The rain finally stopped falling, and the sky cleared up. The dirt on the trail had turned to mud. Liquid mud, on which it was difficult to walk without slipping. Even the horses, although trained to move on this kind of ground, hesitated, and regularly a hoof skidded. With the fall, the trees had lost their leaves, and if the sight of a carpet of gold and copper was pleasant to watch, the path was all the less practicable.
The thirteen members of the Black Guard had been walking alongside their mounts for a whole hour. The path to their goal was open to the sky, and the clouds raced at incredible speed with the wind whistling through the branches.
- Private Ickert?
- Yes, Captain?
- Are we still far from the objective?
- We're not, Captain, when we are out of the woods, we will arrive.
Pankraz Ickert stuck his index finger forward. The first houses of Friedrichsdorf could be seen on the horizon.
- When we get out from under the trees, the earth should be less slippery, without the dead leaves, we can get back on the horses?
- Affirmative, Private Bärlocher.
Although the distance between the edge of the forest and the village was short, Sigmund considered that arriving on horseback was a more remarkable sight for the locals. A gruelling half hour of walking later, the Black Guards finally found themselves in the open. The Captain ordered his soldiers to get back in the saddle.
Okapia walked calmly, followed by the others. Rippling to the rhythm of hooves on pebbles, Sigmund gazed absently at the fields that stretched out on either side of the path. He grumbled. The land looked clearly neglected, full of weeds, and the crops were growing painfully despite the still mild climate.
- Tell me, Private Ickert, are there a lot of inhabitants in Friedrichsdorf?
- Not especially, Captain.
- Other Black Skaven?
- No, I'm the only one, Captain.
Captain Steiner understood what that meant, even though he hadn't experienced it himself.
The only Black Skaven in the whole village, besides prone to Black Hunger, his relationships with others must not have been easy every day...
- Hmm… Are there a lot of Skaven in Friedrichsdorf?
- No, Captain. Besides me, you'll find Elsie, Jodokus the burgomaster's son, his wife Gretel, their baby boy, and the swineherd, Pietro. He and I, we grew up together.
- Do many of the inhabitants work in the fields?
- About two-thirds, Captain, but that's not much. In addition, there was an epidemic last winter, and several peasants died. This is why the fields look abandoned; there are not enough people to maintain them well. And if this village now has to deal with disappearance issues, it probably won't last more than a season.
- I'm sorry to learn that, Private Ickert.
- There's nothing you can do about it, Captain. I send money to my family, others who have gone to Steinerburg to try their luck do the same, only the gods can do something more.
The Captain thought for a few seconds before answering:
- I can talk to my grandfather, the Prince. There is a way we can send you some labour, time for this village to regain economic stability.
- You think this could be done?
- Have you heard of Klapperschlänge? It is a small village not far from the border which was razed to the ground by Orcs a few months ago. We finished its rebuilding not too long ago. Your home village can be the next one? In any case, on our return, I will report back to the Prince, and I will take the opportunity to say a word on your behalf.
- It would be very generous of you, Captain.
- No, Private Ickert, it will just be my duty.
Silence fell on these words. Finally, a few minutes later, the Black Guard was at the gates of Friedrichsdorf.
This small village had about twenty thatched cottages which surrounded a small temple dedicated to Taal and Rhya, the gods most appreciated by the peasants. People were coming out of the religious building in groups. The arrival of thirteen armed Black Skaven horsemen did not fail to elicit reactions of surprise and fear.
- Dismount! Sigmund ordered.
The thirteen Black Guards descended from their mounts as one Skaven. A confusing silence hung over the village square. Sigmund broke it.
- Hey, good people! Who is your burgomaster?
- I am, replied a voice behind the Black Skaven.
A tall, very thin Human with a huge red moustache, shyly approached the Captain.
- I'm Oliver Haas.
- Nice to meet you, Master Haas. We are the Black Guard.
- The Black Guard?
- This is a special regiment created by His Highness Prince Ludwig Steiner. I'm the Captain, my name is Sigmund Steiner.
- "Steiner"? Like the Prince?
- He is my adoptive grandfather, Master Haas. The Black Guard has only Black Skaven in its ranks, and over time it will be a regiment of elite warriors. In the meantime, we have come to check something. Private Ickert?
The Black Skaven named to by Sigmund stepped forward. The burgomaster seemed surprised to see him.
