Letter from Sister Carolina Kuhlmann, priestess of the Shallya Temple of Wüstengrenze, to Sister Judy Hoffnung, priestess of the Shallya Temple of Steinerburg, written on the twenty-seventh Pflugzeit of the year two thousand five hundred and thirty of the Imperial Calendar.
My dear benefactor,
It's been a few weeks since we have somehow resisted the terrible assault of the Orcs. Lady Franzseska Gottlieb has practically completed the inventory, as well as the macabre list of citizens of Vereinbarung deceased under the weapons of the Orcs. In addition to the villagers of Klapperschlänge, many soldiers from Steinerburg fell, and even reinforcements from Wüstengrenze suffered losses. We have treated all of the injured who survived, but the heart sores are still wide open. All the villagers of Klapperschlänge received a burial in respect of the sacraments of Morr, dispensed by Brother Herschel, the priest of Morr of Wüstengrenze. But the surviving soldiers didn't let themselves go to despair, and redoubled their efforts to restore its brilliance to Klapperschlänge. As you may know, this village is located near land made fertile thanks to the enchantments of the Druids hired by the Prince three years ago. The Greenskins didn't take the time to burn down the land, they directly attacked our compatriots. Wüstengrenze's minds got together, and decided to settle a few volunteer villagers in Klapperschlänge – some dissatisfied with life in Wüstengrenze saw it as a new start.
This idea was greatly approved by the Princely Steward, Lady Franzseska Gottlieb. When she arrived with Master Kristofferson, Captain Müller explained the situation to her as well as this reconstruction project. She entrusted him with the management of the construction site. I only knew Lady Gottlieb by reputation, but I see that she is formidable in her field of activity. No one dares to challenge her authority. I would have liked to meet her earlier, because she seems to me to be a particularly strong woman! I took advantage of a short break to exchange opinions on the condition of us women in Vereinbarung. Her ideas are less flexible than I had hoped, but at the same time I don't forget she's the widow of a lord, and not the most tender, she confessed.
This person has my admiration, however. Before I took the bleeding heart dress, you know it, I was myself a child of the high society of Talabheim, and I saw with my own eyes the result when a home is run by the iron fist of a warlord, with the examples of several of my friends or sisters. Until now, I thought the result was always the same: the unhappy woman was quickly mentally broken, if not physically too, whether by dangerously suffocating discipline, or desperate neglect from the husband.
This is not the case for Lady Gottlieb. She made it clear to me with a knowing little smile that the late her husband, Lord Wilhelm Gottlieb, was feared by everyone except her. She didn't hesitate to brave his anger, respond to his threats, and make him understand that it was in his interest to take off with her. And the day he raised his hand to her in order to submit her, she immediately returned him the favour – he would have had difficulty going where you know for three days, the pain caused making any evacuation particularly harsh.
Their children, the twins Marjan and Jochen, had a severe, strict education, but Lady Franzseska loves them deeply, and has always taken care to show them. Both of them give her back this love. When she told me about them, Lady Franzseska seemed more serene, less sad. She doesn't seem to regret Lord Wilhelm. This one would never have ventured into the Rat Kingdom anyway, he had too backward ideas to accept to see the Skaven become our friends. I don't know if Romulus told you about it, but once again, Vereinbarung owes him a debt of gratitude: when the Master Mage Prospero, then simple little Grey Seer of the Under-Empire, turned himself over to the Gottlieb couple, half a dozen years ago, Lady Gottlieb was one of the people the most determined to execute him, which would no doubt have happened without the direct intervention of our common saviour. And without Prospero, we probably wouldn't be here today!
More seriously, Lady Franzseska has all my admiration. I would really like to see other young girls who were unwittingly married to disrespectful lords to be as resourceful. May those who don't have the physical capabilities of a northern female warrior be clever enough to subdue their husband, and control him with words that would be sometimes sweet, sometimes threatening.
