A terrible bang woke Isolde with a start. She leapt from her bed and threw herself into her mother's. Heike, already sitting on the mattress, hugged her daughter.
- It's nothing, darling. It's just a storm.
- Oh… I'm scared, Mother!
- There's no reason for that. Here, let me show you.
The ratmother stood up and opened the window. Outside, the rain was pouring down, the water pattered on the dirt of the park's paths, and the wind whistled through the branches of the trees. And regularly, lightning crossed the sky in powerful rolling.
Isolde jumped when she heard a louder and more deafening crack than the others. But when she saw her mother still serene, she wrinkled her muzzle.
- You're not scared?
- Of course I'm not, Soso. We are well protected, and it can be an incredible sight to watch. Come and see!
Driven by curiosity, the little ratgirl moved slowly towards the opening beyond which the elements were relentlessly unleashed. Heike took her in her arms and brought her to the window.
- Behold.
Isolde was a little reluctant, but little by little, the fear faded in favour of fascination. Indeed, there was something unusual, incredible in the spectacle of the storm. Something almost magical.
The rumblings, however, made her shiver.
- How can you not be afraid?
- Well… To begin with, here, we fear nothing, we are warm, safe. Then I choose not to be afraid. It's something that happens from time to time, it can be dangerous if you're not careful, but for the rest, it's not worth being afraid of. It's just a heavy rain. It waters the fields and plants, and washes the streets of poor districts. It just doesn't have to last too long and it doesn't get too strong.
- Magdalena told me it is a sign that the Gods are angry!
- Maybe, but I don't see it as an anger of the Gods. I prefer to think that they are partying. They laugh, they dance, they blow, they drink, it makes noise and sparks, and the water from their cups falls on us.
- Oh, yes! But then, if they are partying, why are there sometimes trees that are ripped off by the wind, or towers struck by lightning?
- Hmm… Sometimes, when you're having a lot of fun, you don't always pay attention to what's around you. Here, for example, when you play with Teresa, you laugh, you act crazy, you push each other, you roll in the grass... has it ever happened to you to knock over or break something?
Heike had pronounced those words with a mischievous smile. Her daughter burst out laughing.
- The Gods know how to have fun!
- Indeed, Soso.
- Do you think Father is playing with them? asked the little girl innocently.
The poor ratmother felt her heart squeeze at this question.
- I don't think so, my sweetie. Remember the God who watches over your father is the Horned Rat. The Horned Rat is not in the sky, he's in the underground.
- So… Father is now near the Horned Rat?
The little one realized that she had asked too many questions when she saw tears streaming down her mother's cheeks.
- Oh, excuse me, Mother…
- It's nothing, darling. Don't worry. Just...I'm sorry. I don't know where your father is. I wish I could answer you, but I can't. Well, it's getting late, let's go have breakfast. You shouldn't be late and keep Sister Esther waiting when she gets there.
- Yes, Mother!
The two women left the bedroom.
Bianka, who had been up for a whole hour already, was dreamily staring at the rain sliding down the window pane. She had taken refuge in a small discreet cabinet located in a corner of the mansion where there was little traffic. The only door in this room did not lead directly to the hallway, but forced whoever entered it to cross a living room. This room included a small desk equipped for work, as well as a bust representing an old woman in an alcove. This statue represented one of the Prince's aunts. This was the reason why the cabinet was nicknamed "Aunt Jutta's".
Ordinarily, the ratgirl didn't like to feel the stern gaze of that stone face laid on her. She wasn't the only one; the bust had the reputation of making the atmosphere of the cabinet rather unpleasant, like its model used to. Ludwig Steiner, however, wanted to keep as many traces as possible of his family, in accordance with the traditions followed by the greatest dynasties of monarchs. Moreover, this cabinet was so little frequented that it served more or less as a "depot" where the Prince left the documents he did not want to throw away, but which were not particularly compromising.
