The Crown of Minos - The Qos Empire: Minos and Crown of Minos

By Douglas Roff

About The Book

 

The Crown of Minos, the Qos Empire begins where my previous novel, Minos, ends. This book is the story of what happens to the Minoans of the Minos Valley once Lord Minos is revived and the civilization departs the mortal world and enters another dimension, a separate universe called Dreamscape.

Adam returns to the Minos Dreamscape world at the invitation of Lord Minos and Athena to witness Athena's coming of age, marriage and ascension to the throne. He arrives under odd circumstances and begins to explore this new world in the City of Light, the capital of the new Minoan civilization.

Over time, Adam gets drawn into the intrigues of the royal court, guided by Lord Minos. After watching Adam carefully, Lord Minos makes fateful decisions, rewards Adam with new powers and abilities in the Dreamscape Universe, and tasks him with an important but complex set of duties.

As Adam circulates in Minos, he finds the Minoans eager for change and for his friendship and leadership. The people, rather than the court, elites and priesthood, fall in love with "Adam Outlander". 

Nothing is as it appears, and the trail of betrayal, lies, murder and intrigue is a constant path Adam must travel to uncover the mysteries and truths long buried – or are they?

Why has Lord Minos chosen Adam, an Outlander and commoner, as his friend and closest advisor, and what secrets are yet to be revealed to him? What abilities and powers does Adam already have which enhance the new powers given him by Lord Minos and others? 

The Crown of Minos, the Qos Empire is the first in a trilogy of novels exploring the Dreamscape Universe, Adam's unexpected role and the wars fought to return Dreamscape to its original purpose.

Adam, the Outlander, has undertaken impossible tasks for the Minoan civilization, but will he be accepted by the people as a true Minoan leader?

Adam wishes to do his duty, then return home to Barrows Bay and his family. Will he return? Can he return?

A journey begins with new characters, new plots and new thrills as Adam St. James, Adam Outlander as he is known, grows from naïve young man to mature leader of a new people with a possible new future. Growing up fast, learning hard lessons along the way, suffering setbacks makes this a must-read tale of a young man learning to lead … and love.

How will the journey end?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Douglas Roff
• Release date: Jul 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223305859

Douglas Roff

Douglas Roff is a retired corporate executive. He has lived around the world working in various capacities for government and industry.  Doug has written twenty-nine novels to date, mostly in the mystery, paranormal and fantasy genres, but not exclusively.  He currently resides in Latin America, speaks Spanish, and is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada.  

Book preview

Author's Note

In my last published novel, Minos, I divided the plot into two parts of one continuous story. Part One of Minos follows the exploits of Adam St. James and his family when he and his brother Rod were thirteen years old and helping their father, Dr. Edward St. James, in solving a murder/kidnap mystery on the island of Crete in Greece.

Part Two follows that same storyline after Adam turns eighteen and returns to Crete and the Minos Valley alone after the adventures concluded five years earlier.

This novel, a sequel to Minos in an alternate universe, along with Minos, also in an alternative universe, is a prequel to the Cryptid Trilogy written by my son and co-author, Jacob Roff. There are three sequels to the Cryptid Trilogy soon to be available in wide distribution.

DER,

June, 2023

About The Book

The Crown of Minos, the Qos Empire begins where my previous novel, Minos, ends. This book is the story of what happens to the Minoans of the Minos Valley once Lord Minos is revived and the civilization departs the mortal world and enters another dimension, a separate universe called Dreamscape.

Adam returns to the Minos Dreamscape world at the invitation of Lord Minos and Athena to witness Athena’s coming of age, marriage and ascension to the throne. He arrives under odd circumstances and begins to explore this new world in the City of Light, the capital of the new Minoan civilization.

Over time, Adam gets drawn into the intrigues of the royal court, guided by Lord Minos. After watching Adam carefully, Lord Minos makes fateful decisions, rewards Adam with new powers and abilities in the Dreamscape Universe, and tasks him with an important but complex set of duties.

As Adam circulates in Minos, he finds the Minoans eager for change and for his friendship and leadership. The people, rather than the court, elites and priesthood, fall in love with Adam Outlander.

Nothing is as it appears, and the trail of betrayal, lies, murder and intrigue is a constant path Adam must travel to uncover the mysteries and truths long buried – or are they?

Why has Lord Minos chosen Adam, an Outlander and commoner, as his friend and closest advisor, and what secrets are yet to be revealed to him? What abilities and powers does Adam already have which enhance the new powers given him by Lord Minos and others?

