A long silence hung in the courtroom, punctuated only by the scraping of chair legs moving on the floor, and the slight fits of coughing. Commander Schmetterling wore a triumphant expression. But his satisfied smile froze slightly when he saw the White Skaven pivot towards the witness stand and ask:
- Jochen? Siggy? Can you get us the incriminating evidence number five, please?
There were surprised exclamations. The accuser, the Commander, the jurors seemed caught off guard, unlike the Prince.
- Incriminating evidence number five? What incriminating evidence number five? Schmetterling asked aggressively.
- You'll see, Commander, Steiner replied simply.
The two friends got up together, went out to a small adjoining room, and brought in a large package, something long and stiff wrapped in a thick canvas. They put the object on the table, unrolled the fabric, and exposed a large wooden plank to the air. They presented the upper side to the jury, then to the accused. Schmetterling felt his face crumble when he saw characters that had been pyrographed on the wooden piece.
- What is that?
- Grey Seer Iapoch's personal desk. As I told-explained to you, there is his last message on it.
Glistening with angry sweat, the Commander swivelled towards the Prince.
- I protest vigorously! I haven't been informed of the existence of this exhibit! There is clearly a procedural defect!
The Prince took a few moments to think, then asked the accuser:
- Brother Arcturus, did you hear of the existence of this exhibit?
- I didn't at all, Your Honour.
- Very good! So equality is made. None of you has been able to prepare for the display of this evidence. It remains valid.
- It's scandalous! Schmetterling yelped.
- It's the judge's decision, Commander! retorted Steiner. The witness can speak again.
The tall, red-haired man growled in rage, but fell silent. Psody resumed his explanation.
- The text recopied by Brother Sander is perfectly identical to the message inscribed on this table. I set the few warpstone particles stuck-stuck in the ink on fire, and the piece of furniture was exposed to the open air. There is no longer the slightest risk-danger for anyone.
Commander Schmetterling waved the air away with the back of his hand.
- If the warpstone ink really soaks the wood through the parchment, there would be more phrases of other letters on top, and the result would be an unreadable palimpsest!
- Not necessarily, Commander. If a Grey Seer writes several missives in a row, the texts will indeed get mixed up. However, warpstone powder wears off after a few days, and if a Grey Seer just writes a letter once a week or less, there will be no such mixing. Too bad Iapoch didn't write more often, otherwise it would have done what you hoped, and the value of that evidence would have lapsed, too. But now, it's easy to read. These residues constitute his last message-message. Now you have the original support, if it's really important for you, you can compare with the threatening letter he sent to Prince Calderon, in addition to the notebook. It's the same handwriting. Don't even think about pretending it's a knockoff. I can assure you Feral Skaven who can write in Reikspiel aren't many. And none would think of playing with bogus missive-letters intended for Humans. A Human under the orders of the Prince could have, but certainly not with warpstone ink, it would have poisoned him: according to Master Eusebio Clarin, Master Mage Salluste of the Golden Order himself had to use equipment protection to weaken the warpstone content of the threat letter sent to his ruler, so that it can be copied and shown us the original. Oh sure, I could be that copyist-copycat, just like either of my children, or any other Skaven in Vereinbarung, since they don't feel the effects of Warpstone when it's diluted in ink. But there are too many concordances-similitudes for it to be a coincidence or a set-up, it would be far too complicated compared to the simplest version: this text was written-written by Iapoch, with warpstone ink, on the desk of his office, of which you have the biggest piece here, and the handwriting is the same as that of the White Skaven who attacked our neighbours, I persist and sign. And on that text stands your name, your arrangement, and a hint to where you were to collect your share, where you were indeed found with a box left for you.
Sigmund spat:
- So? What do you have to answer, you filthy traitor?
- Watch your language, Sigmund! ordered the Prince severely. One more word, and I'll get you out!
