The sun was setting, its copper rays streaming through the greenhouse windows. Heike was watering her tulips. In the distance, she could hear the laughter of Isolde and Teresa, playing together.
That's too bad Gab doesn't play with them a while…
Indeed, her youngest son hadn't moved from his lab since the Prince had called upon his science to gain advantage in battle. Fear, shame, embarrassment, all of this at the same time, none of that… The poor mother didn't know what to think. She hadn't attempted a single dialogue, she had herself her throat bitten with anguish, and her heart weighed down with grief.
- It's good to hear the kids having fun, after the last events, don't you think?
- I do, Marjan. I haven't experienced this, and I prefer my daughter to have a childhood… different from mine.
The Twins knew all too well what kind of childhood Heike had been through.
- We didn't use to laugh so much at his age, but we don't have to complain, Jochen said neutrally. Our mother took good care of us. Our father wasn't pleased with this at any time, but looking back, I'll always be grateful to her.
Heike looked at the two Humans.
- Be sure I am really, really sorry… Franzseska was my friend. We didn't always agree on everything, she had a strong character, her upbringing as a noble Kislevite sometimes made communication difficult. But we were friends. I hope you realize the importance of this.
- Of course, my lady, Jochen replied.
- Often, she told us how wise Ulric had been in allowing her to meet you.
- And I was very happy to meet you too. When she spoke to me, in that cage, I knew deep down she was a good person. Just as you two are.
- A feminine intuition, I suppose? the young woman replied with a sad smile.
The ratwoman glanced at the open door.
- She has been by my side all the time, including when I carried each of them. They took a bit advantage of her wisdom, through me.
Marjan perceived a concern.
- Do you have any news from your husband, my lady?
Heike sighed.
- Alas, my children… this morning I received a letter from Romulus through the Lorekeepers network. They won the battle at Kreidesglück…
- But? Jochen risked.
Heike swallowed, and articulated hardly:
- Kristofferson got shot. The Feral Skaven used a warplock jezzail.
- By Ulric's beard! No!
Marjan bit her lip.
- How bad is it?
- I don't know. Prior Romulus has been… evasive on the matter. The letter is dated three days ago. They should be back soon.
Outside, a new burst of laughter from little Isolde echoed.
- It's going to be bedtime for her.
- It's a good thing your children are keeping their spirits, my Lady.
- Not all of them, I'm afraid. I'm worrying about Gabriel. He hasn't moved from his lab since you left.
- His head will eventually explode! Jochen grumbled.
- Why don't you take him to Steinerburg Square? Tonight, there is the market, it would be a good distraction, wouldn't it?
Heike turned to Marjan.
- Hmm… My place is here, near my husband, and my boys when they get back. However, Bianka can take care of it. I'll give her a shopping list, and Gabriel can do the carrier. Thanks, Marjan, that's a good idea.
- Sometimes I have, my lady.
- Yes, maybe once a year, ironized Jochen, who immediately received a slap on the back of his neck.
Half an hour later, the sun disappeared. The company led by Psody finally arrived at the gates of Steinerburg. Nedland, mounted on the lead cart driven by Clarin, made a last little speech to thank once again everyone present, Humans and Skaven, before giving them leave. Romulus didn't stop his own wagon, and turned straight towards the Chalice Quarter. Seated in the back, Psody and Sigmund had stayed by Kristofferson's side the entire trip.
When the temple of Shallya came into view, the prior recognized Ludwig Steiner and his daughter waiting on the doorstep. The Prince raised his hand.
- My friend, there you are!
Heike didn't bother with greetings. She rushed to the back of the cart, and lifted the tarp. She couldn't suppress a cry.
- Kit!
A torrent of frightened tears rolled down Heike's cheeks as she saw the state her son was in. Kristofferson was lying between his brother and his father on an improvised mattress, he was breathing hard, and emitted a strong odour of sweat due to the fever. Most disturbing was the huge cyst on his stomach, isolated with difficulty by the jade pellicle. Psody and Sigmund were each holding one of his hands. Heike leaps into the cart. When he felt his mother leaning towards him, the young brown ratman opened his eyes. He tried to gurgle a response, without success.
- No, my baby boy, don't move at all! Keep your forces!
- Mother… I…
- You fought like a true hero, Kit. Sister Judy will heal you, don't be afraid!
- Siggy, come and help me! ordered the prior.
