The glow of the candles flickered, and the room was lit up by the light passing through the stained-glass window. This large surface of pieces of glass of all colours joined together by the leaden sticks stood twelve feet high and eight feet wide. A very impressive work, which had required long months of work to the best craftsman of the kingdom. A magnificent work, glittering with details more applied than the others, and so numerous that an untrained eye could not perceive them all at once.
The chapel was rather small, but comfortable. The floor consisted of varnished planks covered with a soft and precious carpet. A single wooden bench faced a sober altar. Under the stained-glass window there was a small wooden tabernacle with two shutters.
Sat on the bench, Master Mage Prospero Steiner prayed in silence. He had wanted to take the time to thank his god for the success of the mission before reporting to the sovereign of Vereinbarung. He looked up at the stained-glass window, embracing the picture as a whole.
A green plain extended along the lower part of the stained-glass window. Two lines of characters stretched across the width to meet in the centre. From the left advanced Humans. They wore clothes of all kinds. And the line that went from the right to the middle was consisted by Skaven, the first ones naked, then those joining the Humans dressed like them. The two peoples mingled amicably under the watchful eye of a character above the gathering. It was a silhouette wearing a cape made of multi-coloured feathers, with hidden features under a round and golden mask. Two horns emerging on each side of his mask could be distinguished, at the height of the temples of the individual. Finally, on the upper part of the work appeared an immense Skaven, with two pairs of horns: a pair rising towards the heavens like the attributes of a goat, the other with the protuberances curved on themselves like the horns of a ram. At Psody's request, the representation of the Horned Rat should not inspire fear or disgust. The god sported a neutral expression, and raised his hand above the crowd, as if to show respect to the mortal people, if not to protect them.
The artist was inspired by an engraving discovered by Marco Colombo during one of his travels in Lustria. The temple of Tixoco housed an immense relief painting in the same scene, except that there were no Humans, but Lizardmen. In addition, the head of the Horned Rat, god hated by the followers of the serpent-god Sotek, was not there either.
In Vereinbarung, the cults followed by Humans were practiced as in the Empire. The law permitted the veneration of the gods of friendly peoples, such as Grungni, Kurnous or Esmeralda, although there were not yet enough faithful prayers to give them an official presence. On the other hand, it was forbidden to follow the word of other gods decreed as "evil". The four gods of Chaos, in particular, were the subject of an as ruthless anathema as within the Empire. And the Horned Rat was forbidden, too, because he was filled with rage and hatred towards Humans, according to the testimonies. This god was also an aberration for the inquisitors of Sigmar, he proved that the "Beastmen" could have a "grotesque parody of religion"... and question the authority of the Grand Theogonist.
The Master Mage's gaze lingered for a moment on the masked figure. It was Cuelepok, the first known White Skaven to have been educated differently than by the brutal and selfish way of the Feral Skaven. Cuelepok had lived two thousand years earlier in the city of Capatec Hanahuac. Collected by the priest-mage Slann when he was just a new-born, this White Skaven had been the symbol of a hope, that of a society where the Skaven would live in harmony with another people. Such a personality had unfortunately troubled the powerful Slanns who condemned him. Cuelepok was also a Skaven definitively in total contradiction with the sermons of the imperial churches.
The stained glass also contained a secret that ended the chapel as an unspeakable heresy: the two green eyes of the Horned Rat were actually two small splinters of warpstone. The only two fragments of warpstone in the whole area, indeed the whole country. Psody knew it. At least, he hoped.
This work of art thus constituted a blasphemy, a crime which would quickly precipitate on the pyre the craftsman, the Prince who had made the order, and the Master Mage, only practitioner of the cult of the Horned Rat of the kingdom. Psody had been very clear about this when his adoptive father asked him the question. Yes, he was still faithful to the Horned Rat. Yes, he would continue to pray this god daily and listen to his delivered messages through visions. No, he would never pass on this belief. The White Skaven was convinced that the tutelary deity of the Under-Empire was addressing him differently. Or was it him, Psody, who was misinterpreting? No. The Horned Rat had shown him Capatec Hanahuac, and had permitted him the communication with Cuelepok, through space and time. To his knowledge, Psody was the only one to have a peaceful interpretation of the Horned Rat's speech. He had no support from anyone to support this extravagant practice of the Feral Skaven religion. Moreover, the idea of creating a new religion didn't please him at all.