- Pankraz? Already back?
- Yes, Oliver.
Sigmund sensed something that displeased him: a smell of embarrassment emanated from the Human. As if seeing Private Ickert was perturbing him.
I guess this guy was relieved to see him go away.
As if to confirm this thought, Master Haas stammered in a deceptively cheerful voice:
- Ah… well. So what are you doing here?
- Have Elsie and Mikkel been found?
Ickert almost coughed when his nose was assaulted by a violent acid surge. Master Haas was sweating fear. The young Black Skaven felt his heart beat quicken. The burgomaster seemed more and more uncomfortable.
- You... came back for that?
- Yes, and I would like you to answer me, Oliver. What happened?
Sigmund heard anger rising in Ickert's voice. He decided to take the lead.
- We have come to find them, Master Haas, and not to create problems for you. If they have not reappeared, but you are not responsible, you have nothing to worry about.
- I… I shall bring here their parents.
The burgomaster turned on his heels and walked briskly towards one of the houses on the opposite side. Sigmund then noticed Ickert was clenching his fist. He walked over to him and mumbled:
- Calm down, Private Ickert, we'll fix the problem.
- I don't like it, Captain. I have the impression they're hiding something from us!
- You know them better than I do. Do you think they are capable of lying to us?
- No, Captain. I have always lived among them, ever since your father Harvested me. I didn't have a very easy relationship with them. But they are not liars. The problem comes from elsewhere. There is a big threat in the air.
Two Humans who had arrived late then stepped forward, and hugged Private Ickert. Sigmund immediately understood these were his adoptive parents. Indeed, they seemed to be the only ones who were really happy to see him. Master Haas then returned, accompanied by two Human women. The taller of the two was blonde, with hair plaited into two long braids that framed a ruddy face. The other was large, older, and her pitted face was partially concealed under a brown mop.
- Here are Hannah Gleiber and Beatrix Kirsche, said the burgomaster, pointing to the blonde and the brunette in turn. Hannah is Elsie's mother, and Mikkel is Beatrix's little boy.
The two women seemed ready to cry. Rooted in compassion, Sigmund asked:
- Cheer up, the Black Guard has arrived, we will find them. Where are your husbands then, ladies?
- They… they disappeared, my Lord.
- They did too?
- They went looking for the children the night they disappeared, and we haven't seen them since.
Sigmund turned to Ickert.
- You told me Elsie and Mikkel weren't home when you left for Steinerburg, is that right?
- Affirmative, Captain.
- Hmm… Did you take two days to get to the capital?
- A day and a half, Captain. I left at the end of the afternoon. I was alone, I made my horse gallop, I arrived in Steinerburg the second next morning, very early, and therefore in time for your appointment.
- We left the next day, plus the two days trip to here, so that's five days. And so, the fathers haven't given a sign of life since?
- They didn't, my Lord, Master Haas whispered.
Hannah moved closer to Ickert, and seized his hands. Tears flooded her face.
- Pankraz, you know how precious Elsie is to me and Jakob… I beg you, by Rhya's hair, find her, and find my man, too!
This time, young Ickert spotted only sadness and sincere hope, which reassured him.
- We'll do anything for that. Isn't that right, Captain?
- And we'll start right away. Ladies, give us something that belongs to your child and something else from your husband, too. Anything: a scarf, a toy, a tool, whatever. We'll be able to follow their scent.
The two women returned quickly. Hannah gave Ickert a rag doll and a pipe, Beatrix placed in Sigmund's hands a small horse carved from a piece of wood and a cap.
- That will do, thank you. Which direction did they go?
Master Haas pointed to the wood to the west.
- Right. Black Guards, in the saddle! We leave!
The thirteen Black Skaven rode to the forest.
When they got to a few yards from the place, Sigmund held up his hand. All dismounted.
- Private Goldfisch?
- Yes, Captain?
- We'll do the research on foot, I want you to stay here to keep the horses.
- At your command, Captain.
Sigmund reached into his satchel, pulled out a horn, and handed it to Private Goldfisch.
- If you spot something wrong, you blow in there. Even though it's a strange noise, even though it's a weird smell, you don't think, you warn us.
- Even if it's a villager coming?
- Especially if it's a villager coming. These people are scared to death, but I don't know if it was out of superstition, or if something very concrete threatened them openly. It is better to leave nothing to chance.
