The property where the princely family lived was huge. Built on the highest hill on which Steinerburg had developed, it had little to do with the ruin that the Prince and his subjects had found on their arrival six years earlier. The Steiner Mansion consisted of three large adjoining buildings, each of which was four floors high. The central building was the largest, and the most important: it was there that the Prince had installed the throne room, as well as the large refectory where the banquets were served.
The Prince had then proposed to the Skaven couple to build for them a small house apart, where they could live. This idea was quickly abandoned. The facilities had made a manor much larger than expected, and everyone had his apartments, which was to everyone's taste. The private apartments of the Prince and his family were all gathered in the West Wing, between the second and third floors.
The White Skaven crossed gates and corridors to reach the east wing. Specifically a place at the very bottom of the wing, at the edge of the building. The place whose eventual destruction would have the least unfortunate consequences. The surrounding rooms were hardly inhabited, and were essentially used to store the collections. There were also the offices of the Prince, the Master Mage, the Intendant, and other close collaborators of the Crown. The library was also on the first floor. Psody climbed a spiral staircase to reach the attic. He stood in front of a heavy wooden door.
His youngest son, Gabriel, had quickly learned to read, write, and count. But above all, he had shown a vertiginous creativity. As soon as he was able to hold a feather, he drew everything that went through his head: strange symbols, then vehicles, buildings... he spent months reading engineering books more and more complex, before embarking on, and elaborating his own inventions. First, he created a small mechanism to facilitate the driving of the ox carts, then an invention intended to use the energy of the steam to advance a cart, in the manner of the technology of the Dwarves, then another invention, then another one. Soon, his small office could no longer suffice him. His grandfather had then allowed him access to a part of the attic of the east wing, then unused. Thus, the damage would remain controllable in case of an accident – that was what everyone hoped for, anyway.
The White Skaven knocked on the door, but no one answered.
He may be too drowned-absorbed in his formulas!
He allowed himself to pull the handle. The door opened to a large, dimly lit room. It was not easy to move inside; shelves bursting with bound parchments piled up along the walls, tables, workbenches, and other furniture crumbling with tools were arranged here and there without the slightest harmony or attention. The windows were blocked by the closets. A single wall was not obstructed by the furniture, it was entirely covered with leaflets of all sizes. The pages were blackened with formulas that seemed him nonsensical, and schemes of incredible and mysterious machineries. This sight made Psody have a slight apprehension.
He knew that the author of these plans was not a bad person, and had all his love, and yet he couldn't help feeling a little pique in his chest in front of such a spectacle. He knew that when Gabriel was working on these plans, his mind was in a feverish state. He could draw the lines on the paper like dagger stabs. Some leaflets were even punctured in places. The excitement had been too strong. Usually, his son was an introvert, who had trouble for expression in front of an audience. When he was under the slightest stress, he quickly lost control, began to shake, stutter, and could not do anything coherent before long minutes of decompression. And when he had an idea of invention in mind, he changed completely, and became excited, even going so far as to burst in a hysterical sneer when he obtained the smallest positive test.
The White Skaven looked at one of the patterns. He saw the plan of a ship with huge leather bladders as sails, to move in the air. If the absence of his father and brothers had degraded his mood, it had not undermined his creativity. This invention seemed perfectly feasible. The drawing even reminded him of one of his previous visions, of which he had spoken with Felix Jaeger, years earlier.
Well, what was the name of this machine? Ah yes! The Spirit of Grungni! If I remember correctly, this thing worked with steam energy. It seems that Gabriel relies more on the strength of the hocks of the manoeuvres.
The Master Mage's ear jerked up reflexively as he heard the sound of a pile of books hitting the ground, followed by an irritated exclamation. He turned his head, and called:
- Gab? Gabriel?
A shrill voice asked in the shadows:
- Huh? Oh! Father! I… Come in!
- Already done. Where are you?
- Coming!
A candlelight flickered behind a closet, and a small figure floating in a finely crafted jacket appeared to the eyes of the White Skaven.