Psody and Heike got off the cart. Romulus and the Black Skaven put Kristofferson on a stretcher, evacuated him from the vehicle, and led him inside the temple, followed by the couple and the Prince. The small group strolled along the nave, entered the annex containing the dormitory where the wounded from Wüstengrenze were joined by those from Kreidesglück, but didn't stop there. Romulus led the march to a small secluded room, the one where the most delicate cases were treated.
Sister Judy Hoffnung was already there. Also warned by the prior, she had prepared her entire arsenal of instruments and medications. Heike felt her fear going one step up when she saw the operating table which had leather straps designed to hold the patient still.
- How long ago did it happen, Prior?
- Last Konistag. So far, the Master Mage has prevented the mutation from developing with a small retention spell, but that can't be a definitive solution.
- Excellent reflex. Nothing else?
- We took turns, the Master Mage and I, to give him potions and to apply ointments on the wound, in order to keep him conscious.
- Good, you did the right thing. I'm taking over. Put him on the table.
The two men laid the injured ratman on the wooden surface, and tied him to it without saying a word. Hypnotized by the spectacle, the ratmother stammered again:
- Everything will be fine, Kit. Everything will be fine... Everything... will be...
She couldn't finish her sentence. She collapsed into her father's arms, overwhelmed by sobs.
- You are right, everything will be fine, my angel. I trust Shallya.
Steiner addressed the other three.
- Listen, my friends, you have done all what you could. Sister Judy will work hard, and I know she will save him.
The prior looked at the White Skaven.
- Psody, you should go home and rest, you haven't slept for three days.
- I will not leave my son! the Master Mage articulated slowly, but firmly.
- As you wish, my friend.
Psody's gaze did not fool anyone, he was categorical. Sigmund, on the other hand, silently walked away. He hated to see his mother cry.
As he walked through the dorm, his ear swivelled when he heard moans. Sitting on a bed, a Skaven soldier with a bandage around his head was lamenting. Sigmund recognized as one of the Skaven of Kreidesglück.
- Hey, what's up with you?
The young ratman complained:
- This is the first time I have fought against Feral Skaven. I've never participated any Harvest before!
- So what?
- Well… it's really terrible fighting people like us.
A Human soldier with a face seamed with scars rose from his mattress.
- This is our plight, lad!
Sigmund didn't have the same reaction at all. With a sharp rush of blood, he grabbed the Skaven by his neck, pulled him up by force, and shouted at his muzzle:
- Keep it in your head: these creatures will never be "people like us"!
Several Humans and Skaven among the able-bodied rushed towards the Black Skaven to make him let go. Everyone knew what Sigmund was capable of. Realizing that he was the centre of attraction, the latter released his grip and left the dormitory without looking at anyone. Fearing another anger outburst, Prior Romulus, who had heard it all, followed him from afar.
Sigmund haphazardly retreated into a small room. He closed the door behind him, looked around the hall, and realized he was in the sacristy. His gaze fell on a small ornamental mirror attached to the wall. He saw his own reflection, and it repulsed him. He was out of breath, his eyes fluttering, his mouth foaming, the hairs on his head fur ruffled, and his hands shaking.
Something exploded deep in his heart.
- Enough!
He swung his fist with all his might at the glass surface. Of course, the mirror shattered into a thousand pieces. The tall Black Skaven cried out in pain when he saw his hand torn apart by shards of glass. He dropped into a chair, curled up on himself, wedged his arm between his knees and squeezed his legs, with little moans.
The sorry voice of Prior Romulus then rose in the cabinet.
- Sigmund! By Shallya's mercy, what have you done now?
A couple of dozen minutes later, the two men were seated on the bed reserved for the sacristan. The Human finished tying a bandage around young Steiner's fingers.
- You're pretty lucky! These are just a few scratches. You could have cut a muscle or a vein more seriously!
The Black Skaven didn't answer. He didn't even dare to look at the prior. However, he still grumbled in pain.
- Come on, you got worse, Siggy!
- I don't know, prior.
- Really, your parents don't need that, especially not now!
- Yes, Prior, you are right, Prior! No need to say anything more, either! I have run out of patience!
- So what? Can't you even support your own image anymore?
Sigmund suddenly burst into loud sobs.
- That's what drives me crazy, prior! It's that face! I see a Black Skaven, a Stormvermin which can't control itself, and which breaks everything it can when it loses control! The gods have locked my soul in the body of a giant rat trash, prior! May all of them be damned!
