The Minotaur

***Chapter Two***

Raine walks up the city streets following the Cretan guards that are leading and humiliating the young Athenians. Along the way, Cretan citizens join the march to the palace wanting to see the spectacle that only happens once a year. When the palace is reached by the group, the large, intricately carved doors are opened and a large, columned throne room is visible. The group is led into the room, and a large tan man with many piercings and layers of golden jewelry peers at them from a golden throne. There are also two young women seated slightly behind him and on either side in their own thrones, though not as intricate as what could only be Minos’ throne. The women also have piercings and wear jewelry, but neither is as decorated as Minos.
One of the guards steps forward from the Athenians that had just been led into the palace in chains and announces, “King Minos, my lord, the offering of Athens accompanied by the Holy Appointed Ambassador of Athens, the Lady Raine.” The guard bows his head and steps back to his spot after making his announcements to the king.
The king’s face brightens and a smile crosses his face. “The new shipment of cattle has finally arrived from Athens. My prized pet will be overjoyed.” The two women seated on either side of him turn towards the king and smile.
Raine steps forward after the king’s outburst and makes a formal bow to King Minos. “Greetings mighty king of Knossos, I hope that this day finds you well and your reign long. I am here to negotiate a new way of offering tribute to you and your great kingdom. If this method continues Athens is likely to run out of people to send to your pet to feed.” A hearty laugh escapes Minos at Raine’s last sentence.
“This matter will be settled after the ceremony. We will talk then.” Minos says efficiently ending anything Raine might have wanted to say while looking at the Athenians that would soon be offerings for his pet. “Guards, take the prisoners and lock them up until time for the ceremony. People of Knossos, it is now time for the festivities to begin.” He laughs even more as the music starts and a man dressed in a bull head and furs begins dancing madly. The crowd is yelling, dancing, and enjoying the merriment hosted by their king.
Raine was very unhappy with the way things were going so far. Minos seemed to be determined to sacrifice the young Athenians before letting her even attempt any negotiations with him. She quickly decides to mingle with the crowd and try to be civil despite everyone’s rudeness and bad jokes towards Athens.
It isn’t long before one of the women who had been sitting beside Minos comes up to Raine with a smile on her face and takes her aside to talk with her. The woman is Ariadne, King Minos’ daughter. Raine takes the time to look over the princess of Knossos. Ariadne has dark tan skin, big brown eyes and a very elegant face. She wears no shoes on her feet, instead she has gold wires that go across the top of her feet, and her long white dress is very revealingly cut. Her long brunette hair is slightly curly and has been styled so that half of it is pulled back with an elaborate golden headpiece and the rest cascades down her back ending at her lower back.
“I’ve never had the opportunity to learn much about Athens except for what my father has told me.” Ariadne said conversationally as her eyes wander over the ambassador from Athens.
“Well, that is not the best way to learn about where I am from since your father seems to hate my people.”
A lovely laugh escapes Ariadne’s lips and she says, “That is true. I would love to hear more about Athens though. Your city intrigues me and I feel many of its wonders have been left in the dark.”
“I would like to tell you more about the wonders of Athens, but this is hardly the place or the time for it.” Raine comments as she looks around at the people celebrating the soon to be event. A strange look appears on Ariadne’s face before quickly disappearing and being erased by a smile.
“We could always go to my chambers and discuss the true nature of your home. No one would miss us in the craziness of the festival.” Raine looks around once again at the unappealing festivities. She hadn’t had much fun or any good experiences here so far, so she decided she might as well go and speak with the princess seeing as it could win her an ally.
Ariadne leads Raine out of the throne room and into a long hallway that has woven hangings of past important battles and legendary myths its entire length. They make a few more turns down other hallways before arriving at Ariadne’s room. The room is richly decorated. The large bed with white, silken sheets, a red comforter and pillows, a throw that had golden tassels and designs, and a golden bed frame was located in the center of the room. Ariadne motions towards the red sofa with complex golden embroidery positioned at the end of the bed, “Would you like to sit and talk?”