Gabriel Steiner had recently entered his fourth year, yet the signs of adolescence seemed to be slow to appear for him. Physically, he hadn't been spoiled. As soon as he was born, the little Skaven had presented physical deficiencies, so much so that his parents had been afraid to see him die prematurely. Unlike his two older brothers, he had absolutely nothing of a great sportsman. He was rather small, barely taller than his sister Isolde. His coat was light grey, with a light hint of brown. He had a rather broad, short nose, two small brown eyes, and slightly bushy ears.
Psody's third son was in poor health, and often got ill during the snowy season. He had been in such bad condition two years in a row that it took all the prayers to Shallya and all the best resources of Romulus to keep him alive. According to the prior, it had not helped his development, quite the contrary. On the other hand, he was getting tired quickly, and it was difficult for him to exercise an activity using his physical abilities more than a few minutes, even with all the goodwill of the world.
His weaknesses were also social: apart from his parents and siblings, it was difficult, if not impossible, to speak to someone without stammering. Talking to an adult was impossible. Even his grandfather, even the prior Romulus, long-time friend of the family, intimidated him.
Psody and Heike had never dared to admit it publicly, but they had more difficulty managing his education. According to the Prince, fortunately, they had done remarkably well, considering the special character of the little Skaven. These days, if not fully beaming, Gabriel lived without too much anxiety. And every time he needed to unleash his frustrations, he let off steam by inventing things.
- We didn't see you all the evening long, Gabriel.
- Huh? Ah! Oh... I...
- Kit and Siggy were disappointed not to have you with them, so was I. And you missed a wonderful evening, with a big banquet and a nice show.
- I... I didn't want to.
Psody's brow deepened in puzzled furrows.
- Didn't want to see us again?
- No! No... but I... a plan that couldn't wait.
The White Skaven wanted to get closer to his son to put him at ease. He pretended to be interested in his work.
- What kind of plan?
- It is a device that should be able to make a boat moving without sails. Of course, the Dwarves have already invented a lot of engines that work with steam, but I don't know if they designed a lot of ships. After all, they never needed it, as they refuse to leave their mountains! And then, anyway, the steam technology remains very marginal, outside the Dwarf strongholds. You cannot blame me for wanting to steal their inventions!
- I definitively can't.
Psody hesitated. How could he break ice?
- Gabriel, do you realize that our mission is over?
- Ah... sure, this time?
- Yes, that's sure-certain.
- Good... very good.
- Curious. You don't look very comfortable with this fact?
- Oh! Well, actually... I...
Suddenly, the Master Mage clearly perceived characteristic effluvium emanating from Gabriel. The bright-grey Skaven was more and more embarrassed, as if he was ashamed of something.
- Gabriel, is something wrong? I feel that you have a weight on your heart-heart.
Finally, no longer holding, Gabriel gathered his courage and asked in a whisper:
- Do I... disappoint you?
Psody frowned, sincerely taken aback.
- Of course not, my son.
Suddenly, he had a very strange feeling. Something that had not happened to him for a long time. The world seemed to be unhinged around him, he was seized with a violent dizziness as he recognized the sensation he had felt every time he had a vision.
Black.
Dim grunting, more and more distinguishable. A small, chilly wind makes him shudder. He finally distinguishes the details around him, more and more clearly. He's in a humid, poorly ventilated and dark cellar. From the corner of his eye he sees something moving: he recognizes with astonishment his own brother-in-blood, Chitik. Chitik, the eldest of his five brothers. Chitik, the firstborn of their litter. Chitik, the largest, sturdiest and most impressive Black Skaven of all the burrows. He's lying lengthwise on an enormous mass of flesh even bigger than him, and who resists his weight. This is a Feral Skaven breeder. Chitik is riding it, and yet it doesn't seem to be in pain, so stunned with drugs.
