The eldest of the siblings felt his heart sink when he heard his name. The Prince kept talking:
- Your combat skills and your spirit of deduction will allow us to advance and outpace the members of the cult.
The chaplain then saw the brown Skaven's face crumple into a disgusted grimace.
- No, the young ratman murmured.
- What? Psody exclaimed, raising his eyebrows and his voice.
Kristofferson stood up from the coach, looking angry.
- This little game is over! No more lies! Do you think I'll continue to be your puppet after this?
- Kristofferson, don't get angry! the Prince demanded.
- How would you react in my place, Opa Ludwig? What would you do if those you love used you as a tool, regardless of your feelings? Feral Skaven act like that, but I don't! I am a Human, by character, I have always considered values such as loyalty, honour, family devotion, as ideals to maintain! But what the three of you did was quite the opposite!
- Now is really not the appropriate time, Kit!
- I don't care! I bet it will never be the appropriate time, anyway!
- So you're ready to let Tzeentch get his hands on the Rat Kingdom? You idiot-unconscious!
This was one sentence too many for the eldest son of the master mage.
- Me, an idiot-unconscious? Maybe, but you...
Raising his fist, he walked towards his father and cried:
- You're nothing but a nasty manipulator!
Kristofferson then realized that he might do something stupid. Cut in his tracks, he strode out of the room. The White Skaven was going to follow him, but Steiner held him back.
- No need to do anything for the moment, ordered the Prince. In his state, he won't hear anything. You'll talk to him when he's willing to listen to you, Psody.
- Yes, Father.
Without saying a word, Nedland nimbly jumped out of his chair and headed towards the exit door.
- Barnrooster, don't!
The little man stopped short at the Prince's injunction.
- As I just said, he won't listen to anyone.
- I always act according to your will, your Majesty, but I think it is not a good idea to let him go like this.
- He's a reasonable boy, he will undoubtedly be more receptive this evening. But you're right about one thing: not let him go too far shall be better. Follow him discreetly, you can make him hear reason when you think the right time comes, ideally before this evening.
- At your service.
Nedland left the living room in turn, more calmly. Romulus murmured:
- Ludwig, I'm waiting for you at your office, we're going to have work.
- Go ahead, I'm coming.
And the prior slipped away. Bianka, usually quick to reprimand anyone who doesn't act appropriately according to her beliefs, couldn't get a word out. Her father looked at her with apprehension. It was finally the Prince who advanced towards the young ratgirl and crouched down to be at her level.
- So… my whole investigation was small potatoes?
- No, my darling, you did the right thing. Your investigations have pushed our enemies into error, and our warriors will be able to take over.
- Verena must take me for the lowest fool!
The backlash was too hard to overcome. She collapsed in the Prince's arms and burst into tears. She cried like this for a long minute.
- I was so sure of myself...
- Verena is fortunate to have a disciple with unwavering faith, through whom her justice will be done. We will be able to stop the real bad guys.
Finally, she raised her head, and stammered through her tears:
- Opa, you… your crown…
- What, my crown?
The Prince understood the allusion.
- Oh, that's right… Do you want…?
He pointed at the fireplace with a glance. Bianka raised her hand.
- No. Keep it. It was necessary. You are the Prince.
- Above all, I am your grandfather, and I lied to you. Lying must be categorically excluded from the values and methods of a Prince.
- The Purple Hand has eyes and ears everywhere, you have been suspicious, and rightly so. You had to be more cunning than them.
- I had, and I can assure you all these people who forced me to do so much harm to my own family will be sorry! Psody, join us as soon as you can.
- Yes, Father.
When the door closed behind the Prince, Psody and Bianka were now alone in the small living room. The White Skaven remained silent. He didn't dare look at his daughter. Finally, he whispered:
- I… don't know what to tell you.
