When
Mozenrath comes a’ calling
“Oh really Mozenrath, was that necessary? I’m going to start making you wear a bell or something.” Nefret picked up the book and tossed it onto the pillow. “So, how was your trip?” Mozenrath answered by holding up a good-sized crystal. “Ah, I see you were successful. How many people did you have to kill and maim to get it?” she joked.
“Two or three.” Mozenrath announced. “Oh, come now Nef, don’t give me that look. They were people you wouldn’t have liked anyway.”
Nefret sighed, he would never change. She stood up and took the crystal from his hand, tuning it over in her own. Xerxes came in at this point, Nefret furrowed her brow, she had hoped he would not make it back. She wished that every time he set out with Moze, but every time he managed to come back. Knowing what Nefret was thinking Xerxes stuck out his tongue, Nef responded in a similar fashion. Mozenrath was about to say something about being childish, but just then there came a great racket from the main hall. Mozenrath growled, snatched the crystal and heading in the direction of the noise. Mozenrath arrived on the scene first, followed by Xerxes and then Nefret. Nef would have been first, but Xerxes had entangled himself around her legs causing her to trip. By the time she ran into the great hall Mozenrath already had a hold of the shirt of the source of the disturbance, a young boy.
“Well well well, what do we have here? A street rat caught creeping around my kingdom? What is you business here boy?!” Mozenrath laughed as the boy squired and cringed in fear.
“ Pl…please honored effendi, I am only a messenger boy. See, I bring you a message.” The young boy held out a sealed scroll with a shaky hand. “Please forgive me!” Mozenrath took the scroll and released the lad.
“Oh you are forgiven,” the sorcerer hissed as he turned his back. “Kill him.” With this order the mumluks fell upon the youth, swords drawn.
“MOZENRATH!” Nef cried, taking her stand in front of him, ready the strike his face.
“What? Oh, I suppose you want me to let the boy go. *Sigh* All right” He snapped his fingers and the impending slaughter was halted. The boy wisely seized this opportunity and ran for his life. “There! Happy?” he asked as he headed up the stairs to his lab.
Nefret watched as he ascended the staircase wondering if he would have done it if she hadn’t stopped him. She didn’t know. She wanted to go after him and question him about his trip and the message, but she most likely wouldn’t get far with this technique. So she headed to the kitchen to ask that a cake be made to celebrate the triumphant return of the master of the house. If she wanted to get all the juicy details out of Moze she would have to gain his favor. The cook indicated he would make one, but then again he had no choice, he was a mumluk and had obeyed every order. Every servant in the Citadel was a mumluk. She had heard rumors that when Mozenrath first got the gauntlet he went on a power trip and drained the life out of every servant and even his own mentor Destain, turning them all into half minded shamblings. They were only rumors by she wouldn’t put it past him.
Nef waited at the dinner table for quite some time before she finally heard the soft swish of the Lords cloak as he approaching. He sat down with a half annoyed half bemused look on his face. Nefret stared at him wonderingly, but said nothing. Something told her she better wait until Moze was ready to talk. Finally the uncomfortable silence was broken.
“What do you think of marriage?” Mozenrath asked her with a stern face. Nefret was so surprised she nearly choked on the piece of chicken she was eating.
“We…well I… I have to say I’m all for it. That if you find someone…” she stopped there, unable think of a good way to finish. Nefret was extremely confused, was that what the message was? A marriage proposal? Would someone propose marriage by messenger? Would someone propose marriage to Mozenrath in fashion?
“Hadim….” Xerxes blurted, obviously wanting to be the first to tell, but Mozenrath raised he gauntleted hand, shooing him away
“Hadim?”
“Just an old acquaints of mine you have never meet.” Mozenrath informed her. He returned his attention to his meal and continued without emotion. “The message was from him. He wishes me to attend his wedding.”
“Oh, was that what that was?” Nefret asked with a shrug. For some reason she was glad he wasn’t the one to be married. “Will you go?”
“I have nothing better to do. And who knows it might be rather amusing to watch the papered stuffed shirts try to impress one another. I’ll leave tomorrow.”
