Children of the Horned Rat,
Sorry for the delay, I had some personal writing to do, writing I invite you to discover under the title Only my blades can kill me.
However, I may have more time to write during the day, the normal pace should resume.
In the meantime, I'll leave you until early October 2020 to decide who will be the next Steiner child drawn by Ziegelzeig. Today, one of them is overpassing the others, but very little, and I would like to be sure there will be a visible majority.
On the other hand, I would like to pay tribute to a great artist, if not the greatest of all in his domain, who has just passed away: Roger Carel, voice actor for sixty years. For the children of the Horned Rat who don't know him, know he has voiced dozens of cult characters, including Astérix, Alf, C-3PO, Kermit the Frog, Benny Hill, Bernard from The Rescuers (who already has his cameo)… There are far too many of them to all list.
Thank you, Grand Master of the Golden Voice, and Glory to the Horned Rat!
The road to Kreidesglück had been paved with sadness. Kristofferson and Sigmund had obeyed orders and carried out a recruitment campaign. It had not been particularly successful. The psychological aspect had weighed dramatically in the balance: in each village, the moment when someone asked who the company was going to fight against was crucial. Usually, the citizens weren't thrilled with the idea of taking up arms, but when they were told they would have to face the Feral Skaven, it was always the same thing: the adult Skaven, who belonged to all of the generation of the "Freed ones" were quickly seized with a chilling fear. Terrified by the idea of becoming the prime targets of the Feral Skaven, they refused to take the risk of being kidnapped and enslaved.
Neither Psody, nor Nedland Barnrooster, nor the two brothers, nor any of those who had participated in the Harvests, could say whether the Skaven of Vereinbarung were destined to a special treatment in the paws of the inhabitants of the Under-Empire, for the good reason that it had never happened until today. But the worst fears grew in people's minds, rumours rose through the ranks, and as the battalion approached its objective, the atmosphere grew tense.
The Master Mage had to remind peasants and commoners of their duties to their Prince during a period of officially-declared war. Much to their regret, his two sons had to threat some of the most recalcitrant. But it wasn't sufficient sometimes. Each morning, as the various lieutenants called the roll, there were easily half a dozen desertions. The worst situation was the day a blacksmith preferred to drop his anvil on his own foot in order to break it and avoid going into battle – he was fined, anyway.
And today, as heavy clouds gathered in the sky, the wind was blowing harder. The company advanced in great silence. No talk, no word, only the sound of footsteps, the hooves of horses and the wheels of wagons.
Sigmund, in particular, felt his heart oppressed with grief. Since they had left Steinerburg, he hadn't stopped thinking about Bianka. Bianka was like a part of himself, and the young girl used to give him that feeling back.
On the day of their departure, the farewells had been even more painful than in his fears. She even offered to go with him.
Sigmund had a sad little smile when he thought back to their last conversation. Always the word to show that she had a colourful personality. He had told her, "This is war, little sister, and not a place for a girl." "Oh, nice talking of yours about the girls! she had replied with her usual ardour. "There are a lot of Human girls in the army!" "They are, but no Skaven girls, they are too precious to be sent to death. And you are twice as precious." "What do you think? I am unable to fight? I trained with you!" "I'm sorry, but risking your life every moment and killing people, even in self-defence, is another thing than hitting a dummy with a stick. That's right, we practiced together, you learn fast, but you're not ready yet. This battle is not training. You risk losing all your means at the first bloodshed, whether yours... or that of your opponent."
This last argument, given with indisputable professionalism, had hit the mark, and Bianka had resigned herself. However, she had forbidden him to be killed. They had laughed together one last time, and thus separated.
At times, Sigmund had felt like he sensed his twin sister's sadness. He had even been woken up in the middle of the night, certain he heard her crying.
He was interrupted in his thoughts by Kristofferson. The brown Skaven grumbled:
- I should have gone to Wüstengrenze...