Looking down, Psody notices that he is completely naked, and that his body is more sickly, his limbs more slender, on the other hand, his throat irritates him, and he's obliged to cough. Old black clothes are lying at his feet. He raises his head, and sees before him a particularly disturbing sight. It's a huge Skaven female, a little smaller than the one on which Chitik is taking pleasure, but it's still a lot bigger than himself. It looks at him weirdly, and a small smile floats on its facies. The incense of warpstone keeps it in a euphoric state.
Psody understands what he's doing here, what is expected of him. This is the first time he has been allowed to enter the wards where the females are kept. The first opportunity for him to live such an experience. And this layer looks healthy, and sturdy enough to spawn at least a good half-dozen puppies... provided a Skaven gives it his contribution.
The latter, aware of this, seems ready to fulfil its role. It slowly spreads its thighs, offering itself completely to the White Skaven. The latter cannot prevent the excitement warming his crotch. Driven by this outburst of desire, he takes a step towards the layer, then another. The smell exhaled by the breeder further panics his senses. He advances faster, and finally arrives right in front of it. The breeder is so huge, must be at least three times his size, and six times his weight. He does not know how to go about it. His instinct pushes him to mate with it, but without explaining exactly the way how. He holds out a hesitant right hand, and places it on the thigh of the creature. On its flanks, the huge breasts of the layer undulate slowly on the rhythm of its breathing.
He puts his other hand higher, hoping to reach the hip of the female. Under his knuckles, he feels a moist, short, almost pungent fur. Given his own size, and the stature of the breeder, if it decides to join its knees or kick him, it will knock him out, for sure... or worse. He decides to act very gently. He gradually squeezes the fingers of his left hand, to firm up his grip. It doesn't react, just gently stir its limbs. He leans on his toes, and pulls on his arms, hoisting himself so painfully on the belly of the beast. When he puts his right hand on one of the rubbery breasts, the breeder chuckles. The contact of the elastic flesh under his fingers electrifies him. He goes up on all fours on the breast of the layer, so that she can see who is about to give him his seed: a true chosen one of the Horned Rat.
Their eyes meet. There is no intelligence in the female's eye. Just a kind of animal passivity. However, the little ratman perceives a hint of mockery, as if it was doubting his abilities. Stung, Psody wants to prove to it that it is wrong. He stretches out all the way on the breeder, his cheek to its shoulder, and spreads his arms cross as far as he can. His skinny forearms are almost stuck between the huge balloons of pink flesh. He puts his hands on the dark nipples, and begins to knead them, to make them roll between his fingers. He feels the excitement up another notch when he hears a hoarse groan near his ear. No discontent or pain, otherwise it would have already knocked him off with a paw.
He continues to caress her, more and more frankly. Suddenly, he realizes a very embarrassing detail: in his position, given his small size, he won't be able to fertilize it from where he is. His desire doesn't weaken, on the contrary. He stands up, backs up hastily, and slides on the belly of the breeder, to fall right between its huge thighs. Then he leaps forward, clings to the fur of its abdomen, and penetrates it.
An irresistible feeling of vertigo literally makes him lose his head. The beating of the blood in his temples is deafening, yet he hears the groans and laughter of the breeder, louder and louder. His breathing is hoarser, he gives more kidney thrusts, which further increases the pleasure both for him and for the female. And then, his entire body is shaken by a powerful intoxicating sensation, a real explosion that starts from his crotch to ignite each fiber of his body. The ecstasy lasts a few long seconds, his heart is about to jump out of his chest so he beats frantically. Tears of ecstasy come to his eyes. Then he has a spasm that throws him back. He collapses on the straw, and passes out quickly, overwhelmed by emotion.
Psody clenched his eyes and shook his head. In a heartbeat, he came out of his torpor. Fortunately, Gabriel didn't seem to have noticed anything, and sat at his desk. Psody took the opportunity to cough, to quietly catch his breath. He poured himself a glass of water to finish clearing his dizziness.
- Where does this idea come from?
