Kristofferson needed three days more to fully recover. He was able to speak and think again as he did before this succession of testing events. His father visited him every morning with Isolde. The Master Mage was relieved to see the young ratman's grudge was diminishing as his strength returned.
On the morning of the fourth day, Sister Judy examined him again. She took off his bandages, examined his scar, and rubbed some more balm on his side.
- Good! As I expected, you should be able to get back to action in three short weeks. But until then, no madness! No effort, no gallop on horseback, and above all, no sword duel! It would be a shame your wound to reopen. In the meantime, you don't need to stay here anymore. Come home, they all can't wait for your return.
- Thank you, Sister Judy.
The priestess handed a small terracotta pot to the brown Skaven.
- Spread this paste on the wound every morning and every evening for the next six days. If you run out of it, just come back here, I'll give you more.
- I'll make a donation to your Order.
The red-haired Human didn't answer. Money didn't represent anything for herself, as were the rest of the Order who had all taken vows of poverty, but after Wüstengrenze and Kreidesglück it was important to reconstitute the reserves. Kristofferson bowed politely, took his package, and left the dormitory.
As he walked through the temple door, he heard Romulus' voice calling him.
- Kristofferson!
- Oh, Prior! How are you?
- Very well. And you, you look healed!
Romulus put a loving hand on the ratman's shoulder.
- There, It is the real you! I wanted to see you, by the way!
He picked up a sealed letter out of his pocket.
- Here, this is from Miranda.
At this name, Kristofferson felt a light pinch in his heart.
- You mean you have visited Lady Schmidt?
- Indeed, I come back from Grüneweiden. Since there was nothing more I could do at your bedside after Sister Judy intervened, I preferred to find another way to help you.
- That's so nice of you, Prior.
- That's part of my job, my child.
- So what?
- Everything went very well. Helga received me with great respect, and we quickly found a solution. I guess her daughter will tell you more in this mail.
- Wonderful!
The priest of Shallya gave a small smile of connivance.
- Still, you should think again. Miranda seems to me to be a great person, too.
- Oh… You know, I… well, she's a little too homey for me.
- Anyway, she assaulted me with questions about you. I told her you fought for the Kingdom in Kreidesglück, she was really admiring it. No, really, I invite you to come back and see her, that should make her happy.
- After the way we parted?
- I don't think she's angry about it yet.
Kristofferson decided to stop the conversation at this point, he took leave of Romulus and left the temple of Shallya. Returning finally home, he found not without emotion his parents, his brothers and his sisters who were not stingy in hugs and relieved tears. Then he retired to his room to read the contents of Miranda's missive.
Dear Kristofferson,
For the first time for years, I see a bright future. No doubt thanks to my mother's mood, much more radiant since you left. Looking back, I realized you are right; we behaved badly. And I don't know if we really deserved the help you sent us twice.
Commander Schmetterling came to Grüneweiden, and his battalion spent three hours surveying the surroundings. The soldiers did not see a trace of any Orc. Before leaving, Lady Franzseska Gottlieb took care to leave two scouts behind who patrolled the area until the main body returned. I was very sorry to learn of the loss of the housekeeper. But I know her sacrifice shall not be in vain, the threat of the Orcs has completely disappeared.
Your second helping hand came from Prior Romulus. His visit was unexpected to say the least, but so successful. He noticed the wool supplied by our sheep to have a "remarkable" quality. He proposed to my mother to become official supplier of wool for the Princely Family. Her clientele will so include the wealthiest people in Steinerburg, and other towns. This will allow us to further expand our domain, and hire enough staff to work for and protect it.
So the future looks bright for my mother and me. But my heart swells with bitterness when I think of you. The Prior explained to us you were seriously injured, but you were a "tough guy who will always get up". If you're reading this today, you survived, and so he was right. However, I pray to Shallya and Rhya every morning for your complete, quick recovery. Please, as soon as possible, reassure me, and tell me you're getting better.
We were very lucky to have dealt with a man of his word. I hope you'll forgive my mother for her "invitation". I have forgiven you for your "departure". You will thank Commander Schmetterling for me again. And I will be delighted to see you again if by chance you ever patrol near Schmidt Estate.
May the gods watch over you and your family.
Kristofferson couldn't restrain a wry smirk as he thought back to the end of the Commander's career.