So, he had agreed with Prince Steiner to keep the exclusivity of these beliefs. He didn't hide his loyalty to the Horned Rat, but didn't display it either. He was also the only one to frequent this little chapel, forbidden to anyone other than him. Anyway, this prayer room had been built in secret, and it was impossible to access it other than through a secret passage concealed in his office, in the middle of his private apartments. It could not be accessed from the outside, the stained-glass window led into a small concealed courtyard in the middle of the building, and the various rooms and corridors were arranged so as not to raise suspicions about the configuration of the building.
The religion of the Feral Skaven remained his exclusivity. He had formally forbidden his own children from listening to the Horned Rat in any way.
He lowered his eyes slightly to the tabernacle, and saw a slight golden glow escaping from the gap between the two shutters. The last secret, the biggest treasure of the White Skaven, was stored in this box. This treasure had allowed him to win a definite victory against Grey Seer Vellux, and since then was preciously stored in the handiwork box.
He closed his eyes, and meditated. He murmured his gratitude in his native language, not without taking pleasure in it. Although he had lived alongside humans for six years, even though he had rejected the way of life of the inhabitants of the Under-Empire, he had not completely denied his identity.
After a moment, he felt his heart lighten, as if, unconsciously, he had felt the approval of the Horned Rat. He raised his eyelids, got up, extinguished the candle under the stained glass, and left the place of worship.
Heike Steiner enjoyed the last rays of sunshine on the stone bench facing a large pool in which stood proudly a large ornamental fountain, with statues of deer, fish and other animals. The monument, which had its own water circuit, was the favourite place of the young woman. It was a gift from her father, who had tapped into his personal funds to hire one of the most renowned Dwarf engineers. The result was neatly amazing. Every time she passed by, Heike could not help but stop for a few moments in front of the building.
Mixed feelings still made her heart sway. The relief of seeing her companion and her two older sons in good health, the fear of thinking about the risks involved, the joy of thinking about the happy couples who would take care of the little Skaven, and a hint of anger at her father and the White Skaven, feeling she considered purely selfish.
- Well, my friend, here you are!
Heike gave a little start, and turned to the voice.
- Oh, sorry, I did not want to scare you.
- It... it does not matter.
- You seemed lost in your thoughts.
- Nothing worthy to be mentioned, Franzseska.
Franzseska Gottlieb was the mother of Jochen and Marjan. Widow of Wilhelm Gottlieb, a local lord of Middenland slaughtered by a Feral Skaven – she had never known it, but the knife had been held by Klur, one of Psody's litter brothers, she had almost shot him down – this Human had the same features as her daughter, more accentuated. She was very large, solidly built, with eyes sparkling with a cold sapphire blue to freeze flames, and a long, golden mane.
This imposing Human had a particularly strong personality, and knew how to be respected as well as a war chief. Prince Ludwig the First had made her his intendant. As a former lord's wife, she had all the qualities to assist him in his reign. The Prince had not neglected his adopted daughter, however, and Heike had his share of responsibilities in the princely hierarchy. In truth, the two women regularly attended each other.
The character of Lady Franzseska had changed a lot since the death of her husband. At first, like a vast majority of Humans, she tolerated the representatives of the three friendly peoples, and didn't hide her contempt for other races. When she first met Psody a few months before the murder of her husband, she had firmly positioned herself in the camp of those who wanted to execute him. But in contact with Heike, met in a cage where she had been locked up with her children by Grey Seer Vellux, she understood that the children of the Horned Rat could be Humans too.
And so, Franzseska and Heike became very good friends. Like Magdalena, the housekeeper had also helped the young ratwoman in her role as mother when she had her first child, as well as the two following ones. Since their installation in Vereinbarung, no secret had been erected between them. And Franzseska had no trouble seeing the emotional state of her Skaven friend.
- Is something wrong? Are you crying?
Heike ran her fingers over the fluff that covered her cheek, and felt embarrassment kindling her face.
- Is it... is it all over?
- What? Ah, you're talking about the Harvests?
- Psody told me he would not leave anymore. I didn't dream it, did I?
- Jochen and Marjan assured me the same thing, just like Romulus. There are enough kids now. I assure you that Psody's words could not be more real.
Heike hugged the Human.
- It's really finished. It's about time! I couldn't bear it longer!
- You have stood firm, and now we have no more reason to worry.
The Skaven woman wiped her eyes.