The Crown of Minos, the Qos Empire is the first in a trilogy of novels exploring the Dreamscape Universe, Adam’s unexpected role and the wars fought to return Dreamscape to its original purpose.

Adam, the Outlander, has undertaken impossible tasks for the Minoan civilization, but will he be accepted by the people as a true Minoan leader?

Adam wishes to do his duty, then return home to Barrows Bay and his family. Will he return? Can he return?

A journey begins with new characters, new plots and new thrills as Adam St. James, Adam Outlander as he is known, grows from naïve young man to mature leader of a new people with a possible new future. Growing up fast, learning hard lessons along the way, suffering setbacks makes this a must-read tale of a young man learning to lead ... and love.

How will the journey end?

Dedication

To Jacob Roff

My son, my best friend, and my inspiration

PART ONE

A NEW WORLD OF DECEPTION

Chapter 1

In the days and weeks which followed the coronation procession, the investitures of the queen and the king, and the formal royal wedding, Lord Minos was busy with Athena and Adam planning the many projects he wished to support. The top two projects were the reorganization of the Minoan state, followed by the search for Lord Minos’s missing siblings.

The reorganization of the Minoan government, the palace guards and military, as well as the two main religious orders, were the top priorities. Lord Minos agreed with the two young royals that the one had to precede the other, but he wanted the development of new institutions to be completed quickly. Quickly being a relative term, Lord Minos was hopeful that it was a mortal definition, not an immortal definition. Having worked on similar matters during the five years preceding the wedding of Adam and Athena, he knew he was probably being unreasonable in his expectations. But he also believed that Adam and Athena were simply more adept at organization and, to some extent, the kind of coercion required to achieve a result.

Lord Minos' mind often wandered, putting off problems and difficult conversations until 'later', or by dodging tough issues entirely.

What’s your best guess, Lord Adam? When can you begin the search?

You mean when can I dissolve the entrenched bureaucracies in the Palace, the Temple, and the Guards, institute reforms acceptable to all, make sure the new system is working properly, assure ourselves that leaving will not foment rebellion and revolution, and then follow virtually no clues or leads to find your brothers and sisters?

Athena watched, while Lord Minos laughed out loud.

"When you put it that way, I assume that your great, great grandchildren will take up the search. I guess I’ll go back to sleep. Wake me up when it’s over."

Athena said, Now, now, father, I’m sure that’s not what husband meant. I mean it wasn’t; was it?

The two men laughed, then hugged their queen, who they both loved, and assured her that it would not take that much time. But, they both said, that her skills with her subjects would be required to force through the changes, putting in place safeguards to carefully protect them, making sure they took root and grew.

Adam observed, Green sprouts, said former President Obama. The key is with the people; they have long awaited changes that are beneficial for the ordinary Minoan, and we cannot disappoint. They will guard our institutions and reforms, and make them work in our absence.

And the present bureaucracies? How will they take the changes?

They will fight tooth and nail, but I plan to announce changes immediately to show our good faith to the populace. Their participation in designing new governing bodies and in the running of them afterward are the key components of success. Once afforded protections and freedoms they design, they will be reluctant to relinquish them without a fight. It is our best chance to get on the road quickly. I plan to announce the dissolution of the principal powerful bureaucracies tomorrow in the market square. My actions, fully approved by my queen, will be made in a joint session, with Stefano and the District representatives of the commoners in attendance.

How will you break the news?

My queen shall ascend the throne and I, below the dais, will make the announcements. I will take all the arrows shot my way, figuratively I hope, while my queen shall be the voice of reason and moderation. In the end, she shall decide, based on reaction to the proposals, how much time she’ll allow the three principal bureaucracies to finalize and implement the proposed reorganizations. As her word will be final, and considered by some to be arbitrary, I cannot presently predict the intensity of the opposition that will be voiced, or by whom.

What do you anticipate?

The temple will be least likely to acquiesce to any changes; their howls will be heard throughout the realm.

Lord Minos asked, And your response?

None, my Lord. I have an announcement that will shake the priestly orders and cause them to rethink their intransigence. It’s a surprise.

May I know?

If you did, it wouldn’t be a surprise. No, you should be above the fray, and be caught off guard by what I will announce. Perhaps you may wish to question the wisdom of my proposals and appear skeptical of the move. You may anyway. But it will cause the Holy Orders to suffer doubt and require a very long time to organize opposition and formulate a counter-attack. I’m counting on their reaction being mixed to negative to throw them into disarray.

