Blood welled where the crumpled paper cut into my hand, its words burned irrevocably into my mind. Hopeful words, but ones with a hidden edge. The Guild’s overseers would promote one of us basement-minders to the upper floors, with a simple contest. A favorite tactic of theirs, anything to promote competition and incentivize us to increase our earnings, and their eventual cut. The goal? To earn a thousand gold pieces, the price of a good horse, in thirty-one days.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACr6q673uA
That would be problematic. As a recent graduate to Journeyman rank in The Surveyor’s Guild, regulations forbid me to charge more than a pittance for my services. A tactic of the higher-ranked members upstairs, to make certain everyone worked hard to expand their self-promotion skills.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybHzTXosIV
The thought of the upper floors made me shiver more than the cold air that invaded The Guild Hall’s dingy basement. Memories of comfortable plush chairs and warm fireplaces continued to torment me.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97xehDWBZN
Two weeks prior, The Council forced my master to end my education. Which meant the higher-ups now expected me to start from the bottom rung of The Guild.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGqYyw59Lw
They permitted no such luxuries on the lower floors. More motivation, at least according to The Guild Leaders. They enjoyed telling us at every opportunity: suffering builds determination, and determination brings success. Not that they did the suffering. My Master was one of the rare few who bothered to adventure regularly anymore.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oIL9YwQwC
One surveyor attempted to start a betting pool. An elderly human, he claimed that none of the newest recruits could draw an accurate map.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4Etopdl2D
None of us lucky enough to get tutelage dared take the bet. 329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0MZgBg3NG
As the basement door shrieked open, there was an audible intake of breath. Backs cracked as surveyors straightened, each hungry for potential profit. 329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADWLYEnZxo
This was my chance. A client! A payday. Four lizardkin stomped into the hall, each draped in bloodied animal-skin loincloths and carrying large axes.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqTugZAQBH
Their outfits showed them for what they were — Barbarians. That breed of adventurer focused on the hunt, the kill, the wilds. They needed to track the biggest and meanest monsters to prove themselves worthy, and didn’t care about the potential consequences.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzrJiBYQyi
As a group, the other surveyors leaned backwards or started whispered conversations, leaving me as the sole occupant of the room, attempting to catch the leader’s eye. His emerald scales glistened in the flickering torchlight as he stomped towards me, his snarling gang in tow. 329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwEjQ8s2IQ
The surveyor sitting to my left darted off, cowardly, but not surprising given this type of adventurer preferred job type. Oh well, more for me. With a roar that showed off broken and yellow fangs, the leader smashed a clawed fist into my table.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4i4uKFM5X
My warmest smile sprang into place in response, as wood chips burrowed into my flesh. Stellar customer service was key to repeat business.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXZHnS4kJB
The line my Master drilled into me throughout my training came out in my calmest voice.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcrfqsvuhM
“Welcome to the Surveyors’ guild. What can I find for you today?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1FTFI4COe
The sheer volume of the leader’s threats almost knocked me from my seat. Only the bodies of his cronies that surrounded me kept me upright. On instinct, my shoulders hunched, and my body trembled. They would expect signs of weakness, and not displaying the required reactions would cause trouble. 329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclE6Goognm
As they continued to scream, my mind wandered. What would it be like to eventually have decent clients? Visions of female lizardkin, dressed in less blood-soaked garb, came to mind. Each carrying bulging sacks overflowing with coins.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QOZkGPkqR
No needless screaming, beautiful women, good pay. It allowed me to keep my act together, despite the bombardment of vitriol.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXG9RiSNZyM
Once the threats and general insults to my weak stature concluded, we sat around the broken table and discussed the details. My task was to travel north to the Minnius Maze, named after its guardian minotaur, located deep within The Wilds.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DwnPDCVzI
Upon arrival, discovering everything possible about Minnius was the top priority. How she fought, her weaknesses, her strengths. They also demanded access to any maps created during the journey.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2ZzLje69O
It was tempting to explain the Mazes’ ever-shifting nature, but it wouldn’t matter. Divine Magics changed the layout once a month, thus if they were quick, the maps should be usable.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGApuDhNTy
The payment came to fifteen gold coins, and a parting threat. Barely enough to pay my rent, meaning another week of eating scraps. Still, my eagerness to go outweighed my caution.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7mfBxd2gZ
My Master’s eye always twinkled whenever she ruminated on her run-ins with Minnius. Her descriptions made me keen to meet the monster. A minotaur was a rare sight. The gods banished them long ago, and they were only recently returning to Phayun, and none before were born Soul Bound.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LufeoZbHM
The other surveyors filled the basement with whispers and complaints, but none raised a hand to stop me from shouldering my way outside. Sunlight glinting off my rusted sword, drew in smirking glances from the richer passersby, but it barely registered.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ343dAZYG5j