Obviously, when I say that, I probably don't please Shallya. But if we want to live in a balanced society, it is important to lay solid foundations, and equality between men and women seems to me essential. Perhaps in a few centuries we'll be able to afford the luxury of achieving this balance through education. However, for the present times, our world is still too violent, the people too anchored in superstition and terror of the perpetual threats of Chaos, Orcs and others. And so, we are forced to build this edifice as the Dwarves build a karak: by making a building with no frills, massive, huge foundations, which will gradually be embellished, until it becomes a masterpiece called to hold standing for centuries.
I also had the opportunity to speak several times with Master Kristofferson Steiner. He's a man who cares about doing the right thing. When he arrived, he had a hard time looking the soldiers waiting for him in the eye. The first thing he did was admit his wrongs about the villagers of Klapperschlänge. The fact that he is the eldest son in the family pushes him to take on his shoulders more responsibility than he really should. After all, we all agreed that he didn't have to assume on this fault alone; several elements led to this carnage, in particular the negligence of the former captain Kreutzer.
Kristofferson is also a cultured young man, who has a much more humble face when we speak informally. He's a little amazing person. In terms of age, technically, he hasn't lived so many more years than I have, and we have the same physical and intellectual maturity. And yet, I have the impression that he lived three times what I've experienced to now. He told me about his many marauding in the burrows. He volunteered when he reached the age of majority, which his mother didn't like very much, you probably know. I vacillate between admiration and compassion, because I think that many other good people who would have faced the same thing as him wouldn't have such a cheerful character. Unless this is a way to hide his own sadness? Indeed, I couldn't help detecting Kristofferson's certain melancholy, especially when he thinks back to the villagers of Klapperschlänge. As I told you before, we have repeated him several times that he shouldn't blame himself so much. I sincerely hope him to fully accept it.
Fortunately, Kristofferson can be a very pleasant company. The moments when he is most radiant, according to me, take place at the end of the day. Once the training over, the supervision of resources done, the work complete, then he allows himself to relax a little. Everybody appreciates his true nature: a happy fellow always ready to cheer up with a joke, and with warmth. I've already had the opportunity to see leaders attract the sympathy of people, but they nevertheless remained cold and distant, a bit like Lady Gottlieb. He's just the opposite. Of course, he's careful not to go overboard, and I've never seen him drink more than one glass of alcohol a day. But he is still able to cause laughter quickly and frankly.
I suspect his life not to be always fun from a family point of view; as the Prince's grandson, there is all the formal side to be respected. We talked about his family. He notably shared with me some concerns about his younger brother, Sigmund. The second son in the Steiner family would be someone very sad, far more than he is or the rest of the siblings, he told me. I guess I'm not teaching you much, you're probably the Human who knows the Master Mage's children best, apart from the Prince himself. His best friend, Master Walter Klingmann, told me a few anecdotes about their moments spent together during their childhood, and confirmed the formal side of the young years of the elder son of Master Mage.
Kristofferson also said to me that his younger sister Isolde is so heartfelt, and she regularly asks her parents for their blessing to join our order. Again, you are in a better position than I to confirm this or not. But by his words, if she's not yet old enough, she's passionate. After all, why not? There are already a few Skaven between the walls of the Shallya temple in Steinerburg, mainly orphans who have had little choice in life. But if individuals feel the vocation rising in their heart, and voluntarily wish to wear the robe, why prevent them from doing so? As you know, Shallya loves all living things except those who follow Nurgle, so why she wouldn't for a little girl steeped in love?
Anyway, Kristofferson is a good person. In a way, I even find him attractive. Of course, I have no intention of going any further than chaste friendship with him. I don't know if the gods would approve a union between a man and a woman so... different? If certain peoples may possibly mix, I'm not sure Skaven and Human could… well, that seems impossible to me. But I remain satisfied to be among the people he enjoys company. I hope his heart to heal completely one day, and I'm sure Shallya will help him. We know the magnificence of His Majesty Ludwig Steiner manifests itself through this young man. He's a good person, and I'm happy to have him as a friend. Besides, he also told me that he got along very well with Lady Franzseska's two children. They wandered together during the Harvests, it created ties, I guess. When he talks about Lady Marjan, his eyes sparkle with a special glow. Strange…
Speaking of far less fortunate people... We saw the sad figure of ex-Captain Kreutzer lurking around the barracks. The last time he appeared to us, he looked completely haggard, staggering, with a strong smell of alcohol floating around him. I think he found refuge in the small inn in Klapperschlänge, which has remained intact. He must pick up into the beer and wine reserves that have not yet been moved. He will have to be dislodged when the new inhabitants come to settle.
