A Song of Ice and Fire and Game Of Thrones are both the property of George R.R. Martin and HBO. Also Warhammer Fantasy is the property of Games Workshop and does not belong with me in any way. Also you'll notice the similarities between my story and A Song of hammers and Twin-Tailed Comets written by Trazyn the Infinite. I am using parts of his story in mine. I Have sent him a PM asking for permission to do so, but haven't received a response back. I will continue my story, although in the future if he responds and is not ok with me using his ideas this story will be removed.
Leonhard I
"NOW!" shouted Herr Richter
I was through the doors in a flash when they were shoved open. My enchanted shield raised, covering me from nose to lower stomach. Its enchantments project an invisible magical shield that protects the parts of my body not covered by the steel itself, from magical attacks. It was forged by the most skilled dwarfs living in the empire and enchanted by the best magisters from the golden order. Scanning the hallway in front of me for any threats, from beastmen to demons. Thankfully nothing of the sort appeared. All that lay before us was an empty corridor.
"Strange, I was expecting it to be as run down as the outside," commented Johannes as he looked around the hallway. Herr Richter answered the unanswered question.
"The tower likely has some spell or enchantment cast on it to look that way to avoid drawing attention." stated Herr Richter. The dwarf supplied a response I never expect someone to give to a witch hunter.
"Aye. Thank you both for pointing out the fucking obvious. Now can we get a move on? I'm looking to crack more skulls!"
Even though the dwarf and I never saw eye to eye, (pun intended) mostly because the dwarf unceasingly referred to me as some new recruit. I was a Reiksgaurd for Sigmar's sake. I had to admit he had balls of steel, though I would never say such to his face. But Johannes and Herr Richter were both right. The exterior and interior of the tower did not match. Where the outside appeared to be in a serious state of disrepair, the interior looked like the hallway of some noble or rich merchant's home back in the capital. The floor is covered by a richly colored red and gold rug and the walls are adorned with fine tapestries and paintings. Three ornate chandeliers hung from the ceiling with glowing crystals lighting up the hallway in place of candles. They formed a line leading from the entrance to a single wooden door with spear shaped, black iron, hinge straps at the other end of the hallway.
Herr Richter released a grunt before ordering us to advance. We moved slowly, staying cautious for any traps and secret doors magical or mundane. Stopping just before the door, raising my leg, I kicked it in. Advancing through with shield out in front we entered another richly decorated room. This one was circular with two more doors to my left and right and another door possibly across from us, hidden by the stone pillar that rose to the ceiling in the center of the room. The pillar supported the spiral staircase rounding it and most likely the higher floors. Four expertly carved wooden wardrobes were placed between each door. The red and gold rug traveled from the door to the base of the stairs, as well as up them. The rug also completely circled the pillar, with three more off shoots leading to the other doors. I coughed after taking a few breaths. An awful stench hung heavy in the air.
"What is that smell?" I asked. "It smells like charcoal, piss and rotten eggs."
"Gunpowder. And lots of it, judging by the smell," answered the dwarf after taking a long whiff.
"What would a sorcerer need gunpowder for?" asked Johannes. Herr Richter answered.
"I do not know his reason for having it. But it being here helps us immensely. We will use it to destroy the tower and kill the heretic."
"Would it not be simpler and more honorable to kill the heretic face to face instead?" I asked.
Both Herr Richter and Johannes gave me a look that asked if I was crazy. Then turned back to finding where the smell of gunpowder was coming from. The dwarf grumbled some curses and joined them. I sighed and moved to help. I really wanted to finish the bastard off with my own hand, especially after learning what he was planning. Unfortunately Herr Richter preferred the most efficient methods when it came to killing his prey.
After a moment of searching, Herr Richer stopped between the far door and the wardrobe to the left of it. He kneeled down and examined the floor, bringing his face as close as possible to the stone bricks. He drew a knife and jammed it in between two bricks. Grunting in effort he broke the knife trying to leverage them up. He stood and turned to Thorik.
"Dwarf! I found a trap door, but it will not budge. Come over here and break it in," commanded Herr Richter.
The dwarf turned to us but didn't move.
"After nearly five years of working together ya should now I don't answer too dwarf, umgi," answered the dwarf impetuously.
Herr Richter glared at the dwarf in turn, but the fucking stunty didn't budge. The witch hunter relented and growled out his order again.
"Thorik would you be kind enough to come over here and smash in this trap door please. Before I remove your head from your fucking shoulders."
