- We're not very far away. There, look!
Maximus Himmelstoss aimed his spear toward the hill a few leagues away. The sun had been up for a few hours, and yet a thick, greyish, and too thick for the season mist hung. Moreover, the first to enter its wake shivered, while a sly little wind whistled in their ears.
Small luminous plumes burst through this mist in places on the hill.
Pankraz Ickert took a telescope out of his satchel and looked in that direction.
- I confirm, Captain, we're approaching Commander Renata's camp, I can see the banners.
- Perfect! Captain Steiner muttered. We continue in this direction. Let's press on, but still be careful where you step!
The troop led by the Black Guard plunged into the mist. Prior Romulus made out a little further east of the hill the dark shape of the Forest of the White Wolf. He couldn't help but nervously swallow his saliva thinking about the carnage that was sure to occur in the next few hours.
Sigmund seemed more nervous, but he wasn't bothered by fear. Rather, he felt rage burning his intestines. He finally turns to the prior, his teeth clenched.
- How foolish I was to have listened to you! I should have imprisoned him!
- Sigmund, don't think about that again! the Human ordered. You made the right decision, I swear.
- My trust in you led me to obey you, and this is the result! How do I look like now?
- You do look like someone who doesn't strive unnecessarily on a defeated adversary. You know very well it wouldn't have fixed anything with the Bretonnians, nor would it have appeased your anger. It wasn't your rage that was expressed, for once, but your reason.
- If that had been my reason, he would be on his way to the jail of Steinerburg to pay for his crimes!
- We have his gold, it will repay the damage.
- He collaborated with the Purple Hand!
- No, he has only been one of their instruments. I am certain he was manipulated by Palebough. We shall find the real culprits, and we don't need to do more. Whether Vaucanson is in prison or not makes no difference, the humiliation of defeat will be the worst punishment for his honour as a Bretonnian.
- He said it himself, he no longer has any honour.
- Then, in this case, he is stateless. He has nowhere left to go. He won't be able to take back his seat at the Montfort. His reputation was already not very shining, now he will be considered as an example not to be followed. Perhaps the King will even declare him as anathema, which will condemn him to take refuge in the Barony of the Damned as an outcast, what is the worst punishment for a lord of Bretonnia, believe me.
The Black Skaven grumbled, but thought, and this perspective didn't seem too unsatisfactory to him. Something else, however, bothered him.
- You may be right, Prior, but what will Opa Ludwig say?
- I told you, I'll talk to your grandfather about it, and you won't have to fear any punishment. You obeyed your heart, and Shallya's word of mercy. If it makes you feel any better, I'll take the responsibility for this issue to Ludwig. Now Vaucanson is behind us, so save your anger for those in front of us. The Bretonnians have wasted our time, remember the Feral Skaven continue to snatch children.
- I don't forget it, Prior. I definitively don't…
Sigmund was determined to kill himself one Feral Skaven per child torn from his home. His heart began to speed up. The Black Hunger was already whispering in his ear, demanding its blood due.
- Prior… I can already feel the anger warming my forehead.
- It must not blind you, my son. Stay focused so your arm hits without fail. Honour should guide your actions, not rage. Your family wants you to fight like a hero, not a barbarian. Okapia is faithful to you, you trust her judgment, she will accompany you on the path of virtue. And your sword, Heart of Unicorn, is the weapon that allows you to defend your ideals. Many children rely on us to rescue them, Sigmund. Think of them, rather than wanting to accumulate corpses. Cling to your convictions to accomplish your duty, do not let yourself be carried away by strong feelings, and everything will be fine.
- Hmm…
After a long minute of silence, in order to think about something else, the young Steiner decided to discuss another topic.
- How can Yavandir Palebough be a follower of Tzeentch?
- I don't know, Siggy. He pretexted heartache.
- Such a shock can make you fall over, but at this point… You know him better than I do, do you think he is capable of selling his soul to the Gods of Chaos?