Sigmund gestured at Pankraz Ickert to make him follow him. They both took a few steps away.
- Sorry to have to beware of your folks, but I would rather be too much careful rather than not enough.
- Captain, I will be eternally grateful to Sven and Ragnhild for choosing me as a child to adopt, but all the other inhabitants of this village have always feared and hated me.
- I can't put myself in your shoes, Private Ickert, but I won't judge you.
- I like Elsie, I feel sorry for Hannah, I will do everything I can to find her family, but no one else has nothing to expect from me, as I don't expect anything from anyone else. If I don't like the Humans in this village, I can at least respect them, as long as they don't abuse me or my Skaven fellas
- It's all to your credit, Private Ickert, Sigmund whispered.
Then he spoke louder to the attention of the whole regiment.
- Let's start the research! We shall crisscross this forest. I want a hundred foot gap between every man on either side of me. Anything unusual, you call me, and everyone stops. Let's not hang around, the sun is starting to set! Goldfisch, remember: the smallest thing that catches your attention, you horn!
With the fall, the night took place more quickly. The twelve Black Guards took turns sniffing objects belonging to the villagers, then they moved to be in position, and began the hunt, while Private Goldfisch tied the reins of the horses to the trees.
The twelve Black Guards moved forward silently, on the lookout for the slightest movement, sound, smell. Occasionally, they could hear the dismal song of an owl. Bärlocher swallowed hard when he saw that a light mist had risen, and gave the forest a phantasmagorical look.
Sigmund wouldn't let it show, but he wasn't reassured. The touch of Heart of Unicorn's grip reminded him of his little sister's presence. He thought back to their childhood games, as they had fun slaying hordes of horrible creatures together thanks to the virtue of his wooden sword. But today it was no game anymore.
- Captain!
It was the voice of Private Joop van Habron, who had just broken the silence of the twilight. All the Black Skaven halted, and Sigmund hastened to his subordinate.
Van Habron pointed to something on the ground. Sigmund heard the furious buzz of flies, while a pungent, copper scent tormented his nostrils. He knelt down, already knowing what he was about to see.
- By Verena's scale...
He guessed more than he clearly identified the shape of the body of a small child. Lying on its stomach, its face buried in a clod of earth, its blood had had plenty of time to soak the ground. Its clothes – male clothes – had been torn by the fangs of the many scavenging animals that had already eaten into its flesh.
Carefully, Sigmund put his hand on the child's shoulder, gently grasped its arm with the other hand, and rolled the small corpse onto its back, baring its face.
- Private Ickert? Come over here!
Private Ickert came at a run. He leaned over the body, and winced in disgust.
- It's Mikkel, Captain.
- We'll find whoever did that.
- And how? You have an idea?
- Look, here.
Sigmund raised the head of the small victim. Ickert's eyes widened when he spotted a curious object that was literally stuck in the young boy's forehead. Sigmund grabbed it between thumb and forefinger, and yanked it out.
- What is that? Ickert asked.
- Looks like some kind of spur? Or an iron star? suggested van Habron.
- It's a throwing weapon. To my knowledge, it is only used by the Feral Skaven of Clan Eshin.
Young Steiner very clearly felt the shudder of worry electrify the two recruits at the mention of the thousand times hated name.
- C… Clan Eshin?
- Yes, Private Ickert.
- What would Clan Eshin come here to do?
- That's what we'll try to find out, Private van Habron. We resume the search now, the Captain announced in a loud voice.
Everyone resumed his places, and the column of Black Skaven moved forward. Less than a minute later, Himmelstoss also shouted:
- Captain, I have something here!
Once again, the Black Guard halted. Sigmund reached Himmelstoss in a few strides.
- There is a piece of cloth nailed in these thorns, Captain.
- Well spotted, Private Himmelstoss.
Sigmund took the doll out of his satchel, sniffed it a bit, then did the same with the piece of cloth.
- No doubt, it's right a clothing little Elsie wore.
Night had fallen for nearly two hours when the patrol returned to Friedrichsdorf. Sigmund saw that a few villagers were waiting for them by torchlight. When they dismounted, all the inhabitants were already circling around them.
The silence only punctuated by the crackling of torches was suffocating. Master Haas was the most anxious. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out of his throat. Sigmund then spoke:
- Citizens of Friedrichsdorf, I have bad news.
