Read Lore of the Underlings: Episode 6 ~ Meeting Minyon for Free Online

cold-eyed
shepherd and staff…”
    “Sure, well that Hurx fella had us flocked
and rounded up in some stinking pen. Then his guard nearly sheared
us to death.” John Cap gazed out at the crowd. “And these folks,
they’re looking at me like a lamb chop. The last thing they all
seem to want is a guest.”
    Minyon motioned toward the tent. “Such is the
will of our would-be warlord, the man you mentioned, Fyryx Hurx. He
and his men police this Keep, keeping the peace with an ironwood
fist and the tip of a sharpened battle pike. And for what? The sake
of a prime directive from the tongue of a king long passed. That
Semperor’s goal was no doubt noble — the preservation of his race.
Yet here and now in this time and place, even he might question the
price… the cost of keeping a purebred beast that feeds on its own
people’s flesh and blood.”
    Minyon paused for a wave of memories, face
awash, his eyes aflood.
    “Once upon a time in this wood, hearts were
lighter, life was good. Those were the days of another Hurx, the
older brother, Treasuror Ayryx. He was a kind and gracious leader,
letting his people go as they pleased. Indeed, that’s when my
family came to be welcomed in from the Wild and saved.
    “Lord knows what would happen to us today,
under the thumb of this lesser kin…”
    John Cap had a question he couldn’t hold in.
“So, is there no overthrowing him?”
    “Shhh, his ears are everywhere, friend. He
has allies enough to back his birthright and crush any organized
faction or threat. No, for now his rule is secure and dissent but a
dance in the dark of the night… hidden away from this clear light
of day… shadowy, unseen… for the time being…”
    Minyon Myne’s words tailed off to a whisper
as he looked cautiously side to side.
    “Although there’s a prophecy that I know, an
old one that foretells a good folk awoken…”
    Just then came the call from the council
hall. “Food! Drink! Bring them now!”
    A great bull horn blew long and loud.
    “Holy cow! That’s sure an earful.” John Cap
cringed at the deafening sound, his square jaw twisted into a
grimace. “I won't ask for whom that big horn blows — I think I
already know...”
    Even worse, to add to the young man’s
chagrin, Minyon suddenly turned on him. Tent-bound, that is, and
ready to go.
    “Hold on, Mr. Myne — aren’t you going to help
us?”
    The man in black made a half loop back. “You
must be patient my foreign son. I will do what I can when the time
comes.”
    John Cap slumped his shoulders and sighed.
“Jeez, I’ve heard this song before. Does anything really happen
here?”
    “More than you could ever dream,” answered
Minyon cryptically. “In the meantime, please have faith while the
brother Treasuror’s game plays out. The fates have a way of
twisting in court.”
    The young Atlas shrugged. “If it’s faith you
want… that’s about all I’ve got. I can count on this fist our other
options — sure as heck nothing to build a case on. Not unless
you’ve got your own Perry Mason standing by to help.”
    John Cap noticed that Minyon looked
puzzled.
    “What I mean to say is, though we’ve just
met, I really have no choice. Plus you seem like an honest guy. So…
yup, I’ll trust you Mr. Myne.”
    The elderman grinned and turned again, but
stopped himself one last time. He stared into space, considering
something.
    “You must remember this, John Cap. In our
heartless and bloody land, a kiss is just a kiss. But true friends
and enemies are forever. Choose wisely the new ones you make today
and you’ll taste the fruits as time goes by.”
    “Thanks for that classic tip,” chirped John
Cap. “I think we’re beginning a beautiful friendship…”
    Eela pursed her lips in the distance and blew
him a parting goodbye. Axon made a throat-slashing motion. With
that, the Mynes were gone.
     
    The crew flew back to their cookery work,
knowing they’d better deliver or else — they’d be battered