The noon day sun beat down on the marching column as it snaked its way higher into the feet of the grey mountains. Stefan made to lick his lips only to find his mouth had no saliva left only dirt and salt. The hot weather and the passage of thousands of boots kicked up clouds of dust that rose high into the air, the lack of any breeze causing it to linger. Their honoured position as rear-guard meant that Stefan and his men were condemned to choke on said dust for the duration of the march. Not for the first time Stefan idly looked to the sky hoping to see a dark cloud or two but much like all the previous times the sky appeared blissfully clear and completely ignorant of a soldier's hardships. Pausing to uncork his water skin Stefan continued to examine the mountain slopes around them as he supped sparingly from the skin.
"Baron is setting a hefty pace of it anyhow. Almost like he's in a hurry to get this done", as usual Kurt's tone was entirely neutral but he too was scanning the slopes rising around the column of marching men.
"Aye, we need to stop soon and let the column close up. This trail and the slope is causing us to get too strung out."
"Begging you pardon Sir but that sounds a bit too sensible for what I've heard so far of the Baron".
Snorting Stefan re corked his waterskin,
"Well no need for us to forget our jobs as well then First Sergeant, eh? We'll have skirmishers please weapons and water only. Send them up those slopes, let's see if we can't ward off any nasty surprises.
"Won't the scouts have done that Sir?"
"Scouts will all be at the front of the column by now Kurt and no harm being a little cautious."
Saluting Kurt turned and marched back to the column and soon Stefan could hear his orders being shouted out as the picked men fell out of the march to shed their packs. Soon enough the men headed out in pairs picking their way up the rock slopes to keep pace with the rear-guard. Stefan watched and was surprised at how quickly the men disappeared from sight. Nodding to himself that sending more eyes and ears up there was the right thing to do Stefan re-joined the marching rear-guard.
The day wore on and the marching Imperials followed the trail ever higher into the mountains. The peaks around them had grown higher and more broken and though sunset was still hours away already shadows were stretching between the rocks. The soldiers plodded on, the mix of monotonous marching and the steady incline had slowly sapped their energy and Stefan knew they would have to call a halt soon. All day he watched the slopes around him for signs of danger but as the hours passed no signs of any enemy revealed themselves among the rocks.
"Sir messenger from the Baron coming".
Nodding Stefan stepped to the side of the track to await the mounted scout riding back towards him. As the man got closer Stefan recognised him as the pistolier officer, Dietrich, that had expressed his reservations to the Baron the night before. The man rode close before dismounting keeping his reins in one hand and casually saluting with the other.
"Herr Kleist, compliments from the Baron, the trail widens ahead to a plateau of sorts where we are to make camp for the night. The Baron asks that you leave a detachment to secure the trail entrance before bringing your men into camp."
"As the Baron orders," Stefan nodded politely and then on impulse held out his hand to the man before he remounted. "I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage Ser we were never formally introduced."
Taking the proffered hand the pistolier clicked his heels together in a nonchalant way.
"Dietrich Weissman at your disposal, leader of our resident hot heads or as our official title goes….Pistoliers."
Laughing at the man's flippancy Stefan responded casually in turn.
"I'd introduce myself of course but the good Baron saw to that already I'm afraid. Tell me Herr Weissman what news from the front of the column any sign of the enemy?"
The grin that had formed initially on the pistolier's face hearing Stefan's words faded quickly and the man's brow furrowed into a scowl. Motioning his head further off to the side of the trail he made sure they were out of earshot of any casual eavesdroppers.
"Between you and me I think we are taking an awful risk here. There has been signs of the enemy here and there, small things, recent camp fires, bones that sort of thing. We have reported it to Baron but he presses on full tilt without waiting for us to investigate fully. My men are reduced to practically outriders of the column just to keep up instead of properly scouting!"
"Is he not mindful of the danger?" Stefan asked quietly.