- People you think you know sometimes act completely unexpectedly, or change abruptly. Palebough suffered a trauma.
- Would it have shaken him to that point?
- The greatest despair can lead to the worst end. Some end their life, others leave absolutely everything behind to move on. Yavandir Palebough chose to resist this shock in this way.
The Black Skaven found nothing to answer. He remained silent, and continued to walk, but his ears twitched at the sound of Romulus' voice.
- Or has he?
- What do you mean?
- While I was with him, I tried to get him to talk. I didn't manage to extract more information from him than what he intended to reveal to me, but... I had time to think about it while I was in the prison of Castle Beyle. I wonder if there is something else? The fact a man like him could have changed so much seems odd to me. And then, at times, there was something in his voice. Something I didn't recognize.
- Maybe he was just hoarse?
- No, Siggy. The more I think about it, the more I tell myself that an element must stay hidden to us.
- Do you think there would be a connection with the "friend" who accompanied him during his discussions with the Feral Skaven?
- It's a possibility. I would really like to know who this "friend" really is, and what is her role in this story? She convinced Palebough to trade your father's golden mask for warpstone, surely it's not for the good of the Rat Kingdom
The prior turned to the rear.
- Whoa, gentlemen, spread the word! We're approaching the forces waiting for us, but stay alert! We are near the territory invested by the Feral Skaven. They have certainly already spotted us!
Van Habron then approached Sigmund.
- Captain?
- What is it, Private Van Habron?
- I don't know, I have a weird feeling… Can't you hear anything?
- What kind of "weird" are you hearing?
- Like a kind of rumbling, in the distance...
Sigmund listened attentively. No doubt, there was a roar, it was light, but very present. The kind of noise that you do not notice right away, but which is no longer possible to ignore once heard.
- We must be more vigilant. If we are so close to the Feral Skaven, and if they are watching us, then the Warlock Engineers of Clan Skryre are already firing up their war machines!
It took another twenty minutes for the company to get to the bottom of the hill. Commander Giulietta Renata came to meet the newcomers.
- Captain Steiner, good to see you here!
- I'm glad to see you too, Commander Renata.
The tall woman went straight to the point, and ordered in an authoritative voice:
- Report back, Captain.
Sigmund dismounted Okapia, and stood to attention.
- We come directly from Pourseille. We won the battle with a more than reasonable number of casualties. We were forced to leave our most crippled elements at the Golden Fish inn, they will be back in Steinerburg by themselves.
- So all the soldiers behind you are completely able-bodied?
The Black Skaven's face creased in embarrassment.
- I would be lying if I said "yes" to you without hesitation, Commander. A few need a little more time to fully recover.
- Like that sergeant behind you, with her arm in a sling, I suppose, Captain?
Sigmund glanced at Sergeant Lescuyer. She herself also seemed uncomfortable, as much for the Black Skaven as for herself.
- How's your arm, Sergeant Lescuyer?
- Better, Captain, but I still have trouble moving it. I may not be able to carry my shield.
- Are you sure you can fight with one arm off?
- I still have the one I use to hold a sword, Captain.
The commander grumbled:
- No doubt, but you are at a disadvantage. I don't want to prevent you from participating in this battle, but I don't think it's a good idea. In any case, not in the front line. But stay close, I shall not dismiss you for that. You soldiers, get ready for battle, we'll begin the assault. No need to wait for the night, it would benefit them.
- What will be the strategy, Commander?
- Follow me to my tent, Captain, ordered the Tilean.
Sigmund obediently followed the commander, as his men picked up and checked their weapons and armour.
The two soldiers entered the large round tent in the centre of the camp, and bent over a map unrolled on a table.
- We don't have much information on the place these Feral Skaven are hiding in. From the messages I received this morning from Master Barnrooster and Prior Romulus who accompanies you, I know they're led by a Grey Seer named Karhi, and that they're lurking in a small Dwarf outpost post abandoned a couple of centuries ago.
