anything for the Master of the Maze. It is my inherited duty, my family honour, to serve the Master of the Maze, whoever that is.”
“Yes, Frass, thank you for reminding me that you serve my title rather than me.”
“Whatever my reasons for serving you, Master, I have served you well. You could send me to collecta healing token. You could even send those uncouth mountain goats, who serve you out of greed, rather than honour.”
The minotaur scowled, rubbing at the scar between his horns. “The uruisks will serve me whether I have the backing of the Maze or not. But you are a civil servant and you would bow just as low in front of my brother or nephews, if they were Master of the Maze. However, I couldn’t have used any of you to get the token. The healing tokens only give themselves to those with pure motives.”
“I serve you purely,” said Frass. “If you order me to do something, it doesn’t matter how dark your motive, my motive in obeying is pure. Because you are my Master.” Frass bowed, the stubby goat horns on his human forehead almost brushing the tiled floor.
The Master laughed. “The ‘I was only following orders’ defence is discredited these days, Frass. And if I sent you to get a token, you’d tarnish it with your stinking touch.”
Frass turned away, pretending to examine the upside-down painting on the dusty wall beside him, hoping the minotaur couldn’t see the expression on his face.
But the Master was still explaining his brilliant plan. “You may think it’s too complex, but I believe manipulating these talented, lucky and innocent youngsters, so that they collect the tokens to save their friend, is the best way to get the healing power for myself.”
“And do you plan to let them heal the centaur first?” Frass asked, quietly.
“The Three say the colt is a potential instrument of chaos, so they’d like him healed. But I don’t want anyone with his strength and courage opposing me. I’d rather get rid of him while he’s still young. So we let his naïve friends collect one of the tokens, we let them take it home, then we seize it before they can heal the horse-boy.
“And when I am healed, I will see clearly out of both eyes again and I will also see more than anyone has seen before.”
Frass bowed again, then frowned as the Master walked off towards the wild goats. The minotaur was already roaring encouragement at them, as one uruisk broke off another’s horn with an overhead kick.
Frass scratched his hairy left leg with his right hoof. He wasn’t sure this particular Master of the Maze was still following the labyrinth’s gradual global strategy. Perhaps it was time to send a message to the Maze.
*
Catesby watched the dragons leave: Crag, Cumulus and Bunsen returning to the Great Dragon after helping Lavender gather information for their quests; Nimbus carrying Rona and Tangaroa to the seven falls; Sapphire flying Lee to Helen’s house. Only the white dragon was left.
Lavender tapped Catesby on the wing. “I’ve given everyone else their instructions and I think I know where the paired cliffs are, so we’d better…”
Sylvie interrupted, “I don’t trust that shiny faeryand his stupid smiles. Perhaps I should have gone with Helen.”
Catesby shook his feathery head and said, “You may not trust Lee, but Yann does and I do. He’s visited us many times this past year, and in return for archery tutoring, he’s taught Yann swordplay and duelling. Once Lee stops trying to look cool, he’s fine. He’s less of a prat when there aren’t girls about too.”
Sylvie said, “He’s going on a quest with Helen and Sapphire. They’re both girls.”
“He is Yann’s friend,” Catesby insisted. “He’s here to save Yann, just like the rest of us. Come on, furball and petal person, we have a long way to fly.”
Sylvie growled, then flickered from her wolf form into a girl. “Don’t call me furball, cinders.”
“Sorry, furless girl!”
Sylvie grabbed
“Yes, Frass, thank you for reminding me that you serve my title rather than me.”
“Whatever my reasons for serving you, Master, I have served you well. You could send me to collecta healing token. You could even send those uncouth mountain goats, who serve you out of greed, rather than honour.”
The minotaur scowled, rubbing at the scar between his horns. “The uruisks will serve me whether I have the backing of the Maze or not. But you are a civil servant and you would bow just as low in front of my brother or nephews, if they were Master of the Maze. However, I couldn’t have used any of you to get the token. The healing tokens only give themselves to those with pure motives.”
“I serve you purely,” said Frass. “If you order me to do something, it doesn’t matter how dark your motive, my motive in obeying is pure. Because you are my Master.” Frass bowed, the stubby goat horns on his human forehead almost brushing the tiled floor.
The Master laughed. “The ‘I was only following orders’ defence is discredited these days, Frass. And if I sent you to get a token, you’d tarnish it with your stinking touch.”
Frass turned away, pretending to examine the upside-down painting on the dusty wall beside him, hoping the minotaur couldn’t see the expression on his face.
But the Master was still explaining his brilliant plan. “You may think it’s too complex, but I believe manipulating these talented, lucky and innocent youngsters, so that they collect the tokens to save their friend, is the best way to get the healing power for myself.”
“And do you plan to let them heal the centaur first?” Frass asked, quietly.
“The Three say the colt is a potential instrument of chaos, so they’d like him healed. But I don’t want anyone with his strength and courage opposing me. I’d rather get rid of him while he’s still young. So we let his naïve friends collect one of the tokens, we let them take it home, then we seize it before they can heal the horse-boy.
“And when I am healed, I will see clearly out of both eyes again and I will also see more than anyone has seen before.”
Frass bowed again, then frowned as the Master walked off towards the wild goats. The minotaur was already roaring encouragement at them, as one uruisk broke off another’s horn with an overhead kick.
Frass scratched his hairy left leg with his right hoof. He wasn’t sure this particular Master of the Maze was still following the labyrinth’s gradual global strategy. Perhaps it was time to send a message to the Maze.
*
Catesby watched the dragons leave: Crag, Cumulus and Bunsen returning to the Great Dragon after helping Lavender gather information for their quests; Nimbus carrying Rona and Tangaroa to the seven falls; Sapphire flying Lee to Helen’s house. Only the white dragon was left.
Lavender tapped Catesby on the wing. “I’ve given everyone else their instructions and I think I know where the paired cliffs are, so we’d better…”
Sylvie interrupted, “I don’t trust that shiny faeryand his stupid smiles. Perhaps I should have gone with Helen.”
Catesby shook his feathery head and said, “You may not trust Lee, but Yann does and I do. He’s visited us many times this past year, and in return for archery tutoring, he’s taught Yann swordplay and duelling. Once Lee stops trying to look cool, he’s fine. He’s less of a prat when there aren’t girls about too.”
Sylvie said, “He’s going on a quest with Helen and Sapphire. They’re both girls.”
“He is Yann’s friend,” Catesby insisted. “He’s here to save Yann, just like the rest of us. Come on, furball and petal person, we have a long way to fly.”
Sylvie growled, then flickered from her wolf form into a girl. “Don’t call me furball, cinders.”
“Sorry, furless girl!”
Sylvie grabbed
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