The young ratgirl answered nothing. The master mage continued:
- I would like not to count, my darling. I made everyone suffer, and I can't determine-estimate who suffered the most because of me. But I know you are the one towards whom I have had the most pain-sorrow. I was forced to lick Karhi's feet, while you were here, seriously ill, after having done everything to find the cultists-agents of the Purple Hand... Each morning, I prayed to the Horned Rat to give me the strength not to give up and take the risk of returning to Steinerburg to tell you I was fine. I shouldn't endanger the whole operation! I had to choose between staying with you all and playing captive Warlock Engineer with this little Grey Seer larva! I dare to hope one day, perhaps... you shall forgive me.
Bianka gathered her strength to get out of her chair. She faced her father, without saying a word, then let herself fall into his arms.
- I've been so sad!
- I'm sorry-sorry.
- Verena be my witness… I don't want to get angry with you. Especially after what you had to endure!
Psody smiled despite himself. Even overwhelmed by emotion, her daughter retained her ability to reason logically.
The largest temple in Steinerburg, located in the heart of the Chalice Quarter, was as impressive as ever. Even after walking past it hundreds of times, Marjan still viewed the building dedicated to Taal and Rhya with the same admiration and respect as the day it was officially opened to the faithful. She walked through the main entrance gate and dismounted. She let the reins of her horse to an initiate, and crossed the park.
After a long minute walking, she found herself in the inner courtyard of the temple. A plot of this courtyard was reserved for the vegetable garden. Marjan spotted Mother Morgana, and came to meet her. Several young children, Humans and Skaven, were playing together all around her, some running and even threatening to push her, all the while laughing. The tall blonde woman felt her stomach drop a notch. After all the horrors faced in Karhi's lair, such bursts of joy were a real relief.
- Hello, Mother Morgana.
- May Taal and Rhya's blessing be upon you, Lady Gottlieb. What is the honour of your visit worth to me?
- There is nothing honourable about my visit, Mother, I just came to convey some instructions from His Majesty Ludwig the First.
The high priestess smiled benevolently.
- Do not underestimate your worth, Lady Gottlieb. You are a bold and brave woman. I doubt many of us would have had the courage to do what you accomplished for the Rat Kingdom.
- I was lucky to come out alive and without too much damage. As for the state of my mind, we'll see that when everything is over. In the meantime, here is the list of birth certificates of all the children you have been kind enough to welcome within your walls.
There were around twenty of them, the others had been entrusted to the priestesses of Shallya.
- Are there many children whose parents have been warned?
- For the moment, we have not informed anyone. As long as the conspirators are still acting, we must not put families at risk of leaving their shelter. We will notify you when we send the messages to those concerned.
Marjan then recognized among the children a little Skaven girl watching attentively the gardener at work.
- That little girl over there… how is she?
- Considering what she's been through, she's not doing too badly either. Her name is Branwen. You know her?
- Shortly.
- Oh, I understand! She told us a "tall Human woman with golden hair came to save her from a mad scientist". Was it you?
- I only fulfilled my duty.
- If I believe what I've heard, you've done a lot more. You can be proud of yourself, Lady Gottlieb. Your mother would have been very proud too.
- Thank you, Mother Morgana. Unfortunately for her, I read the Shallean report about her. The poor girl lived in Brebersdorf, one of the villages that was completely destroyed. She no longer has any family.
- She shall have to live with this burden, a very heavy load to carry for such young shoulders. Thank you for passing on the information, we'll be able to prepare her for it slowly. We'll keep her as long as necessary.
- I think she's stronger than she looks, she'll get through this. But… why at your place? Isn't it up to the doves to collect the orphans?
Mother Morgana made a small face.
- The abuses of the Feral Skaven caused a lot of damage, and the Temple of Shallya unfortunately found itself with an overflow of orphans to take care of. When that happens, we have agreed with them to lighten their load by a child or two. Branwen told us she used to work in the fields with her mother before this tragedy. In my opinion, it would be a good thing for her to stay with us for a while, so that she can rebuild herself through activities she's already familiar with. This will help her get through the process, and who knows, maybe she will want to become an initiate?
- Why not, if she's happy like that?
Marjan hesitated. Would she approach the little girl?
Maybe she will be delighted to see me... and maybe not. What if she asks me about her family?