My mind laser focused on the task ahead.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9uvTxjFMS
***329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RIX0DOxPX
Neither guard spoke as the palisade clanged shut behind me.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGQNfu81n8
Isolation filled me as the silent path stretched out into the distance. It wasn’t a serene walk, however. Danger still lurked in every ditch and bend.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzkBhuN5DT
Though the Kingdom attempted to force civilization on the surrounding areas, it didn’t always work. Violent raids and the shipping off of undesirables kept the numbers down, although weaker monsters still tried their luck sneaking into dens nearby. A common tale spoke of the King’s tax collectors.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvMt9oGtQW
When a traveler discovered one of his favorites ripped and bloody by the side of the road, his fury was legendary. The palace summoned the Adventurer’s Guild top strategist and trapped them with the King’s own council for several days. She left with a new decree that caught everyone’s attention.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cPHmOie3U
A promise from The Crown. They would pay anyone able to hold a sword, who was willing to go and clear the lands outside the walls. In their excitement, thousands took up arms. From shop boys to town guards, people left to line their pockets. 329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsy3wKFdxfw
Everyone in the kingdom ate well that month. Both due to the extra meat, and the plummeting number of mouths to feed. 329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5UpJ2Xld6
Though, no matter the amount of raids or crusades, some monsters survived. Thus, it never hurt to be prepared. My days spent scouring the city for an apprentice blacksmith, willing to sharpen a sword for a steep discount, paid off.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhMGiU9XEo
Over the next two days, multiple beasts after a quick snack ambushed me. As enemies went, the blood-draining Batfox was the easiest. Their furry bodies offered little defense, and if you dodged their acidic bite, they couldn’t do much with their claws.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYezekHLtP
The carnivorous squirrels, Yuliops, were a different matter. They roamed in packs, deadly, and determined. Escape was the best strategy to outwit them, combined with hiding in stinking ditches, covering myself in dead leaves and animal carcasses. They weren’t scavengers and enjoyed their meat fresh.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPDgg55ELI
On the last hill, the discomfort from my bruises, scratches and bloodied nose dulled to near nothing as the breathtaking view filled my vision. Gargantuan white and gold stones formed walls that sprawled out towards the horizon. A veritable maze of the gods, and one fitting to hold the newest Minotaur.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjuLx918ls
Two golden pillars thicker than the greatest oak tree flanked the entrance, each topped with a flag bearing the red and gold porcupine — the standard of the current King. Without thinking, my hand rose, and my index finger outstretched in the peasants’ customary gesture to start the Kings’ prayer.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFTTJ6qWB8
“May you not die, eat well, and sleep soundly.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFzCt8tzHm
Letting my gaze wander to check the coast was clear. My hand fell to my side.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi14riHgmEK
“And let us poor workers follow suit.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6DMQWzyUp
As the words evaporated into the air, the shining pillars caught my attention. Melted down, the ornate poles would be worth millions. While tempting, it was an impossible dream. Without a caravan of wagons, transporting them back to the city would be impossible. Even if the means were available, they looked solidly rooted into the ground.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf16uhSQlZt
Numerous adventurers before me would have passed between them, and if famous for anything, it was looting. Thus, if they remained, someone had sealed them in place. Plus, they bore the King’s banner, so taking them would annoy The Crown.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUsJOYbKYx
Everything in the kingdom was his by right, so it was they were technically his possessions. If not for the protection Adventurers offered, and treasures they returned from the mountains with, speculators whispered, the King would execute the highest-ranked as a message.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3RN76SejD
My eyes traced along the branching paths formed by the walls, marveling at how they created full shapes: from varying phases of the moon to leaping fish and blooming flowers.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT5wX3ALUf
When my wandering gaze found the center, confusion raced through me. It should have been impossible to miss. An obsidian obelisk thrust up from the maze, its tip pushing into the few clouds that drifted overhead. So black, it drew in the light, casting everything ten feet around it into shadow. By studying the layout, it became rapidly clear that the obelisk would be the single marker anyone could use inside the maze, though it offered no hints at what mysteries lay at its base.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0fyAU77Me
Though it wouldn’t be a surprise if Minnius rested there. That was often the way. For unknown reasons, spots of power and splendor drew in the more intelligent Monsters.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhCZ9iPBTO
My inks and papers were undamaged from my trip across the wilderness. Not a single quill broken, which my Master claimed as a good sign. With a flick of my wrist, a simple star marked the dungeon’s entrance on the map.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVjvxtAbG4
Time to earn my keep.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5s1uhrwKN
***329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNUKtNtBLa
The height of the walls blocked out the sun, enveloping the corridors in darkness. As the light vanished, my guess was that the temperature would drop as quickly. Instead, it increased to an uncomfortable degree. Sweat dripped down my face, and my skin burned whenever it brushed against the stone.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStF9XNyXy4