- I knew the prior had learned some information, but wasn't Barnrooster supposed to be on a diplomatic mission?
- I don't have the details, Captain, but this mission was actually a hunt to find the Feral Skaven who are causing us problems. As soon as he spotted them, he went back to Steinerburg.
- And that's the moment he sent us this message to the Golden Fish to bring us here. I understand. And so, what could he have observed about these Feral Skaven?
- Unfortunately, we have obtained little information about the topography of the place. Barnrooster couldn't get so far, he just spotted the main portal in the first tunnel. He confirms, it is indeed Dwarf craftsmanship. Even with no one behind, it would be very difficult to get through that door. And you can be sure the Feral Skaven will take advantage of this strong position, so we'll have to use trickery to dislodge them. As if that weren't enough, Barnrooster saw a regiment of Chaotese among them. A band of Khorne warriors, led by a champion, Lennart Fireblood.
Sigmund hit his palm with his fist.
- Brother Arcturus spoke about this guy during the banquet! Don't worry, Commander, this chaotic scum will find a fighter worthy of him!
- I don't doubt it, but we must not neglect the main threat posed by the Feral Skaven themselves, Captain.
- I beg your pardon, Commander. You were talking about 'trickery", do you have a plan?
- Affirmative, Captain. You will select a few of your best riders, a dozen, no more. These riders will have to sink into the gallery, and provoke the Feral Skaven at the door. Ideally, they will use bow and arrows to shoot them down, it will be a win anyway.
- Feral Skaven will probably have warplock jezzails, Commander. Our soldiers must not linger.
- They won't. The most important thing is that they piss off the Feral Skaven enough to make them believe we're going to lead a real assault. If they only send a few Clan Warriors after our riders, we can cut them to pieces on the surface. But we have to convince them to chase us outside.
- Do you think the Feral Skaven will lose all sense of strategy and throw themselves headlong into our men without thinking?
The Tilean had an ironic pout.
- Captain, you know better than I do these creatures react on instinct. If provoked, they will feel compelled to take risks to satisfy their immediate need to fight back. They are even worse than Orcs!
- Um, yes, you're right, I guess. And then?
- Then… Let's go out, I want to show you something.
The two leaders found themselves outside again. Commander Renata took a curious object from her pocket. It looked like a pistol, but with a much larger barrel, big enough to hold an orange. Sigmund noticed its handle had been painted red.
- We will benefit from a special helping hand, thanks to other reinforcements arrived from Steinerburg. Behold!
The commander held the gun skyward, and pulled the trigger. A dazzling red glow streaked towards the heavens, and once mounted several dozen yards, exploded, and remained suspended in the air, illuminating the pale mist.
- What is that? Private Ickert asked in a worried voice.
- Don't worry, Soldier. Patience, you will understand everything.
Sigmund's ear twitched nervously. The distant engine noise had just changed pitch. It was now sharper, and above all, it was getting closer. All the soldiers of Vereinbarung looked at each other, puzzled, and watched for the slightest movement. Soon, it was no longer possible to hear anything but the rumbling.
- Look up there! Himmelstoss cried, pointing his spear.
Cries of amazement resounded here and there in the camp. To avoid panicking, Commander Renata raised her arms and announced in a loud voice:
- Citizens of Vereinbarung, here is our decisive advantage against the Horned Rat brood!
Sigmund, like the others, was both bewildered and amazed by the sight. An entire boat had literally emerged from between two clouds of mist. It was a large merchant ship – the Rat Kingdom did have a few rivers and streams, but had no direct access to the sea, and therefore no warship – whose sails had been replaced by gigantic, inflated with gas leather bladders. Horizontal and vertical propellers kept it stable and made it fly forward.
Dazed, Captain Steiner couldn't help but ask aloud:
- Who created this device?