This last question allowed the tall woman to make her decision.
- I'll come back and see her when everything is finished, I'm counting on you to treat her well.
- You can, Lady Gottlieb.
It was then Marjan noticed a strange little glint in Mother Morgana's eye.
- Is everything well, Mother?
- Yes, uh… Forgive me, my Lady. I was deep in thought.
- About what?
- Well… you are a woman of arms, and I am a priestess. However, we understand each other. You come from a family attached to its values, proud of its traditions, and close to the earth. I think you would have made an excellent member of our Order. I see you very well doing the work in the field, praying to Taal and Rhya, and keeping the memory of our predecessors intact.
- I prefer to pray to Ursun and Ulric, but I appreciate the compliment.
Marjan took one last look at Branwen, who was helping the gardener, then took leave of Taal and Rhya's followers.
Meanwhile, near the Steinerburg barracks, another scene was playing out at the Temple of Sigmar. The small, sober but solid building was inhabited by half a dozen priests, supported by around ten initiates. The main leader of this congregation was Prior Arcturus. Since his intervention during the so-called arrest of Brisingr Steadyhand, he had not relaxed his vigilance. He himself regularly received reports from one or other of the hand-picked investigators. Suspicious activities were unfortunately becoming more and more numerous, and the prior was hesitant about what action to take. Should he continue to observe, or should he take action? And if so, in what proportions?
However, the tall bald man was relieved when he understood, as the conversation he had been carrying on for half an hour progressed, that the Prince's representative could give him all the answers to these thorny questions.
- Yes, Nedland Barnrooster and Kristofferson Steiner have worked well in recent days. They spotted a few of the Purple Hand members, enough to be able to act according to the plan.
- I'll be happy and proud to fulfil my duty and accompany you, Sir Gottlieb. But I won't have many other disciples to entrust to you!
- How many people in the Temple of Sigmar could support us?
- We are six sworn priests. We'll do everything to prevent that from happening, but if we all die in battle, there must be at least one left to keep the temple alive.
- That already makes us five people. What about the seminarians?
- I'm afraid they're still a little young, Milord. The oldest is not yet fifteen years old.
- So what? Do you think my father waited until I was fifteen to make me fight? Right, it wasn't on a battlefield against hundreds of men, but at that age I had already been in skirmishes! This is the way I got my first scars, and therefore received my first practical lessons.
- And who were your adversaries, Milord? Madmen led by magicians, priests and wild beasts, all supported by Demons?
- Um… Well, it's true, my father never sent me to face the supernatural. Besides, come to think of it, I haven't had an occasion to break Demons since they destroyed Gottliebschloss. Lots of Feral Skaven and their critters, but Demons... You win this round.
Arcturus ran a hand through his thick beard.
- Come on, I should still be able to get a couple of my older initiates. Still, they will stay with me. In fact, we'll be in support, we won't be able to afford to be part of the first group. Just like the Master Mage, I can easily be spotted by a priest or a magician.
- Don't worry, we should be able to hold out long enough. And then, remember apart from a few of them, their ranks are made up of commoners, traders, crafters... in any case, people who do not represent a great threat on a battlefield. Do you require any particular equipment, Prior Arcturus?
- We have what we need. Each of us will be equipped with his own hammer, as well as a breastplate.
- I was thinking about horses, will you have horses?
- A hammer is more easily manoeuvrable when you are on foot. Not all of our Brothers have received weapons training as advanced as yours.
- This is a lacuna, Prior.
- I know it well, but the Prince seems not to pay attention to it. This type of training is expensive in terms of equipment, animals and instructors, and I've already pointed this out several times to His Majesty. Alas, he has not yet gotten into the habit of making the same donations to the Rat Kingdom's Temple of Sigmar as those with which he gives the representatives of Verena or Shallya.
- This question deserves to be put back on the table, Prior Arcturus, however I don't think the timing is right.
- It isn't, indeed, but I intend to renew my request after the Prince once things are over, if we come out alive.