Right now, Bianka's mind was so tormented that she didn't notice. The real Aunt Jutta could tumble into the cabinet to reprimand her, she probably wouldn't have reacted.
She wondered for the seventh or eighth time how to justify to High Priestess Rebmann her absences from the temple. Even if she was granddaughter of the Prince with an advantageous status earned by using her blood, sweat and tears, she had to report to the head of the temple. Until now, she had always managed to find a credible reason to be able to investigate here and there without the High Priestess asking her embarrassing questions, but she felt herself running out of good ideas.
Besides, the fit of rage I had yesterday won't help things… she thought, rubbing her nose absentmindedly.
Suddenly she had an inspiration. How hadn't she thought of that sooner? She had only to pretend that her mental state did not allow her to work effectively! Between the disappearance of her father, the various crises weighing on the Steiner family and her obvious lack of composure, convince the High Priestess Rebmann of letting Bianka a few days off wouldn't be very difficult. "Days off" she would use to continue her investigation and trap her target.
The door of the cabinet opened without a warning to reveal Ludwig Steiner.
- Good morning, Bianka.
Immediately, the blonde Skaven's joy stopped short.
- Good morning… Opa.
The Prince walked into Aunt Jutta's office, and closed the door behind him. Bianka swallowed silently, her instinct screaming in her ears that the next few minutes would be so unpleasant.
- So, my darling, are you managing to hold on?
- It's rather difficult, Opa. Yesterday I rebuked a cleric at the temple.
Might as well bring up this right away!
- Did you? Did he deserve it?
- No, Opa, he didn't. All he wanted was to support me.
- Hum… We are all going through a very difficult time, for sure. We can act faster than our thoughts, and let our emotions overtake us.
- I… I will try to apologize to him.
- If you deem it necessary. But I didn't come to talk about that.
- Very well. So what can I do for you, Opa?
The Prince moved to the desk, tapped the wooded surface with his fingertips, and mouthed:
- Stop taking me for a fool, deaf and blind.
The axe fell. A furious itch galloped along the blond Skaven woman's spine.
- I felt Gabriel more nervous than usual. Persuading him to explain why was a rather easy task.
I don't believe it!
- Don't get mad at him, my little Bianka. He worries a lot, and I think you and Kristofferson give him good reason for that. He has to cushion the blow provoked by your father's funeral, while his sap has been bubbling more than usual for some time now, now he is entrusted with a secret that is very heavy to bear. Well? What are you hiding from me?
Bianka felt her throat constrict. Her grandfather spoke softly, but his face remained neutral. Besides, her Skaven sense of smell had caught the typical scent of anger. She knew that tone and that expression, and knew that it presaged a violent storm. The sound of wood echoing under the Human's fingers made her even more uncomfortable.
- Opa, I love you with all my heart. After my father, you are the man I care about the most...
- You can add your brother Sigmund before me, I'm not jealous.
The Prince knew well the particular bond which united the young ratgirl to the Black Skaven. She felt only more awkward.
- Yes, uh… Anyway, with all due respect, I…
Steiner stopped patting the desk.
- Bianka, you are my granddaughter, not a common servant. I know you well, I know you are an intelligent and strong-willed young person. Your father is no more here, it's a fact, it's terrible, but we have to keep living. And I can't accept that my own family might turn against me.
- I am not the one to be feared, Opa!
- So, who?
The ratgirl jumped. She scratched her armpit, her heart pounding. The Prince had shouted. He slapped the desk with the palm of his hand and repeated:
- Who is to be feared? What are you insinuating? Enough hiding, Bianka! Now you have to tell me what you're plotting, and who you've dragged into your schemes!
- No! cried the eldest of the Steiner girls in turn. If I speak, you die!
Steiner raised his hand, his face contorted with a surprised expression.
- Opa, Father was murdered by someone I suspect close to you.
- Then, tell me the name. I will take the right action.
- No! I can't tell you, not yet!
- Why not?