Schmetterling made an immense effort to remain calm. He articulated slowly:
- Master Sigmund Steiner, I have to answer that all of this seems quite dishonest to me. Too many things are flawed in this case. First the witnesses: the first is you, who are known for your emotional instability and your addiction to drinking. Another witness whose presence would have been crucial is absent, I wish I would like to know Brisingr Steadyhand's point of view on his involvement in the secret plan between Sueño and Vereinbarung. The next two witnesses have just lived very difficult days, and blame me for the tragic losses of Wüstengrenze. The last, finally, is your father, an assumed Feral Skaven, who still believes in his heretical divinity, and who claims to have given up his old life, while manipulation is part of his education, what leaves me very doubtful as to the sincerity of his words. Now here is this table, I would have liked to know why it was not presented as incriminating evidence at the same time as the others, if not to prevent that I could build a solid argument to refute its value. I guess that's the Master Mage's idea. This pseudo-trial is ruled by motives of revenge against me from people who have already condemned me before it even started, people with influence on His Majesty. And meanwhile, the real traitor is revelling in seeing this lamentable show. But I don't intend to let myself sink into the mud without reacting. I would like to call one last witness. May I, Your Honour?
- Go ahead, bring this person over.
The tall red Human regulated his breathing again. Then he showed some satisfaction as he named:
- Master Nedland Barnrooster? I believe you have a lot to say.
The Halfling left the witness stand and moved behind the lectern. The Commander positioned himself in front of him, and stood up to his full height.
- To begin with, you will take an oath to tell the truth before this Court. And I invite you to be careful; you reminded me, you follow the god of thieves Ranald's commands. Here, Verena is in charge. So, do you swear, on Verena's Libra, to answer questions that will be asked you with the truth, and only the truth?
- Eeyup! Nedland replied simply.
- Perfect. Master Barnrooster, can you tell us what prompted you to come and settle in the Rat Kingdom?
- Of course, Commander. I was part of Captain Hallbjörn Ludviksson's mercenary band. He and most of his dogs of war came from Norsca. This Captain's ambition was to collect as much money as possible to raise an army to deliver his homeland from the threat of the Chaos Demons.
- That's not lacking in ambition! But what does this have to do with you?
- I'm getting there, Commander; when I was really young, two things prompted me to leave my Moot home province: the thrill of adventure and riches. Even if, for once, riches is mostly a way to experience the thrill. It's not so much wealth that interests me, more what is needed to get it. One day, Ludviksson's company came through Bögenhafen, where I was looking for a job. I offered my talents as a scout. Ludviksson took me on a test ride, and when he saw my tracking, survival and shooting skills, he agreed to keep me. I travelled with him for a few years. We have lived some exalting moments together. With experience, the missions have become more and more lucrative. Each time, I put a little bit of money aside, but the bulk of my pay went into great food and fun. And then our path crossed that of the man who currently sits as Judge. He asked us to accompany some of his employees to the Southern Black Continent. These people were to set up a trading post there to import resources from these countries.
- What kind of resources, Master Barnrooster?
- Mostly spices, coffee, oliphant ivory. We were responsible for the safety of the traders, and the opening of the lanes to where to find the goods. Within weeks, we had found what we were looking for, and the case seemed to be on track to continue, unfortunately, something unexpected happened.
- What kind of unexpected?
- The Lizardmen.
Nedland had been careful to articulate the word, in order to add weight to the already heavy implications. Psody shuddered in spite of himself thinking of his first and last encounter with the centuries-old enemies of the Skaven.
- We had just found a chasm where hundreds of oliphant skeletons awaited us. A real treasure for our expedition. If only it hadn't been at the foot of a mountain with an entire city of Lizardmen on it... They literally fell on us. They slaughtered the entire expedition, apart from Captain Ludviksson, his lieutenant Votiak Hierulfsson, and your servant. They allowed us to leave on the condition that we never come back.
- How lucky you were! Did they tell you why?
The Halfling stopped smiling.
- Fortunately for your butt, Ludviksson can't hear you, Commander. If you had seen the look he had this day, you would have realized very quickly your definition of "luck" doesn't match his.
- Answer instead of wit!
- The mage-priest who commanded them simply told us we had "another role to play", all three. It was not clearer. But we understood what he said on our next expedition.
- You narrowly escaped death, and yet you went on an adventure again? I don't know if this is courage or madness?
- The difference between the two can be very thin, Commander. Still, we then left for Lustria, still on behalf of Master Merchant Ludwig Steiner. This time we had to accompany scholars who wished to study a temple. One of them was Master Mage Prospero.