- You'll be useful here too, the Black Skaven replied in the same tone.
- I didn't ask for your opinion, boozer!
This time Sigmund swivelled his muzzle towards his brother. He was no longer in the mood to accept the reproaches.
- I did something stupid, and I paid for it, Kit! So now stop with that, and focus!
- You don't have any orders to give me, you...
- Enough-enough, both of you!
The two brothers immediately fell silent, and refocused their gaze on the mine. Psody, who was riding in front of them, spoke over his shoulder.
- You have rage in your stomach. Save it for the Feral Skaven! Or rather, no. Smother it. You were born in a noble family, only the mannerless brutes let their rage unleash. You have learned to treat the enemy with decency, even if they are the most despicable of individuals.
Nedland made his pony trot at the height of the White Skaven's little horse.
- We should stop here, this place looks good to me for a camp. The quarry is about twenty minutes' walk away, and if we get closer, they'll see us.
- Right. Boys?
The Steiner stopped their mounts, and the lieutenants ordered the bivouac set up. Professional soldiers accustomed to these manoeuvres first pitched the tent for the head staff, then organized the placement of weapons and tools.
A little apart, a group of the most reliable soldiers kept watch over the stockpile of explosives. The barrels of gunpowder, the grenades, the bags containing the bullets for the firearms, were spread over half a dozen small carts which rolled in staggered rows.
Once the main tent set up, Nedland took out a map and unrolled it on the board on two trestles. Romulus, who had stayed behind during the journey, joined the three Steiners and the Halfling. The ten lieutenants, men and women, gathered around the table.
- Before leaving, I picked up this map from the offices of the Guild of Cartography, for which I am privileged to be responsible. It is therefore more precise than the one we all saw together in Steinerburg. My team drew this map about eight months after we arrived in Vereinbarung. Kreidesglück quarry was already abandoned, so the layout should still match... if our surprise guests didn't add too many holes.
- Alright-alright. Depending on this configuration, the Feral Skaven can spring from a dozen different galleries. If we enter the quarry without thinking, they'll attack us from all sides at the same time. So we have to force them to go through-out by a single tunnel. For that, we'll use the explosives to collapse all the openings except one.
The White Skaven tapped a specific point on the map.
- Here. It is the biggest tunnel, and arguably the best defended. It is large enough to allow war machines to come out. We have to leave it open.
Nedland scratched his head.
- Are you sure, little white rat? Better not justly close the biggest one?
- No, because they'll feel like they can win it if they can attack us head-on with many of them going through this big tunnel. As they will come together at one point, we should have the advantage.
- In that case, I see how to do it. First, we'll have to obstruct the tunnels outside the main one. There are eleven. We have about two thousand men, including the mobilized civilians, spread over ten regiments. I need a regiment to use the explosives. Any volunteer?
One of the Human lieutenants, a dark-skinned, black-eyed woman from Tilea, raised her hand.
- Lieutenant Renata… do you think your troops will be able to transport and use bombs with efficiency?
- They will, sir Barnrooster, I know them well, they won't get cold feet.
- So, here is what I recommend: it will be necessary to form four groups of fifty people. The quarry was cut into a circular basin. We will arrive from the north, and we will face the twelve tunnels. The main tunnel is the one that is right in the centre of the south wall. Two of your groups will follow the contour of the basin in a westerly direction, and the other two will circle in an easterly direction. The first group on each flank will clean up and protect the second, which will keep the explosives. We have six ammunition wagons, each group will take two of them, and the last two wagons will be used by the harquebusiers who will stay behind. Every time the group with explosives passes over a tunnel, it will blow it up. Once all the tunnels are collapsed except the main one, you turn around and walk back to the main body of our army, and if you have a few bombs left in reserve, drop them on the Feral Skaven who will be in the basin.
The Master Mage raised his head.
- Right, agreed, do you have any questions?
One of the lieutenants, a light-haired Skaven, raised his hand.
