Brother Arcturus smiled politely.
- Thank you for your frankness, my Lady. I would like you to give us your opinion on Commander Schmetterling. What can you tell us about him?
- To me, he was a man worthy of his rank, until last night. He has a broad knowledge of strategy and command, has led a military career that many professional soldiers would love to emulate, and knows how to keep cool-headed even in the most critical situations.
- You seem sure of yourself, Captain. Did you know other soldiers like him?
- My father, Lord Wilhelm Gottlieb. He ran his estate from Gottliebschloss, the family castle inherited from his father. He was a tough man, and the education he gave to Jochen and I was stern.
- And… sorry to have to allude to something that must be very painful to you, but I must speak about it: how did your mother live this situation?
- My mother was of Kislevite descent. She too was cold and authoritarian. But unlike my father, she knew how to be warm. My father was just a supervisor. We were good little soldiers or not depending on his mood, but he never considered us otherwise.
- So you received a military education.
- We did, Brother Arcturus.
- And you confirm Commander Schmetterling didn't fail in his duty before this dark story broke?
The young woman looked at the Commander, and articulated:
- I confirm that.
- Perfect. So why would the Commander decide to betray the Kingdom of Vereinbarung, since he was so committed to military laws?
- I don't think he wanted the Kingdom himself to be lost. He was not happy with his position, but if he had simply left, he would have left his career behind. His reputation would have suffered, too. It would have been difficult to regain such a high status under these conditions. No, I think he stayed and collaborated with the Feral Skaven out of fear or ambition.
- "Out of fear or ambition"... can you develop?
Marjan swallowed, took a breath, and explained:
- Thanks to his informants, Commander Schmetterling saw the Feral Skaven were at our gates. They were about to hit us, passing through Sueño on one side and Kreidesglück on the other. At the same time, the Orcs also had ambitions of destruction on us. The Commander may have been motivated by fear that the Rat Kingdom would be destroyed, and therefore, accepting the terms of Grey Seer Iapoch could have "limited the damage". Collaborating with an invader too powerful to be resisted is a natural survival reflex. But I don't see Commander Schmetterling getting carried away with fear. No, he faced much more formidable opponents. Rather, I think he saw the opportunity to strengthen his position and weaken that of others.
- By becoming an agent of the Under-Empire? He would have become a slave, wouldn't he?
- No. Grey Seer Iapoch wanted to use him as an instrument, but the Commander is a far too intelligent and experienced man to be bamboozled by the promises of a Grey Seer. I think he wanted to "play the game" of the Grey Seer, while looking for an opportunity to surprise and crush him.
- If things turned out like this, then the Commander's "game" caused a lot of harm! A laundress, an honest guard of the Steiner Estate, and all the brave soldiers who had to face a horde of Feral Skaven ready to do battle in Kreidesglück, that's what the Kingdom won during the game!
- It is a point of view.
- Do you think things would have been different if Commander Schmetterling had not sold his loyalty to the enemy?
The young woman thought for a few seconds, then answered:
- I wish I could give you a clear answer, but I don't have enough material for that. And I would rather not answer anything rather than give an erroneous opinion, which would distort the judgment of the jurors.
- It's to your credit, Captain. I have no further question.
Commander Schmetterling continued:
- Captain Gottlieb, you were brought up with "a military education". Your father was a "tough", "stern" man, and your mother wasn't different. Shouldn't that be easy to take on every day?
- I owe them what I am, Commander, and for that, I thank them.
- Are you sure? Despite all the love your mother gave you, you still had to endure the constant pressure from your father to make a man out of you. You, who are a woman!
- Your observation skills are admirable, Commander.
- They even go much further than you think, Captain! You give me really naughty motives: according to you, I would be either a coward or an upstart, and in both cases, I am a traitor!
- Everything I have observed and learned about you over the past few hours has brought me to this conclusion.