- So that's how you met the Master Mage.
- That was. We hit it off. Once again, we had a confrontation with the Lizardmen. But this time it ended well for everyone. In fact, Captain Ludviksson and I understood that the "role to play" the Slann of the Black Continent spoke of was this: to bring Prospero to Lustria. He discovered the secret of the city of Capatec Anahuac, where Lizardmen lived in harmony with Skaven collected and adopted by them. When we returned to Altdorf, we had to leave the city a bit quickly, but Master Steiner had already anticipated such a departure. And that's how the whole company ended up in this corner of the Renegade Crowns, which we have come to call "Vereinbarung".
The Commander clicked his tongue.
- A very beautiful story, Master Barnrooster. I've never met Captain Ludviksson, I conclude he left before I arrived?
- Indeed.
- You were part of his company, you were a comrade, even one of his most faithful lieutenants. You escaped death together, that must have made you "brothers in pain", right? Why did you stay in Vereinbarung?
- I settled here because I feel good here, Commander. And I had no obligation towards Ludviksson. We got along well, but I had no particular reason to follow him. He returned to Norsca to fight the Chaos Hordes, an endeavour that didn't particularly appeal to me. My life has taken a great turn here. Of course, I no longer make long trips to the four corners of the world, as I did with Ludviksson's company. But I don't despair of finding myself one day or another on a diplomatic mission? I am not as rich as before either, but His Majesty is already paying me well, and I'll not forget the benefits in kind: since my arrival, I have been fed, housed, cleaned, I work with people who became my best friends to run the Rat Kingdom, and I discovered a whole new people; I help the Skaven to emerge from their spiral of violence and fear, to be our equals. I feel what your ancestors must have felt when they granted to my ancestors the state of true citizens of the Empire.
The Halfling had the relaxed smile of a person who believed he was in his right. But the Commander decided not to accept this appearance of sympathy.
- You have had great adventures, Master Barnrooster, but I see several nebulous points in your story. After your expedition to Lustria, you had to leave Altdorf, I quote, "a bit quickly". Why?
- Because Grey Seer Vellux, the former master of Master Mage Prospero, had tumbled into our employer's house, ransacked his property, kidnapped his daughter, and challenged his future son-in-law to come and save her. All this fuss had caught the attention of the city guard. We had to pack up to avoid a sweeping round of arrests and jails for heresy, which is how Sir Steiner's research would have been called, for sure.
- But such a move must not have bothered you too much, Master Barnrooster, did it? It suited you well to leave.
- Well, yeah! I didn't want to be jailed for complicity in heresy.
- Are you sure there is nothing else?
- Absolutely certain.
- I'm sure you're lying.
- Since you know better than I my own life, please, enlighten us, accused.
Schmetterling took a few steps back and forth between his desk and Nedland.
- You worked for Captain Hallbjörn Ludviksson for a few years, that's a fact. But before you joined him, you worked with other less reputable employers, if a revenge-thirsty Norse can be called "honourable". My past as a Commander in the service of Count Elector Todbringer has opened many doors for me in the administrations of the Empire. Thus, I learned from many witnesses whose moral value is no longer to prove that you are well known to the guards of the most important cities. Altdorf, Nuln, Bögenhafen, among others. You were part of a network of criminals known as "Small Steps", Master Barnrooster. Is that correct?
The whole audience was literally hanging on every word pronounced by Nedland, who replied simply:
- That's correct.
- Your "record of service" within the Small Steps organization is impressive to say the least, Barnrooster! This gang of bandits has the distinction of being made up of only Halflings. They arouse less suspicion of them, in fact; always easy-going, cheerful, honest and not so adventurous. This game of appearances can be daunting. And like any network of bandits, members of the Small Steps live thanks to activities as shameful as they are illegal: espionage, disinformation, blackmail, forgery, and so on. The Small Steps specialize in intelligence. They are capable of bringing down particularly influential people, if the price is paid. My contacts told me you weren't just an office boy! You had a rather important place in their hierarchy! Do you confirm it?
- I confirm it.
- So I would like to know how you can still be free, today, when the place that suits you best is behind bars!
