hengi walked into the council chambers of Aziz the Death Knight. He could see the massive warrior staring at the maps of some campaign, the whispers of Aziz’s subordinates offering counsel for strategy were quickly silenced with the appearance of the Lich-Magi. Some of these warriors took several steps back as Zhengi approached the table.
“Welcome to my counsel chambers, Zhengi,” Aziz said as he bowed.
Returning the bow, Zhengi examined the maps before him. “How goes the preparations, my friend?”
In a deep, almost deathly tone, Aziz replied, “All is nearly ready. Once the priests complete their ritual, we may attack immediately.”
“Excellent,” Zhengi responded as he clasped his hands. “Funny. As long as I known you, I don’t think I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing your personal chambers.”
Aziz looked at the lich and begin to reply, “Maybe so, but you’ve never had much of a need to come here. But, look around at your leisure.”
Zhengi looked around seeing trophies of various battles: a warhammer of a barbarian chieftain, some armor of a long dead crusader… However, a glass case in particular sparked his interest. Zhengi walked closer to see a small piece of jewelry, peering closer to observe it was a ring - One crafted out of pure platinum, encrusted with the finest emerald Zhengi had ever seen. He sensed a small aura of magic from the ring. On the band was the slightest indication of a symbol etched into it. He recognized it instantly.
“Very peculiar trinket, Aziz,” Zhengi said as he made his way toward the Death Knight.
“Another lifetime ago. One lasting reminder of what I once was,” Aziz replied.
Sensing a slight change in the Death Knight’s mood, Zhengi left unasked his one question and made his way to the door. “Once you complete your preparations, I have need for you in the summoning chambers. Our lord will want progress of our plans.”
Aziz nodded and returned to his maps as Zhengi left his chambers. A few moments passed in deathly silence, none of his officers daring to speak. Suddenly, Aziz broke the silence, “Leave me. Go check your units and make your prayers. Come back to me in one hour.” His officers bowed and left to their own endeavors.
Alone, Aziz removed his onyx colored helmet and sat it on the table. His face, blackend and scarred from years of combat, was one of frustration. Aziz walked toward the display box with the ring, touching the glass box with his gloved hands. Soon the attack would come and the giver of this gift will be dead, probably slain by his own hand. However, he could not help but think of his past. Zhengi was right; it was another lifetime ago, before he came into the services of his lord. However, he could not help but think and remember…
“Aziz!” the voice yelled, “Aziz, are you listening?”
“I think the elves in the Dragonspire Mountains heard you, Abbah,” Aziz replied. “What is it?”
“Captain Akeem sent for you, it is time we make our way for the Tower.”
Aziz stood from his chair and grabbed the small cup of water on the table. He quickly drank its contents and returned it to the table. “I shall be with you shortly. I must go to my chambers for something. Meet me there.”
“Akeem will have our hides if we are not there soon. Make it fast, Aziz.” With that, Abbah ran off.
Aziz ran towards his chambers. He was excited to be selected to march with Captain Akeem to the High Tower of Magic. Not because he would miss the next rounds of annoying patrols, but because he could see his love once again.
It had been a secret relationship the Grand Mistress and the lowly soldier had had for quite some time, ever since he was sent with some others to fend off the Tower from trolls. She had taken a strong attraction to the knight from Arrnos. From that day on, they would exchange letters, always in secret. This was the first time in almost three years he could see her face and he was going to make it a memorable one. Reaching his chambers, he ran towards his personal chest and quickly opened the lid. Inside was a small box wrapped in a blue ribbon. He grabbed it and placed it into his sack. Closing the lid, he ran to rejoin Akeem’s company.
Barely making it in time, Aziz was quickly saddling his horse when Captain Akeem arrived. He was a massive figure, his armor could barely contain his bulk. However, Aziz knew his enchanted armor made him as nimble as a cat while also giving him awe-inspiring strength.
“I am glad you could take time to join us, Aziz,” the captain bellowed.
“Forgive my lateness, Sir. There were a few things I needed to attend before we set on our journey” Aziz replied.
