The wheels of the cart stopped grinding. Hallbjörn's voice growled:
- Well, we're in. Go on, get out!
The young ratman didn't need to be asked twice. He jumped out of the basket, and found himself at the back of the cart. He could see through the opening under the cover the garden of Steiner's domain... and Heike, with a dazzling smile, who was waiting for him.
- Psody! My love!
- Heike! My darling!
He rushed out of the carriage, and threw himself into the arms of the young Skaven girl before holding her against his heart. Suddenly a frightful din of rattling sounded, and his smile froze when he saw all around him a dozen soldiers wearing the uniform of Altdorf, armed with loaded muskets, ready to shoot.
- What... the...
- You naive! The ratgirl replied, beating firmly back.
She left him in promptly, and snuggled against Ludwig Steiner, who looked at him with a pleased stare.
- Here, Father. We got him.
- I congratulate you, my daughter! You're an excellent actress!
- I do not have much merit. The boys are all the same; they drool and obey like a little puppy when a girl promises them a treat!
Other armed men equipped with halberds belted the small White Skaven, tore all his clothes and put him irons on his wrists and ankles. One of them flanked him a pole blow on his back, forcing him to kneel. Steiner came and grabbed him by his chin with an iron fist.
- You kindly taught me everything I wanted, and I'll take care of all the treasures and science you have brought me from Lustria. I no longer need you now. But I won't take the risk of letting you disappear anywhere.
- Shallya is merciful, but she forbids us to fraternise with creatures as vile as you, Romulus quietly murmured, descended from the carriage.
- Let me execute him, in the name of Myrmidia! Abigail exclaimed.
- No, my dear. I know it would please and honour you, but he's not worthy you stain your hands on him. I thought about something else. My friend?
Steiner released his grip, and gestured. Psody's heart stopped short when he saw Grey Seer Vellux approaching, with a predatory smile stretching his lips.
- I thought it was a good idea to send you back home, the merchant said.
- I find you back with pleasure-joy, slowly uttered the tall White Skaven.
Vellux gave the merchant a full and voluminous purse. Steiner opened it, and carefully pulled out a small warpstone fragment.
- We will make good use of it, won't you, Romulus?
- I am sure our patients will be thrilled to become stronger and tougher, even if they earn an extra arm or fish scales.
A Stormvermin grabbed Psody, threw him over its shoulder and headed to the exit. The small White Skaven still saw Heike, Steiner and Romulus looking at him condescendingly. He shouted with all his might:
- Damn traitors! Rots! You're not better than the Skaven !
- Shut up, you dirty rat! Steiner replied.
- May your brother Klur skin you! Heike yelped, before bursting into hysterical laughter.
- NO! WHY, HEIKE?
The young White Skaven awoke with a start.
- Why, Heike? Why?!
- Psody, Psody! prior Romulus called near him.
Psody jumped and squealed in panic.
- You filthy liar! I'm going to...
- It's okay, it's over! Romulus said soothingly. It was a nightmare. Just a nightmare.
The little ratman shook vigorously his head, which made him suffer martyrdom.
- Oh! Oh, Romulus... What happened?
- You have been poisoned by a hallucinogenic drug, and it has clouded your mind. Whatever you have seen, this is finished. I am with you.
Psody finally come to his senses and his eyes widened as he saw Romulus' posture. The prior was standing to his right. Rather, he was kept standing against a wall with strong rope ties which enclosed his wrists. Hallbjörn was in the same position on his left, like Tomas, Abigail and Nedland... and himself. He realised he was in the same position as Cuelepok before him, and during his nightmare where he had seen Thanquol break his body with a club. He couldn't help to cry a frightened yelp.
- We are prisoners!
- Admirable sense of observation, quipped the Halfling, always inclined to joke.
- They dragged us into a cellar, I think , explained the prior.
- Where are my boys? the mercenary captain growled.
- Hope they are still alive!
- Oh yeah? So I hope for those pesky lizards... hey! Psody!
- What, what?
- What is this thing on your head?
- I've got something on my...
The little White Skaven understood where headache nagging his skull from his awakening came. Romulus looked more carefully.
