"The coin swirls with the misfortune of a kingdom.
The Destiny of two peoples had displeased him.
A mere silver shilling, so small and so dim,
Of which the chain of troubles is the final sum."
"The Architect of Fate, with his acute sight
Saw, buried in this country, a new source of might.
And before putting on the chessboard his pieces
He flipped a single coin with paired faces."
"Two sides, two agents, a unique objective.
Break down the harmony between men and big rats.
Put an end to this comedy so illusive
And throw down all its unworthy aristocrats."
"The first step was taken by the child of Ulthuan
Both viper and bright lion, but still just a pawn.
The blood of a beast by him justly placed
Made the Master Mage completely wasted."
"But if a hand put the spice in the bowl
An accomplice gave it this little obol.
The other side of the shilling, more deceitful.
The one which hides its past so ugly, so awful."
"He pretends to be a servant of Shallya
The Prince is his friend. All of this is a lie.
Greed consumes him like a torch burns a firefly
The Purple Hand cured his whole melancholia."
"After research, the venom he finally found
Thanks to his knowledge, the poison concocted
To the other side of the coin he confided,
Concealed it where he uses to maintain Shallya's bound."
"Which one is the worst of the two sides of the coin?
That incarnated by power and knowledge hunger?
That ready to face the Gods of the Empire's anger?
Both indeed are equally dangerous to join."
"The coin swirls with the misfortune of a kingdom.
The Destiny of two peoples had displeased him.
A mere silver shilling, all will sing the hymn
In order to make Tzeentch in Vereinbarung come."
The Prince looked up, and stared at Captain Walter Klingmann. This one, upright, motionless, tried not to let show anything of the fear which was invading more and more quickly his intestines.
Ludwig Steiner spoke in a soft voice, and articulated his words carefully.
- And so, it is on the faith of this poem without signature that you put my best friend in prison?
- Yes, your Majesty.
- May I know what motivated this decision, Captain Klingmann?
- My duty is to protect Steinerburg from all threats, both external and internal. By this denunciation, Prior Romulus became a suspect in the case of the murder of the Master Mage. These verses covertly pointed to Prior Romulus, and when Sergeant Weller searched his cell at the temple, he did find a vial of Jabberwocky blood.
- Didn't it occur to you that Romulus could be the victim of a plot?
- Of course it did, your Highness, as for the mage Steadyhand. And as with the mage Steadyhand, I felt it my duty to treat him without favouritism. The followers of Tzeentch are particularly vicious, nothing must be left to chance, and each suspect has to be treated the same as the others, according to the procedure enacted by the laws that your Highness has put in place by creating Vereinbarung.
The Prince stood up, and walked slowly towards the captain. The latter began to think furiously.
Should I defend myself if he gets mad and tries to kill me?
Luckily, the tall Human didn't explode in anger. He just whispered:
- You have done your duty, Captain, and I thank you for it. You are right, I implemented the same laws as in the Karl Franz's Empire. And it's becoming more and more difficult to determine who is loyal and who serves the Purple Hand. I trust my friend, you can imagine, but your impartiality made you make the right choice. We shall determine his innocence sooner or later. On the other hand, I want you to pay more attention to. Our enemies can be absolutely anywhere. They might be tempted to use the prior's imprisonment for further treachery. Stay alert, and don't lose faith. So spoke the Prince.
The spotted Skaven greeted the Prince, and left his office with a quick step. Once alone, Ludwig Steiner heaved a long sigh. He opened the door of a small chest of drawers, took out a bottle of Norscan liquor, and poured himself a glass.
- Taal, where is all of this going to lead us?
He looked out the window. Morrslieb, taller and more menacing than ever, tirelessly emitted its green glow over the entire city. The Human shook his head. The last few days had been just as trying for him; the sight of his son rolling on the carpet, the efforts his grandchildren deployed to stay strong in such adversity, their mother's tears, and this feeling of suspicion that was rising again and again...
Such is the price to pay when you're sovereign.
He emptied his glass in one gulp, placed it on the varnished wood, and approached the window. The face of the White Skaven came back to him.
Psody, wherever you are now…may the Horned Rat watch over you, my son.
The small office clock struck nine. In the distance, behind the glass, the echo of the temple bell answered in the same tone.
It was time for the Prince to join his family.