- In fact... I feel I don't invest myself as much as you, Kit and Siggy, on the plan. You all are in the front row, you face the Feral Skaven, and you get the pups. You take all the risks. But I'm staying here, and I'm waiting, wondering if you'll be back home. And I don't do anything to help you.
Making every effort to contain his own disorientation, the White Skaven smiled benevolently.
- You're wrong, Gab. First, there will be no more raids. This one was the last one. From now on, we will all stay together, and you won't have to be afraid for us anymore. Then... you had your role to play, my tiny boy.
- "Tiny"... I know it well, Father. I don't have Siggy's muscles, or Kit's courage. I am tiny, and skinny...
- I was the youngest in a litter of six, and I was the most tiny-skinny, too. It never stopped me from doing what I wanted.
- Yes, but you have magic.
Psody bit his lower lip.
- I never used it without violence. When I was your age, I had already killed a lot of people. Skaven, Humans, some Dwarves... But I didn't have something in particular. Something I still don't have, neither your brothers, nor your sisters, nor your mother, nor anyone in our country.
- What then, Father?
- Your intelligence. As a child, you have assimilated at a prodigious speed the principles of the science of Humans, and your Skaven instincts have led you to modify them to create extraordinary inventions. And your devices were more than helpful to us! Your anesthetic gas globes to neutralize the guards allowed us to fulfill our goal without shedding blood. Your substitute milk, stored in artificial breasts imitating those of the rat mothers, feeds all these little pups in a healthier way, waiting for the moment when the girls can take over. You understand? You bring more than your contribution to the foundation of our city. We take a lot less risk, thanks to your inventions!
- Father, would you have liked... to have a son with... your inheritance?
Psody was now back in full possession of his means, and silently thanked the Horned Rat. Glad to be able to focus fully on the conversation he sat down next to his son, and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder.
- The only family I really wanted to have was the one I had, Gab. I have a divine wife, five wonderful children I love as much as each other. I don't want anything more. That's right, I could have had a son with white fur and horns, maybe you. But, honestly, even though I would have loved him... it would have complicated things. You know, to be a White Skaven is a burden that you have to be able to carry. Once in adulthood, a White Skaven starts having visions, hallucinations. I would have had different connections with a White son, because we would have exchanged things that no one else could understand; impressions, concepts... I would have had to concentrate more on his education, and I would have neglected all the others.
- Would you have taught him to master the magic of Warp?
- Only to prevent him from using it wrongly and hurting someone. I vowed never to use it again, and learned another magic instead. The magic of Warp is inherently unhealthy, Gab. It rots everything it touches, Grey Seers first. Besides, its learning is painful. My teacher imposed a severe, violent education on me. He was cruel and perverse, he pretended to understand me, while he was only trying to control me. And the studies that I could lead taught me that it was the only way to master this magic. Being soaked with fear, paranoia, and deceit helps to contain the overflows of magic energy related to Warp. So yes, I have this knowledge, but it will die with me. I refuse to transmit it deliberately to anyone. That's why I applied myself to using another form of magic authorized by the Empire. Besides, you have been told the story of the foundation of this country, right? Do you know what happened at the Battle of Gottliebschloss?
- Yes! You used the mask of the priest Willhepoke to chase the demons!
- Cuelepok, sonny. And yes, that night, I used a magic linked to the sun. And I think since that day, I cannot even use the magic of Warp anymore. The magic of Cuelepok drove it out of my body, and replaced it. That's why I didn't have much trouble learning the magic of Jade.
- Ah... But... so, you don't miss… the magic of your blood?
- Absolutely not, because it is evil-destructive. As for you...
The Master Mage cleared his throat again.
- I guess you're a little in the same situation as me, compared to my brothers. In a certain way, I think we all received the blessing of the Horned Rat. I was a White Skaven, but the others also showed some rather exceptional skills. And I think my children have all received a little something more, too. Your true strength-might is not in your muscles, it is in your head.
The look of the young light gray Skaven became dreamy.
- You never told me about your brothers... well, I mean, I never had the opportunity to talk about them with you. No, I never took the time to talk to you about them when I could.