- Indeed... You wear a kind of… crown.
- Nothing precious, added Captain Ludviksson. It is very simple, consisted of rods made with... I don't know, I can't see in which material it was forged.
- I feel terrible... Psody moaned. Why-why?
- There are small spikes protruding out of this item. And I can see dried blood on your temples, so these rods don't protrude outside only.
Seeing the expression of rising terror on the young ratman's face, Romulus thanked Shallya for not having given him a too sensitive nose which could have fully perceived the acid smells spread by his glands.
- Romulus... I... I...
- What's going on, my friend?
- I feel nothing-nothing! No more magic! No more vital flow! It is as if I lost a part of my senses!
- I would stake my life on this crown, supposed Nedland. Our hosts have in all likelihood taken their precautions. I would have done the same.
- We did the same when he came to us, Romulus reminded with a sorry smile.
- Yes! I remember! It's like when we first met!
The scraping of a heavy door sounded into the dark cellar. Psody looked away, his pink eyes dazzled by the sunlight. The prisoners heard several friction noises, barefoot on the dust. Several very disturbing figures shaped themselves in the rays of light. Romulus narrowed his eyes. He tried to distinguish what he saw against the light, but he saw nothing but long tails, broad shoulders and elongated heads. Hallbjörn noticed the weapons their captors held. His professional warrior eye recognised huge stylized clubs and maces, some seemed carved in stone, and others were decorated with blades or globes.
The little ratman slowly raised his eyelids. His sight became quickly clear again, and he understood where the characteristic odour that was tugging his nose tug came from.
They were ten. These Lizardmen were very bulky, all measured over seven feet tall, and had a much more impressive musculature than Ko'Liňon's. Their scales were dark, and appeared much harder and stronger than the soft and rubbery Skink skin. One of them, which seemed to be the leader, had even horn plates everywhere on its epidermis. Their jaws were much longer, and were more like those of a dragon. All wore a fine work tunic, and bracelets, necklaces and other ornaments studded with feathers.
- Um, um... How you call that? Nedland asked Tomas.
- The Saurus. Throughout my childhood, I hoped to see them.
- You have silly childhood dreams, sonny!
- They weren't so wild in books.
The Saurus approached the prisoners. They detached them one after the other, tearing their ties. Hallbjörn hoped:
- Maybe we can try something?
- Be careful, they might understand you, Nedland mumbled nervously.
Whenever a member of the expedition had his arms freed, a Saurus knotted his hands in his back, under the supervision of another who stood ready to hit the prisoner with a mace blow. Tomas perceived in the corner of his eye a shadow profiling on the threshold. He cast a quick glance, and immediately turned to the captain.
- And then... Have you ever counted in your hunting table a huge creature more than twelve feet tall, as husky as a troll, with long claws, a covered with prickles back, and a beak powerful enough to crush a cannonball?
- No, kid. Why?
- Well, I think it's time to imagine new combat tactics!
- What are you... by Ulric's fangs!
The Norse didn't feel able to articulate something else seeing the gargantuan creature that blocked the end of his imposing frame. The huge Lizardman that was approaching with heavy steps corresponded in all points to the description of the clerk of Verena. No need to think long to realise they had no chance against such a procession of monsters, still weakened by the poison and unarmed. It was not possible to rely on Psody's magic either. Anyway, the latter was too frightened to try anything, persuaded to finish very soon in the stomach of the great beast. He barely felt the Saurus binding his wrists.
- Kroxigor! Tomas clarified.
- Huh?
- This huge being is a Kroxigor!
- Glad to learn it, really! Nedland growled furiously.
The Kroxigor put its hand on the head of the little White Skaven and clenched its fingers. Psody screamed, but he was more frightened than hurt. The giant Lizardman lifted him effortlessly, put him on its shoulder, and carried him out. The Saurus with horned skin emitted a powerful hiss, and its fellow pushed the Humans and the Halfling out.
The expedition members were left in the open air, blinded by the sun at its zenith. The small White Skaven parted his crinkled eyes, and saw before him something he had never seen except in dreams.