"Mindful? He rejoices in it says that we must be getting closer and that the weight of our forces will crush the enemy when they show themselves." The man's exasperated tone showed Stefan that this wasn't the first time he had had this conversation today. "Did you see how strung out we became today on the march? Weight of our forces indeed, we could be attacked and picked off piecemeal if the enemy were smart enough. I can't tell if the man is willfully naïve or ignorant but either way my worries are growing."
"And what of the other officers have you spoken with any of them?" Stefan asked, his own fears which had grown during the day now made real by the pistoliers admission.
"Why would I? The Baron is in command, his word is law. I shouldn't even have confided in you but it's been a long and trying day. I must get back to the front, we'll probably try and scout the trail ahead a little ways in preparation for the morning."
"Sigmar guide you Herr Weissman and know that you have a confidante in me if you so require," Stefan answered holding the horses snout as the pistolier leapt back into the saddle.
Inclining his head with a foppish wave of his hand the pistolier pulled on the reins and set his horse to cantering back up the line.
"Orders Sir?," Kurt's voice intruded on Stefan's thoughts as he mulled over the scouts words watching him ride away in the gathering dusk.
"They are making camp ahead First Sergeant, pick out the freshest company and have them stand first watch here on the trail."
…
It was late in the night when Stefan felt a hand touch him on the shoulder pushing him to wake. Instantly Stefan's hand shot to the side of his bedroll seeking the dagger he had hidden beside him in easy reach before closing his eyes to rest.
"Easy Sir we aren't under attack, yet. The lads standing post on the trail have sent a runner requesting you come at once".
Blinking his eyes to adjust to the torch in Kurt's hand Stefan nodded and started to pull on his boots. Rising to his feet Stefan asked,
"Did he say what was going on?", buckling on his sword and pistols as he started striding towards the trail where the army had marched from earlier in the day. By virtue of sheer geography they wouldn't have far to walk but Stefan hurried his pace all the same.
"Nay Sir not a word but the lad did look a little skittish", Kurt shrugged noncommittally as he answered.
Around them the Imperial army slept, fires burned down low and mostly silent save for a few souls that could be seen moving on various tasks.
"What time is it?"
"About four hours pre-dawn Sir give or take. The trail post had just been relieved a half hour or so before the runner arrived."
"Hmm. Have a company stand to Kurt just in case. Nice and quiet no need to get anyone excited."
"Expecting trouble Sir?"
"Always first Sergeant. Despite what the Baron thinks we are deep in unfriendly territory here no harm being prepared."
Detouring briefly to catch the guard sergeant Kurt had a quiet word before breaking into a trot to catch up to Stefan who had continued to stride purposefully on back the way they had come not a few hours previous.
As they left the camp it wasn't long before they were met by one of the company left to guard the trail entrance in the army's wake. The guard was clearly expecting him but Stefan was glad to see the man looked alert and relatively fresh. Snapping to attention and saluting the guard spoke quietly,
"Evening Sir, keep heading on down the trail. Sergeant has the newcomers waiting there under guard."
Intrigued now Stefan saluted and carried on walking. Beside him Kurt wondered aloud,
"Newcomers? Now who could that be I wonder? I thought we had everyone before we broke camp?"
Stefan had his own suspicions but said nothing as they rounded a bend in the trail. In the pre-dawn gloom he could make out some of his men standing in the lee of some large boulders. The men's backs were to him and blocked sight of the newcomers at first but as Stefan approached the Sergeant turned, striding back towards him. Saluting the Sergeant spoke in hushed tones,
"Dwarves Sir. They say they are the ones who were to meet with the Baron before the army set out. They don't seem too pleased in general".
"Very good Sergeant I'll see to them".
"Begging your pardon Sir but I have to admit I'm not sure we would have spotted them only for they wanted us too. My men weren't idling but I get the feeling the dwarves made themselves real obvious for us on the trail", the man looked uneasy as if expecting a rebuke.
"Dwarves are born to the mountains and rocks Sergeant. They have spent lifetimes in this landscape, there is no shame in them getting close to you."
The Sergeant nodded a look of relief passing over his features.
"But remember Sergeant our enemy is also at home in this land and if the dwarves can do it then…."