Athena said, "It will. The shouts to replace me as queen and sovereign will resonate far and wide. To no avail, however; I am the queen, and they will submit to my authority."

Adam looked at Athena, Wife, I am so happy to be married to you. You are my hero. I would not wish ever to oppose one so strong and wise.

Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard that all before – just before we retire for the evening. I am wise to your flattering ways; even though I know that you mean less than half of what you say to me at bedtime, still I know you love our people and me.

I’m shocked and a little hurt, but your love will, no doubt, in time, slowly heal my wounded heart.

Father, do you see what I must now put up with? I cannot tame this one no matter how hard I try.

Yes, poor thing. I can see that the burdens of taming your mate are almost too much to bear.

You mock, but I now find it difficult to deny my husband anything. This is not how it should be.

Back to the boring, said Adam. The court will be easier to deal with as I plan a strategy of 'divide and conquer', finding favor with some, tolerance from others and banishment for the worst of the lot. Stefano thinks banishment is not the answer, but rather demotion to lesser status with the chance to regain favor later if they suck up to the queen enough. He recommends that my queen, who I adore above all others, be haughty and indifferent. Teach them a lesson. I shall defer to my queen on that matter, as she knows who is friend and who is foe.

The palace guards and the military?

They shall be abolished and reorganized into a functional police force; we are at war with no one, so what need do we have of a military? As to the palace guards, that has become almost a hereditary position, and a tool of terror for the royal court. The queen and I do not need protection, so long as we have the favor of the people. I'm more worried about treason and treachery from the Guards, with the encouragement from royals out-of-favor than from any other quarter of civil society. They have grown lazy and arrogant; no doubt the people will cheer this change.

Police?

"Yes, a new organization designed to avoid conflict and keep the peace. As most disturbances have been caused by the palace guards, I foresee a huge drop in the incidents of disorder. The people will police themselves; the queen shall have her honor guards, the first head of Minoan security shall be Stefano, seconded by Raynor."

Raynor? Did he not try to kill you once?

That he did. But he now despises me a little less, and his love for the queen and the realm are not in dispute.

Do you trust him?

Not one bit. His disdain for Stefano and me is well known, but, at the same time, he is incorruptible. He will obey the queen, and he will defend her with his life. And I have other plans for him, which we can discuss later.

Minos asked, So, the news drops tomorrow, as you like to say. Are you sure that this is the best path forward? Are you both in agreement on the need, the policies, and the strategy?

Athena said, Much of what husband has outlined as action planning was my idea. I didn't understand at first what his goals were, but now I do. And your guidance has been instrumental in formulating strategy in handling the bureaucracies based on your prior experience. You are nowhere near as ruthless as I am, father, so I expect to negotiate changes somewhat more rapidly. But on the ‘drop dead date,’ as husband so aptly puts it, the bureaucracies will conform or people will relocate to the countryside for an ‘attitude readjustment’ period. Even my husband, so brave and terrible when angered, is more inclined to negotiate and compromise than I.

And your schedule, if one exists?

"They have up to one year to see the light. After that, I am anxious to begin our adventures. And, my satyr of a husband wants children, and he insists we provide them with a good, stable and loving home here in the city and at his and your country estates. I must admit I wish to find your siblings and return home quickly. I very much desire what my husband foresees as our future together with his ‘pack’ of kids. In his words, I want a basketball team, while he wants a football team of children. I am exhausted just contemplating child number one."

Adam said, You are my queen and my sovereign; I live to serve you and only you. And to love you as you deserve.

I deserve a lot. Our courtship was rough; I still sting from harsh words spoken.

Really? I’ve already forgiven you for all of that.

I did not mean you forgiving me, husband.

Oh? Holding a grudge still, are we?

I am best equipped for pettiness husband, especially regarding you.

I suppose I shall be giving you, my queen, many foot rubs ...

And back rubs ...

... for a very long time into the future.

For eternity; that is my command.

You have an amazing penchant for acts of revenge.

See. I knew you’d come to appreciate the totality of my skills.

The convocation began early the following morning in the throne room.  The three major bureaucracies were represented; the Temple by Athena's five sisters, the government by the High Council, and the Palace Guards by the captain of the guards. They sat in a semicircle in front of the throne, below the dais. In addition, the commoners of the City of Light were represented by the Five Elders representing the five districts of the city.

They awaited the entrance of their queen; some had already prepared grievances, the rest were uncertain how to deal with their new queen’s quixotic behaviors.

