When the bell of Verena's great temple of Steinerburg rang for the eighth time, Gabriel opened his eyes. Already, the sounds of the inhabitants were rising from under the Steiner manor. The young light-grey Skaven pulled himself out of bed. He scratched his back, rubbing his sleep-misty eyes. The night had been long for him, but it had been worth: he had managed to complete four diagrams, including one that had been squeezing him for several weeks. He felt a big smile light up his face when he thought about all that would be done thank to his inventions. But immediately, a black cloud darkened his thoughts.
Opa Ludwig will want me to design these to create weapons, again!
Indeed, Vereinbarung's army was not very big. As compensation, it was very well equipped. More precise and formidable firearms, guns with particularly destructive ammunition, projects of steam war machines that could make the best Nuln engineers jealous. Everything had come out from Gabriel's brain. That hurt him. He defined himself as an "engineering artist", his father wanted to encourage him in this way, but Prince Steiner preferred to put his knowledge to good use for the defence of the Rat Kingdom. Even built in a spirit of friendship, it was necessary to be able to defend against the many threats from the outside.
This state of affairs was regularly a source of tension between Gabriel's parents and his grandfather. During some conversations, it even had degenerated. The Prince had raised his voice, and Heike and Psody had responded with the same energy. And in those moments, Steiner reminded his children to order: as a sovereign, he always had the last word. The poor little Skaven felt responsible for the situation, but he never dared to say anything. Every time he had tried something, fear had tied his tongue. He just nodded and went back to work.
His belly began to gurgle, reminding him of more trivial things.
Fifteen minutes later, washed and dressed, he went down to breakfast. As he entered the large dining room, he saw his older brother Kristofferson getting up.
- Hello, Gab!
- Hello, Kit.
- You feel better now?
- Uh... why are you asking me that?
- Well, we did not even see you at supper yesterday. Is it Clarin who impresses you?
The young Skaven could not repress a thrill when he heard the name of the Estalian.
- He… I…
- Looks like you try to avoid him, don't you?
- Yes... Well, no... uh... I mean...
- You do not have to worry about him, he comes in peace.
- He... is he still here?
- No, he went to visit the modest districts of the city with Bianka.
- What? Bianka in the badly districts?
- Relax, they're accompanied with his escort, Kristofferson explained patiently. Clarin will leave after dinner.
- Oh, right.
- No worries, I assure you again. Well, I have to go, Father is waiting for me in his office.
Kristofferson left the dining room and wandered down the halls of the property. The day was beautiful, he was in an excellent mood. In passing, he politely greeted the servants he met. Finally, he arrived at the door of the Master Mage's study. He was about to knock at the door, when he heard a burst of voice that made him suspend his gesture. He recognized his brother's tone through the wood of the door.
- How can I convince you? It is still and always the same answer!
- Because you're still-always asking the same question! You can be stubborn, so can I, too! And I do not intend to change my mind about it!
A grunt responded to this invective. Psody said again:
- Now, you shall accompany Master Clarin to clear things up with what is happening in Sueño. And I'll ask you to stay polite to him.
- I don't trust him, Father! My instinct tells me that this Human is hiding something from us.
- My instinct tells me he's sincere, just like Opa Ludwig's. And most of all, your grandfather knows how to tell the difference between a liar and an honest man, by experience. This prevails over your smoky-muddy impressions. Now go, and do your job! The Rat Kingdom is counting on you, Siggy. It will prevent you from thinking about anything else.
There was a brief silence, then the door burst open on a Sigmund in a very bad mood. The Black Skaven left the office without even a glance for Kristofferson. The latter timidly passed his head through the door.
- Ah, Kit! I was waiting for you. Come-come in.
The brown Skaven obeyed.
- Once again, this story of...
- Don't talk to me about it! the White Skaven cut. His obstinacy-stubbornness will finally cost him so much. I just sent it on a mission, I hope that won't crumble his skills!
- At Master Clarin's? I couldn't help but hear the end of your conversation.
- Yes. His tactical knowledge should allow us to find-track down those who made trouble.
After a very difficult first Harvest experience, the Black Skaven had given up collecting small Skaven, and had specialized in urban combat – the Skaven settlements tunnels were worth narrow alleyways. But he was also able to analyse the terrain in the countryside.
