Disclaimer: I do not own Warhammer or FoZ. Also, I probable don't know as much as I should about FoZ lore so if I bugger it up at any point feel free to give me an earful. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

A Pact with Ancient Gods

Chapter 11: New Light

One day before the exhibition was to take place, the Changeling was taking a moment to himself while Louise was in her classes. His contemplations were interrupted by the arrival of an ornate carriage. From the carriage came a large man wearing a red coat with a large cape flowing behind him. He carried himself with pride and arrogance before setting of towards the central tower. Before moving elseward, he spotted the maid Siesta moving across the grounds and decided to confirm a theory he had.

Coming up behind the girl as quietly as he could, he reached out and gave he a few taps or the shoulder. The maid quickly spun around before letting out a yelp and stumbled backwards.

"Go-Goodness Changeling you frightened me." Stuttered Siesta as she tried to calm her racing heart.

"That was the goal." Came the response between some snickering.

"Well, that was very mean." She complained while puffing out her cheeks in a pout.

"Either way I was wondering if you could help me figure something out?"

"I don't know I have to get to the kitchen very soon."

"I promise you it shall be quick." Before she could respond the Changeling flicked his staff and the teleported to a grove in the forest.

"What did you do!" Cried Siesta still disorientated from the surprise shortcut.

"I just teleported us to the forest, don't worry I can bring us strait to the kitchen when we are done. Now take out that pendant and hold out your hands."

"What?! Why?" Siesta's voice instantly got defensive and her hand shot up to presumably where the talisman rested.

"Just humour me." At that, albeit hesitantly, she took out the talisman and held out her hands. The Changeling had begun shifting through his pockets looking for something, and considering the annoyed grunting and several what could only be curses in tongue's she had never heard before, he was failing.

"This is the last time I go a century without sorting through my pockets." Siesta had to stifle a laugh as it had gotten to the point of the spirit throwing out items from his pockets creating a growing pile behind him.

"I'm sure I had it in here somewhere, AH-HA." Out of one of his seemingly bottomless pockets, the Changeling pulled out an empty glass bottle, but it was covered in layers of mould and fungus, there was even a tentacle waving around occasionally trying to hit the spirit.

"How long has that been in there?" Asked Siesta as she grimaced at the thought of that being in her hands.

"I stole it from Nurgle's supply cupboard around 65 years ago I believe, now to the main event, you're going to cleanse this."

"You can't be serious can you, that could take my days to clean."

"If you were to clean it normally, certainly, but not if you were to use a more, magical touch." Siesta suddenly thought this was all an elaborate joke, how could she use magic with her common blood.

"Don't mock me for my lack of magic! Was this all some joke for your amusement trickster!" She was angry now, how could she believe the words of one who calls himself a spreader of mischief.

"Siesta, I am not lying to you, you have magic in your blood, because of this and the man who gave that to you." He said while pointing at the pendant around her neck.

"What does my great-grandfather have to do with this, and the pendant," She emphasised her point be grabbing it and holding it up. "This is just a trinket I was given as a little girl."

"Well, that 'trinket', is the official symbol of the Imperial college of light in the city of Altdorf. That 'trinket' is only every given to those who pass through all their studies and trials, and emerge as a fully-fledged wizard of Hysh, the lore of light." Siesta was left at a loss for words after that revelation, her great-grandfather, was a mage. But she had never heard of a lore of light, or a city called Altdorf.

"Still need convincing. That is what the bottles for. Light wizards can use the purest light to cleanse even the foulest corruption with but thought and a single touch. Now forget all distractions, and open your mind to the invisible winds of the world, reach for the one that calls to you, then touch the bottle and free it of this corruption."

After taking a few breaths to compose herself, Siesta closed her eyes and opened up her mind. For a while nothing happened. Before she was about to give up, Siesta remembered her last conversation with her great-grandfather.

{--}

12 Years Ago

Upon a bed in a small farm house in the village of Tarbes rested an old man taking his last breaths, surrounding him was the family he made for himself in this new world he got stuck in.

'I suppose getting stuck here wasn't the worst fate I could have'. He thought as he surveyed those around him, his eyes locked with the last two he needed to speak too before he moved on into Morr's embrace.

"Everyone I just need a moment to speak with my grandson and Siesta, so if we could have some privacy. And don't worry these old bones still have some life in them." Everyone apart from the two left respecting the aging man's wishes.

"Now Siesta could you cover your ears for a moment." The little girl did so, "I'm getting you a pony." Seeing no reaction from her he turned to the man before him.

"My boy, I need you to keep what brought my here safe and hidden, until Siesta is ready to take it." A concerned frown crossed his grandsons face.

"So it's true, my daughter has your gifts, very well, when will she be ready to receive it?" He was concerned for the safety of his daughter in a world of cutthroat noble a commoner becoming a mage, would spark a dangerous response.

"The day Siesta can hold an orb of light in her hand, is the day she may receive it, along with this." He reached to his side and recovered his staff; it's base was made up of a white wood with gold details and upon the top also in gold was the symbol of Hysh in all its glory.

"Very well gramps, will this be all for now." He said as he took the staff.

"No, no my boy that will be all, now you go on your way." Before the door closed, he tapped Siesta on the shoulder and pushed her towards the bed.

"What were you and daddy talking about papa." Asked Siesta as she came beside the bed.

"Oh, you'll find out one day. Anyway, I have a gift for you." He let out a chuckle as he sees the stars in her eyes.

"REALLY! What is, please show me, please, please, please!" Her energy was quite infectious and he felt a bit more life in him as he watched her practically jumping on the spot.

"Well, if you ask me like that then I must show you." His hands came up to his neck where his order pendant sat, and slowly he took it off. He looked upon the familiar gold one last time before holding it towards Siesta.

"This was given to me by my school after I finished my studies. A symbol of my trials and sacrifice, it has been with me for almost 50 years now. I give it now to you, treasure it as I have." Siesta carefully took the pendant and slipped it around her neck.

"I love it. Thank you papa." She climbed onto the bed and wraps him in a big hug, which he returns happily.

"And one last thing for you to remember. No matter what, even when I am gone, I will always be watching over you through the light that surrounds us."

"Ok papa." With one final hug Siesta left.

I laid back into my bed with my final thoughts. All has been done and everything is accounted for. I am content with the world now.

"I think it is time for a little nap. But before that," I clasped my hands together in prayer and looked up. "Almighty Sigma, this old man asks only one thing of you. Keep her safe." With that said he closed his eyes for some rest.

The burial was the next day.

{--}

Present

Remembering the words of her papa Siesta, she grasped the pendant and pushed through. Suddenly she felt something calling out to her, reaching out she grasped it. Upon opening her eyes an ocean of particles surrounded her. Keeping hold she stepped towards the Changeling, she reached out and touched the bottle with the soul thought of cleaning it of this filth upon it.

Before her eyes the corruption vanished, burned away by the light on her fingers. When it was done, she let go of the light and everything returned to normal. The changeling looked at the bottle seemingly satisfied.

"I-I can do magic. Actual magic!" Siesta was amazed, she even fell back to the floor in joy, not caring about her uniform.

"Indeed, you are a light wizard, use that knowledge how you wish. Well, you wanted to be at the kitchens yes, so let's take another short cut."

"Wait I have more ques-." Before she could finish the Changeling slammed his staff onto the ground again, sending them on another disorienting journey.