- You know how I felt. Your children too risked their lives.
- And I'm doubly happy to see them again, now that I know they will not take any more risks. We have no reason to cry anymore.
She made a small sign of the chin, with a smirk.
- Here! Your man is coming!
The little horned ratman was approaching the bench.
- Lady Franzseska! You seem to be in good shape-shape!
- You too, considering your last getaway!
- Oh, it was easy! Thanks to your children and Gab's weapons!
Lady Franzseska's smile faded. She could not help a reproaching tune alter her voice.
- It was not easy for us, you know.
- That's what I understood, my lady. But I promise you that we will do everything to make up for lost time, he hastened to add to the attention of his companion. We will spend more time together. Besides, I really want to allow Teresa to join us!
The young ratwoman had a slight hesitation.
- Hum... after all, why not? She too was yearning for your absence. And any activity that will stimulate her brain will benefit her.
- No doubt, but why absolutely want to take care of Teresa in particular? Still this feeling of culpable responsibility towards him?
Franzseska knew the nature of the relationship between the White Skaven and the young cripple. Accustomed to his franchise, Psody didn't react to this question.
- By Ulric's beard, you should go ahead, Psody! What happened to this girl is not your fault! You couldn't take her with you when you fled your burrow, it's a fact! You wouldn't have been able to take care of her, anyway!
- I'm trying to convince myself, but I still feel that I didn't manage to save her when it was time. If we had intervened earlier, Teresa would not have suffered such treatment.
- That's true, but it was the first time Kit and Siggy had been involved in a colony attack, Heike said. They had to be well prepared, without haste. And then, the women take good care of her, too.
- Your daughter Bianka, in particular, has a lot of patience, Master Mage. This experience will train her to when she will have her own children. I'm sure with attention and love, Teresa will eventually progress. We cannot save them all, you say it regularly. But in my heart, I feel that we can save her.
- May your Shallya give you reason-reason, Lady Franzseska.
Meanwhile, Kristofferson and Sigmund had rested, washed, and dressed in fresh clothes, before finding their younger sister, at the study of Verena's temple, accompanied by Isolde, who had wanted to make the journey with them. Bianka welcomed with the same relieved joy that her mother's her two older brothers. She hugged the tall Black Skaven longer. Indeed, by their twinness, a special bond united the two children of the Master Mage. Unlike any other person in the Rat Kingdom, Bianka could say anything on any tone to the Black Skaven without the slightest embarrassment, and without risking anything from him.
- So, big ninny, finished playing heroes! It will be the last Harvest!
- Eeyup! No need to worry, sis'. But I feel that I already miss the action. I'll leave tomorrow.
- Are you kidding me? yelled the Skaven girl, half amused, half serious.
Sigmund didn't answer. Bianka looked questioningly at Kristofferson, who remained silent, then at Isolde. The little girl was wringing her mouth in a tight pout to help laughing. Bianka looked up at Sigmund. He looked marble, but his sister saw that he was biting his lips.
- I was sure of it! exclaimed Bianka, slamming Sigmund's neck. Dumbass!
The Black Skaven replied with a loud burst of laughter, immediately imitated by Isolde. Kristofferson looked falsely sorry.
- Well, are you done? Father and Mother are waiting for us for dinner.
- Let's go!
Bianka quickly put away the few books she was holding on her desk, adjusted her clothes a little, and all four left the room. Sigmund brought little Isolde up on his shoulders. Along the way, they continued the conversation. The researcher mumbled:
- I didn't believe you for a second, Sigmund.
- What?
- Did you really think it would work? Don't give me that bullshit! Every time you go on a mop in the Empire, you sulk! So you would never have been in a hurry to leave unless you took a head trauma, which doesn't seem to have happened.
- That's right, it's true, sis'. I have no excuse.
- So, you should be glad to be back, and not to leave.
- I am glad, sis'.
Bianka hurried to walk on the same pace that the tall Black Skaven.
- Still, you don't look like someone happy and relieved! Looks like you swallowed a whole Goblin vomit pâté!
Isolde burst out again laughing as she visualized the image. She was the only one.
- I have the feeling not having been to the end, sis'.
- What do you mean? We got enough kids, right? All requesting parents are satisfied, and the "extra" children will be entrusted to the Shalleans. Everybody is happy!
- I'm thinking about the mothers... the real mothers.
Kristofferson spoke.