- We're listening to you.
- Why leave a gallery open to face them? If we plug all the holes, they won't be able to cause trouble again, will they? That's what Commander Schmetterling said!
The White Skaven looked at the ratman insistently.
- You're right, but I thought about it during the trip here. Schmetterling doesn't know Feral Skaven as I do. And I can tell you what will happen-happen: they will flee through the network of underground caverns they must have dug, but they will come back-back. Whereas if one burrow is left open, as long as they believe they have a chance, they will fight with all the ferocity they are capable of. There we shall be able to defeat them in a more radical-definitive way. We'll tear their ranks to pieces, then catch-kill the fugitives, and if there are any survivors, they won't be numerous enough to represent any threat-threat.
- Also, don't forget they've been here for a while, which means there may be breeders, Nedland added. And so, pups to be collected... Do you understand, lieutenant?
- Yes, sir.
No further questions were asked.
- Well, Master Barnrooster will now go and observe the quarry. While waiting for his return, we'll prepare-prepare for combat. Dismiss!
Everyone left the tent except Psody, his two children, and Romulus. Kristofferson asked:
- So, where do you want us to go?
- You stay near me at first. I don't want to see you on the front lines. When Lieutenant Renata's regiment has done what needs to be done, you will assault with the others.
- What about you?
- I won't move from our high position. But I will channel the winds of magic to best disrupt the Warp Magic this Grey Seer will surely unleash upon us.
For a long thirty minutes, everyone prepared. The warriors sharpened their blades. Lieutenant Renata appointed three sergeants to lead the three groups besides his own, and divided the bombs among the various soldiers. Prior Romulus and the four priestesses who came with him laid the rugs on the floor and took out from the chests the linens, liquor, and other medical supplies that were sure to be few in the near future.
Finally, Nedland's small figure reappeared. Psody winced when he saw the worried face of the Halfling.
- They're there, Psody. They're out in the open, in the middle of the quarry.
- Well then we won't have to dislodge them! Sigmund exclaimed. We can bomb them from the top of the quarry!
- It's not so simple, little black rat!
The White Skaven bit his lip.
- Oh, I feel you have something unpleasant to tell-reveal us.
- You feel good, my friend. They are very numerous, and very well equipped, too! Much more than at Nichetti Estate!
- Are they as many as we are?
- Probably.
- Do we at least have a chance to win-win?
Nedland looked right, then left, and whispered:
- Maybe, if Manann wants it.
- Good.
- They haven't dug another tunnel, we're sticking to the original plan.
- Perfect-perfect.
Psody climbed onto a cart, folded his hands in a megaphone, and announced:
- Brace yourselves, soldiers of Vereinbarung! Let's go!
Everyone looked at each other, and each saw the same thing in their neighbour's eye: a chill of anguish at the violence that was about to erupt in the next half hour. How many victims would this battle cause?
But the Rat Kingdom had to be defended.
Sad, but resigned, all the soldiers and the mobilized set out for the quarry.
When they reached the height of the outskirts of the destination, anguish turned to dread.
Kreidesglück's quarry was rather large, the area of the plateau comparable to that of a small town. Outside the main access road, its entire perimeter was surrounded by chalk walls. And an entire horde of Feral Skaven was swarming horribly. There were many hundreds, all ready to battle. Psody picked up a spyglass from his satchel, and observed the army. There were Clanrats, many slaves, and several Stormvermin regiments. Here and there ratmen armed with warplock jezzails and some Skryre globadiers, but no massive war machines.
- Um… They only have warriors. There are a lot of them, heavy armour, a few guns… Indeed, their gear looks good, they must have looted-looted several battlefields before coming here. No Wheel of Doom or Screaming Bell.
- Given the configuration of the place, such devices would be more dangerous for their own troops!
- You're right, Nedland. I would still have liked to have ours!