- That's what you think, but I think there's something else, Captain! I have known both of you since my arrival in Vereinbarung, you and your brother. You are indeed the worthy children of Lady Franzseska Gottlieb, Morr receive her in his Gardens. But in this military cutthroat world, in order to fully express your potential in the eyes of others, you are missing something hard and rigid. This is your nature, you cannot deny it. You are a woman, and therefore you need to work twice as hard to assert yourself. And that's why you testify like this today. Are you jubilant about toppling a man who has a dominant male position over you, maybe even seeing yourself at his place?
Marjan hesitated for a moment between indignation and mockery. She chose a subtler solution.
- I've been told you appointed Hansel Kreutzer to Wüstengrenze?
- It has nothing to do with this case, Captain.
- On the contrary, it has everything to do with it. I have heard this man is known to be very dismissive towards women.
- So what? It's possible, but that's not the point. Besides, I remind you he's dead! I have heard he sacrificed himself to allow Kristofferson Steiner to come and give the alert. No need to smear his memory!
- I don't need to smear his memory, Commander, he took care of it very well on his own. The villagers of Klapperschlänge will forever weigh on his soul.
- Will you tell us what connection you see between this sordid story and the trial in which you are testifying, Captain Gottlieb?
- Yes, I will, Commander: you named Kreutzer. You are known as a very conscientious person. This means you have carefully studied Kreutzer's service record as well as his personality before putting him in charge of the Wüstengrenze barracks. Captain Kreutzer's overtly misogynistic character has been detrimental to Wüstengrenze's smooth running on several points, according to the priestesses of Shallya who work there. Indeed, as the saying goes: "birds of a feather flock together". I think you are not someone who views women as equal to men yourself, and you are using physiological arguments to weaken my words in the eyes of the jury.
- But maybe you are the one who's weakening your words yourself, Captain? You are of married age, but so far no one has deigned to woo you, ask for your hand. Always having to bear arms, wearing a heavy armour, when you should honour your parents by behaving like a real lady. This must be a terrible frustration for you. You have to evacuate it in some way, and why not by demolishing a man of power? There aren't any in your bed, you might as well let off steam on the one you're pointing at and say "he's a traitor!"
The young woman clenched her teeth. From his seat, Sigmund felt both grief for her and anger towards Schmetterling.
- I won't say one more word, Commander.
- You have taken an oath, Captain.
- Not to make me insult and humiliate in this way by the accused!
- It's not the accused speaking to you, Captain, but his defender. I'm asking the question again clearly: would you be prepared to destroy the career and the life of your Commander in order to prove to the world and to yourself that you are as capable as a man?
The tension was palpable. The Black Skaven glanced over at Jochen. Contrary to his expectations, the young man seemed very calm, almost casual. Her sister was crimson with anger. She brushed away a blonde lock stuck to her forehead with sweat.
- My father was ruthless, he married a woman who was as strong as him, if not more. She didn't like him, but she adored me and my brother. When our father was murdered, she continued our education, but she taught us what our father could never explain to us: it is not a question of being "a man" or "a woman", but to be "someone". Someone good. It doesn't matter whether you are a man or a woman, what it takes is to act for the greatness of your country, for the honour of your family, for the good of the people under your responsibility. My mother didn't carry weapons, she didn't go to the front line, but I can assure you that she knew how to display the same bravery, the same tenacity as my father. When she faced the Feral Skaven who invaded Gottliebschloss, she didn't hesitate to fiercely defend us, without expressing the slightest fear. And while I didn't see her do it, I'm sure she brought honour to Ulric and our ancestors the day the Orcs were driven out of Wüstengrenze. But it wasn't her best feat. The moment she displayed the greatest of nobility was when she agreed to close her eyes and open her heart to see the true personality of Lady Heike, the first Skaven she bonded with, the wife of the Master Mage. She had wanted to execute the latter when he was still a fleeing Grey Seer, but she understood and fully accepted the children of the Horned Rat can become our friends, in defiance of the backward superstitions that prevent us from moving forward. In this, she will always have my admiration. I hope I can prove myself worthy of her. Not by getting married and having a slew of children and give them the name of a husband, but by bringing something to Vereinbarung. Whether it is a significant military victory, an alliance, or a new source of knowledge that will allow us to learn more and better understand our world. And so, to answer your question, I don't need to destroy a man's career for free to feel like a man. However, I will not hesitate to legally incapacitate someone who endangers my kingdom by wilfully breaking its laws.