- Maybe because it's a life I left behind? I am no longer part of the Small Steps.
- But you prove them your friendship many times a year! Regularly, you send money to the Empire.
The Halfling's face broke into a broad, amused smile.
- I remain attached to my family, I send them gold crowns I don't particularly need.
- I bet this "family" is an intermediary for the Small Steps!
- Even if you're right, accused, that doesn't change anything. In Vereinbarung, I've been pure as the driven snow, and I want to stay that way.
- You're ready to do anything to get what you want, Barnrooster. Including abandoning those who trust you. I am sure it was your deceit that saved you on the Black Continent.
- How could I have fooled the Lizardmen? Their civilization has nothing to do with ours. They can't be bribed like Imperial can.
- You're talented enough in manipulation to fool anyone!
- They are not ignorant primitives who can be easily impressed with sleight of hand, accused. I'll add their leaders, the Slann mage-priests, are so powerful you cannot hide anything from them if you are not one of them yourself. They can read your mind as easily as they breathe. They let us go so that we could meet their cousins in Lustria, and to allow us to continue each one of his own. Hallbjörn went to war, Votiak sacrificed himself to enable us to defeat the Skaven in Gottliebschloss, and I chose to participate the foundation of the Rat Kingdom. Now is my home, I defend my home! Why would I want to see it fall into the clutches of a Grey Seer of the Under-Empire?
- By interest. Grey Seer Iapoch has promised you fortune in return for your collaboration with him.
- This is your name on the incriminating evidence number five, accused.
- This is a fake, and I'll bet you crafted it! Master Barnrooster, among your criminal activities, you were indeed a forger?
- Yes.
- So you could very well have written that letter, the text on the table, or something else?
- I was trained for that.
- And so, that was the end point of your betrayal. You are the one who fabricated and circulated all this evidences, with the sole aim of bringing me down! You could have shot me that night after depriving me of my defences against your accomplices – though you no doubt handled all those bona fides soldiers, including the Gottlieb Twins – but it wasn't enough for you. In addition to that, you had to sabotage my career and soil my honour!
Schmetterling addressed the assembly.
- So this is the kind of person who is closest to the Court. A thief, blackmailer, who destroyed many more honourable families than he will ever be by blackmail and slander! He fled the Empire because he's wanted for many crimes, he hoped to build a new life in our Kingdom, and for that he doesn't hesitate to resume his old ways. Your Honour, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I affirm: this witness is our true traitor. He is on the verge of succeeding in his plan, and awaits my fall to derive the maximum benefit from it. He hopes to win more than when he was in Karl Franz's country. And the day he no longer needs you all, he'll abandon you without the slightest regret to parasitize the court of another Prince.
The Commander was hunched over the Halfling, foaming like a wolf about to bite a rabbit.
- I say it: your thirst for money and power pushes you to sow disorder in the administration of Vereinbarung, and you try to get rid of those who would obstruct your way with vile procedures! That's why you betrayed us.
Without being impressed, the scout replied:
- Everyone has their faults, Commander Schmetterling. That's right, I'm someone interested, I take it. On the other hand, you are obsessed with appearances and the constraints they impose on you.
- This is not about me, Master Barnrooster!
- Really? Yet, until proven otherwise, I am a witness, and you are the accused. Since the beginning of this trial, it's all about you. And I have just one small observation to add, if of course His Highness allows it?
The Prince, himself transfixed with sweat, muttered:
- Let's hear what Master Barnrooster wants to tell us.
- I can't wait to hear the new lies spit by your viperine tongue!
- Commander, please behave properly! Master Barnrooster?
- Thank you very much, Your Majesty. So, Commander Schmetterling, we have said it several times, you are a particularly talented and conscientious soldier in the performance of your duties. In order to perfect your image as an exemplary Commander, you must silence your dirtiest feelings towards certain categories of people, and this weighs on you more and more. Like everyone else, you wouldn't want to face the pitfall of public humiliation. The opprobrium cast on your title, the disgrace of your name... As my friend Marjan said earlier, women disgust you, but they're not the only ones who inspire you with contempt. The Sons of the Horned Rat also arouse a burning resentment in you. This is normal, considering the way you left the Court of Middenheim. Avoid splashing was necessary, wasn't it?