- Come on, Captain, you know very well who! answered the commandant.
The big Black Skaven didn't answer, still stunned. Slowly, his gaping mouth curved into an admiring smile. A small question tickled his intellect.
- He couldn't have built it all by himself, could he?
- No, indeed, it benefited from the know-how of Master Aghnar Barisson's team. The Wüstengrenze construction workers were present when the Martial Law was declared, they were unauthorized to leave the city. Your grandfather the Prince had the idea of putting them to work for the war effort.
- How amazing…
He burst into an admiring laugh when he spotted the name painted on the bow of the ship:
BRAVE GRIFFIN
- All fine, Lady Steiner, they've arrived, and they're ready!
- Perfect. Get ready.
Heike was sat on a large wooden seat at the rear of the cockpit. Master Engineer Aghnar Barisson was at the helm. He shouted over his shoulder:
- Halt! Wait for the second signal!
One of the Dwarves spoke into the cornet of a pipe connected to the engine room.
- Switch to "hover" mode!
- Copy that, we switch to "hover" mode! confirmed the voice of the person on the other end of the pipe.
The Brave Griffin stopped moving forward, and hovered in place.
Gabriel couldn't believe it. Sitting on a small stool beside his mother, he gazed around him, fascinated by the ballet of the Dwarves who came and went in the cabin and on the deck. They had worked at incredible speed, and had accomplished the impossible in record time: transforming a simple cargo ship into a flying machine capable of reaching a destination within range with speed and without the perils of the road. The plan he had been working on for months had literally come to life in front of him, which had caused a whole host of emotions that he had never felt before… and it was not to displease him.
Since they had left Steinerburg the day before, everything had gone according to plan, it was almost too good to be true. The little light grey Skaven couldn't help but whisper:
- I didn't think it would work...
- I didn't think so either.
Gabriel looked up at his mother, who continued:
- I knew it.
- What… how?
- Gabriel, have you ever seen one of your inventions fail? I never. Thanks to creativity as overflowing as yours, everything is possible. You just needed arms.
Arms that, to his surprise, had obeyed him without question. With the help of Master Barisson, Gabriel had given directives to equip the ship in the best way. The heavy machinery made optimum use of the space, the steam and smoke evacuations inconvenienced the crew as little as possible, and the whole device glided through the air as easily as it used to through the water.
He stood up and took his place beside the engineer.
- Is everything going well, Master Barisson?
- Flawless. I swear, Gabling, I've never seen such a young brain give me an invention that works so well!
- It is thanks to your builders, they are remarkably trained.
- Yeah, provided you tell them how to work. Oh, by the way...
The Dwarf reached into his pocket. He took out a whistle attached to a string, which he handed to the little ratboy.
- Here, take this, I give it to you.
- Thank you, Master Barisson, but… what is it?
- Have you ever seen a whistle?
- Uh… sure, but what is it for?
The master engineer smiled.
- This is a special Dwarf engineer's whistle.
Looking closer, Gabriel saw the whistle was not just a small piece of metal at all; it was delicately chiselled, and its shape represented the helmeted head of a Dwarf. The hole to blow into was cut into the helmet, and the air escaped through a carved opening in the mouth. Barisson continued:
- It allows to call reinforcements quickly and well. When I need arms, I blow into it. Works every time.
- Really?
- Go ahead, try!
Gabriel brought the whistle to his mouth, stuck it between his teeth, pursed his lips as best he could, and blew. A shrill noise echoed through the cabin. A moment later, two Dwarves, a man and a woman, stood before the master engineer. The latter explained:
- At ease. My Lady, Gabling, meet Gunnar Simensson and Skadia Gandolfsdöttir. They are my two main assistants.
Gunnar Simensson was a little taller than Gabriel, and almost as wide as he was tall. His arms were so strong he looked like he could snap a tree trunk in half. His blond beard descended to his chest, which suggested that he was relatively young, in any case, younger than Barisson, whose beard hid the belt. Skadia Gandolfsdöttir was less beefy, without seeming to be a weakling. Her red hair was tied in three long, thick pigtails. Both wore a reinforced leather coat and a cap of the same material.