- Sigmund, you know that's the way things are, and we cannot do otherwise. And do not forget that we were able to save a girl or two from time to time.
- When I remind the unfortunate prisoners we had to leave on the spot, that makes me really sad.
- Why not save all the girls? asked the little last one of the siblings.
The tall Black Skaven sighed.
- I really want to, sweetie belle, but it's not possible. We could only board the youngest. First because the breeders are so fat, and weigh several hundred pounds. Five hundred, six hundred, sometimes more. Evacuate one of them under the nose of the Feral Skaven and transport it to home would be very difficult and dangerous. We even saw burrows where the females were put in cellars with exits just large enough to let pass thin ratwives only. It was Nedland who could find them, given his small size of Halfling. They had been put there, then fattened and treated with warpstone, and had become too big to get out! If the burrow crumbled, they were doomed to be buried alive!
- How awful, muttered Isolde.
- How stupid, especially! exclaimed Bianka. How can they hope to have decent descendants if the strongest and most enduring males cannot join the layers and mate with them? Unless they have found a way to fertilize them by implanting the seed artificially, of course. Well, I prefer not to imagine the methods of extraction or insemination.
A short embarrassed silence followed this statement. Bianka didn't mince her words, and sometimes used very graphic expressions without taking care of young ears like those of her younger sister. The entrance gate of the family home was now in sight. Kristofferson continued:
- Anyway, it would not have changed anything. Feral Skaven do not hesitate to abandon their females behind them if they are forced to flee, and even without being tied, the layers are not able to go far on their own.
- And then there is another problem, added Sigmund. Even if we managed to bring one here... what would we do with? At such a dose, warpstone has irreversible effects! The brain of these poor girls is nothing but compote, in addition to being completely amorphous. Have you seen Teresa? It's only the first phase! The ones we saw went much more gaga than she does! Only miracles that would be Shallya's direct interventions would do anything about it. But we could not possibly treat them at this stage.
- Yes, but at least they would be free.
As they crossed the park, they saw their mother waiting for them near the gate.
- It is not said that they would stop suffering among us, considering the fact their bodies are completely upside down, Bianka explained. Their bones and organs are crushed under the weight of their fat, their bowels make knots, their lungs are completely shrivelled, and only the warpstone prevents them from feeling the pain!
- What are you talking about? The mother Skaven asked, taken aback.
Bianka cleared her throat.
- We were talking about breeders in the burrows. I was explaining that it was unfortunately not possible to treat them completely yet.
- The only way to end their suffering would be to finish them off, but I do not dare, said the brown Skaven with bitterness. As weak and impotent as they are, they are innocent living beings, and I am not an assassin.
- And that's what makes the difference between them and you, you must never forget it, my children! said Heike in a peremptory tone. Well, it's getting late, we'll have supper soon. This will be an opportunity to celebrate your return! Your grandfather has planned everything.
For this evening of festivities, the Prince had organized a party to which all the Harvesters and their families had been invited. All those who had participated intensively or episodically in the great population operation of the Rat Kingdom would therefore be thanked as they deserved.
Several large tables had been erected in the very garden of the Steiner property. The cook had to ask the hiring of half a dozen clerks to help him prepare for the banquet. The meal was hearty: roast beef, poultry, sausages and seasonal vegetables delighted the guests. Beer and wine flowed several times into the glasses, and the name of the monarch Ludwig the First was continually honoured.
Some stomachs had to pause when the cheese platters were brought, cheeses all more tasty than the others. Finally, the desserts were served. Men and rat-men tasted fine pastries, of the kind rarely seen more than once a decade. Many guests discovered new sensations by tasting sweets for the first time.
During the whole supper, a complex platform, made of carved wood and provided with velvet curtains, had been built by the Prince's servants. And when the first stars began to twinkle in the night sky, a girl lit, one by one, small candles aligned at the edge of the removable stage. A drum roll sounded, immediately catching the attention of all the guests. The curtains, however, remained closed despite the copper cymbal strike.
There was a surprised silence in the audience. Silence broken by a clear voice that burst among the guests.
"It is often said that life is an endless dance. A comedy played from cradle to grave, a huge joke that would not stop making us laugh. If that were the case, then I would rejoice, because it would mean without a doubt that I would be doomed to have fun, to laugh at everything with everyone. I would be chained to amusement. I would be prisoner of joy and good mood. Can we imagine a better cage?"