- Because if you know who it is, you won't be able to act objectively in its presence. And even if you manage to keep calm in front of this person, other means of detecting your intentions are possible! The person will kill you before running away. And if I accuse this killer without solid evidence in front of a witness, we can't arrest it. It will take the opportunity to escape, then it will strike again! And you will probably be the next one!
The High Archivist seemed ready to cry. Convinced of her sincerity, Steiner let his anger subside.
- Alright, alright, I believe you. First of all, reassure me: it's not your mother, or one of your brothers?
- No.
- Good. Gab told me the Purple Hand is among us.
- We didn't tell him about it, Opa, I swear! We purposely hid these things from him so as not to frighten him further.
- You did well. I guess he listened to one of your conversations without your knowledge. Who else knows that this sect is in Vereinbarung?
- As far as I am aware, only Kristofferson knows that our clues lead to the Purple Hand. No! I had to interrogate clerics of Verena to confirm this in front of Sergeant Weller, who had to report to Wally.
- Hmm, that's not much for the moment, but who knows how far it can go?
- I realized it too late, Opa. The Purple Hand has ramifications in all strata of society! We don't know who may be involved! They can be everywhere!
- They can, and I understand your concern.
- What a silly girl I was to have asked this information to two clerks, in front of a member of the Army! Maybe the whole garrison is already aware by now!
- Well, don't panic, we'll find a way to confuse your suspect.
Bianka breathed, and her heart resumed a more relaxed rhythm.
- Can you tell me how many people you're suspecting?
- For the moment, only one person, but I think it has accomplices. In any case, a witness spotted at least two criminals.
- Right. To arrest this person, we need evidence. Do you know where to find evidence?
- I know, I just have to make sure the person is not in its apartments.
- Very well. You say it's someone close to me. Is it a powerful person?
- Yes, it is.
- Is this person part of the important personalities of Vereinbarung? Does it have a seat on the City Council?
- Uh… I think so.
- Are you sure? Steiner asked, raising an eyebrow. I felt a hesitation in your voice.
- I'm sure this person was involved in the life of Steinerburg, and not just a little, but I can't tell you its name or its function directly.
- I see. Wait, I have an idea.
The Prince took a sheet of paper and applied himself to write fifteen names on it. Then he handed it to the blonde Skaven.
- Is your potential traitor on this list?
Bianka scanned every line with her gaze. As she read, her anxiety mounted. Sister Judy Hoffnung, High Priestess Rebmann, Brother Arcturus, Commander Renata… So many names she wished weren't on this list. And a name stubbornly refused to appear. Only one name, that of…
Yes!
She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the penultimate line.
- I can see this person, Opa.
- Perfect. So here is what I propose to you: I will immediately send an urgent letter to all these people to summon them tomorrow at two o'clock in the Council Chamber. You will stick around. When you see the suspicious person coming, you will slip away discreetly to go to its home. Hmm...but if that person is powerful, it live in a well-to-do place, with staff who might hold you back.
- I will use a document from the Temple of Verena to conduct a completely official investigation. I can have such a document. I'll be let in, or if not, it will only confirm my suspicions. Moreover, the obstruction of an official investigation can bring big trouble to its responsible! The staff will have to let me pass, or I'll come back with the Guard.
- Excellent idea! On the other hand, if the High Priestess tries to cause trouble for you for having used a warrant without her authorization, I shall tell her you acted on my order, that will clear you.
- Speaking of trouble, aren't you afraid of a dirty trick during this Council?
- I'll leave guards at the door, hoping they haven't taken a bribe. It's a risk to take, but we can't afford to let things drag on any longer. None of the people on this list would be clueless enough to betray itself for no reason in front of everyone anyway. And so, you go to your suspect's place, and you search. Don't worry, the Council will last all afternoon, you should have time. Once you find evidence, take it with you, take whatever you can, and interrupt the meeting. You will knock on the door, and you will say that... for example, here!
Steiner opened a desk drawer and rummaged through the papers stored inside. He took out a letter he had received two months before, still in its envelope decorated with the coat of arms of Prince Calderon. He handed it to the High Archivist.
