And it's a new year that begins for all of us, rat women and ratmen! I hope the holidays went well, and that your best projects will see the light of day in the next twelve months!
Glory to the Horned Rat!
The sun was setting, and the hill was tinged with red lights. The large elongated shape of the Brave Griffin stood out, such a black shadow against the copper light, in the middle of the camp. Sister Judy mopped her brow.
- Where are we?
- I just took care of the last one, Sister Judy, one of the two priestesses facing her replied.
- The second convoy of wounded persons is preparing itself to take the road, and we'll take the children on the Brave Griffin, the other added.
The red-haired woman breathed a sigh of relief.
- Shallya thanks you, my Sisters, so do I! I immediately transmit the information to the Steiners.
Sister Judy searched throughout the camp for the Skaven couple, but when she saw them, she didn't immediately join them. Indeed, Heike and Psody were in full argument with the high authorities of the day. The Twins, Romulus, the few members of the army with rank and the Bretonnians were speaking heatedly with the Steiners. Marjan explained to Villefort:
- All those Feral Skaven you saw tied up at the entrance to the tunnel are those Gabriel's gas put to sleep before our first assault.
- It's a shame, we didn't neutralize as many as we wanted, Jochen grumbled. When I was Lennart Fireblood, I tried to get Karhi to push as many Skaven out as possible, but the bulk of their troops stayed in the vault.
- Certainly, but given the number of Feral Skaven captured without having to cross swords, this gas seems extremely effective to me! the Bretonnian wondered. And you say your youngest son concocted it, don't you? Even if my nature as a Knight at the service of the Lady of the Lake doesn't allow me to approve of such procedures, I must admit the result is very impressive!
- Anyway, Sergeant Kürbis just told me they regained consciousness, continued the tall blonde Human. They are completely helpless, and still under surveillance by our guys, but we will have to make a decision.
Lombard placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
- The decision has been made, my Lady: we cut all their heads off and burn the whole thing.
All the assembled authority figures looked at each other. Psody, Heike, Marjan, Jochen, Kürbis, Lescuyer, Himmelstoss and Villefort were quick to agree, Romulus was the only one to abstain.
- Right. Who volunteers?
- Let me take some of my gentlemen, and relieve you of this chore.
- Thank you, Sir de Lombard, Romulus replied.
- Are you sure this will not tarnish your honour? Heike worried.
- It won't, my Lady. Our honour dictates us to protect the weak and innocent people, and mercilessly punish evil creatures.
- With your permission, I wish to accompany them in this task, declared Himmelstoss.
- Executing your peers won't cause you any problem of conscience? Villefort asked.
- No more than you when you put a Human criminal to death. Furthermore, thanks to the Master Mage and those close to him, I never considered the Feral Skaven as my peers.
- I'm going with you, Sergeant Lescuyer added.
- Me too, said Sergeant Kürbis in turn. The more of us there are, the sooner we will be finished.
- So-so be it, Psody concluded.
The Bretonnians headed towards the battlefield again, followed by Kürbis, Lescuyer and Himmelstoss.
- I would have preferred Father to organize a trial for them, but in wartime, with this kind of individual... it would be nothing more than a waste of time.
The White Skaven didn't rejected her opinion. He knew the mentality of the Sons of the Horned Rat only too well, and knew that his girlfriend was right.
- Luckily Siggy and Gab won't see any of this, he muttered.
Heike's face lit up at the sight of Sister Judy's, glowing with optimism.
- My Lady, Master Mage, the last wounded have been taken care of. We just have to bring them aboard the Brave Griffin.
- Perfect! Marjan, I think we can break the bivouac, don't you think?
- Absolutely, my Lady. Jochen, you come?
The Gottlieb Twins went through the camp, each on their own, and ordered the equipment to be put away.
- Load everything on the carts, the Brave Griffin must be able to take on board as many passengers as possible!
One hour later, the last wounded were on board and the second convoy was ready to set off. Himmelstoss gave some final recommendations to Sergeants Lescuyer and Kürbis, with whom he would guide the last Vereinbarung soldiers still capable of standing or on a horse, by road.
- By taking turns, we should be able to complete the entire journey without needing to stop for too long. Cart drivers and able-bodied riders will rotate every hour, and can rest in either cart. On the other hand, at least one of the three of us will always have to be at the head of the procession, and another at the back. I suggest that two of us stay awake and on duty while the third is on break, and we rotate every eight hours. What do you think?
- That seems fair to me, Lescuyer replied.