They were in the middle of a city in the same architectural style as Capatec Hanahuac, but this one was different: much larger, with more impressive ziggurats, more massive, and especially much better maintained. The vegetation was also more orderly, paved paths clear, buildings and statues intact. Above all, this city was clearly inhabited.
Tens of reptilian humanoids. No, hundreds. Skinks, Saurus, some Kroxigors, but also other creatures herded into pens. Tomas recognised stegadons, huge horned pachyderms measuring ten feet at the shoulder, with a bony ridge surrounding their skull. These animals were used to transport troops and heavy loads. Large roosts had been prepared in a corner cleared at hand, which stood on the same flying lizards as those of the hanging bridge. And in a large cage, a dozen of huge reptiles mounted on two legs were circling. On the passage of the prisoners, they roared and grumbled, showing a very disturbing row of sharp teeth.
- Hey, Captain!
The prisoners then saw all the other members of the expeditions, attached and held in respect by Saurus armed with spears and Skinks equipped with bows and javelins. They were pushed toward each other.
- Votiak!
- We did what we could, but these bastards fell on us, we couldn't see them coming!
- Many of losses?
- Not really, Sigurd responded. They used poisoned arrows and nets! I think we still lost a couple of guys.
- Arnulf, Klemet and Gottfried, Wor confirmed. They dearly sold their skin!
- They could have killed all of us... why did they kept us alive?
- A general ritual sacrifice, perhaps? Nedland ventured. It is more upscale.
The Saurus parted to let a particular individual approach. It was a Skink a little larger than the others, and very different from its colour and morphology. Instead of being in blue and green tones, its scales shone with a bright yellow glow. Its skull stretched backwards, like a huge olive, and its two gigantic eyeballs protruding out more than half of its orbits swivelled by small nervous stirs in all directions. It just wore a simple loincloth, no jewellery or any adornment. A long blowpipe was tied to a leather strap between its shoulders, and it held in its left hand a whip. It approached Psody and gave a shrill whistle. The little ratman recognised this worrisome figure.
Oh! That's the cold-thing with changing colour scales!
The Skink unrolled its whip and snapped towards the largest ziggurat. The Saurus pushed their prisoners forward.
- Hey, easy! Nedland protested. You damage the equipment!
Hallbjörn didn't care, destabilised by the behaviour of the Lizardmen. During his career, he already had been captured and carried in a camp with iron chains, especially by a band of Norsii Chaos marauders, then again by Orcs. Every time his captors had always jeered and spat on prisoners circulating among them. Everything was different here. The people of Lustria were demonstrating such an unusual and troubling calm. Apart the yellow Skink, and the Saurus and the Kroxigors that pushed them to advance along the path, none moved. They were very quiet, some were completely still, like statues.
The silence made the Humans more and more nervous. Young Tomas wanted warm up the atmosphere with a little joke:
- I guess I might be disappointed if I ask a lawyer?
- Finely observed, son, muttered Nedland without the slightest smile.
The little man was also failing, even though he was doing all he could to continue to seem cynical. In contrast, the young White Skaven was clearly devastated.
- Why, why did I lead us in there?
- Don't worry, Psody, Tomas murmured. I remind you we all were volunteers.
They were thus led to the foot of the largest ziggurat. The huge stone pyramid was large enough to hide the sun. The changing skin Skink once again lashed his whip, and pointed at the top. Willy-nilly, the Humans, the Halfling and the White Skaven began to climb the stairs.
As they went up, Psody had a strange feeling. Suddenly, he understood.
- Romulus... this is not the first time I see this!
- In your nightmares?
- Yes, and besides, it is not a vague impression. Everything is similar! The statues on the sides, the configuration of the stairs...
As he spoke, he saw fleeting, but very clear images. As he had hoped, his memory returned to him gradually , but he was too afraid to rejoice.
- We are where all the Cuelepok's Skaven were massacred-annihilated!
- Yeah, except we are at their place now! Votiak exclaimed.
Romulus murmured:
- Where there's life, there's still hope. Shallya is my witness.