- No worries about that, Prior. For your request, I will not disapprove. For now, we must focus on the Purple Hand.
Jochen placed a sheet of paper on the desk.
- You shall meet us at this place tomorrow evening, one hour before midnight, with your five friars and your initiates. Don't skimp on prayers, Sigmar's support won't be luxury.
- We'll bless the troops before going there, Milord.
The young lord stood up, a satisfied smile split his face.
- Keep in mind your idea of complaint to the Prince. He shall no doubt be more willing to agree with you when we have defeated these damn cultists thanks to you and your disciples.
- I am the metal, Sigmar is the hammer, Sir Gottlieb.
- Lady Marjan?
The servant had spoken in Kislevite. Indeed, to keep a little of the spirit of her origins, Lady Franzseska had primarily hired servants from Kislev to take care of tasks related to her family, in Gottliebschloss – her husband had hardly seen any problem to this preference. After Vellux's Feral Skaven invasion, Lady Gottlieb had followed the convoy to the province of the Renegade Crowns that would become Vereinbarung, and the few Kislevite servants who had survived this terrible ordeal had all followed. Since then, other employees who came to Steinerburg to try their luck had put their talents at the service of the Gottlieb family.
Hearing her mother's native language always did something special to Marjan. She never spoke it outside the family home, even when she was alone with her brother, who also mastered it.
- What is it? the tall blonde woman asked in the same language.
- A visitor is waiting at the gate. I believe it's the eldest son of the Master Mage.
Marjan raised her eyebrows.
Is Kit here?
She adjusted the collar of her tunic.
- Have him wait at the bench near the fountain, I arrive in a few minutes.
- At your service, Lady Marjan.
The sun was beginning its descent, its rays tinting everything they touched with a golden glow, which gave an autumnal atmosphere to the park. The brown Skaven also noticed the leaves of certain trees were starting to take on the colours of this season.
Marjan's voice made him turn his ear reflexively.
- Weren't we supposed to meet in the Council Room?
Kristofferson wiggled his fingers.
- Well… That's a bit tricky to say, Marjan. I... I ran out of my house and slammed the door.
- What? Wait, are you telling me you had a fight with your parents?
- I had, the young ratman confessed.
The tall woman slapped her forehead.
- I don't believe it! Your family is counting on you to complete the clean-up, and the best thing you can do is run away and take refuge in my home! Honestly, you're too old for behaving like a capricious kid, don't you think?
- If only I still was a capricious kid, Marjan! Capricious, but carefree, a thousand miles from all the responsibilities linked to the Court! A kid to whom values in which he viscerally believes are instilled, and to whom good example is shown! Not like now, where I got fooled by everyone! And where I couldn't be by your side, when you needed it most!
The young woman didn't respond, but her face changed from anger to bitterness.
- I don't dare imagine everything you had to go through to go into the hole of that little Grey Seer scum. Fear, humiliation, violence... If only I could have accompanied you!
- Well, you know, in the end, it wasn't much more terrible than when you were in a cage in the Empire.
- I should have been by your side, once again! And my grandfather refused to let me go, the same thing as for Wüstengrenze! I had to stay here, scrambling around with my mother and the two brats, while you risked your life for us! It seems like they don't want me to hang out with you! So what? Since they see me as a kid, I can act like one!
Marjan sighed and raised her hand.
- We got out without too much damage, Kit. On the other hand, I don't think you realize the importance of your role here: you looked after your family, your sisters while your mother and brothers were away. I think your father would have preferred a thousand times to be in your place.
- Ah, he probably could have, if he had found a less twisted way!
Marjan sat down on the bench next to the brown Skaven. Her light eyes shone in a way that the young Steiner didn't manage to clearly define.
- You're not the only one to have this kind of thought, Kit. In all sincerity, I would have liked you to accompany me into this burrow. I was sure I had finally gotten used to it, I thought this kind of crap would never touch me again. And yet…
- What did you see that was so vile?
- The good works of Clan Moulder.
- Oh… Mutants?