"Why of course Ludolf, but only because you asked so nicely. HA!"
I shook my head as the dwarf walked to the trapdoor, still not understanding how Herr Richter put up with the annoying little bastard. The dwarf took position right next to the door, grasping his hammer with both hands and lifting it above his head. The runes glowed a whitish blue while the hammer was aloft. Then the dwarf brought it down fast and hard. A great bang sounded as the door shattered, the rubble falling down the stairs in a loud crash. The dwarf placed the hammer on his shoulder with a smug look gracing his face. A faint glow emanates from the hole illuminating the stairs, likely from the same crystals that gave light to this room and the hallway.
"Ritter go down and check the room," ordered Herr Richter.
I grimaced but nodded. It was an honor to be granted a piece of enchanted equipment, especially from the royal armory. But unfortunately for me, it made the first to go into unknown and possibly dangerous situations. I moved down a full circle around the pillar, making sure the room was empty.
"It's clear Herr Richter," I called back up the stairs.
I continued my descent, coming to the bottom of the stairs after another circle around the pillar. The others joined me a moment later, their footsteps echoing around the room. Herr Richter took in another deep whiff and moved to the door on the other side of the pillar. He tried shoving the door open but it was locked. He stepped back and gave it a hard heel kick, it still wouldn't budge. The dwarf moved up and waved Herr Richter away. He tried to smash the door open like the trap door above, but he didn't leave a scratch. He tried again but the second time proved just as ineffective as the first.
"There must be powerful magic on the door," the dwarf grunted out. "Especially if it can resist my hammer."
"Indeed," commented Herr Richter. "Perhaps there's another way, but keep trying Thorik. The others and I will search the other three rooms."
The dwarf continued hammering the door while Johannes and I hopped to Herr Richter's order. Moving to the door behind me, I placed my hand on it to check if it was locked. It creaked open with the smallest of pushes, revealing the dark room behind it. The room was barely lit by a strange anvil with glowing letters, sitting a few feet from the center of the back wall. The light reflected off weapons, armor and other metal tools around the room. It was some sort of armory with a section for forging. Giving the room another scan, I began moving to the glowing anvil. Halfway there something started glowing behind me. When I turned to look I was blinded by a flash of light. A sweet pungent aroma filled air, like the smell of the air just before a storm. An unknown voice called out from behind the light.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?"
"I am a Reiksgaurd of his Imperial Majesty! And my comrades will be through that door shortly, to purge you from these lands you filthy heretic!" I shouted out hoping to alert the others.
"A Reiksguard? That is quite fortuitous," the voice replied.
Fortuitous? Why would his impending doom be fortuitous? More importantly, why am I still alive? The blinding blue light quickly faded. Blinking away the remaining spots in my vision, I laid eyes on the heretic. Though he didn't look like a heretic according to my limited knowledge. He looked very much like a magister from one of the Imperial Colleges of Magic back in Altdorf. The Celestial College to be specific. He was garbed in a short sleeved, open blue robe that hung down to just above his ankles, over a black leather jerkin and red shirt with bronze vambraces on his arms. Blue pants covered his legs with black leather riding boots on his feet, though void of the usual decorations magisters have, magical or mundane. All his clothes were expertly made from the finests materials. He was leen of body and medium length, light blond hair mixed with some grey, hung from his head. A blonde beard of heavy stubble covered the chin and jaw of his heart shaped face. Finally lightning blue eyes glowed with power. In his hand was an elegant sword made of glittering steel. The leaf shaped blade crackled with lightning, and a sapphire that was inlaid into the guard glowed brightly. Along with the elegant writing engraved on it. Hints of blue leather on the handle showed between his fingers. He slowly sheathed the sword and stood to his full height of about six feet.
"Good evening Ser Reiksgaurd, I am Rainer Stassen, magister of the Celestial order." He stretched his arms out to the sides and gave a bow. Rising back up he continued. "Now, could you ask your friend to lower his pistols before he hurts someone."
Looking over Rainer's shoulder I saw Richter standing in the door, pistols aimed at the magister's back.
"What are you doing here?" demanded Herr Richter
"I live here," answered the magister. "Oh and that man leaning on the wall to your right is my brother Raimond. A jade magister."