The prior didn't answer. Calmly, he let the young Black Skaven relax for a few long moments. Then, when Sigmund caught his breath back, he said in a soft voice:
- This is your biggest problem, I think, Sigmund Steiner: you can't accept yourself as you are.
Sigmund bitterly recognized the words he had addressed to his father after Larn fled, words that actually applied much more to himself. Romulus didn't stop there.
- Yes, really I have the impression you are the only Skaven in the whole Rat Kingdom who refuses to assume he is a Skaven.
- I don't want… I don't want to be a monster, prior!
- It's not a question of monstrosity, my boy.
- The Black Hunger can...
- It's not all! Romulus cut in. It can make you turn violent, that's right. But you can control it. You can master it! Sigmund, I've known your father and worked with him for over six years. I saw you and your brothers and sisters born, I know each of you as well as if the five of you were my own children! And, at the same time, I've seen the Feral Skaven. Those of Brissuc, from whom your father escaped. I saw them, your mother saw them, your grandfather saw them. We faced them. You have nothing in common, Siggy. Maybe the face, and still! Not even the face! Again this week you saw the Feral Skaven. Did you pay attention to the way they dress and equip themselves? Always goods stolen from their victims. Did you take a good look at their features? Always stretched out by hunger, fear, and hatred of others. Did you hear them talk? Always chopping up their sentences, repeating the words aggressively, thinking fast. What about their smell? They have no hygiene. Most importantly, their society only grants women the role of layers! They live in constant violence. And why? Because fear dominates them. The fear of losing their life at any moment. This is the way, they are governed by this fear. Now consider them as a whole, Sigmund. Remember Larn, who teased you after he tried to murder your father. And you will soon realize you have nothing in common with these beings, neither.
As the Human spoke, the Black Skaven felt the pain less, the reflection gradually took over. The prior realized this, and continued:
- Maybe you think it only applies to you? Look at me, I'm Human, and in my life I've met a lot of people. Among other things, marauders who were no better than Feral Skaven. Wicked, intolerant, stupid, superstitious people. People capable of breaking years of work, physical and intellectual effort in an instant just by letting their stupidity speak. People who let themselves be led by their own fears. Does it mean I have the habit to blame myself for being a potential monster? No. Believe me, Sigmund, you are ten times, twenty times, a hundred times more Human than many people I have met. Because you have convictions that correspond to those of Humans, in the noblest sense of the term. And those convictions show up eventually, Sigmund.
At these words, Sigmund looked questioningly. Romulus recalled:
- Remember what happened in Rabanera, then in Oropesa. Clarin told me everything. How did the citizens of Sueño see you? Did they laugh at your looks? Did they run away with screams? I understand it was quite the opposite. These peasants were directly threatened and abused by the Feral Skaven, but they quickly realized you're a good person. Your face is different from Humans', it's true. But that's what we created the Rat Kingdom for, Siggy. To show that if the face is different, the heart is the same.
The Black Skaven's features were completely relaxed. The prior decided it was time to conclude.
- I agree this is not a very original philosophy. Many scholars have written theses to mean it. But you shouldn't have read them yet, so I'll summarize them for you: what makes a Human is that.
He patted Sigmund on his chest.
- Now go home and relax. Go find your sister, she was worried sick you weren't at her side. I know it's hard, but try to think about something else.
Eusebio Clarin arrived at the barracks in the Hammer Quarter. He felt a light, but unpleasant wind blow in his neck, which made him shiver. He spotted the large, austere building near the small temple of Sigmar, and couldn't help but think:
Too bad there is no Manann temple here, I could have gone to thank him as he deserves. Well... I understand there aren't many sailors around here to pray to him.
As he approached the front door, he heard laughter. The Steinerburg soldiers who had not needed to see Shallya's priestesses were gathered in the courtyard, around a table, and by order of the Prince himself, drinking, eating a good meal, and relaxing. As usual, Nedland told funny stories.
- While they're all bending their elbow, there's a tiny little Halfling coming in, who asks: "who dared to paint my pony green?" No one can hear him because of the noise of conversations. So the Halfling jumps up onto the counter, and shouts with all his might "Ho! Who dared to paint my pony green?". It is then complete silence. Everyone looks at the Halfling with a murderous urge in the stare. A large, plucked in arms and scars Kurgan dog of war steps forward, making the floor crack every step. He then scolds, "I did, why?" And the Halfling, already feeling his shirt and pants soaking wet, replies: "Oh well, that's great, it's my favourite colour, I just wanted to know when you would apply the second coat?"