- Gunnar and Skadia are not only my workers, they have received military training. They will first help the soldiers of Vereinbarung to weaken the ranks of the Thaggoraki, then, when your troops are in the thick of the action, they will lead my guys to help them.
- Do you mean your workers will risk their life in these tunnels, Master Barisson?
- My Lady, it is part of their duties. Generally, Dwarves who work outside the karaks are trained in the art of war, just in case. I'd gladly go with them, but I have to stay here to pilot the Brave Griffin. A small half-dozen guys will stay on board for manoeuvres. Once we've brought down the ammunition and the Dwarves, as ordered by your father the Prince, we'll move away to avoid their war machines.
Skadia then spoke:
- If it can reassure you, my Lady, this is not the first time I and my fiancé take part in the action.
- It was even on a battlefield that we fell in love, sneered Gunnar.
- Before leaving, we were able to obtain some information on these places. Our people did build a colony here, but that was a long time ago. Karak Helliglys was one of the most remote outposts from the Dwarven Kingdom, and these times, there were quite a few Grobi.
- Forgive my lack of knowledge, Mistress Gandolfsdöttir, but if I understand the word "Thaggoraki", I don't know what the word "Grobi" means?
- It means "Goblins", Lady Heike, answered the Dwarf woman, slightly annoyed by the pronunciation of this word. There were whole tribes of them at the time, both in the caves and in the forest. Guarding this outpost ended up costing too much for its usefulness, so our ancestors abandoned it, after collapsing the tunnels. The Grobi that were not pulverized by the explosions died by starvation or asphyxiation.
Gabriel swallowed his saliva. He imagined the scene, horrified.
I hope I never have to do that someday!
He looked again at the whistle he held in his hand, and asked the master engineer in a weak voice:
- Are you sure you won't miss it?
- Don't worry, son, I'll craft another one. Come on, let them prepare the bombardment!
The little light grey Skaven passed the cord of the whistle around his neck, and sat down next to his mother. He sighed:
- I wish Kristofferson could have come too!
- Your grandfather asked him to stay in town to protect your sisters, Gab, answered Heike. You know it, a Chaos sect is at work, Kristofferson will not be useless to fight them.
At ground level, the tension was palpable. Commander Renata felt the soldiers couldn't wait any longer. It was time to take the initiative.
- Have you got your horsemen ready, Captain Steiner?
- Affirmative, Commander! I have twenty volunteers!
He pointed at a group of mounted soldiers. The Tilean sighed.
- Twenty? I've asked for ten, but anyway, I won't spit upon twenty volunteers.
Then she turned to them.
- Alright! Soldiers, you will be the first exposed to the attacks of the Feral Skaven. I thank you and congratulate you for accepting this risk. Your mission is simple: go down the tunnel, attack the Feral Skaven there on sight, and do everything you can to annoy them. If everything goes according to our plan, they will retaliate, then they will come after you. Once you're sure you have them on your heels, get back here as quickly as possible, and get away from the cave. I will then send out a second flare, and the crew members aboard the Brave Griffin will release glass balls full of anaesthetic gas. Our little genius has modified the formula since Kreidesglück, he was able to quickly produce us enough gas for one assault.
- Gas to put them to sleep?
- Yes, Private Ickert. The inventor refused to concoct a deadly gas, he doesn't want, I quote, that we "use his inventions to kill in such a disgusting way".
You bet he said that, Sigmund thought.
- And then, it will limit the damage, if ever some of us are affected. This gas will neutralize all the Feral Skaven outside, but won't be able to go down to the bottom of the tunnel. It is an extremely volatile gas, meaning it will dissipate very quickly. In fact, it will only be effective for a few minutes, but anyone who takes even a puff of it in that meantime will be immediately affected. This is why we must manage to get as many of them out as possible, the more there will be in the gas, the less we will have to fight.
