Legacy of Evil: A chat with the Deathless. (Patreon)

I sent the Basilisk away for her safety. As powerful as she was, all it'd take was a lucky hit and that would be the end for her. As it was, she was far more useful as both a deterrent as well as a tool for retaliation than as an overt weapon in a fight. Not that I wasn't already working on something similar to fill that niche, but it was still untested. Then again, not many had parseltongue nor did they have a living basilisk in which to study so I was quite ahead of the curve there. 

Ah, but right. The ride of Baba Yaga which in mythology could only mean one of two things. Either her flying tools or more infamously, her dancing hut. 

Oddly enough, while the nomaj side of things had plenty of stories concerning that, the wizarding side was all but quiet, save for a footnote I encountered that just said it existed. As I joined the crowd in the Moscow metro with the nesting dolls in my coat pocket, I asked aloud.

"So, where is the hut now?"

Dark amusement filtered through my mind, as the hag spoke with relish.

"Imprisoned and chained beneath a prison of darkness and cold. In the shadow of Russia's greatest magical achievement, my home lies waiting."

"So definitely not in the ministry." I said as I paid for a ticket and she laughed. 

"Certainly not. The ministry of magic were loath to keep me too close to my place of power. In the end, I believe they would have entrusted it to Louhi who knew me best. Her and her little friends certainly fought well enough, that they earned that right."  

That piqued my curiosity and I asked, taking a seat on a bench. "So, you fought Dumbledore before then as well?" 

Baba Yaga's voice was surprisingly respectful as she spoke. "The Firebirds chosen? Yes, I did. Ancient history, when the fires of war engulfed the world, and our kind were feared as much as we were needed. Many were the nightmares that were brought out for the chance of victory, and I was among them! My arts brought a blizzard upon the front, when the bastard children of Seaxnēat came upon Zhiva's progeny. In the end, only the rats were the victors and that foolish girl of mine returned with her friends, intending to seal me away."

She fell quiet and I, with much to digest did much the same. These were the sort of stories I craved to know, both for my own interests as well as in general. Still, I couldn't allow myself to get distracted overly, I still had things to do. For one, I had to deal with Koshchei if only for my own peace of mind. Prophecy had been a bitch ever since the first seer spoke their word and, in my attempt, to escape it, we had all been played for fools and I couldn't help but feel responsible. How responsible is the purview of those reading these memoirs to judge, but in the here and now? I finally found a purpose for my power, and I would use it as much as I could to help out. I felt a brief hint of scorn from Baba Yaga at that errant thought and was once more reminded of her story.

She was a Hag to be sure, perhaps even one of the original ones that Louhi had told me. She had done horrible things as well, but to be fair.... I kind of saw where she was coming from?

Maybe it was Tom Riddles influence on me. Our memories of school and the inherent weakness of people in general who'd come craving power, influence and more tainting my memories with a veneer of disgust for the human condition. Didn't I myself, flee into Canada just to get away from people? How much more would my mindset be, if everyone and their mother also came to my door, demanding use of my skills and power? And yet, if I had power and skills, shouldn't I use it too? 

My breath came out in a puff of steam as I sighed and immediately, I became alarmed. My hand prepared to flick out my wand as passengers looked around in confusion as the windows began to frost over. Baba Yaga's voice echoed in my head, far more grim as she spoke.

"My son is here."

Around me, the various nomaj suddenly began to get glazed over expressions. In groups they got up and shuffled out, heading to the next car as I sat there, waiting and anticipatory till finally the car was empty.

Across from me, seated upon the bench was Koshchei himself, dressed in a dark coat and a scarf and ushanka. His fingers were pressed together, his expression was genial which honestly, terrified me more than his insane little show earlier as he spoke to me.

 "Thief."

He held up the letter I had wrote to him, flapping it once as he spoke. "You've a serpent's tongue. I hadn't seen such flattery since the court of the first Tsar. It intrigued me enough that I had to meet you in less, ah... Shall we say, strenuous circumstances?"

I very carefully, probed the feel of magic around me and soon enough found a powerful ward. In response, Koschei's smile faded briefly as he spoke.

"Now you're just being rude. You need not fear however, I solemnly swear that you are my guest for the duration of this talk and an hour afterwards. I so swear, I so swear, I so swear." Three times he swore and I could feel that same connection as I did with Thatch snap into place, his eyes suddenly more intentful and pleased as he spoke with comprehension. 