“No matter,” Akeem replied. “We shall be at the High Tower in three days; best not waste them talking. Men mount up!”
With that the solders of Akeem’s company mounted their horses. Aziz grabbed the reigns of his horse and calmed the beast. “Easy…easy.”
Akeem mounted his gray stallion last and trotted to the front of the forming caravan.
“Men of Arrnos,” the Captain yelled. “Ride! Glory to Alron!”
The men returned the hail and rode towards the High Tower. Aziz, with his heart racing with anticipation, sent his horse into a gallop.
The journey there was uneventful, which made the men happy. It took less than an hour’s ride before they made it to their destination. The spires of the tower gleamed on the horizon.
Aziz felt nervous. It had been so long since he walked those halls and seen the beautiful mistress of the tower. However, there was not a minute of the day that went by that he did not think of the powerful mage.
“Hello…Aziz” a voice said, breaking Aziz from his day dream. “I know that this place can be a magnificent sight, but we have a job to do.”
“Yes,” Aziz replied as he grabbed his pouch closer, “I do have a job to do.”
Two hours passed, the envoy from Arrnos arrived at the High Tower of Magic and were greeted with the pomp and circumstance of men in important positions; however the mistress of the tower did not formally welcome them. Aziz felt disappointed at not yet being able to see his beloved mistress, but knew it was a matter of time.
As they were in the great hall, food and drink were proffered to all the guests, while music was being played by some magical means. The envoy was impressed by the hospitality given by their hosts. Suddenly, the music stopped. A slight breeze blew into the room. The door to the north of the hall slowly opened. A large ball of greenish light flew and circled about the ceiling. Seconds passed and the ball fell towards the throne that sat near the northern door. The ball began to take the form of a person. The form of the Grand Mistress appeared in all her glory. Her servants bowed deeply to their mistress. The envoy saluted her in a show of respect. Aziz did as well.
“Welcome and greetings my friends,” the mistress said. “You do us a great honor with your presence.”
Captain Akeem spoke. “In the name of the Sultan of Arrnos, thank you for your hospitality and your friendship.”
Over the next several minutes, which seemed to be excruciating hours to Aziz, Akeem and the Grand Mistress conducted their necessary business and formalities. It was then that the lady of the tower spoke. “Please, enjoy our hospitality, friends. There are things that I must attend to for now, but I shall return and we shall have the grandest of feasts.” She bowed to all and the assembly returned with bows, and she walked out of the room.
The envoy and guests broke into their own groups and went to explore the tower.
Abbah ran towards Aziz, who was sitting in a chair, staring into his cup of wine that was not touched, “Come Aziz,” Abbah said. “We are going to see the dancing swords in the garden. Come with us.”
Aziz shook his head and returned to looking at his glass. “I wish to be left alone for now. Go on I’ll catch up.”
“Suit yourself.” Abbah said as he ran to catch up with the others.
Alone, Aziz let out a huge sigh. He wondered if she even knew he was there. He started to drink the wine when suddenly he was surrounded by a strange white light. When the light dissipated, he could see that he was no longer in the great hall. His heart raced as he tried to reach for his sword.
“There is no need to draw your weapon,” the familiar voice cooed. Aziz stayed his hand as he recognized the voice, however, did not know where it came from. “Would you want to fight me?”
“Never!” Aziz replied, “I wish never to fight you.”
The Grand Mistress appeared from what seemed to be nowhere. He bowed his head in her presence. “You need not bow to me, my champion. We are past trivial formalities here.” She took a step closer and extended her hand. Instinctively, he took it with his own hand. A smile formed across his face.
“I am sorry that we could not meet sooner. But, there are matters that had to be attended to.”
Aziz frowned and nodded in understanding. It was of little comfort, yet he was happy to see her in private. Remembering his gift, he released her hand and said, “I have something for you.”
The Grand Mistress looked at the knight with curiosity. “And what does my knight have for me?”