Ah, if you only knew... Besides, even though Romulus apparently didn't tell you anything, you'll learn the truth, sooner or later!
Prince Ludwig Steiner was finishing reading the elegant handwriting document.
- Are you sure of your accounts?
- There are a lot of little details I don't necessarily have an idea of, your Majesty, but this is a first estimation of the resources needed to build and equip a College of Magic worthy of the name, according to my personal knowledge and my contacts at the Bright College.
- That already represents a substantial amount of money. So I will have to multiply it by eight, if I want to be able to accommodate mages from the eight different Colleges.
- Oh, not necessarily, Your Highness. I've been told the Druids rely primarily on the natural materials they grow, such as trees and flowers. It will cost less than an academy of Chamon, the Golden Wind, which requires a lot of complex machinery and installations. I also suggest you call on the Dwarves for this one, their know-how will be sure to help.
- Without a doubt. But I am thinking of having a college built one by one, so the principality's coffers should not be emptied.
Three knocks sounded at the door. The Prince ordered:
- Come in!
The door opened on Kristofferson. Immediately, the Prince's face lit up.
- Ah, my little Kit! You come from far away!
- Hello, Opa! Greetings, Master Magister!
The Elf nodded.
- Your Majesty, I'll leave you. I imagine you have more important business to take care of.
- Come back in the afternoon, we'll continue our conversation.
Brisingr Steadyhand bowed, and left the cabinet. Once alone with the young ratman, Ludwig Steiner allowed himself to hug his grandson.
- I am so happy to see you saved, my child. You can't know how scared I got.
- Knowing you, I know no one else has ever known. You are a true ruler.
The Prince sighed.
- I would be nothing without you, your siblings, and your parents, Kit. Never forget that.
- I have come to tell you I'm leaving for Wüstengrenze.
The Prince raised his eyebrows.
- Now? You are insane! You must rest!
- Or course I must. Sister Judy ordered me a week of complete rest. But once this week is over, I'll be gone. I have to stay there for a few more months, my probation is not over yet.
Steiner sat down at his table, and shook his head negatively.
- Come on, you don't need probation anymore. You have largely proven yourself. And if it's for moral reasons, remember this: Schmetterling was a traitor. If so, he had been hatching his plan to undermine the Rat Kingdom longer than he told us. Remember the look he made when you reminded him, when you came back from Klapperschlänge.
- Yes, I remember him looking upset. I guess he didn't like his authority being questioned in front of you?
- I also think he was afraid of seeing his treachery being brought to light, because you were right; it was he who had appointed Kreutzer to head the Wüstengrenze garrison. If he had chosen someone else more loyal to our cause, you wouldn't have needed to go to Klapperschlänge, and that village might still be whole. It's true, you haven't thought about sheltering the villagers for the night. But in my opinion, Schmetterling's actions were much more damaging. Stop torturing yourself for it and stay with us. I have to name a replacement for Müller, he will bring the news.
Kristofferson gave a small smile.
- Actually, Opa, I no longer feel guilty. The truth is, helping a city like Wüstengrenze turn around... I like it. At the Klapperschlänge site, I felt useful among these people, and I had a lot of enjoyment working with them. And then, there is the priestess Carolina Kuhlmann. She is a very pleasant company. I would like to continue and finish what I started with these people.
Ludwig Steiner gave a startled expression, but finally had a small pout of approval.
- Good. So, in that case, if you can combine the useful with the pleasant… you'll leave when you feel up to it. Müller's replacement will tell Sister Carolina you join them later. So spoke the Prince.
- Thanks, Opa.
Kristofferson had a great pleasure to find back the good home cooking, and enjoyed it all the more after being deprived of it for days. When he announced his decision to go back to Wüstengrenze, everyone took it well.
To complete his full return to life, however, he still had one person to go and see.
He left Steiner Estate, and wandered through the streets of the Libra Quarter. The spectacle of all the most lavish buildings in the whole country never tired him up. For the past six years, wealthy families have regularly come from different horizons to settle in Steinerburg. Thus, the dwellings were designed according to the typical architectures of countries such as Bretonnia, Estalia or Tilea. An original owner had even built his residence in the image of an Ulthuan mansion.