- Only the Master Mutator, but I especially saw the way he played with the little prisoners.
A veil of icy sweat covered the entire surface of the brown Skaven's fur.
- I haven't told anyone, Kit, but I need to evacuate. I want it to be with my most faithful friend. The one with whom I grew up a little, with whom I experienced lots of things, and to whom I can confide everything.
- You can confide everything to me, indeed.
Marjan bit her lip. Despite her efforts, she couldn't stop a few tears from tickling her eyes.
- They kidnapped the little Skaven to turn them into madrats, as they use to behave, Kit! They locked me in their pit. They pushed them to fight among themselves to survive the jail!
- It's inhumane, but logical. They want Clanrats, they are trying to erase the education of Humans to brand them with the laws of the Under-Empire as with a hot iron. It is precisely to prevent this you took all the risks, you can be really proud of yourself.
The tall blonde woman stood up abruptly.
- No, my friend! I can't be proud of...of...that!
- What then, "that"? What's so bad that you can't even tell what it is?
- I'm not a heroine from an epic poem, Kit! I'm a murderer!
- What do you mean? Who did you kill? Enraged Feral Skaven? Slaves begging you to live a minute more?
- A little village girl, Kit!
Kristofferson's eyes widened, more surprised than indignant or frightened.
- Ursun damn it, I've never done that, and I hoped I never had to!
- What happened? You can't have murdered a child in cold blood, Marjan! There had to be a good reason.
- Yeah, there was a reason, but I don't know if it's good! It was warpstone, Kit! This poor little one was already bloated with warpstone, because of that Master Mutator asshole!
The brown Skaven didn't respond, he just nodded gently as a sign of assimilation.
- When we were at Harvests, we didn't touch the breeders. It would not have been enough to stop this infernal cycle. And above all, it would have lowered us to their level of savagery. Even to free them from the hell they were experiencing. Every time I saw one, I closed the eyes and ears of my conscience, telling myself we would be able to take on the Under-Empire and tame it within a couple of generations. That's what I still hope, Kit! We can force them to stop all this shit and see their children as happy as ours! It had been six months since I had seen a breeder. I thought it was over, I could move on. But when I saw this unfortunate thing, on that operating table, taking massive doses of warpstone... I unleashed my anger on the Master Mutator, then I slit the little girl's throat. I didn't want to abandon her to this sad fate, considering she had time to grow up a little and live a normal life. Her suffering would have been twice as bad. And so I am. I, Marjan Gottlieb, daughter of a couple of severe but fair lords... I killed a child. Quite a worthy heroine, indeed!
She sat down again next to Kristofferson, who hugged her.
- I see the point of your reflexion. For me, it doesn't change anything.
- What about Ursun? Do you think he won't torment me for eternity?
- Your God must be smart enough to understand you granted release to an unfortunate victim of the Horned Rat's madness.
- He doesn't like it when people hurt the cubs.
- So he could only approve of your action. You have slayed the real monster, it will not cause any more victims.
Marjan managed to smile through her tears.
- Thank you, I needed it.
- At your service.
The two young people got up together. Marjan took Kristofferson's hand between hers.
- Listen, don't be mad at your father. Please. We live in a world that may be truly vile, and even when you do everything to be a hero keeping a stiff upper lip, you are sometimes forced to do things that aren't very pretty. I had to do some in this burrow. Your father lied to you and your brothers and sisters, but I swear he would have done it differently if there had been a less painful solution. Please don't turn your back on him when he needs you the most. We are about to face the Rat Kingdom's worst enemy. And when I say "we," I truly mean "you and me," Kit. We cannot redo the beginning or the middle of this story. On the other hand, I propose you write the ending with me. Shall we?
- With… you?
- Yes.
- You and me, would we fight… together?
- Like the good old days.
Kristofferson's green eyes twinkled. The young blonde woman knew she had won. It was then that she spotted a small figure approaching, behind the brown Skaven.
- Well, we'll go back to your place in a few minutes, I'll prepare some stuff. I let you sort things out.
- How so?
- With me, son, I have to talk to you.
