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 14: Hunt for the Light Maid

Louise

I was still getting used to this new body, taking some cautious steps while keeping my hand on my bed in case I fell. Just as I was starting to get the hang of it the Changeling spoke again.

"You do realise that the Fay just floated every, right? And that now you have all her ability's, you can do that too." He said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Shifting back through the foreign mind I found he was right, with a little bit of difficulty I tried to float up to his level. It took me a few tries but it eventually happened, and I relished in the feeling of weightlessness as I wobbled around in the air.

"Right then, what now?" That accent is weird, it feels almost unnatural in my mind compared to my normal voice. But to my body it felt completely normal, strange.

"First you need to tell my where the road to Mott home begins."

"The road that leads west from the academy goes in that direction, just one turn on that road and then it takes you there." Yep, the voice is definitely weird, but before I delved any further into these thoughts, the spirit struck the floor with his staff and we were then outside.

"Uugh." I immediately moved a hand to my head to try and suppress the migraine that came out of nowhere.

"Apologies, teleportation has never been the most graceful form of transportation. Now then let us be off." After a forced blink, standing before in the Changelings place was a great unicorn, pure white fur, and main, and its horn seemed to radiate in the glow of the now setting sun. For some reason this creature sparked a sense of familiarity in my mind. And then I realised why, this was Silvaron, the personal steed of the Fay.

"Wont this be a bit … embarrassing for you?" I said trying to hide my one discomfort. Rather than speak, I heard his response in my head.

" Oh, please I've done more for less, once I had to act as the personal skavenslave of Lord Skrolk, to try and get a look through that infernal book on his back for my master. The smell could kill you before the rot would. And in the end, it wasn't even worth the effort." The unicorn gave a shiver as he recalled the memory, but what was in my mind was simply was 'What's a skaven'.

Sensing my question, the familiar simple answered, "You don't want to know." After that i'd carefully got onto the back of the unicorn. Once I was secure and comfortable, we shot of into the twilight. Neither noticed the pair of eyes watching them leave, a slight smirk appearing upon her tanned face.

{--}

1 Hour Later, Mott's Manor

As the two reached the outskirts of the manor, the Changeling came to a halt and started to explain the plan.

"So, the plan is simple. Step one, you will ride up to the gate and explain to the guards you have important business with the count, if they don't go to tell the count give them the death glare the Fay would use."

"Okay then what do I do, just stroll up and ask for the maid?" Asked a nervous Louise.

"Precisely, don't worry I shall be right by your side the entire time."

"There's no way you'll be let into the manor in the form you're in."

"Just explain that unicorn are very vicious creatures, and that your presence is the only thing keeping my calm."

"Is that true, unicorns are actually vicious?" Asked Louise with a heavy amount disbelief in her voice.

"Oh yes absolutely, many a manticore has ended up gored by a unicorn for thinking them easy meals that won't fight back." Louise now had a strong desire to avoid any unicorn she ever meets in the future.

"So ready to go." Louise straightened out to a regal position and steeled her mind in preparation.

"As ready as I can be." So, they set off to the gate.

After about 5 minuets the front gate came into view. The guards at each side immediately gave her suspicious glances, but those looks turned to awe as Louise came into view.

"I have business to conduct with the Count, may you go to him and inform him that Morgiana le Fay desires to speak with him." it took them a bit to come out of their stupor but eventually one left to inform the count.

{--}

Count Mott

I had just finished putting that maid away for 'questioning' later, oh how fun that session is going to be. As I made my way towards the dining hall for my evening meal, I caught the site of one of those no-name guards coming up to me. No doubt with news that will spoil my night in some way.

"My Lord, there is a woman at the gate wishing to see you." And it seems my assumption was correct.

"Just send them away, they can see me tomorrow if they must." I just want my dinner before my fun starts.

"They are a mage sir, by the name of Morgiana le Fay, and they desired to meet with you as soon as possible." A mage, at this time, something must be wrong, and I've never heard of that name before.

"Why didn't you say so in the first place. Fine I'll see them in the entrance hall." As the guard went off to retrieve the mage, I turned to a servant in the room.

"Prepare a basin of water and have it placed into the entrance hall." The servant nodded and left.

After releasing an exasperated sigh, I got up and began making my own way to the hall. I managed to arrive before the mystery mage, and adopted my usually stance at the top of the stairs. I watched from the corner of my eye as the servant placed the basin of water in the corner out of sight. After a few more moments the mage in question came through the doors with most likely her familiar with her.