Raine smiles and nods at Ariadne’s gesture. They both take a seat on either end of the sofa and make themselves comfortable. “So Ariadne, what were you wanting to know about Athens?”
“I was wondering if you could tell me what it was like and a little about how the city is set up?”
Raine takes a minute to think about the layout of Athens and how to best explain her home city. “Well, Athens is built on a cliff located by the Aegean Sea and tall walls surround our city. There are many temples to many gods, but the largest is to Athena, the city’s patron goddess. Many of the buildings and sculptures are made of lovely white marble, and there are beautiful fountains located throughout the center of the city. There are large forums where meetings can be held outdoors. The roads through our city are layered with smooth, colorful stones.” Raine continues describing more interesting details about the city of Athens to the captivated princess.
However, neither girl knows that Calletal, one of Ariadne’s guards that had been appointed by Minos, has his ear pressed up against the door listening to the two girl’s conversation. Calletal had found an opportunity that Minos would eat up, and it would also keep his king from having to deal with the annoying ambassador from Athens. He continues listening for a few more minutes before deciding he has heard enough and runs off to speak to the king of the happenings in his daughter’s room.
Raine and Ariadne had spoken about many of the most intriguing and interesting sites in Athens. “Raine, so what do you think…” Suddenly the princess Ariadne’s door burst open and guards stormed into the room grabbing Raine and placing her in chains.
“You are sentenced to be thrown to the Minotaur for conspiring to assassinate the princess.” Raine looks quickly at the guards and then back to the princess.
“What? Let me go. I conspired to do no such thing.” The guards continue to drag Raine out of the room.
“Stop I command you!” Ariadne yells. The guards just glance at her and go about their orders.
“I’m sorry princess Ariadne. We have to follow your father’s orders.” Calletal spouts from the door bowing to Ariadne with a large smile upon his face. Ariadne was extremely angry and knew exactly who had went and told her father the lies concerning Raine. She watches as Raine is dragged away to spend the short amount of time until the ceremony with the other Athenian sacrifices.
Raine’s mind is going into overdrive as she tries to figure out a way to get out of the situation that she is now in. This is not the way that this mission is supposed to turn out. She could only hope that Faith would arrive soon and be able to help her out of this situation.
In the meantime, Ariadne had left her room and had gone a secret way to the area where the Athenians were being kept. Her eyes look through the barred opening in the cell door, but she sees no sight of Raine. However, a young Athenian man comes to stand next to the barred opening in the door and starts whispering to her.
“Princess Ariadne? That is correct is it not?” His voice is only loud enough to carry to her ears.
“Yes.” She was intrigued that this Athenian youth would address her by her title.
“Can you help me? I am Prince Theseus and I have sworn to my father that I will slay the Minotaur and end the mindless slaughter of our people. I need an ally, weapon, and a way to get out of the labyrinth. I implore you, Ariadne. If you help me I will take you away from here and make you a Queen in Athens.” Ariadne thought over Theseus’ words. Perhaps if she helped this man he would be able to get Raine out safely as well as a few of the other young Athenians. Athens also held a great appeal to her after she had heard Raine’s description of it.
“I will help you Prince Theseus. I will come back shortly with a dagger and a ball of twine that will lead you safely out of the labyrinth.” With this said, she leaves the dungeon through the secret way she had come and returns to her room.
Shortly, she returns with the items Theseus had asked for and slips them through the bars to him. Nothing is said during the exchange. Ariadne leaves as soon as the last item has been slipped through the bars and hurriedly goes back to her room to prepare for the ceremony that was close to beginning.
A few hours later, the Athenians and Raine are led out into the throne room. They are all chained and two guards accompany each person. The people were surrounding a dark, deep pit, which had appeared in the center of the room. The people were situated in an arch leaving room around the pit and a viewing space for the king sitting at his throne.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who has read so far. Plz leave comments as to what you think about the story or leave me a rating. I'll tell you this much... looks like it's starting to get to the good part to me. ^_^! I'll get the next chapter posted as soon as possible. I'm still writing it. Shouldn't take me to long though. Once again. Thanks for reading.