But the mage would have to possess great tempus skills, and ..." Teodor paused, and then continued, more certainly. "I was about to say, access to a great number of skilled masters, on whom he could test and calibrate the device. No less than ten, and preferably more, but that is precisely what these brigands have, is it not?"

"Yes, My Lord," Milos said. "As I was saying. It was at that point the Brothers joined the battle. They were waiting for us at the House, no doubt watching, because we had to undergo a cleansing after leaving Xarbydis."

"That may be why they took the other two minotaur!" Xavien interrupted.

"I want to hear the end of this," Teodor said. "Later."

"This is the end. Lord Doze was down, Chelm was down, Hector was wounded, it was going poorly for us but the ... brigands, if I may use the term, did not wish to engage the Brothers. They fled, rather than fight them. They bound our wounds, put us through the cleansing ritual, and since I was relatively uninjured, Lord Doze sent me back to report." Milos grimaced. "But ... if he had more to say, or ask, and I have no doubt he did, I have no way of knowing."

"Frustrating," said Teodor. "How serious are the injuries? Can the Brothers deal with them?"

"Potentially lethal. Lord Doze is no healer, and the Brothers have no healing mage. They do have skilled magicians, though. I am sure all will live, with the exception of Chelm and Sasha." Milos sighed. "Their wounds ... well. I think Chelm was cut in the ribs - his lungs sliced open. Lord Doze was hacked; and bleeding profusely."

"But he gave you instructions, so how ..." started General Zachiah, only to be cut off.

Teodor sighed. "He is a mage, and did so mentally, did he not?"

"Yes, My Lord."

"My Lord?" asked Zachiah.

"Let me think," and the Patriarch was silent for almost five minutes. "Dacien must be retrieved, if he lives," Teodor said finally. "That is the highest priority. No, not because he is my son, but ..." he looked at Xavien. "Do you agree?"

"Almost. Retrieved, or ... killed. We cannot allow his power to remain in their hands," Xavien shook his head. "We should have killed him when we could."

"We should have protected him," snarled Teodor. "Creators!"

"The decision is yours, Lord Teodor. But I will tell you if we cannot retrieve him quickly, he must be destroyed. Both your councils will say so, if you put the matter to them."

Teodor groaned. "I hear you, and your counsel."

Xavien took a deep breath. "Lord Teodor ... I ..."

"No," said Teodor. "Say nothing. General Zachiah, Xavien is correct. Let all our agents know. At all costs, Dacien must be returned to us, or killed." Teodor rose from his chair. "At all costs, General."

"Yes, My Lord," General Zachiah said. "I do not understand, but ..." he paused as Teodor started towards the door. "My Lord? Where are you going?"

"I need to be alone," Teodor said, his voice holding a rasp. "Because I do not think we will recover him." Teodor kept moving, slowly. "And I do not care for even my own company, just now."