The clear voice belonged to a curious, tall and thin individual. Standing between Nedland and Jochen, he had slipped noiselessly between the two men, during the drum roll, thus sparing his entry and the beginning of the show. He was dressed with a motley costume, decorated with checks of all colours, and a soft feathered hat. His face was covered with a white mask adorned with silk, with a long straight nose, and two small disks of smoked glass hid his eyes.
Heike felt her heart beat wildly as she recognized the character. Without needing to know his face. This voice, this presence, this particular physics, so many features that, once gathered, could only define no one but a particular person.
Yavandir!
Yavandir Palebough was an Elf. He didn't correspond so much to the general idea that Humans made themselves of this people. Far from the tribes inhabiting the forests of the Old World, this eccentric man had spent his whole life in big cities. The Skaven woman knew nothing of his youth, even less his family. His fine manners and phrasing, however, foreshadowed a well-groomed education in a comfortable environment. She suspected, with the touch of romanticism that characterized her, that he was the bastard child of a merchant prince of Ulthuan settled in the Old World. Or was he from a wealthy family he had voluntarily got rid of to live a carefree life of itinerant artist? Unless he was the disappointed hope of a lineage crushed to ruin? Maybe the answer was under his mask. She had never been able to see what the artist really looked like. He always took care to conceal his face in a more or less elaborate way. Currently, the mask he wore covered his entire head. Small holes in the mouth let pass his clear and cheerful tone.
The mystery remained for everyone, especially the young ratwoman. Why such a secret? Had he been horribly disfigured by accident or torture? Was he born so ugly? Or on the contrary, did he have the face of an angel? Maybe he was the look-alike of someone important? Was this face, never to be seen in the open, the key to an incredible enigma?
Yavandir Palebough had not only a mysterious face and a remarkable voice; dozens of years of training had made him a seasoned contortionist, able to leap like a cat over long distances, and in general, he always moved with grace and lightness.
In an instant, he was standing on the table. He jumped from one foot to the other as he walked towards the stage, and stopped half-way to lean toward the crowd. He resumed his tirade in a grandiloquent tone, his hand raised to the stars.
"Of course, life always has its painful moments, and myself, I happened to wish to see it finish. Admittedly, yesterday's enchantments too often give way to today's disillusions, and end in the sorrows of tomorrow. But the sum of all these tears is far from equalling the value of the intense pleasure I experienced while living, especially during this strange day that I will now talk to you about."
Once again, the artist balanced to the stage. He was so agile that he allowed himself to perform a few pirouettes without touching any cover, or hit a guest. When he was standing on the boards, the curtains opened on a set. Other comedians were in place, and the show began.
It was an intense, wonderful, enchanting moment that lasted an hour and a half. The play was the last dramatic comedy of the famous author, Detlef Sierck. The Prince knew that his daughter loved works by this playwright, so he hired the Elf, who in turn had assembled a troupe to perform this show.
Like most of Sierck's works, the story fused family tragedies, suspense, romance, action, and finally concluded in a happy ending, and the artists showed such talent that the most sensitive people were still crying with emotion when the artists saluted, under the loud applause of the assembly.
Gradually, the guests withdrew, some alone, others in small groups. Yavandir Palebough approached the Prince.
- Your Highness was too good to allow a vulgar low-level artist to perform before such an honourable public!
- Come, my friend, no false modesty. We both know that you are an outstanding artist, capable of entertaining princes! And you proved it, once again.
Steiner gave the comedian a big purse, heavy with gold crowns.
- Here, it is up to our appreciations.
Yavandir weighed the canvas bag. He had no trouble understanding that it contained at least five times the initially agreed remuneration. He greeted with a bow.
- I will spread the word that Prince Steiner is fully worthy of his title.
- Your talent will always be welcome here, Palebough. Come back when you want.
The Elf wanted to take leave in his own way. He took out a whistle from his pocket, climbed on one of the lampposts, and blew in with all his might.
- Ladies, gentlemen! Under applause, it's time to break up!
Immediately, the other actors and musicians of the troop rushed and gathered at the foot of the lamppost. Yavandir fell back, arms outstretched, and his friends caught him up. They led him to the exit, singing a short chorus.
From Nippon to the Empire,
We sing, we laugh for you, sure!
From Norsca to Arabia,
We serve you the best comedia!
And so the little band soon disappeared from the sight of the remaining guests.