“Hum, I hope you enjoy yourself.” Nefret was angry. ‘Yet another event I’m excluded from, I should be used to it by now’ she thought.
“Oh, but you are coming with me.”
“You’re taking me along?” She asked skeptically.
“Of course. I have my pride Nefret; I refuse to enter the celebration without a beautiful woman on my arm. But if you want to stay home I shall just have to find another.”
Nefret chuckled under her breath. Mozenrath was right; he did have his pride, just a little too much at times. “Well, seeing as it would be a bother to you to have to find another beautiful woman by tomorrow, I suppose I’ll go.” Nefret said, trying to sound as disinterested as Mozenrath. Mozenrath grinned, but said nothing. It was only until the cake had been served and the meal was done did he speak again.
“Come with me Nefret.” He beckoned as he pushed himself out of his chair. So she followed him up the stairs and into his chamber. He went directly to a large chest in the corner and opened it. “I wish you to wear this to the party.” He took several bundles out of the chest and placed them on the bed. “You had better try them on.” His cloak fluttered behind him as he left the room, closing the heavy door behind him with a dry click. Nefret began to unfold the clothes; she was astonished by their beauty. She dressed and admired her self in the mirror. ‘Not bad’ she thought. She spun around to get a glimpse of herself at every angle. She wore a pair of soft pink billowing pants with a matching top that was held up by a heavy bronze collar. The sleeves were belled and held down with thick armlets, and a light yellow sash as tied around her waist.
“Nef, you nearly done?” Mozenrath rapped impatiently on the door.
“Yes I’m done.” Mozenrath entered upon hearing this and began to inspect her. Nefret was starting to feel quite uncomfortable under his eye, but he finally smiled approvingly.
“Yes, you look very nice.” He said distantly. Then Nef asked something that had been on he mind.
“Moze, who did these things belong to?” Mozenrath seemed to grimace at this question. But then resumed grinning.
“Hum, you are very attractive. You shall make any other woman there look like a toad.” Any other woman may have been faltered by this complement by the seemly cold Lord of the Land of the Black Sand, but not Nefret. She knew what he doing, changing the subject.
“Is that the only reason you’re taking me? To show off! I’m not some ornament to make you look better you know!”
“Oh, but you are Nefret, that and so much more.”
***
It was a long trip from main city up the twisting mountain trail to the lofty palace of Asteria where Lord Hadim rained. Mozenrath had been able to transport them to the outskirts of Asteria with one flutter of his cloak, but thought it best to take horses to the palace. It was as if he wanted to hide the full extent of his power, not something he normally worried about. Nefret dismounted and allowed the servant to take her horse. She took her place at Mozenrath’s side and they walked through the door.
“My old friend Mozenrat!” A man who was obviously Hadim called from the below the stairs. Mozenrath winced at the name but forced a smile and began his decent down the steps.
“Hadim. It has been some time.” The words were cool as they passed Moze’s lips.
“Yes, much too long. But I have heard quite a bit about you.” Hadim said with hidden meaning. “I am glad you could come.”
“I never thought you one much for weddings” Mozenrath said with a raised eyebrow as a woman took the arm of Hadim.
“Well, I really despise them, though I do enjoy wives. But this marriage deserves celebration. This union will result in much power and loss for my enemies!” Hadim laughed and patted the hand of the woman. He then turned his eye to Nefret. “You were never one much for weddings either. Tell me is she one of your wives, or maybe just a woman you have taken?” Hadim was addressing Mozenrath but he never took his eye off Nefret. Mozenrath held her arm closer to his body stopping the sharp comment he knew she was about the make.
“No, I am not married. A wife would only get in the way of my plans. This is Nefret Anuxnamon. She is my assistant.”
Most of the nobles who were in the crowd scowled and whispered as Mozenrath passed, but he didn’t seem to mind, he almost enjoyed it. But Mozenrath did finally find some people he knew and could tolerate and began talking. Nefret listen to the conversation for a while but became very bored and managed to slip away with a group of women who were beckoning her. Xerxes tried to inform his master of her departure, but Nefret grabbed him by the tail and would not let go till she was a good distance away.
