Author's Notes: Hey everyone, sorry that it has been so long since I last updated. I have been in somewhat of a creative rut. I hope this makes up for it. As always I do not own Warhammer. Oh yes, Infectedotter, Grabner did seem OP, but that had more to do with what he was fighting. If it had been a Bloodthirster things would have not been as smooth.
Fortunately Karl did not dream and slept till well after dawn to the smell of breakfast. Going downstairs he found that Olga had laid out sausage, porridge and ale. He gratefully sat down and dug in, suddenly finding that he was very hungry. The food, combined with the sleep, helped him to feel better. Still, there was a feeling of gloom hanging on the edge of his mind and threatening to spoil his improving mood. Desperate to avoid that he cast about for something, anything, to talk about in order to distract himself. Casting about for a subject he suddenly remembered his talk with Marx regarding Faaid al-Kaba. It seemed so inconsequential now, but that made it even better. Something to talk about which didn't matter.
"So," he said in a manner which he hoped sounded teasing; "What has been going on between you and your love-sick swain?" She nearly chocked and flushed a beet red.
"Well Master," and Karl would swear that he could hear a slight giggle in her voice; "Things have been going most pleasantly.
"Since you left he has proven to be quite the gentleman. Once you left he has taken to coming around almost every night. He even wrote me poetry. No one ever wrote me poetry before, not even Max." That last part was said in voice which went slightly sad and an uncomfortable silence descended on the room.
"Well," Karl said after the pause had been long enough to become awkward; "I am very happy for you." And he was, she had had a miserable life so far and he was glad to see her this way. However; a new thought occurred to him.
He no longer thought that Faaid al-Kaba was working for Marx and using Olga to keep an eye on him. That did not mean that the man's motives were pure ones. He could be using Olga only for his temporary pleasure or amusement. Karl felt a fierce surge of protectiveness and he took comfort in it as it further banished the feelings which he was trying to suppress and resolved to speak to the man and learn his intentions at the earliest opportunity. After he finished eating he told her he was going out and left the house. At first he had planned to go to Marx and report, but he decided against it. His mood was returning and he found that he did not want to deal with the wizard while he was in this state of mind and so he decided to wander the city.
His wanderings were aimless and he soon found himself in a part of the city which he did not recognize. It was of a street mostly of shops which catered to burghers of the city. The street was, relatively, clean and well-maintained and there was no sign of any beggars anywhere. Not having any business on the street he turned to go when he saw a tavern near the end. It had a well-worn yet comfortable look to it and he found himself being drawn towards it. The interior was surprisingly clean and due to the early hour it was for the most part empty. The bartender was a Dwarf…no, upon closer look it was revealed that he was a man, though short yet broad and burly enough to be mistaken for one. He older, with his beard and what remained of his hair both being pure white. It was also clear that the man had not always been a mere bartender. The right side of his face was badly burned and a patch covered that eye and from the way he walked it appeared that his right leg was not the one that he had been born with. Realizing that he had been staring he hurried forward to order something and hopped that the Dwarf had not noticed that he was staring.
"Beer please." He said, placing money on the counter. The man nodded and thumped a mug down on the counter.
The beer was surprisingly good and Karl took a deep pull, his mind going back to Grabner and the dark thoughts which had haunted his thoughts since the two had parted. Just thinking about it blackened Karl's mood and he felt a flash of anger. Curse Marx for making him go! If the wizard hadn't sent him Karl would never have been exposed to all these thoughts and fears and questions to which he did not have any answers to! In his anger he gripped the mug so hard he that he felt it begin to crumple.
"It never goes away does it?" The voice cut through his anger. Karl looked up and to his surprise saw that the barman was still there and looking at him in an understanding manner.
"Excuse me?" Karl asked.
"I wasn't always a crippled barkeep boy. I was a sergeant in the Reikland Halberdiers and I saw more than my share of battles and have seen what war does to people. I see in your eyes what I saw in theirs." Karl did not know what made him speak, perhaps the man seemed trustworthy or perhaps he just wanted to talk to someone who did not look like they would dismiss or mock him for his concerns.
"What's the point of it all?" He blurted out.
"We fight Orks, we fight Beastmen, we fight the undead and we fight the threat to the North. We through them back time after time after time and yet still they come and we lose ground. Why do we keep fighting when all our victories seem temporary and our defeats permanent?" The barman gave a chuckle.
"You're a bit young to be so world-weary. But to answer your question: what choice do we have?