Schmetterling stepped back, and glared at the scout. Nedland continued:
- Yes, Commander, I know about Lauren.
- What are you talking about?
Nedland smiled.
- You are right on two points: The Small Steps are really information experts, and I have kept very good contact with them. So it was with pleasure they sent me all the information they could find on you, in a complete file I gave to the Prince, who wanted to be sure of knowing the person who was going to command his army. Certainly, your years of service at Count Elector Todbringer's Court make you an exemplary and trustworthy officer. But I learned something a little more... unsettling. Official information, but also other much less known. Especially concerning Lauren Schmetterling, your sister. She married a magistrate, Provost Friedrich von Stötenbecker. Both led a good life in the town of Talabheim until a few years ago. As the members of the Court from the Empire recall, this town was the target of an attempted invasion led by Grey Seer Asorak Steeleye. He spread a new kind of disease to the surface before he brought up his troops. The fight was tough, but the Feral Skaven were defeated. Nevertheless, there have been many accusations of treason and collaboration. Notables of the city had been captured by Asorak. And some of the survivors have been found guilty of deliberate collaboration with Asorak's henchmen. Some were pardoned, or were given a reduced sentence, it was clear that they had done everything to live as long as possible without too unpleasant consequences for their Human peers. But others have clearly been tempted by more... tempting promises.
The Commander didn't answer. But his face had turned scarlet. Nedland continued:
- Asorak Steeleye offered such a deal to Provost von Stötenbecker. Your brother-in-law refused, and was executed by the Feral Skaven. On the other hand, Lauren... Um, she was curious by nature, wasn't she? Driven by a desire to live, she proposed to the Grey Seer to keep him company. Marjan was right, it's a natural survival instinct indeed. She was lucky in her misfortune, because this White Skaven was also very curious. He accepted her as his personal slave. And quickly, she ran the game according to her way. The master outside was Asorak, but once the bedroom door was closed, it was another story. A story that had a rather funny ending.
- The soldiers sent as reinforcements finally entered the stronghold where the Grey Seer was entrenched, with the corpse of his unfortunate prisoner, he fought fiercely but was struck down after a terrible battle! the Commander muttered, his teeth so clenched they could break. This is what the reports that I invite you to reread say, it was not "funny" at all!
- Yes, but I saw another report kept secret by the priests of Verena of Talabheim. In this report, it is said the soldiers led an assault on the palace of the Count Elector, where the White Skaven had taken refuge. They found Asorak and Lauren von Stötenbecker in a bed, under the sheets, without any clothes. And both in great shape, and far too busy to think about the battle at the gate. Asorak was immediately beheaded, and your sister was tried within five minutes before being burned for heresy. When you heard this surprising news, you thought the tide was turning against you. Of course you were in Middenheim, you had no knowledge of your sister's ungodly doings, but you also knew how quickly this sort of thing can be used to demolish someone. And at the court of Boris Todbringer, your rivals were numerous. Anyone could have accused you of hooking up with the Feral Skaven in turn. So you have decided to leave the Empire. Your whole career, your reputation, it was all going to be taken to the ground because of a woman messing around with a Skaven. Double source of disgrace on the name of Schmetterling! You then saw a way out: Prince Ludwig Steiner was looking for someone to command his army. It was a good opportunity for you to stay in the military world while still getting enough distance from the Empire. Of course, that involved living among Skaven. When you arrived, there weren't very many, and you were hoping things didn't change. The Prince knew about this affair with Lauren, but he felt that you didn't have to pay for his culpable delusion, he saw you as a "potential victim of an obscurantist system". I am sincerely sorry he has been wrong to trust you. You have come here to satisfy your thirst for leadership and to take revenge on the Skaven, the race who broke your family honour. Considering your personality, you wouldn't have sold Vereinbarung to the Under-Empire, I think you rather wanted to take the Feral Skaven treacherously. You have collaborated with Grey Seer Iapoch to put to sleep his mistrust in you, and organize a widespread massacre of which you would have been the great victor.