- Hey, you are the one who insisted we don't take the risk causing the whole mountain to collapse under cannonballs!
The White Skaven grumbled in annoyance:
- There may be pups to save in there!
- I would like to hope that we'll save more than we lose men, but that would be illusory.
- Nedland, I don't need-need your cynicism!
- You shall explain that to Schmetterling when...
- Fuck-fuck Schmetterling, Ned!
Below, an agitation shook the Under-Empire troops. Several war drums and bells rang.
- There we are, they've spotted us! Psody squeaked.
- No, Father, they were waiting for us! Sigmund growled.
- The traitor has struck again, Kristofferson whispered. He warned this White Skaven who had time to prepare his army.
A deafening crackle suddenly broke the sky. A spiral of green clouds swirled over the quarry. An emerald light shone in its centre, and an image appeared. Sometimes it was a single, furious eye that blinked at full speed, sometimes a ratman's mouth, twisted with anger, chopping up syllables. A thunderous voice descended on Vereinbarung's army aggressively.
- POOR FOOLS-MISERABLE! HOW DARE YOU CHALLENGE GREY SEER IAPOCH! I AM A CHOSEN ONE OF THE HORNED RAT! YOU CHOSE TO BETRAY-ABANDON HIM, HE ORDERED ME TO MASSACRE-ANNIHILATE EACH OF YOU! YOU WILL ALL FALL IN FRONT OF IAPOCH, THE FAVOURITE GREY SEER OF THE HORNED RAT, OUR ONLY-TRUE GOD! TONIGHT, THE SURVIVORS WILL BE OUR SLAVES, AND THE DEAD WILL BE OUR MEAL! AS FOR YOU, PSODY, THE BLASPHEMOUS ONE, I WILL CRACK YOUR SKULL, AND I WILL EAT-DEVOUR YOUR BRAIN, AND I'LL DO THE SAME THING FOR YOUR PERSONAL BREEDER AND YOUR...
A ray of jade-coloured light struck the celestial spiral. The image disappeared, and the clouds dissipated in a few moments.
Dazed, Nedland Barnrooster turned his head towards his friend. The arm still outstretched, Psody was looking at him in the eye.
- No need to listen-endure this crap.
The Halfling protested:
- Come on, Psody, you're losing your mind! He knows you're here now!
- He already knew that. Don't forget he bonded with me. In fact, he was waiting for me to come, he just didn't know when I would come. The traitor warned him, he prepared to receive me. But he doesn't yet know what is waiting for him.
The Master Mage's stare grew darker.
- He doesn't scare me. He's just a miserable little Grey Seer like the others. On the other hand, I want him to be frightened. I want him to realize-understand I'm the one leading the way! And his end to be nigh!
- Psody, we have to take him alive, remember?
Psody yelped in anger.
- Yes-yes, I know-know! But above all, I know that it is time for it to stop!
Psody dismounted from his mount and walked steadily towards one of the ammo wagons. The two brothers looked at each other. Sigmund muttered:
- So much for "noble" and "decency"!
Kristofferson just shrugged, he didn't want to add fuel to the fire.
Psody leaped on the highest box. Once up, he raised his arms.
"Faithful subjects of Prince Ludwig Steiner, the future of Vereinbarung now rests on your shoulders. We now fully know our enemy: his name is Iapoch, and he's a Grey Seer on the service of the Under-Empire. He made his last mistake-mistake. He's exposed himself, and now he's vulnerable!"
"Many of you have never faced the Feral Skaven. Some might be confused-bothered at the thought of fighting a people who looks like ours. But remember, the likeness ends at the body. Otherwise, you are not like them. They have the ferocity that drives them to fight like rabid animals, you have the discipline that will counter their muddled strategy. They have the numbers to overwhelm us, you have the determination to resist them. They are animated by terror-fanaticism towards the Horned Rat, it is honor-love that shall animate your arm."
