Despite the threatening look of the blond Skaven, Brisingr Steadyhand didn't lose his composure.
- Me, a "criminal"? Then I would be this famous traitor?
- That's exactly what I'm about to prove. Opa Ludwig, Commander, your Honour, I claim that Magister Brisingr Sure Hand is a spy working for the Purple Hand.
Brisingr Steadyhand glanced at Steiner.
- So your granddaughter is the "reliable source" you were talking about earlier, your Majesty?
- I would say even more, the source of your worst problems to come! replied Bianka.
The Prince raised his hand.
- We'll get this straightened out. But before that...
He turned to the front door.
- Sergeant Weller? Come here!
The doors opened to reveal Sergeant Weller and the two guards who accompanied him.
- Gentlemen, please pay close attention to what is to follow. You are going to process an arrest shortly.
- At your command, your Highness, replied the sergeant.
The magister didn't seem destabilized by the accusation of the blonde Skaven. Without raising his voice, he asked calmly:
- Before arresting a so-called criminal, you need a specific accusation and evidence. Have you either, your Majesty?
- Oh, yes, I have! Bianka exclaimed. And that is what I will now present!
- We're listening to you, High Archivist, Commander Renata replied.
Bianka rubbed her nose, coughed, took a breath, and began her presentation:
"A few days ago, my father, the Master Mage, was fatally poisoned during a meal to which the most important personalities of Steinerburg were invited. With Verena's help and the support of the Prince, I conducted my investigation to find the person responsible for this crime. I specify that I have always had the concern to present admissible evidence to the temple of Verena, whether it is testimonies obtained within the framework of interrogations in order, or elements unearthed by methods in agreement with the commandments of the Goddess of Justice. I decided to trust three people, at first: my two brothers, Sigmund and Kristofferson, as well as Captain Walter Klingmann. At first, I wanted to protect my family from all the risks involved in this case, and I preferred not to tell other people about it, because anyone could be a member of the Purple Hand cult. The Prince nevertheless found out what I was doing, and agreed to support me."
"As our investigations were progressing, we realized we were dealing with dangerous individuals. People who are not afraid to shed blood to silence the intruders, and who do not hesitate to threaten to destroy an entire district to erase their tracks. Gradually, the clues and affirmations came together to draw the portrait of a particular individual. And curiously, when I was not very far from having definitive proof against him, I've been the victim of an assassination attempt, in my mother's greenhouse! You know Provost, Commander, rumours have been circulating that someone tried to kill me last night. But what you haven't been told yet is that this "someone" was actually "something". More precisely a small Demon of Tzeentch, the God of Change!"
Brisingr Steadyhand wanted to show sympathy.
- Another less strong person would have lost reason or life there. You were very brave, and I'm sorry, little mouse. I should have been there to stop it.
- You can be sorry, Steadyhand! Because you were there, and not for right reasons, you liar!
At these words, the Elf's complexion flushed. Outraged, he retorted:
- First, I am a criminal, now a liar? It starts to get a little bit too much. Before being a Mage, I am a Lorekeeper, like your grandfather, Prior Romulus and Provost Tomas! Lying is not part of my habits. You can ask all the clerics and other initiates I have met, they will all tell you that I spent the evening at the Verena temple!
- You only had to be away for a long enough time to make the round trip to the Steiner estate. You didn't even have to break in, the guards know you. You went to the greenhouse while I was watering the flowers, and you conjured up a Chaos Horror thanks to a magic potion contained in a vial! Denying it is useless, Steadyhand! We found residue from the fluid you used, and my little brother saw you before this thing attacked me!
- Oh, really? He saw me? Your little brother? Are we talking about Gabriel?
- Who else? Until proven otherwise, he is the only brother younger than me!
- That is what I was thinking about. You reassure me.
- A trusted witness recognizes you, and that reassures you? You're lunatic or stupid!
Brisingr leaned forward, bringing his face up to Bianka's. He murmured with a satisfied smile:
- "Trusted witness"? Let me doubt that brother, little mouse.
- In what way would he be less sincere than another one?
- Come on, please, don't be silly. The problem is not sincerity, but validity. With all the sympathy I have for Gabriel, I don't believe his testimony to be very reliable, especially at this time when his youthful mind is particularly disturbed by the family tragedy you're living.
- Tragedy to which you actively contribute, Master Steadyhand!
- That's a serious accusation, little mouse.
- Stop calling me "little mouse"!