- Right, your friend Walter has sent his report to Major Schmetterling. This morning, news came in: some disturbing events happened again near Klapperschlänge. People have heard scary noises, secluded buildings have been destroyed, and their inhabitants have been found slaughtered, when they have not disappeared-gone. Captain Müller doesn't know what to do. Schmetterling told him that reinforcements would be sent to him.
- I suppose I am these reinforcements, aren't I?
- With Walter. You'll take a dozen men with you, and find out what's going on. If we are dealing with a magical creature or an invasion attempt, we must deal with the problem as soon as possible.
- Do you want us to take care of it on the spot?
Psody raised his finger.
- Do not take unnecessary risks. If it's just half a dozen brigands, you bring them back to us by the skin of their buttocks. If it's a magician or a big beast, you come back immediately. I repeat, Kit: no unnecessary risk. Is it clear?
- Crystal. No unnecessary risk.
The White Skaven patted his son's shoulder.
- Come back quickly and in a one piece.
- Don't worry, you know me.
Kristofferson gave a small smile that his father hesitated to return.
In the large park that surrounded the manor house where the princely family lived, there was a small, lone, area, a little clear slope not far from the northern rampart, the one overlooking the rocky wall. It was a point of view that allowed anyone to see all the gardens. It was also a place where Sigmund used to practice weapons training, something he did when he wanted to exercise, or when he was upset.
Currently, he did not feel the need to train. And yet, he chained the blows and techniques with energy.
Like his older brother, he was well versed in the use of many weapons. Swords, war hammers, morning stars, one-handed, two-handed, with or without a shield... he was particularly proud of the sword he had made craft at his own expense by the best blacksmith in the capital – an expatriate Dwarf who chose to stay after the construction of the aqueduct. The latter had engraved, at his request, on the whole length of its blade, the name which Sigmund had given him: Heart of Unicorn. The Black Skaven had never seen this mythical animal, but willingly granted it a fantastic, fascinating character, which made him dream as he was a child. When he was younger, he used to play a knight brandishing a horn of Unicorn. His sister Bianka had been shocked and called him "animal killer". He had reassured her, and explained her that the Unicorn had given him her horn before dying from a monster's hand, and had given him for mission to avenge her. And now he was an adult, he had his real sword.
Heart of Unicorn had cost a fortune to the Black Skaven, but it was worth every penny. It was remarkable: it had a wavy shape like a Flamberge's, but unlike this type of sword, usually very heavy, its blade was short and light enough to be mounted on a grip handle of one-handed sword. Moreover, it was made in gromril, the meteoric iron refined by the Dwarves. Its handle and its guard were made with black metal clasped in a solid leather of the same colour. At the end of the pommel was screwed a small copper ball, a simple and pretty ornament.
The second child of the Steiner siblings swept the air with large movements. Heart of Unicorn whistled, passed fluidly from one of his sides to the other with the docility of the most faithful animal trained for the war. From time to time, the Black Skaven jumped forward with a thrust, then backed away, splitting the air with a parade.
He spotted out of the corner of his eye Kristofferson's tall slender figure climbing the hill in his direction. He made a reel over his head, slipped his sword into its scabbard, and stopped moving. He finished catching his breath when the brown Skaven was in front of him.
The two brothers looked at each other. They did not need to say a single word. They stayed like that for a long minute. Finally, the older of the two spoke:
- I'm leaving, too. I go to Klapperschlänge. We must know what kind of problem is coming to us.
- I already know who is a problem coming to us.
- My, my, my! I understand that a kid like Gab can be impressed, but a big guy like you, it surprises me more!
The Black Skaven groaned, irritated.
- I don't fear him, Kit. But I feel he's trying to manipulate us!
- I don't trust Clarin as much as Father or Opa Ludwig.
Sigmund felt his heart lighten up as he heard these words. So, someone else shared his opinion! Unfortunately, he was very disappointed when he heard Kristofferson continue:
- But I think he's sincere. And we need allies. The Old World will soon discover the existence of the Rat Kingdom, Siggy. Our kingdom, our home. Humans, Dwarves, Elves, all have prejudices about the Skaven. It's up to us to prove them that we can be good people too. And you can already take a step forward by helping Prince Calderon.