Then there was the Outlander to consider; he was loved by his wife and trusted by Lord Minos. They had expected him to remain quiet and leave palace intrigue up to them. They would stall as they had before with Lord Minos who would restore their rights as they had always been later, after things settle down. The three institutions had jointly decided on the night of the Investiture that all three would coordinate and fight any changes together. In a battle of attrition, they were each practiced and prepared. The two young monarchs would be cowed and marginalized; nothing would change. Then Lord Minos would return to slumber, allowing everything to return to the ways things had always been.

The queen entered, said nothing, and took her rightful place on the throne. Adam was to her side as was Lord Minos. They too said nothing.

Adam turned to Athena and bowed, who, in turn, waved her hand, her sign to commence the meeting.

Thank you all for attending our session this morning. I have prepared briefing notes for you to consider after we adjourn. For now, I wish to make announcements, then describe the broad outlines of what we propose for the reorganization of our three main bureaucracies. We shall, of course, consider the input of all stakeholders here represented, including the interests of the commoners in the future of the kingdom.

The High Priestess of the Temple, Princess Aphrodite, spoke up first.

Any talk of reorganizing the Orders of the Temple is a non-starter with us. The business of the Temple is ours alone to conduct, and as such, we will consider your suggestions, but they do not bind us. I hope you understand this.

Adam said, "Of course we understand that you will not willingly submit to the queen’s authority, but in this matter, you have no say. If the queen says there will be a reorganization, then it is only for us to determine what, how and when. In this, we will need to be guided by the queen and the Lord Minos."

We do not agree, Outlander. The Temple is no business of yours.

You disrespect your king? By right, I can take your head at this very moment. This is an affront to the queen, and her regal authority; it will not be tolerated.

You wouldn’t dare, Outlander. I am the High Priestess; you do not command me.

Does the queen?

Aphrodite said nothing.

As I suspected. You will submit to the queen's authority, and immediately. If not, you will be taken to the cells to await your fate.

Don’t be absurd. You have not the power or authority to carry out this meaningless threat. Besides, the Guards would prevent any such action.

The Palace Guards, as an institution, are disbanded, effective immediately. You have no one left to save you from your own impertinence.

Thor, the existing captain of the Guards, spoke up.

This action is illegal, and I do not consent to it. Any attempt to interfere with our duties will be regarded as treason and dealt with most severely. That includes you, Outlander.

According to who, my good fellow?

According to the High Council, by whose authority we exist.

What say you, Chief Minister of the High Council. Do you submit to the queen’s authority, or do you side with traitors?

The Chief Minister of the High Council, was an oily man named Theseus, whose word was only his bond for moments. He took his time answering; thinking to himself before answering. He could never be trusted.

If the queen commands, I shall obey. But I must hear it from the queen herself, not an Outlander.

Am I not your king, assembled guests? Or do you suggest that I speak without the authority of my wife, the queen? Do you call me a liar and a fraud? Perhaps you question Lord Minos himself.

Never! But you are not the true king. You are a commoner and an Outlander. I reserve respect and obedience for a true king, a Minoan of royal blood.

Lord Minos rose to his feet and approached Theseus.

You are a brave man, Theseus. While I have never had any respect for you, I never thought you were such a fool. Do you challenge my right to name the members of my household?

No sire. Of course not, you have every right.

But yet you challenge the office of Lord Adam, and by inference both the queen and me. Is this your position?

No sire. Apologies for anything I might have said in haste and without adequate forethought. I was wrong. Apologies.

Adam said, And as to the dissolution of the Palace Guard, what do you have to say?

It is dissolved, immediately, as commanded by the king.

You mean by the command of the queen, our sovereign, do you not?

Yes, sire; I stand corrected.

The High Council is likewise dissolved pending further discussion and reorganization. Effective immediately.

But who will govern without the bureaucracy?

The Five Elders shall govern locally, while the High Council may assist with the plans for a government-wide reorganization. If you assist in an honest attempt to work through the prickly issues, you may have a role in the future government; if you fail your sovereign in any material respect, banishment will be your reward. Are we clear?

Yes, Lord.

Good. Now let’s return to the issue of the reorganization of the Temple Orders.

Aphrodite said, My sisters and I have heard enough. We reject any attempt to interfere in the prerogatives of the religious orders. If there are to be any inquiries, I shall take them up with the queen, my sister, not her foreign consort.

Sadly, you do not have the power or authority to make such demands. You shall kneel before your sister and swear an oath of obedience, submission, and loyalty.

I shall not.

Then you are now a resident of the cells. Guards, take her away.

Guards appeared out of nowhere, wearing new uniforms and commanded by Stefano.