Stefan left the rest of his sentence unspoken. Stiffening the Sergeant nodded and Stefan could see the message was not lost on the man.
"See to your men Sergeant, we'll take it from here"
Carrying on Stefan got his first look at the newcomers. There were three dwarves, smaller in stature than the men standing guard around them but yet they didn't seem lesser. If anything the dwarves seemed to exude a sense of authority that made one forget any notions of superiority based on something as frivolous as height. Two of the dwarves stood slightly further back from the first. Dressed similarly in armour of chainmail and leather their features were obscured by the hoods of heavy green cloaks which cast their face in shadow. There could be no doubting their identity however thanks to the long braided beards hanging down their fronts. Stefan could see a crossbow slung over the shoulder of one of them but no doubt there would be plenty more weapons about their persons. Finishing his appraisal of the two dwarves Stefan now took stock of the leader of the party. This dwarf was very different from his kinsmen. His armour shone and even in the pre-dawn gloom Stefan could tell the metals were of the finest quality. Masterfully crafted and inlaid with gems and symbols that Stefan couldn't identify. On his belt hung a warhammer which seemed to gleam with a silvery hue and across his back was slung a round metal shield. Like his fellows he wore a cloak but the hood was thrown back to reveal a rugged face framed by the cheek pads of his helmet. A long silver beard flowed from beneath the helmet, braided in intricate patterns and hung with rings of various metals. As Stefan studied the dwarf he caught his eyes in the gloom. Blue and piercing the dwarf seemed to be looking right through him and Stefan realised that he in turn was being appraised by this dwarf and while his expression never changed Stefan got the distinct impression the dwarf was less than impressed by what he saw. Stepping forward, Stefan clicked his heels together and bowed.
"Stefan Von Kleist, Reikland 95th, at your service master dwarf".
The dwarf never moved but his eyes narrowed as he scowled.
"Thane Rangni Hammerson", the dwarf's voice was low and gravelly. "Tell me then are you the idiot in charge of this expedition?"
Raising an eyebrow but otherwise not changing his expression Stefan drolly replied,
"Sadly not mein Herr that honour belongs to Baron Varus. I can offer to escort you to him directly however."
"Escort me to him indeed, the idiot umgi should still be waiting in the foothills. What does he think he's doing marching up here like this!" the dwarf's voice practically dripped with anger, "Doesn't he realise what he is walking into?"
Pausing at the vehemency in the dwarf's voice Stefan thought very carefully before he replied.
"I'm sure the Baron has his reasons but alas he hasn't deemed fit to share them with me. Perhaps if I were to convey you and your kinsmen to him you could direct your ire to him in person and explain to him the error of his ways."
The dwarf's eyes changed now as he digested Stefan's words and deduced the meaning behind them
"Perhaps you aren't all so stupid after all umgi."
Turning his head the dwarf began to converse in low tones with his kinsmen behind him. The language was unfamiliar to Stefan and he guessed he was listening to Khazalid the language of the dwarves. One of the green cloaked dwarves spoke and Stefan noted the Thane replied before inclining his head curtly towards them. The dwarf glanced briefly at Stefan before turning on his heel and heading back up the slope into the gloom. Within minutes the dwarf disappeared from sight and once again Stefan felt a small pang of unease at the how out of place he felt here in this landscape.
"My kinsman will return to our fellows to inform them of where we am going. We have been tracking the greenskins for quite some time now and my people are spread thin. Your presence here was supposed to help us in that regard but so far my faith in that help is rather lacking."
"I can assure you Thane that we are here as allies in this fight. The greenskins are our enemy as much as yours. We will appreciate any counsel you can give us on the enemy and on your lands as I fear in that we are lacking in expertise", Stefan replied honestly.
The Thane appeared to ponder on that for a moment staring hard at Stefan. Stefan felt as though he was one of those fine metals in the dwarfs armour being weighed and judged on his quality.
"We shall find out your worth soon enough I think Von Kleist, now take me to this Baron of yours and Grimnir help us if he doesn't listen to reason."