The last few days have left me optimistic, but a shadow still hangs over us, it can be seen in the looks and the voices. The Orcs threat remains present. Certainly, our warriors have beat them back, but there is much to fear that others will return. Captain Müller explained to Lady Franzseska that he hadn't seen a particularly tall and sturdy barbarian during the night of the battle. The steward explained to us that all Orcs follow a great leader, the kind you can easily recognize from afar. An Orc chieftain is generally twice as tall as a man, and has enough muscle to break a horse's back. It is very likely that this chief is somewhere in the region, preparing for an assault three times more formidable.
We are all afraid, but with Lady Franzseska, Captain Müller, Kristofferson and his friends, the light of hope shines faintly, but distinctly, in every heart. Other soldiers should also join us as a precaution. Lady Franzseska is counting on them to reinforce the fortifications that the peasants are preparing, helped by the soldiers. We are about to fight again against the Greenskins, and I feel that this new fight will be much more deadly than the last. But the gods allowed us to build Vereinbarung, they will allow us to keep it, I'm sure.
I sincerely hope that, on your side, things are going well; Kristofferson hesitantly murmured that there had been tensions at the border of the principality of Sueño. I know that His Highness Prince Steiner will be able to remedy this additional complication, and that we will be able to benefit from enough reinforcements to repel and definitively defeat the Orcs.
My sister, thank you for your attention. Under the benevolence of Shallya, may her be praised, I wish you to be well, and to continue to give the best benefit to the inhabitants of Steinerburg thanks to your multiple talents.
- I guess it is a joke?
- It is not, Father, replied Sigmund in an embarrassed whisper.
Psody was mad. He wanted to be sure he understood what his son had just told him.
- You really allowed this Feral Skaven to leave its cage? Moreover during your sleep?
- He... he looked obedient.
At these words, the White Skaven's anger burst out.
- I must be dreaming! So, by your fault, not only is there now a Feral Skaven on the loose-wandering in our kingdom, but in addition we won't manage to find its allies-accomplices! Well, great! I congratulate you!
The Black Skaven lowered his head shamefully.
- Fortunately, it didn't take advantage of the situation to kill-cutthroat you!
Sigmund felt his heart freeze at this thought. He looked up nervously. His father remarked his anguished expression, and continued:
- It could have done it. It was only because it was too afraid to miss its try that it didn't. You escaped death, so I'm not going to punish you right away. But I'm warning you, Sigmund: if ever a peasant comes to find us to say that a Feral Skaven has devoured his cattle or attacked his family, you'll be the one to pay for the damage!
- I will, Father... But I really thought I was doing the right thing. He seemed so miserable!
- Of course it seemed miserable! Feral Skaven are experts in whining-whining! The more convincing they are, the more it extends their life expectancy! And you, like a fool, you were tricked! This is your biggest problem, Sigmund: you get too overwhelmed by your feelings!
- Without my feelings, I would be as feral as they are! Sigmund retorted.
- I should have listened to the Twins, and had it executed! There would be no risk of problems, and the others would have got the message.
- Killing him would have been murder!
- It infiltrated our kingdom to eliminate me, remember? This sentence would have been only justice-justice.
- Precisely, you say it all the day long! "Be fair", "be Human", again and again! Well, you're right: I am a citizen of Vereinbarung, not a heartless murderer who kills a poor defenseless guy without the slightest mercy!
- I'm not saying that having mercy for it was wrong! You had a human reaction insisting that we let it live, that's understandable. But you were too confident! One day, it will really play a dirty trick on you! All it takes is a Feral Skaven pretending to burst into tears in order to make you sorry-pity, and you stop thinking in a blink!