Psody focused on feelings and images that seemed pleasant to him. Lady Katel's soup, Steiner's garden, sea spray on his face. But terrified screams, shrieks of pain obscured his thoughts. No doubt, it was Skaven voices, those who had been eliminated by their adoptive parents. When he lowered his eyelids, he saw the same steps, the same statues, except that there were Skaven instead of his brothers in arms. Nudes, weak and desperate Skaven, their bodies bearing obvious signs of multiple injury offences. And unlike what was happening to the Steiner expedition, Lizardmen whipped them, stung them with their spears, in passing.
The images were of unbearable violence. Lizardmen didn't retain their blows against their eternal enemies. But was it really appropriate to call them "enemies", in this case? This was what saddened the most the little White Skaven. The unfortunate ratmen of these visions weren't the selfish and coward monsters of the Under-Empire. Under their injuries, their features were much softer, more relaxed, more noble, witnessing a much more human personality: the wisdom of Slann tinted with the warmth of their White Skaven mentor was mercilessly abused.
The most upset was Cuelepok himself. At the head of this sinister procession, the patriarch didn't feel physical pain only. There was despair, and a terrible anger. The revolt ignited his whole being, and without the retention crown encircling his head, maybe he would have used magic to strike down all the sons of Sotek in the area.
Psody shook his head. He didn't want to endure anymore. Finally, they reached the summit. They were on a huge platform that overlooked the entire city. The view was superb, but none of the prisoners were willing to rave about. The little ratman had the impression to recognise this place more than anything else. That's when he realised that his eyes were on a heavy slab on the ground, in which were embedded two metal rings. During a quarter of a second, he saw Skaven thrown into the large open pit. Captain Ludviksson's voice brought him back to reality.
- By Ulric's beard, what is that THING?
Psody lifted his eyes to a singular spectacle.
Before them, there was a carved wood thrown on a stone platform on which sat a huge creature. This being should weigh four or five hundred pounds, and its legs, as thin as its arms, seemed too weak to carry it, and contrasted with its bloated body. It wore a necklace of golden plates, bracelets around its wrists and ankles and a cap adorned with coloured feathers on its head. Its palmate hand was clutching a sceptre surmounted at the end with a small golden disc. Its little eyes were closed, as if it was asleep. Its wide facies vaguely recalling that of a lizard was cracked from one end to the other by a mouth with thin lips, which emerged intermittently a long tubular tongue with round and flat end from. There was the handle of a weapon emerging from a scabbard within reach of his hand.
Each side of the throne stood a Saurus. These two were looked like elite guards, by their attitude – relied on their carved stone mace – and their outfit: they wore a coat of colourful fabric and a multicoloured feathers cloak. On their head, the skull of one of their pack animals served as a helmet.
All the mercenaries were gathered within a few yards of the throne, and the Lizardmen surrounded them.
- Brother Tomas?
- Yes, prior Romulus?
- This is a Slann, I suppose?
- Absolutely, prior.
- Is it their leader? Hallbjörn asked.
- Specifically a priest-mage. Priests-mages are the highest authority for the inhabitants of Lustria. They are the intermediaries between them and their gods. And do not be fooled by appearances, Captain. Although it didn't seem able to leave its seat, I can assure you that it masters magic as it breathes. And know that it should be able to communicate by thought.
The bright scales Skink hissed aggressively, intimating silence. Then it stood to the right of the wooden throne.
The adipose creature slowly opened one eye, then the other, its eyes blinked twice, and its free hand tightened on the arm of its chair. All the members of the Steiner expedition then heard a voice resonate directly into their mind. It was a soft, loud, and a few tired voice, the tone of someone who had lived so much experiences that all the weariness of a nation was weighing on its shoulders.
- Well, well... what have we here? Lost travelers? A strange company, indeed. With weapons, divine agents... and a Xa'Cota!
- A what? asked the captain Ludviksson, who had never heard that word.
- They call themselves "Skaven" or "Sons of the Horned Rat", but we nominate them with the term " Xa'Cota". A word that means "scourge", among other things. A word can not be more appropriate to describe this little white horror, continued the voice that became harsher.