It was a few hours later when the conversation was turning away from his interest when Mozenrath noticed Nefret was gone. Xerxes, who had been trying to get his master’s attention for the last half hour, finally had his chance to tattle. Mozenrath waded through the thick crowd but could not find her. He fled to the balcony to escape a group of flirty women. Sighing he breathed the fresh air and leaned on the ledge, and when he opened his eyes he noticed a young woman sitting in the garden below. Mozenrath whipped his cloak around him and appeared silently behind Nefret.
“Nefret?” Mozenrath cocked his head to one side. Nefret turned her head farther into the shoulder so he wouldn’t see her face. “What has happened to you?”
“A group of girls with nothing better to do than flap their jaws, that’s what.” Nefret laughed trying to hide her shaky voice. Mozenrath walked around and sat by her. He placed a hand on her cheek and forced her head around, and then tipped back her chin and looked into her eyes.
“Stop crying!” His voice was commanding but his touch was gentle as he brushed aside the tears from her eyes. “You have always been an impossibly strong woman, what could they have said to make you so upset?”
“It isn’t really what they said, its what they asked. They would brag about their father’s money and how many suitors they had battling for their hand. Then they turn to me and ask what my father owns and who is fighting for me. Oh they say it so sweet, but they know I’m nothing but a servant. They made me feel so ugly and worthless.” She was unable to finish as a new wave of tears welled up in her. Mozenrath burst into laughter. “Oh great, laugh at my pain!”
“I’m not laughing at your pain Nefret, I’m laughing at you foolishness!”
“Girl foolish!” Xerxes chimed in as her slid over his master’s shoulder. They both shot him a deadly look, and with a gulp Xerxes vanished once more behind Mozenrath’s back.
“Nefret, how could you believe them? You are more worthy than they will ever be. You are educated and work hard for what you get, they have been handed all they have on a silver platter, and it could be taken away just as easily.” His voice was a hiss and she knew he was speaking for them both. “As for feeling ugly, you are more beautiful than all of the noble women in all of the 7 deserts. You could have thousands of men lined up at the Citadel door if you wished.” Mozenrath said matter-of-factly. “Now I forbid anymore of this nonsense! The wedding isn’t until tomorrow and we have been given rooms for the night. Come to my chambers, I have work for you.”
***
The work turned out to be a book. Mozenrath had found it in Hadim’s library, thou when he had the time to snoop around in there was a mystery. It was on the subject of magic, but was written in hieratic, a language Mozenrath couldn’t read. Nefret of course could, and she was instructed to try and find a chapter on water spells. To her despair it was a rather large and unorganized book and she found she would have to go through every page to find anything of use. So she changed out of he uncomfortable fancy clothes behind the mashrabiyya (carved screen) and curled up on an overstuffed couch and set about her task. Meanwhile Mozenrath studied a few other books he had lifted out of the library. Page after page Nefret skimmed and turned, skimmed and turned… She was about half way through when her head started to drop. She forced it upright, but a few pages later it happened again and she gave into sleep.
Slowly Nefret became aware of her surroundings. The fog slowly parted, mist still clinging to the edges of her sight. She was in Mozenrath’s chambers, but in was dream like. Mozenrath was slumped over in the chair, a book still in his lap, Xerxes was beside her. There was a soft click, a slight rustle, then a glint of light, the moon reflected in a long curved blade. A dark figure came into view, standing beside Mozenrath. The figure raised the sword high over his head. Nefret suddenly realized this was not a dream! Her mind snapped to full consciousness, but her body was still sluggish. She tried to raise her hand, but it refused. In her mind she was yelling ‘NO! THE RING…MUST RAISE HAND ….STOP….NO…. DO SOMETHING… HE CANT.. MOZENRATH!’ And then she broke through, like breaking though the ice that covered a deep ocean.