- Well, that'll suit. It's a courtesy letter from Calderon, nothing very important. Listen carefully to these instructions: you will say Clarin sent me a very urgent missive. I'll pretend not to care, but you'll insist. I will ask you to give it to me, but you will not have brought it. Then I will beg you to fetch it for me, and also to bring me some tea. You will ask why I do not call on a servant, I will answer that I no longer trust anyone. These little details will be very important, my angel, because we have to make it seem like we are losing trust in each other.
- And so we risk finding ourselves in a weak position that our spy will be able to exploit!
- Exactly. I'm warning you: I'll look pissed off at everyone. Also, you must not take at face value the reproaches I will make to you.
- Yes, Opa, I understand. Should I return the favour to you?
- Don't hesitate to do so. Sixteen cups will be needed, you will come with a small cart. While I take the time to read the mail, you will serve me. Then I'll take over the Council while you fill the other cups. But above all, and this is the most important: when you serve your suspect, you will make a sign to designate him. After which, you will finish the service, and you will retire as naturally as possible. The meeting will continue, but before it ends, I will select the most reliable people and the suspect, and I will call Magdalena to have you come, I will tell her I have some letters for you to write. You'll come with your evidence, you'll show it, and we'll catch your criminal.
- Right. What sign are you thinking of?
- It would take a discreet gesture that no one could recognize as a sign.
- A sneeze?
- This is an idea, but it lacks discretion.
- What if I readjust my pendant?
- Yes, you will. On my side, I will put two sugars in my tea to show that I have seen your sign. You go out, you go back to your apartments, and you wait for Magdalena.
- Very well.
- One more thing:
The Prince stood up and took a few more steps. The floor creaked under his patent leather shoes.
- The Council Chamber has windows on one side only, and is located on the second floor. The person you suspect can escape through the window. I want you to tell your brother Kristofferson everything I just told you, and stay with trusted men in the garden, in case of our bird tries to fly away.
- Can't we call on Sigmund?
- He's still in jail, sweetheart. He must serve his sentence. Moreover, given the state in which he is, I fear that he's not in good condition for this kind of operation. No, Kristofferson will be ideal. He will only have to wait with his two friends, Klingmann and Demmler. But maybe you could… Yes! Even if he stays in the cell, you can go to Sigmund and at least explain our plan to him. Just the minimum necessary, there may be eavesdroppers in the prison. Just ask him which three members of the Black Guard would be the most reliable to help Kit and his friends. Six men, that'll be enough to stop a fugitive.
And this skunk will be trapped! thought the young ratgirl, who was already imagining the sad face of the culprit on the block. She was transported with relief and excitement. Soon, she would take her revenge, and would become a true instrument of justice! Verena would be sure to applaud her! Something, however, tempered her determination.
- But… what if I'm wrong? What if this suspect is not the right one? What if I find nothing in his lair?
- We'll see, we'll find another strategy. But I trust your judgement. Whoever it is, you will unmask the culprit.
The rain had stopped, and the rays of the sun were dazzling the young ratgirl. Rainwater evaporated in places, especially on the cobblestones of the main entrance to the property, so were Bianka's worries, as she was relieved and happy. Not only was her research not compromised, but the Prince would be able to greatly speed things up. Her grandfather was a smart man, his plan could not fail.
She had to refer to Kristofferson who was still working at the barracks with Wally. Besides, she had to visit Sigmund. But before that, there was still a little something to work out.
She climbed to the top of the east wing, where Gabriel's lab was located. She knocked vigorously several times on the heavy wooden door. After a long thirty seconds, Gabriel opened.
- Oh! Hello, Bianka.
- Good morning, Gabriel.
- Well… come in.
The ratgirl quickly sat down on one of the stools. She immediately detected the scent of fear.
- Well, Gab, it seems you're not in a perfect condition, by now?