The Black Skaven didn't answer, but he pouted approvingly. To relax the atmosphere a bit, Kristofferson proposed:
- Why don't we practice a short Siggy's Mill before leaving?
- Right.
Kristofferson unsheathed his rapier, and placed himself behind his brother. Siggy's Mill was a series of movements cleverly studied by the two brothers. It was Gabriel who had found this name, impressed by the demonstration of his two elders. "It looks like a mill!" he had shouted. Kristofferson and Sigmund had spent long days creating their own sequence by drawing on the fighting techniques described by many fencing masters in the library's books. This series of weapon passes multiplied the feints, synchronized blows, sweeps, all to the rhythm of a text worthy of a nursery rhyme written by Nedland Barnrooster. The one who uttered the beginning of the little poem was the one who launched the initiative of the pass, and then each one pronounced a verse in turn. This time it was Kristofferson who began:
- The wind was blowing hard that day.
The two brothers made a wide strike from left to right, then from right to left.
- The storm was threatening, said Sigmund.
A thrust.
- There was a brief lull.
Parry position.
- It did not last long.
Another succession of broad blows.
- Hey, you, miller, be careful!
Each smashed his sword from top to bottom.
- The wings of your beautiful mill...
A mowing of the legs.
- Are not made to maintain...
Three thrusts from left to right.
- This speed too long!
A feint, then each one sent the tip of his sword back, on the flank corresponding to the direction of the pass, catching an opponent unprepared who would focus on the sword of the one facing him.
- It could not be otherwise.
A new vertical swoosh.
- All the ropes broke...
Another mowing at the knees.
The two brothers shouted at the same time the last line, the one who launched the most dangerous attack:
- And the mill went off!
This sentence announced the most difficult, most spectacular and deadliest weapon pass of the chain. The two swordsmen had to turn at the same time at the same speed, always back to back, and swirl their sword synchronously to imitate the movement of a mill in panic, at the rate of two turns per second. When they arrived at the end of a complete turn, each one sent his sword on his left so that the other seized it, and the two fighters made a similar rotation again in the other direction. This manoeuvre was also risky, but had the advantage of completely diverting the most concentrated opponents.
Once back at the start, the two brothers disjoined their backs, lowered their arms, and took a breath.
- No need to say, it lets off steam!
It was not necessary to be right-handed or left-handed to run Siggy's Mill, but if Kristofferson was trained to use both right and left hand, his little brother was content with the right. And this movement forced the two performers to use the same hand. In truth, Sigmund suspected Kristofferson of being too perfectionist, without daring to confess.
The eldest Steiner child had a small smile.
- Well, I have to go. I assure you, Siggy, we will have only advantages to collaborate with Sueño.
- What if they try to bamboozle us?
- Then I'll ask Opa to let you lead the assault on Barca.
They sneered together and hugged each other. After that, they went down to the entrance of the estate. Kristofferson strode on his horse and trotted to the barracks. Sigmund returned to his room, collected some belongings in a large leather bag, and took leave of his parents before joining the Estalian procession.
Leaning on his desk, Gabriel slid his feather along the ruler on the paper. He clenched his teeth, threatening to bite his own tongue. Suddenly, something made swing his ear nervously to the open window: the voice of his older brother talking to the stranger.
- I obey my father, Master Clarin.
- And that's all to your honour, sir.
- Remember this: if I want, I can disobey him. If you try to cheat me, I'll have the honour to make you regret!
Gabriel dared to lean out the window. He saw Sigmund, on his mare, talking to Clarin who was standing near his carriage. The Black Skaven didn't seem to be in a joking mood. The Human, on the other hand, remained smiling.
- I assure you that you won't have to worry about it. It's not a trap or a test. This is a problem that we are asking you to consider, because you probably have more knowledge on this subject, and my sovereign would like to take advantage of it.
- Right. I follow you.
The Estalian contemplated the Steiner manor for the last time in its whole. He looked up, and then saw, on the top floor, a small figure he had not yet met.
Oh, this is the little young inventor!
He flashed his brightest smile, raising a friendly hand.
Gabriel closed the window hastily, drew the curtains, and dropped into his chair, his heart strongly pounding. He started when he heard the voice of his older sister.