Everyone burst into laughter, except for one, which was hardly missed by the scout.
- Hey, Jochen! Don't be so bitter, and come have a shot with us!
The young man obviously didn't have the heart to laugh. The Estalian saw this. He approached and greeted him:
- Good afternoon, Captain.
- Oh, it's you, Excellency.
- I'm sorry about your mother. From how little I got to know her, I'm sure I would have benefited a lot from knowing her more.
- Thank you, Excellency. It doesn't matter now.
- Is Commander Schmetterling here?
- Affirmative! answered the authoritative voice of the tall red-haired man.
Schmetterling was at the top of the few steps leading to the door of the barracks officer's office. Clarin went up halfway up the stairs, and greeted him.
- Commander…
- What can I do for you, Excellency?
- I'm coming to see you at the request of His Highness Prince Ludwig Steiner. He asked me to give you the report of the Battle of Kreidesglück.
- I would be curious to hear it… especially the passage where your battalion turns the tide of the battle?
- It's a long story, indeed, and I would like to talk about it away from...
Suddenly, loud voices behind his back interrupted Clarin. As he saw Schmetterling frown, the Estalian turned, and faced a heart-breaking sight: young Jochen Gottlieb was in the midst of an argument with Nedland Barnrooster, the Prince's friend.
- Repeat what you said, come on?
- I'll repeat it twice, buddy! Seeing you whining like a chick disgusts me!
- My mother is dead!
- Mine too, for a long time, and I'm not making a big deal out of it!
- You don't have a heart, do you?
- Better than not having a brain!
- You don't have guts either! Always stashed back behind your gun when the friends are on the front line! You're nothing but a miserable coward!
- A coward who faced the Skaven on their battle ground, poor asshole!
- You're the asshole, Nedland Barnrooster!
The two friends were facing each other, and slowly circled around each other without taking their eyes off each other. The commander noticed they were approaching dangerously. He descended the steps calmly, not being noticed by the two who continued to argue.
- Kiss my ass, you big toilet brush!
- Suck my cock, you filthy midget!
- Yeah, I'm sure you can't wait for that, you great poof!
It was the bad word for Jochen. He punched the Halfling in his chin. Nedland was catapulted back, and hit the commander head-on. The tall, red-haired man exclaimed:
- That's enough! Where do you think you are, Captain? Chastise your language and keep quiet, otherwise I'll throw you in the clink!
Then he pushed away Nedland, who was still in his arms away.
- And you, you don't have anything to do here! This building is forbidden to civilians. Go play somewhere else if you don't want me to kick you out!
The Halfling groaned under his breath, but headed for the exit. Schmetterling readjusted his belt and walked back to the Estalian. He ushered him into his office, poured him a glass of wine, and sat down at his desk.
- Be sure I'll deal with Captain Gottlieb the way he deserves.
- Don't go too hard, above all, he had a very difficult time.
- Not an excuse. Besides being a soldier, he's a noble. That makes two good reasons to behave with dignity, especially in front of the ambassador of a neighbouring kingdom. Finally ... Before this interruption, Sir Clarin, I asked you a question: how did you get the inspiration to come and help us? I'm very glad, thanks to you, the Kreidesglück's Skaven Grey Seer have been routed, but your arrival was not planned, was it?
- It wasn't. In any case, not officially.
- I beg your pardon?
Schmetterling raised an annoyed eyebrow.
- Are you telling me the Prince hid something from me?
- It was a necessary evil, Commander. In fact, when you decided on the strategy to follow, along with all your lieutenants, the Prince had already contacted me, on the advice of Magister Steadyhand. We had agreed to meet at the quarry, and Captain Antoninus' troops made the difference.
- And why so much mystery? I am the Commander, the highest military authority following that of the Prince! You didn't have to hide this from me!
The Estalien looked sorry, but determined.
- Commander, I obeyed the orders of my Prince, who wanted to help yours. Now I have permission from your Prince to explain to you the reason: you must know there is a traitor in your ranks.
Schmetterling didn't hide his surprise.
- A traitor? Here, in Steinerburg?
- Unfortunately, yes.
The tall red-haired man stood up slowly, and straightened up to his full height. He put his fists on the desk, and leaned towards the Estalian.