"You are soldiers who have come to defend and protect those you love. Not only your loved ones, but also your gods, your culture, your lands. You are at the forefront of fending off a threat that has never come here in such numbers, to this day. This is why you shall win! The Feral Skaven don't know who you are, they see nothing but cowards-traitors to their empire of corruption-terror-hate. They are seriously mistaken, valiant citizens! You are loyal, you are devoted, and you are brave."
"And above all, you are the heart of Vereinbarung! A heart that beats, and fights to remain free! Your blood is that of our country. You Skaven have been torn from these creatures. You are not like them! I have lived in the Under-Empire, I have seen again the Under-Empire with each Harvest, and I assure you: you are noble, you are free, you are Human! And like Humans, you are not there to destroy-devour those opposite, you shall-want to defend your country, your city, your family!"
"Prince Ludwig Steiner is counting on all of you, he would be nothing without you. I'm counting on all of you too, for you prove to me every day I was right to leave-leave the Under-Empire for you. All the inhabitants of the Rat Kingdom rely on its valiant warriors! Your motivations are noble, your determination much stronger than their ranks! Show them we will never give in to their decay-decrepitude. Show them what wood Vereinbarung is made of!"
There were a few enthusiastic cries, to which others gradually responded. It took a long minute, but eventually the whole army clapped and cried out in impatience. At least the White Skaven had managed to motivate them. He waved his arm towards the quarry.
- Lieutenant Renata, this is the moment!
Then he jumped down his perch to return to his horse. The dark-haired female soldier ordered the departure of her troops. In accordance with the plan, the battalion split into four groups, two bypassing the quarry by the left, two others by the right.
The Feral Skaven felt a thrill of excitement run through their ranks, as the traitors to the Horned Rat approached them. An odious concert of screams, insults and threats erupted from the bottom of the rock basin. The two platoons on the left moved faster than those on the right. The soldiers of the second group of the platoon began their bombardment work: so, one after the other, the explosives rang out, and the first two tunnels collapsed. The Feral Skaven were not finished being surprised by the violence of the detonations that already the second platoon of the right detachment had dropped its own first bombs.
The entire quarry was shaking under the detonations and landslides. Sigmund raised his arms, and exulted:
- Go for it, guys! Fire at will! Come on, clean this scum!
The left battalion had finished its work of undermining, and turned back. Alas, the Feral Skaven had regained possession of their means. They attacked. Several spears, arrows and stones fused in the direction of the group of wagons containing the bombs of the right battalion. A glass globe shattered about ten yards in front of the horses. The drivers couldn't stop in time, and three of the carts got caught in a cloud of poisonous green gas. The poison stopped the horses in their tracks, they remained dazed in the midst of the billows of mist, just like the soldiers who accompanied them. Then the Clanrats armed with jezzails fired. A bullet hit one of the wagons in the warpstone fog. A violent explosion sounded, and swept the soldiers and mounts around. Worse, the other ammunition transport cart was exploded in turn.
Confusion was felt among the soldiers of Vereinbarung. Nedland jumped nervously onto his saddle.
- We have to go now, little white rat, or they'll slaughter our men!
- How many tunnels left?
- Two, if you don't count the big one. In my opinion, we can handle it!
- Very well! Soldiers of Vereinbarung, remember: unlike you, they won't hesitate to use their most dangerous-deadly weapons, even if they cause casualties in their own ranks! Stay focused, I cover you with my magic. Now, charge!
All the army of the Rat Kingdom ran forward with loud cries of rage. Kristofferson and Sigmund were about to follow them, when they heard their father's voice.
- No! Not yet, my boys! Wait-wait!
The two brothers obeyed, but their impatience made them tremble nervously.
Vereinbarung's soldiers moved down the basin. Some Feral Skaven were chasing Lieutenant Renata's fighters, but all the others charged towards Prince Steiner's army. The two armies collided with a great crash of cries, iron and violence.