The blood was pounding so hard in Schmetterling's temples he barely heard the voice of the Halfling whisper:
- Don't worry about the contents of the box. I suggested Magister Steadyhand to bring it to the Bright College in Altdorf. In return, I'm sure they'll agree to help pay the workers to repair the bridge of Wüstengrenze. Your actions will have a use, unlike Lauren's.
It was too much sarcasm. Schmetterling jumped to the bar, and yelled:
- You fucking shit worm! I'll rip your head off and use your skull as a chamber pot!
- Commander Schmetterling, calm down! ordered the Prince.
But he was already too late.
Commander Schmetterling leapt from behind his desk, and rushed towards the Halfling. Nedland reacted in a heartbeat. He leaned back on his seat and hopped forward, and when his hands made contact with the Human's shoulders, he spun around and landed gracefully a few yards behind the tall red man. There were cries in the assembly. Three Skaven guards surrounded the Commander, who tried to slap them back.
- Don't touch me with your dirty paws! I am your Commander!
The Prince slammed his mallet down on the table. Without hesitation, the three guards tackled Schmetterling to the floor. He didn't calm down, however.
- You dirty rats! Cursed, heretical vermin! You are nothing but animals! Wild animals, like your brothers hidden in the tunnels! You have nothing to do with us! I'll have you all exterminated! Even if I have to set this whole fucking Kingdom on fire, I shall cleanse it from the presence of these monstrous caricatures of citizens!
One of the guards put the handcuffs on the Commander again.
- I didn't do it for him! shouted Schmetterling. I did this for our salvation, everyone! The imp is right! I wanted to put his mistrust to sleep in order to eliminate him!
- Tell me who you're talking about, I order you! growled Steiner.
The Commander, still on the ground, raised his head. His angry face was truncated with anger.
- Grey Seer Iapoch! There! I said it! Yes, he contacted me! Yes, he promised to enrich me! Yes, I called on this laundress to get a cloth from the Master Mage! Except I wasn't going to let him win! I would have slayed him at the best time!
The Prince put down his mallet, stepped down from the platform, approached the Commander, and knelt beside him.
- You killed that laundress. An assassin slaughtered one of my guards. And my son could have been next.
- You can't make an omelette without breaking some eggs, Prince Steiner! Especially when two of those eggs are just giant dirty rats!
Schmetterling allowed himself to chuckle softly. Steiner did not answer. He returned to his desk. When calm returned to the room, he ordered:
- Guards, lift up the accused.
The three Skaven obeyed. Schmetterling pulled away from their embrace, then glared at the Prince.
- Well, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I don't think there's any need to go any further. Commander Schmetterling has just recognized the facts. Do you need to leave the room to deliberate?
The jurors consulted for a few seconds. Lieutenant Renata replied:
- It won't be necessary, Your Majesty. The jury is out: Commander Schmetterling is guilty on all counts.
The Commander rolled his eyes. The Prince didn't lose his professionalism.
- Good. Accused, do you have anything to say before I pronounce the sentence?
Johannes Schmetterling swept the crowd with a contemptuous gaze. Then he faced the Prince, and declared without hesitation:
"This is all madness, Your Highness... well, "Highness", the word doesn't seem to me as appropriate. "Lowness", "Weakness", "Softness" are more apt to designate you. Your project of "Rat Kingdom" is nothing but madness, a ridiculous fantasy from which you can only derive pain and disappointment. I joined the Rat Kingdom because I thought the Skaven would be tamed. In my vision of things, we would treat them as they treat us: as slaves. We would be an all-powerful principality with cheap and expendable workforce. No need to hide your face under a cover of decorum, that's what they do. They don't have any scruple, so we don't have to have. Instead, you declared this race was equal to ours. This is completely delusional, and you know it. In the Empire, you would have been put on the scaffold for heresy a long time ago. I have lost friends and family because of this vermin. They are not like us, and don't deserve to be seen as equal to us. This is not true. It's not what the gods that I pray say. I decided to cut this blasphemy short. I am not a traitor, Steiner. I work for the sustainability of our people. You, on the other hand, are working our downfall by helping our enemies to prosper. And I'm sure over the years you'll see Skaven are all the same, and then you'll have to eliminate them all, to prevent them from devouring us all. If you've got two cents of any common sense, you'll clear me so I can keep order as appropriate."
