Everything would change that day. Agazuul felt somewhat nervous, but amongst these friends whom he had trained with for decades, He couldn’t help but smile.
"I knew you could do it, laddie. Never had any doubts," Gadraek Borlakvann declared. His beard was sticky from the ale that kept missing his mouth.
"Do what exactly? Don’t pressure the kid; he must still perform the song and dance tomorrow." Aquilan Zylstina interjected.
"Well, he got invited to the council meeting, and we all know how much Ludwig values our good pal Agazuul here."
Gileon Pethey added.
"Aquilan, I know we differ in age quite a bit, but that doesn"t make me a kid," Agazuul said with more frustration than intended.
"Forgive me for my misguided elven sense of time and age," Aquilan said, quite annoyed.
"You’ve both got smooth chins and cheeks. That makes you both laddies in my book," Gadraek added with a toothy smile, ale heavy on his breath. Gileon started chuckling uncontrollably, and it didn’t take long before the rest followed suit.
Agazuul saw Ludwig looking over from afar, sitting with the department heads for late evening drinks as usual. He was always listening to each of their concerns. Enough drinks will make anyone loose-lipped.
Gileon leaned towards Agazuul then, a question upon his face.
"Do you feel nervous about it? It’s quite a big thing for Ludwig Wolf Schulz to invite you to a council meeting." Agazuul took a moment to let that sink in. He’d been thinking about it, but he had thus far put off allowing himself to feel it.
"Ludwig has talked much about me eventually replacing him, often jokingly," Agazuul answered. His closest friends sat there in pure silence, even Gadraek, a loudmouth dwarf whose talking voice was often louder than his battle cries.
Aquilan had this seriousness upon his face as if his life depended upon it. Gileon had his sympathetic eyes fixed upon Agazuul’s face.
"I do feel nervous, but I’m hoping the things I’ve done will speak for themself."
This conversation was the first time Agazuul had known these guys in all years that none felt the need to interject, interrupt, or make light of anything he’d said.
"I’ve fought all manners of things, often with one or more of you guys by my side. I’ve fought monstrosities, aberrations, devils, demons, and occasionally humanoids." They shared looks of sympathy over the table at that last part.
"What I did in the Deeprealm, what I had to accomplish without any of you by my side, was by far my most difficult task yet. A nigh impossible task, for which I am glad to say I wasn’t alone."
"I had help from Lixiss and Carl, stopping an invasive force consisting of multiple demi-god demons and their legions. We could only stop them by pitting them against one another and dealing with the last one standing. Carl took that from me and Lixiss and sent it back from whence it came. It still was the greatest battle ever fought in the history of the Ordo Sanguinatoris."
"Gah, wish I could’ve been there. I prefer the long version, though." Gadraek declared out loud after I left a short pause.
"More than a thousand years of history, greatest battle, not quite. That doesn’t take away from the fact that what you did was impressive. A demonic force that large could’ve ripped the very fabric of reality apart." Aquilan always felt the need to correct.
"I have to say, Ludwig tells it better than you. I’d let him do the talking," Gileon added, his mouth full of cheese.
"You’ve been an active Sanguinator for less than ten years and already have this. Aquilan has been at it for over two centuries. Some of the lower demons you’ve slain are far above anything he can handle." Aquilan looked abashed then. "Oh, shit, sorry, anything we can handle, honestly." Gileon quickly added, so stunned by his indiscretion his fork dropped under the table.
"Bah, speak for yourself. I could’ve handled that darned flauros. I’ve slain a few apaosha when I went into the Deeprealm for a mission or two."
Aquilan laughed at Gadraek.
"Anyone at this table can take a few apaosha; all they have is speed. Their swordsmanship is worse than the recruits. Their fire magic is weaker than what Agazuul could conjure just from within. A flauros, however, is extremely strong; they’re completely enveloped in fire, able to conjure up the greatest feats of fire magic. Their swordsmanship with the glaive is made all the more dangerous by their future sight, able to predict your every move before you’ve done it. Their ability to view the past of anyone whose eyes they’ve seen allows them to manipulate their enemy to no end."
