- My Jarl, we need…

- AWAY! - Egil Styrbjorn yelled, causing Norscan warrior to run as fast as possible from the top of the fiord, from which Chieftain of Skealing, in silence, observed the harbor.

Only few weeks passed since his son, his true successor and greatest warrior, perished in duel against this accursed Bretton. Only few weeks from his defeat in Lyonesse, where his forces were pushed back to the sea. Many great warriors died that day on both sides, and Egil should be one of them, but his destiny clearly laughed at him, because some of his warriors were able to carry his near dead body back, allowing him to survive the battle.

And there he stood, Greatest Champion of the Blood God, Butcher of Immortals, The Red Wolf, grieving. How it was possible that HIS son lost a duel? Maybe he did something wrong? Is this all a test? A punishment?

No matter. The future where Skealings bring ruin upon entire world is gone. His legacy surpassing other Jarls and chosens, even the mighty Asavar Kul. Is lost. He couldn't even feel rage anymore, just a black hole inside him draining all emotions. He looked down the fiord, feeling nothing. Then, he closed his eyes and breathed heavily.

- Is this truly an end to someone as mighty as you? - Norscan voice said behind Egil

- I said… - he drew his twin axes and turned towards the trespasser, only to find nothing

- Do you seriously want to give up that easily? - The same voice said again behind him and Egil turned quicker to face the owner.

And, to his surprise, owner of the voice was small, white swallow with blue eyes, sitting on the edge of the fiord.

- What are you? - he demanded, causing the swallow to laugh

- Depends - it replied

- On what? - he said, already suspecting this birds allegiance

- On you. - Swallow answered - I can either be sole witness of your end, or bringer of new ways.

- You serve the Eagle - Strybjorn deduced.

- Clever one! - Swallow said, visibly delighted - It will be far easier. Now answer, Slayer of Souls, do you want to end here as a shell of your former self, or you will allow me to show you a different path?

- I am not follower of the Eagle! - he said in anger. - I won't fall for his tricks and lies.

- You don't need to follow my teachings to serve me. - Swallow chuckled, and suddenly small bird wings grew into giant one and started flaming.

- Besides - it launched into the air, now nearly fully engulfed in warpfire, and with one swing of its now large wings, reality around Strybjorn started reshaping.

All clouds in the sky vanished and in their place giant floating crystals appeared, night sky itself became a mirror for the flowing sea, ground under Jarl's legs turned from sturdy stone to shaky glass, two nearby cliffs started spewing magma, and sea started burning in green fire. In center of this chaos, just few feet's before Strybjorn rose a Chaotic Pheonix, and behind him shined white light, freezing Egil's bones and mind. He covered his eyes not in fear, but because he could feel his sanity slipping away, his brain melting and eyes blinding by just looking at the Chaos God.

- What other choice you have, Mortal!? – Creature screeched in myriad voices while its head burned in purple fire - Your god Granted you your wish and turned to other champions. You can either listen, or perish.

As quickly, as this sudden outburst of power occurred, it all returned to normal. Strybjorn uncovered his eyes and again small Swallow sat upon the edge.

- Why are you offering me this? What kind of trick is this?- Styrbjorn said, still suspicious of Tzeentch's true intentions

- I just love to change destiny - Swallow said - Play with the game itself. And bring hope to those who need it the most

- You also let people to their gruesome demise. Why should I believe you that this is not some kind of a trap? - Styrbjorn countered

- Nothing - Swallow admitted - But now, you have nothing to lose. Either me or disgraceful death.

Styrbjorn thought about this for a minute. If truly Eagle talks to him now, it means either to deceit him and doom him for eternity or truly, he wants to change his destiny. Also, he has a point - Egil have nothing to lose, since his soul already belongs to the Hound, and everything to potentially gain from this agreement.

- Speak then, and I will decide. - He said

Swallow laughed for a short time and suddenly, its eyes turned completely white

Verily I say unto you, the era of the sword and axe is nigh, the era of the wolf's blizzard. The Time of the White Chill and the White Light is nigh, the Time of Madness and the Time of Contempt: Tedd Deireádh, the Time of End. The world will die amidst frost and be reborn with the new sun. It will be reborn of Elder Blood, of Hen Ichaer, of the seed that has been sown. A seed which will not sprout but burst into flame.

When Swallow ended, its eyes again turned blue, and Strybjorn remained astounded by this prophecy. If this is true, then…

-It can't be… - he said

- True? It is - Sparrow said in triumph - She will arrive to this world, hunted by death and snow. If you go this path, your legacy will be known across the space and time, your offspring will surpass the one Khorne gave you, he will bring carnage upon billions. Humans, elves, dwarves and monsters, all across the universe will know your name and fear it! You will be immortalized!"

- What is the catch? - Egil said, still with note of suspicion in his voice.

- Catch? - Swallow chuckled ominously - The catch is, that many want to take this glorious fate for themselves. Many are naive but powerful, others are experienced but weak, some are both ancient and mighty. And none will back down.

- So, not only a powerful son, but also a fight of the ages? - Egil smiled - Good, more skulls to be splintered and oceans of blood to spill.

- I knew you will gladly take this offer - Swallow started fading away slowly

- Wait - Styrbjorn demanded - How will I find her?

- My humble messenger will come to you sooner or later - Swallow said - He will arrive, but none will welcome him. He will stay at your side, but none will notice. He will eat and drink with you, but none will care. He will tell you simple name which will shook your mind and soul. He will lead you across the mountains, rivers and wastes without speaking a single word. He will lead you to place, where she will be.

When Egil opened his eyes, he still stood at the edge of the cliff above the gulf, where many longships awaited, not sure if this what he saw was a dream, reality or something between.

- High Jarl, we need to act! - He suddenly heard voice behind him - Our rivals and traitors are already gathering their warriors! What are your orders?

Strybjorn looked at his hand feeling something between his fingers, and there he held green swallow's feather, but with strange shape, resembling the mark of the Eagle.

- My orders? - Egil said, slowly turning towards his Huskarl, determined fury again shining in his eyes - Gather my warriors. It seems some fools consider us weak. We shall prove their judgement wrong.

- At once, my Jarl! - Huskarl said with wide grin on his face and went downhill to spread the news. Their warmaster finally returned.

Styrbjorn looked into the night sky with renewed confidence and took few steps away from the edge.

- Now I will teach some fools that challenging me is futile - he vowed, holding given feather high above his head - But know this Eagle, when your messenger come, he won't find me idle.

He then turned and walked back to Stovengraad. While he was slowly going away, on the edge small white Swallow landed and watched Khornite Champion.

Pieces are put in their places It thought with satisfaction Time for a second round of our game.