Kristofferson spun on his heel, and found himself facing Nedland. Once again, anger crept up his spine.
- It's fine, I'm going back home, and stitches will be probably broken on me, you won't put on a preventive layer, will you?
- No matter how much I want to. Your father is not very happy.
- Is he? Well, he just has to come and tell me that himself, instead of delegating his accomplice to me! Besides, Nedland, you made fun of me too! Your regrets, your compassion at the temple, it was all bogus! You knew everything, and you didn't tell me anything!
- I obeyed orders, son. Your grandfather remains above all the Prince, he gave me these instructions with a very specific goal: to protect as many people as possible. Every person who knew would have been a potential double jeopardy. First, whether this person reveals the secret, accidentally or intentionally. Then, let the Purple Hand learn this secret in turn, and take action, and therefore flee or attack.
The brown Skaven stamped his foot.
- You lied about the whole picture. I bet your arrow wound is fake too.
- It is.
- I say, you all lied to me! I was raised in the values of nobility, loyalty, justice, sincerity, and this is how the people who taught me everything respect their own teachings! How disappointing!
Nedland's face closed.
- I can understand that point of view, son. But even if I take the risk of shocking you, I have to remind you the world doesn't work like that. Sure, it would be so easy if we were all good guys, and if Chaos and the Feral Skaven were the only bad guys, and everyone followed the same course of action. But our society is more complex than that, and sometimes, even the most virtuous people have to do dirty tricks, lie, deceive or use less than honourable methods. When they do it, it is not without reason. In your example, if your parents lied to you, it was to protect you.
- Don't make me laugh! They confessed they put us in their plan! I will…
- Stop!
For the first time since he had known him, Nedland decided not to give the brown Skaven any more escape. Surprised by such an increase in his tone, Kristofferson fell silent. The treasurer took a breath, and declared in a scathing voice:
- We have no more time to waste. Thanks to our plan, this bunch of numskulls made a mistake: they shall organize the farewell party tomorrow evening, and I know where, because they were not careful. One of my contacts spotted suspicious activity in a remote location, on the outskirts of town. They'll convoke their fucking Archdemon. This will be the unique opportunity to demolish them all. You and I have spent days tracking down these heretics, and now we're about to catch their leaders. You won't throw everything on the ground because you're angry with your daddy, will you? No? So, stop acting like a child, go back to the mansion to do your duty, otherwise I'll get angry! Understood?
Kristofferson held the Halfling's gaze for several long seconds. Fortunately, as a firstborn, he had developed a deep sense of responsibility. Despite the burning sensation that bruised his heart, he decided to give in.
- You guys are lucky. My father, my grandfather, you... If I didn't sincerely believe in the education I received, I...
- You would behave like a bandit, or worse, a cowardly and squealing Feral Skaven. Show me you have a pair of balls in your pants!
- All right.
Without warning, Kit threw himself towards the Halfling, hands outstretched, to grab him. Nedland had the reflex to step back, but the brown Skaven was cleverer than him: he spun around, and whipped his tail at the scout's legs. Nedland tripped over the edge of the fountain and fell into the pool.
Kristofferson burst out laughing.
- It's childish, but it's relieving!
His sneer gradually diminished when he noticed the little man was not coming to the surface.
- Nedland? Nedland? Hey, answer me!
Young Steiner immediately became worried.
It would be the height of bad luck if he hit his head on the bottom!
He leaned over the edge and plunged his hands into the murky water. Suddenly, a steely grip grabbed his arm, and pulled with irresistible force. Kristofferson fell forward and found himself in the water in turn.
When he heard the Halfling's mad laughter, as he clung to the granite surface, he growled with a knowing smile:
- You ugly little midget!
- We're even, cocksucker!
And the two friends, reconciled by the joke, burst out laughing together even more.
- Hey, you two! Are you going to stop playing dumbs and get out of there, or do I have to come and get you by the skin of your ass?
Kristofferson and Nedland, called to order by Marjan's voice, hastened to get out of the pool, still laughing.