PROLOGUE: MINOTAUR MADNESS

Shifting his weight he slowly lifted his head above the boulders surface. He had a good view from his position. All eight were in sight. The crowd of Minotaurs was spread in two small groups in the nearby area. Farther off six of them devoured a downed antelope, while the two closest to Terrek drank face first from the muddy river. He was lucky to be down wind or they would have attacked by now. Terrek sank down behind the rocks and unsheathed his sword. The Council, even though he respected them, was beginning to annoy him. Did they simply decide he was expendable now, is that why they continued to send him on such near suicidal errands? Perhaps the Vicar's hordes were getting out of control and the council was forced to spread its forces thinner to protect more of Zyconia. If so he wished they hadn't, the odds would be a lot better if Perrin had been here. Moving slowly to the edge of the boulder he gently slid into the murky water.

Snarling and grunting the two Minotaurs lapped the water up like dogs, although more intelligent then animals they were a lot less then human. Curiously one of the Minotaurs noticed a slight rustle beneath the ripples on the surface. Suddenly the Minotaur's thoughts were terminated. Terrek, using the element of suprise, sprang from the depths. His sword swiping cleanly through the Minotaur's throat. Not losing sight of the significant other he leapt back just in time to evade the second Minotaurs finely clawed appendage.

The second Minotaur now appeared angered by the death of the other and charged Terrek, a foolishly primitive animalistic tactic. Obviously he wasn't the brightest of his clan. Terrek, rolling sideways on the ground, spun his sword up into the beast's groin. It hit the ground howling in pain as he regained his footing. Sensing an advantage and slight pity for the beast he quickly relieved it from its agony.

A shrill cry penetrated the momentary solace. Terrek spun, he had let his attention slip to much, the other six Minotaurs had forced their way into a small stone home further down river. He broke into a run in the exact direction.

The inside was lit as Terrek came through the door he instantly analyzed the grave situation. A young woman was cornered with her back to the wall holding a candlestick and attempting to keep the Minotaurs at bay with a horsewhip. Terrek dove into the crowd and with the element of suprise on his side managed to eliminate three of the six. Finally his sword was knocked clear of his grasp as one of the Minotaurs pinned him to the wall with a heavily muscled arm. With agile reflexes the young woman threw hot wax from the candle into the Minotaur's eyes.

Suddenly blinded the animal went berserk releasing Terrek and wildly flailing his head callously around. Terrek hit the floor and rolled over retrieving his sword yet again. Coming up Terrek was amazed as the disoriented Minotaur stumbled and fell into one of his counterparts impaling him with both horns. Totally shocked the impaled Minotaur hit the floor dead. The other rubbed the wax from his eyes just in time to find Terrek's sword entering his chest. He also sank to the floor, and after slight muscular spasms entered oblivion as well.

In the attempt to retract his sword Terrek was bowled over. Looking back he saw the final Minotaur grab his sword and with a flick of his wrist tossed it through a nearby window. Terrek stood picking up the horsewhip nearby. The beast eyed him. This was obviously their leader he seemed much more intelligent than the others did even in his posture. The beast lunged but Terrek was too fast and gathering his momentum swung himself up over the creature’s back looping the whip quickly around its neck.

With sudden loss of breath the Minotaur jerked and spun violently attempting to shake off his smaller captor. Terrek, extremely battle weary, strained his muscles as the Minotaur went completely berserk. Almost completely out of air the Minotaur sank to his knees, but at the last second the whip snapped and Terrek flew from its back into a nearby table. The table collapsed under the strain, splintering into several distinct shards. Terrek, now panting for breath, raised himself by one arm and slid himself into a standing position against the wall. His vision was slightly blurred and his head ached.

The Minotaur stood, and with a grand effort, charged toward him as the young woman threw a crossbow into Terrek’s hands. Totally exhausted Terrek brought the bow to level and fired. The bolt sailed straight through the Minotaur’s chest, although still effected by its own momentum, the Minotaur flew forward and crushed Terrek against the wall. The last Terrek saw was the dead body of the Minotaur fall to the floor before he blacked out.

The face finally flowed into the existence of reality. Terrek sat up, a rush of adrenaline shot through him immediately.

"Keep calm, the Minotaurs are all dead," the young woman said slight concern on her face.

She put her hands on his shoulders and gently forced him to lay back in the bed in which he now rested.

Terrek relaxed and laid back on the pillow.

"How long have I been out?"

The woman was about to speak when someone entered a nearby door.

"You've been out for nearly two days," the man said.

"Perrin, how did you find me," Terrek said sitting up a smile on his face.

"You didn't make it easy, that's for sure, but the council gave me strict instructions not to return without you."

Terrek looked up at the young woman, "What's your name?"

"Diana," the young woman replied.

"Well Diana, the Minotaurs didn't leave you much here. Do you have any relatives nearby that you can go to live with," Terrek asked hopefully.

"No I'm afraid my nearest relatives live in Victory city," Diana replied.

Terrek's face brightened, "You're in luck because that's where we're headed."

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