Deep within him, Psody was piqued by the haughty tone and insulting verbiage of the Slann. Now it was no longer an isolated Skink, and any response from him included much more likely having disastrous consequences.
- Why did you come to our territory?
Captain Norse advanced, with determined air, well decided not to show any fear.
- I'm Captain Hallbjörn Ludviksson, and I am the commander of this expedition. We came here to explore the area and find some explanations. We were about to understand everything and go away, but your snakes attacked us, and captured us.
- This is your point of view, captain Ludviksson. Now, let me present you mine: you are looters, come to take knowledge that were not intended to you, and from you are utterly beyond. You are sacrilegious, without any respect for what is pure and precious to us. You are vandals, knocking everything in your way, nature and its inhabitants.
The priest-mage paused. Romulus took the opportunity to speak in turn:
- High Priest, I'm prior Romulus. Like you, I am a religious man, I serve Shallya, the Goddess of Compassion. We did not come with hostile intentions. Captain Ludviksson spoke truly, our goal was to get to the bottom of a story that was told us there a few months. This is this young boy of the people of ratmen who talked us about the relationship between Slann and Skaven.
- Our relationships are limited to war, prior of Shallya.
- This is what our scholars have determined, but our young friend here told us that at least once, your people and his kind fraternised.
- And you believed him? A Xa'Cota? Treachery and deceit flow in their blood!
- Not this time, Sister Abigail protested. We found other evidence to support this theory before mounting this expedition. And we followed the footsteps of Cuelepok to the city of Capatec Hanahuac.
The huge Slann blinked slowly.
- Cuelepok was a poor madman who committed a fatal mistake: he wanted to embezzle from their nature the sons of the Horned Rat. He paid with his life.
- Venerable Lord Kroak sentenced him to death, as we know it, Tomas responded.
- Indeed, and it is I who executed the sentence... as I shall pronounce and execute your sentence.
This statement had a particularly chilling effect on the morale of the Humans.
- Captain Ludviksson, the Slann resumed, but I thought you learned your lesson. However, your wounds are not healed yet you headlong into danger again! It is no more madness, it is a deliberate search for pain!
- I'm a Berserk, pal. Injuries and pain are in my nature.
- Is it in your nature to have such greedy behaviour?
- We must live, right? They pay me for what I do best! I assume.
- Including when it makes you lose many men, as at Zlatlan?
Psody's fur bristled more when he saw the Norse captain's face, hitherto unmoved, reddening with rage.
- Damn you, drooling giant slug!
One on the Kroxigors slapped Hallbjörn on his neck, strong enough to make him fall down. The Human stood up slowly and turned to the huge reptilian brute.
- What a beautiful coat I could craft with your scales!
- Behave yourself, the Slann replied. I feel that your men do not know what I mean.
- None of their business!
- Of course it is. They wouldn't like to know you've already met our people on the great Southern Continent, nor that all your men died there, with the exception of master Votiak and sir Barnrooster.
Young Ranulf stammered:
- Hallbjörn... it is not true? Tell me this it is not true?
- He told the truth, the Norse simply replied in a neutral tone.
- I confirm, Nedland added.
- Why didn't you say anything? Wor asked.
- To avoid spook you, Votiak replied. We weren't sure to meet these nice people. Lizardmen are not friendly. As long as you didn't know, you were more motivated and efficient.
- There is a city inhabited by our people, named Zlatlan, in the country you call "Southern Lands", explained the priest-mage. Before meeting you in this abandoned farm, Captain Ludviksson agreed to participate in an expedition to the land of the Southern Continent. He hoped to find enough treasures to recruit a small army, and try to realise I do not know which absurd dream of reconquest of what he lost. Another project in which all those who would accompany him never come back, of course.
- I do what I have to do for my people! Hallbjörn barked. It is more constructive than remaining your ass screwed on your seat, listening to the grass growing!
The priest-mage raised its left forefinger, still holding the armrest. Immediately, an irresistible force lifted the Norse to three feet off the ground, and threw him on his companions.