He spotted Hannah and Beatrix, both hanging on his words, bloodless.
- Lady Beatrix… I'm sorry. We found your son.
Beatrix couldn't say a word. When she saw a bundle sized like her child on Okapia's rump, she screamed in despair and broke down in tears. At a gesture from the burgomaster, three villagers moved her away to take her home. Two others retrieved the small corpse to bring it to the temple.
Master Haas wiped his forehead.
- Haven't you found the others?
- We haven't, Master Haas, but I think I can tell what happened.
Captain Steiner had time on the way home to think about how to present it.
- Elsie and Mikkel went to play in the forest together. Unfortunately for them, they crossed paths with a Feral Skaven. More precisely an assassin from Clan Eshin. The Eshin threw one of its weapons at Mikkel, and killed him instantly. At least Mikkel didn't have time to suffer. Then it grabbed Elsie, and ran deeper into the forest with her under its arm. Normally, a Feral Skaven never misses an opportunity to feed, yet it has not touched Mikkel. It meant it was in a hurry, or that it had strict orders to follow.
- What about Jakob and Ronald? asked timidly Pietro the swineherd.
Once again Sigmund looked contrite.
- They haven't been back for five days… We haven't found them, but in my opinion, they're both dead. If they were able to follow and catch up with the Feral Skaven who kidnapped Elsie, it eliminated them.
- Two versus one?
- Two peasants versus a Feral Skaven which learned to kill before being able to walk and which knows how to exploit the land well, I already know who the winner will be.
No one added a word. Even Hannah couldn't say anything, too devastated by these terrible events. Sigmund looked at the villagers around him, they seemed to be waiting for a verdict and instructions. He took his inspiration and announced:
- To begin with, no one wanders alone in the woods anymore until the culprit has been found. I'll call a patrol from the nearest barracks, Staufenberg's. I will ask for twenty soldiers. They will be more numerous and will know the region better than the rest of us. We'll go there and fetch them tomorrow morning at sunrise.
He then asked the burgomaster:
- Tell me, Master Haas, is there a place we can stay overnight?
- Of course, Captain. Roswitha's Inn. I am sure she will be delighted to welcome you.
Master Haas nodded towards a tall, plump, dark woman who did not look very reassured.
- Don't worry, Lady, my guys are well behaved. And just because we are sent by the Prince doesn't mean we'll allow ourselves to take advantage of it.
He grabbed his purse, took out fifteen gold crowns, which he handed to the landlady. This was easily the equivalent of a year's salary for someone living in a village like Friedrichsdorf. Roswitha gave a weak smile.
- I'll cook supper for you, Captain.
The meal was plentiful, without being a fabulous feast. The bacon and potato soup had the advantage of fulfil quickly and well any stomach. Roswitha was happy to see that Captain Steiner had spoken the truth: the twelve Black Guards and their leader were professionals, and did not allow themselves any overeating or inappropriate behaviour, while remaining relaxed. And while a few beers were sipped by either of the Black Skaven, Sigmund didn't swallow a drop of alcohol.
Everyone avoided the slightest hint of what they had been through that day. Young Steiner was in the middle of a discussion with van Habron and Himmelstoss. Both had never participated in great battles. Indeed, like Ickert, they came from small, remote villages, and had not been mobilized to fight Targhân's Orcs, nor Iapoch's Skaven. Sigmund answered their questions, heartily, but never showing off or coming up with overly propagandistic ideas.
- War has nothing glorious, soldiers. We faced the Feral Skaven, we defeated them, but it was not an overwhelming or heroic victory. Without Prince Calderon's troops, the losses would undoubtedly have been much more severe. Remember this: we are soldiers, our role is to protect the citizens of this Kingdom, not to risk your life or the lives of others in the hope of being able to strut around at the banquets. Daredevils quickly find themselves six feet underground.
Maximus Himmelstoss was the oldest member of the Black Guard, and Sigmund was not much older than him. Harvested a few years earlier, he had been raised by a lumberjack who had quickly made him work for a temple of Taal. Lucky for him, he had learned to read in this way. Of a cheerful and enthusiastic character, he was also lucid, and accepted his Captain's words without flinching.
- You defeated the Grey Seer who threatened us? Is he really dead?
- I confirm it: my father vanquished him, and I cremated him.