Herr Richters eyes widened. He turned his head to his right and pointed his pistol in the same direction. Following his gaze to finally lay eyes on Raimond, leaning against the wall arms crossed over his chest. He was taller than his brother by a few inches and had more muscle on his body. They shared the same heart shaped face as his brother, though his was fuller and covered by a thick beard. He had vibrant green eyes that glowed softly. His dark blond hair hung down to his shoulders, though the back seemed to be tied into a ponytail. He wore a dark green sleeveless robe over a dark brown leather jerkin and tan shirt. He wore brown trousers and dark brown boots. Unlike his brother's clothes, his were worn and the colors had faded. Leaning on the wall next to him was a spear made of dark brown wood, with an elegantly forged and engraved spear tip. A large emerald was set at the base of the spear's blade glowed in the same manner as his eyes.
"Hello friends. Taal's and Rhya's blessings on you," greeted Raimond with a friendly smile on his face. Herr Richter ignored the jade magister and turned to his brother.
"What do you mean this is your home?" he asked
"I mean that it is our home," replied Rainer. "Or it was our home until that sorcerer took it from us about a week ago."
"How did he beat you? There are two of you against him," I asked.
"Well, there were actually three of us and four servants, but our friend was killed along with the servants. The sorcerer is powerful and took us by surprise. He also had his horde of beastmen with him," Raimond answered while his brother continued for him.
"So instead of trying to fight him and his army, we hid down here. The sorcerer just ignored us and immediately started some ritual. We took turns shielding ourselves from the rampant magical energies above, waiting for an opportunity to strike back, which you and your retinue have provided. So shall we join forces and kill this heretic?"
Rainer began walking to the door only to stop in front of Herr Richter who had not moved from the doorway. I couldn't see his face, but no doubt the magister's expression was asking why the witch hunter had yet to move. Herr Richter simple gazed coldly back for a moment before answering.
"There's no need to face the sorcerer. Just unlock the door to the gunpowder storeroom and we can destroy this tower and kill him without risking our lives"
"That's a horrible plan," the jade magister all but shouted
"Why?" replied Herr Richter with a cold blank voice.
"Why?!" Raimond now shouted with a frown gracing his face. "Because this is mine and my brother's home. Because all of our research is stored here; over ten years of it. Because that bastard killed our friend, a man who was our brother in all but blood. That's why! Wouldn't you want revenge or are you some coward?"
"I am not a coward. And I do not care about your research, home or friend. You said it yourself. The heretic is more powerful than the two of you. I am just being practical. So open the door."
"No."
The celestial magister replied in a less cold but just as calm voice as Herr Richter's. The witch hunter glared at Rainer with his cold grey eyes. He drew a pistol and aimed it at his brother.
"I'm not asking," he bit out " Open the door or your brother will die."
Neither magister moved. They simply stared at Herr Richter with indifference. I raised my shield and laid a hand on the hilt of my sword in case the magisters tried to attack.
"No," Rainer said again. "My brother and I will go and kill the sorcerer. His army of beastmen are either dead or not here, thanks to you and your retinue. Also, he has been performing that ritual for a week straight. That's a long time even for a chaos sorcerer to continually channel the winds of magic, especially alone. He is weak and vulnerable. You can join us or stay here and argue with us while he finishes his ritual. The choice is yours."
Herr Richter remained as he was for a moment longer. He released a sigh and holstered one of his pistols and continued to glare at the celestial magister.
"Before anyone does anything, I want to check you both for signs of corruption." Herr Richter drew a rosary from beneath his cuirass. A small replica of the emperor's hammer, Gal Maraz, hung from the bottom of the rosary. It was intricately carved and glowed in a white golden light. "This hammer has been blessed with Sigmar's light and any tainted individual who touches it will be burned by his power."
He held the rosary out to the celestial magister, who took it without pause. He held the hammer in his closed fist for a few moments and looked back to Herr Richter. The witche hunter took the rosary back, then turned to the jade magister and held it out to him. Rolling his eyes, Raimond took the rosary in the same fashion as his brother. He returned it to Herr Richter after nothing happened.
Herr Richter held his pistol on the magisters a moment longer before grimacing while lowering his pistol and gave a nod. No doubt he was hoping they were tainted, so he could just shoot them. I relaxed my stance and released the breath I was holding. We exited the armory and informed Johannes and Thorik of the new plan. Johannes sighed and frowned, while Thorik laughed with a wicked grin on his face. I was also smiling under my helm, at the prospect of possible killing the heretic with my own sword. With everyone on the same page we began our assent of the tower.