He slipped the anonymous poem in his pocket, grabbed the list of ingredients found in the Other Strygos as well as the paper signed by all the participants of the Council that had taken place a few hours earlier, and left the office. Instead of going down to the private dining room, he climbed the steps to the floor of the Skaven apartments. Usually, he never went up there, in order to leave them a space just for them, but in these dramatic circumstances, Heike had offered to take meals in Bianka's apartments, an idea approved by her father. The table in the living room of the great archivist's quarters was large enough to lay out five plates, while the blonde Skaven stayed in bed.
On the advice of the patriarch, the Skaven had not waited for him for supper. Heike had a hard time convincing the two little ones to eat.
- Come on, Gabriel, you usually love cheese soup! What's happening to you?
- I… I don't know, Mother.
The unfortunate little ratboy felt all the more guilty for lying. He was convinced he had caused the Horned Rat to harass him and his family, but he preferred to suffer in silence rather than risk causing a general outburst of anger against him.
If I ever tell them, they'll kick me out of the house, forever!
He inwardly sighed in relief when his little sister in turn caught his mother's attention.
- And you, Soso, why aren't you eating either? Magdalena tasted the soup, you saw that it's safe!
- Not hungry…
Kristofferson ate in silence, slowly, without saying a word. But the anger emanating from him was almost visible to the naked eye. However, he had just enough patience left not to scold the two children. After all, he thought, that was their mother's job. His stomach tensed as his ears picked up the little girl's words.
- What happened to Prior Romulus?
- He… he had to go away, darling, Heike replied hastily.
- Mother, I heard about the soldiers. They said they threw him in jail. Is it true?
Heike gasped. But after all, could she lie to her daughter?
- Alas… It is, my darling.
- But why? Only the bad guys go to jail! Why the Prior?
The ratmother put a reassuring hand on the cheek of the little Skaven.
- Isolde… it's hard to say. He... It's possible that Romulus... did something very naughty.
- Naughty how?
The girl's eyes widened in anguish. A tear slipped down her mother's fingers.
- It is also possible, and this is what I rather believe, that Romulus did nothing, but that someone else wants us to believe that he poisoned your father.
At these words, Isolde was speechless, unable to add a word. Gabriel tensed and jumped in his chair.
- What? He... Romulus would have...
- No, my darling, I'm sure he didn't, interrupted the ratmother quickly. We found a bottle of poison in his room, but that doesn't mean he was the one who used that poison. He would have thrown the bottle in the sewers a long time ago so that it would not be found. No, there's definitely a real bad guy who gave us this fake evidence to get the guards to throw him in jail. But Opa will do everything to prove his innocence.
Suddenly, Bianka's voice came through the open door.
- It's not so simple, Mother!
Heike jumped at the icy tone used by her daughter. She recovered herself quickly, and answered indignantly:
- You're talking about your grandfather's oldest friend, Bianka!
- An oldest friend who threw us into a "hell of a mess"!
- Come on, don't say that! admonished Heike sadly.
- That is what you told him in the park!
Something snapped in Heike's mind. It was too much for the ratwoman. She collapsed on the table and burst into tears. Kristofferson jumped to his feet and rushed to the bedroom door.
- Bianka! Damn, what are you talking about?
- I'm talking about the truth, Kit: during my investigation, I overheard a conversation between Mother and Romulus, and it wasn't very pretty!
- And here is the state in which you put her! Bravo! I hope you're happy!
The young brown Skaven sat next to his mother, wrapped his arms around her, and tried to comfort her. After a long minute, she calmed down a bit, and raised her head.
- Your sister is right, Kit, don't blame her for that. It's true, I said that to Romulus. I couldn't take it anymore. And besides, I can't take it anymore now, either.
Kristofferson eventually unleashed his impatience.
- I don't understand at all! What does Romulus have to do with it?
- His past is catching up with him, my boy, announced the deep voice of the Prince.
Ludwig Steiner was on the threshold of Bianka's apartments. He looked tired, like he had aged ten years in a few hours.
- Heike, my angel, you should go lie down for a bit.
- It will be fine, Father. It's not the kids' fault, they're right.
- Can we ask you what Mother was referring to, Opa?
- You can, Kit. And I can answer.
The Human sat down in one of the chairs, and made sure to speak loud enough for Bianka to hear.
