Legacy of Evil: Cold, Cold Heart

My first meeting with Anton Trese could have gone better as he spoke aloud.

"You sir, have been nothing but a pain in my side."

I blinked. Next to me, Nagini stared on coldly, much of a serpent's gaze about her though Anton Trese took it head on unflinchingly as he turned his attention to me. It had been a few days at this point, as much for our own recovery as it was for all the mundane bits and bobs that came with sinking a cargo ship, disrupting an underground market and killing a LOT of people, visitors and local criminals alike. I found that I didn't really feel anything about it one way or the other, noted it for the future and spoke politely.

"Whatever do you mean, Mr. Trese?" In contrast my tone was far more polite, almost silkily so which would have had Dumbledore watch me like a hawk. I had taken the time to dress as nicely as I could, doing the same for Nagini now that she was to accompany me. What that role was exactly, I wasn't entirely sure just yet myself. I certainly wasn't going to force her transformation into the snake for example, her appearance being as much as surprise to me as anyone else. I couldn't leave her there either, and in the end, I had called her 'my girl Friday' with much ceremony.

After I had survived the ensuing attacks by her slipper for the joke, I told her we'd workshop it and that was that.

Anton Trese scowled, a man in dark clothing and neat hair, armed with only a strange dagger on his belt that drew my magpie eye though I made sure not to linger, as I paid attention to his words.

"There are quite a few complaints sent towards the Chinese Ministry as well as my own government, demanding your head for the murder of fifty-five citizens of ten different countries. Also for possession of a dangerous magical beast."

I cocked my head and asked, for all the world like I was asking for the cricket score. "What beast?"

"What beast-a giant serpent! One that kills with a stare, venomous bite, incredibly large!" He seemed to be getting angrier now as he slammed his palms on the table and snapped.

"You crazy Joe, you brought a basilisk into my country!"

I frowned and scratched the side of my head. ".... Huh. You think I'd remember that. No, doesn't ring a bell. Nagini, have you ever seen a basilisk?"

"No sir." She replied cooly as I nodded and turned to Anton.

"Well, there you have it sir. Honestly, my own escape was a miracle. There was a faulty rune along the ship you see, and a water spirit took advantage. It's a miracle we even escaped." My tone took on a shade of remorse and sorrow as I added.

"Of course, my heart goes out for those who obviously had very excellent reasons to be present at a market such as that one. Still, a basilisk? Surely not. I heard those things kill with a look-if it was a basilisk, wouldn't they be dead?"

Anton stared. Unfortunately for him, Nagini had the poker face of a brick wall and I myself, was a very accomplished liar. As I saw it, the survivors of the market massacre could try to push it, but then if they did? The subsequent investigation would also fall into their own presence there, the evidence being taken up by the Chinese Ministry in conjuncture with the Philippines government not exactly the sort of thing you want spoken aloud.

The second thing helping me was just how fantastic it sounded; a basilisk? Under control? They'd be laughed out by most, save for the most suspicious. Oh certainly, they could try to take me and Nagini in for questioning. They could try to use their little magical techniques, that sort of thing and so forth.

But the problem with that, was that I actually did have a basilisk and moreover, unquestioned control over it. I was also a single wizard who walked into that market, and left it sunk and its owners dead or worse. It wasn't quite exactly 'he-who-must-not-be-named' territory, but it was getting there.

Nothing more protective than a reputation for power and a willingness to use it.

Anton Trese knew it too, and in his mind, I had been upgraded from 'foreign agent' to outright threat and I was amiable enough that I could understand where he was coming from. It also amused me, so I leaned back in my seat as I smiled and spoke.

"But at any rate, I am merely here to fulfill the terms of the agreement with the Chinese Government I named. Nothing more, nothing less. Allow me to do so, and I'll leave your country soon enough."

The barely disguised relief I could see radiating off of him almost made me laugh, as he took out the papers and other bits and pieces, spreading them across the table. I picked it up, produced a pair of glasses and peered at the following.