- Yeah, indeed, Kürbis agreed.
- Perfect. I take the lead of the convoy for the first round. Kürbis, you get in the back. Lescuyer, you'll replace Kürbis in eight hours, then Kürbis will replace me in the next round, then I will replace you, and so on. If we follow this instruction, we will be able to return to Steinerburg, taking breaks of ten minutes maximum every two hours, to take a piss and allow the horses to take a short rest. No objection?
Neither Kürbis nor Lescuyer objected. Himmelstoss found the Gottlieb Twins.
- My Lady, Milord, we are ready to return to Steinerburg.
- Have a good trip, Himmelstoss.
- Take your time, if there are injured people who require more attention, Marjan added. A final battle awaits us there, but we'll call on Captain Klingmann's troops as a priority. The well-being of your men remains your main concern.
- At your command, my Lady.
Himmelstoss saluted, and hurried to join the convoy. He mounted his horse and ordered:
- Forward, march!
The second caravan set off, and advanced slowly, in the light of the torches and lamps carried by the horsemen who defended it.
Heike seemed worried, despite everything. Master Barisson reassured the master mage:
- Don't worry, we won't have a problem. No clouds, no signs of storm.
- There is still fog, observed the ratwoman. And night has almost fallen!
- Yeah, Lady Heike, but we'll fly above the fog. In the sky, above the countryside, there is no risk of hitting anything. In addition, we took the time to equip the Brave Griffin with lanterns coupled with mirrors to light our way, just in case. The noise and lights will scare away night owls and bats. We should arrive at your place at dawn, before your other troops. Hey, we go straight without stopping!
Jochen Gottlieb had abandoned his red armour. More comfortable in boiled leather clothes, he stretched, and declared:
- Well, I don't know for you, but this place really gives me the willies. We have nothing left to do here, and as my sister reminded Himmelstoss, we still have work to do in Steinerburg. Can we go?
A few people nodded. But the master mage raised his hand.
- Wait-wait.
Perplexed, the young lord saw his friend take a few steps in the direction of a small group apart, quickly followed by his girlfriend.
Sir Reginald de Villefort, Sir Guillaume de Lombard, and ten other knights were surrounding a cart. Knees on the ground, hands clasped on the pommel of their sword at face level, they were praying silently.
Psody's heart sank when he saw a box the size of a coffin placed on the cart. Without ever having seen him, he immediately understood who was inside. He pressed himself against his wife, seeking a little warmth. They remained like this without moving or speaking for a long minute, waiting for a reaction from the Bretonnians.
Sir de Villefort stood up, imitated by the others, who relaxed. Lombard, the standard bearer, walked towards the two Skaven.
- My Lady, Master Mage… whatever you may think about him, I must tell you he believed he was doing good for our country.
- I'll say-do nothing, Sir de Lombard. Of the two of us, he is the one to be pitied the most.
- All these deaths, this destruction... What a waste, Heike whispered, tears in her eyes.
- I am sorry about all of that, my Lady.
Villefort looked devastated, but he wanted to put on an honourable face.
- You have every reason to no longer want to hear from us, but know that the Bretonnians can recognize their wrongs. Horace de Vaucanson was wrong this time. He paid the price, but that will not repair everything he did to your principality. The only thing I can do is offer you our deepest apologies.
- Perhaps with time, the wounds of our respective kingdoms will heal, and my father will agree to establish contact with King Louen Leoncoeur on new bases, for healthier relations?
- That's all we can hope for, my Lady.
- I promised your son Sigmund to recount his exploits to our sovereign, Lombard added. You'll tell Prince Steiner His Majesty Louen Leoncoeur will meet him and get to know him whenever he wants.
- He shall be informed, replied the ratwoman. May the Lady of the Lake watch over you.
The two knights knelt simultaneously and bowed. Psody lowered his head, and Heike curtsied. Then the surviving knights of the battle of Ysibos mounted their horses, followed by the cart driven by one of them who remained on foot. The small convoy set off.
Gabriel, who remained aside, ran to stand on a tiny mound of earth at the edge of the path, and took the liberty of greeting them with a wave of his hand as they passed. He was very moved to see the knights return his salute, with the same respect and solemnity as if he had been a commander.
The Bretonnians disappeared behind a hill with the last rays of the sun, and soon the horses' hooves and the creaking of the cart wheels were no longer heard.
Now all that remained in front of the docked flying ship were the three Steiners, the Gottlieb Twins and Master Barisson. After a brief moment of hesitation, the Dwarf engineer asked in a loud voice:
- Right, is everyone in the Brave Griffin?