- My children, for your good, I cannot explain to you all the details for the moment. Just know that Romulus is a good man, and I'm sure he fell into a trap orchestrated by that twisted sect. Besides, you must also know he has not always been like this.
- What do you mean, Opa? stammered the little cream-furred Skaven.
The Prince thought for a few moments, then asked in a soft voice:
- Isolde, my darling, you want to become a priestess of Shallya, and I encourage you on this path. Why do you want to become a priestess of Shallya?
Happy to be questioned on her favourite subject, the little ratgirl answered without hesitation:
- Because I want to help people who are sick or injured! Because I want everyone to be reassured by Shallya, so everyone will be happy, and there will be no more war!
- So, you want to become a priestess to help others because you feel like doing it. It is very good. But you should know that there are other people who decide to enter orders for other, much less noble reasons. People who have stolen, people who have done mistakes, and who regret having done wrong. They want to redeem themselves in the eyes of men and Gods. Others wear homespun to escape justice, and avoid going to jail or being sentenced to death. Maybe you'll meet some of them. Well, I don't want to scare you. But, for example, I know this story: a long time ago, a young man committed a horrible crime. As he was young, he did not immediately understand what repercussions this crime would have. When he found himself facing the consequences, he spent months and months hating himself, wanting to throw himself in prison. But he had another idea: to become a priest of Shallya to be able to heal as many people as possible, so that he could obtain forgiveness from the Gods for his crime, and make peace with himself.
The sovereign fell silent to allow Isolde to digest the story. Gabriel murmured painfully:
- And… is Romulus this young man?
- He is, Gab.
Isolde stood petrified with horror, her mouth wide open in a silent cry.
- Romulus made good around him without faltering or counting for years and years, but unfortunately, it didn't completely erase his faults. Twenty years ago he did a lot of harm to a lord of Bretonnia. And today, this lord has arrived in the Rat Kingdom to take revenge.
- Horace de Vaucanson… murmured Kristofferson.
- He must have learned that Romulus had become a relative of mine. Even if he hasn't explicitly announced it yet, it's our friend he wants.
- You knew it?
- I know Romulus' youthful mistake since I started to take an interest in the Skaven kind. We promised ourselves never to reveal it. And so far, everything has gone well. And everything would have continued without the intervention of this lord. Everything became clear when the standard-bearer of Vaucanson came to challenge me. Unfortunately, we couldn't get the better of them, and the result is there.
- And Father died on the way! spat the tall brown Skaven.
Gabriel managed to articulate between his nervous gasps:
- Why Father? This Bretonnian had no reason to attack him?
- Alas, my little one, it can happen that someone wants to take revenge on someone else not by attacking him directly, but on a loved third person. I think Vaucanson sent a spy to poison your father, then that spy arranged for us to blame Romulus. I don't believe our friend is guilty, but I have to keep him in jail for now. He must stay in condition to be questioned, because he may have something else to reveal to us. And we need to find this mysterious spy.
- Opa, there is no mystery! Bianka whined. Brisingr Steadyhand is the poisoner! He worked for Vaucanson and the Purple Hand at the same time!
- So… The Bretonnians are also agents of Chaos?
- I don't think so, Gab. In my opinion, Vaucanson doesn't know that Steadyhand is from the Purple Hand. Besides, was it only Vaucanson who had him poisoned? Your brother is a witness: de Lombard has never clearly confirmed that your father was assassinated on his orders. He just evasively brought up this issue, but denied when I asked him if his lord was really behind this murder. Perhaps the Bretonnians are innocent of this crime, and they just took the opportunity to try to scare us?
Isolde leaned against her mother and wept silently. Gabriel couldn't open his mouth anymore, and stared wide-eyed at the contents of his plate. The Prince went on and finished his presentation.
- Anyway, my children, I guess it is very difficult, but remember that we must remain strong and united, more than ever. I think it won't be long before our enemies deliver what they believe to be the "killing blow". I don't want to scare you, but I think there will be another bad move very soon. If we prepare for it, we will be able to overcome it, and these people will be very annoyed to see that we are stronger than them.
- Aren't you afraid to see them hit even harder? Kristofferson asked.
- Oh, indeed, I'm counting on it, because it is precisely at this moment that they will commit a mistake. When they see that the situation is not as much under their control as they think, they will react, but there is bound to be a flaw in their reaction. And we will exploit this flaw to flush them out, and ultimately stop them!
He gestured towards the brown Skaven.