- Of course, the three survivors found nothing but disappointment there, although the fact of survival is already something. But all of this does not concern us today. Let's talk again about your coming here.
While the Norse captain and his comrades were recovering standing, the massive head turned slowly in the direction of brother Tomas.
- You, young Human, I confess your presence surprises me a little. I can understand that a priest of Shallya is useful to heal the wounds and reassure the most superstitious minds. The presence of a templar also brings in your group against-swing, which promotes a certain harmony vis-à-vis other people. What a literate and sedentary child like you is doing among such a band of scoundrels?
The young clerk of Verena coughed and explained:
- I'm realising a childhood dream, high priest-mage. Since I learned the existence of the Lizardmen, I have only one wish: to see them with my own eyes. Humans know you exist, but keep many a priori on your kind. This expedition is a unique opportunity for me to see you in person, and to know the truth about you. So I can correct misconceptions!
- What kind of idea?
- Well... you might aggressive... and inhospitable.
As he was speaking, the young man felt increasingly uncomfortable. The priest-mage responded:
- And so, did ever came to mind that these ideas could be correct? And a meeting with us could result in your death?
- Uh... I thought about it... but if you do not take risks, you get nothing!
- You will think twice before hanging out with bandits. I fear that you lose more than your time... and perhaps sooner than you think.
The Slann then spoke directly to Psody.
- It is your presence that bothers me most, Xa'Cota. The simple fact of having sprained with your dirty paws the sands of Lustria is an insult to our people. You put some absurd ideas in the mind of dreamers like brother Tomas, awoke Norsii scoundrels greed, you have violated the peace of our land, you robbed the grave of a servant of Sotek, you stole a precious item and besides all that, you murdered an honourable priest of Sotek, moreover one of my rare friends! What's wrong with you? Did you really think you could do all of this impunity, you fool?
The poor little White Skaven felt literally squashed by the pressure exerted by the Slann with its booming voice and its more piercing than the sharpest dart stare.
- Hey, for the item, I told not to touch anything! the Norse captain protested. I would have given it to you back if you had asked nicely, man.
- And then, we need to know what you want! Votiak added. First, you say that the guy we visited the grave is a "poor madman", then you raise him to the level of "servant of Sotek"! So what? If he was someone who ashamed you, we took him away, and if he was a sacred individual, shouldn't put him where any sucker could find him!
- Silence.
The Lizardmen got closer, and the closest whistled louder and louder. The Kroxigors roared. The Slann raised its sceptre.
- Your presence here is as inappropriate as the worm in a fruit. According to our laws, you'll have to suffer the consequences. This is a decision that I won't take alone. I'll contact my Slann brothers by thought. I'll repeat their sentence.
The priest-mage rested its hand on the arm of the throne, and closed its eyes. It remained motionless for several minutes. Long minutes that seemed like an eternity for the whole company, especially the little ratman. More than once, Hallbjörn was tempted to hail the big Slann to speed things up, but his warrior instinct told him to do nothing. Sister Abigail even wondered if the Slann was really addressing to its kinsmen, or had started a nap.
Finally, the priest-mage slowly raised its eyelids. Again, its detached voice sounded in everyone's mind.
"Since immemorial times, Lizardmen are installed in Lustria and watch over secrets, knowledge and concepts they are alone in this world to be able to fully understand. We are the instruments of the Elder Ones who built this world and created the people who live in. The balance of the world, keeping the forces of Chaos in their reality depends on us. Therefore, we must do everything to maintain things in place and we can't tolerate individuals as insignificant can threaten to disrupt our plans.
"You came to our continent, and have landed in a place where Humans are normally held on the sidelines. Then, you have ignored our warning, and you have profaned successively the temple of Tixoco and the city of Capatec Hanahuac. These are holy places for us, even if they are no longer inhabited, and everyone knows in Lustria they are forbidden to those who are not part of the people of Sotek. You have entered a tomb, you have destroyed the body that lay there, and you tried to steal an artefact. And because of you, a priest of Sotek who merely perform his duties by protecting Tixoco died. All of this begins to become heavy, strangers."