Commander Schmetterling didn't add anything, but for a few seconds he sustained the icy look that the young woman was giving him. Without taking his eyes off her, he whispered:
- I will have no further questions, Your Honour.
- Good, Prince Steiner replied calmly. Next witness?
Brother Arcturus called:
- Captain Jochen Gottlieb? Come, please.
Marjan got up and went back to her place on the witness bench. By the way, his brother winked at her before settling in front of the priest of Sigmar. He raised his hand, and took the oath in turn.
- Captain Gottlieb, would you please give us your opinion about the incriminating evidence number four?
- As Brother Sander explained to us, this is apparently a letter sent by Grey Seer Iapoch to Commander Schmetterling. And if I am to believe its content, there is a connection between the Orcs attack on Wüstengrenze and the Skaven presence in Kreidesglück.
- So there would have been an alliance between Greenskins and ratmen?
- No, Brother Arcturus. Orcs never form an alliance with anyone who is not green in skin. However, they can be fooled by someone smarter than them. Grey Seer Iapoch may well have manipulated them.
- Is this a common tactic among the Feral Skaven?
- I haven't faced them enough times to know all of their twists and turns, Brother Arcturus. But I've heard their leaders like to devise complicated plots through which they manipulate people. The more complex the plot is, the more the one who organizes it feels himself powerful and intelligent.
- How did Grey Seer Iapoch manage to get a whole contingent of Orcs to attack Wüstengrenze on his order? Would he have bewitched them all?
- Not necessarily. All he had to do was bewitch their shaman to convince him to receive messages from his own gods, Gork and Mork. In fact, that explains a lot. After the battle, despite the… distance that the broken bridge put between us, Captain Walter Klingmann was able to give us a report. According to the observations of the besieged citizens, the behaviour of these Orcs was not at all usual. Ordinarily, Orcs break everything in their path without thinking, they don't wait for their prey to starve.
- Why would this Grey Seer push these Orcs to siege, rather than do widespread carnage?
- To be able to take as many prisoners as possible and thus have slaves. He could also have put his paw on the city itself. A city built by the Dwarves is something really precious... Or maybe he just wanted to give our troops enough hope, and force us to divide our forces on two fronts at the same time so that we could weaken and crush us.
- So the Orcs were manipulated.
- I'm not sure, but I have good beliefs.
- Can you tell us how easy it is to magically confuse an Orc's mind?
Young Gottlieb rubbed his chin.
- I have fought Orcs a couple of times. They are very strong, but have a weak mind, and can easily be bewitched by magic. In a pinch, their shamans can resist such enchantments, if their minds are not too clouded by drugs.
- Do you think Commander Schmetterling was the victim of such an enchantment? After all, if Grey Seer Iapoch could have manoeuvred an entire band of Orcs, could he have done the same with a single man?
Jochen's gaze fell on the tall, red-haired man when he declared:
- No. Commander Schmetterling is far too wilful for that. My sister described him well, he's perfectly where his military capacities could take him.
- When you arrived at Wüstengrenze, you were in a hurry to want to help our fellow citizens who had been under attack by the Greenskin for several days already. However, Commander Schmetterling refused to lead the assault immediately. Is it correct?
- Absolutely, Brother Arcturus.
- Why such a refusal?