"So, no, Gadraek. Your paltry feat doesn’t begin to compare." Aqualin laughed again. Gadraek grumbled a bit. Gileon just sat back, his fork retrieved, chewing on some pork, enjoying the show.
"In Gadraek’s defensive, dwarves don’t have built-in fire protection." Mouth still full of food. "Ignigena’s are quite rare, but it sometimes feels like Agazuul was born for this way of life. So many demons have a bit of fire magic, and Agazuul just gets to shrug it off. It is entirely unfair, man." Gileon said, a stupid smirk on his face, his cheeks stuffed.
They sat there for the rest of the night till they were the last. The ale was already lukewarm, but they didn’t care. They sat there till they couldn’t keep their eyes open anymore, animatedly telling stories, the missions they’d been through together, the creatures they’d fought on solo missions. They didn’t know yet how tomorrow was going to change everything.
The evening of the meeting came, and all seemed well and good. Aquilan, Gadraek & Gileon each gave Agazuul their best shoulder pat; Gadraek’s being quite painful, he likes to overdo such things.
Agazuul was asked to sit in on the Ordo Sanguinatoris council meeting for the first time, a forum where the head of the order sits with the head mages of the country where the order resides and its neighboring countries.
Agazuul’s mentor, Ludwig ‘Wolf’ Schulz, with great pride, walked Agazuul to the great hall. As the head mages arrived, Agazuul’s mentor introduced him to each of them.
Raiann, head mage of Blakore; Institute of the Arcane, representative for Rastaytan. A dragonspawn, female. A dragonspawn resembles a humanoid lizard but with dragon characteristics. Ludwig pointed out that Agazuul should not piss her off lest she unleashes her deadly draconic lightning breath upon him. Whether that was a quip or a fact, Agazuul had no intention of finding out.
Morrin, head mage of Filandria, Academy for the gifted, representative for Beshonia. A regular everyday human, or at least that’s what he would like you to believe. His shorter height, big belly, and incredible beard tell stories of split racial parentage.
Theobald, head mage of Viragon; school of the war-mage, representative of Tharios. A warmonger disguising himself as a learned teacher, philosopher, and rightful diplomat.
Lastly, Sir Adelard Collin, Grand mage of Canistria, the school for gifted canines, representative of Bordovia. A telepathically communicating border collie from a country where dogs have heightened sentience.
Ludwig stated this is due to an extremely powerful archdruid who spent half his life infusing a valley with magical spells for protection and enchantment. None know the identity of the archdruid, and only recently did Bordovia become known to the world.
Tensions were high at the start of the meet. Raiann cast glares at Theobald; the sparks she could not contain cast a blue glow upon her bronze scales.
Morrin couldn’t stop himself when his accusatory glance was met with Theobald’s cocky smile.
"How can we sit here, discussing the succession of Ludwig Schulz when you are training hundreds of children to become weapons of war?"
Theobald disarmingly opened his arms, laying his palms on the table as if surrendering.
"Oh, please take me to your deepest, darkest dungeon, for I would rather spend my allotted hours there than listen to this disrespectful half-dwarf accusing me of war crimes. Let me remind you, Morrin, as you so rightfully pointed out, is indeed not why we are here."
Sir Adelard Collin snarled for a moment at Theobald but composed himself.
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Morrin glared back at Theobald.
"You create nothing else than puppets of war.
My academy takes in all forms of the arcanely gifted, no matter where their magic originated!" When forming his response, Morrin had put a few extra cushions on his chair, borrowing them from the empty ones beside him. He seemed determined not to have to look up to Theobald anymore.
Theobald smirked.
"Anyone able to afford it, at least, your plutocratic governed country Beshonia wouldn’t allow everyone to have the option of enrolling. Oh, and don’t start again with that 'some get in for free' manticore-dung; you insult my school with nothing but rumors and hearsay which carry grave accusations."
Raiann, eager to snap back, opened her maw. The blue glow had already subsided.
"While there are differences in who may enter, both phrontisteries produce the same result."