"But you're in luck. I explained everything to the priest-mages of the generation before mine. They feel that the injury is not serious enough to upset them and imagine an elaborate and deadly punishment. They do not want to waste their time and energy to deal with a case that we can simply set it here and now. They left me free to choose and decide the sentence I am about to announce. Also, by the powers vested in me as priest-mage of Sotek's people, I declare all of you anathemas. I sentence you to a permanent ban."
The prisoners looked at each other, both relieved and upset. They didn't like at all surrendering to an opponent, even if they felt it was the best thing to do to stay alive. The creature continued in the same monotone tune:
- Therefore, you will all leave this place and never come back. And anyone else who will return here to try to desecrate this place will be considered as sacrilegious, and we will act accordingly.
- You won't make us disappear? Hallbjörn asked, incredulous.
- If I did, your kind would eventually realise it, especially those who made you come here. This is what my peers have predicted. We do not need to start a war with Humans. But it will be our only warning. Capatec Hanahuac is in ruins, but it remains a taboo place. Now you'll leave...
Psody clenched his teeth, disappointed not to have got what he wanted, but his blood froze in his veins when he heard the Slann priest continue.
- ...Except the Skaven.
- Huh?
The huge creature slowly turned to face the small White Skaven.
- You are a Xa'cota. Xa'cota are the Slann nemesis. Your kind attacked ours, burnt our trees, destroyed our cities, again and again, and I know they have shipped the diseases of this country to spread them elsewhere. The Sons of the Horned Rat are a bane in the eyes of Children of Sotek. Letting you alive would betray my god and my race. You know too much about us, I can't risk letting you squander our secrets.
- No! Psody protested. I... I'm not like the others! I'm with Humans!
- In addition, continued the Slann in a higher tone to intimate silence the young ratman, you killed my friend Ko'Liňon. You are a murderer for us. Our laws are very clear: you deserve death.
- No, please! I won't say anything, not a word! I swear!
- Indeed, you won't. I will personally take care about.
Two Kroxigors then raised the great stone slab, revealing the black pit that had been the conclusion of the life of Capatec Hanahuac Skaven. The small White Skaven screamed in terror, his eyes bulging. The voice of the Slann explained further:
- In the unlikely event you would survive the fall, you die of hunger and exhaustion, all alone in the darkness, like the rat you are. Here is the punishment reserved for the offspring of the Horned Rat.
Both helmed Saurus approached the little ratman menacingly. Romulus took a few steps, putting himself at his side.
- Wait, priest-mage . This is a child who has spent his life in violence and fear, but he has changed! He thinks like us, now, and sincerely wants to have a noble behaviour, according to our point of view!
- This is a Xa'Cota. Even if he devotes all his will, he'll never have a noble behaviour.
The prior stood between the ratman and the two Saurus, which stopped.
- Let him go home, and keep me!
- Romulus... Psody murmured.
Six months earlier, he would have jumped for joy at the idea of seeing someone else sacrifice for him. However, as he had actually learned to reason with altruism, the risk of losing his friend was another blow to his heart. Besides, he was too panicked with the idea to be slain by these creatures, and no one dared to say anything more. The prior turned, gave him a small reassuring smile and continued:
- My soul is prepared to such a sacrifice, priest. Not his. He has a whole life to live, and only aspire to use it to make our knowledge progress. He has already helped us by revealing many secrets of the Skaven society.
- Maybe, but what he did with you doesn't matter to us. Forget him and go away.
Hallbjörn came in turn. He challenged both reptilian guards with a gaze.
- Not without him!
- I am ready to defend him! Abigail said.
- Me too! added one of the mercenaries.
- The first lizard which touches the little white rat, I carve a new pair of boots in its skin! said another.
Soon, all Hallbjörn's men raised fist. Again, Psody felt like being transported. All these people were ready to fight to save him! The Slann showed no emotion.
- Come on... you know you have no chance. We are far more numerous than you, and we have your weapons. You have the choice between letting one of you behind you, a despicable Skaven, or die there, all of you. If you choose violence, none of you will escape, and no one will come find you. Don't tell me this choice is so difficult to do.