- He wasn't pretending.
- From the moment it took advantage of your leniency to get away, it ceased to be a terrified repentant, and became a shameless manipulator, Sigmund. I repeat: Feral Skaven use to acting like this, so much that it is their way-way of life.
The Black Skaven wanted to protest by showing an unconventional meanness:
- You are well placed to know it, aren't you? You are a Feral Skaven by birth! That's why you have so much determination to eliminate them! Because you reject what you are!
- I definitively don't! You're right, I was born as a Feral Skaven, and I lived-lived as such for four years. But I learned to be Human, little by little, and we raised you as a Human, your mother and I. If I have "so much determination to eliminate them", it is not under the influence of hatred-grudge, but prudence: I know their way of thinking, and I know how to deal with them. I remind you that I almost died by the hand of your uncle Klur! He backstabbed me before trying to drown me in a swamp! This is how it works, among the Feral Skaven! It's the most deceitful-traitor who survives the longest! The problem with you is that you see Feral Skaven too much like Humans. But they are not like Humans, much less like we are!
- That is not what you told us at our first Harvest!
Made tired by his son's argument, Psody paused. He sighed deeply, and said in a softer voice:
- You're right, but I was speaking about the blood point of view. Our blood and theirs are similar, we are not more or less strong-intelligent than them by nature, it is true. But there is a difference: what we have in mind! You must stop identifying with them! It's like during the Harvests! As you are talking about it, remember: you thought we were child stealers. But that was not the case, I explained it to you! We didn't steal the pups from their parents, we gave them parents! About our relationship with the Feral Skaven, it's the same thing, you must stop considering them as Humans! Have you seen how they live in their burrows? The Under-Empire is not the Human Empire, and its inhabitants are rabid creatures, trained to be like Larn barely out of the nursery! This is why I want to eliminate them all! Feral Skaven are monsters, thirsty for violence, who torture their wives and push their children to devour everything they can! If I fight against them, it's not by revenge or redemption. I fight for your mother, for your sisters, for Teresa, for all the girls of our kind! And unless one day, an entire community that reason like us come to ask us for a covenant, which would really surprise me, there is nothing good to hope from the Sons of the Horned Rat. Siggy, I want you to gain a bit of maturity, and accept the Feral Skaven as they are! It will avoid you to do again such a mistake!
Sigmund didn't answer this time. He thought back to all the skirmishes against the Feral Skaven during their Harvests. He imagined Larn running away with a sneer, satisfied to have fooled the one who had the weakness to trust him. His ear twitched when he heard his father's voice again.
- My opinion joined the one of the Gottlieb's, but I wanted to give you a chance to prove to me what you were worth. I got my answer-answer. It disappointed me greatly. Until you are more responsible, I'll never allow you to harm others, Siggy. Let it serve you as a lesson!
The young ratman got up and groaned:
- Excuse me for giving a chance to a prisoner who begged for his life!
He was about to leave the office when he heard his father call him back. He decided to ignore any invective, and his hand had already lowered the door handle, but the words his ear received kept him at the last moment.
- When you went back from Rabanera, you were ready to kill all the Feral Skaven on the continent, Sigmund.
Without looking back, Sigmund replied:
- I said silly words. I was drunk.
- And yet it made you more clairvoyant!
The Black Skaven spun on his heels, both incredulous and annoyed.
- So, now, alcohol make some sense, Father? It reveals the worst in us! Even good guys can beat their wife, when they drink too much!
- It's not alcohol that turns them violent, Siggy. Alcohol only externalizes the violence that sleeps in them. "Good guys" never beat their wife, even under the influence of alcohol. They have enough reason to hold back, or they fall into an alcoholic coma. You're a good person, even if you don't always respect yourself. Whenever you drink too much, you remain lucid-conscious enough not to raise your hand on anyone. On the other hand, it reveals this sadness you bury under a cloak of anger, by pretexting-invoking Black Hunger. And that demolishes you. And I can assure you that we are all very sensitive to that! Your mother, your sisters, your brothers… all of us, we want you to get better-better!