"When faced by all of these foes what choice do we have but to fight? The only other thing that we could do would be to lie down and die or submit to their less than tender mercies. That is why we keep fighting, we hold them back as well as we can till our children take up the fight and they fight till their children come of age, because that is what we must. It aint perfect but it is better than the alternative and if we keep holding them back they may never triumph. We may never win, but we may never lose either." While the words were not quite what Karl wanted to hear, that they were fighting a war which they could never truly win. But the words were a comfort anyway. They might not win, but now he saw that they might avoid losing, something that had seemed inevitable since his meeting with Grabner. He finished his beer, feeling much better than what he had this morning and stood up to depart.
"Thank you for the beer and the council…" He trailed off.
"Fritz, just Fritz and your welcome. Come back anytime you feel the need to. The Drunken Dwarf is always open." Karl nodded and left the bar.
He stepped out into sunlight which seemed brighter and warmer than it had before. He would not allow despair to rule him. He would be fighting for the rest of his life; however long that may be, but that was something that he had already come to terms with. All that he asked for was for a hope of victory. He had not gotten it, but he now had hope again that they would not lose. It was not a perfect answer but it was one that he could learn to live with. He would hold on to hope, it was all that he could do. Besides, who know, perhaps this was why the gods hung back, to test their servants and see if they would hold on? He was not sure if that was true, but it was better than what he had been feeling the last few days. He did not know what the future was going to bring, what it was he would face it, as Fritz had said, what other choice did they have?
As he walked down the streets he saw children playing and while he knew children could have their own cruelties there was also an innocence about them. One day some of the boys would be where Karl was now, marching to war to hold back the darkness while the others worked to maintain the Empire. He silently wished them well and continued on his way. To his surprise he found himself whistling in chipper tune, it was indeed a beautiful day. His mood was so good he let the pickpocket go with just a strong whap to the head.
He stopped to watch a play performed by a troop of traveling players, a raucous comedy which had Karl laughing along with the rest of the audience. His mood was somewhat soured when he once again managed to lose most of his money in a game of chance, though unlike before he had the good sense to leave while he still had some coin on him. Seeing from the sun it was approaching noon he decided to find something to eat. He was torn between going home and finding an inn when another idea occurred to him, something he had not done in some time. He made his way through one of the city gates.
He moved through the fields surrounding the city till he came to a copse of trees. Taking off his clothing he shifted into the form of a wolf. Reveling in all the sights and smells which the form gave him he ran about through the trees, rolling on his back. He rarely used this form, save to track and fight but today he used it for pure pleasure. He chased down several rabbits and devoured them. While the human half was repelled at the thought of eating the meat raw the wolf enjoyed it and Karl had to admit there was something…primal and pleasurable in chasing down the animals and eating them raw. He resolved at that moment that he would do so more often. It also further helped to ease his earlier feelings of doubt and fear, to throw off his human way of thinking and allow the simpler mind of the wolf control for a while in a non-violent situation. Inside him the wolf growled in agreement. That decided he lay down and fell asleep.
By the time that he awoke the sun was going down and the gates could be heard closing for the night. Not wanting to stay outside the night Karl gathered up his clothing and head to the walls. Using his claws his scaled the walls and, taking care to avoid the sentries, pulled himself up and dropped down on the other side. Returning to his human form he pulled his clothing back on and set off in search of food. He briefly considered returning home, but rejected the idea. For all he knew Olga was spending the evening with Faaid al-Kaba and even if she was not she would likely not have prepared food for him and he did not want to inconvenience her. Fortunately in Altdorf one did not have to go far to find someone selling food.
He soon found an inn run by a Halfling. He used the remaining funds that he had on him to buy thick beef stew, fresh hot bread and ale. The food was very good and the ale, in addition to his improved mood, soon had him singing along with the other patrons, even though he did not know many of the words to most of the songs. Perhaps fortunately he did not have enough money to become more than a little tipsy and he was able to make his way home without becoming lost, passing out or engaging in activity which would have drawn the attention of the City Watch. Once home he went to his bed and was soon asleep. A sleep much more peaceful than it had been the night before.
Author's Notes: Hey everyone, I hope that you liked it. Yes, I know that it was a bit short and trust me the next will be longer. I wanted to have a "day in the life" chapter and take a break from constant excitement. Do you think he got over things too quickly? I have two ideas for what come next, a mystery and an adventure, both of which would be multiple chapters. Which would you prefer? Till next time please pray for those who need it and may Jesus bless you.