- This is a very serious accusation, Master Clarin. You are the representative of Prince Calderon, but that doesn't give you the right to make this kind of claim without proof! Hope you have some?
- We're working on it, Commander, but we already have leads. For example, the attempted assassination of the Master Mage. The killer had the benefit of an accomplice to pinpoint the precise location of Master Prospero's bedroom. So is seeing the Feral Skaven of Kreidesglück have been alerted to your arrival. They were waiting for your warriors. And so, we preferred to be smarter than our enemies.
These words, spoken with the calm and certainty of many years of experience, overcame Schmetterling's irritation.
- Hmm… Indeed, that explains some things. But it would be better for you and our relations with Sueño if it was not a trick on your part to sow discord, Clarin!
- Absolutely not, Commander. We have every interest in working together as good neighbours to face a threat like this. Besides, the Prince instructed me to ask you to follow me to his office. Now that you're in the know, we need to work together on a strategy to permanently trap this traitor.
- I'm going with you, Master Clarin.
And the two men left the barracks.
Leaning over the young ratman, Sister Judy Hoffnung held her breath. She pulled with infinite care, without trembling. Kristofferson was trying not to move, the leather bracelets hardly holding his reflexes. To think about something else, he focused his gaze on the Human's left cheek. A stylized teardrop-shaped rune had been imprinted on her skin, in a process he couldn't explain. It had been whispered to him when the priestess operated on someone and put all her efforts into it, this rune glittered softly with a blue glow. He had noticed bitterly that these rumors were based on the truth.
The priestess made a face.
- Ouch… That's what I was afraid of.
- Wh... what? hissed Kristofferson.
- The warpstone bullet stuck in your flesh has provoked harm. I've managed to extract it, but the damage is done. It caused the beginning of a mutation in your body, under your skin.
The brown Skaven couldn't utter a word, but his eyes wide in horror were eloquent enough.
- I'll have to remove the corrupted flesh before the mutation grows any further, and attacks your guts. It is very painful, I won't hide it from you, but it is the only solution.
- The… magic… of my father?
Standing in a corner of the room, Psody turned around. He had wanted to stay close to his son, but hadn't had the courage to look at everything.
- It wouldn't have an effect, Romulus interfered. Your father learned the College of Jade magic. It's good for life, it has kept you conscious while slowing down the mutation, but there's nothing more it can do. Besides, no magic is really effective against mutations, remember this is also a manifestation of the Warp.
- All I can do is give you some chewable herbs to ease the pain a bit, Sister Judy said. Or a big smash on your head with a mallet to distract your attention. But even a numbing potion wouldn't work, you would have the reflex to wake up.
- No… Wait-wait! exclaimed the White Skaven. I have another solution!
- Which is?
- The mask, Romulus, I say! It allowed me to completely purify a field, it should be able to do the same with him!
- Do you think it had time enough to recharge?
- At least enough for what I'm going to try-try. Kit is smaller than Nichetti Estate.
- In that case, we don't have a minute to lose! Let's ride!
Sigmund knocked on the door that led to his twin sister's apartments.
- Bianka? You're here?
There was no response. The large Black Skaven hesitated. He knew the young girl was very ticklish about basic rules of etiquette, and walking into her private space without knocking, or at least without her clear permission, could trigger a strong emotion bordering on hysteria. Including towards him, the person closest to her, he had learned the hard way. But he needed to hear her voice so badly, even to scold him, he decided to take the risk. He lowered the handle, gently pushed the door… which did not open.
Locked! Never mind…
Disappointed, he walked to his own quarters. He took the key out of his pocket, opened the door, and found his familiar surroundings back with relief. Unlike his parents and sisters, he didn't really like decorations and frills. On the contrary, he preferred places that were austere, utilitarian and simple. Thus, there was no decoration in his office, nor in his room, except the display for his sword nailed to the wall near the table.
He retrieved a small pot of wax from a cupboard with a rag, sat down on a stool, gently pulled Heart of Unicorn out of its scabbard, and proceeded to clean it.
He took his time. Slowly, gently. Gromril was a very special metal, as light as it was strong, it still required a lot of care. And if Okapia was Sigmund's best friend, this sinusoidal blade sword remained his most precious possession.
Above all, he needed to avoid thinking about what he had been going through these last days. Seeing his older brother in this condition had seriously lowered his morale, and no way could he find someone else to comfort him a little. Okapia was resting in her stable, she deserved a little rest, too.