Sigmund felt tears come to his eyes. Psody stood before him.
- My boy, promise me you won't get drunk this time. The bottle only moves the problem on.
- I promise, articulated the Black Skaven, his throat tight.
The White Skaven sighed in relief. His son asked again:
- Do you think he'll join his den?
- Maybe, and maybe not. It depends, if it is, the meeting point was still far-far away. But it can take it out on someone on its way! It must be hungry and eager for kill-kill. If it attacks a Human, that could sow discord-discord! Some Humans are just waiting for an opportunity like this to create problems for the Crown! Hope it won't upset your grandfather too much.
- I... I'll confess everything to him.
Sigmund had beforehand seen Prince Ludwig angry, and knew the so cordial Human could be truly frightening when he was upset.
- Forget it, retorted his father. I'll take care of this. Go to your apartments, and think about what has happened today.
The tall Black Skaven left the office without adding a word.
But he didn't return to his personal quarter. He climbed up the stairs of the family apartments wing to the top floor. He needed to get some air. Indeed, the rooftop of the building had been arranged in terrace, with wooden benches and fences high enough to avoid an accidental fall, but allowed to appreciate the view. And the view, Sigmund loved it. Especially when he needed to take his mind off things.
The huge Black Skaven took a few steps over the well-kept marble slabs that made up the floor, and looked around. He never got tired of this picture. The whole city of Steinerburg was at his feet, and lived, breathed, laughed... He didn't see himself as a god, a benevolent father, a superior spirit, he had no such ambitions. He felt that he was fully a citizen, concerned for his well-being and that of the people to whom he was attached. He knew that Feral Skaven could never experience such a connection with their kindred. His true kindred were here, honorable men and women who had worked together for six years to build and make the Rat Kingdom prosper.
He remembered an evening, a couple of years ago. His grandfather had brought him to this space. His pipe in his mouth, he had told him about the people, and the importance of the life of the citizens. They were fortunate to live more than comfortably, thanks to the resources and hard work of the patriarch, who had been able to make the money from his own father work. "Nevertheless, money is not all", said Steiner. "Remember, Siggy, all of this wouldn't have been possible without all these men and women under our feet. You weren't born when it happened, but they worked very hard to make these lands a good place to live. We are the sovereigns, but we need the subjects. Without the citizens, we would be nothing. Never forget to show them the respect they all deserve. They will respect you just as much."
He approached the barrier, and his heart warmed a little. The setting sun dazzled the roofs, streets, water tanks, and towers of taller buildings. He distinguished the different districts of the capital of Vereinbarung. Even the Mousetrap had its most beautiful face. He was particularly fascinated by the long and regular shape of the dwarf-built aqueduct that brought the water. Over time, huge reservoirs had been installed here and there, in order to always guarantee water supplies for the inhabitants in the event of a siege, and above all the destruction of the aqueduct.
When he turned to the other side, Sigmund faced the cliff. The Steiner Estate didn't have to fear much from this side, for sure. The cliff was far too high and too steep, unless you were an exceptional climber. Or to fly, with magic or on a winged mount. The young ratman's lips wrinkled in an ironic grin. The Feral Skaven, used to underground tunnels, didn't have flying machines. At least, not to his knowledge. On the other hand, he had heard about the Goblins, and their catastrophic inventions. Much more hazardous than those concocted by his brother Gabriel.
Sigmund felt his heart tighten when the worried face of his younger brother materialized in his mind. Several days had already passed since he returned, and he hadn't taken the time to come and speak to him, alone. Appreciate his inventions, ask him what he had done during their absence... Small things, but little things that made up the cement that consolidated this so dear to the Black Skaven concept: family.
Young Steiner loved his family, each one of them. And yet he couldn't help but speak more rudely to them than he wished, to get mad at them for trivialities. Last time he had seen his older brother, he had told him to go away. And he had just had an argument with his parents.
Damn, how? Why? Is this... my difference?
The issue of Black Hunger, again, to come and haunt him. He nervously slapped his own temple to think of something else. Suddenly his ear pivoted when he heard the voice of Isolde behind him.
