Author's Notes: Hey everyone, I hope you liked the last chapter and will like this one as well. As always I own nothing. GW does.
The light of dawn filtering through gaps in the wall fell on Karl's face, cause him to stir and waken. While his wounds were healed he was still stiff and sore from the previous night. He slowly rose to his knees and looked around. Nearby lay the body of the other werewolf, he didn't even know the other's name and with his death so died any chance that he could reveal his mysterious partner. He supposed the only thing to do was to go to Pfeiffer and inform him that the killings were done, then back to Marx.
His own cloths had shredded when he had changed but fortunately the other had some spare clothing, they did not quite fit but it was better than walking around the city stark naked. After he dressed and gathered up his weapons he prepared to leave when he the thought came to him that Pfeiffer might want some proof. Afterwards he made his way back to where he had first met Pfeiffer. The thugs guarding the door took one look at him and opened the door. The man himself was again behind his desk, the remains of his breakfast spread out before him. He looked up and glared at Karl.
"There was another killing last night, what in the name of Sigmar are you doing about it?!" Karl turned up the bag he held and the severed head of the other werewolf fell onto the floor. Pfeiffer looked over his desk at it, not bothering to stop eating.
"Who was he?" Karl shrugged.
"Wasn't the talkative type. Though he did say that he had been hired to do the killings." Pfeiffer's expression sharpened.
"Who?"
"Didn't say. Just that it was someone who wanted a war between you, De Monten and Francesco." Pfeiffer sat back in his chair. His brow furrowing in concentration.
"I can think of a name or two. But this needs more looking in to. Regardless, you've done what I asked and stopped the killings. You can go back to Marx with my thanks." After that the man sat back and returned to his breakfast, clearly dismissing Karl. Karl took the hint and departed. Not knowing what else to do, in addition to not having any money, he made his way to the house Marx had been staying in. As before the Halfling servant opened the door, though he had come to the back door. Even with him clad in ill-fitting clothing, which were stained with dirt and blood, the servant did not so much as raise an eyebrow.
"The master said that you were to be shown in whenever you were to return." The servant showed in back into the study. As before Marx was at his desk. He was reading a letter, a ferocious glare on his face. He glared up at Karl as he came in for a moment then his face took on a more thoughtful expression.
"I take it from your presence that the business with Pfeiffer is completed?" Karl nodded his assent. "Good, something has come up and I find myself short of agents. I have sent Wilhelmina off on another assignment so I am going to send you." Inwardly Karl sighed. He was getting really tired of getting shipped off without any warning! Plus, he was still sore and tired from the night before and had been looking forward to a few days of rest. Oh well, he knew Marx would not interested and would book no arguments.
"Where am I going?" He asked with a weary sigh.
"To Hausenburg, a small village a week's ride to the south. At least, it was a village." Karl felt his stomach sink.
"What happened to it?"
"It's gone." Marx said simply. "Oh, the buildings are still there but the people are gone, every last one of them." Karl shuddered and Marx's face drew into one of distaste.
"Any ideas what happened to them?" Karl asked.
"That's for you to find out." Marx said, neatly dodging the question. "Oh," he said, almost as an afterthought. "There is one more thing. You will be taking the vampire with you."
"What?!" Karl yelped. "Are you mad?! Don't tell me you trust it!" Marx only response was a cold look.
"No, I don't trust it and I will thank you to kindly not question my sanity in the future. The truth of the matter is, as I said, we are short of people in the city and if what I suspect is true its talents will prove useful."
"Care to tell me what you think we will run into?" Karl asked. Marx did not reply, he merely stood and walked out of the room, motioning Karl to follow him.
They walked to the door leading to the cellar. It was a heavy oak door and Karl felt the tingling which told him that magic was involved. Marx stopped him and waved his hand in front of the door while he chanted something in a language that Karl did not recognize. After a little while he stopped chanting and drew out a heavy iron key and unlocked the door. Once he opened it he headed down with Karl right behind him.
The basement looked like other basements, with barrels, dried food and racks of wine bottles. Marx ignored everything and walked to the back wall. He pushed on a brick, which caused a section of the wall to slide out.
"Dwarf made." He said simply as he continued on. Beyond the wall there was a second, smaller room, which was nothing like the basement.
It was much smaller and lit by a single lamp which hung above a large cage, the bars of which went from the ground to the ceiling. Inside it was a bed, a table, on which was a small pile of books, a mat and a chair and two occupants. On the bed was Helena, sleeping the hours away. Curled on the mat like a dog was a man. He was small but with wiry build that suggested he was stronger than he looked. His cloths were ragged and dirty and he had at least a week's worth of stubble.
"Dieter the Deft." Marx said simply. He then took the key and banged on the bars, instantly the Dieter was awake and on his feet. "Wake it." Marx told him, indicating Helena. The man's face flushed with anger.
"You shouldn't speak of Mistress like that." He said indignantly.
"Do it!" Marx snapped at him. Visibly cowed the man turned to the sleeping vampire.
"Mistress the cruel wizard is here."
"Mistress?" Karl asked, looking at Marx in confusion. The wizard's lip curled in contempt.
"When a vampire feeds on someone it gives the vampire dominace over that person. The wreches believe that they love the creatures and will do anything for them." Within Karl the wolf growled in loathing at having ones will stolen. He was distracted as the man's efforts bore fruit and the vampire's eyes flicked open.
She seemed sluggish, more so than a person just waking from sleep. Then she spotted Karl and Marx, with a gasp she shot up, allowing Karl to see she wore a nightgown and the collar Wilhelmina had put on her.
"Good, you're awake." Marx said dryly. "I do hope I am not inconveniencing you."
"What do you want?" She hissed at them. Marx arched an eyebrow at her and she shrank back.
"How may I be of service master?" She asked in a subdued tone.
"Better. I have a task for you. I had planned to keep you here for some time but things have moved rapidly and my plans have changed. You will leave tonight so I suggest you rest."
"Where am I going?" She asked, fear entering her voice.
"The beast will explain things to you." He smirked as the fear on the vampire's face grew. "Yes, you two will be spending a great deal of time together. I hope you enjoy one another's company."
Author's Notes: Hey everyone I hope you liked this chapter, a bit short I know, will try for longer next time. Till then please pray for all who are sick, have some friend and family members in a bad way right now, and all others who need pray. Bye and may Jesus bless you.