Once near the entrance to the estate, Yavandir dismounted.
- Well, a good thing done. Come on, we'll leave tomorrow morning at the first hour. You will find me at the market place.
The artists separated on these words. As the Elf returned to the nearby inn where Steiner had reserved a room for him, he heard Heike's clear voice calling him back.
- Yavandir, wait!
The comedian turned on his heels.
- Well, little mouse, not sleeping yet?
- I wanted to say you goodbye.
The Elf approached. Heike saw that he now wore a simple mask, which hid only the upper half of his face. The young ratwoman was able to distinguish in the semi-darkness of the night the sparkling brilliance of his smile.
- It will always be a pleasure to see you, Heike. I'm leaving tomorrow, but I'll be back one of these days.
- Are you going on tour?
- Yes, my reputation has finally reached the ears of the princes around. They want to discover the show. But I guarantee you were the first to see our version of this play. And as it has not been played out of the Empire yet, to my knowledge, you were the first to discover it in this part of the world!
- It's been a long time since we had party like that, Yavandir. It was truly a magical moment. You and your comrades are enchanters!
- This magic would not have acted without the participation of the spectators. This is the alchemy that composes a successful show: the most important ingredient is trust, which creates an exchange between the artists who give and the spectators who receive. Spectators give in turn when they react, and artists receive these reactions, whether positive or negative. And tonight we only felt joy and wonder.
- And our gratitude, Yavandir, be sure of it.
The artist then made a gesture with his right hand. A second later, he was holding a large bouquet of flowers that he offered to Heike.
- Reciprocal gratitude, little mouse.
- Yavandir, please ... before leaving, can you... could you tell me... why? Why are you hiding behind these masks?
Yavandir's smile curled into a small pout.
- This is the first time you ask me this question, Heike. Why now?
- Because you may never come again? The Renegade Crowns are dangerous lands, it is not advisable to walk long distances.
- So you worry about me? That's nice of you, but useless. I've spent decades on the roads, I'm used to it. I recognize that the roads of the Renegade Crowns are full of new adventures, but I have no problem with this.
The spleen-woman gave a little sigh, and confessed with a sorry smile:
- I have no doubt about it. Okay, you're right, it's not worry, but... a selfish curiosity. You have a wonderful voice, a poet's soul ready to laugh and make the others dream, so why hide your face? I've known you for a long time, you saw me naked, you took care of me while I was a terrified child, I have no secrets for you. I'm not asking you to reveal me all your life, but can you at least show me, once, how you really are? I promise you that I won't do anything disobliging!
Yavandir gave a benevolent laugh.
- I don't have any doubt on it, little mouse. You have all my confidence. But my face is the only thing I cannot show to anyone. I assure you there is nothing awful to see, or anything like that. It's just that it's been so long since I cover it according to my fluctuant mood that it translates less my personality when it's exposed. This is the way. Can you respect that, even if you do not understand?
- I think so. I'm sorry if I thought you were indiscreet, but... I had to ask. I will not ask you that question again.
- Don't worry. One day, maybe I'll explain to you. In the meantime, live your life. I had a lot of pleasure to see again your father and your husband.
- I talked a lot about you to our children, too. They were delighted to meet you!
- I've been too, they were all very nice, the four of them.
Heike felt his muzzle frown with perplexity.
- Four? But... ah, I see.
- I promise you I'll come back sooner than you think!
The ratwoman kissed the artist one last time, then they parted.
When she returned to the property, the workers finished dismantling the platform. She looked for her companion, and finally found him.
- Psody?
- Yes my darling?
- Yavandir has just told me that he only saw four children. I don't understand. Where is Gabriel?
- Hum, that's right, I did not see it in the evening! Hold on…
The White Skaven hailed in turn his younger son.
- Siggy! Where is your little brother-brother?
- Well, wasn't he with Mother?
- Nobody saw him!
The Black Skaven saw his sister. He asked her.
- Bianka! Do you know where Gab is?
She answered with a slight sigh of contempt.
- What? You're not aware?
The White Skaven felt a slight unpleasant tickling titillate his stomach.
- Aware of what? he whispered.
- He had another crisis last night. And he started designing a new machine. He has not left his laboratory since. Well, just a moment, the time to take a piece of bread and a bowl of soup.
It was the turn of the Master Mage to utter a sorry sigh.
I'll go talk to him. Perhaps he didn't even realize that we came back-back!