- You know, he's a charming gentleman, so you don't have to be afraid of him.
The light brown Skaven grumbled.
- You... you could knock at my door before entering my lab!
- Yes, that's right, please excuse me. I'm worried about you, Gab. Everyone is worried about you.
- Oh. There... there is no reason to be.
Suddenly, he remembered what he had noticed before having met the strange Human's gaze.
- Siggy! Siggy is gone!
- He is, indeed.
- He left with this Human!
- That's what Opa Ludwig ordered.
- He's... he's...
Poor Gabriel could no longer articulate the words. Tears came to his eyes.
- Is Siggy a hostage? Prisoner of this stranger?
Bianka sighed. She approached, and hugged her little brother.
- No, Gab, be quiet! Come on, do you think he looked like a prisoner? He did not even ride in his carriage! No, Siggy is leaving to make an inquiry at Master Clarin's home. It's not very far, he should come back in a few days. Come on, this is not the first time you see him go!
- Father said... that there would be no more Harvest!
- It's not a Harvest, Gab. It's just a check. There is no risk, I assure you.
She released him, and looked at him from head to toe. Poor Gabriel was shaking like a leaf. She gave him a beautiful smile.
- Well, you know what? You should go out a while and get some fresh air. I have some shopping to do. Do you want to come with me? Why won't we go at Master Collodi's shop?
At these words, Gabriel's eyes began to shine. Master Collodi was the best cheesemaker in Steinerburg. He used to prepare and import cheeses from all over the Old World, food pleasures that the little young man-rat was fond of. Finally, he calmed a little, snorted, and obediently followed the young ratgirl.
- I assure you, your Majesty! It would never occur to me to betray my nephew! Certainly, he is not bound to me by blood in one way or another, but by the heart... the love I feel for him cannot be questioned!
- Lies! The only love you deign to show is for my mother's money!
Prince Ludwig Steiner was getting tired of it. As ruler of Vereinbarung, it was part of his attributions to settle quarrels involving citizens who could not find an agreement, and who were in a situation that even the priests of Verena, goddess of justice, remained unable to solve with a regular judgment. Disputes between simple peasants were usually dispatched quickly, but other more complex cases proved to be very difficult. And at the moment, it was one of these. A middle-aged Human and a young Skaven stood in front of him.
- You are already enjoying what belongs to me by right, Claudius!
- My little Laerte, you know that I only want the best for you!
- Oh, you do! The best share, you mean!
The Human named Claudius adopted a posture that wanted to be benevolent:
- Your Majesty, I am sure you will understand! Like me, you have dependent children! When my poor sister, already a widow, made me promise on her deathbed to take care of Laerte as if he was my son, I couldn't escape my family duty! Now, to feed a child, to clothe him, to make sure that he has the best of futures... it costs money! It is normal that I use the money of my unfortunate sister for that! She was rich, I use the riches she can no longer enjoy in this world to ensure the well-being of my beloved nephew.
- I'm a grown-up now, Claudius! I don't need your attention anymore! Your Highness, you know the truth! This felon shamelessly uses my mother's treasury for his own business, his gambling debts, his dishonesty, and so on!
- Ah, she was my sister, her fortune comes from your grandfather! I can enjoy a little part of it, can't I? Anyway, when I die, everything will come back to you.
- If there remains anything left!
- Oh, why do you say that, my child? I do not intend to steal you!
- No, but you're acting the same way!
Young Laerte spoke directly to the Prince.
- Your Excellency, you know better than anyone in this world that the Skaven live much shorter than the Humans! That's right, my grandfather's money must go back to his most direct descendant still alive, and to this day, this descendant is my uncle Claudius.
- The law is clear in that sense, your Majesty, Claudius agreed.
- It is, but you... you still have a large amount of years to live, my uncle. Twenty, maybe thirty. I've just reached my majority. However, I'll be able to consider myself happy if I die in about twelve years, maybe fifteen! You will still have the leisure to use your money, whereas I, I would have had only constraints! Give me my mother's share, and you will never hear of me again!
Steiner grumbled.
The Vereneans must really be exhausted to not be able to solve this problem!