- This accusation is too serious to be made without proof, little mouse. Did your brother clearly recognize me? Is he sure and certain that he saw me, for real, and not another? There are other Elves in the Rat Kingdom.
- It was not the first time you behaved suspiciously in our house, Magister. Gabriel also caught you waving at your accomplices during the banquet where my father died!
- I repeat to you what I said to Captain Klingmann when he questioned me on this subject: I stretched a little to smooth out my muscles, while addressing a few words to Hoeth, my God. Like everyone! Don't tell me you never summoned Verena?
- Of course I do. And one of his commands is to fight against the Chaos Gods and their representatives, like you!
- I am not a conspirator, little mouse!
- And yet, you act like a conspirator! Commander, Provost, Opa, I will develop my argument.
- I hope that the indictment will not be too long, it could become tiresome.
- We're talking about your life, Steadyhand! replied the Prince sternly. And my son's life! So it will take as long as it takes! Bianka, continue, please.
The young blonde Skaven changed her expression. She wanted to bring down her anger which had risen a little too high for her liking.
- The first time I saw you acting suspiciously was in the reading room of the temple of Verena. Do you admit being there?
- Several times, I'm studying magic last days, and I regularly find instructive writings there.
- The other day, you read a particular book from the reserve. Undoubtedly a book with access made limited by its sulphurous content!
- "Undoubtedly"? You're not sure, then? Can you find the title of this book?
- Impossible, you erased it by toasting the page of the consultation record book!
- It's bad luck, I admit it, but who says I am responsible? Maybe someone held a candle a little too close to this notebook, and a drop of wax fell on the page?
- Indeed, it would be really bad luck! But I paid no further attention to it, because my father's murder had not yet happened, and I judged it to be unimportant. Contrary to what has happened in recent days. Master Steadyhand, perhaps you can explain what you were doing in the Mousetrap?
Renata felt her eyebrows furrow when she heard that name. Klingmann had told her about bloody murders that had recently taken place in that district. Steinerburg's guard captain had deemed the nature of these crimes savage enough to tell him about them, and rightly so. Provost Tomas, on the other hand, seemed unaware.
- What is the Mousetrap doing in the conversation, High Archivist? asked the Verenean.
- I shall explain everything, your Honour: my investigation led me to this neighbourhood, and I discovered some very sordid things.
- And what is the relationship with me? The Mousetrap is not really the kind of place I like to frequent.
- Don't worry, Master Steadyhand, you'll understand. I sought to understand how my father's murderer had obtained poison made from Jabberwocky blood. I went to Herbert Lorne's, the owner of the Proud Sigmarite inn. According to Captain Klingmann, this Mousetrap establishment is known for its illegal under-the-counter activities. And indeed, Lorne admitted he had supplied Jabberwocky blood. I pretended to be a new client. He gave me an appointment two hours later to introduce me to a purveyor. But when I came to the meeting, Lorne was dead. Someone had slaughtered him inhumanely.
- The guard didn't find the body, but Lorne's employees confirmed a normal man couldn't have committed such carnage, added Commander Renata. I suppose it was comparable to the sad state in which Weller found Otto Rademacher?
- Who is that? Prior Arcturus asked.
- Another collateral damage, I'll get to that in a minute, Bianka replied. Lorne had a small ornament in his hand, a brooch with a Strigany craft fabric flower. With my brother, I went to the Other Strygos the day after, and we found the merchant who sold it to the person who killed Lorne. Our merchant was adamant: this customer was an Elf, well-bred, with a melodious voice, fine manners, and concealing his face under a hood.
Stares towards Steadyhand became more suspicious. He remained relaxed.
- So what? There are other Elves in Steinerburg, and when you pass through a neighbourhood like the Other Strygos, it's normal to want to go unnoticed. Everyone wears loose, neutral clothes in this kind of place.
- Yes, but with your particular hair, you can be recognized from a hundred yards away! You need all the more to hide your attributes. But I haven't finished yet; the merchant then told us there had been a fire the night before, that is to say a few hours after the slaughter of Lorne. I don't really know how or why, but I had a hunch we needed to take a look. Probably my Skaven instinct which manifests itself in this way? Anyway, we went to inspect the place. And there, it did not fail. It was not an accident, but rather arson.
- What makes you say that, High Archivist? Prior Arcturus asked.
- The fire started in an attic. Everything was burned in the room. Clothes, furniture, documents were reduced to ashes… except for this!