The second I looked upon this Morgiana, I was captivated by her form and the beauty it held, the golden aura she radiated only helped to enhance her image. I was knocked out of my trance like state when she spoke with a thick, exotic accent.

"Greeting Lord Count, I am Morgiana le Fay, I hope I am not disrupting anything with my unexpected arrival." She spoke with a soft, enchanting voice. I completely forgot any grievances I had for this woman, her very presence feels like a blessing.

"Your presence causes me no grief Madam, but might I inquire as to you intention at my estate?" Little did anyone know but, within the heads of the guest the Changeling was using his millennia of knowledge of dealing with pompous noble to craft the perfect responses for Louise.

"For the past year I have been searching for a young woman with blood belonging to a long forgotten noble family. The last member had done much to make himself disappear. But my search led to a discovery that his noble blood rested in a maid at Tristain academy, but before I could arrive you had taken her contract. I came here to bargain for her release into my hands." I took about 2 minutes before I responded.

"It is unfortunate that this situation came up, but, and I mean no offence by this, how do I know you are telling the truth." The moment I finish, my guest sent at me such a glare that pierced my very soul, filling me with a sense of dread, even more so than when I have to deliver any type of bad news to Lady Karin. After a few more moments the oppressive feeling disappeared and I let out a breath that I had subconsciously been holding.

"Then we shall have her prove whether my judgement holds truth or not. Silvaron seek out the maiden." Before I could voice any protests, the unicorn set of towards the stairs, with Morgiana close behind. Realising they were leaving me behind fast, I motioned to his guards to follow me as I set off after the mage.

{--}

Siesta, below Mott's Estate

Siesta had been crying openly ever since she had been thrown into this small cell. All that was in it was a small basin, a bed that was barely big enough for her, and a bucket in the far corner. She had been down her for about 2hours now, and all she had been hearing was the groans of the Counts previous victims.

Then suddenly a new sound entered the flay, the sound of hooves upon the stone floor followed by other, human footsteps.

Further up the hallway a Count was raging.

As they passed cell after cell of this dungeon Louise was becoming even more furious as she kept seeing broken, hopeless young girls that had suffered at the counts hand. And his insistence on trying to stop her. When, for the 6th time he got Infront of her, her patience finally broke. Using the knowledge from the Fay, Louise whipped out her wand and suddenly vines sprung out of the ground, before they clung to his body keeping him in place.

"I will deal with you later." With that she walked of ignoring the furious yells from behind her. After 2 more corners she found the changeling still in the form of Silvaron stood outside a cell, while staring into it. When she got close and looked in herself, in the cell she saw her target. Siesta.

At this point Siesta had looked up from her grief to be met by a stranger and a unicorn.

"Who are you?!" Yelled Siesta as she pressed herself to the back of the cell. Before she yelled again the stranger waved a wand and root sprung up and ripped the door from its hinges. The unicorn then stepped into the cell, before stopping right in her face, causing Siesta to fall onto her behind and stare up at the equine. And then in a complete disregard for biology the unicorn spoke in a very familiar voice.

"Congratulations, you are being rescued. Please do not resist." Said the changeling before the unicorn's face did its best at a toothy grin. All of Siesta's fears disappeared at the voice of the spirit and she quickly wrapped his neck in a hug.

"Thank you, thank you so much for coming for me." As she refused to let go as if he would disappear if she did.

"No problem."

"This is happy and all but I still have a Count to kill for all this." Louise was practically exploding in fury at what she had saw.

"I have a better idea." The Changeling spoke into her head once more, before explaining the rest of his plan to her, leaving a confused Siesta watch as the Changeling and this stranger have what appeared to be a staring contest.

Barely a minute later, a now free Mott came rushing round the corner with a full company of guards. Roots quickly sprung up cutting of Motts guards. Seeing that as well as the released maid, Mott drew his wand, but stopped when he saw the mage drawing a symbol in the air with her wand. The symbol of Slaanesh. With a push of her will, a great shattering sound went off as the fabric of reality was broken like glass. Through the portal Slaanesh themself was seen on their throne of flesh and claw, though they appeared to be sleeping at the moment. Siesta couldn't see into the portal; the view being blocked by the Changeling's body to save her from the madness of chaos.

After a few moments the spirits that were enjoying their revelry near the portal decided to stop and investigate. Several came up to the portal to peer through upon seeing who they assumed was the Fay Enchantress, many became confused.