"Ooooh. So, you're a proper wizard then! Forgive my rudeness, had I known I would have accorded more respect."

"What exactly do you mean, 'proper' wizard?" I ask and Koschei chuckled. I realized, his laugh was eerily similar to Baba Yaga's as he leaned back in his seat and spoke. 

"I mean exactly what I say. Not a single wizard who calls themself such knows how to innovate. They go through the motions, but do not understand their roots. They use the Ways given to traverse but have forgotten the prices paid to do so. They utilize their wands easily to give them comfort, but at the cost of letting all else wither upon their soul. They're sheep, one and all and could not even prevent the loss of their own history from the nomaj. But you? Oooh, you're a breath of fresh air."

His eyes gleam as he speaks. "So, after I read your letter, I thought to myself 'perhaps he is simply ignorant?' Ignorance is ignoble, but can be corrected. Do you know, the worth of mother that you hold even now within your coat?" 

"I know she's a powerful hag." I say as I continue on. "Someone who manipulates the threads of fate, as well as bearing great power-" Koshchei interrupted me, scowling as he chopped a hand in the air.

"Fate, power, what is that but so much air?! No, mothers' legacy is far more than just nomaj stories of some witch devouring children or even a blizzard. No, mother's legacy is more than that." His eyes gleamed as he spoke.

"In days of old, when the world was younger, mother was already in possession of great power. All of Rus was her territory and her knowledge was said to be as deep and treacherous as the sea. Among that knowledge was that which made her most infamous." He paused, looking at me expectantly and I thought back to her legend. As I tapped my fingers, it suddenly occurred to me as I spoke. 

"Her curses. You want her knowledge on her curses?"

He laughed. "Ah! She was a greedy little bitch for any scrap of knowledge, but essentially yes. From her collection, I went further beyond my predecessors. Upon our island home, I took out my death and hid it most keenly. But it wasn't enough, not nearly enough! To ensure my immortality, I took something else as well. The heart of a powerful lord of the hunt, to ensure none would dare oppose my will." He huffed out and added.

"Unfortunately, its incomplete. I am currently stuck as I am, powerful yes! But not to the level I could be. With mothers' knowledge firmly in hand, I shall achieve proper apotheosis. I shall take my throne, return to the subject of ensuring Russia is back to those who are best suited to rule and those who aided me... I can be a very good friend. If they opt to stay in the way however, they will wish for something as kind and as merciful as death! Do we understand each other?"

I was silent and then Koshchei reached out his hand, skeletal and cold as he spoke firmly. "Give me back my mother. We shall let bygones be bygones, and this misunderstanding shall be swept aside by new friendship. I certainly would be inclined to share whatever I found, with the man who gives me what I wish for."

It was tempting. Certainly, it was an immediate answer to all my problems. Any problems I had with Russia would fade, if they had to deal with Koshchei the Deathless. I could get the information I needed, leave and from there? Who cares? I didn't know any of these people, I didn't even care. I had every reason in the world to take his offer and give up Baba Yaga.

Save one. I took a deep breath then looked him in the eye as I spoke. "I'm afraid I have to decline."

Koshchei was silent, his expression suddenly more murderous as I continued. "Oh, not for any good reason. Your offer is tempting and perhaps I might have accepted if I was anyone else. But I'm not. I'm not a hero, I'm not a savior, and I've certainly no true quarrel with you save for our cross-purposes. But there's also something else I'm not and that's stupid." I look at him as I continued.

"I wrote that letter, as if I was writing to myself. And if I were you, I wouldn't allow such a powerful potential rival to exist. Especially if they were stupid enough to just hand me the key to power."

Silence lingered. The doors on either sides of the car slid open as Koshchei slowly smiled as he got up and spoke lightly. "Correct. How unfortunate-I would have only broken you in a little. You had the makings of a wonderful second in command. What a waste." I glanced back and forth, seeing the various faces of wizards, among them some I've seen in the fractured memories as Koschei continued on.

"Certainly, other families saw which way the wind was blowing. And while I will keep my word and not strike at you, my new followers are not bound by such a promise. And from what I understand, they already have a severe grudge against you." He giggled and turned away, waving a hand as he commanded.

"When you're finished, take mother from his corpse and bring it to me. Goodbye, Mr. Riddle."

And as he left, I rose to my feet and stretched before flicking my wand out as I spoke. "So, before we begin? Does anyone want to get off this train?"

Wands were drawn and they rushed in, spells blasted out in force as I began to duel. 

I guess not.