- No, Master Engineer.
Master Barisson turned around and saw Skadia Gandolfsdöttir. His bushy eyebrows raised in surprise when he noticed she had shaved her head, and only kept a single braid.
- I'm leaving for Karak Kadrin.
The foreman didn't need anything else to understand. He gave a slight nod.
- We have already lost several good people, and we are about to lose another one, but I understand your decision. May Grimnir guide you to the end of the trail, Skadia Gandolfsdöttir.
The female Dwarf bowed, turned towards the path, and left the camp without looking back.
Gabriel was perplexed.
- Why is she leaving?
Master Barisson stared at the young light grey Skaven with a look full of gravity.
- Among us Dwarves, honour is something we don't take lightly, son. Your life can be turned upside down by a tragedy: the death of a loved one, a supreme humiliation, a catastrophe that happened because of you... and if a Dwarf lives such an affront, then the shame is too strong for him to continue to live in Dwarf society. He then joins the cast of Slayers.
- The… Slayers?
- Yes, Gabling. Slayers are outcasts of our society who go to Karak Kadrin, the Slayers' fortress, they take there the Slayer's Oath. A Dwarf who sets out on the path of the Slayer must seek death wherever it may be found, and must end his life in glorious combat. This is the only way a shame-stricken Dwarf can be welcomed into the home of Gazul, the God who cares for the souls of the dead among us.
- But… so… she shall die?
- That's the goal, son.
- But it's not her fault if Gunnar is dead! Why should she be punished?
- She took this decision by herself, and nothing can change things. So is our society, Gabling, that's how the things go. Humans give trials that are not always fair, Grobi break their face each other, Thaggoraki kill and devour without question, us Dwarves follow our traditions, even if it stifles our society. Fortunately, some things can change. Me, for example, if I clung to the traditions of my ancestors, I shouldn't even be talking to you right now. But Humans are friends of Dwarves, and there are some Dwarves like me who are willing to try to be friends with Human friends like you. I know some who would have taken the Slayer's Oath just to have exchanged a few friendly words with you as I am now. Well... We just have to hope that she finds what she still has to find.
- It is so sad for her, Master Barisson, but we must not lose sight of the fact we have wounded people and children to bring back home!
- You are absolutely right, Lady Heike. Gabling, do you still have your whistle?
- Um… Yes, Master Barisson.
- So, take it, and blow loudly in!
The little light grey Skaven obeyed. Immediately, the Dwarves rushed forward, each to their post. The Dwarf engineer made himself a mouthpiece with his hands and shouted:
- Machinists, heat the boilers! Raise the mooring lines!
The roar of the Brave Griffin's engines echoed through the night again. On Barisson's orders, the last Dwarves remaining on land unhooked their mooring lines, then hurriedly climbed onto the access ramp.
- Raise anchor! Ho, I need strong arms to replace our fallen guys!
Ickert rushed to the wheel around which the heavy chain was wrapped, grabbed one of the bars with both hands, and helped the Dwarves push. A few soldiers joined him. Once the heavy cast iron mass in place, one of the Dwarves switched the detent, and shouted into the communication horn:
- Mooring lines cast off, anchor raised, Master Engineer!
- Copy that!
Master Barisson faced the pipe of the engine room.
- Maximum speed!
- Order received!
- Heading for Steinerburg!
He rang the warning bell and took his place at the helm. The Brave Griffin rose slowly but surely into the starry sky. Barisson turned the wheel to steer the ship on the direction of Steinerburg. It was then that a rumour buzzed in his ears. He turned around, and his forehead frowned in surprise.
- By Valaya's braids, what is that?
In front of him, there was a whole group of ratchildren. A good dozen, the oldest seemed to equal young Gabriel in number of years. Behind them, Heike had a half-embarrassed, half-amused smile.
- I'm sorry, Master Engineer, but the children insisted on "seeing the courageous Captain fly this magic boat".
The Dwarf was not used to children, but he found the situation rather comical. Furthermore, he didn't mind the idea of shining a little in the eyes of the Prince's daughter. After all, she had agreed to bring her son to help the Dwarves fly the Brave Griffin, he could give her this compensation as well. He decided to play the game to the fullest:
- Okay, mateys, but don't get stuck in my legs! Instead, come to the portholes, or better, in front of the bay window, you won't miss a bit of the show! Don't rush, there is enough room for everyone. And above all, don't speak too loudly, and don't touch anything!