It was the same information more or less, brought on by the Chinese agents when they brought me there in the first place. Except now, I could see a number of other things connected such as the autopsy reports, the manifest for the goods that ranged from women to more esoteric materials, like boomslang skin or human fingers as I looked and raised an eyebrow.

"An interesting market... So, it basically supplied a lot of other markets as well?"

Anton nodded. "It did, yes."

I kept reading, staring before I finally spoke. "Mundane weaponry. Guns, and so forth killed most of the Aswang guarding the place. Whoever did so was an excellent shot, going mostly for the chest."

"Stolen from a guard, but no fingerprints." Said Anton as I paused and looked at the picture of the last Aswang, slain and withered in the picture.

"This one didn't die from a gun."

Anton shook his head. "He died horribly and in great pain in his office. His veins burned from the inside out, in the strangest curse I've ever seen."

"And then on his desk, the Thule symbol. Not a forgery?"

Anton shook his head. "Carved out with a knife, crude but it was the same from the records." I nodded slowly... And then beamed as I set the papers down and spoke.

"Well, I'm stumped."

Anton blinked before looking outraged. "What?!"

I shook my head sadly as I shrugged. "Perhaps I might have been able to have done something, had I been there sooner. Alas, the trail is long cold and whoever did it, has gone to ground. But if you do wish for a hint, I'd look into an alchemist. That particular curse remarkably resembles something penned by Alhazred the Mad I've read about. Better safe than sorry!"

And with a final wave, I watched Anton open his mouth in anger and vanished in a crack with Nagini. Back at the motel, as I packed to leave, Nagini stared at me before she asked curiously.

"Do you think he'll find the Nazi responsible for that calling card?" In return, I snorted.

"No, he won't. Because there never was one."

Nagini blinked in shock, as she spoke. "But the symbol-!"

"-Was nothing more than a wake-up call for the authorities." I replied, stashing away my shirts from a dresser as I continued.

"But that was your intention, wasn't it?"

At my words, Nagini became very, very still as I continued on. "That manifest had a recording of various ships that came through, our little meeting place was among them. You fought in the war as an intelligence agent, and one not trusted with a wand. So, you learned other means, other skills-when we shook hands on our names before, I recognized the distinct feel of callous buildup unique to firearms."

Nagini was silent still as I continued on.

"Also, I recognize the effect of snake venom when I see it... Magical venom in particular. You bit that aswang in his office, though I'm not sure if you took your snake form on purpose of if you had no choice. The problem however was an uncaring ministry. They had let the market continue on without worry, they needed something to get them off their arses. They needed an old boogeyman and with your experience and knowledge, you knew just what to place to light a fire under them."

I turned to face her entirely and blinked. In her hands, was a pistol I didn't even hear being drawn as she pointed it at my face. I raised an eyebrow, keeping my hands in the open as I said lightly.

"Is that really necessary?"

She didn't smile as she spoke, the gun barrel unwavering. "Why didn't you tell them? Were you hoping to blackmail me, or something else?"

Now I looked outraged, downright annoyed as I stepped close and paused as she pulled back the safety. "Nagini... You may insult my face, my clothing, my choice in food. But to bismirch my honor, and my sense of humanity? I saved you because I wanted to, I rescued those women alongside you, because they were important to you. I saved those slave-victims because it was right and I hid your part in this drama, because I believe in justice. Bastards need dealing with, sometimes it takes a dirk as much as a bright sword. You and I?"

I gestured and added in parseltongue.

"We're both that dirk in the dark. It's not a bad place to be, with proper company. So... Now what?"

Silence fell. Nagini was quiet, her gun pointed at me before she spoke, so quiet I had to strain to hear at first as she seemed a thousand miles away.

"I had given up everything in the war, and I was treated like dirt. When I tried to return to the country of my mother, I was struck at what I had seen. Organizations, places and people who operated much as usual. Folks like me, lost between the cracks of uncaring governments. I did what I had to, and I don't regret it."