No one answered, but the faces of the Humans and Skaven were twisted with disgust and anger. The Prince still asked:
- If you hate Skaven so much, why did you come? There are other countries where you could have rebuilt your life, even after your sister's disgrace.
- I saw an opportunity to build an army by following my way, and to be able to take my revenge on Skaven. I admit, over the years, I gradually realized I was wrong. But after all this time, all the energy I put into this project, I wasn't going to give it all up like that. And I wasn't going to stand by and watch a whole nation of vile and loathsome creatures grow without doing anything.
- You hate Skaven, but you accept to make a deal with a Grey Seer? Wasn't your sister's example enough for you? Didn't you think it could be a lot more disadvantageous for you?
- My sister was an idiot, a silly goose blinded by greed and lust! I even wonder if his father wasn't a Slaanesh demon? That was different for me, I had the best hand on Iapoch's game.
- You've joined a Feral Skaven, Commander. This is high treason in all human-ruled lands, including our own.
- It was a dangerous game, but I had the means to win it. I played, I lost. And I don't have the slightest regret.
- Maybe if you had revealed us this plan, things would have been different?
- With a former Grey Seer by your side? What a joke! No, everything would have worked out if you hadn't called on this Estalian upstart. I would have eliminated Iapoch once he brought down Steinerburg. I would have become the hero of Vereinbarung. I was prepared to take the risk. And I'll say it to you for the last time: you will regret raising these creatures to our level. Someday they'll remember who they really are, and they'll reduce real Humans to lint.
Schmetterling looked at Psody with all the contempt he could express in his eye.
- The process is already on its way, I guess.
The Master Mage didn't even bother to think of an answer. Prince Steiner gravely announced:
- The Court sentences you to death for high treason. You indirectly participated in the tragedies that shook Vereinbarung, namely the death of innocent people, the loss of soldiers, the partial destruction of a city, all to satisfy your appetite for revenge and your ambitions for ascension. And you have proven to us there is no point in expecting you to change your mind, even after decades in prison. The facts are too serious for that anyway. The sentence will be executed tomorrow morning by the Gottlieb Twins.
And the Prince ended the session with a mallet strike.
The sun was setting over Steinerburg. Shops were closing, people were returning home, only the inns and taverns remained bustling. News of the trial and its conclusion had swept around town at astonishing speed. Surprise, indignation, irony, mockery had punctuated all conversations. Already, the question arose: who would replace the Commander?
It didn't matter much to the towering figure who dragged his feet around. The few passers-by who were still outside wore a surprised expression. Usually, the riders moved on their mounts, not beside them.
Sigmund walked up to the Libra Quarter. He was holding Okapia by her bridle. The mare followed him obediently, without hurrying. She felt her master was in dire need of affection, so she stayed close to him. The Black Skaven gently put a hand around his friend's neck, and the two made their way to the mansion of the property together. The Black Skaven guided Okapia to the far end of the park. He sat down on a bench, and let the mare graze on the grass.
Sigmund closed his eyes, and remained that way without moving or speaking for a long time. He felt his mind drifting towards the slumber land. He wanted to open his eyes again, get up and go to bed, but he was way too broken for that. It had been a really tough day for him. He was about to fall asleep on the spot, when his father's voice suddenly pulled him out of his daze.
- Siggy, you're here!
The White Skaven approached, and took a seat next to his son.
- You took a ride with Okapia?
- No, I went to the temple. Sister Judy didn't let me in.
- Oh, you must not blame her. Kit is in such a bad condition he absolutely needs to be left alone and not be disturbed.
Sigmund didn't answer. He gritted his teeth as he felt a tear slip down his nose.
- He will make it. I assure-assure you he will make it.
- Do you mean what you say, or is it just to reassure me?
- I sincerely think so, Siggy. Your brother is too proud-proud to let it go like this.
Finally, Psody saw a small smile light up the darkened face of his son. He took the opportunity to compliment him:
- I congratulate you, big boy. You did not fall into the trap that Schmetterling set for you.
- I've been too close to. Rhetoric is a fight I don't have as much confidence in as on a battlefield.
