Minos declared that Gann and Miletus would be sent into the Labyrinth when the seven youths and maidens from Athens arrived. Gann found himself in a cell with Minos' former chamberlain and baker. The former was a tall, thin man of sixty while the latter was a short, fat fellow of eight and thirty. Both were resigned to dying in their cell but Gann continued to hold on to his belief.
"I believe that we make our own destinies." Stated Gann. "Fate is just something that was made up to keep people from thinking differently."
The chamberlain's eyes lit up. "Make our own destines? Make the Fates powerless?" There was awe in his voice. He was truly inspired by what he heard.
The baker on the other hand was dismissive about such a thought. Aggressively dismissive! He outright attempted to strangle Gann for saying such a thing until the chamberlain pulled him off Gann.
As soon as the baker was pulled off him, Gann began examining the door. Through the hole in the door he could see a guard standing by.
"Guard, where is Miletus?" asked Gann.
"In another cell." Replied the guard, not turning to face him. "Don't want the former captain of the guards giving you three ideas."
"We don't need him!" shouted the baker. "This young fool is saying we don't need the Fates!"
The guard simply laughed. "The ideas young people have."
"Guard, may I have the meat of the bull I killed for a meal?" asked Gann.
"What?" The guard asked as he turned to face Gann. "What is that?"
"May I have the meat of the bull I killed as a meal?" asked Gann again.
"Prisoners do not get to chose their meal." Replied the guard, turning away. "You will get bread like all the rest."
"Get me enough meat for me and my friends here and I will give you some of it too." Now Gann was just resorting to bribery.
"No." said the guard, turned away from Gann.
"Oh, come on now! Just think of it! A nice, big, juicy, succulent... Wait forget about 'succulent', that is the same thing as 'juicy.' May I start over?"
The guard turned to face Gann. "You don't have too. I am already interested. A sirloin?"
"Yes, sir!" answered Gann. "A nice, big, juicy sirloin!"
"Give me some of that and I will give you any information you want!" The guard then began to whisper. "And between you and me, a change of meal might do the baker some good."
"Why is that?" asked Gann.
"Minos is going to have him beheaded in three days." Replied the guard.
Gann turned to look at the baker. He then looked at the guard. "W-Why? What has he done?"
"He offended Minos." Stated the guard. "They both have but the baker has offended Minos more than the chamberlain has."
"In what way have they offended Minos?" asked Gann.
"Minos did not like how the chamberlain managed his household." Stated the guard.
"And the baker?" asked Gann.
"A crumb of bread was caught in Minos' beard." Replied the guard.
"Well, that is disproportionate." Commented Gann.
"Gael..." said the guard.
"My name is Gann."
"Gann, to my thinking since you killed the bull with the knife of Miletus then perhaps the sirloin should be big enough for five of us." Suggested the guard.
"Send a piece of it to Miletus?" asked Gann.
"Yes." Stated the guard.
"A good idea." Commented Gann.
Gann did receive the sirloin. It was indeed big enough for five and once the guard had cut the sirloin into five equal pieces, one was sent to Miletus. Yet while Gann, the chamberlain, the guard and Miletus all ate their piece the baker did not eat his. He hurled it to the floor.
"I will not eat it!" exclaimed the baker. "It is a trick to get me to your side!"
"I just thought you would like something other than bread for a change." Announced Gann.
"Liar!" hissed the baker. "We cannot make our own destinies! We cannot make the Fates powerless!" Gann merely stared at the baker while he chewed a bite of his piece. A knowing look was on his face. "What do you know?"
"Minos will behead you in three days." Stated Gann once he swallowed his piece.
"You are lying!" shouted the baker.
Gann said nothing. He just took another bite of his piece, knowing that what he said was true and the baker in his stubbornness would not believe him.