Bianka took a half-burnt sheet of paper from her satchel. Brisingr held out his hand, with a gesture that silently requested the document. The high archivist quickly stepped back.
- Oh no, you won't touch it! No way of letting another drop of wax fall on it!
- Can I at least know what it is?
- Of course, but I shall give it to Provost Tomas.
She handed the paper to the judge.
- This is a list of ingredients for I don't know what recipe. But keep this in mind, remember this writing, you will see. In the meantime, this is not the most awful thing we found.
- Oh, was there something else? asked Bäsenhau.
The steward seemed more and more intrigued and eager to know what happened next.
You won't be disappointed, my little fellow! thought the blonde Skaven.
- Once the fire was brought under control by the inhabitants, two tramps came to end the night in the building, to be safe from the bullies prowling the streets. One of them was called Otto Rademacher. It was the man you mentioned, Commander Renata. The other was a friend of his, named Arnulf. Arnulf went up first, he went to sleep in the room opposite the one where the fire had broken out. He was awakened by the sound of someone's footsteps going up to the same floor. He then saw a figure through the door: that of a very tall, very thin, and very graceful individual, much like an Elf dancer!
The young ratgirl paused briefly to let the audience digest this information. The magister didn't react more than the others.
- Arnulf didn't see what happened in the bedroom, but he nevertheless saw bright, multi-coloured lights and crackling flames, as if a magic fire was blazing. The kind of magical fire a Bright College pupil quickly learns to summon, isn't it, Magister?
Bianka looked the Elf straight in his eyes. He didn't look away. On the contrary, he supported, and murmured:
- Keep on going.
- Otto Rademacher has arrived. He surprised the visitor in "his" room, and ordered him to get off the flour. Ah yes, I almost forgot! The gracious visitor was deep in conversation with someone else, someone Arnulf hadn't seen coming. I think that other person went through the window, I don't see how they could have done otherwise. In any case, the two mysterious accomplices both had an enchanting voice. This fits well with the testimony of the merchant who described the Elf who bought her a brooch, doesn't it.
- And you think that Rademacher was killed by these two strange visitors?
- That's what Arnulf affirmed, Prior Arcturus. Our witness saw nothing, but he heard everything: the terrifying roar of a wild beast, Otto's cries that mixed unimaginable pain and a fear that would make your heart stop short, then nothing. The graceful individual withdrew, and the other one disappeared. Arnulf only saw one person leave the room. A few hours later, Kristofferson and I arrived. We found Rademacher's body there, and quietly reported it to the Watch. He was in the same state as Lorne was.
- I saw Rademacher, and the result was really dirty! Sergeant Weller confirmed.
- The body was not the only thing, I also spotted something at the scene of the crime: a bloody print, left with the palm of a right hand. I saw the same handprint near Lorne's body. I did some research, and found that this handprint, presumably left by the killer, confirms his membership in the Purple Hand!
The Tilean woman narrowed her eyes.
- I have never faced them, but I have seen their mark before, before coming to Vereinbarung.
- I dealt with them a long time ago, the Priest of Sigmar added. The bloody handprint is one of their signs of recognition.
- That's the point where I wanted to guide the story, resumed Bianka. Master Steadyhand, I accuse you of having eliminated Lorne, then Rademacher, and of having wanted to clean up the Other Strygos where you had a hideout more discreet than your official lodgings!
Everyone waited for an answer from the tall Elf. Still calm, he shrugged.
- All this is a very stinking story, I'll give you that, but nothing proves this brooch-amateur and witnesses-killer Elf is really me. I have more interesting business to do than wander around this dump, little mouse.
- In that case, instead of calling me by that ridiculous nickname again, maybe you can tell us what kind of interesting business you do with this?
With a sure hand, Bianka pulled out of her satchel a very singular object, so much so that there were slight exclamations. It was a large volume bound in dark brown leather, the cover sutured with rough seams. The leather was punctured in places with craters that looked more like pustules. The paper on the pages seemed yellowed and eaten away by mildew. The title was scarified directly into the treated skin. The most disturbing was the back cover: it bore an engraving representing a curious symbol.
Brisingr raised his eyebrows.
- What is that?
- You know it very well, Magister, I found it in the room you occupy at the inn of Esmeralda's Blessing, where you have been staying for months.
- Oh, congratulations! You went through my stuff!