The young brown Skaven spotted the property he was looking for: a huge, austere building, made of a single block of white stone, behind a heavy wrought iron gate. Like all the houses in the neighbourhood, this house was representative of the family who occupied it. A somewhat cultured visitor could easily recognize the architecture of the frozen lands of Kislev. The most impressive was the roof: like the largest constructions in the capital of the land of the Ice Queen, the house was topped by a large bulb-shaped dome, painted in bright colours. A flag bearing the Gottlieb's coat of arms floated on its top.
The guard on duty outside the entrance gate recognized the young brown ratman, and let him in. Kristofferson knew the layout of the place, but couldn't help but admire the interior design. Any visitor really felt like he had magically crossed the thousands of leagues that separated Vereinbarung from the Kislevite capitol. The furniture, the paintings on the walls, the tapestries unambiguously evoked the native lands of Lady Franzseska Gottlieb.
After a few long minutes of progressing through the corridors, the young Steiner arrived at the door of the reception hall. Voices shook the wood. Finally, the door swung open, and two men in uniform stepped out without even looking at Kristofferson. The latter pointed his muzzle through the opening.
- Uh… Jochen?
The tall fellow was seated behind the desk that had belonged to his mother. He stood up, walked over to Kristofferson, and hugged him without the slightest embarrassment.
- Ah, my friend! What a pleasure to see you standing!
- The pleasure is shared, but do not hug me so hard, please!
- Oh sorry! the Human apologized, laughing.
- So what's going on? Who were these guys?
- The main supporters of Schmetterling. They reproached me having been too violent with this dirty trash. They came to tell me they were planning to create problems for me.
Kristofferson had learned, of course, how Jochen had dealt with the traitorous Commander.
- So what? Worried they'll make you demote, or get locked?
- Neither, because there has been a change: I and my sister left the army. We are now the representatives of the Prince, and by our noble ancestry, we have authority over all those who do not have any title, which is the case with these two buffoons. I am now Lord Jochen Gottlieb, and Marjan is a Lady, it's official. We're not going to meddle in military affairs anymore.
- Oh... So what are you going to do?
- I don't know yet. The most logical thing would be for me to do what every lord must do: I settle down somewhere, I create my own domain, since I no longer have a paternal domain to receive, I marry the daughter of a neighbouring lord to create an alliance, and then after... we'll see.
- My grandfather should be able to do something for you, you should ask him?
The young man shook his head.
- Your grandfather has already done a lot for my family, Kit. I think we owe him enough, Marjan and me.
- Don't believe that. Your mother gave her life to save Wüstengrenze.
Jochen made a face.
- Yeah... But I don't want to sound like a weakling.
- After what you did to Schmetterling, I challenge anyone to tell that in front of you!
- True, but I have to be twice as careful now that I'm a lord.
- Speaking of which… I would like to tell you that I empathize, my brother.
- Thank you, my brother.
- Are you two holding up?
- We do what we can.
- How's your sister?
- Like me: she has known better, but she will get over it. Precisely, we started to think about what we could bring to this Rat Kingdom.
- You two already bring a lot of things.
- Marjan had an idea, Jochen explained with a mysterious little smile. She believes certain aspects of the history of the Under-Empire should be explored further. Of course, we talked for hours with your father about the different Clans, their methods, their means... But we realized we didn't know much about Clan Eshin.
- According to Psody, this is the most mysterious of all the Clans.
- Indeed, Marjan had the idea to unlock all its secrets. An Eshin killed our father, Kit, that would be good revenge for both of us.
- Hmm… Well, why not?
- We don't know where to start yet, but we're working on it.
- Well, I wish this quest to be successful!
After this conversation, Kristofferson left the mansion and went down into the park. The Gottlieb Estate was the richest in the whole city, after Steiner's, it had a large garden. Lady Franzseska hadn't import flowers or trees from Kislev. As much as building a house and furniture in the style of his native land had been possible, growing plants from that land would have been difficult, given the very different climatic conditions, not to mention the cost. But it was still very pleasant to walk on its paths.
He found Marjan sitting on a bench. As usual, the tall Human woman was dressed in simple and practical clothes. When she saw the brown Skaven approaching her, she jumped up.
- Hey, Kit!
She hugged young Steiner.
- May Ulric bite my head off, it's good to see you in one piece again!
- You have no idea, Marjan! I was so ashamed of myself!
- Why, by Ursun's mane?
It was with great difficulty that Kristofferson articulated:
- I broke my word. My place was by your side. If I had been there, maybe we wouldn't have... well, Lady Franzseska...