- It can work out, Gab. What do you want to know?
- How were they?
- I had five. The less interesting was Skahl from Clan Moulder. He was a fool who let himself be trapped by his animal cravings, as soon as our first outing. He didn't pass his test of passage to adulthood. Then there was Klur of Clan Eshin. I must admit he was quite talented in this function. My third brother was Moly from Clan Pestilens. But I had more connections with the other two: Diassyon of Clan Skryre and Chitik, the Stormvermin. You probably would have been happy to know Diassyon. Like you, he was an inventor, with very bold ideas, who made exceptionally stable machines. As for Chitik... he saved my life. He was always there to protect me when I was at the colony. Really, he was devoted, intelligent and faithful, for a Feral Skaven. I heard that Black Skaven were naturally more disciplined-loyal than others.
- You seemed to get along well, actually!
- Not sure. Yes, I loved Chitik a lot, and I recognize that Diassyon was a good brother too. But for what I could see from your other Uncle, Moly, he was not very friendly. Oh, I presume it was because of his poor health. Pestilens are so devoured by diseases they have to take drugs all day long to keep up. Chitik told me that, in fact, he was not mean, only very unhappy. And most importantly, I don't forget Klur. He was bad. When I became Grey Seer, he flattened himself at my feet, but it was to better bite my toes! On the orders of Grey Seer Vellux, he tried to kill-stab me with a dagger between my shoulders before drowning me in a swamp! For the Feral Skaven, the notion of brotherhood doesn't exist, Gabriel.
- Yet you knew that you were brothers, all six.
- It was exceptional. Our litter was exceptional. In a small colony like the one where I was born, having a Black Skaven was not commonplace. Having a White Skaven was a blessing. So you imagine, with a White and a Black at the same time! In fact, Vellux explained it to us when he gathered us for the first time. He wanted to know if we would be more efficient, as "blood brothers". It was not his idea, however. It was the idea of Plague Deacon Soum, the leader of the Pestilens of Brissuc, and Vellux's right arm. But there was never anyone else to do that again, all over the Under-Empire. In any case, not to my knowledge. For Feral Skaven, no blood ties, no pity.
The light grey Skaven scratched his head nervously.
- So, if I had been born in Brissuc, I would not have lived so long?
- I can even tell you that you would have been quickly eliminated by the ratwife, or by the others of the litter. And it would have been a huge loss for the burrow!
Finally, Gabriel allowed himself a small smile. Knocks rang out on the iron door.
- Come in! the little Skaven invited.
The door opened on the two eldest sons of the Master Mage.
- Hi, Gab!
- Hey, bro!
"Gab"... That was the name that Psody's other children had found for him. Indeed, Gabriel had learned to speak more difficultly and later than the others, and because of this, had had a hard time pronouncing the names of his siblings, stammering clumsily "Kitovson" and "Sigu". So he was at the origin of the nicknames of the two other boys, "Kit" and "Siggy". They kindly baptized him "Gab" in return.
The two big children of Psody surrounded their brother. Sigmund rubbed his head vigorously.
- So, the real world is so inconvenient to you?
- Indeed! It's a pity you did not come.
Gabriel lowered his head.
- I ... I do not deserve recognition.
- What? exclaimed the Black Skaven, sincerely disconcerted. Why do you say that?
- Well... you guys, you took risks for the plan. I didn't do anything.
Kristofferson spoke:
- I guess you're kidding, aren't you? Do you know how many lives have been spared in this burrow?
- Dozens! Ours, and theirs.
- Must say what is, brother: your new gas is a real wonder!
- Undetectable, fast and effective! These suckers didn't see anything coming!
Gabriel opened wide eyes surprised, and turned to his father. Psody just gave him a little wink.