- On my order, specified the Prince. Bianka told me she was suspecting someone close to me was a member of the Purple Hand. I trusted her, and I allowed her to investigate in her own way.
- I precise I found it with the assistance of Verena, because it was well hidden, under the parquet floor of your bedroom.
Bianka handed the huge book to Prior Arcturus.
- Have a look, Prior, but be careful! Pinch your nose first!
The tall bald Human contemplated the book, and read aloud:
- "Codex Manu Fatali". In classical language, it means "Codex of the Hand of Destiny". As for this...
He presented the back of the volume to his interlocutors. The engraved seal represented a circle on either side of which two growths started. The left one, long, undulated to the top of the circle, its end turned to the right. The one on the right, shorter, pointed in the same direction.
- You men and women of science know what it is: the symbol of Tzeentch, the God of Chaos and Magic. For his worshipers, he is also linked to Fate and Change. Mutations, therefore. Apparently, this book is dedicated to this God, which is hardly surprising with such a title.
The Prince frowned.
- Apparently, indeed. And beyond appearances?
Brother Arcturus laid the thick codex on the table. He opened it carefully, leafed through it, and his face contorted in worry and fear.
- I didn't know this book, but I recognize some of the most common rituals and prayers among the worshipers of Tzeentch!
- Are you sure this is an authentic piece? Bäsenhau asked.
- I have a good way to find it out! replied the Sigmarite.
Brother Arcturus closed his eyes, and stretched his hands over the book. He stayed like that for about fifteen seconds. When he opened his eyes, he wiped his sweat-soaked brow.
- I used Sigmar's clairvoyance to see through the artifices. This object does indeed emit unhealthy vibrations.
Provost Tomas advanced.
- May I try?
- Please, Provost. Two opinions are better than one.
Tomas was a far more committed servant of Verena than Bianka already was, so much so that he was able to detect emissions from the winds of magic, like Arcturus. He gestured above the Codex Manu Fatali. And came to the same conclusion.
- I confirm, it is not a simple dummy work or a poor quality copy. Given the tenor of the resonance I sensed, this codex was more than likely used for blasphemous rituals! When we no longer need it for the investigation, it will have to be put under magical seals, in one of the secret rooms of a building held by the Lorekeepers.
Brother Arcturus picked up the book, and flipped through it again.
- Indeed, this book relates about forbidden magic, this is heresy!
Bianka approached the priest of Sigmar.
- That's what I saw before coming, Prior, but look there, in the margin.
Bianka put her slender finger on a small paragraph. These were added annotations.
- There are some everywhere along these pages. The dark colour of the ink and the sharpness of the characters confirm that these words were written very recently. These notes were written by the hand that wrote the Other Strygos ingredient list!
To corroborate her assertion, Bianka pulled out the list in question.
- Brother Sander compared the writings, I questioned him just before coming. He's formal, they match. So, Master Steadyhand, what do you have to say?
- I have to say you're going a bit too quickly. You found this book in my room, let's face it. Anyone could have put it there. And I don't agree on one point: if it is the same hand that wrote this list of ingredients and the notes on this book, nothing proves that it is mine!
Brisingr had an ironic smirk, which the ratgirl gave him in turn.
- I knew your bad faith would push you to deny the obvious.
And she took out of her satchel the register of the consultations of the library of the temple of Verena. She put it on the table, then cleared her throat loudly.
- Look, Opa! The other day, I saw our suspect looking at a book from the stash, you remember. No way at the time to know which book it was, because the paper mysteriously heated up at the location of the title, because of, I quote, "a drop of wax". The person who recorded the consultation couldn't remember that information, either – bad luck, she's a bit forgetful. This little burning is an easy sleight of hand for a Bright Magister accustomed to playing with fire, of course. But he did not erase his name. I made compared by the same expert the list, annotations and this page. He was categorical: it is the same writing, both on the list and the name on this register or the annotations added to the pages of this Codex Manu Fatali! This is proof that Master Steadyhand was working on it!
- Your Highness, I've just thought of something, Provost Tomas declared so.
The long-haired Human walked over to the large table, grabbed the list of Council members present, and showed it to the Prince.
- This is the record on which are written the names of all the participants in the War Council. It is mandatory to write one at the beginning of each Council. We did it all together earlier. Look at the signature of the Magister: it matches with the one on the notebook of the reading room. As for the writing, it is the same, as on the list, and on the codex!
The documents circulated quickly through the hands of the Prince, the High Archivist and the Prior of Sigmar.