- So, these Feral Skaven who come to threaten our villages, where do you think they come from?
- I don't know, Private Himmelstoss.
Sigmund felt a light twinge in his guts consecutive to his lie. Indeed, he knew very well who it was. At the very least, he had strong assumptions. But the Prince had been very clear: until further notice, no one was to know that the Rat Kingdom had been threatened by two different White Skaven. Sigmund didn't like to lie, especially with such dire stakes that would eventually be revealed to the people sooner or later, but he had to obey orders.
- For now, let's focus on the problem that concerns us. A little girl is missing, three Humans are dead, we need to get this story straight.
Himmelstoss nodded, and returned to his meal. But Sigmund felt his heart grow heavier. He thought back to his little sister's words.
You were right, Bianka… If the Feral Skaven are in the game, then it only bodes badly. Marjan, Jochen why did you leave the moment your presence will be so necessary?
He felt his fur stand on end when he noticed the tablespoon he was holding was shaking slightly.
Sigmund sharply opened his eyes.
Lying in the bed closest to the dormitory door, he straightened up. The first rays of the sun traced their golden trails through the interstices of the shutters, occasionally lighting up a speck of dust.
All the other members of the Black Guard were still asleep, the snoring and growling here and there testifying to it. None had reacted like him. And yet, there was something to react to. This time, he was sure, he hadn't dreamed of it: outside, moans and tears were breaking through the early morning silence.
Without waiting any longer, he jumped up, put his hands in bullhorn, and thundered:
- Come on, Black Guards! Get up!
The twelve Black Guards awoke with a start. Less than half a minute later, everyone was outside, dressed and armed.
Out first, Sigmund walked without hesitation to where the screams were coming from. It was Oliver Haas's house. The large Black Skaven knocked energetically on the door.
- Master Haas? What's going on?
The door opened on the burgomaster, pale as a corpse.
- Captain...
- So, Master Haas, what's the...
Sigmund couldn't finish his sentence. He saw behind the Human an open door leading to a bedroom, in which young Gretel, slumped on the bed, was crying bitterly in the arms of her husband, Jodokus. The brown Skaven could hardly contain his own sobs. The Human stammered:
- It's Bassilus, my grandson. He has... he has...
Sigmund jostled the burgomaster and entered the room. Fearing the worst, he gazed into the small bed near the window. It was empty.
The worst might not have happened, but... how do you know?
Focused like never before, he barely heard Jodokus.
- Is this the way your Black Guard protects us? yelped the young ratman, furious.
- Jodokus, it may not be... stammered the burgomaster.
- Forget it, Master Haas. He's not wrong. We should have been prepared for another assault. Whatever it is, it doesn't lack of nerve! Attack with the Black Guard nearby!
- But why didn't we hear anything? The Human got angry. It's not completely your fault! If an intruder entered my home, why didn't anyone hear anything?
Ickert was on the doorstep. He asked:
- What happened, Captain?
- Take a tour of the house and search the surroundings! The whole company!
- Yes, Sir!
Sigmund approached the window. He frowned. The burgomaster was wealthy enough to equip his house with glass windows under the shutters. The two wooden panels did not constitute a very dissuasive obstacle: a simple hook passed through the slot could lift it. The doors were still open. On the other hand, how do you get through a window without breaking it?
By cutting it with a suitable object, such as a piece of rough diamond. What had been properly done. The intruder had only had to retrieve the shard of glass, then reach through the opening to turn the handle and open the window, silently.
Haas is right: how can you walk into a small room with three people sleeping and take a baby quietly? And why didn't Bassilus scream when he has been taken away?
The large Black Skaven narrowed his lips nervously. Something had just tickled his toe. He looked down, and saw some small pieces of glass. He got down on all fours, and sniffed carefully...
Odd smell. Maybe soporific gas?
Private Ickert's voice above his head caught him off guard.
- Captain?
Sigmund stood up. His subordinate was outside, his nose through the opening.
- Look there, there is something!
Captain Steiner leaned out in turn. Footprints appeared as the sun rose into the skies.
- Skaven, no doubt. Wait a second.
Sigmund left the bedroom, grabbed the burgomaster's shoulder, and the two left the house to join Private Ickert. The Captain called his troops.
- Assemble!
Half a minute later, the entire Black Guard was assembled in front of the burgomaster. Sigmund pointed to the footprints heading west.