“MOZENRATH” Nefret screamed at the top of her lunges just a seconded before a ball of red and orange magic escaped her palm. It struck the figure in the side. He let out a grunt of pain and the sword clattered to the floor. As he scrambled to retrieve it his face was caught in the moons rays for an instant. Nefret gasp at the countenance that stared angrily at her for a slow passing second. Hadim grasped the sword and fled in a storm of fluttering robes. Mozenrath was fully awake by now and was out the door in an instant after the would-be murderer. Nefret flung herself at the bundle beside the couch, digging frantically through the clothing she had packed. ‘Yes’ she thought as her thin fingers fell upon the cool metal object. She drew out the dagger and watched for a moment as it glittered and shone in the moon’s blue light. It had been a gift from her father, something he had brought back on one of the river trips he had made so often. The sort of trip that had killed him.
“Please protect me father.” She prayed, and then she added one more thing, just in case, “And may Hathor be with me!” Then she scrambled, running on both feet and hands until she was halfway to the door, leaving Xerxes behind dazed and confused. Nefret wasn’t sure the exact direction Hadim and Mozenrath had gone, so she picked a direction and ran. She passed door after chamber door. Then she had an idea; she would enlist the help of anyone she could find. “Has anyone seen….” She flung open the closest door, but the room was empty. Nefret opened the next, but it was just as vacant as the last. Nefret opened door after door, becoming more angry and confused with each one. ‘There were hundreds of people here for the wedding! All these rooms should be full!’ Then she stopped and listened. There was almost complete silence. She could only hear the wind blowing through the empty halls. “An empty palace…” Nefret breathed as the startling realization washed over her. There never had been anyone here, only Hadim, Mozenrath and herself. It had all been an elaborate allusion! Then a crash and a yell rang through the passageway, breaking the calm. Nefret hurried down the hallway. The doors and lit sconces passed in a blur. Suddenly the hall ended in a balcony overlooking the ballroom. So unexpected was the ending of the floor that Nefret could hardly stop and hit hard on the balcony fence, nearly flying over it. Regaining her balance she could now see Hadim and Mozenrath locked in a stalemate below. They each stood their ground, daring each other to make a move. A rather sadistic laugh echoed through the domed ballroom. It was Mozenrath.
“So, Hadim. It comes down to this does it?” Mozenrath lowered his gauntleted hand. “I think I have a pretty good idea, but…indulge me. Why?”
“I did tell you this union would result in much power and loss for my enemies, didn’t I?” Hadim asked as her lowered his sword. “Power for me and loss for you! Now I shall have power!” Hadim laughed, but choked as another voice rang out.
“If you posses no power how did you create the hordes of revelers?” Nefret yelled from the balcony. Hadim snapped his head around to see her, but Mozenrath stayed perfectly still, he for one knew she was there.
“A clever trick granted to me by Mirage.” Hadim said with a wave of his hand.
“Hum, mother will do anything for a price.” Mozenrath said half to himself. “Now tell me, Hadim, what you plan to do now that you cowardish plan of stabbing me in the back as I sleep has failed.”
“Yes, I do wish that plan has worked, it would have been sooo much simpler. Had I but known the woman would be in your chamber I would have disposed of her first. Tell me, you said she is not your woman, and yet I find her in you room so late at night?” He smirked at his own clever joke.
“You Jackal!!!” Nefret screamed in outrage. But Mozenrath only chuckled.
“It would seem to me Hadim you only have two choices, you could give up and beg for mercy, or you could try and take the gauntlet from me and let me gut you like a fish.”
“We shall see who guts who!” Hadim announced. Then he let out a blood-curtailing war cry and leaped toward Mozenrath.
