Chapter 2 Meeting Aginor

He had not been long in the Wheel when he had been bidden through secret gestures to come to a hidden room in the back. This room had a one way window that used the power to shield sight and sound from one side and enhance them in the other direction. It allowed those sitting within to enjoy the different 'entertainments' that went on in the hidden area deep within the establishment. Entertainments reserved for Friends of the Dark and their like. He was not one but he appreciated watching lots of the pass times. Sha-je duelling with poisoned daggers and more recently, power assisted torture, rape and even murder.

Something new was in the world and it was changing forever. He knew history, when things like this happened cultures collapsed… that's what he would call this time when he wrote the definitive history of the Cycle of Time: The Collapse, the big one.

In front of him sat a man he was sure he should recognise but did not. He had the strained eyes of a scientist and the slight smile of confidence that spoke of past success and present fulfilment. That was what Eval Ramman wanted. This man would be his key to it. Through the window he could hear someone screaming but he was too intent on the man sat before him to even waste a glance to see how that particular victim was being 'entertained'. He had long ago forgotten what it felt like to be sorry for anyone.

"Who are you? What is your name?" he asked as he sat without being asked.

The man sat forward flicking a lock of just greying hair out of his left eye. As he locked his gaze onto Eval Ramman he felt him channel just a hair but enough. He was strong, and both men knew immediately who was the stronger. That mattered. Again he was not going to get the credit he wanted his dreams were dashed. Again! His face could not conceal his disappointment.

"I used to be Ishar Morrad Chuain" the man said quietly.

Eval Ramman gasped. "I have heard of you. You are a brilliant scientist they say you can even create things never before imagined!"

For the first time his contact was pleased. He had smiled before but now he swelled. Immediately Eval Ramman felt closer to him. Here was a man who cared not for compliments on himself, but yearned to have them for his work. A man of power and vision and sense! Someone anyone would respect, even the foolish Hall of Blathering Idiots!

"Some people do not think we should try to do that which has never been done. They believe they have achieved perfection and so any change would be a regression to them."

The two men spoke as one "Fools!"

They both shared a dark smile. Not devoid of mirth but filled with a dark humour never found in the heart filled pleasure shared between friends. No they knew from that moment that two things were certain. They were both on the same side, but they would never be friends.

"You will find that in our councils three names mean little. Our Lord simply gives power. I have been able to do things, never dreamed of. You as a historian know nothing lasts forever and that there is always more to learn, more to gain. But you also know that those who think they have it all fall and die!"

Eval Ramman nodded. He did indeed understand all of these things.

"Immortality can be yours Eval Ramman."

The scientist was analysing his every reaction and try as he did he could not hide his lust for the first and a spark of anger at the second. His contact noticed this.

"Listen to me" his voice while dry now became quieter and more seductive. "Immortality is only one of the glories. There are women and pleasures for you to sample and best of all power, glory and renown. Who will care to know the name Eval Ramman when they will know the new name of an immortal of astounding power?" He stood up "I said I was Ishar Morrad Chuain and I keep that up for the sake of the fools I must live among. But I have a new name one given to me by my creations. Look at what we of the Dark have wrought."

He stepped back and two hulking creatures moved to his sides. They dwarfed the powerful scientist and Eval Ramman noticed he now held saidin. To his surprise he realised he had seized it as well, with good reason. These two creatures were awful to look upon. Standing heads and shoulders over the two men these things were like man and animal met in unholy union.

One had a huge hawk-like maw which it opened and closed noiselessly. Its massive arms bulged with raw muscle and though these limbs appeared human in all but size, its hands ended in vicious talons. The second was little better but very different this one was covered all over in hair and had the head of a ram. Standing even taller than the first its body was covered in a greying hairy hide. Over this was some plates of armour linked by leather straps and some patches of boiled leather in the gaps between the metal. Its eyes were black an inhuman, devoid of rational thought, just pits of hunger and death. It opened its mouth as if to roar showing a mouth full of sharp fangs. That caught Eval Ramman off guard as he had not expected a ram's head to contain razor sharp canines. The creature made no sound though as Ishar… no wait he said he had a new name.

"So" he began and paused. What should he say? He had millions of questions. Was there a place for him in this new future? Who granted such power? What did he have to do? Could he gain a new name? But in the end he asked the question he felt embodied his answer and his questions.

"What is your name?"

"Aginor" replied the other. His gaze over, if he could be believed, his own creations was not fond but contained no small pride in his achievements.

"If you will come with me to ShayolGhul you too can be Chosen and gain the power and privilege I have promised. Those I have changed who have seen my power, my creations have given me my new name. In time as you get your just renowned, reward and revenge you too will gain a name worthy of you; an immortal name.

"Will you come to Shayol Ghul?"

There was no deception now. This was a choice of darkness. But he had been in the darkness so long already that if he returned to lit streets where the Hall of Fools reined it would hurt his eyes. Better King in the dark that Forgotten in the light.

"No one will ever forget my name. I will go to Shayol Ghul!" he replied and he felt for the first time in years truly excited even content.