He reached for the box in his sack and presented it to the woman. The Grand Mistress could only smile as she examined the box with the colorful ribbon. Carefully, she untied the ribbon and opened the box. Her eyes widened with awe. “It’s beautiful!”
She pulled out the necklace and examined it closely. It was crafted from the finest white gold. Set in the center was a heart made of pure amethyst. “I can not accept this, it is too beautiful for one like me,” she could only utter.
“Nonsense,” Aziz responded. “You deserve it and more. It is a heart that I give to you, as I have given my heart already.”
The Grand Mistress’s face was flushed with embarrassment. “Thank you, but I have nothing to give you…oh wait!” She stared at the knight and ordered him to hold out his hand. As he did, she spoke a few arcane words. As she finished her spell, a small ring appeared in Aziz’s hand. The ring was made of platinum and housed a green emerald. “Wear this, beloved, and think of me.” He put the ring on his finger and felt a slight surge of power within the ring. He began to say something when she put her finger on his lips, silencing him.
“I know what you to ask me, but I can not. Our duties can never allow it. Not now.”
Aziz could only lower his head in disappointment. Her heart ached for his pain. “It is not because I do not love you. I love you more than anything. But, being the Mistress of the Tower, I cannot leave. Just as you cannot leave the calling as a soldier.”
Aziz could feel his disappointment turn into anger. “I can leave my order; I can serve as your personal guard, whatever it takes.”
The Grand Mistress kissed him softly and looked into his pale, blue eyes. She could feel his pain and need. The part of her that is woman wished she could leave and be with this man. However, the authority of her station forbade marriage. “I am sorry…” she said, “You cannot leave your order or your commitment to Alron…”
“Alron be damned!” Aziz could only muster. “If I can not have the one I love, what good is living?
The words struck the mistress hard. Never had she heard such from Aziz. She knew it was only out of anger - She felt it too. Nevertheless, she could not fall to temptation. “Aziz, I must go, but know that someday, you will ask me again and I will say yes. But, know that I love you.” She kissed him once more, and touched his forehead and uttered a magical spell to send him away.
The Grand Mistress looked at the amethyst amulet and wept.
The next day Aziz returned to Arrnos, his bitterness could be hardly contained. He needed to unleash some anger and felt a murderous rage building inside him. When Captain Akeem ordered him and his unit to take out a group of bandits harassing caravans west of the city, Aziz was thrilled.
Aziz’s unit found the bandit encampment after his scouts followed the raiders’ trail from their last attack. He remembered his orders were to leave the leaders alive to face the Sultan’s justice. However, there was building rage in him. He could not tell the source. He sent hand signals to his unit to standby to attack. He drew his blade, and in doing so, took a small glance at his ring, the ring from his Grand Mistress. It only made his blood boil more. He made the hand gesture to attack, and his unit charged the camp.
The battle lasted less than an hour and the camp was in flames. Aziz dispensed the last of the warriors himself. As he did, he could see a shadowy figure in a black hooded robe approaching from the fires. Aziz quickly brought his blade into a defensive posture.
“Put your weapon down, for I do not wish you harm,” the voice said.
“Who are you?”
“One who has watched you for some time, Aziz. I know your heart and I can give you what you desire most.”
Aziz felt his blood rage more, “You know not what I desire. Are you in league with the bandits? How do you know my name? Speak!”
“I know many things, just like you disobeyed your orders to bring the bandit leaders to the Sultan to stand trial. I know you slaughtered women and children, innocents that go against all the codes of Alron. I know you said Alron be damned because you cannot have the love of the Grand Mistress. I can give you what you seek.”
Aziz looked at the figure with murderous intent. “You may know what I’ve done, but you may not live to talk about it…” And the knight charged.
The figure extended his hand, a red beam of energy shot towards Aziz. The blast struck Aziz in the chest and halted his charge.
“Rage, anger, pain,” the figure spoke. “I can almost taste it. Such a delicious aroma. I can offer you that power and more. I can give you the power to make the Grand Mistress love you.”