- Kit, have you finished your supper?
- Not yet, Opa, but if it's urgent, the dessert can wait.
- Perfect. Follow me, please, we have to talk more.
The two men left the living room. When they reached the staircase, Kristofferson was about to follow the Human to the lower levels, but was surprised to see him take the other direction of the spiral, and climb up. They went up to the terrace on the roof of the building.
The night was dark and cold, a slight draft was whistling in the ears of the young ratman.
- Why come here, Opa? Wouldn't we be better off in your office?
- I don't know if someone is hiding in the closet or listening to my conversations thanks to a magic ear slipped under the carpet. Here we are at the top of Steinerburg, everything is clear, and if a Gutter Runner wants to come, we will hear it.
It was true. The Steiner mansion was built on the highest point of the hill on which the capital of the country lived. The west wing terrace, taller than the central building, was the highest place for miles around.
- Above all, I need to breathe. I'm suffocating, I need a little freshness.
- So, what did you want to tell me, Opa?
The Prince advanced towards his grandson.
- I know that Bianka has been through the worst and that she will recover, and you see me really relieved. But now, she must rest. You are now the only one able to help me with these investigations.
- What about Sigmund? He won't stay in prison indefinitely, will he?
- He doesn't have your subtlety, and Klingmann and Demmler don't have your intelligence. And I shall need both of those qualities. I would like to ask your opinion on something.
He took the poem, the list of ingredients and the attendance sheet from his pocket.
- Look at these three documents again, very carefully.
- Yes, what do you want to know?
- What do you think about the handwriting?
- It is the same one on the letter and the list, and we see that it corresponds to the line where Brisingr Steadyhand wrote his name before putting his signature on the minutes of the Council.
- This proves that there's indeed an imitator; Steadyhand could not have sent us this letter three hours after his incarceration.
- Don't be sure, Opa. If it is, he gave instructions so that this letter which he would have written in advance to be sent by someone else, precisely so that we believe an impostor to be behind this and you would have had him arrested for nuts!
The Prince clenched his fists, and couldn't suppress an exclamation. He raised his arms to the sky.
- Ah, I really don't know what to think anymore, Kit! This story is really starting to piss me off!
- You said it earlier, Opa: they can't keep chaining successes. They will inevitably make a mistake at one time or another, and it will be their last!
Steiner breathed more calmly. He closed his eyes, and tried to relax. He felt in his grandson an additional tension. The young ratman understood that the Human had felt, he decided to express his deepest thoughts.
- There is still something that bothers me, Opa.
- So what, big boy?
- I think this anonymous whistle-blower comes at the right time, a real Deus ex Machina. As if he wanted Romulus to be imprisoned, even though we know that he cannot be the author of Father's murder.
- Yeah, it's hard to believe. But alas, there are parts of its history that you do not know, and which could justify these elements. Maybe he himself is under the influence of an enchantment, without even knowing it? In any case, we have two suspects. We will hold a trial with the best priests in Verena. They won't be able to lie to us. And if Romulus is under a Chaos spell, they will feel it.
Kristofferson wrinkled his muzzle.
- In your opinion, if it is not Brisingr, who is this whistle-blower?
- I have no idea, Kit.
- What if it was a trap? Steadyhand and Romulus can actually be the victims of a plot? And if they are guilty, what is the interest of this messenger in denouncing them? All this is probably a fool's game, Opa.
The sovereign approved in a nod.
- I think so too. Unfortunately, it's the only way we have to confuse the members of the conspiracy. Kit, we are dealing with the Purple Hand, one of the sects dedicated to the God Tzeentch. Its followers are experts in the art of the long plot. Maybe our two lads are victims of appearances, to which someone will have added false evidence. And maybe not. Anyway, we have to act as "normal" as possible so that they believe we are fooled, but we have to remain vigilant and watch for the smallest flaw.
Kristofferson didn't answer. He looked away, and scanned around, searching for anything suspicious.
- And you, Kit? What do you think about this? Is Romulus a traitor in your eyes?
The brown Skaven swivelled towards the Prince.
- Nope. He's like your nephew, and to me he's an uncle. I can't believe a man of such self-sacrifice could screw it all up. Even if he did some stupid things during his youth.
- What about Steadyhand? What is your opinion on his case?
