AGINOR
It is certain that he Aginor chafed under the widely held belief that there was nothing left to discover, only an occasional loose end to tuck in.
- excerpt from 'The Forsaken'
In his research laboratory, Ishar Morrad Chuain continued his experiments. At the moment his main goal was trying to cross-breed two particular strands of plant DNA together in the hope that he could produce a new type of crop, one that could feed more people. Certainly, with the recent population increase it was important work, extremely difficult and rewarding in its own way, yet Ishar Morrad was not satisfied. He grimaced as he pored over previous reports, frowned as he studied samples through microscopes, snarled as he threw away a failed sample and went to start again.
He knew what he was doing had to be done. It was useful, it was necessary, and it gave him an outlet for his abilities, and yet… Ishar Morrad could not shake off the feeling that there was something else he could be doing. He knew that he was one of the most highly respected scientists working at the Collam Daan; they did not give just anyone a third name, after all. He knew he was one of the most powerful and intelligent men living as well. That was no boast, it was simple truth; few could match Ishar Morrad, either in intellect or in the One Power. And yet… why did he feel as if his skills were being wasted? He was certain of that, too, as certain as he was of his own name, but at the same time it sounded ridiculous. He was helping people. He was making the world a better place.
He realised he was pacing back and forth across the small study, and sat down, focusing back on the papers littering his desk. Tried to focus on them. He leaned to one side, looking at the overturned desk on the floor, and then at his own hand in wonderment. Why had he done that? He was not a man prone to sudden unexplained fits of temper, yet he had felt a building sense of disquiet in himself recently. There was something missing, something he could feel but couldn't quite explain. He got up, decided he would get a servant to tidy up the mess later.
They were wasting him, was the problem. After all, they had already disciplined him for going outside the boundaries they had set for him. He was only now beginning to understand how to articulate his anger at being held back. That was what they were doing, he realised; they would only let him do what they wanted, and nothing else. Were they jealous? Surely not. And yet, it was the only explanation for their behaviour. They sat in their Hall, so certain they knew everything about the world, while he, Ishar Morrad, knew there were more discoveries to be made, but was unable to make them. They did not want him to prove how wrong they had always been.
His experiments with the animals, now. That was where the real progress was to be made. Cross-breeds of different animals, mixing their genes together to produce completely new animals. When one altered the genes of a plant, all that happened was a colour change, perhaps, or a varied growth rate, but imagine what could be done with animals! Human beings with animal characteristics, a new race of creatures that were stronger, smarter and more able than humans, that was what Ishar Morrad dreamed of. That would be a true mark to leave on the world. Not to be a forgotten name in a textbook somewhere, noted for his skill with genetics. He could do something meaningful – if only they'd let him.
He could feel it, somehow, deep inside himself. He knew that this was what the Creator had put him on the earth to do. He had become a biologist for himself as much as for others; not just to help people with science, but to be known and remembered for it. He had thought the accolades he was given meant something, then. But they would never let him create anything new, just recycle the old over and over again, forever.
Sighing, he headed into his secret study, apart from the rest of his work. He had kept his other projects as quiet as possible since the last time he had been caught. He didn't like having to keep everything secretive, and one day he wouldn't, but for now, he couldn't let anyone know. It was a shame, really. He had thought they would understand, that they would share his vision and want to make new breakthroughs, but he had been proved wrong. They were not true scientists. They would never understand what he saw.
It wasn't easy to obtain animals to experiment on, of course, but he did the best he could. He knew he was doing important work, no matter what those blind fools would say about it if he was caught again. This time, he did not mean to be caught. Some day, they would thank and respect him for his work. For now, it was all he could do to be given the chance to prove himself.
It is recorded that Aginor went over to the Shadow because only as one of the Shadowsworn would he be allowed to do the sort of research he wanted.
- excerpt from 'The Forsaken'