- Siggy? Is something wrong?
Sigmund turned on his heel. The little girl was before him, looking worried, a doll in her hands. Bianka stood by her side. The young ratman painfully swallowed his saliva.
- I... just wanted to breath a while.
- Father looked angry.
- It's nothing, really nothing. I just made a mistake.
- Is it because of the killer?
A shard of ice ran through the heart of the Black Skaven. He stammered:
- What... what are you...
- She knows, cut Bianka. She heard the Twins talk about.
Sigmund didn't know whether he should be frightened by the seriousness of his little sister though she still was a child, or be furious at his friends who had not taken precautions enough. Bianka took advantage of this state of indecision to force him to face up to his responsibilities.
- Now I want you to explain to her what happened, and what you plan to do.
Sigmund knelt in front of Isolde, and gently put his hands on her shoulders.
- I wanted to give this Feral Skaven a chance. Unfortunately, he cheated on me, and fled.
- You... do you think he's going to get revenge?
She was already trembling, and tears fell from her wide eyes.
- No, sweetie belle. He's too far away, and he's too coward, anyway.
- But... others could come?
The Black Skaven gently wiped his tears with his thumb.
- We do everything to avoid that. We'll find their hiding place, and we'll drive them away.
- What if they're hiding in the city?
- No, we would have spotted them already. And you don't have to be afraid. As long as I am there, there is absolutely nothing to harm you, sweetie belle. Remember that I am the strongest Skaven in the Rat Kingdom. I'll sweep the whole house with the buttocks of the first Feral Skaven who will dare to threaten you.
The little girl smiles painfully between two sobs. Sigmund turned his head to Bianka.
- What about Gab? Is he aware, too?
- Not yet, but it won't be long.
- What about our parents? Do they know she knows?
- I'll talk to them.
The Skaven lady shivered.
- It's getting late. Are you coming, Soso? Bedtime now.
- Yes, Bianka.
Sigmund hugged his little sister one last time, and the two girls returned, leaving him alone. Night had fallen, and the two moons were shining. The wind was blowing, and the clouds were racing at top speed, intermittently obscuring the stars.
The tall Black Skaven got up, and thought:
Kit, Siggy, Gab, Soso… Too bad Bianka didn't accept a nickname!
- All of this is rather annoying, as a matter of fact…
Prince Ludwig Steiner took a puff from his pipe. The cloud of tobacco rose above his head.
- And so, the children are aware of.
- Alas, Father. Bianka confirmed this to me.
- Well, the secret didn't last long.
- I'll remind-remind the Twins the meaning of the word "secret", muttered Psody, annoyed.
- Oh, they would have learned it somehow. Between hallway noises, rumours, superstitions... and I don't mention the damage Larn could do!
The ratmother bit her lip.
- Hope there are not too many consequences!
- The worst will be relationships, Heike. Personally, I don't think a lone, weakened and unarmed Feral Skaven to represent a real danger. The main problem is that it could generate serious tension!
- What do you recommend? asked Romulus.
- Continue to keep it secret for the moment. No scandal, you have to cover up the issue, at least until Larn is arrested. The ideal would be to eliminate him without anyone to know it. But if he ever creates problems, then we'll have to punish him severely, and publicly. Our fellow citizens must understand we will not tolerate the presence of any Feral Skaven within our borders! And, Romulus, I want you to warn the Lorekeepers of the Empire. If necessary, they can help us to confine the problem inside Vereinbarung.
- I trust you, Father! Heike declared flatly.
- I appreciate your kindness, my child, but I'm not perfect, I admit it. Managing a kingdom is something I've been doing for six years, and so far I've never had to deal with this kind of crisis. There's a first time for everything. Also, any help will be good to accept.
The prior left the Prince's cabinet. The latter allowed himself to take a more concerned look.
- I hope Sigmund will get something out of it this time.
- I hope so too, but that's not what worries me the most. Father, we're going to have to prepare-brace ourselves. Others will arrive! We already know that they infiltrated Sueño, to see some here-here is the logical continuation.