- Master Claudius, Master Laerte, I hear your complaints. And here's what we're going to do: Master Claudius will repay all the money he took from his nephew, from the moment his adoptive mother blew her last breath. A priest from Verena will ensure that the accounts are well respected. As soon as tomorrow morning, he will contact the banker who manages your sister's funds since her death, will have access to all records, and will do the math. The refund will be made in seven days at the latest. After which, Master Laerte will be able to enjoy the inheritance of his mother without you having any more the word to say, and you will keep your part.
Claudius felt the blood leave his tense, sweaty face.
- But... I... it represents a huge amount of money! I invested a lot in business, but it was to make this money grow!
- Then you should not have any trouble repaying everything, Master Claudius.
Feeling trapped, the Human fell to his knees and moaned:
- There will be nothing left for me, your Highness!
- You had to think about it before using resources that didn't belong to you, Claudius.
- I did that for Laerte, your Majesty! To provide him with rents worthy of him!
- And that's why your "generosity", this generosity that has led you to do stupid things for the care of your nephew shall not be forgotten. Master Laerte, you will give a thousand crowns each month to your uncle for a year. This should allow him to find a stable situation, and to meditate on what is good for him and for you.
A thousand crowns a month was only a small sum compared to what Laerte was about to earn in the affair. Satisfied, he replied:
- I knew that your wisdom would undo this knot, your Majesty.
- Thank you, Master Laerte. Master Claudius?
Claudius hardly dared to look at the Prince when he murmured:
- I will comply with your wishes, your Highness.
- Perfect. Everyone is so in agreement.
Ludwig the First took a deep breath and pronounced with a loud voice:
- So spoke the Prince!
This sentence was a custom introduced by Steiner. This meant that his decision was irrevocable, and allowed no challenge. The two plaintiffs went out in silence, without the slightest indecency on either side.
Once alone, Ludwig Steiner cracked the bones of his back and grumbled:
- Longing for the day to end, I'm so tired!
He felt his lassitude growing as he heard a knock on the door.
- Yes, what is it?
The herald opened the door.
- Your Highness, this is Commander Schmetterling.
- Ah... let him coming in!
He repositioned himself on his cushion, and adjusted the ermine collar of his jacket as Commander Johannes Schmetterling presented himself to him. This tall Human had lived several decades of wars, revolts, clashes against beastmen, Skaven, Orcs, bandits and angry citizens. Before joining the Rat Kingdom, he had served under the direct command of Middenland Count Elector Boris Todbringer. It was easy to see him as a soldier. Admittedly, the years had fattened him a little, but he was still perfectly able to fight and command a battalion. An impressive red mane matched his red complexion, his arms were powerful, and he rivalled the Prince in size. The latter had seen in him great capacities of strategy and action on the battlefield, and had named him commander of his army.
- Good evening, your Majesty.
- Good evening, Commander.
- I come to make you acquainted with the report of the cohort party to Bran.
- Ah. So?
- Prince Grzegorz greatly appreciated our support. He will not fail to return the favour the day we will in our turn suffer an invasion attempt.
- Oh, give them time to recover. Many losses?
- A few dozen men. Others will be recruited.
The Prince couldn't repress another annoyed sigh.
- You seem upset, your Highness, aren't you?
- Oh, it's nothing, Commander. It's just I feel that as we gain peace beyond our borders, war breaks out inside the Rat Kingdom.
- As long as I'm in charge here, you will never see the slightest sign of any kind of civil war, your Highness. You know it.
- Yes, Commander. So, what can you tell me?
The captain talked again for some time with the Prince, then took leave. Outside, the clocks of the various temples across the city rang nine strokes. Steiner sighed; he had missed supper with his children and grandchildren. One of his most inalienable pleasures. He went mechanically to the exit of the throne room.
In the dining room, the servants were finishing to clear the table. One of them moved quickly to the Prince.
- Your Grace, we'll prepare your meal at once.
- Oh, no, Davydd. No need you to bother for that, I should have been with my family. You will bring me a snack in my office in half an hour.
- As you please, your Highness.
Steiner advanced to his two adopted children.
- I beg your pardon, my children. The day was longer than expected.
- Don't worry, Father, you are fulfilling your role, and it proves you're a conscientious sovereign, replied Heike.