The young man's eyes darkened as he explained:
- Commander Schmetterling can take pride in being a particularly experienced field man. "Thirty years of battles", he told me. And so, when he explained to me that the best thing to do was to go with caution, and adopt a harassment tactic to weaken the Orcs in order to limit the loss of life and property, it was hard to, but I finally believed him. Granted, we didn't have a lot of casualties from the danger we fought against. But now I know the real intentions of the accused, it is clear to me: for his plan to be fulfilled, victory didn't have to be too quick, nor too effective. If we had led the assault engaging all of our troops in a single charge, the Orcs would have been stranded on the bridge and could not have escaped us. But a severe blow on the morale of the troops was needed. So my mother was among those killed, as was Rudy Müller, a brave, loyal and appreciated by his troops Captain. So we couldn't speak of total victory. And without the support of Prince Calderon's army, the losses at Kreidesglück would have been greater, and we would probably have been in a weak position, which the Commander wouldn't have failed to exploit.
- How do you think the accused would have "exploited this weak position"?
- By asking the Prince to apply a state of martial law to consolidate his power. By sending those he wanted to get rid of to the front lines. By betraying his Feral Skaven accomplices to crush them, and become a hero in Vereinbarung's eyes.
Brother Arcturus made sure out of the corner of his eye that the clerk had written down the testimony, then addressed the Prince.
- Your Honour, I have no further questions.
The atmosphere was almost unbreathable, and Sigmund felt sweat stick his hair on his forehead when he heard the bench creak as Schmetterling stood up.
- Captain Gottlieb… You are the worthy son of your father. I didn't have the chance to know him, but I have heard a lot about him, especially from your mother, Lady Franzseska, may Ulric keep her soul in peace. As your sister reminded us, he was a tough, stern man who didn't tolerate someone to question his will. In short, he made you a real man.
- Just as he did with my sister, Jochen added casually.
- We're talking about you, Captain. Try not to bravado, this is neither the place nor the time. I also learned about how he ended his days. Would you like to tell us about it?
- What does this have to do with you, accused?
- Answer my question, or I promise you big trouble for perjury and contempt, Captain!
Jochen closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. He breathed calmly, without raising his eyelids, and without paying the slightest attention to everything around him. Once. Twice.
- Have you done, yet? Schmetterling pissed off.
- Objection! cried Brother Arcturus. The defender is disturbing the witness!
- Granted, replied the Prince. Schmetterling, calm down! The witness will answer your question, calmly, once he feels able to.
Jochen opened his eyes and articulated:
- My father was murdered by a Feral Skaven while he was sleeping.
- No glorious death on the field of honour. No sparkle. No congratulations from the Emperor after very long years of defending his portion of the Empire. Any son who loved his father would be upset, and harbour a deep hatred of those responsible for such humiliation. What do you think of the Skaven?
- I hate the inhabitants of the Under-Empire, for this reason, and for a bunch of others: my family's domain has fallen under their paws, they want us all dead, and their whole way of life revolves around detestation of the other and their elimination by the vilest means. But the Skaven who are in this courtroom are not the inhabitants of the Under-Empire.
- Seeing everyday faces like those who brought down Gottliebschloss Estate must be particularly painful, right?
- Not in the least, Commander. I just told you: I don't consider the inhabitants of Vereinbarung to be the stinking vermin that infests the underworld. I risked my life in the tunnels during the Harvests to give a chance to the little victims of a system devoid of any empathy. I fought alongside people to defend this kingdom, just as those people fought alongside me for the same reason. My best friend is between life and death because of the Feral Skaven whose he shares blood. If I could have taken that warpstone bullet for him, I would have. I fight against the worshipers of the Horned Rat. The ratmen who share our lives are just like us, and those who participated in the Harvests hate the Feral Skaven as much as I do.
- A very nice speech, Captain. Maybe it would have shamed your father? Would he fear to see you hooking up with the race that killed him?