The Feral Skaven fought with frightening pugnacity. Convinced that they were all congratulated by the Horned Rat for every traitor to the Under-Empire killed, they struck, bit, clawed, putting all their energy into each blow. The Stormvermin, in particular, showed increased effectiveness. More disciplined than the rest, the Black Skaven hit relentlessly.
The Humans and Skaven fighting side by side were more determined than ever. Contrary to the fears of some of them, the psychological impact was not so catastrophic. On the contrary, the Freed Skaven had been galvanized by the speech of the Master Mage, and struck without restraint.
None of the two armies managed to step forward. The warriors were falling to either side at equal speed. The Feral Skaven used their fearsome warpstone gas globes, which the globadiers hurled over their ranks, to undermine the rear lines. In response, Lieutenant Renata's soldiers, still at the top of the basin, were throwing bombs at all times, while harquebuses behind barked again and again.
Up above, the three Steiners and Nedland were still in an observation position. The older brother protested:
- Come on, Father! We must help our comrades!
- I said "not yet", Kit! I have a bad feeling…
- Do you think about the Grey Seer?
- He hasn't used magic-magic yet. I don't like it.
- And why, in your opinion?
- Because if he does it repeatedly, I'll spot him eventually, and he knows it. But the reverse is possible. As long as he doesn't do magic, I'm not going to take the risk. And yet, he should intervene! His troops are...
Suddenly, a low rumble was heard above the din of battle. From the top of the quarry, the bombers felt the earth shake under their feet. Suddenly, something emerged from one of the rockslides. The nearest soldiers were showered with a rain of sparks, as the smell of heated rock scratched their nostrils. Clouds of white smoke rose here and there. Finally, the people of Vereinbarung got to see what it was all about.
Strange machines were digging through the rocky heaps that blocked the tunnels. They looked like huge drills, with a five foot long conical head, forged from a block of warpstone, each carried by two Clanrats of Clan Skryre who bent under its weight. One was carrying the motor, the other held the borer.
These devices dug stone with bewildering ease. In less than a minute, six of the nine blocked tunnels were passable again. And other Clanrats joined in the fray.
Psody was stunned.
- By the Horned Rat...
- What is that? Sigmund moaned.
- Diassyon told me about it. Warp-grinders. They are used to dig holes under the walls to make them fall. I had never seen one before.
- Too bad it didn't continue! Nedland yelped. Hey!
Nedland again spotted some Feral Skaven advancing in the open with curious engines.
- And that, what is it?
The Master Mage aimed his spyglass in the direction indicated by the Halfling. He felt his face wrinkle.
- Another Skryre invention. Diassyon showed me a diagram one day. He called it "doomflayer".
- Looks like a small Wheel of Doom.
- Not exactly, Nedland. That's right, the doomflayer is a bit larger than a Black Skaven, and it takes two servants to move it forward. But it doesn't work the same way. A Wheel of Doom uses the force of its wheels to charge warpstone crystals and hurl lightning. A doomflayer is a ball loaded with quills-blades. It can't shoot anything, but it chops up anything that passes underneath!
A clap of thunder shook the battlefield. Once again, greenish clouds gathered over the quarry.
- Oh-ho! Looks like our Grey Seer is going to come out of his hole!
The clouds grew heavy, and slowly hovered towards the ground. The war cries were replaced by violent fits of coughing. Quickly, the fighters caught in the cloud dropped their weapons to the ground. Some fell to their knees, others rolled in the dust. Humans and Skaven on both sides spat streams of bile and blood. This magical gas was appallingly more effective than the Clan Skryre globes.
- He does not beat around the bush, this Iapoch! grumbled Nedland, still following the course of events with his telescope.
- Father, do something!
- I'm working on it, Kit! Let me concentrate.