- Don't say a single word more, Kit. I get it.
- I'm really sorry, Marjan… I should have been by your side. The Prince ordered me to go with my father, but I wanted to fight with you.
- Don't worry, Kit. Your grandfather was right, your father needed you more than I did. Either way, you've always been by my side, and I thank you for that. It's on me to be sorry. I would have liked to see you sooner, but ... the doves stopped me. "Only the closest family members can visit him", they said. I walked away like an idiot... I kept imagining you dying in this damn temple. And there I was, like a jerk, there was nothing I could do. Not even come to see you.
- No harm.
Finally, after several days of rehashing this frustration, the young brown Skaven felt his stomach loosen.
- Your mother was the bravest human I have ever known.
- She was a she-wolf. But in a good sense. When you speak of a "wolf," you often mean someone who is greedy, who will stop at no low blow to overthrow his rivals and achieve its ends. Not my mother. She was a noble she-wolf, who defended her pups tooth and nail.
She resumed her place on the bench, imitated by Kristofferson.
- Did your father tell you what happened in Gottliebschloss?
- Vaguely. Basically, Grey Seer Vellux troops arrived, slaughtered everyone, and locked you, your brother, your mother and mine in a cage guarded by my uncle.
- I was almost of married age at the time. In fact, we were planning my wedding when this all happened.
- A marriage with a neighbouring lord? Jochen explained to me this is what he will have to do.
- Yes, it was planned with Lord Gruber, a friend of my father's, who was the same age. It didn't make me happy, but it was the duty of the family. What happened that night... Everything changed. I was scared, I admit, but my mother reassured me, with yours. First, she defended us with all her energy when the Feral Skaven attacked. Then she never showed the slightest sign of weakness. When we arrived here, I vowed to myself I would never be afraid again, and be so strong and courageous.
- And you made it. I've never seen you shake.
The tall blonde woman remained stoic for a few long seconds, then suddenly her face contorted in pain. She leaned on Kristofferson's shoulder, and cried loudly.
- I'm sick of it, Kit! This world is really disgusting!
- We do our best to make this disgusting world a better place. I am proof of that!
- Yeah, but you're a boy. You don't know how difficult it is to be a woman of the Kislevite nobility! I do everything to be the best, but sometimes, it's just crap!
- You're the best.
- And the other bastard traitor who saw me already attached to a lord! That asshole was no better than my father! Why are they all obsessed by this idea to marry me?
- They are afraid of what you will accomplish for the Rat Kingdom, and believe me, they are quite right.
Finally, the tall blonde woman smiled through her tears. She calmed down a bit, wiped her eyes, let out a deep sigh. Then she changed the theme of conversation.
- Hey, I talked to your friend, Sister Carolina Kuhlmann. It was a little surreal talking about you each on one side of this chasm. I assured her you really insisted on coming and join us, but that you had orders. She understood.
- So much the better. Thank you, it's important for me to know that she doesn't take me for a quitter.
- Oh, from what I've seen, doesn't that sound like to be her kind? In any case, she's a charming little one.
- I hope one day she will find a good husband.
Marjan twitched.
- This wedding idea again! To do what? Maintain her and make her lay a bunch of kids?
- To make her happy. If you get to know her, you'll see she is a good person, and she deserves to be happy. And I think it is in the midst of the people who love her and whom she loves that she can be fully happy.
- Hmm... What about you? You deserve to be happy, too. When do you find yourself a girl?
- Well, I'm working on it! I already have the priestess for the wedding!
- This Sister Carolina? Hey, it's good to be organized, but maybe you should start from the beginning, right?
The two friends laughed together. Then Kristofferson left Marjan. But as he circled the main house to make his way to the front gate, he felt the blonde Human's gaze follow him. He then thought:
Yes, I'm working on it ... it's just a matter of courage.
Psody was delighted.
Finally, after all these vagaries, it was over.
The White Skaven who had tormented him had paid for this affront with his life. His accomplice was still on the loose, but he probably wouldn't have the same boldness or efficiency now he was all alone.
The Orcs had been defeated and driven back. The rebuilding of the Wüstengrenze bridge would take time, of course, but thanks to the know-how of the Dwarves, it would be replaced.