- My father only knew war, conquest, and banquets. He never said to me "Jochen, I'm proud of you", or "Jochen, you are my son". No, I was the one to keep his name going. Nothing more. I was raised like that, I'm not particularly angry with him, but I don't need to justify my behaviour to his ghost. If I had such a grudge against the people of Vereinbarung who show Skaven features, I would be gone for a long time.
- But you have your pride, don't you? Your mother tragically fell under the blows of an Orc, which makes you the official male bearer of the name of Gottlieb. You have become a lord, according to the laws of the Empire from which our Kingdom was inspired. That's two good reasons to be particularly angry with me. You didn't like my strategy, your mother died, while if we had charged immediately you could have saved her… You want my downfall, as sure as your sister want.
- You are wrong, Commander.
- You really think so? The way you're talking to me and looking at me right now confirms that idea. You want to avenge your mother and assert your status as a lord. Despite your fine words, deep in your heart, you still have a deep hatred for the Skaven. A hatred rekindled by recent events. And you seek to make me the recipient of this hatred today. Lord Wilhelm Gottlieb has taught you to hate anyone whose face is not Human or related. Your mother smothered these flames with her different upbringing, but the tragic outcome of Wüstengrenze brutally rekindled the blaze. Today you are the new Lord Gottlieb. You want everyone to know that. Especially in the army, where you need to brighten up your military career for all to see. If you're weak, you're not worthy of your title or rank, and Gottlieb's name could definitely end up in the mud. What better way to avoid this than appearing like a hero by dismissing your Commander with a charge of treason?
Once again, Jochen closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, just once. Then he held the Commander's gaze again.
- I don't want to make a putsch. Neither to avenge my father, nor to show my strength, nor to shine with my brothers in arms. Unlike you, I am satisfied with the position I currently occupy. One day, no doubt, family duty will arise, and only then, perhaps, will I leave the Rat Kingdom if I can bring honour to my ancestors outside its borders. My childhood friends are all buried in Gottliebschloss. I have spent the last six years making others, among Humans, but also among the Freed Skaven. The face is not a barrier. My mother understood it very well, she tried to remind us regularly, and today I believe it. Unlike my father's warlike speeches that brought him to a miserable end, that of a lonely man, feared and hated by everyone, including his very family. I am Lord Jochen Gottlieb, I will be different from Wilhelm Gottlieb. I owe him my life, I owe him my strength of character, but I hope to be better than him. What I will be thanks to the teachings of my mother. And as long as I live, the Rat Kingdom can always count on Gottlieb's name as support.
For half a dozen seconds, the two soldiers remained silent, each watching for the other's first reaction. Finally, it was the Commander who looked away to say to the Prince:
- I have no further questions, Your Honour.
- Thank you for this testimony, Captain Gottlieb.
Young Gottlieb slowly rose to his feet and got back to his place on the witness bench, next to Marjan. She took his hand discreetly, he let it go. The Commander coughed, poured himself a glass of water, and once his throat was relieved, continued.
- I would now like to call a particular witness, Your Honour.
- Call him, Commander.
The Black Skaven wondered how Nedland was going to defend himself against the Commander, but he felt his heart clench sharply when he heard the voice of the tall red man declare:
- I would like to hear Master Mage Prospero Steiner.
Psody stood up calmly and stood behind the desk.
We're coming to the decisive moment... Be strong, my friend! thought Marjan with all her heart.
- Master Mage, before speaking, I will ask you, as is customary, to take an oath to speak only the truth, under the watchful eye of Verena, Goddess of Justice.
- I promise to answer your questions only with the truth.
He didn't dare mention Verena, he's too clinging to his impious god, Schmetterling thought.
- Master Mage, you are the first of your race to have been recognized as a citizen of Vereinbarung, is that correct?
- No, Commander. Sorry, but this honour goes to my mate, Heike, who was Human at heart long before me. I am the second one.
- Let's admit. You are very familiar with the way of life of the Feral Skaven of the Under-Empire, however.