After an indefinable moment, he stood up, looked at his sword from all angles. He was particularly pleased with the letters written in the manner of inscriptions on sacred icons, those three words which expressed something profound, which prompted him to fight for his ideals. Was there in the whole Old World a purer, more radiant, more majestic animal than a Unicorn?
I will never be so pure...
He wouldn't, but even though he did not embody all of this ideal, he was firmly determined to defend it, to protect the bits and pieces he found in others. His sister, his parents, his Human friends, his Skaven brothers in arms...
He had a heartache again when he thought about Marjan and Jochen. The Orcs had paid for Wüstengrenze, but the price had been very heavy. Once again, the Black Skaven felt a wave of bitterness rising, threatening to overwhelm his heart. Still no sign of Bianka... Too bad, he only saw one solution to be able to think of other things.
He gently placed Heart of Unicorn on its rack, then opened the door to a small cubicle. He took out a bottle of Bretonnian wine. With a resigned sigh, he uncorked it, and brought the neck to his lips. But no sooner had he felt the contact of the liquid on his palate than he spat it out loudly.
An abominable, pungent, sour taste invaded his mouth. The heart of the Black Skaven was beating so fast that he had to take a deep breath to make it beat slower.
Poison?!
Distraught, he put the neck under his muzzle. No, luckily, it wasn't poison, but a much more familiar scent… and probably not much better.
Vinegar…
Harmless to his life, it was no less fatal for the life of the wine. Sigmund felt his face crinkle in annoyance. He returned to his cubicle, grabbed another bottle at random. The wax seal that kept it sealed was intact.
No, not quite…
It was in too good condition, indeed. The bottle was covered in dust except for the neck and the stopper. The seal was brand new, as if someone had recently broken it and then fixed it. He broke the seal, removed the cork, and sniffed. Once again, the sour smell of vinegar stung his nose. A quick glance at the closet confirmed that all the bottles had probably suffered the same fate.
Someone came and cocked my booze up!
And this someone had done what to do to restore all the wax seals. The intruder had even taken care to lock the door behind.
Only one person is detail-oriented enough to bother to do that, even if it doesn't help.
Furious, he walked to the lab on the top floor. In front of the wooden door, he knocked several times.
- Gab? Gab, I have to talk to you!
He listened carefully, but didn't hear a single answer.
Maybe he's hiding in a closet?
The tall Black Skaven wanted to be sure. He lowered the handle. The door was locked. Sigmund couldn't stay it any longer.
- Gab! Open this door!
Still no response. Without taking the time to think about it, Sigmund kicked the door, it broke in a crack. He wobbled into the dark room.
Gabriel's workshop seemed deserted. Sigmund zigzagged between workbenches and stools. He grumbled, sniffed, hoping to catch his brother's scent, but didn't smell a thing. His eyebrows twitched. He quickened his pace towards the back of the laboratory. He made it to the darkest corner, the one that was out of sight, and that was so hard to get to that only Gabriel could move around it without tripping or knocking anything over.
- Damn it! Gab, all of this is beginning to...
Suddenly he stopped dead.
A cold sweat suddenly flooded his coat. He fell to his knees, eyes wide open, jaw hanging, and remained paralyzed when he saw something that painfully crushed his heart. It was barely if he heard himself moan:
- No… Oh no! OH NO!
In front of him, the back wall of the workshop, the one Gabriel used to hang his blueprints on, was completely covered from floor to ceiling in sheets of paper.
On each sheet was drawn a bottle.
So it was several hundred drawings of bottles spread out before Sigmund's horrified eyes.
Certain sheets had been lacerated with violent feather strokes.
The large Black Skaven gathered his strength and had to concentrate to stand up. His father's voice outside made him start.
- Gab? Are you home?
He dragged himself to the window, leaned down, and saw his father in front of the mansion. Romulus was waiting a little further on a horse. Psody didn't look irritated, just very worried. He was holding a leather bag on his chest.
- Siggy, you're here!
- Um… I am.
- Is Gabriel with you?
- I don't see him.
- Your mother told me he was at the market with Bianka, they haven't come home yet.
- I confirm, Bianka isn't here either.
- Right-right. Please come back to the temple with me! Your brother needs you to be by his side!
- I'm coming!
Anything was good to digest what he had just seen. He rushed out of the lab and hurried to join the White Skaven.