A low humming sound filled my ears as we climbed. The rooms dimmed even though the crystals set in the sconces glowed brightly, the shadows were swirling and pulsating all over the walls even where shadows couldn't possibly form. Malignant, unnatural shapes and forms coalesced and moved around the room constantly changing and reforming. Every one of my instincts were screaming at me. Leave, run, hide, get as far away from this unnatural place as possible. I closed my eyes and prayed with all my being to Sigmar for strength and courage. For protection against the foul magic swirling around me. I even prayed to Myrmidia, whose blessings I have not sought since I was a boy living in my father's house. The loud blast from a horn broke me from my prayers. The entire party stopped in its tracks. Johannes was the one who broke the silence.
"That was Markus's horn! Beastmen reinforcement must be on the way," he shouted.
Herr Richter wasted no time issuing his orders in a clear voice.
"Stormforge, take Krieger and the jade magisters and hold the entrance. Ritter, you and the celestial magister will follow me."
We move without another word, quick marching up to the top floor. It wasn't a long distance to run but in full plate armor it was exhausting. Then Rainer stopped us when we were right below the trapped door leading to the top floor.
"I need a moment to unlock the door. It's magically sealed," he said.
I took this brief pause to offer another prayer to Sigmar and Myrmidia.
"It's open!" shouted Rainer.
I opened my eyes and charged up the remaining stairs and through the trapdoor, Herr Richter and the magister close behind me. I stopped once I reached the top floor. The room was larger than all the others in the tower, the light of purple lightning flashed through the glass windows set into the walls.
It was filled with instruments and devices that were unknown to me. The only familiar object among them was the large spy glass set on wheels. Tables filled the open spaces, covered with books charts and scrolls. On the wall opposite from the front of the tower a large bronze arch took the place of one of the windows. It was intricately carved with an elegant looking language that glowed white. Within the arch was a miasma of reds and blues, swirling like a maelstrom, pieces of loose paper being sucked in. Ten feet before the arch was a small bronze stand that was crowned by a giant blue jewel or crystal, with the same colors found in the arch swirling within it. The same writing carved into the arch was mirrored on the arch in a spiral.
Between the arch and the stand stood the form of a man, his arms raised with a gnarled and twisted stave in his right hand. He was chanting in a rough, evil sounding, language that made my ears burn, while magic circled him violently. The chanting suddenly stopped and his arms slowly dropped, the stave coming to a rest on the room's floor. He kept his back to us. His robes were tattered and torn and his grey hair was matted and greasy. No one moved; nothing was said. It was as if we were frozen in time yet still conscious. Nothing heard but the sound of the whirling vortex of magic behind the sorcerer.
Click.
I turned to find the source of the noise that broke the pause in action. Between myself and the magister stood Herr Richter, pistol aimed at the heretic. A grim look of determination was etched on his face and righteous fury burned in his eyes.
"Heinrich Gruber! You have been charged and found guilty of heresy, witchcraft and treason of the highest order. In the name of his Imperial Majesty Karl Franz and Almighty Sigmar, I sentence you to death!"
Before he could pull the trigger of his pistol, a purple lightning bolt struck the witch hunter in the chest. He was launched off his feet and struck the wall far behind him and fell to the floor in an unmoving heap. I whipped my head back to the heretic. The top of his stave had a fading glow; the same color as the lightning that struck Herr Richter. The sorcerer turned to us methodically. The sorcerer's face was gaunt and pale white. The skin was cracked with some strange blue, fibrous, growth showing through, as if his flesh was mutating from the inside out.
The heretic's eyes turned to me next. He aimed his stave towards me, torrents of purple flames shot forth, consuming all in its path. Raising my shield just in time to block the foul magics. The shield and its enchantments protected me from the flames, but the force of the spell forced me to my knees. As I held my ground the flames suddenly disappeared right before loud sharp cracks sounded and a bright light filled the room. The sorcerer had turned to Rainer, who had cast his own spell from his hands, which clashed with the sorcerers own counter spell. A magical duel ensued with both combatants casting and blocking spells of fire, lightning, wind and pure magical energy. I remained behind my shield to keep safe from the deflected spells flying around the room.
There was a brief pause while the mages chanted incantations for their next spells. The heretic's words were guttural and rough, while Rainer almost sang his chant in an elegant and regal language. The purple eldritch energy and blue lightning of the spells clashed and locked together between the two. Taking a chance while their spells were locked to make my move, I charged the heretic's flank with shield in front and runefang at the ready. Just as I was about to strike, the sorcerer forced the spell lock with Rainer away to the right. With a great shout, he released a wave of arcane energy that sent Rainer and I hurtling back, the air was forced from my lungs as I landed. The shouting from the heretic combined with the ringing in my ears.