- Ah-ha! the ratgirl exclaimed triumphantly.
Bianka looked Brisingr straight in the eye.
- You signed this report in front of fifteen trusted witnesses! It is therefore not a forgery, and this document definitely links you with the Purple Hand! What do you have to answer that?
The bright Elf didn't say a word. The silence was however more eloquent in the ears of the young ratgirl. Prince Steiner raised his hand. Immediately, the guards and the sergeant raised their weapons in the direction of the Elf. This one didn't move. More and more convinced, Bianka lost her temper. She coughed again, and yelped:
- You are a servant of the forces of Chaos, Master Steadyhand! All the evidence is there! You work for the Purple Hand, this cult is notorious for creating havoc wherever it goes, and that's why you eliminated my father!
- This is a strong and interesting argument, well-constructed, with concrete supporting elements. If I had been in your place, with your beliefs, I would not have done better. But I have another explanation to submit, if I have your Majesty's permission.
- You have it, Steadyhand, the Prince responded curtly. Speak!
Bianka coughed nervously, scratched her nose, and met the Elf's gaze again. She then detected a disturbing light in his amethyst gaze. She felt almost spellbound at the sound of his sweet voice.
- Everything has been put in place to discredit me and portray me as a traitor. Well, when I say "everything", I should say "the High Archivist". Yes, I'm talking about you. Who tells me it was not you who fabricated all this evidence? Since our first meeting, I have sensed in you a certain antipathy towards me, little mouse. If it is, you are the traitor who wants to get rid of an embarrassing element. A few dodgy testimonies from drunken bums and a deranged kid, bogus documents with an imitation of my handwriting, enough conviction in front of the Prince to make me consider as the bad guy, and voila.
- And why would I have done all that? whispered the ratgirl in a voice choking with anger.
- For power. Being the eldest daughter in a ruling family is not easy, especially when she has the same temperament as a petty warlord. Beneath your air of an obedient and well-educated girl, you are nonetheless an ambitious person, who seeks to rise to the highest. For the moment, you are High Archivist, but who knows how high you want to rise? And above all, wouldn't your gender and your condition be obstacles?
- Develop, please, Bianka muttered, ready to explode.
The Elf took a few very slow steps around the young ratgirl.
- You are not the only one to investigate people who seem suspicious to you. I learned about you from other members of the Verena temple, your grandfather's servants, and others. I drew the following conclusion: you are a brilliant person, with a remarkable intelligence, and piously devoted to your religion, up to fanaticism. And so, you care above all about your convictions, your mission... and by extension, your success, and only this. The others don't matter, apart from your family members. The whole world could collapse, as long as the people you love are with you, at your disposal, you wouldn't care. Therefore, society has its rules, and you can't escape them. I think you've realized that lately, and you've decided to act on it.
Bianka didn't answer, she just gave a little nod to encourage Brisingr Steadyhand to finish his interpretation of the facts.
- Over time, your projects would inevitably come up against the harsh reality of your condition as the granddaughter of a Prince: as such, you must marry a noble to gain new ground for your family, and have children in order to perpetuate the lineage. Who knows, maybe your parents have already planned your wedding with a Skaven adopted by a noble family, whom you have never seen? Indeed! This is something that would greatly displease the proud and career-minded High Archivist. Alas, there is no way to avoid it... unless you become the person who decides! Your father is no longer here already, but there are two potential male heirs ahead of you. One of them will succeed your grandfather, by birth right. But it can change. What if something bad happened to your brother Kristofferson? It would bring you closer to the throne, wouldn't it? Of course, Sigmund remains, but knowing him, he won't need you to get himself into enough mortal trouble. There is even a chance that he will tragically disappear in the coming weeks, under the sword of a Bretonnian or the knife of a Feral Skaven. Now, in your calculations, I am a troublesome person. Because I know your family well without being attached to it. Because I have a free hand in finding and hunting down criminal traitors to the crown, whoever they are. So you've decided to kill two birds with one stone: you got rid of your father and you're trying to pin this murder on me. Thus you get closer to the dominant position, and you move away an individual who could hinder your ascent. And who won't fail to do so, now that he sees clearly in your little game.
Bianka felt a dizziness make her head spin. The purple glow in his eyes was equally unsettling. She coughed several times, shook her head, and challenged him again with her stare.
Above all, I must not appear weakened, especially not in front of the highest authorities of Vereinbarung!