- Perfectly-absolutely, it's no secret, I spent the first four years of my life with them, living according to their customs.
- You even go so far as to continue to pray to their divinity, I won't say its name, that would be heretical.
- That's why I'm the only one in all of Vereinbarung to do it, Commander.
- I'd like to know what made you come to us, Humans? You are a celebrity of the principality, and everyone here knows your story, but I would like to be sure your motivations have not changed?
- They haven't changed, Commander. I was destined to become a Grey Seer. My white fur and horns were characteristic signs. But I used to ask questions to myself, and to my master, Grey Seer Vellux, and thus, I upset-offended him. He sentenced me to death, and I was abandoned in a swamp, seriously injured by Klur of Clan Eshin, my blood brother. The wise Katel, an old woman who lived alone in the swamp, saved my life. She welcomed-educated me according to the principles of Humans. I understood I could never return to the Under-Empire.
- So you had changed a lot thanks to this person?
- Not that much, Commander. My head was already full-filled with doubts. This is what Grey Seer Vellux didn't like about me. Katel helped me realize my differences. And it was by finding refuge at the side of the man who is now Prince Ludwig Steiner I fully embraced the ideal-perfect life. I have lived among Humans for six years now. Every time I have asked myself the question-question, I have always seen the same answer: my body is that of a ratman, my heart is animated by the feelings of Humans.
- You claim so there is no trace of Feral Skaven left in you?
- Not even magic. I have been purified-purified of Warp Magic. It is the Jade Wind flowing through me.
Schmetterling moved on to the next point.
- What do the people of the Under-Empire say about Humans?
- The Skaven of the Under-Empire want to kill-devour all Humans, ravage the surface world with disease and warpstone in order to dominate it. I don't recommend it, but if you want-wish to see a little taste, go to Skavenblight.
- Did you have such intentions towards us, Master Mage?
- Yes, I had, Commander, when I was a Grey Seer.
- Why have you changed your mind?
- I wanted to destroy Humanity to please my god, as my master kept saying over and over. I have done all I can to be a true Son of the Horned Rat. However, my devotion-application caused the entire Under-Empire to reject me, which I didn't understand. This is what prompted me to adopt a different way of life. I discovered the world is much more pleasant when you live like Humans. Fear is not omnipresent-permanent. Of course, we all get scared from time to time when we face a threat, but in a well-organized society like Vereinbarung's, there are times of peace. For me, these six years have been pure happiness. No more fear of being backstabbed anytime, anywhere, no more aggression towards the weakest or sycophancy towards the strongest. And I have a loving companion, and five children who fill me with happiness every day I spend with them. I wouldn't trade those six years with Humans for a day as a member of the Council of Thirteen, never-ever.
- So you no longer have any contact with your former brethren?
- No more friendly contact, anyway.
- Grey Seer Iapoch attacked Sueño and threatened Prince Calderon by signing with your Feral Skaven name. Why did he do that?
- The answer is simple-obvious: The Under-Empire knows my name and my history. The Council of Thirteen has declared me as anathema, and will offer a reward to the Feral Skaven which will bring my head back to Skavenblight. He wanted to sow discord in our kingdom in order to better weaken us
- He didn't stop at that, Master Mage. He sent a killer.
- Indeed.
- But he also touched you personally, Master Mage! You must have been in a magic containment cell. You have been violent, you have threatened your own family!
Once again, Sigmund had to make a terrible effort not to leave his place and burrow his fist in the Commander's face. But his father kept his cool.
- You are right, Commander, I was bewitched by his spells. I don't pretend to be perfect-infallible. And I have no shame to be felt. Thanks to Magister Steadyhand, I managed to get myself rid of Iapoch, and I defeated him myself.
- You did, but maybe there is something left of him in you, Master Mage? He entered your mind, maybe he influenced it? If he managed to take control of an Orc shaman, maybe he can do the same over a Grey Seer? You are of the same blood, he knows how your mind works, so he is able to insert vindictive thoughts into your head?