"So, you took action." I said simply and she nodded, taking a deep breath as she spoke. "I did, yes... Its funny. The idea of helping them came from my name, do you know its origin?" I nodded back, as I began to speak.

"Hindu mythology. A female serpent goddess, who protects women."

She laughed, a little hoarse as she shook her head in incredulity. "I had thought myself alone. I never thought I'd meet another." She looked me in the eye as she added. "Someone else, as broken as myself. Someone who knows what it's like, to be hollow." I stepped closer, no longer worried as I gently removed the pistol and turned the safety on, Nagini looking more deranged up close, as she looked at me as if she had never seen me before. She closed her eyes, whispering quietly now.

"I wish I was a snake entirely sometimes. Unfeeling, uncaring. Why does it hurt so much, to be forgotten?"

I had no answers, as I just hugged her.

And in the hotel room, the stress and the past few days just... Came to a head, as I comforted the crying woman who in another life, became Riddles familiar as I gently rubbed her back.

=====

I gave her the bed. I spent the night, contemplative in an armchair by the fire as I thought about my next move. I had failed this job successfully, and I couldn't stay here. Most governments tend to look with less favor on failed jobs, even if I'd get paid either way.

Second, Anton wasn't stupid. He'd come to the same conclusion, eventually given time. By then, it'd be well worth our time to flee. Of course, I would be taking Nagini with me. That was never not an option and as I thought to myself, I knew what my next goal would be.

Being the first wizard to cure the curse of the Maledictum. A tall order, but I was Tom Marvolo Riddle and defeat was not an option. In the meantime, the poor girl needed support, she needed healing. As much as I wanted to take her with me, I could not. The sort of places I would need to go was not conducive to a healthy, safe environment.

Luckily, I knew just the place to put her as I grabbed a handful of floo powder and flung it into the fire as I conjured a pillow for my knees and spoke.

"Wolftown, Conan Greyback."

The fire burst into green flames and I stuck my head in, letting it be transported in a dizzying place out to the home of Conan, my old friend.

From my view, I saw a well-made log cabin and a familiar face, a bit older now as Fenrir Greyback glanced at the fireplace and let out a cry of welcome. I smiled back, a bit amused.

"Hello Fenrir. Could you fetch your father please? I have important business to speak with him about." He rushed out, yelling for Conan and I waited patiently, before seeing my old friend step inside-ducking his head. I raised an eyebrow, looking at the giant werewolf form as I spoke dryly.

"Is it full moon already?"

Conan shrugged, squatting as he spoke. "Time flies when you have fun, no? Hello Tom, is there some big problem that requires a wolf and a gun?" He sounded hopeful and I felt a little bad, disappointing him as I shook my head.

"No my friend, this particular case is more delicate." I bit the bullet, speaking frankly. "I have a battered veteran of the great war, a possible ally and a victim of the Maledictus Curse. She needs support and care, neither of which I can possibly give. I'd like her to stay here, if only for a time. I'll pay of course for-"

Conan snorted and waved a silver claw as he spoke flatly. "You vouch for her? Good enough for me! She will have sanctuary here. And in case you forgot my friend, I might be uniquely suited to help her as well." He gestured to himself as he added. "Send her through whenever you wish. She will be welcomed here."

I nodded in relief, as I added in warning. "She may also be a fugitive soon. So you know."

Conan stared, his expression difficult to read before he finally spoke with fondness and exasperation. "You really must tell me what you are getting into nowadays. Perhaps another one of your manuscripts?" He seemed hopeful and I debated, before finally huffing out.

"Alright then. But for Merlin's sake, don't show it to anyone else."

"I make no promises."

We exchanged a few more pleasantries, I caught up with an old friend and soon enough, I was back in the room and thoughtful.

My next move now was to investigate the nature of curses. As far as that went, there was one country in particular that would be excellent for that, as well as a place I could evade the Chinese Ministry of magic.

What the hell? I always wanted to visit the Russian ballet.

And now, I finally had my chance.