The eldest of the children present, Balin, approached the Dwarf and asked:
- Master, where is the wizard?
- What wizard?
- The wizard who rocks this boat! It's not the Master Mage, he's sleeping in his cabin. So, who is it?
- We Dwarves don't make our ships fly with magic, kid! We use technology and science.
- So, how does it work?
Master Barisson felt his lips purse in annoyance. Suddenly, his features relaxed when he had an idea to shorten the conversation which was becoming much too long for his liking. He pointed at Gabriel with his thumb and replied with a mischievous little smile:
- Ask the brilliant inventor to explain everything to you!
The Dwarf gave a slight sigh of relief when he saw the little ratboy disdain him in a blink and run towards his fellow creature. He counted the children sitting in front of the windows, and muttered under his breath:
- Now, let me be pilot in peace...
The Brave Griffin sped through the night at incredible speed. As his pilot had predicted, it didn't experience the slightest incident. The passengers were not aware of it, but this night would take on a very special atmosphere for many people. As Morrslieb was rather high in the night sky, its green glow spread across the plains, forests, and villages. The little Skaven distinguished houses and fields, fascinated. And, on the ground, several dozen people were awakened by the dull roar of the flying ship's engines. Many of them feared the presence of a Dragon, but others had the courage to open the window or go outside to discover this strange elongated shape hovering above Vereinbarung.
Heike was sitting on a chair near the front glass bay, the Twins at her side. Jochen was full of praise.
- Needless to say, my Lady, your brat is a real genius! I had heard about Dwarven gyrocopters, but I didn't think I would ever be able to fly someday!
- If we could use this thing to get to Cathay, it would shorten the trip! observed Marjan.
- We don't know its autonomy, Marjan, replied Heike. Gabriel explained to me he would need two or three more years of work, at least, to improve its chances of covering such long distances. For now, you will be quicker to go there on horseback.
- How shame
- Eeyup, sis', but that's how it is. Ho, look, my Lady!
Jochen tapped his finger on the armoured glass. Heike stood up and leaned forward to get a better look. She gave a little cry of surprise.
Under the Brave Griffin, it was open country. It was pitch black, but Morrslieb's rays outlined the shapes of a convoy on the line of the path that cut through the fields. Torches pierced the darkness all around the wagons and horses. The ratmother understood it was the first convoy, led by her son, which was on the way. She swallowed, and turned to Master Barisson. For a few seconds, she wanted to ask him to stop the machine and make it land, so that she could hug the large Black Skaven in her arms. But she reluctantly gave it up. There was no need to slow down the pace of the ship or the land convoy.
The youngest Steiner son was not at all in the same state of mind, on the contrary. Gabriel was in heaven. First, he had likely escaped the terrible punishment his initiative should have cost him. Then, he had spent the entire previous hour explaining to Balin how the Brave Griffin worked, while guiding him through its innards. On the way, they had come across Branwen. Curious, she had left the cabin where the children were recovering from their emotions. She joined the duo, fascinated by the invention, and eager to learn more.
The two young rat-children had difficulty understanding all of the light grey Skaven's explanations, but Gabriel was surprised to discover he could be very pedagogical when he spoke about a subject he mastered perfectly and which fascinated him. Also, whenever one of his two new friends had difficulty understanding something, he would rephrase it with simpler words, and it worked.
The three young people wandered through the corridors of the fantastic device. Without daring to admit it to his comrades, Gabriel still found it hard to believe that one of his wildest dreams had indeed come true, and that he could see how it worked with his own eyes. Of course, because of the urgency of the situation, many little things here and there remained to be improved, and the little ratman did not fail to write them down in his little notebook every time he spotted something. thing. Balin and Branwen also took part in the game, and helped him spot everything that seemed abnormal – an exercise more difficult than it seemed, because for two country children in the middle of the machinery of a ship which operated with avant-garde technology, there was no shortage of sources of astonishment.
They stayed together for a full hour, but fatigue eventually got the better of their youthful enthusiasm. Gabriel accompanied Balin and Branwen down to the lower corridor where the staff hammocks were lined up. The priestesses of Shallya watched over the ratchildren gathered in the hammocks. Before letting him go, Branwen gratified Gabriel with a small kiss on the cheek. Seized by a sudden dizziness, the little light grey rat-man returned to the captain's cabin, where his parents were installed. His father was already sound asleep in the big bed. He lay down fully dressed in a small bed added in a corner of the room for the occasion, and immediately fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
When he opened his eyes, he was all alone in the cabin. The sun's rays warmed the room, it was pleasant. The little ratman stood up, stretched, and looked out the window. He was surprised to see the town of Steinerburg, a few miles away. The Brave Griffin had come home! He hurried to join his parents, whom he expected to find at the cockpit.