While Morrin looked wounded, Theobald held his signature smirk.
"They create powerful people eager to go to war. Blakore is a true place of learning, where anyone may enter and leave at any point. The talented find their path at their own pace, and those with an interest we guide and steer along a path that benefits them but never towards war. My country still wishes people to be able to live a worthy life throughout these turbulent times."
Morrin grumbled at that.
"Raiann, do spare me; we weren’t allowed the same luxuries. Tharios struck Beshonia first, remember? The Fostberg family was wiped out, a third of our country without an owner, and Filandria had to be relocated." Tears started to form in his eyes as he stroked his beard wistfully.
Raiann’s face never gave away much, her dragon-like attributes hiding the most tell-tale signs of emotions.
Yet it did seem she regretted her boisterous attitude.
Sir Adelard Collin howled mournfully as he opened up telepathically to everyone.
"So many loyal canines die in this war, often without purpose. Abandoned by necessity, without the means to fend for themselves, left behind with nothing but kilometers of no-man’s-land. You so carelessly destroy the land around you with your wars. None of you are innocent of that, and the Sanguinators seem to be the only amongst you who are eager to be at balance with the land they occupy. How much more land has to be lost, how many more canines, how many more humanoids must be felled before you cease your conflict!"
Morrin and Raiann both stared at this dog, staring right into his eye of blue and eye of brown. Adelard's fur was upright in frustration; he seemed fierce and determined. By both Morrin and Raiann, Adelard was met with stares of disbelief, frustration, pity, and envy. Bordovia was able to keep itself out of the war due to its location; Bordovia is a country bordered by mountains from west to east, with the only easy entry along the shore to the north. A tempestuous sea rumored to be plagued by all manner of dangerous sea creatures.
Theobald seemed to think his fingernails were far more interesting than this conversation. He took the cheese knife and started picking his fingernails throughout the discussion. Theobald stared at them now and then as if he was sculpting something out of wood. Theobald did glance at the rest at the most opportune of times, clearly taking in what they were giving him.
Ludwig quickly looked for a way to start conversations about today’s meet.
"Gentlemen and Raiann, please keep a calm head. The decision we’re about to make should not be made lightly. We should focus on the task at hand. We of the Ordo Sanguinatoris owe a debt of gratitude to the people of Tharios for the provisions we have received over the last couple of years."
The nearby town of Aeleford felt they owed the Ordo Sanguinatoris after Agazuul saved dozens of their citizens when they were only a village. Due to Agazuul’s plight to help the meek and thanks to the displacements of war, that village grew to be a town.
Despite the taxes and the required handover of goods for the war effort, Aeleford provided the order with the necessary resources to expand the order’s number. So, while Agazuul disagreed with Ludwig’s statement, he kept his mouth shut.
Agazuul saw that Ludwig started pointing him out.
"...and that's how he, with Carl and Lixiss, banished the only survivor back to the realm from whence it came."
If Agazuul had kept his mouth shut, he would probably have been promoted. All he had to do was let the story speak for him. Agazuul had to let them create his best version in their mind. Instead, he opened his mouth and ruined what he felt was his well-deserved next step in life.
"I intend to slay Orcus in the realm where he hides. All I need is a small force. We would’ve killed him where he stood if it weren’t for Johnstantine’s cowardice!
I’ve been training and researching ever since. I have everything ready. All I need is a couple dozen good men!"
The room grew quiet, unsettlingly quiet. Raiann seemed to consider it; something that resembled a thoughtful smile had formed across her snout. Morrin had a dwarven smile that told Agazuul he approved. Agazuul couldn’t read Sir Adelard Collin at all; it might have something to do with him being a dog.
Ludwig looked like Agazuul had gutted his horse; emotions rolled over him. Anger, frustration, fear, disgust, but worst of all, he looked disappointed. He realized it before Agazuul, but Agazuul just signed away his promotion.
Theobald looked shocked at first, and for a short while, most uncharacteristically, he was at a loss for words.
His left hand had many rings, each holding a specific meaning Agazuul wasn’t filled in on, caressing his bald head.
