THE INSUPERABLE: Death and Decay

Part 6

The atmosphere was strange in the celebration hall, the king was overjoyed and praised the Misthios for helping them win the battle. Showering him with gifts and celebratory speeches. The Athenians however were not so overjoyed. They found it difficult to praise a man that had just slaughtered thousands of their men. A man that was moments ago their enemy but switched sides at the very end. None however dared to say something about it, for King Periclese had a nasty temper and would surely behead the first man to raise his opinion.

Kalib and Acastus sat at the royal table alongside Pericles, his wife, and another female that was obviously the king's mistress, but no one spoke about it, for it was forbidden for a greek man to have more than one wife. The rule even applied to kings. Everyone just accepted her presence. "Come Kalib you haven't even touched your plate, at least eat the quail you need your strength," Acastus expressed with concern. "I'm not hungry, Acastus," Kalib said in a low voice. "What's eating you my Misthios? You've been in a mood ever since we've returned from the battlefield," Acastus asked, stuffing his face with olives. "I detest celebrations of war, I see no point in celebrating the death of thousands due to the childish squabbles of kings. Do you know why Corinth went to war with Athens my dear Acastus?" Kalib asked, gripping his chalice.

"No, but I sense you're going to tell me," Acastus remarked as he waved to a servant for more olives. "An Athenian hunter shot a deer in the forest near the Corinthian border. The Corinthian soldiers found the boy and took him to the king. King Acis swore this was a personal attack on his kingdom, claiming the boy was sent to thin out Corinth's food supply. He hung the boy in front of the castle and sent a declaration of war to Athens. The boy was fifteen, I knew him, did a job for his father a few years past, always wanted to be a good hunter, to impress some girl in his village. Guess he finally shot his first deer, too close to the wrong side, unfortunately," Kalib gripped his goblet tight. "So is the way of the world my friend, powerful men measuring their cocks, not caring whom they hurt in the process, as long as in the end, everyone knows their cock is the largest," Acastus looked down for a spell, but immediately shook his head and dove into the bowl of olives in front of him. "I tire of this discussion my dear Acastus, let's speak of other matters," Kalib exclaimed, taking a sip from his chalice. "I have a question misthios, something I have always wondered about. Your pickaxe..."

Acastus looked at the marvelous pickaxe leaning against the wall next to him. "What about it?" Kalib asked. "Where did you find it? Why do you have it? I mean you don't necessarily need it. You possess the power of a god, weapons mean nothing to you, yet you carry it around everywhere why?" Acastus waited eagerly for Kalib's response. "That my dear Acastus is a story for another time," Kalib smiled, taking a swig of his wine.

"Excuse me sir?" a voice suddenly interrupted. Kalib lifted his chestnut eyes towards the voice. "Excuse my intrusion but I'm searching for the one they call the Pickaxe warrior and let's just say you don't appear like any of the other guests," the man asked cautiously. "You're not interrupting at all my dear man, but what pray tell do you mean by not appearing like the others?" Kalib asked rather politely. "I beg your pardon but, it's said that the Pickaxe warrior is a god of some sort, Ares himself as the local folk says. And you appear quite god-like to me." the man expressed.

"Why thank you, dear man, I do a lot of running, the secret's in rotating your hips," Kalib smirked. "I'll keep that in mind, but are you the mighty pickaxe warrior?" The man asked with a confused expression. "Aye that's what they call me, but I'm no god, gods don't tend to sleep in ditches, and drink this watered-down piss the Athenians call wine," Kalib grimaced as he inspected the contents of his chalice. "Oh, how fortunate I am to have found you, sir. I have been searching for you for weeks now, almost gave up my search but then I heard the local farmers speaking of a giant man that single-handedly killed the king of Corinth. I knew it had to be you. No other man possesses the power to kill a king," The man's face lit up with excitement. "Sounds like you had quite the journey, friend, please sit down." Kalib stood up from his seat and offered it to the strange man, he then signaled a nearby servant girl to bring the man some food and drink. Eat my dear man and please explain why you've been searching for me?" Kalib exclaimed, dragging a nearby chair to sit on.

"You're very kind sir, I've eaten nothing but berries these last few nights." the man sighed. "You must try the quail eggs, good sir, they're a delicacy in Athens. "Acastus mumbled, his mouth stuffed with food. "Yes, and hurry before Acastus steals them from under your nose." Kalib laughed. "Thank you, I am truly honored. Now to business. My name is Azgo and I bring a message seeking urgent help on behalf of Azgultan." Kalib's eyes grew wide, Acastus spit out his food in shock.

"Did you just say Azgultan? As in the city of the Minotaur?" Acastus's eyes grew wide. "Who sent this letter?" Kalib asked. "Lady Minotaur herself, sir," the man looked down. Kalib and Acastus both stared at one another. "But she's a myth," Acastus said surprised. "To you humans, yes but she is real, she has never revealed herself, but now she has no choice. You see misthios, the minotaurs and centaurs have shared Crete for generations, both living in peace. Minotaurs in the city of Azgultan and centaurs in the forests. A few moons past the centaurs have started slaughtering minotaurs, giving no reason or motive. They brutally murder and burn down villages giving no opportunity for negotiation. The minotaurs are the stronger race, but the centaurs outnumber them, they are faster and more agile. The lady of the minotaur was forced to awaken from her slumber. She magically shut the Gates of Azgultan. Locking the minotaurs inside. Her barrier is impossible to breach, so the minotaurs are safe for the time being but... food and drink are running out, soon the minotaurs will have to go out or they'll starve. The lady sent me to your lands, she heard tales of a god walking among the humans, I was to deliver this letter to you, begging you to help." The strange man began to tremble. "This does sound serious, but one thing eludes me. You see, I always thought the minotaurs despised humans, however, you claim to have been sent by their leader, who has never shown herself to anyone. How have you, a human, been trusted enough to speak to their lady?" Kalib asked suspiciously.

"I was born there, misthios, when I was but a mere infant my parents' ship was sunk by a couple of sirens. They bewitched the entire crew with their horrid songs. Before the sirens could get to me, the lady appeared, she drove away the sirens and took me with her to Crete. You see misthios, I may appear human, but I'm a minotaur at heart," the man took a sip from his wine. "I see, well Azgo this is an interesting story, and I like a good adventure so I'll give it a whirl, but you do realize I don't work for free?" Kalib smiled ominously. "The lady assumed as much, she knows human hearts are tainted with greed, so she offers you a single wish." "A wish?" Kalib's expression grew serious.

"Yes, the lady possesses great power and can grant you anything you desire."

"Anything you say?" Kalib asked, his face growing sad. Acastus noticed this and stared at Kalib with concern. "You have a deal, my dear minotaur man, we shall leave first thing tomorrow."