Cassius Zadok Thaddeus, first emperor of Azroth… Of course, she knew that name. No Cazrothian child would claim they knew not the man whom the empire was named after. Every bedtime tale was linked to the man. The empire itself was named after the man.
The stories said he lived almost four hundred years ago and he was hailed differently in every tale for he went by many names.
Some called him 'The Conqueror of kingdoms, and many called him 'The unifier of lands,' others who were his enemies called him 'The hunting hound of the devil.'
He was 'The Slayer of Kings'.
But according to the tales, his life had no happy ending.
Seated upon her old squeaky bed, for no chair in the small cottage could contain the monster that had forced its way into her home, the monster who claimed to be the first emperor of Azroth, looked entirely out of place.
Lydia tried to hide her trembling, but it was hard not to quake in front of a monster that was at least three and a half feet taller than her. Not only that, but it also had a ghastly smell that filled the room making the art of breathing harder than controlling her trembling body.
"So Lyanna passed." says the man whom she now knew as Duke Obadiah… Festus Obadiah, for he told her 'twas his name.
"Aye."
"And you are her child?"
"Aye."
"Then surely you must have received your mother's gift."
"N-nay," She lied, "I am but a powerless lady and—"
"Lies." The low growl of the beast vibrated in the pit of her stomach, his odd eyes glared at her with murderous intent and the little control she had over her trembling body was lost.
"I smell thee… Witch." The beast spoke further, "I see thee. Thou canst deceive my eyes. Thou art not just any witch, thou art a moon witch."
Lydia's eyes widened and her legs for a moment gave up on her, causing her to stagger. For the life of her she could not fathom how the beast knew she was a witch, and worse, he knew she was a moon witch!
"You filthy accursed woman!" Festus drew his blade and it kissed the side of her bare neck. She instantly sucked in air and held it in for fear of the blade digging into her if she let it out.
"How dare a creature like you lie to me?!" Festus roared.
"Now you will do as I say or I shall gain much pleasure in peeling your damned pale skin from your body! Do you understand me?!"
She was terrified. Not only of the blade that remained at her neck but of the beast that constantly growled in front of her.
"You shall lift the curse from His Majesty. I do not care how you do it. I do not care if it costs you your life, but you will do as I have told you."
At that moment, Lydia suddenly heard the voice of her late mother resonate in her head… Words from a not-so-distant memory, "My dear child, anyone who is willing to risk coming to us albeit witches has been banned for centuries now, such a person is definitely in need of our gift. That is why we must bargain well. So as not to be exploited. As much as we give, we should receive too, no one who requires a witch and eventually finds one would be able to reject her offer and go in search of a different witch. Because in a village of a thousand men, only two witches living in hiding might exist, so finding one witch would prove to be such an ordeal, do you think they would want to do it twice? We must know how to bargain or else, we rot away and die without gaining any recognition or appreciation for our services. So never forget, the power lies in your hands."
Those were the words of her late mother.
Remembering them made it seem like her mother was standing behind her, with arms wrapped around her, backing her up. And it caused courage to brew inside her.
Her mother always told her, that she was special, her abilities were precious, and that the world was just filled with evil people who hated anything that they believed was a threat to them. The Cazroth Empire was a wicked place that hated witches. So if one of them haters eventually sought the ability of a witch, it was only right that she received something meaningful in return.
With her heart steadied and fear suppressed, Lydia spoke "What shall I be getting in return?"
"What? You insolent creature! Do you think this is a bargain?"
"Clearly not. However, I can also tell that you have no thoughts of sparing my life. Be I of use to you and refuse you, you will kill me, and be I of no use to you, you shall not let me go for I have seen your face and I know your name and for that reason, thou shall not let me live, so if I am to die either way, I would rather make a bargain with you than help you without gaining anything in return and then die still."
"You foolish-"
"And besides, if the tales told are true and if he be who you claim he is, then he was cursed by a moon witch like myself. Only a moon witch can lift the curse placed by another moon witch. In an empire where witches are burnt on a cross, do you think you will find another moon witch to take my place?"
"You insolent—"
"What dost thou wish for?" There was something about the growling voice that made her shudder with fear again. It was a calm and slow voice, but it was defined and firm.
"In my present state, I have nothing to offer thee, but a covenant I make with thee tonight, that if thou doth lift this curse, and I be a man again, I shall reclaim my place as emperor of Azroth and give unto thee whatever thou shall ask of me."
Such an offer… Whatever she shall ask.
Lydia dared to stare directly into the gray and gold odd eyes of the beast and she saw no lie.
"Whatever I shall ask?" She dared to ask.
"Aye." He nodded.
Lydia thought for a while. If he was who he claimed to be, Cassius Zadok Thaddeus, first emperor of Azroth, then she knew he was surely going to be able to take back his place as emperor because he was a fearsome warrior… So the tales were told.
Never in her life had she dreamt of receiving a guest as mighty as an emperor. So if she could ask anything of an almighty emperor, what would it be?
And it hit her… What she wanted.
"Then," She lifted her head and stared directly at him, and firmly she said, "lift the ban on witches and bring me with you to the royal palace