My sisters will rouse the populace to remedy this injustice. All citizens of the city will rally to defend the Temple.

And do what?

Restore me to my duties and remove the stench of foreign influence that pervades the Palace.

"I doubt that for several reasons. First, if the commoners are to be roused, they will be roused by the Five Elders and me. I fear none would rally to your side. Second, and this is important, your sisters have resigned from the holy orders and have been asked to join the new palace court as advisors to the queen, in her personal entourage. The court, such as it was, filled with vipers and driven by Temple intrigue, has been dismissed. When the queen is ready, she will restore the ranks and privileges of her court, as befitting her station and authority. Until then, your sisters now serve the queen as her ladies-in-waiting, as well as religious and political advisors. Their quarters, next to the queen’s private rooms, are already prepared. The few possessions they had at the Temple are now safely in the palace."

You fool! How dare you subvert my authority. This will not end well for you, or the runt of father’s litter. When I am back to being the Mistress of the Holy Order of the Temple, I shall curse you and make you pay. Vengeance will be mine.

Yes, I’m sure it will - one day. But that day is not today. You will submit, or you will reside in the cells until brought to trial for treason.

Hold!

It was Athena, newly risen from her throne and walking slowly toward Adam.

I believe that tempers flare hot, and perhaps reason is lost in the heat. My husband, the king, seeks only to represent my wishes, and aggressively so. In this, I do not fault him. At the same time, there may not be a need to disrupt all governing authority at this moment in time. Perhaps if I can ask for your pledge of loyalty and obedience to my commands, we may avoid further unpleasantries. Do you all so swear?

One by one they all swore the oath, including Aphrodite.

Athena turned to Thor. You, however, shall report in the morning to Stefano, who will choose who shall remain, and who shall leave the new Guards. Then you shall come under the direct authority of Raynor. Please him, and you may yet retain your job and your life, but not your authority.

My men will not obey this command. They are loyal to me.

Adam said, No, they are loyal to me. Though you do not choose to train with me, your men do. They consider you a political appointment, unskilled and unable to command with heft and authority. If you wish, we can enter into lethal combat to decide who is the better warrior.

No, Lord, that will not be necessary. For now.

Impertinent to the end. Take him to the cells.

Athena, Adam and Lord Minos departed the throne room, after thanking the Five Elders. Adam asked that the Elders communicate the substance of the meeting to the people of their Districts, and form an interim governing council of men and women.

Adam said, I shall join you tomorrow to discuss these events in open forum. All who would be heard or wish to listen may attend.

As you wish, Lord. Do you wish us to quiet the celebrations?

What celebrations?

The ones that will break out spontaneously when news reaches the citizenry. We have long awaited this moment; you, our queen and our Lord are the bearer of these glad tidings.

Let the people celebrate. It is a cautionary warning to the old guard that there is a new wave taking over. The people.

Chapter 2

After the contentious rollout of the plans for the restructuring of the bureaucracies, Lord Minos asked to meet with Adam and Athena in his chambers. The young monarchs were unsure about the reaction the Lord would have to the confrontation earlier that day. Such direct conflict, in the open and in full view of the royal court, the High Council and the religious orders were historically rare and not traditional protocol.

Fighting out in the open in front of the representatives of the commoners was unheard of.

Immediately after the meeting broke up, Lord Minos disappeared to his quarters and asked not to be disturbed. His summons that afternoon could go either way; either he was displeased, or he was ecstatic. The young couple doubted there was much territory in between.

Adam and Athena entered the Lord’s chambers.

Lord, you wish to see us?

I do. I wanted to take some time to reflect on the convocation this morning and to think through its implications. I've had time for such reflection and wish to share my thoughts with you, and to confirm my understanding of your reasoning for the manner you displayed in confronting such powerful elites.

Yes, Lord. Please ask us anything.

Your roles were discussed and preplanned? Athena to be quiet and sober; a thoughtful monarch? And you, Adam, to be the guard dog, laying down the law and barking at the bureaucrats on behalf of your queen?

Yes, Lord. We agreed that getting to the point quickly, measuring the response and, as you say, barking at the leadership, would invite them to show their hand as we showed ours.

And?

And to establish the primacy of Queen Athena, the authority of the king, and to demonstrate forcefully that changes will come, not if, but when. We understood there would be pushback, possibly even treason. We decided to pull the proverbial band-aid off the wound, suffer the pain, and get it over with. Quickly. I must say that we learned more than we thought we would. Our surprise took them by surprise, as we thought it would.

"Did you measure beforehand the intensity of the reaction