- He's guilty, Kristofferson replied with a harsher expression. I'm curious to hear his defence, but I agree with Bianka. He's only been there for a few months, and even if he helped us a lot in Wüstengrenze, it's not incompatible with collaboration with the Purple Hand – he got rid of an enemy to be able to leave the field free from the Chaotese. He behaved surprisingly, even inappropriately. I won't forget the way he amused himself by making Isolde doubt her plan for the priesthood!
- I recognize that wasn't very decent. I must confess, I don't really know what to think of him. He hasn't tried to defend himself so far, but maybe he is indeed a victim of appearances?
- The Verenean priests will clear this up, I'm sure, Opa. I trust them.
- Me too, big boy. Me too.
Romulus suddenly opened his eyes. A small noise had snapped him out of his reverie. It was a faint hiss coming from the window. At first the prior thought that a snake was entering the cell, and the idea made him shiver. Then he smelled a strong chemical smell. As he used to mix many components to prepare medication for patients, he had no trouble understanding what the nature of the scent was.
An acid?
He slowly turned his head and looked up at the opening. Light wisps of smoke floated over the joints of the bars. Then a gloved hand passed a rope around the metal rods several times before tying a solid knot.
Romulus' eyes widened in an attempt to see more. The hemp creaked slightly and stretched. The prior stood up and positioned himself in front of the ventilator. Suddenly, a whip cracked, a short whinny sounded, and the pull tore the bars already weakened by the acid off.
- What's happening?
He jumped back and narrowly avoided a shadow, wearing black cape and clothes, which leaped through the opening in a split second to be in front of him.
Romulus quickly inspected the individual from head to toe. Impossible to see its face fully covered by a leather mask. It wore glasses that hid its eyes. The only thing that the prior could discern in this character was fine and supple limbs, and a certain grace in the movements, including the most subtle.
- Who are you? What do you want from me?
The masked character didn't say a word. Instead, it thumbed vigorously at the window.
- Oh no, no! I refuse to leave! I have confidence in the justice of my country!
In a jiffy, the climber pulled out a small hand crossbow from under its cape and aimed it at Romulus. It didn't take long for him to decide.
- Well, if you put it like that...
The figure nodded, and jumped back through the vent. Romulus pulled himself up, and looked outside. The hooded figure waited for him, its weapon still pointed at him, while another figure finished untying the horse that had forced the bars to hitch it to a carriage.
The masked individual presented the priest of Shallya a pair of handcuffs. Romulus sighed in resignation and passed them. At a sign from his captor, the prior got into the carriage. The unknown one climbed in turn and closed the door, the coachman cracked his whip, and the team set off.
Romulus looked more closely at the figure sitting in front of him.
- I agree you're daring, but not very strategist. The guards will never let you out after this. I even wonder how did you get in?
In response, the kidnapper made a small gesture towards the window. The prior turned his head, and saw the gates of the barracks courtyard approaching. One of the posted guards made a little sign to the coachman, and opened the heavy wooden door, aided by his accomplice.
Shallya! Ludwig was right! How long have they been infiltrating our ranks?
- They'll soon be behind bars for that! he grumbled to say something.
The masked man leaned forward, and a voice muffled by the mask whispered:
- Double game, double money, double risk, Prior Romulus.
These were the first words the mysterious character uttered to the chaplain, who was unable to put a face of his acquaintance on the timbre of this voice. The carriage soon left the district, with Romulus' hopes. Amidst the hustle and bustle of persistent traffic despite the night, the vehicle had just become completely anonymous.
After a long hour, the prior heard a change in the sound of the horses' hooves: the team no longer travelled on the cobblestones, but pranced along a dirt track. They had left the city.
- How far will you take me? And will you tell me who you are?
The masked figure raised its hand, and slowly lowered it, motioning Romulus to wait. After a few minutes the coachman accelerated the carriage. The kidnapper put its hand to its neck, untied a few fasteners, and removed its mask with a gesture. The prior's eyes widened in surprise.
- You!
- With pride, sacrosanct man!
Even after removing the paraphernalia, the features of the man sitting opposite Romulus remained invisible, and for good reason; he was wearing a headband that covered the top half of his head, with two holes for his eyes. But for the priest of Shallya, this concealment made the individual all the more recognizable.
- I knew I was the victim of a conspiracy, and I would be dealing with unexpected people, but I wasn't thinking of you, Yavandir Palebough!