Brisingr smiled, and his lips quirked almost unearthly. His voice became hypnotic, and his words echoed in the blonde Skaven's ears, with a more and more pronounced echo.
- And so, here is my conclusion: you accuse me of being a servant of Tzeentch, but you are the queen of intrigue! Well, it is quickly said; facing people below you on the social scale, you are a real terror, but if you were confronted to people as dangerous as those I met in the past, you would be as helpless and terrified as a naked little mouse in front of a hungry snake.
The atmosphere had become so heavy, so suffocating, so explosive, that a simple spark from a lighter flint would have been enough to set the whole floor ablaze. Bianka felt an unpleasant tingle in her palms. She lowered her muzzle, and her eyes widened when she saw that the insides of her both hands were streaked with four small bloody grooves. Mainsûre spoke to Steiner without taking his eyes off the blonde Skaven.
- Don't you agree, your Highness?
- I don't!
Startled, Brisingr turned to the Prince. His smile then faded. Immediately, his disturbing magnetism dissipated, and the young ratgirl felt that she was regaining full possession of her faculties, thanks to the support of her grandfather.
- You don't know Bianka the way I know her, Steadyhand. Never, I mean, never she would stoop to plotting against her own family in the abominable way you have just supposed! Not only are you accusing her wrongly, but you are also insulting her. And you're taking me for a fool, like King Marcus! Do you know the story of King Marcus?
- I don't, your Highness. Please enlighten me.
- This is the story of a king married to a woman much younger than him, who kept cheating on him with a handsome man. This little young man, Tantris, happened to be Marcus' nephew. He was very cunning, unlike his uncle; King Marcus was a poor, naïve man who happily believed all the lies of the two young lovers. He was madly in love with his wife, and in awe of his nephew who accumulated warlike exploits in his name, so he couldn't conceive of such betrayal on their part. Many times, the king's advisers, envious of Tantris' success with Marcus, tried to warn their ruler, but he refused to listen. And each time one or the other devised a scheme to trap the two young people and confront King Marcus with reality, events would follow one another to prove the lies of the young queen and the lover right. And throughout history, King Marcus was a cuckold like no other.
- What does it have to do with me, Your Highness? I have no intention of cuckolding anyone in your Court.
- Enough insolence, Steadyhand! The report is that all the evidence points to your guilt in this matter, and that I will not be deceived by your words as King Marcus!
- Your evidence is unreliable witnesses and a few letters, all presented by a little brat who viscerally hates me. Don't you have better?
- And you? Is that all you have to say for your defence? Instead of strengthening your position, you just want to weaken what binds you to the Purple Hand! Schmetterling tried the same strategy, you remember. And you also remember where that got him, I suppose? Anyway, I am the Prince, I am the supreme authority of the Rat Kingdom, and I decide who to trust! And between my granddaughter and an interested Magister, I know who to!
Steiner trembled with anger. The fiery mage shook his head.
- If I really am a Purple Hand cultist, why would have I been struggling for the Rat Kingdom all this time? I'm not just talking about the College of Fire that I helped build, I'm also talking about my fight against the Orcs at Wüstengrenze, I'm talking about all those years I challenged the authority of the Empire in order to help you in your research on the Skaven, and I'm talking about that night when I brought you the young Skaven female who would become your daughter, and therefore your most precious treasure! My story is linked to that of the Steiner family, I will never betray it.
- And yet, too many elements agree in this sense. Everything my granddaughter has presented points to you as a slave to the God of Change. You may be a victim of appearances, but maybe you are also playing with it to better deceive us? Agents of Tzeentch excel in this art. Either way, I can't afford to let you go without a solid investigation orchestrated by Verena's finest priests.
The young ratgirl again saw a strange light in the Elf's violet eyes. This time it was a glowing glow like embers. His soft voice articulated in an icy tone:
- Be careful, your Highness: you know it, I am a Magister of the College of Aqshy. If you do anything against me, the College of Fire might take it the wrong way.
- Your colleagues shall not defend a member of a sect of heretics! On the contrary, they will do everything to make you disappear!
- If I'm the one you say I am, what I'm not. And when Patriarch Gormann gets wind of the matter, given his character, it will likely cause serious relationship problems with the Empire, what is commonly referred to as a "diplomatic incident." Are you ready to take the risk?
Steiner took a step forward, raised his hand to his face, and clenched his fist. Bianka's ear fluttered when she heard the creak of the glove's leather.