"You pathetic mongrels will not stop me! I will be free from my curse! Free from its retched web of schemes! I will be the master, lord, king. THE GOD OF MY OWN FA-,"
Bang
The heretic stopped speaking, looking down to his chest. A hole lay over his right lung, leaking blood. He collapsed to his knees clutching his wound and coughing up blood and spit onto the floor.
"You are nothing, and will die as nothing."
The quiet voice of Herr Richter carried across the room. I turned to where he had landed, standing as he holstered his spent pistol drawing a loaded one. Confusion ran across the sorcerer's face as he stared at the hole in the witch hunters' cuirass. Herr Richter continued speaking as he was walking over to the now dying Gruber.
"You won't even be remembered a year from now. Just another nameless heretic who fell before Sigmar's warth."
Stopping before Gruber pistol aimed at his head, Herr Richter pulled the once glowing hammer from his armor. Realization spread across Gruber's face. Relief flooded my being in that moment and a smile of satisfaction split my face. Three months of hunting and it was finally over. I could finally return to Altdorf, successful in my mission. Pride swelled in my heart, knowing that the Reiksmarshel's trust in me was not misplaced. That I could return Beast Slayer to the Emperor in triumph.
All that relief, satisfaction and pride disappeared when maniacal laughter reverberated throughout the room. I looked back to Gruber to try and understand why he would be laughing, but he wasn't laughing. No, he was still on his knees and bleeding. His face had become even whiter, if that was possible, and a look of unrestrained horror crept its way onto his face. That ear stinging laugh continued all the while. It suddenly got louder. Grasping my helm and ripping it from my head, hunching over from the pain. I covered my eras with my palms as they started to burn from the inside. Looking up, it seemed Herr Richter and Rainer were experiencing the same pain as me.
"So the little sorcerer thinks he can free himself. How quaint."
hundreds of voices spoke as one, as the burning in my ears turned to a sharp, unbearable pain. The tower began to shake as the purple lightning outside increased in intensity. The air in the room was being sucked into the vortex, which was swirling faster. A shadow began to form in the now purple miasma, its shape changed from one monstrosity to another. I was shaking, though not because of the tower. Fear seeped into my heart. An uncontrolled dread brought me to my knees as I stared into the glowing blue eyes of the shadow. I tried to close my eyes, to un-see the horrible shapes. But even though my eyelids were closed, I could still see everything, even that changing shadow. Curling into a ball on the floor, trying to pray, but I couldn't think of the words let alone speak them. Thousands of voices mocked me and my faith. Telling me that no one, not even my gods could save me. That I should submit to the shadow. I just wanted to slip away from it all and accept death's embrace. Suddenly a golden beam of light burst through one of the windows, striking the bronze arch. The shadow roared in pain and anger as the arch broke and the vortex began to destabilize. The light now glowed, warming the room instilling comfort and calm in me. My eyes drooped in drowsiness; the blurry forms of men and women walked out from the light. The last thing I saw before the light blinded me was the form of a woman, kneeling down next to me.
Authors Note
Hey all. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and thank you for the reviews. I really appreciate the feedback. Also concerning the plot. I was thinking of writing two versions of this story. One would follow the plot of ASOIAF, the exceptions being the effects the OCs have on it. The second would change certain characters' story lines and keep one or two characters alive (not Ned Stark though, he kinda needs to die for the sake of the story). Which characters' will live and whose story will change you'll have to read to find out. Any who leave a review to let me know what you think.
Vocabulary
Magister-(Warhammer world) A title indicating a Wizard is a full member of a college and therefore licensed to practice and teach magic. (ASOIAF world) Is a title held by wealthy and powerful individuals in some Free Cities.
Characters
Rainer Stassen-43 years old at story start, 6ft tall
Born in Talabhiem, Talabecland with a twin brother.
Studied at the Celestial College in Altdorf.
Raimond Stassen-43 years old at story start, 6ft 2in tall.
Born in Talabhiem, Talabecland with a twin brother.
Studied at the Celestial College in Altdorf.
Weapons
Rainer's sword is Glamdring (Gandalf's sword) from the lord of the rings and hobbit movies
Raimond's spear basically looks like an eternal guards spear(with dark wood shaft and one spear tip) from the Total War Warhammer series except it has an emerald instead of a piece of amber. Look up the eternal guard on the Warhammer wiki. Pick any of the three spears designs from the images you like. My personal choice is spear A-1 from gallery image 4 (middle spear in gallery image 1).