The White Skaven closed his eyes, raised his hands, and whispered a few syllables to channel Ghyran's wind. A cool wind blew, first gently, then stronger and stronger. Soon it was a real storm that swept through the rocky basin. In a minute, the cloud of pestilence was completely dispelled. But the toll was heavy, several dozen soldiers had been killed by disease or slaughtered by the Feral Skaven.
Worse, now that both sides were retreating, a few dead human and Skaven bodies could be seen on the ground, showing monstrous mutations. The bullets from the Skryre warplock jezzails had once again proven their formidable effectiveness. An unfortunate fighter, still alive, was nothing more than a fatty mass of flesh and tentacles lined with teeth that came and went, whipping around at random.
The only positive point was the Grey Seer's carelessness: many Feral Skaven were also infected with miasma. By virtue of their deplorable hygiene and their execrable diet, they were also more vulnerable to sudden outbreaks of disease. Others had suffered the same fate as the unfortunate people who had been shot, and had become putrid Mutants.
Vereinbarung's fighters returned to the assault with redoubled energy, so much so that the ranks of the warriors of the Under-Empire began to shrink significantly.
Lieutenant Renata ordered:
- Come on, another round of bombs!
- We can't, lieutenant! replied a soldier. Out of ammunition!
- By Myrmidia's spear! Never mind, we charge!
The dark-haired young woman heeled her steed and started forward, followed by her men. The regiment swept over the Feral Skaven. Lieutenant Renata's eyes widened when she saw the weapons of the ratmen in front of her glow green, dripping with semi-liquids. The smell of vomit mixed with rotting caused further groans and convulsions.
- He has strengthened the weapons of his Clanrats! Psody squeaked.
- What can you do?
- Wait, Siggy! Don't panic, I...
A terrible roar then came out of the main tunnel. Then several green flashes illuminated the surroundings, and a wave of black smoke billowed out of the opening. The nearest Feral Skaven moved away with panicked cries.
A huge figure slowly extricated itself from the soot. It was a gigantic creature, fifteen feet high, and nearly ten wide. At first glance, it looked like a gigantic Skaven who wore just a loincloth, revealing its huge, covered with scars and burns muscles. But a little closer examination revealed other, more disturbing characteristics. The hideous monster's head was wedged into a metal helmet, making it appear even smaller than it already was compared to its monumental shoulders. A whole copper apparatus embedded in its skin connected a boiler on its shoulder blades to large pipes fixed along its forearms. The creature raised its fists to the sky, and the pipes spat out a fountain of green flames.
The two brothers were hypnotized by the show. Finally, Kristofferson painfully articulated:
- Father… what is that THING?
- If that's what I believe-think... I wish I had never seen one.
- What is it then?
- A Clan Moulder invention improved with Clan Skryre weapons, Siggy! My brother told me Clan Skryre called this gizmo "Stormfiend".
- Clan Skryre knows how to use the most eloquent words!
- No time to joke, Nedland! Sigmund retorted. Something has to be done!
The Master Mage concentrated, visualized the cave from which the Stormfiend was emerging, and said:
- I can feel the warp energy behind its back. The magic that makes it move is on its spine!
Nedland focused his scope on the Stormfiend.
- There is something weird! Like some… kind of disgusting little creature. It's hooked up to this big beast!
- We have to kill it! Can you shoot it down?
- Hmm… It moves too much. At this distance, if my target is still, no problem, but when it moves like that, I can't do anything.
- What about you, Father? Can't your magic destroy it?
- Jade magic can heal-fertilize, Kit, or make someone stronger-tougher. I can't use it for pure combat like Brisingr would.
The two Steiners sons looked at each other. Everyone read the same thing in the other's eyes. Psody then put a hand on the shoulders of each of them.
- Be careful, my children! I can partially protect you with my magic, but take care!
- I promise, Father. Siggy?
- Yeah.
The Black Skaven's mouth narrowed in a satisfied smirk.
- I already know how to smash that garbage. Kit, I need you to get its attention.
- Me? What are you going to do?
- Trust me, Kit. Please.