Indeed, Psody and Heike were near the pilot. The latter seemed focused.
- Ah, there you are, Gabling! You arrive just in time for landing.
The Dwarf engineer bellowed some instructions which an assistant repeated into the communications horn. The flying ship slowly began its descent towards its destination: a fallow meadow located not far from the main gate of the capital, which had also served as the location for the construction site of the incredible vessel. It only took a few minutes to find itself just above the land. Once again, the Dwarves pinned the Brave Griffin to the ground. Barisson ordered the engines to be turned off, and the boat stopped.
Sister Judy was in the dormitory where all the children were waiting, with the other priestesses. She explained:
- We have arrived in Steinerburg, dear little ones. You will accompany us to the Shallya temple. We will take in charge you all while waiting for your parents to come pick you up.
- And… those who no longer have parents? Balin asked fearfully.
- Well, we'll take care of finding them another home. If there are any who wish to take orders, they will be welcome.
A horn sounded through the wooden ceiling. Heike entered the room.
- My sisters, children, we will be able to go down. Gather your stuff and line up in pairs in calm.
Jochen was the first to go down the ramp and put his foot on ground.
- Right, it's quite stable!
Suddenly, he saw the welcoming committee, and hastened to get down on one knee.
- Your Highness…
- Come on, son, get up.
When he saw the Skaven couple descend, Prince Steiner felt his heart speed up. Tears came to his eyes when he saw them both safe and sound.
- My son! My heart!
The two Skaven threw themselves into the arms of the monarch.
- What a relief, my children!
- All is well, Father. We won-defeated.
- Gab and Siggy are fine, too, Heike added.
Steiner addressed the White Skaven.
- Listen to me carefully, Psody, and remember this: the next time we implement such a twisted and dangerous strategy, when I am about to give my approval, do not let me. Slap me, knock me out, if necessary tear out my tongue with a bite, but I refuse to impose such an ordeal on our family again!
- Be careful, I might take your word! replied the master mage mischievously.
The Prince laughed heartily, but he stopped when his gaze met that of Romulus, who had also descended. Indeed, he detected a glint of sadness in the prior's eye.
- Romulus! What a joy to see you, too, my friend!
- I share your joy, alas, I have bad news.
- What? Speak, please.
- We suffered losses, both among adults and among children. Horace de Vaucanson did not survive the battle.
- Vaucanson? You mean he was present?
- He wanted to help us. Without the Bretonnians, we would have had much heavier losses.
- By Taal's Beard…
Gabriel was at the back of the group of ratchildren, alongside Sister Judy. Sister Clarence, the priestess who had taken care of him, disciplined the little Skaven lined up in two rows. Gabriel saw among the last to descend Branwen. The little girl gave him a light wave, with a big smile. The young light grey Skaven was too stunned to answer her and stood watching her walk away, eyes wide and arms dangling. He was brought out of his daze by the touch of Sister Judy's hand on his shoulder.
- Let's go.
The priestess was delicately carrying Emil in a basket. Before setting foot on the ramp, Gabriel asked:
- Sister Judy! Please?
- Yes, Gabriel?
- You… what's going to happen to Emil?
- We shall take him to the temple, with all the other children. I'll ask your grandfather the Prince to send a messenger to warn his parents. You can give them their baby boy back when they get to Steinerburg. And in the meantime, if you wish, you can visit Emil every day.
Gabriel stuck his muzzle over the wicker, and saw Emil, who was babbling softly and waving his arms. He timidly reached above him, and the little baby grabbed his finger and squeezed it.
- Hee hee, it seems like he got attached to you! Come on, don't keep your grandfather waiting.
The little light grey Skaven saw his parents and the Prince waving to him, standing near a carriage. Without saying a word, Gabriel carefully released his finger, and hastened to get off the Brave Griffin.
In the park of the Steiner estate, Isolde was walking alongside Magdalena, her mother's faithful servant. Despite the good weather, she was in a gloomy mood, and looked more like a wandering soul than a happy little girl. No one from her family left at home, apart from her big sister who was still sick (even if she was getting better) and his big brother who was constantly absent. All she knew was that he was working with Master Barnrooster, the treasurer, on "a very important secret matter". The little ratgirl hadn't insisted, the word "secret" summed it up.