The White Skaven only smirked.
- Grey Seer Vellux raised-educated me for four years. During this time, he has taught-trained me how to strengthen my mind to resist this kind of attack. He didn't want to protect me, no, he wanted to protect himself, in case another White Skaven rival would have tried to use me against him. Right, in the beginning, Iapoch's hexes worked, but that's because he did it in ways subtle enough to mislead me. I thought I was hearing the Horned Rat himself. Once I realized the visions that blew my mind were in fact a trivial attempt of mental rape, and I identified the perpetrator, his powers no longer worked against me. And I can assure-guarantee you today, there is no trace left.
Schmetterling took a few steps, looked at the audience, the jurors, then Psody again.
- Of all the people in this room, you are by far the least Human. You were born in their home, you were raised by one of them, and you have a name from their culture. You had the nerve to roam the Empire, where you dragged honest people into your delusion of conquest, all to found what the Emperor and the Grand Theogonist would not hesitate to call "heresy". Why did we trust an individual like you, Master Mage?
- Because everyone saw their interest. We have founded a kingdom whose power grows year after year. Yes, really, everyone has benefited well from the creation of Vereinbarung, including you, Commander. As far as I know, you didn't mind letting yourself be taken along in this "delusion of conquest". Still, apparently you just haven't had enough? Iapoch has baited you, and your greed has made you bite his hook-hook. He promised you a cassette full of warpstone, and that's what you wanted to get out from that dead tree.
- You are slandering me, Master Mage!
- Am I? Yet incriminating evidence number four speaks volumes!
- Let's talk about this evidence! Earlier, Brother Sander told us this letter was a reproduction made from a "support" you gave him.
- That's right-true.
- So, you will probably be able to tell us what is the support on which the original of this defamatory letter would have been written?
- With the greatest pleasure, Commander-accused.
The eyes of the tall Human threw daggers. Psody was still calm, and continued to display his small smile.
- Grey Seers love to bait Humans with beautiful promise-rewards. As I was a Grey Seer, I know exactly how they work. I must be fair: Iapoch did not voluntarily denounce you when I found myself facing him. I already knew there was a traitor, but I didn't yet know his identity. Iapoch didn't make the mistake of naming you, or even saying that he convinced someone in high places to betray us and taunt me before he died. I figured it out without his help. I just had to look-search in the right place. In this case, his personal office. All Grey Seers have a room they won't let anyone enter in but their apprentice if they have one. I explored his office. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a letter-missive signed by you. He could have kept them to put some leverage on you, but he wasn't smart enough to do so. However, one thing remained. Only one. A small, harmless element that made all the difference. And this is the thing that betrayed-lost you.
- What the Hell are you talking about, Master Mage?
- I'm talking about what my nose whispered to me.
This statement did not fail to provoke a surprised silence.
- Your nose? Can you be clearer?
- The Horned Rat created my kind from rats, it's no secret. Rats that have touched, breathed, and eaten warpstone for generations. Gradually, they were able to walk, speak, reason, and build a sufficiently evolved-awakened civilization to have their own technology, currency and religion of their own. Indeed, everything is very violent-violent in the Under-Empire, but it remains a civilization. Despite this, we, Skaven, have retained some traits of our distant ancestors. Among other things, smell-smell. I have a much more developed-developed sense of smell than yours.
- I see. And so, did you feel a twinge of worry in me as you sniffed one of my farts?
- No, my sense of smell isn't so sharp. The only smells I can recognize precisely-by name are those of my family members, of which you are not a part, the Horned Rat be praised. In a pinch, I also remember that of my former master. Iapoch had a scent that oddly resembled it, which confirms he was his offspring-offspring. However, when I entered Iapoch's study, I smelled a very characteristic scent: warpstone.
- Warpstone? repeated the Human.
- Yes. This smell was there.