"I thought you died at the hand of those moronic undead Fay." Said the lead one, who was in a state of constant dance with a stick with masks sticking out on either end. Realising the misunderstanding, Louise looked over to the Changeling, who was just watching the spirits. Seeing no response, she quickly elbowed the equine getting his attention, before gesturing to herself. Getting the message but not wanting to be outdone, he undid the spell, by bonking her on the head with his horn.

The daemons watched in amusement (with some even laughing), as Louise changed back but immediately fell to the floor from both the force of the blow, plus the sudden change in height. With a groan she got back up with a hand to her head, giving her audience a chance to see who she really is. The Mask recognised her from that summon of the 4 not long ago but before so could greet the empty one, another daemonette beat her to it, even if they were addressing her slightly differently.

"THATS THE KID THAT REJECTED SIGGY!!!" One of them shouted from the back. Then they all burst into a fit of laughter as they recalled how the adopted son if the prince got looked over by a little girl. Somewhere in the room the man himself attempted to ignore the laughter at him. But what Louise said caused his mind to explode in pride hurt rage.

"But compare to the other 3 he was just an attractive swordsman." Said Louise trying to defend herself on instinct. The entire hall had screeched to a halt at these words, before all those within turned to the sound of chuckling. What they saw was the Changeling back in his own form with one hand over Siesta's eyes. Before calming down enough to simply say.

"SIGVALD THE ATTRACTIVE SWORDSMAN!!!" At these four words the entire hall burst out in laughter, and indeed it was as if the entirety of the realms of chaos had heard and the laughter just kept rising. The only one's not laughing was Sigvald himself and his personal chosen warriors, the mirror guard. All of which were stalking towards the portal with murderous intent. It was all this commotion that finally woke up Slaanesh themself with a great yawn.

"What happened, did Nakari tell one of his jokes again?" They said as they looked at the crowd of partygoers, some of which nearly banished themselves in laughter. They then noticed the portal and a familiar little girl stood on the other side.

"Ah caller, come to join the festivities."

"Actually, I came here on a bit of business but I appear to have gotten..." Louise looks around the room of laughing crowds and a still fuming Sigvald. "a bit side-tracked."

"Well, what was this business?" Louise went over to a frozen Mott who had been simply staring into the portal the whole time with a look of utter horror and fear. She quickly grabbed his arm and dragged him to the portal before throwing him to the floor of the palace.

"I wanted him to experience the horrors he put all the women he had taken through, an eye for an eye if you will." Mott looked up in horror at the looming faces of the daemonette's surrounding him, each one of them wore a sinister grin.

"Oh, we can certainly arrange that." Slaanesh chuckled as they stared down at the helpless count. They then turned to Sigvald who looked up to his father's gaze.

"You seem awfully stressed Sigvald, take the mortal and blow off some steam." Mott was then grabbed by 2 mirror guards and dragged away with Sigvald. Slaanesh then turned back to Louise. "Now what to give you in return?" At seeing the girls confused face. "I'm not a 'something for nothing' kind of entity, plus I hate being in debt to people." After a few more moments of thinking they came to a solution. Holding out one of their hands, a pillar of purple flame shot up before vanishing in an instant to reveal a creature with a pink underbelly, dark purple scales on the top of them, two clawed legs, long thin neck and head with a long tung that flicked out every few seconds, and a saddle on their back. Slaanesh then put their hand to the ground for the creature to hop of.

"Well go on then, you're staying in the mortal realm now." And they gave the creature a push towards Louise.

"I'll give you a warning, this steed has been a bit, difficult to care for." Said slaanesh as the gave a slightly irritated glare at the steed, who simple responded by sticking his tung out at his master.

"How have they been difficult to care for?"

"Well although spirits don't need to consume material food to survive, the denizens of my palace tend to enjoy a good meal. But that steed refuses everything except, beetroot stew, which was incredibly hard to get in this realm. I'm sure you will have less of a problem obtaining it. However, the main issue was if they didn't get what they wanted, that steed would go on a murderous temper tantrum. Well, that is business concluded, TIME TO PARTY!!!" There were yells of excitement throughout the hall that was suddenly cut off by the portal slamming close in Louise's face.

"So, now what?" Asked Siesta as she finally got her vision back.

"I suppose, back to the academy." Answered Louise, suddenly having the exhaustion catch up on her as she slumped forward.

"Say no more." The Changeling rose his staff up ignoring the sudden protests from the 2 girls, before slamming it down, leaving nothing for the guards behind.