- This is where our nocturnal visitor went by. It came from that forest, then it managed to open the window quietly, for that it cut the glass. Once the way was clear, it threw a small gas globe into the chamber. This released a soporific gas light enough to put Jodokus, Gretel, and Bassilus to sleep more deeply without fatally poisoning them. It snatched the little one, then backtracked to the woods. In short, it took huge risks for a very specific purpose.
Sigmund gritted his teeth. Other villagers, drawn to Gretel's tears and the commotion of the soldiers, came out of their cottages, visibly worried.
- So, these are invaders? Roswitha asked, her throat tight.
- No. Worse.
The tall Black Skaven slowly swept his gaze over the small assembly that stood before him.
- They're child stealers.
There were frightened exclamations. All the parents nervously hugged their children.
- Elsie's disappearance, and now this new kidnapping, leads me to believe they are only interested by young Skaven. Do you still have others in this village?
- No, Master Haas stammered. Elsie and Bassilus are the only ones. The others are all grown up folks.
- Normally, the Feral Skaven shouldn't come back here. But that's no reason to be careless. Residents of Friedrichsdorf, I urge you not to leave your children unattended, even for a few seconds, until further notice. Each child must be accompanied by at least two adults, for more safety. Men and women who feel ready to take up arms must do so. Organize guard tours. At night, assemble all those who are not patrolling in the temple of the village, the children in the middle, and stand still.
The burgomaster scratched his head.
- Captain… how can you be sure that these are Feral Skaven who came to abduct our children, and only for that purpose?
- What happened last night is proof of this: the intruder walked right in where it wanted to get what it wanted, then left as quickly as possible without delaying. It could have taken the opportunity to attack your son or daughter-in-law, what it did not.
- Maybe it would have been better this way! Jodokus moaned, at the bedroom window, glancing nervously at Gretel who was crying incessantly on the bed.
In two strides, Sigmund was facing the young father. He looked him in the eye, let a few moments of silence pass, then said with determination:
- I'll find Elsie and Bassilus. And I guarantee whoever did that will be really, really sorry.
These heartfelt words were not enough to reassure the inhabitants of Friedrichsdorf, however. Master Haas muttered again:
- And… are you planning to do something… now?
Sigmund swivelled towards the mayor, looking sorry.
- I'm sending three of my men to follow the trail, but I'm afraid that won't get us far. This guy had the whole night to slip away. As soon as it spotted the first cave, it dived into it and went through underground passages.
- Do you think there are... there are many? That they have a camp nearby?
- Have your folk reported anything suspicious lately? Strange noises, unpleasant smells, mutilated cattle, that kind of thing?
- Hmm… Not especially.
There was no one to contradict the Human.
- So there are probably not many. A couple, maybe even a single Feral Skaven did it all on its own. If there had been more, it would have left visible traces. While waiting for reinforcements, I will ask the Staufenberg barracks garrison to send you twice as many men as I thought yesterday. As for us, we go back to Steinerburg, I shall make my report, and we'll make the necessary arrangements.
The burgomaster timidly asked:
- You… you mean you're not staying here to help us find our children?
Sigmund approached Master Haas and articulated:
- I would stay until the end if I could, Master Haas, but as Captain of the Black Guard I have obligations. Until we precisely identify a concrete and immediate danger, we must remain vigilant for the whole Rat Kingdom. If so, as I'm speaking to you, other villages are suffering the same type of attack. But let me know where these miserable scoundrels are holing up, and I will personally arrange to drag them to the Steinerburg barracks by the scruff of the ass. They will pay for each child they kidnap!
Gretel, herself on the doorstep of her father-in-law's house, stammered:
- What if... if there are no more children to save?
Sigmund felt his heart crush between talons both scorching and freezing, but he tried not to let it show.
Come on, come on, keep calm!
- My Lady, I cannot understand how you feel, and I do not wish it on anyone. I can just urge you to keep your hopes up: these Feral Skaven go to great lengths, they wouldn't if they didn't need these children alive. I am asking you the impossible, I'm aware of it, but it is the best thing to do, in my opinion. Bassilus is alive, we will find him and return him to you, safe and sound.
And for the first time since their arrival in Friedrichsdorf, Sigmund finally felt a perfect balance between the convictions of his words, the determination of his heart, and the willful energy of his body.