- There will be many more meals to share-enjoy, Father, Psody added. But you... is something wrong?
- I had to settle an inheritance story, once again. Except that this time the conflict opposed a Human and a Freed Skaven.
- It had to happen someday, Opa, Bianka murmured. Whether they are Humans or Skaven, our citizens have the same issues of contention.
- You are right, darling. You are perfectly right.
The Human then noticed that Isolde, the youngest, seemed over excited. She was making big gestures, and repeated without stopping more enthusiastic exclamations.
- Well, Isolde, you enjoyed your day, didn't you?
The little girl turned to her grandfather, and replied, delighted:
- Oh yes, Opa Ludwig! You will never guess what I saw today!
- Won't I? So? What did you see?
The little Skaven girl with a cream-colored coat applied herself with utmost solemnity:
- I attended Vaclav's baptism!
- The little Cukor child, Heike specified.
- Ah! exclaimed the Human. It was at the Shallya's temple?
- Yes! Sister Judy led the ceremony.
- And did you like it?
- Oh, yes, I did! It was a wonderful, magical ceremony! Was my baptism so beautiful?
- Of course, it was, my dear. It was a beautiful day. Shallya really smiled on you.
- I would really like to serve Shallya as Sister Judy, it would be wonderful!
- We know it, dear, replied Heike gently. When you are a while grown up, you will go to work in the temple one day to see if it's really a life that suits you. But before, you have to wait!
Another servant approached the White Skaven.
- I deposed the book you asked for on your desk, Master Prospero.
- Thank you, Legré. Have a good night.
As the jacketed Skaven pulled back, leaving the Steiner family together, Isolde grimaced.
- Why did Legré call you "Prospero", Father?
- Because that's my name!
- No! Your name is Psody!
- Yes, you're right, but I took another name. "Prospero", is the closest way I found to remind the name "Psody", so I decided-chose to take this name.
- Why did you take another name? Don't you like yours?
- Of course, I do, my sweetie belle. However, it's not a Human name. Opa Ludwig agreed to adopt me, so that I can live with your mother. The first step was to become Human, by name.
- And you were baptized like Vaclav?
This time, the White Skaven let a few seconds of silence pass before answering:
- No, my darling. I received my imperial name at the Verena Temple, where I was noted-added in the register. There was no religious ceremony.
- Why? You count for Shallya, like everyone else!
Once again, Psody took a moment to think.
- You know, I want you to understand something: everyone doesn't pray Shallya.
- I know, laughed the girl. There is Morr, and then Verena, and Sigmar, and Taal, and Rhya. There is always an office for...
It was then that little Isolde remembered something she had already noticed, but which she had not tried to understand until then.
- When Mother takes us to the temple, to pray at the end of the week, you're never with us! Why?
The White Skaven took a few more seconds to think. He crouched, to be at the height of his daughter, put a hand on his shoulder, and replied:
- That's exactly what I'm trying to explain to you, Isolde. The world is inhabited by a whole lot of different peoples. Generally, they wish to live happily, they are gathered in tribes, or live in cities. They need someone to guide them when they face something they do not understand. The world is huge, and many things that we do not understand happen. It is the will of the gods. But not everyone knows the same gods.
- Very far from here, where the sun rises, there are countries where men do not know Shallya, his mother went on. They have other gods that we don't know. On the other side, far away where the sun goes down, I know there is a big island where the Elves live. They have their own gods. The Dwarves know that Shallya exists, but they don't listen to her word, because they too have other gods. You have been educated in the worship of the Human gods.
- Like your mother, and your grandfather who raised your mother, said Psody. But my spiritual guide is the Horned Rat. The Feral Skaven who raised me when I was little was a bad man, but he introduced me to the word of the Horned Rat, and that word gives meaning to my life.
The little girl had a little trouble absorbing her father's words. Her face scowled, she murmured:
- They say that the Horned Rat is a bad god. Why do you worship this god?