- For six years, we have been living according to a new way of life which involves Skaven, summarized Heike. Humans are little by little aware, and what Humans know, the Feral Skaven know in turn very quickly. The Council of Thirteen learned of the existence of Vereinbarung, it was fatal.
- They even gave your companion a rather suggestive moniker. "Blasphemous One"... I heard more original.
- Feral Skaven don't care about being original, Father. Their methods are always the same. That's why I'm sure-certain there's a contingent somewhere nearby. We have to find it!
The Prince's forehead widened with worried furrows.
- Even so, these are far from the Empire! They are daring!
- Other Feral Skaven have travelled much further before, Father, Heike reminded. Remember the Pestilens who left for Lustrie, or the Eshin for Cathay. They're probably not more special than others. However, this doesn't mean that we have to relax our vigilance.
- You're absolutely right, darling. This intruder didn't fall from the sky. Psody, do you think there would be a colony in the Rat Kingdom?
- Not under a big city, otherwise we would have felt it. Local Skaven citizens would have complained of unusual bad smells, there would be disappearances, that sort of thing. But we should be doing country patrols. Brissuc was a burrow under a small village, I think we're dealing with a rural colony.
- I advise you to warn the other neighbouring princes, too, Heike added.
- They'll all declare war on us! Psody assumed. They will reproach us for having drawn the Feral on them!
- If we lie by omission, and our neighbours find out, they'll surely take it very badly, my son. Verena wants us to remain honest. Anyway, as you said, Sueño is already submitted to a Skaven invasion. Better to prove to the princes of the surroundings that we recognize our wrongs in this affair and that we are ready to assume them.
- Even if we don't have all the wrongs either, replied Psody.
But had he done it to reassure his father and his wife... or himself?
The two Skaven were about to sleep. Heike was already under the sheets. But his companion, who was finishing putting on his nightgown, headed for the door.
- Where are you going? Come on, come over here!
- One minute, I have a precaution-precaution to take.
He left the bedroom, a candle in his hand, then went down to his office. He walked over to a small piece of furniture in the corner of the room, pushed it, and revealed a hiding place in the wall. In this cache awaited a small casket. The White Skaven placed the ornate box on the desk, opened it, and picked up a pistol from. He loaded it slowly, mechanically, then put the box away, took the small defence weapon by the barrel, and returned to his bedroom.
Heike opened wide, frightened eyes when she saw the gun.
- Is it really necessary?
The White Skaven turned to his wife, bitter in his look.
- They tried to kill-kill me, darling. Larn failed, but someone else will try.
- Why a weapon? You have your magic.
Psody made a face.
- Two reasons-reasons, sweetheart: I practice the magic of Ghyran, the magic of life. There is no question of using it to kill a living being. Toast a demon or a brainless Mutant, or even an undead, I can. But I won't use it on any living being.
- You can neutralize a living being without killing it, can't you?
- I can, but this is the second reason: using magic requires at least a few seconds. Next time I see a Gutter Runner at the window, I won't have a few seconds. Defeating an enemy without killing it requires the luxury of having time to think. Shooting a threat with a pistol takes only half a second.
He slowly opened the drawer of the bedside table, and carefully placed the weapon in it. Then he took his turn in the bed, and let out a deep sigh.
- Don't worry, Psody. We have overcome everything so far. You escaped your Feral Skaven life, and I survived a forbidden life in the Empire. We have worked very hard since we came here, especially you, who risked your life many times during the Harvests. Today, we are gathered in a kingdom that was created for us, we have five wonderful children, loyal friends, and a people who trust us. No one can take that away from us.
She ran her slender fingers across his chest, first, gently, then sensually. The White Skaven felt his lips rise in a knowing smile. He raised his hand, caressed her cheek, then her neck. She chuckled when he slid his knuckles into the collar of her nightgown. It didn't take more to rush things. She folded the blanket, straightened up on the bed, and threw her sleepwear over her shoulder. Psody sneered in turn as he furiously ripped off his shirt. When the ratwoman threw herself on him, all the worries of the last two days vanished into the night, through the window.