It was two o'clock in the morning when Psody opened the door of his bedroom. His companion was waiting for him, lying on the mattress of the big four-poster bed. Since arriving at the Steinerburg Manor, they had never changed their private room. Of course, everything had been refurbished from floor to ceiling. The window looked out onto the garden, and further down the streets of the beautiful neighbourhood it was a sight Heike never tired of. The White Skaven hesitated when he saw the ratwoman. Six years they knew each other, and she was still beautiful. Carrying five children had only lightly plumped her out. Her cream-colored coat was fine, delicate and soft. Her smile, punctuated by two small incisors, barely visible under her upper lip, illuminated her delicate face. The White Skaven had always found that the dark spot that appeared on the coat of her right hip, distinguishable through the fabric of her nightie, gave her a small feature that was not lacking in charm either. Besides, he was not comfortable; the green light of Morrslieb moon, at its peak, gave the painting a rather strange atmosphere. Heike chuckled, which Psody could barely answer.
- It was a very long day, my love, but now we finally have a moment just for us!
- Hmm... Yes, my heart-heart.
He quickly went into the small bathroom next to the room, taking his nightgown in passing. He undressed, spent a few minutes refreshing himself, then put on his bedclothes and sat on the bed, without saying a word. Heike straightened up to sit at his side.
- You seem anxious, my love... Is there a problem?
- Uh... I thought back to my conversation with Gabriel.
- What happened? Have you quarrelled?
- Not at all. But he is not very good about himself right now. He told me that he felt less useful than his brothers.
- What a sad idea! I hope you have assured otherwise!
- Of course I did-did. In fact, as physically, he is not very strong, and he did not participate in the Harvests, he feels weak, and therefore good for nothing. I think he regrets not carrying the legacy of the Horned Rat.
- Perhaps you should explain to him that it is a very heavy legacy to take on.
- That's what I did. And I told him that his intelligence had allowed us to succeed all our plan with a minimum of casualties. And when his two brothers confirmed, he looked reassured.
- Well, then everything is fine!
She gave a small laugh in front of the folded face of the White Skaven. She gently pinched his cheeks.
- No need to be grumpy, my horned knight!
Psody decided to be honest and talk about real concern.
- In fact, there is... there is something else.
Heike released her hold, and looked at his companion with an interrogative stare. He continued:
- Oh, maybe it's nothing. I do not even know if I really have to upset you with this story.
- You are my man, Psody. Certainly, we are not married before the gods, but I fully assume my role of wife. I want to listen to you and ease your pain.
- Even if it could hurt you?
The Skaven girl felt a twinge tickle her heart, but she nodded without a word.
- Very good. You're right, I do not want to hide that from you, either. As I spoke to Gabriel, abruptly, I... I had a vision. Fortunately, he didn't notice it, but I was a little embarrassed to continue talking as if nothing had happened, even though I was perhaps even more disturbed-stressed than him. I played him a bad comedy.
- You played your role of father. He needed you to listen to him and reassure him. If you had cracked in front of him, he would have taken it badly.
- I know-know. But it was so... destabilizing!
- So, what did you see so "destabilizing"?
Psody cleared his throat, and told everything. At first, he wanted to be as vague as possible to avoid disgusting her, but she insisted on having all the details. His story finished, he looked her companion in her eyes. She did not say a word. She did not look particularly shocked, but he felt a tension in the process of crisper.
Looks like she's less embarrassed-embarrassed than I am! She does not seem to have taken pleasure ... maybe she wanted to put me to the test or punish me?
He continued:
- I have a rational explanation, if that can reassure you.
- I am listening to you, replied the young woman in a hollow tune.
- I told you that during my first night with a breeder, when I passed my test of passage to adulthood, I was dizzy. I saw fleeting, but very clear images. The Lizardmen, Cuelepok, then I saw the future: the Vereinbarung flag, the people, and then one of my future children who was talking to me. It was Gabriel. Of course, I did not know it at the time.
- Yes, you told me. And so?
- With time, I forgot the details of this vision. But today, when I went to see Gabriel and talked to him...
- You found yourself at the exact moment you saw years ago, Heike finished.