- In a Feral Skaven burrow, what could be more normal?
- The smell wasn't coming from anywhere, Commander. It floated more insistently around the room. More precisely on the desktop.
As he saw the captain's sceptical air, the White Skaven explained:
"Iapoch was a Grey Seer. Like all Grey Seers, he made a point of using quality materials, especially when writing to you. He would leave instructions for you on parchments of paper, and the ink he used contained warpstone powder. However, this ink has a tendency to soak-through the paper, even more easily than the skin of parchment. Fortunately for you, you took the precaution-precaution of putting on gloves before reading his missives, otherwise your fingers would be in a much worse shape than now."
"I had a firm intuition to see precisely the residue on this furniture was necessary. Really, I can't explain it, it was an intuition. And so, before we left, I asked the desk to be taken-seized. Once in Steinerburg, I retired to my lab with the Gottlieb Twins and the Prince. I concentrated, I meditated, I stretched my hands over the writing board, and I succeeded in revealing thanks to Ghyran, the wind of Jade, the particles of warpstone which had permeated the last letter, particles still on the table. Thus, I brought up the message Iapoch addressed to you, and this in front of the Twins, both of noble blood, son-daughter of a couple of lords of the Empire, whose word was credited to the Prince. The Prince sent for Brother Sander to copy the text, without telling him where the table came from."
"This letter is proof of your betrayal-betrayal. We're able to affirm it was written on Grey Seer Iapoch's desk. The handwriting is the same as the booklet I picked up in his lab, and the threats to Prince Calderon. And when my son and his friends went to the location marked on the incriminating evidence number four, they caught you collecting the price for your betrayal. You have sold your kingdom to your enemy, Commander. I don't know if it was out of fear, revenge or greed, but you did. And now that everything proves it, you are trying to dismantle-demolish everything by insulting-humiliating each of the witnesses. A method that the authorities of the Under-Empire would applaud."
A long silence followed this explanation. No one dared to move. Sigmund was feeling so cold with sweat that he found it hard to breathe. All faces were on Commander Schmetterling. The latter did not give in to any violent emotion. His lips twitched in a wry smirk. He replied in a sweet voice:
- That's an interesting theory, Master Mage. But it doesn't hold water. Like everything else, like my imprisonment. In fact, you have nothing. You have a presumption, but it is based solely on your conviction and dislike of me. There is no solid evidence for what you are saying. The testimonies against me are those of people committed to your cause, who will say anything to please you. This letter is a forgery you fabricated to make me crack, using the account book as a model, account book which was probably forged by you. In fact, you don't want to judge a traitor, you want to oust an adversary; I'm getting too embarrassing for your own desires for power. Or, you do this by friendship for Captains Gottlieb, who didn't accept Wüstengrenze's outcome. Either way, you're trying to put on my shoulders a crime I didn't commit. And so, you intend to get rid of me and the proof of your incompetence. However, that's not how it works. I won't say what you want me to say. The priests of Sigmar will agree with me after this trial, as there is no concrete evidence. Then I'll get out of here, and there you will very bitterly regret you have insulted me so much. The first thing I'll do will be to make sure these priests make you lock up naked in a cage, in the public square, like a rat, whatever Master Mage you are. Then I will assemble this martial court to try the case of Jochen and Marjan Gottlieb. I think at best, after such insubordination, they can never again be part of any army, nor have the slightest pretension of any nobility. Marjan will still be able to marry a neighbouring lord, and Jochen will clean the dung of his brother-in-law's horse. And finally, I'll hang myself the midget who dared to shoot me. The four of you are going to lose. I'll be generous, however. Lady Heike and her children won't have to suffer from the faults of the Master Mage. I'll only keep my grudge for those who truly deserve it. And the people of Vereinbarung will quickly understand and accept who the real traitor in this room is.
Psody lowered his head, and let out a weary sigh, under Schmetterling's mocking eye.