The atmosphere had become practically unbreathable. Being stuck all day on the estate, no longer being allowed to go out into the garden after dark, and being afraid of everything and everyone, such was daily life for her since that horrible evening. She continued, despite everything, to pray to Shallya every morning and every evening, hoping to see the Goddess of Compassion lighten her little heart at least a little.
As she was dragging her feet on the alley, she heard the unmistakable sound of the front gate opening. Like everyone else, she had seen the Brave Griffin fly over Steinerburg before landing in a nearby field. Her heart raced: her mother and her brother Gabriel were back! She trotted to the entrance, happy as hell at the prospect of seeing them again. She saw her grandfather's carriage stopped in front of the house. The coachman was opening its door, letting the Prince get out. Suddenly, Isolde stopped short when she saw the second person coming out of the cabin. Her eyes widened painfully, and her jaw threatened to drop.
The large mirror in the wardrobe rendered Bianka the image of her entire body, from head to toe. The morning sunlight poured into the room through the open curtains window, and made golden reflections sparkle on her wheat-coloured fur.
Once her morning wash complete, the young ratgirl had left the family bathroom to return to her bedroom, and candled, like every morning, on the lookout for the smallest flaw in her presentation. She cleared her throat. The green pox had not had time to wreak irreversible havoc on her body, she didn't fail to silently thank Shallya for that. Of course, there were still some marks: her hair tonsured where Sister Judy's razor had had to cut short to treat the buboes. But the hair had started to grow back, in a few weeks, the odious disease would be nothing more than a painful memory.
Bianka smiled at her reflection. The green pox had certainly damaged her, but not irreversibly, and her physical capital was going to be completely restored. It wasn't just about her beauty, but also her abilities. The young ratgirl was determined to return to physical exercises once cured for good.
She began a first exercise by wanting to do a few push-ups, but stopped quickly, overcome by a coughing fit. She smiled again, wryly this time, at her reflection.
- Be more little patient, gal.
A dizziness brought her back to reality. Indeed, the disease was not yet completely overcome. She tried to control the rhythm of her breathing to slow down her heartbeat. She sank onto her bed.
Verena forgive me, I'm not completely out of the woods!
Her ears perked up at the sound of knocking on the front door to her quarters.
- Who is it?
- It's Kit, replied the voice of her older brother.
- Wait just a minute.
Bianka got up as best she could, quickly took a simple dress from her closet, put it on, and laid down again on the mattress.
- Come in, I'm in my bedroom, I can't open the door.
Kristofferson entered, with a slice of cake on a small plate.
- Don't you feel better?
The high archivist placed the pillow against the wall and rested her back on it.
- Don't worry, I do. I just have to take care of myself. I did a few push-ups, but my lungs didn't agree. Oh thank you!
The tall, brown-haired Skaven sat in the armchair while the blonde ratmaiden nibbled on the pastry.
- Sorry I can't kiss you, sis'.
- Forget it. So, what news?
Kristofferson's eyes shone with excitement.
- The noose is tightening. Nedland and I found quite a few of them. Most come from the Mousetrap or other poorly frequented districts, but others have more means. There are even a few that have a storefront in the Libra Quarter!
- It's hardly surprising, the sects of Chaos have access to all levels of society! Are they numerous?
- Dozens, too many to catch them all at once.
- Unless we find a way to bring them all together in a unique place, I suppose?
- You suppose well. Nedland is exploring the question. He thinks about kicking the anthill, making a blow big enough to cause panic and force the leaders to show up.
- Still this famous "triumvirate"… Do you really believe there are three leaders?
- It makes sense; they have a man of war, an actor undoubtedly master of infiltration and a priest. Three thinking heads are more formidable than one.
- We'll have to exercise extra caution, let's not forget the Beast with Angel's laugh is still among them.
Kristofferson didn't have time to respond. The door to the room flew open behind him. He spun on his heels, fists raised, and his face stretched in surprise when he saw his younger sister Isolde running towards him, out of breath.
- Father is alive, Father is alive! Come quickly to the small living room!
She turned around, and disappeared as quickly as she arrived. The brown Skaven couldn't believe his ears.
- What does she mean, "Father is alive"?
Unlike the little girl who was overflowing with joy, he quickly understood what this news implied. And he didn't like it at all. On the contrary, a surge of adrenaline ignited his spine. He jumped out of the chair and went down the stairs with a firm step, barely hearing the exclamations of his bedridden sister.