There was a short, slightly dubious silence. The commander continued:
- I know this may itch many of you, but remember we are not murderers! All Feral Skaven that have been put to sleep by the gas will not have to be finished off! Anyway, the Feral Skaven still awake will attract more of your attention, believe me.
- So what will we do with them when they wake up, Commander? asked a soldier.
- The effects of the gas last for several hours. The battle probably won't last that long. Either we lose, and we'll all be devoured, or we win, and in that case, we'll have time to neutralize them all. When they wake up naked and unarmed, with their population greatly reduced and all their leaders dead, they will think only of fleeing as quickly as possible for their survival. We will see if we imprison them or banish them. Those in the worst shape, such as plague victims or Mutants, will still be executed, as long as they don't pollute anyone else.
- What if the battle drags on?
The commander sighed.
- Let's say it's better not to hang around.
- I have an idea, then intervened the prior. Let me take half a dozen among the less fit, those who were injured at Pourseille but who were still able to come. When our troops have entered their lair, the rest of us will tie up the sleeping Feral Skaven, and we will confiscate their weapons. What do you think, Commander?
- Well, it's an idea worth another.
Sigmund turned to Sergeant Lescuyer.
- Sergeant, choose ten soldiers you consider less capable of combat than the others. With the prior Romulus, you'll take care of neutralizing the Feral Skaven affected by the gas.
- At your command, Commander! replied the tall dark-haired woman with determination.
- Remember this is not a side-line, your help will be just as valuable, I assure you, insisted Commander Renata. You won't be too many than a dozen! Well, are there any questions?
Himmelstoss took a step forward.
- Wouldn't it be smarter to send those gas globes directly into the tunnel?
- The problem is that the configuration of the premises doesn't allow it, Private Himmelstoss. Glass globes, both heavy and fragile, would have to be carried through narrow tunnels where our forces would be lined up by the Clanrats posted at the gate. Moreover, the wind blows in the direction of the exit, in this tunnel, and therefore, the gas would float in the wrong direction.
Renata snapped her finger.
- I was about to forget! I have another important instruction to communicate to you: among the Feral Skaven, there are Chaos Warriors. They are about twenty. You will easily recognize them, they wear armours and shields painted in the colours of Khorne, the Blood God. Their leader is the fearsome Lennart Fireblood.
A worried shiver ran through the ranks of Vereinbarung's soldiers.
- These fellows are not known to hold back their blows, including on their allies, and we hope that they'll fight against us as well as against the Clanrats. Here's the special instruction: I know it will be even more difficult, but you must not kill them.
- What?
The one who had just spoken was a tall, square-jawed Human with steely eyes and slicked-back brown hair. Commander Renata raised her hand.
- Sergeant Kürbis, I understand your reaction, I had the same. But these are the Prince's orders.
- Commander, why such preferential treatment? Kürbis protested. The Chaos spawn are always harmful, no matter what God they serve!
- I agree with you, Sergeant, but the Prince wants them to be captured alive and publicly executed in order to send a message to those lurking in the shadows of Vereinbarung. I don't agree with his motives any more than you, but I'm following orders. Other questions?
No one answered.
- Then we'll go. Captain Steiner, you will lead the first assault once the glass balls are released. Sergeant Kürbis, you will receive the ammunition for the second assault that I will lead. Horsemen-archers, get ready!
Renata drew her sabre from its sheath, and brandished it firmly.
- May Myrmidia, Sigmar and Verena guide our arms in this fight!
The soldiers responded by chanting the names of the Gods best suited to support them in this terrible ordeal. Romulus contented himself with thinking:
Shallya, be merciful, and soothe the sufferings to come.
The twenty horse-archers trotted towards the great hole that sank into the depths of the hill.