- Oh… I… I try to manage. Not to… lose my mind.
- Too bad you didn't lose your tongue!
Gabriel sighed, the sigh of someone about to receive what he had long feared. So he decided not to play the ignorant.
- Opa spoke to you?
- Yes, he spoke to me. He told me things that I didn't really appreciate.
In front of the silence of the little ratboy, the young blonde Skaven raised her voice.
- You were warned that you shouldn't get involved in all this, Gabriel Steiner. You spied on us!
- I didn't do it on purpose, Bianka! I was out of breath because of the heat, I opened the window, and that's when I heard both of you.
Bianka reproached herself for her negligence. Her little brother wasn't completely wrong. But she didn't stop there.
- And you weren't supposed to tell Opa Ludwig about it, either! Why did you disobey me?
- Because… because I had to choose between you and Opa… and I chose Opa. He questioned me early this morning, and I didn't want to lie to him. I had to choose between telling the truth to my Prince, or hiding your activities. I chose to be honest.
The ratgirl hissed angrily, but the explanation made sense to her. Gabriel hastened to add:
- I'm very scared, Bianka! You go to dangerous places, you risk meeting bandits, and now, there are downright disciples of Chaos! I don't want anything bad to happen to you! Or to Kit!
As he spoke, he felt the gravity of the situation rising, like his own tears. When he thought about what Kristofferson had confided to him the day before, when he had thought him asleep, he burst into tears. Bianka hugged him.
- Hush, don't worry, it doesn't matter.
- This makes me… so… mad! Bad guys killed Father, they threaten us, they are everywhere, and when we want to defend ourselves or protect ourselves, we get punished!
- It's true, you're right, that's enough. We're going to find those bad guys. And Sigmund shall help us.
- How can he do it?
- You'll see. Come with me, we'll go see him.
- You mean… in prison?
The little ratboy suddenly seemed stunned by this prospect. His big sister tried to reassure him.
- There are not only perverts or irremediable murderers in prison, Gab. Sometimes, there are people who have made mistakes, and who regret them. It's a way to punish them without being too harsh.
Something pushed Gabriel to finally accept to accompany Bianka. He couldn't define precisely what. Was the desire to see his big brother whom he had not seen for several days already? Was an unhealthy curiosity to be able to explore this formidable place for the first time, and on the right side of the bars?
Gabriel regretted his decision when he saw the barracks. The building seemed even more severe and menacing than the Temple of Morr, and the statues of Sigmar and Verena on either side of the front door reminded him of the weight of their judgment on his frail shoulders. He barely noticed the presence of the soldiers around him, or was aware of the stone-walled corridors they passed through to reach a corridor where the cells were lined up. On their way, Skaven prisoners remained silent as graves.
Finally, they arrived at the last cell. Gabriel, who arrived first, immediately spotted in a dark corner the bunk on which his big, black coated brother, was sitting.
- Siggy!
The Black Skaven raised his head, and a bright smile lit up his face.
- Gab! Bianka!
- Hey, Siggy!
- Good to see you, Gabriel murmured, his throat tight.
The blonde ratgirl glanced at the other cells.
- They are rather calm, I expected to hear a torrent of salacious proposals.
- They know who you are and who I am, Bianka. And so, they know what could happen to them if they speak badly to you in my presence.
Bianka's nose wrinkled in irritation.
- I'm not sure I enjoy being your fragile little thing to protect, Siggy?
- You always have been to me.
- Yes, but maybe that could change? Kristofferson will tell you something about it.
- If you say so. How is Soso?
- How do you think she is? Every night, she cries. Every day, the servant is obliged to eat in front of her one portion of the contents of her plate to show her that there is no poison in it.
- What a misery…
Gabriel took advantage of the break to express his feelings:
- You shouldn't be here, Siggy! It is not fair!
- Of course it is, Gab. It's like that. I did something stupid, and when you do something stupid, it is normal to be punished.
- It's that evil Bretonnian who should be in prison! Not you!