- It's true that Humans say the Horned Rat is evil. But it's more complicated than that, Isolde. When Romulus preaches, he reads a chapter from the sacred book of Shallya. And it's the same for the other gods, whether Humans, Elves, and Dwarves. But for the Feral Skaven, it's different; there is no book, or text. Only scrolls written by the White Skaven, who say that it is the only-one truth, whereas there are not two who say the same thing. And the problem is, all the White Skaven, and the Overseer, the High Priest of the Horned Rat, say that the Feral Skaven must become the masters of the world. But that's not what I felt. One day, when I was Gabriel's age, the Horned Rat spoke to me for the first time.
- Is it true? What did he tell you?
- He showed me what he wanted me to do: to create a kingdom where the Skaven could live happy-happy on the surface. But he never said "destroy all Humans first". On the contrary, I saw images of Skaven, and other peoples, living together. That's what we've been trying to do for six years, Isolde.
- Do not worry, said the grandfather. Your father is a very good person. Even though the Horned Rat is a god who can be mean, I can assure you that he will never push your father to do evil. If there are any who say the opposite in front of you, do not listen to them. And if someone tries to hurt your father because he's praying to another god, he'll have big problems.
The Prince coughed loudly.
- Well, now, children, it's bedtime. Psody, you'll join me in my office, we still have work to finish.
- Right, Father.
The White Skaven took his daughter by the hand and walked a good step towards the exit. The Human again threw:
- No need to hurry, take your time.
- Good night, Opa! replied Isolde happily.
- Good night, sweetheart!
The west wing was where the Steiner family quarters were. As the years and successive coming of the five children progressed, there had been reorganization and relocation, and since the previous year Isolde had her own room. The first floor included several work rooms, the children's playroom, and a more intimate than the banquet hall dining room. The three floors above the ground floor were configured in the same way: the spiral staircase led to a single long hallway with doors to bedrooms on either side, and a larger apartment was spotted at the end of the corridor. On the second floor, there were the guest rooms, each equipped with elements ensuring comfort and well-being, especially a small space with a basin of water and a toilet set isolated by an opaque curtain. The third floor was also dedicated to guests, except the room at the end of the corridor. It was the private apartments of Prince Ludwig Steiner. Finally, on the fourth floor, only a few servants could go up: it was the floor where the Skaven family lived.
To give them some privacy, Prince Ludwig had left them the whole floor. They had arranged some rooms they did not use as storage rooms, and there was even a large bathroom. The couple formed by Psody and Heike slept in the large room at the end of the hallway. Their children all had their own bedroom. Even when they were on a mission, Kristofferson and Sigmund knew that they would always have their beds ready to welcome them when they returned. Isolde had the smallest room, the first door just left out of the room of the couple formed by his parents. Gabriel was sitting near the stairs, and his apartments were adjacent to those of his older sister Bianka.
For now, he was in the bathroom, with his mother and his little sister.
- Oh, Mother, it's important! It is absolutely necessary that I note this calculation, otherwise I risk to forget it!
- Your inventions may wait until tomorrow, my darling. You have to think about your hygiene, if you want to stay healthy and be able to use your brain. Now, file your teeth, brush them well, and go to sleep.
Gabriel grumbled, but resigned himself to obeying. He stood in front of the mirror, took the small lime in the cupboard, and began to gently rub the ends of his incisors with his instrument. Isolde, wrapped in a thick towel, rubbed by her mother, asked:
- What about me? Why don't I ever have to file my teeth?
- Because girls don't have teeth that grow like boys, Isolde, Heike explained. It's like that. For Humans, boys who become grown-ups have hair that grow on their faces.
- Like Opa Ludwig! exclaimed the little girl. He has a big moustache!
- Exactly, sweetie. Skaven boys and girls all have hair all over their body. So, as a difference, there are the teeth. I never needed to shorten them. But boys must do it!
Still his lime in hand, Gabriel turned to Heike and looked at her without saying a word. She continued:
- I know what I'm talking about, Gab. Your father has already told me that he had seen Feral Skaven with too long teeth in his burrow. And it hurt them, so much so that they were always in a bad mood!
- Feral Skaven are always in a bad mood, anyway, the little ratman replied. That's why they all want to kill us, and why we must eliminate them all!
- Gabriel!
- What? That's what my inventions do, after all.
This time, the mother did not answer. Isolde didn't seem to have heard the words of her brother, much to Heike's relief. But as she started drying her daughter again, she couldn't help a little worry from slipping lightly over her heart.