However, much to Agazuul’s dismay, his cocky smile returned; a plan had already formed in his head. Agazuul had given him the bolts he needed in his quiver to place someone in power who might agree more with his sentiments.
After all, did Agazuul not just ask for valuable troops for a suicide mission?
"Oh, Ludwig - tsk, tsk. How you disappoint your liking for the boy has blinded you. I understand your condition is growing dire, but must you push your pet project upon us? His work is impressive but lacks many good qualities. Shall I list them? You see, Agazuul lacks the willingness to listen and learn; otherwise, he might’ve picked up on the fact that there’s a war going on. He seemed pretty out of it for most of our meeting so far. He lacks the perseverance to do what he wants; he’s been back for a while, has he not? Why not just do it and invite some strong Sanguinators? He has had a plan ready for a time. He lacks honesty, and there are holes in that story you tell of Agazuul, dear Schulz. A true leader should be able to look at the horrid things they’ve done to reach a good end. Agazuul is anything but selfless; he grabs for glory while so many small farmers’ villages could use a Sanguinator to clear out some monsters."
Ludwig roared, red with anger, fur starting to creep its way up his neck.
"Alright, that’s enough! Your point is noted." Some strands of his slicked-back, salt and pepper-hair had come loose and dangled across his shaved sides; with a single motion of his right hand, he put them back into place, trying to regain composure.
Theobald was quick to correct.
"Several points." His signature smile remained a permanent fixture throughout.
Ludwig sighed, his fur beginning to recede under his garments beyond sight.
"I suppose you are correct, Theobald. What do the other council members say?"
Sir Adelard Collin telepathically, Agazuul hoped only to him said,
"Apologies, Agazuul, but I can’t in good conscience vote for you anymore. Theobald made strong points, and I’d rather not see my fellow canines disappear on some campaign for glory. Theobald holds sway in the Tharios war council, and I don’t plan on putting Bordovia within crossbow sights just to disagree with him."
Agazuul tried responding by thinking but either ignored Agazuul or didn’t work that way.
They all were weighing their following words, reforming sentences, picking and choosing, and discarding some thought processes. Raiann was the first to break the silence.
"As much as I’d like the Duke of Death to perish, Theobald is right in saying you are probably not a good fit to take Ludwig’s spot. May we still be on good terms after the decision. I shall send some of my best people your way!"
Theobald glared at her. It seemed he didn’t like the idea of her giving some of her most capable warriors. The implications of being able to miss warriors would put Tharios in a position where they either had to send warriors of their own or lose face.
Morrin, with much less fervor, threw his hat into the fighting pit.
"Ah well, as much as I might disagree with Theobald on other matters. You should always be open to learning from everyone. Theobald made strong points for why you shouldn’t be a leader. I’ve considered them, and I say we extend the meeting to look through the files with Ludwig and find a couple of suitable candidates."
Sir Adelard Collin, now telepathically communicating to everyone, Agazuul could only assume there’s no way to tell except the message’s contents.
"Truly, I must agree. Agazuul, there are simply too many things stacked against you. Your tale of heroics might make you a hero of legends for as long as written history persists. Still, it does not make you by default capable of leading the Ordo Sanguinatoris into the next few decades or however long your kind lives."
Ludwig told Agazuul with his body language that he felt defeated and utterly heartbroken.
In a way, Theobald wasn’t entirely wrong with calling Agazuul Ludwig’s pet project. Agazuul was Ludwig’s favorite student. Agazuul’s unique talents gained him high standing, and Ludwig pushed Agazuul to be the best he could be. He was giving me extra classes whenever I asked.
"Agazuul, you needn’t be here. I shall let you know who was chosen afterward; know that you’ll always have a place here." there was a slight pause.
"Perhaps you can take over my old teaching gig." It was a kind gesture, but Agazuul could see that Ludwig knew that wasn’t what Agazuul wanted to hear now.
Agazuul left the great hall, trying not to meet their eyes. The pity in Ludwig’s eyes seemed insulting then.
END OF CHAPTER ONE - Agazuul 1