Whatever these stones were, they perfectly trapped the warmth from the sun, distributing the heat throughout the tunnel. Though, whether this was a trap for Minnius, or Adventurers wearing full plate, was a mystery. lizardkin were cold-blooded, so this alone might draw them, with no information about the maze’s guardian.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3ikPdzeZO
With no means to overcome the oppressive heat, my new goal switched to dealing with the darkness. My master’s instructions for the trick were simple to follow: close your eyes, circulate your mana, calm your breathing.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6pI5ka47O
A tender burning sensation started behind my eyes, proving it worked. While my magic was pitiful, enough mana imbued my soul for this simple, dark vision spell.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPpo4LX2ma
When growing up, my dream was wielding powerful magic. To cast spells and summon forces like the mages that worked the teleportation gate. However, after seeing multiple spell based accidental suicides. That dream died. Hard. Magic was a nasty way to go.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeh33zA3OP
My eyes watered with pain as the darkness brightened to dim light. Not perfect, but preferable over a lantern, giving away my position to nearby monsters. None of the reports depicted Minnius keeping pets, but it couldn’t hurt to be careful.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OvYnQWpHu
None of the stones that made up the floor appeared different from the walls, but still my steps remained light. Elder Surveyors whispered stories of spike pits and pressure plates that would launch darts or blades. No reason for an avoidable express trip back home. Nothing triggered, but that didn’t guarantee safety, as something stomped and huffed at the edge of my perception.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4xZmuuzuJ
The first split in the path offered two options. The left path sloped downwards, while the right veered from view not ten feet further down. A friend of my Master claimed he always followed the rule of lefts in Mazes. After a right turn found him standing before a starving, semi-translucent bear.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo9hnh9N6g
A majority of his stories were rubbish, but his descriptions of being lost and confused when he tried to escape made me wary. Besides, it wasn’t wise to disregard advice from my seniors no matter how questionable, a lesson my Master beat into me daily. After several more lefts, the corridor stopped, and a mural materialized from the gloom. Small and painted with clear haste, yet beautiful in these stark surroundings.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8MhXDA2RE
My heart skipped a beat. A sign of treasure? Paintings and other wall markers often depicted hidden alcoves containing spoils. My slow pace crept to a crawl, coming to a stop once the image came into view.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX1F5Pphmg
It depicted a brilliant blood-red rose growing from a strip of dirt. And upon seeing the soft colors, my breath caught as realization hit; no signs of life appeared anywhere in the maze. Not a patch of moss, nor a blade of grass. Everything was stone, rough, and dark. An intense urge for the sun's warmth overtook me, and my hand traced the curve of the flower’s petals.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG4mMZC0Gm
It was warm to the touch, but didn’t burn my fingers. The rough stone was at odds with the soft look of the plant. A contrast that caused me to pause, eyes fixated on the surrounding walls. 329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t3jOoBlOh
What would living surrounded by stone do to a person? Never seeing the outside? Never knowing the touch of grass?329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLdcmMU6d9
Shivers ran along my spine at the terrible thought. While my job was deadly, the travel was nice.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLzYnwnnzR
“Do you like it?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPE2b96R5u
My legs locked up as the voice called out. Feminine, powerful. Subtle undertones invaded the voice as well — curiosity?329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUXf2BwLn3
The sounds of hooves on stone stomped closer, stopping closer than was comfortable.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG1PIQaxel
“Is it that bad? I know the color might be off. It’s hard to find paints in here.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTvJoYNiag
“No.” The word crawled up my throat, but when it left my lips, a gut instinct told me to continue.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRJtmP98KZ
“It’s beautiful.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdx1PjiqxW
Adrenaline flooded my body, even though my brain stayed oddly calm. Not that running would help. She was too close and too powerful. A chase would lead to nothing but being tired before death claimed me.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcajuugpMn
She giggled, and something smashed into the stone walls, echoing around the corridor. A weapon? My bones cracked with the force it took to face the monster. Breath caught in my throat, as a choked gasp died before it could make it into the open air. The stories spoke of her size and build, but none captured the truth.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR6hmU7gbk
Minnius was titanic, her presence filling the surrounding space. Her powerful furred legs rocketed her into the sky, and with each landing, her cloven hooves created tremors and launched dust into the air. Her curved horns scraped the walls as her long, tangled mess of hair whipped about in a frenzy.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfDigvMtkQ
It reminded me of an excited child receiving her first compliment.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSs9RxOlsG
Not that anything else about Minnius was childlike, as the rather revealing two-piece hide outfit showed. My focus lingered on her form, finding it hard to tear my gaze away. She was a lot to take in.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTClej1iiN
Three words entered my head: Indomitable. Powerful. Voluptuous.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1td1cVV8Vy