- Everything was the same. He told me exactly the same thing, and I answered him the same way. And I saw... everything I did that night, which I did not remember. It's as if... as if my mind had been briefly catapulted into the past, while the spirit I had in the past had lived this present moment. It was really confusing!
Heike blinked nervously.
- How long ago was the last time you had that kind of vision?
- Since we arrived here, in Vereinbarung. Of course, at night, I make dreams like everyone else, but it's no longer about communications of the Horned Rat. Today was the first time in years that I had a vision while being awake.
- Do you think that means something special?
- I don't know. But why? Why did I see that? It was six years ago! It's a life from which I freed myself-rid! I acted badly during the beginning of my life, I know it! This poor girl...
- You don't have to justify yourself, Psody. I know all that. But I'm worrying about you. You know... you may not realize it, but lately have been really hard for you, more than you think. You had to endure being among their people again. But we are not like them, Psody, you know it. Physically, we share the same characteristics, but that's all. We have nothing to do with the Feral Skaven. And the first generation that is beginning to prosper continues to show it to us.
Psody did not answer, but felt a small tear bead in the corner of his eye.
- Oh no, you must not cry. You are a hero, Psody, you know it. And now it's over, you do not have to leave anymore. And we don't need to be afraid anymore.
Psody whispered slowly, with all the weariness of the last weeks weighing on his vocal chords.
- I'm tired of being away from you, the girls, Gab, my Human friends. It's been almost six years I wade regularly in this mud. Every descent into a burrow reminded me of why Humans hate-hate us so much. And that I myself was one of them. And all this time, you were away from me. Every day I missed you a little more, and you were afraid for us. I made you suffer. I hurt you badly.
- But today, you came back. And thanks to you, thanks to all of us, it is a whole generation of Skaven who has been able to receive a Human education, and who is grateful to you! The first ones have already started to have children themselves! It would never have happened without all these efforts.
- Romulus told me that you were all very sad. I should have realized it, and stop going to the four corners of the Empire!
- That's right, I was sad and scared, and our children too. But it all ended, and it was all worth it, I assure you! Future generations will be eternally grateful to you.
- So why don't I feel good? Why can't I sleep at night? There even are moments when I feel like... a big void.
Heike felt an opportunity to talk about the real problem.
- Psody, it's been a long time since... we have not had a special moment. Even while you are back now, your mind is elsewhere. And for some time, it's like that every time you come back. I cannot really talk to you. I am happy to see you, but you speak to me only with your mouth, and not with your heart. It makes me sad. And when we are alone, we do not... you do even not touch me anymore!
She had spoken in a tone mixing reproach and sorrow. Psody got scared. The last thing he wanted was to see the flame that animated their relationship weaken and go out. He moved closer to her, and stroked her back gently.
- I am sorry. I want to stay close to you. I want that to change. I want to make you happy as you deserve. I will never leave the Rat Kingdom again. Never again-ever.
- I believe you. Besides, there is no reason for that now.
The White Skaven then uttered a sentence he had not said for far too long.
- I love you, Heike
- I love you, Psody, his companion answered immediately.
They snuggled against each other for a long time, without saying a word. The Skaven woman then smiled. Her eyes suddenly lit up with a mischievous spark.
- This vision may mean something else... I think the Horned Rat sent you a message.
- Did he? And what message? asked the White Skaven.
- In my opinion, he wanted to make you understand that you deserved a reward. After all these trials, you need comfort. And your god believes that you have won the great privilege of honouring one of his daughters.
Psody smiled in turn. These words could only mean one thing.
- You are right. And I think there is only one daughter of the Horned Rat worthy of me, and of whom I am worthy. Only one person can give this comfort to me. A daughter-girl who is close, so close to me... right next to me.
- And this daughter-girl has only one desire, Psody Steiner: to comfort you!
She had already untied the cords of her nightgown. The White Skaven undressed quickly, and a moment later the two children of the Horned Rat were passionately entwined on the bed. And nothing else counted until slumber came.