- And yet, it is an equally demanding-dangerous fight.
- I wanted him to be guilty. Somehow, my guts told me all this shit was his fault.
- You wanted him to be guilty because you were sure it was him, or because you needed a culprit to relieve you?
The large Black Skaven growled angrily.
- I thought the trial was over?
- Yes-yes, you're right. Forgive me.
Sigmund sighed in exasperation, but added nothing. Okapia approached, and lowered her head to the height of his hand. The young ratman scratched the mare's muzzle, then stood up, and stroked her neck.
- Glad to see that she recovered well from the battle-battle. And that she doesn't seem to blame you.
- I will never betray Okapia, she knows it very well, and she returns it to me as well.
The mare let Sigmund stroke her for a few moments, then she walked away to graze again. The Master Mage took the opportunity to broach a new delicate subject.
- Siggy?
- Yes, Father?
- I hope you have already contacted a carpenter for Gab's door.
The tall Black Skaven suddenly burst into anger.
- Is that all you can think of to say? Franzseska is dead, Kit is between life and death, the Commander of our army is a traitor, and all you worry about is if I'm going to get replaced a fucking door?
- What do you hope-expect from me, then
Sigmund clenched his fists and yelped in rage.
- Recognition! Proof of compassion, love, anything like that!
- You're exaggerating, Sigmund… so what, I'm a bad-naughty father, is that it?
- You could consider me as a little more mature after what I've been through!
- I'm not so sure, you see.
- Yes, because you, of course, are blameless!
- Oh, please don't look bad! Leave your insolence in the closet and try to stay calm!
- "Stay calm"? Do you take me for a fool? Do you want me to remind you of how you "stayed calm" in front of Iapoch? I burned his body, Father! I saw the state he was in! Nice proof of decency and nobility, really! Even the Black Hunger wouldn't have made me slaughter him that way! I did a mistake with that door, I did others, but unlike the Jade Master Mage, I take them on!
He had spoken with such conviction the White Skaven was genuinely taken aback. He felt his heart beat so hard he put his hand on his chest. Sigmund continued:
- Ha! You can't say anything more, can you?
The Master Mage's face sagged, as a great sadness washed over him. Sigmund felt his own features relax. There were too many telling elements to doubt his father's condition: his musk of bitterness, the tiny tear that beaded in his eye, his head bowed with a sigh. He didn't seem to be pretending.
- I have to admit-recognize you're telling the truth this time, Siggy. I did something stupid.
The Black Skaven felt his remaining anger fade away.
- You really think so?
The father looked his son in the eye when he said:
- I really-really mean it.
He took in his inspiration.
- Look, you risked your life for me, for Kit, for all of us. It is true. I'm… I… You've been great. Therefore... we're all on edge.
- That's saying something, Sigmund muttered, remembering his dismissal from Shallya's temple.
- Please understand, Siggy: I feel sorry for Gabriel. He didn't fight, but he also suffered from this conflict-conflict, in his own way.
- It's not from today, Father. Have you seen his lab?
- Yes. And no one saw anything. He kept everything to himself.
The Black Skaven hugged the White Skaven to him.
- On this chapter, it's all my fault.
- It's a shared-mutual wrong, Siggy. He should have told us about it.
- Maybe he tried to, but we couldn't figure it out?
- I don't know.
Sigmund scratched his head.
- I'll have an explanation with him. Do you know where he is?
- I know, but I won't tell you.
- I want to talk to him. I want to apologize to him.
Psody raised his head.
- I feel you're sincere-frank. I hate false apologies, they are worthless.
- I hate them too. But I really mean mines, Father. Without lying.
- I can see it very well. But that won't be sufficient for him. Understand, Siggy: Gab is scared to death. He sees his own brother as a threat-threat. If I tell you where he's hiding, he'll be terrorized in front of you, and I would have betrayed his trust.
The tall Black Skaven said nothing. He lowered sheepishly his head. His father put his hand on his shoulder.
- Just give him some time. I'll talk to him before bedtime. When he gets home, he'll be ready to listen to you.
- Right. I don't know for you, but I need a good night's sleep.
- We deserved-deserved it well! Let's go back home!