- How dare you, are you threatening me, Steadyhand? So you've finished convincing me. And to track down and punish my son's murderers, I'm more than ready to take every risk!
The Prince paused, inhaled and exhaled several times to smother the blaze that made his face glow. Then he said calmly:
- Here, in the Rat Kingdom, we try to respect everyone's beliefs. Humans and Skaven live together, but only Human Gods are allowed within our borders. My son prayed to the Horned Rat, but he did it discreetly, and refused to see anyone else worshiping this God. Today, he is no longer there… because of you. Guards?
The guards approached, their weapons still pointed at the mage.
- Sergeant Weller, put this man in jail. Tie his hands tightly, gag his mouth, and hide his head under a bag. You will have him continuously watched by at least three guards. We must not take any risk that he escapes while awaiting his trial. If you are the innocent you're pretending to be, Steadyhand, you have nothing to fear, and therefore, any act of rebellion on your part will automatically be considered as evidence of high treason. So spoke the Prince.
Brisingr offered no resistance when the sergeant handcuffed him. The Prince then opened the window completely, and called Kristofferson and his comrades.
- Hey, you boys! Come here, and accompany Sergeant Weller to escort our culprit to the prison!
Bianka felt her brain go incandescent, as if under the influence of a violent fever. Finally, she let her anger run wild.
- From the beginning, I knew well that was you! You bastard! You crook! I hope my father finds you on the other side, and laughs in your face before punching it!
The bright mage replied with a contemptuous pout:
- You are making a big mistake, little mouse.
It was too much for Bianka. She grabbed the milk jug on the table, and threw its content at the Elf.
- And don't call me "little mouse"!
- Out of my sight! the Prince shouted in turn.
Sergeant Weller rudely pushed the Elf out of the room. Brother Arcturus followed suit.
- I should better accompany them to the barracks, your Majesty.
- Do so, Brother Arcturus.
Once the five men left, everyone looked at each other. Bäsenhau untied the collar of his shirt. Commander Renata took a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped her forehead. Provost Tomas took a deep breath, and blew long. He turned to the Prince, his glass eye glinting in a ray of sunlight.
- I propose to send a message to Nuln now, so that the local temple brings in a Swordbearer.
- A what?
- In the most serious trials, especially those for heresy, the deceptions can be numerous, in particular if the defendants have the intelligence devious enough to manipulate the courts. Also, in order to be sure of the veracity of all the testimonies, one can call on a priest who has received special training: a Swordbearer. This priest is so devoted to Verena that he has bound his soul to a sword forged for Verena, whose blade is blessed by a high dignitary. This mystical link transmits to the sword the empathy of its Bearer; it obtains from him the faculty of spotting lies, and of immediately punishing their author. No court respecting the servants of the Goddess of Justice in any way can refute testimonies or answers given under the watch of the Sword of Verena.
The steward discreetly raised his hand.
- Wouldn't that be considered as a threat, or extortion?
- No, Master Bäsenhau. Verena's Sword embodies all that our Justice holds most sacred. Each Bearer is an individual with a heart and soul purer than a diamond. They are hand-picked among the most devoted disciples and most able to feel the emotions of others, and their word cannot be doubted. What do you think about it, your Highness?
- Sounds like a very good idea to me. I only hope that the Temple of Verena will agree to send one of its most precious elements to a Kingdom where war has just been declared, and that we won't have to wait too long for him!*
- I shall immediately write the mail.
Before leaving the Council room in turn, the provost of Verena addressed the blonde Skaven one last time.
- Your investigations are impressive, High Archivist. I will be sure to report this to High Priestess Rebmann. She'll appreciate, and so Verena will too.
Bianka suddenly felt elated when she realized what it meant.
Many thanks, Verena, we won. I WON!
But contrary to what she hoped, the fever did not fall. On the contrary, it became stronger, more biting.
Suddenly, Bianka felt the world suddenly turn upside down around her. She fell to her knees. Steiner spun around to her.
- Treasure? What's wrong?
Bianka turned her head towards her grandfather, and opened her mouth to answer him. But she could only throw up a violent flood of vomit which spread over the marble slabs. Several exclamations of surprise and disgust rang out in the room. The young ratgirl widened her eyes in panic. Before sinking definitively into unconsciousness, she heard the voice of Prior Romulus one last time, and the words froze her heart:
- Don't come any closer! Go away! She may be contagious!