“Very well, have it your way then.” Mozenrath said with a sigh and raised his hand, sending out a thread of blue-black fire. It hits its mark and Hadim was thrown against the wall. He stood up and grinned; throwing down a small vile he disappeared in a puff of smoke. “Parlor tricks Hadim? Figures, it was the only thing you were ever good at!” Moze said haughtily. Hadim appeared behind him, but Mozenrath threw his arm back hitting his assailant squarely in the ribs. He spun around and grabbed Hadim taking him down, but as he did the power hungry man grabbed his ankle bring Moze down with him. They now rolled on the floor each battled for control of the blade Hadim held. Nefret could no longer watch from a distance. She leapt over the balcony wall, tucking and rolling as she landed. Hadim was now on top of Moze desperately trying to bring the blade down onto the sorcerer’s throat. Nef threw herself into the fight, grasping Hadim’s shoulders and pulling as hard as she could. Hadim let out a cry of annoyance and flung an elbow back, hitting Nefret in the mouth. She fell off and lay still. It now seemed Hadim was gaining the upper hand. Mozenrath was to busy trying to keep the blade from coming down to gather any magic and was becoming tired. Nefret moaned but was able to get on her knees. She could see now Moze was losing. Gathering all the courage she could muster Nefret drew the dagger out of her robes and once more approached the two. She raised the dagger and plunged it down, but Hadim saw her reflection in the highly polished floor and moved to the right. But not quite quickly enough, the blade was plunged deep into his shoulder. He let out a cry and, in his moment of pain, Mozenrath was able to kick him off. Now enraged at Nefret, Hadim grabbed the bloody dagger as it fell to the floor. In one sift wild motion Hadim had Nefret in his arms, holding the blade to her throat. Mozenrath was gone; he had whipped up his cloak and disappeared.
“You see now? He has abandoned you!” The mad man whispered into her ear. “But don’t worry, I’m not going to kill you, not just yet.” He lowered the knife and wrapped his arm around her waist. “No I have other plans.” Nefret snarled, was this how it ended? Would Mozenrath just leave her? Her questions were answered as a blast of blue energy knocked Hadim’s hands away. He whirled around to face Mozenrath. Moze once more held out his hand, but this time it would be a deathblow. But Hadim still had a hold of Nefret’s dagger. He slashed Mozenrath’s arm and as Moze repelled he grasped the gauntlet and threw it across the room. Now he had the opportunity and he knocked Mozenrath into the corner. Hadim stood over him, holding he blade so close to Moze’s throat it made an indent.
“If you had only left the girl you could have lived.” He gloated. Mozenrath smiled.
“She is the only one who has ever cared for me. I would rather die than forsake her!” Mozenrath said as he closed his eyes and prepared for death.
“Than you get your wish.” Hadim began a slash, but was knocked over by Nefret. They both fell to the ground and rolled several feet.
“Nefret get out of the way!” Mozenrath cried. Nefret got to her feet and ran. Hadim grasp for her leg, but missed. Mozenrath, now seeing the frightened Hadim was defenseless, sent out a spell, but not a blasting spell, a holding spell. He slowly raised his hand and Hadim rose off the ground with it. “Goodbye Hadim.” Moze said sarcastically, and began to make a fist. Slowly he closed his hand, and so too was Hadim crushed, until they both heard the air escape from his body and he went limp. Mozenrath flung his hand open and Hadim fell, landing in a pile on the floor.
***
Nefret and Mozenrath sat silently in the Citadel study. Mozenrath had removed his shirt and Nefret was carefully bandaging the wound on his arm. Nefret was deep in thought. ‘I saved him, after all he has done to me, I saved him, because he is my friend. And he saved me. He said he would rather die than forsake me? He has never showed such emotion before. Could it be…is he not as cold hearted as he seems?’ she wondered. Mozenrath was also deep in thought, but what he thinks no man can know.
“Your keeping much from me about your past, aren’t you?” Nefret asked suddenly as she tied the last knot.
“I see no reason why you should know.” He said standing and donning a shirt.
“Because you are my friend I wish to know.” Nefret said determined.
“You have seem to forgotten who is the master and who is the servant is this relationship.”
“I saved your tail, twice! You owe me!”
“Then I will be sure to pick something up for you next time I go to the marketplace.” Moze said grinning.
Nefret laughed, he really was hopeless. “Well, than make it something good.” They both laughed. “Hey I know, Lets play hounds and jackals!” She suggested, picking up the small game table.
“No, we’ll play sennet.” Mozenrath said, but Nefret shot him a you-owe-me-remember-look. “Alright.” Mozenrath rolled his eyes. Nefret smiled at her victory, and took the game pieces from the drawer.
“What do you want the be hounds or jackals?”
“Jackals.”
“I should have known!”