- I attacked an official messenger, Gab. This is a very big mistake.
- Will… will you be relaxed soon?
- I don't know, but I shouldn't be held here too long. Maybe in a week, ten days at most.
- Sorry, Siggy, but we can't talk much.
- You're right. What do you want, Bianka?
The ratgirl leaned forward.
- I can't say too many things, but… Kit and I conducted an investigation to find Father's killer. We found clues that led us to a suspect.
- What? By the Scale of Verena!
- I can't say more, this killer most likely has accomplices infiltrated here. All I want is for you to tell me which three Black Guards you trust the most.
- Easy!
Sigmund unhesitatingly gave three names. Bianka wrote them down, and thanked her twin brother. It was time to leave. Sigmund gently took Gabriel's hand in his, through the bars.
- Gab, don't worry about me. Here, I am treated well, I have a cell all to myself, without bad company, and I eat properly. Everything is fine.
Bianka whispered one last time:
- Hey, watch your ass!
- The first who would try to touch it without my permission would lose both arms.
The two young ratmen took leave of the Black Skaven.
Once in the yard, Gabriel sniffled, and wiped his eyes.
- Coming was a bad idea.
- Why do you say that?
- Because… Poor, poor Sigmund! Caged like a beast!
- He'll get over it. You know, it's not the first time.
- He looked like a criminal! What a shame for him! How dreadful! I shouldn't have come.
- And yet, when he saw you, he felt much better. I assure you, it made him very happy to see you.
- You think… he wasn't… ashamed… to be seen in prison by me?
- I told you, he doesn't care about that kind of thing.
Bianka joined Walter and Kristofferson. While Gabriel waited in a small room next to the captain's office, the blonde Skaven told her brother and her friend about the unexpected turn their investigation had just taken, now that the Prince had gotten involved. Without going into details, she summarized the plan suggested by Steiner. Walter hastened to write a mission order for Sergeant Demmler, as well as the three Black Guards appointed by Sigmund.
Everyone was in agreement for the execution of the plan. Bianka remained worried.
- Wally, really, be very, very careful! Anyone can be a servant of the Purple Hand!
- I trust Pol. And if Sigmund trusts the three he told me about, then I'll do the same.
- No doubt, but that does not preclude caution, replied Kristofferson.
- I will carry the mission orders myself, there will be no risk of an indiscreet intermediary.
- Remember that the most modest sewer worker can be one of their eyes or one of their ears… like the highest placed soldier.
As Kristofferson spoke these words, Walter saw a small gleam in his friend's eye that disturbed him.
- I hope you're not getting to suspect me, my friend?
- No, I'm not, don't worry. I have always known you, you would be incapable of betraying the Rat Kingdom.
- I could return the compliment.
- Note, children of Prince who plot against their forefather to take power have already been seen, Bianka allowed herself to add cynically.
- Just like traitors to the crown, retorted the captain in the same tone.
Walter decided to put things right.
- Kit, Bianka, you're like my family. I'm an only child, as you know it, you always have been my brothers and my sister, you and Siggy. I do what I can to honour the education that my Human parents instilled in me. Your father was a bit like my uncle, I want to find and punish his killer as much as you do. I want to prove that Skaven are as good as Humans when it comes to selflessness and a sense of justice. Remember this, and never doubt my faithfulness.
The brother and sister had the same determination in their eyes. All doubt was completely dispelled. Kristofferson solemnly declared:
- Tomorrow, we will unmask a real traitor, and the day after tomorrow, we will find and neutralize its accomplices. Let us stand united in the face of adversity, and we will deliver our Kingdom from an insidious threat, for the Virtue of our Unicorn!
- For the Virtue of our Unicorn, Bianka and Walter repeated in unison.
They parted ways at these words. Kristofferson accompanied Gabriel back to the Steiner Estate, while Bianka returned to the Temple of Verena.
She locked herself in her office. When she was sure and certain to be alone, she finally allowed herself to release her tension through tears.