Relations with the Kingdom of Prince Calderon were undertaken under the best auspices. The Prince of Vereinbarung would have no trouble receiving him in style, and making Sueño the first principality of the Renegade Crowns to officially collaborate with the Rat Kingdom.
But most important to the White Skaven was his family. Despite the dangers of war, Larn's intrusion, multiple tensions, Schmetterling's betrayal, all the members of his family were still by his side. His beloved wife, his father, and their five children.
Above all, Kristofferson was saved.
His bitterness had quickly dissipated, and he would soon be leaving to participate in the rehabilitation of Wüstengrenze with his friends who had remained there, in good spirits, with the blessing of the Prince.
Many had lost at least one parent in this war, and the Gottlieb Twins had unfortunately been not spared. The Prince had promised them to assume Schmetterling's pledge, and to erect statues in honour of Lady Franzseska and Captain Müller. He added the steward would also have a headstone with her name in the cemetery of Morr's temple in Steinerburg.
And despite all these dreadful events, Psody had been spared. The Horned Rat hadn't called him too harsh accounts, after all.
He had especially enjoyed the supper, the first to count all the members of the Steiner family and their loved ones, in a good mood, without the slightest concern, for a long time. And after an evening of getting some fresh air in the park, and making plans for the future with Magister Steadyhand, he walked through his bedroom door, humming.
- I'm so happy-relieved, my dear! Everything is back to normal!
Heike, already on the bed, sighed in relief.
- Me too, I'm happy to see you like that. No more worries, no need to stun yourself with drugs... I can tell, you haven't taken Esmeralda's calming nectar since your return.
- No more need-need, and yet I was tempted to!
- Then maybe I would have done what Gab did, the ratwoman replied with a mischievous smile.
Her smile quickly faded, however.
- Well, you know, it's not "back to normal". Nothing will ever be completely "normal".
The White Skaven turned his back to hide his wife his worried expression. As he spoke, he took off his clothes and put on his nightgown.
- You're right-right. We have lost valuable people. Franzseska meant a lot to our family and to the Rat Kingdom. Hopefully, Opa can find someone up to the job to replace her. In any case, on the side of official functions, because as a mother-friend...
- Yes my love. It's impossible. Franzseska is irreplaceable.
The White Skaven settled on the mattress. Suddenly, a thought that he had thought was buried in a dark corner of his memory suddenly came to his mind.
- Iapoch really was a disgusting-sickening dirty little scoundrel!
- He was, but he wasn't stupid. He knew how to hit where it hurt. Lies, manipulations to make you doubt! But Shallya reminded you that love is stronger.
- No, my love-darling. Shallya didn't, you and just you did.
- Yet you do not seem to have a clear conscience? It's all over, the Feral Skaven won't be back anytime soon!
- In fact, I think back to the last words of that Grey Seer. He…
This time, Psody dared not go further, fearing to reveal something too difficult for his partner to bear. She didn't leave him in his silence.
- What?
- Hmm...
- Psody, I'm going to ask you for the last time without getting upset: what treachery did this bandit tell you?
- He told me… he told me Kristofferson is not my son.
Heike felt his stomach tighten, as if gripped by an icy paw.
- Did he say that?
- He pretended the father was Vellux. Since you were his captive, he would have… taken advantage of it.
- "Taken advantage"? Heike repeated slowly.
- Iapoch might be Kit's blood brother.
When the White Skaven dared to look his mate in the eye, he didn't see the sadness he was expecting. Just anger.
- Is that why you killed him? To prevent him from claiming this lie?
- No! I killed him because by saying that, he was insulting Kit and you-me!
- So you didn't believe him?
- Of course not, my heart-love!
But she didn't find him convinced. She grabbed him by his horns, and forced him to look at her. Furious, she articulated firmly:
- Read my lips, Psody-Prospero Steiner: I never, ever loved anyone else than you. And no one, ever, has abused me, and especially not that rascal, cursed Grey Seer Vellux! Kristofferson is your son, as are his two brothers, and his two sisters are your daughters. These five children are ours, and no one else! If someone says otherwise in my presence, it will screw up for this someone, and twice as much if it's you!
And she kissed him passionately to keep him from answering anything. When she felt Psody's fingers furiously untying the cords of her nightgown, she undressed him in turn in an instant. The two Skaven threw themselves onto the bed together, laughing out loud, and quickly, nothing mattered to either of them.
END OF THE FIRST PART