To my disappointment, she stopped her joyful jumping and turned to me. Her expression became coy as she saw me watching her, and she winked.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S8l9Yh5jk
“Enjoying more than the art?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwudD3uNKK
No verbal response was forthcoming, but she appeared happy enough with my jerking nod. Minnius sauntered forward, ample hips swinging before she shoved me back into the wall. Her muscular hand shot out, slamming next to my head as she smirked at my obvious discomfort.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzf6ua2UR6
“Do you wish to flee? Everyone else tried. Not that it helped them.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c4p6d9gFT
An interesting question, one whose answer changed the longer her piercing brown eyes stared into mine. The stupid option would be to agree and attempt to flee. Maybe the maze contained a narrower passageway she couldn’t enter, allowing me to escape? The guild sanctioned option would be to follow through with my job, attack her, and then note down her fighting style once respawned.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYdvQth8lD
A feeling told me there might be a third option, open solely to me.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs1GI4Ynch
“No, I don’t. What did you mean about the paints?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XOf2DCdl6
Her head cocked to the side, her hair falling over one eye. A sudden urge to brush it aside came over me, but my muscles seized at the thought. She might view any sudden move as threatening. If she did, she’d break me like a twig.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbzkjku58g
Her answer was slow to come. “Few carry any, which limits my supply.” Her posture straightened, and she took a step back. “This was my latest piece, a tucked-away rose. A symbol of hidden beauty, I read that in a book carried by an elf in a dumb feathered hat.” 329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEnwICo4RB
She was talking. Good. Maybe this might work.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZrmlRQ1sS
“Have you done more?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VmVvyGyNP
Excitement shone in her grin before she nodded. “All around the obelisk. One woman, a cat person, carried a full tin with her. But that’s run out recently.” Her smile faltered as she leaned in once more and whispered. “Would you like to see?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS78pBS2diS
In times like these, learning that customer service smile was a godsend.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem00gT71GG
“Lead on.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzEmhXGlzO
***329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VdTGwqfuG
Art covered the walls around her bed of furs and stolen bedrolls. Various walls depicted a rapid improvement in skill. Stick figures covered the parts nearest where she slept, turning into landscapes and depictions of her few books as we moved further out.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnbqEDgbav
Minnius explained the story behind each and delighted in me copying them down. They weren’t for the report. No one else knew these stories, and now, if something happened to her, they wouldn’t vanish.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vDlpzYE3j
When we reached the last one, the stories paused. The pictured depicted a fearsome minotaur, wearing what appeared to be a silver crown. Her shoulders slumped as she looked at him, her expression sorrowful. She knew him.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkR1W2OWMro
Her tone was soft, sad, and respectful. My quill stopped. This wasn’t a story meant to be recorded by someone like me.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtF26D1Mt6
“The Labyrinth King. Banished to the mazes of the underworld. An outstanding leader, impressive enough to allow me to escape. I miss him.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvu3M0BbhOb
No appropriate words came to me, so silence reigned as we stared at the King of the Minotaurs. Minnius broke the silence after what felt like hours.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSxgxtcj82
“Can you get me more paint?”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgqLhMOGdj
“Yes, but for a favor.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0XSZt2hDx
While sparse, a few trinkets and treasures littered the cavern. Leftovers from dead Adventurers. The foremost reason My Master taught me to attach everything possible to my belt. You only revived with what you carried.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUH3uKvQ5P
She noticed where my gaze was going.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf0kHkyzvB
“It’s yours. I don’t need it, not really. They’re pretty, but compared to paints...” Minnius trailed off wistfully.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHzqZ8UWsr
“You may have to fight for them. A few lizardkin will bring them. Strong adventurers, with big axes and bigger egos.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJblZjY3Sr
Laughter filled the air, so pretty from such an intimidating woman.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡma1Ik77HkY
“That won’t be a problem.”329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rdWSfhBxY
There was no doubt in my mind that she spoke the truth. With the treasures placed neatly into my satchel, my hand raised to shake on our deal. Minnius laughed again. In a heartbeat, she scooped me up into a hug. Smothered into soft brown skin, my nose filled with her scent — all the odors of the wilds.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavFNBHaYBo
More pleasant than expected.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDM8Fu85Zz
Her hug tightened, and my bones creaked. She ignored my struggling, her powerful arms wrapping me tighter with each passing second. A rib popped, and instead of letting me go, she sang a lullaby.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfK7qW57wu
Though sung in a foreign language, the words were calming even as my bones splintered. The last image my brain conjured before the final rupture was of her excited smile.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEusCDKc9wR
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkW8RQ56an
329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTmWDMucSx
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