Pain fused inside Aziz’s body, making him yell out. “I will kill you…by Alron…”
“Spare me your curses, Aziz. Alron abandoned you the minute you cursed his name. He does not care about you or your feelings. He cares about order. I can give you power. Power and control.”
“H…how can you do that?”
“Just accept my power, my name and you will have it,” the figure said. With that, the figure clinched his hands into a fist and more power burned into Aziz. Unbelievable pain coursed through the knight’s veins, burning with an unholy fire. “Accept my power. You always wanted to serve something greater, now you can serve the greatest power. Mine!”
Aziz fought the urge to scream. He was not going to submit to this pain or this power. However, there was something compelling about having greater power. But, all he ever wanted was to love one who cannot love back. Choking the words out he asked, “With your power you can give me what I want… A way for me and her to be together?”
“That and more. So, so much more. You will have power beyond measure. You will have her love and the might to make it happen.” The figure extended his other hand and a bluish light crackled from his fingertips. “Say the word, denounce Alron’s glory, accept mine, and power shall be yours. Her love will be yours forever.”
Seeing Aziz struggle inwardly to make his decision, the shadowy figure released his power on him, causing Aziz to fall to the ground. The knight grasped for breath, his armor ruined by this stranger’s evil power.
Aziz found the strength to stand up. “If you can give me what I seek, my heart’s desire, I will follow you.” He grabbed the jade pendant symbol of Alron and tore it off his neck. “I will serve you. I denounce Alron and his name! I accept your power, if it can give me the love I seek.”
The shadowy figure uttered words not meant for human tongue and drew forth his left hand. A bluish light streaked towards Aziz. He felt unholy power filling his being. His muscles burned with a fire he had never felt before.
The ritual complete, Aziz of Arrnos was no more. His skin was dark and burned, his eyes burned with red fire. A dark aura surrounded his body. Aziz kneeled before the shadowy figure and spoke with an unearthly voice, “I shall serve you as I draw breath, Master.”
“Yes you shall. Extend your hands” the figure ordered.
Aziz obeyed as the figure spoke more forbidden words. As he did, a magical blade appeared in his hand. “This blade is the Unholy Reaver. It is a powerful weapon that has a hunger for blood and death.”
As Aziz wielded the Unholy Reaver he felt a rush of pain shoot up his arms. He could feel the swords power, and its thirst for death.
“One last thing, you need armor since I destroyed yours.” The figure touched Aziz’s shoulder and uttered an evil chant. A glow of sickly, green fire formed from his hands and burned Aziz’s body. The fire began to take shape of some huge armor. Once the spell was done, the figure nodded in satisfaction, “The Armor of the Ancients,” the figure spoke. “Once worn by my first champion. I now give to you. Its power will make you unbeatable in battle.”
As he finished, Aziz could see the rest of his company near him, calling his name.
“Now my death knight, take your power and fulfill your destiny.”
The slaughter was complete; none survived the attack of the bandit encampment.
The battle was done, and the only living creatures were Aziz and his demonic master. “Good, Aziz,” the figure said. “Now, you must leave. Go to the southeast. Seek Zhengi the Lich lord.”
“Yes, Master,” Azi, said as he bowed his head. When he lifted his head the figure was gone. Alone, his mind raced about what had happened. He looked at his hand. The emerald ring given to him by the Grand Mistress had survived his transformation. He wanted her love, and with his newfound power they will be together. One way or another. He walked some distance and saw his horse. He quickly mounted it and road towards this Lich, and to his destiny.
The thunderclap from outside broke Aziz out of reverie. He did not know how long he was thinking about this moment in his past. It was behind him now. He touched the glass and sighed. He knew he could never have that love he wanted; however, he gained something more: Power, the ability to control life and death. Fear of his name spoken as a warrior of absolute carnage. Love had no place in his life, he knew that now. Aziz walked towards the table and retrieved his helmet. He tucked it under his arm and headed towards the door to meet Zhengi. All he wanted was the love of a woman, but he gained the love of death and carnage instead. It was a fair trade. He took once last look at the glass box and closed the chamber door behind him.
